Influence of the genotype of the hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) on main parameters of egg quality, chemical composition of the eggs under uniform environmental conditions

The objective of this study was to identify and compare the quality characteristics and concentrations of various compounds in eggs from several pure breeds and lines of hens reared under the same environmental conditions and fed a commercial feed. A total of 280 hens aged 52 to 56 wk belonging to 14 different breeds or lines of hens worldwide were included in this study. Their eggs were characterized by wide differences in various egg quality parameters. Breeds and lines of hens with a higher lutein content in eggs were characterized by a lower beta-carotene content (e.g. Hy line brown, Cochin miniature, Ayam Cemani) (P < 0.001). Additionally, vitamin D, cholesterol, and fatty acid contents were also different between eggs, from 1.51 to 1.79 μg/100g; from 14.1 to 15.4 mg/g fat, PUFA from 19.6 to 22.8 g/100g fat, and SFA from 32.8 to 37.8 g/100g fat respectively (P < 0.001). Lysozyme content also exhibited significant variation among breeds, with some showing a 2-fold higher content in eggs compared to others (0.31% - cochin miniature, 0.66% Faverolle) (P < 0.001). Our study demonstrated that intensively selected hen breeds like Hy-line Brown Hybrid had an improved egg quality seen by the increase in many parameters (e.g., egg weight, Haugh unit, Lutein, vitamins D, MUFA) compared to pure breed hens. In conclusion, genetic differences between breeds and lines of hens have a significant impact on the quality of eggs.

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.

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.

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.

Influence of graded levels of meals from three lupin species on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens

1. This study investigated the effect of different levels of seeds of lupin species (Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus luteus and Lupinus albus) on broiler growth performance, nutrient digestibility and apparent metabolisable energy of poultry diets. 2. A control diet containing corn-soybean meal and test diets containing 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/kg of three lupin species were fed to broiler chickens during a 35-day study period. There were 10 replicate cages of 8 broiler chickens per treatment. 3. Growth performance of the birds fed with yellow and white lupin diets was found to be similar to that of the birds in the control group. The use of narrow-leaved lupin seeds in the diet quadratically decreased the body weight gain of birds and increased feed conversion ratio during all the experimental periods (0-14, 15-35 and overall 0-35 days of age). 4. A significant interaction between lupin species and their inclusion levels for apparent metabolisable energy and apparent ileal digestibility of starch was observed, showing a negative effect of increasing levels of narrow-leaved lupin. Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated that the presence of raffinose and non-starch polysaccharides is a key factor affecting the nutritive value of lupin, 5. Yellow and white lupins could be utilised as an alternative ingredient for soybean meal in the diet of broiler chickens without any adverse effects on growth performance. The narrow-leaved counterpart diet reduced broiler performance, and hence did not provide a satisfactory outcome.

Influence of graded inclusion of white lupin (Lupinus albus) meal on performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal viscosity of laying hens

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of white lupin (Lupinus albus) meal (WLM) addition on the intestinal viscosity, bird performance and nutrient utilisation of laying hens. 2. The experiment was conducted with 360 laying hens aged 21 weeks fed one of 6 treatments, including a corn-soybean meal control diet (CON) and 5 experimental diets containing 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 g/kg WLM. 3. A linear increase in feed intake (p < 0.001) was observed with higher levels of WLM from 0 to 300 g/kg. Laying rate decreased quadratically (p < 0.05) and egg weight (at 6th, 12th and 18th weeks of the trial) decreased linearly with WLM inclusion from 0 to 300 g/kg. Birds fed 60 g/kg or more of WLM laid lighter eggs (p < 0.05) than CON hens. When 240 g/kg or more WLM was included into the diet, laying rate was affected negatively (p < 0.05). 4. As WLM increased from 0 to 300 g/kg, apparent metabolisable energy and pre-caecal digestibility of dry matter and crude protein decreased quadratically (p < 0.05). When 300 g/kg of WLM was used, there was a tendency (p < 0.1) to decrease pre-caecal starch digestibility. WLM dose exerted a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) on total sialic acid excretion. As WLM increased, the viscosity of ileal digesta linearly increased (p < 0.05). 5. In the 6th and 12th weeks of the experiment (p < 0.05), eggshell thickness decreased linearly when 240 g/kg of WLM was added. At the 6th, 12th and 18th weeks, a linear decrease in eggshell content was observed (p < 0.05) after WLM addition. 6. In conclusion, the graded inclusion of WLM into laying hens' diets resulted in depressed performance, AME_N and eggshell quality.

Effect of different doses of coated butyric acid on growth performance and energy utilization in broilers

We recently applied four dietary treatments in experiments I and II to determine the effect of protected calcium butyrate (BP) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A group of one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (total 960, 480 per trial) were used in the study. In experiment I, the basal diets were fed with protected BP inclusion (0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 g/kg of finished feed) (BP) or without (C). In experiment II, 4 different diets were tested: 1) basal diet with no supplementation (C), 2) basal diet supplemented with protected BP (0.3 g/kg) (BP), 3) basal diet supplemented with avilamycin (6 mg/kg, active substance) a common antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) (Av), and 4) basal diet supplemented with the combination of both avilaymicin and BP. In experiment I, considering the entire study period, the use of BP improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) irrespective of the dose. Apparent total tract crude fat digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEN) were improved after BP supplementation (P<0.05). In experiment II, A or AB diets improved (P<0.05) body weight gain compared to the control treatment. The diets Av, BP, and AvB improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio compared to the control treatment. Birds from the treatment diet were characterized by having the thickest mucosa (P<0.05). On days 14, 35, and 42, the use of AB diets improved AMENcontent compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acid data showed that Av or AvB treated birds were characterized by higher Asp, Glu, Cys, Gly, and Ala ileal digestibility than the control animals (P<0.05). The use of Av, BP, or AvB increased ileal digestibility of Thr, Ser, and Pro (P<0.05). There is an indication that BP, alone or in combination with avilamycin, improve the digestion and absorptive processes and consequently birds performance results.

Microbial phytase improves performance and bone traits in broilers fed diets based on soybean meal and containing lupin meal

A completely randomised design study with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was conducted. A total of 480 male broiler chickens were used to determine the influence of phytase addition, plant protein source [soybean meal, soybean meal + 200 g/kg of blue lupin meal (Lupinus angustifolius L.) or soybean meal + 200 g/kg yellow lupin meal (Lupinus luteus L.)] on performance of broiler chickens, ileal calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and protein digestibility, tibia bone characteristics and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy. All diets were deficient in Ca, available P as well as lysine and total sulfur amino acids. Birds fed different protein sources were characterised by similar bodyweight gain and feed intake during the whole trial but feed conversion ratio was higher when birds were fed supplemented with yellow lupin meal (P < 0.05). Phytase improved bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio regardless of protein source (P < 0.05). Diets supplemented with 200 g/kg blue or yellow lupin meal were found to be lower in nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy than soybean meal diets (P < 0.05). Birds fed diets supplemented with phytase were characterised by higher utilisation of Ca and P than birds whose feed was not supplemented with phytase (P < 0.05). Tibia bone ash as well as Ca content was similar across protein sources (P > 0.05), whereas tibia P content was lower when soybean meal or blue lupin meal was used (P < 0.05). Birds fed diets supplemented with blue lupin meal were characterised by the highest tibia P content (P < 0.05). Birds fed phytase-supplemented diets were characterised by higher tibia Ca and P content irrespective of protein source.

The effect of protease, amylase, and nonstarch polysaccharide-degrading enzyme supplementation on nutrient utilization and growth performance of broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal-based diets

A study was conducted to determine if amylase and protease addition would improve nutrient digestion during the first 2 wk of growth. The experimental treatments included a control corn-soybean meal-based diet and diets supplemented with either amylase or amylase plus protease. No effect of enzyme supplementation was observed on BW gain and feed conversion ratio. This was corroborated by similar ileal starch and protein digestibility values, which averaged 96.8, 96.8, and 96.9% and 83.9, 80.1, and 79.6%, respectively, for the control and for the amylase or amylase plus protease supplemented diets. Total tract digestibility of starch averaged 97.8, 97.7 and 97.7% for the 3 diets and was followed by a similar diet with AMEn values of 3,129, 3,129, and 3,106 kcal/kg. In another study, a 2(3) factorial arrangement of 8 dietary treatments was used to evaluate the effect of corn particle size (conventional or coarse vs. fine) and the addition of a nonstarch polysaccharide enzyme, amylase, or both on growth performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age. Chickens fed a diet containing a conventionally ground corn (geometric mean diameter of 736 µm) showed higher (P < 0.001) BW gain (808 vs. 750 g/bird) and lower feed conversion ratio (1.27 vs. 1.32) than those consuming a fine corn-containing diet (geometric mean diameter of 482 µm). This was further substantiated by a lower AMEn content (2,852 vs. 2,972 kcal/kg). Addition of amylase had no effect on growth performance of chickens fed a conventional corn-containing diet, but improved BW gain, feed conversion ratio, and diet AMEn in those fed the finely ground corn, possibly due to increased starch digestion in the upper gut. Addition of nonstarch polysaccharide enzymes was effective for both diets, with the most pronounced effects observed in feed conversion ratio for the conventional corn-containing diet (1.27 vs. 1.23) and BW gain (750 vs. 789 g/bird) for the fine corn-containing diet. This was followed by the same magnitude of difference in diet AMEn content, which increased from 2,972 to 3,042 and 2,852 to 3,009 kcal/kg following enzyme addition.

Effect of maize endosperm hardness, drying temperature and microbial enzyme supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to determine the influence of maize endosperm type (soft or vitreous), drying temperature (60, 100, 140°C), and enzyme addition (no enzyme or phytase + xylanase) on broiler chicken growth, amino acid availability, and phytate phosphorus hydrolysis. One-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks (total 1200) were allotted to floor pens with a randomised complete block design (2 × 3 × 2). Diets were formulated to be marginally deficient in Lys, total sulfur amino acids, calcium, and nonphytate phosphorus. A positive effect (P < 0.05) of enzyme addition on chicken bodyweight gain to day 35 was observed (1884 vs 1940 g). Bodyweight gains and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were linearly depressed when drying temperature was increased. Chickens fed vitreous maize were characterised by lower bodyweight gain (1932 vs 1893 g; P < 0.05) and higher FCR (1.796 vs 1.840g : g; P < 0.05). There were no interactions between any of the main effects for overall performance metrics. The use of phytase improved phytic acid digestibility (0.302 vs 0.389; P < 0.05) but phytic acid digestibility was unaffected (P > 0.05) by drying temperature or hardness. The highest drying temperature had a negative effect on amino acids digestibility (P < 0.05). The use of phytase and xylanase improved amino acid apparent ileal digestibility (P < 0.05), except for Cys, Met, and Phe. Results from this study show that drying temperature and vitreousness of maize influence the nutritional value of this grain for broilers. Part of the beneficial effect of the addition of phytase + xylanase to diets with overheated maize for poultry appears to be mediated through an improvement in amino acid availability.