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
Comparison of fluorgestone and medroxyprogesterone intravaginal sponges for oestrus synchronization in Saanen does during the tr
The efficiency of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) and fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges for synchronizing oestrus in lactating Saanen goats was investigated during the transition from non-breeding to natural breeding season. Does were treated for 11 days with 60 mg MAP (n=19)…
Effect of protein supplementation and urea treatment on utilization of maize stover by Red Maasai sheep
Six Red Maasai sheep were used to investigate the effects of urea treatment and cotton seed cake supplementation of maize stover on intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. The basal feeds were Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay (H), untreated maize…
The effect of dietary inclusion of meat and bone meal on the performance of laying hens at old age
The effect of the inclusion of meat and bone meal (MBM) in the diet of old laying hens on their egg production and the quality of their eggs was investigated. Meat and bone meal containing a high concentration of ash…
Estimates of genetic and environmental (co)variances for live weight and fleece traits in yearling South African Mutton Merino s
Yearling live weight and fleece trait data were obtained from between 2214 and 2270 yearling SA Mutton Merino progeny of the Elsenburg flock during a 20-year period from 1983 to 2002. Information of (co)variances for these traits in SA Mutton…
A comparison between the body composition, carcass characteristics and retail cuts of South African Mutton Merino and Dormer she
The body composition, carcass characteristics and retail cuts of 61 Dormers (21 rams and 40 ewes) and 35 South African Mutton Merinos (SAMM) (17 rams and 18 ewes) were determined. A range of carcass measurements was recorded. Since there was…
The effect of a mixture of herbal essential oils or α-tocopheryl acetate on performance parameters and oxidation of body
Performance parameters and oxidation of body lipids of broiler chickens were investigated when their diet was supplemented with a commercial preparation of essential oils (Apacox) derived from selected herbs. One hundred and twenty day-old Cobb-500 female chicks were divided into…
Effect of age and season on sperm morphology of Friesland bulls at an artificial insemination centre in South Africa
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age, season and the interaction between age and season on the sperm morphological characteristics of a selected population of Friesland bulls kept at an artificial insemination (AI) centre…
Determining storage related egg quality changes via digital image analysis
The present study was carried out to determine some egg quality characteristics and storage related changes using computer assisted digital image analysis (CADIA) in an 18-month old moulted brown layer (Lohmann Brown) flock. A total of 150 newly laid eggs…
Dried rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) dreg: an alternative litter material in broiler production
The present study was carried out to determine the effects of using dried rose dreg (DRD) as an alternative litter material for broiler performance and microbiological characteristics of litter. A total of 225 day-old broiler chicks was raised on pine…
Effect of age on leather and skin traits of slaughter ostriches
Little is known about the factors affecting leather and skin traits in ostriches. The effect of age on physical skin traits of slaughter ostriches was consequently investigated. Forty skins representing slaughter ages ranging from five to 14 months were selected…
The influence of stocking rate and male:female ratio on the production of breeding ostriches (Struthio camelus spp.) under comme
The study provides information on the reproductive performance of ostriches maintained at different stocking rates and male:female (M:F) ratios under intensive commercial conditions in the Little Karoo, South Africa. Breeding ostriches are concentrated on relatively small areas and through trampling…
Effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the performance and serum variables of broiler chickens intoxicated with aflatoxin B
The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the prevention of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity in the broiler chicken. A total of 99 Ross 308 male broiler chicks was assigned…
Genetic parameters for quail body weights using a random regression model
A model including fixed and random linear regressions is described for analyzing body weights at different ages. In this study, (co)variance components, heritabilities for quail weekly weights and genetic correlations among these weights were estimated using a random regression model…
Use of wood ash in the treatment of high tannin sorghum for poultry feeding
A study was conducted to investigate the effects of wood ash treatment on the nutritional value of high tannin sorghum. High tannin sorghum was either soaked in wood ash slurry and then germinated for four days or soaked in wood…
Chemical composition, true metabolisable energy content and amino acid availability of grain legumes for poultry
Samples of sweet yellow lupins (Lupinus luteus; n = 4), broad leaf lupins (Lupinus albus; n = 12), narrow leaf lupins (Lupinus angustifolius; n = 8), faba beans (Vicia faba; n = 2), field peas (Pisum sativum; n = 4)…
The effect of additives on quality and nutrient degradability and digestibility of round bale silage
The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of applying an inoculant and formic acid at commercially recommended rates to big bale silage on the quality, protein and cell wall ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of undegraded protein…
The effect of live weight, male to female ratio and breeder age on reproduction performance in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturni
This study was carried out to determine the effect of live weight, male to female ratio and breeder age on egg weight and the hatching characteristics in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Female quails at the age of six weeks,…
Relative performance and efficiency of five Merino and Merino-type dam lines in a terminal crossbreeding system with Dormer or S
The production performance of ewes was assessed in a terminal crossbreeding experiment involving five Merino and Merino-type dam lines and two terminal crossbreeding sire breeds. Dam lines were SA Mutton Merino (SAMM), SAMM rams crossed to Merino ewes (SAMM cross),…
Effects of dietary mannanoligosaccharide on performance of Japanese quail affected by aflatoxicosis
The potential of the yeast component, mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) to ameliorate the effects of aflatoxicosis was examined in growing Japanese quail. The product was incorporated in the diet at 1 g/kg and was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious…
Description of the Friesian Horse population of South Africa and Namibia
Data obtained from the Friesian Horse Studbook of Southern Africa and Friesian Horse Breeders’ Society of South Africa were analyzed to describe and evaluate the population regarding inbreeding and morphological body measurements. Eight different body measurements (height at withers, height…
