R. M. Gous

Bio: R. M. Gous is an academic researcher from University of KwaZulu-Natal. The author has contributed to research in topics: Broiler & Feed conversion ratio. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 194 publications receiving 3756 citations. Previous affiliations of R. M. Gous include University of Reading & University of Natal.

Evaluation of the parameters needed to describe the overall growth, the chemical growth, and the growth of feathers and breast muscles of broilers

Abstract: An experiment was carried out to collect data suitable for testing methods used to describe the potential growth and body composition curves of broilers. Males and females of two commercial broiler strain-crosses were grown to 16 wk of age with birds taken at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age for chemical analysis and for the measurement of feather weight and breast meat (Pectoralis major and Pectoralis minor) weight at these ages. The data were used to test the Gompertz growth equation and the assumption of chemical allometry, as well as to estimate the values of the growth parameters for the different genotypes. Feeding and environmental conditions were intended to be such that potential growth and body composition could be attained. The weights of the chemical components for each of the four genotypes were described in terms of the mature weight of these components, their rates of maturing, and the time taken to reach the maximum rate of growth of each component. Allometric relationships between the weights of the chemical components and that of body protein were estimated. The ratio of ash to protein was essentially constant. Water matured more slowly, and lipid faster, than protein. For males, and for females up to 8 wk, the models were satisfactory. For females after this age, lipid growth was faster than expected from the earlier period, probably in preparation for egg production. There were small, but important, differences in the values of some parameters between the strain-crosses. For each of the four genotypes the changes in weight of feathers and breast meat with time were described in terms of the Gompertz growth function, which described the data very well. The parameters of the function for each component and genotype-mature weight, rate of maturing, and the time taken to reach the maximum rate of growth B were evaluated. For the feathers, the value of the rate parameter was higher than that estimated for the body as a whole. For the two breast muscles, and for their total weight, the value of the rate parameter was similar to that for the body as a whole. There was a simple allometric relationship between the weights of the breast muscles and that of the whole body. As a consequence, the development of the yield of breast meat for a given genotype could be described by the values of the two parameters: mature yield and the allometric exponent. A description of each genotype of interest is seen as an essential first step in using a simulation model either to predict requirements, or to predict the effects of different feeding programs, and environmental conditions, on the performance of broilers.

Modeling as a research tool in poultry science

Abstract: The World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA) is a long-established and unique organization that strives to advance knowledge and understanding of all aspects of poultry science and the poultry industry. Its 3 main aims are education, organization, and research. The WPSA Keynote Lecture, titled "Modeling as a research tool in poultry science," addresses 2 of these aims, namely, the value of modeling in research and education. The role of scientists is to put forward and then to test theories. These theories, or models, may be simple or highly complex, but they are aimed at improving our understanding of a system or the interaction between systems. In developing a model, the scientist must take into account existing knowledge, and in this process gaps in our knowledge of a system are identified. Useful ideas for research are generated in this way, and experiments may be designed specifically to address these issues. The resultant models become more accurate and more useful, and can be used in education and extension as a means of explaining many of the complex issues that arise in poultry science.

The evaluation of the growth parameters of six strains of commercial broiler chickens.

Abstract: 1. An experiment was conducted to measure the potential growth of males and females of 6 commercial broiler stocks, from which information the growth rates of these genotypes could be characterised by the Gompertz growth equation. 2. Feeding and environmental conditions were designed to ensure that the birds remained comfortable throughout their growing period, which was to 26 weeks of age. A choice of diets differing in protein content was offered from 3 weeks of age. Because of leg weaknesses among the male broilers after 11 weeks of age, and because many females reached sexual maturity at about this age, the growth analyses were conducted on weights collected up to 11 weeks of age only. At this weight, broilers had achieved approximately 0.76 of their mature weight. 3. Birds representative of each genotype were killed for carcase analysis at weekly intervals to 9 weeks of age, and every two weeks thereafter. The contents of gut fill, feathers, water, protein, ash and lipid were measured on each of these birds; from these, equations were derived for each genotype that allowed the estimation of the weights of these components in the birds remaining on the experiment. 4. The body weight, body protein, body water and feather weight of the 12 genotypes were described in terms of the mature weight of these components, their rates of maturing and the time taken to reach the maximum rate of growth of each component. These descriptors of the growth of each component were then compared between genotypes. 5. No statistically significant differences existed in the rates of maturing of the different genotypes, either between strains or between sexes. Highly significant differences were evident between strains and between sexes in their mature weights, indicating that their rates of growth differed. 6. Estimates of mature feather weights indicated that this component of the body comprised 0.062 and 0.050 of the mature body weight of female and male broilers respectively. The protein content of feathers increased steadily, and the water content decreased steadily, throughout the growing period. 7. Differences between the genotypes evaluated in this experiment indicate that the nutrient and environmental requirements of these genotypes would differ. A description of each genotype, therefore, is an essential component of any simulation model that attempts to determine the optimum economic feeding programme and environmental conditions for broilers.

Effects of protein concentration on responses to dietary lysine by chicks.

Abstract: 1. Chicks were fed on diets varying in crude protein (CP) content (140 to 280 g/kg diet) in either 8 steps, experiment 1, or 6 steps, experiment 2. Protein composition was held constant in each experiment. At each protein concentration, 5 (experiment 1) or 6 (experiment 2) concentrations of lysine were tested, ranging from 40 to 60 g/kg CP. 2. Growth rate and efficiency of food utilisation to 21 d of age responded to increasing dietary protein contents up to about 230 g CP/kg. An estimate of lysine requirement at each protein concentration was obtained by fitting a quadratic curve to the response data and calculating the dose of lysine (g/kg CP) needed to maximise either growth rate or gain/food ratio. 3. Although no growth response to dietary protein was obtained between 240 and 280 g CP/kg, the amount of lysine needed to maximise growth and gain/food ratio over this range increased systematically when expressed as g/kg diet, but remained constant if expressed as g/kg CP. 4. The regression of ly...

Evaluation of a diet dilution technique for measuring the response of broiler chickens to increasing concentrations of lysine.

Abstract: 1. Three experiments were conducted on male broiler chickens between one and three weeks of age to determine their response to dietary lysine concentrations. 2. Serial dilutions of a summit diet shown to be first‐limiting in lysine were fed in all experiments. The balance between amino acids in these diets was maintained within narrow limits. 3. Intake of the most‐limiting amino acid was the most important factor determining growth rate; protein intake as such was of little or no importance. 4. The efficiency of utilisation of dietary lysine for protein growth was calculated to be 65–05 mg/g protein gain, representing a net efficiency of 0–85. 5. The diet dilution technique overcomes the major disadvantage of the graded supplementation method for determining the requirements of amino acids, namely that of the amino acid balance changing systematically in successive dietary treatments.

Out of the Crisis

Abstract: According to W. Edwards Deming, American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management style and of governmental relations with industry. In Out of the Crisis, originally published in 1982, Deming offers a theory of management based on his famous 14 Points for Management. Management's failure to plan for the future, he claims, brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to stay in business, protect investment, ensure future dividends, and provide more jobs through improved product and service. In simple, direct language, he explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them.

How to… home page

Abstract: Home PURPOSE OF THE CENTER: To develop the center to address state-of-the-art research, create innovating educational programs, and support technology transfers using commercially viable results to assist the Army Research Laboratory to develop the next generation Future Combat System in the telecommunications sector that assures prevention of perceived threats, and Non Line of Sight/Beyond Line of Sight lethal support.

Voluntary food intake and diet selection in farm animals.

Abstract: Feeding behaviour feedback signals ruminant gastrointestinal tract metabolites and hormones central nervous control integrative theories of food intake control growth and fattening reproduction and lactation diet digestability and concentration of available energy specific nutrients affecting intake learning about food - preferences diet selection appetites for specific nutrients environmental factors affecting intake the intake of fresh and conserved grass prediction of voluntary intake. Appendices: particular features of poultry and ruminant animals outline programme to identify and store meals from the identities of animals and weights of food containers.

A review: Potentials for biotechnological applications of keratin-degrading microorganisms and their enzymes for nutritional improvement of feathers and other keratins as livestock feed resources

Abstract: Advances in microbial enzyme technology, keratinolytic proteases in this case, offer considerable opportunities for a low-energy consuming technology for bioconversion of poultry feathers from a potent pollutant to a nutritionally upgraded protein-rich feedstuff for livestock. A compendium of recent information on microbial keratinolysis in nature and infection (dermatophytoses) has been provided as underscoring feasible harnessing of the biotechnology for nutritional improvement of feathers, and as an alternative to conventional hydrothermal processing. Supporting evidence of a nutritional (amino acid) upgrading sequel to diverse microbial treatments of feathers, and positive results obtained from growth studies in rats and chicks have been presented. The paper concludes with suggestions for avenues of application of biotechnology for nutritional improvement of feather (and other keratins) as feedstuffs for livestock