• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.234-238
• /
• 1998

Two experiments were conducted with broiler chickens to determine cage floor preferences, the strength of preference for a particular floor type and to evaluate the effect of rearing broilers on the preferred cage floor on productivity. In experiment 1, chicks when offered free access to either wire (WF) or plastic (PF) mesh flooring, preferred the former. However, when the perferred floor type (WF) was illuminated at 800 lux, birds spent longer time on PF. Also provision of incandescent lamps at PF resulted in broilers spending significantly longer period on WF. In experiment 2, while floor type had no effect on growth of female chicks throughout the duration of study, male chicks grown on PF were heavier than their WF counterparts on Days 21, 28, 35 and 42. Neither livability, nor incidence of breast blisters and leg deformities was affected by floor type.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.847-854
• /
• 2014

Different herbs and spices have been used as feed additives for various purposes in poultry production. This study was conducted to assess the effect of feed supplemented with black pepper (Piper nigrum), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum) and their combinations on the performance of broilers. A total of 210 (Cobb) one-d-old chicks were divided into seven groups of 30 birds each. The treatments were: a control group received no supplement, 0.5% black pepper (T1), 0.5% turmeric powder (T2), 2% coriander seeds (T3), a mixture of 0.5% black pepper and 0.5% turmeric powder (T4), a mixture of 0.5% black pepper and 2% coriander seed (T5), and a mixture of 0.5% black pepper, 0.5% turmeric powder and 2% coriander seeds (T6). Higher significant values of body weight gain during the whole period of 5 weeks (p<0.001) were observed in broilers on T1, T3, T5, and T6 compared to control. Dietary supplements with T1, T2, T3, and T6 improved the cumulative G:F of broilers during the whole period of 5 weeks (p<0.001) compared with control. The dressing percentage and edible giblets were not influenced by dietary supplements, while higher values of relative weight of the liver (p<0.05) were obtained in T5 and T6 compared to control. The addition of feed supplements in T5 and T6 significantly increased serum total protein and decreased serum glucose, triglycerides and alkaline phosphatase concentrations compared with the control group (p<0.05). Broilers on T6 showed significant decrease in the serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase concentration (p<0.05) compared to control. The broilers having T5 and T6 supplemented feed had relatively greater antibody titre (p<0.001) at 35 d of age than control. It is concluded that dietary supplements with black pepper or coriander seeds or their combinations enhanced the performance and health status of broiler chickens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.62 no.6
• /
• pp.824-839
• /
• 2020

The current study was aimed to examine the effect of partial or complete replacement of fishmeal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on growth performance, fecal composition, and meat quality in broiler chickens. A total number of 240 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments with six replications and ten birds per one pen. Dietary treatments were followed as; 1) Diet incorporated with 4% FM without FSBM (Control), 2) Diet incorporated with 3% FM and 2% FSBM (FSBM2), 3) Diet incorporated with 2% FM and 3% FSBM (FSBM3) and 4) Diet incorporated with 4% FSBM without FM (FSBM4). Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly for 35 days of the experimental period. Moreover, fecal samples were collected to evaluate moisture, ash, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus content on day 21 post-hatch. On day 35, two birds were sacrificed from each pen to measure meat quality parameters and visceral organ weights. Results revealed that, no dietary treatment effect (p > 0.05) was observed either in both body weight or average daily gain of broilers within the entire experimental period while broilers fed FSBM2 increased (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake by 10.07% whereas FSBM4 improved (p < 0.05) feed efficiency ratio by 8.45% compared to birds fed other dietary treatments on day 7 post-hatch. Besides, birds fed FSBM3 obtained the improved (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio over the birds fed control diet by 7.51% from hatch to day 35 post-hatch (1.60 vs. 1.73). Nevertheless, no difference (p > 0.05) was detected on visceral organ weight, proximate composition and physicochemical characteristics of meat while broilers offered FSBM4 obtained the lowest (p < 0.05) calcium and phosphorous in faces (2.27% and 1.21% respectively) over those offered control feed and other FSBM treatments. In conclusion, FSBM would be a better replacement for ousting FM partially or completely in broiler diet as it did not impair the growth performance and meat quality while reducing the calcium and phosphorous excretion in broilers for 35 days post-hatch.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.788-793
• /
• 1999

To determine the interrelationship between thyroid status and the reparitioning action of clenbuterol (CLE) in broilers, two-week-old female chickens were fed diets containing an antithyroid substance, propylthiouracil (PTU, 0 or 0.3%), CLE (0 to 1 mg/kg), or both for 18 days in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design experiment. Muscle weights (breast muscle, gastrocnemius and peroneus longus) increased only in the normal chickens fed CLE. As absolute mass, protein of leg muscle quantitatively increased in the CLE-fed normal birds. In contrast, inhibition of the CLE-induced protein accretion, especially of peroneus longus, occurred in the PTU group. A quantitative increase in DNA was observed in leg muscles of the normal chickens, but no DNA response to CLE was shown in the PTU-treated chickens. The decreased RNA in leg muscles of the PTU group was more reduced by CLE feeding. Although not statistically significant, the reduced degradation rate of whole muscle protein in normal chickens fed CLE was not confirmed in the PTU-fed group. The present study, therefore, concluded that metabolic action of thyroid hormones was a prerequisite for the hypertrophic effect of ${\beta}$-agonist in broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.990-994
• /
• 2004

Effects of addition of a mycotoxin detoxifier in poultry feed were studied in broilers. Aflatoxins were present in the poultry feed as 28 ppb (normal feed), 78 ppb (contaminated feed) and 170 ppb (highly contaminated feed). The mycotoxin detoxifier was used in 3 concentrations i.e. 1, 3 and 5 kg/ton of feed. Aflatoxins reduced the body weight in broiler chicken and treatment of contaminated feed with low level of detoxifier improved the body weight equivalent to that of normal feed. Higher level of detoxifier proved better than lower level addition in alleviating the effects of highly contaminated feed. Addition of detoxifier also resulted in improvement of FCR to the level of normal feed. Antibody levels against Newcastle disease virus on day 28 of age were significantly lower in chicken fed on contaminated feed. Addition of detoxifier in feed improved the antibody levels in chicken. Mortality was highest in groups given contaminated feed throughout the study period of 7 weeks. Significant mortality was also observed in groups given highly contaminated feed for 2 weeks. Mortality in chicken given detoxifier added contaminated feed was lowest and similar to the group given normal feed. The study shows that mycotoxin detoxifier containing oxyquinol, dichloro-thymol and micronized yeast can effectively neutralize the ill-effects of aflatoxins in poultry feed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.129-138
• /
• 2013

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of origins of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, nutrients and energy retention and fecal microflora in broilers. The SBM originating from Korea, Brazil and India were used. A total of 480 broiler chicks (average initial BW, 41.8 g) were randomly allotted to 6 treatments. Each treatment had 4 replicate pens with 20 chicks per pen. Birds were fed diets containing SBM originated from Korea (domestic SBM), Brazil or India (imported SBM) and the diets were based on the total amino acid (TAA) or true digestible amino acid (TDAA). Experimental diets were fed in two phases, starter (d 0~21) and finisher (d 22~35). The overall weight gain, feed intake and FCR were better (P<0.05) in birds fed Korean SBM. During starter and finisher periods, birds fed diets containing Korean SBM had greater (P<0.05) retention of GE, DM, and CP (P<0.05) as compared with Birds fed diets containing SBM from India. In addition, diets formulated on TDAA basis had grater (P<0.05) CP retention during starter period and DM, GE and CP retention during finisher period. There were no differences (P>0.05) in the excreta microflora and overall feed cost per kg body weight gain in birds fed SBM from different origins; however, diets formulated on TDAA basis had lesser (P<0.05) feed cost per kg body weight gain in birds when compared with diets formulated on TAA basis. These results indicate that Korean SBM has better nutrients digestibility than SMB originated from Brazil and India, which contributes to the improved performance of broilers. In addition, better performance was obtained when diets were formulated on TIDAA basis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.159-167
• /
• 2017

The microbial community is known to have a key role during the rearing period of broilers. In this study, gut microbial composition and diversity were examined to evaluate the relationships between these factors and broiler growth performance. By applying 454-pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 regions of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, six fecal samples from four- and 28-day-old chickens from three broiler farms and 24 intestinal samples of broilers with heavy and light body weights were analyzed. Microbial composition assessment revealed Firmicutes to be the most prevalent phylum at farm A, while Proteobacteria were predominant at farms B and C. Fecal microbial richness and diversity indices gradually increased from four to 28 days at all three farms. Microbial diversity assessment revealed that small intestine microbial diversity was lower in heavy birds than in light birds. In light birds, the Firmicutes proportion was lower than that in heavy birds. In conclusion, each broiler farm revealed a specific microbial profile which varied with the age of the birds. The microbial communities appeared to affect growth performance; therefore, gut microbial profiles can be utilized to monitor growth performance at broiler farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.1252-1257
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary soy isoflavone (ISF, 0 and 20 mg/kg) on performance, meat quality and antioxidative property in male broilers. Six replicates of 45 birds (42 d old) were used for each treatment. The birds were fed soybean meal-free diets containing 3% oxidized fish oil (acid value, 6.76 mg potassium hydroxide/g; and peroxide value, 6.18 meq/kg) for 3 wk. The results showed that average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion and carcass traits were not affected by soy ISF. Compared with the control group, breast muscle color redness value and water holding capacity were increased (p<0.05) by ISF supplementation. The activity of plasma catalase was increased by supplementing with 20 mg ISF/kg diet. In breast muscle, Broilers fed 20 mg ISF/kg had decreased production of malondialdehyde and lactic acid. The ISF supplementation elevated total antioxidative capacity and activities of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The results indicated that dietary ISF could increase redness and water holding capacity of meat, and antioxidative property of meat in male broilers fed oxidized fish oil diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.8
• /
• pp.1194-1201
• /
• 2015

This study investigated the effect of oxidized soybean oil in the diet of young chickens on growth performance and intestinal oxidative stress, and indices of intestinal immune function. Corn-soybean-based diets containing 2% mixtures of fresh and oxidized soybean oil provided 6 levels (0.15, 1.01, 3.14, 4.95, 7.05, and $8.97meqO_2/kg$) of peroxide value (POV) in the diets. Each dietary treatment, fed for 22 d, had 6 replicates, each containing 30 birds (n = 1,080). Increasing POV levels reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the broilers during d 1 to 10, body weight and average daily gain at d 22 but did not affect overall ADFI. Concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in plasma and jejunum as POV increased but total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) declined in plasma and jejunum. Catalase (CAT) activity declined in plasma and jejunum as did plasma glutathione S-transferase (GST). Effects were apparent at POV exceeding $3.14meqO_2/kg$ for early ADFI and MDA in jejunum, and POV exceeding $1.01meqO_2/kg$ for CAT in plasma and jejunum, GST in plasma and T-AOC in jejunum. Relative jejunal abundance of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) P50 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ P65 increased as dietary POV increased. Increasing POV levels reduced the jejunal concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A and cluster of differentiation (CD) 4 and CD8 molecules with differences from controls apparent at dietary POV of 3.14 to $4.95meqO_2/kg$. These findings indicated that growth performance, feed intake, and the local immune system of the small intestine were compromised by oxidative stress when young broilers were fed moderately oxidized soybean oil.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.1341-1347
• /
• 2002

An experiment was conducted to determine effects of oral administration of $Diakur^{TM}$ (an additive of glucose and electrolytes for young calves) on growth performance and some physiological responses in male broilers reared in a high temperature. A 2 by 3 factorial arrangement test of 2 temperatures (24 and $36^{\circ}C$) and 3 levels of oral administration of the glucose and electrolytes additive, $Diakur^{TM}$, (0, 150 and 300 mg/day/100 gBW) were applied in the experiment. Male broiler chicks (2 weeks of age) were assigned to six groups and received dietary and temperature treatments for 7 days. The additive of glucose and electrolytes was suspended with water and intubated into crop twice a day (08:00 and 17:00). Oral administration of the additive prevented decreases in food intake and growth rates in broilers due to exposure of the hot environment. Oral administration of the additive also improved a lowered electrolyte ($Na^+$ + $K^+$ - $Cl^-$) balance in plasma, low mitogenic response of blood mononuclear cell and an increase in glucose concentration due to exposure to the high environmental temperature. Oral administration of the additive increased rectal temperature regardless of environmental temperatures. On the other hand, blood pH, $pCO_2$ and $HCO_3$ - concentration, and plasma creatine kinase activity were not affected by the oral administration. The results suggested that oral administration of the glucose and electrolytes additive, $Diakur^{TM}$ during heat stress did not only prevent decrease in growth performance, but also normalized some physiological and immunological responses in male broilers.