ABSTRACT
Currently, there is an increased interest in mass producing edible insects, e.g., field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus), due to their market value and sustainable development. The current study aimed to measure the production performance of field crickets and to quantify the major nutrient deposition rate using a new approach for a nutrient conversion efficiency calculation for the field crickets under mass-rearing conditions. The field crickets were reared under mass-rearing conditions in the rearing crates and fed with a commercial cricket feed. Measurements for daily feed offered, final body weight, and dead cricket quantity were carried out during the feeding trial period. There were three production rounds with the same procedure for farmed cricket management. The samples of diet, adult crickets, and dead crickets were collected and then analyzed for chemical analysis of macronutrients. The production performance and nutrient conversion efficiency were calculated and then compared with applicable earlier reports for both field and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets. The production performance for the studied field crickets under mass-rearing conditions had final a body weight, an average daily gain (ADG), a feed conversion ratio (FCR), and a survival rate of 0.95 g, 23.20 mg/day, 2.94 and 88.51%, respectively. The field crickets had nutrient conversion efficiency for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 13.26, 8.03, 28.95, 88.94, 34.87, and 1.85, respectively, with an adjusted nutrient conversion efficiency of 14.85, 8.99, 32.37, 99.17, 38.95, and 2.10, respectively. Thus, the production of field crickets could be performed under mass-rearing conditions, and the nutrient conversion efficiency for both adjusted and non-adjusted values could be measured.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Wood vinegar is a product generated from the combustion and distillation of wood and other plant materials. It has been shown to suppress bacteria, resulting in healthier livestock and increased yields. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of drinking water supplemented with wood vinegar on growth performance, intestinal health, and gut microbial of broilers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 Ross 308 1-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. The study consisted of three treatments containing four replicates, with 10 birds in each. Treatments were given 0.5% and 1.0% (V/V) wood vinegar supplemented in drinking water, while no supplementation was given to the control group. The animals were raised in an open-house system. All groups were provided with a commercial diet and drinking water ad libitum. Analysis of variance was conducted using the general linear model procedure to compare the levels of wood vinegar supplementation in drinking water on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and gut microbial. RESULTS: No significant differences (p>0.05) were found for body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and water consumption between groups during the starter (1-21 days old), grower (22-35 days old), and whole (1-35 days old) growth periods. Moreover, no significant differences in villi height and crypt depth (p>0.05) at 21 and 35 days of age were found. In addition, no significant difference in terms of lactic acid bacteria and Escherichia coli was found between the different treatments. CONCLUSION: Drinking water supplemented with wood vinegar was not found to have an effect on the growth performance and gut microbial of broiler chickens in the present study. However, the supplementation of wood vinegar in drinking water could improve intestinal morphology.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated carcass characteristics and meat quality of purebred Pakchong 5, crossbred pigs sired by Pakchong 5, and crossbred pigs sired by Duroc. METHODS: Forty-eight pigs (average body weight of 22.25 kg) were composed of three groups as purebred Pakchong 5 (PP), Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Pakchong 5 (LWLRP), and Large White×Landrace pigs sired by Duroc (LWLRD). Each group consisted of eight gilts and eight barrows. At 109-day-raising period, pigs were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles from left side of carcasses were evaluated for meat quality and chemical composition. Data were analyzed using general linear model procedure, where group, sex, and their interaction were included in the model. RESULTS: The PP had greater carcass, total lean, and ham percentages than crossbred pigs (p< 0.05). LWLRP had thicker backfat and more carcass fat percentage than LWLRD (p<0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) on cutting percentages from tender loin, loin, boston butt, and picnic shoulder among groups. The PP and LWLRP had larger loin eye area (LEA) than LWLRD (p<0.05). Gilts had more loin percentage and lower L* value than barrows (p<0.05). No meat color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were affected by groups (p>0.05). PP and LWLRP had larger muscle fiber diameters than LWLRD (p<0.05). However, water holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and chemical composition of LT were not affected by group or sex (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Pakchong 5 purebred has good carcass and lean percentages. Compared to Duroc crossbred pigs, Pakchong 5 crossbreds have similar carcass and lean percentages, larger LEA, and slightly more carcass fat, with comparable meat quality and chemical composition. Pakchong 5 boars are more affordable for very small- to medium-scale pig producers.
