Ross 308 broiler chickens are raised specifically for meat production, as they are fast growing and can be slaughtered at six weeks of age. This study aimed to use multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and classification and regression tree (CART)…
The morphometric and type traits of 269 Dohne Merino ram lambs were measured and/or assessed at four, eight, and 12 months of age. Body conformation scores were also awarded independently by three judges at each age. Estimated phenotypic correlations between…
Articles (1558 in total) published in the South African Journal of Animal Science (SAJAS) were identified in the Scopus, Scielo, and InCites (Web of Science) databases. The Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator for SAJAS in 2022 was 0.33, with a…
The fleeces of mammals with dense coats, such as the mohair fleeces of Angora goats, usually include medullated fibres. These fibres constitute a problem for the textile industry because of their structural characteristics. Three experiments were conducted in this study,…
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) powder and Lactobacillus supplements on calf growth and faecal pathogen counts. Prickly pear leaves were harvested, sun-dried for 14 days, and oven-dried at 105 °C, before grinding…
This study characterised four naked neck chicken phenotypes (black, white-and-black, light brown, and dark brown) at 20 weeks of age, based on both qualitative and quantitative traits. A total of 320 birds were evaluated, with 40 males and 40 females…
This meta-analysis aimed to identify the optimal inclusion and threshold levels for black wattle, quebracho, and chestnut tannin extracts (TE) in sheep and cattle, in terms of their effects on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, weight gain, and nitrogen balance…
This study assessed the effects of supplementing organic chromium (Cr), alone and in combination with propylene glycol (PG), on milk yield and blood chemistry in early lactation dairy cows. Thirty multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to three treatments: control…
The article ‘Effects of rumen undegradable protein source on feed intake and milk yield of Holstein dairy cows’ (SAJAS volume 53, issue 5, DOI: 10.4314/sajas.v53i5.15) was initially published with an incorrect author list. The correct author list is as follows:…
The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination and quantification of three metabolites in raw milk samples: creatinine, citrate, and β-hydroxybutyrate (3-BHB). The effect of the…
Routine husbandry procedures for lambs are increasingly scrutinised for their animal welfare implications. One such procedure is tail-docking, which is commonly performed to prevent breech blowfly strike. Although tail-docking is considered painful for lambs, the precise level of pain remains…
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of monochromatic light on the growth performance, muscle development, and blood parameters of goslings from one to 14 days of age. A total of 192 male Sichuan White goslings were randomly assigned…
The article ‘PCV2: The unexpected threat - How fish infection can transform industries and society: A pilot study’ (SAJAS volume 54, issue 1, DOI: 10.4314/sajas.v54i1.11) was initially published with an incorrect author list. The correct author list is as follows: D.F…
There is considerable pressure to eliminate the use of conventional cages in commercial layer hen production systems. However, the assessment of alternative systems that can ensure the hen's ability to perform natural behaviours, while simultaneously enhancing farm productivity and economic…
This study investigated the effects of incremental increases in acid detergent fibre (ADF) content on the nutrient digestibility and performance of South African Mutton Merino wether lambs fed low-fibre finishing diets. Four dietary treatments were formulated with similar nutritional compositions,…
In commercial egg production, hen productivity declines over time, leading to flock disposal for economic reasons at 72–80 weeks of age. Identifying and removing low-producing hens can enhance economic sustainability by maximising the performance of high-performing hens and conserving feed…
This study investigated the efficacy of a commercial phytogenic-based premixed feed additive (PFA) in treating combined Lawsonia intracellularis and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infections in finishing pigs, with tiamulin/lincomycin treatment as the control. Pigs aged 20 weeks were allocated to PFA treatment…
Despite the large genetic diversity within South Africa’s sheep population, average productivity on smallholdings remains low. This study therefore aimed to identify the breeding practices and trait preferences of sheep farmers in the Makurung and Lenting villages, Limpopo Province, for…
This study investigated the effects of Nguni cattle ecotype and year on the production and reproductive performance of cows in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Production data for 471 calvings (142 Venda, 65 Shangaan, and 264 Pedi ecotype Nguni…
The poultry gastrointestinal microbiome consists of more than 900 bacterial species and their metabolites; it serves as an indicator of bird health and is influenced by nutrition, medication, and other factors. Dysbiosis is a form of reduced microbial diversity, characterised…
