Broiler Chicken Diets Research Articles

Carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed varying dietary levels of Ficus thonningii leaf meal

The feeding trial was conducted to determine carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed varying dietary levels of Ficus thonningii leaf meal. A total of ninety six (96) four weeks old broilers were used for the feeding trial. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatments namely; 0 g/kg (control) for T1, 2 g/kg for T2, 3.5 g/kg for T3, and 5 g/kg for T4 Ficus thonningii leaf meal in the diets, respectively. Each treatment had 24 birds and 8 birds per replicate. The results showed that treatment significantly affected live weight and carcass yield. The live weight for broiler chickens ranged from 2,420.00 g - 2,870.00 g with T1 (control) having the highest mean live weight of 2,870 g. Under the conditions of the present experiment, it may be concluded that the inclusion of Ficus thonningii leaf meal in broiler diets can promote carcass yield benefits when compared with the control. It was recommended that Ficus thonningii leaf meal can be included in the diet of broiler chickens up to 5 g/kg level for optimum performance

Evaluation of ameliorative effects of mature coconut water supplements on Cyrtosperma merkusii root meal included diets for broiler chickens

The simultaneous degradation of essential nutrients is the major drawback in detoxifying anti-nutrient toxic substances of root meal-based diets. An ameliorative dietary supplement for root meal-based diets without undergoing thorough detoxification is proposed. Therefore, this trial aims to determine the effects of mature coconut water (MCW) against the anti-nutritional factors (ANF)-containing C. merkusii root meal diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and organoleptic traits of broiler chickens. Cobb 500 (n=160) day-old (male) grouped into the standard diet (commercial maize-soybean) or ANF (15% raw C. merkusii + 85% commercial maize-soybean) diet group, and the birds every group further allocated into 0, 5, 10, and 15% MCW water treatment groups (n=5) with four replications. The trial lasted for 20 D (8 to 28 D of age). In the ANF diet, treatment with MCW significantly differs on feed conversion ratio (FCR). The 5-15% MCW treated chickens were more feed-efficient than the 0% MCW treatment. MCW treatments were not significant on body weight, weight gain, survival, carcass component, and organoleptic traits of broiler chickens under the standard or the ANF diets. However, significant diet*water interactions were observed on BW and dress weight, and significant gizzard weight due to diets. In general, the improved FCR may be the ameliorative effect of mature coconut water against ANF on raw C. merkusii root meal inclusion (15% + 85%) in the standard diets.

Effects of Galla chinensis Extract on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Antioxidation, Immune Function, and Gut Microbiota of Broilers

The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effects of Galla chinensis extract (GCE) supplementation in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, serum antioxidation, immune function, and gut microbiota. In this study, broiler chicken diets were supplemented with a product of GCE at 0 mg/kg (control), 250 mg/kg (GCE250), 500 mg/kg (GCE500), 1,000 mg/kg (GCE1000), or 2,000 mg/kg (GCE2000). In total, 360 birds were randomly distributed into five treatments with six replicate pens and fed from 1 to 60 days. The birds in the GCE250 group had higher final body weights (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Low-dose supplementation (250 mg/kg) of GCE significantly improved the broiler chicken's antioxidative and anti-inflammatory abilities by decreasing serum levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin 6, and interferon-γ at day 60 (p < 0.05). Additionally, principal coordinate analysis clustering showed that GCE supplementation shifted the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens compared with control at day 60, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Parabacteroides, and Alistipes, and decreasing the potentially pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus. Taken together, the results of this study showed that dietary supplementation of low concentrations of GCE (250 mg/kg) produced a positive influence on growth performance, gut microbiota, serum antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory markers in broiler chickens.

Modulating the Growth, Antioxidant Activity, and Immunoexpression of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Apoptotic Proteins in Broiler Chickens by Adding Dietary Spirulina platensis Phycocyanin

This study investigated the dietary effect of Spirulina platensis phycocyanin (SPC) on growth performance (body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR)) at starter, grower, and finisher stages, intestinal histomorphology, serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory and antioxidant indices, and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and caspase-3) immune expression in broiler chickens. In total, 250 one-day-old chicks (Ross 308 broiler) were randomly allotted to five experimental groups (5 replicates/group, 10 chicks/replicate) and fed basal diets supplemented with five levels of SPC (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 g kg–1 diet) for 35 days. Compared with SPC0 treatment, different SPC levels increased the overall BW and BWG without affecting the total feed consumption. However, the FCR decreased linearly with an increase in supplementation level. The serum levels of total proteins, albumin, globulins, and growth hormone increased linearly by increasing levels of SPC supplementation. Further, SPC supplementation increased the thyroxin hormones without affecting serum glucose and leptin levels. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values decreased in broilers fed SPC0.250 and SPC1 diets. Triglycerides (TG) decreased in SPC0.25-, SPC0.75-, and SPC1-treated groups. Though antioxidant enzyme activities (total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) increased linearly and quadratically, malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased linearly by increasing the SPC level. There was no effect on serum proinflammatory cytokines IL1β levels. Immunolabelling index of caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were downregulated by SPC supplementation. The intestinal histomorphology is represented by increased villus height, the villus height to crypt depth ratio, and numbers of goblet cells in different sections of the small intestine. In conclusion, SPC supplementation is beneficial in broiler chicken diets due to its growth-promoting, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with Chlorella vulgaris in broiler diets influences performance and improves breast meat quality and fatty acid composition

Alternative feed ingredients, such as microalgae, may be more sustainable in comparison to conventional feedstuffs that need large amounts of arable land and are often imported. This study evaluates the effects of Chlorella vulgaris various inclusion levels in the diet of broiler chickens on performance, carcass yield, organ measurements, breast meat quality, fatty acids profile, and antioxidant capacity. A total of two hundred forty 5 d old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allotted to 4 groups (6 replicates of 10 birds each). Each group received either a control diet or a diet where soybean meal was replaced with 10% (CV10%), 15% (CV15%), or 20% C. vulgaris for 40 d. Performance parameters, carcass and meat traits were evaluated. Compared to the control group, birds supplemented with C. vulgaris (15% and 20%) had lower body weight, weight gain, and feed intake (P < 0.0001), whereas no differences were observed between the control and CV10% groups (P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio did not differ between control and CV groups. Diets containing C. vulgaris significantly increased ileal digesta viscosity, weight and size of several gastrointestinal compartments, as well as breast muscle yield (P < 0.0001). Incorporation of C. vulgaris resulted in yellower breast muscle (P < 0.0001), with significantly increased chlorophyll a (P < 0.05), chlorophyll b, and total carotenoids contents (P < 0.0001). Inclusion of C. vulgaris decreased bacterial count in meat samples in comparison to controls (P < 0.0001). A 20% C. vulgaris inclusion resulted in higher water holding capacity (P < 0.05) and lower cooking loss (P < 0.05). As dietary C. vulgaris increased, concentrations of DHA + EPA (P < 0.05) and n-3 PUFA (P < 0.0001) increased in breast meat, while the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio decreased (P < 0.0001). Sensory analysis showed that breast meat from the CV10% group had the highest acceptance score. Overall, dietary concentrations of C. vulgaris of up to 20% improve breast meat quality, whereas 10% of C. vulgaris inclusion is recommended.

The Influence of Different Amaranth Leaf Meal Inclusion Levels on Performance, Blood Profiles, and Gut Organ Characteristics of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens.

This study aimed to determine the effect of varying inclusion levels of amaranth leaf meal on the performance, blood profiles, and gut organ characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 200, day-old, Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a complete randomized design, with each group having four replicates with ten chicks. Amaranth leaf meal (ALM) inclusion levels used in this study were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate the feed conversion ratio. Gut organ weights, lengths, organ pH, and blood profiles were measured and the general linear model of statistical analysis software was used to analyze collected data. ALM had no effect (p > 0.05) on feed intake, body weight, or the feed conversion ratio of Ross 308 broiler chickens between 1–21 and 22–42 days, respectively. Furthermore, ALM inclusion levels had no effect (p > 0.05) on dry matter (DM) or gross energy (GE) digestibility of Ross 308 broiler chickens. Ross 308 broiler chickens, which were fed with 5% ALM inclusion levels, had higher (p < 0.05) white blood cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils than those fed with diets containing 0, 10, 15, and 20%. Chickens that were fed with 0 and 20% ALM inclusion levels had higher (p < 0.05) heterophils than those fed with diets containing 5, 10, and 15%. Chickens that were fed with 15% ALM inclusion levels had higher (p < 0.05) monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils than those fed with diets containing 0, 10, and 20%. Apart from Ile, ALM inclusion of 5 and 10% had higher (p < 0.05) essential and nonessential amino acid digestibility in Ross 308 broiler chickens. ALM inclusion levels had no effect (p > 0.05) on gut organ lengths or weights of Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 21 and 42 days. In conclusion, 5, 10, and 15% ALM inclusion levels can be included in broiler chicken diets as they showed favor in most of the affected parameters.

Growth Performance and Internal Organs of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Unripe Plantain Peels Meal

This study was conducted to determine the dietary effect of graded levels of unripe plantain peel meal on the growth performance and internal organs of broiler chickens. One hundred and five (105) day-old unsexed Arbor Acre broiler chicks were used in a56-day feeding trial. The birds were assigned to 5 dietary treatments (T1- T5) with a total of 21 birds per treatment and replicated three times with 7 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). T1 was the control diet which contained 0% unripe plantain peels and 100% palm kernel cake, T2 contained 25% unripe plantain peels and 75% palm kernel cake, T3 contained 50% unripe plantain peels and 50% palm kernel cake, T4 contained 75% unripe plantain peels and 25% palm kernel cake while T5 contained 100% unripe plantain peelsand 0% palm kernel cake. Feed and water were given ad libitum for 8 weeks the experiment lasted.Resultsshowed that at the starter phase diets had a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on live weight, daily weight gain, and daily feed intake. During the finisher phase replacement of palm kernel cake with unripe plantain peels hadno significant (P&gt;0.05) effect on daily protein intake, protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion. The performance of birds at both the starter and finisher phases decreased as the level of unripe plantain peel meal (UPPM) increased. Unripe plantain peels did not show negative effect on the liver, bile volume and the caecum but all other parameters for internal organs were significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected by the diet. In conclusion, unripe plantain peel meal (UPPM) could conveniently replace 25% of Palm kernel cake in the diet of broiler chickens without any deleterious effect and is recommended. Keywords: Unripe plantain peels, Broiler Chicken, Palm Kernel Cake, Internal organs, Growth Performance DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-10-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Changes in the chemical composition of broiler meat when chelated compounds are added to the diet

The paper considers the use of chelated forms of micronutrients for feeding broilers. The study aims to investigate the chemical composition of broiler meat in the case of broiler chickens of Cobb-500 cross, provided Zn, Cu, and Mn chelated forms are supplied to the diet. Experimental studies were conducted in 2020 on broiler chickens of Cobb-500 cross. Two groups of 20 birds were formed to study the chemical composition of poultry meat. The birds of the control group received an essential diet supplied with sulfates of Zn, Cu, and Mn. The birds of the experimental group received a diet enriched with chelated compounds of Zn, Cu, and Mn. The study has shown that introducing Zn, Cu, and Mn chelated compounds into the diet of broiler chickens has no adverse effect on the chemical composition of meat. It has also been determined that the meat of broilers eating feed supplied with chelated micronutrients contains significantly less cholesterin but more Ca, Zn, Cu, and Mn, and several essential amino acids. These indicators prove an increase in the health benefits of chicken meat.

Effect of Exogenous Enzymes Cocktail on Performance, Carcass Traits, Biochemical Metabolites, Intestinal Morphology, and Nutrient Digestibility of Broilers Fed Normal and Low-Energy Corn-Soybean Diets.

Simple SummaryCorn and soybean meal (SBM) are the principal sources of energy and protein in poultry feed, respectively. Decreasing feed cost per unit of production and increasing the nutritional value of feed ingredients like corn and SBM are continuous concerns for poultry producers. Corn and SBM-based diets are incompletely digested by poultry due to the presence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), which can obstruct the processes of nutrient digestion and absorption. Poultry does not own endogenous enzymes capable of digesting NSPs. The use of enzyme cocktails (EC) and dietary energy sources are essential topics in the poultry industry because they could enhance nutrient utilization by reducing the harmful effects of NSPs. Therefore, evaluating the efficacy of EC that may improve the feeding value of corn–SBM diets warrants attention. The efficacy of two doses of an EC with multiple enzymatic activities at two levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) on the performance of broilers fed corn and SBM-based diets up to 35 days was evaluated. Our results indicate that adequately adjusting dietary ME and using the EC with xylanases, β-glucanases, cellulases, proteases, pectinases, and debranching enzymes activities could enhance the nitrogen-corrected apparent ME of corn and SBMbased diets for broiler chickens and potentially offer economic advantages to producers.Ross 308 broilers in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement (four treatments with 12 replications of six chicks each) were fed corn and SBMbased diets with two concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME) (normal (positive control, PC) and low (negative control, NC)) and two amounts of enzyme cocktail (EC) (0% and 0.005%) for 35 days. Performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, ileal histology, and apparent nutrient digestibility were evaluated. Compared with the non-supplemented diet, the use of EC improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) over 26–35 and 0–35 days (p < 0.01), European performance efficiency factor (EPEF) over 26–35 days (p < 0.05), dressing yield (p < 0.01), villus height (p < 0.05), nitrogen-corrected apparent ME (AMEn) (p < 0.01), and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Compared with the NC diet, feeding the PC diet improved FCR over all experimental periods (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively), EPEF over 0–10 days (p < 0.05), and AMEn retention (p < 0.01). To conclude, the AMEn of broilers fed corn and SBM diets could be improved by adequately adjusting dietary ME and using a cocktail of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, improving commercial benefits to producers.

The Impact of Herbal Additives for Poultry Feed on the Fatty Acid Profile of Meat.

Simple SummaryCertain herbs, including their properly selected mixtures or preparations, can have a positive influence on the animal body. Works discussing the impact of herbs on poultry meat quality have gained increasing popularity. This paper aims to review reference literature on the influence of herbal additives for broiler chicken diets on the fatty acid profile of poultry meat. Fat plays a key role both as regards the growth of animals and the nutritional value and quality of meat products. Poultry products are vastly popular, so enriching favorite meat with sources of unsaturated fatty acids is a good way of improving the health of the population.Researchers often found that herbal additives to chicken feed can favorably alter the fatty acid profile of the meat. The most desirable effects of diet modification comprise an increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a reduced content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the breast and thigh muscles. A modified fatty acid profile contributes to improvement in the quality of poultry meat, which is reflected in its increased consumption. However, it may be problematic that PUFAs are oxidized easier than other lipids, which can have a negative impact on the sensory traits of meat. By contrast, herbs and herbal products contain antioxidants that can prevent the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol present in animal-origin products and increase the antioxidant potential of the consumer’s body. This paper aims to review the influence of herbal additives for broiler chicken diets on the fatty acid profile of poultry meat. Special attention was paid to changes in the content of SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs, but also alterations in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. The presented reference literature supports the statement that herbs and bioactive components of herbs added to chicken diets can improve the quality of broiler chicken meat by altering the content of fatty acids.

Evaluation of two types of ingredients from marine fish rest raw materials in broiler diets: effects on live performance and meat lipid composition

The current study investigated the effect of incorporating two ingredients derived from different types of marine fish rest raw materials in the diet of broiler chickens on live performance, carcass yield, muscle fatty acid ( FA ) composition, lipid peroxidation products, and blood metabolites. A total of ninety (n = 90), one-day-old Cobb chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet with no marine rest raw material ( Control ), 5% deboned Pacific hake meal ( Diet 1 ), or 5% Pacific surimi washwater meal ( Diet 2 ) for 42 d (30 birds per treatment kept in 6 replicate pens with 5 chicks per pen). For bird performance (feed consumption, weight gain), each replicate pen was considered as the experimental unit. For determining yield, blood metabolites, and lipid analysis, one bird collected from each replicate is considered as the experimental unit. Bodyweight gain and feed:gain were determined at the starter (1–10), grower (11–21), and finisher (22–42) phases. For all response variables, the effects of Control vs. Diet 1 and Diet 2 were compared separately using analysis of variance. P values were considered significant at ≤0.05. No difference was observed in the body weight gain and feed:gain at day 10 ( P > 0.05). At day 21, Diet 1 and Diet 2 birds were higher in body weight than Control ( P < 0.05). At day 42, Diet 1 birds were highest in body weight (3,018 g) when compared to Control (2,728 g) ( P < 0.05) and was not different from Diet 2 (2,912 g) ( P > 0.05). Overall, feed:gain was lowest in Diet 2 (1.52) ( P < 0.05) and was not different from Diet 1. A 2 to 5-fold increase in n-3 FA was observed in the breast and thigh muscle of Diet 1 and Diet 2 compared to Control ( P < 0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA , 22:6 n-3) was the major long chain FA in the breast and thigh muscle and addition of marine rest raw material led to >10-fold increase in the breast and thigh muscle DHA in Diet 1 and Diet 2 when compared to Control ( P < 0.05). The total lipid content of thigh muscle was lower in Diet 1 and Diet 2 compared to Control ( P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the total lipid content of breast muscle ( P > 0.05). The relative organ weight and yield of breast and thigh muscles were not different among the three treatments ( P > 0.05). No difference was observed in moisture and cholesterol content in breast and thigh muscles ( P > 0.05). Blood cholesterol was lower in Diet 1 than Control ( P < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation products measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) were lower in the breast muscle of Diet 1 and Diet 2 compared to Control ( P < 0.05). However, no effect of diet on thigh muscle TBARS was observed ( P > 0.05). As consumer demands for n-3 FA-rich poultry products are on the rise, products derived from marine rest raw materials may serve as feed supplement that could be used in broiler chicken diets for enriching edible tissues with n-3 FA while increasing bird live performance and promoting ecological poultry production.

QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKEN MEAT WITH THE ADDITION OF CHELATED COMPOUNDS OF MICROELEMENTS TO THE DIET

At present, the current direction in poultry farming is the development of methods for raising poultry without the use of antibiotics to overcome antibiotic resistance. For this purpose, it is recommended to use mineral supplements of chelated forms of microelements of zinc, copper, and manganese in poultry diets. Chelated minerals are characterised by better digestibility during intensive broiler farming, which limits the use of minerals and reduces environmental pollution. The purpose of the study was to examine the quality of meat of broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross, provided that chelated forms of zinc, copper, and manganese are included in the diet. Experimental studies were conducted in 2021 on broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross. Two groups of 20 heads of poultry were formed to examine the chemical composition of meat. Poultry of the control group received a basic diet with zinc, copper, and manganese sulfates, and poultry of the experimental group – enriched with chelated compounds of these microelements. The addition of chelated compounds of zinc, copper, and manganese to the diet of broiler chickens leads to an increase in the amount of fat, calcium and zinc in white muscles by 69.6, 24.6% and 1.4 times, and in red muscles-by 41.1, 30.9% and 3.4 times, respectively. The content of copper and manganese increases by 48.0 and 95.5% in red muscles and by 28.1 and 15.2% in white muscles compared to the control group. Therewith, there is a decrease in the relative content of essential amino acids by 1.1-1.3% and an increase in non-essential amino acids by 2.6-2.7%. According to the overall assessment of organoleptic parameters of broiler chickens fed zinc, copper, and manganese chelates, the sum of points was 2.0 points higher in the femoral muscles and 1.5 points higher in the pectoral muscles. In addition, according to the tasting assessment of meat from the thigh muscles of broiler chickens, more points were obtained in terms of tenderness by 10.0%, taste by 12.2%, and aroma by 13.2%. According to the tasting assessment of meat from the pectoral muscles of broiler chickens, more points were obtained in terms of tenderness by 18.9% and aroma by 10.3%. According to the reaction with copper sulfate, the content of ammonium and ammonia salts, broiler chicken meat was fresh and obtained from healthy poultry. As a result of organoleptic, physico-chemical, and biochemical studies of broiler chicken meat under the conditions of adding microelement chelates to the diet, it was established that it belongs to fresh and high-quality for consumption. These studies argue for the use of chelated compounds of microelements in poultry farming and contribute to their further introduction into production.

Metabolic effects of beneficial bacterial, herbal plant and antibiotic in feed of broiler chicken

The contribution of natural products as growth promoters as a major causative mechanism for limiting antibiotic growth promoter has been considered recently. It was found that this strategy contributed to the increase of the growth and development of poultry production , as a result, to an increase in the growth efficiency and reduction of the antibiotic as growth promoters. The aim of our study was to analyze whether the use natural growth promoters as antibiotic replacement can increase the broiler's growth. We analyzed the effect of probiotic, Spearmint leaves powder as replacement to Antibiotic in diet of broiler chicks on growth production. Total 240 female broiler chicks at one day old were housed ,designed into four experimental treatments with 3 replicated pens (20chicks per replicated pen) according to a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were named G1: either basal feed only, G2: basal feed plus 2 % probiotic ( “Lactobacillus spp kkp 529/p® (“probiotic containing on Lactobacillus plantarum, 1.0 × 106 cfu/g”), G3: Basal feed plus 0.4 g/kg oxytetracycline, G4: basal feed plus Spearmint leaves powder 2g /kg feed for 6 weeks.

Performance, Serum Biochemical and Haematological Response of Broiler Chicken Fed Mixture of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) and Garlic (Allium Sativum) in Diets

Performance, serum biochemical and hematological response of broiler chicken fed mixture of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and garlic (Allium sativum) in diets was investigated in a feeding trials using completely randomised design that lasted for eight weeks. A total of 135 1-day broiler chicks of Abor acre strain were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments of 45 chicks per treatment and replicated 15 chicks per treatment Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated and fed. Control diet was without mixture of ginger and garlic. The two other diets were T1, 7.5g Ginger plus 7.5g Garlic mixture/25kgdiet and T2, 15g Ginger plus 15g Garlic mixture/25kgdiet. The experimental diets were offered to the respective birds with water ad libitum. The body weight gain (Kg) feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds control, T1 and T2 respectively were similar (p&gt; 0.05). Birds on diet. T2 recorded the highest live ability percentage (96 Mixture of ginger and garlic in ratio 1:1 up to 7.5g each in 25kg diets slightly but insignificantly (p&gt;0,05) increased performance body weight gain and live ability improved feed conversion ratio (FRC) but reduced feed intake. Variation in the experimental diets had no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference on serum biochemical and hematological indices except for Glucose and Alkaline Phosphate, and White Blood Cell count Lymphocytes and Basophil which showed significant (p&lt;0.05) difference with the level mixture of ginger and garlic in diets. Mixture of ginger and garlic in the diets of broiler chicken had no adverse effect on the serum biochemical and hematological indices.

Chemical Composition of Palm Oil Mill Sludge-Biodegraded Sweet Orange Peel Meal Mixture and Its Effect as Dietary Energy Source on Nutrient Digestibility by Broiler Chickens

A feeding trial, which lasted for seventy days, was conducted in which palm oil mill sludge and biodegraded sweet orange peel mixture was fed to substitute maize in broiler chicken diet at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit peel was fermented by soaking for 48 h in retted cassava waste water (CWW) and sundried, to obtain biodegraded sweet orange peel (BSOP). Palm oil mill effluent was filtered with a 0.30 mm pore plastic mesh sieve, poured into a 0.75 μm pore fine cheesecloth bag and allowed to stand for five hours to produce a paste of palm oil mill sludge (POMS). The POMS was mixed with BSOP in ratio 1:1, sundried, milled to produce a POMS-BSOP mixture. One hundred and eighty day-old Cobb 700 broilers divided into six equal parts, and three replicates of 10 birds each were used. Each part was assigned to one of 6 diets compounded with 0% (T1), 5% (T2), 10% (T3), 15% (T4), 20% (T5) and 25% (T6) of POMS-BSOP mixture. The microbial composition of retted CWW, chemical composition of the POMS-BSOP mixture, and the digestibility of nutrients by the broiler chickens were determined. Isolated from CWW were; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli (bacteria), Aspergillus spp. (fungus) and Candidia spp. (yeast). POMS-BSOP was high in energy (4415.69 kcalME/kg), ether extract (41.50%), crude fibre (25.63%) and dry matter (92.28%), moderate in crude protein (6.83%), low in indigestible lignin (4.90% ADL), alkaloid (0.01%), tannin (0.02%), saponin (0.03%), phytate (0.05%), oxalate (0.15%) and flavonoid (0.17%). Dietary treatments significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected digestibility of ether extract and metabolisable energy and crude protein digestibility by broiler chickens. Dietary maize can be replaced at up to 25% with a POMS-BSOP mixture to improve energy digestibility by broiler chickens.

Soybean vs. Pea Bean in the Diet of Medium-Growing Broiler Chickens Raised under Semi-Intensive Conditions of Inner Mediterranean Areas: Growth Performance and Environmental Impact.

Simple SummaryGrowth performance of medium-growing broiler chickens raised under semi-intensive conditions was evaluated comparing two different dietary treatments and two different genotypes. Starting from the dietary ingredients traditionally used, soybean was totally replaced by pea bean. The experimental diets were also compared from an environmental point of view simulating the annual global warming potential of the diets. Neither genotype nor dietary treatment affected feed consumption and growth performance, suggesting that the total replacement of soybean with pea bean can be a valuable feeding strategy, also from the economic point of view. A diet containing pea slightly reduced the total greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emitted on a yearly basis. The results of the present study suggest that replacing soybean with pea bean can be a sustainable feeding strategy in broiler chicken production of inner Mediterranean areas, from both economic and environmental perspectives.The effects of Glycine max L. (SOY) vs. Pisum sativum L. (PEA) in the diet were investigated on in vivo performance of two medium-growing broiler genotypes and on environmental impact. Sixty Kabir Red Plus and sixty New Red chickens were randomly allocated in 20 pens (n = 6 birds per pen). Each pen, i.e., experimental unit, received 1.18 kg dry matter (DM) including soybean (3.39%) in SOY, or pea bean (6.78%) in PEA groups. DM intake, DM refusals and bodyweight (BW) were recorded on pen basis, and average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. Data on in vivo performance were processed by ANOVA General Linear Model followed by Student–Newman–Keuls post hoc test. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were evaluated on a year basis by GLEAM-i software. The diet did not affect (p > 0.05) DM intake and DM refusals, BW, ADG and FCR. Diet x genotypes affected (p < 0.05) DM intake and DM refusals. PEA diet, cheaper than SOY diet, allowed the reduction in total GHG and CO2, and of meat emission intensity. However, an increase in total CH4 and N2O emissions was observed. The replacement of soybean with pea bean can represent a possible management strategy to reach trade-off between good farming practices and environmental protection on small-scale poultry farms of inner Mediterranean areas.

The Effect of Citric Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance, Digestibility and Linear Body Measurement of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens: A Review

Feed additives are considered to be one of the most valuable but expensive ingredients in poultry production to optimize high production. The present paper reviews the potential use of citric acid as a cheap and alternative antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) supply in poultry diets. A review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE (published articles) to determine the effect of citric acid supplementation on growth performance, digestibility and linear body measurements of Ross 308 broiler chicken. Studies shows that supplementing the diets of broiler chickens with citric acid improves nutrient retention, mineral adsorption, meat attributes, enhance intestinal enzyme activities and protect livestock animals and poultry from harmful microorganisms. Additional notable advantages of acidifiers include the potential to be used to favourably alter gut flora populations and stimulate immunological response and so serve a function similar to antibiotic-resistant strains of harmful bacteria in food animals. Citric acid also promotes nutrient digestion and mineral absorption. The inclusion of organic acids ultimately results in the thickening of the intestinal wall, which promotes in the improved absorption of nutrients and the efficient utilization of those nutrients.

Effect of cinnamon oil supplementation into broiler chicken diets on growth, carcass traits, haemato-biochemical parameters, immune function, antioxidant status and caecal microbial count

1. Abd El-Hack M.E., Alagawany M., Abdel-Moneim A.M.E., Mohammed N.G., Khafaga A.F., Bin-Jumah M., Othman S.I., Allam A.A., Elnesr S.S., 2020. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) oil as a potential alternative to antibiotics in poultry. Antibiotics 9, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.3390/antibi.... CrossRef Google Scholar

Effect of dietary supplementation of Tryptophan, Arginine, and Glutamine on growth performance, gut morphology, immune response and meat quality of broiler chicken

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the supplemental effects of Arginine (Arg), Glutamine (Gln) and Tryptophan (Trp) on growth performance, gut morphology, immune response and meat quality of broilers. In experiment 1, 312 one-day-old Ross×Ross broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments (C, control having no amino acids; Arg, a diet with 0.5% L-Arg; Gln, a diet with 0.5% L-Gln and Trp, a diet with 0.5% L-Trp), each containing 6 replicate cages with 13 birds per cage. For further confirmation, experiment 2 considered similar treatments as of experiment 1. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. At 2ndand 6thweeks of age, 12 birds per treatment were killed in both experiments to measure gut morphology, serum IgG and IgA and meat quality of broilers. In Expt 1, results showed that dietary Arg, Gln and Trpsupplementation significantly increased (P&lt; 0.05) weight gain and feed intake of broilers than those of control group. In experiment 2, a similar performance trend was obtained compared to Experiment 1. Circulating levels of IgG and IgA were increased with supplementation of AAs in the diet. In both experiments, the breastand drumstick muscles of the group of birds feed amino acids had a higher pH and redness (a*) values, but lower lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values of meat. Chicks fed diet with Arg, Gln and Trp had longer villi height and villi to crypt depth ratio, and shorter crypt depth as compared with the control (P&lt;0.05). Thus the addition of Arg, Trp and Gln each at 0.5% in the diet of broiler chicken enhanced growth performance, immunity, gut morphology and meat quality characteristics of broiler.

Nutrigenomics in Animal Feeding: Digital Gene Expression Analysis in Poultry Fed Tenebrio molitor Larvae Meal

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high levels of Tenebrio molitor dietary inclusion (15%) on molecular mechanisms that influence poultry health in a broiler chicken diet. The global gene expression of four tissues (breast, liver, jejunum, and caecum) was evaluated using the RNA-Seq approach. The analysis of differentially expressed genes suggested that the use of Tenebrio molitor leads to the overexpression of genes related to protein elongation required for tissue growth and development in the gut and liver. It would also appear to contain nutrients that reduce the expression of genes related to the immune system and inflammation of the mucosa. The dietary inclusion of Tenebrio molitor in poultry could also lead to a possible inactivation of the growth factor and a reduction of tissue free-radicals. No genes alterations have been detected in liver RNA expression that would discourage the use of larvae in feeding broilers.