Day-old Broiler Chicks Research Articles

Production of Superworm Larvae (Zophobas Morio Fabricius, 1776) with Azolla and Soft Pollard as Substrate: It’s Effect as Substitute to Protein Source on the Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, and Economics of Broiler Chicken

The study was conducted to assess the potential of superworm larvae Zophobas morio as protein source in broiler chicken ration. A total of 50 grams of larvae was cultivated in a controlled environment and then allocated into uniformly-sized boxes, following a completely randomized design (CRD) with 12 replications per treatment involving combined substrates: A) azolla-soft pollard, B) azolla-rice bran D2, and C) azolla-ground yellow corn. The larvae produced using azolla-soft pollard substrate were used as the protein ingredient in the subsequent experiment. The selection of the larvae was based on the highest yield and lowest neutral detergent fiber value. One hundred twenty-eight (128) day-old broiler chicks were distributed to the 4 dietary treatments in randomized complete block design with cage location as the blocking factor. Ration were formulated to contain 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% superworm larvae meal (SLM) as protein ingredient. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and data gathered were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance of SAS university edition. Broilers under control group exhibited better growth performance compared to those with SLM inclusion. However, gradual improvement in growth performance and economic analysis for birds fed at 6% SLM inclusion was observed. Moreover, increase in carcass and gizzard weight was also observed when SLM was included at 4% and 6% in the diet. Incorporating 6% superworm larvae meal (SLM) into the diets of broiler chickens can lead to a gradual enhancement in their growth performance. To minimize chitin content, it is recommended to harvest superworms at a lower instar stage.

The Effect Medicinal Plants on Performance, Carcass Parameters and Meat Quality in Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of adding dietary Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric and their powders mixture in broiler chicken’s diet on performance, carcass characteristic and meat quality. A total of 400 (200 male and 200 female) day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were distributed into 5 dietary treatments; (T1) 0% powder, (T2) 0.5% Garlic powder, (T3) 0.5% Ginger powder , (T4) 0.5% Turmeric powder and (T5) 0.5% mixture of these powders with 4 replicates and each replicates included 10 man and 10 female having similar body weight. The results of this study showed that adding of this medicinal and aromatic plants powder in broiler chicken’s diet caused significant effect on broiler chickens performance at the 7, 14 and 21 days of age (P<0.05) and also have a beneficial effect on mortality. On the other hand, it was observed that the adding of 0.5% medicinal and aromatic plants in broiler chicken’s diet had no a significant effect on hot carcass, cold carcass, breast, thigh, wings and visceral organs weight (P>0.05), but have a significant effect on carcass yield (P<0.05). Also, adding of this medicinal and aromatic plants powder had a significant effect on meat breast colour values (P<0.05). İt may be concluded that adding of these medical and aromatic plants powder in broiler chicken’s diet have beneficial effects on performance, carcass characteristic and meat quality

EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF ANIMAL BLOOD PLASMA POWDER ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE, DRESSED WEIGHT AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF BROILER

Enhancing economical poultry production using low-cost animal blood plasma powder incorporated in poultry rations is a good step toward sustainable poultry production. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of animal blood plasma powder on production performance, dressed weight, and immune response of broilers. Bovine plasma was separated from the whole blood through centrifugation. A total of 240 day-old broiler chicks having uniform body weights were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups (AP0, AP1, AP2, and AP3). Each group had three replicates of 20 chicks (n=3; 20 birds/replicate). Ross broiler management guidelines were followed for feeding, watering, and vaccination. broiler starter ration (23.2% CP and 2990kcalME/kg) was provided during the brooding stage and switched to the grower diet (20.08% CP and 3112 kcal/kg ME) up to 28 days and finisher (18.86% CP and 3208 kcal/kg ME). Animal blood plasma powder supplemented into the diet at different levels AP1 (0.5g/kg), AP2 (1g g/kg), AP3 (1.5g g/kg), and AP0 (Control 0g/kg) for different groups. The treatment was continued for seven weeks. Significantly lower (P<0.05) feed intake (2809.3g±5.36) and high body weight gain (1513.3g±9.83) were found for the higher supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented group (1441.0g ±4.04). Overall FCR was significantly (p< 0.05) lower for supplemented groups compared with the control group. The decreasing (p< 0.05) trend in FCR in supplemented groups was increasing the level of bovine animal blood plasma supplementation in the diet. The dressing percentage was significantly (P<0.05) higher for supplemented groups as compared to the control. Non-significant differences were observed in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titer against Newcastle disease and mortality among groups. It was concluded that animal blood plasma could be safely used in broiler ration for better performance without any loss to antibodies titer and mortality. Animal blood plasma has more capability to be used as an alternative and cheap source of protein in poultry ration.

Transcriptome analysis of the gene expression of M. iliotibialis lateralis affected by dietary methionine restriction.

Introduction: Methionine (Met) is an important amino acid related to the development of skeletal muscle. This study investigated the effects of dietary Met restriction on the gene expression of M. iliotibialis lateralis. Methods: A total of 84 day-old broiler chicks (Zhuanghe Dagu) with a similar initial body weight (207.62 ± 8.54 g) were used in this study. All birds were divided into two groups (CON; L-Met) based on the initial body weight. Each group consisted of six replicates with seven birds per replicate. The experimental period was 63 days (phase 1, days 1-21; phase 2, days 22-63). According to the nutritional requirements of Zhuanghe Dagu chickens, we provided a basal diet (0.39% Met levels during phase 1 and 0.35% Met levels during phase 2, as-fed basis) to the birds in the CON group, while we provided a Met-restricted diet (0.31% Met levels during phase 1 and 0.28% Met levels during phase 2, as-fed basis) to the birds in the L-Met group. The growth performance of broiler chicks and their M. iliotibialis lateralis development parameters were measured on days 21 and 63. Results and Discussion: In this study, dietary Met restriction did not affect the growth performance of broiler chicks but hindered the development of M. iliotibialis lateralis at both sampling timepoints. On the final day, three birds selected from each group (three from CON and three from L-Met) were used to obtain M. iliotibialis lateralis samples from leg muscle for further transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that dietary Met restriction significantly upregulated 247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and downregulated 173 DEGs. Additionally, DEGs were mainly enriched in 10 pathways. Among DEGs, we observed that dietary Met restriction downregulated the expression of CSRP3, KY, FHL1, LMCD1, and MYOZ2 in M. iliotibialis lateralis. Therefore, we considered that dietary Met restriction had negative effects on the development of M. iliotibialis lateralis, and CSRP3, KY, FHL1, LMCD1, and MYOZ2 may serve as potential functional genes involved in this process.

Use of cinnamon and Bacillus subtilis probiotics in the diet of broiler chickens

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of cinnamon and Bacillus subtilis on the growth, meat characteristics, and lipid profiles of broiler chickens. In experiments 1 and 2, a total of 320 day-old broiler chicks were assigned to D1 (control), D2 (4 g cinnamon/kg), D3 (6 g cinnamon/kg), D4 (8 g cinnamon/kg) with four replicates, and D1 (control), D2 (0.4 g B. subtilis (BS)/kg), D3 (0.6 g BS/kg), D4 (0.8 g BS/kg), D5 (6 g cinnamon/kg) with three replicates, and 10 chicks/replication for 35 and 30 days, respectively. In experiment 1, no significant difference was observed among diets for growth and meat yield. However, test diets performed better than the control diet in terms of water-holding capacity of meat (WHCM), cooking loss of meat (CLM), blood lipids profiles (BLP), sensory quality score (SQS) ( p > 0.05), and flavor ( p < 0.05). In experiment 2, there was no significant difference among diets for growth, meat yield, WHCM, CLM, and BLP of the bird ( p > 0.05), except for SQS ( p < 0.001). Notwithstanding, the D5 tended to increase growth, meat yield, WHCM, and SQS, and decrease CLM and BLP. Thigh meat showed higher SQS than breast meat in both experiments. Therefore, the 6 g cinnamon/kg diet may be used for producing a safe, quality, and cost-effective broiler.

Biosynthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Nigella sativa against coccidiosis in commercial poultry

Coccidiosis causes huge economic losses worldwide. Current study evaluated the effect of biosynthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Nigella sativa, on Eimeria tenella infected broilers. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical ZnONPs with 50–100 nm diameter, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional groups involved in the reduction of zinc acetate dihydrate to ZnONPs, UV–vis spectroscopy showed a peak at 354 nm, and Zeta potential exhibited stability at − 30 mV. A total of 150, a day-old broiler chicks were divided into 5 equal groups. Control negative: uninfected and untreated; Control positive: Infected and untreated; 3rd, 4th and 5th group were infected orally with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella and treated with 60 mg/kg ZnONPs, 1% Nigella sativa seeds and amprolium 125 ppm, respectively. ZnONPs significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performance in the infected birds and decreased the oocyst shedding and anti-coccidial index. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of aspartate transferase and alanine transferase, whereas, a significantly higher amount of antioxidants like catalase and superoxide dismutase in ZnONPs treated group was observed. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-2 and TNF-α were significantly decreased by ZnONPs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, biogenic ZnONPs with Nigella sativa might have enhanced anticoccidial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects with improved growth performance.

Engineered Newcastle disease virus expressing the haemagglutinin protein of H9N2 confers protection against challenge infections in chickens

The Newcastle disease (ND) and avian influenza (AI) are two crucial viral ailments of poultry birds. In field conditions, these are controlled by vaccination and biosecurity measures. The cumbersome application process, potential for reversion to the wild pathogen, and financial load on farmers are only a few drawbacks of the currently available ND and AI vaccines. There was a pressing need to develop a stable, safer, bivalent vaccine for these two diseases. Hence, this study adopts the reverse genetic technology, thereby rescuing the recombinant LaSota strain of NDV, which expresses the haemagglutinin (HA) protein of indigenously isolated H9N2 virus (rNDV-H9). The rNDV-H9 was tested in terms of pathogenicity and growth kinetics. Subsequently, the day-old broiler chicks were immunised with rNDV-H9, followed by challenge infection by virulent NDV and H9N2 viruses. The results indicate that immunisation with rNDV-H9 has reduced the shedding of challenge viruses. The clinical progression of the diseases was slowed down, and all the birds were seroconverted. Results in this study indicate that rNDV-H9 is a promising candidate for immunisation in endemic areas of ND and AI, with minimum economic pressure on farmers and reduced vaccinal stress on poultry birds.

Iohexol is an intestinal permeability marker in broilers under coccidiosis challenge

Intestinal integrity losses have been identified as a main driver for poor performance in broilers. The oral administration of markers such as iohexol is a major asset for measuring intestinal permeability (IP) alterations. The aim of the current study was to evaluate oral iohexol administration and serum levels as a quantitative measure for IP in Ross 308 broilers and to identify possible associations with histologic measurements. A total of 40, day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 broilers and a coccidiosis model was used to induce IP. Three challenge groups received a mixture of different field strains and concentrations of Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima at d 16, and 1 group operated as an uninfected control group. On d 20, 5 birds per group were orally administered the permeability marker iohexol at a dose of 64.7 mg/kg body weight and blood was taken 60 min after the oral gavage. On d 21 these 5 birds per group were euthanized. On d 21, 5 other birds per group were given iohexol where after blood was taken. These birds were euthanized on d 22. During necropsy, birds were scored for coccidiosis lesions and a duodenal segment was taken for histology. The Eimeria challenge had a significant impact on the villus length, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio and CD3+ T-lymphocytes area percentage. Challenged birds had a significant higher concentration of serum iohexol on both sampling days, as compared to the uninfected controls. A significant correlation could be found between the serum iohexol concentration and the histologic parameters (villus length, crypt depth and villus-to-crypt ratio) on the first sampling day. This suggests that iohexol may be used as a gut permeability marker in broilers under Eimeria challenge.

Performance, haematological and serum indices of broiler chicken fed fig leaf powder and vitamin c supplemented diets

Performance, haematological and serum chemistry of two broiler chicken breeds fed Ficus carica leaf powder and vitamin C supplemented diets were evaluated. Four hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks (240 Arbor Acre and 240 Cobb 500) were allotted to eight treatments: diets 1 and 2 had no supplementation and fed to Arbor Acre and Cobb 500, respectively; diets 3 and 4 were supplemented with 200mg/kg vitamin C and fed to Arbor Acre and Cobb 500, respectively; diets 5 and 6 were supplemented with 1% Ficus carica leaf powder and fed to Arbor Acre and Cobb 500; while diets 7 and 8 were supplemented with 200mg/kg Vitamin C + 1% Ficus carica leaf powder and fed to Arbor Acre and Cobb 500, respectively. The result showed that feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significant. Also, the interaction of breed, vitamin C and Ficus carica leaf powder showed significance on feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The interaction of vitamin C and Ficus carica leaf powder showed significance on packed cell volume, red blood cell, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, white blood cell, granulocytes and lymphocytes. The different treatments also showed significance on aspertate aminotransferase, creatinine, cholesterol, globulin and total protein. Thus, the supplementation of broiler diets with Ficus carica leaf powder and vitamin C improved the performance as well as the haematological indices and serum chemistry of the tested birds.

Nutrient utilization and carcass traits in broiler chickens as affected by nano-chromium supplementation

The present study was carried out to perceive the effects of dietary supplementation of nano-chromium on nutrient utilization and carcass traits in broiler chickens. For this, 120 unsexed day-old broiler chickens were procured and randomly allocated into four different treatment groups with three replicates in each. The control group (T0) was fed with a standard basal diet as per BIS (2007). Treatment groups T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet with 400, 800, and 1600 ppb levels of nano-chromium, respectively for six weeks. Dry matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrate metabolizability were significantly improved in treatment groups T2 and T3; while organic matter and ether extract retention were found significantly higher in treatment groups T1, T2, and T3 when compared with a control group. There was no significant difference in the yield of cut-up parts (% live body weight). The supplementation of nano-chromium did not bring any significant changes in processing loss i.e. blood, feather, head, and shank, but abdominal fat was significantly reduced with increasing levels of nano-chromium. Hence, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of 1600 ppb nano-chromium in the diet of broiler chicken improved nutrient utilization and lowered abdominal fat in broiler chicken.

Assessing Adequacy of Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Chicks Using Plasma Cholecalciferol Metabolite Concentrations as an Indicator

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D) deficiency rickets remains an occasional problem in poultry. Diagnosis currently relies on analysis of feed and histopathological examination of bone. These experiments were designed to provide data that might allow diagnosis of cholecalciferol deficiency on the basis of plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, a circulating metabolite of cholecalciferol. Day-old broiler chicks were fed corn-soybean meal or purified ingredient cholecalciferol-deficient diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 37.5 or 75 µg cholecalciferol/kg diet. Plasma and bone samples were collected 21 d later. Chicks fed the unsupplemented purified ingredient diet became truly deficient, having no detectable plasma concentrations of the cholecalciferol metabolites 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, or 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Chicks fed the corn-soybean meal diet without supplementation had low but detectable concentrations of both 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in plasma. Body weight, bone calcium and bone phosphorus concentrations of chicks fed the corn-soybean meal diet suggest that the cholecalciferol requirement of broiler chicks is at least 10 µg/kg diet. At this dietary level of cholecalciferol, plasma 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentration was 12.5 nmol/L. One hundred percent of the theoretical maximal response in body weight and bone calcium content was seen at 20 µg cholecalciferol/kg diet, which increased plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration to 25 nmol/L in the chicks fed the corn-soybean meal diet. These data provide a nomogram of plasma 25-dihydroxycholecaiciferol concentration that can be expected from including different concentrations of cholecalciferol in the diet, and also offer a means of diagnosing cholecalciferol deficiency in field cases of rickets.

Welfare of broilers on farm.

This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: 'bone lesions', 'cold stress', 'gastro-enteric disorders', 'group stress', 'handling stress', 'heat stress', 'isolation stress', 'inability to perform comfort behaviour', 'inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour', 'inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour', 'locomotory disorders', 'prolonged hunger', 'prolonged thirst', 'predation stress', 'restriction of movement', 'resting problems', 'sensory under- and overstimulation', 'soft tissue and integument damage' and 'umbilical disorders'. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, 'total mortality', 'wounds', 'carcass condemnation' and 'footpad dermatitis' are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm.

Effect of Licorice Essential Oil (Glycyrrhizaglabraglabra) on Performance and Some Biochemical Parameters of Broiler Chickens.

Due to its beneficial components, such as glycyrrhizin, licorice is regarded a medicinal and fragrant plant. This research was designed to investigate the efficacy of licorice essential oil as an alternative to chemical antibiotics on broiler production, carcass features, cellular and humoral safety, and numerous biochemical variables in broiler blood serum. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks were assigned to four treatment groups using a totally randomized approach. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates, with 10 chicks in each replication. The experimental treatments included a control group, a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.1% licorice essential oil, a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.2% licorice essential oil, and a group receiving an elemental diet containing 0.3% licorice essential oil. Broilers had ad libitum access to feed and water in accordance with a three-phase feeding schedule consisting of a starter, grower, and finisher diet. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in body weight, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio between birds given the control or essential oil licorice at various stages of the experiment. However, birds receiving 0.1% licorice essential oil had a lower gallbladder relative weight and 0.3% licorice essential oil had less abdominal fat than the control group (P<0.05). Blood glucose, cholesterol, and LDL concentrations all fell considerably in licorice essential oil-treated birds relative to controls (P<0.05). The cellular immune response of birds fed licorice-containing diets did not differ from that of control birds (P>0.05), however there was a significant difference in the humoral immune response at 0.1% licorice essential oil compared to the control group (P<0.05). In overall, the results of this experiment demonstrated that incorporating licorice essential oil into a bird's diet improves its health and safety.

Sex proportion as a covariate increases the statistical test power in growth performance based experiments using as-hatched broilers.

The availability of sexed day-old broiler chicks is becoming an issue as feather sexing is no longer possible. This has great implications for broiler researchers as the use of randomly distributed mixed-sex birds may result in a greater between-pen variation and thus less statistical power than the use of single-sex birds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of including sex proportion as a covariate in an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the statistical power compared to analysis of variance (ANOVA) where sex was not considered. The statistical parameters examined include mean square error (MSE), the F-statistic, model fit, model significance and observed power. A total of 4 separate experiments that used mixed-sex broilers with unequal numbers of male and female birds per pen were conducted during which performance of the birds was measured. The male % in each pen was recorded during each experiment and corrected for mortality. The performance results were analysed by ANOVA and the statistical parameters were then compared to ANCOVA where sex proportion was included as a covariate. The results showed that a set of assumptions first needed to be met to run ANCOVA. In addition, if the ANOVA results show a high level of model significance and power, then ANCOVA may not be necessary. In other circumstances where the assumptions are met and model significance and observed power are low, the inclusion of sex proportion as a covariate in the analysis will help to reduce MSE, increase the F-statistic value and improve the model significance, model fit and observed power. Therefore, it is suggested that sex proportion should be considered as a covariate in ANCOVA to improve statistical power in nutritional experiments when male and female broilers are unequally and randomly distributed in pens.

The effect of Acacia nilotica bark extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune response, and intestinal morphology in broilers as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter.

Present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Acacia nilotica bark extract as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broilers. Six hundred, day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six groups (NC, without any supplementation; AB, NC+Zinc Bacitracin; PB, NC+Safmannan; ANBE1, NC+A. nilotica bark extract 0.1%; ANBE3, NC+A. nilotica bark extract 0.3%; ANBE5, NC+A. nilotica bark extract 0.5%), with ten replicates per group (10 chicks/replicate) and feeding trial was lasted for 35 days. Results showed that weight gain (1,296.63 g) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.59) of AB was better than NC, during the finisher phase. Overall FCR of AB (1.53), PB (1.54), and ANBE5 (1.54) was significantly (p<0.05) better than NC. From carcass parameters relative weight of wing and heart were highest in ANBE3 (2.5% and 1.51%, respectively). Significantly (p<0.05) highest blood glucose level was observed in NC (264.5 mg/dL) and highest albumin concentration was found in AB (1.46 mg/dL). In addition, antibody titer levels against ND and IBD were higher in ANBE5 than NC, while higher relative weight of bursa was observed in ANBE3 than NC. The villus height to crypt depth ratio in all experimental groups was better than NC. Acacia nilotica bark extract could be a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters to support the growth in broilers.

The synergetic effects of some phytobiotics mix on growth, hematology and microbial loads of broiler chickens

This study investigated the growth and health-promoting effectiveness of three medicinal plants (black cumin, fenugreek, and turmeric) on broilers. A total of 270 (Cobb 500) day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments: basal diet (T 0), basal diet + oxytetracycline (T 1), basal diet + black cumin and fenugreek (T 2), basal diet + black cumin and turmeric (T 3), basal diet + fenugreek and turmeric (T 4), basal diet + black cumin, fenugreek and turmeric (T 5). BWG and ADG had no differences (p ≥ 0.05) between T 5 and antibiotics-fed birds. Phytobiotic supplemented birds (T 2, T 3, T 4, and T 5) had lower feed intake and higher FCR (T 3 and T 5) than controls T 0 and T 1 (p ≤ 0.05). Comparable (p ≥ 0.05) RBC counts were observed between birds fed phytobiotics (T 2 and T 4) and fed an antibiotic (T 1), likewise, there were no (p ≥ 0.05) differences between T 0 and birds fed phytobiotics (T 3 and T 5). A mixture of phytobiotics (T 2, T 4, and T 5) outperformed in lowering total coliform and E. coli bacteria in the cecum than antibiotics (p ≤ 0.05). A mixture of the three phytobiotics can replace commercial antibiotics and have a favorable effect on broiler growth and health by safeguarding human health from the negative effects of antibiotic residue in broiler products.

Effect of Chemically Altered Litter on Welfare Parameters of Commercial Broiler Chicken

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of chemically treated litter on the welfare parameters of commercial broiler chicken. A total of 144 straight-run day-old commercial broiler chicks were distributed randomly into six treatment groups, each group consisted of four replications, each of 6 chicks. The experiment was conducted in two different seasons, winter and monsoon, each of 6 weeks duration. The treatments included: T1 (control, rice husk as litter material); T2 (rice husk litter treated with alum @ 90 g/sq.ft.), T3 (litter treated with boric acid, H3BO3, @ 24 g/sq.ft.; T4 (litter altered with sodium bisulphate (NaHSO4) @ 25 g/sq.ft.); T5 (litter treated with commercially available probiotic product @ 1 g/ sq.ft); and T6 (litter treated with commercially available Yucca schidigera liquid solution @ 1.0 mL/ sq.ft). The chemical alteration of litter (T2 to T6) was done on the 1st, 15th and 29th days of the experiment period. The footpad percentage was found higher in T2 followed by T6, T3, T4, T5, and T1 in both the seasons. You are advised to check again carefully this statement is not correct , you should be sincere , if you are unable to do yourself , take help from some one it is very tedious for us to cross check every time ) The hock burn percentage was found higher in T2 in both seasons followed by T3, T6, T4, T5, and T1 in winter and by T3, T4, T6, T5, and T1 in monsoon. A higher 0 score percentage indicated improved welfare parameters. In both seasons, there were no blister sores on the breast. Based on the overall result of the present experiment, it can be concluded that the broiler birds reared on rice husk litter material treated or amended with alum @ 90 g/sq.ft had decreased the footpad and hock burn lesions than the control and other treatment groups.

Effect of fermented cottonseed meal on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary inclusion of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken up to 42 days of age. A total of 160, day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatment groups, viz. T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with four replicates having eight bird each, in a completely randomised design. The birds in the control group (T1) were fed with standard broiler ration formulated as per BIS (2007). The diets in groups T2 to T5 were formulated by inclusion of five per cent cottonseed meal (CSM), five per cent FCSM (T3), 10 per cent FCSM (T4) and 15 per cent FCSM (T5), respectively. All the experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fermentation of CSM significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased its moisture, crude protein and total ash content and reduced dry matter and crude fibre content. The mean body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of broilers in different treatment groups at sixth week of age did not differ significantly. The carcass characteristics at sixth week also did not differ significantly among treatments, except ready to cook yield per cent which was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in FCSM groups. The highest net profit per kilogram body weight was obtained in 10 per cent FCSM group (T4 group), followed by T3, T5, T2 and T1.

Exploration of Zingiber officinale effects on growth performance, immunity and gut morphology in broilers.

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Zingiber officinale as a herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass characteristic, serum biochemistry, total bacterial count (TBC), gut morphology, and immunological parameters of broilers. A total of 1500, day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were equally accredited to five treatment groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). Five experimental diets were prepared using basal diet i.e. with antibiotics positive control (PC), 3 g/kg ginger (group A), 6 g/kg ginger (group B), 9 g/kg ginger (group C) and without antibiotics negative control (NC). Group A and C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake (FI) as compared to other groups. Group C showed significantly (p<0.05) lower Total bacterial count (TBC) followed by group B as compared to NC. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant effects among different treatments. Mean villi length and width were significantly (p <0.05) higher in all ginger supplemented groups as compared to the control groups. Blood serum parameters including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in groups B and C in comparison with the control groups. Whereas high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was significantly higher in group B as compared to the others. In conclusion, ginger supplementation @0.6% in the basal diet significantly improved growth performance and gut morphometry of broilers. It also showed a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides and gut microbes. Therefore, ginger could be a better substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

Host genotype affects endotoxin release in excreta of broilers at slaughter age.

Host genotype, early post-hatch feeding, and pre- and probiotics are factors known to modulate the gut microbiome. However, there is a knowledge gap on the effect of both chicken genotype and these dietary strategies and their interplay on fecal microbiome composition and diversity, which, in turn, can affect the release of endotoxins in the excreta of broilers. Endotoxins are a major concern as they can be harmful to both animal and human health. The main goal of the current study was to investigate whether it was possible to modulate the fecal microbiome, thereby reducing endotoxin concentrations in the excreta of broiler chickens. An experiment was carried out with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement including the following three factors: 1) genetic strain (fast-growing Ross 308 vs. slower growing Hubbard JA757); 2) no vs. combined use of probiotics and prebiotics in the diet and drinking water; and 3) early feeding at the hatchery vs. non-early feeding. A total of 624 Ross 308 and 624 Hubbard JA757 day-old male broiler chickens were included until d 37 and d 51 of age, respectively. Broilers (N = 26 chicks/pen) were housed in a total of 48 pens, and there were six replicate pens/treatment groups. Pooled cloacal swabs (N = 10 chickens/pen) for microbiome and endotoxin analyses were collected at a target body weight (BW) of 200g, 1kg, and 2.5kg. Endotoxin concentration significantly increased with age (p = 0.01). At a target BW of 2.5kg, Ross 308 chickens produced a considerably higher amount of endotoxins (Δ = 552.5EU/mL) than the Hubbard JA757 chickens (p < 0.01). A significant difference in the Shannon index was observed for the interaction between the use of prebiotics and probiotics, and host genotype (p = 0.02), where Ross 308 chickens with pre-/probiotics had lower diversity than Hubbard JA757 chickens with pre-/probiotics. Early feeding did not affect both the fecal microbiome and endotoxin release. Overall, the results suggest that the chicken genetic strain may be an important factor to take into account regarding fecal endotoxin release, although this needs to be further investigated under commercial conditions.