Cobb Broiler Chicks Research Articles

THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (NAC) ON BROILERS EXPOSED TO CHRONIC HEAT STRESS

In hot areas, heat stress (HS) is one of the most prominent stressors in the broiler industry. To provide comprehensive information about the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on hamartiology, biochemistry, and thyroid hormones in broilers under thermoneutral (TN) (22 4 ° C) and heat stress (HS) (34 2 ° C), The current study was carried out. A total of 80 one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were used, with 20 birds in each group receiving either a control (basal diet) or a NAC (100 mg/Kg diet). Chronic HS at 42 days resulted in a considerable decrease in HGB, PCV, RBCs, total protein, Albumin, serum T3 and T4, while greatly increasing H/L, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, uric acid, AST, ALT, ALP, TBIL, DBIL, and creatinine. When compared to HSC broilers at 42 d old, NAC supplementation greatly increased PCV content with a substantial decrease in total leukocytic count, heterophils, and H/L ratio with an increase in lymphocytes and monocytes. When compared to HSC population, chickens given NAC had a significant decrease in serum AST, ALP, ALT and triglyceride levels, as well as a significant increase in serum T3 concentration.

Evaluation of animal feed grade sodium bisulfate supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and vitamin D status of broilers challenged with coccidiosis vaccine

This study analyzed the effect of sodium bisulfate ( SBS ) supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology, and vitamin D 3 status of broilers subjected to a 2X dose coccidiosis vaccine. Coccidiosis causes detrimental effects to poultry health and substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. At day of placement, 800 one-day-old male Cobb500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a vaccinated or not vaccinated group for each of the 2 dietary treatments, control or SBS. Broilers were placed in floor pens for a 21-day trial period. SBS was supplemented at 0.4% at the expense of sodium chloride. Replicates were arranged in a completely randomized block design with 25 broilers per replicate and 8 replicates per treatment, a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Body weights ( BW ), feed consumption ( FC ), and mortality-corrected feed conversion ( FCR ) were calculated at day 7, 14, and 21. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D 3 ), villi and crypt measurements from small intestine, and tibia ash ( TBA ) were measured on day 10, and 21 along with lesion scores. Lesion scores were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) for vaccinated groups compared to not vaccinated groups, suggestive of a good vaccine challenge. At day 21 there was a significant improvement ( P < 0.05) in 25-OH-D 3 serum concentration, BW, FCR, and 10 d TBA from SBS compared to Control. In conclusion, the data suggest that SBS can positively impact cumulative FCR, 25-OH-D 3 serum concentration, and TBA in broilers.

Impacts of Microbial based Therapy on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, Carcass Traits and Economic Efficiency of Clostridium perfringens‐Infected Cobb and Arbor Acres Broilers

The poultry farms need a safe and effective alternative for antibiotics that can counteract the negative impacts of necrotic enteritis (NE), which causes severe mortalities and economic losses. The current study was aimed to examine the influence of antibiotic (Flagymox) and the microbial‐based administration on carcass traits in Clostridium (C.) perfringens‐infected Cobb and Arbor Acres broilers. A total number of 360 Cobb and Arbor Acres broiler chicks (180 numbers per breed) were allocated to four groups; negative control group (without any treatments); positive control group (administration of C. perfringens at the rate of 1 × 109cfu/bird via crop gavage twice daily from day 16 to 18 post‐hatch); C. perfringens challenge plus antibiotic (Flagymox®) group, and Clostridium perfringens challenge plus microbial‐based treatment (Big‐lactoα®) group. The results indicated that the Flagymox and Big‐lactoα treated Cobb breed group achieved a significant increase in their body weight (BW) than the positive control group at the third week post‐infection. Also, the Arbor Acres breed gained significantly higher weight compared to the Cobb breed at the third week. Total weight gain (TWG) from 0 to the fifth week in the Cobb and Arbor Acres breeds were higher in the groups treated with Flagymox and Big‐lactoα compared to the birds challenged with C. perfringens without any treatment, thus, increasing the total return (TR) in the treated groups. Economic efficiency showed no significant differences (p < .05) between the treatment groups of both the breeds. Although the treatment cost of Flagymox is higher than the microbial‐based treatment (0.86 versus 0.35 LE), there were no mortalities reported in the microbial‐based groups in both the breeds resulting in significantly low losses compared to the Flagymox treated groups. The groups treated with the microbial‐based products in both breeds were superior in dressing percentage (75.16 and 77.06% for Cobb and Arbor Acres, respectively) compared to that of the other groups. In conclusion, microbial‐based therapy improved the growth rate, carcass traits, survival rate, and economic efficiency in necrotic enteritis induced in Cobb and Arbor Acres broilers.

Linkage between the intestinal microbiota and residual feed intake in broiler chickens

BackgroundIntestinal microbiota plays a key role in nutrient digestion and utilization with a profound impact on feed efficiency of livestock animals. However, the intestinal microbes that are critically involved in feed efficiency remain elusive.MethodsTo identify intestinal bacteria associated with residual feed intake (RFI) in chickens, male Cobb broiler chicks were individually housed from day 14 to day 35. Individual RFI values were calculated for 56 chickens. Luminal contents were collected from the ileum, cecum, and cloaca of each animal on day 35. Bacterial DNA was isolated and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Intestinal microbiota was classified to the feature level using Deblur and QIIME 2. High and low RFI groups were formed by selecting 15 and 17 chickens with the most extreme RFI values for subsequent LEfSe comparison of the difference in the microbiota. Spearman correlation analysis was further performed to identify correlations between the intestinal microbiota composition and RFI.ResultsNo significant difference in evenness, richness, and overall diversity of the microbiota in the ileum, cecum, or cloaca was observed between high and low RFI chickens. However, LEfSe analysis revealed a number of bacterial features being differentially enriched in either high or low RFI chickens. Spearman correlation analysis further identified many differentially enriched bacterial features to be significantly correlated with RFI (P < 0.05). Importantly, not all short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers showed a positive association with RFI. While two novel members of Oscillibacter and Butyricicoccus were more abundant in low-RFI, high-efficiency chickens, several other SCFA producers such as Subdoligranulum variabile and two related Peptostreptococcaceae members were negatively associated with feed efficiency. Moreover, a few closely-related Lachnospiraceae family members showed a positive correlation with feed efficiency, while others of the same family displayed an opposite relationship.ConclusionsOur results highlight the complexity of the intestinal microbiota and a need to differentiate the bacteria to the species, subspecies, and even strain levels in order to reveal their true association with feed efficiency. Identification of RFI-associated bacteria provides important leads to manipulate the intestinal microbiota for improving production efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of poultry production.

6. The Number of Erythrocytes and Hematocrit Value of Broilers that Infected by Eimeria tenella And Given Neem Leaf Extract Combined With Jaloh Extract

This research aim was to determine the number of erythrocytes and hematocrit value of broilers that infected by Eimeria tenella and given neem leaf extract combined with jaloh extract. Sample used in this study is 20 strains Cobb broiler chickens aged 15 days old. Sampled broilers were separated into 5 treatment groups consisting of 4 chickens, each treatment were chicken that infected by oocysts Eimeria tenella and not given other treatments (P1), chicken infected by oocysts Eimeria tenella and given the anti-stress commercial (P2), chicken infected by oocysts Eimeria tenella and given the leaf extract jaloh 1000mg/L (P3), chicken infected with oocysts Eimeria tenella and given extracts of neem leaf 250mg/L (P4), and a chicken infected with oocysts Eimeria tenella and given the leaf extract jaloh 1000mg/L combined with neem leaf extract 250mg/L (P5). Administration of each treatment were dissolved into the chicken water and administered for 10 days in the morning and evening. The design used in the study was completely randomized design with 5 treatments, each treatment consisted of 4 repetitions. Parameters observed were the number of erythrocytes and hematocrit values. Results from this study showed that neem extracts combined with jaloh given for 10 days had no effect on the number of erythrocytes and hematocrit values of broilers that infected by Eimeria tenella

Effects of dietary fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seed powder supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, small intestinal morphology, and carcass traits of broilers.

BackgroundWith the increasing demands in livestock and poultry breeding and the growing number of food-borne diseases, it is necessary to practice food safety and develop strategies to produce healthy livestock. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) has been used as an additive in poultry production by some researchers, but there are few studies on the systemic beneficial effects of dietary fennel seed powder supplementation on broilers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary fennel seed powder supplementation on feed intake, the apparent metabolic rate of nutrients, intestinal morphology, and carcass traits in Cobb broilers.MethodsA single-factor experimental design was used. In total, 160 1-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments, with four replicates each (n = 10/replicate). Broilers in the control (CN) group were fed a basal diet without fennel seed powder, and broilers in the treatment groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.15% (LF), 0.30% (MF), or 0.45% (HF) fennel seed powder, respectively. Feeding trials lasted for 42 days under the conditions of ad libitum access to feed and water, and 24-h illumination. During the third and sixth weeks, digestive and metabolic assays were carried out. When the broilers were 42 days old, one chicken with a weight close to the average was selected from each repetition, euthanized by an intravenous injection of 5% sodium pentobarbital, and carcass traits were measured and intestinal samples were collected for morphological assessment.ResultsThere was no significant difference in growth performance of broilers (P > 0.05). The breast muscle percentage, fat width and fat width index, breast muscle area, and breast muscle area index of broilers in the LF group were higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05). Jejunum weight and length were higher in MF than in CN and LF broilers (P < 0.05). Additionally, duodenal villi height, ileal villi height, and ileal wall thickness were higher in MF than in CN broilers (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in nutrient utilization among all groups (P > 0.05), except that the ash apparent metabolic rate in MF broilers at 21 days of age was higher than that in LF broilers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with a moderate concentration of fennel affects carcass performance, and intestinal morphology, and promotes the growth and development of broilers.

Variations in haematological and serum indices of finishing broiler birds fed neem (Azadirachta indica) and garlic (Allium sativum) as phytobiotics

One hundred and eighty day-old Cobb broiler chickens were used to evaluate the effects of feeding diets containing neem leaf meal (NLM), garlic meal (GM) and their combination (NLM + GM) on haematological and serum indices of finishing broiler. The birds were divided into twelve treatment groups of fifteen chicks with three replicate of five chicks each. The diets contained NLM, GM and NLM + GM at four levels of inclusion; Omg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg. The experiment was arranged in a 3 x 4 factorial layout in a completely randomized design (CRD). The inclusion of NLM, GM and NLM + GM did not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influence haematological parameters. Different levels of inclusion significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced absolute haematological parameters. (P&lt;0.05) interaction of additives and levels of inclusion were observed in most of the haematological indices studied. NLM+GM at 500mg/kg showed the highest PCV value. Highest Hb and RBC values were observed in birds fed GM at 1500mg/kg. Different levels of inclusion significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced total protein and albumin levels. Lowest (P&lt;0.05) amounts of total protein (8.88mg/dl) and albumin (2.20mg/dl) were recorded in birds fed 1500mg/kg inclusion levels compared to those birds on Omg/kg inclusion level..Additives and levels of inclusion (P&lt;0.05) affected cholesterol value of finishing broiler birds. There was a reduction in cholesterol (93.38mg/dl) and HDL (52.57mg/dl) values of birds fed GM than these fed NLM + GM. Significant (P&lt;0.05) interactions were observed in alanine aminotransferase (ALI), urea, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) values. It was evident that feeding of the additives at different levels affected the blood picture of the finishing broiler chickens.

THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) ON BROILERS EXPOSED TO CHRONIC HEAT STRESS

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most significant stressors in the broiler industry in hot regions. In order to provide complete information on the impact of turmeric powder (TP) on hamartiology, biochemistry and thyroid hormones of broilers under thermoneutral conditions (TN) (22 ± 4 °C) and heat stress (HS) (34 ± 2° C), the present research was carried out. A 60 of one-day-old (Cobb) broiler chicks, 15 birds in each replicate either control (basal diet) or 0.5% turmeric. Chronic HS at 42 d of age resulted in significant decrease in HGB, PCV, RBCs, total protein, Albumin, serum T3 and T4, whereas increased H/L, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, uric acid, AST, ALT, ALP, TBIL, DBIL and creatinine significantly. Supplementation of 0.5% TP significantly increased HGB, PCV, total protein, while significant decrease in AST, ALT, ALP, uric acid, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Results indicated that groups receiving turmeric have improved lipid profile.

Effect of Feeding Wet Feed or Wet Feed Fermented by Bacillus licheniformis on Growth Performance, Histopathology and Growth and Lipid Metabolism Marker Genes in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryHeat stress is an abiotic environmental factor that affects poultry performance and results in several physiological, immunological and behavioral changes in birds. Previous works have illustrated that wet feeding has been considered as a useful agent to improve birds’ ability to resist high ambient temperatures and to enhance our understanding of feed consumption limitations when broilers are fed dry diets. In broilers, wet feeding enhances nutrient use. This research reveals the impacts of three feeding methods (dry feed, wet feed or wet feed fermented with Bacillus licheniformis) on the growth efficiency, intestinal histomorphometry and gene expression of the lipid metabolism- and growth-related genes of broiler chickens. Our findings confirm improved growth and digestibility for fermented wet feed compared with control and wet feed diets; however, wet feed has a negative effect on performance compared with the control group (dry feed). Additionally, fermented wet feed caused a reduced hepatic gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and increased that of fatty acid synthase (FAS).The present study evaluated the effect of three feeding methods (dry feed, wet feed or wet feed fermented with Bacillus licheniformis) on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphometry and gene expression of the lipid metabolism- and growth-related genes of broiler chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into three groups containing four replicates with 30 birds each. The first group (control) was fed a dry mash basal diet. The second and third groups were fed wet feed and fermented wet feed. The final body weight and weight gain were reduced (p < 0.01) in the wet feed group, while they did not differ between the fermented wet feed and dry feed groups. Feed intake was not altered, and feeding on wet feed significantly (p < 0.01) increased the feed-to-gain ratio compared to the remaining groups. No differences between the three feeding methods in carcass characteristics, blood biochemistry and nutrient digestibility were observed except for crude protein digestibility, which was increased (p < 0.01) in the fermented wet feed group. Duodenal and ileal villi heights were elevated in birds fed fermented wet feeds, while crypt depth was not altered. The expression fold of IGF-1, GH and m-TOR genes in the pectoral muscle of birds fed wet feed was decreased (p < 0.05), while myostatin gene expression was elevated. Feeding on wet feed reduced the hepatic gene expression of PPARγ and increased that of FAS. In conclusion, wet feed negatively affected the broiler chickens’ efficiency under heat stress; however, fermenting the wet feed with Bacillus licheniformis improved feed utilization and birds’ performance compared to the dry feed group.

EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION ON BOILER PERFORMANCE: CONFORMATION TRAITS AND ISOMETRY OF GROWN

The effect of quantitative feed restriction on broiler conformation traits, namely breast width, keel length, thigh width and shank length, and on growth of these linear body structures relative to overall body growth was investigated using two hundred and forty Cobb broiler chicks. Three levels of restriction, namely 5, 10 and 15% of ad libitum intake, were randomly imposed on different groups. Birds restricted-fed in the starter phase of growth were full-fed in the finisher phase, and vice versa. Conformation traits, particularly breast width, keel length- and thigh diameter, were generally more adversely affected by feed restriction in the starter than in the finisher phase. However, there was evidence of compensatory growth for all parameters, except the breast. Feed restriction did not significantly affect the relative growth pattern of the breast, keel and thigh, which was positively allometric, Relative growth of the shank was, however, affected by different levels of restriction.

Effects of Dietary Supplementations of Synbiotics on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Nutrient Digestibility of Broiler Chicken

The study aimed to explore the effect of dietary supplementation of synbiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicken. For this purpose, three hundred 1-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were purchased from the hatchery and randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups. Each treatment had six replicates, each containing 10 chicks. The experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 700, 1200, 1700 or 2200 g/ton of feed synbiotics and respectively designated as A, B, C, D and E, with A being the control diet. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio data were recorded on a weekly basis. At the research trial’s end, two birds from each pen were randomly selected and slaughtered to get data on carcass characteristics. Results showed that group C’s feed intake was reduced (p<0.05) when compared to control. Body weight was similar (p>0.05) among all treatments. However, feed conversion ratio was significantly improved (p<0.05) in group C as compared to other dietary treatments. Nutrient digestibility was improved (p<0.05) in group B and C, as compared to control. Carcass characteristics were not significantly affected and remained the same across all treatments. However, liver weight decreased in birds fed diet C. Meat quality and antibody titer were not affected in any of the dietary treatments. It is concluded that synbiotics can be safely used up to 1200 g/ton of feed, improving bird performance without harmful effects on bird health.

Comparison of two attenuated infectious bursal disease vaccine strains focused on safety and antibody response in commercial broilers.

Background and Aim:Infectious bursal disease (IBD) or Gumboro disease is one of the most detrimental diseases in the poultry industry worldwide. Previous scientific studies have shown that live IBD vaccination might induce transient immunosuppression, leading to suboptimal vaccine responses, and therefore lack of protection against other infectious diseases; therefore, selecting an IBD vaccine in commercial farms is a concern. This study aims to compare two commercially attenuated IBD vaccines (intermediate and intermediate-plus strains) in terms of safety and antibody response to IBD and Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) in commercial broilers.Materials and Methods:Overall, 216 Cobb broiler chickens were divided into three groups based on the IBD vaccine strain administered: V217 strain (Group 1), M.B. strain (Group 2), and an unvaccinated group (Group 3). Groups 1 and 2 were orally vaccinated with Hitchner B1 NDV vaccine strain 7 days after IBD vaccination. Blood samples were collected at IBD vaccination day (15 days of age) and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-IBD vaccination. The immunosuppressive effects of the IBD vaccination were determined by NDV antibody response, the bursa:body weight (B:BW) ratio, and the histopathological lesion scores of the bursa of Fabricius. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed.Results:Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the M.B. strain belonged to a very virulent IBD strain, whereas the V217 strain belonged to a classical IBD virus strain. NDV antibody titers of the two vaccinated groups increased after ND vaccination, reaching their maximum at 14 days post-ND vaccination and decreasing thereafter. The V217 group presented the highest NDV humoral response from 7 days post-vaccination (dpv) to the end of the study. The mean NDV antibody titer of the V217 group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the M.B. group at 14 dpv. In addition, the V217 strain-induced lower bursal lesions post-IBD vaccination and a higher B: BW ratio at 7 and 21 dpv compared to the M.B. group. The higher B: BW ratio, lower bursal lesions, and higher ND antibody response present in the V217 group indicate that the V217 strain induces lower immunosuppressive effects compared to the M.B. strain.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that IBD vaccine selection merits consideration, as avoiding the immunosuppressive effects induced by live IBD vaccination and the consequent impact on response to other vaccines is important.

Günlük yaştaki etlik civcivlerde taşıma süresi ve taşıma sırasında yem ve suya ulaşımın gelişme performansı ve organ gelişimine etkileri

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of transport duration and access to feed and water during the transportation of broiler chicks on growth performance, yolk sac weight, development of intestine and immune organs, and carcass yields of broilers.Material and methods: A total of 256 Cobb broiler chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery. Depending on the treatment, chicks were divided into 4 groups and subjected to either 1.5 h (DS) or 6.0 h (DL) transportation with (AFW) or without access to feed and water (NFW) during the transportation. Chicks from each subgroup were assigned to 4 floor pens (16 pens in total) and reared until 42 d.Results: Our results confirmed that AFW improved body weight, breast fillet, food consumption, yolk sac weight at day 2, and development of immune and intestinal at day 42, (7 d) as compared with the NFW. Our study also indicated that DL group attempted to compensate their growth retardation by increasing their feed intake during the first week of their lives as compared to DS group. However, DL group broilers did not catch up with the broilers from DS group at slaughter age and had worse FCR.Conclusion: This study shows that there is a positive effect on broiler performance by providing feed and water during the transportation.

Effect of light sources on growth performance and some physiological responses of broiler chicks

The study aimed to investigate the effect of light source on growth performance and physiological response of broilers. A total number of one hundred and ninety-two unsexed seven-day old; Cobb broiler chicks were used in this study. Chicks were allocated into two treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of twelve replicates eight birds each. Birds in treatment 1 were exposed to yellow-reddish light produced from 60-watt incandescent lamps, while those in treatment 2 were subjected to white light by using 26 watt saving lamps. The light intensity for all experimental birds were 5 lux at the level of a bird till the end of experiment. Results showed that, using 26 watt saving lamps significantly increased body weight and body weight gain at 28, 35 and 42 days of age, feed consumption at 42 days of age and improved feed conversion ratio from 21-28 and 7-42 days of age. Moreover, using saving lamps significantly increased glucose, HDL and uric acid concentrations and significantly reduced all of creatinine, triglyceride and VLDL. It could be concluded that the using saving lamps as lighting source is more beneficial than the yellow-reddish light produced from 60-watt incandescent lamps

Relationship between body weight and linear body measurements in the Cobb broiler chicken

Relationship between body weight and linear body measurements in the Cobb broiler chicken

Relationship between body weight and linear body measurements in the Cobb broiler chicken

The study was carried out at the poultry section of the Department of Animal Science farm, University of Education Winneba (Mampong - Ashanti campus, Ghana) from July, 2018 to September, 2018. Data were collected from fifty randomly selected and tagged birds. The data were collected weekly for eight weeks., Head length (HL), Beak length (BL), Body length (BL), Wing length (WL), shank length (SL), shank circumference(SC) and height(H) were taken randomly on five birds in each replicate at a day in every two weeks using tape measure and Vernier calipers. The data collected were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis. The results from the study indicated that, all linear body measurements were significantly (P&lt;0.01) effected for the model, intercepts and slopes of the regression lines with linear response with the best predictor of body weight indicated for shank circumference. It was concluded from the study that; linear body measurements could be used to predict the body weight of broiler chickens. It is recommended that in areas, especially rural areas, where weighing balance or scale may not be readily available, a tailor’s tape can be used to measure linear body parameters and thereafter used to estimate body weight of chickens from the predictive equation.

Growth Performance, Caeca Microbial Population and Immune Response of Starter Broiler Chicks Fed Aqueous Extract of Balanites Aegyptiaca and Alchornea Cordifolia Stem Bark Mixture

A total of Two hundred and fifty (250), 1-day old (Cobb) broiler chicks with mixed sex were used to evaluate the the growth performance, caeca microbial population and immune response of starter broiler chicks fed aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca and Alchornea cordifolia stem bark mixture (BACM). Birds were reared on a deep litter system and randomly divided into five treatment with five replicates consisting of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (T1) were given basal diet + 0 % BACM, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were fed 20, 40, 60 and 80 ml/liter BACM respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 during which clean feed and water were offered ad libitum. The results obtained revealed that the average weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were influenced by the dietary treatments (P&lt;0.05). Birds in T5 had the highest AWG and FCR (1159.3 g, 1.57) followed by T4 (1070.2 g, 1.70), T3 (1047.4 g, 1.74), T2 (981.1 g, 1.86) and T1 (850.7 g, 2.14) respectively. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) ,malonyldialdehyde (MLA) and antibody titres against Newcastle and gumboro disease were significantly affected by BACM (P&lt;0.05). Caeca microbial population of Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli were significantly different among the treatments (P&lt;0.05). E. coli count in T1 were higher compared to other treatments (P&lt;0.05), Lactobacilli population increased in T2, T3, T4 and T5 compared to T1. It was concluded that BACM can be fed to broiler chicks at 80 ml/litre without any negetive effect on the performance and immune response of birds.

Effect of Organic Selenium Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Retention and Meat Lipid Peroxidation in Broilers

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary Selenium (Se) supplementation on growth performance, carcass Se retention and meat lipid peroxidation in commercial broiler chickens.A total of 216 1-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 groups of 36 chicks each (6 chicks × 6 replications) and assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) a conventional diet as a control (C), (2) C diet supplemented with increasing concentrations (1,2,3,4 or 6mg/kg diet) of organic Se (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5).Se-supplemented diets were only fed during the grower-finisher phase (d15-d42).

Genetic and Hormonal Difference between High Growth Rate Breed (Cobb Broiler chicken) and Low Growth Rate Breed (Native Fayoumi chicken)

Abstract The present study aimed at investigating the genetic and hormonal differences between a low growth rate chicken breed (a native breed: Fayoumi chicken) and a high growth rate chicken breed (Cobb broiler chicken). A total number of 100 one-day-old Fayoumi chicks and 100 one-day-old Cobb chicks were used. Chicks of each breed were allocated into three equal replicates. The growth parameters (body weight, BWG and FCR), genetic expression of some growth related genes (GH, IGF1, ghrelin and Myostatin gene) and plasma level of some growth related hormones (Insulin, T3, T4 and corticosterone) were recorded. The obtained results revealed that, Cobb chicken had significantly higher body weight, BWG and feed intake than Fayoumi chicken but the FCR of Fayoumi chicken was higher than that of broiler chicken. Cobb recorded significantly lower plasma level of corticosterone, T3 and T4 than Fayoumi chicken while Insulin is higher in cobb chicken. Cobb recorded highly significant values of GH, IGF1 and ghrelin Gene expression while myostatin gene expression was higher in Fayoumi chicken than in Cobb From the obtained results could be concluded that, the observed high growth rate in cobb chicken may be attributed the difference gene expression related growth as well as hormonal difference

Short Communication: Identification of the exon 1 myostatin gene polymorphism and its association with slaughtered weight in Indonesian Kampung and Broiler Chicken

Abstract. Suhartati L, Khaerunnisa L, Gunawan A, Rukmiasih, Darwati S, Sumantri C, Rizqan. 2020. Short Communication: Identification of the exon 1 myostatin gene polymorphism and its association with slaughtered weight in Indonesian Kampung and Broiler Chicken. Biodiversitas 21: 3893-3897. Myostatin is widely known as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development by controlling hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Silent mutation in exon 1 (c.234G&gt;A) was then thought to be associated with chicken growth performances. This study was designed to analyze polymorphisms of c.234G&gt;A mutation of the myostatin gene and its effect on slaughtered weight in Indonesian Kampung and meat-type chicken. The SatI restriction enzyme was used for genotype determination through the PCR-RFLP technique. The effect of genotype on the slaughtered weight was analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure. Genotyping was performed on 138 chicken from Kampung (n=67) and meat type (cobb Broiler) (n=71) chicken. The amplification product contained 226 bp nucleotides. This myostatin gene was polymorphic in both chicken population, produced 2 alleles (G and A), and 3 genotypes (GG, GA, and AA). The A allele had a higher frequency than the G allele in all populations. In this study, genotype of AA and GA had higher live weight, carcass weight, breast weight, thigh weight, drumsticks weight, wings weight, breast muscle weight, thighs muscle weight, drumsticks muscle weight than GG genotype of 12 weeks-old Kampung chicken. The results suggested that the c.234G&gt;A mutation in exon 1 could be potentially recommended as a genetic marker for chicken slaughtered weight traits.