Dry Matter Retention Research Articles

Wheat sample affects growth performance and the apparent metabolisable energy value for broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of this study was to examine chemical composition, quality characteristics, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nutrient utilisation of wheat samples currently available to the UK poultry industry and their effect on broiler growth performance. 2. Seventeen current UK wheat samples were used to formulate 17 diets, all of which included 670 g/kg of each wheat sample and 330 g/kg of a balancer feed. Eight hundred 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated randomly to 160 raised floor pens. Each diet was replicated eight times, fed ad libitum from 0 to 21d age in a randomised complete block design. Excreta were quantitatively collected during the last 3 days for AME determination. 3. The content of protein, ash and gross energy (GE) ranged from 97 to 143 g/kg DM, 12.8 to 19.6 g/kg DM and 17.81 to 18.24 MJ/kg DM, respectively. The amount of starch and total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) ranged from 671 to 728 and 80.1 to 98.2 g/kg DM, respectively. The quality characteristics of wheat samples were in the expected range. 4. There were differences (P < 0.05) in AME and N-corrected AME (AMEn) of wheat samples. The AME of the wheat had a maximum range of 1.13 MJ/kg DM between samples. Dry matter retention (DMR) and fat digestibility (FD) were significantly different (P < 0.05) between wheat samples. 5. The daily feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG) of broilers fed two wheat samples were significantly (P < 0.05) lower as compared to other samples and their low FI and WG were not related to their chemical composition and quality characteristics. 6. The ash content of wheat samples was negatively associated with AMEn (r = − 0.489, P < 0.05). The coefficient of FD was positively related to AMEn (r = 0.552, P < 0.05). 7. Chemical composition and quality characteristics of the wheat did not relate (P > 0.05) to FI and WG of broilers. There was no relationship between growth performance of broilers and AMEn of the wheat samples.

The effect of faba bean extrusion on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, metabolizable energy, excretion of sialic acids and meat quality of broiler chickens

Soybean meal in broiler chicken diets can partly be replaced by faba bean seeds. Unfortunately, high levels of antinutritional factors and resistant starch found in these seeds can have a detrimental impact on both broiler chickens’ performance and nutrient digestibility. It is, however, possible to increase the usefulness of faba bean for broiler nutrition by a technological process known as extrusion. In this study, the authors made and attempt to investigate the effect of different forms of faba bean seeds (raw or extruded) on broiler chicken performance, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values (AMEN), nutrient utilization and meat quality, as well as on the excretion of total and free sialic acids. In the trial, the total of 160 1-day-old male broiler chicks of the Ross 308 strain were used. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, each containing 10 replication (floor pens); one replication included nine birds. The first group contained 300 g/kg diet of raw faba bean seeds, whereas the second group – 300 g/kg diet of extruded faba bean seeds. The applied extrusion process was found to exert a positive impact and led to a decrease in phytic phosphorus, H, NDF, ADF and resistant starch content in studied faba bean seeds. Experimental birds fed diets containing extruded faba bean seeds were characterized by a lower feed intake (2299 g) and feed conversion ratios (FCRs) (1.52 g/g) in comparison with the other group (feed intake 2466 g; FCR 1.61 g/g). Extrusion of faba bean seeds improved dry matter retention, dietary AMEN value, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and starch, as well as most amino acids. In addition, the above-mentioned process resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total and free sialic acids. Extruded faba bean seeds failed to have a significant impact on broiler meat quality. It was concluded that application of extrusion can increase the use of faba bean seeds in broiler chicken nutrition.

Milk digestion in the young rabbit: methodology and first results

This study aims to determine the digestibility of milk by the young rabbit (21-25 d old), taking into account the increment of digesta content and urine excretion. Nineteen litters of 9 young rabbits 21 to 25 d old were used: 12 litters (S group) fed exclusively with milk using controlled suckling, and 7 litters (Control group) with free suckling and access to the pelleted feed of the doe. The faecal digestibility of milk dry matter (DM) was measured between 21 and 25 d of age, for S litters housed from 15 d of age in a metabolism cage separately from their mother. Between 21 and 25 d, the milk intake, faeces and urine excretion were controlled daily, and the mean increment in digesta content was measured by comparing digesta weight of the whole tract at 21 and 25 d of age (one kit per litter). The increment in digesta content from 21 to 25 d averaged 77% (+8.5 g), sourcing mainly from stomach and caecum contents increase (+57 and +120% respectively). The mean increase for the dry content of the gut (from 21 to 25 d) was 1.75 g DM/kit, and was considered as non-digested to calculate the digestibility coefficient of the milk. The milk intake averaged 30 g/d/kit (7.9 g DM/d kit). No faecal excretion was recorded between 21 and 25 d. From the milk intake and increment in digesta content, the corrected digestibility of the milk dry matter reached 94% (minimum=92.9%, maximum=95.6%). The daily urine excretion averaged 5.1 mL/kit, corresponding to 1.2 g DM/kit. Therefore, the corrected DM retention coefficient of the milk was 79.5%. The quantity of nitrogen excreted in urine was low (0.06 g/d kits), thus the corrected nitrogen retention coefficient for milk reached 82% and the nitrogen retained (corrected) reached 0.44 g/d kit. Accordingly, the amount in metabolisable protein for the milk was 90 g/kg (fresh). The corrected energy retention coefficient was estimated to 95.8%, for a crude energy concentration estimated at 28.14 MJ/kg DM for the milk. Thus, the energy retained (corrected) reached 223 kJ/d kit and the content in metabolisable energy for the milk was 26.94 MJ/kg DM.

Particle size distribution of forages and mixed rations, and their relationship with ration variability and performance of UK dairy herds

The particle size of the ration has been proposed as a key factor, along with its fibre and non-forage carbohydrate concentration, to ensure healthy rumen function and optimal performance of dairy cows. The current particle size distribution recommendations for forages and rations are primarily based on lucerne-haylage and maize silage (MS) and may not be suitable for the wetter grass silage (GS) based rations typically fed in Northern Europe. In order to characterize the particle size distribution of forages and rations in the UK, fifty commercial dairy herds feeding a range of GS and MS based rations were sampled during the winter of 2015/2016. The particle size distribution of the fresh forages and mixed rations (MR; total and partial mixed rations) were analysed using a modified Penn State Particle Separator with six screens of hole size 60, 44, 26.9, 19, 8, and 4 mm. The fresh MR was collected at 5-equally-spaced locations along the length of the feed-face for each herd within 5-min of feeding to determine the consistency of ration mixing, and again from the same locations 4 h post-feeding. Grass silage was fed on 50 herds, with 80.3% of the dry matter (DM) being retained above the 19 mm sieve, which is considerably higher than the North-American recommendations for lucerne-haylage. The particle size distribution of MS followed the general recommendations for North American forages, however, the 8–19 mm fraction was higher and the <4 mm lower. The >60 mm fraction of the MR had the lowest (0.1% DM) DM retention, and the 8–19 mm fraction the highest (34.9% DM). The MR had a higher proportion of particles retained on the 26.9 mm sieve when GS was the sole forage. Fifty eight % of herds were considered to have either moderately or poorly mixed rations, whilst 66% had evidence of diet selection (either preferential consumption or selective refusals). Particle size of the MR accounted for 33% of the variance in the milk fat content and 12% of milk yield. In conclusion, the particle size distribution of the GS and MR fed on UK dairy herds is different from the current recommendations, suggesting that the particle size of UK dairy rations is too long or new guidelines using additional sieves with larger pore sizes are required. There is also a high proportion of herds with poor mixing and/or evidence of diet selection.

Effects of a protease and essential oils on growth performance, blood cell profiles, nutrient retention, ileal microbiota, excreta gas emission, and breast meat quality in broiler chicks.

A total of 360 Ross male broiler chicks (39.8 ± 1.8g) were used in a five week experiment to determine the effect of a protease and essential oils (EO) on growth performance, blood cell profile, nutrient retention, ileal microbiota, excreta gas emission, and breast meat quality in broiler chicks. Broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with 15 birds/cage and six cages/treatment. Experimental treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with two levels of protease (0 and 0.02%) and two levels of EO (0 and 0.03%). For days 8 to 21 and overall, body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio were better in broilers fed diets supplemented with protease (P < 0.05) than in those fed diets without protease supplementation. Protease and/or EO increased (P < 0.05) the total tract retention of dry matter, nitrogen, or gross energy, and decreased the excreta ammonia gas emission. In addition, there was a significant interaction between the protease and EO on total tract retention of nitrogen and excreta ammonia gas emission (P < 0.05). The density of ileal Lactobacillus increased and Escherichia coli decreased in broilers (P < 0.05) by the addition of EO to the diet. There were no significant differences in the measurements of breast meat quality and organ weight of broilers fed diets with protease or EO. In conclusion, diets with a combination of a protease and EO improved total tract retention of nitrogen and excreta ammonia gas emission in growing broiler chicks.

Nutrient availability of different batches of wheat distiller’s dried grains with solubles for turkeys

ABSTRACTEffects of five different batches of wheat distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were used to investigate bioavailability of energy and nutrients for turkeys. The laboratory analysis of the DDGS showed the largest variations for soluble non-starch polysaccharides, oil and ash. In total, 96 birds were fed one of six mash diets. The basal diet contained per kilogram 535 g wheat and 300 g soya bean meal, corresponding to 247 g crude protein and 12.6 MJ N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn). Another five diets contained per kilogram 200 g of each DDGS samples in replacement for basal diet. Each diet was fed to eight pens with two female Premium turkeys following randomisation. The AMEn and the nutrient retention coefficients of the pure DDGS samples were obtained using the substitution method. The AMEn of the DDGS from batch A was higher (p = 0.048) compared to those from batches B and C, but did not differ from DDGS samples D and E. There were no differences in dry matter retention, nitrogen retention and fat digestibility between the DDGS samples tested. The AMEn of the DDGS samples correlated positively (p < 0.05) to the starch (r = 0.895) and the non-soluble non-starch polysaccharides contents (r = 0.940), and the red index of lighting (a) (r = 0.916), respectively. In general, findings from this study indicate bioavailability of energy and most nutrients to be in the range of published data with turkeys, and to vary between batches.

Comparative efficacy of different feed additives in broilers

Present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of different feed additives on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and economics of feeding in broilers. A total of ninety, day old chicks were randomly divided into five treatments; each treatment consisted of three replicates having six chicks each. T1 was standard broiler diet without any feed additive. In dietary treatments T2 calcium sorbate was supplemented @ 3% of the diet. While, in diets T3, T4 and T5 probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii), synbiotic and antibiotics growth promoter (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate)were supplemented @ 500g/tonne, 1kg/tonne and 500g/tonne respectively. Results indicated significantly (P<0.05) higher performance in terms of body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio in broilers assigned T4 and T5 diets as compared to other groups. Feed intake was similar in all the groups. The retention of dry matter, crude protein and T2, gross energy was improved significantly (P<0.05) in group T2 as compared to control however, it was comparable with T4 and T5 groups. Carcass traits were similar in all the groups irrespective of dietary treatments. Feed cost/kg weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T4 and T5 groups followed by T2 as compared to control and T3 groups. Therefore, it was concluded that feed additives like calcium sorbate, synbiotics and antibiotics growth promoter significantly improve overall performance and economics of feeding in broilers when compared to probiotic supplemented and unsupplemented control groups.

Do olive polyphenols negatively affect nutrient digestibility in pigs?

It is widely accepted that olive (Olea europaea L.) polyphenols (OP) have many favourable properties (e.g. antioxidative, antimicrobial, antifungal). OP can improve the growth and nutrient digestibility of animals via affecting digestion and health, even though they could negatively affect the mineral absorption by forming insoluble complexes with minerals in the intestine. In the present study, the effects of a dietary olive leaves extract (OLE) on nutrient digestibility in pigs were studied. Twenty-four weaned castrated male piglets were fed a no supplemented (C) or a supplemented diet with three different levels of OLE (O1, O2 and O3: 3.84 mg, 38.4 mg, 96 mg hydroxytyrosol equivalents/day, respectively). Retention and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), organic matter (OM), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash, neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fibres (ADF), gross energy (GE), Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, K and Na were measured. Results showed that OLE lowered the retention of Fe and K, and revealed a numerical tendency to lower the retention of Cu and ATTD of Fe and Cu. In conclusion, a low dietary supplementation of OLE has no effect on the digestibility and retention of major nutrients, although some minor negative effects on mineral digestibility can be present.

Effects of conditioning time and sodium bentonite on pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal morphology and nutrient retention in finisher broilers

ABSTRACT1. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of steam-conditioning time and different levels of processed sodium bentonite (PSB) on pellet quality, growth performance, intestinal development and morphology, and nutrient digestibilities in broilers during finisher period (d 24–45).2. A total of 810 male chicks were reared in commercial conditions on floor pens till d 24. Then, birds were weighed and used in a completely randomised design experiment with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, including three levels of conditioning times (0, 2 and 4 min) and three PSB levels (0, 7.5 and 15 g/kg diet). Each of the 9 diets fed to 6 replicates group of 15 birds each.3. The results showed that 2-min steam conditioning and 15 g/kg PSB supplementation significantly increased pellet durability index (PDI) and hardness, and decreased electrical consumption of pelleting. Diets had no significant effects on body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Although dietary treatments did not influence relative weight and length of three segments of small intestine, 2-min steam conditioning significantly improved villus height (VH) and crypt depth. Steam conditioning of diet for 2 min significantly increased apparent metabolisable energy (AME), ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca) and dry matter (DM) retention in birds measured during 38–42 d of age.4. It could be concluded that 2-min steam conditioning improved PDI and hardness, VH and nutrient retention (AME, EE, Ca and DM), but did not affect growth performance in broilers during finisher period.

Influence of a cocktail of protease and xylanase in different energy densities of corn- and soybean-meal-based diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass quality, and gas emission in broilers

A total of 480 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers with an average initial body weight (BW) of 42 ± 1 g was randomly divided into four treatments (8 replicates/treatment, 15 birds/replicate) by their BW to evaluate the influence of a cocktail of protease and xylanase in different energy density of corn- and soybean-meal-based diet on broilers. This experiment lasted for 35 d and there were two phases; starter (1–18 d) and finisher (19–35 d). The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of metabolizable energy and the cocktail enzyme with 200 mg of protease kg−1 diet and 100 FXU xylanase kg−1 diet. Both high-nutrient density and cocktail enzyme supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.05) the body weight gain (BWG) during day 1–18 and day 1–35 as well as dry matter retention on day 35. Broilers fed the high-nutrient-density diets had higher (P &lt; 0.05) energy retention on day 35 and relative breast muscle weight. Broilers fed the cocktail enzyme diets significantly increased nitrogen (N) retention and decreased the levels of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emission. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of the cocktail enzyme component improved BWG, N retention, and reduced excreta noxious gas emission in broilers.

Effect of cereal type and Xylanase supplementation on nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of cereal (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) and supplemental enzyme (a mono-component xylanase) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. A 2-phase feeding program (0 to 21 and 21 to 42 d) was used and 4 iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing corn, wheat, barley, or sorghum as the sole cereal. Diets based on each cereal were fed without or with supplemental xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg) to 8 replicate pens of 10 chicks (5 male : 5 female, Cobb 500) each. Growth performance was recorded at 21 or 42 d posthatch. Excreta was quantitatively collected from 18 to 21 and 38 to 41 d for the measurement of the total tract retention of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Ileal digestible energy (IDE) was measured at the end of the study (42 d posthatch) using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. For the overall 42 d period, birds fed barley-based diets had lower feed intake (P < 0.05), lower body weight (P < 0.05) and converted feed into gain less efficiently (P < 0.05) compared with the diets based on corn, wheat or sorghum. Xylanase supplementation improved weight gain in diets based on corn, wheat, and sorghum with the exception of barley-based diets (cereal × xylanase interaction, P < 0.05). Xylanase improved the overall feed conversion ratio (1.885 vs. 1.939; P < 0.05) with the effect being independent of the cereal type. The N retention of barley-based diets was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the other cereals, while xylanase improved N retention (P < 0.05) regardless of the cereal type. NDF digestibility differed (P < 0.05) across cereal (barley > wheat > corn > sorghum) and was improved (P < 0.05) by xylanase supplementation. A significant cereal × xylanase interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for energy measurements, where xylanase improved IDE of the corn-based diet, and AME of corn- and wheat-based diets. Results of the current study demonstrate potential of xylanase in improving nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers fed diets based on variety of cereal grains.

Performance of broiler chicken fed multicarbohydrases supplemented low energy diet.

Aim:Objective of this study was to investigate the effect of multicarbohydrases supplementation on performance of broilers fed low energy diet.Materials and Methods:A total of 75 days old chicks were selected and randomly divided into three treatments groups (T1, T2, and T3); each group contained 25 chicks distributed in five replicates of five chicks each. T1 group (positive control) was offered control ration formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards recommendations. In T2 group (negative control) ration, metabolizable energy (ME) was reduced by 100 kcal/kg diet. T3 group ration was same as that of T2 except that it was supplemented with multicarbohydrases (xylanase at 50 g/ton+mannanase at 50 g/ton+amylase at 40 g/ton). Feed intake and body weight of all experimental birds were recorded weekly. Metabolic trial was conducted for 3 days at the end of experiment to know the retention of nutrients.Results:Significant improvement (p<0.01) was observed in total weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and performance index in broilers under supplementary group T3 as compared to T1 and T2 groups. Retention of crude protein and ether extract was significantly increased (p<0.05) in T3 group supplemented with multicarbohydrases as compared to other groups. Retention of dry matter, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract was comparable in all the three groups. Significantly highest dressed weight, eviscerated weight, and drawn weight (% of live body weight) were observed in multicarbohydrases supplemented T3 group, however it was comparable in T1 and T2 groups.Conclusion:It was concluded that the supplementation of multicarbohydrases (xylanase at 50 g/ton+mannanase at 50 g/ton+amylase at 40 g/ton) in low energy diet improved overall performance of broilers.

Nutrient availability of different batches of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles with and without exogenous enzymes for broiler chickens

Wheat distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are being used increasingly in the poultry feed industry but their nutritional value is variable. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of batch to batch variation of wheat DDGS produced by the same manufacturer on the growth performance, dietary N corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), energy conversion ratio (ECR), total tract dry matter retention (DMR), nitrogen retention (NR) and fat digestibility (FD) coefficients when fed to broilers in complete diets with and without enzyme supplementation. Six UK wheat DDGS samples, produced by a single manufacturer, were used in a broiler experiment. Six diets containing 150 g/kg of each selected wheat DDGS sample were mixed. Each diet was then split into two batches and one of them was supplemented with commercial enzyme preparation, providing 1220 units xylanase and 152 units of β-glucanase/kg diet, resulting in 12 experimental diets. Each diet was fed ad libitum to five pens of two male Ross 308 broilers from 7 to 21 d old. Enzyme supplementation improved dietary AMEn, DMR, NR (P < 0.001) and FD (P < 0.05) compared to non-supplemented diets. There was DDGS sample by enzyme interaction (P < 0.05) on daily weight gain and ECR. The results suggest that the variability in AMEn of DDGS samples produced from a single manufacturer is greater than expected compared to the variability of whole wheat samples but substantially lower than expected from wheat DDGS samples from different EU manufacturers. This experiment has shown that the variation in feeding value of wheat DDGS may be explained by the variability in polysaccharide contents.

β-Mannanase Derived from Bacillus Subtilis WL-7 Improves the Performance of Commercial Laying Hens Fed Low or High Mannan-Based Diets.

A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary mannan level and β-mannanase supplementation on egg production performance, nutrient retention and blood metabolites of laying hens. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line Brown layers (52 wk-old) were randomly allotted to 6 treatments on the basis of laying performance. Each treatment had 8 replicates with 5 birds (40 birds per treatment). Laying hens were fed low or high mannan diets containing 0, 0.4 or 0.8 g β-mannanase/kg diet in a 2×3 factorial arrangement during 56 d feeding period. Laying hens fed diets supplemented with high β-mannanase level had greater (P<0.05) overall egg production, egg weight, egg mass, retention of gross energy, crude protein and mannan than hens fed the diets without β-mannanase. Laying hens fed diets without β-mannanase or supplemented with high β-mannanase level had greater (P<0.05) retention of dry matter than hens fed diets with low β-mannanase level. Moreover, laying hens fed high mannan diets had higher (P<0.05) feed intake and feed conversion ratio than that of hens fed low mannan diets. Furthermore, laying hens fed diets supplemented with a high level of β-mannanase had increased serum glucose (P<0.05) concentrations but these diets had no effect on total cholesterol, total protein or blood urea nitrogen. The results obtained in the present study indicate that a high mannan content in diets had adverse effect on the performance of laying hens and that dietary supplementation with β-mannanase has the potential to improve laying hen performance and nutrient retention.

Exogenous tannase improves feeding value of a diet containing field beans (Vicia faba) when fed to broilers

A total of 72 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a study to investigate the effect of dietary tannase on apparent metabolisable energy (AME), coefficients of dry matter retention (DMR) and nitrogen retention (NR) and fat digestibility (FD) of a diet containing 300 g/kg field beans (Vicia faba). Growth performance variables and gastrointestinal tract development were also measured.Two treatments were used in this study: control (C) and C + 3400 tannase units (TU) per kg feed. Diets were formulated to be nutritionally adequate with the exception that the AME was lower than recommended (12.65 vs 12.97 MJ/kg, respectively).Inclusion of tannase increased AME by 0.4 MJ/kg DM. Tannase supplementation improved dietary DMR, NR and FD by 2.8%, 3.2% and 6.5%, respectively.Birds given tannase had 4.4% reduction in feed intake and 2.6% improvement in gain to feed ratio (P < 0.05). Compared to control diet, birds given tannase had reduced relative to body weight (%BW) proventriculus and gizzard and pancreas weights, 3.29% vs 3.09% and 0.47% vs 0.44%, respectively.The mechanisms of action of the studied enzyme require further elucidation.

Does the effect of pelleting depend on the wheat sample when fed to chickens?

Experimental comparisons of the nutritional value of different wheat cultivars commonly use feeds in meal form even though the large-scale broiler producers use steam pelleted feeds. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of steam pelleting on the performance, dietary N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn), total tract dry matter retention (DMR), nitrogen retention (NR) and fat digestibility (FD) coefficients, and digestive tract development of broilers fed four different wheat samples in complete diets. Four European wheat samples, with different chemical composition and endosperm characteristics, were used in a broiler experiment. The wheat samples were milled through a 5 mm screen and four basal feeds containing 670 g/kg of each selected wheat sample were mixed. The basal feeds were then split into two batches and one of them was steam pelleted resulting in eight experimental diets. Each diet was fed ad libitum to eight pens of two male Ross 308 broilers from 10 to 24 days of age. Feeding pelleted diets improved (P<0.001) feed intake and weight gain, and daily water intake of the birds. Pelleting also improved dietary AMEn and FD (P<0.001) and DMR (P<0.05). An interaction (P<0.05) was observed between wheat samples and steam pelleting for NR. Steam pelleting improved (P<0.05) NR in the wheat sample with high starch and protein and hard endosperm but not in the rest of the wheat samples. Similar interactions (P<0.05) were also observed between wheat sample and steam pelleting for gain to feed (G : F) and water to feed (W : F) ratios. Pelleting improved G : F ratio the greatest in the wheat sample with high starch and protein and hard endosperm. Feeding the same wheat sample also decreased (P<0.05) W : F but only in the mash diets. Regardless of the wheat sample the values of dietary AMEn did not differ (P>0.05). Feeding different wheat types and pelleting did not (P>0.05) change the development of the gastrointestinal tract of the birds. The study showed that there were differences between four wheat samples when they were fed in pelleted complete feed, but no differences were observed when fed in mash form complete diets. Research on the interaction between pelleting and wheat chemical and quality characteristics is warranted.

Growth performance and endogenous losses of broilers fed wheat-based diets with and without essential oils and xylanase supplementation

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of a supplementary mixture of essential oils, with and without exogenous xylanase, on performance, carcass composition, dietary nitrogen (N)–corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), dry matter retention (DMR), N retention (NR), fat digestibility (FD) coefficients, and endogenous mucin losses (measured as sialic acid, SA) when fed to broiler chickens.Three hundred male Ross 308 broilers in total were reared in floor pens from 0 to 21 d of age. Birds were fed 1 of 3 wheat-based diets: basal diet (215 g/kg CP, 12.12 MJ/kg AME) with either no additive (control diet; C) or 100 g/tonne of a standardized combination of 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum oleoresin (diet XT); or a combination of XT and commercial xylanase enzyme at a rate of 100 g of XT and 2,000 units (U) of xylanase/kg (diet XYL), respectively. Each diet was randomly allocated to 10 pens with 10 birds.Feeding XT and XYL diets improved birds’ growth performance (P < 0.05). Birds fed XT and XYL diets had an improved caloric conversion ratio (P < 0.05) and consumed 1.3 MJ less AMEn per kilogram of growth compared to birds fed the control diet only. Feeding XT improved only the dietary FD coefficient (P < 0.05) compared to control-fed birds, but the dietary FD coefficient did not differ for XYL diet (P > 0.05). Birds fed XYL diet excreted 35% less endogenous mucin compared to control-fed birds (P < 0.05). Birds fed XT alone gained more carcass protein than the control-fed birds (P < 0.05) but did not differ from the birds fed XYL diet (P > 0.05). There was no indication of a negative interaction between dietary essential oils and xylanase.

Addition of a worm leachate as source of humic substances in the drinking water of broiler chickens.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth performance, the apparent ileal digestibility of nitrogen and energy, the retention of nutrients and the apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention (AMEn) in broiler chickens supplemented with increasing doses of a worm leachate (WL) as a source of humic substances (HS) in the drinking water. In Exp. 1, 140 male broilers were penned individually and assigned to four WL levels (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) mixed in the drinking water from 21 to 49 days of age. Water was offered in plastic bottles tied to the cage. In Exp. 2, 600 male broilers from 21 to 49 days of age housed in floor pens were assigned to three levels of WL (0%, 10%, and 20%) mixed in the drinking water. The WL was mixed with tap water in plastic containers connected by plastic tubing to bell drinkers. The results of both experiments were subjected to analysis of variance and polynomial contrasts. In Exp. 1, the daily water consumption was similar among treatments but the consumption of humic, fulvic, and total humic acids increased linearly (p<0.01) as the WL increased in the drinking water. The feed conversion (p<0.01) and the ileal digestibility of energy, the excretion of dry matter and energy, the retention of dry matter, ash and nitrogen and the AMEn showed quadratic responses (p<0.05) relative to the WL levels in drinking water. In Exp. 2, the increasing level of WL in the drinking water had quadratic effects on the final body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). The addition of WL as a source of HS in the drinking water had beneficial effects on the growth performance, ileal digestibility of energy, the retention of nutrients as well on the AMEn in broiler chickens; the best results were observed when the WL was mixed at levels of 20% to 30% in the drinking water.

Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method

Liu, J. B., Chen, D. W. and Adeola, O. 2014. Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 661–668. Cornstarch-based semi-purified diets impair growth performance of birds when using the regression method to estimate phosphorus (P) digestibility in assay feed ingredient. Therefore, casein is usually supplemented in the basal diet to improve dietary amino acid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary casein supplementation on regression-derived estimates of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss (EPL) associated with soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chickens. Four hundred thirty-two male Ross 708 broilers were allocated to nine diets in a 3×3 factorial arrangement of three diet types (with casein at moderate dietary P, without casein at moderate dietary P, or without casein at low dietary P) and three SBM levels (low, medium, or high). There were six birds per cage and eight replicate cages per diet in a randomized complete block design. The birds were fed experimental diets from day 12 to 20 post-hatching. Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker to calculate P digestibility and retention. The results indicated that body weight gain and feed efficiency linearly increased (P&lt;0.01) and dry matter retention was linearly decreased (P&lt;0.01) with the addition of SBM, regardless of diet type. The apparent prececal P digestibility and excreta P retention were increased by casein supplementation (P&lt;0.01). The prececal and excreta P output linearly increased (P&lt;0.01) with graded inclusion of SBM in each diet type. Regression of P output against dietary P intake showed that the type of diets (with casein at moderate dietary P, without casein at moderate dietary P, or without casein at low dietary P) had no effect on true prececal P digestibility and excreta P retention, or EPL associated with SBM for broiler chickens (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that adding casein, which is high in P digestibility, to cornstarch-based basal diets does not affect the estimation of EPL or true P digestibility and retention associated with SBM for broiler chickens using the regression method.

Effect of Fiber Degrading Enzyme (Extracted from Chatomium thermophyle) on Egg Quality, Dry Matter Retention and Economic Appraisal in Old Age Layers Using High Fiber Rations

Effect of Fiber Degrading Enzyme (Extracted from Chatomium thermophyle) on Egg Quality, Dry Matter Retention and Economic Appraisal in Old Age Layers Using High Fiber Rations