Dalle Zotte A., Brand T.S., Hoffman L.C., Schoon K., Cullere M., Swart R.
Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; Elsenburg Institute for Animal Production, Western Cape, Department of Agriculture, Private Bag XI, Elsenburg 7606, South Africa; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Dalle Zotte, A., Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; Brand, T.S., Elsenburg Institute for Animal Production, Western Cape, Department of Agriculture, Private Bag XI, Elsenburg 7606, South Africa, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa; Hoffman, L.C., Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa; Schoon, K., Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa; Cullere, M., Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; Swart, R., Elsenburg Institute for Animal Production, Western Cape, Department of Agriculture, Private Bag XI, Elsenburg 7606, South Africa
This study investigated the effect of replacing dietary soybean oilcake meal with increasing levels of cottonseed oilcake meal (CSOCM) on the growth performance and meat (Iliofibularis muscle) chemical composition of ostriches in order to decrease total feed costs. A total of 105 ostriches were divided into five feeding groups according to the CSOCM inclusion level in the whole diet: Control (0% CSOCM), 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% CSOCM (of the whole diet), and fed with experimental diets from 6 to 13. months of age. As a result of feeding CSOCM, the final live weight and the average daily gain significantly increased in the 12% CSOCM group. The proximate composition, cholesterol content, mineral and fatty acid profile of the meat remained unaffected. Thus CSOCM may be used as an alternative protein source to the more expensive soybean oilcake meal in ostrich nutrition. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.