The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flock age and egg weight on egg characteristics, incubation traits, hatchling weight, and initial offspring performance. Eggshell thickness and albumen height were lower, but albumen weight, yolk weight, and percentage of yolk were higher in eggs laid by older broiler breeders. Feed intake, bodyweight, and feed consumption rate were affected by the age of the hens and egg size.

Thermal stress induces significant changes in the bioavailability of minerals, especially calcium, compromising egg production and egg quality in quails. The use of additives becomes necessary to optimise nutrient absorption and mitigate the negative impacts of high temperatures. Phytase stands out as it breaks down phytate molecules, releasing vital nutrients such as calcium. It also helps combat the effects of thermal stress on the calcium transporter calbindin-D28K. This optimisation consequently enhances calcium absorption for use in egg production.

The inclusion of rumen-protected fat in the diet of grazing beef cattle may be a strategy to increase dietary energy density, and consequently improve the performance and carcass characteristics without negative effects on ruminal microbiota and fibre digestibility. Twenty-four non-castrated animals were subjected to this test. The average daily carcass gain and meat quality were improved by the inclusion of protected fat in the diet of grazing cattle.

Legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, introducing it into pasture systems. The proportion of legumes in multispecies pastures formed by Aruana guineagrass and the three legumes (Macrotyloma, Calopo and Stylo) increased with time. Pastures managed at canopy heights from 15 to 45 cm resulted in high stocking rates and sheep productivity. This study indicates an option for combining forage species in intercropped tropical pastures, and identifies a range of pasture heights to ensure animal productivity and pasture sustainability.

Perinatal mortality in the first week of life is one of the most significant productive and animal welfare losses in sheep production countries; most of these deaths are due to a lack of adaptation to extrauterine life. In this work, we demonstrated that magnesium sulfate supplementation of adult ewes carrying twin lambs extended the gestation duration and improved the lambs’ birthweight. This supplementation improves the lambs’ adaptation to extrauterine life.

Livestock production plays a major role in global greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of using probiotics in broiler production is a new area of study in Malaysia. This research conducted on three broiler farms, reveals that energy consumption, particularly electricity and fuel, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The findings highlight the potential of probiotics in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in broiler production and developing sustainable practices in the poultry industry to address environmental concerns.

This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.

Traditional indigenous pig farming using concrete floor has low productivity and is environmentally unsustainable. Fermented bed-flooring system enhances net profit by four fold through sale of the flooring compost. Fermented bed floor provides a profitable and environmentally sustainable option for smallholder pig farming in the developing countries.

This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023.