Abstract
This study investigated the effect of different levels and consumption periods of Aspergillus oryzae meal on performance, carcass characteristics, blood variables, and immunity of broiler chickens. A total of 270 (male and female) Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to 9 treatment groups. Two levels (2 g/kg diet and 4 g/kg diet as-fed) of Aspergillus oryzae meal (AO) and 4 consumption periods of AO (starter, grower, finisher, and entire period) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement were used. Compared with control, AO used during the entire rearing period increased weight gain, reduced relative weight of abdominal fat, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels, and increased antibody titers against influenza and Newcastle disease vaccination and sheep red blood cells injection. Few differences in the variables considered were found if AO was added to broiler diets only during specific consumption periods, and between the two supplementation levels of AO. In conclusion, the addition of AO to the broiler diet can have beneficial effects in terms of performance, carcass composition, and health, but these positive effects were mainly reached adding AO for the entire rearing period.
Highlights
All breeding programs for animals, including poultry, are aimed at improving breeding traits, either through genetics (Kawka et al 2010, 2012) or, for example, nutrition (Nikravesh-Masouleh et al 2018; Tasirnafas et al 2015)
The lowest feed intake was in the case of broiler chickens fed with the addition of 4 g/kg diet of Aspergillus oryzae meal (AO) meal
Broiler chickens fed with AO for the entire rearing period showed only numerically lower Feed conversion ratio (FC) than the other groups, in comparison with the control group
Summary
All breeding programs for animals, including poultry, are aimed at improving breeding traits, either through genetics (Kawka et al 2010, 2012) or, for example, nutrition (Nikravesh-Masouleh et al 2018; Tasirnafas et al 2015). All of these treatments were aimed at increased body weight gain, growth rate, and conversion efficiency in poultry. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of level and consumption period of AO on performance, carcass characteristics, blood variables, and immunity of commercial broilers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
