Broiler Research Articles

Evaluation of Apparent Metabolizable Energy of Five Oil Sources in Broiler Chickens

تم إجراء تجربة الهضم لتقييم الطاقة الأيضية الواضحة (AME) لزيت النخيل الخام (CPO)، وزيت فول الصويا (SO)، وزيت ثمار النخيل الخام (CPFO)، وتم تقييم أولين النخيل RBD (RBDPO) وأولين النخيل RBD + الليسيثين. تم شراء عدد 100 فرخ لاحم عمر يوم واحد من المفرخ المحلي. في اليوم 21، تم اختيار الطيور ذات الوزن المماثل عشوائيا ووزعت على الوحدات التجريبية بواقع ثلاثة طيور لكل وحدة (قفص) وخمسة مكررات لكل وحدة تم توزيعها عشوائيا. تم تغذية الطيور لمدة ثمانية أيام بخمسة أنظمة غذائية اختبارية تحتوي على مصادر زيتية مختلفة (CPO، وSO، وCPFO، وRBDPO، وRBDPO+L)، والتي تم تطويرها عن طريق استبدال 60 جم/كجم من النظام الغذائي الأساسي والنظام الغذائي الأساسي للذرة وفول الصويا. أظهرت النتائج عدم وجود اختلاف معنوي (P>0.05) بين المعاملات في الطاقة الأيضية الواضحة للزيوت المختلفة.

Palygorskite improves growth performance and prevents liver damage in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli-challenged broiler chickens at an early age.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a major bacterial infection that causes economic losses in the global poultry industry. Palygorskite (PAL) has been shown to enhance growth performance while improving antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of broilers. This study evaluated the protective effects of PAL on growth performance and liver function in broilers subjected to APEC challenge. A total of 320 one-day-old male Arbor Acres chicks were divided into four groups with eight replicates of ten birds each, based on a 2×2 factorial arrangement (basal diet or 5g/kg PAL-supplemented diet) and inoculation (bacterial culture medium or APEC). PAL increased body weight gain (BWG) prior to APEC challenge (P < 0.05). However, APEC caused losses in BWG, feed intake (FI), and feed efficiency, along with increased relative hepatic weight, hepatic pathology scores, and hepatic-cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Compared to normal birds, APEC increased interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels, as well as lysozyme (LZM) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, while decreasing total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and IL-10 levels, and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in both serum and liver, APEC also raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, but reduced total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, and IgM levels in serum (P < 0.05). Moreover, APEC increased hepatic mRNA level of IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, nuclear factor kappa B, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), while inhibited mRNA level of IL-10 (P < 0.05). In contrast, PAL increased BWG and FI, alleviated hepatic-cell apoptosis rate during the challenge period (P < 0.05). An incorporation of PAL reduced triglyceride and NO contents, ALT and AST activities, while increasing TP, ALB, IL-10, IgG, and IgM levels in serum, enhancing serum T-SOD and CAT activities, elevating hepatic T-AOC and CAT activities, inhibiting hepatic MDA accumulation, and reducing IL-1β levels and LZM activity in both liver and serum (P < 0.05). An interactive effect was found for hepatic TNF-α and iNOS mRNA expression, in which PAL inhibited their mRNA expression in APEC-challenged birds (P < 0.05). Overall, PAL addition partially mitigated the negative impact of APEC challenge on growth performance and liver function of broiler chicks at an early age.

Evaluation of Black Pepper, Tumeric, Corriander and Their Blend as Supplementary Phytoadditives on Growth Performance and Meat Sensory Assessment of Broiler Chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of black pepper, tumeric, corriander and their blend as supplementary phytoadditives in dosage 1 kg per ton of feed on the growth performance and meat sensory assessment of broiler chickens. A total of three hundred (300) day-old broiler chicks were used for the study. At the starter phase, the chicks were weighed at day old and randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water was provided ad libitum during the trial period. The birds were weighed at the beginning of the trial and weekly thereafter. Weight gain, feed intake, left over feeds were measured and recorded, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogramme weight gain were calculated and mortality rate recorded as they occurred. Medication and vaccine administration was carried out as required. Performance parameters calculated include feed intake, weight gain, feed to gain ratio, feed cost per kilogram gain and mortality. For the finisher phase, one hundred and five four weeks old chicks were allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were replicated three times with fifteen chicks per replicate. Performance parameters measured were the same as for the starter phase. The experimental study lasted seven weeks. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS (2008), while the significant differences between treatment means were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test at a 5% level of significance. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in final weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per gain and mortality. Birds fed corriander supplemented diet (T4) had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher final weight, weight gain and least cost of production which were at par with birds fed black pepper supplemented diet (T2). The least performance was observed for birds fed black pepper, tumeric and corriander ..........

Analysing the Impact of Broiler Line and Egg Preservation Durations on Immunoglobulin Levels and Some Egg Quality Indicators

The basis of the poultry industry is the presence of parent flocks, and the lack of this causes the eggs to be transported for long periods and long distances, reducing the quality of hatching eggs and producing poor-quality, low-weight chicks. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of different storage periods for different types of broiler chickens on the internal immunity of the egg and some qualitative characteristics of stored eggs. Three lines of broiler were used from three hatcheries (Ross 308-1: Ross 308-2: Cobb 508); these lines of eggs were imported from Türkiye and the Netherlands to Iraq, and all eggs were storage for four periods (15, 20, 25 and, 30 days) at seven c⸰. The results showed a significant (P≤0.05) increase for (line- 2) in total IgY at 25 days, and line three increased significantly (P≤0.05) in the HU unit at 25 days too. Meanwhile, there is no significant difference between periods in egg weight loss (Table 2), albumin pH, relative albumin weight, and yolk weight. It is concluded from the study's results that any storage duration may affect the egg's internal immunity and its qualitative characteristics. Thus, it may negatively affect the hatching rate and characteristics of the hatched chicks.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Different Proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Stem and Leaf Powder on Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activities, Volatile Fatty Acids and Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is rich in nutrients and represents a feed resource with significant potential. This experiment aimed to study the effects of different proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus stem and leaf powder (AHSL) on intestinal digestive enzyme activities, cecal volatile fatty acids, and the microbiota of broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to the control diet group and the 3%, 6%, and 9% AHSL diet group for days 0–21. Subsequently, the 3%, 6%, and 9% AHSL diets were switched to 5%, 10%, and 15% AHSL diets for days 22–42. The results demonstrated that the dietary inclusion of AHSL significantly affected sucrase activity in the jejunal mucosa (p &lt; 0.05). The 5% AHSL group exhibited the highest sucrase activity, followed by the control group, both of which showed significantly higher activity compared to the 10% and 15% AHSL groups (p &lt; 0.05). The cecal pH in the 5%, 10%, and 15% AHSL groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (p &lt; 0.05). The contents of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate in the cecum of the 10% and 15% AHSL groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p &lt; 0.05). The addition of AHSL had no significant effect on the alpha diversity of cecum microorganisms. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 and Lactonifactor was significantly higher in the 10% AHSL group compared to the control group, whereas the 15% AHSL group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Clostridium_sensus_tricto12, Peptoclostridium, Anaerofilum, and Peptococcaceae. In summary, the inclusion of 5% AHSL in the diet enhances sucrase activity in the jejunum of broilers, while 10% or 15% AHSL increases the volatile fatty acid content and reduces the pH value in the cecum, without adverse effects on the cecal microbiota.

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Enterococcus hirae Isolated from Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Tract in Commercial Broiler Chickens

Ever since antibiotics were discovered for the treatment of bacterial diseases, an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been noticed as an economic and public health concern with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic resistance in broiler chickens can be a great threat to public health. This research aimed to screen commercial poultry’s gastrointestinal and respiratory tract bacteria to observe the antibiotic resistance pattern. In this experiment, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and respiratory tract (RT) bacteria were identified using 16s rRNA gene sequencing from broiler chickens in anaerobic conditions following a bile salt tolerance assay and an antibiotic susceptibility test. Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Enterococcus hirae were identified as the isolates. The bacteria found in the gut had a modest degree of bile salt tolerance. The isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin, gentamicin, and streptomycin but resistant to tetracycline, levofloxacin, metronidazole, azithromycin, and erythromycin. This study ensures that the GIT and RT of broiler chicken is a hidden source of the isolated bacteria. A large part of this bacterial population is antibiotic-resistant and reported as a public health concern.

Development and validation of machine-learning models for monitoring individual behaviors in group-housed broiler chickens

Animals' individual behavior is commonly monitored by live or video observation by a person. This can be labor intensive and inconsistent. An alternative is the use of machine learning-based computer vision systems. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop and optimize machine learning model frameworks for detecting, tracking and classifying individual behaviors of group-housed broiler chickens in continuous video recordings; and 2) use an independent dataset to evaluate the performance of the developed machine leaning model framework for individual poultry behaviors differentiation. Forty-two video recordings from 4 different pens (total video duration = 1,620 min) were used to develop and train multiple models for detecting and tracking individual birds and classifying 4 behaviors: feeding, drinking, active, and inactive. The optimal model framework was used to continuously analyze an external set of 11 videos (duration = 326 min), and the second-by-second behavior of each individual broiler was extracted for the comparison of human observation. After comparison of model performance, the YOLOv5l, out of 5 detection models, was selected for detecting individual broilers in a pen; the osnet_x0_25_msmt17, out of 4 tracking algorithms, was selected to track each detected bird in continuous frames; and the Gradient Boosting Classifier, out of 12 machine learning classifiers, was selected to classify the 4 behaviors. Most of the models were able to keep previously assigned individual identifications of the chickens in limited amounts of time, but lost the identities throughout an examination period (≥4 min). The final framework was able to accurately predict feeding (accuracy = 0.895) and drinking time (accuracy = 0.9) but subpar for active (accuracy = 0.545) and inactive time (accuracy = 0.505). The algorithms employed by the machine learning models were able to accurately detect feeding and drinking behavior but still need to be improved for maintaining individual identities of the chickens and identifying active and inactive behaviors.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Toxfin and Novasil as dietary aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers for sustaining hepatic antioxidant capacity and intestinal health status during aflatoxin B1 exposure.

To assess the efficacy of Toxfin and Novasil as aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from 11 to 30days, 288 mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four dietary groups: control feed, control feed + 0.25mg/kg AFB1, AFB1 feed + 0.3% Toxfin, and AFB1 feed + 0.3% Novasil. The evaluation encompassed growth performance for the grower (11-20days), finisher (21-30days), and overall (11-30days) phases, carcass characteristics, serum biochemical components, liver function enzymes, hepatic antioxidant capacity, AFB1 residue in the liver and kidney, and ileal morphology at 30days, and apparent nutrient digestibility during 29-30days. Exposure to AFB1 significantly resulted in reduced growth efficiency, lowered carcass yields, liver hypertrophy, impaired metabolic and hepatic functions, liver oxidative stress, disrupted ileum architecture, diminished nutrient digestibility, and accumulated AFB1 in the liver and kidney. Conversely, supplementation of Toxfin or Novasil significantly augmented body weight gain (BWG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the finisher and overall phases, elevated BWG in the grower phase, heightened levels of glucose, hepatic protein, and glutathione peroxidase, declined malondialdehyde content, improved apparent metabolizable energy, and lowered AFB1 residues in the liver and kidney. Furthermore, Toxfin inclusion significantly reduced FCR during the grower phase, enhanced European production efficiency factor during the grower and overall phases, augmented dressing percentage, declined proportional liver weight, elevated concentrations of total protein, albumin, and total antioxidant capacity, heightened villus surface area, and boosted crude protein digestibility. To conclude, incorporating 0.3% Toxfin into broilers' feeds confers a more effectual safeguard than Novasil against the deleterious consequences of AFB1 exposure.

Attenuating susceptibility to ascites in cold-stressed broiler chickens fed canola meal-based diets by supplementing arginine or guanidinoacetic acid, either alone or in combination with phenylalanine.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of arginine (ARG) or guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), with or without phenylalanine (PHE), on the ascites susceptibility in the cold-stressed broilers fed canola meal (CM)-based diet. A total of 450 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 30 floor pens with 6 replications for each of the 5 treatments. The dietary treatments were as follows: CM-based diet (control), CM-based diet+2.57g/kg ARG, CM-based diet+1.8g/kg GAA, CM-based diet+2.57g/kg ARG+1.5g/kg PHE and CM-based diet+1.8g/kg GAA+1.5g/kg PHE. The groups experienced cold stress induction starting at 32°C on day one, with gradual reductions to 15°C on days 21. The temperature was then held at 15°C for the remainder of the experiment. The supplements ARG+PHE and GAA+PHE resulted in improved feed conversion ratios (FCR) when compared to the control group. In comparison with the control group, supplementation of ARG and ARG+PHE decreased the ascites mortality by increasing the plasma nitric oxide level (NO), blood O2 partial pressure, blood O2 saturation (SO2), and decreasing the blood CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) and right ventricle to total ventricle (RV:TV) ratio. Supplementation of GAA and GAA+PHE also declined ascites mortality by reducing blood PCO2 while increasing blood SO2 and plasma NO levels. Although plasma corticosterone level and RV:TV ratio were similar between the GAA and control groups, adding GAA+PHE significantly reduced both compared to the control group. In summary, supplementing cold-stressed broiler chicken diets with 2.57g/kg ARG may alleviate hypertension. Additionally, 1.8g/kg GAA proves to be an effective substitute for dietary ARG in low-ARG diets, alleviating adverse effects from cold stress. Proper PHE formulation, at 1.5g/kg in this study, is crucial when using ARG and GAA supplements.

A study of solely used phytase or in combination with multi-carbohydrase on growth performance along with tibia mineralization, and carcass traits in broilers fed nutrient-deficient diets.

The objective of this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of phytase alone and in combination with multi-carbohydrase in available phosphorus (AP) and energy-deficient diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, tibia traits, and carcass quality of broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with each treatment having 6 replicates and 8 birds per cage. The treatments were as follows: i) positive control with adequate nutrition (PC); ii) 0.20% AP-deficient diet without phytase (NC-1); iii) 0.25% AP-deficient diet without phytase (NC-2); iv) NC-1 diet plus 500 FTU/kg phytase (NCP-1); v) NC-2 diet plus 750 FTU/kg phytase (NCP-2); and vi) NC-2 with 100 kcal/kg ME deficient diet plus 1,000 FTU/kg phytase and multi-carbohydrase: 2,200 U/kg galactomannanase, 30,000 U/kg xylanase, 22,000 U/kg β-glucanase, and 700 U/kg α-galactosidase (NCPM). Broilers in the PC group and those fed enzyme-supplemented diets exhibited greater (P < 0.05) growth performance in terms of body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), along with enhanced tibia mineralization through the ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) composition, and tibia breaking strength compared to NC diets throughout the study. Among the treatments, broilers assigned to the NCPM group showed greater (P < 0.05) levels of energy and P digestibility on days 21 and 35. Concerning carcass characteristics, the leg meat yield was greater (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the NCP-2 diet compared to all other treatments on days 21 and 35. Supplementation of phytase at doses of 500 FTU/kg and 750 FTU/kg effectively recovers AP deficiencies of 0.20% and 0.25%, respectively, in broiler diets without compromising the growth performance of broilers. Additionally, combining multi-carbohydrase and phytase led to AP and energy loss recovery, which improved tibia mineralization and nutrient digestibility through their synergistic interaction.

Detection of the CTX-M Gene Associated with Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) in Broiler Chickens in Surabaya Traditional Markets

A common indicator used to examine the frequency and distribution of antibiotic resistance against other enteric bacteria in humans and animals is the commensal enteric bacterium, Escherichia coli. The transmission of plasmids harboring ESBL enzymes, primarily generated by E. coli, is the cause of this resistance. The purpose of this study was to identify the CTX-M gene in ESBL-producing E. coli from broiler chicken cloacal swabs in traditional Surabaya markets. The samples used were 96 cloacal swabs from broiler chickens in the traditional markets of Dukuh Kupang, Keputran, Pacar Keling, and Pucang. The antibiotic disks used in this study belonged to five different antibiotic classes; they are aztreonam (monobactam), chloramphenicol (phenicol), kanamycin (aminoglycoside), ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolone), and tetracycline (tetracycline). Presumptive ESBL strains were then molecularly screened for the presence of CTX-M gene. Results revealed that out of the 96 chicken cloacal swab samples collected, 58 (60.42%) were positive for E. coli based on morphological culture, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Additionally, 15 out of the 58 E. coli isolates recovered from broiler chicken cloacal swabs were multidrug-resistant (MDR) while 7 of E. coli isolates harbored CTX-M gene. Conclusively, this study has shown that broiler chickens sold in traditional Surabaya markets harbor MDR E. coli which possess CTX-M gene. Conditions in traditional markets with low levels of cleanliness and chickens placed close together can spread resistance genes with serious public health consequences. Therefore, it is imperative to observe good hygienic practices in Surabaya traditional markets in order to curtail the spread of MDR bacterial pathogens in the food chain.

Residue Depletion of Nitrofurazone Metabolites, Semicarbazide and 5-Nitro-2-Furaldehyde, in Broiler Chickens After Oral Administration.

Nitrofurazone (NFZ) antibiotic is banned in food-producing animals, and its metabolite, semicarbazide (SEM), is used as a marker residue for nitrofurazone abuse. However, SEM can also be generated during food processing without veterinary treatment. Therefore, SEM cannot be considered an unequivocal marker of NFZ. This study investigates the use of 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde (5-NF) as an additional marker for nitrofurazone in broiler chickens. After oral administration of NFZ and 5-NF at 25 mg·kg-1 BW for 10 days, tissues (muscle and liver) and plasma samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In NFZ-treated chickens, 5-NF was detected within 1 h in plasma at a peak concentration of 1.4 ± 0.25 μg·kg-1, while in 5-NF-treated ones, the maximum concentration was 0.85 ± 0.06 μg·kg-1 after 2 h. 5-NF was not detected in muscle and liver for both treated groups from 0 to 21 days. However, SEM persisted for up to 3 weeks in muscle (0.3 ± 0.018 μg·kg-1), 2 weeks in liver (0.16 ± 0.008 μg·kg-1), and 1 week in plasma (0.4 ± 0.05 μg·kg-1) with a faster elimination rate in liver tissues (half-life of 4.6 days) compared to muscle tissues (half-life of 6.5 days). These findings suggest that SEM remains a better marker for detecting nitrofurazone abuse in chickens compared to 5-NF.

The use of partially slatted floor designs as an alternative to littered systems in broiler chickens. I. The effects on the performance, slaughter and carcass traits.

In this study, the effects of fully littered, slatted and their varying combinations on growth, performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics in broiler chickens were investigated. In the experiment, five treatment groups were formed as fully littered (FL), fully slatted (FS), 1/3 littered + 2/3 slatted (2/3 SF), 1/2 littered + 1/2 slatted (1/2SF), 2/3 littered + 1/3 slatted (1/3 SF). Each treatment group included 5 replicates (24 chicks in each) and a total of 600 male-female mixed fast growing broiler chicks (Ross-308) were used during 6 weeks. Weekly body weight (BW, g), feed intake (FI, g), feed conversion ratio (FCR, g.feed intake/g.weight gain), livability (%) and EPEF (European Production Efficiency Factor) were determined as performance characteristics. Carcass yield (CY, %), and the percentages of abdominal fat (AFP, %), edible internal organs (EIOP, %), gizzard (GP, %), breast (BRP, %) and thigh (TP, %) meat were the carcass characteristics. Meat quality measured by pH and color (L*: lightness, a*: redness, b*: yellowness) of breast and thigh meat, and occurrence of white striping and hemorrhaging in breast meat. The weekly BW differences among the floor treatments were significant (P < 0.01), and 1/3SF broilers were the heaviest at slaughter age (3311.6g). The 6-week FCR in FS broilers was significantly worse than the others (1.471), but FI, livability and EPEF were similar among treatments. AFP tended to be higher in FL birds (P = 0.066), while CY, EIOP, GP, BRP and TP did not differ between groups. Breast pH was similar between treatments, with 1/2SF showing the highest (6.34) and FL the lowest (6.24) breast pH (P < 0.01). The partially slatted systems caused lighter, redder and yellower color values in breast meat (P < 0.01) than the fully littered or slatted systems, but did not change the color of the thigh meat. White striping and hemorrhaging in breast meat were not affected by the floor treatments. This study suggests that the use of partially slatted systems in broiler chickens improves meat color without compromising performance traits (body weight, feed efficiency, EPEF), litter moisture and slaughter traits and these systems could be an alternative to fully littered systems.

Broiler chicken vocalization analysis during a medium-scale heat stress experiment

The poultry industry in Flanders, Belgium, is characterized by highly efficient production mechanisms. To improve awareness for animal health and welfare, the use of neural network-based broiler vocalization detectors has been recently proposed in scientific literature. However, these tools have not yet been tested when used continuously in large-scale deployments. This paper describes the deployment of the broiler vocalization detector to analyze the sonic environment during four experimental rounds, each containing 560 broilers, in a medium scale housing at ILVO, Belgium. Half the broilers were subjected to periods of heat stress (ambient temperature increased to 32°C for 6h/day for 10 days during the last weeks of their lives) and the effect on the diurnal broiler vocalization pattern and occurrence of warbles, pleasure notes, short beeps and distress calls is discussed. While these four different types of vocalizations are common vocalizations in young birds, new types of vocalizations are emerging at an older age. A clustering has been performed to further analyze these new types of vocalizations occurring.

The potential of decision trees as a tool to simplify broiler chicken welfare assessments

To simplify fast-growth broiler welfare assessments and use them as a benchmarking tool, decision trees were used to identify iceberg indicators discriminating flocks passing/failing welfare assessments as with the complete AWIN protocol. A dataset was constructed with data from 57 flocks and 3 previous projects. A final flock assessment score, previously not included in the dataset, was calculated and used as the benchmarking assessment classifier (pass/fail). A decision tree to classify flocks was built using the Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) criterion. Cost-complexity pruning, and tenfold cross-validation were used. The final decision tree included cumulative mortality (%), immobile, lame birds (%), and birds with back wounds (%). Values were (mean ± se) 2.77 ± 0.14%, 0.16 ± 0.02%, 0.25 ± 0.02%, and 0.003 ± 0.001% for flocks passing the assessment; and 4.39 ± 0.49%, 0.24 ± 0.05%, 0.49 ± 0.09%, and 0.015 ± 0.006% for flocks failing. Cumulative mortality had the highest relative importance. The validated model correctly predicted 80.70% of benchmarking assessment outcomes. Model specificity was 0.8696; sensitivity was 0.5455. Decision trees can be useful to simplify welfare assessments. Model improvements will be possible as more information becomes available, and predictions are based on more samples.

Identification of the Most Common Antibiotics Used for Broiler Chicken Production in Bangladesh

The use of antibiotics indiscriminately in broiler without any veterinary consultation added in feed and water in sub-therapeutic doses for prophylaxis and growth promotion has increased antibiotic resistant bacteria transmitting to human. The aim of the study was to identify the most common antibiotic used by the broiler in Bangladesh. In this survey engaged 208 Upazila Livestock Offices (ULO) for interviewing 385 broiler farmers and veterinary medicine sales representative in all 8 divisions. Use of antimicrobial drugs for broiler production in different farm, medicine and feed used in the current flock were targeted to identify. Factor analysis was used to select respondents’ knowledge variables and multinomial logistic regression was followed to determine factors associated with antibiotic used in broiler production. According to opinion of 208 Upazila Livestock officers, interview with farmer and veterinary medicine sales representative, everyone agreed the most of the farmers use antimicrobials for broiler production. The most common antibiotics were Amoxcillin (182/208), Ciprofloxacin (179/208), Colistin sulphate (167/208), oxytetracyclin (165/208), Enrofloxacin (146/208), Erythromycin (133/208), sulfaquinoxaline (46/208), followed by Gentamycin, Norfloxacin, Tiamulin, Tilmicosin, Toltrazuril, Doxicycline, flumequine, Neomycin, Tylosin, lincomycin, Flavomycin, Florfenicol and Clortetracycline. Under above circumstances large-scale use of antimicrobials had led to its resistance and residues in broiler chicken meat and liver which can lead to public health problems. The major broiler farm used antibiotics (amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin) and they did not follow withdrawal period. Although national regulations is in favor of control use of antibiotics, but were not well enforced.

Evaluation of The Growth Promoting, Economic Impact and Possible Ameliorative Effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus Spp) against Salinomycin Toxicity in Broiler Chicks

Evaluation of The Growth Promoting, Economic Impact and Possible Ameliorative Effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus Spp) against Salinomycin Toxicity in Broiler Chicks

Potential benefits of advanced chelate-based trace minerals in improving bone mineralization, antioxidant status, immunity, and gene expression modulation in heat-stressed broilers.

Organic sources of trace minerals (TM) in broiler diets are more bioavailable and stable than inorganic sources, making them particularly beneficial during challenging periods such as heat stress (HS) conditions. A 42-d study investigated the effects of using advanced chelate technology-based TM (ACTM) or adding varying amounts of ACTM to broiler diets during HS conditions. The study involved 672 male broiler chickens in 7 treatment groups, including a thermoneutral control (TNC) group and six HS treatments. There were 8 replicate pens per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. The six HS treatments included birds exposed to a cyclic HS environment (34°C) for 8 h and were as follows: HSC, which consisted of the same basal diet with the recommended ITM levels; ACTM50 and ACTM100, which replaced the basal diet with 50% and 100% ACTM instead of ITM; ITM+ACTM12.5 and ITM+ACTM25, which involved adding extra ACTM to the ITM basal diet at 12.5% and 25%, respectively; and ITM125, which used 125% of the recommended levels of ITM in the basal diet. Compared with the HSC treatment, the TNC, ACTM100, and ITM+ACTM25 treatments resulted in increased (P < 0.05) body weight; tibia weight; tibia ash, phosphorus, iron, and manganese contents; secondary antibody titers; and serum TAC and SOD values but decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA concentrations and the expression levels of the hepatic genes IL-1β, IL-6, and INF-γ. The TNC and ACTM100 groups also showed greater (P < 0.05) feed efficiency, tibia length, tibia zinc content, and hepatic SOD1 expression but exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) hepatic NF-kB expression. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in primary anti-NDV titers, serum GPx1 activity, and Nrf2 and GPx1 gene expression levels were also detected in the ACTM100, ITM+ACTM12.5, and ITM+ACTM25 groups. In conclusion, the findings suggest that replacing ITM with ACTM or adding ACTM to ITM diets, especially at a 25% higher dose, can effectively protect broilers from heat stress by promoting growth, reducing inflammation, and increasing the expression of antioxidant proteins.

The Protective Impact of Prebiotic or Probiotic on Experimental Infection of Broiler Chickens with E. coli O78

The Protective Impact of Prebiotic or Probiotic on Experimental Infection of Broiler Chickens with E. coli O78

Using Different Types of Yeast Cell Extract, Probiotic and Abiotic to Improve Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Antioxidant Activities of Broiler Chickens

Using Different Types of Yeast Cell Extract, Probiotic and Abiotic to Improve Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Antioxidant Activities of Broiler Chickens