Quality of broiler chicken meat slaughtered in compliance with halal require-ments

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.

Cricket ( Gryllus sigillatus) meal (CM) was fed to Ross 308 broiler chickens ( n = 624 total; 26 birds/pen) at dietary inclusion rates of 0% (non-medicated control; NM), 0% (medicated control; 0.05% virginiamycin, 0.03% monensin; M), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% CM (non-medicated) for 35 days to determine the impact of this novel feed ingredient on the growth, feed intake, organ indices, and meat quality of these chickens. The final average live weight of broilers fed 5% CM was lower than broilers fed the 10% CM ( P &lt; 0.05) and the 0% NM diets ( P &lt; 0.05). Total weight gain was lowest in chickens fed 5% CM ( P &lt; 0.05) and the % ratio of the weight of the small intestine to body weight of the chickens fed 5% CM was significantly higher on day 20 than that of the other treatments ( P &lt; 0.05). Meat texture and colour were not affected by dietary treatments. Cooking loss in birds fed the 10% CM diet was significantly higher than that of birds fed the 0% NM control. Feeding up to 20% CM did not alter the growth, organ indices, or meat quality of broiler chickens, although further research is required to determine whether including &gt;20% CM in the diet will produce similar results.

Synergistic blend of natural essential oils improved growth performance and gut barrier integrity in broilers by alleviating intestinal inflammation.

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.

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.

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

In order to increase the meat productivity of poultry scientists around the all world are working to improve the breeding traits and technologies of housing and feeding. However, the efficiency of poultry meat production on an industrial basis depends not only on the strengthening and inheritance of breed qualities, but also on a complete and balanced feeding, including the use of new feed additives. All this generally affects the duration of rearing, the average daily and absolute live weight gains, the biological value and nutritional value of poultry meat produced in industrial conditions. The purpose of the work was to study the effect of the amino acid complex and silicon dioxide on the productivity and quality of broiler chicken meat. The paper scientifi cally substantiates and experimentally proves the effectiveness of using a rational dose of ultrafine silicon dioxide (300 mg/kg of feed) and the complex of amino acids (arginine – 7 g/kg, lysine – 6 g/kg, methionine – 2 g/kg) in the rearing of broiler chickens. Data on the positive influence of the studied factor on the consumption, digestibility and use of feed nutrients, as well as meat productivity and quality of broiler chicken meat have been obtained. The dependence of meat productivity and quality of chicken meat on physiological and biochemical parameters has been proved. Analysis of the results of the production experiment has been shown that the livability of poultry in the experimental group was higher than the control group by 1,4 %. This made it possible to reduce feed consumption to 100 g/head, and feed consumption per 1 kg of chicken growth in the experimental group by 9,2 %. Activation of metabolic processes of the body of broiler chickens of the experimental group contributed to the increase in their live weight, which increased the weight of the gutted carcass, the yield of meat by 13,8 %, and meat with off al for sale by 18,0 %. The efficiency of the complex application of amino acids and silicon dioxide in the production of poultry meat is economically justified.

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.

BackgroundNatural minerals have many beneficial properties in poultry production, taking into account production as well as hygiene, health, safety, and quality of broiler meat. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aluminosilicates in feed and litter on the growth performance and meat quality in chickens. Aluminosilicates, including halloysite and zeolite, could be a good alternative for synthetics, as a good solution for the environment in line with the current trends.MethodsFive-hundred male Ross 308 chickens were managed in 5 groups (10 replicates/group): LITTER: 1, control; 2, 0.95 kg/m2 of halloysite; 3, 0.475 kg/m2 of halloysite and 0.475 zeolite; 4, 0.95 kg/m2 of zeolite; 5, 0.25 kg/m2of halloysite and 0.7 kg/m2 of zeolite. FEED: groups 2–5, halloysite and zeolite addition (25:75 ratio; 0.5–2%). Growth performance (body weight and feed indicators), carcass, and meat quality (pH, colour, water-holding capacity, chemical composition of muscles) were recorded. The experimental setup, where the aluminosilicate additives were applied simultaneously, was proposed and approved by experts after pilot testing and on the basis of extensive literature where feed or litter additives were tested.ResultsBody weight and its gain were higher in groups 3 and 4 than in 1, and feed intake was higher in 4. The weight of the carcass and some of its components, including muscles and skin with subcutaneous fat, were higher in 2–4. Water loss from leg muscles was lower in 4. The content of protein in muscles was significantly higher in 3. The addition of aluminosilicates in feed and litter had a positive effect on the growth performance and some traits of carcasses and meat quality, especially in group 3. Halloysite and zeolite can be used in feed and litter (especially 0.475 kg/m2 for each mineral in the wheat litter).

ABSTRACTThe study examined the effects of pre-slaughter gas stunning and slaughter without stunning on meat quality and skeletal muscle proteome of broiler chickens. Fifty Cobb broiler chickens were randomly assigned to either a neck cut without pre-slaughter stunning (Halal slaughter) or pre-slaughter gas stunning followed by a neck cut. Samples of Pectoralis major muscle at 7 min, 4 h and 24 h postmortem were analyzed for pH, shear force, color, drip and cooking losses. Proteome profile of the 7 min samples was examined by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Birds subjected to Halal slaughter had higher (P < 0.05) redness than those gas stunned at 4 and 24 h postmortem. Gas-stunned birds had lower (P < 0.05) muscle pH and shear force and higher (P < 0.05) drip and cooking losses compared with those subjected to Halal slaughter throughout postmortem storage. Gas stunning up-regulated (P < 0.05) the expression of beta-enolase, pyruvate kinase and creatine kinase compared with Halal slaughter. Results indicate that pre-slaughter gas stunning hastened postmortem energy metabolism and had detrimental effects on the water holding capacity and redness of broiler breast muscles.

This study was conducted to show that dietary supplementation of fungi, Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus niger so called Koji in Japan, improves growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens. Total number of 42 chicks at 15 d of age with average weight (365±3) were divided into 7 treatments (n=6). First treatment as control was fed control diet and other chicks were fed diets supplemented with either A. awamori or A. niger at the levels of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1%. The birds were raised for 12 d from 15 d of age to evaluate the effect on growth, organs weights, abdominal fat content, muscle fatty acids contents, muscle thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and plasma biochemical parameters etc. Body weight gain was increased, and feed intake and feed conversion ratio were decreased by the fungi. Plasma 3-methylhistidine as an index of skeletal muscle protein breakdown tended to be decreased by the fungi. Due to the fungi, abdominal fat and plasma cholesterol were decreased, while fat content in the breast muscle was increased. Interestingly, muscle α-tocopherol content was increased, and muscle TBARS as an index of lipid oxidation were decreased by the fungi, indicating anti-oxidative activities of the fungi. Furthermore, it was observed a decrease in saturated fatty acid and increases in unsaturated fatty acids due to the fungi in the muscle fat. In conclusion, feeding A. awamori and A. niger improved growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens.

The rising concerns pertaining to the safety of synthetic supplements in livestock production have encouraged the exploration of potential alternatives. This study investigated the growth, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, immune indices, meat quality, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens supplemented with Crescentia cujete leaf (CCL), Launaea taraxacifolia leaf (LTL), and a combination of antibiotic (70% oxytetracycline + 30% neomycin) and tert-Butylhydroxyanisole. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 420) were randomly assigned to either T-1, basal diet (BD) only; T-2, BD + 0.4g/kg antibiotic + 0.13g/kg tert-butylhydroxyanisole; T-3, BD + 2.5g/kg LTL; T-4, BD + 5g/kg LTL; T-5, BD + 2.5g/kg CCL; or T-6, BD + 5g/kg CCL for 42days. Each dietary group had seven replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Body weight gain and carcass weight were higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, T-5, and T-6 birds compared with those of other birds. At 1-21days, the T-2 and T-4 birds consumed more feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. At 22-42days, the T-4 birds consumed more (P < 0.05) feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. During 1-42days, the T-1 and T-3 birds consumed less (P < 0.05) feed than other birds. At 22-42days and 1-42days, the T-1 had lower feed efficiency (P < 0.05) than other birds except for the T-3 birds. The CCL and LTL birds had lower (P < 0.05) serum LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol compared with other birds. Hematology, splenic interleukin-1β, immunoglobulin M, ileal and caecal total aerobic bacteria counts, caecal Lactobacillus spp., and meat physicochemical properties were unaffected by diets. The T-1 birds had higher (P < 0.05) ileal and caecal Clostridium spp., E. coli, and Salmonella spp. compared with birds fed other diets. The CCL and LTL birds had higher ileal Lactobacillus counts. Splenic IL-10 was higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, and T-6 birds compared with that in other birds. Dietary supplementation with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole repressed (P < 0.05) splenic tumor necrosis-α and immunoglobulin G. The T-1 breast meat had lower glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The T-4 meat had higher (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity compared with other meats. On day 3 postmortem, meats obtained from birds supplemented with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole had lower (P < 0.05) carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents than the meat from the non-supplemented birds. The 5g/kg CCL and 5g/kg LTL could be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant in broiler diets.

This study was aimed to determine the effects of feeding type (ad libitum: AF and intermittent: IF) and water temperature (normal: NW and cold: CW) treatments on welfare status and meat quality in fast-growing broiler chickens reared under daily heat stress between 22 and 42 days of age. The chickens' panting rate and rectal temperature were determined at 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age and twice a week in 3 female and 3 male chickens in each pen. Welfare traits such as foot pad dermatitis (FPD), hock burn (HB), breast burn (BB), and leg problems (LP) were examined individually at 42 days of age. At day 43, 3 male and 3 female chickens per pen were randomly selected and slaughtered after an 8-h fasting period; pH and color (lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)) of breast and thigh meat were determined. AF × C W chickens had significantly higher panting rates at all ages than the other groups (P < 0.05). While FPD and LP were not affected by feeding type and water temperature treatments, interaction effects on HB and BB were found significant (P < 0.05). The HB and BB levels were the lowest in AF × NW chickens (P < 0.05). While treatments did not change to any color traits in breast meat (P > 0.05), interactions significantly affected the yellowness (b*) value in the thigh (P < 0.05). In conclusion, management practices such as IF and CW in fast-growing broilers could not completely reduce the undesirable effects of heat stress on some welfare and meat quality traits, and in some cases, even caused more negativity.

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 aims to examine the effect of giving a solution of binahong leaves (Anredera cordifolia) in drinking water on the physical quality of broiler chicken meat finisher phase. A total of 72 broiler chickens strain CP 707 produced by PT Charoen Phokphan Indonesia. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments consisted of R0: drinking water without binahong leaf solution, R1: drinking water + 20 ml of binahong leaf solution/liter of water, R2: drinking water + 30 ml of binahong leaf solution/liter of water, R3: drinking water + 40 ml of binahong leaf solution / liter of water. The results of analysis of variance and Kruskal wallis showed that the treatment had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on meat pH, water holding capacity, tenderness, and cooking loss of broiler chicken. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the addition of binahong leaf solution with a level of 20 mL/liter of water, 30 ml/liter of water, 40 ml/liter of water has not had and effect on the physical quality of the finisher phase broiler chicken meat.