Cumulative Feed Conversion Ratio Research Articles

Lifetime productivity of conventionally and precision-fed broiler breeders.

ABSTRACTA precision feeding (PF) system was developed to increase broiler breeder lifetime reproductive performance through improved flock uniformity. The current study consisted of 2 rearing and 3 laying treatments. From 0 to 22 wk of age, 480 Cobb male grandparent line pullets and 80 Cobb MX males were fed once daily as a group (CON), or individually with a PF system. Pullets were housed in 6 replicate pens of 40 birds, and cockerels in one pen per treatment. During lay, CON and PF treatments continued, and a third treatment was added, where PF-reared birds were transitioned to conventional feeding (PFCON; n = 3 pens). At photostimulation (22 wk of age), all pens had 24 hens and 2 roosters. Birds were allowed to mate naturally to 52 wk. Analysis of variance was conducted, and Tukey-adjusted means were reported as different where P ≤ 0.05. Mean BW was near the target BW in all treatments. At photostimulation, PF pullet BW CV was 2% vs 14% in CON pullets. Cumulative feed conversion ratio during rearing was lower in PF treatment pullets, which ate 3% less than CON pullets. Pullets in the PF treatment received 10 meals spread throughout each day, compared with one meal per day in the CON treatment. Increased feeding frequency would reduce diurnal fluctuations in nutrient supply, which may explain why PF pullets had 1.2 times the breast muscle weight of CON pullets at 22 wk. There was no treatment difference in abdominal fatpad weight at 22 wk. The PF treatment had 3.8% higher fertility and 1.3% lower egg weight CV compared with the CON treatment. Egg production in PF and PFCON treatments was 0.73 and 0.89 times that of the CON treatment, respectively. It is hypothesized that metabolic changes in PF pullets provided an insufficient metabolic trigger for sexual maturation. It follows that relaxing feed restriction may increase fat deposition and egg production in PF broiler breeders.

Effect of reduced dietary crude protein and supplemental limiting amino acids on the growth and carcass characteristics of Swarnadhara chicks

A six-week trial was conducted to determine the effect of lowering dietary crude protein levels with supplementation of limiting amino acid on growth performance, and carcass characteristics in one of the Indian improved crossbred Swarnadhara chicks in a completely randomized design having five treatments and four replications of 20 birds in each. Five isocaloric (2800 ME Kcal//kg) experimental diets based on corn-soy bean meal were formulated in a gradual crude protein decline from 21 % (control T1) to 19% by 0.5% interval. The levels of limiting amino acids namely methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan were met as that of control (T1) by adding synthetic preparations. Highest body weight was recorded in 2% crude protein reduced group (T5) which was comparable with control (T1). However, cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio of different treatments were not significantly different. Moreover, carcass parameters like dressing percentage, breast meat yield, liver and heart weights remained unaffected by the dietary treatments. Relative gizzard weight and abdominal fat weights showed variations and lower dietary protein diets were comparable with control diet (T1). In summary, crude protein content of Swarnadhara chick diet can be reduced to 19% with essential AA fortification without any adverse effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics during 0-6 weeks of age.

Effect of Supplementation of Essential Oils on Performance of Broiler, Meat Quality and Immune Status

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler, meat quality and immune status by supplementation of essential oils. 360 day old Vencobb400 straight run chicks were weighed and distributed randomly into six treatment groups viz, A, B, C, D,E and F with three replicates of 20 chicks each.. The treatment group A served as control without supplementation of any essential oil. The treatment groups B, C, D, E and F were supplemented with essential oils through feed @ Garlic oil 100mg /kg , Garlic oil 200mg/kg, Neem oil 100mg/kg , Neem oil 200mg/kg and Garlic oil 100mg + Neem oil 100mg/kg of feed, respectively. The pre-starter, starter and finisher rations were formulated as per BIS (2007). The weekly cumulative weight gain , feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were significantly affected(P

Effect of dietary supplementation of fermented fish silage on serum biochemical parameters of broiler Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Aim:The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding fermented fish silage (FFS) on serum biochemical parameters of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Materials and Methods:A total of 192, 7-day-old broiler Japanese quail chicks of either sex, were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments with four replicates in each group having 12 chicks in each replicate pen. The dietary treatments were T1 – Control diet, T2 – Diet containing 5% FFS, T3 – Diet containing 10% FFS, and T4 – Diet containing 15% FFS. Group body weight and feed consumption were recorded at weekly intervals. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was derived by dividing the feed consumed with the weekly body weight gain. At the end of the experiment, 8 birds from each treatment were selected randomly and sacrificed by cervical dislocation to study the carcass traits expressed as % pre-slaughter live weight. At 5 weeks of age, about 2 ml of blood was taken from the jugular vein of each selected bird, and serum samples were separated after centrifugation. Total protein, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, calcium, phosphorus, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were estimated in the serum.Result:The cumulative body weight gains from 1 to 5 weeks of age did not vary significantly between control and 5% FFS group. However, a linear decrease in body weight gain was observed by increasing the levels of FFS beyond 5% in the diet. The cumulative feed consumption was significantly higher in case of birds under control group during 1-5 weeks of age as compared to birds fed FFS based diet (5%, 10%, and 15%). No statistical difference in cumulative feed conversion ratio could be noticed during 1-5 weeks of age. The eviscerated yield decreased and giblet weight increased due to the dietary supplementation of FFS at 15% level. The breast meat yield decreased due to dietary supplementation of FFS at 10% and 15% level in the diet of broiler Japanese quails. The effect of FFS was found to be nonsignificant (p>0.05) with respect to serum total protein, globulin and A/G ratio under different treatments whereas significant difference observed in serum albumin concentration. Dietary supplementation of FFS at 10% and 15% level significantly increased the AST concentration in serum. There was no significant difference among the treatments regarding the parameters such as ALT, calcium, phosphorous, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, VLDL-C, and LDL-C.Conclusion:The serum-biochemical parameters are influenced by the dietary supplementation of FFS in broiler Japanese quails.

Impact give Specific immunoglobulin IgY isolated from the egg yolk in different ways in the productive performance of Ross 308 of experimental infected with Eimeria tenella parasite

The current study was conducted in the laboratory of the Faculty of Science / University of Anbar, for the period from 09/27/2012 until 11/17/2012 day for the purpose of comparison methods give treat disease Coccidosis in the productive performance of broiler through the use of 135 chick is one day old unsexal ( Ross strain 308) where distributed randomly to nine treatment and by five replicates per treatment and 3 chicks each repeater (15 chicks / treatment), gavage chicks in treatment first with distilled water (control negative) , and treatment second chicks for by gavage (Intra - Crop) challenge dose for the E. tenella locally isolated and by 5x 104 Oocyst / chick (2.5 ml) at 28 days for the treatment of positive control For the purpose of comparison methods give immunoglobulin IgY locally isolate, has been giving him a concentration of 11.013748 mg / ml amount of 0.5 ml / chick on all transactions, and in the third treatment given by antibodies capsule was given in the fourth treatment by gavage (Intra - Crop) after administration of 1 ml of acidity equalizer after preparing a tea spoon of equivalent acidity in 10 ml of distilled water (Sodium bicarbonate 2.80 gm, Tartaric acid 1.33gm, Citric acid 0.82 gm, Flavour to 5gm) . In the fifth treatment injected antibodies peritoneal membrane, and the sixth-treatment antibody was injected in the muscle (thigh, chest, neck) and in the seventh treatment injected objects counterrevolution in the yolk sac one day old and in the eighth treatment antibody injected under the skin (thigh, chest, neck) and in the ninth treatment antibody was injected intravenously. Notes from the current results of the experiment that the antibody injection in peritoneal membrane has led to a significant increase in body weight and the weighted increase in the seventh week of life compared to the rest of the transactions. In addition, got a significant increase (p> 0.05) in cumulative feed conversion ratio while significantly decreased the proportion of cumulative mortality (1-49 days) in the treatment of peritoneal injection and yolk sac injection treatment compared to the rest of the treatment. Inferred from the current study that giving intravenous IgY peritoneal membrane was significantly better than the rest of the transactions in its effect on the productive performance down Representative proportion of cumulative mortality and improve feed conversion efficiency, which is reflected in the body weight and increase the cumulative weighted.

Withdrawal: Evaluation of beta-mannanase and NSPase inclusion separately or intermittently in reduced energy diets fed to male broilers on performance parameters and carcass yield

SUMMARY This study consisted of 5 dietary treatments, including a positive control (PC), negative control (NC) with a reduction of 88 kcal/kg apparent metabolizable energy (AME) through the starter and grower 1 phase and 132 kcal/kg reduction in the grower 2, finisher, and withdrawal phases compared to the PC, and the NC supplemented with either β-mannanase, NSPase (referring to nonstarch polysaccharides, a cocktail carbohydrase), or β-mannanase and NSPase intermittently fed. The intermittent treatment included β-mannanase from d 1 to 21 (starter and grower 1 phases) and NSPase from d 22 to 47. Each treatment included 9 replicate pens with 35 male broilers placed per replicate (1,575 total chicks placed). The dietary program consisted of 5 dietary phases including the starter through d 10, grower 1 through d 21, grower 2 through d 32, finisher through d 40, and withdrawal through d 47. Broilers were weighed and feed consumption determined on days of dietary changes. On d4 8 following an 8hf eed withdrawal, 6 broilers from each replicate pen were removed and processed for whole bird without giblets (WOGs) and fat pad measurements. The reduction in energy in the NC diet reduced (P < 0.05) body weight (BW) and increased (P < 0.05) mortality rate. The inclusion of β-mannanase and NSPase (separately and intermittently) in the NC diet improved growth performance,andreducedmortalitytolevelsthatwerecomparabletothePC.TheNCyieldedthe highest cumulative mortality-corrected feed conversion ratio (FCR), and all enzyme inclusion treatments reduced (P < 0.05) FCR to levels comparable to the PC for the duration of the trial. TheNCdietyieldedthelowestprocessingyields,andtheinclusionof β-mannanaseandNSPase (separately and intermittently) increased multiple processing parameters to a level similar to the PC. These data confirm the ability of β-mannanase and NSPase inclusion separately and intermittently to improve performance parameters in reduced-energy broiler diets.

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen balance of broilers fed with animal fat.

Aim:This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in broilers fed with animal fat.Materials and Methods:80 day-old Cobb commercial broiler chicks were randomly assigned into two dietary treatment groups with four replicates of ten chicks each. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The birds in both the control (T1) and treatment group (T2) were fed with a diet having 5% animal fat, while the treatment group (T2) was supplemented with 900 mg of L-carnitine. The birds were fed with standard broiler starter ration up to 4 weeks of age and finisher ration up to 6 weeks of age.Results:The average body weight (g), cumulative feed intake (g) and cumulative feed conversion ratio belonging to groups T1 and T2 at 6th week of age were 2091.25 and 2151.11, 3976.49 and 4171.68, 1.97 and 1.96 respectively. The percentage availability of the nutrients of two experimental rations T1 and T2 was 68.23 and 68.00 for dry matter, 58.72 and 55.98 for crude protein, 73.85 and 71.35 for ether extract, 34.19 and 33.86 for crude fiber, 79.18 and 79.59 for nitrogen free extract, 70.24 and 70.03 for energy efficiency and nitrogen balance (g/day) were 2.35 and 2.39, respectively.Conclusion:This study suggests that the supplementation of 900 mg L-carnitine in diet with added animal fat had no effect on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen balance of broilers.

Effects of dietary coarsely ground corn and litter type on broiler live performance, litter characteristics, gastrointestinal tract development, apparent ileal digestibility of energy and nitrogen, and intestinal morphology

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of 2 coarsely ground corn (CC) levels (0 or 50%) in diets of broilers reared on 2 litter types (new wood shavings or used litter) on live performance, litter characteristics, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of energy and nitrogen (N), and intestinal morphology. No interaction effects between CC level and litter type were observed on live performance. No litter effect was observed on live performance. Dietary inclusion of 50% CC increased BW at 35 d (P < 0.01) and improved cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 35 and 49 d of age (P < 0.01). The 50% CC treatment increased absolute and relative gizzard weight (P < 0.01) and decreased jejunum unit weight (g/cm) (P < 0.01). The new litter treatment (litter N) increased absolute and relative proventriculus weight (P < 0.05) but did not affect gizzard weight. An interaction effect between CC level and litter type was observed for litter N, where the 50% CC treatment reduced litter N regardless of litter type (P < 0.01), but litter N was reduced by new litter only among birds fed 0% CC (P < 0.05). The 50% CC inclusion increased litter pH (P < 0.05) and improved the AID of energy and N by 6.8% (P < 0.01) and 3.5% (P < 0.05), respectively. The 50% CC treatment increased jejunum villi tip width (P < 0.05) and villi surface area (P < 0.01), and decreased the muscularis layer thickness (P < 0.01), whereas new litter increased jejunum villi and ileum villi height (P < 0.05), jejunum villi surface area (P < 0.01), and the ratio of jejunum villi height to crypt depth (P < 0.01). This study showed that birds fed pelleted and screened diets containing 50% CC exhibited improved BW, FCR, and AID of energy and N, in conjunction with altered morphology of the GIT and intestinal mucosa. Litter type affected some GIT traits and functions but did not affect live performance.

Nutritional Evaluation of Sugarcane Press Residue in Layers

Sugarcane press residue (SPR), a byproduct from sugar industry was evaluated for its nutritional worth as the non-conventional source of minerals as well as organic nutrients in 32-week-old white leghorn laying hens. Eight practical types of isonitrogenous rations were prepared by incorporating SPR at 0, 5, 10 and 15 per cent either in the soya based or fish based diets to form T1 to T8 diets in that order. Each diet was assigned to five replicates of 4 laying hens each. The trial lasted for 84 days. Results revealed that the cumulative average feed consumption varied non-significantly (P>0.05) among different treatments ranging from 117.4 (T3) to 121.7 g/d/bird (T6 and T7). The cumulative egg production ranged from 83.93 (T8) to 93.3 (T1) per cent. Cumulative feed conversion ratio (kg feed/dozen eggs) in soya based diets was significantly (P<0.05) poorer (1.65) in 10 per cent SPR diets as against best in control (1.53) and the corresponding values in fish based diets were 1.74 (15% SPR) and 1.58 (10% SPR). Hence, it can be concluded that SPR appears to be a valuable source of organic as well as inorganic nutrients and can be included in layer rations up to 10 per cent level.

Carbohydrase and protease supplementation increased performance of broilers fed maize-soybean-based diets with restricted metabolizable energy content

A trial was conducted to evaluate whether the addition of commercial enzyme preparations containing carbohydrases and a protease would increase the available metabolizable energy (ME) of maize-soya-based broiler diets. Seven thousand five hundred and sixty (7560) day-old Ross 788 chicks were randomly allocated to 60 pens (126 chicks per pen). The trial consisted of five dietary treatments, with 12 replicates per treatment. A negative control feed and three treatment feeds were formulated to contain a lower level of ME than a standard (positive control) feed. Two commercial enzyme preparations, one a mixture of amylase, xylanase and protease; and the other a β-mannanase product, were added separately or in combination to the treatment diets. Broiler performance was recorded over a 35-day period. Broilers fed the lower energy (negative control) diet performed significantly worse than all other treatments in terms of growth and feed conversion, but not mortality. The addition of the enzyme preparations to the energy-restricted diets significantly improved performance. Cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) on day 35 for the negative control birds was 12% higher than that of the positive control, while diets supplemented with single enzyme preparations resulted in 2.4% and 3.0% higher FCRs, respectively. Combining the two products caused significantly higher bodyweights and feed intakes than the positive control, while cumulative FCR was only 1.2% higher than for the positive control. A positive synergistic effect was evident when combining the two enzyme products. Performance gains in the enzyme-supplemented broilers were most pronounced during early growth.Keywords: Amylase, Avizyme 1502, β-mannanase, Hemicell, maize, protease, soybeans, xylanase

Effect of a prebiotic on performance of partridge

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of a prebiotic on performance of partridge. The experiment was carried out with a total of eighty-day-old male Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar chukar) chicks in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments consisted of a control and an experimental treatment, and each treatment was replicated four times with 10 chicks per replicate. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks with a starter period (0-8 weeks) and a grower period (9-16 weeks). The control group was fed the basal diet, while the experimental group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.18% prebiotic Aspergillus meal in each period. Performance parameters included body weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and cumulative FCR and were recorded at biweekly intervals. Carcass characteristics and blood parameters were measured at the end of the experiment (week 16). Although the results showed that prebiotic had no significant effect on body weight gain and cumulative feed conversion ratio; however, the supplementation of Aspergillus meal significantly (p < 0.05) decreased cumulative feed consumption. Also prebiotic significantly increased percentages of breast and gastrointestinal tract, decreased percentage of back-neck, decreased blood triglyceride and total cholesterol content and increased blood calcium content. From this study, it was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.18% Aspergillus meal might offer beneficial effects on partridge feed consumption, carcass quality and blood cholesterol.

The effect of a combination of &amp;#226;1-3 D-Glucan and Propionibacterium granulosum on productive performance and immune modulation of immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised broiler chickens

®Aim: The effect of a specific combination of a soluble ‚ (1-3) D-Glucan and Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune ) was investigated on productive performance, immune response and immune dysfunction caused by cyclophosphamide (CP) in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four groups for 5 ® weeks. Betamune supplementation of 0.25 ml / L drinking water (presence or absence) for the first 7 days of age and CP (presence or absence) subcutaneous inoculation with 4 mg / chick for the first 3 days of life was done. ® Results: Treatment of broiler chicks with Betamune improved productive performance variables as compared with the blank control birds, where there were 10 points less in cumulative feed conversion ratio and significant increase (P<0.05) in final body weight, both intestinal length and diameter, and European production efficiency factor (EPEF). It also modulated the immune response, where there was non-significant improve in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) virus vaccine and significant increase (P<0.05) in phagocytic % and phagocytic index. The lesion score after ND challenge reached only 70 in ‚ (1-3) D-Glucan group as compared with 80 in blank control group. The ® histomorphological examination of Betamune treated chickens at 5 weeks of age revealed lymphoid hyperplasia in bursal follicles, lymphoid cells of cortical portion of thymus glands and lymphoid cells in the white pulps of spleen. CP did affect ® bird's weight and suppressed immune system. Treatment CP suppressed birds with Betamune significantly increased (P<0.05) final body weight, dressing weight %, giblets weight %, intestinal diameter, improved FCR (28 points less than ® untreated group), decreased cumulative mortality and improved EPEF. Betamune counter attacked immune dysfunction caused by CP, where there was significant increase in HI antibody titer against ND vaccine, no significant increase in ® phagocytic % and phagocytic index and improve in the lesion score after ND challenge (99 as compared to 133). Betamune supplementation reduced microscopic lesion scores associated with CP immune dysfunction. Conclusion: It could be concluded that administration of a specific combination of soluble ‚1.3, D-Glucan and ® Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune ) to broiler chickens improved chicken zootechnical performance response variables, had a potent immunomodulatory effect (potentiated immune response), evoked their immune response and enhanced their vaccination effectiveness.

Effect of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharide from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on Live Performance of Broilers Under Clostridium Perfringens Challenge

A 30-day broiler cage trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) from one commercial product (SAF-Mannan) on growth parameters, gut health and control pathogen colonization of broilers under Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) challenge. One hundred, 0-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated in 4 experimental treatments for 30 days. The four dietary treatments were T1, standard broiler basal diets without any medication as a control (+CONT); T2, basal diets as in T1 plus C. perfringens challenge (-CONT); T3, enramycin 0.1 g/kg of feed plus C. perfringens challenge (ENRA); T4, SAF-Mannan at 0.5 g/kg in starter and finisher diets plus C. perfringens challenge (SAF). Overall, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain (BWG) in treatments ENRA and SAF were significantly better (P<0.01) than the –CONT treatment, whereas treatment +CONT was intermediate and not different from SAF. Feed intake (FI) was not influenced by treatment. SAF-Mannan supplementation was able to lower the ileal C. perfringens count as compared to all other treatments (P<0.05). The changes in C. perfringens count appear in parallel to observed improvement in the cumulative FCR. The results from this study clearly indicated that SAF-Mannan could act as a replacement for antimicrobial growth promoters in broilers (AGPs). SAF-Mannan level of 0.05% was enough to achieve a response competitive with that of the antibiotic.

The Effects of Early Feed Restriction on Broiler Performance

Summary This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feed restriction on broiler chickens performance. A total of 280 day-old commercial male broiler chicks from Ross-308 line were used in the experiment. The experiment was held with a randomly allocated control group and three treatment groups and five replicates. The birds were fed ad-libitum in the control group while the feed availability were restricted for 8, 16 and 24 hours per day in 1st, 2nd and 3rd treatments, respectively during 15th and 22th days of age. Average live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, livabilitiy and performance index did not differ between treatments (P>0.01), Cumulative feed conversion ratios to 49 d were significantly different among treatments (P<0.05).

Effects of dietary copper supplementation on production performance and plasma biochemical parameters in broiler chickens

1. A study was conducted to estimate the effect of copper (Cu) supplementation on growth performance and biochemical profiles of blood and meat in broiler chickens. 2. A total of 240 d-old broiler chicks (Vencobb-100) were randomly divided into 12 groups, each of 20 chicks (4 treatments × 3 replicates). 3. The basal diet (T1) contained 215 g kg−1 crude protein (CP), 12·76 MJ kg−1 ME, 32 g kg−1 total calcium and 5 g kg−1 total phosphorus. T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain an additional 75, 150 and 250 mg Cu kg−1 diet, respectively. Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4, 5H2O) was used as the source of Cu. 4. Significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride, and an elevated concentration of HDL-cholesterol, were observed in the chickens fed with 250 mg Cu kg−1 (T4) of feed at the 3rd and 6th week of the experiment. Total cholesterol in meat decreased significantly in the birds fed with dietary Cu at 250 mg kg−1 (T4) of feed. 5. Growth performance was measured in terms of live weight gain, cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio at the end of d 21 and d 42 of the experiment, and the result was found to be commercially beneficial for the chickens receiving 150 mg Cu kg−1 (T3) of diet. The concentration of Cu in breast muscle and liver increased significantly at the end of experiment. 6. From this study it can be concluded that supplementation with dietary Cu may be beneficial for production performance and plasma biochemical characteristics of broiler chickens.

The Effects of Copper Supplementation on the Performance and Hematological Parameters of Broiler Chickens

To determine the efficiency of copper (Cu) supplementation, a feeding experiment was carried out with 240 day old broiler chicks (vencobb-100). Birds were divided into four dietary treatments: i) C - no additives, ii) T1-75 mg inclusion of Cu/kg diet, iii) T2-150 mg inclusion of Cu/kg diet, iv) T3-250 mg inclusion of Cu/kg diet. The present study was carried out in the Department of Animal Physiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India for a period of 42 days (6 weeks). Growth performance was measured in terms of live weight gain, cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio at the end of 21 st and 42 nd day of the experiment and the result was found to be encouraging for commercial enterprises when the chickens were fed at 150 mg Cu/kg (T2) of their diet. Excess dietary copper more than 150 mg/kg reduced the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in blood and resulted in the accumulation of copper in the liver with decreased blood Hb concentration and packed cell volumes (PCV). Copper supplementation increased the total erythrocyte count (TEC) as copper is involved in erythropoiesis. But, from the result it is indicated that the dietary copper concentration could not alter the total leukocyte count (TLC). In case of different leucocytes count (DLC), there were no significant differences observed among the different treated groups. Statistical analysis showed significant (p<0.01) difference in plasma concentration of copper, zinc, ferrous and cholesterol among the different copper treated groups. The result indicates that supplementation of copper is an effective way of improving the production performance and haematological parameters in broiler

Response to Varying Dietary Energy and Protein With or Without Enzyme Supplementation on Growth and Performance of Leghorns: Growing Period

Bovans White Leghorn pullets were utilized to evaluate the use of an enzyme cocktail from 0 to 126 d of age. Dietary treatments varied in CP, ME, and enzyme (EZ) supplementation. Feed intake, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio data were gathered in addition to determining nutrient retention and digestibility during the trial. Cumulatively, feed consumption was decreased by EZ supplementation when added to a required ME diet. Body weight gains were similar across dietary treatments; however, cumulative feed conversion ratio was significantly improved with EZ supplementation. Interactions regarding nutrient retention and digestibility were numerous. Similar responses were noted for energy and protein retention values during the trial with changes in response to dietary treatments as the pullets aged. Compared with feeding an industry applicable diet (required ME/CP without EZ − $0.27/lb gain), all dietary treatments reduced production costs with significant reductions when reducing CP. Lowest feed cost ($)/lb gain and percent excreta N was feeding pullets a diet with reduced ME and CP supplemented with EZ ($0.262/lb gain; 5.19% N). Possible further reductions in ME or dietary CP, or both, with EZ supplementation may prove to be even more economical and environmentally friendly.

Effect of Energy Levels of Diets Formulated on Total and Digestible Amino Acid Basis on Performance of Female Broiler

In order to evaluate the effects of different levels of energy and method for formulation of Amino Acid (AA) requirements of diets, this experiment was conducted using 294 female broiler chicks. The experiment was carried out using a complete block design with a 7x2 factorial arrangement. Factors were included different levels of energy (7 energy levels) and formulation methods of diets AA requirements (total and digestible). Results showed that feed consumption decreased by increasing level of energy. Body weight and feed conversion ratio were promoted by increasing level of energy. Formulation methods of AA requirement had significant effect on cumulative feed consumption, weight gain (in grower period) and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Interaction effects of independent factors affected on cumulative feed consumption, body weight and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Abdominal fat pad were significantly lower in chicks fed diets formulated on digestible AA basis. Energy content of diets affected fat pad significantly. Abdominal fat pad increased significantly as ME content of diets increased. Results showed that formulation of diet on digestible AA contained the low energy resulted in promotion of performance.

Production Performance and Carcass Traits of Broilers Fed with Sunflower Acid Oil

The influence of sunflower acid oil (SFAO) usage on production performance, carcass traits and economics of broilers were studied. SFAO was analyzed for its ME value by conducting metabolic trial and result revealed that the AME and TME value of SFAO were 4.398 and 4.453 kcal/g, respectively. The feeding trial was conducted by using two hundred commercial, straight run day-old broiler chicks. These chicks were randomly grouped into five treatments with four replicates of ten chicks each and fed basal diet (T ), basal 1 diet with 1 (T ), 2 (T ), 3 (T ) and 4 (T ) percent of SFAO for a period of six weeks. The results revealed that 2 3 4 5 there was no significant difference in body weight gain, cumulative feed consumption, cumulative feed conversion ratio and livability between treatment groups from first week till the end of the experiment. The carcass yield, abdominal fat pad weight and thickness also did not differ significantly between treatments. Inclusion of SFAO at 1, 2 and 3 percent in broiler diet increased the net profit per kg live weight by 2.8, 1.8 and 3.7 percent, respectively as compared to control group. It was concluded that 3 percent SFAO can be safely included in broiler diet without affecting production performance with increase in net profit per kg live weight.

Dietary Supplementation of Betaine (Betafin®) and Response to High Temperature Stress in Male Broiler Chickens

The effects of supplemental betaine (Betafin  ) in the drinking water (50 g/kg) (WB) or feed (100 g/kg) (FB) were investigated on male broiler chickens (Cobb×Cobb) exposed to 4 h episodes of heat stress at 34±1°C on day (d) 35 and 36±1° Cf rom d 36 to 41. Prior to (d 1 to 34) and following heat exposure (d 35 to 41), betaine supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, total feed intake and cumulative feed conversion ratios of broilers. The total water intake of WB chicks was lower compared to controls. Prior to heat exposure, there was no difference in percentage of mortality among the three dietary groups. Following the heat challenge period, although higher percentage of control chicks succumbed to the heat challenge as compared to those of WB, it was not significantly different. The WB and FB chicks were less hyperthermic than controls in response to the heat challenge. Irrespective of treatment groups, the heat treatment resulted in a marked elevation in heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (HLR). The WB birds, however, had smaller increase in HLR than those of controls during heat exposure. Antibody production against Newcastle disease vaccine on day 35 was not affected by betaine supplementation. On d 42, WB birds had higher antibody production than those of FB. It is concluded that the WB treatment, as measured by HLR, antibody production and mortality rate, has advantages over the FB group under heat stress conditions. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 2 : 244-249)