Cumulative Feed Conversion Ratio Research Articles

Dietary guanidinoacetate reduces spaghetti meat myopathy risk in the breast muscle of broiler chickens

The global demand for white chicken meat along with the increase in the occurrence of growth-related breast muscle myopathies (BMMs) [namely white striping (WS), wooden breast (WB), and spaghetti meat (SM)] highlights the need for solutions that will improve meat quality while maintaining the high productivity of modern broilers. Guanidinoacetate (GAA), a precursor of creatine, is used as a feed additive and has previously shown the potential to affect the quality of breast meat. This study investigated growth performance, meat quality and the risk ratio for the development of BMMs in broilers assigned to two dietary treatments: control (CON) group, fed a commercial basal diet, and supplemented GAA (sGAA) group, receiving the control diet supplemented on top with 0.06% GAA. Growth performance indicators such as BW, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and cumulative feed conversion ratio were recorded on a pen basis. As a trait affecting animal welfare, the occurrence of foot pad dermatitis was also evaluated. At day 43, birds were processed, and breasts were scored for the incidence and severity of BMMs (n = 166 and 165 in CON and sGAA groups, respectively). Quality traits (ultimate pH, colour) and technological properties (i.e., drip and cooking losses, marinade uptake, shear force, and oxidation levels of the lipid and the protein fractions) of breast meat were assessed in both treatments on samples not showing any macroscopic sign of BMMs (n = 20 breast fillets per group). Data of myopathy risk ratio were analysed as the risk for each group to develop WS, WB, and SM myopathies. Our results show that while sGAA and control groups did not differ significantly in growth performance, a remarkably beneficial effect of GAA was observed on the incidence of BMMs with significantly reduced risk of sGAA group to develop SM myopathy. The risk of sGAA group to develop SM was 30% lower compared to CON (P = 0.028). Finally, a significantly lower drip loss was observed in sGAA in comparison with CON (1.78 vs 2.48%, P = 0.020). Together, our results show that the inclusion of 0.06% GAA in feed can improve the water-holding capacity of meat and reduce the risk to develop SM myopathy without compromising the performance of broilers.

Exploring the efficacy of a novel prebiotic-like growth promoter on broiler chicken production performance

This study attempts to isolate a candidate growth promoter from the ovine paunch waste and scrutinize its effects on the production performance of broiler chickens as compared to mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS), a prebiotic, and lincomycin, an antibiotic growth promoter (AB). The paunch waste collected from slaughtered sheep was processed to remove particulate matter. The clarified liquid was then added to an excess of ethanol (1:9 ratio), and the resultant precipitate {(novel growth-promoting paunch extract (NGPE)} was collected, dried, and stored. In vitro increase in cell density for probiotic bacteria viz. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecalis (Log10 CFU/ml) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in NGPE supplemented media (2.78 ± 0.11 and 2.77 ± 0.10) as compared to that on MOS (1.28 ± 0.05 and 2.49 ± 0.09) and glucose (1.09 ± 0.04 and 1.12 ± 0.04) supplemented media. In the in-vivo trial of six weeks duration with broiler chickens (Cobb-400), NGPE supplementation resulted in significantly higher growth in weeks IV (P < 0.05) and VI (P < 0.01) of age in comparison to MOS and AGP supplemented groups, a lower (P < 0.01) cumulative feed conversion ratio in comparison to MOS supplemented groups, and a higher (P < 0.01) cumulative protein efficiency ratio compared to MOS and AGP supplementation. NGPE supplementation also lowered lipid peroxidation (P < 0.01), increased reduced glutathione activity (P < 0.01) in chicken erythrocytes, and boosted the lactic acid bacteria count in the cecal contents (P < 0.01). This is the first report of the isolation of a paunch waste extract that increased the in vitro growth of probiotic bacteria and improved the production performance of broiler chickens.

Impact of Glycetin Injection on Productive Traits in local Iraqi Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the impact of implementing Glycetin by injection on the productive features of local Iraqi chickens. 100 female hens and 20 roosters from a local Iraqi chicken population, at age 26 weeks. The sample was divided into three groups, in addition to a control group. Each experimental group had 25 female hens, with the same procedure being performed for each individual hen, and 20 roosters, which were reared separately for the purpose of artificial insemination. The avian specimens were housed in separate enclosures, and the experimental conditions were allocated as follows: the initial condition (Control Group) did not receive any injections, whereas conditions T2, T3, and T4 were administered with varying doses of Glycetin at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, respectively. The results showed improve significant (P<0.05) many aspects such as egg production rate, cumulative egg count, egg mass, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio.

Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaves Meal (MOLM) Supplement in Combating Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens Fed Maize Soya Bean Diet

A growth experiment was conducted for 56 days to study productive performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chicks fed corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with Moringa Oleifera leaves meals (MOLM) under heat stress condition. Three hundred a day old chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 supplemented with MOLM (0, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5%) respectively. The results did not show body weight gain, feed intake and final weight increased with increased inclusion levels of MOLM, so also was the feed conversion ratio. The cumulative feed conversion ratio was better in T2. The levels of MOLM had no significant effect on carcass relative weight, Haemoglobin (HB), white blood cells (WBC), albumin and total plasma protein increased with increasing levels of MOLM. Mortality rates decreased with increasing levels of MOLM. The best result however, was obtained in T2 (5%) inclusion level. It could be concluded that addition of Moringa Oleifera leaves improved broiler performance, physiological parameters and enhanced the ability to resist heat stress conditions of broilers fed corn-soybean meal diet

Dietary influence of de-oiled lecithin on broiler growth, Blood parameters, Antioxidant status, Thyroid hormones and immunoglobulins: An analysis across two distinct strains of broilers

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of adding an emulsifier, de-oiled soybean lecithin (DOL) in diet, on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant potential, thyroid hormones (T3 & T4), and serum immunoglobulins in two distinct strains of commercially raised broilers, Ross 308 (S1) and Evian 48 (S2). A total of 800 one-day-old broiler chicks from both strains (N = 400 each) were assigned to a control group (T0) and three dietary treatments, each with five replicates of 20 birds. Experimental treatments included a basal diet supplemented with varying levels of de-oiled lecithin (DOL): T1 = 0.5 g/kg, T2 = 1 g/kg, and T3 = 1.5 g/kg. The study used a 2 × 4 factorial design, which allows for the examination of the effects of two factors (in this case, strains and dietary treatments) on the outcome variables. Following 35 days, the broilers of strain S1 and those fed the T3 supplemented diet exhibited superior body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), cumulative feed intake (CFI), cumulative feed conversion ratio (CFCR), performance index (PI%), and lower mortality rate (Mr %) (P < 0.05) compared to those of strain S2 and those fed other dietary levels. A significant disparity (P < 0.05) was observed between the two strains regarding the plasma concentrations of ALB, GLB, A/G ratio, CHO, HDL, AST, and ALT, with strain S1 showing better levels. Similarly, the broiler chicks in group T3, along with the interaction between groups S1 × T3 and S2 × T3, demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in blood biochemical parameters. Broilers of strain S1 and those on the T3 supplemented diet, along with the interactions between the groups S1 × T3 and S2 × T3, demonstrated substantial improvements (P < 0.05) across assessed parameters of antioxidant status and thyroid hormones, when compared to other dietary treatments and the control group. In conclusion, the addition of DOL as a supplement improved growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, thyroid hormones (T3 & T4), and serum immunoglobulins in both broiler strains.

The Effect of Drinking Water Temperature and Stocking Density on Broiler Performance, Meat Quality and Some Behavioral Traits at High Ambient Temperature

The present study examined the effect of drinking water temperature and stocking density on performance (cumulative body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio), meat quality, and behaviour traits (eating, drinking, lying, standing, and dust bathing) in broilers. A total of 360 broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups, in a 2x3 factorial arrangement of drinking water temperature (10°C or 31°C), with stocking density (12, 15 or 18 birds/m2), each consisting of 4 replicate pens. Meat quality traits (pH15, L*, CL, and WHC), lying and standing behaviours were affected by water temperature. The stocking density significantly affected the cumulative body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, color of breast meat [lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*)] of broiler chickens. In conclusion, management practices such as stocking density and drinking water temperature in broilers could reduce the detrimental effects of high ambient temperature on growth performance, meat quality traits, and behaviour.

Production performance of four lines of Japanese quail reared under tropical climatic conditions of Tamil Nadu, India.

This research investigated the growth and other production traits of four distinct lines (L1, L2, L3, and L4) of Japanese quail (Cortunix japanoica) kept in the tropical climate of Tamil Nadu, India. The traits related to body weight at different weeks and weight gain were measured in 180 birds (90 males and 90 females) per line up to the fifth week of age, and then 90 birds (females only) from the sixth to the 16th week of age, with egg production and feed efficiency parameters measured in 10 observations per line. The traits were analysed using the General Linear Model procedure, and Tukey's HSD was used to test for statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the means for subclasses under a specific effect. The results revealed a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) in body weight from hatch to fifth week of age. At 5th week of age, the L3 and L2 did not differ (p > 0.05) based on Tukey test; therefore, both presented the highest values and were statistically significant (p < 0.01) with L4 with a lowest value of 203.62g. The cumulative fifth week feed conversion ratio showed non-significant difference (p > 0.05) at first and second week, and highly significant difference (p < 0.01) from third to fifth week of age. The age at 50 per cent egg production was 60.2 (L4), 61.4 (L2), 65.1 (L3) and 66.0 (L1) days and the L1 egg production differed significantly (p < 0.01) from L4 line. The highest bodyweight (g) during the laying period (at 15weeks of age) was observed in L2 (327.08) and L3 (326.54) and differed significantly (p < 0.01) from L1 (309.24) as well as L4 (288.69) lines. The mean egg weight (g) of different lines showed non-significant difference (p > 0.05) at all weeks, except at 11th week of age (p < 0.01). The mean feed consumption (g)/bird/day differed significantly (p < 0.01) from 6th to 16th week of age, except at sixth and eighth week of age, where it was non-significant (p > 0.05). The overall feed efficiency/dozen of eggs (from 6th to 16th weeks) ranged from 1.33 (L1) to 1.98 (L3). The livability from 6 to 16weeks of age was 100 per cent in all the lines. In order to boost Japanese quail production in the tropics, L3 and L4 may be selected for body weight and egg production, respectively.

Pilot study of the productivity and Salmonella seroprevalence in pigs administered organic acids.

Control of Salmonella in pig/pork production is important to protect public health because pork is one of the main sources of human infection. Moreover, antimicrobial use in pig farms should be kept low to minimize development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance. This pilot study evaluated the productivity and Salmonella seroprevalence in pigs administered organic acids (OA) compared to pigs given growth promoters in one farm in Antioquia, Colombia. Two groups each consisting of 60 pigs of 6-weeks of age were studied for 4 months. One group was provided feed and water with OA (Selko pH® and Selacid®), whereas the other group (control) received antimicrobial growth promoters according to routine feeding practices (tylosin and zinc bacitracin). Blood samples were taken three times (T1-T3) and pigs were weighted five times to calculate daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Initially when the pigs were 6 weeks old (T1), the Salmonella seroprevalence was 1.7% in both groups. When the pigs were 11 weeks old (T2), the seroprevalence was significantly lower in pigs provided OA compared to the control group (19 vs. 47%, P < 0.001), whereas when the pigs were 23 weeks old (T3), the seroprevalence did not differ between the groups (62 vs. 77%; P = 0.075). The cumulative DWG was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (713 vs. 667 g/day; P < 0.001). The cumulative FCR did not differ between groups (2.80 vs. 2.77; P = 0.144). The pilot study indicates that cleaning the water pipes and administrating OA improve productivity in pigs and delay exposure to Salmonella spp. when compared with growth promoters. Thus, OA could replace antimicrobial growth promoters and reduce antimicrobial use and resistance. However, the study should be repeated before firmer conclusions can be drawn.

Feeding broiler chickens with arginine above recommended levels: effects on growth performance, metabolism, and intestinal microbiota

BackgroundArginine is an essential amino acid for chickens and feeding diets with arginine beyond the recommended levels has been shown to influence the growth performance of broiler chickens in a positive way. Nonetheless, further research is required to understand how arginine supplementation above the widely adopted dosages affects metabolism and intestinal health of broilers. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the effects of arginine supplementation (i.e., total arginine to total lysine ratio of 1.20 instead of 1.06–1.08 recommended by the breeding company) on growth performance of broiler chickens and to explore its impacts on the hepatic and blood metabolic profiles, as well as on the intestinal microbiota. For this purpose, 630 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were assigned to 2 treatments (7 replicates each) fed a control diet or a crystalline L-arginine-supplemented diet for 49 d.ResultsCompared to control birds, those supplemented with arginine performed significantly better exhibiting greater final body weight at D49 (3778 vs. 3937 g; P < 0.001), higher growth rate (76.15 vs. 79.46 g of body weight gained daily; P < 0.001), and lower cumulative feed conversion ratio (1.808 vs. 1.732; P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of arginine, betaine, histidine, and creatine were greater in supplemented birds than in their control counterparts, as were those of creatine, leucine and other essential amino acids at the hepatic level. In contrast, leucine concentration was lower in the caecal content of supplemented birds. Reduced alpha diversity and relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria (specifically Escherichia coli), as well as increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus salivarius were found in the caecal content of supplemented birds.ConclusionsThe improvement in growth performance corroborates the advantages of supplementing arginine in broiler nutrition. It can be hypothesized that the performance enhancement found in this study is associated with the increased availability of arginine, betaine, histidine, and creatine in plasma and the liver, as well as to the ability of extra dietary arginine to potentially ameliorate intestinal conditions and microbiota of supplemented birds. However, the latter promising property, along with other research questions raised by this study, deserve further investigations.

Entrepreneurship potential of pork production under intensive system of management

A study was conducted on profitable rearing of Large White Yorkshire breed of pigs for the purpose of meat, in Puducherry, a union territory in Southern India with predominately hot and humid climate. A total of four pigs were reared for a period of 90 days in the pig sty unit of the Livestock Farm Complex, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, (RIVER) Puducherry. During the study period, the average body weight gain was 40 kg. The live weights of the four pigs were (i) 50.4 kg (ii) 53 kg (iii) 44 kg (iv) 55 kg. The cumulative feed conversion ratio recorded was 3.165. An average dressing percentage of 71.44% was obtained from the slaughter of the pigs. The data obtained in the current study may be useful as reference values for the scientific pork production as potential entrepreneurship opportunity, as this is the first study of its kind in Large White Yorkshire pig.

Effects of partial or complete replacement of soybean meal with commercial black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal on growth performance, cecal short chain fatty acids, and excreta metabolome of broiler chickens

Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) is receiving great attention as a rich source of protein and antimicrobials for poultry. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of partially or completely replacing soybean meal (SBM) with commercial BSFLM on growth performance, tibia traits, cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and excreta metabolomes in broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). A total of 480 day-old male Ross×Ross 708 chicks were assigned to 6 diets (8 replicates/diet): a basal corn-SBM diet with in-feed bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), a corn-SBM diet without BMD (0% BSFLM), and four diets in which the SBM was substituted with 12.5, 25, 50, and 100% BSFLM. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and cumulative feed conversion ratio (cFCR) were monitored on days 14, 28, and 35. Cecal SCFA levels were determined on days 14, 28, and 35. Tibia traits and excreta metabolomes were determined on day (d) 35. On d14, birds fed 12.5 and 25% BSFLM had a similar BW, FI, and cFCR as birds fed BMD (P > 0.05). On d 35, birds fed 12.5% BSFLM had a similar BW, FI and cFCR as birds fed BMD or 0% BSFLM (P > 0.05). For each phase, birds fed 100% BSFLM had a lower BW, FI and higher cFCR than birds fed BMD or 0% BSFLM (P < 0.05). On d 35, BW decreased linearly, quadratically, and cubically with increasing levels of BSFLM (P < 0.01). Overall (d 0-35), BSFLM linearly, quadratically, and cubically decreased FI and quadratically and cubically increased cFCR (P < 0.01). Quadratic responses were observed for tibia fresh weight (P=0.049) and ash content (P=0.022). BSFLM did not impact cecal SCFAs levels. The excreta metabolome of birds fed 100% BSFLM clustered independently from all other groups and exhibited greater levels of putatively identified methionine, lysine, valine, glutamine, histidine and lower levels of arginine as compared to all diets. Taken together, substitution of SBM with ≤25% of BSFLM in the starter phase may be used as an alternative to BMD.

Nutritional evaluation of Spirulina plantensis enriched poultry feeds on broiler meat quality

In the present study, an attempt has been made in broilers on a large scale manner with a count of sixteen thousand and three hundred eighty nine, day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments (T1 to T5). The average body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded biweekly during experimental period of 42days respectively. Mean live weight of six weeks of the experiment and live weight at the end of experiment were found to be the Cumulative feed conversion ratio (CFCR) during entire experimental period was significantly (P&lt;0.05) better in T3 group. In conformity to the present reports, comparatively better mean weekly weight gain and feed efficiency were also observed in spirulina supplemented groups (T2, T3, T4, and T5) with increased feed consumption as compared to control (T1) group of broilers. It can be concluded that the spirulina in broiler diet as an herbal feed additive is beneficial in improving the live weight and weight gain. The Spirulina platensis offers a good alternative to improve poultry production.

Feed and nutrient utilization efficiency and juvenile traits of Vezaguda chicken of Odisha in floor rearing system

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Vezaguda, an indigenous chicken population of Odisha, up to 8 weeks of age in floor rearing system. Unsexed day-old chicks (100) were selected for this study. Mortality and feed intake were recorded daily while body weight was recorded weekly. Body conformation traits such as shank length, shank circumference, shank width, thigh length, chest girth, keel length, body length, height, back length, wing length, folded wing length, wing span, neck length, head length, skull length, head width, beak length and breast angle were measured at 6th and 8th weeks of age. The 8th week body weight of male and female chicks were 501.58±21.64 g and 423.35±13.44 g, respectively. The cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR), energy efficiency ratio (EER), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) at 8th week were 4.00±0.06, 8.73±0.12, and 1.25±0.02, respectively. An index of productivity, production efficiency factor (PEF) was calculated taking into account final weight, liveability %, age of the bird and FCR. The PEF at 8th week was 16.38±0.46. At 6th week of age, all recorded conformation traits were higher in male chicks than that of female chicks. At 8th week of age, chest girth, skull length and beak length were significantly higher in male chicks than that of female chicks.

EFFECT OF ADDING ALCOHOLIC AND NANO ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES TO DRINKING WATER ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

This study was conducted at Department of Animal Production farm of the college of Agriculture / Al-Qasim Green University the experimental field during twelve weeks from 1/ 9 / 2020 to 23/ 11/ 2020. Aimed to was to know the effect of adding the alcoholic and nano alcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves to drinking water on the productive performance of laying hens , The experiment included 120 laying hens of Lohmann brown at the age of 50 weeks . The breeding period was divided into 3 experimental periods (52-55) weeks, (56- 59) weeks and (60-63) weeks of the hens age , distributed randomly to 15 pen with 5 experimental treatments for each treatment of 24 birds. Each treatment included three replicates per 8 bird . Experience treatments were as follows: First treatment: control group free from any addition . Second treatment: drinking water added 10 ml / liter of water from the alcoholic extract of Moringa leaves at a concentration of 1% . Third treatment: drinking water added 10 ml / liter of water to the alcoholic extract of Moringa leaves at a concentration of 2%. Fourth treatment: drinking water added 10 ml / liter of water from the nano alcohol extract of Moringa leaves at a concentration of 0.01% . Fifth treatment: drinking water added 10 ml / liter of water from the nano alcohol extract of Moringa leaves at a concentration of 0.02% , the main results of the study are as follows: Significant improvement (p≤0.05) for the fourth treatment in the percentage of egg production , the number of cumulative eggs, egg mass and feed conversion ratio compared to the first treatment (control group). The fifth treatment recorded the best shell thickness , Albumin height and Hu unit, with a significant difference (p≤0.05) compared to the first treatment (control). Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaves, Nano Alcoholıc Extract

The Effectiveness of Biotin (Vitamin B7) Added to the Diet in Improving the Efficiency of Productivity, and Some Physiological Traits for Broiler Chickens (Ross-308) Exposed to Oxidative Stress.

Biotin (B7) acts as an antioxidant, as it inhibits the effect of many free radicals that are naturally formed within the organism's body. This study aimed to determine the effect of adding different concentrations of biotin to the diet of broilers exposed to oxidative stress in improving productive and physiological performance. 180 unsexed Ross-308 one-day age chicks of broiler chickens were used, and they were reared together until 7 days. Then the chicks were randomly distributed into 5 treatments; each treatment included 3 replicates, 12 chicks for each replicate. Oxidative stress was induced by adding 0.5% H2O2 to drinking water. The first treatment, T1 (control), was free from adding B7 or H2O2, and the second treatment (T2): was a positive control treatment free from adding vitamin B7 + water added to it H2O2 at an average of 0.5%. The third treatment (T3): adding 550 micrograms of B7/kg of feed + water added H2O2 at an average of 0.5%. Fourth treatment (T4): 650 micrograms/kg vitamin B7 + water with 0.5% H2O2 added on average. Fifth treatment (T5): 750 micrograms of vitamin B7/kg of feed + 0.5% H2O2 added to the water. The results of adding vitamin B7 to the diet of T4 and T5 birds exposed to oxidative stress showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the average live body weight, total weight gain and cumulative feed consumption average, and the best cumulative feed conversion ratio for treated birds (T3, T4, T5). In comparison to the other therapies, all additional vitamin B7 treatments demonstrated a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as Malondialdehyde (MDA), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and a significant increase (P<0.05) in the concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and total protein. The concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was significantly elevated (P<0.05) in the serum of T5-treated birds compared to all other treatments. We conclude that adding vitamin B7 in different concentrations improved the productivity and some physiological traits of broilers exposed to the induced oxidative stress compared with the negative and positive control treatments.

The influence of hen size and diet nutrient density in early lay on hen performance, egg quality, and hen health in late lay

The effect of hen size and diet nutrient density during early lay on egg production (EP) at 24 and 69 wk of age (WOA) and late lay egg quality and hen health was evaluated. Based on bodyweight (BW) at 18 WOA ISA Brown hens were assigned as heavier (HW; n = 120) or lighter weight (LW; n =120). Sixty birds from each BW group were fed an early-lay diet of higher nutrient density (HND), or lower nutrient density (LND) between 18 and 24 WOA. From 25 WOA all hens received the same early-lay diet and then from 40 WOA the mid-lay diet. Hen average daily feed intake (ADFI), hen-day EP, egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 24 and 69 WOA. Between 66 and 70 WOA eggshell and internal egg quality was evaluated and at 70 WOA BW, liver and bone health were assessed. At 24 WOA BW was highest in HW birds and birds receiving the HND diet (P < 0.01). Concurrently ADFI, and FCR were higher and hen-day EP was lower in HW compared to LW birds (P < 0.05). The HND diet resulted in lower ADFI and FCR at 24 WOA, but higher EW and EM compared to the LND diet (P < 0.01). At 69 WOA HW birds had higher ADFI, EW (P < 0.02) and heavier 70 WOA BW compared to LW hens. The lower FCR of the LW birds at 69 WOA was approaching significance (P = 0.054). Hen weight and diet density did not affect 69 WOA egg production. Between 18 and 69 WOA cumulative FI and EM were higher in HW hens (P < 0.01) than LW hens, as was cumulative FCR (P = 0.053). Hen weight and diet density did not alter 66–70 WOA internal egg quality, but the HND diet generated thicker eggshells and higher eggshell breaking strength (P < 0.05). Seventy WOA liver health, keel curvature and femur breaking strength did not differ. Overall LW hens had lower FCR than HW hens and the early-lay HND diet facilitated improved eggshell integrity during late lay compared to the LND diet.

The impact of dietary inclusion of silver nanoparticles on growth performance, intestinal morphology, caecal microflora, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens

We evaluated the fects of different levels of dietary silver nanoparticle (AgNP) powder on performance, intestinal microflora, carcass traits and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Three hundred seven-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups, each group replicated three times with 20 birds per replication. Chickens were fed the basal diet with 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg AgNPs per kg feed. Dietary inclusion of AgNPs improved the final body weight, cumulative weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The best broiler performance, carcass traits, and relative organ weights were observed in the group supplemented with 2.5 ppm AgNPs. Increasing the AgNP dose resulted in a significant decrease in the caecal lactose positive and enterococci bacteria populations, while lactobacilli counts were numerically increased. The silver residues in the breast and thigh muscle significantly increased (p < .05) in a dose-dependent manner. Dietary inclusion of AgNPs induced dose-dependent lesions in liver, kidney, spleen and duodenum tissues involving degeneration, necrosis, mononuclear infiltration and focal aggregation of inflammatory cells. In conclusion, despite its potential positive impacts on growth performance, carcass traits and caecal microbial population diversity at a dose of 2.5 ppm, dietary inclusion of AgNPs had the following negative effects on broilers: 1) silver residues in breast and thigh muscle, which may result in AgNPs transmission to consumers, and 2) cytotoxicity in intestinal, liver, spleen and kidney cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we suggest the use of lower doses of AgNPs (< 2.5 ppm diet) in poultry production in the future studies. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary inclusion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in broiler diets more than 2.5 mg/kg diets had many negative effects represented by accumulation of silver residue in broiler meat and the possibility of transmission of nanosilver to consumers. AgNPs had a cytotoxic effect on intestine, liver, spleen and kidney cells in a dose-dependent manner in broilers and might be harmful to chicken and human health. Therefore, we do not recommend using AgNPs as a dietary growth promotor or antibacterial agent in broiler diets and their use and marketing should be controlled and restricted.

A multi-omics approach to elucidate the mechanisms of action of a dietary muramidase administered to broiler chickens

A novel dietary muramidase has been shown to have positive effects on broiler chickens. However, very little is known about its mechanisms of action. The present multi-omics investigation sought to address this knowledge gap. A total of 2,340 day-old male broilers were assigned to 3 groups (12 replicates each) fed, from 0 to 42 d, a basal diet (control group—CON) or the basal diet supplemented with muramidase at 25,000 (low-dose group—MUL) or 45,000 LSU(F)/kg feed (high-dose group—MUH). MUH significantly outperformed CON in terms of cumulative feed intake (4,798 vs 4,705 g), body weight (2,906 vs 2,775 g), and feed conversion ratio (1.686 vs 1.729), while MUL exhibited intermediate performance. At caecal level, MUH showed the lowest alpha diversity, a significantly different beta diversity, a reduction in Firmicutes, and a rise in Bacteroidetes, especially compared with MUL. MUH also exhibited a considerable decrease in Clostridiaceae and an overrepresentation of Bacteroidaceae and Lactobacillaceae. At blood level, MUH had lower hypoxanthine—probably due to its drop at caecal level—histidine, and uracil, while greater pyruvate, 2-oxoglutarate, and glucose. This study sheds light on the mode of action of this muramidase and lays the groundwork for future investigations on its effects on the intestinal ecosystem and systemic metabolism of broiler chickens.

Profiles of genetic parameters of body weight and feed efficiency in two divergent broiler lines for meat ultimate pH

BackgroundSelection for feed efficiency is one of the best ways to decrease poultry production costs and environmental impacts. While literature on its genetic determinism is abundant, it is limited to one or a few periodic values over the animals’ lifespans. With the development of new phenotyping tools, kinetics of growth and feed intake are now available, providing access to daily data on feed efficiency. In this study, over the course of 6 weeks, we described the kinetics of body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and daily cumulative feed conversion ratio (DCFCR) using electronic feed stations. We then estimated the genetic parameters of daily data in two fast growing lines of chicken divergently selected for breast meat ultimate pH (heritability and genetic correlations with breast meat yield and pH).ResultsBirds from the line selected to have a more acidic meat (pHu-), were more efficient than those selected to have a less acidic meat (pHu+), with a 4.3% higher BW from d7 to d29 and 5.0% better feed efficiency from d12 to slaughter. The line effect for ADG and DCFCR appeared to be significant as early as d5, which is consistent with the early age at which metabolic differences between the two lines appear. Genetic parameters estimated within each line revealed different genetic determinisms of growth and feed efficiency, with a higher impact of maternal effects on BW during the growing phase (d10 to d20) in the pHu+ line and much higher heritability values of DCFCR during the finishing phase (d26-d42) in the pHu- line.ConclusionGenetic profiles of daily performance highlighted the difference between both lines. Their behavior during dietary transitions reinforced the already known impact of these periods in the animals’ lives. Based on the profiles of genetic parameters within each line, it seems feasible to identify early criteria for selecting feed efficiency, but they must be defined for each line, as the genetic determinism of these traits is line-dependent.

An evaluation of bird weight and diet nutrient density during early lay on ISA Brown performance, egg quality, bone characteristics, and liver health at 50 weeks of age

This study compared the impact of a higher nutrient density (HND) or lower nutrient density (LND) diet fed during early lay to either heavier weight (HW) or lighter weight (LW) ISA Brown hens. At 18 wk of age (WOA) pullets (n = 240) were evenly assigned to either HW (n = 120) or LW (n = 120). Sixty birds from each weight group were then randomized to either the HND or LND diet treatments which were fed from 18 to 24 WOA inclusive. At 25 WOA the LND diet replaced the HND diet. All hens remained on LND diet to 50 WOA. Hen performance was measured from 18 to 50 WOA. Femur and liver health were evaluated at 50 WOA. Egg quality was assessed from 46 to 50 WOA. The 18 WOA HW hens had higher BW, cumulative egg production, cumulative feed intake (CFI), and cumulative egg mass (CEM) to both 24 and 50 WOA (P < 0.01). At 24 WOA the HND diet also generated higher BW (P < 0.001), CEM (P < 0.001) and lower cumulative feed conversion ratio (CFCR) (P < 0.01), the latter being sustained to 50 WOA (P < 0.01). At 50 WOA CFCR of LW birds was lower than HW birds (P < 0.01). Egg weight (EW), yolk diameter, and percent yolk weight were higher (P < 0.05) in the HW birds with the highest albumen to yolk ratio in LW birds (P < 0.05). Egg shape index was higher in LND diet fed birds (P < 0.01) while LW hens had higher shell phosphorus (P < 0.05). Body weight and diet nutrient density interacted on femoral diameter and cortical thickness being higher (P < 0.01) in LW birds fed HND than LW birds fed LND diets. Fatty liver hemorrhagic scores (P < 0.05) and liver lipid peroxidase (P < 0.001) at 50 WOA were higher in HW and LND diet treatments. Concurrently HW birds had the highest CFI and EW while CFCR and liver health were superior in LW and the HND diet treatment.