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A Bach - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • forced traffic in automatic milking systems effectively reduces the need to get cows but alters eating behavior and does not improve milk yield of dairy cattle
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2009
    Co-Authors: A Bach, M Devant, C Igleasias, Antonio Ferrer
    Abstract:

    Abstract Eighty-five lactating Holstein dairy cows in loose housing conditions in 2 symmetrical pens, each containing 28 Feeding places, 3 waterers, and 1 automatic milking system (AMS), were used to evaluate the effects of the traffic type imposed on lactating cows through an AMS on milking frequency, Feeding behavior, and milk production. The study was a crossover design with 2 periods and 2 treatments. Each period lasted 3 mo, with 1 mo of adaptation within each period. All cows were fed a partial mixed ration twice daily and up to 3 kg/d of a concentrate during the visits to the AMS. Treatments consisted of allowing free traffic of cows throughout the pen or forcing cows to pass through the AMS to access the Feed Troughs (forced traffic). Individual eating behavior and Feed consumption were continuously monitored throughout the study using a computerized system. Individual milk production was recorded at each milking, and milk composition was recorded monthly. In addition, the number of cows brought to the AMS was recorded. The number of daily meals was less, whereas meal duration and meal size were greater with forced traffic (6.6±0.3 meals/d, 20.4±0.65 min/meal, and 2.7±0.09 kg/meal, respectively) than with free traffic (10.1±0.3 meals/d, 15.7±0.65 min/meal, and 1.8±0.09 kg/meal, respectively). Total dry matter intake (21.1±0.5 and 20.4±0.58 kg/d, respectively) and milk production (29.8±0.79 and 30.9±0.79 kg/d, respectively) were similar in the 2 systems. The number of voluntary and total daily milkings was greater with forced traffic (2.4±0.04 and 2.5±0.06 milkings/d, respectively) than with free traffic (1.7±0.06 and 2.2±0.04 milkings/d, respectively). Forced traffic improved the number of voluntary milkings, but altered milk quality and eating behavior of dairy cattle.

  • associations between lameness and production Feeding and milking attendance of holstein cows milked with an automatic milking system
    Journal of Dairy Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: A Bach, Marti Dinares, M Devant, Xavier Carre
    Abstract:

    A longitudinal study involving 73 primiparous (PP) and 47 multiparous (MP) Holstein cows was conducted over an 8-month period to assess the associations between locomotion score (LCS) and milk production, dry matter intake (DMI), Feeding behaviour, and number of visits to an automatic milking system (AMS). Twice weekly, all cows were locomotion scored (scale 1-5) by the same observer. Individual eating behaviour and individual Feed consumption at each cow visit to the Feed Troughs, individual milk production, the time of milking, and the number of milkings for each cow were recorded for the day of locomotion scoring and the day before and after. Dependent variables, such as milk yield, DMI, etc. were modelled using a mixed-effects model with parity, LCS, days in milk (DIM), the exponential of -0.05 DIM, and the interaction between parity and LCS, as fixed effects and random intercepts and random slopes for the linear and the exponential of -0.05DIM effects within cow. LCS did not affect time of attendance at Feed Troughs, but affected the location that cows occupied in the Feed Troughs. The time devoted to eating and DMI decreased with increasing LCS. Milk production decreased with LCS>3. The number of daily visits to the AMS also decreased with increasing LCS. The cows with high LCS were fetched more often than the cows with low LCS. Overall, PP cows were more sensitive to the effects of increasing LCS than were MP cows. The decrease in milk production observed with increasing LCS seemed to be affected similarly by the decrease in DMI and by the decrease in number of daily visits to the AMS. A further economic loss generated by lame cows with AMS will be associated with the additional labour needed to fetch them.

Antonio Ferrer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • forced traffic in automatic milking systems effectively reduces the need to get cows but alters eating behavior and does not improve milk yield of dairy cattle
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2009
    Co-Authors: A Bach, M Devant, C Igleasias, Antonio Ferrer
    Abstract:

    Abstract Eighty-five lactating Holstein dairy cows in loose housing conditions in 2 symmetrical pens, each containing 28 Feeding places, 3 waterers, and 1 automatic milking system (AMS), were used to evaluate the effects of the traffic type imposed on lactating cows through an AMS on milking frequency, Feeding behavior, and milk production. The study was a crossover design with 2 periods and 2 treatments. Each period lasted 3 mo, with 1 mo of adaptation within each period. All cows were fed a partial mixed ration twice daily and up to 3 kg/d of a concentrate during the visits to the AMS. Treatments consisted of allowing free traffic of cows throughout the pen or forcing cows to pass through the AMS to access the Feed Troughs (forced traffic). Individual eating behavior and Feed consumption were continuously monitored throughout the study using a computerized system. Individual milk production was recorded at each milking, and milk composition was recorded monthly. In addition, the number of cows brought to the AMS was recorded. The number of daily meals was less, whereas meal duration and meal size were greater with forced traffic (6.6±0.3 meals/d, 20.4±0.65 min/meal, and 2.7±0.09 kg/meal, respectively) than with free traffic (10.1±0.3 meals/d, 15.7±0.65 min/meal, and 1.8±0.09 kg/meal, respectively). Total dry matter intake (21.1±0.5 and 20.4±0.58 kg/d, respectively) and milk production (29.8±0.79 and 30.9±0.79 kg/d, respectively) were similar in the 2 systems. The number of voluntary and total daily milkings was greater with forced traffic (2.4±0.04 and 2.5±0.06 milkings/d, respectively) than with free traffic (1.7±0.06 and 2.2±0.04 milkings/d, respectively). Forced traffic improved the number of voluntary milkings, but altered milk quality and eating behavior of dairy cattle.

M Devant - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • forced traffic in automatic milking systems effectively reduces the need to get cows but alters eating behavior and does not improve milk yield of dairy cattle
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2009
    Co-Authors: A Bach, M Devant, C Igleasias, Antonio Ferrer
    Abstract:

    Abstract Eighty-five lactating Holstein dairy cows in loose housing conditions in 2 symmetrical pens, each containing 28 Feeding places, 3 waterers, and 1 automatic milking system (AMS), were used to evaluate the effects of the traffic type imposed on lactating cows through an AMS on milking frequency, Feeding behavior, and milk production. The study was a crossover design with 2 periods and 2 treatments. Each period lasted 3 mo, with 1 mo of adaptation within each period. All cows were fed a partial mixed ration twice daily and up to 3 kg/d of a concentrate during the visits to the AMS. Treatments consisted of allowing free traffic of cows throughout the pen or forcing cows to pass through the AMS to access the Feed Troughs (forced traffic). Individual eating behavior and Feed consumption were continuously monitored throughout the study using a computerized system. Individual milk production was recorded at each milking, and milk composition was recorded monthly. In addition, the number of cows brought to the AMS was recorded. The number of daily meals was less, whereas meal duration and meal size were greater with forced traffic (6.6±0.3 meals/d, 20.4±0.65 min/meal, and 2.7±0.09 kg/meal, respectively) than with free traffic (10.1±0.3 meals/d, 15.7±0.65 min/meal, and 1.8±0.09 kg/meal, respectively). Total dry matter intake (21.1±0.5 and 20.4±0.58 kg/d, respectively) and milk production (29.8±0.79 and 30.9±0.79 kg/d, respectively) were similar in the 2 systems. The number of voluntary and total daily milkings was greater with forced traffic (2.4±0.04 and 2.5±0.06 milkings/d, respectively) than with free traffic (1.7±0.06 and 2.2±0.04 milkings/d, respectively). Forced traffic improved the number of voluntary milkings, but altered milk quality and eating behavior of dairy cattle.

  • associations between lameness and production Feeding and milking attendance of holstein cows milked with an automatic milking system
    Journal of Dairy Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: A Bach, Marti Dinares, M Devant, Xavier Carre
    Abstract:

    A longitudinal study involving 73 primiparous (PP) and 47 multiparous (MP) Holstein cows was conducted over an 8-month period to assess the associations between locomotion score (LCS) and milk production, dry matter intake (DMI), Feeding behaviour, and number of visits to an automatic milking system (AMS). Twice weekly, all cows were locomotion scored (scale 1-5) by the same observer. Individual eating behaviour and individual Feed consumption at each cow visit to the Feed Troughs, individual milk production, the time of milking, and the number of milkings for each cow were recorded for the day of locomotion scoring and the day before and after. Dependent variables, such as milk yield, DMI, etc. were modelled using a mixed-effects model with parity, LCS, days in milk (DIM), the exponential of -0.05 DIM, and the interaction between parity and LCS, as fixed effects and random intercepts and random slopes for the linear and the exponential of -0.05DIM effects within cow. LCS did not affect time of attendance at Feed Troughs, but affected the location that cows occupied in the Feed Troughs. The time devoted to eating and DMI decreased with increasing LCS. Milk production decreased with LCS>3. The number of daily visits to the AMS also decreased with increasing LCS. The cows with high LCS were fetched more often than the cows with low LCS. Overall, PP cows were more sensitive to the effects of increasing LCS than were MP cows. The decrease in milk production observed with increasing LCS seemed to be affected similarly by the decrease in DMI and by the decrease in number of daily visits to the AMS. A further economic loss generated by lame cows with AMS will be associated with the additional labour needed to fetch them.

Jacomina Aletta Engelbrecht - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The evaluation of lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) as alternative protein source in ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) diets
    Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016
    Co-Authors: Jacomina Aletta Engelbrecht
    Abstract:

    Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch, 2016.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an intensive ostrich production unit, one of the highest cost components is nutrition, contributing ca. 75% to the total input costs. Energy and protein are the two most important and abundant nutrients found in a balanced diet, with the protein component being the most expensive per unit weight. This study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) as an alternative protein source to soybean oilcake meal in ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) diets. In the first study (chapter 3) production performance and slaughter traits were studied at different dietary lupin inclusion levels that replaced soybean oilcake meal. There were five dietary treatments with three replications of between 15 – 17 chicks each. The chicks all received the same pre-starter diet. Five iso-nutritional diets were formulated for each Feeding phase (starter, grower and finisher) using Mixit2+ software according to specifications set out for each of the different Feeding phases Within each Feeding phase these diets contained either soybean oilcake meal (control diet; 0LD) or sweet lupins (alternative protein source; diets 25LD, 50LD, 75LD and 100LD) as the primary protein source. The 100 lupin diet (LD) was formulated to include the maximum amount of sweet lupins according to the specifications for the specific species and the Feeding phase. The maximum amount of lupins included in the 100LD therefore differs between the three Feeding phases. The remaining three diets were formulated by mixing the diets to determine the gradual increase in lupins in the diets from 0LD up to 100LD. Soybean oilcake meal was thus gradually replaced by sweet lupins in the following ratios: 100:0 (0LD), 75:25 (25LD), 50:50 (50LD), 25:75 (75LD) and 0:100 (100LD) to make up the five dietary treatments for each Feeding phase. No differences were found in the live weight of the birds at the end of each Feeding phase or in the dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) or Feed conversion ratio (FCR). The end weight (P = 0.07) and ADG (P = 0.09) for the starter phase tended to be higher for the birds on the 75LD. Birds fed the 50LD and 75LD tended (P = 0.08) to have the heaviest cold carcass weights, although dressing percentages did not differ. Birds receiving the 50LD diet had somewhat heavier (P = 0.05) thighs than those on the other diets. No differences were found for the weight of the big drum muscles of the birds. It was concluded that soybean oilcake meal can be replaced by sweet lupins in starter diets by up to 15% lupin inclusion in the diet (75LD) and in grower and finisher diets by up to 30% lupin inclusion in diet (100LD) without any significant detrimental effect on the production and slaughter traits. The second study (chapter 4) evaluated the three primary ostrich products (leather, meat and feathers) to clarify whether the lupin inclusion levels had any effect on these products. Birds used in this study were the same birds as described in chapter 1. No differences were found for the marketable feather classes and measured leather traits, but the leather was thicker (P < 0.05) for birds fed the 25LD. This corresponds with the heavier slaughter weight of the birds on the 25LD, although this was not significant. No differences were found in the chemical composition of the meat, apart from a higher (P < 0.05) intra-muscular fat content being found for birds on the 50LD. It can be concluded that the sweet lupin inclusion levels evaluated in this study had little influence on the leather traits, chemical composition of the meat of the birds measured (ten birds per treatment were selected around the median for chemical analysis of their meat) and the feather classes. In the third study (chapter 5), 60 South African Black growing ostriches were randomly divided into 10 paddocks with six birds per paddock. Three trials with five experimental diets per trial were conducted to investigate the effect of sweet and/or bitter lupins on the Feed preference of growing ostriches in a free-choice system. In Trial 1 (sweet) and Trial 2 (bitter), lupins replaced soybean oilcake meal in a step-wise manner for inclusion levels of 0%, 7.5%, 15%, 22.5% and 30%. In Trial 3, the soybean oilcake meal was replaced with 0%, 15% sweet, 15% bitter, 30% sweet and 30% bitter lupin inclusion levels. The position of the Feeders containing each diet in successive paddocks changed by rotating the five Feed Troughs in a clockwise direction, but within each paddock the specific position of each Feeder and diet stayed the same throughout the three trials. No interaction was found between day and diet for the three trials. The DMI per diet did not differ between the five treatments in any of the three trials. However, in trial 2 the birds showed a tendency (P = 0.11) to prefer the 7.5% bitter lupin diet to the 15% and 30% diets. The results showed that soybean oilcake meal can be replaced in the diets of growing ostriches by sweet lupin inclusion of up to 30% without any significant detrimental effect on Feed preference and intake. The tendency (P = 0.11) of the birds to discriminate to some extend against the 15% and 30% bitter lupin diets may warrant further research. This study found that lupins can be used without compromising growth or product quality in ostriches, making them a viable economic alternative.AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Een van die grootste uitgawes van 'n volstruisproduksie-eenheid is die voedingskostes wat ongeveer 75% tot die totale insetkostes bydra. Energie en proteïen is die twee belangrikste en volopste voedingstowwe in 'n gebalanseerde volstruisrantsoen en tussen die twee is die proteïenkomponent die duurste per eenheid gewig. Hierdie studie is dus onderneem om die insluiting van lupiene (Lupinus angustifolius) as 'n alternatiewe proteïenbron in volstruisrantstoene (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) te evalueer. In die eerste studie (hoofstuk 3) was daar vyf diëte met drie herhalings van tussen 15 – 17 kuikens elk. Die kuikens het almal dieselfde voor-aanvangs dieët ontvang. Vyf diëte is daarna geformuleer met behulp van 'n rekenaargebaseerde program (Mixit2+) vir elke produksiestadium (aanvangs, groei en afronding) na aanleiding van spesifikasies soos uiteen gesit vir elk van die verskillende voedingsfases. Binne elke voedingsfase het die diëte of sojaboon oliekoekmeel (kontrole dieët, 0LD) of soetlupiene (alternatiewe proteïenbron, diëte 25LD, 50LD, 75LD en 100LD) as die primêre proteïenbron bevat. Die 100 lupien dieët (LD) was geformuleer om die maksimum hoeveelheid soetlupiene in te sluit, na aanleiding van die spesifikasies vir die spesifieke spesie en voedingsfase. Die maksimum hoeveelheid lupiene wat in die 100LD ingesluit is verskil dus tussen die drie voedingsfases. Die oorblywende drie diëte was geformuleer deur die diëte te meng om sodoende die geleidelike toename in lupiene van die diëte vanaf 0LD tot en met die 100LD te bepaal. Sojaboon oliekoekmeel was dus geleidelik vervang met soetlupiene in die volgende verhoudings: 100:0 (0LD), 75:25 (25LD), 50:50 (50LD), 25:75 (75LD) en 0:100 (100LD) om sodiende die vyf dieëtbehandelings vir elke voedingsfase te bepaal. Geen verskille is gevind in die lewendige gewig van die voëls aan die einde van elke voedingfase of in die droë materiaal inname (DMI), gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GDT) of voeromsetverhouding (VOV) nie. Die eindmassa (P = 0.07) en GDT (P = 0.09) vir die aanvangsfase het geneig om hoër te wees vir die voëls wat die 75LD ontvang het. Die voëls wat van die 50LD en 75LD ontvang het, het geneig (P = 0.08) om die swaarste koue karkasgewig te hê, alhoewel die uitslagpersentasie nie verskil het nie. Die voëls wat die 50LD ontvang het, het iewat (P = 0.05) swaarder dye gehad as die voëls op die ander diëte. Daar was ook geen verskille vir die gewig van die Muscularis gastrocnemius spiere van die voëls gevind nie. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat aanvangsdiëte tot en met 15% (75LD) soetlupiene kan bevat en groei- en afrondingsdiëte onderskeidelik tot en met 30% (100LD) soetlupiene kan bevat sonder enige betekenisvolle nadelige uitwerking op die produksie- en slageienskappe. Tydens die tweede studie (hoofstuk 4) is die drie primêre volstruisprodukte (leer, vleis en vere), wat vanaf die volstruise in die eerste studie (hoofstuk 1) geoes is, geëvalueer om te bepaal of die lupien-insluitingsvlakke hierdie eind-produkte geaffekteer het. Geen verskille is vir die bemarkbare vereklasse en vir die leereienskappe wat geëvalueer is gevind nie, maar die leer van die voëls wat die 25LD ontvang het was dikker (P < 0.05). Hierdie bevinding is in ooreenstemming met die swaarder slaggewig van die voëls wat die 25LD ontvang het, alhoewel dit nie betekenisvol was nie. Geen verskille is vir die chemiese samestelling van die vleis gevind nie, buiten vir die hoër binnespierse (P < 0.05) vetinhoud wat gevind is by die voëls wat die 50LD ontvang het. Ter opsomming is daar gevind dat die insluitingsvlakke van soetlupiene wat in hierdie studie getoets is 'n baie klein invloed op die leereienskappe, chemiese samestelling van die vleis van die geselekteerde voëls (tien voëls per behandeling is rondom die median geselekteer vir verdere chemiese analises van die vleis) en die onderskeie vereklasse gehad het. In die derde studie (hoofstuk 5) is 60 Suid-Afrikaanse volstruise lukraak in 10 kampe met ses voëls per kamp ingedeel. Drie proewe met vyf eksperiementele diëte per proef is uitgevoer om die voorkeur van groeiende volstruise ten opsigte van soet- en/of bitterlupiene in „n vrye-keuse stelsel te evalueer. In die eerste (soet) en tweede (bitter) proef het lupien-bevattende diëte sojaboon oliekoekmeel diëte met die volgende insluitingsvlakke in 'n stapsgewyse manier vervang: 0%, 7.5%, 15%, 22.5% en 30% lupiene in die dieët. Tydens die derde proef, was die sojaboon oliekoekmeel verplaas met 0%, 15% soet, 15% bitter, 30% soet en 30% bitterlupien-insluitingsvlakke in die dieët. Die posisie van die voerbakke wat elke dieët bevat het, het in die opeenvolgende kampe van mekaar verskil deur die volgorde van die vyf diëte in 'n kolksgewyse rigting te roteer, maar binne elke kamp het die spesifieke posisie van elke voerbak en dieët dieselfde gebly vir al drie proewe. Daar was geen interaksie tussen dag en dieët vir al drie die proewe gevind nie. Die DMI per dieët het nie verskil tussen die vyf behandelings in enige van die drie proewe nie. Tydens die tweede proef het die voëls egter „n neging (P = 0.11) getoon om 'n voorkeur te hê vir die 7.5% bitterlupien-dieët en het tot 'n mate gediskrimineer teen die 15% en 30% diëte met bitterlupiene. Vanuit die resultate kan daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom word dat sojaboon oliekoekmeel in die diëte van groeivolstruise vervang kan word met soetlupien-insluitingsvlakke tot en met 30% sonder enige betekenisvolle nadelige effek op dieët-voorkeur en voerinname. Die neiging (P = 0.11) van voëls om teen die 15% en 30% bitterlupien-diëte te diskrimineer behoort verder ondersoek te word. Hierdie studie het dus bevind dat lupiene gebruik kan word in volstruisdiëte sonder om die groeipotensiaal of kwaliteit van enige van die drie volstruis-eindprodukte nadelig te beïnvloed, wat lupiene 'n lewensvatbare ekonomiese alternatiewe proteïenbron in volstruisdiëte maak

Niemann, Gert Jacobus - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The evaluation of locally produced full-fat canola seed (Brassica napus) as an alternative protein source in the diets of slaughter ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)
    Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018
    Co-Authors: Niemann, Gert Jacobus
    Abstract:

    Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ostriches are multi-purpose animals, producing feathers, leather and meat that contribute to the income generated from slaughter ostrich production. Compared to other domesticated farm animals, knowledge of the nutritional requirements of ostriches has been very limited, until recently. Together with simulation models this knowledge gained is being used to formulate least cost, nutrient specific rations for ostriches in different production phases. In an effort to reduce Feeding costs, which make up the largest expense (ca. 75%) in an intensive ostrich production unit, the use of alternative protein sources are being explored to replace the more expensive protein sources that make up a large portion of the diet. Full-fat canola seed (FFCS) is one such locally produced protein source that has the potential to replace current protein sources such as soybean oilcake meal. However, it is unclear whether ostriches will readily consume canola, due to its anti-nutritional factors, and what effect its consumption may have on animal performance. The Feeding preference (Chapter 3) of ostriches towards canola was established by placing 60 South African Black ostriches (82.2 ± 1.06 kg in live weight, 233 days of age) in ten camps of six birds per camp. Each camp had five identical Feed Troughs, each containing diets, where FFCS incrementally (0, 25, 50%, 75 and 100% of protein source) replaced the soybean oilcake meal (9.8% of the total diet composition in control diet) as protein source. Feed and water were made available ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured on a daily basis and Feed colour characteristics were measured based on CIE L*, a* and b* colour attributes. Only the 25%FFCS (25% soybean oilcake meal replacement diet) showed a higher DMI (817.4 ± 81.98 g/bird/day) than the other diets (average of 488.8 ± 81.98 g/bird/day). While there were slight differences between some of the colour attributes, it is believed to have had no effect on DMI. Based on the results of this study, FFCS can be used to replace 25% soybean oilcake meal without any negative effect on DMI; resulting in an inclusion level of 6.8% FFCS in ostrich diets. To evaluate to what extent FFCS can be utilised in the diets of slaughter ostriches, 187 day old South African Black ostrich chicks were randomly divided into 15 groups (9 - 12 animals per group). The growth trial (Chapter 4)commenced at the onset of the starter phase when the chicks were 84 days of age weighing 24.7 ± 0.36kg. Five iso-nutritional treatment diets with varying levels of FFCS were randomly allocated to the groups with three replications per treatment diet. Birds were reared according to standard practises and slaughtered at 309 days of age (93.2 ± 1.82 kg). Within each Feeding phase, FFCS incrementally (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of protein source) replaced the soybean oilcake meal as protein source. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and end weights were recorded with in each phase and over the entire trial period, as well as slaughter traits. No differences were observed regarding production traits during the starter and finisher phases. Dry matter intake during the grower phase was lowest (P =0.01) for the 100% replacement of soybean oilcake meal (100%FFCS) (1.52 kg/bird/day). The rest of the diets with an average DMI of 1.80 kg /bird/day did not differ. The 100%FFCS also showed the slowest growth (P =0.01) (152.0 g/bird/day) during the grower phase, and did not differ from 25%FFCS (208.9 g/bird/day) and 75%FFCS (209.5 g/bird/day) diets. With the 0%FFCS (236.2 g/bird/day) and 50%FFCS (267.8 g/bird/day) diets resulting in higher ADG. End weights during the grower phase for the 0%FFCS, 25%FFCS, 50%FFCS and 75%FFCS (74.8, 72.2, 76.8 and 72.5 kg respectively) did not differ from each other. The 100%FFCS resulted in lower end weights (67.4 kg), although not differing from the 25%FFCS and 75%FFCS. For the overall trial period the only differences observed, were within ADG, with the 0%FFCS, 50%FFCS and 75%FFCS replacement diets showing the fastest growth and the 100%FFCS, although not differing from the 25%FFCS and 75%FFCS diets, resulted in the slowest growth. Fat pad weight was the only slaughter trait that revealed differences between diets, with the 50%FFCS resulting in the heaviest fat pad weights. Based on these results, it is recommended that a maximum of 20.6% inclusion (75%FFCS) of FFCS be used in diets during the grower phase as it may lead to reduced performance when exceeded. Although in the other phases, FFCS can be included up to the maximum levels evaluated (100% replacement of soybean oilcake meal) without any detrimental effects. The aim of the study in Chapter 5 was to evaluate the effect of different dietary FFCS inclusion levels on the feathers, leather and meat composition of slaughter ostriches. The end products of the South African Black ostriches slaughtered in Chapter 4 were used during this trial. The only differences between diets regarding feather yields were within chick body short (P =0.021) and unmarketable feathers (P =0.011). The 50%FFCS resulted in the heavier yields of chick body short feathers (283.2 ± 14.84 g), however, it did not differ from the 0%FFCS, 25%FFCS and 75%FFCS. The 100%FFCS resulted in lighter yields (202.3 ± 14.84 g) of chick body short feathers, although not differing from the 75%FFCS. The 50%FFCS had the lightest yield (97.1 ± 13.18 g)of unmarketable feathers, differing from all the other diets. The rest of the diets did not differ and yielded anaverage of 161.2 ± 13.18 g unmarketable feathers. Skin thickness was the only leather trait showing differences (P =0.038) between diets. With the 0%FFCS resulting in thicker skins (0.65 ± 0.027 mm), not differing from the 25%FFCS and 50%FFCS diets. The 100%FFCS resulted in thinner skins (0.53 ± 0.027 mm), not differing from the 50%FFCS or 75%FFCS diets. Moisture and protein concentration of the meat were the only chemical components showing differences (P =0.008 and P =0.004, respectively) between diets. Meat from the 100%FFCS was found to have higher moisture concentrations (77.0 ± 0.29%). The 25%FFCS meat resulted in the lowest mean moisture concentration (75.2 ± 0.24%), not differing from the 0% and 50%FFCS meat. The inverse of moisture concentration could be seen with regards to protein concentration where the 25%FFCS diet resulted in the highest meat protein concentration (22.6 ± 0.19%), not differing from the 0%FFCS and 50%FFCS diets’ meat. The 100%FFCS diet resulted in the lowest (20.9 ± 0.23%) meat protein concentration. Dietary FFCS inclusion had beneficial effects on the fatty acid profile of the abdominal fat tissue. Total saturated fatty acids concentrations decreased from 37.8% (0%FFCS) to 20.3% (100%FFCS) of total identified fatty acids. Total MUFA concentrations increased from 39.7% for the 0%FFCS fed birds to 51.0% for the 100%FFCS fed birds. The total PUFA concentrations also increased from 22.1% for the 0%FFCS fed birds to 28.7% for the 100%FFCS fed birds. These changes resulted in the PUFA:SFA ratios to increase from 0.60 (0%FFCS) to 1.43 (100%FFCS). Both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids increased with an increase in FFCS inclusion, however the n-6:n-3 ratio showed a beneficial decrease from 3.20 for the 0%FFCS fed birds to 2.28 for the 100%FFCS birds. Overall it is recommended that full-fat canola seed can be used to replace up to 75% (not exceeding inclusion levels used within each growth phase in this trial) of the soybean oilcake meal in slaughter ostrich diets. Prescribed replacement of soybean oilcake meal with FFCS can be done without affecting growth of ostriches or the quality of end products, and achieve similar results as current standard commercial diets.AFRKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volstruise is veeldoelige diere, met vere, leer en vleis wat bydra tot die inkomste van slagvolstruisproduksie. In vergelyking met ander kommersiële plaasdiere was kennis ten opsigte van die voedingsbehoeftes van volstruise tot onlangs nog baie beperk. Simulasiemodelle word, saam met die huidige inligting beskikbaar, gebruik om die laagste koste, nutriëntspesifieke rantsoene vir volstruise in verskillende produksiefases te formuleer. Die voerkoste in ʼn intensiewe volstruisproduksie-eenheid is verantwoordelik vir ongeveer 75% van die uitgawes, en om sodoende die koste daarvan te verminder, word die benutting van alternatiewe proteïenbronne ondersoek om die duurder proteïenbronne soos sojabone-oliekoekmeel, wat 'n groot deel van die dieet uitmaak, te vervang. Volvet kanolasaad (VVKS) is 'n plaaslike verboude proteïenbron wat die potensiaal het om huidige proteïenbronne soos ingevoerde sojabone-oliekoekmeel te vervang. Dit is egter onduidelik wat die reaksie van volstruise sal wees teenoor VVKS in hul dieet, omdat antinutriënte die vrywillige inname van voer kan beïnvloed en sodoende die diere se produksie vermoë verlaag. Die voedingsvoorkeure (Hoofstuk 3) van volstruise teenoor kanola in hul dieet was ondersoek deur 60 Suid-Afrikaanse Swart volstruise (82.2 ± 1.06 kg in lewende massa) in tien kampe van ses voëls per kamp te plaas. Elke kamp het vyf identiese voerbakke gehad wat elk 'n dieet bevat het waar VVKS inkrementeel (0, 25, 50, 75 en 100% van die proteïenbron) die sojabone-oliekoekmeel (9.8% van die totale dieetsamestelling in kontrole dieet) as proteïen bron vervang het. Voer en water is ad libitum (vrylik en onbeperk) beskikbaar gestel. Droë materiaal inname (DMI) is daagliks gemeet en voerkleur eienskappe is gemeet, wat gebaseer is op L*, a* en b* kleur eienskappe. Slegs die 25% sojabone-oliekoekmeel vervangingsdieet het 'n hoër DMI (817.4 ± 81.98 g/voël/dag) getoon in vergelyking met die ander diëte (gemiddeld 488.8 ± 81.98 g/voël/dag). Alhoewel daar klein verskille was tussen diëte vir sommige kleurkenmerke, word dit nie as die rede vir die verskil in DMI geag nie. Gebaseer op die resultate van hierdie studie, kan VVKS gebruik word om 25% sojabone-oliekoekmeel te vervang sonder enige negatiewe effek op DMI; dit dui op 'n insluiting vlak van 6.8% VVKS in volstruise dieet. Vir die evaluasie om vas te stel tot watter mate VVKS in die dieet van volstruise ingesluit kan word, was 187, dagoud Suid-Afrikaanse Swart volstruiskuikens ewekansig verdeel in 15 groepe (9-12 voëls per groep). Die groeiproef (Hoofstuk 4) het begin met die aanvangsfase toe die kuikens 84 dae oud was en 24.7 ± 0.36 kg geweeg het. Vyf diëte met dieselfde nutriëntwaardes maar met verskillende vlakke van VVKS was ewekansig toegeken aan elk van die groepe, wat dan drie herhalings per behandelingsdieet tot gevolg gehad het. Voëls is volgens standaardpraktyke gevoer waarna hul geslag was op die ouderdom van 309 dae (93.2 ± 1.82 kg). Binne elke voedingsfase het VVKS inkrementeel (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% en 100% van die proteïenbron) die sojabone-oliekoekmeel as proteïenbron vervang, die voer en water was ad libitum beskikbaar gestel. Droë materiaal inname, gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GDT), voeromsetverhouding (VOV) en eindmassa is aangeteken binne elke fase asook oor die hele proefperiode, waarna slagopbrengste ook aangeteken was. Geen verskille is waargeneem ten opsigte van produksie eienskappe gedurende die aanvangs- en afrondingsfase nie. Droë materiaal inname tydens die groeifase was die laagste vir die 100% vervanging (100%VVKS) (1.52 kg/voël/dag) van sojabone-oliekoekmeel (27.5% totale VVKS-insluiting), verder het die res van die diëte met 'n gemiddelde DMI van 1.80 kg/voël/dag geen verskille tussen mekaar getoon nie. Die 100%VVKS het ook tydens die groeifase die stadigste groei getoon (152.0 g/voël/dag), maar het egter nie verskil van die 25%VVKS (6.9% totale insluiting) (208.9 g/voël/dag) en 75%VVKS (20.6% totale VVKS insluiting) (209.5 g/voël/dag) nie. Die 0%VVKS (0% totale FFCS insluiting) (236.2 g/voël/dag) en 50%VVKS (13.8% totale FFCS insluiting) (267.8 g/voël/dag) diëte het gelei tot ʼn hoër GDT in die groeifase. Eindmassas gedurende die groeifase vir onderskeidelik die 25%VVKS, 75%VVKS en 100%VVKS (onderskeidelik 72.2, 72.5 en 67.4 kg) het nie verskil van mekaar nie, die 0%VVKS (74.8 kg), 25%VVKS, 50%VVKS (76.8 kg) en 75%VVKS het ook nie van mekaar verskil nie. Gemiddelde daaglikse toename was die enigste eienskap wat verskille getoon het tussen diëte, met die 0%VVKS, 50%VVKS en 75%VVKS wat die vinnigste groei getoon het en die 100%VVKS die stadigste groei, alhoewel die 100%VVKS nie verskil het van die 25%VVKS en 75%VVKS nie. Die abdominale vetmassas was die enigste slagopbrengs wat verskille tussen diëte getoon het, die 50%VVKS het die swaarste vetgewigte tot gevolg gehad. Op grond van die resultate wat verkry is in die huidige studie, word aanbeveel om nie meer as 20.6% VVKS (75%VVKS) in diëte in te sluit tydens die groeifase nie, aangesien dit tot swakker produksie kan lei. Verder, in die aanvangs- en afrondfase kan VVKS tot die maksimum insluitings vlakke (100%VVKS diëte) wat in die studie geëvalueer was in volstruis diëte ingesluit word, sonder enige nadelige effekte. Die doel van die studie in Hoofstuk 5 was om te evalueer wat die effek van verskillende VVKS insluiting vlakke op die vere, leer en vleissamestelling van slagvolstruise is. Eindprodukte van die voëls wat in Hoofstuk 4 gebruik was, is tydens hierdie proef gebruik. Die enigste verskille tussen diëte ten opsigte van veeropbrengste was binne kuikenliggaam-kort (Chick body short) en onbemarkbare veerklasse. Die 50%VVKS wat die hoër opbrengste (283.2 ± 14.84 g) tot gevolg gehad het, het nie verskil van die 0%VVKS, 25%VVKS en 75%VVKS nie. Verder was bevind, dat die 100%VVKS gelei het tot laer opbrengste (202.3 ± 14.84 g) van kuikenliggaam-kort vere, alhoewel dit nie van die 75%VVKS verskil het nie. Die 50%VVKS het die laagste opbrengs (97.1 ± 13.18 g) onbemarkbare vere getoon. Die res van die diëte wat nie verskil het van mekaar nie en ʼn gemiddeld van 161.2 ± 13.18 g onbemarkbare vere gelewer. Vel dikte was die enigste leer eienskap wat verskille tussen diëte getoon het. Die 0%VVKS het dikker velle (0.65 ± 0.027 mm) opgelewer, maar het nie verskil van die 25%VVKS en 50%VVKS diëte nie. Die 100%VVKS wat dunner velle tot gevolg gehad het (0.53 ± 0.027 mm) het nie verskil van die 50%VVKS of 75%VVKS diëte nie. Vog en proteïen konsentrasie van die vleis was die enigste chemiese komponente wat verskille tussen diëte getoon het. Die 100%VVKS het die hoogste gemiddelde vog konsentrasie getoon (77.0 ± 0.29%) en 25%VVKS die laagste (75.2 ± 0.24%), met geen verskille tussen 0%VVKS 25%VVKS en 50%VVKS vleis nie. Die invers van die vog konsentrasie kan gesien word met betrekking tot proteïen konsentrasie. Die 25%VVKS het die hoogste proteïen konsentrasie (22.6 ± 0.19%) tot gevolg gehad, maar nie verskil van die 0%VVKS en 50%VVKS vleis nie. Die 100%VVKS dieet het die laagste proteïen konsentrasie (20.9 ± 0.23%) opgelewer. Insluiting van VVKS het voordelige veranderinge op die vetsuurprofiel van die abdominale vetweefsel gehad. Totale versadigde vetsure konsentrasies het van 37.8% (0%VVKS) tot 20.3% (100%VVKS) van totale geïdentifiseerde vetsure afgeneem. Totale mono-onversadigde vetsure (MUFA) konsentrasies het toegeneem van 39.7% vir die 0%VVKS gevoerde voëls tot 51.0% vir die 100%VVKS gevoerde voëls. Die totale poli-onversadigde vetsure (PUFA) konsentrasies het ook toegeneem van 22.1% vir die 0%VVKS gevoerde voëls tot 28.7% vir die 100%VVKS gevoerde voëls. Hierdie veranderinge het gelei tot die PUFA:SFA verhoudings se verhoging van 0.60 (0%VVKS) tot 1.43 (100%VVKS). Beide n-6 en n-3-vetsure het toegeneem met 'n toename in VVKS-insluiting in die dieet, maar die n-6:n-3 verhouding het 'n voordelige afname van 3.20 vir die 0%VVKS gevoerde voëls tot 2.28 vir die 100%VVKS gevoerde voëls getoon. Die bevindinge afgelei uit die huidige studie is dus dat, volvet kanolasaad gebruik kan word om 75% (nie die insluiting vlakke wat in elke fase in hierdie proef gebruik word nie) van die sojabone-oliekoekmeel in die diëte van slagvolstruis te vervang. Dieselfde resultate as wat verkry word van die huidige standaard kommersiële diëte kan dus opgelewer word met insluiting van VVKS, sonder om die eindprodukte wat deur volstruise geproduseer word negatief te beïnvloed