Abstract Detail

Economic Botany

Mavencamp, Chelsea N [1], Hildebrand, Terri J [2].

The effects of silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana, Asteraceae) amended feed on chicken growth and tissue protein content.

In north central Montana, silver sagebrush (A. cana) is abundant, an important component of ecosystem functioning, and used by wildlife (e.g., sage grouse and antelope). Various Artemisia species are common components of many prairie and shrub habitats. In contrast, the shrub has no commercial value and is not used as forage for domesticated livestock. Many species of Artemisia (Asteraceae) have high leaf protein content as well as antibacterial properties. Previous research examined the growth and medicinal properties of A. annua amended feed in coccidiosis infected chickens, but did not look directly at how sagebrush amended diet affects tissue protein content in uninfected animals. This study investigated the development of chickens fed a diet of 80% commercial feed amended with 20% silver sagebrush (A. cana). In addition, we determined breast tissue percent crude protein content and organ to body mass ratios for each bird. We hypothesized that birds receiving sagebrush amended feed would show significantly greater growth and tissue protein content. This study followed 62 broiler chickens, 30 control and 32 treatment birds. Weekly growth (biomass) and food consumption was recorded. After 12 weeks, chickens were harvested, breast meat samples taken and organ (liver, heart, and kidney) biomass data collected. Tissues and organs were immediately frozen (-20 °C). The Kjeldahl method was used to determine percent crude protein content of breast tissue samples. As expected, larger chicks produced larger chickens. Initially, both bird groups showed weight gains, but treatment birds experienced a steep decline in weeks 3 and 4 compared to their control counterparts. By week 9, treatment animals rebounded with growth increases exceeding control birds. At the time of harvest, treatment animals had a slightly greater growth rate. Overall, birds on the sagebrush amended diet were smaller (p < 0.001) at the end of the 12 week period which did not support our hypothesis. When organ size was standardized for biomass, treatment birds showed larger kidneys, livers, and hearts than control birds (p < 0.001 for all), contradicting the earlier study that examined sagebrush amended feed. There was not a significant difference in growth or organ size between males and females. Initial analyses show a trend of increased percent crude protein content in the breast tissue of birds receiving sagebrush amended feed and further analyses may provide support for this portion of our hypothesis.

1 - Montana State University - Northern, 300 13th Street West, P. O. Box 7751, Havre, Montana, 59501, United States
2 - Montana State University - Northern, 300 13th St. West, P.O. Box 7751, Havre, MT, 59501, USA

Keywords:
silver sagebrush
Kjeldahl method
tissue protein content
commercial value.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Economic Botany: Contributed Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEN004
Abstract ID:427
Candidate for Awards:Economic Botany Section best poster