Broiler Chicken Diets Research Articles

PSLBII-30 The effect of different soybean meal batches and protease supplementation on nutrient utilization by broiler chickens

Abstract Soybean meal (SBM) is the major protein source in broiler chicken diets. However, the thermal processing of SBM may have an impact on its protein quality, reducing its solubility when over-processed. In this context, the use of exogenous protease may reduce the negative effects that the over-processing of SBM may have on protein digestibility in broiler chickens. The present study investigated two batches of SBM in broiler chicken diets supplemented or not with protease. One-d-old male Cobb 500 (n = 360) were randomly distributed in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (SBM batches: A and B; Protease inclusion: 0 and 50 g/t of diet). SBM protein quality was evaluated through crude protein (CP), KOH solubility, and urease activity test (UA) in batches A and B. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize the structural organization of particles from SBM A and B. On d 26, ileal digesta content was collected from 6 broiler chickens that were euthanized to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and ileal digestible energy (IDE). Data obtained were submitted to ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey test with a significance declared of 5% using the GLM procedure on R Software. Protein quality assessment demonstrated KOH solubility of 85% and 75% for SBM from batches A and B, respectively. For UA analysis, SBM batch A presented 0.09 and batch B of 0.01 mg N/g (Table 1). Microscopy images emphasized visual differences in particles from batches A and B. In SBM particles from batch A, disorganized cluster structures and asymmetric pores were observed, whereas in the SBM particles from batch B, insignificant pores and large cluster aggregates were visualized in a denser structure (Figure 1). The SBM batch B presented decreased AID of DM, CP, and IDE (P < 0.05). Protease supplementation improved the AID of CP (P < 0.05) in broilers at 26 d of age, regardless of SBM batches, but no effect was observed for DM and IDE (P > 0.05; Table 2). In conclusion, SBM from batch A had greater values of KOH solubility and UA, suggesting an appropriate thermal process, and ensuring protein quality, which is demonstrated through improvement in nutrient utilization by broiler chickens. The use of 50 g of exogenous protease per t of diet improved the ileal digestibility of CP, regardless of SBM batches.

497 Amylase supplementation influences nutrient digestibility regardless of corn type in broiler chicken diets

Abstract Corn is the primary energy supply in the broiler chicken diet. Physical and nutritional characteristics related to corn endosperm can affect nutrient utilization, as well as the inclusion of exogenous enzymes. This study aimed to evaluate two different corn types classified according to endosperm traits in diets for broiler chickens supplemented or not with amylase. Male broiler chickens (n = 360; 1-d old Cobb 500) were allocated in metabolic battery cages and randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (2 corn types; 2 amylase doses: 0 and 90 g/t of diet). A hardness test was performed to categorize and classify each corn type according to breakage force. Corn endosperms were assessed through scanning electron microscopy to investigate structure variations of starch granules. From 19 to 21 d, excreta samples were collected to estimate apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of nutrients and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). On d 26, ileal digesta content was collected to determine apparent ileal nutrients digestibility (AID) and ileal digestible energy (IDE). Data were analyzed using the Student t-test for hardness test (P < 0.05). The Tukey test was performed with a significance declared of 5% to compare the averages obtained for ATTR and AID using the GLM procedure on R Software. Differences were observed in the hardness test (P < 0.05), which classified each corn type either as hard (217 N) or soft (166 N; Table 1). The SEM highlighted structural variations between the floury and vitreous endosperm of each corn. In soft corn, starch granules were more dispersed in the floury endosperm, with a less dense distribution observed in the vitreous endosperm compared with hard corn (Figure 1). However, hard corn exhibited a more compact starch granules distribution in both floury and vitreous endosperm. No differences were observed (P > 0.05) in ATTR of dry matter, crude protein, or AME attributed to corn type, but amylase supplementation improved ATTR of dry matter (P = 0.015) and crude protein (P = 0.020; Table 2). On AID, corn type affected (P = 0.041) dry matter coefficient, and amylase supplementation significantly improved dry matter (P = 0.019), crude protein ileal digestibility (P = 0.012), and IDE (P = 0.018). No interactions between corn type and amylase supplementation were observed (P > 0.05). These findings demonstrated that amylase supplemented in broiler diets impacts nutrient utilization regardless of the corn type used.

Influence of phytobiotics dose on feed conversion in broiler chickens

The inclusion of Chaga decoction in the compound feed for broiler chickens in the amount of 20 mg, 40 and 60 mg/kg of live weight of the broilers during the entire period of its rearing had a different influence on the digestibility and use of nutrients in the diet. The results of the physiological experiment at the age of 3 weeks of broilers showed that a small dosage of the phytobiotic compared with the control group stimulated an increase in the digestibility of crude protein in the feed by 4.05 abs.%, crude fat by 1.92 abs.%, crude fiber by 1.21 abs.%. With the increase in the dosage of the phytobiotic in the broiler compound feed, the increase in the digestibility of crude fi ber by 2.01–2.12 abs.% was noted. Nitrogen digestibility in poultry with a low rate of Chaga decoction introduction exceeded the control group by 0.16 g, and other experimental groups by 0.13–0.14 g. As a result, the average daily nitrogen deposition in the body of broiler chickens in the group with a low rate of phytobiotic introduction was 2.53 g or 16.1 % higher than in broilers in the control group and 2.3–3.2 % higher than in other experimental groups. At the fi nal stage of broiler chicken rearing, the digestibility of crude protein in the diet of broiler chickens of the 1st experimental group with a low dosage of phytobiotic was higher than in the control group by 3.17 abs.%, crude fat by 4.15 abs.%, crude fi ber by 2.60 abs.%, and nitrogen-free extractive substances by 0.17 abs.%. In broilers of other experimental groups this diff erence was less expressed. A decrease in nitrogen losses with undigested substances in the droppings of broilers of the 1st experimental group increased its deposition by 5.7 %, in other experimental groups only by 0.9–2.1 %. Analysis of the dynamics of live weight of broiler chickens during the rearing period showed that the 1st experimental group with the low dosage of Chaga decoction in the diet increased the absolute gain in live weight in comparison with the control group by 5.0 %, with the 2nd experimental group by 3.4 % and with the 3rd experimental group by 1.4 %, and feed costs accordingly by groups decreased by 4.7 %, 3.2 and 1.5 %.

Эффективность использования новой кормовой добавки на основе органических кислот при выращивании цыплят-бройлеров

Purpose. Studying the effectiveness of using feed additive "Aciform" when included in the diet of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods. The objects of research were broiler chickens of Cobb-500 cross and feed additive "Aciform". The experiment was carried out in the conditions of the farm of Krest'yanskiy Dvor LLC (Volgograd region). Three groups (two experimental and control) were formed, 140 animals each. The poultry in the control group received feed that did not contain the studied feed additive. Norm for adding additive was 1 kg per 1 ton of feed in the 1st experimental group and 2 kg per 1 ton of feed in the 2nd experimental group. The duration of feeding is from 14 days to 42 days of age. During the experiment, the safety of poultry, the percentage of mortality and pecking, as well as the dynamics of live weight gain and the occurrence of possible side effects when using the feed additive were monitored using standard scientific research methods (zootechnical, mathematical) and certified laboratory equipment. Results. The use of new feed additive "Aciform" in feeding broiler chickens from 14 to 42 days of age at an input rate of 1 and 2 kg per 1 ton of feed had a positive effect on the increase in live weight of chickens. The chickens of experimental groups (1 and 2) exceeded poultry of control group in terms of the average daily gain in live weight by 1.0 and 2.9% (P≤0.05) for the entire experimental period, in terms of absolute increase on the 42nd day of growing – by 1.0 and 2.1%. The incidence of pecking in poultry of experimental groups (1 and 2) was 2.9 and 1.8%, and in the control group – 2.1%. In the groups of broiler chickens that received the test additive as part of the diet (1st and 2nd experimental), there were fewer dead poultry by 2.9 and 3.4%, and the survival rate was higher by 2.9 and 3.8% than in control group. Conclusion. The inclusion of new feed additive "Aciform" in the diet of broiler chickens had a positive effect on the safety, growth rate and productive qualities of the poultry.

Effects of the inclusion of two extracts derived from the olive industry on growth performance, antiparasitic protection, and antioxidant activity in broiler chicken diets from 0 to 45 d

The objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal inclusion rate of 2 independent extracts with different properties derived from the olive industry [triterpenic acid extract (TAE) and a polyphenol extract (PE)] on productive performances in broiler chickens from 0 to 45 d under challenging conditions. In addition, antiparasitic protection of the TAE was evaluated at d 21 and d 28 through intestinal scoring and oocyst counts, as well as the blood antioxidant activity of the PE at d 45. Wood shavings as bedding material came from a commercial farm with a coccidia load sufficient to create a subclinical coccidiosis situation with minor macroscopic lesions, and a nutritional challenge was imposed using poor raw materials to cause intestinal dysbiosis. There were 9 dietary treatments (8 replicates/treatment and 15 broiler chickens/pen), a positive control (PC) supplemented with commercial coccidiostat (Na monensin), 4 increasing concentrations of TAE (30, 60, 90, and 120 ppm), and 4 increasing concentrations of PE (10, 20, 30, and 40 ppm). For the overall experiment the PC had greater average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.001) than the mean of TAE treatments. Besides, the ADG, body weight, and ADFI increased linearly throughout the whole experiment as the TAE level of the feed increased. With respect to the anticoccidial activity, the 120 ppm TAE treatment showed greater concentration of E. acervuline DNA copies at 21 d than the 30 ppm TAE treatment (P < 0.05), the rest of the treatments being intermediate. Concerning the PE treatments, for the overall experiment, ADG was the greatest in the PC treatment (P < 0.001), and the ADFI was similar in the PC treatment to the mean of PE treatments. There was no effect of the PE on antioxidant activity. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, the inclusion of TAE does not reach the productive performance indicators achieved by a commercial coccidiostat in our intestinal challenge situations. Also, the inclusion of PE has a positive effect on productive performance on the overall period.

Comparative effects of dietary muramidase and phytogenics on the growth performance and gastrointestinal functionality of broiler chickens

The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of dietary supplementation of muramidase (MUR) and 2 phytogenic additives on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, bacteria load, and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) of broiler chickens raised under field-like conditions. A total of 6,400 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly selected and distributed into 32 floor pens, with 200 chicks (100 males and 100 females)/pen. The treatment groups were an unsupplemented control, and the experimental groups supplemented with MUR at 35,000 LSU(F)/kg of feed, phytogenic 1 (Phyto 1, based on thymol) at 100g/ton feed, or phytogenic 2 (Phyto 2, based on alkaloids) at 60g/ton feed, for a total period of 41 d. A 4-phase feeding program was applied (starter, grower, finisher and withdrawal). The paramenters evaluated were: growth performance, carcass yield, concentration of muranic acid in the jejunum content and excreta, liver enzyme concentration, intestinal morphology, and bacteria enumeration and short and branch chain fatty acids (SCFA and BCFA) in the cecal content. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test was used to separate the means. Soluble muramic acid (MurN) in the jejunum increased with the supplementation of MUR and Phyto 2 when compared to the other groups (P = 0.0001), but only the supplementation of MUR increased the concentration of MurN in the excreta. The supplementation of all feed additives improved the body weight gain and the body weight corrected feed conversion ratio when compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). MUR increased villus heigh (VH) when compared to the control or the other supplemented groups (P = 0.0001), and led to the highest concentration of most SCFA, total BCFA, and total SCFA (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of MUR and phytogenics to the diets of broiler chickens improved the growth performance, but MUR, only, was capable of effectively degrading peptidoglycans (PGNs) in both intestinal segments, as well as to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria and SCFA production.

Hybrid rye and vegetable oils in broiler chicken diets

Hybrid rye and vegetable oils in broiler chicken diets

Performance Characteristics and Economics Analysis of Replacing Fishmeal with Earthworm Meal in Broiler Chicken Diet

Performance Characteristics and Economics Analysis of Replacing Fishmeal with Earthworm Meal in Broiler Chicken Diet

Interactions of wheat cultivars and supplemental enzyme in diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphometric features, and blood parameters

This study investigated the effects of wheat cultivar and enzyme supplementation on growth, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, and blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 648 male chicks were assigned to 9 diets: four Iranian wheat cultivars (Sardari, Azar2, Pishgam, Sirvan) with and without enzyme supplementation, plus a corn-based control (6 replicates/diet, 12 birds/pen). Diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Chicks were fed for 39 days. Corn-based diets generally led to higher feed intake (FI) throughout the study compared to most wheat-based diets. However, during the finishing period (25–39 days), broilers fed diets containing Sardari and Azar2 wheat achieved the best weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed Sirvan cultivar. Most of the carcass traits were not affected by the experimental treatments. Blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and high-density cholesterol (HDL) levels were all noticeably affected by the type of wheat in the diet. Jejunum length and cecum weight were greatest in birds fed different wheat cultivars, while the corn-based diet resulted in the shortest jejunum and cecum length. Adding enzymes to the Pishgam cultivar diet increased the length of the ileum. significant interactions between wheat cultivar and enzyme were observed for jejunal villi characteristics (length, thickness, number) and muscle layer thickness, Broilers fed the Sardari diet exhibited the deepest crypts and lowest villi length-to-crypt depth ratio. The study concluded that there is a significant effect of wheat cultivar diversity on broiler performance traits, blood chemistry, carcass characteristics, and gut health. The findings also suggest that the selected enzyme may not be effective in all wheat cultivars due to the absence of a consistent wheat cultivar-enzyme interaction.

Stimbiotic and wheat bran inclusion in maize or wheat-based diets for broiler chickens; effects on jejunal histomorphology, digesta oligosaccharides and caecal short-chain fatty-acids profiles

ABSTRACT 1. A stimbiotic (STB) is any feed additive that stimulates caeca fibre fermentation, although the additive itself contributes little to the caeca short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. A 42 d experiment investigated the interactive effects of STB and wheat bran (WB) in broiler chickens receiving maize or wheat-based diets. 2. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial (eight replicates each), the dietary factors being diet (maize-SBM or wheat-SBM), STB (with or without) and WB (0 or 50 g/kg). Jejunal tissue, gizzard, jejunal and ileal digesta and caecal contents were collected on d 18 and 42. 3. Gizzard pH tended to decrease with STB (p = 0.06) supplementation and was lower in birds fed wheat- compared to maize-based diets on d 18 (p < 0.05). Birds receiving diets with WB had higher jejunum pH on d 18 (p < 0.05). 4. Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the caeca on d 18 and isobutyrate on d 42 were higher (p < 0.05) for maize compared with wheat-based diets. However, on d 42, acetate, butyrate and total SCFA were higher (p < 0.05) for wheat-based compared with maize-based diets. 5. On d 18, STB and WB inclusion increased villi height (VH; p < 0.05) and VH to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), respectively (p < 0.05). On d 42, VH (p < 0.05) and VH/CD were higher in wheat-based diets (p < 0.05). The VH/CD ratio was lower with STB supplementation (p < 0.05). Marker-corrected pentose oligosaccharides (Pent)4 and (Pent)5 concentrations in the ileal digesta were reduced (p < 0.05) with STB supplementation. In addition, STB decreased (Pent)3 concentration in maize-, but not wheat-based diets (p < 0.05). 6. In conclusion, both WB and STB influenced gastrointestinal pH and jejunum histomorphology of broilers without increasing oligosaccharide concentration in the ileum and SCFA in the caeca.

Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum) on Production, Fatty Acid Profile and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Phytogenic feed additives play an important role in broilers' nutrition, contributing to the improvement of the performance and quality of meat. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum) on broiler chicken production, fatty acid profile, and meat quality. In the present study, 140-day-old Vencob-400 broiler chicks were divided into 7 groups, including the control group (with no additives, T0), and T1 to T6 groups receiving varying concentrations of cinnamon and ginger. Accordingly, the chickens’ diet in T1 was supplemented with 1.0% cinnamon, T2 with 2.0% cinnamon, T3 with 3.0% cinnamon, T4 with 1.0% ginger, T5 with 2.0% ginger, and T6 with 3.0% ginger, all calculated based on dry matter. The carcass traits, weight of immune organs, organoleptic tests, and fatty acid profile of meat (breast and thigh) were recorded after the age of 42 days. The findings indicated that the breast and thigh had the highest organ weights in group T4 compared to other groups, however, the neck, back, drumstick, wing, and heart were not affected. The inclusion of 2% cinnamon (T2) and 1% ginger (T4) in the diet, significantly enhanced the color, texture, flavor, juiciness, and overall acceptability of the meat, compared to the diet of the control group. Adding a supplement of 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to the diet of broiler chickens significantly decreased the percentage of total saturated fatty acid and increased the total unsaturated fatty acid (breast and thigh). The improvement in fatty acid composition is beneficial for the quality of the broiler meat. Based on these findings, it is recommended to supplement the diet of the broiler with either 2% cinnamon or 1% ginger powder to improve the carcass parameters and quality of the meat.

NETWORK PERSPECTIVE: BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION

In 2010 Freeman suggested that "the globalization of scientific and engineering knowledge is the most potent aspect of modern globalization". International research collaboration is an activity that is widely pushed globally, at the level of research institutes and universities. Academic world is increasingly interconnected, fostering such international partnerships that represents the globalization of science from the scientific collaboration perspective. These collaborations extend beyond sharing resources. Main goal of those activities is exchanging ideas, cultures, and visions to address complex global challenges. It is evident that from partnering with institutions and researchers worldwide, National Agricultural and Food Centre (NPPC) can be exposed to diverse pools of knowledge and expertise that significantly enhance the academic quality and reputation of our NPPC. This global exchange of ideas leads to more innovative, comprehensive, and impactful research outcomes. Additionally, as the institute's reputation improves, the research centre will attract more funding, students and talented researchers, achieve globalization, creating a cycle of excellence and improvement. In conclusion, the importance and benefits of international co-research agreements are multiple and profound. Collaboration's activities are pivotal in enhancing academic quality, broadening research horizons, preparing young researcher for global challenges, addressing international issues and policy makers, and fostering cultural understanding and global networks. In the second Editorial article of 2024, I am going to introduce the contents of the articles collected and published in the second issue of 2024 year. Atteh reviewed the effects of fiber on nutrition and reproduction in pigs. Author concluded that the reduction of dietary fiber's hemicellulose in a sow's lactation diet can improve the low-birth-weight piglets' health, post-weaning performance and milk composition. While exogenous enzymes and the extrusion of fibrous feedstuffs enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilisation, other processing methods, including fermentation and extrusion, decreased the dietary fiber components and had a beneficial impact on the performance of the pigs. Agro-industrial residues have enormous potential to improve reproductive efficiency and serving as an economically viable dietary fiber feeding strategy in the pig industry. Awodoyin et al. investigated the dietary supplementation of coffee arabica seed powder on performance and meat quality of broiler chicken. Authors ended up that low pathogenic gut microorganisms and total volatile nitrogen base coupled with high sensory acceptability of meat confirm the antioxidant potential of black coffee in broiler chicken diet. Ngige et al. performed a study aimed at screening the internal and external bacteria found in farmed Nile tilapia and African Catfish. According to microbiological investigation, the presence of the microorganisms, some of which are pathogens (Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca) to humans, is an indication that undercooked fish may pose health risks to susceptible human and an impediment to the rapid intensification of aquaculture because of mortality of fingerings. Busanello reviewed the most common traffic systems in barns for lactating dairy cows milked in automatic milking systems. The study describes the advantages and disadvantages of free, milk-first and feed-first traffic and the differences between forced and guided cow traffic designs. Some research data are also shown to emphasize the theoretical concepts included in this document. Author concluded that guided traffic designs emerge as the most efficient, milking more cows throughout the day while reducing the need to fetch cows and overall labour. When operating at full cow capacity, guided cow traffic designs are recommended. Sudik conducted a study with the aim to determine the nutritional composition of roselle seed cake (Hibiscus sabdarica L.) and its effect on broiler chickens. Author concluded that roselle seed cake is rich in proteins and energy and it can be included up to 50 % in the diet of broilers without negative effects on growth rate and carcass performance. Rajsky et al. described the flexible duodenal monocannula of the National Agricultural and Food Centre design for the determination of intestinal nutrient digestibility in cattle. The innovativeness of the technical design of the NPPC cannula lies in the fact that the cannula is made of one piece of a straight tube with an inner diameter of 22 mm. As a result, the life of cannulated animals can be extended without age limitation. Editorial Team looks forward to evaluating your submitted contributions and providing all necessary support to Authors in order to best serve animal science and the scientific community, with commitment to research integrity and the highest publishing ethics. Enjoy reading!

PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKEN FED GRADED LEVELS OF BLACK COFFEE SEED (COFFEE ARABICA) POWDER SUPPLEMENTED DIET

Oxidative degradation is a deleterious condition that affects quality of meat, thereby poses a threat to poultry industry. However, this can be mitigated through feeding with antioxidants, therefore the need for inclusion of high antioxidant compound, such as coffee, in poultry diet. One-day old Ross 308 chicks (n = 200; r = 5) were randomly allotted to four diets containing black coffee seed powder (BCSP): 0.0 g/kg; 1.25 g/kg; 2.50 g/kg and 3.75 g/kg. Birds were fed ad libitum with free access to water for 6 weeks. Total weight gain (TWG) (g/b), total feed intake (TFI) (g), feed conversion ratio (FCR), haematology, oxidative markers, gut microbiology (x105cfu/mL) of birds, sensory characteristics (9-point hedonic scale) and total volatile nitrogen base (TVB-N) (mg/100 g) of broiler meats were assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at P = 0.05. No significant differences in TWG (1873.12 − 1927.58) and FCR (1.55 − 1.71) were observed. However, TFI at 3.75 g/kg of BCSP (3216) was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than at 0 g/kg (3090), 1.25 g/kg 2967 and 2.50 g/kg of BCSP (3072) in the bird diet. Haemoglobin (12.60) at 1.25 g/kg BCSP was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than at 0 g/kg BCSP (10.83), but similar to the groups of 2.50 g/kg (10.97) and 3.75 g/kg (12.13) BCSP in the diet. Creatinine (0.97mg/dL) in the 1.25 g/kg BCSP group was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those in the 0 g/kg (0.68 mg/dL) and 3.75 g/kg (0.60 mg/dL) groups but similar to the 2.50 g/kg group (0.88 mg/dL). No significant differences in almost all the oxidative markers were recorded. Gut microbiology showed that heterophilic (11.60), Coliform (8.30) and E.coli (13.70) contents in the 0/kg BCSP group were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those in the 1.25 g/kg group (9.00, 5.58 and 4.48), the 2.50 g/kg group (3.55, 1.83 and 1.28) and 3.75 g/kg group (3.30, 0.53 and 0.25) for heterophilic, coliform and E. coli respectively. Lactobacillus in the 3.75 g/kg group (7.53) was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than that in the 2.50 g/kg (5.63), the 1.25 g/kg (5.70) and 0 g/kg (1.58) groups. With the increase of BCSP inclusion, the TVB-N decreased; aroma and taste of BCSP meat were best and well accepted. Low pathogenic gut microorganisms and total volatile nitrogen base coupled with high sensory acceptability of meat confirm the antioxidant potential of black coffee in broiler chicken diet.

Formic acid as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets: effects on growth, carcass characteristics, blood chemistry, and intestinal microbial load

This study explored the ability of formic acid (FA) to replace antibiotics in broiler chicken diets. It examined how FA affected the chickens' growth, carcass characteristics, blood chemistry, and gut bacteria. The experiment randomly assigned 300 one-day-old (Ross 308) broiler chicks to 5 groups, each divided into 6 replicates with 10 unsexed chicks. The following were the treatments: 1st group, negative control (NC): only received a basal diet; 2nd group, positive control (PC): received a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 grams of Colistin antibiotic per kilogram of diet; 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups (FA2, FA4, and FA6) these groups received a basal diet along with formic acid added at increasing levels: 2, 4, and 6 Cm3 per kilogram of diet, respectively. Results found no significant differences in live body weight (LBW) or body weight gain (BWG) between treatment groups, except for LBW at one week and BWG at 0 to 1 and 4 to 5 wk of age. No significant variations were found in feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatment groups, excluding FI and FCR at 1 to 2 wk of age. The treatments significantly impacted carcass traits, dressing percentage, breast meat, thigh meat, spleen, giblets, blood levels of urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin, and albumin, as well as the activity of enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in chicks fed different diets compared to control groups. The addition of FA to the diet significantly impacted antioxidant levels. Also, the FA2 group had the highest total bacterial count (TBC). However, the FA6 group was the opposite; it had the lowest levels of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Coliform. Supplementing broiler diets with formic acid improves blood parameters, antioxidant activity, and gut bacteria counts, with 4.0 cm³ formic acid/kg diet supplementation promoting optimal broiler health and product quality.

The effects of incorporating dried cashew apple in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut health

A total of two hundred and ten one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were utilized in this study to investigate the effects of incorporating Dried Cashew Apples (DCA) in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut health. The birds were weighed and randomly allotted to seven treatment groups with three replicates, each having 10 birds. The experimental design was a (2 X 3) + 1 augmented factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Diet D1 (control diet) was a maize-soybean meal-based; diets D2, D3, and D4 comprised 10, 20, and 30% DCA without exogenous enzyme supplementation, whereas diets D5, D6, and D7 included 10, 20, and 30% DCA treated with exogenous enzyme. Data were collected on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut morphology. Collected data were analyzed using SAS (2002) and separation of means was done using Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests of the same statistical software. The difference was set at p &lt; 0.05. The study found that birds fed diets containing 10% DCA, with or without enzyme supplementation (D2 and D5), had a significantly higher Average Daily Gain (ADG) compared to those fed the control diet (D1). The ADG of birds fed diets D3 and D6 was similar to that of birds fed the control diet (D1). However, a significant decrease in ADG was observed as the dietary inclusion level of DCA increased to 30%, as seen in birds offered diets D4 and D7. In addition, a significant linear rise (p &lt; 0.05) in Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) was seen when DCA was included in the diet. In addition, birds that were given diets containing DCA showed significantly higher nutrient digestibility (p &lt; 0.05) compared to birds that were given the control diet (D1), except for birds that were given a diet containing 30% DCA without enzyme supplementation (D4), which showed significantly lower nutrient digestibility (p &lt; 0.05) compared to birds that were given the control diet (D1). Ultimately, birds that were given meals containing DCA exhibited a significant enhancement in GIT development compared to birds on the control diet. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that including DCA in the diet of broiler chickens at a level of up to 20% does not have any detrimental effects on their performance.

Dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn meal alone and in combination with bilberry leaves: assessment of growth performance, health status and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens

Abstract This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of sea buckthorn meal alone and in combination with bilberry leaves on growth performance, health status and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of 90 healthy 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups and housed in digestibility cages under controlled environmental conditions. The dietary treatments included a basal diet (T0), a basal diet +1% sea buckthorn meal (T1) and a basal diet + 1% sea buckthorn meal and bilberry leaves (T2). The results showed that experimental diets did not influenced the growth performance. At 42 d, T2 had the highest serum iron level among the three groups. Compared to T0, T1 and T2 significantly reduced Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli and staphylococci in the cecal and intestinal contents and improved the lactobacilli populations number. The most effective way to reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the cecal content was through the diet that contained sea buckthorn meal alone. In conclusion, adding sea buckthorn meal in the diet of broiler chickens can be an effective solution to promote a healthy gut microflora. This aligns with the current strategy of reducing agro-industrial food waste by repurposing it in other industries.

Dried crickets (Gryllus sigillatus) or black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal for broiler chickens: nutrient composition and digestibility

Abstract This study explores the potential of cricket meal and black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as alternative protein sources in broiler chicken diets. With the use of the substitution method, using diatomaceous earth as an external marker, we investigated the nutrient availability and apparent metabilizeable energy content of oven-dried full-fat cricket meal (OD-CM), freeze-dried full-fat cricket meal (FD-CM), and defatted BSFLM in a feeding trial involving 320 Ross 308 broilers housed in 32 pens (8 replicates / treatment; 8 birds / pen). Feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were measured between days 15 and 21. Excreta collected on days 19, 20, and 21 were analyzed for nutrient content. Both cricket treatments were high in crude protein. Additionally, FD-CM demonstrated the highest fat content, surpassing OD-CM. OD-CM displayed a significantly higher apparent digestibility coefficient for crude protein compared to BSFLM (). FD-CM had the highest apparent digestibility coefficient for gross energy (). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy of OD-CM and FD-CM were significantly higher than that of BSFLM (). Furthermore, OD-CM exhibited a significantly higher available crude protein content compared to BSFLM and FD-CM (). This research sheds light on the potential of OD-CM and FD-CM as valuable alternative protein sources for broiler chickens, providing critical insights for the poultry industry’s sustainable future. This research is important as the apparent digestibility coefficients, as well as available nutrients calculated for the three ingredients may be used to accurately formulate poultry diets on an available nutrient basis.

Partial substitution of soybean meal with microalgae meal (Arthrospira spp. – Spirulina) in grower and finisher diets for broiler chickens: implications on performance parameters, footpad dermatitis occurrence, breast meat quality traits, amino acid digestibility and plasma metabolomics profile

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with microalgae meal (MM; Arthrospira spp.) during grower and finisher phases on productive performance, footpad dermatitis (FPD) occurrence, breast meat quality, amino acid digestibility and plasma metabolomics profile of broiler chickens. One thousand day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into 5 experimental groups (8 replicates, 25 birds/each): CON, fed a commercial soybean-based diet throughout the trial (0-41 d); F3 and F6, fed the CON diet up to 28 d of age and then a finisher diet (29-41 d) with either 30 or 60 g MM/kg, respectively; and GF3 and GF6, receiving CON diet until 14 d and then diets containing 30 or 60 g MM/kg from 15 to 41 d, respectively. All diets were iso-energetic and with a similar amino acid profile. Growth performances were recorded on a pen basis at the end of each feeding phase and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was determined at 41 d. Footpad dermatitis occurrence was assessed on all processed birds, while breast and plasma samples were collected for meat quality and metabolomics analysis (proton nuclear magnetic resonance - 1H-NMR). At 41 d, CON group showed higher body weight than F6 and GF6 ones (2,541 vs. 2,412 vs. 2,384 g, respectively; P < 0.05). Overall, GF6 group exhibited the highest feed conversion ratio, while F3 did not present significant differences compared to CON (1.785 vs. 1.810 vs. 1.934 g feed/g gain, respectively for CON, F3 and GF6; P < 0.01). The occurrence and the risk of developing FPD were similar among groups. MM administration increased breast meat yellowness and reduced amino acid digestibility (P < 0.001). The 1H-NMR analysis revealed variations in the levels of some circulating metabolites, including histidine, arginine and creatine, which play important metabolic roles. Overall, these findings can contribute to expand the knowledge about the use of Arthrospira spp. as protein source in broiler diets.

Fermented Products Enriched with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Broiler Chicken Nutrition and Fat Quality of Produced Meat

Broiler chicken meat is the preferred meat among the human population. Broiler meat contains high-quality protein and a low-fat content, alongside a desirable fatty acid profile. A frequent problem in human nutrition is an insufficient PUFA intake in the diet. One possible strategy to increase the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in humans is to produce, and thereby enrich, broiler chicken meat with sufficient amounts of essential PUFA. A method to increase the proportion of essential fatty acids in chicken meat is by changing the fatty acid composition of the feed. Feed production via solid-state fermentation using lower filamentous fungi can be used to prepare valuable feed from cereal by-products enriched with important PUFA and pigments and can thus be included as a suitable feed ingredient in the diet of chickens. From previously published studies, it can be concluded that the application of 3–10% of the prepared fermented products to the diet of broiler chickens increased the proportion of essential fatty acids in the fat of the chicken meat and had a beneficial effect on the growth parameters of chickens.

Effects of the Addition of Trichoderma reesei Cellulase to Broiler Chicken Diets for a 21-Day Period.

The cellulose present in the cell wall of vegetables prevents the greater release of nutrients to the animal. Therefore, the use of the cellulase enzyme is a viable strategy as it is capable of breaking cellulose bonds, releasing nutrients such as glucose, increasing dietary energy, and thus improving the productive performance of birds. Trichoderma reesei is efficient in the production of cellulase, which is produced via submerged fermentation followed by purification, formulation, and drying. Therefore, an experiment was carried out using 240 male broilers of the Cobb-500® lineage to verify the effects resulting from the addition of powdered (500 g/t and 1000 g/t) and liquid (500 mL/t) cellulase over a period of 1 to 21 days. A completely randomized experimental design was used, consisting of four treatments with six replications and ten birds per replication that were housed in an experimental cage. It was observed that performance and digestibility results were significantly different with cellulase supplementation. Also, the relative weight of the large intestine in the period between one and seven days increased when cellulase was added at 1000 g/t. In the period of between eight and 14 days of life, the birds that consumed only the basal diet obtained higher levels of liver protein than those that received the treatments with the addition of the enzyme. However, 15 and 21 days, the consumed feed effect did not occur between thus, it is not conclusive whether hepatotoxicity occurs with the addition of cellulase. For the blood parameters, at 21 days, the diets with added cellulase were not significantly different regarding electrolytes. It was concluded that this cellulase produced by Trichoderma reesei can be included in the animals' diet.