Effect of cottonseed oilcake inclusion on ostrich growth performance and meat chemical composition

• Published in: Meat science Vol. 93; no. 2; pp. 194 - 200
• Main Authors: Dalle Zotte, A., Brand, T.S., Hoffman, L.C., Schoon, K., Cullere, M., Swart, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; Body Weight; Cholesterol - analysis; Cottonseed Oil - administration & dosage; Cottonseed oilcake; Diet; Fatty Acids - analysis; Feeding; Food industries; Food Quality; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycine max - metabolism; Growth performance; Linear Models; Meat - analysis; Meat and meat product industries; Meat quality; Ostrich; Struthioniformes - growth & development; Trace Elements - analysis; Cottonseed oilcake; Ostrich; Growth performance; Feeding; Meat quality; Quality; Meat product; Chemical composition; Meat
• ISSN: 0309-1740; 1873-4138
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.08.027

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 13months 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.