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
Optimization of response to selection using genomic selection in indigenous chicken breeding programmes
This study tested the hypothesis that the use of pooled genetic and phenotypic parameters and genomic selection would optimize selection response in indigenous chicken breeding programmes. This premise was tested with deterministic simulation in three breeding schemes based on the…
Performance and intestinal histology of sheep fed detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage
This study evaluated histological changes in the digestive organs and kidneys of sheep fed sugarcane silage augmented with detoxified castor bean meal (CBM). Forty Santa Inês sheep (initial weight 20 ± 0.3 kg) were adapted to the experimental regime for…
Effects of supplemental bee pollen on performance, meat quality, serum constituents and immunity system in growing quails
This study focused on the effects of adding various levels of bee pollen to diets for Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). The response variables that were examined included their performance, carcass characteristics, meat colour, immune system, and some serum constituents…
Spineless cactus-based diets associated with various nitrogen sources in sheep diets
This study evaluated the effects of various nitrogen (N) sources augmenting spineless cactus-based diets on intake, digestibility, rumen kinetics and N balance in sheep. Eight rumen-fistulated sheep with an average initial bodyweight of 62 ± 6.83 kg were allotted to…
Gene-set enrichment analysis of selective sweeps reveals phenotypic traits in Nguni cattle
Adaptation of animals to different environments is typically associated with structural and functional genomic variations. High throughput SNP genotyping and next-generation sequencing (NGS) have made it possible to study positive selection footprints and adaptation traits. Nguni is a small frame-size…
Interaction of protein supplementation and ecotype on growth performance and carcass traits of Nguni goats
Nguni goats are thought not to respond to dietary protein supplementation. The objective of the study was to determine the interaction of protein supplementation and ecotype on growth performance and carcass traits of Nongoma, Msinga and Cedara Nguni goat ecotypes…
Estimates of variance components for feedlot traits of the Simmentaler breed in South Africa
Breeding of beef cattle is changing, with more emphasis on efficiency of production. Feed cost is the highest expense, and reducing it has the potential to increase profitability. Common measures of efficiency are ratio traits such as feed conversion (feed…
Effects of carrot leaves on digestibility of feed, and cholesterol and β-carotene content of egg yolks
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of carrot leaf supplementation on feed digestibility and the cholesterol and β-carotene contents of the yolks of eggs produced by Lohmann Brown laying hens. A feeding trial was conducted using…
Performance of sheep grazing Panicum maximum cv. Massai and supplemented with protein sources during the dry season
The low quality of tropical grasses in the dry season justifies the use of dietary supplements to meet the nutritional needs of sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with high-protein feed on mutton…
Spraying opened sugar beet pulp silage with oregano essential oil helps to sustain quality and stability
This study was conducted to determine the effects of spraying oregano essential oil (OEO) onto sugar beet pulp silage (SBPS) on silage quality and aerobic stability after opening. A factorial experiment with three replicates of three treatments and four time…
Effects of silage sealing films on fermentation dynamics of ensiled maize and nutrient utilization by Damara rams
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two silage sealing films on whole crop maize (WCM) fermentation, aerobic stability and nutrient digestion by rams. Prior to ensiling (day 0), triplicate samples of the WCM were collected to determine…
Relationship of glycogen and lactate concentrations as a pork quality indicator
Muscle metabolites greatly determine pork quality. However, precise threshold values which indicate its deterioration or improvement are not fully known. This study aimed to determine the influences of pork Longissimus lumborum (LL) glycogen and lactate concentrations measured at 45 min…
Pistacia terebinthus as a dietary supplement for laying hens
The aim of this study was to explore the potential of Pistacia terebinthus (terebinth) seed meal as a dietary supplement for laying hens. One hundred and ninety-two Babcock 30-week-old laying hens were assigned to one of six treatments (n =…
Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in diets fed to sows on fatty acids in brain, muscle and skin of their piglets
The aim of this research was to determine fatty acid profiles in piglet brain, skin, and muscle, and in the milk of sows fed fat with different saturation grades during gestation and lactation. At 42 days of gestation, 50 multiparous…
Carcass, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of meat from genetic reserve ducks after two reproductive seasons
The aim of the study was to compare carcass composition and meat quality of i) Pekin ducks of French origin (P9), ii) crosses of wild mallard and Pekin duck (K2), and iii) crosses of Khaki Campbell drakes and Orpington Fauve…
Potential alternative feed sources for ruminant feeding from the biodiesel production chain by-products
This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, fractionation of nitrogen compounds and carbohydrates, digestibility parameters, gas production kinetics and ruminal fermentation of fruit seed cakes. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three fruit seed cakes…
Naringin supplementation affects performance, carcass traits, meat quality and oxidative stability of finishing pigs
Naringin is a major flavanone derivate that has many important biological functions in animals. However, its effect on pigs is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of naringin supplementation on performance, carcass traits, meat quality…
Effects of soil type on density of trees and nutritive value of tree leaves in selected communal areas of South Africa
This study aimed to describe the distribution and nutritive value of woody species growing in clay-loamy and red-brown sand from selected localities of North West, South Africa. Three 2.2 km transects, radiating from homesteads, which served as replicates, were established…
Performance trait analysis and genetic diversity of the SA Boerperd
This study determined the occurrence and frequency of mutations that influence performance traits in the SA Boerperd horse and evaluated genetic diversity within the breed. Two gait-associated and two height-associated mutations were investigated. Seventeen microsatellite markers were genotyped for 363…
Effect of zinc nanoparticles on embryo and chicken growth, and the content of zinc in tissues and faeces
The hypothesis was that owing to their high bioavailability, zinc oxide nanoparticles (NanoZnO) can effectively replace (Zn) salts and reduce Zn excretion with faeces. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NanoZnO on the development of…
