• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.393-400
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• 2012

The study was conducted to examine the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) by solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and immune function of broilers. After inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BJ-1 for 48 h, the content of free gossypol in cottonseed meal was decreased from 0.82 to 0.21 g/kg. A total of 600, day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of 50 chicks each. A corn-SBM based control diet was formulated and the experimental diets included 4, 8 or 12% FCSM, replacing SBM. Throughout the experiment, broilers fed 8% FCSM had higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than those fed 0, 4 and 12% FCSM. The feed intake in 8% FCSM group was superior (p<0.05) to other treatments from d 21 to 42. On d 21, the concentration of serum immunoglobin M in the 4% and 8% FCSM groups, as well as the content of complements (C3, C4) in 8% FCSM group were greater (p<0.05) than those in the SBM group. Besides, birds fed 8% FCSM had increased (p<0.05) serum immunoglobin M, immunoglobulin G and complement C4 levels on d 42 compared with bird fed control diet. No differences (p>0.05) were found between treatments regarding the serum biochemical parameters and the relative weights of immune organs. In conclusion, FCSM can be used in broiler diets at up to 12% of the total diet and an appropriate replacement of SBM with FCSM may improve growth performance and immunity in broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2016

A total of 528 broilers ($47{\pm}0.1g$; 1 day of age) were used in a 35-day feeding trial to evaluate probiotics, prebiotics and their interactive effects on growth performance, blood characteristics, relative organ weight and meat quality. Broilers were randomly distributed into 1 of 6 treatments on the basis of body weight (BW) (4 replicate pens per treatment, 22 broilers per pen). The dietary treatments were CON, basal diet; B, CON + 0.1 g kg-1 Bacillus subtilis; K, CON + 1 g kg-1 Kefir; G, CON + 1 g kg-1 ${\beta}-glucan$; GB, G + 1 g kg-1 Bacillus subtilis; and GK, G + 1 g kg-1 Kefir. The overall effects indicated that broilers fed the K, G and GK diets had greater body weight gain (BWG) than those fed the CON diet (P<0.05). The number of white blood cells increased (P<0.05) in the GB group compared with the CON, B and G treatments; however, the lymphocyte percentage in the B group was higher than in the G group. The weight of bursa fabricii was lower in the B and G groups compared to the K group (P<0.05), whereas a higher spleen weight was observed in chickens that were fed the GB and GK diets compared to the B group (P<0.05). The treatments did not affect the meat quality parameters, except for meat redness, which improved with all of the supplementation groups (P<0.05). The population of Lactobacillus spp. in gizzard was significantly higher in the K treatment compared with CON, B, G and GB. In conclusion, supplementation with kefir and ${\beta}-glucans$ improved growth performance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.413-422
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding curcumin-steviol glycoside complex (CSG) on the growth performance and meat quality of white semi broilers. A total of 60 one-day-old white semi broilers with an initial body weight (BW) 40.0 ± 0.2 g were used in a 5-week experiment. The three treatments were as follows: 1) CON; basal diet, 2) T1; CON + 0.5% CSG and 3) T2; CON + 1.0% CSG. Each treatment consisted of 5 replicate cages with 4 broilers per cage. In 0 - 2 weeks, the supplementation of 1.0% CSG in the diets significantly increased (p < 0.05) the BW and decreased the feed intake (FI), thereby improving the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the CON group. For meat quality, the T2 group showed a higher water holding capacity (WHC) and lower drip loss (DL) and cooking loss (CL) compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). For meat color, the T2 group showed a significantly lower lightness (L^*) and yellowness (b^*) than that of the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). In the sensory evaluation, the meat color and texture in the T2 group were significantly improved (p < 0.05) compared with those of the other treatment groups. As a result, the acceptability of consumers was ameliorated. In conclusion, this study shows that the supplementation of CSG improved the growth performance and meat quality in white semi broilers. This study suggests that 1.0% CSG is the optimal level in the diet.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1215-1222
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• 2022

Objective: A feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of silymarin seed extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta microbiota, excreta gas emission, blood profiles, and meat quality in broilers. Methods: A total of 1,088 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (mixed-sex) with an initial body weight of 42.34±0.82 g, were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 17 replicates of 16 chicks per cage and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% of silymarin. Results: The inclusion of silymarin supplementation linearly increased the body weight of broilers during days 7 to 21 and 1 to 35 days. On day 35, broilers fed a diet containing graded levels of silymarin supplementation linearly increased the nutrient digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, and nitrogen and cecal Lactobacillus counts (p = 0.038). While silymarin supplement linearly reduced the methyl mercaptans (p = 0.039) and acetic acid (p = 0.007) emission in broilers. No significant effects were observed on the blood profile. Relative weights of organs such as breast muscle, bursa of fabricius were increased (linear effect, p<0.05), water holding capacity was enhanced by increasing the silymarin level from 0% to 0.06%. A linear reduction (p>0.05) in drip loss from meat samples during days 1, 3, 5, and 7 by the addition of graded level of silymarin to the diet. Conclusion: An increasing level of silymarin supplementation to the diet of broiler would be beneficial to enhance growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta microflora, blood profile, and meat quality traits.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.596-604
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate the effects of enzyme-bacteria co-fermented feed on broilers, the basal diet (BF) was pretreated by microbial enzyme co-fermentation, and then different proportions of BF were replaced to study its effects on growth performance, nutrient metabolism and cecal microflora of broilers. Methods: Four hundred and eighty 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups. The control group was fed with BF, and groups 1 to 4 were treated with dried fermented feed (DFF) instead of 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% the BF, and group 5 was treated with wet fermented feed (WFF) instead of 10% the BF, named BF, 10% DFF, 15% DFF, 20% DFF, 25% DFF, and 10% WFF, respectively. The trial period was 42 days. Results: The results showed that the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of 10% DFF, 15% DFF, and 10% WFF groups were significantly higher than those of the control group at 22 to 42 days and 1 to 42 days (p<0.05). Except for 10% DFF group, Firmicutes of all treatment were higher than that of control group. The Bacteroides of each treatment group were lower than that of the control group (p>0.05). At the same time, the nutrient apparent metabolic rate and cecal microbial abundance of each treatment group had an increasing trend (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the feed fermented by enzyme and bacteria had a potential promoting effect on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 1995

The effects of palm oil and soybean oil as a high energy source diet on the performance of broilers under the warm humid environment were studied. Palm oil and soybean oil, either singly or mixed, were incorporated in the experimental diets to a total of 6% of the diet. The performance of the chicken improved (though not significant) with increasing unsaturated fatty acid content in the diets, but the responses to treatments were not consistent. The carcass fat content was generally higher in all the treated groups compared to the control but the differences were not statistically significant. The results also failed to show any effect of combining two sources of oils. Fatty acid composition in the body was found to be influenced greatly by dietary fat. When soybean oil was used instead of palm oil, the amount of linoleic and linolenic acids in the carcass were increased proportionately.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.549-553
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• 2006

In this study, the effects of granite-grit offered free-choice on voluntary intakes of grit and subsequently on some morphologic traits of the digestive tract and performance of broilers were investigated. A total of 240 7d-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allotted randomly to 10 floor pens supplied with wood shavings. The experiment lasted for 42 days. There were 2 dietary treatments, each consisting of 5 replicates. Each replicate consisted of 24 birds kept in an experimental unit with a floor size of $2{\times}2m$. Dietary treatments consisted of control (C) in which broilers were fed standard broiler rations, and acid insoluble granite-grit choice (AIGG) in which broilers were fed standard broiler rations and grit in separate troughs. Mean amounts consumed varied quite widely from week to week, but on average broilers ate 3.41 g per d per bird during the experimental period. Birds had a higher voluntary intake of granite-grit at an early age (7 to 21 d of age) than later (22 to 42 d of age). The voluntary intake of granite-grit of AIGG broilers increased (p<0.05) from 2.7 g/day at 7-14 d to 4.4 g at 15-21 d of age, and then it decreased to 3.4, 3.2 and 3.4 g/day between 22-28, 29-35 and 36-42 d of age, respectively. This level of grit intake increased (p<0.05) weights of empty gizzard (0.97 vs. 1.30 g), edible inner organs (3.51 vs. 3.69 g), and length of gut (8.86 vs. 9.01 cm) as a proportion of body weight and the content of insoluble ash (8.4 vs. 42.2 g/kg) in the faeces compared to the control group. Feeding free-choice grit had little or no effect on final live weights (2,542 vs. 2,543 g), daily gains (69 vs. 69 g), carcass weights (1,924 vs. 1,911), dressing percentages (75.6% vs. 75.1%) and feed efficiencies (1.69 vs. 1.66). Birds given grit did not gain more weight than those not given grit but they tended to have (p<0.07) lower feed intake (116.7 vs. 114.5 g), and consequently lower protein and energy intake. In conclusion, the granite-grit consumed voluntarily by broilers increased gut length and empty gizzard weight without affecting growth performance of broilers. Thus, it can be assumed that the voluntary consumption of granite-grit was too low to affect performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1128-1135
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary green tea extract (GTE) on the performance, carcass and gastrointestinal tract (gut) traits, caecal coliform bacteria count, and pH and color (CIE $L^*$, $a^*$, and $b^*$) values of the breast muscle in broilers. A total number of 600 day-old broilers (Ross 308) was allocated to three treatments with four replicates containing 50 (25 males and 25 females) birds. The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as the control (0GTE) and diets with GTE at 0.1 (0.1GTE) or 0.2 (0.2GTE) g/kg. Body weights and the feed intake of broilers were measured at 1, 21 and 42 days, the feed intake was measured for different periods and the feed conversion ratio was calculated accordingly. At 42 day four birds per replicate were slaughtered for the determination of carcass and organ weights, caecal coliform bacteria count, and also quality of the breast muscle. The dietary GTE increased the body weight, feed efficiency, carcass weight and dressing percentage and decreased caecal coliform bacteria count of broilers (p<0.05). The 0GTE broilers consumed (p<0.01) less feed than the 0.1GTE birds in the entire experimental period. The relative abdominal fat weight and gut length of broilers in the 0.2GTE were tended to be lower (p<0.07) than those in the 0GTE group. The breast meat from 0.1GTE birds had a lower pH value when compared to that from 0GTE birds. The 0.1GTE broilers had lighter breast meat than 0GTE and 0.2GTE birds. The dietary GTE increased $a^*$ and $b^*$ values of the breast meat. Thus this product appeared to have a measurable impact on CIE color values of the breast meat in broilers. The results of the present study may indicate that the improved production results in the group with added GTE are directly connected with physiological mechanisms such as the regulation of the caecal micro-flora.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.544-550
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at $100^{\circ}C$ for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1275-1284
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• 2018

Objective: A 28-d trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with different energy and lipase levels on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum profiles, gut health, and carcass quality in broilers. Methods: A total of 720 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers ($45.4{\pm}0.5g$) were randomly assigned to one of the following four treatments: i) RET, reduced energy treatment (metabolizable energy = 2,950 and 3,100 kcal/kg for starter and finisher diet), ii) BDT, basal diet treatment (metabolizable energy = 3,050 and 3,200 kcal/kg for starter and finisher diet, iii) RET015, RET+0.15 g/kg lipase, and iv) RET03, RET+0.3 g/kg lipase. There were 10 replications (cages) per treatment with 18 birds per cage. Results: During d 1 to 14, broilers fed BDT, RET015, and RET03 diets had higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than those fed RET diet. During d 1 to 14, 15 to 28 and the overall experiment, feed conversion ratio in RET03 treatment was lower (p<0.05) compared with RET treatment. On d 14, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), and gross energy in RET03 treatment was higher (p<0.05) than those in RET treatment, while the ATTD of N was increased (p<0.05) by RET03 treatment. On d 28, broilers fed RET03 diet had higher (p<0.05) ATTD of DM than those fed RET and RET015 diets, while the ATTD of EE in BDT and RET03 treatments was increased (p<0.05) compared with RET and RET015 treatments. Broilers fed RET03 diet had higher villus height (VH) and VH:crypt depth (CD) ratio than those fed RET and BDT diets. The activity of pancreatic lipase in BDT and RET03 treatments was higher (p<0.05) than that in RET treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, lipase supplementation (3,000 U/kg feed) increased growth performance, nutrient digestibility, VH, VH:CD ratio and lipase activity, but decreased triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the abdominal fat percentage in broilers fed reduced energy diet.