• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1263-1276
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• 2024

Objective: Pine needles are rich in many nutrients and exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant biological activities; however, the effects of different production methods of pine needle additives on the growth performance and intestinal flora of broiler chickens are not known. Methods: Normal diets were supplemented with pine needle fermentation juice (PNF), pine needle soaking juice (PNS), or pine needle powder (PNP), and the associated effects on growth performance, relative organ weights, intestinal development, intestinal histological morphology, intestinal flora, meat quality, and serum indicators in broiler chickens were observed. Results: The results showed that PNF, PNS, and PNP all significantly improved feed utilization and promoted the growth and development of broilers. All three additives also significantly improved the structure of the intestinal flora, specifically increasing the diversity of bacteria; increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Rikenella, and Blautia; and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. The antioxidant properties of pine needles were also found to intensify lipid metabolic reactions in the blood, thus leading to lower triglycerides and total cholesterol. Meanwhile, high doses of PNF reduced jejunum and ileum weights and also increased meat yellowness. Lastly, none of PNF, PNS, or PNP had an effect on relative organ weights or intestinal histological morphology. Conclusion: The addition of pine needles to the diet of broiler chickens can effectively promote their growth performance as well as improve their intestinal flora and serum status without side effects; in particular, the dose of 0.2% of either PNF and PNS is expected to have the capacity to replace growth-promoting antibiotics as diet additives.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1729-1735
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• 2011

The effect of flaxseed meal on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, alpha-linolenic acid contents, and organoleptic characteristics of chicken meat was studied during a 42 day experiment. Broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 experimental groups and fed iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets containing flaxseed meal at 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Flaxseed meal did not affect the weekly body weight of broiler chicks during the first two weeks but thereafter weekly body weight reduced among flaxseed meal groups. At the end of $6^{th}$ week, birds fed on 15% flaxseed meal showed a reduction of 8% in body weight compared to the control group. Control group had significantly higher weight gain with slightly higher feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and energy efficiency ratio (EER) than the flaxseed meal groups. Among the treatments, birds of 5 and 10% flaxseed meal groups had significantly better FCR, PER and EER compared to those of the 15% flaxseed meal group. The carcass characteristics data indicated a significant reduction in the eviscerated weight and breast yield at 15% flaxseed meal in the diet as compared to other dietary groups. However, the alpha-linolenic acid content in both breast and thigh meat was higher with an increasing level of flaxseed meal in the diets without affecting the sensory acceptability of meat. Based on the present study, up to 10% of flaxseed meal may be used in broiler diet to enhance the alpha-linolenic acid content in the broiler meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.734-738
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of cold stress on broiler performance and ascites susceptibility. Male chicks were obtained from a commercial strain of broiler breeders. The trial was divided into two treatments (control and cold stress groups). Ascites was induced in broiler chickens in the trial by exposing the chickens to low temperature (Ta) and by supplying a pelleted diet. The two experimental treatments consisted of: 1) Control group, $33.3^{\circ}C$ the $1^{st}$ wk, $30.2^{\circ}C$ the $2^{nd}$ wk, and $27.5^{\circ}C$ the $3^{rd}$ wk. 2) Cold stress group, $29.0^{\circ}C$ the $1^{st}$ wk, $26.4^{\circ}C$ the $2^{nd}$ wk, and $23.1^{\circ}C$ the $3^{rd}$ wk. From the end of the $3^{rd}$ wk all broilers were reared to 6 wk of age at a constant temperature of $21^{\circ}C$. There was significant difference in live BW during wk 1 to 5. The control group was consistently the heaviest; however, at 6 wk of age, both groups weighed the same. Body weight gain up to 3 wk was significantly decreased by cold stress. During wk 3 and 6 the chicks in the cold stress group had greater BW gain compared with the chicks in the control group. There were significant differences in mortality due to ascites between the groups. During wk 3 and 6 the cold stress group exhibited the most ascites mortality (9.52%) when compared with the control group (1.90%). At 5 wk of age cold stress condition caused significant changes in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell counts (RBC). Right ventricle weight was significantly heavier in the cold stress group than the control. There were also significant differences in right ventricle/total ventricle (RV/TV) ratios at 5 wk. the right ventricle/total ventricle ratios in the cold stress group was higher (0.25) than the control group (0.20). It was concluded that, fast growth and cold temperatures are the primary triggers for ascites during commercial broiler production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.569-576
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• 1993

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effectivity of microbial treatment on eliminating the toxicity of weevil-infested sweet potato roots, and to assess intake level and performance of broilers fed microbiologically-treated, weevil-infested sweet potato meal. Weevil-infested sweet potato meal was treated with Aspergillus awamori (terpene-degrading fungus), dried, and mixed with other ingredients. One hundred twenty (120) broiler chicks were randomly distributed to treatment diets containing 3 types of sweet potato meal (healthy, weevil-infested, and microbiologically-treated, weevil-infested) incorporated at 2 levels (12% and 24%) in the ration, following the $2{\times}3$ factorial in CRD with 4 replicates per treatment. Voluntary intake was high with healthy sweet potato meal, even at 24% in the ration, especially at later stage of broiler development. Weevil infestation of sweet potato meal, even at 24% in the ration, especially at later stage of broiler development. Weevil infestation of sweet potato roots significantly reduced voluntary intake and broiler performance even at 12% level in the diet, much more at 24% level (p<0.01). Microbial treatment, however, was found to alleviate such problem, especially at 24% level of incorporation (p<0.01). "Toxicity" of weevil infestation, in terms of enlargement of liver and spleen, in the absence of mortality, was only apparent at 24% level of incorporation in the ration. Again, this was minimized by microbial treatment (p<0.01), and is therefore recommended at high levels of incorporating weevil-infested sweet potato meal in broiler diets. Microbial treatment constitutes an added cost, so that economic analyses should be done to find out whether increases in broiler performance, or reduction in the toxic effects of terpenoid compounds, outweigh the cost of treatment before a definite recommendation can be made for its commercial application.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.3_spc
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• pp.363-370
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• 2021

Objective: The effect of garlic powder (GP) and phenyl acetic (PA) acid throughout the fattening period of broiler chickens on performance, blood parameters, immune, and antioxidant parameters as well as carcass traits was evaluated. Methods: A total of 210 day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into seven dietary treatments having five replications with six chicks per replicate. The first group (control) fed a basal diet without supplements, whereas the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th group were fed basal diet plus 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g GP/kg diet, respectively and the group 5th, 6th, and 7th were fed on the basal diet plus 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g PA/kg diet. Results: Broiler body weight and gain at 21 and 42 days were increased (p<0.05) with diets supplemented with GP and PA. Red blood cells and hemoglobin were improved in chickens fed diets enriched with GP. Broiler chickens received diets containing either GP or PA recorded the higher values (p<0.05) of total protein, globulin, high-density lipoprotein, immunoglobulin M (IgM), and IgG, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity; while, blood total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, aspartate-aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde were lowered (p<0.05) compared to control-diet. Liver and immune-related organs weight were improved (p<0.05) in broilers fed diet supplemented with GP and PA. Conclusion: Feeding of GP or PA in diet had positive effects on performance traits and immunological, antioxidant and physiological status of broilers. Thus, the use of tested feed additives as an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics produced a positive effect on animal health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.597-600
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• 1993

An experiment was conducted using 160 Arbor Acres broiler strain of chickens to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soyabean meal with feather meal on the diets of broiler chickens raised from day old to 8 weeks of age. Feathers, obtained from a local poultry processing plant, were boiled in water for 30 minutes, sun-dried and ground using a 2 mm sieve for inclusion into the experimental diets at 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% levels at the expense of soyabean meal. The feather meal was assayed and found to contain 86.5% crude protein and to be low in lysine, methionine and histidine amino acids. The inclusion of such processed feather meal up to 3% in the diet did not (p>0.05) affect growth or feed conversion ratio. However, the highest level of inclusion of feather meal in the diet, 4.5%, significantly reduced both growth rate and feed conversion ratio of the birds. The results of this experiment showed that up to 3% of water-boiled feather meal, which represents 12% of dietary protein, the equivalent of 6% level of use of soyabean meal in the diet, can be successfully included as a protein source in the diets of broiler chickens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

Dietary levels of single cell protein(SCP) 0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % were included in experimental diets. The purpose of this experiment is to examine the effects of diets containing different levels of SCP on the performance of broiler chicks, including the nutrient availabilities, compared to that of the commercial diet. In order to evaluate the nutritive value of SCP, feeding and metabolism trial were conducted with a total of 160 broiler chicks for a period of 4 weeks. Contents of CP and pure protein in the composition of SCP were 67 % and 32. 05 %, respectively. In general, diets with over 10 % SCP substitution had significantly decreased body weight gain compared to the control diet. Feed intake of chicks fed SCP supplemental groups was significantly decreased compared to that of control, especially observed the significant difference in proportion to increas mg the levels of SCP. The feed efficiency was decreased by the addiition of SCP, but was not significantly different between control and SCP supplemental groups. The digestibilities of DM, CP and NFE tended to be similar among treatments, whereas crude fiber treated with SCP tended to be lower digestibility than control. In conclusion, the optimum dietary supplemental SCP would be less 5 % for broiler growth in this experiment.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

This experiment was conducted to determine the influence of litter type on growing performance of broiler and litter characteristics. Sawdust, wood chips and solid part of cattle manure was used as a litter from 7 to 42 days of broiler age. The body weight was significantly (p<.05) higher in manure solid than those of sawdust and wood chips. The litter production was 2,134, 2,246 and 1,785g per bird on the sawdust, the wood chip and the manure solid during 35 days, respectively. Although the initial moisture contents of the litter materials were different 23.5% for sawdust, 16.26% for wood chips and 61.57% for cattle manure solids, the moisture were different 23.5% for sawdust, 16.26% for wood chips and 61.57% for cattle manure solid, the moisture contents became similar after 28 days of the experimental period. The nitrogen content of manure solid was higher than those of sawdust and wood chips. It was concluded that solid part of cattle manure and wood chips were potentially useful source of litter materials for broiler.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 1990

Two experiments were conducted to assess the use of full-fat canola seed and restored oil meal plus oil of canola in the ration for broiler chicks. In the first experiment, broilers received diets containing 10% heated or non-heated full-fat canola seed and conola oil meal mixed with corresponding oil or animal fat. In the second experiment, broiler diets contained 10 or 20% of canola seed and canoia meal mixed with canola oil. Heat treatment of full-fat canola seed and the types of fat mixed with meals had no significant effect on all of broiler performance and nutrient retention parameters investigated. Bioilers consuming 10 to 20% dietary canola seed or mixture of canola meal plus oil performed as well as the control birds. It is concluded that the canola seed or the mixture of restored canola meal plus oil or fat can be well utilized by broiler at dietary levels of 10 to 20%.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 1997

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplemental charcoal(CH) or charcoal extract(CE) on performance and meat quality of broiler chicks for 5 weeks. Basal diets based on corn and soybean meal contained 21% crude protein for the first 3 weeks and 19% for the rest two weeks. Two levels of dietary CH(O, 0.5%) and CE(0, 0.2%) were fed in a factorial design. There were four replicates of 10 chicks each per treatment. An increased growth rate was observed in chicks fed the basal diet supplemented with CE alone. Chicks fed the diet containing both CH and CE tended to depress the growth rate. Dietary supplemental CH and CE improved the feed conversion efficiency compared to the control group, but was not significantly different between them. The abdominal fat(%) of chicks fed CH alone or both CH and CE tended to de-crease without significant difference. The total lipid content of breast meat of chicks fed CE alone showed significant difference among treatments (P