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 (2025): 0.8 (Q4 of subject category)
Scimago (SJR) (2025): 0.231 (Q3)
Scopus CiteScore (2025): 1.4
Egg production performance of native and exotic chickens under semi-intensive management conditions in Lesotho
Egg production performance of the Lesotho native chickens was compared with that of South African native (Ovambo, Lebowa-Venda, Naked Neck and Potchefstroom) and exotic (Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire) chicken lines under semi-intensive conditions in Lesotho. Traits that were…
A comparison of the growth performance of exotic and indigenous chickens in Lesotho
A study was conducted on growth performance of the Lesotho indigenous chicken (LES) compared to two exotic lines, the New Hampshire (NH) and Rhode Island Red (RIR), from 3-days to 70 weeks of age, when moulting occurred. Growth traits that…
Regional differences in growth parameters between two impala populations
The origin of differences in growth parameters between impala from the Mara Research Station (Mara) and the Messina Experimental Farm (Messina) was investigated. Impala from both localities were harvested, and body weights (BW) and cold carcass weights (CCW) were measured…
Influence of particle size distribution on in vivo and in vitro limestone solubility
A study was conducted to determine the in vivo and in vitro limestone solubility of different mixtures of small and large particle limestone. Small (0 - 1.0 mm) and large (2.0 - 3.8 mm) particles were blended to obtain five…
Effects of high dietary energy level on the cryotolerance of ram semen
In general ram semen does not cryopreserve acceptably in terms of post-thawed survival and fertilization. In South Africa it is common to feed high energy diets to breeding rams in performance testing schemes and in preparation for shows and sales,…
Inbreeding in the South African Brahman breed
Inbreeding levels and their possible influence on growth traits of the South African Brahman cattle were investigated. Data utilized in this study consisted of 180264 pedigree (1955 – 2002), 41509 birth weight (BWT), 37705 200-days weaning weight (200d), 22682 400-days…
An investigation into the possibility of a Genotype by Environmental interaction for milk production in the South African Jersey
The possibility of a genotype by environment interaction for milk production in the South African Jersey population was investigated by grouping 37687 first lactation records completed between 1985 and 1999 into different production or environmental levels. The dataset consisted of…
Simulated natural lighting and constant 14-hour photoperiods for broiler breeders during the rearing period, and interactions of
Spring-hatched broiler breeders housed in non-lightproof facilities are frequently maintained on long daylengths to prevent precocity, but controlled-feeding and delayed dissipation of photorefractoriness retard sexual maturation. Trials were conducted to determine the appropriate growth for birds maintained on 14-h photoperiods,…
Proximate chemical composition and fatty acid profiles of Longissimus thoracis from pasture fed LHRH immunocastrated, castrated
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) fusion protein vaccine vs. surgical castration on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of beef cattle (Bos indicus) slaughtered at three years of age…
Seasonal body condition indices of mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) in two areas of South African Highveld: the grassland
Mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) occupy marginal habitat that is rarely used by cattle. They are fecund, produce good quality meat and have the potential to be cropped commercially. Body condition indices including dressing % (DP), kidney fat indices (KFI), leg…
Model comparisons and genetic and environmental parameter estimates of growth and the Kleiber ratio in Horro sheep
Genetic and environmental parameters were estimated for pre- and post-weaning average daily gain (ADG1, ADG2) and Kleiber ratio (KR1, KR2) using the ASREML program. Twelve models, formed with inclusion or exclusion of the maternal genetic, permanent environmental and common (litter)…
Effects of genetic variants in milk protein on yield and composition of milk from Holstein-Friesian and Simmentaler cows
Milk samples from 237 Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 177 Simmentaler cows in six herds were typed for genetic variants of aS1-, b- and k-caseins (Cn) and b-lactoglobulin (-Lg) using ultrathin-layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing in the presence of carrier ampholytes (3-10 pH). The…
Evaluation of subjectively assessed nodule traits of ostrich skins as influenced by slaughter age
Ostrich skins (n = 214) were assessed by 28 participants involved in the ostrich leather production and marketing chain. The participants were from various sectors in the ostrich industry, including producers, skin graders, leather marketers, agents and process managers. Skins…
The nutritive value of forage sorghum genotypes developed for the dry tropical highlands of Kenya as feed source for ruminants
In vitro studies were conducted on five sorghum genotypes developed for the dry tropical highland climate of Kenya and which can be fed to ruminants fresh or as silage. The five sorghum genotypes consisted of two normal white mid-rib (WMR)…
Use of an antibiotic growth promoter and two herbal natural feed additives with and without exogenous enzymes in wheat based bro
A study was conducted to compare the effects of an antibiotic growth promoter (flavomycin) and two herbal natural feed additives (garlic and thyme) with and without a xylanase-based enzyme complex in wheat-based diets on growth performance, carcass parameters, total plasma…
To what extent can the age at sexual maturity of broiler breeders be reduced?
Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of growth manipulation and early photostimulation on age at sexual maturity and, in one trial, subsequent laying performance, in broiler breeders. In the first trial, the possibility of reducing the age at…
Analysis of growth characteristics in short-term divergently selected Japanese quail
This study was carried out to examine the effect of short-term selection for 5-weeks of age body weight in divergent lines of Japanese quail. Growth curves for both sexes within each selection group resembled the general sigmoid shape of a…
Use of natural zeolite-supplemented litter increased broiler production
The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of natural zeolite, consisting mainly of clinoptilolite and mordenite, as a component of the litter material in broiler houses on the performance of the broilers and on some litter characteristics…
Comparison of productive and reproductive efficiency of Afrino, Dorper and Merino sheep in the False Upper Karoo
The productive and reproductive performance of, as well as income generated by Afrino, Dorper and Merino sheep at two localities in the False Upper Karoo region were evaluated. A total of 1242 ewe reproductive records was available, while data of…
Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on carcass quality, serum lipid variables and histopathological changes of broi
Three dietary inclusion rates of CLA (0, 2 and 4 g/kg feed) and aflatoxin B1 (0, 200 and 300 µg/kg feed) were tested in a 3 x 3 factorial experimental design on a total of 99 Ross-308 male broiler chickens…
