Effects of Feeding Fermented Medicago sativa (Plus Soybean and DDGS) on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Gut Health, and Carcass Characteristics of Lande (Meat) Geese
Hui Li, Yang Liu, Lan Wei, Qian Lin, Zhifei Zhang
Abstract
The objective was to investigate the effects of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa Linn )-mixed silage fermentation material (AMSFM) on various aspects of growth, function, and carcass characteristics of Lande (meat) geese. Based on a previous study, we used the following AMSFM: 80% Alfalfa +10% soybean meal +10% DDGS ensiled for 45 days. Lande geese, n = 264, 77 days of age, were randomly allocated into four groups with six replicates in each group. Control geese were fed a basal diet, whereas experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 6, 12, or 24% AMSFM. The experiment lasted 21 days. The AMSFM promoted some aspects of growth, with increase ( p < 0.05) in leg muscle rate, lean meat rate, muscle protein content, and total energy content of leg muscle plus concurrent decreases ( p < 0.05) in crude fat content and abdominal fat rate in chest muscle. In addition, AMSFM increased ( p < 0.05) glutathione content in chest and leg muscles and serum superoxide dismutase activity, and it reduced ( p < 0.05) muscle malondialdehyde content and serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, and aspartate aminotransferase, consistent with good liver and kidney function. Moreover, AMSFM improved ( p < 0.05) ileum morphology. In conclusion, the optimal supplemented rate of AMSFM in the meat geese diet (12%) improved immunity and antioxidant status and enhanced growth performance and carcass characteristics of meat geese.