Effects of treated walnut green husk on broiler growth performance, gut health, and meat quality.

Simple SummaryHeat stress is a main reason of systemic oxidative stress, which compromises broiler meat production and quality. To improve the productivity of poultry meat production, studies have investigated different heat stress amelioration strategies. Among these strategies, low-cost feed supplementations are introduced to potentially reduce the negative effects of heat stress. Previous studies have also investigated the effects of different antioxidants on growth performance and meat quality, while a limited number of studies have been made regarding the impacts of the polyphenols at different doses. Polyphenols with antioxidant properties have positive effects against oxidative stress, and are naturally available in high amounts in plants, which makes them a novel feed supplementation for improving meat production as well as meat quality in heat-stressed broiler chickens. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate the effects of different doses of polyphenols supplementation on growth performance, physiological responses, and meat quality in broiler chickens exposed to cyclic heat stress.Heat stress (HS) compromises growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens by interrupting lipid and protein metabolism, resulting in increased oxidative damages. The experiment attempted to investigate whether dietary polyphenols (Polygain (POL)) could ameliorate the aforementioned adverse effects of HS on performance and meat quality. One hundred and twenty one day-old-male chicks were allocated to two temperature conditions, thermoneutral (TN) or HS, and fed with either a control diet (CON) or the CON plus four different doses of POL (2, 4, 6 and 10 g/kg). Heat stress caused respiratory alkalosis as evidenced by increased rectal temperature (p < 0.001) and respiration rate (p < 0.001) due to increased blood pH (p < 0.001). Heat stress decreased final body weight (p = 0.061) and breast muscle water content (p = 0.013) while POL improved both (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively). Heat stress amplified muscle damages, indicated by increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p < 0.001) and reduced myofibril fragmentation index (p = 0.006) whereas POL improved both (p = 0.037 and p = 0.092, respectively). Heat stress impaired meat tenderness (p < 0.001) while POL improved it (p = 0.003). In conclusion, HS impaired growth performance and meat quality whereas POL ameliorated these responses in a dose-dependent manner, and effects of POL were evident under both temperature conditions.

This study evaluated the effects of a synergistic blend of natural plant extracts based on oregano, clove, and cinnamon (Fytera Perform) on growth performance, intestinal health, immune status, carcass traits, and meat quality in broiler chickens. A total of 840 Ross 308 broilers (44.47 ± 0.41 g) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group (CON) fed a basal corn-soy, antibiotic-free diet, and a treatment group supplemented with Fytera Perform at 25 g/ton (FP). Enteric inflammation was induced in all birds from days 22 to 28 by administering 2.5 % Dextran sodium sulfate via drinking water. Performance parameters were recorded throughout the study, while intestinal health parameters were measured on day 28 using two birds per replicate. Meat quality was assessed on day 28, and carcass traits were evaluated on day 42. Over the entire production period, broilers receiving FP supplementation demonstrated a 4.6 % increase in average daily gain and a 4.4 % reduction in feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). On day 42, FP-supplemented birds exhibited a significantly greater body weight, weighing 112 g more than those in the CON group (P = 0.003). Intestinal health was enhanced in the FP group, with lower fecal calprotectin levels, increased ileal villous height, and an elevated villous-to-crypt ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, FP supplementation upregulated gene expression of mucin 2 and tight junction protein zona occludens-1, while downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 (P < 0.05). Meat quality parameters were also improved in the FP-supplemented group, with significantly lower drip loss at 5 days and 7 days of storage (P < 0.05). Moreover, the dressing percentage tended to be higher in the FP group compared to CON on day 42 (P = 0.07). These findings demonstrate that supplementation with a synergistic blend of plant extracts derived from oregano, clove, and cinnamon improves intestinal morphology, enhances gut barrier function, and reduces inflammatory responses, thereby promoting nutrient absorption, growth performance, meat quality, and overall health in broiler chickens.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with marigold extract on growth performance, pigmentation, antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens.MethodsA total of 320 one-day-old Arbor Acres chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 replicates of 8 chickens each. The chickens of control group were fed with basal diet and other experimental groups were fed with basal diet supplemented with 0.075%, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.60% marigold extract respectively (the corresponding concentrations of lutein were 15, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg).ResultsThe results showed that marigold extract supplementation increased the yellowness values of shank, beak, skin and muscle and the redness (a*) value of thigh muscle (linear, p<0.01). Marigold extract supplementation significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity, and the activities of superoxide dismutase in liver and thigh muscle (linear, p<0.01) and significantly decreased the malondialdehyde contents of liver and thigh muscle (linear, p<0.01). Marigold extract supplementation significantly decreased the drip loss and shear force of thigh muscles (linear, p<0.01). There was no significant effect on growth performance with marigold extract supplementation.ConclusionIn conclusion, dietary supplementation of marigold extract significantly increased the yellowness values of carcass, antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens.

Growth performance, carcass and blood traits, immunity, jejunal morphology and meat quality of heat-stressed broiler chickens fed urea-treated pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel

This study examined the effect of dietary supplementation of Kigelia pinnata (KPL) and Plukenetia conophora (PCL) leaves in comparison with oxytetracycline (OXY) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on growth performance, selected blood biochemical parameters, caecal microbiota, splenic interleukins (IL), serum immunoglobulins (Ig), carcass traits, meat quality, and oxidative stability in broiler chickens. One day old Arbor Acres chicks (n=420) were randomly assigned to either basal diet only (BD); basal diet + 0.5 g/kg oxytetracycline + 0.12 g/kg BHA (OXYBHA); basal diet + 1 g/kg KPL (KPL-1); basal diet + 2 g/kg KPL (KPL-2); basal diet + 1 g/kg PCL (PCL-1); or basal diet + 2 g/kg PCL (PCL-2) for 42 d. Each dietary treatment had seven replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. Supplemented birds gained (P < 0.05) more weight and had a better feed conversion ratio compared with the BD birds. Hematological indices, IL-1β, and IL-6 did not differ among the treatments. BD birds had lower (P < 0.05) carcass weight and IL-10, and higher (P < 0.05) IgG, IgM, Salmonella spp., and E. coli counts than the supplemented birds. The KPL-2 birds had the least (P < 0.05) E. coli and Salmonella spp. counts and IgM among the supplemented birds. Lactobacillus spp. count was lower (P < 0.05) in OXYBHA birds compared with KPL and PCL birds. Carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents in the Sartorius muscle, and drip loss and carbonyl content in the Pectoralis muscle of the BD birds were higher (P < 0.05) than those of the supplemented birds. These results illustrate that the 2 g/kg KPL and 2 g/kg PCL could be used as an antioxidant and an antimicrobial in the diets of broiler chickens.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) powder as an herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, jejunal histomorphology, and ileal microbial population in broiler chickens. A total of two hundred twenty one day-old male broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates (11 birds per replicate) for 42 days. Experimental diets consisted of a basal diet without any additives as control group and the basal diet containing flavophospholipol (0.02 %) or 3 levels of lavender powder (0.3, 1 or 1.7 %). Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured during the starter (1- 10 d), grower (11- 24 d) and finisher (25-42 d) periods. The results showed that lavender powder (at 1 % level) significantly increased feed intake during the finisher and entire rearing periods. Also, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved during the grower, finisher and entire rearing periods. Lavender powder significantly decreased (P<0.01) jejunal crypt depth and increased (P<0.01) villous height: crypt depth ratio compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and cooking loss of meat samples were significantly decreased in birds fed 1 % lavender powder (P<0.01). Overall, the results of this experiment showed that lavender powder may be used to improve growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens.

Effects of micelle piperine supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, blood parameters, and meat quality in broiler chickens

Dietary inclusion of Achyranthes japonica extract to corn-soybean meal-wheat-based diet on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal microflora, excreta noxious gas emission, and meat quality of broiler chickens

This study assessed the complementary effects of probiotics and stimbiotics inclusion in diets on carcass traits and meat quality in broiler chickens exposed to cyclic heat stress. 600 day- old Cobb500 chicks were divided into five dietary groups; T1: Standard broiler diet, with no AGPs (NegControl); T2: Basal diet, with AGPs (PosControl); T3: Basal diet + 0.01% probiotics (Prob); T4: Basal diet + 0.01% stimbiotics (Stim) and T5: Basal diet + 0.01% (probiotics+ stimbiotics) (ProbStim). The birds were fed over a period of 42 days and then slaughtered for measurements of internal organs, carcass traits and meat quality attributes. The results revealed that dietary treatments had no effect on internal organs apart from the liver weight, duodenum and length of large intestine. Broiler chickens fed PosControl showed the heaviest liver, while those fed PosControl and ProbStim diets showed heavier duodenum weight. Carcass characteristics were not affected by diet apart from the wing weight. Broiler chickens fed Prob and ProbStim obtained heavier wing weight. With regards to meat quality, diet significantly (p < 0.05) affected the lightness (L*i), yellowness (b*i) and redness (a* 24hr). Diet also significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activity of the broiler meat on FRAP and TEAC assay. Prob and Stim individually showed high ferric ion reducing power, while on TEAC assay, NegControl and Prob showed the most efficient scavenger of radicals. The findings suggest that probiotics and stimbiotics can improve carcass traits and meat quality parameters in broilers while mitigating negative effects of heat stress.

The effect of faba bean extrusion on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, metabolizable energy, excretion of sialic acids and meat quality of broiler chickens

Effects of natural capsicum extract on growth performance, nutrient utilization, antioxidant status, immune function, and meat quality in broilers

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to determine the effect of algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EconomasE®) on the growth performance, visceral organ weight, meat quality, and oxidative stability of broiler chickens.MethodsNine hundred sixty, day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb, 43.97±0.55 g) were divided into three dietary treatments and allocated into 12 deep litter pens in a completely randomized design giving 4 replicate cages for each treatment. Three dietary treatments were: i) control (CON, basal diet with sufficient nutrient), ii) vitamin E (VitE, basal diet supplemented with 100 IU VitE), and iii) Algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EcoE, basal diet supplemented with 0.2% algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast: EconomasE®). Maize soybean meal based basal diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrition requirement for broiler chickens. Chickens were fed ad-libitum experimental diets during the 42 days experiment period. On days 21 and 42, body weight and feed intake were measured to calculate the feed conversion ratio of the chickens. Intestine and visceral organs were measured together with meat quality and oxidative stability on days 14 and 42.ResultsChickens fed with EcoE showed improved (p<0.05) growth performance, meat quality, and higher (p<0.05) oxidative stability compared to the chicken fed on CON. Moreover, broiler chickens fed with EcoE showed similar (p<0.05) growth performance with better (p<0.05) meat quality and higher oxidative stability compared to the broiler chickens fed VitE (p<0.05).ConclusionThe algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast can be supplemented into commercial broiler diets as a substitution of VitE while maintaining growth performance with enhancing meat quality and oxidative stability of the broiler chickens.

Effect of whole egg powder on growth performance, blood cell counts, nutrient digestibility, relative organ weights, and meat quality in broiler chickens

The effect of dietary supplementation of Crassocephalum crepidioides leaf powder (CCLP) in comparison with oxytetracycline and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on growth, caecal microbiota, immune status, blood chemistry, carcass traits, meat quality, and oxidative stability in broiler chickens was evaluated. Two hundred and eighty 1-day-old Arbor acre chicks were randomly assigned to a basal diet containing either no additive (control, CON), 400ppm oxytetracycline + 150ppm BHA (ANTIBIOX), 1000ppm CCLP (CCLP-1), or 2000ppm CCLP (CCLP-2) for 42days. Each dietary group had seven replicates with ten birds per replicate. Supplemented birds had higher (P < 0.05) feed efficiency, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared with the CON birds. Diet did not affect feed intake, body weight gain, splenic interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and serum IgM. The CCLP-2 birds had lower (P < 0.05) serum total and LDL cholesterol than did birds fed other treatments. Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli counts and serum IgG were higher in the CON birds than in the supplemented birds. The ANTIBIOX birds had lower (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus spp. count, and higher (P < 0.05) E. coli count compared with the CCLP-supplemented birds. Carcass, muscle pH, and cook loss were not affected by diet. The CON breast meat had higher drip loss and lower redness than did the breast meat of the supplemented birds. Carbonyl content and TBARS value in the thigh and breast meat of the supplemented birds were lower (P < 0.05) than those of the CON birds. These results infer that CCLP exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that were comparable to those of BHA and oxytetracycline in the diet of broiler chickens.

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of different concentrations of the dietary plant extract supplement YGF251 (young growth factor) on growth performance, blood profiles, relative organ weight, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in broiler chickens. A total of 640 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens with an average initial body weight of 40.25 &amp;plusmn; 0.5 g were randomly allotted to one of four treatments lasting four weeks with 10 replicates per treatment and 16 chicks per replicate pen. Dietary treatments consisted of: CON (basal diet); YGF0.05 (CON + 0.05% YGF251); YGF0.1 (CON + 0.10% YGF251); YGF0.15 (CON + 0.15% YGF251). There were no statistical differences in body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) throughout the whole experiment. However, broiler chickens fed with YGF0.1 diets had greater body weight gains (BWG) than chickens fed CON diets during eight to 28 days and zero to 28 days although the means of pH value, breast meat colour, WHC, drip loss, the relative organ weights of liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and breast muscle were not affected by any dietary supplementation (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The relative weight of abdominal fat in the CON treatment group was significantly higher than the YGF0.05 and YGF0.1 treatments, although relative gizzard weight was lower with CON treatment compared to YGF0.1 treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Femur length and weight were significantly higher in the YGF251-supplemented chicks than in chicks fed the control diet (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Broiler chickens fed the YGF0.1 diet had significantly higher blood IgG counts compared to chicks fed the CON and YGF0.05 diets (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Moreover, YGF251-supplemented chicks exhibited increased IGF-I concentrations compared to the CON to YGF0.1 treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The results of this study indicate that supplementation with 0.1% YGF251 can increase body weight, IgG and energy digestibility and reduce relative abdominal fat and gizzard weight in broiler chickens, while at all concentrations tested YGF251-supplemented chicks showed higher results for femur length and weight and serum IGF-I concentrations compared to the control treatment in broiler chickens. &amp;nbsp;