Effects of Dietary Levels of Vitamin E on Broiler Breeder Performance

Effects of sodium selenite (SS) in offspring of broiler breeders has been reported, but the comparison between SS and different level of methionine on offspring has received limited, so this study was conducted to investigate sodium selenite and methionine effects on concentration of selenium in egg and serum of Iranian native broiler breeders. An experiment was conducted in 3 × 3 factorial experiment with three levels of sodium selenite (0.0, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/kg of diet) and three levels of methionine (0.23, 0.31 and 0.33 % of diet) to investigate reproductive performance and immune status of broiler breeders (64-74 wks). The higher methionine levels increased the egg weight until the dose of 0.31% of diet (P < 0.05). In this experiment, 0.5 mg/kg SS with 0.31 % methionine in the diet was found to increase egg weight (P < 0.05). The highest salable chicks were obtained by supplementing 0.3 mg/kg SS (P= 0.07). Increasing the level of methionine from 0.23 to 0.33% without SS and also, supplementation SS at 0.3 mg/kg with 0.33 % methionine exhibited higher serum selenium, although, no effect of methionine levels was observed on concentration of selenium in serum and transfer rate. Concentration of selenium in eggs and serum were significantly affected by interaction of SS and methionine levels in diet. An increment in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) level tended to increase with SS (0.5 mg/kg) and methionine (0.33%) interaction (P=0.06). The results showed that increasing the level of methionine increases the immune response against influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) (P = 0.0001). These results suggest that higher level of methionine at 0.31% could improve egg weight and Influenza and ND titers, SS at dose of 0.5 could increase concentration of selenium in serum, whereas increasing of SS levels significantly raised embryonic mortality.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in controlling Calcium and Phosphor homeostasis, bone mineralization, and modulation of immune responses. Vitamin C is a cofactor of enzymatic reactions with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to prevent and repair damage to cells in the body from exposure to free radicals and the immune system. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of 25(OH)D3 with vitamin C at different doses on broiler breeders’ blood profile, egg quality, and hatchability. The adaptation process before collecting the data was 2 weeks. A total of 6200 females and 620 male broiler breeders in the laying period aged 32-46 weeks were divided into 4 treatment groups with 5 replicates (each peach contained 310 female and 31 male breeders). The treatments included control as T0 (0 g/ton Nutricell HyC®), T1 (100 g/ton Nutricell HyC®), T2 (200 g/ton Nutricell HyC®), T3 (400 g/ton Nutricell HyC®) supplemented in feed. The observed variables were performance in breeding farms and hatcheries. The treatments with experimental doses indicated significant differences in the performance of broiler breeders, including feed intake, body weight, egg weight, egg mass, hen day production, hen house production, feed conversion ratio, and parameters of blood profile. The results showed a significant difference between the treatments and the control group in terms of hatch performance, clear eggs, exploding eggs, hatchability eggs, fertile eggs, salable chicks, and hatching of fertile eggs. However, no significant effects on fertility, culling of chicks, and embryonic mortality in the treatment groups were indicated. In conclusion, Nutricell HyC® with a dose of 400 g/ton in feed has indicated the best result in breeding farm and hatchery performance of broiler breeders in the laying period. Keywords: Blood profile, Broiler breeder, Calcidiol (25(OH)D3), Nutricell HyC®, Performance, Vitamin C

Vitamin E and selenium in broiler breeder diets: Effect on live performance, hatching process, and chick quality

The aim of this study has been to compare the effect of sodium selenite (SS) or hydroxy-selenometionine (OH-SeMet) on the performance of broiler breeders and their progeny. A total of 216 broiler breeders (AP95 Aviagen; 55-65 weeks old) were assigned to two treatments: a diet supplemented with 0.3 mg Se Se/kg as SS or a diet supplemented with 0.2 mg Se Se/kg as OH-SeMet. A total of 520 mixed progeny chicks were used for a growth trial (41 d), in a completely randomised 2 × 2 factoria design: 2 sources of Se for the breeder diets and two sources of Se for the progeny diets – SS at 0.3 mg Se Se/kg and OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se Se/kg. OH-SeMet increased the egg production, the Se content in the egg, eggshell strength and hatchability (p < .05), compared to SS. The high Se deposition in the hatching eggs benefitted the progeny, as reflected by the better feed conversion ratio (p < .05). No significant changes were observed in the feed intake or weight gain, or the interactions between the maternal diets and progeny diets. Overall, supplementation with OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se Se/kg has proved to be an effective approach to help maintain the productive and reproductive performances of ageing breeder flocks and to enhance the performance of their progeny. Highlights Replacement of dietary sodium selenite with hydroxy-selenomethionine in the broiler breeder diet increased Se accumulation in the eggs and improved egg production, the Se content in the eggs, eggshell strength and hatchability. The increased Se deposition in the hatching eggs benefitted the progeny, as reflected by the better feed conversion ratio. Supplementation with OH-SeMet at 0.2 mg Se/kg proved to be an effective approach to help maintain the productive and reproductive performances of ageing breeder flocks and to enhance the performance of their progeny.

A virological survey for avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) was conducted in two selected live bird markets (LBMs), namely Kaptan Bazar and Karwan Bazar in Dhaka city, Bangladesh from August 2011 to July 2012. A total of 513 dead chickens were collected. An immune-chromatographic rapid antigen test for Type A influenza virus and both conventional and real time RT-PCR were used for the detection and characterization of AI and ND viruses. All carcasses were first screened by the rapid antigen test kit and 93 were positive for Type A influenza virus. RT-PCR on a representative number of rapid antigen test positive samples (n = 24) confirmed the presence of Type A influenza virus and mostly H5 influenza virus (22 out of 24 tested samples). Influenza rapid test negative samples (n = 420) were subjected to routine necropsy. Heat stress, suffocation and physical injury were the most common cause of mortality (163 cases), followed by ND, suspected to be the cause of 85 deaths. On molecular investigation of these 85 samples, the presence of ND virus was confirmed in 59 and AI virus in 6; 15 were negative for both ND and AI viruses and 5 were unsuitable for investigation. Among the 59 ND confirmed cases 18 also contained AI virus. In summary, out of 513 carcasses 117 (22.81%) contained AI virus and 59 (11.50%) contained ND virus. Eighteen (3.51%) carcasses contained both AI and ND viruses. The findings suggest that both AI and ND should be considered as major threats to the poultry industry.Bangl. vet. 2016. Vol. 33, No. 1, 8-15

Effects of Feeding Grains Naturally Contaminated with Fusarium Mycotoxins on Performance and Metabolism of Broiler Breeders

Effect of High Levels of Monensin During the Growing Period on Subsequent Breeding Performance of Adult Broiler Breeders

Newcastle disease is a serious and commonly fatal disease of chickens caused by a Paramyxovirus. Other avian species are also infected, but usually with less severe consequences. In most developing countries Newcastle disease is the most important infectious disease affecting village chickens. The usual source of infection for village chickens is usually other chickens. The role of other birds as carriers to initiate outbreaks in villages is not well documented. Both epidemic and endemic forms of Newcastle disease occur in village conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Newcastle disease on broiler breeder performance. In this study, four ND afflicted broiler breeder flocks were selected and the effect of this disease was appraised on these flocks. Of cases studied can be refer the mortality rate, production loss, clinical signs, necropsy signs and disease period. Also in afflicted flocks blood sampling was taken in early and 14 days after of involvement to recording the antibody titer by HI test. Of each saloon number of 16 samples was taken. Samples were referred to lab immediately. In lab, HI test was carried out and antibody titer of ND was measured. It must be noted that race of all flocks was Ross. After sampling from chicks on mentioned days were used of HI method for measurement of serum antibody titer. In this study revealed that antibody titer in before and after N.D has significant difference (p<0.05) and antibody titer was increased totally about 2 log after N.D.

Chapter 51 - Avian Influenza Virus and Newcastle Disease Virus

Abstract. The effects of timing, the amount and the frequencies of feeding on the performance of broiler breeders (Ross 308) at the age of 31–38 weeks were studied. The broiler breeders were randomly assigned to each of 15 treatments (T). These included day feedings, in which birds were fed once at 4.00 (T1 = control), twice (T2 to T7), thrice a day (T8 to T13) and four (T14 and T15) times per day. The daily feed allotment was divided into different ratios with different time schedules. The nutritional composition of all experimental groups was similar. Eggs were collected at 8.00, 10.00, 14.00 and 16.00. The results obtained showed that feeding schedule resulted in significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in egg production (% hen), as well as in fertility and hatchability. Results obtained in our study suggest that allocation of restricted feed two times a day, in a 75 : 25 ratio (4.00 and 12.00) improved egg production, fertility and hatchability.

An experiment was conducted to study the laying performance, shell quality, bone mineralization, hatchability of eggs and performance of progeny (weight at day one and 14 d of age, P content in day old chick, leg score and survivability of chicks) of synthetic broiler breeders fed different levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP). Six levels of NPP (1.2, 1.8, 2.4, 3.0, 3.6 and 4.2 g/kg diet) at a constant calcium (Ca) level (30 g/kg) in a maize-soya-deoiled rice bran based diet were tested. Levels of dicalcium phosphate, shell grit and deoiled rice bran were adjusted to achieve the desired levels of NPP and Ca. Each level of NPP was fed with a weighed quantity of feed (160 g/b/d) to 40 female broiler breeders from 25 to 40 weeks of age housed in individual cages. Each bird was considered as a replicate. Egg production, feed/egg mass, body weight, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, egg specific gravity, serum Ca content and tibia breaking strength were not influenced (p>0.05) by the variation in dietary NPP levels tested. Increasing the dietary levels of NPP did not influence the hatchability of eggs, phosphorus (P) contents both in egg yolk and day old chick, chick body weight at day one and 14 d of age, leg score and survivability of chicks up to 14 d of age. Maximum response (p≤0.01) in shell breaking strength, tibia ash and serum inorganic P contents were observed at NPP levels of 2.09, 2.25 and 3.50 g per kg diet, respectively. The retention of Ca increased, while the P retention decreased (p≤0.01) with increasing dietary levels of NPP. Though maximum responses in shell breaking strength, bone ash and serum inorganic P were observed at NPP higher than 1.2 g/kg diet, the broiler breeder performance in terms of egg production, shell quality, hatchability of eggs and progeny performance and their survivability was not influenced by dietary NPP concentrations. It is concluded that synthetic broiler breeders maintained in cages do not require more than 1.2 g NPP/kg diet with a daily intake of 192 mg NPP/b/d during 24 to 40 weeks of age.

Effect of broiler breeders fed with corn or sorghum diet and canthaxanthin supplementation on production and reproductive performance

Context Selenium is an important trace mineral and plays an important role in protection against oxidative stress and improving productivity of poultry. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different maternal selenium sources on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune responses, and meat quality of broiler offspring. Methods In total, 600 female and 180 male 50-week-old Ross-308 broiler breeder birds were randomly allocated to four treatments with five replicates, each having 30 females and nine males. The birds were given 2-week adaptation followed by 7-weeks of feeding of one of four experimental diets. In one dietary treatment, birds were fed a basal corn–soybean-based diet supplemented with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite, SS), while in the other three dietary treatments, birds were given either of the following organic selenium sources: selenium enriched yeast (SY), hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-Se-Met) or l-selenomethionine (l-Se-Met), each included at the rate of 0.3 mg/kg in their experimental diets. During the 7th week of experiment, 350 eggs were collected from each dietary treatment. After incubation, 250 healthy chicks per parental dietary treatment were divided into five replicates with 50 birds each. Offspring from all parental dietary treatments were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of selenium from inorganic source during the starter (1–21 days) and finisher (22–35 days) phases. Key results Maternal selenium sources had no effect on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient efficiency, carcass parameters, and antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus in broiler offspring. Drip loss and oxidative stability of breast meat, plasma total antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase status were improved in the offspring at Day 21, by inclusion of organic selenium in parent broiler breeders’ diet; however, these parameters were not affected at Day 35. Conclusions Maternal dietary organic selenium improved antioxidant status and meat quality in broiler offspring at the end of starter phase; however, dietary maternal selenium sources had no effect on productivity, immune responses, and carcass traits in broiler offspring. Implications This may provide consideration for more effective sources of selenium for improving meat quality of poultry birds especially in early stage of grow-out period.

A biological study was conducted to explore the effect of zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation on productive, reproductive, and immunological response in broiler breeders. Adult healthy 45-week breeder males (192) and females (288) were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were randomly divided into four treatments consisting of six replicates and fed basal diet (control, 40mg/kg), basal diet supplemented with Zn-Met 20 (T1), 40 (T2), and 60mg/kg (T3). There was no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight and feed consumption among the breeders due to the supplementation of organic Zn. The T3 group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher semen volume, sperm motility, concentration, and live sperm count. The seminal plasma calcium and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol and aspartate transaminase levels were low in the T3 group. Birds fed with additional supplementation of Zn (60mg/kg) had improved both cellular and humoral immunity. Throughout the experimental period, the hen day egg production was comparable (P > 0.05) among the experimental groups. Organic Zn-supplemented group showed significant difference in both the internal and external egg qualities-albumen, yolk index, and shell thickness. The higher dose of organic Zn-fed groups had a significant difference in estrogen and progesterone concentration, and the highest testosterone concentration was observed in the T2 group. Supplementary organic Zn had a significant effect on the concentration of Zn and Cu in the seminal plasma. Serum Zn and Cu concentration was significantly increased due to the supplementation of organic zinc in both male and female breeders. The fertility and hatchability percentage were higher (P < 0.05) in the T2 group. It could be concluded that the additional supplementation of organic Zn (zinc-methionine) at 40mg/kg to the basal diet improved the reproductive performance in broiler breeders.

Two hundred and sixty four broiler breeder hens of 33 weeks of age were distributed randomly in four dietary treatments with three replicate containing 22 birds. The dietary treatments included broiler breeder control ration containing 40 ppm zinc (T0) or the control ration supplemented with organic zinc (zinc methionine) at 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) ppm levels. The experiment was continued from 33 to 48 weeks of age. Daily eggs production, BW and hatchability were recorded. At 48 weeks, serum biochemical and tibia bone parameters were assessed. The periodical hen day egg production in all the treated groups did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from 33 to 44 weeks of age but during 45–48 weeks of age the hen day egg production of the group T1 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than all other groups. The overall hen day egg production of the broiler breeders from 33 to 48 weeks did not differ (P>0.05) among all the treated groups. The FCR of different treatments did not differ significantly from 33 to 44 weeks of age but during 45–48 weeks, the FCR of T1 was significantly (P<0.05) better than other treated groups. The overall FCR of the entire experimental period (33–48 weeks of age), was without variations (P>0.05). The overall BW change, did not differ significantly among the treatments. The overall (3348 weeks) fertility percent and hatchability percent (on fertile egg set basis) of all the groups of broiler breeder were almost similar but the hatchability percent on total egg set basis of T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher as compared to T0 and T1. Except, serum levels of total protein, urea, alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, all other studied biochemical parameters did not differ significantly. There were no variations in the weight, length and cortex thickness of tibia including ash, calcium and phosphorus concentrations among the treatments. This experiment revealed that zinc methionine supplementation at 40 ppm level in broiler breeder ration had no consistent effect on egg production of the birds but improved hatchability on total egg set basis.