Weight Gain Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

The Appearance of Broiler That Given Golden Apple Snail Meat (Pomacea canaliculata) Flour as Replacement of Fish Flour

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving golden snail meat flour in broiler rations aged 2-5 weeks to the appearance of broiler chickens and to find out what level of golden snail meat flour can give the results of body weight gain, final body weight, feed consumption, and conversion best ration. This study used a Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 3 replications for each treatment. The five treatments were rations without the content of golden snail meat flour as control and rations containing golden snail meat flour 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The parameters observed were bodyweight gain, final body weight, feed consumption, and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio). The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance. If between treatments showed a real difference, then proceed with Duncan's test. The results of the study of the addition of golden snail meat flour (Pomacea canaliculata) in broiler chicken rations had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on the research variables' weight gain, final body weight, and lower FCR. Whereas the consumption of rations had a significant effect (P<0.05). In treatment R2 (10%) gave better results than other treatments (R0, R1, R3, and R4). This means that the treatment of giving golden snail meat flour in the ration apparently can increase the weight gain of broiler chickens. This is because the golden snail contains quite high protein. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the administration of golden snail meat flour (Pomacea canaliculata) in broiler rations has a very significant effect on increasing weight gain, final weight, and decreasing FCR and significantly influencing ration consumption.

Physiological and biochemical response of broiler chickens to amino acids administration

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of amino acids supplementation to drinking water of meat-type broiler chickens on their blood parameters and productive traits. A total of sixty one day old, unsexed broiler chicks were obtained from a local hatchery. They were divided into three treatment groups: control group, and two treatment groups supplemented (via drinking water) with amino acids preparation (Amino-2500 USA Premium Nutrition) at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L, respectively. All chicks were fed a commercial low protein diet containing 19% crude protein and 2900 kcal metabolizable energy per kilogram of the diet. Chicks of the control group was fed the recommended (standard) diet containing 23%crude protein and 3000 kcal of ME/Kg. The duration of the experiment was five weeks. The criteria of productive and physiological responses were live body weight, weight gain, blood plasma protein fractions, plasma lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Transaminase (ALT and AST) activity indicative of liver function was measured. Kidney function test in terms of plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid were also determined. Results showed that live body weight and weight gain of broiler chickens were significantly increased by AA administration either at three or five weeks of age. At marketing age (5 weeks), birds from the 3rd and 2nd groups achieved heavier body weigh by 32.3 and 26.8% more than the control chickens. Blood plasma total protein, albumin and globulin levels were significantly increased in the AA treatment groups for T3 and T2, respectively as compared to the control chicks. Addition of AA resulted in an obvious increase in the activity of ALT and AST indicative of negative influence of excess AA on livers function-related enzymes, especially with the higher dose of AA (T3).This was also observed for plasma uric acids and creatinine concentrations as end products of protein metabolism. The histological sections from lymphoid organs revealed better histological appearance indicative of better immunity and bird's health. It is concluded that excessive AA administration for broilers fed on low protein diet, could be used to increase live body weight, enhance protein metabolism without negative impacts on blood biochemistry, and improve their immune response. However, further study is needed to assess the cost and the net revenue from AA supplementation.

Intestinal microbial ecology, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology of male broiler chickens fed low-phosphorus diets supplemented with phytase, butyric acid, or Saccharomyces boulardii

Six dietary treatments were applied in a 42-d study to determine the effect of phytase, butyric acid, and S. boulardii on productive performance, intestinal microflora, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed diets with reduced content of nonphytate P (nPP). On d 0, a total of 750 male broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 pens of 25 broiler chickens for each diet: positive control (PC, adequate amounts of nPP), negative control (NC, 0.1% reduction in dietary nPP content), NC + 500 FTU phytase/kg (PHY), NC + 2 g butyric acid/kg (BA), NC + 1 × 108 cfu S. boulardii /kg (SB), and NC + butyric acid + S. boulardii (BA + SB). Considering the entire study period, body weight gain in broiler chickens fed any of the diets were greater (P < 0.05) than in broiler chickens fed the NC diet, where the broiler chickens fed diets PHY and BA + SB had the greatest value. Broiler chickens fed diets PC, PHY, SB, and BA + SB had greater (P < 0.05) relative thymus weight, primary and secondary antibody response against infectious bronchitis virus vaccine, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity to phytohaemagglutinin-P, but lower (P < 0.05) mortality rate and blood corticosterone concentration than those fed the NC diet at d 42. Feeding diet BA + SB increased (P < 0.05) cecal Lactobacillus spp. counts (d 35) and jejunal villus high:crypt depth (d 42), but decreased (P < 0.05) cecal Clostridium spp. counts (d 35) compared with those fed the NC diet. On d 35, the PHY, BA, SB, and BA + SB treatments had also the lower (P < 0.05) population of E. coli and Clostridium spp. in the ileum. No diets affected feed intake, relative weights of abdominal fat and liver, the population of total anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., and Coliforms in both ileum and ceca, serum insulin concentration, and duodenal morphology. In conclusion, the combination of butyric acid and S. boulardii may have synergistic effects on improving productive performance, immune response, intestinal microflora, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed the low-nPP diet.

The effect of feeding a natural feed additive on the performance of broiler chickens

Natural feed additive is made on the basis of bottom sediments of the steppe reservoirs of the Krasnodar Territory and is a dry powder of a grayish tint. Mineralization of local bottom sediments is 6.5 g / kg, calcium content is 29.7 g / kg, macronutrients from 1.04 to 25.8 g / kg, trace elements from 0.03 to 0.7 g / kg. The medium reaction is from neutral to slightly alkaline. Using sapropel feed additives (SFA), it was possible to increase the gross live weight gain of broiler chickens by 1.7-2.0% while reducing feed costs per 1 kg of gain by 0.5%. All internal organs of the poultry were developed within normal limits. There was profitability increase by 1.1% in growing broilers, when using sapropel feed additives in full feed. Blood biochemical values were at an optimal level. Therefore, this feed additive can be considered as a natural feed ingredient; however, it is necessary to further develop a complex feed additive from natural components that partially or completely meets the requirement of the poultry in biologically active substances and micronutrients.

Effect of probiotic strains of Bacillus subtilis on the growth parameters of broiler chickens and caecal microbiota

In this paper, the probiotic properties of Bacillus subtilis GM2 and GM5 strains were studied. It is shown that the use of probiotic additives based on the spores of these bacteria leads to an increase in the live weight gain of broiler chickens by 4.16% and 10.76% relative to the control. Metagenomic analysis showed that representatives of the phylum Firmicutes (54.55%) and Bacteroidetes (30.45%), mainly represented by the families Ruminococcacea and Bacteroidaceae, predominate in the caecal microbiota of broiler chickens on day 42. It was found that a probiotic based on the B. subtilis GM5 strain leads to an increase in the proportion of Firmicutes in caecum by 27% and a decrease in Bacteroidetes by 19%. There was also a significant decrease in the number of representatives of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family relative to the control group.

The influence of Zinc and Manganese chelates (pantothenates) on some chicken broiler metabolism indicators

The article presents the results of the use of the vitamin-amino acid chelates (pantothenates) of Zinc and Manganese in order to study their effect on some indicators of avian metabolism. The studies were started on 14-day Cobb 500 broiler chickens in the poultry farm of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University Training and Production Center. For this purpose, 3 groups poultry were formed: two experimental ones (Zinc and Manganese chelates were fed to the main diet with water) and a control group (50 heads each). During the experiment (14, 21, 28 days), weighed chickens followed by blood sampling for biochemical study. In the group where the chelates were drunk at a dose of 0.2 ml/l of water over the next 14 days, there was a tendency to increase the absolute weight gain in broiler chickens to 943.0 ± 25.94 g (770–1073), compared with the control – 883.2 ± 24.64 g (740–1140). The bird, which was given chelates at a dose of 0,1 ml/l of water for 14 days, increased the content of total protein in the serum by 10.3% compared to the beginning of the study, and was 30.9 ± 0.71 g/l (P &lt; 0.001). In the second group (chelate dose of 0.2 ml/l water), this indicator increased by 11.2% and amounted to 30.2 ± 0.82 g/l (P &lt; 0.01). At the end of the experiment (28 days of cultivation), the albumin content in the blood of the birds of the first and second experimental groups was 18.6 ± 0.36 and 18.7 ± 0.37 g/l (P &lt; 0.001 before the first selection). Manganese concentration in broiler chickens of the second experimental group on the 28th day was 3.6 ± 0.28 μmol/l and was higher than the control (2.7 ± 0.25 μmol/l; P &lt; 0.01). At doses of 0,1 ml/l of water (1st experimental group), there was a tendency to increase the amount of this trace element in serum to 3.2 ± 0.16 μmol/l (1.4–4,0). After 14 days of chelating, Zinc content in the serum of chickens of the first experimental group increased by 20% and amounted to 27.9 ± 0.60 μmol/l, in its second – concentration increased by 25.8% (28.3 ± 0.76 μmol/l; P &lt; 0.001) compared to the start of the experiment. Therefore, the use of the vitamin-amino acid chelates of Zinc and Manganese for 14 days at a dose of 0,1 and 0.2 ml/l of water contributed to the increase in weight gain, increase of total protein, Manganese and Zinc in the serum of broiler chickens.

The Effects of Flavomycin and Colistin Sulfate Pre-Treatment on Ileal Bacterial Community Composition, the Response to Salmonella typhimurium and Host Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens.

The composition of the bacterial community affects the intestinal health and growth performance of broiler chickens. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of flavomycin and colistin sulfate on the resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection, ileal bacteria and intestinal health. In total, 396 1-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups. Two groups were fed each one of the diets—the control diet (CON), the flavomycin at 10 mg/kg diet (AntiG+), and the colistin sulfate at 40 mg/kg diet (AntiG−), for 5 days. Then, one of each of the two groups was challenged with S. typhimurium on the 8th day; these were named CONS, AntiG+S and AntiG−S, respectively. The results showed that S. typhimurium significantly reduced the feed intake and body weight gain, and increased the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). It also increased the inflammatory expressions of NF-κB and MyD88 genes (p < 0.05); and reduced the expressions of claudin-1, occludin and mucin-2 (p < 0.05) tight junction genes in the intestines. S. typhimurium significantly reduced ileal bacterial diversity indexes of observed-species, chao1 and Shannon (p < 0.05). Compared with AntiG+S group, AntiG−S group increased the body weight gain of broiler chickens (p < 0.05), reduced the expression of inflammatory genes (p < 0.05) and intestinal permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate (p < 0.05). AntiG-S group also improved the ileal bacterial diversity indexes of observed-species and Shannon (p < 0.05). There were many significant correlations between intestinal bacteria, intestinal gene expressions and intestinal morphology (p < 0.05). This study indicated that pre-constructed AntiG− bacteria could against a S. typhimurium infection by inhibiting the expressions of intestinal inflammation genes and increasing the diversity of intestinal bacteria.

Glycerol monolaurate in the diet of broiler chickens replacing conventional antimicrobials: Impact on health, performance and meat quality

Glycerol monolaurate (GML), known as lauric acid, is a chemical compound formed from lauric acid and glycerol that presents strong antimicrobial activity. Therefore, our hypothesis is that MGL can replace conventional antimicrobials, being a new alternative to poultry farming. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of GML as a replacement for antibiotics could have positive effects on health and performance of broiler chickens. For this, 240, one-day-old, Cobb 500 broiler chicks were weighed and randomly distributed into four groups with four repetitions each (n = 15). The control group, T0, received a basal diet containing antibiotic (60 ppm of bacitracin), while the T100, T200, and T300 groups received a basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of GML, respectively. The birds were weighed at intervals of seven days, as well as at the end of the experiment (day 42). Blood samples were collected for evaluating animal health, stool for counting bacteria and coccidian, as well as muscle (chest) to measure meat quality, respectively. At the end of the experiment (day 42), body weight, weight gain, and daily weight gain of broiler chickens in the T300 group were higher than the T0 group (P < 0.05). Indeed, feed conversion was lower compared to T0. Animals that received diets containing GML showed lower amounts of Eimeria spp. oocysts on day 42 in comparison to the control group. Low total bacterial counts on day 21 of the experiment were also observed in the treated groups. Conversely, plasma levels of total protein, globulins, uric acid, and glucose were higher in animals that received GML when compared to the control group. It was also observed higher carcass yields in the breast muscle of the T100 group when compared to other groups. Lower water holding capacity was observed in breast meat of animals of the groups T100, T200, and T300 when compared to T0. Histopathological findings were compatible with coccidiosis, and the degree of these lesions did not differ among groups. Based on these results, GML in the diets of broiler chickens, showing potent antimicrobial effect, growth promoter capacity, and lack of toxicity. Therefore, GML is a promising alternative to replace conventional antimicrobials used in the diets of broiler chickens.

Влияние кормовых добавок на прирост живой массы цыплят-бройлеров

Влияние кормовых добавок на прирост живой массы цыплят-бройлеров

Neem, pawpaw and bamboo leaf meal dietary supplementation in broiler chickens: Effect on performance and health status.

The effect of the diet supplemented with leaf meals (LM) of neem (NLM), pawpaw (PLM), bamboo (BLM) and their composite leaf mix (CLM) on broiler chickens was assessed. Three hundred 1-day old broiler chickens were distributed to five diets: (control/no LM), (5g/kg NLM), (5g/kg PLM), (5g/kg BLM) and (5g/kg NLM+PLM+BLM 1:1:1). Body weight gain of birds fed BLM and CLM supplemented diets were similar but higher (p<0.05) than those fed the control, NLM and PLM supplemented diets at day 42. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels in LM supplemented diets were (p<0.05) lower compared to the control. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were (p<0.05) higher in LM supplemented diets compared to the control. The growth promoting potentials of bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf mix can be harnessed for broiler chicken production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The use of herbs as the growth promoter is currently gaining research attention in most countries. In particular, herbal supplementation in poultry diets had been proposed as a means of enhancing the performance, stabilizing the physiological state, boosting immunity and antioxidative status in the birds. This study showed that improved body weight gain of broiler chickens at 42days of age with attendant low serum glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol can be achieved when leaf meals from neem, pawpaw, bamboo and their composite mix were used as phyto-additives. The bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf meal can be used to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis which predisposes sudden death syndrome in well-grown and healthy broiler chickens. The procedures of raising broiler chickens to reach about 3kg in less than 2months impose a heavy burden on the heart, particularly overloading on the ventricular arteries leading to arteriosclerosis with age.

Influence of dietary carbohydrases, individually or in combination with phytase or an acidifier, on performance, gut morphology and microbial population in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary carbohydrases (xylanase and β-glucanase; XG), individually or in combination with phytase or acidifier on the growth performance, carcass attributes, intestinal microbial counts and morphology in broiler chickens fed a wheat-based diet. A total of 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The dietary treatments included a basal diet, the basal diet with an enzyme complex containing XG, XG plus a microbial phytase (XG + P) and XG plus acidifier (XG + A). The results indicated that feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in broiler chickens which received XG + A during the entire production period (1 to 35 d) of the trial (P < 0.05). The broiler chickens fed XG + P had lower feed intake compared with the control group at 29 to 35 d of age. The experimental treatments had no effect on the body weight gain of broiler chickens. In carcass traits, except for spleen (P < 0.05), the dietary treatments had no effects on the carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. The birds which received diets supplemented with XG and XG + A had a lower weight of the spleen compare with the control. Addition of XG in combination with phytase (XG + P) resulted in a decrease in ileal enumeration of Escherichia coli at 35 d of age (P < 0.05). However, dietary treatments did not alter the population of ileal Lactobacilli in broiler chickens. Supplementing carbohydrases with phytase and acidifier (XG + P and XG + A) significantly increased the intestinal villus length at 35 d of age (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that supplementation of the wheat-based diet with a combination with carbohydrases and acidifier (XG + A) improves FCR in broiler chickens. Furthermore, combinations of carbohydrases with phytase (XG + P) and with acidifier (XG + A) decrease the E. coli counts and increase the villus length in broiler chickens.

Effects of glutamine on performance and intestinal mucosa morphometry of broiler chickens vaccinated against coccidiosis

This study aimed to assess the effects of glutamine as feed additive on performance and intestinal mucosa morphometry of broiler chickens vaccinated against coccidiosis. A total of 400 day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments (NVNG – no vaccination, no glutamine supplementation; NVG – no vaccination, glutamine supplementation (10 g kg−1); VNG – vaccination, no glutamine supplementation; VG – vaccination, glutamine supplementation) replicated four times with 25 birds per replicate. A commercial sprayed-on vaccine against coccidiosis containing Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, E. mivati, and E. tenella was administered at the hatchery. Broiler performance was evaluated from 1-28 days, and morphometric parameters were analyzed at 14, 21, and 28 days of age. Body weight gain and feed intake were negatively affected by vaccination, but not by glutamine. Vaccination increased crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum at 21 and 28 days. In conclusion, this study showed that glutamine was not able to increase weight gain of broiler chickens, irrespective of whether the animals were vaccinated or not against coccidiosis. Glutamine supplementation was able to improve feed conversion in vaccinated birds suggesting trophic effect on intestinal epithelium improving.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Fish Oil on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Fatty Acid Profile and Sensory Attributes of Meat in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) rich fish oil (FO) supplementation to broiler chicks during finisher (21–42 days) phase on performance, carcass characteristics, meat fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of meat in broiler chickens. A total of 240, one-day-old Krishibro broiler chicks were reared under uniform managemental conditions in battery brooder during starter (1–21 days) phase. At 21 days of age, the broiler chicks were individually weighed and distributed into 40 replicates with 6 birds per replicate. Basal finisher (3000 kcal ME/kg and 20% CP) diet (control) was prepared using sunflower oil (SFO) at 3% level. Subsequently 3 test diets were prepared to contain 2% SFO and 1% fish oil (FO), 1% SFO and 2% FO or 3% FO. Fish oil supplementation at either 2 or 3% in the diets significantly improved the body weight gain in broiler chickens. The relative carcass parameters were not affected due to dietary incorporation of FO in the diet. However, abdominal fat contents were significantly reduced by incorporating 2 or 3% FO in the diet. The saturated fatty acid content decreased and poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content increased linearly in breast and thigh meat by replacement of SFO with FO at graded levels. The dietary replacement of SFO with FO completely resulted in an increase in the accumulation of n-3 long chain PUFA particularly LNA, EPA and DHA in the muscle tissues. The highest concentration of n-3 FA and lowest concentration of n-6 FA in breast and thigh meat was observed in the diet where LO was completely replaced with FO in the diet. The ratio of n6 to n-3 FA also decreased linearly with increasing the levels of FO in the diet. The sensory attributes in the cooked meat as judged by the sensory panel were not adversely affected by dietary incorporation of fish oil (upto 3%) in the diet of broiler chickens. It is concluded that dietary incorporation of FO at 3% level during finisher phase enriched the meat with n-3 FA without affecting the sensory attributes of meat; in addition, it improved the bird's performance.

Immunomodulatory activity and control of Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in the intestinal tract of chickens by Lactobacillus based probiotic

Lactobacillus-based probiotics (LBP) are used as competitive exclusion to control pathogenic enterobacterial infections and improve the weight gain in broiler chickens. This study assessed the inhibition of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in one-week-old broiler chicks, using an experimental LBP containing four Lactobacillus strains isolated from chickens (L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, L. reuteri, L. salivarius). The immunomodulatory effects of this treatment were evaluated, through the analysis of cytokines and influx of macrophages, γδ, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the gut. The intestinal colonization by SE was reduced by 1.8CFU/g (log10) in chicks treated with LBP (p<0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, LITAF) were significantly reduced in treated chicks (p<0.05), whilst untreated chicks showed elevated inflammatory stimulus and an increased population of CD8+ T cells in the intestinal mucosa after challenge (p<0.05). Additionally, the LBP stimulated TLR2 expression in caecal tonsils. The adjuvant property of the Lactobacillus cell wall (LCW) was evaluated, demonstrating good capability to stimulate T helper 2 (Th2) cell proliferation. Pretreatment of chicks with LBP decreased the intestinal colonization by SE, minimizing the tissue lesions and inflammation after challenge and showed a potential use as adjuvant with injectable killed vaccines.

Effect of Betulin-containing Extract from Birch Tree Bark on α-Amylase Activity In vitro and on Weight Gain of Broiler Chickens In vivo

In vitro effect of betulin-containing extract from Betula pendula Roth. bark on alpha-amylase activity was studied, the kinetic mechanism of interaction was proposed and in vivo effect of betulin-containing extract on weight gain and meat quality of broiler chickens was evaluated. The highest level of inhibitory activity (20%) was detected in extract concentration of 1,000 mg/L. Increased extract concentration did not lead to increased enzyme inhibition. Using Dixon and Cornish-Bowden coordinates, the competitive mechanism of inhibition was demonstrated. Calculated kinetic parameters were: Km equal to 0.6 mg/mL, Vmax equal to 2.6 and 2.1 mM/min from Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon coordinates, respectively and Ki equal to 3,670 ± 230 mg/mL. The partial inhibition of enzyme indicates the existence of low concentration of active inhibitory form, which reaches saturation level with increased extract concentration in applied suspension. Therefore, Ki has an apparent constant character. This partial inhibition of amylase activity observed in in vitro assay did not affect weight gain and meat quality of broiler chickens during in vivo assay. Rather, the tendency to increase the weight of edible parts and muscles compared to diet without additive suggests that the extract may be a potential food additive in poultry farming. Additionally, it could be a source for further pharmaceutical and pharmacological research.

Evaluation of Phytate-Degrading Lactobacillus Culture Administration to Broiler Chickens

Probiotics have been demonstrated to promote growth, stimulate immune responses, and improve food safety of poultry. While widely used, their effectiveness is mixed, and the mechanisms through which they contribute to poultry production are not well understood. Microbial phytases are increasingly supplemented in feed to improve digestibility and reduce antinutritive effects of phytate. The microbial origin of these exogenous enzymes suggests a potentially important mechanism of probiotic functionality. We investigated phytate degradation as a novel probiotic mechanism using recombinant Lactobacillus cultures expressing Bacillus subtilis phytase. B. subtilis phyA was codon optimized for expression in Lactobacillus and cloned into the expression vector pTRK882. The resulting plasmid, pTD003, was transformed into Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gallinarum, and Lactobacillus gasseri. SDS-PAGE revealed a protein in the culture supernatants of Lactobacillus pTD003 transformants with a molecular weight similar to that of the B. subtilis phytase. Expression of B. subtilis phytase increased phytate degradation of L. acidophilus, L. gasseri, and L. gallinarum approximately 4-, 10-, and 18-fold over the background activity of empty-vector transformants, respectively. Phytase-expressing L. gallinarum and L. gasseri were administered to broiler chicks fed a phosphorus-deficient diet. Phytase-expressing L. gasseri improved weight gain of broiler chickens to a level comparable to that for chickens fed a control diet adequate in phosphorus, demonstrating proof of principle that administration of phytate-degrading probiotic cultures can improve performance of livestock animals. This will inform future studies investigating whether probiotic cultures are able to provide both the performance benefits of feed enzymes and the animal health and food safety benefits traditionally associated with probiotics.

Effects of growth promoter and multivitamin-mineral premix supplementation on body weight gain in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted at the Khanpura Poultry Farm, near to the Babugonj campus of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali during the period from August to September, 2011 to evaluate the effect of growth promoter and multivitamin-mineral premix on the body weight gain in broiler chickens. A total of 90 ‘Cobb 500’ day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 30), namely Groups A, B and C. Broiler birds in groups A and B were supplemented with growth promoter and multivitamin-mineral premix, respectively in addition to commercial feed from day 4 till day 25. The dose of both the growth promoter and multivitamin-mineral premix was 2.5 g/kg of feed. Chickens of group C served as control and supplemented with commercial feed only. Body weight was recorded at three times as on day 11, 18 and 25, respectively. The mean body weight was insignificantly (p &gt; 0.05) higher in birds of groups A (992.5±139.6g) and B (978.3±147.0g) than those of group C (926.7±133.2g). The percent increase in body weight gain compare to control was increased in both the supplemented groups (5.8% in group A and 8.8% in group B) though there was no significant difference. Based on the results, it is suggested that supplementation of growth promoter and multivitamin-mineral premix in broilers even after feeding of commercial feed has positive effect on the growth of broilers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14914 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 245-248, 2012

Effect of different varieties of triticale on product characteristics in broiler chickens

The aim of this paper was to determine how forage triticale in diets for fattening broilers influence the body weight and weight gain of broiler chickens for fattening. The survey was conducted on 400 chickens for fattening provenance Ross 308 for a period of 42 days. On this occasion, four groups of chickens were formed, with 100 chickens being treated in each group, as follows: K (classic mixture for fattening broilers) and O-I (mixtures with triticale variety Kg 20), O-II (mixtures with triticale Favorit) and O-III group (mixtures with triticale Trijumf). The highest average body mass in the groups of chickens (male, female and chicks of both sexes), was scored by broiler chickens of O-II-group. The minimum food consumption for 42-day-old chicks was achieved by group O-I (4.275 kg), and the most by O-II group (4.359 kg). Chickens of O-II- and III-O-group had the best feed conversion, while the chickens of O-I-group had a slightly poorer feed conversion. The mortality of the groups of chickens for the entire period of the study was the lowest in O-II-group, at 2.0%, and the highest mortality was found in O-III-group (6.0%). The production index was the highest in O-II-group (202.726) and the lowest in O-I-group. The results achieved in this research indicate that the use of tested triticale cultivars significantly affected the weight gain and body mass of chicks and have nutritional and economic justification.

브로일러의 성장에 관한 파리번데기 동충하초 급여효과

본 연구는 파리번데기 동충하초(Cordyceps with fly pupa, CFP)의 급여가 브로일러의 성장능력에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 수행하였다. 부화 1일령 육계(Ross 308) 400수를 이용하여 4개의 처리구로 완전임의배치 한 후 35일 동안 사육하였다. 처리구는 T1 (CFP를 첨가하지 않은 무첨가 대조구), T2 (CFP 2.0% 첨가구), T3 (CFP 3.5% 첨가구) 및 T4 (CFP 5.0% 첨가구)로 구분하였다. 시험 전 기간 동안 브로일러의 증체량 및 사료효율은 T3가 유의하게 가장 높았으나(p<0.05) T1과 T2, T4 사이의 통계적인 유의차는 나타나지 않았다. 혈액 중성지방, 총 콜레스테롤 및 LDL.C 함량은 CFP 첨가구가 대조구에 비해서 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). 혈액 지질의 감소율 범위는 대조구와 비교할 때 CFP 첨가구에서 중성지방 5.32-10.63%, 총콜레스테롤 9.23-12.62%, LDL.C 44.67-53.81%로 나타났다. 복강지방 무게비율은 CFP 첨가구가 대조구와 비교할 때 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<0.05) 복강지방의 감소율 범위는 17.67-21.68%로 나타났다. 브로일러의 도체중, 도체율 및 도체중에 대한 가슴살과 피부를 포함한 다리살의 무게는 T3가 유의하게 가장 높았으며 T1과 T2, T4 사이의 통계적인 유의차가 인정되었다(p<0.05). 장 내 유해균인 E. coli, Salmonella는 CFP 첨가구가 대조구에 비해서 낮았으나 유익한 균인 Bifidobacteria는 CFP 첨가구가 대조구에 비해서 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 본 결과는 파리번데기 동충하초가 브로일러의 증체량 및 도체특성을 개선시킬 수 있음을 시사해준다. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the addition of different levels of CFP (Cordyceps with fly pupa) on growth performance in broiler chickens. 400 broiler chicks (Ross 308, 1 day old) were sorted randomly into 4 treatment groups and fed experimental diets for 35 days. The treatment groups were divided into a control group not fed with CFP (T1), and treatment groups fed with CFP 2.0% (T2), CFP 3.5% (T3), and CFP 5.0% (T4). Although the broilers' weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the T3 group throughout the entirety of the test period, no statistically significant differences were noted among the T1 and T2, T4 groups. Triglyceride in the blood, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were significantly lower in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group (p<0.05). The blood lipid reduction rate ranged from 5.32 to 10.63% for triglycerides, from 9.23 to 12.62% for total cholesterol, and from 44.67 to 53.81% for LDL-C in the CFP treatment groups relative to the control group. The abdominal fat weight ratio was reduced significantly in the CFP treatment groups (p<0.05) compared with the control group, with a reduction rate range of 17.67-21.68%. Broiler carcass weight, carcass rate, and ratios of breast muscle, skin and thigh muscle weights to carcass weight were significantly higher in the T3 group, and statistically significant differences were noted among the T1 and T2, T4 groups (p<0.05). Enteropathogenic E.coli and Salmonella were lower in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group, whereas the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacteria were significantly higher in the CFP treatment groups than in the control group (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the Cordyceps with fly pupa can improve the carcass characteristics and body weight gain in broiler chickens.

Effect of fat type and lysophosphatidylcholine addition to broiler diets on performance, apparent digestibility of fatty acids, and apparent metabolizable energy content

A completely randomized design study with a 3×2 factorial arrangement was conducted to evaluate the effects of three different fat sources (soybean oil, tallow, and poultry fat) with or without emulsifier supplementation on performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of fatty acids, and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) content in broiler chickens. Two hundred and fifty-two one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly divided into 6 different treatments: (T1) basal diet containing soybean oil without lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) supplementation, (T2) basal diet containing soybean oil with LPC supplementation, (T3) basal diet containing tallow without LPC supplementation, (T4) basal diet containing tallow with LPC supplementation, (T5) basal diet containing poultry fat without LPC supplementation, and (T6) basal diet containing poultry fat with LPC supplementation. Body weight gains from broiler chicks fed diets containing tallow were lower (P<0.05) than the body weight gains from chicks that were fed diets containing soybean oil or poultry fat in both the starter and grower periods. Birds fed diets containing tallow had the highest FCR (P<0.05), followed by the birds that were fed diets containing poultry fat, and soybean oil. The CTTAD of C16:0, C18:2, and C18:3n3 was greater (P<0.05) for broilers fed diets containing soybean oil than for those fed diets containing tallow or poultry fat in the starter period. The addition of LPC increased (P<0.05) body weight gain of broiler chickens in the starter period and the AME of the diets in the grower period, and tended to reduce FCR (P=0.072) in the starter period. LPC supplementation increased (P<0.05) the CTTAD of C16:0, C18:1n7 and C18:1n9 in the starter period, and of C18:2, and C18:3n3 in the grower period (P<0.05). There were no significant interactions between fat sources and the addition of LPC. These data indicated that LPC supplementation can improve body weight gain of broiler chickens in the starter period. This effect may be associated with an increase of CTTAD of FA due to LPC activity.