Commercial Broiler Diet Research Articles

PSVII-5 Heat shock protein 70 gene expression and association with morphometric and heat tolerance traits in three plumage colors of Noiler chicken exposed to acute heat stress

Abstract Heat stress is one of the most difficult climatic conditions chickens faces and is a direct result of climate change. It is important to research poultry thermotolerance because it may help find genetic lines resistant to heat stress. This study investigated the influence of plumage colors on heat shock protein 70 gene expression in Noiler chickens exposed to acute heat stress. Noiler is a dual-purpose breed developed for smallholder poultry production in Nigeria. A total of 150 birds of three plumage colors (black, brown and white) of mixed sexes were used for the experiment. The birds were raised in deep litter house separated into six groups of 25 birds each and fed with commercial broiler diets from 0-8 wk and broiler finisher diets from 8 to 12 wk old. The birds were shared into treatments in 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangements with 3 plumage colors (black, brown, white), two temperature regimens (Control/thermoneutral, Heat stress) and sex of birds (male, female). The heat stressed birds were exposed to 41oC for 8 h from 0600 h to 1400 h for 7 d while control group maintained a thermoneutral temperature range of 30 oC to 32 oC for the same period. At 13 wk old, two birds were selected per treatment, slaughtered and the spleen removed and stored in RNA later for heat shock protein (HSP) 70 gene expression. Data collected were analyzed with Microsoft excel code for fold expression of HSP70 gene while GLM procedure in SAS was used to determine difference in expression of gene. The relative expression of HSP70 brown plumage was greater, upregulated compared with black and white. White plumage birds in control/thermoneutral group were significantly greater in HSP70 expression than other plumage colors and heat stressed birds. Association of HSP70 delta threshold cycle (DCT) values with morphometric and heat tolerance traits were investigated (Figure 1). High negative correlations emerged between HSP70DCT expression and body weight (-0.65), body temperature (-0.73) with moderate positive correlation for rectal temperature (0.55) in black birds (Table 1). HSP70 DCT positively correlated with body weight (0.70), breast/leg circumferences but negatively with wing length, suggesting reduced surface area during heat stress and a supportive role in maintaining protein integrity (Figure 2). For white Noiler birds, HSP70DCT associated negatively with body weight (-0.94) and positively with rectal temperature during heat stress (Table 2). Thermoneutral birds were positively correlated with heat tolerance traits except temperature while heat stressed birds showed low positive correlation with respiratory and pulse rates and very low positive relationship with body and rectal temperatures (Table 4). Sex-based differences emerged, with potential compromise between HSP70-mediated growth/composition in males versus muscle maintenance in females, although leg length/circumference showed shared developmental regulation (Figure 3, Table 3). These findings highlight HSP70’s versatile roles in systemic heat tolerance mechanisms influenced by plumage color, temperature regime and sex.

Effect of L-Glycine on Carcass Parameters, Blood Biochemicals, and Jejunal Histomorphometry of Commercial Broiler Chicken

A study was conducted for duration of six weeks on 240, day-old Cobb-430Y broiler strain chicks and randomly distributed to four groups each containing three replicates and 20 chicks per replicate. Group A was Negative Control (NC) contained 3% Low Protein (LP) diet containing 19.50, 18.00 and 16.50% crude protein (CP) for broiler pre-starter, starter and finisher phases, respectively. Positive Control (PC) group B contained standard protein 22.50, 21.00, and 19.50% CP as per breeder recommendation. No L-Glycine was added to NC and PC diets. Group C (NC+Gly1) was formulated by adding 0.640, 0.810, and 0.630% L-Glycine in NC diet to arrive 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% digestible (Dig.) Gly + Ser levels while group D (NC+Gly2) was formulated by supplementation of 0.755, 0.985, and 0.740% L-Glycine in NC diet to arrive 2.40, 2.40, and 2.10% digestible Gly + Ser levels in broiler pre starter, starter and finisher diets respectively. Digestible Gly + Ser levels of NC group were 1.71, 1.56 and 1.43%; and of PC group were 2.02, 1.91 and 1.76%, respectively for broiler pre starter, starter and finisher diets. Ratio of dig. Met, Thr, Trp, Arg, and Val. ratioed to Lys. were balanced in all diets. All diets were isocaloric (3010, 3100, and 3200 kcal ME /kg) for broiler pre starter, starter and finishaer phases, respectively. Results showed that the L-Glycine supplementation in AA-balanced 3% LP diet did not affect per cent eviscerated yield, giblet yield, ready-to-cook yield, and breast meat yield but helped to reduce abdominal fat without altering serum biochemical parameters. Dig. Gly + Ser levels of 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% (L-Glycine levels of 0.640, 0.810, and 0.630%) in 3% low protein (19.50, 18.00, and 16.50% CP) for broiler pre starter, starter and finisher diets helps to improve jejunal crypt depth leads to increasing cell renewal rate and maturation in the gut. Incorporation of L-Glycine is recommedded to maintain Dig. Gly + Ser levels of 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% in broiler pre starter, starter and finisher phases with reduction of 3% CP in breeder recommended commercial broiler diet. Reducing dietary crude protein using L-Glysine without harming broiler performance could be economical.

Profitability and meat quality of fast-, medium- and slow-growing meat-type chicken genotypes as affected by growth and length of rearing

The study aimed to evaluate the profitability, meat quality, and carcass parameters of fast-, medium-, and slow-growing meat-type chicken genotypes of Bangladesh. Nine hundred DOCs were randomly allocated to 6 treatments: T1 = commercial broilers, T2 = CPF-3 (central poultry farm-3), T3 = cockerel, T4 = sonali, T5 = NDD (non-descriptive desi), and T6 = hilly, having 5 replications of 30 chicks each. Birds were reared under complete confinement until their respective market ages (commercial broilers = 35 d; CPF-3 = 45 d; cockerel = 56 d, and hilly = 77 d; sonali = 63 d and NDD = 77 d) and fed commercial broiler diets. Net returns, meat quality, growth, and carcass yield were measured. NDD and hilly showed significantly the highest profitability and superior meat quality. Commercial broilers exhibited the highest final body weight (2355.59 g/b) followed by hilly (1241 g/b) and NDD (1006 g/b), while CPF-3 (860.21 g/b), cockerel (915.49 g/b), and sonali (788.43 g/b) had lower final body weights at their respective market ages. Commercial broilers had the highest carcass weight and dressing yields, followed by hilly and cockerel, and lower in sonali, CPF-3, and NDD. The study concluded that rearing slow- or medium-growing NDD and hilly is superior to fast-growing commercial broilers or CPF-3 regarding profitability, and meat quality. The results of current findings help small-scale farmers in choosing a suitable meat-type chicken that yields better profitability and also for the consumers who wish to pay a fair price for the birds, considering the meat quality specific to each chicken genotype.

Effects of production time, die condition, and feed mill on the physical quality of commercial broiler diets

Effects of production time, die condition, and feed mill on the physical quality of commercial broiler diets

The Potential Profitability of Poultry Farm: A Case of Mini Poultry Farm Feasibility of Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College: Tarawakan Campus

It was a school-based research project examining the viability of a farm producing Mini-Poultry broilers on the Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College Tarawakan campus. As input costs and point-of-sale prices changed, potential profitability was assessed using sensitivity analysis. This was decided based on the growth rate, survival, and return on investment of the grown chicken. Running down the data using Statistics for Applied Science (SAS) produced a P-value of 0.131927, showing a linear trend with a minor deviation. As the number of chicks rises, profitability generally rises as well, or it stays the same if the quantity is maintained. This practical study boosts the output and incomes of locals who sell live chicken meat. It also continuously contributes to improving local bird production as it creates supplemental feed at its own feed mill using increasingly inventive techniques and primarily local products. As an alternative to expensive feed sold by feed millers, which has a lower "nutrient density" balanced for all nutrients but low energy due to the inclusion of low-energy ingredients like cassava leaf meal, acacia fruit meal, and swam cabbage mixed with commercial broiler diets, the small flocks of poultry are fed on "Domestic but improvised Feed." Due to the increased demand for meat with very small starting flocks that are then sold for growth under the traditional extensive system achieved by better health care, backyard village poultry flock producers are now transitioning into relatively small-scale or mini poultry chicken producers

Calcium Nutrition of Broilers: Current Perspectives and Challenges.

Calcium (Ca) plays an essential role in poultry nutrition as 99% of Ca is located in birds' skeletal system. However, oversupply of Ca rather than deficiency of Ca is the current concern in commercial broiler diets. Calcium is an inexpensive dietary nutrient due to the cheap and abundant availability of limestone, the major Ca source; therefore, little attention was given to the oversupply of Ca in the past. The recent shift in the use of digestible P in broiler feed formulations has necessitated a closer look at digestible Ca, as Ca and P are interrelated in their absorption and postabsorptive utilisation. In this context, data on ileal digestibility of Ca and P in ingredients has been determined. Preliminary data on the digestible Ca and digestible P requirements for the different growth stages of broilers have also recently become available. The present review focusses on these recent advances in Ca nutrition. In addition, aspects of homeostatic control mechanisms, different Ca sources and factors influencing Ca digestibility in poultry are covered.

Effects of onion extracts (Allium cepa) inclusion in diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and bone morphometric of broiler chickens.

Animal feed companies and researchers are currently embarking on quests for feed additives that could combat the pathogens while promoting growth as well as maintaining quality products. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of onion extracts on growth performance, carcass quality, and bone morphometrics of broiler chickens. A total number of 200 one-day-old unsexed Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to 5 treatment groups, replicated 4 times. Each replicate (pens) held 10 chickens in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets were then randomly allotted to the pens which act as experimental units. The isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated by including onion extracts at 0, 5, 10, 15, or 25 g/kg in a complete broiler diet. Feed intake, and body weight, were recorded then used to calculate feed conversion ratio. At the end of the experiment (42 days), four chickens from each pen were randomly selected for slaughter for carcass, bone morphology and sensory evaluation. Results showed that onion extract supplementation did not affect (p>0.05) growth performances and meat sensory evaluation. However, there was a significantly increased (p<0.05) meat shear force in groups receiving onion extracts dietary treatments. Furthermore, onion extracts improved (p<0.05) bone morphology of broiler chickens in terms of weight, diameter, calcium, and phosphorous contents. In conclusion, onion extracts can be safely included in a commercial broiler diet as a growth promoter without causing adverse effects on growth performance traits and carcass quality in chickens. Onion extract supplementation improved tibia bone growth and strength in broiler chickens.

Microbiome modulation by a precision biotic in broilers chickens: a commercial study validation

Precision biotics (PBs) are chemically synthesized complex glycans that modulate specific microbiome metabolic functions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of PB on the growth performance, and cecal microbiome modulation of broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions. A total of 190,000-day-old Ross 308 straight-run broilers were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments. There were 5 houses per treatment with 19,000 birds per house. In each house, there were 6 rows of battery cages with 3 tiers. The 2 dietary treatments included a control diet (a commercial broiler diet) and a PB supplemented diet at 0.9 kg/MT. On a weekly basis, 380 birds were randomly selected for body weight (BW) determination. At 42 d of age, the BW and feed intake (FI) of each house were recorded, the feed conversion ratio (cFCR) was calculated and corrected with the final BW, and the European production index (EPI) was calculated. Additionally, 8 birds per house (40 birds/experimental group) were randomly selected to collect cecal content for microbiome analysis. The supplementation of PB significantly improved (P < 0.05) the BW of the birds at 7, 14, and 21 d and numerically improved the BW of the birds by 64 and 70 g at 28 and 35 d of age, respectively. At 42 d, the PB numerically improved BW by 52 g, and significantly improved (P < 0.05) the cFCR by 2.2 points and the EPI by 13 points. The functional profile analysis showed a clear and significant difference in the cecal microbiome metabolism between control vs. PB supplemented birds. A higher abundance of pathways was modulated by PB which were associated with amino acid fermentation and putrefaction, particularly from lysine, arginine, proline, histidine, and tryptophane which led to a significant increase (P=0.0025) in the Microbiome Protein Metabolism Index (MPMI) compared to nonsupplemented birds. In conclusion, the supplementation of PB efficiently modulated pathways related to protein fermentation and putrefaction, resulting in higher MPMI and improved growth performance of broilers.

Safety assessment of the functional feed additive phenylcapsaicin in a commercial broiler diet

Introduction: Intestinal colonisation of Salmonella is a major concern in the poultry industry, and a low dose of the high-purity synthetic capsaicin analogue phenylcapsaicin (PheCap) has the potential to be a phytobiotic alternative to antibiotics in reducing floor Salmonella in commercial broiler chicken houses. In this study we present the first safety assessment of PheCap at doses relevant for the poultry industry. Methods: In a completely randomized block design, Ross 308 male broilers were offered feed containing 0, 10, 15, or 150 mg PheCap/kg. Growth rates, mortality, haematology, clinical chemistry, foot pad lesions, litter quality and gross pathological examination of organs and tissues were evaluated for signs of toxicity over a two-phase, 35-day growth period. Results: No differences in feed intake and broiler growth were found, with broilers in the control group having the highest mortality. There was a statistically significant increase in the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) for the 10 (p = 0.02) and 15 mg PheCap/kg feed (p = 0.003) treatment doses. No dose dependent adverse effects were found for any of the treatment doses. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of PheCap is probably higher than that of the highest weekly averaged daily intake of 36.3 mg/kg BW/day observed in the present study. Conclusions: The inclusion of PheCap in broiler feed at doses relevant for the commercial poultry industry is assumed not have any negative effects on broiler health.

Meta-analysis on the effect of dietary β-mannanase on intestinal integrity in broiler chickens

The effect on intestinal health of using β-mannanase to degrade β-mannans, an intensely antinutritive fiber found in common broiler feed, was evaluated in a meta-analysis of lesion scoring data from 28 field trials completed in 13 countries from Europe (10) and the Middle East (3) between January 2013 and January 2020. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the addition of β-mannanase to commercial broiler diets reduced several conditions related to intestinal health and bird welfare. Notably, β-mannanase significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the prevalence of excessive cellular sloughing (CS) by 7.49 %-points, poor intestinal tone (IT) by 6.68 %-points, excessive feed passage (FP) by 3.20 %-points, abnormally thin intestines (TH) by 4.03 %-points, litter eater (LE) or abnormal presence of litter in the gizzard by 1.99 % and gizzard erosion (GIZ) by 8.45 %-points. β-Mannanase also reduced (P < 0.05) the average lesion score for pododermatitis (BF). The general improvement of intestinal health was also evident in the intestinal integrity index (I2), which increased by 1.04 units in flocks fed diets with β-mannanase (P < 0.001). The analysis therefore suggests that β-mannan fibers from feed adversely affect a broad range of intestinal conditions, and consequently that the use of β-mannanase may improve intestinal health and welfare of commercial broiler flocks.

Determination and validation of available phosphorus equivalency of Escherichia coli-derived phytase in broiler diets

The objective of this experiment was to determine and validate the available phosphorus (AP) equivalency of Escherichia coli -derived phytase (ECP) in broiler diets. A total of 960 eight-d-old broiler chicks were subjected to 8 dietary treatments with 10 replicates. The positive control (PC) diet contained recommended amounts of calcium (Ca) and AP, whereas the negative control (NC) diet was formulated to contain 0.76% calcium and 0.10% AP. The remaining 6 diets included varying levels of AP from monosodium phosphate (MSP) or ECP. Nonlinear regression analysis indicated that AP equivalency values of 500 and 1,000 FTU/kg ECP were 0.986 and 1.589 g/kg, respectively. These values were validated in a subsequent growth trial. A total of 2,000 eight-d-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 8 replicates. Five treatments included negative control diet 1 (NC1, highly deficient in AP and Ca), negative control diet 2 (NC2, deficient in AP and Ca), phytase diet 1 (P1, NC1 + 1,000 FTU/kg ECP), phytase diet 2 (P2, NC2 + 500 FTU/kg ECP), and positive control diet (PC, recommended concentrations of AP and Ca). Results indicated that birds fed diets supplemented with 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg ECP had similar growth performance and tibia characteristics compared with those fed PC diets. In conclusion, AP equivalency values of 0.986 and 1.589 g/kg AP determined for 500 and 1,000 FTU/kg ECP, respectively, can be applicable in commercial broiler diets.

Growth performance and heamatobiochemical parameters of broilers fed diets containing Artemisia afra essential oil

The study was conducted to determine the effects of Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd. essential oil inclusion in diets on growth performance and blood parameters in broiler chickens. Four hundred day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly allotted to four treatments: NC – negative control (commercial broiler diet without antibiotics), PC – positive control (commercial broiler diet), AA1 – commercial diet + 0.1% A. afra essential oil, and AA2 – commercial diet + 0.3 % A. afra essential oil. Each treatment was replicated 10 times. From the results, birds fed the PC diet had the highest average daily feed intake (105.60 g ± 3.18) and average daily gain (ADG) in the grower phase. The highest ADG in the finisher phase was obtained in the AAI treatment (170.23 g·d−1 ± 2.00), whereas the feed conversion ratio was lower in the essential-oil-containing diets. Diet significantly improved protein utilization efficiency in both grower and finisher phases. Birds fed AA1 had the highest values for neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils, whereas those fed the NC diet had the highest alkaline phosphatase levels (102.00 IU·L−1 ± 7.61). The findings of the study suggest the use of A. afra essential oil in broiler diets can positively improve growth and flock health.

Effects of Medium Chain Fatty Acid Supplementation in Broiler Diet on Microbiological Quality of Litter

In our experiment, coconut and palm oil supplementation was added to the diet of broiler chickens to prove the hypothesis that medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) can reduce the occurrence of potential pathogens (Clostridium perfingens, Coliform) in gut microflore and therefore improve bird welfare. Cobb 500 cockerels were divided in five groups. Control birds were fed commercial broiler diet, while birds in the four treatment group diets were supplemented with coconut, palm oil, or a combination of the two, respectively. As a positive control, sunflower oil supplementation was included in the diet of the fifth group. During the 28 days of the study (from 14 to 42 days of life), 5 samplings were scheduled, when excreta samples were taken from the litter to analyse total microbial count and the number of Clostridia, Coliforms, and Salmonella. According to the results of microbiological analysis, coconut oil supplementation led to the continuous decline of Clostridium perfringens numbers until they vanished by the end of the experimental period. A similar but faster decline was found as a result of palm oil and the combined (palm oil+coconut oil) treatment. However, the number of Coliforms and total microbial count changed only slightly by the end of the study. No Salmonella spp. was present in the samples throughout the experiment. Altogether, coconut and palm oil supplementation has a beneficial effect on the microbiological composition of poultry litter.

Effects of dietary triiodothyronine or dopamine on small intestinal oxygen consumption in chicks.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of triiodothyronine (T3)- or dopamine (Dp)-supplemented diets on oxygen consumption by Na+, K+-ATPase activity in broiler chicks. Five groups, each with twenty-four 6-day-old chicks, randomly received one of the five dietary treatments: (1) Basal diet (commercial broiler rations with 23.0% crude protein and 3,133 kcal metabolizable energy/kg) or CON, (2) basal diet plus 0.7 μmol Dp/kg diet or Dp0.7, (3) basal diet plus 2.4 μmol Dp/kg diet or Dp2.4, (4) basal diet plus 1.9 μmol T3/kg diet or T1.9, and (5) basal diet plus 3.8 μmol T3/kg diet or T3.8 from 6 to 14 days of age. There were four replicates per treatment and 120 birds in total. At 14 days of age, three chicks from each replicate of each treatment were pooled into a flock and fed commercial broiler diets until 7 weeks of age. Compared to CON group, birds fed with T3-supplemented diets had lower thyroid, abdominal fat pad, gizzard and pancreas weight, and heavier heart weight adjusted for fasted body weight. Chicks with T1.9 had lower ileal densities at 14 day old compared with those in Dp groups or CON. Chicks with T3.8 exhibited greater duodenal and jejunal O2 consumptions as well as ouabain-sensitive O2 consumptions of jejunum and small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) by 46.5%, 58.3%, 40.6%, and 26.4% increases, than those in CON. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the weight and length of the small intestine were negatively correlated with body weight gain. Oxygen consumption in the various small intestinal segments was negatively correlated with their respective densities (mg/mm2). In conclusion, a greater oxygen requirement for maintaining ouabain-sensitive respiration (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the intestine limits energy availability to support gastrointestinal tract growth and, thereby, may result in lower body weight gain.

Carcass Characteristics of Guinea Fowl Raised under Intensive System and Fed Diets Containing Yellow Maize, Millet and White &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Sorghum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; as Energy Sources

This study investigated carcass characteristics of guinea fowl reared under intensive system and fed diets containing yellow maize, millet and white sorghum as energy sources compared to commercial broiler diets (control). A completely randomized design was used where 160 guinea fowl keets were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Data were analyzed using Procedure General Linear Model in Statistical Analysis Software (version 9.0). Results showed that dietary treatment did not (p > 0.05) influence carcass characteristics of guinea fowl at the same age. However, carcass characteristics significantly (p sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield slightly increased from 69.93% ± 3.67% to 72.81% ± 2.67%; 73.85% ± 3.67% to 76.31% ± 2.67% and 70.55% ± 3.67% to 72.37% ± 2.67% for control, millet and sorghum diets, respectively. Carcass yield of guinea fowl on maize diet decreased with age (76.18 ± 3.67 to 71.68 ± 2.67). Other parameters including empty gizzard, heart, liver, drumstick, thigh, back and breast increased with guinea fowl age for all the dietary treatments. Maize, sorghum or millet diets can be used in guinea fowl diets without affecting carcass characteristics. Further studies on the acceptance of meat by consumers and cost-benefit analysis of the dietary treatments should be conducted to enable formulation of guinea fowl diets using local feed resources.

Nutritional cost reduction and increase profitability in commercial broiler production using phytase superdosing

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate the reduction of calcium (Ca), crude protein (CP), metabolizable energy (ME), and available phosphorus (aP) in the nutritional matrix of Brazilian commercial broiler diets supplemented with both phytase superdosing (1500 FTU/kg) or conventional doses (500 FTU/kg) on the feed cost and profitability, performance, bone mineralization, and carcass yield of broiler from 1 to 42 d. A total 1200 one-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly distributed in a commercial feeding program [...]

The Effect of Feeding Frequency and Amount on Performance, Behavior and Physiological Responses of Broilers

The aim of this study was to conclude the effect of feed frequencies and amount on growth performance, carcass traits, physiological responses and behaviors of broilers chicks. One hundred Ross broiler chicks at 7 days old were randomly assigned into five regimens (20 chicks per each program with two replicate). Experimental design were as follows; T1: feeding once a day (100% diet at 6:30), T2: two equal feedings per day (50% of total diet at 6:30 and 18:30), T3: two feedings per day (75% at 6:30 and 25% at 18:30), T4: three equal feedings per day (33.33% at 6:30, 12:30 and 18:30) and T5: three feedings per day as 50% of diet at 6:30, 25% at 12:30 and 25% at 18:30.Chicks were fed with commercial broiler diet for five weeks. The obtained results indicated that offering two equal feeding times per day was significant (p < 0.05) improved overall body weight, body weight gain and average daily gain of broiler chicks. Chicks fed single, twice per day and three times of 4th regimen showed higher feed intake than chicks of 3rd and 5th regimens. Feed frequencies had significant (P<0.05) effect on percent of carcass, spleen and intestine percentage. High proportion of chicks of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th feeding regimens showed significant more feeding and preening behaviors than chicks of 5th regimen. Chicks of 5th regimen exhibited significantly higher foraging behavior than those of 3rd and 4th regimens. Moreover, feeding frequency with different amount of feed decreased the duration of tonic immobility test means less stressful and high chick welfare. T2 showed significant increasing on heterophil, total protein, globulin, serum glucose and growth hormone levels in comparison to the other groups, as well as a lower albumin/globulin ratio and albumin. In conclusion, two equal feeding per day (T2) might be a desirable feeding approach that might produce good healthy birds with maximum growth performance and improved welfare.

Intestinal mucosa development and blood profile of broiler chickens administered bovine testicular fluid

A seven-week experiment was carried out to determine the effect of bovine testicular fluid on intestinal mucosa development, haematological variables and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. A total of 125 unsexed day-old Abor acre chicks were randomly allotted into five treatments, with each treatment having five replicates with five birds per replicate. They were fed a commercial broiler diet for seven weeks of the experiment. Different concentrations of the bovine testicular fluid per liter of drinking water were offered to the experimental birds at free choice, the birds in treatment 1 served as the control and they were offered ordinary drinking water while birds in treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were offered 25, 50, 75 and 100 ml of bovine testicular fluid per liter of water, respectively. The feed and water intake of each bird were measured on daily basis, while the average weight of the birds was measured on weekly basis. On day 21 and 49, blood samples were collected from the birds to determine the haematological and serum biochemical indices. Two birds from each replicate were sacrificed on day 49 and sample of ileum were taken for intestinal mucosal examination after processed into permanent slides. The results of the blood indices obtained on days 21 and 49 indicated that the blood parameters were within the normal physiological range for chickens and without evidence of organ damage. The villus height, villus width, crypt depth, crypt height, and mucosa thickness showed that the bovine testicular fluid increased the absorptive capacity of the intestinal mucosa surface area and their growth. It is recommended that bovine testicular fluid at 100 ml/L improved intestinal mucosa development and absorption capacity of broiler chickens and enhanced their growth without deleterious effect on their health status.

Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Seeds and their Combination as Feed Additive on Intake, Muscle chemical composition, Sensory Quality and Hematology of Broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding neem (Azadirachta indica) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed as natural feed additive for broiler chicks on dry matter intake, mortality, meat quality and blood parameters of broilers. One hundred ninety two day-old Cobb 500 chicks distributed to four treatments with three replications in a completely randomized design. Feed offered and refusals were recorded and Dry matter intake was calculated as the difference between the two on dry matter basis. At the end of the trial, four broilers were randomly picked up from each replication and slaughtered for carcass evaluation and the treatment used were ration that contain only commercial broiler diet (0 kg Neem and pumpkin seed (0NS-PS)), 1kg neem seed on 100kg commercial broiler diet (1NS), 1kg pumpkin seed on 100kg commercial broiler diet (1PS) and 1kg of neem and pumpkin seed combination on 100kg of commercial broiler diet (1NS-PS) stands for Treatment1, Treatment 2, Treatment 3 and Treatment 4 respectively. The average daily dry matter intake during the entire experimental period was 106, 111, 114 and 117 g/ bird for 0NS-PS, 1NS, 1PS and 1NS-PS respectively, and it was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) for 1NS-PS as compared to 0NS-PS, 1NS and 1PS. The serum cholesterol and white blood cell of broilers in the experimental period were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased but total blood protein was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) increased among treatment. Crude protein content of breast and thigh meat was significantly high for 1NS-PS. It is concluded that neem and pumpkin seed can be a good feed additive for broiler production aside its nutritional importance.&#x0D; Key words: Broiler; Feed additive; Hematology; Neem and Pumpkin seed.

Algae-based antioxidant containing selenium yeast (Economase®) enhanced the growth performance, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to determine the effect of algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EconomasE®) on the growth performance, visceral organ weight, meat quality, and oxidative stability of broiler chickens.MethodsNine hundred sixty, day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb, 43.97±0.55 g) were divided into three dietary treatments and allocated into 12 deep litter pens in a completely randomized design giving 4 replicate cages for each treatment. Three dietary treatments were: i) control (CON, basal diet with sufficient nutrient), ii) vitamin E (VitE, basal diet supplemented with 100 IU VitE), and iii) Algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EcoE, basal diet supplemented with 0.2% algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast: EconomasE®). Maize soybean meal based basal diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrition requirement for broiler chickens. Chickens were fed ad-libitum experimental diets during the 42 days experiment period. On days 21 and 42, body weight and feed intake were measured to calculate the feed conversion ratio of the chickens. Intestine and visceral organs were measured together with meat quality and oxidative stability on days 14 and 42.ResultsChickens fed with EcoE showed improved (p<0.05) growth performance, meat quality, and higher (p<0.05) oxidative stability compared to the chicken fed on CON. Moreover, broiler chickens fed with EcoE showed similar (p<0.05) growth performance with better (p<0.05) meat quality and higher oxidative stability compared to the broiler chickens fed VitE (p<0.05).ConclusionThe algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast can be supplemented into commercial broiler diets as a substitution of VitE while maintaining growth performance with enhancing meat quality and oxidative stability of the broiler chickens.