Impact of Spray-Dried Bovine Serum and Environment on Turkey Performance

Effects of spray-dried bovine plasma protein in milk replacers fed at a high plane of nutrition on performance, intestinal permeability, and morbidity of Holstein calves

Spray-dried plasma protein (SDP) has been shown to improve growth and intestinal function in young calves when included in milk replacers (MR) fed at conventional rates. Use of an SDP and wheat protein blend to replace a portion of whey protein has been shown to perform similarly to using an all-whey protein control MR. However, a trend in the dairy industry is to feed calves for greater rates of growth during the preweaning period. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of increasing amounts of SDP inclusion in MR on growth and health of calves fed at a high plane of nutrition. Young (<7 d) Holstein calves were offered starter and assigned to 1 of 5 MR treatments: an all-milk protein (whey) control MR (0SDP, n = 26) or MR containing 5% SDP (5SDP, n = 20), 7.5% SDP (7.5SDP, n = 14), 10% SDP (10SDP, n = 20), or 12% of an approximate 1:1 SDP plus wheat protein blend (PW, n = 17). All MR were formulated to contain 26% CP and 16% fat and were fed at a maximum rate of 1 kg of powder (as fed) from d 8 to 36. Amounts of MR powder were decreased by 25%/wk from d 37 to weaning at d 57. Thereafter, calves were provided only starter feed until the end of the study at d 63. On d 4, 15, 36, and 57, intestinal permeability was assessed via oral administration of lactulose and d-mannitol followed by analysis of lactulose and mannitol in blood at 60 min after administration. Increasing SDP led to a small linear decrease in MR consumed. There was a tendency for a positive linear relationship between increasing SDP and average daily gain of body weight, and SDP had mixed effects on body frame variables. Increasing SDP tended to increase fecal scores and increased the amount of fluid therapy given. Diet had no effect on intestinal permeability. Increasing SDP led to an increase in serum total cholesterol and serum urea N and tended to have a quadratic effect on serum glucose concentration on d 36. Calves fed PW tended to have increased withers height, increased intestinal permeability on d 36, and an increased likelihood of being medicated for any reason or being medicated for respiratory illness, but growth and health were not different from the control diet otherwise. Feeding PW led to an increase in serum total cholesterol and tended to lead to increased serum glucose concentration on d 36. Results of this study indicate that SDP can be included at up to 10% as fed in the MR of calves fed at a high plane of nutrition (1 kg/d of MR powder, as fed) with improvements in average daily gain. Additionally, a 1:1 SDP plus wheat protein blend can be used at 12% inclusion with no difference in most health and growth parameters.

Field evaluation of feeding spray-dried plasma in the starter period on final performance and overall health of broilers

The effect of feeding spray-dried plasma (SDP) during the starter period was evaluated with a commercial broiler integrator on performance and overall health of broilers. The I See Inside (ISI) methodology assessing gut health in broilers was used as a tool to evaluate the impact of dietary interventions under commercial conditions. One hundred farms with approximately 1.1 million broilers were used at a Brazilian broiler integrator. Two groups of farms were fed either a control or an SDP diet containing 1% SDP, from 0 to 10 d of age. Diets were formulated to have similar nutritional density, containing zinc bacitracin and CuSO₄ from 0 to 28 d. After 10 d, both groups were fed common commercial diets. Performance data were analyzed together or by type of ventilation system: positive pressure or negative pressure. Birds were sent to market as they reached 3.05 kg; therefore, age at slaughter (AS) was evaluated as a dependent variable along with other performance measures. From the 100 farms in the trial, 35 (16 control and 19 SDP farms) were selected for the assessment of broilers health, biosecurity, and local management. For that, 6 broilers per farm at 14 ± 2 d of age were necropsied and ileum sampled for the ISI methodology evaluation. Biosecurity and management were also evaluated to obtain the influence of those parameters on animal health. SDP-fed birds demonstrated improved feed conversion ratio, reduced mortality, and 1 d less for AS (P < 0.05) vs. control group (P < 0.05) regardless of the type of ventilation. During necropsy, birds fed SDP showed lower coccidiosis and locomotor system lesions as the overall ISI score compared to controls. Histologic intestinal alterations were also lower in SDP-fed broilers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding 1% SDP in the starter period to broilers resulted in improved performance and health under both good and bad management and biosecurity standards independent of the type of ventilation. Overall, there was good agreement between the ISI method and performance improvements observed.

The effect of dietary supplementation with globin and spray-dried porcine plasma on performance, digestibility and histomorphological traits in broiler chickens

This study evaluated the effects of globin and spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on growth performance, digestibility, nitrogen retention, energy retention efficiency (ERE) and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 336-day-old male broiler chickens were reared from 1 to 40 days of age and fed 3 diets (8 replicates/diet, 14 birds/replicate) during 3 feeding phases: starter (1-12 days), grower (12-25 days) and finisher (25-40 days). Isonitrogenous diets were formulated by replacing gluten protein isolate contained in the control diet (C diet) with 2% (starter) or 1% (grower and finisher) spray-dried porcine plasma in the plasma diet (SDPP diet). The globin diet (G diet) was obtained by adding globin on the top of C diet at a dose of 0.08% for the whole rearing period. Total tract apparent digestibility (aD), nitrogen retention and ERE were assessed during the three growing phases. At 12  and 40 days of age, one bird per pen was slaughtered to sample gut, liver, spleen and bursa of Fabricius for histomorphological investigations. The SDPP diet increased body weights of chickens at 12 (+60 g; p < .001), 25 (+101 g; p < .001) and 40 days (+130 g; p = .018) of age compared to C and G diets. Also SDPP improved crude protein aD (+9.7%) and ERE (+12.3%) during the starter phase (p < .001). Dietary globin and SDPP inclusion did not affect either the gut morphology or the histopathological findings in birds at 12 and 40 days of age, despite a numerical (+6.90% and +7.40% respectively) villus height improvement in the SDPP group. Overall, these results confirm that dietary supplementation with SDPP and, to a lesser extent, with globin can improve growth performance and dietary protein and energy utilization in broiler chickens without effect on gut functionality.

Effect of Spray-Dried Plasma Form and Duration of Feeding on Broiler Performance During Natural Necrotic Enteritis Exposure

The effect of duration of feeding (continuous or discontinued after d 14) and form (granular vs. powder) of spray-dried plasma (SDP) on performance and mortality of broilers using used litter was evaluated with 240 Ross × Ross 308 male broilers (6 broilers per pen, 8 pens per treatment). Dietary treatments were control (no SDP) or SDP as powder or granular included in the pellet and fed continuously (d 0 to 35) or discontinued after d 14. During the experiment, broilers developed necrotic enteritis, and tissue cultures were positive for Escherichia coli and Salmonella, resulting in 50% mortality on control broilers. Addition of SDP to the feed improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency for each period of the study (d 0 to 14, 15 to 28, 29 to 35, and 0 to 35). Continuous feeding of SDP improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency from d 15 to 35 compared with broilers fed SDP to d 14. Liveability was improved (P < 0.05) in broilers consuming SDP either for 14 d or continuously throughout the experiment compared with control broilers. Spray-dried granular plasma was more effective than spray-dried powder plasma from d 0 to 14. The results of this experiment confirmed that SDP improved broiler growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency, and minimized enteric challenge associated with necrotic enteritis with maximal protection afforded by continuous feeding. The response to SDP was independent of age of the broiler.

Impact of Spray-Dried Plasma on Intestinal Health and Broiler Performance

Spray-dried plasma (SDP) is a functional ingredient commonly utilized in swine production and calf milk replacers to improve performance, feed efficiency, and health. The improvements noted with SDP in animal production are more pronounced under commercial production conditions compared to cleaner research settings. Multiple modes of action of SDP have been proposed, including either directly influencing the immune inflammatory response locally or systemically, and/or through the indirect modification of beneficial microbial populations. Spray-dried plasma included at various dietary levels and duration of feeding in broilers has been evaluated in different production and challenging conditions with beneficial effects on broiler performance, as noted in other animals. The purpose of this review is to discuss research related to the modes of action of SDP on immunomodulation and improved intestinal health and specifically discuss research conducted utilizing SDP in feed for poultry. Collectively, the data available indicates that SDP improves early intestinal health and supports an efficient immune system response both locally at the intestine and systemically, thereby benefiting growth, feed efficiency, and survival of broilers in conventional commercial production and under challenging conditions such as disease or environmental stressors.

The effect of the concentration and feeding duration of spray-dried plasma protein on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, nutrient digestibility and intestinal mucosal development of broiler chickens

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the supplementation level and feeding duration of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on performance and digestive physiology of broiler chickens. Three inclusion levels of SDPP (0, 10 or 20 g/kg) were used in lieu of meat meal and fed from hatch to 5 or 10 days of age. At Day 10, there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between the inclusion level and feeding duration of SDPP, improving bodyweight (BW) in birds that received SDPP at the highest concentration over the longer feeding duration. Inclusion of SDPP resulted in lower (P < 0.01) feed intake, higher (P < 0.01) BW and improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Furthermore, FCR was improved (P < 0.001) in birds that were offered SDPP over the longer feeding duration than in those that received SDPP for a shorter duration. The pancreas was heavier (P < 0.05) in the birds that received SDPP at the highest concentration over the long feeding duration. At 24 days of age, there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between the inclusion level and feeding duration of SDPP, indicating the lowest amino acid, protein, gross energy and dry matter digestibility in the birds that received SDPP at the highest concentration over the longer feeding duration. Villus height was increased (P < 0.001) by the experimental factors and their interaction, revealing longer villi in the birds that received SDPP at the low level over the short feeding duration. Apparent villus surface area was higher (P < 0.001) in birds that were offered diets that contained the highest concentration of SDPP. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between experimental factors with regards to the apparent villus surface area. Up to Day 35, the level of SDPP tended to increase (P = 0.06) BW. Level (P < 0.001) and feeding duration (P < 0.01) improved FCR in the birds that received SDPP for the long feeding duration. It would be more economical to use a low inclusion level of SDPP over a longer period of time to achieve the same benefits.

Subsequent growth performance and digestive physiology of broilers fed on starter diets containing spray-dried porcine plasma as a substitute for meat meal

A 4 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP), in lieu of meat meal, in the starter diet on performance and digestive physiology of broiler chickens between hatch and 35 d of age. Four levels of SDPP (0, 5, 10 or 20 g/kg) were included in the starter diets in lieu of meat meal on either wheat- or maize-based diets. Over the first 10 d, and throughout the 35-d experimental period, birds gained more body weight with increasing concentrations of SDPP regardless to the type of grain used. Inclusion of SDPP in the starter diet markedly improved feed per gain in the starter phase and across the 35-d study. There was no significant effect of the type of grain and its interaction with SDPP on the body weight gain and feed per gain for the two assessed periods. At d 10, the relative weight of the gizzard+proventriculus, spleen and liver increased with increasing concentrations of SDPP. At 24 d of age, the grain and SDPP inclusion significantly interacted, depressing the weight of bursa and spleen in birds that received the highest concentration of SDPP in the maize-based diet. Birds fed on the maize-based diets had higher relative weight of pancreas than those on the wheat-based diets. Increasing concentrations of SDPP in the starter diet improved the activities of maltase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase at 24 d of age. The interaction of grain and SDPP concentration was significant for sucrase activity in birds on the wheat-based diets. Chickens on maize-based diets had higher alkaline phosphatase and maltase activities than those on wheat-based diets. Chicks that were offered SDPP-containing starter diets had longer villi, deeper crypts and lower villi/crypt than the control at 24 d of age regardless of the grain type used. Furthermore, longer villi and larger villi/crypt were found in chicken groups fed on wheat-based diets than those on maize-based diets. Chickens on maize-based diets had higher dressing percentage and relative breast weight than those on wheat-based diets at 35 d of age. It can be concluded that supplementation of starter diets with SDPP would be beneficial to the long-term growth of broiler chickens. The effect of the basal grain used in the diet is minimal.

Specialized protein products in broiler chicken nutrition: A review

In poultry nutrition, most attention is given to protein products, due to the importance of protein as a major constituent of the biologically active compounds in the body. It also assists in the synthesis of body tissue, for that renovation and growth of the body. Furthermore, protein exists in form of enzymes and hormones which play important roles in the physiology of any living organism. Broilers have high dietary protein requirements, so identification of the optimum protein concentration in broiler diets, for either maximizing broiler performance or profit, requires more knowledge about birds' requirements for protein and amino acids and their effects on the birds' growth performance and development. It also requires knowledge about the protein sources available that can be used in poultry diets. The broad aim of this review is to highlight the importance of some of the available high-quality specialized protein products of both animal and plant origins which can be explored for feeding broiler chickens. Minimization of the concentration of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and supplementation with immunologically active compounds are the main focus of gut health-promoting broiler diets. These diet characteristics are influenced by feed ingredient composition and feed processing. The general hypothesis is that these protein products are highly digestible and devoid of or contain less ANFs. Feeding these products to broiler chicks, especially at an earlier age, can assist early gut development and digestive physiology, and improve broiler growth performance and immunity.

Orally administered ovine serum immunoglobulins influence growth performance, organ weights, and gut morphology in growing rats

In this study, our aim was to determine whether orally administered ovine serum Ig improved growth performance, organ weights, and gut morphology in growing rats and whether the method of manufacture of ovine serum Ig affected its bioactivity. Ninety Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in a 21-d growth study and were fed a basal control diet (BD; no Ig) and 5 test diets: spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP), freeze-dried ovine Ig (FDOI), 2 concentrations of spray-dried ovine Ig (SDOI(100) and SDOI(150)), and inactivated ovine Ig (IOI). Diets were isocaloric and contained the same amount of the first limiting amino acids, methionine plus cysteine. The body weight gain:feed ratio was higher (P < 0.05) for the FDOI-fed rats than for the BD- and IOI-fed groups. FDOI rats had higher jejunum (P < 0.05) and colon weights (P < 0.05) at the end of the study than rats in the BD group. Compared with the SDOI(100)-fed group, the FDOI group supported higher (P < 0.05) duodenum and colon weights. For gut morphology, the FDOI and the BD and IOI groups differed (P < 0.05). The FDOI-fed rats had longer (P < 0.05) villi and greater villi surface areas in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum than the rats fed SDOI(100). An ovine Ig fraction selectively improved growth performance, organ weight, and gut morphology in growing rats. Compared with spray-drying, a freeze-drying procedure appears to preserve a higher degree of immunological activity.

Lactation feed disappearance and weaning to estrus interval for sows fed spray-dried plasma

Four experiments involving 265, 410, 894, and 554 sows (Exp. 1 to 4, respectively) were conducted to determine the effect of spray-dried plasma (SDP) at 0 or 0.25% (Exp. 1 and 2) and 0 or 0.50% (Exp. 3 and 4) in lactation diets on average daily feed disappearance (FD), sum of sow BW, fetal and placental loss from d 110 gestation to weaning (SWL), litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, and average days from weaning to first estrus (WEI). Experiments 1, 3, and 4 were conducted during summer months, and Exp. 2 was conducted during fall to winter months. Experiment 1 used only parity 1 and parity 2 sows and Exp. 4 used only mature (>2 parities) sows, whereas Exp. 2 and 3 used all parity groups. Sows fed SDP in Exp. 1 had increased (P < 0.01) FD and a tendency for reduced (P = 0.06) SWL and WEI (P = 0.06). Sows fed SDP in Exp. 2 had a tendency for increased (P = 0.09) sow BW at weaning and reduced (P = 0.09) SWL, whereas other variables were not different between diets. Parity 1 and 2 sows fed SDP in Exp. 3 had increased (P < 0.01) FD, but mature sows fed SDP had reduced (P = 0.02) FD. Pig survival and litter size at weaning for all parity groups was not different between diets. The WEI for parity 1 sows fed SDP was reduced (P = 0.02) and tended to be reduced (P = 0.10) for mature sows fed SDP, but was not different between diets for parity 2 sows. More parity 1 sows fed SDP were detected (P = 0.01) in estrus 4 to 6 d after weaning, and fewer were detected (P < 0.01) in estrus 6 d after weaning compared with control parity 1 sows. In Exp. 4, FD was reduced (P < 0.01) for mature sows fed SDP; however, litter weight and average pig BW at weaning was increased (P < 0.01) with more (P < 0.01) marketable pigs (pig BW > 3.6 kg) weaned per litter. Relatively low dietary levels of SDP (0.25 to 0.50%) fed to parity 1 sows farrowed during summer months increased lactation FD and reduced WEI. Mature sows fed SDP during summer months consumed less lactation feed without compromising WEI, but had an increased litter weight, average pig BW, and number of marketable pigs at weaning.

Growth response of broilers to spray-dried plasma in pelleted or expanded feed processed at high temperature

A series of 4 experiments evaluated effects of mash conditioning temperature from a pellet mill or expander on performance of broilers fed pelleted diets containing spray-dried plasma (SDP). All experiments utilized Ross x Ross 308 male broilers randomly assigned to their respective treatments (6 or 10 broilers/pen and 8 or 10 pens/treatment). Treatments in Exp. 1 consisted of a control (0% SDP), SDP coated postpelleting, or SDP blended into the meal prepelleting. Experiment 2 and 3 included the same 3 treatments as in Exp. 1 but with additional treatments of SDP blended into the meal and conditioned at 90 or 95 degrees C before pelleting. In Exp. 4, treatments consisted of a control (0% SDP) or SDP blended into the meal and pelleted (85 degrees C conditioning temperature) or expanded (149 degrees C final effective temperature) and then pelleted. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were formulated to be equal in lysine and ME in all experiments. Pelleted diets were conditioned for 15 s at 85 degrees C, and expanded diets were conditioned at 95 degrees C, 29.7 MJ/t, 13.95 kg/cm2 cone pressure, exit temperature of 149 degrees C, and then pelleted through a 4 x 32-mm die. In Exp. 1, ADG and feed intake were improved (P < 0.05) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 28 of age, with greater BW at d 42. In Exp. 2, both in early (d 1 to 28 of age) phases, and overall (d 1 to 42 of age), broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain and efficiency. In Exp. 3, ADG, feed intake, efficiency of gain, and BW were improved (P < 0.01) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 21 of age, regardless of conditioning temperature. In Exp. 4, broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain, BW, and feed intake regardless of processing method. Overall, the results of all of the experiments demonstrated that pellet conditioning temperature from 85 to 95 degrees C and expander temperatures to 149 degrees C did not impair the positive growth effects of SDP in pelleted or expanded broiler feed.

Supplementing drinking water with Solutein did not mitigate acute morbidity effects of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in nursery pigs

The objective of this study was to determine whether providing nursery pigs drinking water supplemented with spray-dried animal plasma (Solutein, American Protein Corporation Inc., Ankeny, IA) would reduce the detrimental impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. Sixty-four pigs were subjected to 1 of 4 treatment combinations (2 x 2 factorial arrangement) of Solutein [0 or 2.5% (wt/wt) in drinking water] and PRRSV (sterile medium or 5 mL of tissue culture infectious dose of high-virulence strain ATCC VR-2385). Pigs were provided the water treatments during a 1-wk period before inoculation as well as during a 2-wk period after inoculation. Growth performance was determined throughout the study, and several indicators of the immunological response to PRRSV and disease pathology were assessed in blood and tissue samples collected from pigs killed 7 or 14 d after inoculation. Before inoculation, pigs provided water supplemented with Solutein tended to eat less (P = 0.08) but tended to gain more BW (P = 0.13) than pigs provided tap water. Thus, Solutein markedly improved G:F (P < 0.01), after accounting for the DM provided by Solutein. Inoculation with PRRSV reduced ADG and ADFI (P < 0.01) irrespective of water treatment; however, the beneficial effects of Solutein on G:F persisted. Infection with PRRSV also reduced (P < 0.009) villus height and crypt depth in cranial, medial, and caudal segments of the small intestine and increased (P < 0.05) lung and spleen weight, the number of leukocytes in lung lavage fluid, and serum concentrations of interferon-gamma and IL-1beta regardless of water treatment. Collectively, these results indicate that supplementing water with spray-dried animal plasma improved feed efficiency but did not afford nursery pigs protection from the effects of PRRSV on growth and certain hematological traits.

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma and immunoglobulins on performance of early weaned pigs1,2

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) and spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP) and their various molecular weight fractions on performance of pigs weaned at approximately 14 or 21 d of age. In addition, the efficacy of various levels of the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-rich fraction of SDPP and SDBP were evaluated. Experiment 1 evaluated the dietary addition of SDPP and three of its fractions (IgG-rich, albumin-rich, and low molecular weight fractions). Pigs fed SDPP grew faster and consumed more feed than the controls during the first week (P < 0.05). The IgG-rich fraction resulted in improvements in ADG and ADFI that were similar to those of pigs fed SDPP. The albumin-rich fraction had no effect on growth rate, but the low molecular weight fraction decreased feed intake as well as growth rate. Experiments 2 and 3 evaluated SDPP and graded levels of its IgG-rich fraction in pigs weaned at 21 or 14 d, respectively. In Exp. 2, pigs fed SDPP grew faster and consumed more feed than the controls during the first week (P < 0.05). Pig performance was enhanced with the addition of the IgG-rich fraction that provided 80% of the amount of IgG in the SDPP diet. In Exp. 3, there was no response to SDPP during the first week, but a positive growth response to SDPP (P < 0.01) occurred by the end of wk 2 (0 to 14 d). Feeding the IgG-rich fraction increased growth rate compared with controls (P < 0.05). Over the entire experiment, the greatest ADG occurred with the IgG-rich fraction that provided 128% of the amount of IgG provided by SDPP (quadratic; P < 0.05). Two additional experiments assessed feeding SDBP and bovine IgG-rich fractions to early weaned pigs. In Exp. 4, SDPP was superior to SDBP in stimulating growth and feed intake, but this difference did not occur in Exp. 5. In both experiments, the IgG fraction of bovine plasma seemed to be as effective at improving growth as SDPP and more effective than SDBP. The results indicate that both porcine and bovine plasma are beneficial to young pig performance during the first week after weaning and that the IgG fraction of plasma is the component that is responsible for the enhancement in growth rate and feed intake.

Effects of spray-dried colostrum and plasmas on the performance and gut morphology of broiler chickens

The influence of feeding with starter diets containing spray-dried bovine colostrum (SBC), spray-dried bovine plasma (SBP), or spray-dried porcine plasma (SPP) on the growth performance and gut morphology of broiler chickens was investigated. The crude protein, lysine, and methionine plus cystine contents (g/kg as received) of SBC, SBP, and SPP were determined to be 766, 736, and 684; 58, 61, and 55; and 27, 28, and 24, respectively. The 3 test proteins were incorporated into a maize–soybean meal diet at a level of 50 g/kg and fed to 6 replicates of 8 male broiler chicks from 1 to 14 days of age. On Day 14, the experimental diets were replaced with a common grower-finisher diet, which was offered until Day 35. Dietary treatments had no effect (P > 0.05) on the weight gain or feed intake of birds during the first 14 days. However, feed/gain of birds fed the SBC diet was lower (P < 0.05) than of those fed the control diet. A trend for a reduction in feed/gain (P = 0.06) was observed in SBP and SPP diets. Dietary treatments had no effect (P > 0.05) on performance during Days 14–35 or Days 1–35. Villus height was increased by 5.7% (P < 0.05) and 4.6% (P = 0.05) in birds fed the SPP and SBP diets, respectively, compared with those fed the control diet. Crypt depth was 6% greater (P < 0.05) in birds fed the SPP diet and tended (P = 0.08) to be greater in birds fed the SBC diet, compared with birds fed the control. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth tended (P = 0.06) to be lower in birds offered the SBC diet compared with the control. Crypt goblet cell density was reduced (P < 0.05) by 13.9% in birds fed the SBC diet, compared with control birds. These results suggest that feeding with diets containing the SBC, SBP, and SPP during 1–14 days of age has some beneficial effects on broiler chickens. Further studies are needed to evaluate these products in less sanitary environments, which may increase the positive responses.