Live Weight Of Broilers Research Articles

Efficacy of Star Gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus L.) Feed Additive on the Performance of Broilers with Serum Biochemical Profile

A study was done to find out how star gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus L.) Fruit juice affected commercial broiler live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass quality, and lipid profiles. A total of 210day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were divided into five dietary treatment groups. The collected data were analyzed by using ANOVA with SPSS version 25. These groups were T0 (control diet), T1 (5 ml/L in water), T2 (7 ml/L in water), T3 (9 ml/L in water), T4 (11 ml/kg in feed), T5 (13 ml/kg in feed), and T6 (15 ml/kg in feed).The T5 group consumed the most feed overall (2829.15±19.85 g), while the T0 group consumed the least feed overall (2767.25±17.55 g). At 5 weeks of age, the T5 group had the highest body weight (2193.3315.18g), followed by the T6 group (2146.00±17.51g), T2 (2088.00±11.15g), T1 (2031.33±20.12 g), and T0 (1871.67± 13.02g), all in that order. The FCR was discovered to be lowest in T5 (1.31) and greatest in T0 (1.51), whereas the FCR of T1, T2, T3, T4, and T6 was 1.41, 1.38, 1.36, 1.35, and 1.32, respectively. The amount of star gooseberry juice has a big impact on the meat's quality. However, there were alterations that were significant (P <0.05) in the carcass weight, breast meat, drumstick meat, wing, shank weight, gizzard, head, liver, lung, skin, thigh bone, and drumstick bone. Only abdominal fat (P > 0.05) was not significant. However, there were significant (P<0.05) changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. According to the findings, star gooseberry juice can be utilized as a cost-efficient and effective natural feed addition at a rate of 13 ml per kilogram of feed to enhance the broiler chicken's overall performance.

The Role of Supplementing a Complex Phytobiotic Feed Additive Containing (Castanea sativa mill) Extract in Combination with Calcium Butyrate, Zinc-Methionine and Essential Oils on Growth Indicators, Blood Profile and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of application and effectiveness of the use of vegetable feed additives from complex phytobiotic feed additives (CPFA) in the diets of broiler chickens, as well as their effects on growth indicators, carcass characters and blood profile. A total of 258 Ross 308 chicks were divided into six dietary regimens, including: a basal diet without additives as a first control group (CON); the second group received a basal diet supplemented with 200 g/t in the starter phase and 100 g/t in the grower and finisher phase; the third group-400 g/t and 200 g/t; the fourth group-600 g/t and 300 g/t; the fifth group-800 g/t and 400 g/t; and the sixth group-1000 g/t and 500 g/t of a complex phytobiotic supplement based on tannins, respectively. The CPFA contains the following: tannins 36.8-55.2%, eugenol 0.4-0.6%, cinnamon aldehyde 0.8-1.2%, zinc-methionine 1.6-2.4%, calcium butyrate 8-12%, silicon dioxide 1.2-1.8% and dextrose up to 100%. The maximum introduction of phytobiotics (1000 g/t) at 7 days of age leads to a decrease in the live weight of broilers which reduced by 8.27% (p < 0.05) compared to the minimum level of phytobiotics (200 g/t). From 15-21 days, the live weight was significant between the supplemented and control groups and represented 396.21, 384.81 and 384.16 vs. 316.91 g for the CPFA 4, CPFA 5, CPFA 1 and control group, respectively. Furthermore, the same trend was recorded in the average daily gain during the periods between 15-21 and 22-28 days of the experiment. Feeding CPFA had a positive effect on the carcass indicators, except for the feeding of CPFA 3 in the amount of 600 g/t in the starter phase and 300 g/t in the grower and finish phases, which recorded the lowest weight in relation to the CPFA 1 and 2 groups and represented 1309.58 vs. 1460.06 and 1456.52 g, respectively, and the difference was significant. The inclusion of CPFA in poultry diets contributed to an increase in lung mass in the experimental groups relative to the control group, except for the CPFA 5 group which represented the lowest weight of lung mass (6.51 g) and the differences were significant between the CPFA 2 and CPFA 3 and the control groups. The highest concentration of leukocytes was observed during the experiment period in the group of poultry receiving phytobiotics (CPFA 3), which significantly exceeded the control group by 2.37 × 109/L. A significant decrease in the level of cholesterol was recorded in the CPFA groups when compared to the control group and represented 2.83 vs. 3.55 mmol/L, respectively. Consequently, the introduction of vegetable feed additives from complex phytobiotic feed additives (CPFA) in the diets of Ross 308 chicks had a positive effect on the growth production, the carcass yield, the mass of the pectoral muscles and the mass of the lungs. Moreover, it did not cause a harmful effect on the biochemical parameters of the blood.

The effect of natural feed additive on productive performance of broiler chickens

The effect of natural feed additive on productive performance of broiler chickens

PSVII-8 Influence of different levels of metabolic energy on morpho-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken

Abstract The problem of using high-energy diets for early maturing bird crosses is insufficient enrichment of diets, both qualitative and quantitative, with microelements. The aim of the study was to study the effect of different levels of metabolic energy (ME) of diet on productivity and morpho-biochemical parameters of broiler chickens of the Arbor Aсres cross. 3 groups with different content of ME were formed (n = 30). The control group contained 12.61 MJ / kg DM, treatment I - 13.3 MJ / kg DM, treatment II - 14.7 MJ / kg DM. So, live weight of broilers from the II experimental group was higher by 59.9% after the third week of the registration period relative to the control group, and by 18.8% (P ≤ 0.001) compared with I experimental group. At the end of registration period, broilers of II group were superior to the control and I experimental groups by 27.2% and 17.5% (p≤0.01), respectively. At the same time, in the group with the maximum OE content (group II), the level of leukocytes decreased by 9.2%, and the amount of hemoglobin increased by 6.6% compared to the control. By the end of the experiment (35 days), the activity of serum transamylases decreases in experimental groups I and II: ALT activity by 39.2% and 16.7% (P ≤ 0.05); AST by 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively, compared with the control. Thus, the content of main macronutrients of blood serum in animals with the maximum level of MA of the diet (group II) decreases: Fe by 4.95%, Mg by 3.42%, P by 16.7% (P ≤ 0.05) relative to control. Thus, an increase in metabolic energy in the diet of broiler chickens has a positive effect on productivity, causing a decrease in the content of macronutrients in blood serum. The research was carried out with financial support from RSF (20-16-00078).

The content of T-2 and HT-2 mycotoxins in feed and their infl uence on the digestibility of nutrients in broilers

The purpose of the research was to study the content of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in feed and their eff ect on the digestibility of feed nutrients in broilers. The paper provides unique information on the contamination of the feed in the Russian Federation with T-2 and HT-2 toxins. The studies have beene performed using the most objective laboratory method of high-performance chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry on modern equipment. New knowledge has been obtained about changes in the activity of digestive enzymes in the intestine and blood plasma in meat chickens when they consume feed with different levels of T-2 and HT-2 contamination with toxins. The presence of T-2 toxin at a dose of 1073±53,7 mcg/kg (exceeding the MAC by 10 times) and HT-2 toxin in the feed affects the digestive processes and the digestibility of feed nutrients in meat chickens. The infl uence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins on the digestibility of dry matter of feed, protein, and fat by meat chickens has been determined. The presence of mycotoxins in the feed did not affect the average live weight of broilers. Broiler chickens that consumed feed with mycotoxins lagged behind in growth by 3,8 %, and those who received a feed additive with contaminated feed by 2,7 % from the control group. The use of the feed additive Mycofix Plus 5,0 for the inactivation of mycotoxins in an amount of 1 kg/t when the feed was contaminated with 173 mcg/mg of T-2 and HT-2 toxins was rational and contributed to the improvement of the digestibility and use of feed nutrients by broilers and consequently their productivity.

The joint use of enzyme drugs and lecithin in the rearing of broiler chickens

The reliability of the results obtained in scientific and economic experiments on the study of the effectiveness of the use of various feed components, including biologically active substances in the rearing of broilers needs to be confi rmed in production conditions. The purpose of the research was to study the joint use of enzyme drugs and lecithin in the rearing of broiler chickens. The results of production experiment on the study of the effectiveness of the joint inclusion of enzyme drugs Sunzyme and Sunfyse 5000 as well as lecithin in the diet of broiler chickens of the cross Ross-308 have been presented in the article. Production tests have been carried out under the conditions of the breeding farm “Achkhoy– Martanovsky” in the Chechen Republic. The duration of the experiment was 45 days. For research on the principle of analog groups two groups have been formed: a control group and an experimental group of 1000 heads in each. The broilers of the control group have been fed compound feed prepared in accordance with the growing period and consisting mainly of grain components of local production. The broilers of the experimental group have been fed the same compound feed, but with the addition of two enzyme drugs Sanzyme and Sanfyse 5000 (100 g/t of feed) as well as lecithin (10 g/kg of feed). The results of the production experiment fully confi rmed the data obtained in the scientific and economic experiment. The positive effect of the joint use of the studied enzyme drugs and lecithin has been manifested in all the studied productive traits. In particular, the increase in live weight of broilers increased by 12,1 %, slaughter yield by 3,5 %, the yield of carcasses of the 1st category by 3,0 %. The main economic indicators also found their confirmation: feed consumption per unit of growth decreased by 11,7 %, additional profit was received in the amount of 27308,2 rubles, the level of profitability of broiler rearing increased by 18,4 %.

Meat qualities of cross cobb-500 broilers grown with the use of the antioxidant dihydroquercetin

The Research is devoted to the study of the effect of the biologically active additive “Dihydroquercetin” in the compound feed on the indicators of meat productivity of broiler chickens. The results show that the increase in live weight of chickens that received dihydroquercetin in addition to the main ration was ahead of their control peers by 11,91-32,78 %. During the 40-day period of growing broilers, in the experimental groups with the addition of dihydroquercetin, they had a live weight of 15,22-50,51% more. From the beginning of fattening to the age of 40 days, the absolute and average daily growth rates showed a steady upward trend, then there was a decrease in the growth rate of chickens. The greatest effectiveness of the drug was noted at the beginning of the experiment, which indicates a positive corrective effect of the antioxidant on metabolism and an increase in the level of assimilation processes in the body of broilers. Up to 10 days of age, the chickens of the experimental groups receiving dihydroquercetin had higher relative growth rates, which obviously characterizes their better adaptation to the conditions of the experiment. The magnitude and nature of changes in the relative increase in live weight of broilers with longer cultivation up to 60 days of age indicate its inexpediency-even when using the drug dihydroquercetin, due to the unprofitability of its further use, and the lack of recoupment of costs for the purchase. In general, the higher studied indicators during the experiment were observed in broiler chickens of the III-IV experimental groups, the best result was shown in the group of birds receiving dihydroquercetin Supplement at the level of 1 g/100 g of feed, which allows us to consider it optimal.

Livestock indicators of broiler chickens rearing when use in feeding of sweet chestnut wood extract

The intensifi cation of modern industrial poultry farming as the most progressive and dynamically developing branch of agriculture aimed at raising productivity and increasing production volumes, inevitably leads to numerous problems related to poultry health. One of the most common ways to solve this problem is to use antibacterial drugs. The results of scientifi c and economic experiment on the use of the phytobiotic additive “Farmatan VSO (Butitan)” in feeding broiler chickens of cross Cobb-500 have been provided in the article. The inclusion in the poultry diet of the phytobiotic “Farmatan VSO (Butitan)” in the amount for compound feed Start 800 g/t, Growth and Finish – 400 g/t leads to increase in the live weight of broilers by 3,0 % compared to the control group. At the same time the average daily gain of live weight in the 4th experimental group was 73 g, which was by 2,8 % more than in the control group. The use of phytobiotic additives in the feeding of broiler chickens contributes to the highest livability of poultry (98,1 %). It has been found that the best indicators for feed expenditures have been noted in the 3rd and 4th experimental groups 1,47 and 1,48 kg, which were 3,3 and 2,6 % lower than in the control group. Thus, the authors have found that the highest live weight, average daily gain, livability and lowest expenditures of feed per unit of production diff ered in broiler chickens of 4th experimental group where in the compound feed antibiotic Flavomycin has been replaced on phytobiotic feed additive “Farmatan VSO (Butican)” in the compound feed Start 800 g/t, Growth and Finish- 400 g/t. Production testing of the use of “Farmatan VSO (Butitan)” has shown the high eff ectiveness of phytobiotics as a mean of replacing the feed antibiotic and improving the livestock indicators of broiler chickens rearing.

Influence of protein-mineral feed additive from marine aquatic organisms on growth intensity and nonspecific resistance of broiler chickens under different microclimate conditions

The conducted research was aimed at determination of the impact produced by feeding protein and mineral feed additive produced out of the primary processing aquatic organisms wastes: sea mussels, red algae as well as of the sea water upon the productivity and non-specific resistance of broiler chickens raised in conditions of the normative and non-normative characteristics of the broiler house microclimate. The feed additive was applied to 20–42 day broiler chickens of “Ross 308” cross. The studied broilers were clinically healthy. Throughout the entire experiment, a series of the sanitary and hygienic microclimate parameters were determined, such as temperature, humidity, rate of changes as well as bacterial contamination of air, content of ammonia and carbon dioxide in air, and illumination of the broiler house. The house temperature was measured every day with the aid of a common spirit-in glass thermometer. Air humidity was established with the aid of an August psychrometer, air draft speed, harmful gas concentrations and illumination indicators were measured in compliance with the generally accepted methods. Bacterial contamination was determined with the use of the method of microorganism precipitation on a solid breeding ground placed in Petri dishes followed by a count of the bacterial colonies per 1 m3. The blood analysis included determination of haemoglobin, erythrocytes and leukocytes. In the blood serum, the lysozyme activity (LABS) and bactericidal activity (BABS) were determined. It was established that enriching the basic ration with the protein and mineral additive in quantity of 7 % in addition to the feed mass under conditions of the normative microclimate produced a positive effect on the growth intensity, livability and non-specific resistance indices of the broiler chickens. Thus, the live weight of broilers was reliably greater by 4.7 % and the livability equalled 100 %. The haemoglobin content was reliably greater by 7.6 %, erythrocytes – by 11.5 %, BABS – by 34.5 % and LABS – by 35.9 % as compared with the control group of broiler chickens. At the same time, when the studied feed additive was fed to broiler chickens kept in the microclimate conditions that did not meet the normative requirements, the reliable difference to the control indices was not established. Hence, the research results have proved that application of the protein and mineral feed additive is effective under the optimal microclimate conditions. High figures of livability and growth intensity of broiler chickens are based on a high resistance which is being formed provided the optimal microclimate and application of feed additives have been provided.

Industry 3.5 to empower smart production for poultry farming and an empirical study for broiler live weight prediction

Emerging countries and traditional industries may not be ready for direct migration of Industry 4.0. In particular, the broiler is a major source for meat, while poultry farming in emerging countries is mainly by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or family businesses. The live broilers need to maintain the desired specification for food processing while optimizing the feeding conversion rate for revenue management. Conventionally, broiler growth monitoring and prediction rely on farmers’ experience and a small amount of data by unrigorous sampling. Although the automatic weighing system (AWS) has gradually been employed to replace manual weighing to reduce cost and casualties, existing automatic weighing systems have limited capability for weight monitoring and weight prediction of broiler future growth. To fill the gaps, this study aims to employ Industry 3.5 as a hybrid and develop a data-driven framework for weight monitoring and prediction to support smart production for poultry farming for revenue optimization. The proposed framework contains two modules. The weight monitoring integrates Gaussian Mixture Model, bootstrapping resampling, and weighted mean technique to estimate the current weight of live broilers in the farm via big data including electronic signals collected from the farms via multiple sensors and devices. The weight prediction module employs mathematical growth functions as a basis and daily feedback for adjustment to provide real-time weight prediction to support related decisions for smart production. An empirical study was conducted in Taiwan. The results have shown the practical viability of this approach. The developed solution is implemented in the broiler industry.

Естественная инкубация яиц высокопродуктивных мясных кроссов кур

Abstract. The article presents study outcomes of the natural egg incubation of the high-productive meat cross Cobb 500 under brood hens of the Bantam breed, as well as indicators of the subsequent offspring growth. The purpose of research is to obtain data on the success of natural egg incubation and the subsequent offspring growth of meat cross-breeding of chickens to determine the practicability of studying the parameters of natural incubation with modern technical means, to identify the most important parameters of natural incubation and to develop new temperature conditions for artificial incubation. Method of research. The research was conducted in 2019 on the basis of the hatchery “Galichya Gora” of the FSBEI of Higher education “Voronezh State University”. The brood hens were kept in laboratory conditions in separate coops. Each of the 3 brood hens was laid with 4 eggs of the Cobb 500 cross from one batch. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that the results of natural incubation and the indicators of subsequent offspring growth were studied for meat cross of chickens, to which natural incubation was not previously applied. Video monitoring of the incubation process has allowed to establish a significant motion activity of the brood hens during the incubation process. Results. As a result of the study, it was found that the decrease in egg mass during the incubation period is 12.1 ± 0.20 %, the average weight of the chicken from the initial mass of the incubation egg is 71.2 ± 0.34 %. The offspring was evaluated at 9.8 points according to the Pasgar©Score system. On the 40th day, the live weight of broilers was 2471 ± 19.4 g. Based on the study, it was concluded that natural brooding provides high incubation rates and offspring quality of high-productive meat cross Cobb 500. The practicability of studying the parameters of natural incubation of meat cross eggs with modern technical means is established.

The use of whole wheat grain in feeding of broiler chickens

An experiment has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of growing broiler chickens when whole wheat grain has been included in the compound feed. The purpose of the research was to develop an appropriate scheme and dose for feeding whole wheat grain depending on the age of broilers, while observing the normative content of metabolic energy and nutrients in the diets, and to determine the economic effectiveness of rearing of broilers. To determine the effectiveness, data on live weight, growth rate, livability, uniformity of broiler population by live weight and variability of live weight of chickens have been studied. In the course of the work, the livability, average daily gain, feed conversion, homogeneity and variability coefficients, and the productivity index have been calculated. An increase in the live weight of broilers, as well as the rate of growth in pre-slaughter age when using whole grains in poultry diets, as well as a decrease in feed consumption per unit of live weight gain has been revealed. In conclusion, the economic effectiveness of broiler meat production has determined when whole grain has been included in diets. The use of whole wheat grain as an additive to the main diet in broiler feeding allowed to increase profits and increase the level of profitability. It has been found as a result of research that it is advisable to add whole wheat grain to the main diet for broilers at the age of 8–14 days in an amount of 5 % of the feed weight, at the age of 15–21 days – 15 %, at the age of 22–28 days – 20 %, at the age of 21–29 days – 30 % of grain without reducing the overall nutritional value of the diet.

The use of alternative feed protein from Musca domestica larvae in poultry

The results of numerous studies indicate that the biomass of Musca domestica larvae has great potential for use as a feed protein in animal husbandry. However, the issues of increasing the content of raw protein and improving the amino acid composition in the biomass of larvae remain open and require additional research. In addition, the study of the infl uence of such protein on the physiological and productive performance of broiler chickens has of scientifi c and practical interest. The purpose of the work was to develop a method for obtaining an alternative feed protein with an increased content of raw protein and improved amino acid composition. The larvae of Musca domestica have been used as a biological object of research, and chicken droppings have been used as a substrate. In order to conduct research a special insectarium has been equipped, in which the air temperature has been maintained at a stable level of 28–30 °C and a relative humidity of 60–70 %. Insects havebeen kept in special stationary cages. As a result of research, it has been found that the concentration of selenium and cobalt 15 mg/kg in the substrate is optimal for obtaining an alternative feed protein with an increased protein content and improved amino acid composition. The infl uence of microelements in the substrate composition on the chemical composition of the biomass of Musca domestica larvae has been revealed. The dynamics of the amino acid composition of the larval biomass has been studied using the proposed substrate. It has been found that the maximum content of many of the studied amino acids in comparison with the control was achieved after 48 hours of cultivation of larvae on the substrate with the addition of Se 15 mg/kg + Co 15 mg/kg. The maximum amount of lysine, phenylalanine, leucine+isoleucine, tyrosine was achieved after 48 hours, and histidine, valine, threonine, serine after 72 hours of cultivation. In addition, it has been found that the maximum concentration of raw protein was 61,72 % after 72 hours of cultivation. It has been found that the use of alternative feed protein from Musca domestica larvae in the feeding of cross Cobb 500 broiler chickens contributes to the improvement of physiological and productive parameters of the poultry. The revealed reduction in unit costs and increase in the gain of live weight of broilers leads to the decrease in prime-cost by 46 % and the increase in margin income by 149 %, and the level of profi tability by 110 %.

Differential expression of genes implicated in liver lipid metabolism in broiler chickens differing in weight

ABSTRACT1. Lipid parameters and expression of ACACA, APOA1, CPT1A, FASN, FOXO1, LIPG, PPARα and SIRT1 genes involved in lipid metabolism were investigated in two groups of high (HW) and low (LW) weight broilers from the same strain.2. Blood cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels were significantly increased in HW chickens compared to LW broilers, while other parameters, i.e. blood triglyceride, blood HDL/LDL, liver cholesterol and total liver fat showed no significant changes in either group.3. The relative expression of ACACA, APOA1 and CPT1A genes was significantly lower in the liver tissues of HW broilers than in the LW group. The mRNA levels of these three genes showed a significant negative correlation with abdominal fat deposition and live weight of broilers. However, relative expression of FASN, FOXO1, LIPG, PPARα and SIRT1 hepatic genes did not differ among broilers.4. It was concluded that, of eight hepatic genes implicated in lipid metabolism, only the expression of three (ACACA, APOA1 and CPT1A) were significant for fat and leanness within the same strain of chicken. Since reducing body fat is a major goal in the broiler industry, these data can provide fresh insight into the molecular processes underlying the regulation of fat deposition in broilers.

Вплив випоювання підкислювача «Аквасан» на продуктивність курчат бройлерів

У статті наведено вивчення впливу застосування нового підкислювача «Аквасан» на продуктивність курчат бройлерів. Встановлено, що з 27 дня випоювання підкислювача спостерігали зростання живої маси бройлерів аж до 42 дня вирощування. На 35 добу маса курчат збільшувалася на 100,8 г (р≤0,05), а на 42 добу − на 245,8 г (р≤0,01), порівняно з контрольною групою. У період вирощування 29−35 та 36−42 доба при застосуванні підкислювача «Аквасан» у курчат середньодобові прирости за тиждень зростали відповідно на 13,8 (р≤0,05) та 20,7 г (р≤0,01). Витрати корму на 1 кг приросту живої маси курчат на п’ятий тиждень (29−35 доба) зменшувалися на 90 г (р≤0,05), а на шостий тиждень (36−42 доба) вирощування − на 150 г (р≤0,01). Дані результати досліджень вказують на те, що застосування підкислювача «Аквасан» стимулює процеси травлення, засвоєння поживних речовин і, як наслідок, сприяє зростанню живої маси курчат бройлерів та ефективному використанню кормів.

Attenuating effects of guanidinoacetic acid on preslaughter transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and rapid glycolysis of broilers

This study evaluated the effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on growth performance, plasma variables, muscle energy status, glycolytic potential, and meat quality of broilers experiencing transport stress during the summer. A total of 320 28-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments, including a GAA-free basal control diet (160 birds) and basal diet supplementation with 600 (80 birds) or 1,200mg/kg (80 birds) GAA for 14 D. On the morning of day 42, after an 8-h fast, the birds fed basal diets were divided into 2 equal groups, and all birds in the 4 groups of 80 birds were transported according to the following protocols: 1) a 0.5-h transport of birds on basal diets (as a lower-stress control group), 2) a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets, and a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets supplemented with either 3) 600 or 4) 1,200mg/kg GAA. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with GAA at 600 and 1,200mg/kg for 14 D prior to slaughter did not affect growth performance, carcass traits, and most textural characteristics and chemical composition of the pectoralis major (PM) muscle (P > 0.05). In the GAA-free group, a 3-h transport increased the broiler live weight loss, elevated the plasma corticosterone concentration, decreased the plasma glucose concentration, muscle concentrations of ATP, creatine and energy charge value, increased the muscle AMP concentration and AMP/ATP ratio, and accelerated glycolysis metabolism, which resulted in inferior meat quality (lower pH and higher drip loss, P < 0.05). However, dietary addition of GAA at 1,200mg/kg increased the mRNA expression of S-adenosyl-l-methionine: N-guanidino-acetate methyltransferase in the liver and creatine transporter in both the liver and PM muscle. It also elevated muscle concentrations of creatine and phosphocreatine (P < 0.05), which helps improve meat quality by ameliorating the 3-h transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and delaying anaerobic glycolysis of broilers.

Glutathione as an antioxidant marker: determination of glutathione concentration in the breast muscles and liver of broilers supplemented with different selenium sources

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of different selenium sources on antioxidant properties. The glutathione (GSH) concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured in the breast muscles and liver of 60 one-day-old broiler chickens. Another goal was to compare these indices with the weights of individual tissues and the live weight of broilers. The broilers were divided into 4 groups according to the selenium source: group 1 (control), group 2 (selenized yeast), group 3 (selenomethionine), group 4 (sodium selenite). Treatment groups were supplemented with 0.2 mg of additional selenium/kg. No significant changes in the hepatic GSH concentrations (P&gt; 0.05) were found in the experimental groups compared to control. Significantly higher GSH concentration (P&lt; 0.05) was found in breast muscles of broilers in group 4 (sodium selenite) compared to control. However, no positive effect of selenium supplementation in the form of sodium selenite was observed. The differences in the GPx activity in breast muscles and liver between the experimental groups and the control group were not significant (P&gt; 0.05). No significant differences were recorded in the experimental groups compared to control in relation to the GSH concentration and GPx activity measured in the tissues. A significantly positive correlation was noted between mean GPx activity in breast muscle and breast muscle weight (P&lt; 0.01; r = 0.3790) and live weight (P&lt; 0.05; r = 0.2690). Although changes in the GSH concentration and GPx activity were recorded in some experimental groups, the selected dose of additional selenium appeared to be too low to affect these concentrations and the antioxidant defence system.

Effect of thyme extract on fertility and survival of ISA F-15 broilers

The paper highlights the research conducted in order to assess the effect of different doses of thyme extract on the productive properties and livability of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted at a broiler poultry farm with a closed production cycle; the experiment assumed the control group and 5 experimental groups where each group contained 37 broilers at floor housing. The broilers of the 1st experimental group were fed with the extract of medicinal plant thyme dosed 2 mg/kg; broilers of the 2nd group received thyme extract dosed 4 mg/kg; 3rd group of broilers – 6 mg/kg, 4th group -8 mg/kg, and the dosage of the thyme extract was 10 mg/kg for broilers in the 5th experimental group. The authors controlled the live weight of broilers in each group by means of individual weighing every 7 days. Using this data the researchers calculated average daily body weight gain, absolute and relative gain; feed consumption was daily calculated. Feed consumption became the basis for calculating feed costs per a kilo of live weight gain. The authors recorded the number of daily fallen chickens. The data on poultry loss was the basis for calculating poultry livability. In order to assess production efficiency, the European productivity index was calculated. The research results indicate the efficiency of thyme extract application in different doses when feeding the broiler. Application of thyme extract in feeding meat poultry allowed to increase productive properties of broilers from experimental groups from 2.3 to 4.7%, reduce feed costs per a kilo by 1.1-8.1%, increase poultry livability on 2.7-8.1% and increase the European productivity index in the experimental groups on 0.2 21.3%.

Impact of Scalding Duration and Scalding Water Temperature on Broiler Processing Wastewater Loadings

SUMMARY Three experiments were performed to evaluate scalding tank poultry processing wastewater (PPW) loading following the slaughter and scalding of commercially raised broilers: hard vs. soft scalding protocols (experiment 1), scalding immersion time and temperature individually (experiment 2), and the presence of residual blood (experiment 3). One-liter water samples were taken from each scald tank and analyzed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS), and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations, which were then used to calculate PPW loading (g/kg broiler live weight). For experiment 1, there was significantly higher PPW loading for soft scald/tank 1 (1.834 g/kglwt) than hard scald/tank 1 (1.510 g/kglwt) protocol for COD. There were no other significant differences between scalding protocols for experiments 1 and 2, but there was a trend that the longer immersion time protocols resulted in PPW higher loading for all 3 analytics. For all 3 experiments, the use of sequential scalder tanks significantly reduced PPW loading for both organic and solid materials (COD, TS, and TSS) with tank 1 being significantly higher (50 to 89%) than tanks 2 and 3. Residual blood following a 120 s bleed time did not impact PPW loading compared to non-bled carcasses. These results indicate that scalder immersion time appears to be major indicator for predicting PPW loading in scalders and shows decreases with each sequential scald tank.

Influence of feeding colored wheat varieties on selected quality parameters of broiler chicken”™s meat

The effect of feeding colored wheat varieties (PS Karkulka and Skorpion) on chicken´s performance and texture, color and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken´s meat were evaluated in this study. The experiment was performed with 66 of Ross 308 cockerels. Cockerels were divided into three equal groups. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 40% of wheats with different grain colour: groups PS Karkulka (n = 22) with PS Karkulka wheat cultivar and Skorpion (n = 22) with Skorpion cultivar. The third group (n = 22) had 40% of common wheat Vánek cultivar (Control). The live weight of broilers between all three groups was not significant different, as well as carcass yield and chemical composition of breast and thigh meat of chickens. In the parameter Razor Shear Force was found statistically significant higher breast meat tenderness in PS Karkulka against Control and Skorpion groups. In parameters L* and b* of colour of the meat samples was found statistically significant higher value in L* parameter in Skorpion group and b* parameter was higher in Control group. The total colour change was 2.25 and 2.53 for PS Karkulka and Skorpion group, respectively. In sensory analysis of broilers breast muscle was found statistically significant differences in odour, colour, fibreness, chewiness, juiciness and flavour parameter. The fatty taste parameter was non-significant. The odour parameter of chicken´s breast muscle was significantly lower in Skorpion group against PS Karkulka and Control groups. The significantly most intense colour of breast muscle was found in Control group versus Skorpion and PS Karkulka groups (91.71 mm, 79.71 mm and 71.15 mm, respectively). The fibreness parameter was significantly higher for Control group, as well. Significantly higher chewiness of breast meat was in Control (68.49 mm) than PS Karkulka (52.02 mm) and Skorpion (43.32 mm) group. The feeding of wheat cultivars with different grain pigmentation had no effect on performance parameters of broiler chicken´s as well as to it´s body and chemical composition of breast and thigh meat in this study.