Effects Of Alfalfa With Particle Size On The Production Performance,Nutrient Utilization And Blood Biochemical Indices In Geese

Raw material grinding is a vital step for feed processing, nutrient utilization and absorption. This test is intended to study effects of different particle size of alfalfa added in feed on production performance of geese and to asertain optimum particle size of alfalfa in geese production, providing a theoretical basis for improvement of geese feed quality.One hundred and eighty 29-day-old, healthy Yangzhou geese (male and female in half))with similar body weight were randomly divided into three groups, which were treatment Ⅰ, treatment Ⅱ and treatment Ⅲ with 5 replicates per treatment and 12 geese per replicate. They were fed with feed containing alfalfa with particle size of 272.0μm,301.2μm and 391.3 μm, respectively. The entire feeding trial lasted six weeks. The main findings were as follows:1. Production performance.At 49 days of age, the final weights of the groups were not significantly different(P> 0.05); the average daily intake of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅰ (P<0.05); ADG of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅰ, Ⅲ (P <0.05); F/G of the groups were not significantly different (P> 0.05). At 70 days of age, the final weights of the groups were not significantly different (P> 0.05); the average daily feed intake of the groups were not significantly different(P> 0.05); the reduction of particle size of alfalfa could improve average daily gain of Yangzhou geese and group Ⅰ showed optimum ADG; F/G of the groups were not significantly different (P> 0.05).2. As for slaughter performance, carcass weight of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P<0.05); breast muscle weight of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P <0.05); breast muscle rate of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than that group Ⅰ, Ⅲ (P<0.05); tibia weight of group Ⅰ was significantly higher than group Ⅱ (P<0.05); heart weights of group Ⅰ, Ⅱ were significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P<0.05); liver weight of group Ⅰ was significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P<0.05); spleen weightt of group Ⅰ was significantly higher than group Ⅱ, Ⅲ (P<0.05); bursal weights of group Ⅰ, Ⅲ were significantly higher than group Ⅱ (P<0.05). In terms of meat quality, test Ⅰ, shear force of breast muscle of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P<0.05); test Ⅰ, water-holding capacity of breast muscle of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than group Ⅲ (P<0.05); pH value of leg muscle of group Ⅰ was significantly higher than group Ⅱ (P<0.05); shear force of leg muscle of group Ⅲ group was significantly higher than the group Ⅰ, Ⅱ (P<0.05); water-holding capacities of leg muscle of group Ⅱ, Ⅲ were significantly higher than group Ⅰ (P<0.05);3. In terms of nutrient utilization, the reduction of particle size of alfalfa can improve the utilization of GE, CF, Ca and NFE of Yangzhou geese, while decrease utilization of EE and Ash. Group Ⅱ showed optimum overall effect.4. Concerning serum biochemical indicators, the reduction of particle size of alfalfaalfalfa could reduce serum CHO and LDL-C of Yangzhou geese. However, the incease of particle size of alfalfaalfalfa could raise serum ALB content of Yangzhou geese and group Ⅱ performed optimumly. Nevertheless, serum TP, ALT, AST, GLOB, A/G, ALP, UA of the groups were not significantly different (P> 0.05).In summary, lower granularity of alfalfa in geese feed could improve the production performance, nutrient utilization and blood biochemical indicators of geese. Also, the results showed suitable granularity of alfalfa in feed powder is 301.2μm for Yangzhou geese from 29 to 70 days of age.