Influence of graded inclusion of raw and extruded pea ( Pisum sativum L.) meal on the performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens

The Effect of Exogenous Amylase Supplementation on the Nutritional Value of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) for Broiler Chickens

The present study aimed to investigate whether the exogenous addition of amylase enhances the nutritional value of pea seeds for broiler chickens. In total, 84 1-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were used for the experimental study. During the first phase of the experiment (1-16 d), all birds in each treatment were fed with a corn-soybean meal reference diet. After this time, the first treatment (control) was still fed the reference diet. In the second and third treatment, 50% of the reference diet was replaced with 50% pea seeds. In addition, the third treatment was supplemented with exogenous amylase. Animal excreta were collected on 21 d and 22 d of the experiment. The birds were sacrificed at the end of the experiment (23 d), and samples of ileum content were collected. The experimental results showed that the exogenous addition of amylase significantly improved (p < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of the crude protein (CP), starch, and dry matter (DM) of pea. In addition, an improvement in the AID of essential amino acids in pea seeds (except Phe) was observed. The trend in the AME_N values was also noted (p = 0.076). It can be concluded that supplementation with exogenous amylase improves the nutritional value of pea seeds in broiler chicken nutrition.

Research Note. Amylase supplementation improves starch and amino acids digestibility of faba bean for broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of amylase on the nutritional value and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AME_N) of faba bean (FB) seeds in broiler chicken nutrition. The study was conducted on a total of 84, one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308). The birds were fed a reference corn-soybean meal diet form d 1 to 16, and they were divided into three groups (1st day). The first group (1) was fed the same reference diet as in the first part, whereas 50% of the reference diet was replaced by FB seeds in experimental groups (2 and 3). Group 3 was supplemented with amylase, which contained 0.14 g/kg dry matter (DM). At the end of the study period, excreta and digesta samples were collected from all groups to estimate the nutritional value. Some fraction of starch found in the seeds was part of starch which is resistant to digestion (143.9 g/kg DM). The addition of exogenous amylase to the diet increased the apparent ileal digestibility of DM, CP, and starch in FB seeds. The AME_N value increased as a result of enzyme addition (P < 0.05). The group 3 showed higher apparent ileal digestibility of essential amino acids (Lys, Leu, Phe, His) as well as nonessential amino acids (Tyr, Ala, Pro) in FB seeds. It could be concluded that FB seeds supplemented with exogenous amylase have a greater nutrition value for broiler chickens.

Characteristics of carcass and physicochemical traits of meat from male and female ducks fed a diet based on extruded soybean

Duck' meat is characterized by good nutritional properties and gaining popularity in the consumer market. Extruded soybean is potentially more digestible than commonly use soybean meal (SBM), and is expected to influence carcass traits and the quality of breast and leg muscles. The study' aim was to compare meat quality from both sexes' ducks fed a diet with extruded soybean (ESB) as a substitute for SBM. Cherry Valley ducks were divided into two groups. The control group (1) was fed an SBM-based diet, and the treatment group (2) with ESB. Each group was divided into sex subgroups with 50 birds in each (5 replicates, 10 ducks each). Dissection and analysis of meats' pH, colour, water-holding capacity (WHC), drip loss and chemical composition of breast and leg muscles were done. Interaction of Diet and Sex was calculated. In group 2 higher carcass weight, dressing percentage, weight of wings, leg muscles, total muscles, and better WHC were found. Dressing percentage, the proportion of neck with skin, breasts' and stomach' weight, and the weight and proportion of fat, and pH45min were higher in females (P < 0.05). The interaction was found for the pre-slaughter body weight, the weight of carcass remains, WHC in breasts (P < 0.05). The ESB feed had no negative effect on the analyzed traits and can be used in the ducks' diet. Improved the WHC indicates the high suitability of meat for processing. A positive effect of diet on the muscles' proportion and dressing percentage was noticed, which is important for consumers' market. The sex-related differences and interactions between variables suggest separate rearing due to sex.

Interactions between starch source and gelatinisation degree on performance and small intestinal digestion in broiler chickens

1. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used to test the hypothesis that, in pelleted diets, legume starch is digested less rapidly and to a lesser extent than cereal starch, and that increased gelatinisation through extrusion would eliminate the differences between the starch sources. In addition, the trial examined whether a lower ratio of starch to nitrogen disappearance rate (SNDR) could improve feed conversion ratio (FCR).2. At 17 d of age, male broilers were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments, consisting of either wheat or faba bean starch-rich fraction (FBS) as the sole starch source and pelleting or extrusion as processing methods. Each treatment had 10 replicate pens containing five birds each.3. Extrusion resulted in a more extensive starch gelatinisation compared to pelleting, as expected.4. No difference in weight gain at 29 d of age was observed between birds fed starch sources. However, birds fed wheat tended (P = 0.080) to have better FCR than those fed FBS, while the effect of processing methods was insignificant. Thus, there was no interaction between starch source and processing method on FCR.5. In pelleted diets, FBS had lower and slower starch digestibility compared to wheat in all intestinal segments (P < 0.05). The interaction between starch source and processing method in all intestinal segments (P < 0.001) demonstrated that FBS responded more to gelatinisation through extrusion than did wheat. Thus, differences in starch digestibility between the wheat and FBS were eliminated with extrusion.6. Feeding extruded diets significantly increased the upper jejunal expression of GLUT1, GLUT2 and SGLT1 compared to pelleted diets, which suggested that glucose absorption was less likely to be a limiting factor for starch utilisation.7. Pelleting resulted in a lower ratio (P < 0.001) of SNDR compared to extrusion (on average 1.4-fold) but did not improve FCR.

Egg quality depending on the diet with different sources of protein and age of the hens

Due to the planned limitations in the use of genetically modified soybean meal, the search for alternative sources of protein in animal nutrition is ongoing, which also supports the consumers’ expectations of good quality products, such as eggs. The aim of the study was to assess and compare morphological traits of eggs, fatty acid composition in yolk lipids, and the content and activity of lysozyme in thick and thin albumen in eggs from hens fed a diet based on legume seeds as a substitute for soybean meal depending on the hens age. Analyses were carried out for 300 eggs on dates I–V (19–39 weeks age of hens), obtained from Rosa 1 hens managed in the semi-intensive system. Quality analysis was performed for 30 eggs from each group at a time. The control group of hens (A) was fed a diet based on soybean meal (SBM) and the treatment group (B) was fed a diet based on seeds from narrow-leaved lupin (Boruta), yellow lupin (Mister), and pea (Muza). Eggs were analysed for morphological traits (egg weight, the weight and density of egg components, egg shape index and egg surface area), parameters of albumen (height, Haugh units), yolk colour (La Roche, colorimetry in the CIE Lab system), lysozyme content and activity in albumen, and fatty acids composition in yolk lipids. In group B the egg shape index was higher (p = 0.002), and the eggshell colour index was lower (p = 0.007), as well as the height of thick albumen, Haugh score, and yolk colour (La Roche) were higher in group B (p < 0.05), while redness of yolk was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in group A. Lower content of C15:0 and C18:1n9 and higher content of C18:2n6 and C18:3n3, (p < 0.05), as well as lower content of MUFA and OMEGA 9, but higher content of PUFA, OMEGA 3, OMEGA 6, PUFA/SFA, OMEGA 9/6 and OMEGA 9/3 were found in group B compared to group A (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in traits between age of hens (p < 0.05). Egg weight, yolk weight and its proportion in egg, as well as shell weight, its strength and thickness increased with the age of hens (p < 0.05). The content of lysozyme and its activity were also higher in eggs from older hens (p < 0.05). Fatty acids composition was beneficial at the beginning and end of the analysed egg production period. The proposed feed mixture based on legume seeds had no negative effect on the quality of eggs, and had a positive effect on yolk colour, the quality of albumen. There was no detrimental effect of diet and age of hens on fatty acid composition of eggs from both groups throughout the study period. To sum up, diet with legume seeds could be accepted as a substitute for soybean meal, due to the beneficial effects for some mentioned traits of eggs. Use of legumes could give a partial self-sufficient for producers from small farms, where is not possible to produce soybean meal. At the same time, the level of anti-nutrients in legumes should be considered.

Standardised Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility in Field Pea Seeds of Two Cultivars Differing in Flower Colour for Broiler Chickens: Effects of Bird Age and Microbial Protease

Simple Summary

The extent to which field peas can replace soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens is limited, and one of the reasons for this may be a lack of careful consideration given to the age-related amino acid availability differences in feed formulations. As the digestibility of amino acids in feeds for poultry is a sensitive gauge of their bioavailability, this study has determined and compared standardised ileal amino acid digestibility estimates for whole (raw) seeds of white- and coloured-flowered pea cultivars fed to young and older chickens (14 or 28 days old) in the presence or absence of exogenous protease in their diet. The results demonstrate that when a digestible amino acid system is used, the coefficients of essential amino acids determined at 14 days of age in low-tannin white-flowered peas are not applicable to the formulation of grower-type feed mixtures containing seeds of coloured-flowered cultivars. The increased digestibility of nutritionally essential amino acids in white-flowered pea fed to bids at both ages and in coloured-flowered pea fed to chickens aged 28 days can be expected from protease supplementation. These results contribute to improved use of peas as an alternative to soybean meal vegetable protein sources in diets for broiler chickens.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine and compare standardised ileal digestibility (SID) coefficients of amino acids (AA) in raw seeds of the white-(WF) and the coloured-flowered (CF) field pea cultivar as sole sources of AA in the diets fed to broiler chickens aged 14 or 28 days. An additional purpose was to check the influence of exogenous protease added to pea-based assay diets on AA SID in birds at both ages. Each assay diet was offered to six replicate pens. On both sampling days, the contents from the lower half of the ileum were collected for determination of the apparent digestibility values. The SID coefficients were calculated using ileal endogenous AA losses determined from birds fed an N-free diet. Results indicated a substantial advantage of WF pea over CF pea as a source of digestible Lys, Met, Cys, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, Val, Asp and Glu for 14-day-old chickens. With the exception of methionine and cysteine, there was no significant difference between these two cultivars in the SID values of AA in 28-day-old birds. The protease increased SID of nutritionally essential AA from WF pea-based diet at both ages, and from CF pea-based diet in chickens aged 28 days. In conclusion, the SID coefficients of indispensable AA determined at 14 days of age in low-tannin WF peas are not applicable to the formulation of grower-type feeds containing seeds of CF cultivars.

The Effect of Diet Based on Legume Seeds and Rapeseed Meal on Pig Performance and Meat Quality

Simple Summary

Pig diets are primarily composed of cereal-based ingredients and contain soybean meal as the main protein source. A growing trend for increased protein requirements has been noted in animal nutrition. The price of extracted soybean meal fluctuates significantly, hence it is worth replacing it with mixtures based on domestic sources of protein. One of the factors that have a direct impact on the quality of meat is animal nutrition. The aim of this work was to assess the impact of a total dietary replacement of extracted soybean meal (SBM) on the body weight gain and pork quality. The fattening pigs, which were offered diets based on SBM, had similar raw meat parameters as the pigs which were fed diets based on legumes and rapeseed as protein sources.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the impact of a total dietary replacement of extracted soybean meal (SBM) on body weight gain and pork quality. DanBred hybrid piglets were divided into four groups of 10 piglets each. Groups I (males) and II (females) were the control groups and fed a standardized SBM-based complete feed. The experimental groups III (males) and IV (females) were offered a diet in which the SBM was replaced with extracted rapeseed meal (RSM) and legume plants (pea and yellow lupin). After 83 days of fattening, the animals were slaughtered. Based on the collected data, the daily weight gain (DWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. In addition, longissimus dorsi muscle was subjected to physicochemical analyses, including the basic chemical composition. All the analyses were performed in accordance with the applicable methodologies. As a result of this experiment, no interactions were found between the experimental factors (sex and diet). The replacement of SMB by legumes and RSM resulted in a significant reduction in the final body weight of growing–finishing pigs. Additionally, daily body weight gain was reduced between 35–83 days, and through the whole fattening period (0–83 days). Most pork meat quality parameters were not affected by the type of mix feed and sex (p > 0.05). The fattening pigs that were fed legume seeds and RSM had significantly reduced fatness (p > 0.05) compared to the control pigs. In males, there was also a significantly lower pH₄₅ (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that feeding pigs with diets containing legume plants and extracted rapeseed meal does not affect the pork meat quality, but it may worsen the body weight gain.

The effect of protease and Bacillus licheniformis on nutritional value of pea, faba bean, yellow lupin and narrow-leaved lupin in broiler chicken diets

1. This study investigated the nutritional value (digestibility of ileal crude protein and amino acids (AAs)) and the AMEN value of legumes (pea, faba bean, yellow lupin, and narrow-leaved lupin) with or without protease. 2. Two hundred, one-day-old, male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to ten groups. Each group received one of five different protein raw materials - either peas, faba beans, yellow lupins or narrow-leaved lupins, with or without protease produced from Bacillus licheniformis. The birds were kept in individual cages. Nutrient digestibility was calculated using the difference method. The total duration of the study was 23 d, and the study involved two phases - accommodation phase (d 1-18) and experimental phase (d 18-23). 3. The effect of protease on response traits was not consistent between the legumes. The enzyme increased the digestibility of some AAs in the pea (arginine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, tyrosine, alanine, and proline), faba bean (lysine, arginine, glycine, and asparagine), and yellow lupin diets (lysine, valine, and serine), but this effect was not observed in the narrow-leaved lupin diet. The change in AMEN values due to protease addition was only statistically significant for the pea diet (P < 0.05), whereas in the case of other legume species, the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05). 4. Exogenous protease increased the digestibility of AAs present in pea, faba bean, and yellow lupin seeds but not in narrow-leaved lupin diets. The AMEN value of peas increased with protease supplementation, but no effect of protease was found for the AMEN values of faba bean and both the lupin diets.

Growth performance and Carcass quality in broiler chickens fed on legume seeds and rapeseed meal

The aim of this study was to compare the growth performance parameters, carcass quality, and meat traits in broiler chickens fed on diets containing legume seeds and rapeseed meal as an alternative to soybean meal. In this study, 448 male ROSS 308 chicks were divided into subgroups: a control group (I) fed on soybean meal (SBM), and six experimental groups II-rapeseed meal (RSM); III-white lupin (WY); IV-yellow lupin (YL); V-narrow-leaved lupin NLL; VI-pea (Pe); and VII-faba bean (FB). After 42 days of rearing, 10 birds from each group were slaughtered and dissected. The control group was characterized by better growth performance compared to the other groups. In addition, the European Broiler Index was lower in each experimental group compared to the SBM group. A lower dressing percentage was found only in the NLL group. The muscle content in birds from the RSM and FB groups was significantly higher than in the other groups, but the fat content was lower. Meat from SBM group was characterized by the highest protein content, but a reduced content of fat and water in the muscles. The most similar results were found between the control group and the FB group receiving a diet based on faba beans. Furthermore, lupins had a similar effect on the carcass traits when used in the diets. The quality of meat in broilers fed on faba beans with the addition of potato protein and brewers' yeast was similar to that of those fed on soybean meal, because the antinutrients were the lowest in faba bean seeds. Faba beans are proposed as a possible alternative source of protein in poultry diets. Other legume seeds should be analyzed in future studies.

Effect of Dietary Protein Sources Substituting Soybean Meal on Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Ducks

The study aimed to examine the growth performance and meat quality of Pekin ducks fed diets consisting of various protein source alternatives (groups: II-yellow lupin (YL) and rapeseed meal (RSM); III-YL and narrow-leaved lupin (NLL); IV-pea and YL; V-RSM, YL, NLL and pea) to (I) soybean meal (SBM) and RSM. Four hundred and twenty ducks were assigned to five groups with six replicates (14 birds per group). After 7 weeks, 10 ducks from each group were slaughtered. Breast muscles were analyzed for water-holding capacity, drip loss, color, and elasticity. Productivity parameters did not differ between groups I and II but were lower in V. The weight of carcass, neck with skin, skin with subcutaneous fat and total fat were highest in group II. The proportion of wings was higher in group V. In group II, lightness (L*) was higher, but redness (a*) was lower. In groups, I and III, L* was lower and a* was higher. Breast muscles contained more protein in groups I and II, more fat in groups I and III and more water in groups II and IV. The inclusion of vegetable protein alternatives to SBM in duck diets provided the best results in birds fed with YL and RSM (ratio of 1:0:31 in starter and 1:0.81 in grower).

Growth performance, carcass traits and digestive function of broiler chickens fed diets with graded levels of corn resistant starch

1. This study was conducted to assess the effects of graded levels of dietary corn resistant starch (RS) on growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient retention, digestive organ index, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and mRNA expression of certain nutrient transporters in broiler chickens.2. A total of 320, 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, with eight replicates of eight birds in each. These treatments included one corn-soybean control diet, a corn-soybean based diet containing 20% corn starch, and three diets supplemented with 4%, 8% and 12% RS by replacing corn starch with 6.67%, 13.33% and 20% of Hi-Maize 260® (identified as control, RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4, respectively). The feeding period lasted 42 days.3. Performance parameters including feed consumption, feed conversion, body weight gain and percentage of abdominal fat at d 42 of age, nutrient retention (including dry matter, fat, total starch and nitrogen free extract), and apparent metabolisable energy was measured from d 18 to 20 and d 39 to 41 and showed negative linear responses to increasing dietary RS level (P < 0.05). Birds fed the RS3 and RS4 diets showed higher relative weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum, as well as lower villus height and villus height/crypt depth compared to the control (P < 0.05). The activity of pancreatic trypsin of birds at d 21 and 42 of age decreased linearly in response to the increase of dietary RS level (P < 0.01). There were linear changes in up-regulated mRNA expression of SGLT-1 and down-regulated mRNA expression of GLUT-2 with increasing proportion of RS at d 21 and 42 of age (P < 0.05), respectively.4. It was concluded that feeding broilers with diets containing higher concentrations of RS impaired the development of small intestine, which resulted in lower apparent total tract retention of nutrients and poorer body weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass traits of broiler chickens.

The effect of faba bean extrusion on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, metabolizable energy, excretion of sialic acids and meat quality of broiler chickens

Soybean meal in broiler chicken diets can partly be replaced by faba bean seeds. Unfortunately, high levels of antinutritional factors and resistant starch found in these seeds can have a detrimental impact on both broiler chickens' performance and nutrient digestibility. It is, however, possible to increase the usefulness of faba bean for broiler nutrition by a technological process known as extrusion. In this study, the authors made and attempt to investigate the effect of different forms of faba bean seeds (raw or extruded) on broiler chicken performance, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values (AMEN), nutrient utilization and meat quality, as well as on the excretion of total and free sialic acids. In the trial, the total of 160 1-day-old male broiler chicks of the Ross 308 strain were used. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, each containing 10 replication (floor pens); one replication included nine birds. The first group contained 300 g/kg diet of raw faba bean seeds, whereas the second group - 300 g/kg diet of extruded faba bean seeds. The applied extrusion process was found to exert a positive impact and led to a decrease in phytic phosphorus, H, NDF, ADF and resistant starch content in studied faba bean seeds. Experimental birds fed diets containing extruded faba bean seeds were characterized by a lower feed intake (2299 g) and feed conversion ratios (FCRs) (1.52 g/g) in comparison with the other group (feed intake 2466 g; FCR 1.61 g/g). Extrusion of faba bean seeds improved dry matter retention, dietary AMEN value, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and starch, as well as most amino acids. In addition, the above-mentioned process resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total and free sialic acids. Extruded faba bean seeds failed to have a significant impact on broiler meat quality. It was concluded that application of extrusion can increase the use of faba bean seeds in broiler chicken nutrition.

Effects of pea extrusion and enzyme and probiotic supplementation on performance, microbiota activity and biofilm formation in the broiler gastrointestinal tract

1. The effects of supplementation of broiler chicken diets with pea meal, carbohydrase enzymes and a probiotic were investigated for potential performance improvement. 2. Raw or extruded pea meal (cv Model, grown in Poland) was included in a wheat-soybean meal-based diet at 250 g/kg. The diets were unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with either carbohydrase enzymes (200 U/kg xylanase and 10 U/kg β-glucanase in feed) or a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis), or both. The diets were fed to Ross 308 broilers aged 9-28 days. 3. After two additional days, chick gastrointestinal tracts were excised and analysed for the presence of Bacillus subtilis biofilm; and the ileal and caecal digesta were analysed for bacterial enzyme activities and to determine the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). 4. Feeding the pea-based diet supplemented with the probiotic compromised feed utilisation, due to higher feed intake. The addition of enzymes to the raw, but not the extruded, pea containing diet partially ameliorated this effect (pea form × additives; P < 0.002). 5. In the ileal digesta, interactions between the dietary treatments were observed for the activities of all bacterial glycolytic enzymes and for SCFA concentrations. β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase were highest in birds fed the diet containing extruded pea supplemented with the probiotic and enzymes (pea form x additives; P = 0.018 to P < 0.006). In the caecal digesta, interactions were observed for bacterial enzyme activities, but not for total SCFA concentration. Biofilm formation in the caecum indicated that the probiotic strain was metabolically active in the broiler gut. 6. In conclusion, supplementation of diets containing raw or extruded pea meal with enzymes and a Bacillus subtilis spore-based probiotic modulated microbiota activity but had no clear effects on broiler performance. Probiotic administration did not cause excessive fermentation in the ileum and caecum but enhanced Bacillus subtilis spp. biofilm formation in the caecum, which may be indicative of a beneficial effect on gut health.