• Title/Summary/Keyword: Broilers performance

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Effects of Dietary Alpha-lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-carnitine on Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Arbor Acres Broilers

  • Zhang, Yong;Jia, Ru;Ji, Cheng;Ma, Qiugang;Huang, Jin;Yin, Haicheng;Liu, Laiting
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.27 no.7
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    • pp.996-1002
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    • 2014
  • An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid (LA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 486 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 9 dietary treatments, 9 treatments were group A (0 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group B (50 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group C (100 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group D (0 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group E (50 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group F (100 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group G (0 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC), group H (50 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC), group I (100 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC). Birds were slaughtered at 42 days old. Average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI), feed conversion rate (FCR), eviscerated rate, breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage, abdominal fat percentage, liver weight, muscle color ($L^*$ value, $a^*$ value, $b^*$ value), pH values at 45 min and 24 h postmortem were measured. Results showed that there existed an interaction between LA and ALC in growth performance of broilers, carcass traits and meat quality. The overall result is that high level of LA and ALC led to lower AFI, ADG (p<0.01), lower abdominal fat percentage, liver weight (p<0.01), lower $L^*$ value, $a^*$ value, and $b^*$ value of breast muscle, $L^*$ value of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and higher FCR (p<0.01), eviscerated rate (p<0.01), breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage (p<0.05), $a^*$ value, pH 45 min and pH 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.01). These results suggested that dietary LA and ALC contributed to the improvement of meat quality in broilers.

Effects of Dietary L-carnitine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Organ Weight, Biochemical Parameters and Ascites Susceptibility in Broilers Reared Under Low-temperature Environment

  • Wang, Y.W.;Ning, D.;Peng, Y.Z.;Guo, Y.M.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.233-240
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    • 2013
  • The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on growth performance, organ weight, biochemical parameters of blood, heart and liver, and ascites susceptibility of broilers at different ages reared under a low-temperature environment. A total of 420 1-d-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments with fifteen replicates of fourteen broilers each. Treatment diets consisted of L-carnitine supplementation at levels of 0 and 100 mg/kg. At 11-d of age, low temperature stress was used to increase ascites susceptibility. Blood, heart and liver samples were collected at different ages for analysis of boichemical parameters. The results showed that, there was no significant difference in growth performance with L-carnitine supplementation, but the mortality due to ascites was significantly decreased. Dietary L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced heart index (HI) and ascites heart index (AHI) on d 21, lung index (LUI) on d 35 and liver index (LI) on d 42. The broilers fed diets containing L-carnitine had significantly lower red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) concentration and hematocrit (HCT) on d 42. Dietary L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content of heart tissue on d 21 and 35, and significantly increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of the heart on d 21 and 42. L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced serum triglyceride (TG) content on d 28 and 35 and serum glucose (GLU) on d 35 and 42, and significantly increased serum total protein (TP) and globulin (GLO) content on d 42. L-carnitine supplementation significantly enhanced liver succinodehydrogenase (SDH), malic dehydrogenase (MDH) and $Na^+$-$K^+$-ATPase activity on d 28, and tended to reduce the lactic acid (LD) level of liver on d 35 (p = 0.06). L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced serum uric acid (UA) content on d 28, 35 and 42. Based on the current results, it can be concluded that dietary L-carnitine supplementation reduced organ index, red blood cell counts and hematocrit, enhanced antioxidative capacity of the heart, enhanced liver enzymes activity involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle, and reduced serum glucose and triglyceride. Therefore, it is suggested that L-carnitine can potentially reduce susceptibility and mortality due to ascites.

A Comparison of Natural (D-α-tocopherol) and Synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol Acetate) Vitamin E Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Oxidative Status of Broilers

  • Cheng, K.;Niu, Y.;Zheng, X.C.;Zhang, H.;Chen, Y.P.;Zhang, M.;Huang, X.X.;Zhang, L.L.;Zhou, Y.M.;Wang, T.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.29 no.5
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    • pp.681-688
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    • 2016
  • The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

One Alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol Improves Growth Performance, Tibia Quality, and Meat Color of Broilers Fed Calcium- and Phosphorus-Deficient Diets

  • Han, J.C.;Wang, Y.L.;Qu, H.X.;Liang, F.;Zhang, J.L.;Shi, C.X.;Zhang, X.L.;Li, L.;Xie, Q.;Wang, C.L.;Yan, Y.Y.;Dong, X.S.;Cheng, Y.H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.267-271
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    • 2012
  • An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of one alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol ($1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$) on growth performance, tibia quality, and skin and meat color in broilers fed calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient corn-soybean meal diets. A total of 288 male Ross broilers, at 21 days of age, were randomly assigned to three treatments with eight cages per treatment. Three levels of $1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$ (0, 5, and 10 ${\mu}g$/kg) were added to a basal diet (0.50% Ca, 0.13% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), and 0.35% total phosphorus (tP)) without vitamin $D_3$. As a result of this study, the addition of $1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$ increased body weight gain (p<0.001), feed intake (p = 0.007), feed efficiency (p<0.001), tibia weight (p = 0.002), length (p<0.001), breaking-strength (p = 0.012), ash (p<0.001), Ca (p<0.001), and P content (p = 0.004). Dietary $1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$ enhanced breast meat yellowness (p = 0.015) and the length and weight of the small intestine of the broilers. Moreover, $1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$ decreased serum Ca concentration (p = 0.074) and breast meat redness (p = 0.010). These results indicate that the $1{\alpha}$-OH $D_3$ improves growth, tibia quality, and meat color in broilers fed Ca- and P-deficient corn-soybean meal diets.

Effects of Dietary Taurine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Constituents and Antibody Production of Broilers

  • Lee, Der-Nan;Cheng, Yeong-Hsiang;Chuang, Yu-Shuan;Shive, Jiing-Lin;Lian, Yuh-Ming;Wei, Hen-Wei;Weng, Ching-Feng
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.109-115
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    • 2004
  • Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of taurine (Tau) supplements on broiler growth performance, serum constituents and antibody production. In Exp. 1, 3 day old chicks received a basal diet supplemented with Tau at 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 or 0.40% for 6 weeks. Although dietary Tau supplementing at 0.30 or 0.40% enhanced feed conversion and reduced feed consumption during 0 to 3 weeks (p<0.05), neither serum total cholesterol or anti-Newcastle disease virus (NDV) titer were affected. In Exp. 2, dietary Tau supplement at 0.25-0.75% enhanced feed conversion of broilers during 0 to 3 weeks, but daily gain and feed consumption were not affected. The 0.75% Tau supplement group displayed lower serum total cholesterol at 6 weeks (p<0.05) comparing with the control group but no difference in anti-NDV titers. In Exp. 3, broilers were treated with dietary Tau of 0 or 0.50% combined with low (0/0%), medium (0.18/0.08%), or high (0.36/0.16%) methionine (Met) levels for 6 weeks (0 to 3/3 to 6 weeks). The addition of Met significantly improved daily gain and feed conversion of broilers during 0 to 3 weeks (p<0.01). Dietary Tau interacted significantly with Met on daily gain and feed consumption. Broiler serum amino acids revealed that Met supplements only increased serum Met level, but only serum Tau level was enhanced as given dietary Tau supplementation. The broilers receiving Tau normalized serum triglycerides level by feeding with the low Met diet and tended to display higher anti-NDV titers (p<0.10). The experimental results suggest that the growth response obtained by Tau supplements results partly from interactions with sulfur amino acids. However, the modulation of the broiler lipid metabolism may be responsible for dietary Tau.

Effects of Dietary Peat Moss on Performance in Broilers (피트모스 첨가사료가 육계의 생산성에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Jimin;Kang, Seokmin;Yang, Young-Rok;Yoon, Jeong-Yong;Jo, Kwonho;Choi, Yang-Ho
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.267-274
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    • 2015
  • Peat moss has been found to be useful as a plant growth substance, fertilizer, and soil solution. It is not known, however, whether dietary peat moss affects performance in broilers. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary peat moss as a feed ingredient in broilers. Experimental diets were prepared by mixing basal feed with PM at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6%. In experiment 1, 150 14-day-old Ross broiler chicks were housed for 2 weeks in 15 pens that were randomly assigned into five groups (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8% and 1.6% PM). Dietary peat moss at 0.2% and 0.4% significantly increased the water intake, body weight, weight gain and feed efficiency compared with the control (0.0% PM, P<0.05) but did not affect feed intake. Higher levels of PM (0.8 and 1.6%) significantly decreased feed intake, body weight and weight gain. In experiment 2, 198 7-day-old Ross chicks were housed for 3 weeks in nine pens that were randomly assigned into three groups (0.0%, 0.2% and 0.4% PM). When the broilers were fed with dietary peat moss for 3 weeks, the peat moss effects disappeared. The results of the current study show that low amounts of dietary peat moss may exert beneficial effects on performance in broilers.

EFFECTS OF EARLY SKIP DAY FEEDING ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BODY COMPOSITION IN BROILERS

  • Santoso, U.;Tanaka, K.;Ohtani, S.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.451-461
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    • 1993
  • Four hundred and eighty broiler chicks of both sexes were obtained from commercial hatchery (Hubbard) and raised on floor pens. All chicks were allowed free access to food from 0 to 7 and 20 to 56 days of age. At 7 days of age, all broilers were weighed individually, and divided into five groups as follows: 1. feed ad libitum as the control; 2. allowed free access to food 3 days and starved 1 day ($3{\times}1$); 3. allowed free access to food 2 days and starved 1 day ($2{\times}1$); 4. allowed free access to food 1 day and starved 1 days ($1{\times}1$) and; 5. allowed free access to food 2 days and starved 2 days ($2{\times}2$). Broilers were restricted for 12 days (d 7 through 17) of a 56-day trial. Broilers were fed a commercial starter diet (crude protein 23.8% and ME 3,070 kcal/kg) for 21 days, and commercial finisher diet (crude protein 20% and ME 3,160 kcal/kg) from 22 to 56 days of age. Although there was compensatory growth in some groups, (the $1{\times}1$ female group, and the $3{\times}1$ and $2{\times}1$ male grous), its level was not sufficient to achieve normal body weight at market age. There was sexual dimorphism for accelerated growth as well as differences in the ability to achieve a complete compensation of growth to the weight, feed conversion ratio, and body composition of ad libitum chicks. Early feed restriction could be used to reduce production cost because of the lower fed conversion ratio, mortality rate and the amount of starter diet consumed by broilers. The response of chicks to early feed restriction might depend on the degree of feed restriction, the method of feed restriction, duration of feed restriction, and sexes.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and phytase co-fermentation of wheat bran on growth, antioxidation, immunity and intestinal morphology in broilers

  • Chuang, Wen-Yang;Lin, Li-Jen;Hsieh, Yun-Chen;Chang, Shen-Chang;Lee, Tzu-Tai
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.34 no.7
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    • pp.1157-1168
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    • 2021
  • Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different amounts of wheat bran (WB) inclusion and postbiotics form by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran (FWB) on the growth performance and health status of broilers. Methods: Study randomly allocated a total of 300 male broilers to a control and 4 treatment groups (5% WB, 5% FWB, 10% WB, and 10% FWB inclusion, respectively) with each pen having 20 broilers and 3 pens per treatment. Results: The WB does not contain enzymes, but there are 152.8, 549.2, 289.5, and 147.1 U/g dry matter xylanase, protease, cellulase and β-glucanase in FWB, respectively. Furthermore, FWB can decrease nitric oxide release of lipopolysaccharide stimulated chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells by about two times. Results show that 10% FWB inclusion had significantly the highest weight gain (WG) at 1 to 21 d; 5% FWB had the lowest feed conversion rate at 22 to 35 d; 10% WB and 10% FWB inclusion have the highest villus height and Lactobacillus spp. number in caecum; and both 5% and 10% FWB can increase ash content in femurs. Compared to control group, all treatments increase mucin 2, and tight junction (TJ), such as occludin, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, and mRNA expression in ileum by at least 5 folds. In chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase-1 mRNA expression decreases from 2 to 5 times, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit mRNA expression also increases in all treatment groups compared to control group. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κB, and IL-1β, decreases in 5% and 10% FWB groups compared to control group. Conclusion: To summarize, both WB and FWB inclusion in broilers diets increase TJ mRNA expression and anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation, but up to 10% FWB groups have better WG in different stages of broiler development.

Effect of Dietary Salt Levels on the Performance in Laying Hens and Broilers (사료내 염분 함량이 육계와 산란계의 생산성에 미치는 영향)

  • Hwangbo J.;Hong E. C.;Nho W. G.;Lee B. S.;Bae H. D.;Choi N. J.;Chung J. Y.;Kang H. K.;Jang A. R.;Park B. S.
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.195-202
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    • 2005
  • Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary salt levels on the performance in laying hens and broilers. In experiment 1, 108 Avian broilers of 21 days age were conducted to evaluate broiler's performance. The broilers were divided into 6 treatment groups with 6 pens (3 broilers/pen), and 134 diets with different levels of salt with 0.25 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and $2.5\%$, respectively, for 3 weeks $(3\~5 weeks)$. The feed intake was not affected by the treatments. However, moisture content in feces was increased as increasing levels of dietary salt (P<0.05). In experiment 2, 135 ISA Brown laying hens were used to evaluate on performance of laying hens. The dietary supplementation of salt levels were prepared at 0.25 (control), 1, 2, 3 and $4\%$, respectively, for 4 weeks. Feed intake was decreased as increasing the dietary salt levels during the experiment (P<0.05). Particularly, it was lower in $3\%\;and\;4\%$ salt level treatments compared with the control (P<0.05). As expected, water intake was increased as increasing the dietary salt levels (P<0.05). Therefore, the present results could indicate that dietary salt content need to be considered for broilers and laying hens.

EFFECTS OF CHOICE FEEDING A COMPLETE FEED AND CORN ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

  • Ramlah, A.H.;Halim, A.S.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.213-215
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    • 1994
  • Poultry feeding systems are likely to change for increased efficiency of production. An experiment was conducted to compare the response of broilers to choice feeding of corn with a standard broiler ration. The treatments consisted of providing broiler feed as the only feed (SINGLE FEED) and access to corn as a choice to a complete broiler feed (CHOICE FEEDING). Weights and feed consumption were obtained at weekly intervals. Samples at the conclusion of the experiment were taken to determine the weight of abdominal fat. Results showed that there was no significant difference in term of liveweight between the two feeding regimes. However, birds given a choice of the broiler feed and corn had better feed efficiency which is reflected by the lower total feed intake. Corn intake was 23.1% of total feed intake in the choice fed birds. In term of carcass colour, birds fed corn as a choice was observed to have a deeper yellow skin colour than the birds fed with broiler feed only.