Approaches to determine the efficiency of novel 3-phytase from Klebsiella pneumoniae and commercial phytase in broilers from 1 to 14 d of age

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a laboratory 3-phytase (the expression of the phyK gene, Lab-Phy) and a commercial 6-phytase (Quantum Blue 40 P, Com-Phy) alone and in combination (corn-soy-based diets) in broilers. A total of 400, day-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 10 replicate cages (8 chicks/cage) for a 14-day trial. Experimental treatments included the positive control (0.95% Ca and 0.48% nonphytate phosphorus (nPP), PC), negative control (0.90% Ca and 0.22% nPP, NC), and NC which was supplemented with Lab-Phy 250 FTU/kg and Com-Phy 250 FTU/kg alone or in combination of Lab-Phy 125 FTU/kg and Com-Phy 125 FTU/kg. The inclusion of Lab-Phy in the NC diet significantly improved the P and Ca content in the tibia compared to the NC group. Moreover, the inclusion of Com-Phy alone and in combination with Lab-Phy in the NC diet significantly increased the P and Ca content in the tibia compared to the Lab-Phy. The mRNA expression of NaPi-IIb was upregulated in the duodenum by the reduction of nPP and downregulated by the inclusion of any phytase, whereas other nutrient transporters were not influenced by the reduction of nPP or the addition of phytase in the small intestine mucosa. Broilers receiving the NC diet obtained the lowest body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) at 8 to 14 and 1 to 14 d of age. The NC group showed the lowest villi height and surface area, Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titer, and digestibility of nutrients compared to the PC group at 14 d of age. Supplementing the NC diet with the Lab-Phy and Com-Phy individually, or in combination tended to improve BW, BWG, tibia characteristics, villi characteristics, ND, and retained CP and P, and apparent ileal digestibility of CP, P, methionine, and threonine. The present research indicated that the studied traits by the combination of phytases were slightly better than the average of the 2 individually, suggesting there might be some value in combining the laboratory and commercial phytases.

Assessing the effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius and cowpea seed supplementation on broiler chicken growth and health status

This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality of cowpea seeds (cv. Doljana - CSD) and the impact of partially replacing soybean meal with CSD, along with the supplementation of microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius (LS), on the growth performance, selected carcass traits, biochemical plasma profile, tibia bone quality, and microbial populations in the ceca and excreta of broiler chickens aged 1 to 35 days. A total of 432 mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens, aged one day, were randomly allocated to four groups, with 108 birds in each group, further divided into 6 pens containing 18 birds each. The experimental design featured a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two cowpea seed levels (CSD0 and CSD15%) and the presence or absence (Yes/No) of microencapsulated LS probiotic (0 and 1 g/kg feed). The experimental diets did not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) production performances. However, the production efficiency factor was notably higher in the CSD0 (336.8%) and CSD15 (332.2%) groups with LS compared to CSD0 (322.4%) and CSD15 (320.6%) groups without LS supplementation. Regarding carcass traits, the CSD15 group with LS supplementation exhibited higher dressing (70.69%) and liver (2.47%) percentages compared to the other groups. Plasma profile analysis revealed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in total cholesterol (from 115 mg/dL to 105 mg/dL) and triglycerides (from 54.80 mg/dL to 46.80 mg/dL) in the CSD15 group with LS supplementation compared to the CSD0 group, with or without LS supplementation. Moreover, the CSD15 group with LS had significantly higher total protein, albumin, and calcium levels and significantly lower (p < 0.05) uric acid levels compared to the CSD0 group, irrespective of LS supplementation. Tibia bone traits and minerals showed no significant effects. However, the pH exhibited a linear decrease from 6.90 in the CSD0 group without LS to 6.69 in the CSD15 group with LS supplementation. In terms of cecal microbial populations, Coliforms decreased from 7.14 CFU/g in the CSD15 group without LS to 5.48 CFU/g in the CSD15 group with LS. Significant alterations were also observed in Clostridium spp., E. coli, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. in the ceca and excreta of the CSD15 group with LS supplementation compared to the CSD0 group, with or without LS supplementation. Beneficial bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus spp., significantly increased in the cecal content of CSD0 (9.06 CFU/g) and CSD15 (9.01 CFU/g) groups with LS compared to CSD0 (8.41 CFU/g) and CSD15 (8.11 CFU/g) groups without LS. In summary, this study suggests that cowpea seeds can be used as a partial replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken diets, and microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius can be employed as a probiotic supplement.

Using Natural Zeolite as a Feed Additive in Broilers' Diets for Enhancing Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality Traits

BACKGROUND

Using natural zeolites as a food additive in poultry diets offers an intriguing perspective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of zeolite addition and particle size on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, moisture of excreta and litter, and intestinal measurements during 35 days.

METHODS

A total of 560 1-day-old female Ross-308 broilers were divided into five treatment levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g zeolite/kg diet) (n = 16 replicates/treatment, n = 8 replicates /particle size of each treatment). Performance was calculated weekly. Carcass characteristics, meat quality, small intestine (SI) measurements, litter pH, and moisture content were determined on day 35.

RESULTS

Litter pH, breast redness, cooking loss, chewiness, total weight, and SI length were all affected by zeolite treatments (p < 0.05). Particle size had an impact on the gastric pH and texture analysis. Their interaction had an effect on color redness, litter pH, and cooking loss. Performance was unaffected by either the main or interaction effects.

CONCLUSION

Zeolite as a feed additive may be useful in broiler diets, particularly large particles. The performance and production efficiency factor improved numerically (p > 0.05) with increasing zeolite doses up to 10 g zeolite/kg diet.

The effects of dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa on performance and ascites incidence in broilers subjected to cold exposure

BACKGROUND

Camelina sativa oilseed has a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) especially α-linolenic acid. n - 3 FA can improve the deformability of erythrocytes and mediate relaxations in coronary artery such as nitric oxide (NO) that is the principal vasodilator responsible for diminution the pulmonary arterial hypertension response.

METHODS

To investigate the effects of camelina sources on ascites incidence in broilers kept on altitude, 672 male chicks were fed with 7 dietary treatments, including control, 2% or 4% camelina oil (CO), 5% or 10% camelina meal (CM) and 5% or 10% camelina seeds (CS) diets.

RESULTS

Supplementation of 2% CO had no negative impact on performance, whereas feed intake and body weight gains decreased (p < 0.05) by adding 4% CO, CM and CS. Birds fed camelina diets had lower serum triglyceride at day 42, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at both 28 and 42 days. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase decreased (p < 0.001) among 5% and 10% CS groups on day 42. Serum and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde declined (p < 0.05) by camelina treatments, whereas serum NO and liver glutathione peroxidase activity significantly elevated. Red blood cell, heterophils and H:L ratio were lower but lymphocyte was higher in camelina groups. Inclusion of camelina reduced (p < 0.05) relative weights of heart and right ventricle, the weight of right ventricle to total ventricle ratio and ascites mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of 2% CO as a source of n - 3 FA can improve ascites condition and mortality in broilers reared at high altitude without the reduction of growth performance. However, feeding 4% CO or 5% and 10% CS or CM reduced broiler performance.

Effects of Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) and Coconut Meals (Cocos nucifera) on Broiler Performance and Cecal Microbiota

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal (BCSM) and coconut meal (CM) on the performance and cecal microbiota of Cobb 500 hybrid broilers. The study was conducted on 600 chicks on the first day of hatching; the chicks were randomly distributed equally into 12 equal-sized floor pens. Four dietary treatments (C, T1, T2 and T3) were replicated three times (50 chicks/replicate): C was the control group; T1 was supplemented with 10% BCSM; T2 was supplemented with 10% CM; T3 was supplemented with 5% BCSM and 5% CM. At slaughter age on day 35, our findings showed that treatment T2 increased significantly body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to C, T1 and T3. In addition, the hot carcass dressing percentages in treatments T1, T2, and T3 were significantly higher than that of the C group. The results of relative normalized comparative gene expression of Clostridioides difficile, Roseburia and Streptococcus were not significantly changed in all treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment T1 resulted in a significant decrease in gene expression of the entire microbiota, while treatment T2 resulted in a significant increase in gene expression of all microbes, leading to an enriched and diverse microbial community. It can be concluded that supplementation with 10% BCSM is beneficial in inhibiting pathogenic microbes during early post-hatch days. In contrast, CM may promote and enhance the diversity of microbial communities during broiler growth. The inclusion of non-conventional feed ingredients in poultry diets may improve growth performance and may reduce the cost of broiler feed.

Effect of emulsifier and multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler diets containing rapeseed meal

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of emulsifier and multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance, nutrient utilization, and apparent metabolizable energy-nitrogen (AME_N) value of broiler diets containing rapeseed meal (RSM) as well as their influence on the gut morphological structures, excretion of total and free sialic acid, and cecum concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in broiler chickens. A total of 384 male broiler chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments. The diet of the control treatment (CON) consisted of soybean, maize, and RSM (5% in starter, 7% in grower, 15% in finisher) with soybean and palm oils. The diets used for the experimental treatments were the control diet supplemented with an emulsifier (EMU), enzyme (ENZ), or both (EMU + ENZ). The duodenum (n = 10/treatment) and ileum (n = 10/treatment) digesta samples were assessed to determine nutrient digestibility: crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), starch, Ca. Throughout the experimental period, EMU + ENZ treatment indicated the lowest total average feed intake and feed conversion ratio, with the highest average weight gain among the studied treatments (P < 0.05). The EMU + ENZ treatment also resulted in higher (P < 0.05): apparent prececal digestibility (APD) of CP, total tract neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradation, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of EE, villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.1). The highest APD of EE was noted in the EMU treatment (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the AME_N values of the diets. A greater jejunum villi surface area was found in groups supplemented by enzyme compared to CON (P < 0.05). The EMU + ENZ treatment presented lower sialic acid excretion in the ileum and concentration of cecum SCFAs compared to the CON treatment (P < 0.05). The obtained results indicate that simultaneous usage of additives had beneficial effect on production parameters, nutrient digestibility, NDF degradation, as well as gut mucosa morphology. Based on the SCFAs concentration results, separate or simultaneous addition of emulsifier or/and enzyme did not provoke excessive fermentation activity of cecal bacteria.

An Investigation of the Effect of Water Additives on Broiler Growth and the Caecal Microbiota at Harvest

Campylobacter is the most common foodborne pathogen in developed countries and most cases are associated with poultry. This study investigated the effect of three anti-Campylobacter water additives on broiler growth and on the caecal microbiota at harvest using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Mixtures of organic acids (OA) and essential oils (EO) were administered to broilers for the entirety of the production cycle (35 d) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) for 5 d immediately before harvest, under commercial conditions. Bird weight gain was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in broilers receiving the OA and EO treatments. While this was most likely due to reduced water intake and corresponding lower feed consumption, changes to the caecal microbiota may also have contributed. Firmicutes made up over 75% of the bacteria regardless of sample type, while the minor phyla included Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Melainabacteria, and Proteobacteria. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the alpha diversity as measured using ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices, except for control (water) versus MCFA and OA versus MCFA, using the Wilcox test. In contrast, there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in beta diversity when the treated were compared to the untreated control and main flock samples, while linear discriminant analysis effect size (LeFSe) identified three OTUs that were present in the control but absent in the treated birds. It was concluded that the water additives tested adversely affected broiler performance, which may, at least in part, be due to changes in the caecal microbiota, assuming that the altered microbiota at day 35 is indicative of a change throughout the production cycle.

Storage Temperature or Thermal Treatments During Long Egg Storage Duration Influences Hatching Performance and Chick Quality

This study was designed to improve the hatching performance, chick robustness and poultry health in the event of long-term egg storage and suboptimal age of the reproductive flock. A total of 9,600 eggs from one young breeder flock (28 weeks of age, batch B) and 9,600 eggs from an older breeder flock (59 weeks of age, batch E) were used (ROSS 308). Each batch was separated into three sub-groups and stored for 14 days. The first sub-group of eggs (Cool, group C) was stored at 11.6°C. The second sub-group of eggs (Warm, group W) was stored at 18.3°C with two pre-incubation on days 6 and 10 of the storage period. The final sub-group of eggs (Control, group Ct) was stored at 18.3°C throughout the storage period. Eggs were similarly incubated and hatched birds were raised on the same experimental farm. In both batches, embryonic development was significantly more advanced in W eggs than in C and Ct eggs ( p < 0.01). In both batches, C and W treatments decreased early embryonic mortality by more than 10% compared with Ct, decreased the proportion of late-hatched chicks and improved the percentage of first grade chicks: in batch E, 42% of Ct eggs were first grade chicks vs. 57% in group W and 59% in group C. Benefits were even higher in batch B, where only 60% of Ct eggs gave first grade chicks vs. 83% in others groups. The hatching rate was thus higher in groups C and W regardless of flock age: for batch B eggs, 85% hatched in W and 84% in C vs. 62% in Ct, while for batch E eggs, 59% hatched in W and 61% in C vs. 45% in Ct. Day-old Ct chicks from batch E were heavier than W and C ones, and heavier than W chicks from batch B ( p < 0.05). Long-term parameters on farm were not significantly different between groups. Thermal treatments during the storage of eggs from both young and old breeder flocks counterbalance the negative effects of prolonged egg storage on hatching rate, without altering chicken performance during rearing.

Limitation and Potential Effects of Different Levels of Aging Corn on Performance, Antioxidative Capacity, Intestinal Health, and Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

Corn is an important ingredient and staple food in China; thus, corn storage has a certain importance to ensure domestic food resources. Normally, corn has been stored for 3 or more years under the proper storage conditions in national barns before it is used as a feed ingredient. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of aging corn (AC) on performance, antioxidative capacity, intestinal health, and microbiota in broilers. In the present study, AC grains were stored for 4 years under the proper storage conditions at the national storage facility. The results indicated that a lower level of AC diet showed improved performance and overall bird health than a higher level of AC, and comparable with a normal corn diet. However, antioxidative capacity is reduced by AC diets.

Abstract

Three-hundred and sixty-day-old male broilers underwent three treatments with six replicates of 20 birds per treatment. The experimental diets included NC: normal corn diet; ACL: lower level (39.6–41.24%) of AC; and ACH: a higher level (56.99–59.12%) of AC. During phase 1 (0–21 d), broilers fed on AC showed lower (p < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared with the NC group. During phase 2 (22–42 d), the NC group and ACL group showed better (p < 0.05) BW, BWG, and FCR than the ACH group. The footpad lesion score (p = 0.05) and litter moisture percentage (p < 0.05) were found to be higher in the ACH group. During phase 1, the ACL group showed a lower level of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < 0.05) in serum; moreover, catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (p < 0.05) were found lower in both AC-containing groups. During phase 2, CAT activity in serum was found higher (p < 0.05) in the ACH group. During phase 1, the NC group showed higher CAT (p = 0.05), GSH-Px (p < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p = 0.03); however, it showed lower MDA (p < 0.05) and total-antioxidative capability (T-AOC) (p < 0.05) in the liver. During phase 1, in breast muscle, CAT, SOD, and T-AOC were higher (p < 0.05) in the NC group. During phase 1, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were found to be lower (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. Similarly, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein were found to be lower (p < 0.05) in the ACL group than the ACH group. During phase 1, villus height was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACH group. Moreover, the goblet cell (GC) was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the NC group than the ACL group. During phase 2, GC was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. In ileal digesta, during phase 1, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid (BA) levels were found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. In cecal digesta, BA was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the NC group.

Effects of the in ovo injection of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in Ross 708 broilers subsequently challenged with coccidiosis. I. performance, meat yield and intestinal lesion incidence1,2,3

Effects of the in ovo administration of vitamin D₃ (D₃) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25OHD₃) on broiler intestinal lesion incidence, performance and breast meat yield after a coccidiosis challenge were investigated. On each of 10 incubator tray levels, 10 Ross 708 broiler hatching eggs were randomly assigned to each of the following 5 in ovo injection treatments administrated at 18 d of incubation (doi): 1) noninjected; 2) diluent; diluent containing either 3) 2.4 μg D₃ (D₃), 4) 2.4 μg 25OHD₃ (25OHD₃), or 5) 2.4 μg D₃ + 2.4 μg 25OHD₃ (D₃+25OHD₃). A 50 μL solution volume was injected into each egg using an Inovoject multi-egg injector. Four male chicks were randomly assigned to each of 80 battery cages in each of 2 rooms. Half of the treatment-replicate cages (8) in each room were challenged with a 20× live coccidial vaccine at 14 d of age (doa). One randomly selected bird from each of 4 treatment-replicate cages was scored for coccidiosis lesions before and 2 wk after challenge. Mean BW, BW gain (BWG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were determined for all birds from 0 to 14, 15 to 28, and 29 to 41 doa. Carcass weight, and the absolute and relative (% of carcass weight) weights of carcass parts were determined in 3 birds per treatment-replicate cage at 42 doa. Hatchability of live embryonated injected eggs and hatch residue were not affected by treatment. Across challenge treatment, birds in the 25OHD₃ treatment group experienced an increase in BWG between 29 and 41 doa when compared to the D₃ or diluent-injected birds. Furthermore, pectoralis major muscle percentage tended (P = 0.059) to increase in birds belonging to the 25OHD₃ treatment in comparison to birds in the D₃ or diluent-injected treatments. These results indicate that regardless of challenge treatment, 2.4 μg of 25OHD₃ may increase the BWG and breast meat yield of birds relative to those that only received an injection of commercial diluent.

Research Note: The effects of chick pipping location on broiler live performance

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chick pipping location on live broiler performance. A total of 1,350 hatching eggs were collected from a commercial flock of Ross 308 at 38 wk of age. Eggs were incubated with either their large end up (LEU) or small end up (SEU). After transfer on d 19, the air cell area of each fertile egg was marked with a marker pen on the egg surface with a candling light and monitored every 6 h during the hatching period to accurately determine the location of the pip hole. Chicks were classified into 3 groups: 1) egg position LEU and pipped through the air cell (LAC); 2) egg position SEU and pipped through the air cell (SAC); and 3) egg position SEU and pipped through the small end of the egg, not through the air cell (SSE). Individual BW was recorded at placement and at 7, 21, and 35 d of age. Feed consumption was also determined at 7, 21, and 35 d of age. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated on a pen basis for the same time periods. Mortality was recorded twice a day, and percent mortality was calculated throughout the study. The European production efficiency index (EPEI) was also calculated.

All chicks that hatched from LEU eggs emerged from the egg at the region of the air cell; however, only 10.3% of chicks from the SEU position hatched through air cells. Pipping location greatly affected the hatch time. Chicks pipped through the air cell location hatched earlier than the chicks pipped without using air cell (P < 0.001). The initial BW at placement was higher in the LAC and SAC groups than in the SSE group (P < 0.001). This BW difference was still evident in the subsequent growing period, and the chicks that pipped the SSE exhibited a lower (P = 0.059) BW at 35 d. Additionally, the SSE group had a poorer FCR and numerically higher mortality than the other two groups at 35 d. Overall, the EPEI values in the LAC and SAC groups were higher than that in the SSE group at 35 d (P < 0.001). We concluded that broiler performance was negatively affected when the chicks pipped and hatched without using air cells.

The Effects of a Combination of Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera on Eimeria spp. in Broiler Chickens

A series of studies was carried out to determine the anticoccidial effects of a product derived from plant material sourced from Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera. These plants are known to contain high concentrations of triterpenoid and steroidal saponins, substances that are known to display an array of biological effects. Battery tests involving individual Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella infections and graded levels of a quillaja/yucca combination (QY) (0, 200, 250, and 300 ppm) were conducted. Body weight gain, coccidial lesion scores, and total oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) were used to evaluate anticoccidial effects. In addition, three floor pen trials evaluated the effects of 250 ppm QY in the control coccidial infections. The first pen trial measured the effects of 250 ppm QY, both alone and in combination with 66 ppm salinomycin (Sal), in a 2 3 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Two additional 42-day pen studies assessed the effects 250 ppm QY in birds vaccinated for coccidiosis. Data from the three battery trials indicated that at doses of 250 ppm QY or more, weight gain was improved, E. acervulina and E. tenella lesion scores were reduced, and OPG was lowered. In general, OPG was reduced by about 50% across all species by 250 and 300 ppm QY. Results of the pen study indicated that 250 ppm QY and Sal, when fed individually, reduced OPG and lesion scores and improved final performance. However, when QY and Sal were administered concurrently, further significant reductions in OPG occurred. The final performance of broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis was also improved at 250 ppm QY, as was OPG at both 21 and 28 days. Thus, at QY doses of 250 ppm or more, anticoccidial activity was evident but lacked the potency exhibited by many standard anticoccidials. When combined with either Sal or a live coccidiosis vaccine, QY improved the anticoccidial effects and performance of these anticoccidial methods.

Effects of a dietary direct-fed microbial and Ferulago angulata extract on growth performance, intestinal microflora, and immune function of broiler chickens infected with Campylobacter jejuni

Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by potentially pathogenic bacteria and their shedding in animal feces is a fundamental factor for both animal health and human food safety. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of salinomycin (Sal), direct-fed microbial (DFM), and Ferulago angulata hydroalcoholic extract (FAE) against Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens in a 6-week pilot-scale study. A total of six hundred and seventy two 1-day-old broiler chickens were equally divided into 6 groups (each consisting of 8 replicates of 14 birds): negative control (NC; untreated and uninfected); positive control (PC; untreated, infected with C. jejuni); PC + Sal; PC + DFM; PC + 200 mg/kg of FAE (FAE200); or PC + 400 mg/kg of FAE (FAE400). All these groups (except NC) were challenged with C. jejuni on day 15. The results showed that all experimental treatments improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain compared with the PC group, and the best value was observed in the NC and FAE400 groups throughout the entire experimental period (day 1-42). The overall feed conversion ratio and mortality rate, as well as the population of C. jejuni (day 24 and 42) and Coliforms (day 42) in the ileum and cecum, were higher (P < 0.05) in broiler chickens fed with the PC diet than for chickens in the other groups, except those in the FAE200 group. Immune responses revealed that among challenged birds, those that were fed diets DFM and FAE400 had significantly higher IgG (day 24 and 42), IgA (day 24), IL-6 (day 24), and gamma interferon (day 24 and 42) concentrations than the PC group. In conclusion, dietary FAE, especially at a high level of inclusion in broiler diet (400 mg/kg), could beneficially influence the immune status, as well as improve growth performance and intestinal microflora under Campylobacter challenge, which was comparable to those of Sal and DFM supplements.

Fine Grinding or Expanding as Pre-treatment for Pelleting in Processing Diets Varying in Dietary Rapeseed Expeller Proportions: Investigations on Performance, Visceral Organs, and Immunological Traits of Broilers

Pelleted feed is associated with improved broiler performance but also with a higher incidence of proventricular dilatation and ascites. The present study aimed to investigate influences of expanded and pelleted (ExP) or finely ground and pelleted feeds (FgP) containing either 6% rapeseed expeller (RSE) or 12% RSE on these adverse effects by studying performance, visceral organ, and immunological traits in 36 broilers. ExP reduced daily feed intake compared to FgP when feeding a 6% RSE diet (P < 0.05) but did not affect the daily feed intake when feeding a 12% RSE diet, which was also reflected in the body weight gain. There were no significant differences in the size of proventriculus and gizzard between feeding groups but significant diet-by-technical feed treatment interactions in case of proventricular and gizzard weights and the proventricular length (P < 0.05). Proventriculi and gizzards were heavier in birds fed 6%ExP than proventriculi or gizzards of animals from all other groups except for birds of the group 12%FgP. A total of three animals (1 from 6%ExP, 1 from 6%FgP, and 1 from 12%ExP) developed ascites during the study. Pooled LsMeans of peripheral blood leucocyte proportions of CD3⁺/CD4^-/CD8^- cells were increased in birds fed FgP compared to birds fed ExP (P = 0.048). Pooled LsMeans of CD3⁺/CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell subsets in jejunal lamina propria were higher in birds fed 12% RSE compared to birds fed 6% RSE (P = 0.024). Concluding, technical feed treatment or diet did not inhibit adverse effects of pelleting on gizzard and proventricular development. Morphometric alterations of proventriculus and gizzard might modify the local immune system of the distal digestive tract and promote the development of ascites; however, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis since in the present study only three birds developed ascites.

The effect of supplementary ultraviolet wavelengths on the performance of broiler chickens

Qualities of the light environment, such as the spectral composition of light, have been shown to impact growth and performance of broiler chickens. UVA light is visible to broiler chickens, whereas UVB wavelengths promote endogenous vitamin D synthesis, which could support their rapid development. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impacts of supplementary UVA and UVB wavelengths on performance indicators of broiler chickens. Day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 638), reared to a target stocking density of 33 kg/m², were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 lighting treatments: A) White light emitting diode (LED) and supplementary UVA LED lighting (18-h photoperiod); B) White LED with supplementary UVA and UVB fluorescent lighting providing 30 μW/cm² UVB at bird level (lights on for 8 h of the total photoperiod to avoid overexposure of UVB); and C) White LED control group, representative of farm conditions (18-h photoperiod). Mortality was recorded, and broiler chickens were individually weighed at 8, 15, 22, 27, and 34 D of age. Generalized linear models and nonlinear mixed effects models (Gompertz curve) were fitted to determine the effects of UV wavelengths on broiler mortality and growth performance. UV did not impact breast or leg weight of broiler chickens but was associated with differences in mortality, growth, and end weight. Broiler chickens provided with UVA for the full 18-h photoperiod had slower initial growth than control broilers and a reduction in mortality. Results from male broilers reared with supplementary UVA + UVB for 8 h indicated they could reach finishing weights sooner than controls, which supports the potential for UVA + B to improve the growth performance of males. Results suggest that the provision of supplementary UVA + UVB wavelengths may improve the performance of male broiler chickens. The reduction in mortality in the UVA only treatment may warrant further investigation. The inclusion of UV wavelengths within poultry lighting regimes represents a promising area of further study.

Evaluation of Achyranthes japonica Nakai extract on growth performance, nutrient utilization, cecal microbiota, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality in broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diet

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJN) extract as a natural feed additive on growth performance, nutrient utilization, cecal microbiota, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality in broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diet. In total, seven hundred twenty 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers with an average body weight (BW) of 43.36 ± 1.42 g were used in a 35-d feeding trial. Broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 treatments. Each treatment had 10 replication pens with 18 birds per replication. Dietary treatments composed of corn-wheat-soybean meal-based diets along with the addition of 0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1% of AJN extract. The BW gain and feed conversion rate were linearly influenced (P < 0.05) by the supplementation of AJN extract during days 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and the overall experiment. At the end of the experiment, the digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen and the population of cecal lactic acid bacteria were linearly improved (P < 0.05) in response to increasing AJN extract supplementation. Excreta emission of ammonia showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) with the increasing levels of AJN extract. The breast muscle percentage linearly increased (P < 0.05) in birds fed AJN extract contained diets. In summary, the inclusion of AJN extract in corn-wheat-soybean meal diet improved growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal microbiota balance, and breast meat production and decreased excreta ammonia emission, which confirmed the applicability of AJN extract as a natural feed additive in broilers.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, bone mineralization, and bacterial population of broilers fed with different protein sources

The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of Bacillus subtilis (BS), ATCC 6051a strain, as a probiotic bacterium in broiler diets based of 2 protein sources (soybean meal [SBM] and cowpea seeds [CWP]), on growth performance (GP), carcass traits, bone mineralization, and microflora population (0 to 42 d age). The SBM and CWP starter, grower, and finisher diets were tested in the presence or absence of BS (5.0 × 10¹¹ CFU spores g⁻¹ feed) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design. Broilers were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment (20 chicks per pen). The results showed that broilers fed CWP had comparable GP (body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) to the birds fed the SBM diet. Carcass, breast and legs' yield, organ size (i.e., gizzard, liver, pancreas, small intestine, cecum), and bone development were not affected by the protein source. The addition of BS in both types of diet improved BWG (P < 0.001) and feed efficiency, especially in the grower and finisher period (P = 0.047; P = 0.043, respectively). In addition, BS significantly decreased abdominal fat (P = 0.026) and cecum weight (P = 0.034) and increased tibia bone P concentration (P = 0.015). Furthermore, BS decrease cecal pH (P = 0.010) and reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. from cecum and excreta broilers (P < 0.001; P < 0.0001, respectively). It is concluded that the BS significantly improved the GP of broilers and can beneficially affect the gut and excreta bacterial community in both SBM and CWP diets.

The Effects of Different Oil Sources on Performance, Digestive Enzymes, Carcass Traits, Biochemical, Immunological, Antioxidant, and Morphometric Responses of Broiler Chicks

This research evaluate the influence of different oil sources, namely fish oil (FO), coconut oil (CocO), canola oil (CanO), or a mixture of the three oils (MTO)—included at 1.5% in broiler diets—compared to a no oil-supplemented diet. Hence, 250 unsexed, 1-day-old Cobb chicks were weighed and randomly allocated into five dietary treatment groups of 50 chicks each and five replicates per group. Oil-supplemented diets significantly increased the growth, improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and decreased the abdominal fat percentage compared to the control diet. Amylase was significantly elevated due to feeding the FO- or CocO-supplemented-diet compared to the control diet, whereas lipase increased due to offering CocO- and CanO-enriched diet; chymotrypsin increased due to different oil sources. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased markedly due to offering an oil-supplemented diet, but low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the LDL-C:HDL-C ratio, and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased. Blood plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM significantly increased due to feeding CocO, CanO, or MTO compared to the control group, whereas FO increased IgG only. FO- and CanO-containing diets resulted in the highest increase in α2-globulin and γ-globulin. The antibody titer to avian influenza (HIAI) and Newcastle disease (HIND) were significantly elevated due to CocO supplementation compared to the control group. The bursa follicle length and width and thymus cortex depth were increased considerably due to the FO-supplemented diet compared to the control, but the follicle length:width ratio decreased. The villus height:depth ratio was significantly elevated due to both the CanO and MTO diets. The antioxidant status improved considerably due to the addition of CocO and CanO. Both CanO and MTO similarly increased plasma T3, T4, and the T3:T4 ratio. In conclusion, oil supplementations at 1.5% enhanced growth performance and immune status, improved the blood lipid profile and antioxidants status, and the effect of the oil sources depends on the criteria of response.

Effects of different mating strategies in broiler breeder during peak and postpeak phase on subsequent broiler performance

Two experimental trials on commercial broiler (Ross-308) were conducted to evaluate the carryover effect of artificial insemination (AI) in parent flock (PF) kept in cages (C), and on floor (F) in comparison to natural mating (NM) in floored PF. A total of 900 broiler chicks were obtained from 38-week-old PF (peak production), representing C, F, and NM evenly during first trial, whereas in second trial, similar number of chicks were obtained from same PF during postpeak phase (55 wk of age). Subsequent effects of AI and NM in PF were evaluated by bacteriology, posthatch mortality, growth performance, immune response, and carcass traits on experimental birds (broiler). Chicks being produced through NM exhibited significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved growth performance (feed conversion ratio, weight gain, European efficiency factor) along with the least (P ≤ 0.05) posthatch mortality and prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Pullorum, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Moreover, the experimental chicks obtained from floored PF subjected to AI particularly during postpeak phase expressed the highest (P ≤ 0.05) contamination of the said pathogens along with posthatch mortality. However, immune response against New Castle disease and infectious bronchitis vaccines and slaughtering parameters remained nonsignificant (P > 0.05) among the 3 treatments under both trials. It is concluded that the best growth performance along with the least depletion and microbial load of concerned pathogens were being pertained by the experimental birds representing NM.

Impact of galactooligosaccharides delivered in ovo on mitigating negative effects of heat stress on performance and welfare of broilers

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) delivered in ovo improve intestinal health of broiler chickens. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of in ovo stimulation with GOS prebiotic on day 12 of egg incubation on performance and welfare traits in broiler chickens. The incubating eggs were divided into 3 groups, based on the substance injected in ovo: 3.5 mg of GOS dissolved in 0.2 mL physiological saline (GOS), 0.2 mL physiological saline (S), or uninjected controls (C). Constant heat stress (HS) was induced on days 32 to 42 post-hatch by increasing environmental temperature to 30°C. Thermoneutral (TN) animals were kept at 25°C. The performance (body weight [BW], daily feed intake [DFI], daily weight gain [DWG], and feed conversion rate [FCR]) were measured and mortality was scored for starter (days 0 to 13), grower (days 14 to 27), and finisher (days 28 to 42) feeding phases. Rectal temperature was scored on days 32 to 42. Food-pad dermatitis (FPD) was scored post-mortem (day 42). GOS increased (P < 0.01) BW on day 42 (2.892 kg in GOS vs. 2.758 kg in C). Heat stress significantly reduced (P < 0.01) final BW (2.516 kg in TN vs. 3.110 kg in HS). During finisher phase, DFI was significantly higher in GOS vs. C (173.2 g vs. 165.7 g; P < 0.05). FCR calculated for the entire rearing period (days 0 to 42) ranged from 1.701 in C to 1.653 in GOS (P < 0.05). GOS improved FCR in HS animals during finisher phase (P < 0.05). Rectal temperature of GOS chickens under HS reached 42.5°C 1 day earlier than C and S (P < 0.05), which suggests that those birds recovered earlier from the high environmental temperature. Heat stress increased (P < 0.05) mortality about 5 times compared to TN during finisher phase (from 1.59% in TN to 7.69% in HS). GOS decreased FPD in TN conditions by 20% (no lesions in 81% in GOS vs. 60% in C). GOS delivered in ovo mitigated negative effects of HS on performance and welfare in broiler chickens.

The effects of in ovo injected vitamin D3 sources on the eggshell temperature and early posthatch performance of Ross 708 broilers,. Poult Sci 2019;99:1357-1362. [PMID: 32115025 PMCID: PMC7587651 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2019.10.055]

The effects of in ovo injected vitamin D₃ source on eggshell temperature (ET) and performance of broilers through 14 D of age (doa) were investigated. Eggs from a 35-wk-old commercial Ross 708 broiler breeder flock were set in a single-stage incubator with 4 treatments representing each of 12 incubator tray levels (blocks). At 432 h of incubation (hoi), noninjected and diluent-injected (50 μL) groups were control treatment groups. Vitamin treatments in the commercial diluent were as follows: 2.4 μg of vitamin D₃ (D₃) or 25-hydroxylcholecalciferol (25OHD₃). After injection, ET readings were recorded (435, 441, 453, 459, and 465 hoi) by infrared thermometry. Hatchability, hatchling BW, and percentage of male and female hatchlings were determined at 502 hoi. Equal numbers of male and female chicks were placed in each pen and grown out for 14 doa. On a per-pen basis, BW was recorded after hatching at day 7 and 14 doa, and BW gain, average daily BW gain, feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated between 0 to 14 doa. The ET of eggs significantly fluctuated during the postinjection time period; however, the type of vitamin D₃ source injected did not affect ET. Nevertheless, the injection of 25OHD₃ resulted in a lower late embryo mortality than the diluent and D₃ injection treatments. In addition, birds that received 25OHD₃ had a lower FI and FCR than birds in all other treatments. In conclusion, the in ovo injection of 25OHD₃ has the potential to improve early posthatch broiler performance without affecting ET.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and hormone profile in broilers fed with phosphorus-deficient diets supplemented with butyric acid and Saccharomyces boulardii

The present study evaluated the effects of butyric acid supplementation and Saccharomyces boulardii (alone or in combination) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and blood hormones of male broiler chickens fed a diet including reduced levels of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP). The chickens were allocated to 6 dietary treatments: 1) positive control diet with adequate amounts of NPP (PC; 0.48, 0.43, and 0.39% in the starter, grower, and finisher period, respectively); 2) negative control diet with low amounts of NPP (NC; 0.38, 0.33, and 0.29% in the starter, grower, and finisher period, respectively); 3) NC plus 500 FTU/kg microbial phytase (PHY); 4) NC plus 0.2% butyric acid (BA); 5) NC plus 1 × 10⁸ cfu/kg S. boulardii (SB); 6) NC plus butyric acid and S. boulardii (BA+SB). Each treatment had 5 pen replicates of 25 birds. After 6 wk, the body weight and ADG in birds fed with any of the diets were higher (P < 0.001) than those in birds fed with the NC diet, where the birds fed with the PHY and BA+SB diets had the highest values. However, only the PHY diet improved (P = 0.041) overall F:G. All diets, except the SB diet, resulted in the increased apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AIDC) of CP, AME_n, and tibia ash content and decreased serum alkaline phosphatase level compared with the NC diet (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed with the PHY, SB, and BA+SB diets also had increased AIDC of phosphorus (P = 0.017) than those fed with the NC and PC diets. Feeding PC, PHY, and BA+SB diets increased (P = 0.007) the tibia phosphorus content but decreased (P = 0.033) serum parathyroid hormone concentration. Overall, the present data indicate that the simultaneous inclusion of butyric acid plus S. boulardii in the low-NPP diets was beneficial for improving growth rate and bone mineralization, but not for feed efficiency.

Feeding broiler chicks diets containing keto- and hydroxy-acids: performance and carcass weight

This study evaluated reduced dietary CP and supplementing amino acid analogs to sustain growth and carcass weight in 0- to 21-day-old Cobb × Avian-48 male broiler chicks. A total of 6 diets with 3 levels of CP (22.5, 19.5, and 16.5%) and 2 sources of AA analogs, either synthetic amino acids (SA) or keto-/hydroxy-acids (KA), were assigned randomly to 36 cages (8 chicks/cage) in a 3 × 2 factorial design. For SA diets, DL-Met, DL-Met + L-Ile, and D-Met + L-Ile + L-Val were used to supplement 22.5, 19.5, and 16.5% CP diets, respectively, and for corresponding KA diets, DL-Met was replaced with methionine hydroxy analog (MHA), L-Ile was replaced with keto-Ile, and L-Val was replaced with keto-Val. Water and all isocaloric diets (3,050 kcal ME/kg) were given ad libitum. Lowering dietary CP to 16.5% reduced BW at 7, 14, and 21 D (P ≤ 0.0001) and feed intake at 8 to 14, 15 to 21, and 0 to 21 D (P ≤ 0.001). Body weight gain (BWG) was reduced and feed-to-gain ratio (FGR) was increased (P ≤ 0.003 to 0.0001) at all times for chicks fed 16.5% CP; however, chicks fed 22.5 and 19.5% CP had comparable performance. Differences in 0 to 7 D BWG (SA, 122.9 vs. KA, 113.9 g/bird; P ≤ 0.04), a 0 to 21 D FGR cumulative effect (1.45 vs. 1.51; P ≤ 0.02), and a 15 to 21 D (P ≤ 0.04) and 0 to 21 D (P ≤ 0.05) CP × AA interaction were also observed. Greater liver weight among 16.5 vs. 19.5 or 22.5% CP fed chicks was found at 14 and 21 D (P ≤ 0.0001 and P = 0.06, respectively). Lower dietary CP reduced spleen weight on day 21 birds (P ≤ 0.0005) with lighter spleens among 16.5 and 19.5% vs. the 22.5% CP fed group (0.090, 0.095, 0.119 g/100 g BW, respectively). Breast weight at 21 D was significantly less for 16.5 vs. 22.5% CP fed chicks. Fat pad weight on day 21 was heaviest among 16.5% chicks (P ≤ 0.0004). Overall, lowering dietary CP to 16.5% had a negative effect, but keto-acid supplementation supported 0 to 21 D broiler growth compared to SA; however, transamination efficiency of KA may be lower for 0 to 7D old chicks compared to older birds.

Effect of dietary saponin rich soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP), a cheap source of saponins, on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens. The experimental design was 4×2, employing four saponin levels (0, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg diet), each provided for two time durations (0-42 day and 21-42 day) resulting into eight dietary treatments. Results revealed no significant effect of dietary saponins on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birds. The abdominal fat percentage, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, faecal total plate count, coliform count and E. coli count decreased (p < .05) progressively with increasing saponin levels and lower values were observed at 150 mg and 200 mg saponin levels. Significant improvement of cell-mediated and humoral immune response was observed in birds fed 150 mg and 200 mg saponin compared to control. The serum glucose concentration was significantly (p < .05) higher in control group compared to other groups. No significant effects of dietary saponin were observed on carcass characteristics, faecal Lactobacillus count, intestinal histomorphometry and cost economics of broiler chicken production. Thus, dietary saponins at 150 mg/kg diet as SSP for three weeks (21-42 days) was optimum for better immunity and welfare of birds without adverse effects on the growth performance.

Effects of Feed Particle Size and Hydro-Thermal Processing Methods on Starch Modification, Nutrient Digestibility and the Performance and the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers

Simple Summary

Technological benefits of feed processing methods are well defined but not their benefits and disadvantages for broiler feeding. The current study tested the impact of feed particle size and various hydro-thermal processing methods (HTPM) on feed value, broiler performance and alterations of the digestive tract. It was shown that HTPM influences physico-chemical characteristics of the feed including starch modifications. The compaction process during pelleting contributes to the reduction of feed wastage and selection. However, the high daily feed intake caused by pellet feeding is also a main risk factor for proventricular dilatation.

Abstract

Influences of feed particle size (coarse, fine) and hydro-thermal processing methods (HTPM) (without–non-compacted feed, pelleting, expanding and pelleting) on feeding value and the performance and digestive tract of 624 broilers were studied. HTPM increased the starch disintegration of feed. Starch disintegration and electron microscopy indicated the highest degree of starch modification in expanded and pelleted feed. HTPM affected ether extract digestibility (p < 0.05). A grinding-by-HTPM interaction was found in case of crude protein digestibility (p = 0.008). Non-compacted feed reduced daily feed intake (DFI) and body weight gain and increased the feed to gain ratio compared to compacted feeds (p < 0.001). Compacted feeds increased proventricular size and the risk of Isthmus gastrici dilatation compared to coarsely ground non-compacted feed, except for finely ground expanded and pelleted feed. Finely ground feed reduced proventricular weights compared to coarsely ground feed and pelleted feed compared to other feeds. Non-compacted feed increased gizzard weights compared to compacted feeds. Relationships between proventricular size and Isthmus gastrici dilatation and the DFI were detected. Summarizing, the beneficial effects of pelleted feed were mainly based on the reduction of feed wastage and selection. However, the high DFI caused by pellet feeding is also a main risk factor for proventricular dilatation.

Effects of Nano-Composite Adsorbents on the Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, and Organ Weights of Broilers Fed with Aflatoxin-Contaminated Feed

The exploration of feed mycotoxin adsorbents to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxins on animals has received increasing attention over the last decade. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of nano-composite magnetic graphene oxide with chitosan (MGO-CTS) adsorbents against feed contaminated with ~20 ng/g (ppb) aflatoxin (AF). A total of three hundred 1-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into six dietary treatment groups, as follows: basal diet (broilers fed a diet with neither AF nor MGO-CTS added, T1), basal diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T2), basal diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T3), AF diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T4), AF diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T5), and AF diet (T6). The two inclusion levels (0.25 and 0.50%) of MGO-CTS significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performances and feed conversion ratios of the AF-treated chicks at 1⁻35 days of age, and the impact was more pronounced for 0.5% MGO-CTS. The AF intake markedly increased the relative weights of the liver and kidney, resulting in significant alterations in the serum biochemical parameters, such as albumins, alkaline phosphatase, and SGPT/alanine (ALT), at 35 days of age. However, the chickens fed 0.5% MGO-CTS with AF diets had apparent recovery or restoration of AF-induced organ lesions and aberrant serum profiles. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the total AFs was observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of the chickens fed 0.25% or 0.50% adsorbent in combination with AF feed (T4 and T5), with decreases of 28.9% and 53.5%, respectively, compared with that in the chickens fed an AF-contaminated diet (T6). The results of the study indicated that a higher concentration of MGO-CTS (0.50%) was effective in improving the overall performance of broiler chickens by preventing the adverse effects associated with aflatoxicosis.

Evaluation of Aloe vera and synbiotic as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on performance, gut morphology, immune responses and blood constitutes of broiler chickens

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe vera (AV) powder and synbiotic as growth promoter agents on performance, gut morphology, immune responses, hematology and serum biochemistry in broilers. A total of 240-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with four replicates. Birds were offered either a corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg virginiamycin (VM), 1 g/kg synbiotic (Syn), 2.5 g/kg AV (AV1), 5.0 g/kg AV (AV2) or 7.5 g/kg AV (AV3). Chickens fed any of the diets, except diet AV1, exhibited better feed conversion ratios at the 14-28 day period and higher average daily gain and duodenal villus height/crypt depth ratio at 42 days than those fed the control diet. Synbiotic supplementation caused a marked increase in the serum antibody titer against infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis vaccines. Feeding diet AV3 significantly increased red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration, and decreased serum triglyceride level compared to the control group. The results suggested that dietary inclusion of 5 and 7.5 g/kg AV, similar with synbiotic supplementation, can be applied as effective alternatives to in-feed antibiotics for broiler diets.

Temperature during the last week of incubation. II. Effects on first week broiler development and performance

Little is known about applying various eggshell temperatures (EST) during the last week of incubation. In particular, the effect of an EST below 37.8°C during the last week of incubation is poorly investigated. Therefore, we investigated effects of EST of 35.6, 36.7, 37.8, or 38.9°C applied from d of incubation (E) 15, E17, or E19 on first week broiler development and performance. A total of 2,850 first grade eggs of a 43 wk old Ross 308 broiler breeder flock were incubated at an EST of 37.8°C until E15. From E15, E17, or E19 onward, eggs were incubated at an EST of 35.6, 36.7, 37.8, or 38.9°C. Chick quality was determined at placement in the broiler house and organ development was measured at d 7. BW was determined at placement, d4, and d7. Feed intake (FI) was measured at d4 and d7 and G:F was calculated between placement and d4, and between d4 and d7. Chick quality at placement was higher at an EST of 35.6°C compared to all other EST treatments, expressed by a longer chick length and highest prevalence of closed navels. BW d 7 was higher at an EST of 36.7°C compared to all other EST treatments, which was not caused by a higher FI during the first week. A higher G:F between d 0 and d 7 was found at an EST of 36.7°C compared to 35.6 and 38.9°C. At d 7, a higher relative heart weight was found at an EST of 35.6 compared to 38.9°C. This study indicates that an EST of 38.9°C applied from E15 onward negatively affected chick quality, organ development, and G:F until d 7 compared to 37.8°C. Moreover, an EST of 36.7°C had a clear positive effect on chick quality, organ development, G:F, and growth performance until d 7. An EST of 35.6°C resulted in equal or higher chick quality and organ weights compared to 36.7°C, but this was not reflected in performance parameters.

Assessment of variable drinking water sources used in Egypt on broiler health and welfare

AIM

This study assessed the impact of four water sources used as drinking water in Egypt for broiler chickens on its performance, carcass characteristic, hematological, and immunological responses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 204 unsexed 1-day old Indian River broiler chickens were used in this study. They were randomly allocated into four treatment groups of 51 birds in each, with three replicates, 17 birds per replicate. Groups were classified according to water source they had been received into (T1) received farm tap water; (T2) received filtered tap water (T3) received farm stored water at rooftop tanks, (T4) received underground (well) water.

RESULTS

All water sources showed no significant differences among treated groups at (p>0.05) for most of the performance parameters and carcass characteristics. However (T2) group showed higher records for body weight (BWT), BWT gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio, bursa weight, serum total protein, globulin (G), albumin (A) and A/G ratio, Ab titer against New castle disease virus vaccine. On the other hand, it showed lower records for water intake (WI), WI/Feed intake ratio, total leukocytes count %, heterophil %, lymphocyte %, H/L ratio, liver weight, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum uric acid and creatinine. Where filtered water reverse osmosis showed lowest records for bacterial load, the absence of coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and salinity. On the other hand stored water showed higher numerical values for TDS, EC, alkalinity, salinity, pH, bacterial count, and coliform count.

CONCLUSION

Base on the results of this study, it is concluded that different water sources could safely be used as drinking water for poultry; as long as it is present within the acceptable range of drinking water quality for chickens. Suggesting the benefits of treatment of water sources on improving chickens' health and welfare. Draw attention to the importance of maintaining the hygienic quality of stored water.

Suitability of Soybean Meal from Insect-Resistant Soybeans for Broiler Chickens

Benning(M) and Benning(MGH) are near-isogenic lines (NILs) of the soybean cultivar Benning, which contain insect-resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from the soybean accession PI 229358. Benning(M) contains QTL-M, which confers antibiosis and antixenosis. In addition to QTL-M, Benning(MGH) contains QTL-G, which confers antibiosis, and QTL-H, which confers antixenosis. Soybean meal was produced from Benning and the NILs. Nutritional composition, digestible amino acid content, and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEN) were equivalent among soybean meals. A 21-day broiler feeding trial was carried out to determine if the QTLs affect soybean meal quality. Weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio were evaluated. No biologically significant differences were detected for broilers fed Benning, Benning(M), and Benning(MGH). This demonstrates that soybean meal produced from the insect-resistant NILs is equivalent to soybean meal produced from their non-insect-resistant parent cultivar for broiler weight gain.

Inclusion of insoluble fiber sources in mash or pellet diets for young broilers. 1. Effects on growth performance and water intake

The effects of feed form and the inclusion of insoluble fiber in the diet on growth performance and water intake were studied in female broilers from 0 to 21 d of age. The experimental design was completely randomized with 14 treatments arranged as a 2 × 7 factorial with 2 feed forms (mash vs. pelleted) and 7 diets that consisted of a control diet low in fiber (1.6% crude fiber) based on broken rice, fermented soybean meal, and fish meal and 6 extra diets that resulted from the inclusion of 3 insoluble fiber sources (oat hulls; OH, rice hulls; RH, and sunflower hulls; SFH) at 2 levels (2.5 vs. 5%). Each treatment was replicated 6 times. Broilers fed pellets had 32% greater ADG and 3% better feed to gain ratio (F:G) than those fed mash (P ≤ 0.001). The inclusion of the fiber sources improved ADG (P ≤ 0.05) and F:G (P ≤ 0.05). Pelleting increased (P ≤ 0.001) water intake from 6 to 8 d, water-to-feed intake ratio from 18 to 20 d, and moisture content of the excreta at 20 d of age. The inclusion of the insoluble fiber sources increased water intake (P ≤ 0.05) from d 18 to 20 but not from d 6 to 8. Increasing the level of fiber inclusion from 2.5 to 5.0% tended to increase (P = 0.086) moisture content in the excreta at d 20. Pelleting and the inclusion of insoluble fiber sources improved ADG and F:G in broilers fed low-fiber diets, and the improvements observed were more pronounced with pellets than with mash. Growth performance of young broilers improves with the addition of moderate amounts of structural insoluble fiber in the diet, regardless of feed form. The inclusion of OH or SFH into low fiber diets was more beneficial for improving broiler performance than the inclusion of RH.

Effects of dietary fats rich in lauric and myristic acid on performance, intestinal morphology, gut microbes, and meat quality in broilers

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary fats rich in lauric (C12) and myristic acid (C14) increase broiler performance and that the underlying mechanism involves antimicrobial effects on gut bacteria and changes in gut morphology. One hundred eighty 1-day-old Cobb-500 broilers were allotted to 3 groups. All groups received a basal diet consisting of maize, wheat, soybean meal, and a fat source (4.5, 7.0, 7.6, and 8.0% of fat product in the diet during d 1 to 9, 10 to 17, 18 to 27, and 28 to 35, respectively) until 35 d of age. The diet of the control group contained a fat with 67% of oleic and linoleic acid and 1.4% of C12 and C14 of total fatty acids, that of the esterified lauric and myristic acid (ELA) group a fat with 33% of esterified C12 and C14 and that of the free lauric and myristic acid (FLA) group a fat with 31% of both esterified and free (1:1) C12 and C14 (6 replicates/treatment, 10 birds/replicate). Gain and feed consumption did not differ between groups, but feed:gain was lower in FLA group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Carcass weight, liver weight, triglyceride content of liver and muscle, and muscle cholesterol were similar between groups; however, breast muscle weight was higher in the FLA than in the control group (P < 0.05). The villus height:crypt depth ratio of the duodenal wall did not differ between groups, but in the jejunum, it was lower in the FLA group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). DNA copy numbers of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni in jejunal digesta were similar among groups. The study shows that dietary fats rich in free C12 and C14 improved feed:gain and breast muscle yield, but the observed effects could not be conclusively explained based on the parameters measured. The decreased jejunal villi:crypt ratio may point to changes in gut protein or cell turnover.

Influence of source and level of glycerin in the diet on growth performance, liver characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in broilers from hatching to 21 days of age

The influence of source and level of inclusion of raw glycerin (GLYC) in the diet on growth performance, digestive traits, total tract apparent retention (TTAR), and apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients was studied in broilers from 1 to 21 d of age. There was a control diet based on corn and soybean meal and 8 additional diets that formed a 2 × 4 factorial with 2 sources of GLYC and 4 levels of inclusion (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10%). The GLYC used were obtained from the same original batch of soy oil that was dried under different processing conditions and contained 87.5 or 81.6% glycerol, respectively. Type of processing of the GLYC did not affect any of the variables studied except DM and organic matter retention (P < 0.05) that was higher for the 87.5% glycerol diet. From d 1 to 21, feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved linearly (L, P ≤ 0.01) as the GLYC content of the diet increased, but ADG was not affected. On d 21, the relative weight (% BW) of the liver and the digestive tract increased (L, P < 0.01) as the level of GLYC in the diet increased, but lipid concentration in the liver was not affected. The TTAR of DM and organic matter increased quadratically (Q, P < 0.05) and the AME(n) content of the diet increased linearly (L, P < 0.01) with increases in dietary GLYC. Also, the apparent ileal digestibility of DM (L, P < 0.05; Q, P = 0.07) and gross energy (L, P < 0.01) increased as the GLYC content of the diet increased. It is concluded that raw GLYC from the biodiesel industry can be used efficiently, up to 10% of the diet, as a source of energy for broilers from 1 to 21 d of age and that the energy content of well-processed raw GLYC depends primarily on its glycerol content.

Effects of dietary prebiotics, probiotic and synbiotics on performance, caecal bacterial populations and caecal fermentation concentrations of broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

In view of a worldwide attempt to restrict or ban the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal production, probiotics, prebiotics and combinations of both, as synbiotics, have been suggested as potential alternatives. In this study, the effects of a prebiotic (isomalto-oligosaccharides, IMO), a multi-strain probiotic (consisting of 11 Lactobacillus strains), and a combination of these dietary additives as a synbiotic on the performance, caecal bacterial populations and concentrations of caecal volatile fatty acids and non-volatile fatty acids of broiler chickens were evaluated.

RESULTS

Supplementation of 1g kg⁻¹ probiotic (PRO); 5 g kg⁻¹ prebiotic IMO (PRE05); 10 g kg⁻¹ prebiotic IMO (PRE10); synbiotic consisting of 1g kg⁻¹ probiotic + 5 g kg⁻¹ prebiotic IMO (SYN05); or synbiotic consisting of 1 g kg⁻¹ probiotic + 10 g kg⁻¹ prebiotic IMO (SYN10) significantly (P < 0.05) improved weight gain of broiler chickens at 22-42 and 1-42 days of age, and feed conversion rate from 1 to 21, 22-42 and 1-42 days of age. The supplementation of probiotic (PRO), prebiotics (PRE05 and PRE10) or synbiotics (SYN05 and SYN10) also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the caecal populations of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and decreased the caecal Escherichia coli at 21 days of age, and increased the caecal VFA at 21 and 42 days of age. In all parameters studied, synbiotics did not show a two-fold synergistic effect, when compared to those of probiotic or prebiotic alone.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicated that prebiotic IMO (5 g kg⁻¹ or 10 g kg⁻¹), probiotic and their combinations as synbiotics were effective in improving the performance of broiler chickens and in increasing the caecal beneficial bacteria and fatty acids.

β-Mannanase production by Aspergillus niger BCC4525 and its efficacy on broiler performance

BACKGROUND

Mannan is a hemicellulose constituent commonly found in plant-derived feed ingredients. The gum-like property of mannan can obstruct digestive enzymes and bile acids, resulting in impaired nutrient utilisation. In this study, β-mannanase production by Aspergillus niger strain BCC4525 was investigated using several agricultural residues under solid state condition. The biochemical properties of the target enzyme and the effects of enzyme supplementation on broiler performance and energy utilisation were assessed.

RESULTS

Among five carbon sources tested, copra meal was found to be the best carbon source for β-mannanase production with the maximum yield of 1837.5 U g(-1) . The crude β-mannanase exhibited maximum activity at 80 °C within a broad range of pH from 2 to 6. In vitro digestibility assay, which simulates the gastrointestinal tract system of broilers, showed that β-mannanase could liberate reducing sugars from corn/soybean diet. Surprisingly, β-mannanase supplementation had no significant effect on broiler feed intake, feed conversion rate or energy utilisation.

CONCLUSION

A high level of β-mannanase was produced by A. niger BCC4525 under solid state condition using copra meal as carbon source. Although the enzyme has the desired properties of an enzyme additive for improving broiler performance, it does not appear to be beneficial.

Effect of dietary nutrient density and vitamin premix withdrawal on performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding high- and low nutrient density diets, and three different vitamin premix withdrawal regimes on broiler performance and meat quality. Male broiler chicks (480 days old) were reared on the floor in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement for 42 days. Chickens were slaughtered at 42 days of age and meat samples kept at -20 ± 1°C and analysed after 1, 90 and 180 days of storage.

RESULTS

Broiler performance was significantly affected by dietary nutrient density. Vitamin premix withdrawal had no significant effect on body weight. The results showed no significant differences between nutrient density and vitamin premix withdrawal on lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). Oxidative stability of thigh muscle lipids during frozen storage was significantly affected by nutrient density, while vitamin premix withdrawal had no significant impact on lipid oxidation. High nutrient density diet led to a significantly (P < 0.05) decreased pH compared with the low nutrient density diet.

CONCLUSION

Increasing dietary nutrient density improved broiler performance but impaired meat quality while vitamin premix withdrawal during finisher periods had no negative effect on broiler performance and meat quality.