Apparent Metabolizable Energy Corrected For Nitrogen Research Articles

Effects of energy restriction during growing phase on the productive performance of Hyline Brown laying hens aged 6 to 72 wk

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of energy-restricted feeding during growing phase on the productive performance of Hyline Brown laying hens aged 6 to 72 wk. A total of 720 six-week-old layer chicks were allocated equally to 3 groups with 6 replicates of 40 pullets each, and were fed 1 of 3 diets that were nutritionally similar except for the apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) content. At the age of 6 to 17 wk, the pullets in the control group were given diet with 2,850 kcal/kg AMEn, and were fed ad libitum. The levels of AMEn in diet of pullets in the experimental groups were 90% (2,565 [2,850×90%] kcal/kg) and 80% (2,280 [2,850×80%] kcal/kg) of that in control group, and the daily amount of feed was restricted to the absolute quantity of the diet consumed by pullets in control group. At the age of 18 to 72 wk, all the hens were fed with the same diets ad libitum. As energy restriction increased in the growing phase, body weight (BW) dropped at the ages of 12 and 15 to 23 wk (at 23 wk: P=0.001; at other ages: P < 0.001), but it showed no significant difference at 24 wk (P=0.071). At 20 wk, restricting energy induced a delay in the development of sexual organs, including the ovary stroma, oviduct, and small yellow follicle (P < 0.05), as well as a delay in sexual maturity (P < 0.05). Consequently, the laying rate in the first and second periods dropped linearly (P=0.046, 0.030, and 0.038, P < 0.001, respectively). The coefficient of variation (CV) in the BW at 19, 20, and 21 wk (P=0.040, 0.023, and 0.042, respectively), the CV of age at first egg (P < 0.001), and CV of individual egg number at age 18 to 72 wk (P < 0.001) decreased linearly. There was a linear increase in the laying rate of hens in the later periods (at age 32-72 wk, P < 0.05), as well as in the average total egg number per hen and average laying rate at the age of 18 to 72 wk (P=0.006). The average egg mass also showed a linear increase with increasing levels of energy restriction (P < 0.001). In summary, although appropriate energy restriction during growing phase delayed sexual maturity and sexual organ development in early-laying Hyline Brown pullets, it improved uniformity of BW, age at first egg laying, and individual egg number, and increased egg number per hen, laying rate, average egg mass, and number of settable eggs from 18 to 72 wk of age.

Dietary Inclusion of Pancreatin Enzyme on the Ileal and Fecal Digestibility of Nutrients in Layer-Type Cockerels

The current experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of Pancreatin supplementation at different levels on ileal and fecal digestibility in layer-type cockerels. A total of 480-day-old silver brown Hy-Line male chicks were randomly allocated into 5 treatments, 6 replicates (16 birds per pen) arranged in a completely randomized design. Pancreatin enzyme was supplemented on a basal corn-soybean meal-based diet at 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg and was fed in two growth phases (starter and grower). The results indicated that at the end of the starter stage, except for 1000 mg/kg, dietary Pancreatin supplementation levels increased (p<0.05) the ileal crude protein (CP). Similarly, addition of Pancreatin increased (p< 0.05) apparent ileal amino acids (AA) digestibility (AIAAD) total means of AA (MTAA), means of indispensable AA (MIAA) and dispensable AA (MDAA) with the optimum performance on 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. However, except for histidine and alanine which were negatively affected (p<0.05), and MIAA, MDAA, MTAA which were also positively affected, the addition level at 1000 mg/kg did not affect most of the AIAAD compared to the non-supplemented. Further, Pancreatin supplementation had no effect (p>0.05) on nitrogen digestibility (ND), nitrogen retention (NR), digestible energy (DE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter retention (DMR), and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AME-n) on fed starter diet. On the other hand, at the end of the grower stage, dietary Pancreatin enzyme supplementation reduced (p<0.05) the ileal CP, MIAA, MDAA, MTAA, AIAAD, AME, AME-n, ND, NR, DE, DMD, and DMR in a dose-dependent manner. The rate of reduction was more marked on Pancreatin addition level 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, Pancreatin supplementation at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 750 mg/kg improved AIAAD and ileal CP, especially at the young age. The rate of pancreatin enzyme effect was dependent on enzyme supplement level to the ileal CP and individual amino acid.

Effects of a Novel Protease from Bacillus Subtilis K-5 in Low Protein Corn Distiller Dried Grains with Solubles (cDDGS) Based Diets on Performance and Nutrients Digestibility in Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplemental effects of a novel protease produced from Bacillus subtilis in low crude protein (CP) corn distiller dried grain with solubles (cDDGS) based diets on growth performance, carcass attributes, nutrients digestibility, blood chemistry, and intestinal histomorphometry of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty, one-day-old chicks were randomly allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments. Each dietary treatment had four replicates, with 10 birds in each replicate. Two basal diets were formulated for both starter (1-21d) and finisher (22-35d) phase; (PC) a corn soybean meal based diet as per standard recommendations of Ross 308; (NC) 5% cDGGS with 5% reduction in CP with concomitant reduction in essential amino acids (EAAs) compared with PC. The negative control diet was further subdivided into 3 parts. One part was without enzyme supplementation, while the other two parts were supplemented with a novel protease (PROT1) and a commercial protease (PROT2), respectively. The same procedure was adopted for finisher diets. A digestibility assay (32-35d) was carried out using acid insoluble ash (AIA), an external digestibility marker. At the end of 35d, ileal digesta were collected from four birds per experimental unit for nutrient digestibility measurement. Tissue samples of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected for villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and crypt width. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed:gain were improved (p<0.05) with protease supplementation. No effect was observed on carcass parameters. However, CP digestibility, apparent digestibility coefficient for nitrogen (ADCn), nitrogen retention (Nret ), and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AIAAD) were improved (p<0.05). However, there was no effect on apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), blood glucose, total protein and cholesterol (p>0.05) and intestinal integrity (p>0.05). It was concluded that protease enzyme can improve nitrogen and CP digestibility, resulting in improved amino acids availability in low protein diets.

Effects of Energy-Restricted Feeding during Rearing on the Performance, Uniformity, and Development of Rugao Layer Breeders at the Initiation of the Laying Period.

Simple SummaryThree major factors affecting productive performance of laying hens are BW, flock uniformity, and GIT development at the initiation of the laying period. Various feeding management practices to restrict feed intake of broiler breeders during the rearing phase to optimize BW for reproductive performance can improve BW uniformity. Hence, the feed restriction methods used for broiler breeders might be used to improve flock uniformity and the GIT development of laying hens. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of energy-restricted feeding and switching to ad libitum feeding on the performance, uniformity, and development of Rugao layer breeders at the initiation of the laying period. Moderate energy restriction from 8 to 18 weeks of age and switching to ad libitum feeding can stimulate the development of the GIT and improve BW uniformity of layer breeders. Improved ECR was observed overall in the experiment. In addition, the BW of layer breeders recovered after the pullets were switched to ad libitum feeding for 3 weeks. These results provide a theoretical basis for the application of energy-restricted feeding in young layer breeders, which may have important practical importance for layer breeders because a better rearing cycle can be advantageous to production performance.The aim of this study was to assess the effects of energy-restricted feeding during rearing on the performance, uniformity, and development of layer breeders at the initiation of the laying period. A total of 2400 8-week-old Rugao layer breeders were randomly assigned to one of five groups (480 pullets per group) with eight replicates and were fed one of five diets that were nutritionally equal with the exception of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) content (2850, 2750, 2650, 2550, and 2450 kcal AMEn/kg) from 8 to 18 weeks of age. The daily amount of feed was restricted to the absolute quantity of the diet consumed by laying hens fed 2850 kcal AMEn per kg diet ad libitum (control). From 18 to 21 weeks of age, all hens were fed a basal diet ad libitum. The body weight (BW) of the laying pullets decreased linearly with increasing energy restriction (p < 0.001) but recovered within 3 weeks of ad libitum feeding (p = 0.290). A gradual increase in the degree of energy restriction resulted in a gradual decrease in average daily weight gain (ADG) and a gradual increase in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and energy conversion ratio (ECR) from 8 to 18 weeks of age (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008). In contrast, the ADG and ADFI (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) gradually increased, while the FCR and ECR (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) gradually improved from 18 to 21 weeks of age. From 8 to 21 weeks of age, ECR improved (p = 0.005) with an increasing degree of energy restriction. The energy-restricted feeding for 6 weeks to the end of the trial improved BW uniformity (p < 0.05). The relative length and circumference of tarsus (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and the relative weights and lengths of the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caeca increased linearly (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, p < 0.007, p = 0.012, p = 0.040; p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.032, p = 0.029, p = 0.040) with increasing energy restriction at 18 weeks of age. After switching to ad libitum feeding for 3 weeks, the relative weights and lengths of the small intestine, duodenum, and jejunum of laying pullets increased linearly with increasing energy restriction (p < 0.001, p = 0.016, p = 0.011; p = 0.009, p = 0.028, p = 0.032). In conclusion, moderate energy restriction (85.97%, 2450 vs. 2850 kcal AMEn/kg) from 8 to 18 weeks of age and switching to ad libitum feeding from 18 to 21 weeks of age can be used to improve BW uniformity and stimulate the development of the duodenum and jejunum of native layer breeders at the initiation of the laying period without compromising BW.

Growth performance, organ attributes, nutrient and caloric utilization in broiler chickens differing in growth rates when fed a corn-soybean meal diet with multienzyme supplement containing phytase, protease and fiber degrading enzymes

Growth performance, organ weight, ceca digesta short chain fatty acids (SCFA), jejunal histomorphometry, tibia ash, apparent retention (AR) of components and caloric efficiency were investigated in broiler chicken strains differing in growth rate fed diets with multienzyme supplement (MES). The strains differed in estimated time to reach 2.1 kg BW: 37, 43, 47, and 50 d and were designated C, F, J, and N, respectively. A corn-soybean meal diet was formulated for 2-phase program (starter and grower) and fed without or with MES containing phytase, protease and fiber-degrading enzymes. A total of 640-day-old chicks (42.3 + 0.01 g/bird) were housed in cages (5 cockerels and 5 pullets/cage) and allocated to give 8 replicates/ strain and diet combination. Equal amount of feed was fed based on observed ad-libitum intake of C strain in the starter (d 0–14) and grower (d 15–28). Body weight was monitored, grab excreta samples taken and at completion of allocated feed one bird per cage necropsied for samples. With exception of P, apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and ceca digesta acetic acid, there was no (P > 0.05) interaction between strain and MES on examined responses. Strains differed (P < 0.01) on growth, FCR, gizzard weight, tibia ash, breast weight, ceca digesta concentration of lactic, propionic, and isobutyric acid and caloric efficiency. The final body weight (BW) was 1,344, 1,134, 959, and 916 g/bird for C, F, J, and N, respectively. Corresponding caloric efficiency was 4,930, 5,807, 6,680 and 7,199 kcal/kg BW gain, respectively. Birds fed MES had higher BW gain (P < 0.05) in grower phase, larger gizzard, higher AR of CP, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber, and Ca than non-MES birds. In conclusion, growth rate influenced organ attributes, nutrient, and caloric utilization. Enzyme supplementation improved growth in grower phase and nutrient utilization independent of strain, suggesting that effects of feed enzymes are not influenced by inherent growth rate.

Effects of energy-restricted feeding during rearing on sexual maturation and reproductive performance of Rugao layer breeders

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of energy-restricted feeding during rearing on the sexual maturation and reproductive performance of Rugao layer breeders. A total of 2,400 8-wk-old Rugao layer breeders were randomly assigned to one of 5 groups (480 pullets per group) with eight replicates and were fed one of 5 diets that were nutritionally similar with the exception of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) content (2,850, 2,750, 2,650, 2,550, and 2,450 kcal AMEn/kg) from 8 to 18 wks of age. The daily amount of feed was restricted to the absolute quantity of the diet consumed by laying hens fed 2,850 kcal AMEn per kg diet ad libitum (control). From 18 to 52 wks of age, all hens were fed basal diets ad libitum. The body weight of layer breeders at 18 wks of age decreased linearly with increasing energy restriction (P < 0.001), but caught up within 3 wks of ad libitum feeding (P = 0.290). The coefficient of variation of the body weight of the hens at 18, 21, and 24 wks of age decreased linearly (P = 0.010, 0.025, and 0.041, respectively) with increasing energy restriction during rearing. Energy-restricted feeding delayed sexual organ development at 18, 20, and 22 wks of age, including the number of large yellow follicles, oviduct length, oviduct length index, oviduct index, and ovary stroma index (P < 0.05), and delayed sexual maturity, including the age at laying the first egg and the age at 5% and 50% egg production (P = 0.042, 0.004, and 0.029, respectively). Consequently, egg number from 5% to 50% egg production decreased linearly as the degree of energy restriction increased (P = 0.001) and egg production of hens in the energy-restricted feeding groups was lower than that of hens in the ad libitum feeding group (6.36, 6.43, 6.4, and 4.61% vs. 14.29%; P < 0.05) from 18 to 20 wks of age. Furthermore, egg weight increased linearly as energy restriction increased (P < 0.001) and laying hens in the most severe energy-restricted feeding group had more setting eggs (normal eggs weighing >40 g) than hens in the ad libitum feeding and lighter energy-restricted feeding groups (149.57 vs. 144.34, 142.66, 143.63, and 141.78; P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, and hatchability of setting eggs (P = 0.381, 0.790, and 0.605, respectively). In conclusion, moderate energy restriction (85.97%, 2,450 vs. 2,850 kcal AMEn/kg) from 8 to 18 wks of age increased egg weight as well as the production of setting eggs in native layer breeders throughout the laying period, without adverse effects on productive performance from 18 to 52 wks of age, or fertility and hatchability at 52 wks of age.

Coccidia Vaccine Challenge and Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation in Broiler Chicken 1. Effect on Digesta Viscosity, Diet Energy Utilization, and Apparent Metabolizable Energy Value of Wheat.

Simple SummaryEimeria species parasite can have great impacts on the health and nutrient and energy utilization of broiler chickens. This study examined the effect of Eimeria species challenge on broiler chickens’ energy utilization when fed two types of diets with or without exogenous enzyme supplementation. Seven-day post-challenge (day 21), wheat apparent metabolizable energy was lower in birds challenged with coccidia vaccine. By day 28 (14-day post-challenge), there was no difference in the apparent metabolizable energy value of wheat. The addition of exogenous enzyme resulted in an improvement in nitrogen utilization (~6%) in challenged birds fed the corn-SBM-based diets seven-day post-challenge. This study showed that broiler chickens were negatively impacted by the coccidia vaccine challenge seven-day post-challenge, but were able to compensate for the reduction in apparent metabolizable energy of wheat 14-day post-challenge. Furthermore, enzyme supplementation decreased the digesta viscosity of birds fed a wheat-corn-soybean meal-based diet 14-day post challenge. This study examined the effect of exogenous mixed-enzyme supplementation (xylanase, β-glucanase, and pectinase) to a corn-SBM (CS) and a wheat-CS-based (WCS) diet in birds challenged with coccidia vaccine (Coccivac B-52™). The WCS-based diet was produced by replacing 30% of the energy-yielding portions of the CS-based diet with wheat. On day 14, 448 (n = 7) Cobb by-product breeder male broilers were assigned to a 2 (diet types) × 2 (with or without enzyme supplementation) × 2 (0 or 20 × coccidia vaccine challenge; CVC) factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design for the determination of the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of wheat. Treatment effects on jejunum digesta viscosity and AME corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) of the diets were evaluated within each diet type as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, 7- and 14-day post-challenge. Seven-day post-challenge (day 21), dry matter (DM) and energy utilization, AME, and AMEn of the CS- and WCS-based diets decreased (p < 0.05) with CVC. Both AME and AMEn of wheat decreased (p < 0.05) by about a 20% in CVC-birds 7-day post-challenge. Enzyme and CVC resulted in a decrease (p < 0.05) in jejunal digesta viscosity in birds fed the CS-based diets, while there was an interaction (p < 0.05) between CVC and enzyme, with enzyme lowering (p < 0.05) the viscosity of digesta 7-day post-challenge. Results from this study showed that CVC resulted in a 20% decrease in AMEn 7-day post-challenge, while the interaction between exogenous enzyme supplementation and CVC resulted in an improvement in nitrogen utilization (~6%) in CVC birds fed the corn-SBM-based diet 7-days post challenge.

Effect of feed form, soybean meal protein content, and Rovabio Advance on poult live performance to 3 wk of age

Based on research reports, feed characteristics can increase poult growth via several factors. Two rearing experiments (EXP) were conducted to test the effects of feed form and ingredient quality in turkey poults. Bird performance and the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum morphology were observed in both EXP. Poults were reared in battery cages (48 cages in EXP 1 and 72 cages in EXP 2). Four dietary treatments with differing feed form and function factors were evaluated in EXP 1. A completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of 2 levels of fines, 2 soybean meal (SBM) sources, and 2 levels of an enzyme cocktail (Rovabio Advance) was tested in EXP 2. Poult BW, BW gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined in both EXP. Apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) was determined in EXP 2. Differences were considered to be statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05. Feeding increased feed crumble particle size with fewer fines in the starter feed resulted in an increased BWG accompanied by an increased FI. Reduced feed fines reduced AMEn when the dietary enzyme cocktail was not present. The feed formulation with 60% CP SBM resulted in a lower FI and an improved FCR. The enzyme cocktail interacted synergistically with screening and fed SBM source factors on the AMEn and FCR. It was concluded that both the feed form and quality, as used in this study, affect poult performance.

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy in corn and soybean meal for organic broiler chicken production in Ontario

Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in samples of organic corn and soybean meal (SBM) were determined. Conventional corn (CC) and SBM (CSBM) samples were tested for comparison. A total of 560, fourteen-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were weighed, placed in cages (10 birds per cage), and allocated to seven (n = 8) semi-purified wheat-starch-based diets. Diets were (1) CC, (2) imported organic corn, (3) local organic corn, (4) CSBM, (5) imported organic SBM (OSBMI), (6) local organic SBM (OSBML), and (7) nitrogen-free wheat starch. Only few differences were observed on SID of AA; SID of lysine was lower (P = 0.002) in organic corn samples relative to CC, and SID of methionine was lower (P = 0.002) in OSBML sample relative to CSBM and OSBMI samples. The AMEn of CC was higher (P &lt; 0.01) than that of organic corn samples. The AMEn of OSBML was higher (P &lt; 0.001) than for CSBM and OSBMI; however, the value for OSBMI was higher (P &lt; 0.001) than for CSBM. In conclusion, utilization of AA in conventional and organic feedstuffs was comparable; however, differences in energy utilization warrant considerations in organic broiler feed formulation.

Nutrient digestibility of broiler chicken fed diets supplemented with probiotics phytase-producing

Phytic acid is an anti-nutrition substance due to its ability to bind minerals such as Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca, and enzyme proteins resulted in decrease in mineral solubility. Phytic acid levels can be reduced by phytase [myo-inositol hexacryphosphate phosphohidrolase]. Microbial phytase can come from fungi, bacteria, and yeast sources. This research was conducted with the aims to evaluate the effect of probiotics phytase-producing supplementation as feed additive on nutrient digestibility of broiler. This study was performed in a completely randomized design for the environmental design, which consist of five treatments. Negative control (without probiotics phytase-producing), LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum A1-E) phytase-producing, yeast (Candida tropicalis TKD-3) phytase-producing, probiotic consortium (L. plantarum A1-E and C. tropicalis TKD-3) and positive control (commercial probiotic). The observed variables are feed intake, energy intake, excreta weight, energy excretion, nitrogen intake, nitrogen excretion, nitrogen retention, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), true metabolizable energy (TME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and true metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (TMEn). Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and followed by Duncan’s multiple range test to distinguish the effect of different treatment mean. The results of variation analysis on AMEn and TMEn showed significant different while another parameter showed no significant difference between treatments. The use of C. tropicalis TKD-3 as probiotics phytase-producing on broiler chicken diet increase nutrient digestibility, especially apparent metabolic energy corrected nitrogen, and true metabolic energy corrected nitrogen.

Carbohydrases and phytase with rice bran, effects on amino acid digestibility and energy use in broiler chickens

Protein sources from cereals are used in broiler diets, usually in order to reduce feeding costs. However, their efficient use in poultry diets is limited by the level of fiber whose compounds are resistant to digestion in the small intestine; due to this sugars are not digested by endogenous poultry enzymes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of multi-carbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) on the total retention of nutrients, retention of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEN) (trial 1) and apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids (trial 2) of rice bran (RB). A total of 245-day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) was distributed at 21-day-old in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 + 1 (0 and 200 mg/kg MC; 0 and 50 mg/kg Phy, and basal diet – BD) factorial arrangement of treatments, to give seven replicates and seven birds per replicate. The BD based on corn (trial 1) and cornstarch and casein (trial 2) was used only to determine the coefficients of retention of nutrients and energy, and coefficients of digestibility of amino acids of the RB. The test diets were made by mixing BD and RB 7 : 3 wt/wt basis. There was interaction (P<0.05) between MC × Phy for DM, nitrogen and AMEN, retention and no interaction (P>0.05) for ash, calcium, phosphorous and NDF was observed. Enzymes interacted (P<0.05) on standardized ileal digestibility of arginine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline and serine. Dietary combination of MC and Phy resulted in higher (P<0.05) standardized digestibility of arginine, histidine, methionine and threonine relative to single enzyme supplementation or control diet without enzymes. Enzyme isolated inclusions in the diets improved (P<0.05) standardized digestibility of methionine. The supplementation of carbohydrases and Phy in RB will improve the nitrogen, energy and amino acids utilization for broiler chickens.

Standardized ileal digestible amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy content in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal fed to broiler chickens

Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) were determined in broiler chicks. A total of 180-d-old male broiler chicks (Ross 708) were fed a commercial broiler starter diet to day 13 of age. On day 14, birds were weighed and placed in cages (10 birds per cage; n = 6) and allocated one of two semi-purified cornstarch-based diets. The diets were nitrogen-free diet (NFD) for estimating endogenous AA losses and 20% crude protein test diet with BSFLM as the sole source of AA. All diets had 0.5% titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an indigestible marker and the ratio of cornstarch to sucrose and soy oil in the test diet was identical to NFD to calculate AMEn by difference method. Birds were given feed and water ad libitum. Excreta samples were collected on days 17–20 and ileal digesta on day 21. The SID of lysine, methionine, cysteine, threonine, isoleucine, and valine was 86.3%, 88.7%, 72.8%, 85.5%, 89.6%, and 88.6%, respectively. Apparent retention of gross energy in BSFLM was 64.5% ± 2.27% and AMEn was 2902 ± 101 kcal kg−1 dry matter. The data will aid in accurate incorporation of BSFLM in poultry feeding programs.

Effect of seed source and pelleting temperature during steam pelleting on apparent metabolizable energy value of full-fat canola seed for broiler chickens

Eleven canola seed (CS) samples were collected from different commercial feedmills and crushing plants in Australia and analyzed for nutrient profile. Six of these samples were selected to determine the effect of seed chemical composition and pellet temperature (PT) during steam pelleting on apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) values of CS for broiler chickens using a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The CS samples were incorporated into a corn-soybean meal diet at 15% by replacing energy-yielding ingredients, and diets were steam pelleted at either 75 or 90°C. A total of 420 18-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) was assigned to 14 experimental diets replicated 6 times, with 5 chicks per cage. After a 5-day diet acclimation period from d 18 to 22, excreta were collected for 72 h using the substitution method to determine AME and AMEn. There was no interaction of seed source and PT for ileal digestible energy (IDE), AME, or AMEn values of CS (P > 0.05). PT did not affect energy availability of CS (P > 0.05) but increasing the PT improved the pellet durability index of the diets by approximately 5.0 percentage points. A significant effect of seed source was detected for all the energy utilization values of CS (P < 0.05). The IDE, AME, and AMEn values of seed samples ranged from 5,239 to 5,645, 4,728 to 5,071, and 4,501 to 4,791 kcal/kg of DM, respectively. The mean AMEn values were 4,664 kcal/kg of DM, indicating a 5.7% reduction compared with AME values. There was a negative correlation between protein and fat content of the seeds (r = –0.93, P = 0.001), and, consequently, AMEn (r = –0.32, P = 0.009). AMEn values were positively correlated with fat content of CS (r = 0.649, P = 0.001). These results indicate that fat and protein content and fiber components may have a considerable effect on energy availability of CS for broiler chickens.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, blood biochemical biomarkers and cytokines expression in broiler chickens fed different phytogenic levels.

The effects of inclusion levels of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA), characterized by menthol anethol and eugenol, on broiler growth performance, nutrient digestibility, biochemical biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma and meat, as well as on the relative expression of selected cytokines, were studied in a 42-d experiment. A total of 225 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chickens were assigned into 3 treatments, with 5 replicates of 15 chickens each. Chickens were fed maize-soybean meal basal diets following a 3 phase (i.e., starter, grower and finisher) feeding program. Depending on PFA inclusion level, treatments were: no PFA (PFA-0), PFA at 100 mg/kg (PFA-100) and PFA at 150 mg/kg (PFA-150). Feed and water were available ad libitum. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) during finisher phase was improved quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing PFA level. Overall, increasing PFA level increased body weight gain (BWG) in a linear (P < 0.05) and quadratic (P < 0.05) manner with treatments PFA-100 and PFA-150 being greater (P < 0.05) compared with PFA-0. Total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter increased linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing PFA level. The apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) also increased linearly (P < 0.05). Increasing PFA level resulted in a linear (P < 0.05) increase in blood plasma TAC. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin -18 (IL-18) was reduced linearly (P < 0.05) in spleen with increasing PFA level. In conclusion, PFA inclusion at 100 mg/kg diet positively influenced performance, whereas PFA inclusion at 150 mg/kg resulted in a stronger improvement in AMEn and plasma TAC. Finally, PFA inclusion resulted in a pattern of reduced pro-inflammatory biomarker IL-18 at spleen. Overall, this study provides evidence for the beneficial role of PFA as a natural growth and health promoter in broiler chickens that needs to be further confirmed in field studies.

Replacing corn with sorghum in the dietalters intestinal microbiota without altering chicken performance.

Sorghum grain can be used to replace corn in broiler diets. However, the effects related to an abrupt change between these grains are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of broilers fed diets containing corn and/or sorghum during different periods of rearing. To accomplish this aim, 2100 male chicks were fed the following experimental diets: C100% (corn-based diet); S100% (sorghum-based diet); C:S50% (diet based on corn and sorghum 1:1); PC-S (corn-based diet in the pre-starter phase and sorghum-based diet in subsequent phases); and PS-C (sorghum-based diet in the pre-starter phase and corn-based diet in subsequent phases). The study was conducted with two simultaneous trials in a randomized block design as follows: a performance trial up to 40days occurred in floor pens (n=8), and the metabolism trial occurred in cages (n=10). Performance, jejunal morphometry, number of goblet cells, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and the coefficient of apparent metabolizability of dry matter (CMDM) of the diets, and the intestinal microbiota of small intestine and caeca at 10 and 21days of age (16S gene sequencing) were evaluated. The different experimental diets did not affect performance, jejunal epithelium, AME, AMEn or CMDM. However, the experimental diets altered the percentages of the genera Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus and Alkaliphilus in the small intestine. In addition, the genera Lactobacillus and Desulfotomaculum in the caeca were altered. The age also affected the microbiota of the intestinal segments. In conclusion, feeding sorghum in place of corn as well as the grain change after the pre-starter phase does not alter broiler performance. However, sorghum alters the intestinal microbiota, resulting in a lower percentage of Clostridium and a higher percentage of Lactobacillus in the small intestine and caeca, respectively.

Digestibility, Determination of Metabolizable Energy and Bone Mineralization of Broilers Fed with Nutritionally Valued Phytase

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using exoenzyme phytase in broiler's diets on digestibility of nutrients, feed energy and tibia bone mineralization. A completely randomized design was used, with the following treatments: sorghum with dicalcium phosphate (SDP), corn with dicalcium phosphate (CDP), sorghum with meat and bone meal (SMBM), sorghum with valued phytase (SVP) and sorghum with phytase without valued (SPWV). For digestibility analysis, eighty 15 day old broilers were used, a total of 1400 male Hubbard Flex chickens, which were submitted to total excreta collection to obtain the percentages of food digestibility, crude protein, ether extract, apparent metabolizable energy, calcium and phosphorus while for tibias mineralization. Six birds per treatment were used, where determination of mineral matter, calcium and phosphorus were performed. Metabolizable energy (ME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) of the feed were also calculated. Data were subjected to variation analysis and the average compared by 5% Tukey test. There was no difference between treatments for the digestibility at 15-20 day old as well as for the feed energy values, but the diets with phytase had higher phosphorous percentage values for tibia bone mineralization, demonstrating that exogenous phytase enzyme is able to hydrolyze phytate origininated from plant and release the phosphorus for assimilation by animals, acting as a substitute for phosphorus plant sources.

The potential of rapid visco-analysis starch pasting profiles to gauge the quality of sorghum as a feed grain for chicken-meat production.

Thirteen extensively characterised grain sorghum varieties were evaluated in a series of 7 broiler bioassays. The efficiency of energy utilisation of broiler chickens offered sorghum-based diets is problematic and the bulk of dietary energy is derived from sorghum starch. For this reason, rapid visco-analysis (RVA) starch pasting profiles were determined as they may have the potential to assess the quality of sorghum as a feed grain for chicken-meat production. In review, it was found that concentrations of kafirin and total phenolic compounds were negatively correlated with peak and holding RVA viscosities to significant extents across 13 sorghums. In a meta-analysis of 5 broiler bioassays it was found that peak, holding, breakdown and final RVA viscosities were positively correlated with ME:GE ratios and peak and breakdown RVA viscosities with apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) to significant extents. In a sixth study involving 10 sorghum-based diets peak, holding and breakdown RVA viscosities were positively correlated with ME:GE ratios and AMEn. Therefore, it emerged that RVA starch pasting profiles do hold promise as a relatively rapid means to assess sorghum quality as a feed grain for chicken-meat production. This potential appears to be linked to quantities of kafirin and total phenolic compounds present in sorghum and it would seem that both factors depress RVA starch viscosities in vitro and, in turn, also depress energy utilisation in birds offered sorghum-based diets. Given that other feed grains do not contain kafirin and possess considerably lower concentrations of phenolic compounds, their RVA starch pasting profiles may not be equally indicative.

English

An experiment was conducted to determine apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) of commonly used cereals and cereal by-products in poultry diet. Three samples each of corn, rice broken (RB), rice polishings (RP) and wheat bran (WB) were assayed for AMEn by substitution method using 21-days-old broilers. The 12 experimental diets (4 ingredients x 3 samples) were formulated by substituting the corn-soybean meal basal diet with 30% test ingredients. The acid insoluble ash was added at 1% of all diets. The 468 day-old male broiler chicks (Hubbard x Hubbard) were reared on basal diet from day 1 to 13 and thereafter, experimental diets were offered ad libitum to birds from 14 to 21days. Each diet was offered to 36 birds, equally distributed to six replicate pens. The basal diet continued to feed the birds of six replicates from day 14 to 21. The excreta samples were collected from day 19‒21 to calculate AMEn. The average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Data regarding ADFI, ADG, FCR and AMEn were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS while means were partitioned by t-test. The ADFI, ADG, FCR and AMEn remained unaltered (P>0.05) by feeding diets based on samples of same feed ingredient except the RP and WB. The birds fed RP and WB based diets showed varying (P<0.05) AMEn among the samples. The birds fed corn substituted basal diet had higher (P<0.05) ADG (56.03 g) followed by RB (50.04 g), WB (45.87 g) and RP (43.61 g) diets. The ADFI of broilers fed corn diets was highest (P<0.05) while it was lowest with RB based diets. The birds showed improved (P<0.05) FCR by feeding RB diet followed by corn, WB and RP diets. The average AMEn of RB and corn was 3372 and 3315 kcal/kg, respectively. In cereal by-products, the RP and WB had 1936 and 1760 kcal/kg AMEn, respectively. In conclusion, varying growth pattern of broilers was observed by feeding corn, RB, RP and WB substituted diets. The RB and RP’s AMEn was higher in cereals and cereal by-products, respectively. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers

Effect of different doses of coated butyric acid on growth performance and energy utilization in broilers

We recently applied four dietary treatments in experiments I and II to determine the effect of protected calcium butyrate (BP) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A group of one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (total 960, 480 per trial) were used in the study. In experiment I, the basal diets were fed with protected BP inclusion (0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 g/kg of finished feed) (BP) or without (C). In experiment II, 4 different diets were tested: 1) basal diet with no supplementation (C), 2) basal diet supplemented with protected BP (0.3 g/kg) (BP), 3) basal diet supplemented with avilamycin (6 mg/kg, active substance) a common antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) (Av), and 4) basal diet supplemented with the combination of both avilaymicin and BP. In experiment I, considering the entire study period, the use of BP improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) irrespective of the dose. Apparent total tract crude fat digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEN) were improved after BP supplementation (P<0.05). In experiment II, A or AB diets improved (P<0.05) body weight gain compared to the control treatment. The diets Av, BP, and AvB improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio compared to the control treatment. Birds from the treatment diet were characterized by having the thickest mucosa (P<0.05). On days 14, 35, and 42, the use of AB diets improved AMENcontent compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acid data showed that Av or AvB treated birds were characterized by higher Asp, Glu, Cys, Gly, and Ala ileal digestibility than the control animals (P<0.05). The use of Av, BP, or AvB increased ileal digestibility of Thr, Ser, and Pro (P<0.05). There is an indication that BP, alone or in combination with avilamycin, improve the digestion and absorptive processes and consequently birds performance results.

Chemical and energy composition of broiler feeds

The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition and values for apparent metabolisable energy (AME), and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), in broiler feeds. In the experiment, 432 male broiler chicks, 14 to 24 days old were used, distributed in a completely randomised design with 12 treatments (11 feeds and a reference diet), six replications and six birds per experimental unit. The method employed was the total collection of excreta. The feeds under study were: Two of viscera meal (VM), two feather and blood meal (FBM), two meat and bone meal (MBM), roasted whole soybean (RWS), soybean meal (SM), ground corn (GC), wheat bran (WB) and millet (M). The values for crude protein and ether extract (%), AME and AMEn (kcal/kg) were respectively: 58.84, 12.64, 3705 and 3340 for VM1; 57.64, 11.66, 3565 and 3241 for VM 2; 80.58, 6.79, 3070 2740 for FBM 1; 82.27, 6.38, 3060 2703 for FBM 2; 48.06, 9.60, 1574 and 1283 for MBM 1; 41.21, 9.08, 1353 and 1088 for MBM 2; 36.45, 20.78, 3192 and 2989 for RWS; 46.22, 1.72, 2648 and 2336 for SM; 8.51, 3.61, 3354 and 3265 for GC; 17.11, 3.14, 1948 and 1788 and for WB; and 12.01, 4.09, 3072 and 2948 for M. The differences found in chemical and energy composition highlight the need for research to revise the nutritional values of feed.