The South African Journal of Animal Science is an open access, peer-reviewed journal. The journal publishes reports of research dealing with the production of farmed animal species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, poultry and ostriches), as well as pertinent aspects of research on companion animals and aquatic and wildlife species. All submitted articles are subjected to a single-blind peer review process that is managed by a section editor under the supervision of the editor-in-chief. Copyright of a published article resides with the authors. Such articles will be published as open access content and be covered by the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 South African Licence. Users may copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the work, but must recognise the authors and the South African Journal of Animal Science.
Originally supported by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the South African Journal of Animal Science moved online in the early 2000s using a custom-built manuscript submission and editorial management system. In August 2025, the journal transitioned to the Public Knowledge Project’s Open Journal Systems (PKP OJS), hosted by Khulisa Journals at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
In line with international best practices, the journal integrates key components of digital research infrastructure, including DOIs (digital object identifiers), ORCID iDs (researcher identifiers), ROR IDs (research organisation identifiers), and CCLs (Creative Commons Licences), ensuring transparency, traceability, and global interoperability.
As of August 2025, the South African Journal of Animal Science makes use of the Crossref 10.17159 DOI prefix. View the journal metadata health and the Crossref DOI Conflict Report here.
If you experience any problems with the journal’s online platform, please contact the editor-in-chief at [email protected].
Clarivate Journal Impact Factor (2024): 0.6 (Q4 of subject category)
Clarivate Journal Citation Indicator (2024): 0.26
Scopus CiteScore (2024): 1.4
Does dietary inclusion of defatted yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) affect growth and body composition of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio)?
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total and partial replacement of fishmeal with defatted yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal on one-summer-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with an initial bodyweight of 97.54 g ± 51.0 g…
Addition of equine chorionic gonadotropin in controlled internal drug-release-based synchronization improves reproductive performance of Nili-Ravi buffalo in the sub-tropics
This study evaluated the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and factors such as body condition score (BCS), cyclicity, and breeding season in a controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based oestrus synchronization protocol on ovarian follicle dynamics, oestrus expression, ovulation rate,…
Yeast cell wall supplementation modulates pre-weaning stress in male Nili Ravi buffalo calves
The effects of yeast cell wall (YCW) supplementation on growth performance, cell-mediated immune response, blood metabolites, and health scores in early-weaned male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves were evaluated. Forty Nili Ravi buffalo calves were randomly divided into four groups and…
Intestinal morphology and mucin composition in Japanese quails fed on olive cake diet
Olive cake, sometimes also called spent olive, is a low-energy nutrition source. It possesses various biological properties that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral in property due to its rich polyphenolic compound content. Mucins can be found in the composition…
Short Communication: Focused nutrition during oestrus synchronization in Pelibuey ewes with different body conditions
The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian follicular activity, ovulation percentage, and body weight change in response to focused nutrition during synchronization of oestrus with an intravaginal device (CIDR®) (9 days) in Pelibuey ewes with high and low…
Fattening performance and carcass characteristics of lambs supplemented with condensed tannins from Acacia mearnsii extract
Tannins are polyphenolic compounds with some beneficial properties for ruminants as they act as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anthelmintics, which may improve animal performance. However, the results are variable, depending on the type, source, and dose. The objective of this research…
Augmenting broiler diets with essential oils affects growth, intestinal microbiota and morphology, and meat quality
The health and productivity of broiler chickens are related to their intestinal microbiota, which may be influenced by supplemented feed components. This trial intended to evaluate the effects of a dietary mixture of essential oils from oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp…
Environmental factors affecting pre-weaning mortality of Turkish Saanen kids
One of the most important problems encountered in breeding Turkish Saanen goats, the dominant dairy goat in Turkey, is the death of kids. Deaths cause serious economic losses and jeopardize the need for qualified breeders. This study aimed to determine…
Effect of transportation distance on the physiological condition and carcass traits of kampong chickens
This research aimed to investigate the effect of transportation distance on the physiological conditions and carcass traits of kampong chickens. Two hundred and twenty-five male kampong chickens were transported for distances of 30 km, 60 km, and 90 km, departing…
Effects of biomacromolecules on growth, digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidation, and immunity in broilers
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two biomacromolecules, fermented wheat bran polysaccharides (FWBPs) and sodium humate (SH), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and immunity of broilers. A total of 144 male, one-day-old Arbor…
Effects of production stage and fertility traits on milk production of pasture-grazed Holstein and Jersey cows in a Mediterranean-type climate region
The aim of this study was to compare the milk production of Holstein and Jersey cows on pasture as affected by parity, lactation stage, calving season, age at first calving, and calving interval. Test-day lactation records of 122 Holstein and…
Effect of lupin flake supplementation on rumen fermentation and meat composition of Hanwoo steers
Lupin is considered a potentially rich source of energy and protein for various livestock breeds. However, there are no studies on rumen fermentation and meat composition of Hanwoo (Korean native) steers following supplementation with lupin flakes. In vitro and in…
The effect of different feeding strategies on honey bee gut microbiota and the presence of Nosema
Colony development in honey bees depends on both the environmental conditions and their genetic structure. Nutrition is the one of the most important factors in the honey bee’s health. This study was carried out in 48 colonies and included six…
Protected sodium butyrate in chicken diets until 21 days of age improves intestinal development and performance
This study was developed to examine the performance, carcass and cut yields, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry of chickens fed diets supplemented with protected sodium butyrate until 21 days of age. Two experiments were conducted, both of which involved the…
Inclusion of licuri cake in high-grain diets for steers: Intake, digestibility, carcass characteristics, and meat quality
cattle. This study evaluated the effects of including licuri cake in high-grain diets for steers on performance and carcass and meat quality. Forty-four crossbred (1/2 Bos taurus × 1/2 Bos indicus) castrated steers at 24 months of age, with an…
Effect of functional oil in piglet feeding and its effects on total blood count, health parameters, and gastrointestinal tract structure
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a functional oil blend (castor oil plus cashew nutshell oil) on complete blood count, health parameters, and intestinal structure in nursery pigs. A total of 128 crossbreed piglets (6.79 ± 1.76…
Evaluation of chia gel incorporation as a fat substitute in Nile tilapia fishburger
Chia gel is known for its functional properties such as high water and oil retention capacity, emulsifying activity, and as a stabilizer for foams and emulsions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion…
The effect of pre-slaughter electrical stunning on bleeding efficiency, meat quality, histology, and microbial count of several goat muscles
This study was designed to compare the effect of non-electrical stunning and electrical stunning on bleeding efficiency, meat quality characteristics, bacterial count, and histology of longissimus thoraces, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, infraspinatus, semimembranosus, and triceps brachii muscles of goats. Forty goats…
Influence of feeding on different types of pasture on the fatty acid profile and health indices of goat milk
The main objective of the present research was to study the change in fatty acid (FA) composition of milk fat in a Carpathian local breed during grazing on two plots characterized by a different cover with herbaceous species and woody…
Behaviour of farmed fallow deer fawns in the rearing period depends on weather conditions
Farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) fawns need to receive care and help from their mothers and be stimulated by other individuals, including their peers. This helps them to learn to live in a group, establish their place in the herd,…
