Chick Growth Research Articles

Effects of genotype and Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, blood profiles, and breast meat quality of chickens

In this study, we investigated the effects of genotype and Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) supplementation on the growth, carcass traits, blood profiles, and breast meat quality of chickens. The study lasted for 18 weeks and involved 360 unsexed day-old chicks divided into nine groups with 40 chicks each, replicated four times with 10 chicks per replication. The genotypes studied were Naked-neck * Tetra H, Normal-feathered * Tetra H, crosses and Tetra H * Tetra H, while the diets included a standard commercial ration (C), Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) at 1 g/kg (C+1), and Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) at 2 g/kg (C+2). Results showed that both diet and genotype influenced growth performance indicators like final body weight, body weight change, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio, particularly during the grower and entire phases. When compared to the control diet, the Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) chicks supplemented at 1 g/kg showed better performances. The genotypes also affected dressing percentage, breast, thigh, keel bone, and gizzard components, with higher values found in the Naked-neck by Tetra H cross. The supplemented chicken group exhibited an improvement in the dressing percentage and breast muscle in comparison to the control. Blood parameters were also significantly influenced (P < 0.01) by genotype, diet, and their interaction. Supplementation significantly (P < 0.01) increased protein levels while reducing the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Incorporating Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) at a rate of 1 g/kg into the diet of chickens brought a significant improvement in the protein content, and a reduction in the fat content, of their breast muscles. In general, the study indicates that adding up to 2 g/kg of Phytolacca dodecandra (endod) to chicken feed enhances growth performance traits, carcass traits, blood profiles, and breast muscle protein levels, without any negative consequences.

Nutritional synergy: optimizing growth in Siruvidai chicken via diverse dietary energy and protein strategies and gene expression analysis - brooder phase.

Nutrient supply regulates overall body growth directly or indirectly through its influence on regulatory factors optimizing nutrient requirements becomes crucial before embarking on genetic improvements. Hence this study addresses this gap by evaluating the effect of feeding varying energy and crude protein levels on growth performance and gene expression related to the growth of indigenous Siruvidai chicken from 0 to 12 weeks. A 360-day-old straight-run Siruvidai chick were randomly distributed into six experimental groups with three replicates of each 20 chicks. The birds were fed corn-soy-based diets formulated with two levels of energy (2500 and 2700kcal ME/kg) each with three levels of crude protein (16, 18, and 20%) during the brooder stage (0-12 weeks) in 2 × 3 factorial design. Results revealed that there was no significant effect on the energy and protein interaction levels on average feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in Siruvidai chicken at 12 weeks. The results showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed intake in 18% protein fed groups and significantly (P < 0.01) lower feed intake in higher energy 2700kcal ME/kg fed groups. A better feed conversion ratio (4.06 and 4.21) was observed on the effect of protein levels in bird diets with 18% and 20% protein fed groups. The Growth Hormone (GH) and Myostatin (MSTN) gene expression were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in 16% CP and 2500kcal ME/kg in hepatic tissue. The high protein and low energy diet up-regulated the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) gene expression in hepatic tissue. The study concluded that Siruvidai chicken fed with 18% crude protein and 2500kcal ME/kg is optimum for 0-12 weeks of age.

The effects of Artemisia annua nutritional supplementation at varying concentrations on broiler growth, economic yield, and gene expression levels of certain antioxidant, inflammatory, and immune genes.

Artemisia annua (AA), used as a growth promoter in poultry, lowers feed costs and enhances economic efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying AA concentrations on broiler chicken growth, gene expression, and profitability. Two hundred 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each containing five replicates and 10 birds. The experimental groups consisted of G1 (basal diet), G2 (basal diet with 0.3% AA), G3 (basal diet with 0.6% AA), and G4 (basal diet with 0.9% AA). The birds had continuous access to feed and water throughout the study. The experiment lasted for 42 days. We measured the growth performance (Feed intake, Life weight), carcass traits (weight after slaughter, dressed carcass, heart, gizzard, spleen, giblet and thymus weight), liver and spleen antioxidants (CAT, GSH, SOD), and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and immune- related genes. The primary findings revealed that the addition of 0.6% AA had a positive impact (p < 0.05) on all investigated variables compared with the control and other groups. Dietary supplementation with 0.6% AA led to increased breast, giblet, skeleton, and total yield, and net return compared with the control group. Supplementation with AA exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects through improved levels of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in tissue homogenates of the liver and spleen. It also upregulated the relative messenger RNA levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, whereas IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were downregulated. The study found that AA is a promising replacement for antibiotics in poultry farming as a growth promoter for chickens. 0.6% AA in the broiler diet yielded the best results, striking a balance between superior performance and robust economic benefits.

Silymarin effectively prevents and treats Eimeria tenella infection in chicks

Silymarin, a botanical medicine derived from milk thistle seeds and is known to improve chicken growth and gut health when added to the feed. However, its role in the prevention and treatment of chicken coccidiosis remains unclear. This study investigated the efficacy of various doses of silymarin in preventing and treating Eimeria tenella infection in chicks. A total of 180 one-day-old specific pathogen-free chicks were randomized into six groups of 30 chicks each, no treatment (NC group); E. tenella infection (CC group); diclazuril medication during d 14 to 21 and E. tenella infection (DC group); and three groups infected with E. tenella and administered low, medium, or high doses of silymarin during d 12 to 21. All groups except NC were infected with E. tenella on d 14, with indicators observed on d 21. The growth performance was higher in the silymarin treated groups than that in the CC group, and the oocyst count per gram of manure, blood stool, and cecal lesion scores decreased. The medium-dose silymarin group exhibited the best treatment effect. Additionally, the silymarin groups displayed improved histological, morphology, and intestinal barrier integrity. The amounts of proinflammatory factors and harmful bacteria in the cecum were also reduced. Additionally, the activity of serum and cecal antioxidant enzymes, as well as the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota, increased in the cecum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that silymarin can prevent and treat E. tenella infections. These data provide a scientific and conceptual basis for the development of a botanical dietary supplement from silymarin for the treatment and control of coccidiosis in chicks.

Bacteroidales reduces growth rate through serum metabolites and cytokines in Chinese Ningdu yellow chickens

Increasing evidence has indicated that the gut microbiome plays an important role in chicken growth traits. However, the cecal microbial taxa associated with the growth rates of the Chinese Ningdu yellow chickens are unknown. In this study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to identify cecal bacterial species associated with the growth rate of the Chinese Ningdu yellow chickens. We found that nine cecal bacterial species differed significantly between high and low growth rate chickens, including three species (Succinatimonas hippei, Phocaeicola massiliensis, and Parabacteroides sp. ZJ-118) that were significantly enriched in high growth rate chickens. We identified six Bacteroidales that were significantly enriched in low growth rate chickens, including Barnesiella sp. An22, Barnesiella sp. ET7, and Bacteroidales bacterium which were key biomarkers in differentiating high and low growth rate chickens and were associated with alterations in the functional taxa of the cecal microbiome. Untargeted serum metabolome analysis revealed that 8 metabolites showing distinct enrichment patterns between high and low growth rate chickens, including triacetate lactone and N-acetyl-a-neuraminic acid, which were at higher concentrations in low growth rate chickens and were positively and significantly correlated with Barnesiella sp. An22, Barnesiella sp. ET7, and Bacteroidales bacterium. Furthermore, the results suggest that serum cytokines, such as IL-5, may reduce growth rate and are related to changes in serum metabolites and gut microbes (e.g., Barnesiella sp. An22 and Barnesiella sp. ET7). These results provide important insights into the effects of the cecal microbiome, serum metabolism and cytokines in Ningdu yellow chickens.

Study of the &lt;i&gt;Quercus cortex&lt;/i&gt; extract combined effect with an enzyme supplement on hematological blood parameters and broilers chicken growth

The use of phytobiotics with other feed additives in agriculture may be useful for improving animal health and productivity, but further research is needed, to consider other combinations of feed additive sharing and to determine the recommended dose to increase the productivity of laying hens and broilers. In this regard, the work considers the combined effect of oak (Quercus cortex) bark extract and enzyme additive on hematological blood parameters and growth of broiler chickens. As a result of the experiment, it was found that the absolute increase in chickens of experimental group compared to the control was 10.94%. The level of total protein on day 21 in the BD+E+QC group was increased by 19.16% (p ≤ 0.05), albumin by 18.87% (p≤0.05), urea by 21.05% (p ≤ 0.05), glucose by 25.25% (p ≤ 0.05). On day 42, there was an increase in total protein by 4.01% (p ≤ 0.05), albumin by 8.31% (p≤0.05) and urea by 9.37% (p≤0.05) in the group BD+E+QC compared to BD. Analysis of mineral metabolism showed an increase in magnesium content in the BD+E+QC group by 24.5%, in calcium – 18.6%, and in phosphorus – 22.0%. The use of this diet didn’t have a negative effect on growth, morphological and biochemical blood parameters and contributed to the improvement of many indicators. From the above, it follows that the use of phytobiotics and enzyme additive can lead to a synergistic effect and a beneficial effect on farm animals.

Effect of apple pomace degraded by Pleurotus ostreatus on growth and meat quality parameters of broiler chickens

The objective of this work was to compare the growth and physicochemical parameters of the meat of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus), fed with a supplemented diet (SD) consisting of 3% pleurotin, compared to those obtained when using a traditional diet (CD). Pleurotin is the remaining material from the biodegradation of substrates such as apple pomace used to cultivate the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus. The experience lasted 48 days and in the first eight days, the birds were divided into two groups of 24 individuals, one group for each treatment. On day 12, each initial group was subdivided into four experimental units (replicates) of 6 chickens each. The growth parameters measured were total weight gain (TWG), final live weight (FLW), carcass weight (CW), average daily gain (ADG) in weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Physicochemical parameters such as pH, water content (WC), CIE color, total fat (TF), and fatty acid composition (FAC) were also measured. Statistical analysis was carried out through the t-Student independent samples test. FLW was on average 7.6% significantly higher with SD than with CD, however, no difference was detected in CW. The total ADG was 7.4%, significantly higher with SD while the FCR was 32.0% lower with SD than with CD. No significant differences were found in any of the meat quality parameters measured for the same piece. Despite these latest results in terms of meat quality, it is concluded that the increase found in total ADG and FLW, and an improvement in FCR values with SD favor the use of this amendment in chicken rearing. In addition, the introduction of the by-product of the juice industries of the Río Negro Valley in other production cycles, such as edible mushrooms production and a supplement for bird diets (pleurotin), promotes a circular bioeconomic mechanism.

Dietary Replacement of Soybean Meal with Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Meal on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters, and Nutrient Utilization in Broiler Chickens.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed meal (ZBM), a novel plant protein raw material, has shown promising potential in enhancing the growth of broiler chickens as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in feed. In the artificial digestive experiment of vitro experiments, the digestibility of ZBM and SBM were assessed using the SDS-III Single Stomach Animal Biometric Digestion System. Subsequently, 180 1-day old AA chicks were divided into three groups for in vivo experiments: corn-soybean-meal-based diet (CON group); ZBM replacing 5% soybean meal in the basal diet (ZBM-1 group); ZBM replacing 10% soybean meal in the basal diet (ZBM-2 group). The experiment period lasted for 42 days. Compared to SBM, ZBM demonstrated higher crude protein content, dry matter digestibility, and extracorporeal digestible protein. Compared with the CON group, the broilers in the ZBM-2 group showed improved ADG and ADFI during the 1-21 d, 22-42 d, and 1-42 d periods (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ZBM groups exhibited significant increases in slaughter performance compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). The substitution of ZBM for SBM also leads to a significant reduction in serum enzyme indicators (p < 0.05). Additionally, the lipoprotein and total cholesterol of the ZBM groups were significantly lower than those of the CON group (p < 0.05). Substituting SBM with ZBM significantly enhances the activity of superoxide dismutase and the content of immunoglobulin G in broiler serum, while reducing the content of malondildehyde (p < 0.05). The ZBM groups showed significantly higher utilization of dry matter, crude protein, and energy compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the study confirmed that the substitution of SBM with 5-10% ZBM in broiler diets has a significant positive effect on growth, development, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and nutrient utilization. This study not only provides a theoretical foundation for the utilization of ZBM in broiler diets but also offers an effective approach for reducing reliance on soybean meal.

Immunopotentiating effect of lentinan on chicks and its inhibitory effect on Marek's disease virus infection

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a significant tumorigenic virus that causes severe immunosuppression in chickens. Lentinan (LNT) is an immunomodulator containing β-glucans and is widely used in areas such as antiviral, anticancer, and immune regulation. To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of LNT on specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks and its potential to inhibit MDV infection, we conducted an MDV challenge experiment and observed the immune-enhancing effect of LNT on SPF chicks. The results showed that LNT promoted the growth and development of SPF chicks and induced the upregulation of cytokines such as Mx protein, interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The specific gravity of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and their ratios were also significantly upregulated. Prophylactic use of LNT inhibited MDV replication in lymphocytes, liver, and spleen. It also alleviated MDV-induced weight loss and hepatosplenomegaly in SPF chicks. The present study confirms that LNT can enhance the levels of innate and cellular immunity in SPF chicks and contributes to the inhibition of MDV replication in vivo and mitigation of immune organ damage in chicks due to MDV infection. This provides an adjunctive measure for better control of MDV infection.

Transforming Poultry Farming: A Pyramid Vision Transformer Approach for Accurate Chicken Counting in Smart Farm Environments.

Smart farm environments, equipped with cutting-edge technology, require proficient techniques for managing poultry. This research investigates automated chicken counting, an essential part of optimizing livestock conditions. By integrating artificial intelligence and computer vision, it introduces a transformer-based chicken-counting model to overcome challenges to precise counting, such as lighting changes, occlusions, cluttered backgrounds, continual chicken growth, and camera distortions. The model includes a pyramid vision transformer backbone and a multi-scale regression head to predict precise density maps of the crowded chicken enclosure. The customized loss function incorporates curriculum loss, allowing the model to learn progressively, and adapts to diverse challenges posed by varying densities, scales, and appearances. The proposed annotated dataset includes data on various lighting conditions, chicken sizes, densities, and placements. Augmentation strategies enhanced the dataset with brightness, contrast, shadow, blur, occlusion, cropping, and scaling variations. Evaluating the model on the proposed dataset indicated its robustness, with a validation mean absolute error of 27.8, a root mean squared error of 40.9, and a test average accuracy of 96.9%. A comparison with the few-shot object counting model SAFECount demonstrated the model's superior accuracy and resilience. The transformer-based approach was 7.7% more accurate than SAFECount. It demonstrated robustness in response to different challenges that may affect counting and offered a comprehensive and effective solution for automated chicken counting in smart farm environments.

Characterization of circRNA expression profiles associated with non-Mendelian inheritance in feather growth of chickens

ABSTRACT 1. Non-coding RNAs, such as miRNAs, play a crucial role in chicken feather growth rate. However, circular RNA (circRNA) expression profiles in fast- and slow-feathering chickens that follow and do not follow Mendelian inheritance are unclear. 2. The circRNA expression profiles was analysed by RNA sequencing of hair follicles of slow-feathering chickens that follow genetic rules and fast-feathering chickens that did not follow genetic rules. Differentially expressed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was then constructed and the key factors and regulation mechanisms controlling feather growth rate were identified. 3. The results revealed that 67 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in hens, including 22 up-regulated and 45 down-regulated circRNAs in non-Mendelian inheritance-mediated fast-feathering hens compared with Mendelian inheritance-mediated slow-feathering hens. In addition, 16 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs were identified in cockerels, including nine up-regulated and seven down-regulated circRNAs in non-Mendelian inheritance-mediated fast- compared with Mendelian inheritance-mediated slow-feathering cocks. Moreover, circRNA-mediated ceRNA regulation of hair follicle formation was particularly abundant in the Jak-STAT, Wnt and Toll-like receptor signalling pathways. Furthermore, circABI3BP was seen to be a crucial circRNA in regulating feather growth rate, by binding with gga-miR-1649-5p to regulate SSTR2 expression. 4. In conclusion, this study analysed circRNA expression profiles in fast- and slow-feathering chickens that follow and do not follow Mendelian inheritance, which laid the foundation for understanding the role of circRNA in chicken feather growth rate.

Effects of high dietary inclusion of Arthrospira platensis, either extruded or supplemented with a super-dosing multi-enzyme mixture, on broiler growth performance and major meat quality parameters

BackgroundThis investigation assessed the effects of high dietary inclusion of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on broiler chicken growth performance, meat quality and nutritional attributes. For this, 120 male broiler chicks were housed in 40 battery brooders (three birds per brooder). Initially, for 14 days, a standard corn and soybean meal diet was administered. Subsequently, from days 14 to 35, chicks were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments (n = 10 per treatment): (1) control diet (CTR); (2) diet with 15% Spirulina (SP); (3) diet with 15% extruded Spirulina (SPE); and (4) diet with 15% Spirulina plus a super-dosing enzymes supplement (0.20% pancreatin extract and 0.01% lysozyme) (SPM).ResultsThroughout the experimental period, both SP and SPM diets resulted in decreased final body weight and body weight gain compared to control (p < 0.001), with the SPE diet showing comparable results to CTR. The SPE diet prompted an increase in average daily feed intake (p = 0.026). However, all microalga treatments increased the feed conversion ratio compared to CTR. Dietary inclusion of Spirulina notably increased intestinal content viscosity (p < 0.010), which was mitigated by the SPM diet. Spirulina supplementation led to lower pH levels in breast meat 24 h post-mortem and heightened the b* colour value in both breast and thigh meats (p < 0.010). Furthermore, Spirulina contributed to an increased accumulation of total carotenoids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA), while diminishing n-6 PUFA, thus altering the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA ratios favourably (p < 0.001). However, it also reduced zinc concentration in breast meat (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings indicate that high Spirulina levels in broiler diets impair growth due to increased intestinal viscosity, and that extrusion pre-treatment mitigates this effect. Despite reducing digesta viscosity, a super-dosing enzyme mix did not improve growth. Data also indicates that Spirulina enriches meat with antioxidants and n-3 PUFA but reduces α-tocopherol and increases saturated fats. Reduced zinc content in meat suggests the need for Spirulina biofortification to maintain its nutritional value.

Dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris in broiler chickens submitted to heat-stress: effects on growth performance and meat quality

Heat stress can greatly challenge growth and meat quality of broiler chickens where research is looking for sustainable ingredients, such as microalgae, that could also alleviate its negative impacts. Thus, in the present study, 576 1-D-old chicks (Ross 308) were housed until commercial slaughtering (42 D) in 36 pens in 2 rooms of a poultry house, according to a full factorial design encompassing 2 room temperatures (standard vs. high), 2 sexes (females vs. males), and 3 dietary treatments, that is, diet C0 (control diet), diet C3, and diet C6 containing 0, 3, and 6%, respectively, of C. vulgaris meal replacing the same quantities of soybean meal. The highest inclusion level of C. vulgaris decreased feed intake (P < 0.001) and body weight (P < 0.0001) compared to the control diet; it increased yellow and red indexes (P < 0.0001) of the breast muscle, besides the proportion of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P = 0.028). Heat stress decreased feed intake (P = 0.001), breast (P = 0.001) and p. major yields (P = 0.036), and increased meat pH (P= 0.008) and cooking losses (P < 0.001), umami (P = 0.021) and brothy flavor (P < 0.001), and the proportion of n3 PUFA rates (P = 0.027), while reducing the contents of several amino acids in the breast meat (P ≤ 0.05). Compared to females, males displayed higher feed intake and growth, and more favorable feed conversion (P < 0.001). Carcass and p. major yields were greater in females (P < 0.001) which also showed a higher occurrence of spaghetti meat compared to males (P < 0.001). In conclusion, C. vulgaris can be used to replace until 3% of soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens without negative implications, while positively affecting breast meat color according to consumers' preferences. However, the microalgae inclusion did not mitigate the negative effects of a chronic heat stress on growth performance nor reduced the occurrence of any myopathies.

Boldness predicts foraging behaviour, habitat use and chick growth in a central place marine predator

Animal personality can shape individual’s fitness. Yet, the mechanistic relationship by which individual’s personality traits lead to variations in fitness remains largely underexplored. Here, we used novel object tests to measure boldness of chick-provisioning Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) from a coastal colony off west Portugal, and deployed GPS loggers to study their at-sea behaviour and distribution. We then tested whether boldness predicts individual differences in adult’s trophic ecology and variations in chick growth, to assess potential implications of personality-specific foraging behaviours. Foraging effort was higher for shyer than for bolder individuals, which, during short forays, exhibited larger foraging ranges, and foraged in regions of higher and more variable bathymetry. This suggests that nearby the colony bolder individuals expanded their foraging area to maximize resource acquisition and increase the probability of foraging success. When endeavouring to longer distances, bolder individuals exhibited comparably shorter foraging ranges and targeted low bathymetry regions, likely with enhanced prey availability, while shyer individuals exhibited much larger foraging ranges indicating greater flexibility when foraging in oceanic realms. Despite such differences between bolder and shyer individuals their isotopic niches were similar. Yet, chicks raised by bolder parents grew at a faster rate than those raised by shyer parents. Together, our results suggest that differences in resource acquisition strategies could play a key role through which individual’s boldness may influence breeding performance, even when individuals have similar isotopic preferences.

Herbal Nutrients as Phytobiotics: Its Response to Hematology and Serum Profile Analysis of Sasso Chicken

This study evaluates the effect of different formulated herbal nutrients as phytobiotics on the hematology and serum analysis of Sasso broilers. The objectives of the study are to determine the growth of Sasso chicken to its serum and hematology analysis as affected by the different phytobiotics and to determine the hematology and serum profile analysis of Sasso chicken in response to different phytobiotics. The study found that the different formulated herbal nutrients as phytobiotics had significant effects on the hematology and serum profile analysis of Sasso chicken. Specifically, the study determined the hematology biochemical analysis of Sasso chicken in terms of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), MCV, MCH and MCHC, and the serum profile analysis of Sasso chicken in terms of Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Creatinine, Urea, Glucose, Cholesterol and Salt. The study concludes that the different formulated herbal nutrients as phytobiotics have the potential to improve the health and performance of Sasso broilers.

Effect of dietary Arthrospira platensis phycocyanin on broiler chicken growth performance, physiological status, fatty and amino acid profiles.

Natural antioxidants are crucial for preserving and enhancing the health, survival, reproduction, and reproductive function of poultry. Phycocyanin (PC) is a natural blue food colorant with various health benefits. The aim of this study was to extract Arthrospira platensis phycocyanin (ApPC) from A. platensis using simple and economical methods and investigate the impact of phytocyanin supplementation on the performance and fatty and amino acid profiles of broiler chicks. PC was extracted from A. platensis by freezing and thawing, and optimization conditions such as pH and temperature were applied during storage periods. A total of 270 1-week-old Ross breed broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the following three treatment groups: basal diet supplemented with 0 mg of PC/kg diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 1 g PC/kg diet (T1), and basal diet supplemented with 2 g PC/kg (T2). In a completely randomized design, three cage replicates (30 birds each) were assigned to each of the three groups. The dietary effects of ApPC on growth performance (body weight gain [BWG], body weight [BW], feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum constituents, and antioxidant indices) in broiler chickens, free amino acids, and fatty acids in muscles were evaluated. Total BWG and BW increased without a significant effect on the total feed consumption. Serum levels of total proteins and albumin increased with increasing ApPC supplementation. In addition, globulin levels significantly increased. There was a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol levels among the treatments. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity) is significantly increased. In contrast, an increase in ApPC caused a significant decrease in malondialdehyde. The content and quantity of fatty acids and amino acids in the meat of broiler chicks supplemented with PC varies. The addition of PC to broiler chicken diets enhances antioxidant activities, BW, BWG, and meets quality requirements.

Usability of Hemp Plant in Poultry Nutrition

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual plant with 2n=20 chromosomes, one-year, C3 group, cultivated for its long and strong fibers and seeds. It is a plant that should be cultivated in a controlled manner due to the presence of THC in its natural structure. Producers who avoid control and monitoring have turned to alternative products instead of hemp farming. Countries that cultivate cannabis in large areas; France, China, and Canada. Some countries are updating their cannabis-related laws and making efforts to increase hemp acreage. It is known that hemp farming has been practiced in Anatolia since 1500 BC. Various products such as hemp seeds, hemp pulp, hemp oil have been used in various studies in poultry feeding studies, while no negative results have been encountered, but various positive results have been suggested and their use is recommended. It is of great importance to investigate the effects of cannabidiols, which have strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunostimulant effects, as they are expected to support the immune system in poultry, especially broilers. Some of the studies in which hemp products are used in poultry nutrition are as follows; Addition of hemp meal to laying hen diets has been reported to make no significant difference in egg production, feed consumption, feed utilization, body weight gain or egg quality, but results in lower palmitic acid concentrations and higher Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) concentrations, which are healthier for human consumption. Hemp seeds and hemp oil used in chicken rations caused an increase in the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content and color intensity of egg yolks, but no adverse effects were observed on the sensory profiles of cooked eggs. Addition of cannabis meal to fast growing broiler diets did not affect performance or mortality, and no effect on the number of Clostridium perfringens in the cecum was reported. Hemp seeds have a remarkable effect on the growth of broiler chicks and can help reduce feed expenditures for broiler rearing. In this paper, the use and usability of the hemp plant, whose production areas are expanding rapidly, in poultry will be examined.

Effects of Supplementation with Different Nutrient Contents of Vitamin E Diets on the Performance and Health Status of IPB-D3 Candidate Chicken Strains

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with 200 ppm vitamin E in a diet with different nutrient contents on the performance and health status of the IPD-D3 candidate chicken strain. This research used 160 IPB-D3 chickens that were reared for 5 to 12 weeks. This experiment used a completely randomized factorial design with 4 treatments and 4 replications. P0 = control diet, P1 = control diet minus 3% ME and 3% PK, P2 = P0 + vitamin E 200 ppm, P3 = P1+ vitamin E 200 ppm. The data were analysed using ANOVA with an interaction’s significant difference test. The results showed that there was an interaction effect between supplementation with 200 ppm vitamin E and different nutrient contents on feed consumption (P&lt;0.05). Supplementation of vitamin E (200 ppm) in the control diet according to Cobb’s recommendation gave the highest feed consumption. A decrease in the metabolizable energy (90,50 kcal kg-1) and crude protein (7.2%) of the diet (P1) significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05) the final body weight, body weight gain and feed efficiency. Supplementation with 200 ppm vitamin E significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased the leukocyte count. In conclusion, reducing the metabolic energy and protein content of the diet reduced chicken growth by 10.40% and feed efficiency by 7.24%. Supplementation of vitamin E in the diet has a good effect on immunity and reduces leukocytes. According to the Cobb broiler standard (2018), the IPB-D3 chicken strain still responds to a diet that contains nutrients supplemented with 200 ppm vitamin E, which results in good performance and production

Responses of Broiler Chickens Under Dexamethasone-Induced Stress with or Without Seleno Methionine and Vitamin E Supplementation

Heat stress poses a significant threat to the health and productivity of both humans and animals, with modern commercial broilers being particularly susceptible. This study explored the physiological responses of broiler chickens under chronic heat stress conditions with antioxidant supplementation. A total of 135 unsexed Arbor acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: control, dexamethasone (DEX) only, and dexamethasone with selenomethionine and vitamin E supplementation (DEX+SeMet+Vit.E) and replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The birds were exposed to daily doses of dexamethasone for 14 days. Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) measurements revealed severe heat stress in the afternoons, impacting (p&lt;0.05) respiratory rates and body temperatures. Supplementation with selenomethionine and vitamin E improved (p&lt;0.05) body temperature of the broiler chickens. DEX significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected all growth performance indices (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio), despite antioxidant supplementation. SeMet and Vitamin E showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) positive effect on leukocytes in spite of DEX administration. Intestinal morphometry revealed negative effects on villi area, perimeter, and width due to dexamethasone. It was concluded that dexamethasone influenced thermoregulation, growth, blood and intestinal indices in broiler chickens, with antioxidant supplementation with SeMet and Vitamin E partially ameliorating these effects.

Lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics improves growth, antioxidants status, immunity, and intestinal bacteria in broiler chickens during the fattening period

Lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics improves growth, antioxidants status, immunity, and intestinal bacteria in broiler chickens during the fattening period