Performance Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Effects of microencapsulated essential oils and organic acids preparation on growth performance, slaughter characteristics, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microenvironment of broiler chickens

To develop effective antibiotics alternatives is getting more and more important to poultry healthy production. The study investigated the effects of a microencapsulated essential oils and organic acids preparation (EOA) on growth performance, slaughter performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microenvironment of broilers. A total of 624 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups including the control group (T1) fed with basal diet, the antibiotic group (T2) supplemented with basal diet with 45 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), and four inclusion levels of EOA-treated groups (T3, T4, T5, T6 groups) chickens given basal diet with 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg EOA/kg of diet, respectively. Results showed that compared with the control, the 200 mg/kg EOA group increased average daily gain (ADG) and average body weight (ABW) during the early stage (P < 0.05). EOA addition decreased crypt depth of the ileum (P < 0.05), but villus height to crypt depth ratio was increased by EOA addition at 200 and 400 mg/kg at d 21 (P < 0.05). Compared with the control, dietary addition EOA at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg increased the lipase activity in the duodenum at d 21 (P < 0.05). Increased lactic acid bacteria population was found in cecal digesta of the 400 mg/kg EOA group at d 21 (P < 0.05), and higher concentration of butyric acid level was observed in cecal digesta at d 21 and d 42 in the 200 mg/kg EOA group compared with the control (P < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis found that dietary EOA addition decreased the gene expression of IL-1β, COX-2 and TGF-β4 in the ileum at d 21 (P < 0.05), while only the 200 mg/kg EOA increased the gene expression of IL-10, TGF-β4, Claudin-1, ZO-1, CATH-1, CATH-3, AvBD-1, AvBD-9 and AvBD-12 in the ileum at d 42 (P < 0.05) compared with the control. In summary, adding 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the EOA to the diet could improve the growth performance and intestinal microenvironment through improving intestinal morphology, increasing digestive enzymes activity and cecal lactic acid bacteria abundance and butyric acid content, improving intestinal barrier function as well as maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis. The improving effect induced by EOA addition in the early growth stage was better than that in the later growth stage. Overall, the EOA product might be an effective antibiotic alternative for broiler industry.

The Effects of Optimal Dietary Vitamin D3 on Growth and Carcass Performance, Tibia Traits, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Morphology of Chinese Yellow-Feathered Broiler Chickens.

This study aimed to assess the effects of different dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) levels on growth and carcass performance, tibia traits, meat quality, and intestinal morphology of yellow-feathered broilers. One-day-old broilers (n = 1440) were assigned into four treatment groups with six replicates per group, and each replicate contained 60 chicks. Dietary VD3 significantly improved the growth performance and carcass traits of broilers, and only low-dose VD3 supplementation decreased the abdominal fat percentage. High-dose VD3 supplementation improved intestinal morphology in the finisher stage, while the b* value of breast muscle meat color decreased markedly under VD3 supplementation (p < 0.05). Serum Ca and P levels and the tibia composition correlated positively with dietary VD3 supplementation at the early growth stage. The weight, length, and ash contents of the tibia increased linearly with increasing dietary VD3, with maximum values achieved in the high-dose group at all three stages. Intestinal 16S rRNA sequencing and liver transcriptome analysis showed that dietary VD3 might represent an effective treatment in poultry production by regulating lipid and immune-related metabolism in the gut-liver axis, which promotes the metabolism through the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine and improves their protective humoral immunity and reduces infection mortality. Dietary VD3 positively affected the growth-immunity and bone development of broilers during the early stage, suggesting strategies to optimize poultry feeding.

Efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product and Probiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gut Microflora and Immunity of Broiler Chickens.

Concern for global health security and the environment due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues in meat and other livestock products has led many countries to restrict the use of antibiotics in animal feed. This experiment was performed to assess the impact of dietary supplementation of a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) and a postbiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood haemato-biochemical profile, gut microflora, gut morphology, and immune response in broilers as an alternative to antimicrobials in poultry production system to minimize the effect on global health security. A total of 324 one-day-old Ven Cobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly divided into three dietary groups, each containing 12 replicated pens, and each replicate contained nine chickens. The dietary groups consisted of (1) a basal diet without any growth promoters (T1), (2) the basal diet augmented with Bacillus subtilis at 200 g/MT feed (T2), and (3) the basal diet supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product at 1.25 kg/MT feed (T3). To calculate body weight gain, all birds and residual feed were weighed on a replicated basis on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42; mortality was recorded daily. At the end of the trial (42 d), two chickens from each replicate were slaughtered for carcass traits, gut microflora, and morphology measurements. Blood samples were collected for the haemato-biochemical profile on 35 d and antibody titer on 28 d and 35 d. Feeding with SCFP (T3 group) significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of chickens compared to the T1 (control) and T2 (probiotic) groups from 1 to 14 days of age. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in SCFP-fed birds (T3) relative to the control (T1) over the entire experimental period. Carcass traits and blood haemato-biochemical parameters remained unaffected by any diets. However, cholesterol levels and concentrations of corticosterone were significantly lower in T3 compared to T2 and T1 groups. Total E. coli, Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and Salmonella counts were significantly lower in T2 and T3 groups compared to T1 group and Salmonella counts were lower in T3 when compared to T2. However, there was no significant difference in Lactobacillus count among treatment groups. A significant increase in villi height and villi-height-to-crypt-depth ratio (VH: CD) was observed in both T3 and T2 groups. On day 28, the T3 and T2 groups exhibited a significant increase in antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus and infectious bursal disease virus. It can be concluded that Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product and Bacillus subtilis probiotic could be viable alternatives to antimicrobials in poultry production considering beneficial impacts in broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet.

Evaluating the Effects of Feeding a Concentrated Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product on the Performance and Stress Susceptibility of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effect of a concentrated yeast fermentation product on the performance and stress response of broiler chickens. Day-old Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: Control (CON) or concentrated yeast fermentation product (CSCFP, 0.625 kg/MT). On d18, simultaneous feed withdrawal and heat stress challenges were performed for 12 h. Blood was analyzed for plasma corticosterone (CORT) and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HL) on d19 and d42. Performance parameters were collected throughout the trial: body weight (BW), feed consumption (FC), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). On d19, the CSCFP birds had lower (p ≤ 0.05) CORT (5320.3 ng/mL) and HL (0.14) than the CON birds (9049.6 ng/mL and 0.21). On d42, the CSCFP birds had lower (p ≤ 0.05) CORT (1623.8 ng/mL) and HL (0.74) than the CON birds (2920.2 ng/mL and 1.05). No differences were observed in mortality (p &gt; 0.05). The CON birds had a higher (p ≤ 0.05) FCR than CSCFP throughout all phases. The CON birds consumed more feed than the CSCFP birds throughout all phases (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, CYFP reduced stress and improved feed conversion when compared to CON, making it a viable feed additive to improve welfare and production.

Solid‐state fermentation pro‐enzymes supplementation benefits growth performance, health, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens fed wheat‐based diet

AbstractWheat as a kind of diet material can be used for broiler production. However, due to non‐starch polysaccharides in wheat, wheat may lead to lower growth performance and worth health. To reverse the negative effect, solid‐state fermentation pro‐enzymes were added. In this experiment, growth performance, intestinal health‐related genes, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and intestinal microbiota were detected to find the effects of wheat meal and combined with enzymes on broiler chickens from 15 to 42 days of age. A total of 432 1‐day‐old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were fed corn‐based diet (CD) for 14 days as the preparation stage of the experiment. Then, they were randomly divided into three groups and fed three different kinds of diets which were corn‐based diet (CD group), wheat‐based diet (WD group), and SFP enzymes supplementation in WD (Enzymes+Wheat‐based diet group). The results showed that compared with broilers in CD group, broilers in WD group had lower weight gain and higher Feed conversion ratio (p &lt; 0.05) during the whole experimental period especially from day 15 to day 21, but there was no significant effect on feed intake (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, SFP enzymes decreased the spleen index (p &lt; 0.05). Wheat also had trends to decrease the expression of ZO‐1 (p = 0.096) and increase the concentrations of acetate (p &lt; 0.05), butyrate (p &lt; 0.05) and total SCFAs (p &lt; 0.05), in which SFP enzymes caused the opposite results except for butyrate, and SFP enzymes even increased the expression of ZO‐1 (p &lt; 0.001) and OCCLUDIN (p = 0.075) and decreased the expression of TNF‐α (p &lt; 0.01). Meanwhile, wheat enhanced the abundances of Barnesiella and Bifidobacterium (p &lt; 0.05) and inhibited the abundances of Flavonifractor, Sellimonas, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group (p &lt; 0.05), and SFP enzymes could reverse the negative effects, and the changes in microbiota could explain the other different parameters. Collectively, wheat results in inflammation and worse growth performance, but SFP enzymes supplementation in WD benefits chickens' growth performance by improving intestinal barrier function, decreasing inflammation, modulating cecal microbiota and SCFAs production.

Effects of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) distillation wastewater on antioxidant status, immune response, cecal microbial population, growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) distillation wastewater (CDWW) is a dark viscous liquid obtained as a by-product of the processing of industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus). The current study aimed to investigate the influence of dietary CDWW on growth performance, oxidative status, immune response, meat quality, and cecal microbial population of broiler chicken. In total, 400 one-d-old male chickens (Ross 308) were allotted into four groups in ten replicates of 10 chickens each. The 1st group was fed a basal diet without CDWW (control), whereas the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups were fed diets containing CDWW (15, 30, and 45 mL/kg diet, respectively) for 42 days. At day 42 of age, CDWW significantly increased body weight gain (P < 0.01), improved feed efficiency, and reduced mortality rate (P < 0.05). Treatments did not have a significant effect on feed intake. The 30 and 45 mL of CDWW groups showed an increase in hematological values than other groups (P < 0.05). The ALT, AST, ALP, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentration in serum were lower and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) were greater in 30 and 45 mL /kg of CDWW groups than other groups (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum, liver, breast, and lipid peroxide (LPO) in breast decreased by 30 and 45 mL of CDWW supplementation (P < 0.05). The oxidative enzymes activities in serum, liver, and breast were greater in 30 and 45 mL /kg of CDWW than other groups (P < 0.05). Also, quality properties and composition of beast were improved and ceceal harmful microbial counts were decreased by the 30 and 45 mL /kg of CDWW (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the CDWW at 30 and 45 mL /kg improved the broiler's performance, meat quality, as well as blood indices and cecal microbial load by enhancing antioxidant activities and suppressing lipid peroxidation in meat.

The Interactive Impacts of Corn Particle Size and Conditioning Temperature on Performance, Carcass Traits, and Intestinal Morphology of Broiler Chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the interactions between corn particle size (PS) and conditioning temperature (CT) on the performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, and immune responses in broilers fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet. A total of 360 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into six dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of two corn PS (finely ground with geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 357 µm (PSF) vs. coarsely ground corn with GMD of 737 µm (PSC), and three CT [unconditioned (CTU), conditioned at 75 °C (CT75) and 90 °C (CT90)]. Birds were accommodated in 30 pens with five replicates and 12 chicks per each pen. There was no interaction between corn PS and CT on the growth performance and immune response of broilers at any growth phases. However, during the starter (0-10 days) period, the average daily weight gain (ADWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of PSF-fed birds were significantly improved compared to those fed PSC (p < 0.05). During the starter (0-10 days) and grower (11-24 days) periods, increasing the conditioning temperature of corn increased the ADWG, while in the starter phase only the CT75 caused a lower FCR (p < 0.05). Broilers fed PSF corn showed the lowest FCR during the finisher (25-42 days) period compared to those fed PSC (p < 0.05). Conditioning corn at 75 °C reduced FCR during the finisher (25-42 days) period compared to the birds fed CTU and CT90 corn (p < 0.05). In whole experimental periods (1-42 days), PSF and CT75 treatment increased the ADWG compared to the PSC and CTU (p < 0.05). The CT75 treatment improved primary total anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBCs) titer (IgT) and IgM and secondary IgT and IgG responses compared to the other experimental groups (CTU and CT90) (p < 0.05). No significant PS × CT interaction was found on the Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titer of broiler chickens (p > 0.05). Feeding CT75 corn reduced duodenum and jejunum relative lengths compared to the birds fed diets containing CTU corn. Significant PS × CT interactions (p < 0.05) were observed for villus height, villus height to crypt depth, crypt depth, muscle thickness, and absorption surface area of the jejunum. The highest carcass yield was observed in the PSF-CT75 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of finely ground corn (PSF) conditioned at 75 °C (CT75) was beneficial to growth performance, development of the digestive tract, jejunum histomorphometry and the immune responses of broilers.

Modulation of Gut Microbiota, and Morphometry, Blood Profiles and performance of Broiler Chickens Supplemented with Piper aduncum, Morinda citrifolia, and Artocarpus altilis leaves Ethanolic Extracts.

Bioactive plants such as P. aduncum, M. citrifolia, and A. altilis might improve intestinal health as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the ethanolic extracts (EEs) of these plants on the intestinal health of broiler chickens. Cobb 500 chickens (n = 352) were distributed into eight treatments with four replicates and 11 chickens each. T1 received a base diet, and T2 received a base diet with 0.005% zinc bacitracin. T3, T5, and T7 were supplemented with 0.005% of P. aduncum, M. citrifolia, and A. altilis EE in the diet while T4, T6, and T8 with 0.01% of the extract. The EEs were supplemented with drinking water from 1 to 26 days of age. The following parameters were evaluated: hematological profiles at 28 days of age, blood metabolites profiles at 14, 21, and 28 days; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lactobacillus sp. abundance in the ileum mucosa and content at 21 and 28 days, and histomorphometry of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa at 14, 21, and 28 d. Final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion rate (FCR) were evaluated at seven, 21, and 33 days of age. M. citrifolia and A. altilis EE at 0.01% increased blood glucose levels at 21 and 28 days of age, respectively, and P. aduncum and M. citrifolia EE at 0.01% increased triglycerides at 28 days of age; in addition, this EE did not have any effect on the AST and ALT profiles. The depths of the Lieberkühn crypts and the villi length to the crypt's depth ratio increased with age on supplementation with 0.01% M. citrifolia and A. altilis EE at 21 days of age (p < 0.05). In addition, the depth of the crypts increased at 28 days of age (p < 0.05) in chickens supplemented with 0.01% A. altilis EE. The 0.01% M. citrifolia EE in diet decreased in the Staphylococcus aureus population in the ileal microbiota (p < 0.05). The FW and WG during the fattening and in the three stages overall increased, and the FCR decreased; however, the FI and the carcass yield did not change in the broiler chickens supplemented with 0.01% M. citrifolia EE (p < 0.05). Conclusively, the M. citrifolia EE at 0.01% of the diet improved intestinal health and thus the performance indices of the broiler chickens and did not have a detrimental effect on any of the parameters evaluated, so it is postulated as a potential alternative to AGP in poultry.

Comparison study between single enzyme and multienzyme complex in distiller's dred grains with soluble supplemented diet in broiler chicken.

Upregulation of the nutritional value of feed is the major target of various studies in the livestock industry, and dietary enzyme supplementation could aid in digesting the nondegrading nutrients of grains in feed ingredients. Dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of the fermentation process in the beverage industry and can be used as a large supply source of fiber in feed. Therefore, we conducted an experiment with male broiler chickens to investigate the effect of various types of enzymes on DDGS and compare the efficacy of single enzyme and multienzyme complexes on growth performance and gut environments in broiler chickens. We used 420 1-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308), and they were allotted into 4 dietary treatments with seven replications (CON, corn-soybean meal [SBM] diet; NC, DDGS supplemented diet; SE, 0.05 % of mannanase supplemented DDGS-based diet; MC, 0.10% of multienzyme complex (mannanase and xylanase, glucanase) supplemented DDGS-based diet. The dietary exogenous enzyme in the DDGS-supplemented diet could improve growth performance as much as the growth of the control group, and digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy were significantly increased by enzyme addition in groups of chicks fed DDGS-supplementation diet. Moreover, the populations of pathogenic bacteria, coliforms, and Bacteroidetes were significantly decreased by enzyme supplementation, which might lead to improved gut mucus-secreting cells and inflammatory cytokines in the jejunum. Collectively, dietary single enzyme and multienzyme complexes could improve gut environments, including intestinal immune responses and gut microbial population, and lead to improvement of growth performance in broiler chickens.

Enhancing effects of Aloe vera gel extracts on the humoral and cellular immune response and growth performance in broiler chickens.

The experiment evaluated how Aloe vera gel (AVG) extract supplementation affected immune responses and physiological performances in broiler chickens. 90-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were reared for 38 days without the addition of antibiotics, either through feed or water. At 10 days, chicks were allocated into three groups: A, B, and C (n = 30). Group A served as non-supplemented control. Groups B and C were administered aqueous extracts of AVG at 1.0% and 2.0%, respectively, with drinking water. The supplementation of AVG potentiated the chicken immune response to Newcastle disease-vaccinated birds and sheep red blood cell-treated birds, which detected the highest antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus and sRBC. The cellular immune response evaluated through a cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity test using phytohemagglutinin-P demonstrated a significant increase in skin thickness in AVG-supplemented birds. The relative sizes of lymphoid organs (bursa, spleen, and thymus) were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) among the groups. Broilers given AVG-1 and AVG-2 exhibited significantly greater (p < 0.01) live body weight, dressing percentages, and serum protein and serum albumin levels. The supplemented groups experienced a significant reduction in total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol values, while the levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol remained unchanged. The dietary aqueous extracts of AVG are effective in enhancing innate and specific immunity. This work strengthens the perspective of the use of AVG as an immune stimulant to facilitate recovery from immune suppression states, enhance innate and specific immunity, and improve broiler growth performance.

Effect of in ovo feeding of different level of vitamin B complex (B1, B2 and B12 ) on Hatchability, Production Performance, Carcass Characteristic, Blood Biochemical and Muscle Antioxidant of Broiler Chickens

Effect of in ovo feeding of different level of vitamin B complex (B1, B2 and B12 ) on Hatchability, Production Performance, Carcass Characteristic, Blood Biochemical and Muscle Antioxidant of Broiler Chickens

Utilization of Shea Caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi) Larvae Meal as Organic Feed Resource for Broiler Chickens

Aims: The increasing feed cost of poultry production makes a search for suitable alternatives essential. A five-week study was conducted to determine the outcome of dietary shea caterpillar larvae meal (SCM) on growth performance, haematological and blood biochemical characteristics of broiler chickens. Study Design: A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used for the experiment. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Science Education (Poultry Section of the Animal farm) of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Development, Asante Mampong, Ghana. The study lasted for five weeks. Methodology: Ninety 4-week-old sexed Cobb 500 broiler chickens were assigned to five dietary treatments with three replicates. Each treatment had 18 birds with 6 birds per replicate in a male to female ratio of 4:2. Five dietary treatments were formulated to replace anchovy at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% with shea caterpillar larvae meal and designated as SCM0% (The Control), SCM25%, SCM50%, SCM75%, and SCM100% respectively. Data collected included proximate and amino acid analysis of shea caterpillar meal, growth performance, blood profile and cost benefit analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance with General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS for windows, version 7). Results: The proximate and amino acids results showed that shea caterpillar meal contains 60.42 % crude protein, a crude fibre of 7.90 %, and 3306.76 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy as well as fifteen amino. There was a significant difference (P=0.05) among all the treatment means for daily feed and water intake, final body weight and total weight gain. For mean daily feed intake, SCM0% was similar to SCM25%, but statistically different from SCM50%, SCM75% and SCM100%. Birds fed dietary SCM25% (5134 g/bird) consumed more feed while the least was recorded from birds fed SCM75% (4615g/bird). Similar trend was observed for total water intake. Mean Final weight and total weight gain, birds fed SCM0%, SCM25% and SCM50% were similar, but statistically better than SCM75% and SCM100%. It was noticed that final weight and total weight gain decreases as the inclusion levels of shea caterpillar meal increases. The haematological and biochemical attributes were not significant except for red cell distribution width coefficient of variation and globulin respectively. The red cell distribution width coefficient of variation values of birds on all the treatments was similar and more than twice the value obtained for the control treatment SCM0%. The globulin values of the birds fed the control, were similar to SCM25% and SCM50% but were significantly different from birds fed SCM75% and SCM100%. Conclusion: It was concluded that the substitution of SCM for fish meal at a level not exceeding 50% had no detrimental effect but improved growth performance.

Impact of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), garlic (Allium sativum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) on zootechnical performance, carcass quality, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility in broilers chickens

The study investigated the impact of incorporating a specific herbal blend comprising coriander, garlic, and fenugreek (CGF) at various levels on the zootechnical performance, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. The 42-day experiment involved 360 broilers (Cobb 500), organized into four distinct treatment groups. The dietary interventions included a control group consisting of a basal diet and the same diet was supplemented with CGF at rates of 1, 2, and 3%. Broilers receiving a 1% phytogenic mixture exhibited significantly increased live weight and carcass weight. Moreover, the digestibility of crude protein and crude fat significantly improved in broilers supplemented with a 1% phytogenic mixture. On the other hand, the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus showed a notable increase in broilers fed with a 3% phytogenic mixture. Regarding serum metabolites, the 1% phytogenic mixture group displayed significantly higher levels of high density lipoprotein and triglycerides. The supplementation of the broiler diet with a herbal mixture of coriander, fenugreek, and garlic at a 1% rate resulted in improved growth performance, carcass quality, nutrient digestion, and lipid profile.

Effect of administering lactic acid bacteria (lactobacillus bulgaricus) as growth promoter on performance of broiler chickens at starter phase

The experiment was carried out at the poultry unit of the teachings and research farm, department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna to determine the effect of administering Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) as growth promoter to check the performance of broiler chickens at starter phase. 210 day old broiler chicks were used. The birds were randomly allotted to five treatment groups. Each treatment having three replicate with 16 birds. T was the control 1 with no LAB administered, T had LAB administered weekly, T had the probiotic 2 3 administered at one-week interval, T had LAB administered at week 1 and 4. While in T LAB 4 5 was given only once. The birds were fed locally formulated diet irrespective of treatment 6 while the LAB was administered through their drinking water at a concentration of 10 cfu/ml diluted into 4 litres of chlorine-free water at different intervals. At the end of the study, final weight and total weight gain were found to have significant (P&lt;0.05) difference at the starter phase, with T showing much performance. At the end of the study, it was deduced that lactic 4 acid bacteria can conveniently be used to improve performance of broiler chicken at the 6 starter phase when administered at concentration of 10 cfu/ml diluted into 4 litres of chlorine-free water. L'expérience a été réalisée dans l'unité avicole de la ferme d'enseignement et de recherche, département de production animale, école d'agriculture et de technologie agricole, Université fédérale de technologie de Minna, pour déterminer l'effet de l'administration de bactéries lactiques (LAB) comme promoteur de croissance sur vérifier les performances des poulets de chair lors de la phase de démarrage. Des poussins de chair âgés de 210 jours ont été utilisés. Les oiseaux ont été répartis au hasard dans cinq groupes de traitement. Chaque traitement comporte trois répétitions avec 16 oiseaux. T était le contrôle sans LAB 1 administré, T avait LAB administré chaque semaine, T avait administré le probiotique à 2 3 une semaine d'intervalle, T avait LAB administré aux semaines 1 et 4. Alors qu'en T LAB n'avait été administré qu'une seule fois. Les oiseaux ont été nourris avec un régime formulé localement quel que soit le traitement, tandis que le LAB a été administré dans leur eau de boisson à une concentration de 106 ufc/ml diluée dans 4 litres d'eau sans chlore à différents intervalles. À la fin de l'étude, il a été constaté que le poids final et le gain de poids total présentaient une différence significative (P &lt; 0,05) lors de la phase de démarrage, le T4 montrant de grandes performances. À la fin de l'étude, il a été déduit que les bactéries lactiques peuvent être utilisées de manière pratique pour améliorer les performances des poulets de chair lors de la phase de démarrage lorsqu'elles sont administrées à une concentration de 106 ufc/ml diluées dans 4 litres d'eau sans chlore.

Dietary supplementation of prebiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall promotes growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens

ABSTRACT 1. This study evaluated the effectiveness of yeast (S accharomyces cerevisiae) cell wall (YCW) supplementation on the growth performance, carcase characteristics, serum biomarkers, liver function, ileal histology and microbiota of broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). 2. In a 35-d trial, 240 chicks aged 1-d-old were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each with 10 replicates: control (CON) with no challenge or additives, challenged with C. perfringens (CHAL), CHAL and supplemented with YCW at either 0.25 g/kg (YCW0.25) or 0.5 g/kg (YCW0.5). 3. In comparison to CON, the CHAL birds had reduced growth performance, survival rate, dressing percentage, breast meat yield, levels of total protein (TP), globulin (GLO), glucose (GLU), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), as well as a decreased Lactobacillus population (P < 0.01). Additionally, this group showed elevated levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and C. perfringens count (P < 0.01). Compared to CHAL, the YCW0.25 or YCW0.5 groups had improved growth performance, survival rate, dressing percentage, breast meat yield, levels of TP, GLO, GLU, and T-AOC, as well as the activities of T-SOD, GOT, and GPT, villus height, villus surface area, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and the populations of both Lactobacillus and C. perfringens; (P < 0.01). 4. The data suggested that YCW supplementation at either 0.25 or 0.50 g/kg can restore the growth performance of broiler chickens during a C. perfringens challenge.

Changes in the bioactive compounds of sun-dried ginger rhizome and their effects on growth performance, blood profile, carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens

Changes in the bioactive compounds of sun-dried ginger rhizome and their effects on growth performance, blood profile, carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens

Influence of some cereal by-products on performance, carcass characteristics and blood profile of broiler chickens

An 8 week research was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood profile of broiler chickens fed sorghum offal, rice bran and cowpea shell as sources of fibre. Diet 1 contained wheat offal as the control, diet 2 contained sorghum offal, and diet 3 contained rice bran while diet 4 contained cowpea shell. The final weight of the birds fed the test ingredients showed that there was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference between birds fed T1 and T4. However, those fed T4 had the highest value (2.12kg) and the least final weight gain (1.49kg) was recorded among birds fed rice bran(T3). Similarly, no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference was observed in most of the cut-up parts parameters except for the back where there was with birds fed with cowpea shell (T4) having the highest treatment mean and T2 having the lowest treatment mean. There were no significant (p&gt;0.05) differences in packed cell volume, white blood cell and mean corpuscular haemoglobin of the birds. Significant (p&lt;0.05) differences were however observed in haemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume. There were also significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the total protein, albumin and globulin contents of the birds fed wheat offal (T1) having the highest value (6.20g/dl) while those fed cowpea shell (T4) recorded the lowest mean value for total protein. The same trend occurs in globulin where birds in T1 had the highest value for globulin and those in T4 had the least. Birds in T4 had the highest mean value while those in T2 had the lowest for Albumin. Therefore, birds fed T4 (cowpea shell) performed as good and in some instance even better than those fed wheat offal (control diet) (wheat offal) and as such recommended. Une recherche de 8 semaines a été menée pour évaluer les performances de croissance, les caractéristiques des carcasses et le profil sanguin de poulets de chair nourris avec des abats de sorgho, du son de riz et des coques de niébé comme sources de fibres. Le régime 1 contenait des abats de blé commetémoin, le régime 2 contenait des abats de sorgho et le régime 3 contenait du son de riz tandis que le régime 4 contenait des coquilles de niébé. Le poids final des oiseaux nourris avec les ingrédients testés a montré qu'il n'y avait pas de différence significative (p &gt; 0,05) entre les oiseaux nourris avec T1 et T4. Cependant, ceux nourris avec du T4 avaient la valeur la plus élevée (2,12 kg) et le gain de poids final le plus faible (1,49 kg) a été enregistré parmi les oiseaux nourris avec du son de riz (T3). De même, aucune différence significative (p&gt;0,05) n'a été observée dans la plupart des paramètres des parties découpées sauf pour le dos où il y en avait avec des oiseaux nourris avec des coques de niébé (T4) ayant la moyenne de traitement la plus élevée et T2 ayant la moyenne de traitement la plus faible. Il n'y avait pas de différences significatives (p &gt; 0,05) dans l'hématocrite, les globules blancs et l'hémoglobine corpusculaire moyenne des oiseaux. Des différences significatives (p &lt; 0,05) ont cependant été observées au niveau de l'hémoglobine, des globules rouges, de l'hémoglobine corpusculaire moyenne et du volume corpusculaire moyen. Il y avait également des différences significatives (p &lt; 0,05) dans les teneurs totales en protéines, albumine et globuline des oiseaux nourris avec des abats de blé (T1) ayant la valeur la plus élevée (6,20 g/dl) tandis que ceux nourris avec des coques de niébé (T4) enregistraient la moyenne la plus faible valeur pour les protéines totales. La même tendance se produit pour la globuline, où les oiseaux en T1 avaient la valeur de globuline la plus élevée et ceux en T4 en avaient le moins. Les oiseaux en T4 avaient la valeur moyenne la plus élevée tandis que ceux en T2 avaient la valeur moyenne la plus faible pour l'albumine. Par conséquent, les oiseaux nourris avec du T4 (coquille de niébé) ont eu des résultats aussi bons, voire meilleurs dans certains cas, que ceux nourris avec des abats de blé (régime témoin) (abats de blé) et sont donc recommandés.

Growth and gross margin of broiler starter chicks fed graded levels of watermelon peel meal as a substitute for wheat offal

The performance of broiler chicks fed graded levels of watermelon peel meals as a substitute for wheat offal was investigated using ninety-six 1-day old Amo broiler chicks. They were allotted to four dietary treatments with each having three replicates and 8 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment diets contained 0.0, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75% dried watermelon and coded as DWMP0.0, DWMP1.25, DWMP2.5 and DWMP3.75. Ninety-six (96) two-weeks old chicks were randomly assigned into four (4) dietary treatments, each having twenty-four (24) birds, and replicated three (3) times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental diets contained 0.0, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75% dried watermelon peels meal and coded as DWMP0.0, DWMP1.25, DWMP2.5 and DWMP3.75. Results obtained shows no significance (P&gt;0.05) difference in all the growth and economic parameters evaluated. Feed intake and weight gain which are indicators of growth were better in birds fed diets containing 2.5 and 3.75% watermelon peels. Gross margin analysis reveals that it is more economical to feed starter broilers with up to 3.75% DWMP. In conclusion, starter broiler chicks can be conveniently fed DWMP up to 3.75% for better growth and cost effective broiler production.

Growth performance, meat quality and hematological parameters of broiler chickens fed safflower seed.

The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of safflower seed (SS) on the growth performance and hematological parameters of broiler birds along with the physicochemical, textural and sensory attributes of chicken meat. A total of 200 male chickens (7-days-old) were distributed into 5 groups (40 chickens in each) with 5 replicates of 8 chicks in a 42-day experiment. Each group was allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments, i.e., 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% SS. The experimental diets were formulated for starter (7 to 21 days) and finisher (22 to 42 days) phases. Inclusion of SS in the diet improved growth performances in treatment groups between 7 and 42 days. The highest and lowest body weights were observed at the 5% SS and 0% SS levels, respectively. The physicochemical attributes of breast and thigh meat were found (P > 0.05) except for crude fat. The crude fat was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing levels of SS in the diet. The inclusion of SS in the diet did not negatively impact the textural properties, i.e., hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and shear force of breast and thigh meat. There was no significant difference in the sensory parameters of cooked chicken meat with increasing levels of SS in the diet. The results demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in hematological parameters in the blood samples of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with various levels of SS for five weeks. These findings suggest that, SS may be used as an oil seed for broiler chicken feed.

Bone characteristics, pre-caecal phytate degradation, mineral digestibility and tissue expression were marginally affected by zinc level and source in phytase-supplemented diets in 21-day-old broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. This study determined the effect of dietary Zn concentration and source in phytase-supplemented diets on bone mineralisation, gastrointestinal phytate breakdown, mRNA-level gene expression (in jejunum, liver and Pectoralis major muscle) and growth performance in broiler chickens. 2. Male Cobb 500 broilers were housed in floor pens (d 0-d 21) to test seven treatments with six replicate pens (12 birds per pen). Diets were arranged in a 2 × 3 + 1-factorial arrangement. The experimental factors were Zn source (Zn-oxide (ZnO) or Zn-glycinate (ZnGly) and Zn supplementation level (10, 30 or 50 mg/kg of diet). A maize-soybean meal-based diet without supplementation and formulated to contain 28 mg Zn/kg (analysed to be 35 mg Zn/kg), served as a control. 3. Zinc source and level did not influence (p > 0.05) bone ash concentration and quantity or mineral concentrations in bone ash. Tibia thickness was greater in the treatment ZnO10 than in the treatments ZnO30 and ZnGly50 (Zn level × Zn source: p = 0.036), but width and breaking strength were not affected. 4. Pre-caecal P digestibility and concentrations of phytate breakdown products in the ileum, except for InsP5, were not affected by Zn source or level. Only the expression of EIF4EBP1 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1) and FBXO32 (F-box only protein 32) in Pectoralis major muscle was affected by source, where expression was increased in ZnO compared to ZnGly diets (p < 0.05). 5. In conclusion, Zn level and source did not affect gastrointestinal phytate degradation and bone mineralisation in phytase-supplemented diets. The intrinsic Zn concentration appeared to be sufficient for maximum bone Zn deposition under the conditions of the present study but requires validation in longer-term trials.