Excreta Moisture Research Articles

Studies on semduramicin and nutritional responses: 3. Electrolyte balance

Four experiments were conducted to determine whether fluctuations in dietary electrolyte level (milliequivalents Na+K-Cl per kilogram) or different dietary sodium chloride levels would affect performance, water intake, or excreta moisture of chickens fed semduramicin vs nonmedicated controls. In all experiments, male commercial broiler chicks were used, and all diets were fed with and without 25 mg semduramicin/kg diet. The basal diets were based on corn, soybean meal, and poultry oil. Experiments 1, 3, and 4 were conducted using male broiler chicks in battery brooders to 18 d of age. In Experiment 1, six electrolyte levels were fed [basal (0.2% Na, 0.33% Cl, 1.10% K); basal plus 0.1% Na (from sodium chloride); basal plus 0.1% K (from potassium chloride); basal plus 0.2% Na (from sodium carbonate); basal plus 0.34% K (from potassium chloride); basal plus 0.15% Cl (from ammonium chloride)]. There were no significant changes in BW gain, feed consumption, or feed conversion ratio caused by any dietary treatment. Water consumption was not affected by the inclusion of Na, Cl, K, or electrolyte levels, but excreta moisture was affected. The highest and lowest excreta moisture levels came from chicks fed the lowest chloride levels. There were no significant dietary effects on serum Na, Cl, or K by dietary electrolytes or semduramicin. Experiment 2 was conducted with triplicate floor pens of 33 male broilers each for 42 d with four electrolyte levels [basal (0.2% Na, 0.34% Cl, 1.03% K); basal plus 0.1% Na (from sodium carbonate); basal plus 0.1% Cl (from ammonium chloride); basal plus 0.18% K (from potassium carbonate)]. Increasing electrolyte level had a significant effect on BW gain at 35 d but not at 42 d [mainly because of differences in K (1.943 kg at 35 d) vs Cl (2.013 kg at 35 d)]. At 42 d, there were no differences in growth because of N, K, Cl, or semduramicin. Potassium supplementation caused a significant increase in litter moisture (P = 0.031). Semduramicin did not affect litter moisture (P = 0.892), nor were there significant semduramicin interactions with Na, K, Cl, or semduramicin. The basal diets in Experiments 3 and 4 were identical to the basal diet in Experiment 1 except there was no sodium chloride added. The diets fed in Experiment 3 contained 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4% added sodium chloride. The diets fed in Experiment 4 contained 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9% added sodium chloride. The results of Experiments 3 and 4 show that about 0.4% added sodium chloride is necessary to achieve maximum growth and feed conversion. It is clear that semduramicin had no significant effect upon the variation observed in any of the variables measured.

Effects of enzyme supplementation of barley-based diets on hen performance and egg quality

The effects of commercial enzyme supplementation of barley-based diets on hen performance and egg quality were studied in four experiments each using 120 laying hens kept in cages. Egg production, egg weight, food consumption, body weight, egg quality and excreta moisture content were measured over an 8 week period in Experiments 1 and 2, and over 12 weeks in Experiments 3 and 4. Egg production was not affected by barley level or dietary enzyme supplementation in any of the four experiments. Hens fed high barley diets (Experiments 3 and 4) lost weight, whereas egg weight was not affected. Commercial enzyme preparations did not enhance performance of hens fed diets containing up to 35% barley. When these preparations were added to a 40% or 50% barleybased diet, hen performance was comparable to that with a 10% barley diet. Albumen or shell quality were not significantly affected by dietary treatments based on barley with or without enzyme supplementation. However, yolk color was reduced when hens were fed on diets containing 40 or 50% barley (Experiments 3 and 4). With enzyme supplementation, barley can provide up to 50% of practical diets for laying hens, with no major effect on performance.

The Effect of Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum) in Combination with Different Sources and Forms of Calcium Carbonate on Acid-Base Balance and Eggshell Quality

Two experiments were conducted to determine the maximum level of gypsum (calcium sulfate) that can be used safely in the laying ration. Diets containing supplemental calcium as gypsum, pulverized limestone, oyster shell, and various combinations of these were used in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the effect of a combination of gypsum and calcium chips (particulated form of limestone) was also studied.Egg production performance was not adversely affected when gypsum supplied up to two-thirds of the supplemental calcium regardless of the calcium sources used to provide the remaining one-third. Egg production and body weight gain were reduced when gypsum supplied all the supplemental calcium. Excreta moisture, shell quality, blood indicators of acid-base balance (pH, HCO–3 and base excess), and calcium retention were reduced with increased levels of gypsum substituted for pulverized limestone. The adverse effect on shell quality of supplying up to two-thirds of the calcium as gypsum was alleviated when the remaining part was provided by oyster shell but not when it was provided by calcium chips. The data suggest that the beneficial effect of oyster shell as compared with calcium chips in alleviating the adverse effect of gypsum on shell quality was due to its higher solubility and larger proportion of larger particles. The results indicate that gypsum can be used safely in laying hen rations to supply up to two-thirds of the supplemental calcium provided that the remaining part is supplied by oyster shell.

Effects of dietary calcium, available phosphorus and vitamin d on growth rate, food utilisation, plasma and bone constituents and calcium and phosphorus retention of commercial broiler strains

1. The effects of different dietary concentrations of calcium (Ca), available phosphorus (AP) and vitamin D (D) on 5- to 16-day growth performance, and aspects of calcium and phosphorus (P) metabolism of chickens from three commercial strains were studied in two experiments. 2. Increasing dietary Ca reduced weight gain, tibia Ca and P content and increased plasma total Ca, Ca consumption and excretion, whilst dietary Ca at 32 g/kg increased tibia Ca:P ratio, plasma ionized calcium and reduced plasma P, tibia ash, P excretion, excreta moisture and Ca retention. 3. Increasing dietary AP reduced plasma total and ionized Ca and excreta moisture and increased P consumption and excretion, plasma P and tibia ash. 4. The addition of vitamin D increased plasma total and ionized Ca, tibia Ca:P ratio and reduced plasma sodium and P concentrations. 5. Strains differed in their tibia contents of Ca and Ca:P ratios, in response to Ca, AP and vitamin D diets whilst they differed in Ca excretion and excreta moisture caused by feeding either dietary Ca or AP. 6. It was concluded that dietary Ca, AP, vitamin D and strain of broiler chickens influenced the metabolism of Ca and P and that, as a consequence, the tolerance to high dietary Ca. A lean strain of chickens tolerated high dietary calcium better than its fat counterparts.

Tolerance to Ground Sesbania macrocarpa Seed by Broiler Chicks and White Leghorn Hens

Two 21-day experiments using day-old male broiler chicks and a 28-day experiment using 35-wk-old White Leghorn hens were conducted to determine the deleterious effects of ground Sesbania macrocarpa seed in the diet. Seed levels of 0, . 10, .25, .50, and 1% were used in both experiments, with a 2% level of inclusion added to Experiment 2. The hens were fed diets containing 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7% seed. In each experiment, four replicate pens of 8 chicks or of 5 hens received each treatment diet.In both chick studies, a seed inclusion of 1% caused a significant reduction in body weight at 21 days of age. Total feed intake was significantly lowered by the inclusion of 1% seed in the first study and by 2% seed in the second study. Feed efficiency, excreta moisture, and mortality were not affected by dietary level of seed in either trial. Seed inclusion at 3% or more depressed the daily feed consumption of the hens; at 6% seed inclusion, egg production was reduced. Egg weight, egg specific gravity, mortality, and body weight change were not affected by treatment.Grains containing sufficient S. macrocarpa seed to produce finished feed with 1 or 3% seed would appear to be detrimental to broiler growth and feed intake by hens, respectively. The blending of such grains with uncontaminated stock could be a possible method of utilizing the contaminated grain.

Effects of dietary calcium:available phosphorus ratio on calcium tolerance of broiler chickens

The effects of dietary levels of available phosphorus (AP) on calcium (Ca) tolerance of growing chickens were investigated in 3 experiments. In the first experiment, increasing dietary Ca to 21.2 g/kg with AP at 5 g/kg significantly reduced tibia P, plasma P and increased plasma total Ca concentration without any significant effect on performance. With dietary Ca at 25.7 g/kg and AP at 5 g/kg, growth and plasma P were reduced and plasma total Ca was increased, whilst Ca at 30 g/kg diet reduced growth, plasma P, tibia P and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) and plasma total Ca. Increasing dietary AP to 10 g/kg diet with Ca level at 10.6 g/kg reduced growth and increased FCR without affecting any of the other parameters. Experiment 2 was a 3-dimensional composite design with a central basal diet having Ca and AP concentrations of 12.7 and 4.6 g/kg, The first dimension was 4 dietary concentrations of Ca from 15 to 30 g/kg; the second dimension was 4 dietary concentrations of AP from 6.3 to 12.4 g/kg; and the third dimension was 4 dietary Ca : AP combinations spanning the above ranges but with the Ca: AP ratio maintained at approximately 2.5 (i.e. 15.8 and 6.3; 20.5 and 8.2; 25.5 and 10.2; 30 and 12.1 g/kg for Ca and AP, respectively). A dietary Ca concentration of 25.4 g/kg increased FCR, whilst 30 g Ca/kg reduced growth and increased FCR. Dietary AP of 12.4 g/kg reduced growth and increased FCR. Growth and FCR were less affected when dietary Ca:AP ratio was kept constant at approximately 2.5 than when the ratio was altered by increasing either mineral alone. This relationship was used to develop a linear regression relationship between chicken growth and dietary Ca: AP ratio. In experiment 3, the effects of excessive dietary levels of Ca (12.7, 25.5 and 33.1 g/kg) and AP (9 and 13 g/kg) were investigated in sexed chickens in a factorial design. Ca at 33.1 g/kg significantly reduced growth, tibia P and plasma P, whilst FCR, plasma total Ca and excreta moisture were significantly increased. Dietary Ca at 25.5 g/kg reduced tibia P and increased excreta Ca. High dietary AP significantly reduced growth and tibia Ca and increased tibia ash, excreta moisture and excreta Ca. Significant interactions between dietary levels of Ca and AP were found for growth, tibia ash, excreta moisture and excreta Ca, and for tibia P and plasma total Ca. Significant interactions between sex and either dietary Ca or AP for tibia ash were found. A Ca x sex interaction was found for tibia P, excreta moisture and excreta P. It was concluded that high dietary levels of Ca (up to 21.2 g/kg) can be tolerated by growing chickens without any significant effect on performance, providing the corresponding level of AP is also high.

Effect of Dietary Calcium Levels near the Time of Sexual Maturity on Water Intake and Excreta Moisture Content

Three trials were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary calcium on water balance of leghorn pullets. Trial 1 involved introduction of a 4% calcium layer diet at 112, 123, 134, or 144 days of age. Introducing the layer diet early had an early but transitory effect on water intake (P<.05) and absolute quantity of excreta moisture, although the pattern of percentage excreta moisture was not clearly defined. In a second trial, birds were moved to laying cages at 105 days, with diet change from 1 to 4% calcium occurring at 112 or 142 days. When the layer diet was offered at 112 days, percentage excreta moisture was higher from 113 to 142 days, although no difference was seen after this time. In a final experiment, introduction of a 4% calcium layer diet at either 112 or 133 days of age resulted in higher percentage excreta moisture at four measurement periods to 245 days of age, although this effect was significant only at 147 days (P<.05).These results suggest there is a transitory effect of dietary calcium on water intake and excreta moisture content. This affect may be of concern within controlled environment buildings and with certain manure-handling systems. In commercial situations, such dietary changes are often confounded with increased dietary protein concentration, another factor known to influence water balance in pullets.

Relationship of Calcium to Wet Droppings in Laying Hens

The influence of dietary calcium (Ca) on the occurrence of wet droppings was determined in hens fed various levels of dietary Ca ranging from .05 to 3.76% for 3 to 12 days. Feed and water consumption, total excreta; and percent moisture of excreta were determined at various intervals.Hens fed control diets (3.0 and 3.76% Ca) excreted well-formed and fairly dry appearing excreta. Hens fed diets with lower Ca excreted wet and loosely formed excreta within 3 days. Although the excreta of hens fed the lowest Ca appeared as a pool of water in the collectors, excreta moisture was not always significantly greater than that of the control excreta. Hens fed diets containing the lower Ca consumed less feed and water than hens fed the control diets. Upon necropsy, large pockets of water were observed in the gastrointestinal tract of hens fed the .08% Ca diet but not in control hens.This previously unidentified sign (watery excreta) of Ca-deficient hens may explain some of the cause of wet droppings observed in commercial Leghorns. It should also help alert producers to a possible cause of thin-shell problems produced by accidental short-term interruption of Ca.

Influence of Rye and Dietary Salt Level on Water and Sodium Metabolism in Intact and Colostomized Roosters

A study of water and Na metabolism was conducted with 24 roosters fed diets based on either corn or rye with two levels (.4 and 1.0%) of added salt. A diet containing water-extracted rye and a diet based on corn with a freeze-dried water extract of rye added at a level of 12% were also used in the study. Measurements were made on intact and colostomized roosters. In intact roosters dry matter metabolizability was depressed when rye diets were compared with corn diets. Measurements in feces from colostromized roosters fed rye as compared to those fed corn indicated that moisture, viscosity, and water holding capacity were increased and that bulk density was decreased. Diet salt level did not influence the responses regarding these parameters, but water extraction of rye completely alleviated the effects of rye on dry matter metabolizability and viscosity and partially reduced the influence of rye on fecal moisture while not altering the responses regarding water holding capacity or bulk density of feces. With the exception of feces moisture, the water extract of rye had no influence regarding these parameters. Roosters fed rye in comparison to those fed corn showed increases in water intake and excreta moisture content and decreases in urine sodium concentrations and plasma clearance of sodium. The response to rye regarding these latter parameters was dependent on diet salt level. The data indicated a reduced availability of sodium at the cellular level in rye-fed birds, which was manifest in a difference in route of excretion of sodium such that urine was the major route in corn-fed birds and feces was the major route for birds fed rye. The dietary fiber content of rye appeared to be a major factor in rye influencing sodium availability.