Addition of butyrate or its salt has been reported to have a positive impact on growth performance in broilers due to its bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. This study investigated the effect of enterically coated dietary sodium butyrate (SB) on broiler performance. In experiment 1, 408 day-old male Ross 308 chicks were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors were dietary energy (standard or minus 50 kcal/kg relative to standard diet) and coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg). In experiment 2, 2160 day-old male Cobb 500 birds were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial plus one arrangement of treatments. Factors included grain source (corn or wheat); protein level (standard or high); coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg) plus a treatment using 2 kg SB in a high protein wheat-based diet. The results from the experiments showed no effect of coated SB on performance at 1 g/kg inclusion in feed across the ME range or across basal diet type (grain) or protein level (P > 0.05). However, birds fed the high protein wheat diet with 2 g/kg SB had higher body weights than the control birds at 10 and 24 days old. Birds fed high protein diets had lower body weight gain (WG) than those fed standard protein diets (P < 0.05), whereas birds fed corn based diets had higher WG than those fed wheat based diets (P < 0.05). Birds fed high dietary protein or wheat based diet showed decreased pH of caecal contents. The results indicated that dietary coated SB had no effect on broiler performance, the concentration of caecal and ileal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) or intestinal pH. Higher inclusion levels may play a beneficial role but this warrants further investigation.

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a nutrient-dense, low glycemic index food that supports healthy weight management in people and was examined for dogs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and nutrient utilisation of navy (NB) and black (BB) bean-based diets in overweight or obese companion dogs undergoing a weight loss intervention. A nutritionally complete, dry extruded dog food was used as the control (CON) diet and two isocaloric, nutrient matched bean diets, containing either 25% w/w cooked BB or NB powder formed the test diets. Diets were fed to adult, overweight companion dogs for either four weeks (short-term study, n = 30) or for twenty-six weeks (long-term study, n = 15) at 60% of maintenance calories for ideal weight. Apparent weight loss increased over time in both the short- and long-term studies (p < 0.001) but was not different between the three study groups: apparent weight loss was between 4.05% – 6.14% for the short-term study and 14.0% – 17.9% in the long-term study. The ATTD was within expected ranges for all groups, whereby total dry matter and crude protein ATTD was 7–8% higher in the BB diet compared to CON (P < 0.05), crude fat ATTD was similar across all diets, and nitrogen free extract ATTD was 5–6% higher in both BB and NB compared to CON (P < 0.05). Metabolisable energy was similar for all diets, and ranged from 3,434–3,632 kcal/kg. At the end of each study period, dogs had haemoglobin levels ≥12 g/dl, packed cell volume ≥36%, albumin ≥2.4 g/dl, ALP ≤ 300 IU/l and all median values for each group were within defined limits for nutritional adequacy. This investigation demonstrated that BB and NB diets were safe, digestible, and supported weight loss in calorically restricted, overweight or obese, adult companion dogs.

The present study examined the mode of action of a patented Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast hydrolysate product (YHP) on the fermentation of bovine rumen in vitro. Three experiments were conducted. Fresh fluid from rumen-cannulated dairy cows was used as an inoculum to ferment a mixture of grass silage and concentrate feed with or without YHP. The first two experiments were batch fermentations of 12–24 h duration while the third experiment was a semi-continuous fermentation of six days. Production of gas, concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial cell density and pH were measured from the fermentation medium as a function of time. In experiment 1, YHP dose-dependently stimulated the production of gas, and increased the density of microbial cells and concentration of SCFAs. Experiment 2 studied the effect of YHP on the ruminal fermentation using three ratios of concentrate feed to grass silage (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25). Both YHP and the elevated proportion of concentrate in the feed mixture significantly increased the production of gas, microbial populations and SCFAs, including propionic acid, by the ruminal microbiota. In experiment 3, YHP increased the concentration and relative proportion of propionic acid in the fermentation medium. YHP stimulated the rate of microbial fermentation of bovine ruminal microbiota, indicated by the effects on gas and SCFA production and microbial mass in these experiments. In particular, YHP increased the production of propionic acid. These results, which were likely due to modulation of microbial community by YHP, suggest that YHP enhances bovine ruminal fermentation and may thus improve the performance of these animals.

The history of the feed industry is pertinent in terms of understanding how and why certain practices have evolved. Some of these practices have been superseded by modern, more natural alternatives, for example the traditional use of antibiotics in feed. In other cases, such as inorganic minerals, more natural versions akin to those found in plant and animal materials are available, although these new initiatives are still being taken up globally. Research continues to increase our knowledge and understanding of nutrient balance and digestion, and in some species this is more advanced than others. The following paper represents the first complete history of the feed industry, its major milestones, and projects how it might continue to utilise new technology developments to improve animal feeding practices.

Calcium is considered important in buffering excess stomach acid in mammals, including horses. Control of stomach acid is important in preventing the development of ulcers within the stomach lining, which, in horses, are considered to be caused by acid splashing. Algae supplements contain various minerals which are in natural form, as seen in all plant and feedstuffs. The current trial was conducted to examine if a high calcium algae supplement had any impact on gastric ulceration in horses, which may be due to buffering stomach acid, reducing the pH in a gradual manner, without resorting to medication. Ten horses, of either thoroughbred, standardbred or sport horse breed, were selected on the basis of the presence of ulcers in their stomach, as ascertained by endoscopy. The average ulceration score before algae supplementation was 2.2 ± 0.75 according to the EGUC scoring system. The horses were then maintained on their normal diet (unchanged from the initial ulcer scoring) by the owner with the addition of 40 g per day of the high calcium, algae based Maxia Complete® (Seahorse Supplements Ltd, Christchurch, NZ) for thirty days (T30). All horses were then re endoscoped to assess any change in ulceration score. All horses showed a significant improvement in ulcer score, with seven having a score of zero (fully healed, no evidence of further ulceration) and two with a score of one (some residual inflammation or keratinosis in areas of healed ulcers). This resulted in a mean score of 0.3 ± 0.48 (P < 0.0001: T0 versus T30) at the end of the study. This trial demonstrated that feeding an organic form of high calcium from algae reduced ulceration in horses.

This study evaluated the effect of an enzyme blend (xylanase, amylase and protease; XAP) in combination with a direct fed microbial (DFM) containing three strains of Bacillus spp. on intestinal histology, immune response and performance of broilers. Four dietary treatments were tested in a 2 × 2 factorial trial, including two levels of challenge (without or with coccidial infection), two levels of feed additive (with or without XAP and DFM). Diets were fed ad libitum to male Cobb500 broilers in mash feeds from 1–21 days of age, with eight replicate pens per treatment within brooder-batteries with raised wire floors and built up litter, housing six birds per pen. A mild challenge was introduced by oral gavage at day five to the challenged birds, using a six-fold concentration of coccidial vaccine. A high fibre basal diet formulated with rye and wheat middlings was used to further increase the challenge. Body weight and feed intake were measured and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated during starter (1–12 d), grower (12–21 d) and overall 1–21 days. Intestinal morphology and immune response parameters were measured on day 12 and 21. Compared to the unchallenged groups, the coccidial challenge reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG), increased FCR, reduced villus height and increased crypt depth. The challenged birds had increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β; P < 0.05) in the intestine as well as higher levels of acute phase proteins (APP, haemopexin and α−1-acid glycoprotein) in the plasma and circulating heterophils. XAP + DFM supplementation improved BWG, reduced FCR and increased energy efficiency compared to the non-supplemented groups. The combination of XAP and DFM reduced inflammatory responses such as APP compared to the challenged control group and maintained performance to a comparable level seen in the unchallenged control. The data indicate that XAP enzymes in combination with Bacillus-based DFM may reduce the damage and performance losses induced by coccidial challenge.

The storage and cooking quality of meat is dictated by the ability of muscle cells to effectively hold water. If this ability is diminished, then presentation at time of purchase is poorer, as the packaging fills with watery exudates (termed ‘drip loss’), which is detrimental to sales. In addition, these losses affect cooking and eating sensory qualities. It is known that antioxidants play a major role in ensuring robustness of the cell membrane in muscle, and within this, selenium (Se) plays a major part, being an essential component within an antioxidant enzyme system and its interaction with vitamin E within membranes. The following review examines the body of evidence for Se as an antioxidant to preserve water holding capacity, especially with reference to using a chemically organic form of the mineral which is akin to those forms found in natural feed materials.

Selenium is an important mineral required in the antioxidant system in animals, which is involved with oxidative stability in tissues, particularly membranes, and is involved in various aspects of meat quality and stability on the shelf, due to its protective properties on lipids, preventing rancidity. Se can be supplied in an inorganic or chemically organic form, and it is well known that the latter has beneficial properties and improved functionality in physiological systems compared to the former. Research has shown that organic Se is associated with increased tenderness and the prevention of certain problems in pale exudative meat, discolouration and off-flavours and odours in meat, although this depends on other components of the antioxidant system, such as vitamin E, being present as well. The change in prominence of glutathione peroxidase forms in their interaction with vitamin E in cell membranes is also noted. The following review (the third in a series) details the research that has been conducted into the role of Se in meat stability and related factors, with specific focus on organic forms of Se, namely the commercial product Sel-Plex™ (Alltech Inc, Nicholasville, KY, USA), which is derived from yeast and in which selenium replaces sulphur in methionine forming selenomethionine in yeast protein.

The importance of selenium as a key component of antioxidant systems in animals is well recognised due to much research about this mineral in many species. Selenium is required as part of the antioxidant enzyme structure and plays a major role in various protective systems in animal physiology, including immunity, cellular stability and DNA protection. The following review is the first in a series of three which details the importance of selenium in animal nutrition, and how the chemically organic form, which is akin to the form of the mineral in natural feed materials, can provide increased benefits in utilisation, storage and metabolism compared to inorganic sources.

Nutritional manipulation of diets for layers can help to naturally modify thenutritional content of eggs. The objective of this study was to increase theconcentration of the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the eggyolk by feeding a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from microalgae compared toone containing fish oil to layers. A total of 480 layers (Babcock B308) aged 28weeks old were divided into four treatment groups with four replicates pertreatment. The layers were fed a control diet, a diet containing 4% crudesalmon oil, or microalgae (Schizochytrium spp.) at 1% or2% in the diet for eight weeks. Feed intake and egg production wererecorded daily and egg quality tested every two weeks. There were no significantdifferences between the control and treatment groups as regards feed intake, eggproduction, egg weight, egg mass, albumin height, and Haugh unit of the eggs.The egg samples were obtained at the start of the trial, four weeks and eightweeks for the analysis of the fatty acid profile in the eggs. The DHA level inthe eggs from layers fed even 1% or 2% algae was higher (P< 0.05) compared to the level from those fed with the control diet and4% fish oil supplementation. The omega 6:3 ratio in eggs wassignificantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared to the control diet and thefish oil groups. Feeding 2% microalgae (Schizochytriumspp.) in hen diet resulted in an increase in the DHA level (above100 mg/egg) and a decrease in the omega 6:3 ratio to the optimal level. Thetrial demonstrated that DHA concentration in eggs can be enriched throughnutritional management of layers by using algae supplementation in order toprovide more favourable fatty acids for consumers.