Chick Starter Rations Research Articles

Nutritive value of L-, DL- and D-tryptophan in the chick.

The present study was undertaken to determine the nutritive value of L-, DL- and D-tryptophan in chicks. Day-old chicks were fed commercial chick starter ration for one week and then they were given an experimental diet containing zein as a protein source for three weeks. The experimental results were analyzed by a slope ratio technique (weight gain vs. tryptophan intake). The relative biological utilization of DL- and D-tryptophan compared to L-tryptophan was approximately 55 and 15%, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the chicks were sacrificed and the concentration of free tryptophan in plasma was measured. The free tryptophan concentration in plasma corresponded closely with the increment level of tryptophan in diet when there was a normal level of dietary protein. But there was less correspondence when chicks were fed a diet low in protein.

The Effect of Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.) on the Performance of Turkey Poults and Broiler Chicks from 0–4 Weeks of Age

Experiments were conducted with turkey poults and broiler-type chicks to evaluate faba beans (Vicia faba L.) in poultry rations.Feeding starter rations containing 5, 10 or 20% ground raw faba beans to turkey poults produced no adverse effects on growth and feed efficiency, but inclusion of autoclaved ground faba beans reduced growth as the level of the beans in the diet was increased from 5 to 20%, suggesting a loss in the availability of some amino acids due to heat treatment.Feeding either raw or autoclaved ground faba beans in chick starter rations at levels of 5, 10 or 20 percent produced no deleterious effects on growth rate, hemoglobin concentration or pancreas weight. However, when the diet contained 35% ground faba beans there was a non-significant reduction in weight gain and a significant increase in pancreas weight. Feeding autoclaved ground faba beans at the 35% level increased weight gain and decreased pancreas weight.The tannin content of 4 varieties of faba beans was determined. The concentration of tannins in whole faba beans ranged from 0.34% to 0.50%. The testa contained a greater proportion of the total tannins (phenolics) than the embryo.The trypsin inhibitor activity of crude faba bean extract was found to be about one twenty-fifth that of crude raw soybean extract.

Interactions of Ca, P, Zn and Alkaline Phosphatase in the Chick: I. Methodological Considerations and Preliminary Findings

Three experiments were performed in the course of developing a suitable design to study the mineral-phosphatase interaction in the young chick. Commercial and semi-purified diets of varying Ca and P content were utilized in attempts to alter the intestinal alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity. Excess Ca (2.5%) in a commercial chick starter ration caused an initial decrease in AP (after 1 to 3 days) and an elevation of the enzyme (at 10 days) compared to control (1.0% Ca). On day 10 the enzyme was positively correlated with intestinal and plasma Ca and inversely correlated with plasma Zn. A low P semi-purified diet did not alter intestinal AP compared to the same diet containing adequate P (during 6 days). There appears to be developmental alterations in the mineral-phosphatase relationships during the first two weeks of life in the chick.

Effects of Serial Inoculations with Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria necatrix upon Zinc and Oleic Acid Absorption in Chicks ,

IN PREVIOUS papers in this series (Turk and Stephens, 1966Turk and Stephens, 1967 a, b), we have outlined the effects upon nutrient absorption of the coccidial infection of chickens produced by a single large inoculum of sporulated oocysts. The resulting short-lived acute infections were not typical of naturally-occurring infections which usually result from ingestion of fewer coccidial oocysts over a period of several days. Therefore, a series of trials was set up to determine the effects of an infection of the anterior one-third of the small intestine induced by five daily doses of Eimeria acervulina oocysts, or the infection of the middle one-third of the small intestine induced by 5 doses of Eimeria necatrix, upon the absorption of zinc and oleic acid.PROCEDURECommercial broiler male chicks were raised to four weeks of age in electrically heated batteries with ad libitum access to a non-medicated chick starter ration and tap water. At.

Safflower Meal—The Effect of Chick Age and Ration Lysine Content on its Use in Chick Starter Rations

INTRODUCTIONPREVIOUS work at this laboratory (Kuzmicky and Kohler, 1968) has shown that properly balanced safflower meal rations have produced chick growth rates superior to those from optimally supplemented soybean meal rations. However, in order to use safflower meal commercially it seems clear that either the amounts used will have to be restricted due to lysine and energy limitations, or low cost lysine and energy sources will have to be included in the formulations.Other workers have reported successful substitution of safflower meal in broiler rations. Kratzer and Williams (1951) reported that safflower meal could provide 15% of a 20% protein broiler ration if fish meal or fish meal plus soybean meal were included in the rations. Peterson et al. (1957) showed that with various combinations of fish meal, meat meal and soybean meal in a 20% protein ration, safflower meal could provide up to 16% of the ration. Halloran .

The Matternal Effect on Some Traits of Chickens

Prior to incubation, each egg was individually weighed and hatched in a single basket. Hatching eggs from New Hampshires which have been bred at this Institute were classified into six groups, i.e., below 49g 50-53, 54-57, 58-61, 62-65, 66-69g. A total of 1, 481 chicks produced from 45 sires and 225 dams were used to study the relationship between body weight in every week and the original egg size. Chicks sexed with the chick tester were separately reared in the battery keeping the balanced space per bird throughout the test period. Chick starter ration, total digestive nutrients (T. D. N.) 73, 0%, containing 16.0% crude protein (C. P.) for five weeks after hatching, and broiler ration, T. D. N. 67.0%, containing 17.0% C. P. for the following five weeks were fed ad libitum to all the groups.Chick weight at hatching time was 68.6% of the original egg weight and that was in exactly proportion to the egg size (Table 1). However, body weight after the 2nd-week did not always increase in parallel with egg size, as shown in the statistical test described in bottom of the Table.Significantly high correlation coefficient of 0.853 was found between chick weight at hatching time and the original egg weight. The correlation in the 2nd-week, on the other hand, abruptly falls to 0.323, and thereafter it trends toward the decrease with age (Table 2). The effect of the original egg weight to the variance of body weight in each week, which was computed from the formula of ((Σxy)2/Σx2)/Σy2=r2 was high at hatching time, being 72.8%, but it rapidly decreased to below 10% after the 2nd-week of age.The ratio of body weight to egg weight decreases with the increase in egg size, that is, weight of the chick hatched from the smaller egg shows a larger proportion to the egg weight as compared with that from the larger one (Table 1 and Fig. 1).With the experiment, it was recognized that the contribution of the original egg size to the chick weight continues throughout 10 weeks of age judging from the significance of the correlation between egg size and body weight and of the regression coefficient of chick weight on egg weight. However, it is generally concluded that the chick weight during the period from the hatching to four weeks of age is controlled by egg size, especially at the hatching time, but effect of egg size on chick weight after the 6th-week decreases rapidly. Therefore, in the practical poultry industry, it may be considered that the effect of egg size to chick weight almost disappears in 10 weeks of age.

TRITICALE AS A POTENTIAL COMPONENT OF CHICK RATIONS

A new grain, Triticale, (a synthesized hexaploid species combining the genomes of Triticum durum and Secale cereale) was tested as the principal ingredient in a chick starter ration. On a pound-for-pound basis Triticale was approximately equal to hard spring wheat in nutritive value for chicks as judged by growth, efficiency of feed utilization and ration metabohzable energy. Supplementation of a 17.5 per cent protein, Triticale ration with glycine, DL-methionine and/or L-lysine showed lysine to be the most limiting amino acid for chicks. A similar study with a 21 per cent protein ration showed that both L-lysine and DL-methionine were limiting for chick growth. The results bring to the fore the potential importance of new, synthesized plant species to animal production and, simultaneously, present an evaluation of a grain from one of these new species as a feed ingredient for chickens.

Failure to Demonstrate Estrogenic Effects in S. C. White Leghorn Chicks Fed Poultry By-Product Meal

The effect of estrogens on the comb of chicks is well known. Lorenz (1953) and Sturkie (1954) have adequately reviewed the literature concerning estrogen and comb regression. During a series of heart rate determinations in mature S. C. White Leghorns, poultry by-product meal (PBPM) was used as one of the diets. The question as to the presence of any residual estrogen in PBPM was raised as estrogens have been shown to affect the heart rate of chickens (Bird, 1946) and human beings (Coca, 1953).A series of small tests were undertaken to determine if PBPM contained any estrogen. The response of the comb was determined by the length × height or comb weight. Both values were related to body weight for the assay method. In two experiments oviduct response was used. A standard commercial chick starter ration was used as the control. Poultry by-product meal or fish meal was mixed …

A Comparison of Feed Grade Tallow and Acidulated Soapstocks in Practical Chick Starter Rations ,

THE considerable body of literature concerning the use of fatty materials in poultry rations contains little information about the nutritive properties of acidulated soapstocks. Renner and Hill (1958) found a sample of acidulated soapstocks to contain 3,150 Cal. metabolizable energy (M.E.) per pound which suggests that this material compares favourably with many tallows as a source of feed energy. Sibbald et al. (1962) reported that a sample of acidulated soapstocks, fed to growing chicks at a level of 20% of the diet, contained 3,530 Cal. M.E. per pound; further it was noted that by combining tallow and soapstocks in equal proportions by weight the chicks were better able to utilize the energy therein. This synergistic relationship between tallow and acidulated soapstocks was also observed in the weight gain data even when corrections were made for differences in dietary energy content.Experiments to determine the M.E. values for fats are usually …

Storage of Mixed Feeds Containing Cane Final Molasses: 1. Effect on Chick Growth and Feed Utilization

EXTENSIVE studies have been conducted at this Station in which cane final molasses was evaluated in chick starter, grower, and layer rations (Rosenberg, 1954a, b; 1955; Rosenberg and Palafox, 1956). The primary conclusion of these studies was that excellent growth and egg production could be obtained when high levels of molasses were incorporated into poultry rations. Although these studies have paved the way for the increased use of cane molasses in poultry feeds, a number of unresolved questions remain before extensive use of molasses may be made on a commercial scale.One of these questions is the effect of storage on the nutritive value of mixed molasses feeds. Numerous references appear in the literature on the effect of storage on the stability of the various vitamins, but no references have been found as to the effect of storing feeds containing molasses on the nutritive value of the mixed feed. Tanaka …

Thiamine Requirement of Growing Chicks as Influenced by Breed Differences

THE DIETARY requirement for nutrients as affected by breed differences in chickens has not been investigated extensively. However, in view of the present trend for critical specialization by geneticists in breed selectivity compounded by the growing tendency of nutritionists to feed meat and egg producing strains differently, it would appear that such differences should be studied.Lamoreux and Hutt (1939) reported a breed difference in thiamine requirements for growing chicks, stating that heavy breeds had a higher requirement than the Leghorn. These chicks were fed an autoclaved chick starter ration. The conclusions of this experiment were based on survival time in chicks given the autoclaved diet without supplemental thiamine. Nichita and Iftimesco (1934) and Nichita et al. (1934) as reported by Howes and Hutt (1956) indicated a difference in survival time in heavy and light breed adults given a thiamine-free diet. This work can be seriously questioned, however, since the …

The Value of Rapeseed Oil Meal and Sunflower Seed Oil Meal in Chick Starter Rations

PUBLISHED reports on the nutritive value of rapeseed oil meal for livestock and poultry have been reviewed by Bell (1955). According to the evidence cited in this review it appears that rapeseed oil meal, when incorporated into poultry rations at levels of 10% or higher, is goitrogenic and detrimental to growth. Bell also reviewed work of Kratzer et al. (1954) which showed that a ration containing a high level of rapeseed oil meal produced better growth when supplemented with lysine but not when supplemented with iodinated casein, although the latter supplement decreased the weight of the thyroid. Also mentioned was a report by Blakely and Anderson (1948) that poults fed rations containing rapeseed oil meal exhibited some evidence of inadequate lysine intake as judged by slight depigmentation of wing feathers, and showed a thyroid enlargement which was reduced by feeding iodinated casein.In a later publication, Renner, Clandinin and Robblee …

Evaluation of Cuban High Test Syrup in Chick Rations

IT HAS been reported that cane final molasses may be fed in chick starter rations at concentrations up to 34.5 percent; but optimum results, as determined by growth rate and cost of feed per pound of gain to 6 weeks of age, were obtained on levels of molasses ranging from 7.5 to 23.0 percent of total ration (Rosenberg, 1955). These conclusions were drawn from a study conducted with chicks reared on raised hardware cloth floors where the moisture of the droppings was of no consequence. However, it was noted that the moisture content of the feces increased as the concentration of molasses was raised, and it was suggested that this characteristic may be prejudicial to the commercial use of molasses at comparatively high levels despite its economic advantage.This investigation was undertaken to biologically assay Cuban produced “High Test” syrup, no comparable sugar cane by-product being available in Hawaii at…

Cottonseed Meal as a Substitute for Soybean Oil Meal in Poultry Rations ,

RINGROSE and Morgan (1938) reported that hydraulic cottonseed meal could replace one-half of the meat scraps in chick starter rations. Boatner et al. (1948) showed that chick growth was retarded by gossypol and related substances in cottonseed meal. Clark et al. (1948) found solvent cottonseed meal to be slightly superior to hydraulic cottonseed meal when fed to chicks. They also reported that equal parts of solvent or hydraulic cottonseed meal with soybean oil meal gave results similar to that obtained with soybean oil meal alone. Lillie and Bird (1950) concluded from their studies that the toxicity of cottonseed pigment glands fed to chicks daily by capsule was due entirely to the gossypol content of the glands. Richardson and Blaylock (1950a) obtained rapid growth in young chickens fed a diet which contained cottonseed meal as the only source of protein, when the diet was supplemented with vitamin B12 and synthetic lysine …

An Evaluation of B-Grade Molasses in Chick Starter Rations

RECENT investigations have shown that certain by-products of the sugar cane industry may serve as a source of carbohydrates for growing and laying chickens. Palafox and Rosenberg (1954) reported that New Hampshire chicks fed experimental rations containing as much as 47 percent low-grade sugar-bagasse pith (10:1 by weight) grew as well as those fed a standard starter ration and with excellent feed efficiency to 42 days of age. Older birds, under test from 8 to 15 weeks of age, grew faster than their controls when they were fed rations in which one third of the yellow corn meal (19.5 percent of total ration) was replaced by either low-grade sugar or low-grade sugar-bagasse pith, and growth was not depressed when two thirds of the corn meal was substituted by these products. However, growth rate was significantly depressed when all the corn was replaced by either sugar product. When low-grade sugar-bagasse pith …

The Value of Supplemental Methionine in Practical Chick Starter and Broiler Rations

THE ever-increasing economic pressure on protein supplements used for poultry feeds is resulting in the use of large quantities of cereal protein concentrates and particularly soybean oil meal. This, together with the recent discoveries that vitamin B12 (Ott, Rickes and Wood, 1948; and Briggs, Hill and Giles, 1950) and antibiotics (Stokstad and Jukes, 1950) influence chick growth, and that the quality of the diet influences the growth response obtained from several antibiotics (Matterson, Singsen, Decker and Kozeff, 1951), influenced the authors of this paper to re-examine the value of supplemental methionine in practical type chick starter and broiler rations, composed mainly of corn as a source of carbohydrates and soybean oil meal as a source of protein.Early literature on the value of soybean oil meal protein for growth has been reviewed by Hayward and Hafner (1941). These same authors (1941) carried out parallel experiments with rats and chicks to …

Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Fat With and Without Choline and Antibiotic + B12 Supplements to Chicks

THE trend to high energy rations in the production of broilers has led to increased interest in the possibility of adding fat to this type ration. Reiser and Pearson (1949) used lard and hydrogenated vegetable oils in chick starter rations and the addition of these fats showed no deleterious effects on the growth of chicks. Buckner et al. (1947) have also indicated that the addition of 17% corn oil to rations for laying hens showed no deleterious effects although utilization of the corn oil was not complete.Studies with rats (Pearson and Panzer, 1949; Barki et al., 1950; Geyer et al., 1945; Deuel et al., 1947) and weanling dogs (Siedler and Schweigert, 1952) have indicated that added levels of fat improved the general performance of the animals. Barki et al. (1950) have shown that the response of rats to added levels of fat in the diet is not attributable to …

The Lysine Requirement of Eight-Week Old Chickens

THE lysine requirement for growth of chicks and poults has been determined by Almquist and Mecchi (1942) and by Grau et al. (1946). The results of investigations into the lysine requirements of laying hens have been reported by Grau (1947) and by Ingram and coworkers (1950).Reports on the amino acid requirements of chickens in the later stages of growth have not appeared in the literature. It is generally assumed that when the protein content of the chick starter ration is decreased from 20 percent to a 16 percent developing ration, the amino acid requirements of the animal are decreased in the same ratio. Since experimental proof has not been reported to substantiate this assumption, a series of investigations have been undertaken to determine the amino acid requirements of chickens in later stages of development. The first study in this series dealing with the lysine requirement of eight-week old Rhode .

The Multiple Nature of the Deficiency of Unidentified Nutrients in Crude All-Vegetable Protein Chick Starter Rations

THE necessity of adding small amounts of animal protein concentrates to chick starter rations deriving all of their protein from vegetable sources has been established by numerous investigations as reviewed by Heuser, Norris and McGinnis (1946). The properties of animal protein concentrates in promoting optimum growth and feed efficiency under such conditions are also contained in cow manure (Hammond, 1942, 1944; Rubin and Bird, 1946a, 1946b), hen feces (Rubin, Bird and Rothchild, 1946; McGinnis Stevens and Groves 1947a) and liver fractions (McGinnis, Stevens and Groves, 1947b, Nichol, Roblee, Cravens and Elvehjem, 1947). The effectiveness of small quantities of fractions of cow manure and liver is indicative that the response of chicks to animal protein supplements is not due to protein as such, but rather to a vitamin-like substance or substances carried by these materials.The experiments reported herein were a part of a series of studies of the distribution in .

Influence of Season on Comb Development of Chicks Following Oral Administration of Methyl Testosterone

THE discovery of considerable amounts of male hormone in the feces of dairy cattle, (Riley and Hammond, 1942) raises the intriguing problem as to the possible functional activity of this hormone during pregnancy and lactation. It was considered important to determine the rate of elimination of the male hormone in individual cows during various physiological conditions. A simple biological assay method was developed consisting of feeding 10 percent dry cow manure in the chick starter ration in place of an equal amount of alfalfa meal (Turner, 1947). At 28 days of age the chicks were sacrificed, the comb cut off even with the head and weighed.To obtain an estimate of the amount of androgenic hormone present in manure, a comparison was made with the comb weight which could be stimulated by the oral administration of methyl testosterone. It was observed that chicks fed methyl testosterone at the rate of .