• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.1957-1966
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difference in the thigh meat quality of Ross 308 broiler from conventional and welfare farms. Methods: Thigh meat samples of Ross 308 broilers (age, 35 d; carcass weight, 1.1 kg) from conventional farm (RCF, n = 60) and animal welfare farms (RAWF, n = 60) were analyzed. Proximate composition, pH, color (lightness, redness, and yellowness), water-holding capacity (WHC), shear force, total aerobic bacteria (TAB), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) were measured and the levels of bioactive compounds such as dipeptides (anserine and carnosine), creatine, creatinine, and their anti-oxidation activity were determined. Results: The RCF and RAWF did not differ significantly in their proximate composition, WHC, color, and creatine and carnosine levels. The pH value was significantly lower in RAWF than in RCF on day 7. The shear force value was significantly higher in RAWF than in RCF throughout the storage duration. TAB in RCF on day 9 were significantly higher than those in RAWF. The VBN content of RAWF was significantly lower than that of RCF after 5 days of storage. Creatinine content was significantly higher in RAWF (3.50 mg/100 g) than in RCF (3.08 mg/100 g) on day 1. Along with higher carnosine and anserine contents of RAWF, it had significantly higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities than those of RCF. Conclusion: These results imply that the animal welfare farming system beneficially affects the overall oxidative stability of Ross 308 thigh meat.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.97-106
• /
• 2024

This study utilized the non-invasive MyotonPRO^® device to analyze the stiffness in breast muscles of commercial broilers (Ross 308 and Arbor Acres) and compared these findings with data reported for Ross 708, where Woody Breast (WB) symptoms had been previously documented. The research revealed that Ross 308 and Arbor Acres displayed relatively lower stiffness values compared to Ross 708, suggesting a lack of WB expression. These results indicate differentiation in breast muscle traits across strains and underscore the necessity for further research into factors influencing WB manifestation. The study also measured additional muscle tone characteristics such as Frequency, Decrement, Relaxation, and Creep across various growth stages (2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks), finding significant variations with pronounced severity at weeks 2 and 8. An increase in stiffness was observed as the broilers aged, pointing to potential growth-related or stress-induced changes affecting WB severity. A strong positive correlation was established between increased breast meat weight and WB severity, highlighting that heavier breast meat could exacerbate the condition. This correlation is vital for the poultry industry, suggesting that weight management could help mitigate WB effects. Moreover, the potential for genetic selection and breeding strategies to reduce WB occurrence was emphasized, which could aid in enhancing management practices in commercial poultry production. Collectively, these insights contribute to a deeper understanding of WB in broilers and propose avenues for future research and practical strategies to minimize its impact.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.239-253
• /
• 2021

This study investigates the metabolomic changes in breast and thigh meat from Cobb and Ross 308 chickens regarding the rearing environment. One-day-old Cobb and Ross broilers were raised for 35 days in conventional and animal welfare farms with, amongst others, different floor sizes, stock densities, and ammonia concentrations. One-dimensional ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway analyses were performed to analyze the metabolomic properties of broiler meat. For breast meat, only those from the Ross strain could be separated according to the environment in the OPLS-DA plot. Ross breast meat from animal welfare farms showed significantly higher acetate, anserine, creatine, and inosine monophosphate content than those from conventional farms (P<0.05). In contrast, for thigh meat, the Cobb strain was differentiated using OPLS-DA. The contents of five metabolites, such as glucose and lactate, were higher in thigh meat from animal welfare farms; however, nine metabolites, including seven free amino acids, were lower compared to those from conventional farms (P<0.05). Pathway analysis was performed to interpret the biological changes in chicken meat based on environmental factors. The results indicated that the animal welfare environment led to significant changes in four metabolic pathways in Ross breast meat and in 20 metabolic pathways in Cobb thigh meat (P<0.05). In conclusion, the animal welfare environment could influence the metabolomic properties of Ross breast meat and Cobb thigh meat, which may affect the sensory quality of meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.778-787
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of normal and heat stress environments on growth performance and, selected physiological and immunological parameters, caecal microflora and meat quality in Cobb 500 and Ross 308 broilers. Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty male broiler chicks from each strain (one-day-old) were randomly assigned in groups of 10 to 24 battery cages. Ambient temperature on day (d) 1 was set at 32℃ and gradually reduced to 23℃ on d 21. From d 22 to 35, equal numbers of birds from each strain were exposed to a temperature of either 23℃ throughout (normal) or 34℃ for 6 h (heat stress). Results: From d 1 to 21, strain had no effect (p>0.05) on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), or the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Except for creatine kinase, no strain×temperature interactions were observed for all the parameters measured. Regardless of strain, heat exposure significantly (p<0.05) reduced FI and BWG (d 22 to 35 and 1 to 35), immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and IgM, while increased FCR (d 22 to 35 and 1 to 35) and serum levels of glucose and acute phase proteins (APPs). Regardless of temperature, the Ross 308 birds had significantly (p<0.05) lower IgA and higher finisher and overall BWG compared to Cobb 500. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the detrimental effects of heat stress are consistent across commercial broiler strains because there were no significant strain×temperature interactions for growth performance, serum APPs and immunoglobulin responses, meat quality, and ceacal microflora population.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.283-290
• /
• 2017

Totally, one hundred and sixty 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed with a diet containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg of aflatoxin $B_1(AFB_1)/kg$ of feed for 21 days. Body weight was lower for the $AFB_1$-treated broilers than for the control group. At 14 and 21 DPF, the broilers fed with 2.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed weighed significantly lower than those of the other groups (p<0.05). Relative liver weights increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, and relative spleen weights were significantly high in the chicks fed with 2.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed at 21 DPF (p<0.001). Biochemical analyses showed that total protein and albumin levels decreased significantly at 7 and 14 DPF for the chicks of the group fed with 2.0 of mg $AFB_1/kg$ of feed, compared with those fed with 0.5 and 1.0 mg of $AFB_1/kg$ of feed (p<0.05). AST and ALT levels increased significantly at 14 and 21 DPF (p<0.05), and the AST levels, particularly, increased dose-dependently (p<0.05). Histopathological analyses showed that the liver tissues of the $AFB_1$-treated chicks showed significant lesions, including hemorrhage, hepatocyte necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fatty degeneration. The severity of both hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared to increase dose- and time-dependently. Similarly, hepatic fibrosis increased dose-dependently (p<0.05). The results of this study could improve our understanding of parameters used for evaluating aflatoxicosis in poultry.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1585-1591
• /
• 2022

Objective: The present study examined the effects of exogenous emulsifiers and multi-enzyme supplementation into a low energy density diet on growth performance, visceral organ parameters, blood metabolites, ileal morphology, and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens from hatch to 21 days. Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated in a completely randomized design to 24 pens and each pen was assigned to one of four dietary treatments to give six replications with seven chickens in a cage. Dietary treatments were: i) positive control with standard energy level (PC); ii) negative control with 100 kcal/kg lower energy of the standard level (NC); iii) NC diet supplemented 0.05% calcium stearoyl-2 lactylate as an emulsifier (NC+E); and iv) NC diet supplemented with both 0.05% calcium stearoyl-2 lactylate and 0.05% multi-enzyme (NC+E+M). Corn and soybean meal-based control diets containing vegetable oil were formulated to meet the Ross 308 nutrition specification. Chickens were fed ad-libitum with the treatment diets and sampling was conducted on day 21. Results: Our results revealed that emulsifier and multi-enzyme supplementation into NC diets improved (p<0.05) feed efficiency of the broiler chickens compared to the broiler chickens fed NC diets from hatch to 21 days. Supplementation of emulsifier and multi-enzyme into NC diet improved (p<0.05) nutrient digestibility of the broiler chickens. However, emulsifier and multi-enzyme supplementation into diet did not influence (p>0.05) visceral organ weight, blood metabolites, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens fed NC diets. Conclusion: Supplementation of emulsifier and multi-enzyme in the NC diet would support improving growth performance in young broiler chickens with improved feed efficiency and increased nutrient digestibility thereby curtailing the negative impact of energy reduction in the diets.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.285-292
• /
• 2019

This study was done to evaluate the effects of a mixture of essential oils and organic acid supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles, leg bone length and intestinal morphology in Ross broilers. A total of 40 Ross 308 broilers ($1140{\pm}80g$) were randomly allocated to 2 groups, a basal diet (CON) and a basal diet + 0.05% $Avi-protect^{(R)}$ (AVI, Mixture of 25% citric, 16.7 sorbic, 1.7% thymol, and 1.0% vanillin), with 20 replicates for every group and 1 chicken per replicate per cage. The broilers were raised in a temperature-controlled room maintained at $24{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and $50{\pm}5%$ humidity. The body weight (p < 0.05) and weight gain (p < 0.05) of the broilers were increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. The triglyceride (p < 0.05) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (p < 0.05) contents were significantly decreased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. There was no significant difference in the leg bone length between the AVI and CON groups (p > 0.05). The villi height (p < 0.05) and goblet cell count (p < 0.05) were significantly increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. In conclusion, $Avi-protect^{(R)}$ as a feed additive improved the growth performance and lipid metabolism and promoted the development of the intestinal morphology of broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using laying hens as meat type chickens. Male broiler (Ross 308, R3), laying hens (Hy-Line Brown, HL), and Korean native chickens (Hanhyup-3, H3) were used, and 100 heads of each were prepared. Carcass characteristics, meat quality, and sensory quality characteristics were compared as analysis items. The rearing environment and feed for all treatments were identical to the broiler rearing manual, and the lighting system was maintained at 23L:1D. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The test ended when the average weight of each treatment group reached 1.5 kg, and individuals of similar weight were randomly selected and compared. As a result of this study, the live weight of the selected individuals was approximately 1.5 kg, which was similar for all treatments (P>0.05). However, carcass weight and ratio and breast meat production were highest in R3, while HL had higher ratios of legs, wings, and neck (P<0.05). The H3 group showed high pH and WHC levels and low cooking loss, and R3 improved chicken meat color (P<0.05). In particular, the fat content in meat was lowest in HL (P<0.01). Nucleic acid substances ATP, Hx, ADP, AMP, and INO were abundant in R3, and IMP content was highest in HL (P<0.05). In sensory evaluation, all treatments showed similar characteristics and overall preferences (P>0.05). Based on the findings, it appears that HL, a male laying hen, produces meat with unique characteristics such as low fat content and high IMP content.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.622-629
• /
• 2014

The present study was conducted to compare the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of the egg-type male growing chicken (EM), white-mini broiler (WB), and commercial broiler (Ross 308, CB). A total of 360 1-d-old chicks were reared together using a completely randomized design with 4 replicates for each group under the identical feeding and rearing conditions. The ADG and gain:feed were the highest in CB, intermediate in WB, and the lowest in EM (p<0.05), and the live and carcass weights of CB and EM were significantly higher than those of WB (p<0.05). The pH of breast meat from WB and CB was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that from EM with a similar body weight. The EM had the lowest moisture (p<0.05) and the highest protein content (p<0.05), whereas the fat and ash contents were not different among groups. The mystiric acid (C14:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1 ${\omega}7$), and oleic acid (C18:1 ${\omega}9$) levels were significantly higher in breast meat from CB (p<0.05). The monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content showed the highest (p<0.05) levels in CB. In contrast, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents of breast meat, including linoleic acid (C18:2 ${\omega}6$) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 ${\omega}6$), were higher (p<0.05) in EM and WB than in CB. In conclusion, the EM and WB had less growth performances in comparison with CB, but they each had some unique features (taste, flavor, and physiological characteristics) when raised under the identical rearing and feeding conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.684-692
• /
• 2011

The present study furthered this research by determining the optimal level of inuloprebiotics derived from Korean Jerusalem artichoke to promote growth in broiler chickens. On hatch day, 320 male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allotted to four groups for a 35-day feeding regimen. The groups were a control (no supplementation), diet supplementation with antibiotics (8 ppm avilamycin), supplementation with 200 ppm inuloprebiotics, and supplementation with 250 ppm inuloprebiotics. Body weight and feed intake were comparably high in the two inuloprebiotics groups, and exceeded the values for the control and antibiotics groups. Body weight and feed intake was higher in chickens fed the antibiotics supplemented diet, compared to controls. There were significant differences among treatment groups. Feed conversion ratio during total experimental periods was significantly high in the control group compared to the inuloprebiotics-fed groups, but no significant difference was evident using antibiotics or inuloprebiotics dietary supplementation. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, and weight of breast and thigh muscle were significantly higher for inuloprebiotics-fed chickens, compared with control and antibiotic-fed chickens. Inuloprebiotics concentration was not significant, while antibiotics-fed chickens displayed significantly higher values than control chickens. Abdominal fat was significantly reduced (19.08%-23.30%) and blood immunoglobulin and the weight of the thymus and Bursa of Fabricius were significantly increased in chickens receiving inuloprebiotics-supplemented feed, compared to control and antibiotics fed groups. In the lower intestine, the viable counts of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus) were significantly increased and counts of harmful bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.) were significantly decreased in the presence of the inuloprebiotics, compared to control and antibiotic. The present results support 200 ppm as an optimal level of Korean Jerusalem artichoke-derived inuloprebiotics as a dietary supplement to improve growth in broiler chickens.