Significant Improvement In Feed Efficiency Research Articles

Glycal Forte® (calcium-stabilized glycerol), a novel feed ingredient, promotes rumen function in dairy cows

Abstract Good nutritional practices are essential to support the high milk production of modern dairy cows. This requires an active rumen microbial biomass which supplies microbial protein and short-chain fatty acids to the cow. Glycal Forte® (GF) a calcium-stabilised glycerol product, increased microbial biomass in an in vitro gas production study, by some 37%. The efficacy of GF was substantiated in a trial with high-producing dairy cows fed a TMR with or without GF for 28 d. Cows fed GF showed behaviour differences. Chewing was reduced from 710 GF vs 769 for the control (CON) min/d; P=0.01 and they spent more time in an inactive state (429 GF vs 383 CON min/d; P=0.01). There was a statistically significant improvement in feed efficiency with GF (2.19 CON vs 2.34 GF kg ECM/kg dry matter intake (DMI); P=0.03). Feed efficiency has an important bearing on costs and profitability of a dairy operation. Cows fed GF yielded an improved profit of $1.45 per cow per day over 28 d with an ROI of 2.23. Extrapolated to a 100 dairy cow herd for 28 d gave an additional profit of $4,060. Milk yields continued to show benefits for 70 d in milk (DIM) after the GF treatment was stopped, showed a numerical increase in milk yield of 3.2 kg/d. The benefits in rumen function continues after the feeding of GF had ceased. In summary, this trial with high-producing dairy cows was consistent with the in vitro trial data and showed that GF can improve rumen function manifested as less time chewing, more inactive time and most importantly, improved feed efficiency. This has both economic and environmental advantages in that dairy cow productivity can be enhanced solely by nutritional means

Efficacy of Methionine Hydroxy Analogue in Ameliorating Aflatoxicosis in Japanese Quails

The efficacy of dietary methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) to ameliorate aflatoxicosis caused by 500 ppb aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Japanese quails was investigated. A total of 600, day-old quail chicks were divided into ten treatment groups viz. T1: control; T2: T1+500 ppb AFB1, T3: T1+400 ppm MHA, T4: T1+500 ppm MHA, T5: T1+625 MHA, T6: T1+769 ppm MHA, T7: T2+400 ppm MHA, T8: T2+500 ppm MHA, T9: T2+625 MHA, and T10: T2+769 ppm MHA. Each diet was fed to four replicated groups of 15 birds each from day-old to 35d of age. The results revealed that contamination of aflatoxin (500 ppb) in the diet of Japanese quails caused significant (P<0.05) decrease in BW gain. Supplementation of MHA at 400–625 ppm (T7 to T9) level in AFB1 contaminated diet though improved (P<0.05) the BW gain but could not match with the gain in control diet. However, supplementation of MHA at 769 ppm level in AFB1 contaminated diet ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on gain in quails. The overall feed consumption remained uninfluenced due to dietary treatments. The FCR of groups T7, T8 and T9 was lower (P<0.05) than that of AFB1 fed group but higher (P<0.05) than control. The FCR of group T10 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of AFB1 fed group similar to control. Contamination of feed with 500 ppb AFB1 resulted in significant increase in FCR of quails. Supplementation of MHA (769 ppm) to the AFB1 contaminated diet resulted in significant improvement in feed efficiency that was comparable to control. Aflatoxin contamination in diet (T2) resulted in enlarged, pale, congested and round bordered liver. Incorporation of MHA at higher level (769 ppm) in AF contaminated diet significantly reduced the effect of AFB1 on liver morphology. It is concluded that supplementation of MHA at 769 ppm in 500 ppb AFB1 contaminated feed ameliorated the adverse effects on BW gain and FCR in Japanese quails.

Effect of vitamin D3 and strontium on performance, nutrient retention, and bone mineral composition in broiler chickens

The therapeutic use of vitamin D3 and strontium has been successful for the treatment of osteoporosis in humans; however, the value of similar strategies in poultry is not clear. Male Ross broiler chicks (n = 216) were used in a 28-day broiler trial to assess effects of vitamin D3 and strontium supplementation on performance, nutrient retention, bone composition, and bone mass. Treatments included an industry-standard control diet and five additional diets where vitamin D3 was added at 5000, 20 000, or 35 000 IU/kg and strontium was added at 0 or 1200 mg/kg in a 3 × 2 factorial design. Broiler chickens supplemented with strontium and additional vitamin D3 did not increase bodyweight; however, there was a significant improvement in feed efficiency at medium levels of vitamin D3, and although not statistically significant, there was also an improvement in feed conversion ratio with strontium supplementation at normal vitamin D3 concentrations. Strontium supplementation at normal levels of vitamin D3 significantly (P &lt; 0.01) increased calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium retention. A high concentration of vitamin D3 produced a significant improvement in apparent metabolisable energy, protein, and dry matter utilisation in the broiler chicken. Paradoxically, however, there was a detrimental effect of high vitamin D3 on bodyweight and feed efficiency, which was partially ameliorated by strontium supplementation. Strontium addition did not change bone mass but did change bone composition. High levels of vitamin D3 significantly (P &lt; 0.01) reduced bone ash content and increased strontium content of bone. In conclusion, both vitamin D3 and strontium have the potential to positively influence the performance, mineral retention, and bone characteristics of broiler chicks. However, as with calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D3 and strontium interact and so more research is required with strontium on the optimum dose rate and its relationship with vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, and IGF-1 in broiler nutrition.

Effects of non-antibiotic feed additives on performance, immunity and intestinal morphology of broilers fed different levels of protein

In order to investigate the effects of the dietary supplementation of organic acids, prebiotics and probiotics on broiler chickens, a total of 288 day-old male Cobb chicks were allocated in a completely randomized design according to a 2 × 4 factorial, consisting of two levels of crude protein (recommended or low (85% of recommended)) and a four feed-additive programme. The basal diet without any feed additive served as control and one of the following additives, organic acids, a prebiotic and a probiotic, were added to the basal diet to form the other treatments. Starter and finisher diets were offered from 1 to 21 d and 22 to 42 d of age, respectively. The birds were reared in an open-sided house system under natural tropical conditions with the same housing and general management practices. Lowering the dietary protein level significantly decreased bird performance throughout the experiment. Additives had no significant effects on body weight, body weight gain and feed intake. Dietary supplementation with the prebiotic resulted in significant improvements in feed efficiency during 22 - 42 d and 1 - 42 d of age. At 21 and 42 d of age birds fed the diets containing the prebiotic had the longest duodenal villi compared to the other treatments. Jejunum villi, and duodenum and jejunum crypt depth were not influenced by additives. At 21 d of age the dietary addition of the prebiotic and organic acids significantly increased the antibody titres against Newcastle disease compared to the control group. It could be concluded that under the condition of the current study, the prebiotic affected performance, small intestinal morphology and immunity of broiler chickens significantly.

Effects of Sodium Polyacrylate and Phytase-Supplemented Diet on Performance and Phosphorus Retention in Chicks

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of addition of sodium polyacrylate (SPA) to a phytase-supplemented diet on the performance and phosphorus (P) retention of chicks. In experiment 1, chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments which were fed from 7 to 21 days of age: i) basal diet (low nonphytate phosphorus (0.23% NPP)); ii) basal with 250 U/kg diet of phytase; iii) as (ii) with 2.5 g/kg diet of SPA; and iv) as (ii) with 5.0 g/kg diet of SPA. In experiment 2, three replicates, each with three chicks, were fed from 7 to 28 days of age the basal diet (0.23% NPP) with supplementation of phytase (0, 300, 600, 900 U/kg diet) and SPA (0, 2.5 g/kg diet) in a 4x2 factorial arrangement. In Experiment 1, feed efficiency was improved and excreted P was 10% less with phytase supplementation. However, the addition of SPA did not affect performance or P excretion. Dietary SPA supplementation to the diets showed significantly higher amounts of P retention, and highest values were observed in chicks fed 2.5 g/kg of the SPA-supplemented diet. In Experiment 2, feed efficiency was improved with phytase supplementation, and the addition of SPA showed significant improvement in feed efficiency. Excreted P was significantly lower in chicks fed SPA-supplemented diets, and the retained P coefficient improved with SPA supplementation. In conclusion, the increased transit time of digesta with suitable supplementation levels of SPA may allow phytase activity to be more effective in the degradation of phytate, and improve P retention.

Performance, gut morphology and carcass characteristics of fattening rabbits as affected by particle size of pelleted diets

A review of past literature revealed inconsistencies in recommended feed particle size for optimal growth and productive performance of rabbits. Changing diet formulation and subsequent processing conditions may improve pellet texture and potentially affect rabbit performance. In the current study, two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous pelleted diets were formulated, which varied in the particle size of the concentrates (2 and 8 mm, respectively). The objective was to evaluate the effect of different particle sizes of compound diets on performance, nutrient utilisation, gut morphology, and carcass characteristics of fattening Italian White breed rabbits. The finely ground diet led to a significant improvement in feed efficiency and apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and NDF, without any negative effect on gut morphology. Furthermore, a smaller particle size of concentrates in pelleted diets improved carcass traits. Meat colour parameters showed significant differences in longissimus lumborum and biceps femoris due to dietary treatments, but in both muscles pH values 1 h and 24 h after slaughter remained unchanged. It is concluded that a finely ground pelleted diet can be used to improve growth performance of rabbits without affecting carcass parameters.

EFFECT OF OLIVE LEAVES BOILED EXTRACTS ON SOME

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boiled extracts of Olive leaves on some Physiological and Productive Parameters in Males and Female Rabbits as glucose and lipid profile , as well as , their reflection on food intake , feed efficiency .The study was carried on rabbits (8-10 weeks old) divided .into 3 groups ( males) and 3 groups (females) . The1st group was drenched with distilled water and served as control group , the 2nd group was treated with Olive leaves boiled extract (2500 mg/kg B.w.t.) orally daily for 10 weeks . To determine the hypoglycemic effect per se of Olive leaves animals in the 3rd group were treated with Daonil (200 g/kg B.w.t.) orally daily for 10 weeks .Then blood obtained at the end of 10th weak of treatment . Results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the treated groups .These effects were associated with a significant decrease in food intake with a tendency to increase body weight and a significant improvement in feed efficiency . The response was better in females than in males .Treatment with Olive leaves boiled extract caused a significant decrease in cholesterol level in male rabbits , and produced a significant increase in HDL-C in both sex , while it caused a significant decrease in LDL-C in males, These alterations in HDL-C and LDL-C were reflected in the significant improvement of risk ratio . To determine the duration of the effective hypoglycemic effect of the Olive leaves extract , a separate experiment was carried out on both sex ,the hypoglycemic effects continued significantly for 12 hrs in the Olive leaves treated on males and females , In general , the olive leaves effects was paralled to those of Daonil , this observation will sustain the suggestion that the Olive leaves Posses an insulin – like compounds , and the variations observed in the present study may due to the presence of several compounds in Olive leaves which enhances its effects in this regard .

Effect of adding protease to coextruded flax:pea or canola:pea products on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Limited supplies of fish meal and oil are a major constraint to the growth of the aquaculture feed industry. Coextruded flax:pea (F:P) and canola:pea (C:P) mixtures are commercially available products that have desirable fatty acid compositions but low protein digestibility. Three experiments were performed to determine if adding a protease to diets containing F:P or C:P would improve protein digestibility in rainbow trout. The addition of 250 g t −1 protease to C:P resulted in significant increases in coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) for crude protein, lipid, energy and dry matter ( P < 0.05). However, when the protease was added to F:P, there was no effect on the CTTAD of crude protein, lipid, energy or dry matter. In a second experiment, the effect of adding protease to diets containing either L:P or C:P on the growth performance of rainbow trout was assessed. The fish were fed one of five diets including: (1) fish meal control, (2) 240 kg t −1 L:P, (3) Diet 2 plus 250 g t −1 of protease, (4) 240 kg t −1 C:P, (5) Diet 4 plus 250 g t −1 of protease. The diets were balanced for digestible protein, lipid and energy and fed to the fish over an eight week period. The fish fed C:P or L:P had reduced weight gain compared to the controls but there were no significant differences in specific growth rates ( P < 0.05). The addition of protease to the C:P diet resulted in a significant improvement in feed efficiency. However, the addition of protease to the F:P diet had no effect on growth performance. To assess whether the mucilage content of the flax in L:P was responsible for the lack of effect of protease, the digestibility of crude protein, lipid, energy and dry matter in dehulled flaxseed with and without 250 g t −1 of protease was measured. The addition of protease had no effect on the digestibility of dehulled flaxseed in rainbow trout suggesting that the mucilage content of flax does not inhibit the activity of this protease. The use of a commercial protease improved the nutrient digestibility of C:P but not F:P in rainbow trout. The benefits of protease addition should therefore be assessed for individual ingredients.

Effect of Reducing Cage Density on Performance and Economics of Second-Cycle (Force Rested) Commercial Leghorns

In 2002 the United Egg Producers announced a new certification program that requires a significant increase in space per hen to produce eggs meeting animal welfare guidelines. Because there is little information concerning the influence of space per hen on hen performance of modern strains and increased cost associated with reduced hen numbers, this study was conducted to determine the effect of increasing space per hen on hen performance and economic returns. HyLine W36 hens (n = 1,120) were force rested at 68 wk of age and were kept in an environmentally controlled house at 3 or 4 per cage (64 or 48 in. 2/hen). After force resting, hens were fed a commercial layer corn-soy diet containing 0.92% lysine and 1,283 kcal ME/lb (2,823 kcal ME/kg) feed for 14 wk. Average house temperature was maintained at 78°F (25.6°C), and hens were provided a 16L:8D photoperiod. Increasing space per hen increased 14-wk average feed intake (85.7 to 89.6 g; P < 0.001), egg production (73 to 75%; P < 0.05), and egg weight (61.7 to 62.4g; P < 0.05) but had no effect on egg specific gravity or mortality. Increasing space per hen improved overall feed efficiency from 3.17 to 3.11 lb (1.44 to 1.41 kg) of feed per dozen eggs (P < 0.05) and improved egg mass from 45.0 to 47.0 g/h per day (P < 0.01). Economic analysis of increasing space per hen indicated an increase in return (egg price minus feed cost) with the increase dependent upon the price spread between large, extra-large, and jumbo eggs. The significant improvement in feed efficiency would help offset some of the cost involved in increasing space per hen (hen numbers) during summer months. Results could be different for larger strains and under different environmental conditions.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the performance and serum variables of broiler chickens intoxicated with aflatoxin B&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the prevention of aflatoxin B1) (AFB1) toxicity in the broiler chicken. A total of 99 Ross 308 male broiler chicks was assigned to nine treatments for 42 d. The experiment had a 3 X 3 factorial arrangement of treatments involving 0, 2 and 4 g CLA/kg feed, and 0, 200 and 300 ng AFB1) /kg feed. The parameters evaluated, were feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, mortality, relative weights of liver and serum levels of total protein, total albumin, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Aflatoxin B1) in the diet negatively affected body weight gain and feed efficiency parameters when the birds were 21 and 42 days of age. Altered serum biochemical or hematologic measurements induced by AFB1) treatments included increased serum activities of ALP, AST and ALT, decreased serum concentrations of albumin, total protein and uric acid. Liver weight was increased in birds given AFB1) contaminated diet. The results indicated that CLA alone had insignificant effects on all parameters tested. However, birds receiving CLA+AFB1) had a significantly higher body weight gain on day 42 than groups receiving AFB1) alone. In addition, co-treatment with AFB1) and CLA resulted in a significant improvement in feed efficiency and decreased relative weight of liver as compared with the AFB1) groups. These results suggest that CLA provided protection against negative effects on liver damage induced by AFB1) in broiler chickens. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol.34(2) 2004: 97-103

Self-selection of dietary protein and energy by broilers grown under a tropical climate: effect of feed particle size on the feed choice

Broilers, 2 wk of age, that had been previously adapted to energy: protein choice feeding, were offered corn (either ground, cracked, or presented as whole grains) and a protein concentrate (43.7% CP) in mash or pellet form. When corn was fed as whole grains, protein concentrate in the selected diet was significantly higher (35.1%) than with cracked corn (29.3%) or ground corn (29.1%). Presenting the concentrate as pellets resulted in a significantly higher concentration in the diet (32.7%) than when mash concentrate was fed (29.6%). Live BW at 4 and 6 wk of age were not significantly affected by feed texture. However, offering corn as whole grains or concentrate as pellets induced a significant improvement in feed efficiency. Total time to eat larger size particles (whole grains, pelleted concentrate) was significantly less than total time to eat ground corn or mash concentrate. Furthermore, the mean duration of the feeding bouts was two times shorter for whole grains (48 s) than for ground corn (98 s) and for pelleted concentrate (56 s) than for mash concentrate (114 s). Chickens ate whole grains or pellets at a significantly slower rate (number of pecks per second feeding time) than when eating ground corn or mash concentrate. There was a rejection during the first 24 h when the form of the concentrate (mash to pellets) was changed. Full adaptation to the new size of the concentrate required about 3 d.

Shell Quality of Eggs from Hens Exposed to 26- and 27-Hour Light-Dark Cycles from 56 to 76 Weeks of Age

The effect of ahemeral light-dark cycles on shell quality and laying hen performance near the end of the laying year was measured using 1342 Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens. The hens were housed in multiple-bird cages in 18 separate, windowless, fan-ventilated rooms. Hens were exposed abruptly to either a 26-hr cycle (16L:10D) or a 27-hr cycle (16L:11D) at either 56 or 60 weeks of age; a 26-hr cycle at 56 weeks, which was increased t o 27-hrs at 60 weeks of age; or remained on a 24-hr cycle (16L:8D) until the experiment was terminated at 76 weeks of age.Shell weight, and consequently shell quality, expressed as shell weight (mg) per square centimeter egg surface area (SWUSA), were significantly increased after 1 week exposure to either ahemeral cycle. The increase in shell weight was greatest for the hens on the 27-hr cycle, but because egg weight also was significantly increased by this treatment, there was no difference in SWUSA between the two ahemeral cycles. The magnitude of increase in shell weight and SWUSA, but not egg weight, was less in the hens exposed to the ahemeral cycles at 60 weeks of age. This was due to shell weight progressively decreasing with increasing age of the hens on all three light cycles. But SWUSA, irrespective of when the ahemeral cycles were initiated, was as great or greater through 72 weeks of age than SWUSA measured in these hens at 53 weeks of age prior to the experiment.The ahemeral cycles had no significant effect on albumen quality, rate of lay adjusted to a 24-hr basis, hen body weight, or mortality. There was a significant improvement in feed efficiency for the hens on the 27-hr cycle.

Combined Evaluation of Three Broiler Trials Testing The Effects of Roxarsone and Zinc Bacitracin In The Presence of Aklomide

Broilers were grown to eight weeks of age at three experiment station locations to evaluate the influence of roxarsone and zinc bacitracin in the presence of aklomide. Dietary treatments consisted of a 4 × 4 factorial design in which levels of 0, 25, 50 or 75 p.p.m. of roxarsone were fed with 0, 15, 30 or 60 g./ton of zinc bacitracin. All treatment groups received 0.025% aklomide.Eight-week data indicated that zinc bacitracin alone produced no growth or feed efficiency response at any level of supplementation. Birds receiving roxarsone had significantly higher body weights at eight weeks of age than did birds receiving the control diet. The three levels of roxarsone produced statistically equivalent body weights.A level of 75 p.p.m. roxarsone in the presence of aklomide provided a significant improvement in feed efficiency over that seen for birds receiving either 50 p.p.m. of roxarsone or the unsupplemented control diet. Statistical evaluations indicated that the inclusion of roxarsone and zinc bacitracin in the presence of aklomide did not produce any body weight or feed efficiency interaction. The rate of mortality was not significantly influenced by any of the dietary treatments.

The Influence of Air Temperature During Brooding on Broiler Performance

Two experiments were conducted on the effects of constant ambient air temperatures (a range of 26.7° C. to 35° C.) with warm-room brooding and no supplemental heat from a brooder stove on the performance of broilers.In the first experiment body weight gain and feed consumption were highest for broiler chicks brooded to 3 weeks of age at an initial air temperature of 30.8° C. which was decreased to 28.5° C. and 26.2° C. in the second and third weeks, respectively. A significant improvement in feed efficiency was observed as initial air temperature was increased to 30.8° C. or 35.0° C.In the second experiment the optimum initial temperature for body weight gain from 0 to 3 weeks of age appeared to be near 30° C. for males and 31.7° C. for females. However, no significant differences in body weight gains due to initial air temperatures were evident at the end of 8 weeks. Feed efficiency (0 to 3 weeks) was significantly improved at temperatures between 30° C.–35° C. as compared to lower temperatures. Livability was not affected by the air temperatures studied.

Utilization of Inorganic Sulfate by Turkey Poults

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether the turkey poult could utilize inorganic sulfate. The basal diet contained 26 percent protein and 2987 kilocalories of productive energy per kilogram. Total sulfur amino acid content was 0.765 percent. Five additional diets were formulated by adding the following to the basal: 0.105 percent methionine, 0.25 percent Na2 SO4, 0.105 percent methionine and 0.25 percent Na2 SO4, 0.21 percent methionine, and 0.21 percent methionine and 0.25 percent Na2 SO4. Each addition of methionine gave a significant growth response. Sodium sulfate gave a significant growth response only in the absence of added methionine, but numerical increases were evident at each addition. The addition of 0.21 percent methionine produced the only significant improvement in feed efficiency.

CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS AND VITAMIN D REQUIREMENTS OF CHICKENS

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the interrelationships of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3 on weight gain, feed efficiency and percent bone ash. With White Leghorn cockerel chicks, carried to 4 weeks of age, a significant improvement in feed efficiency was observed with increasing levels of vitamin D3. With a faster growing strain of broiler type chicks, a significant interaction between calcium and vitamin D3 and calcium and phosphorus was observed with the 58-day weight. Interactions were also observed between calcium and vitamin D3 and vitamin D3 and phosphorus as measured by percent bone ash. The results would suggest that it is not possible to state specific requirements for calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D3 without considering the levels of these three nutrients and also the level of phytin phosphorus in a diet.

Methionine supplements in chicken diets. IV. The effect of DL-Methionine supplementation over full and part of growing period on growth and efficiency of cockerels from the reciprocal crosses of White Leghorns and Australorps

The commercial value of DL-methionine supplementation of diets based on wheat products and meatmeal has been investigated. The effects of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.20 per cent. methionine on growth and feed efficiency were studied on White Leghorn chickens up to 6 weeks of age. It was concluded that maximum dose response occurred between 0.05 and 0.20 per cent. supplement. Under simulated commercial conditions, comparisons were made between WL x AO and AO x WL cockerels fed high and low energy diets unsupplemented or supplemented with 0.1 per cent. methionine to 8 weeks of age, or 0.1 per cent. methionine to 12 weeks of age. Neither methionine supplement produced a significant improvement in body weight when the low energy diet was fed. Both methionine supplements produced significant improvements in weight when the high energy diet was fed. In both diets methionine continuously produced highly significant improvements in feed efficiency, while methionine only to 8 weeks produced a significant improvement in efficiency only in the high energy diet. There was no difference between reciprocal crosses in weight or feed efficiency.

Value of Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Supplementation of Broiler Rations

It has been shown that methionine hydroxy analogue will satisfy the methionine requirement of the chick (Bird, 1952; Gordon and Maddy, 1953). As part of an extensive program for testing the utility of methionine hydroxy analogue, experiments were carried out under conditions in which a high degree of control was maintained over temperature, light and other environmental factors. Data are presented to show that the type of experimental design employed demonstrates that the addition of low levels of methionine hydroxy analogue to practical broiler rations will give statistically significant improvements in feed efficiency. Experimetal work involving larger numbers of birds on floor trials or under field conditions will be reported subsequently.The basal diet used in this study was composed of soybean oil meal (44% protein) 35%, ground yellow corn 57.55%, alfalfa leaf meal 3.0%, dicalcium phosphate 1.975%, calcium carbonate 1.5%, iodized salt 0.5%, MnSO4 (70%) 0.025%. The following ingredients …