In this study, we compared the digestibility levels and in vitro fermentation parameters of total mixed rations (TMRs) containing 20% and 40% defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSF) as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in the basal ration (60% roughage/40% concentrated feed) of dairy cows. We evaluated the volatile fatty acid (VFA), total gas production, methane emission, ammonia, pH, carbon dioxide, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) of the TMR0 (basal), TMR20 (20% BSF included), and TMR40 (40% BSF included) diets at the end of 24 and 48 h of incubation. Significantly lower levels of ammonia formation were found in the TMR20 and TMR40 groups at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.001). An increase in total VFA levels was observed in the TMR0 group at 24 h (p < 0.001). The highest IVDMD was determined in TMR20 and TMR40 at 24 h. The highest IVNDFD value was observed in TMR20 at 24 h and in TMR40 at 48 h. The substitution of 20% and 40% of SBM with BSF positively affected IVDMD and IVNDFD (p < 0.001). TMR20 and TMR40 had the highest cumulative gas production at 48 h of incubation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of BSF had a positive impact on digestibility and in vitro rumen fermentation. Therefore, we recommend the use of BSF in formulating dairy cow rations.

This study evaluated the effects of partially or fully replacing poultry fat with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) fat on faecal parameters, blood biochemistry, immune responses, nutrient digestibility, food preference, and lipid oxidation in dogs. A total of 18 adult Golden Retriever dogs (6 dogs per diet group) were subjected to a digestibility trial for 30 days. Three experimental diets were formulated: a control diet (6% poultry fat), BSF3 (3% poultry fat +3% BSF larvae fat), and BSF6 (6% BSF larvae fat). Serum biochemical parameters, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, AST, ALT, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and immunoglobulin levels (IgE and IgG), were analysed from blood samples collected from all dogs. Faecal consistency scores were recorded over 5 days, and faecal pH, ammonia nitrogen (ammonia-N), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) concentrations were determined during the final three days of the digestibility trial. Seven days after the digestibility trial, a modified two-bowl preference test was conducted over four days using 20 dogs to assess the palatability of the control and BSF6 diets. Lipid oxidation in the diets was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs, mg MDA/kg) at baseline (day 0) and after 2, 4, 7, and 10 months of storage at ambient temperature (23–25 °C). BSF6 exhibited the lowest dry matter and organic matter digestibility percentages (p < 0.05). Protein digestibility was reduced in both BSF3 and BSF6, while ether extract digestibility was significantly lower in BSF6 compared to the control diet (p < 0.05). The replacement of poultry fat with BSF larvae fat had no significant effect on serum biochemical parameters or IgE and IgG levels (p > 0.05). Faecal acetic acid concentrations were higher in the control group compared to BSF3 and BSF6, whereas faecal valeric acid concentrations were lower in the control group than in the BSF3 and BSF6 groups (p < 0.05). Although faecal pH and consistency scores were not significantly influenced by the dietary fat source, the total SCFA concentrations in faeces decreased with the substitution of BSF larvae fat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the dogs demonstrated a higher preference rate for the control diet over the BSF6 diet (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of BSF larvae fat in dry dog food formulations reduced nutrient digestibility and palatability but had no adverse effects on the health status of the dogs.

This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the nutrient digestibility of grain-inclusive and grain-free commercial dry dog foods using the method of total fecal collection and also explore their effects on fecal consistency. 21 different foods, including 14 grain-inclusive (7 grain-chicken meat, 7 grain-lamb meat) and 7 grain-free were investigated. 12 adult Golden retriever dogs (age 3-4 years, body weight=22.5±1.7kg) were divided into 3 groups. The results of digestibility trials indicated that the grain-lamb meat foods showed the highest digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude fiber. Overall, in the grain-inclusive and grain-free group evaluation, grain-inclusive foods showed higher digestibility of crude fibers while grain-free foods had higher ether extract digestibility whereas the differences in the scores of fecal consistencies between the groups were insignificant. Contrary to popular belief, grain-inclusive foods were more digestive than grain-free foods in terms of dry matter and organic matter. There are studies involving starch sources in the dog food formulations, but there is a need to study the digestibility of complete dog food to supply them with adequate nutrients. Also, each diet should be assessed based on its overall nutrient profile and digestibility rather than individual ingredients.

This study investigated the effects of condensed tannin (Quebracho Colorado) supplementation on milk yield and composition, intake, blood and rumen parameters, and digestibility in early–lactating dairy cows. Twenty–four cows were assigned to three groups: control (CON, n = 8), T1 (60 g of...

This study was carried out with 656 Hysex-Brown layer hen with 58 weeks old. 2 x 4 Multifactorial test setup was used. Egg production, daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, damaged egg ratio, body weight and specific gravity datas were examined in laying hens fed at different times and raised at different stocking density. Hens placed in cages as 412.5 and 495 cm2/hen and formed 8 groups and feeds were given at 06:00, 9:30, 06:00-06:30 and 09:30-13:30h. The trial was continued for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production, daily feed consump-tion and feed conversion ratio (P0.05). It was determined that egg production was the highest and feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was the lowest in groups with a frequency of 495 cm2/chicken and fed at one time at 09:30h. Egg production was the lowest and feed conversion ratio was highest in groups with a frequency of 412.5 cm2/hen and fed at 09:30-13:30h. It was also determined that feeding two times at 06:00h and 06:30h increased the feed consumption, but feeding one time at 09:30h decreased the feed consumption.