Commercial Chicken Feed Research Articles

Physical attributes and nutritional composition of meat from dual purpose (Sasso C431 and TR51) broiler breeds in Ntabazinduna, Zimbabwe.

The growing animal welfare concerns regarding poultry production have led to the rearing of slow-growing meat type chickens also known as free-range chickens. In Zimbabwe these slow-growing chickens are gaining popularity as an alternative to the commercial broiler chickens owing to their preferred sensory attributes comparatively. Little is known regarding the quality of the meat versus that of the conventional broilers. We evaluated the physical characteristics and nutritional composition of meat from dual purpose slow-growing hybrids, Sasso C431 and TR51 in comparison with the commercial broiler breed Ross 308, under intensive feeding conditions. Birds were fed the standard commercial chicken feed produced by Hamara, a local chicken and chicken feed producing company. Birds were slaughtered on days 42, 56 and 70 of life where carcass and breast yield were measured. The pH, drip loss and cooking losses were determined for all carcasses. Proximate composition (dry matter, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate) and mineral composition (iron, zinc and phosphorus) were determined for all the meat samples. The fast-growing broiler breed had a higher breast yield; than the slower-growing breeds, Sasso C431 and TR51 breeds (P<0.05). The highest cooking and drip loss were observed in the faster growing breed Ross 308 and the lowest ones for Sasso C431 and TR51 breeds (P<0.05). Shear texture values were higher in the Sasso C431 and TR51 than the Ross 308 breed (P<0.05). The Sasso C431 and TR51 breeds can produce more meat with a lower fat and a higher protein compared to the Ross breeds.

Comparison of the effects of alfalfa meal and sorghum distillery residue supplementation on the methane emissions in black-feathered Taiwan native chicken.

The issue of global warming, primarily fueled by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, necessitates effective strategies to address methane (CH4) emissions from both ruminants and nonruminants. Drawing inspiration from successful approaches employed in ruminants, this study evaluates the impact of supplementing the diets of Taiwan's native black-feathered chickens with alfalfa meal and sorghum distillery residues (SDRs) on CH4 emissions. Using a respiration chamber the results reveal a significant reduction in CH4 emissions when incorporating either 30% alfalfa meal or 30% SDRs into the chicken diet, demonstrating a 59% and 49% decrease, respectively, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Considering that alfalfa meal contains saponins and SDRs contain tannins, the study delves into the mechanism through which these components mitigate CH4 production in chickens. Incorporating saponins or tannins shows that groups supplemented with these components exhibit significantly lower CH4 emissions compared to the control group (P < 0.05), with a consistent linear decrease as the concentration of the feed additive increases. Further in vitro analysis of chicken cecal contents indicates a proportional reduction in CH4 production with increasing levels of added saponins or tannins (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the CH4-reducing effects of alfalfa meal and SDRs can be attributed to their saponins and tannin content. However, caution is warranted as excessive alfalfa meal supplementation may adversely impact poultry growth. Consequently, sorghum distillery residue emerges as a more suitable feed ingredient for mitigating CH4 emissions in Taiwan's native black-feathered chickens compared to alfalfa. Additionally, substituting SDRs for conventional commercial chicken feed not only reduces CH4 emissions but also enhances the utilization of byproducts.

Lignin from sugarcane bagasse as a prebiotic additive for poultry feed

Diet is a crucial factor on health and well-being of livestock animals. Nutritional strengthening with diet formulations is essential to the livestock industry and animal perfor-mance. Searching for valuable feed additives among by-products may promote not only circular economy, but also functional diets. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse was proposed as a potential prebiotic additive for chickens and incorporated at 1 % (w/w) in commercial chicken feed, tested in two feed forms, namely, mash and pellets. Physico-chemical characterization of both feed types with and without lignin was performed. Also, the prebiotic potential for feeds with lignin was assessed by an in vitro gastrointestinal model and evaluated the impact on chicken cecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. As for the pellet's physical quality, there was a higher cohesion of the pellets with lignin, indicating a higher resistance to breakout and lignin decreases the tendency of the pellets for microbial contamination. Regarding the prebiotic potential, mash feed with lignin showed higher promotion of Bifidobacterium in comparison with mash feed without lignin and to pellet feed with lignin. Lignin from sugarcane bagasse has prebiotic potential as additive to chicken feed when supplemented in mash feed diets, presenting itself as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to chicken feed additives supplementation.

Relationship between substrate composition and larval weight: a simple growth model for black soldier fly larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could play an important role as a high-quality source of protein, lipid, and other nutrients not only for animal feed but also for human consumption. However, feeding material costs for the larvae strongly influence the economic feasibility of the feed source. Therefore, the performance of several side streams originating from food production, which are legally permitted in European Union as feed grade substrates, were tested as feed in rearing BSFL. The substrates differed in their composition with respect to macronutrients, like proteins and lipids, and minor nutrients, like minerals. A commercial chicken feed substrate was used as a control, and it was replaced stepwise by the investigated substrate. The effect of the replacement on gained larval weight, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio was determined. Data were used to develop a model to predict larval weight based on the substrate contents of crude lipid and crude protein. The lipid content distinctly influenced the larval growth enabling a maximum weight gain at moderate lipid contents, whereas a very sharp decrease in larval weight gain was found for lower lipid contents in the substrate. On the other hand, influence of protein content on weight gain was linear with higher weights at higher protein contents. For the substrates included, a direct influence of the content of digestible carbohydrates on weight was not found demonstrating that this component was not the limiting growth factor in our study.

Closing the gap – producing black soldier fly larvae on aquaculture side streams

The aim of the study was to investigate if black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae can be grown on sludge from a salmonid fresh-water recirculating aquaculture system facility in a small pilot-scale trial. The growth and transfer of both nutrients and unwanted components from the sludge to the insect larvae was analysed. A commercial chicken feed was used as a control growth substrate and up to 100% of the chicken feed was replaced with aquaculture sludge. Replacing 40% of the chicken feed with aquaculture sludge did not influence the growth of the larvae. A gradual decrease in growth was, however seen at a sludge inclusion of higher than 40%. Proximate (crude protein and fat, dry matter) and amino acid composition of the larvae stayed stable across treatments, while ash content increased with higher sludge inclusion. An accumulation of elements such as Zn, Fe and Se was observed in the larvae with increasing amount of sludge in the growth substrate. The larvae also accumulated unwanted elements regulated by EU feed legislation such as As, Hg and Cd. Both As and Hg in the larvae exceeded the legal EU limits for feed ingredients, but only in the two highest levels of sludge inclusion (80 and 100% sludge). Fatty acid composition reflected the substrate, with the sludge-fed larvae being enriched in marine n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids. No salmon pathogens were detected in the larvae. The trial showed that it is possible to grow black soldier fly larvae on aquaculture sludge but points at a few feed safety risk factors which need to be further elucidated before a use of sludge as growth material for insects can be considered.

RESPON AYAM PEDAGING YANG DIBERI GULA MERAH DENGAN LEVEL KUNYIT YANG BERBEDA DALAM AIR MINUM

This study aims to examine broiler chickens’ response to brown sugar with different levels of turmeric in drinking water. The study was conducted in the Department of Animal Husbandry housing unit, Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University, using 90 unsexed Cobb strain broiler chickens aged 1 day, randomized into three treatment groups following a completely randomized design with a 3 x 5 directional pattern. The treatment consisted of P0: feed + drinking water without brown sugar and turmeric, P1: feed + 2% brown sugar and turmeric 10 grams/1 liter of water; P2: feed + 2% brown sugar and turmeric 20 grams/1 liter of water. BRI commercial chicken feed is produced by PT. Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk is used in this study. Feed intake, water intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion were measured variables. The data were analyzed using Anova and continued with the BNT test if there was a significant difference. The administration of brown sugar with different levels of turmeric in drinking water showed no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) for all the variables measured. However, the application giving is recommended 2% brown sugar and 20 grams of turmeric in drinking water.Key words: Feed intake, Body weight gain, Brown sugar, Curcumin, Broiler

Smallholder farmers’ willingness to pay for commercial insect-based chicken feed in Kenya

The cost of chicken production in developing countries is 300% higher than in developed nations. Overreliance on the key protein feed ingredients especially soybean and fishmeal (SFM) that are characterized by rising food-feed competition and supply chain impediments exacerbate the situation. The use of insect protein as a sustainable alternative protein source has attracted global attention recently. However, there is a dearth of empirical insights on farmers’ preferences for commercial insect-based feed for chicken production in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated farmers’ willingness to pay for attributes of insect-based commercial chicken feed in Kenya using a choice experiment based on a survey of 314 predominantly chicken farmers. Results show that the farmers are willing to pay premium prices ranging between US$ 0.35 and US$ 3.45 for insect-based feed in the form of either pellets or mash, feed explicitly labelled as containing insects, insect protein feed mixed with SFM and dark-colored feed. These findings provide evidence for multi-stakeholder collaborations to facilitate the creation of an inclusive insect-based feed regulatory framework for sustainable feed and chicken production.

Biowaste and by-products as rearing substrates for black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Effects on larval body composition and performance.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae can convert biowaste and by-products into body mass high in protein (~40% dry matter, DM) and lipid (~30% DM). However, the type of rearing substrate also affects the larval body composition and thus its nutritional value. Hitherto, it remains unclear how and to what extent the larval body composition can be altered by the substrate. This study was therefore performed to examine the possibilities of modifying larval body composition using different rearing substrates. To investigate this, 5-days old larvae were reared for seven days on different locally available waste and by-products: brewer’s spent grain, mitigation mussels (Mytilus edulis), rapeseed cake, and shrimp waste meal (Pandalus borealis). Larval composition and performance were compared to larvae reared on a commercial chicken feed as well as a mixed feed (mixture of chicken feed and by-products, with a similar macronutrient composition to chicken feed). Larval body weight was recorded daily to determine growth over time whereas larvae and substrates were sampled at the start and end of the trial and analysed for their nutritional composition. The type of rearing substrate affected both larval body composition and growth performance. There was a clear relation between the nutritional composition of the substrate and larvae for certain fatty acids. Larvae reared on marine-based waste substrates contained a higher share of omega-3 fatty acids than larvae reared on the other substrates, indicating an accumulation of omega-3 fatty acids from the substrate. There was a strong positive linear correlation between the ash content in the substrate and larvae whereas larval lipid, protein, amino acid, and chitin content seemed more affected by larval development. Overall, this study showed that the rearing substrate affects larval composition and development, and that larval composition of certain nutrients can be tailored depending on further food and feed applications.

Comparative analysis of Hermetia illucens L. mixed chicken feed and commercial chicken feed to growth performance, carcass weight, and meat proximate content of Gallus domesticus L.

The development of the broiler farming industry to meet the needs of chicken meat in Indonesia has problems including the availability and high prices of commercial feed. This is due to the use of high-priced protein sources from a fish meal as a commercial feed composition. One option that can replace a fish meal as a composition of broiler feed is Hermetia illucens L. larvae flour. This study aims to determine the difference between H. illucens mixed chicken feed (HiMCF) and commercial chicken feed (CCF) on growth performance of Gallus domesticus L. with parameters Final Body Weight (FBW), Daily Feed Intake (DFI), Daily Weight Gain (DWG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Approximate Digestibility (AD), Efficiency of Conversion Digestibility (ECD), carcass weight with 3-joint wings, forequarter, and leg quarter, and the meat proximate content. In this study, G. domesticus were cultivated for 33 days with HiMCF and CCF treatment. The complete proximate content of feed and meat was analyzed descriptively, while growth and carcass weight were analyzed by statistical SPSS T-test (T-test, = 0.05). The feeding of HiMCF and CCF treatment on the growth of broiler chickens to DFI, DWG, FCR, AD, and ECD was the same except for FBW. While the feeding of HiMCF and CCF treatment to the carcass weight was not the same except for 3-joint wings. The feeding of HiMCF and CCF treatment gave the same proximate content of broiler chicken meat. Based on this research, the HiMCF can be an alternative feed for broiler chickens.

Comparing The Toxicity of Some Formulate Synthetic and Organic Insecticides to Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

Agricultural wastes had been considered as one of the major sources of environmental as most of the waste consist of organic wastes which produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases when decompose. Some studies showed the benefit of these wastes as a material for insect farming, such as larva of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens), to produce a protein and lipid-rich biomass for various types of bioindustries. However, other studies showed that most of the organic agricultural wastes originated from local farms, contaminated with insecticides. This condition caused a major concern on the health of the larvae during farming as the information on the effect of insecticide on black soldier fly larvae is considered rare. In this study, we tested the toxicity of some common synthetic and organic insecticides, applied in the local farming system, to black soldier fly larvae. Two types of synthetic insecticides (active ingredient endosulfan and profenofos) and one type of organic insecticide (a microbial insecticide with active ingredient 5-endotoxin) were mixed with commercial chicken feed which used as feeding material for the 10 days-old larvae. A total number of 120 larvae were used in this study and the mortality rate was observed for 72 hours. The result of this study showed LC50 of endosulfan was recorded at 236.25 ppm, profenofos at 380.62 ppm, and 5-endotoxin at more than 7600 ppm. All of this value significantly higher than insecticide residual limit regulation and reports on the level of insecticide residual level of common local agricultural products. Based on this study, it can be concluded that common organic agricultural wastes are applicable to be used as feeding material of black soldier fly larvae directly although further studies are needed regarding the safety of the final product of insect farming.

Recycling of food waste to produce chicken feed and liquid fertiliser

• Feasibility of producing chicken feed and liquid fertiliser recycling food waste. • Production of chicken feed of same quality as the one available in the market. • Production of liquid fertiliser meet commercial feed solution for hydroponic system. Most of the food waste (FW) generated by commercial activities and the majority of household FW is collected as part of general waste, which is either incinerated or landfilled. There is an increasing interest in the collection of FW as a separate waste stream and use it for the production of compost or recovery of energy through anaerobic digestion (AD) or pyrolysis. This study focused on using FW to produce chicken feed and liquid fertiliser (CFLF). The food waste samples were collected from food related businesses such as service club, café, restaurant, bakery and supermarket. The CFLF process was used to produce chicken feed pellets containing 19% of protein content, which is within the range of 16 to 22% of most commercial chicken feed pellets and within the National Research Council (NRC) recommended range of 15 to 23%. The liquid extract derived from CFLF process had high nutrient concentrations similar to those present in the feed solution used in hydroponic systems. Hence, the liquid extract from CFLF can be used to replace the commercial liquid fertiliser used in hydroponic systems. Environmental impact analysis of CFLF process using GaBi life cycle analysis (LCA) software indicated that the CFLF process can yield environmental credits for 15 out of 19 categories of impacts considered in the analysis. The measured environmental credits were significantly higher than the other disposal options such as, anaerobic digestion (AD), incineration and landfill.

Feeding strategies for small-scale rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as organic waste recycler

Processing organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF)-based technology offers a promising alternative for sustainable organic waste management and urban sanitation. This study was conducted to assess the influence of feeding strategies on the efficacy of BSF larvae to recycle organic wastes into value products. Fruit waste and chicken manure were used as organic waste samples while commercial chicken feed was used as a control, and were processed for 15 days in circular plastic containers (Ø 30 × 12 cm) with 50; 100; 150; and 200 mg/larva/day continuous and batch feeding diets, using 500 four-day-old larvae per diet, repeated four times. Larval survival rates were not significantly affected by the feeding strategies. However, average larval biomass of 83.69 ± 13.04 g and 82.46 ± 08.52 g was achieved for the continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, under favorable conditions. Larval feed reduction rates ranged from 24.65 ± 03.48% to 72.78 ± 01.48% and 24.52 ± 0.27% to 72.25 ± 12.13% with continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, and were significantly affected by the different daily diets. On the other hand, the bioconversion rates ranged from 13.34 ± 0.26% to 50.82 ± 02.27%, and the highest values were observed with the continuous feeding diets. This study confirms the efficacy of BSF larvae to thrive in different organic substrates and shows that the continuous feeding strategy can be better and enhance a sustainable small-scale organic waste management.

Can farm weeds improve the growth and microbiological quality of crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus)?

Farming of edible insects has been proposed as a means to reduce current practices of harvesting from the wild. While farming could relieve the pressure on wild populations, as well as on their natural habitats, and generate a continuous supply of edible insects to the consumers, the high cost of commercial chicken feeds is still a challenge to many farmers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the partial replacement of commercial chicken feed with the farm weed, wandering Jew (Commelina sinensis), would have an impact on weight gain and microbial quality of farmed field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). Therefore, we have experimentally compared two types of feed: (1) starter commercial chicken feed only (SO); and (2) starter commercial chicken feed supplemented with fresh wandering Jew weeds (S+W). After a feeding period of thirty days, the final body weight differed significantly (P=0.026) between crickets fed with SO and with S+W, which averaged at 1.11 and 1.39 g, respectively. Generally, high counts of total aerobic,Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, bacterial endospores, yeasts and moulds were observed in both experimental groups. However, bacterial endospore counts of S+W fed crickets (2.7 log cfu/g) were significantly lower (P=0.021) than these of the SO fed ones (3.9 log cfu/g). Metagenetic analyses indicated that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Tenericutes were the most abundant phyla, while members of the family Coxiellacea, and the generaLactobacillus, andSpiroplasma were the most abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Concerning the food safety, a few OTUs could be associated with potential food pathogens, such asClostridiaceae,Staphylococcus andEnterobacteriaceae. In summary, the inclusion of fresh wandering Jew weeds in commercial starter chicken feed produced crickets with increased body weight and improved microbial quality.

Influence of larval density, substrate moisture content and feedstock ratio on life history traits of black soldier fly larvae

Performance and body composition of insect larvae depend on quality and quantity of their diet, and on biotic factors such as larval density. Experiments were undertaken to assess the effects of larval density, substrate moisture content and feedstock ratio on larval life history parameters of black soldier fly (BSF) in the laboratory. Four-day-old larvae were separately reared under six different densities (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 larvae/cm2) and at five substrate moisture content levels (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80%) obtained by moistening feed with fresh water. Five feedstock ratios of 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg of feed per larva per day were also tested. Each treatment had four replicates and used commercial chicken feed as substrate. Results showed that individual larval feed reduction, wet weight, survival rate, body size and body thickness had a negative correlation with rearing densities, while larval development time correlated positively. The increase in substrate moisture content has significantly affected the larval feed reduction, wet weight, development time, body size and body thickness of the larvae. On the other hand, the survival rate was not significantly affected. The larvae subjected to diet 150 mg/larva/day showed a highest individual wet weight (0.19±0.003 g), body size (20.55±0.335 mm) and body thickness (4.982±0.081 mm). Their recorded development time was relatively short (11.25±0.500 days), compared to the other. The larval survival rate was not significantly affected by the feedstock ratio. This study indicates that larval life history parameters of BSF are influenced by the rearing conditions.

Growth and survival of reared Cambodian field crickets (Teleogryllus testaceus) fed weeds, agricultural and food industry by-products

This study evaluated survival and growth of Cambodian field crickets (Teleogryllus testaceus) during captivity when fed a set of local weed species, agricultural and food industry by-products. Wild individuals were caught at two locations in Cambodia, kept in pens and fed commercial chicken feed until the second generation off-spring hatched. First larval stage nymphs from this generation were collected and used in a 70-day feeding trial with one control treatment (chicken feed) and 12 experimental treatments (rice bran, cassava plant tops, water spinach, spent grain, residue from mungbean sprout production, and Alternanthera sessilis, Amaranthus spinosus, Commelina benghalensis, Cleome rutidosperma, Cleome viscosa, Boerhavia diffusa and Synedrela nodiflora). The crickets were kept in plastic cages and feed intake, weight and survival of crickets were recorded weekly. Overall survival did not differ between chicken feed and the experimental treatments with the exception of crickets fed B. diffusa, which had lower survival. From day 35 to day 49, survival on A. sessilis was also lower (P&lt;0.05) than on chicken feed. There was no difference in weight between crickets fed chicken feed, cassava tops and C. rutidosperma. However, crickets fed A. sessilis, A. spinosus and B. diffusa weighed less than those fed chicken feed already at day 21. The feed conversion rate ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 and was ≤1.9 in crickets fed chicken feed, cassava plant tops and C. rutidosperma. Thus this study shows that it is possible, using simple means, to rear Cambodian field crickets. Cassava plant tops and C. rutidosperma both have great potential as cricket feed and the other weeds, with the exception of A. sessilis, A. spinosus and B. diffusa, agricultural and food industry by-products tested, also showed potential.

Making the Best of a Pest: The Potential for Using Invasive Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Biomass as a Supplement to Commercial Chicken Feed

Invasive non-native species frequently occur in very high densities. When such invaders present an economic or ecological nuisance, this biomass is typically removed and landfill is the most common destination, which is undesirable from both an economic and ecological perspective. The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, has invaded large parts of Europe and North America, and is routinely removed from raw water systems where it creates a biofouling nuisance. We investigated the suitability of dried, whole zebra mussels as a supplement to poultry feed, thus providing a more attractive end-use than disposal to landfill. Measurable outcomes were nutrient and energy composition analyses of the feeds and production parameters of the birds over a 14 day period. Zebra mussels were a palatable feed supplement for chickens. The mussel meal contained high levels of calcium (344.9 g kg−1), essential for egg shell formation, which was absorbed and retained easily by the birds. Compared with standard feed, a mussel-supplemented diet caused no significant effects on production parameters such as egg weight and feed conversion ratio during the study period. However, protein and energy levels in the zebra mussel feed were much lower than expected from the literature. In order for zebra mussels to be a viable long-term feed supplement for poultry, flesh would need to be separated from the shells in an economically viable way. If zebra mussels were to be used with the shells remaining, it seems that the resultant mussel meal would be more suitable as a calcium supplement.

Increased EPA levels in serum phospholipids of humans after four weeks daily ingestion of one portion chicken fed linseed and rapeseed oil.

Since the amounts of arachidonic acid (AA) and EPA in food may have implications for human health, we investigated whether a small change in chicken feed influenced the blood lipid concentration in humans ingesting the chicken. Forty-six young healthy volunteers (age 20–29) were randomly allocated into two groups in a double-blind dietary intervention trial, involving ingestion of about 160 g chicken meat per day for 4 weeks. The ingested meat was either from chickens given a feed concentrate resembling the commercial chicken feed, containing 4% soybean oil (SO), or the meat was from chickens given a feed where the soybean oil had been replaced by 2% rapeseed oil plus 2% linseed oil (RLO).Serum total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, serum phospholipid fatty acid concentration, blood pressure, body weight and C-reactive protein were determined at baseline and post-intervention. In subjects consuming chicken meat from the RLO group there was a significantly (p < 0.001) increased concentration of EPA in serum phospholipids, and a reduced ratio between AA and EPA. The participants that had a low% of EPA + DHA in serum phospholipids (less than 4.6%), all increased their% of EPA + DHA after the four week intervention period when consuming the RLO chicken. No significant response differences in cholesterol, triacylglycerol, C-reactive protein, body weight or blood pressure were observed between the groups. This trial demonstrates that a simple change in chicken feed can have beneficial effects on amount of EPA and the AA/EPA ratio in human serum phospholipids.

Growth-promoting effects of single-dose intragastrically administered probiotics in chickens

1. Live body weight gain (WG) and food conversion efficiency (FCE) were measured over a 4-week period in chicks (female, Kabir strain), inoculated intragastrically at one week of age with either a single dose (1 ml) of 107 live bacterial cells of Lactobacillus fermentum (LBF) or a strain of Lactobacillus spp. (LB), named Autruche 4 (A4), suspended in 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7·0); controls (n = 10) were inoculated only with PBS. The same commercial chicken feed was used throughout the 4-week experiment. 2. Compared with the control group, WG to 8 and 21 d, and also liver weight, were significantly greater in LBF and A4 treatments and FCE improved in both of the experimental groups. Compared with the A4 treatment group, WG was significantly higher and FCE improved in the LBF-treated group. The effects of A4 treatment on chicks were similar to those in an earlier pilot experiment using the same methodology but with 1-week-old female chicks (Kabir) inoculated with either the A4 strain or strain of LB named Autruche 5. 3. It is concluded that a single dose of Lactobacillus fermentum or Lactobacillus spp. (Autruche 4) administered intragastrically improves WG and FCE of broiler chicks.

Some fungi, zearalenone and other mycotoxins in chicken rations, stock feedstuffs, lucerne and pasture grasses in the communal farming area of Rhenosterkop in South Africa

Mycotoxins may be present in feeds without any visible signs of mould contamination. There is a need for rapid and accurate measurement of mycotoxins for purposes of continual monitoring and identification of high risk commodities. Samples from commercial chicken feed (maize kernels), cattle feed (lucerne, grass and hay) and milk were analysed for the presence of certain mycotoxins and cultured for fungi. Results of fungal profiles showed that most samples were contaminated by moulds belonging to the genera, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Mucor, Phoma and Rhizopus. All the chicken feed samples tested contained mycotoxins either below the recommended safe levels for poultry or below the detection limits of the ELISA tests. However, samples of grass contained levels of zearalenone greater than the allowable concentration for dairy and beef cattle (250 ppm), which may be linked to the presence of Fusarium scirpi identified in the fungal profiles. The levels of AFMI were below the detection limits of the ELISA tests, which may be attributed to the low levels of aflatoxins found in the feed (grass) samples. The presence of the fungus in samples analysed is not evidence for the presence of mycotoxins.

Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) for reducing aflatoxsins contamination in commercial chicken feed

Indonesian climate condition is suitable for growing of mold such as Aspergillus flavus. The mold grown in feed and feed ingredients cause aflatoxins contamination of the feed. Sambiloto has been reported to reduce the growth of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins production in feed isolate. The aim of the study was to find the used of sambiloto in reducing aflatoxins contamination in commercial chicken feed. The feed was homogenously mixed then divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates. The samples were treated with sambiloto 0.04%, 0.08% and 0.16% respectively into the feed, except for the control feed sambiloto was not added. Into these feed 4 ml of Aspergillus flavus suspension was also added. Then the feed in each group was incubated at room temperature for 10 days. Samples were collected from each group at days 0, 5 and 10 of incubation times for aflatoxins analysis. Samples were extracted and aflatoxins were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Observation results indicated that sambiloto concentration of 0.16% in feed can inhibit the total aflatoxins production of 16.46% and gave the inhibitation percentage of aflatoxin B1 of 45.39%. Statistical test showed that the used of sambiloto in feed for 5 days incubation times gave significant result in reducing aflatoxins production. However the 10 days incubation times of the feed with sambiloto gave in significant result. It is suggested that to get optimum inhibition of aflatoxins production, sambiloto added in feed should be higher than 0.16%. Key words : Feed, aflatoxin, sambiloto