Body Composition Of Broilers Research Articles

Effects of Different Eimeria Inoculation Doses on Growth Performance, Daily Feed Intake, Gut Health, Gut Microbiota, Foot Pad Dermatitis, and Eimeria Gene Expression in Broilers Raised in Floor Pens for 35 Days.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different Eimeria inoculation doses on the growth performance, gut ecosystem, and body composition of broilers in floor pens for 35 days. A total of 750 15-day-old broilers were allocated to five experimental groups with six replicate pens. The five experimental groups included unchallenged control (CON); Eimeria dose 1 (ED1): E. acervulina: 31,250/E. maxima: 6250/E. tenella: 6250; Eimeria dose 2 (ED2): E. acervulina: 62,500/E. maxima: 12,500/E. tenella: 12,500; Eimeria dose 3 (ED3): E. acervulina: 125,000/E. maxima: 25,000/E. tenella: 25,000; and Eimeria dose 4 (ED4): E. acervulina: 250,000/E. maxima: 50,000/E. tenella: 50,000. On D 21, BW were linearly reduced by increased Eimeria inoculation doses (p < 0.01). On D 35, the Eimeria challenge groups had significantly lower BW compared to the CON group. Increased Eimeria inoculation doses linearly decreased crude fat (CF) (p < 0.01) on D 21. Increased Eimeria inoculation doses tended to increase the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria (p = 0.098) on D 21. On D 35, lean:fat was linearly reduced by increased Eimeria inoculation doses (p < 0.05). Eimeria infection negatively influenced growth performance and gut health in broilers in the acute phase, and the negative effects were prolonged to D 35 in floor pen conditions.

Evaluation of mushroom waste compost on broiler body composition, nutrient absorption and adipose metabolism

Mushroom waste compost is the main byproduct when cultivating mushrooms. Containing many mycelia, it has a positive effect on animal health but its high fibre content may be detrimental to growth. In order to reduce the environmental problems caused by mushroom waste compost and possibly increase the use of agriculture byproducts, this study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing broiler feed with Pennisetum purpureum schum compost (PWMC) and its effect on meat quality and fat metabolism. Totally 240 broilers were used and allocated to 4 different treatments, including control group, 5% PWMC, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented PWMC (FPW) and Pennisetum purpureum schum (PP). Each treatment had 3 replicates and 20 broilers in a pen. The results show that replacing 5% broiler feed with PWMC, FPW and PP decreased the depth of subcutaneous fat in broilers from 3.6 to 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 mm, respectively (p = .0132). Furthermore, adipolysis mRNA expression increased in all treatment groups, slightly increasing breast and thigh meat accumulation. Overall, mushroom waste compost at 5% in broiler diets could improve the body composition of broilers and adipolysis-related mRNA expression. Highlights High-fibre agricultural by-products can replace part of the broiler diet without affecting its growth performance. High-fibre agricultural by-products can decrease broiler subcutaneous fat accumulation. High-fibre agricultural by-products can enhance fat metabolism-related mRNA expression.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is a reliable non-invasive technique for determining whole body composition of chickens

In this study, a Lunar Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner was validated as a technique to estimate chicken body composition in a non-invasive way. Former research has emphasized the importance of validation of every scanner and software version. In a first trial, DEXA estimated body composition for broilers was correlated with chemical carcass analysis to develop prediction equations. As such, those equations can be used in later experiments with chickens to correct DEXA estimations to estimate body composition accurately by DEXA. DEXA estimated fat mass, lean tissue mass, bone mineral content (BMC) and total body mass, which is the sum of fat, lean mass and BMC, were compared to chemically analyzed crude fat, lean mass as the sum of protein and water and body ash content and scale body weight, respectively. Those regression equations were then used in a second trial to determine body composition based upon DEXA for breeders at different ages. In this experiment, fat and lean tissue determined by DEXA, were compared to dissection parameters commonly used for assessing carcass quality, namely breast muscle and abdominal fat. The first trial showed that DEXA provides high correlations for body mass (ρ = 1) and the individual tissue masses separately (ρ ranging between 0.98 and 1). These high correlations allow for accurate prediction of those components with the developed regression equations. Proportional fat and lean tissue were correlated with their chemical counterparts, however, to a lower extent than absolute values due to lower variation between the proportional weights. BMC percentage was not significantly correlated with ash percentage. Furthermore, in trial 2 high correlations were observed between dissection parameters and DEXA-corrected estimations. These correlations show that DEXA can assess carcass quality in breeders without sacrificing the birds. In conclusion, DEXA is a reliable technique to estimate breeder and broiler body composition in a non-invasive way, hence allowing for longitudinal studies over longer periods of time while avoiding sacrificing of birds.

A growth model to predict body weight and body composition of broilers

Models predicting the nutrient partitioning and animal performance have been developed for decades. Nowadays, growth models are used in practical animal nutrition, and they have particular importance in precision livestock farming. The aim of the present study was to introduce a broiler model and to provide examples on model application. The model predicts protein and fat deposition as well as the body weight of an individual broiler chicken from digestible nutrient intake over time. Feed intake (FI) and the digestible nutrient content of the feed are inputs as well as some animal factors like: initial BW, feed intake at 1 and 2 kg of BW, precocity and mean protein deposition. The protein and energy metabolism is represented as in the classical nutrient partitioning models. The protein deposition (PD) is driven by digestible amino acid supply and is under “genetic control”, the so-called potential PD limits the actual PD if protein is oversupplied.&#x0D; The authors discuss how the model can be used to simulate the animal response upon different scenarios. Examples are given to show that the diet might be limiting if some animal trait is changed. Applicability of the model has shown through running the model by using different feed strategies (three- vs five-phase-feeding) and variations with animal factors. In conclusion, growth models are useful tools to support decision making for defining the most suitable feeds used in a broiler farm. The model presented in this paper shows a high sensibility and flexibility to test different scenarios. By challenging the model with different inputs, the animal response in terms of changes in body weight and feed conversion can be understood more by studying the shift in deposition of chemical constituents. The examples provided in the present paper shows the benefit of using mathematical models and their applicability in precision nutrition. It can be concluded that the growth model helps to apply “from desired feed to desired food” concept.

Effect of diets with different energy and lysophospholipids levels on performance, nutrient metabolism, and body composition in broilers

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with different energy and emulsifier (Lipidol, active ingredient: lysophospholipids; LPL) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, body composition, and serum profile in broilers. A total of 864 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (45.3 ± 0.6 g) was used in a 28-day experiment. Broilers were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement design with 2 levels of energy (starter: ME = 2,950 kcal/kg for energy reduced diet and 3,050 kcal/kg for basal diet; finisher: ME = 3,100 kcal/kg for energy reduced diet and 3,200 kcal/kg for basal diet) and 3 levels of emulsifier supplementation (zero, 0.05, and 0.10%) according to their initial BW. There were 8 replicate cages per treatment with 18 broilers per cage. Broilers fed basal diets had higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG, d zero to 14) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR, d zero to 14 and d zero to 28) than those fed reduced energy diets. Broilers fed LPL supplementation diets also had higher (P < 0.05) BWG (d zero to 14) and lower (P < 0.05) FCR (d zero to 14, d 15 to 28, and d zero to 28) than those fed without LPL supplementation diets. On d 14, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, nitrogen (N), and gross energy (GE) was increased (P < 0.05) by LPL supplementation. The low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05) by LPL supplementation on d 14. The relative weight of abdominal fat was higher (P < 0.05) in basal diet treatments, but lower (P < 0.05) in LPL supplementation treatments. In conclusion, LPL supplementation can increase growth performance and nutrient digestibility, decrease cholesterol and triglycerides concentration in the starter period, and decrease the abdominal fat percentage in broilers.

Changes in body composition in broilers by a sulfur amino acid deficiency during growth

In the factorial approach, amino acid (AA) requirements are determined using the AA composition of retained protein, which is assumed to be constant. However, this hypothesis may not be valid because the AA composition of body protein can be affected by the diet. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes in chemical body composition of broilers receiving diets either deficient (TSAA–) or sufficient (TSAA+) in TSAA. Diet TSAA+ was formulated according to the Ross recommendation. Diet TSAA– provided 36% true digestible Met:Lys and 64% true digestible TSAA:Lys, which were, respectively, 34 and 22% lower compared with diet TSAA+. Performance and tissue weight gain between 7 and 42 d of age were not affected by the TSAA supply. In TSAA– chickens, protein gain was lower in the carcass (P < 0.01) and tended to be lower in the empty body (P = 0.06) and pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.10). Compared with TSAA+ chickens, lipid gain in TSAA– chickens was 78% greater in the pectoralis muscle (P < 0.001), 28% greater in abdominal fat (P < 0.05), and 10% greater in the carcass (P = 0.10). In the pectoralis muscle, there was a tendency for an increase in the redness value (a*; P = 0.10). The TSAA supply affected the AA composition of tissues and tissue gain, but the Met and Cys concentrations were changed only in the offal (P = 0.08). The deficient TSAA supply resulted in an increase in the Ser concentration in the empty body, carcass, and pectoralis muscle (P < 0.05). In contrast, it resulted in a decrease in the concentrations of Lys and Glu in the empty body, of Phe, Tyr, Gly, and Glu in the pectoralis muscle, and of Ala in the offal (P < 0.05). This indicates that although chickens cope with a TSAA deficiency predominantly by changing the protein and lipid concentration in the body, the AA composition is also affected. This calls into question the use of a constant ideal AA profile in poultry nutrition.

Determination of Chicken Body Composition Measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

3 Abstract: Traditionally, body composition data for poultry is determined by grinding /homogenizing the whole bird and obtaining a sample for wet chemistry analysis. The overall process is slow, requires a large amount of freezer space and the time-lag required for determining body composition reduces the opportunity to use data in real- time situations. Two studies were conducted to evaluate Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as a means of measuring body composition in broilers and broiler breeders. In Trial 1, two hundred and forty Cobb 500 broilers were reared from day-old to 60 days of age. Broilers were extracted from the flock every 3 days during the 60 day grow-out in order to obtain a variety of body weights and body composition for developing the body composition equations. The birds were weighed and scanned using the small animal software mode of the DEXA scanner (LunarProdigy, GE ). DEXA provides measurements in grams of Bone ® Mineral Content (BMC), Fat Mass (FM) and Lean Mass (LM). It was assumed that the sum of BMC+FM+LM represented the total body mass. After the scan was performed, the carcasses were frozen for further chemical analysis. Prior to chemical analysis, the carcasses were thawed, autoclaved at 110°C with 1 atm pressure for 1-5 h depending upon Body Weight (BW) and homogenized in a heavy duty blender (Waring Laboratory, Blender LBC15, Model CB15). Samples of the homogenized carcasses were freeze dried, weighed, ground and analyzed for total ash, ether extract and crude protein. The measurements obtained from the DEXA scans were compared with the whole body chemical analysis for each broiler. Regression analysis of DEXA values (BMC, FM, LM) and chemical analysis (ash, ether extract and protein) were utilized to determine possible correlations. Prediction equations were then developed to adjust the original DEXA results to more accurately predict BMC, fat tissue and lean mass. The R values for the prediction equations 2 using DEXA values were 0.999, 0.99, 0.96 and 0.99 for total mass, BMC, fat and lean mass (P<0.0001). In Trial 2, 156 Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens were scanned to validate the equations developed in Trial 1. The results indicate that the prediction equations were adequate and a reliable alternative for measuring body composition in broilers and broiler breeders. The high degree of correlation for all the variables indicates that with proper calibration the DEXA values can be used to predict body composition for these birds (R = 2 0.99, 9.99, 0.84 and 0.94 for total mass, BMC, FM and LM, respectively, p<0.001).

Effect of different levels of digestible lysine on performance, and blood parameters of male and female broilers in the starter period

Lysine is the reference amino acid (AA) in the ideal AA ratios for chickens. Feed formulation based on digestible AA has been shown to increase weight gain and feed intake and improve body composition in broilers. Amino acid (AA) in most feed ingredients will not be totally digested, and knowledge of such efficiency is important in formulating diets and will be used to eliminate differences in absorption efficiencies due to feedstuff sources. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and blood parameters of broilers fed various levels of DL (Digestible Lysine) supplemented in diets from day 1 to day 18.

Genetic progress in broiler traits – implications for body composition

Genetic selection has dramatically increased the potential for growth, feed efficiency and yield in meat type broilers. It is a widely held belief that these improvements in genetic potential have produced a broiler that is lower in fat content. However, some recent work has implied that the Modern broiler is actually fatter than its counterpart of 30 years ago (Wang et al., 2004). The objective of this study was to explore the impact that selection for growth rate and yield has had on broiler body composition.

Desempenho e composição corporal de frangos de corte alimentados com diferentes níveis de proteína e de aminoácidos ou com livre escolha das dietas

Foi realizado um experimento com 600 frangos de corte (300 machos e 300 fêmeas) de 1 a 49 dias de idade. Foram usadas três dietas (D) experimentais, isoenergéticas (3.000 e 3.150 kcal EM/kg nas fases inicial e de crescimento, respectivamente), porém com diferentes níveis de proteína bruta (PB) e um dos quatro primeiros aminoácidos (AA) essenciais (Lis, Met+Cis, Tre e Trip): D1, (controle): 22%PB; D2, 24% de PB com AA 20% a mais que D1 (altaPB+20%AA) e D3: 20% PB e AA 12% a menos que D1 (baixaPB-12%AA). Na fase de crescimento, as PB foram de 20, 22 e 18% para D1, D2 e D3, respectivamente, mantidas as mesmas proporções em AA. Uma quarta dieta foi definida pelas aves por livre escolha entre as dietas extremas (D2 e D3). O delineamento adotado foi completamente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x4 (sexo x dietas), e cinco repetições de 15 aves por tratamento. A técnica do abate comparativo foi usada para ganho de gordura e proteína. Verificou-se que as aves alimentadas com dietas baixaPB-12%AA apresentaram pior CA, menor GP e menor ganho de proteína corporal. No entanto, houve melhor relação da proteína consumida com ganho de peso. Frangos recebendo dietas altaPB+20%AA tiveram pior aproveitamento da proteína consumida, não mostrando superioridade em GP, peso de partes e de carcaça às aves do grupo controle ou livre escolha. Ganho em gordura e proteína também foram semelhantes entre esses três tratamentos. As aves com livre escolha mostraram-se aptas em selecionar sua própria dieta, apresentando desempenho e composição corporal semelhantes às aves do grupo controle. O pior desempenho da dieta com baixa proteína foi mais evidente na fase inicial que na fase de crescimento. Machos foram mais eficientes que as fêmeas em utilizar os nutrientes consumidos sobretudo na fase de crescimento.

Tempo de trânsito intestinal, desempenho, característica de carcaça e composição corporal de frangos de corte alimentados com rações isoenergéticas formuladas com diferentes níveis de óleo de soja

Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito da inclusão de 0,0; 3,3; 6,6 e 9,9% de óleo de soja em rações isoenergéticas sobre o tempo de trânsito (TT), desempenho, características de carcaça e composição corporal de frangos de corte de 21 a 56 dias de idade. O TT foi determinado no 22º e 42º dias de idade, utilizando-se 192 frangos distribuídos em um esquema fatorial 2x4 (duas idades e quatro níveis de óleo de soja), com quatro repetições de seis aves cada. Para o experimento de desempenho foram utilizados 840 frangos de corte, com peso inicial médio de 870 g, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições de 35 aves por unidade experimental. Os níveis de inclusão do óleo de soja influenciaram de forma linear decrescente o TT em ambas as idades. No período de 21 a 42 dias, o ganho de peso e as conversões alimentar e calórica aumentaram de forma quadrática e os consumos de ração e de energia metabolizável, de forma linear. No período total, a adição do óleo de soja melhorou linearmente o ganho de peso, os consumos de energia e de ração e, de forma quadrática, as conversões alimentar e calórica. No 42º e 56º dias de idade, a porcentagem de gordura abdominal, como também o rendimento de carcaça no 56º dia, foi influenciada de forma quadrática. O teor de gordura total foi influenciado de forma linear crescente e o teor de cinzas reduziu linearmente aos 56 dias de idade.

Effects of various dietary n-3 / n-6 fatty acid ratios on the performance and body composition of broilers

Different combinations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were fed to broilers to establish their effect on the fatty acid composition of the broiler carcass and the abdominal fat pad. Six combinations of Canola acid oil (CAO, high levels of C18:3n-3 and monounsaturated fatty acids) and Famarol acid oil (FAO, high levels of C18:2n-6 and saturated fatty acids) were included in the broiler diets from one day of age to six weeks of age, viz. 100% FAO, 80% FAO-20% CAO, 60% FAO-40% CAO, 40% FAO-60% CAO, 20% FAO-80% CAO, 100% CAO. There were no statistically significant differences between dietary groups in weight gain (1.71 ± 0.059 kg) or feed conversion ratios (1.97 ± 0.051 g feed/g gain). No significant differences between treatments were found in the moisture (66.20 ± 0.112%), protein (17.63 ± 0.484%), lipid (15.92 ± 1.507%) and ash (0.95 ± 0.115%) concentration of the carcasses, nor in the moisture (28.77 ± 0.112%), protein (3.03 ± 0.484%), lipid (63.32 ± 9.789%) and ash (0.45 ± 0.135%) concentrations of the abdominal fat pads. With the increase in dietary CAO levels, the mean percentages of C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6 in the carcasses decreased respectively with 1.78% units from 20.88% and 0.35% units from 1.05%, whilst C18:3n-3 and longer chain n-3 fatty acids such as C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 increased respectively with 2.25% units from 1%, 0.1% units from 0.1% and 0.67% units from 0.2%. The same tendency was seen in the abdominal fat pads where C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6 decreased respectively with 1.55% units from 20.75% and 0.98% units from 1.2% with an increase in dietary CAO, whilst C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 increased respectively with 2.13% units from 1.15%, 0.45% units from 0.03% and 0.95% units from 0.05%. The n-3 / n-6 ratio in the carcasses and abdominal fat pads increased respectively with 0.16% units from 0.06% and 0.19% units from 0.06% with an increase in dietary CAO. These results clearly indicate that dietary CAO enriched with á-linolenic acid lowered the saturated fatty acid concentrations in broiler carcasses and abdominal fat pads with 4.88% units and 10.63% units respectively, and increased the monounsaturated fatty acid concentrations with 3.87% units and 7.25% units, respectively and polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations with 1.02% units and 2.38% units, respectively. The results of this experiment showed that substitution of Famarol oil with Canola oil in broiler diets can increase the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in broiler carcasses and abdominal fat pads to 5:1, a ratio more suitable for human health. Increasing the level of n-3 fatty acids in the diets was also effective in reducing the level of saturated fatty acids in the carcasses and abdominal fat pads of broiler chickens resulting in ";healthier"; chickens. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol.32(3) 2002: 175-184

Effects of Dietary Protein Level on Carcass Composition of Broilers at 5 to 15 Days of Age.

Few reports have been available concerning the relationship between dietary protein level and body composition of broilers at starting stage (0-3 weeks of age) under the same metabolizable energy (ME) condition. Preceding determination of the amino acid requirement of broilers using body weight gain as a main criterion, the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) on the carcass composition of broilers were studied.To the experimental diets mainly consisting of corn, whole egg protein was added as a good protein source to contain 3, 200 kcal ME/kg and 6 levels of CP from 12.1 to 21.1% arithmetically. Five broilers for each diet were fed ad libitum the experimental diets from 5 to 15 days of age after nutritional effects of yolk sack decreased. On the 15th day, they were sacrificed after recording the body weight and feed consumption, and mois-ture, fat, protein and ash contents of the carcass were determined. The body weight gains reached the maximum level at 16.2% CP and the feed efficiency reached the maximum level at 15.0% CP. Percentage of the carcass moisture (Y1), protein (Y2) and ash (Y3) increased linearly and, to the contrary, that of fat (Y4) decreased linearly with increasing the dietary CP level as follows: Y1=0.284X+61.27(r2=0.658) Y2=0.236X+11.50(r2=0.606) Y3=0.266X-0.86(r2=0.939) Y4=-0.786X+28.09(r2=-0.935) where X is percentage of the dietary CP.The highest ratio of retained protein, to ingested one was 71.9% at 14.9% of the dietary CP level and that of retained energy to ingested one was 52.6% at 14.9% of the dietary CP level.The contents of the digestive tracts increased with increasing the dietary CP level and body size. However, they did not affect the estimation of the requirements.

Effects of early skip day feeding on growth performance and body composition in broilers

Effects of early skip day feeding on growth performance and body composition in broilers

Effects of early feed restriction on growth performance and body composition in broilers

Effects of early feed restriction on growth performance and body composition in broilers

Research Note: Effect of 2,4-Dinitrophenol on Growth and Body Composition of Broilers

The effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on growth, feed efficiency, fattening, and mitochondrial functions of liver and skeletal muscle were studied in broilers. The DNP was added at levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of diet. Feed intake was not changed with administration of DNP except at 100 mg/kg of diet. Body weight was significantly decreased by administration of DNP at 400 mg/kg of diet compared with those at 0 and 100 mg/kg of diet. Feed efficiency was significantly reduced by administration of DNP at 400 mg/kg of diet. Abdominal fat and carcass fat contents, expressed either as absolute values or relative percentages of body weight, were significantly decreased with increasing dietary DNP concentration above 200 mg/kg of diet. These results showed that administration of DNP reduced body fat, which may be associated with the change in feed efficiency. No reduction in adenosine triphosphate:oxygen ratio with increasing DNP concentration was observed in hepatic and skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from broilers fed experimental diets containing DNP.