Broiler Crosses Research Articles

Feeding a Novel Mannan-Rich Yeast Carbohydrate Product Improves Production Performance and Humoral Immunity of Broiler Chickens.

The current study examined the benefits of a novel mannan-rich yeast carbohydrate product (YM) on broiler chicken growth performance and immune response against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). A total of 144 newly hatched male Cornish cross broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments with 12 cages per treatment and three birds per cage. The treatments were (1) control, basal diet; (2) YCW, basal diet + 1 g/kg yeast cell wall; (3) YM1, basal diet + 0.5 g/kg of a novel yeast mannan-rich product (YM); and (4) YM2, basal diet + 1 g/kg YM. Growth performance was measured at 14, 28, and 35 days of age (d). At 26 and 27 d, nine birds per treatment were immunized intravenously with SRBCs, and antibody responses against SRBCs were analyzed through a hemagglutination assay 7 days post-inoculation. Supplementing YM tended to improve broiler chicken weight gain from 29 to 35 d (p = 0.053). An improvement in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in the birds fed YM diets during 29-35 d and over the entire experimental period (0-35 d; p < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed YM2 diets had more robust antibody responses against SRBCs than the control birds (p = 0.033). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of YM improved broiler chicken growth performance and antibody response against SRBCs.

Efficiency of using complex feed hydrolyzate in the diet of Cobb 500 cross broiler chickens

Efficiency of using complex feed hydrolyzate in the diet of Cobb 500 cross broiler chickens

Simulation of dual-purpose chicken breeding programs implementing gene editing

BackgroundIn spite of being controversial and raising ethical concerns, the application of gene editing is more likely to be accepted when it contributes to improving animal welfare. One of the animal welfare and ethical issues in chicken breeding is chick culling, the killing of the male layer chicks after hatching due to the poor fattening performance. Although establishing dual-purpose chicken lines could solve this problem, unfavorable genetic correlations between egg and meat production traits hindered their competitiveness. Although it is also controversial in ethical terms, gene editing may accelerate genetic progress in dual-purpose chicken and alleviate the ethical concerns from chick culling.ResultsThe simulation compared the utility improvement in dual-purpose use under two breeding schemes: one consisting in the improvement of the laying hens, and the second in the improvement of a synthetic line obtained from a layer broiler cross. In each breeding scheme, the breeding programs were simulated with and without gene editing. Polygenic breeding values and 500 simulated quantitative trait loci (QTL) with different levels of pleiotropy caused negative correlations between egg production, meat production, and overall health. The results of the simulation demonstrated that genetic gain could be accelerated by at most 81% for several generations if gene editing was used. The actual increase in genetic gain depended on the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being edited per animal. The rate of genetic improvement became equal in scenarios with and without gene editing after 20 generations. This is because the remaining segregating QTL had small effects and their edition would have negative overall health effects from potential off-target edits. Although gene editing can improve genetic gain in quantitative traits, it can only be recommended as long as QTL with reasonable effect sizes are segregating and detectable.ConclusionsThis simulation demonstrates the potential of gene editing to accelerate the simultaneous improvement of negatively correlated traits. When the risk of negative consequences from gene editing persists, the number of SNPs to be edited should be chosen carefully to obtain the optimal genetic gain.

New broiler cross paternal parent form

New broiler cross paternal parent form

Bacell-M® probiotic effect on genes expression level in Cobb 500 broiler cross at the phone of vaccination against infectious bronchitis

Bacell-M® probiotic effect on genes expression level in Cobb 500 broiler cross at the phone of vaccination against infectious bronchitis

ВЕТЕРИНАРНО-САНИТАРНАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА МЯСА БРОЙЛЕРОВ КРОССА «РОСС-308» ПРИ ВКЛЮЧЕНИИ В ИХ РАЦИОН МУЛЬТИЭНЗИМНОГО КОМПЛЕКСА

Veterinary and sanitary characteristics have been studied of foreign “Ross-308” cross broiler meat raised on the ration with multienzime protease complex with optimal activity in acid medium and xylanase with high degree of ther- mostability. It has been determined that metabolism changed in some of broilers and myopathy developed that is “white stripping”. This results in carcasses commercial qualities and meat qualities.

Morphogenesis of some organs of the immune system of broiler chickens in the age aspect when adding the feed additive “Amber Chill feed supplement” to the diet

This article uses the results of a comparative morphological study of Ross 308 cross broiler chickens of the experimental and control groups when introducing the feed additive “Amber Chill feed supplement” with drinking water during the technological cycle. The experiments were conducted at the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences” in 2023. The inclusion of the feed additive “Amber Chill feed supplement” in the diet of broiler chickens did not have a negative effect on the general condition, safety of poultry, and live weight gain. The hematological parameters of broiler chickens of the control and experimental groups were within the reference values. Histological examination of the organs of the immune system – thymus, spleen, bursa of Fabricius at 10, 20, 35 and 42 days of age revealed the processes of maturation and differentiation of organs and some processes of involution by the end of the technological cycle. A distinctive feature between the groups was the earlier maturation of the immune system organs in broiler chickens of the experimental group, as opposed to the control group.

Comparative characteristics of metabolism in stress-sensitive and stress-resistant broiler chickens

The metabolic processes in ISA F 15 cross broiler chickens with different stress sensitivity in industrial technology have characteristic differences. The content of total protein in the blood serum of stress-sensitive poultry is 3.46% higher, β-lipoproteins - 8.8; glucose - 8.3; alkaline phosphatase activity - 42.6% higher than in stress-resistant chickens; total lipids (2.83 g/l) and inorganic phosphorus (2.6 mmol/l) are set at the same level Cholesterol is 11.5% higher; alkaline reserve is 14.5% higher in stress-resistant than in stress-sensitive birds.

Morphogenesis of immune formations of ducks' intestine

The morphogenesis of immune formations of duck intestines was studied. Material for histological studies was taken from Blagovarsky cross broiler ducks aged from one to 420 days. The obtained sections were stained with Karatsi's hematoxylin and eosin – to establish the features of the microscopic structure of intestinal immune formations, Weigert's hematoxylin and picrofuchsin according to Van Gieson and aniline blue in combination with acid fuchsin and Orange G according to Mallory – to identify collagen fibers, resorcin-fuchsin according to Weigert – for differentiation of elastic fibers. To determine reticular fibers, sections were impregnated with 1–2 % argentum nitrate solution according to the modified Kelemen method. Electron microscopy studies were carried out to study the ultrastructure of the immune formations of the intestines of 180-day-old ducks. The studies have established that the intestinal wall in the places where immune formations of the intestines in ducks are localized is formed by tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa, the area of which in all immune formations changes unevenly and asynchronously with the birds’ age. The tunica mucosa occupies the largest area, which changes unevenly and asynchronously, reaching maximum values (from 71.66 ± 0.25 to 81.28 ± 0.19 %) during the first 25 days of the ducks' life. The tunica muscularis occupies a smaller area than the tunica mucosa. It decreases unevenly in the first 25 days of a bird’s life, and in older birds it increases and reaches maximum values (35.68 ± 0.49–46.67 ± 1.39 %) in 330- and 420-day-old birds. The tunica serosa occupies the smallest area. In day-old birds, this indicator is the highest (from 2.47 ± 0.07 to 6.20 ± 0.02 %) and decreases with age by 1.24–6.52 times. Lymphoid tissue, which determines the functions of immune formations, is located in their tunica mucosa and tunica muscularis. It is detected in the tunica mucosa of all immune formations and the tunica muscularis of caecal diverticula from the bird’s one-day age, in the tunica muscularis of other immune structures – from the age of 10–20 days. The total area of lymphoid tissue increases from one day (27.03 ± 0.88–31.72 ± 0.04 %) to 150 days of age in ducks in Peyer's patches of the duodenum and jejunum and cecal diverticula (59.86 %, 59.58 ± 1.28, 65.12 ± 0.50 %), up to 210 days of age in Peyer’s patches of the ileum (71.64 ± 1.03 %), up to 330 days of age in Peyer’s patches of the cecum (37.84 ± 5.12 %), up to 420 days of age in Meckel’s diverticulum (55.24 ± 0.37 %). In older birds, the area of lymphoid tissue decreases, which indicates the beginning of its involution and, accordingly, the involution of immune formations.

Slaughter and meat quality of broiler turkeys using different light programmes during growing

The issue of selecting light programmes in poultry houses is of great importance in growing broiler turkeys, as neglecting it results in the deterioration of the movement of the bird. Such a factor leads to deterioration of general health and destabilises the proper functioning of body systems. The purpose of the research was to identify the effect of different lighting methods on the slaughter and meat qualities of broiler turkeys. The following methods were used in the research: histological, anatomical, morphometric, light-optical, statistical. The research was conducted in 2022 on two groups of Big-6 cross broiler turkeys in the poultry houses of the control group and two experimental production sites No. 7 poultry enterprises of Chernivtsi Oblast. The regulation of the light programs of each poultry house was implemented using fluorescent lamps of the PSP1V2-36 type, which provide warm white colour (colour temperature 2700 K) lighting. The research results established that the most developed muscle tissue was found in turkeys grown by the method using high intensity lighting. In addition, another experimental group demonstrated results higher than the control group. In addition, the quality of the meat of different groups had specific minor differences: in the pectoral muscles of the experimental groups, a slight increase in the content of dry matter (by 0.4-0.6%), protein (by 0.3-0.4%) and a decrease in fat content (by 0.3-0.4%). The caloric content has actually not changed. The experimental groups had an advantage in the chemical composition and energy value of the meat. The results of the conducted research can be used to improve the system of growing broiler turkeys, to explore in more detail the reaction of the bird to various conditions and the impact of these conditions on the body. It will allow obtaining high-quality products faster and reduce the cost of production

Impact of Supplementing Phytobiotics as a Substitute for Antibiotics in Broiler Chicken Feed on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Biochemical Parameters.

To determine the level of application and the effectiveness of the use of plant feed additives from sweet chestnut wood extract (Castanea Sativa Mill) in the diet of Cobb-500 cross broiler chickens, four groups were formed via the balanced groups method. The chickens in the experimental groups were supplemented with sweet chestnut wood extract in the main diet rather than a feed antibiotic at an amount of 500 g per ton of compound starter feed and 250 g per ton of grower and finisher in the second experimental group; 650 g per ton of compound starter feed and 325 g per ton of grower and finisher in the third experimental group; and 800 g per ton of compound starter feed and 400 g per ton of grower and finisher in the fourth experimental group. Supplementation with phytobiotics led to an increase in the digestibility of the dry matter in the second and third groups compared to the first experimental group. Furthermore, broiler chickens supplemented with a medium dose of phytobiotics revealed a significant difference in both crude protein and fiber when compared to the second experimental group (91.95% and 12.11% vs. 88.98% and 10.07%, respectively). The preslaughter weight of the birds in the phytobiotics supplemented groups was higher than in those fed with the lowest dosage of phytobiotic by 5.47%, and the difference was significant. There were no significant differences in terms of the blood biochemical parameters between the groups. In summary, the inclusion of plant feed additives from sweet chestnut wood extract as a substitute for an antibacterial drug in the diet of broiler chickens did not deteriorate the blood biochemical parameters and improved the intensity of the nutrient digestion process. As a result, it enhanced the quality indicators of the broiler carcass during the entire growth period.

Comparative evaluation of technological efficiency of fattening and individual indicators of meat quality of broiler chickens of Cobb-500 and Ross-308 crosses

As a result of the conducted comparative studies, it was found that in the process of fattening, the broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 and Ross-308 crosses met the standards of meat productivity grown in the conditions of feedlots on the territory of the Voronezh region. The results of fattening showed that Cobb-500 and Ross-308 cross broiler chickens had different indicators of live weight and, accordingly, the mass and yield of carcasses after primary processing as a result of slaughter. The live weight index of broiler chickens of the Ross-308 cross was 154.5 grams lower than that of the Cobb-500 cross, respectively, the mass of the unemboweled carcass after transportation by 208.5 grams, the mass of the gutted carcass by 178.7 grams. The slaughter yield of the unemboweled carcass was also 0.5% lower, and the gutted one by 1%. Individual anatomical parts of the carcasses of broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross exceeded the mass of individual anatomical parts obtained after cutting the Ross-308 cross. It was determined that broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross as a result of a more intensive increase in muscle mass under equal conditions compared with the Ross-308 cross with intensive metabolic processes in the body had lower safety indicators for the herd. It is determined that the Cobb-500 cross is more susceptible to the stressful effects of technological factors, for example, due to the increased temperature and humidity conditions of the room, noise, etc. Based on this, the bird at the final stage of fattening has more contact with the aggressive environment of the bedding material, i.e. spends more time sitting as a result of a heavy load of body weight on the joints of the legs. As a result, the case increases, the weight gain on the herd decreases, and the number of pathological processes of paws increases and, accordingly, their culling. As a result, it can be noted that broiler chickens of the Ross-308 cross are less susceptible to stressful production factors, and also have higher rates of preservation and slaughter yield of bird paws as a by-product, based on the fact that the number of defective products decreases

Meat quality and flavor compounds of soft-boiled chickens: effect of Chinese yellow-feathered chicken breed and slaughter age

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of Mahuang and Tuer chickens, 2 representatives of the native chicken breed, and the slaughter age on meat quality and flavor compounds of soft-boiled chickens (SCs) in comparison to a commercial cross boiler. A total of 432 chicks were randomly allocated into the following groups: 817 groups raised for 55 d, and Mahuang and Tuer chickens raised for 60, 65, 70, and 75 days (d). After the completion of rearing period, the chickens were slaughtered, and 5 carcasses per group were randomly selected for SC manufacturing. Meat quality was determined based on product yield, pH, color, meat tenderness, and textural and sensorial attributes. The volatile compounds of chicken breast were identified by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results showed that the yellow-feathered chicken breed, especially Mahuang chicken, had a higher product yield, and lower shear force and sensorial scores than the cross broiler. The pH, L* and b* values in SC breast meat were not significantly influenced by breed (P > 0.05), while greater a* was observed in SC of yellow-feathered chickens compared to cross broilers. The slaughter age had a significant effect on the pH, color, shear force, and textural properties of SC (P < 0.05). The meat tenderness of SC was significantly decreased as the age of chicken increased from 65 d to 75 d (P < 0.05). The relatively young age of yellow-feathered chickens (60 d and 65 d) was rated to have a higher overall sensory score of SC (P < 0.05). A total of 65 organic volatile compounds were identified in SC, including 18 aldehydes, 16 alcohols, 10 ketones, 9 esters, 2 acids, 3 furans, 5 pyrazines, and 2 sulfur-containing compounds. Three chicken breeds were separately clustered in the plot of principal component analysis, indicating breed-specific flavor characteristics. Collectively, the present study provides valuable information for SC processing in terms of carcass selection of yellow-feathered chicken breeds and slaughter age.

Layers, broiler chickens and their F1 cross develop distinctly different caecal microbial communities when hatched and reared together.

AimTo compare the caecal microbiota of layer, broiler, and intermediate F1 layer × broiler cross birds with the hypothesis that significant differences in caecal microbial composition would persist between the three groups when host and environmental interactions were minimized.Methods and ResultsCaecal contents were characterized using 16S rRNA for males of broiler (n = 12), layer (n = 12) and F1 layer × broiler cross (n = 9) birds that were hatched and reared under the same conditions. The microbial community structure differed significantly between the three groups of birds at phylum, genus and OTU levels, with clear separation of the groups observed. Firmicutes was the phylum most represented across samples; however, the high abundance of Proteobacteria in the layer birds at d28 post‐hatch was unexpected, and driven by a higher abundance of E. coli.ConclusionsThe microbiota phylotype between broilers, layers and their F1 cross significantly differed in community structure, diversity and relative abundance in the absence of environmental confounding, which is generally difficult to avoid in microbial studies.Significance and Impact of StudyThe results provide a unique comparison and evidence that there is a strong genetic component driving microbial composition within poultry strains, despite the embryonic development occurring in ovo.

Eradication of avian leukosis virus subgroups J and K in broiler cross chickens by selection against infected birds using multilocus PCR.

The avian leukosis virus (ALV) is a serious threat to sustainable and economically viable commercial poultry management world-wide. Active infections can result in more than 20% flock loss, resulting in significant economic damage. ALV detection and elimination from flocks and breeding programs is complicated by high sequence variability and the presence of endogenous virus copies which show up as false positives in assays. Previously-developed approaches to virus detection are either too labor-intensive to implement on an industrial scale or suffer from high false negative or positive rates. We developed a novel multi-locus multiplex quantitative real-time PCR system to detect viruses belonging to the J and K genetic subgroups that are particularly prevalent in our region. We used this system to eradicate ALV from our broiler breeding program comprising thousands of individuals. Our approach can be generalized to other ALV subgroups and other highly genetically diverse pathogens.

Genome-Wide Association Studies Provide Insight Into the Genetic Determination for Hyperpigmentation of the Visceral Peritoneum in Broilers.

Hyperpigmentation of the visceral peritoneum (HVP) has been becoming one of the most challenging problems in yellow-feathered chicken production, which seriously affected chicken carcass quality traits. Detecting which genes dominantly impact pigmentation in the peritoneum tissues is of great benefit to the genetic improvement of HVP. To investigate the genetic mechanism of HVP in yellow-feathered broilers, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted in the F2 generation of a cross broiler population with 395 birds. A total of 115,706 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 122,415 were retained to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated to HVP in chicken. The GWAS results based on the logistic mixed model (LMM) revealed that a narrow genomic location on chromosomes 1 (49.2–51.3 Mb) was significantly associated (p ≤ 4.32 × 10−7) with HVP, which contained 23 SNP makers related to 14 functional genes (MFNG, POLDIP3, POLR2F, PICK1, PDXP, SGSM3, RANGAP1, MYH9, RPL3, GALP3, LGALS1, MICALL1, ATF4, and CYP2D6). Four highly associated (p < 10−5) haplotype blocks of 0.80 kb (two SNPs), 0.06 kb (two SNPs), 0.95 kb (two SNPs), and 0.03 kb (two SNPs) were identified with two, two, four, and four distinct haplotypes, respectively. As a melanoma-associated gene, CYP2D6 were also possibly involved in the development of HVP occurring in chicken with two significant variations (rs314284996 and rs317955795) in the promoter regions. Further tests revealed that the expression of CYP2D6 was obviously higher in the visceral peritoneum tissue of chicken with HVP than that in the normal group (p < 0.05). Our results provide a novel clue to understand the genetic mechanism of HVP generation in chicken, and the mapped QTL or candidate genes might serve for genomic selection to improve carcass quality in the yellow-feathered chicken industry.

Features of innovative development for sustainable systems of food production in terms of creating trophological components in poultry farming

Animal feed must contain the most important trace elements, such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt, iodine and selenium. They are added in the form of inorganic compounds, namely, sulphates, carbonates and oxides. However, these substances are very poorly absorbed by animal bodies, from 5 to 20%. At the same time, adverse reactions occur in animal feed causing the loss of trace elements themselves and a decrease in vitamin activity. A promising alternative is organic compounds of trace elements, especially with amino acids. They easily penetrate through cell walls and are highly absorbed by the body. The use of these premixes enables to reduce the amount of trace elements fed by 10-12 times from the recommended norms for inorganic compounds of trace elements. At the same time, as the latest studies of domestic and foreign scientists demonstrate, animal health and performance are constantly improving. As a result of our studies, it may be argued that when the organic mineral premix OMEK-7M is fed instead of the inorganic form of trace elements in the diets of Ross cross broiler chickens under the conditions of a production site, it increases the performance of broiler chickens and allows the production of biologically safe products.

МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ И ХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВЫ ПОТРОШЕНЫХ ТУШЕК БРОЙЛЕРОВ КРОССА «СМЕНА 9», ИХ ОТДЕЛЬНЫХ ЧАСТЕЙ И СОСТАВЛЯЮЩИХ ИХ ТКАНЕЙ

The results have been given in the paper for morphologic and chemical composition of “Smena 9” broiler cross eviscerated carcasses with average weight 1467.97 g and their separate parts and tissue constitutes. The study has revealed that mass share of breast part and thighs reach 37.87 and 30.24% of carcass weight. Such traits are typical for high productive foreign crosses. Mass shares of muscular tissue of breast part and thighs with skin and skin fat are 32.29 and 24.94% respectively.

INTENSITY OF GROWTH, SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF REARING ROSS 308 CROSS BROILER CHICKENS WHEN THE FEED ADDITIVE ZASLON 2+ IS USED IN THE DIET

The article presents the material on the use of the feed additive Zaslon 2+ in the diet of Ross 308 cross broiler chickens. A production trial was carried out on 2000 birds. Two groups were formed. The poultry of the control group (1000 birds) received CP-5-0 in the starter period, CP-2-0 – in the rearing period, CP-3 – in the finishing period. The broiler chickens of the experimental group received the same diet with the introduction of 0.5 kg per 1 ton of the feed additive with adsorbing action Zaslon 2+. These trials confirmed that in order to improve economic efficiency, it is advisable to include a feed additive in the diet to reduce exposure to toxins in feeds, in order to increase the average daily weight gain by 10.7%, carcass slaughter yield – by 1.8%, safety rate – by 3.7%, while reducing feed costs per 1 kg of products by 7.7%, to reduce the feed expenditures per 1 kg of growth – 4.37 rubles, to obtain surplus of 28.94 rubles per 1 broiler chicken.

Meat Productivity of the Ross 308 - Cross Roosters by the Adding in to a Diet of Organic Acids and their Salts

The article presents the results of studies conducted on the inclusion of Presan and Selko pH feed additives produced on the basis of organic acids in the feeding diets of Ross-308 cross broiler chickens. Organic acids and their salts are used in poultry farming as an alternative to feed antibiotics, and also has the ability to prevent the development of intestinal bacterial infection, increase the resistance of the body, thereby improving the absorption of feed nutrients and increasing poultry productivity. The largest preslaughter weight was in the groups of cockerels getting the T6 diet without antibiotics adding, which is 1.92% more than the groups getting the T1-control diet. In addition, the output of the pectoral and femoral muscles was higher by chickens getting a T6 diet by 0.5 and 0.3%, in contrast to groups getting a standard diet. Thus, it has been experimentally proven that the tested feed additives Presan and Selko pH do not reduce the slaughter performance of broilers.