• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.1170-1177
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted to assess the interaction between genotypes and dietary lysine content in commercial broiler chicks by measuring growth, and response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) inoculation. Female chicks from four genotypes (A=Anak 2000; B=Hubbard; C=Cobb and D=Synthetic broiler) were fed four levels of lysine in diet from d old till the end of experiment. The lysine content of the diet was 9.61, 10.51, 11.41 and 12.31 g/kg. Body weights at 0, 14, 28 and 42 d of age and pen-wise feed intake till 14, 28 and 42 d of age were recorded. Production of antibody against SRBC and resistance to E.coli were measured at 5 d of post inoculation (PI) at 43 d of age. Also, response to phytohemaglutinin-P (PHA-P) was measured at 12 and 24 h of PI at 48 d of age. Genotype by dietary lysine interaction was significant for body weights at 14 and 28 d of age, but not at 42 d of age. Genotype by dietary lysine interaction was not significant for feed efficiency, for antibody titers against SRBC, and for air sac lesion score, relative bodyweight change, and relative weights of bursa and spleen in response to E.coli inoculation. However, a significant interaction was observed between the levels of lysine and dosage of SRBC for antibody titers. There was significant genotype by dietary lysine interaction for cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity (CBH) response to PHA-P at 12 and 24 h of PI. It may be concluded that to obtain optimum body weight and immunity in commercial broilers the dietary lysine requirement may be recommended specific to the genotype.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2003

An effort was made to assess comparative production performance in broiler chickens fed diets containing solvent extracted cottonseed meal (CSM) processed from BT and Parental Non-BT lines. Processed meal of national check and commercial produce cottonseeds were also used for comparison. The free gossypol contents were 0.02, 0.02, 0.44 and 0.03% in meals of BT, Parental Non-BT, national check and commercial produce cottonseeds, respectively. Day-old broiler chicks (n=243) were divided to 27 groups of 9 each. Nine dietary treatments (iso-nitrogenous, 23% CP and iso-caloric, 2,800 kcal ME/kg) were formulated viz., D1 (control, soybean meal-SBM based), D2 and D3 (BT CSM at 10% of diet with and without additional iron), D4 and D5 (non-BT CSM with and without additional iron), D6 and D7 (national check CSM with or without additional iron), and D8 and D9 (commercial produce CSM with or without additional iron at 2 ppm for every 1 ppm of free gossypol, respectively). Each dietary treatment was offered to three replicated groups up to 6 weeks of age. At the end of 6 weeks of age, 10 birds were taken out randomly from each treatment and were sacrificed to study carcass traits, organs' yield and histo-pathological changes in vital organs. The broiler chickens received CSM processed from BT (D2, 1,753 g and D3, 1,638 g) and Parental Non-BT (D4, 1,653 g and D5, 1,687 g) with or without additional Fe grew at same rate as observed in soybean meal (solvent ext.) based diet (D1, 1,676 g). The feed intake and feed conversion efficiency (feed: gain) in these dietary treatments (BT, non-BT line based diets) also did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from control diet. Similar observation was also observed in dietary treatments (D8 and D9) containing solvent extracted cottonseed meal of commercial produce origin. However, a decrease (p<0.05) in body weight gain and feed intake was observed in D6 containing national check CSM with high gossypol content. Addition of Fe in the diet (D7) improved (p<0.05) feed intake and weight gain but not to the extent as observed in diets containing BT, parental non-BT, and commercial produce CSM or control. However, any type of CSM did not affect feed conversion efficiency when fed with or without additional iron. The carcass characteristics in terms of dressing percentage, liver weight and heart weight was not significantly (p>0.05) different between the treatments. The eviscerated yields emanated from diets containing either BT, non-BT or commercial produce were statistically similar to control. However, eviscerated yield of broilers fed national check CSM with or without iron supplementation was lower (p<0.05) than BT cotton with Fe supplementation and commercial produce CSM. The study envisaged that BT, parental non-BT and commercial produce solvent extracted cottonseed meal can be included at 10% in soybean meal based broiler diet replacing soybean meal and rice bran without additional iron.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.223-223
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• 1995

A study was conducted to compare the quality characteristics among commercial broiler, Wangchoo (imported dual purpose breed) and Korean native chicken(KNC). Thigh and breast meat of the broiler(7-wk old), Wangchoo(15-wk old), and Korean native chicken(15-wk old) stored for 24 h at 5t were used to analyze chemical composition, physico-chemical characteristics, textural traits and sensory evaluation test. Crude fat and moisture contents in broiler meat and crude protein content in KNC were significantly(P<.05) higher than those in the other breeds regardless of parts of the body. Total collagen content in broiler meat was significantly higher than those of the other breeds, however, the heat-soluble and the acid-soluble collagen content in Wangchoo were significantly lower than those of the other breeds. Water-holding capacities of KNC in breast meat, and of broiler in leg meat were significantly higher than that of the other breeds, while the results of the water-holding capacity and the cooking loss were reversed. Myofibrillar fragmentation index in broiler meat was significantly higher than that in the other breeds regardless of body parts. Hardness, elasticity and cohesiveness in Wangchoo were significantly higher than those in the other breeds. The prominent fatty acids were oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids and run up to 79.03~83.82 %, regardless of breeds and parts. The sensory evaluation score of tenderness, taste and preference in Wangchoo were lower compared to the broiler and KNC, however, they were not significantly different between broiler and KNC. In conclusion, the quality characteristics of KNC were excellent compared to Wangchoo.

• 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.18 no.8
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• pp.1157-1163
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of replacing soyabean meal (SBM) at 50 and 100% with conventional (CMC) and low glucosinalate mustard cakes (LGMC) in iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets in broiler chickens. All these diets contained 0.1% choline chloride with a purity of 50% (w/w). Another diet was prepared by replacing SBM in toto with CMC with no supplemental choline to find out the possible role of supplemental choline in mustard cake (MC) based diets. Two hundred and seventy day-old broiler chicks were distributed randomly in 54 stainless steel battery brooder pens of five chicks in each pen. Each experimental diet was allotted at random to nine battery brooders and offered ad-libitum from day 2 through 42 days of age. Body weight gain was significantly depressed by total replacement of SBM with either LGMC or CMC at 21 days of age. Non-supplementation of choline significantly depressed the growth compared to those fed CMC 100% with supplemental choline. However, at 42 days of age, such an effect was seen only with CMC. Replacement of SBM with CMC 100% with or without choline supplementation depressed the body weight gain. The concentrations of cholestorol and tryglicerides in serum and the relative weights of ready to cook yield, giblet and gizzard decreased by incorporation of mustard cakes in broiler diets. The trend in fat and protein contents in breast and thigh muscles and liver was not clearly attributable to the treatment effect. Based on the results, it is concluded that SBM can be replaced in toto with LGMC (535.0 and 466.5 g/kg starter and finisher diets, respectively) or up to 50% (215.0 and 186.7 g/kg starter and finisher diets, respectively) with CMC in commercial broiler chicken diets. Choline supplementation at 0.1% level in broiler diets containing CMC was found to be beneficial during starter phase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.387-392
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• 1995

Though a variety of non-conventional feedstuffs have been successfully evaluated in research stations in Asian countries, there had been little adoption of these technologies at the small farm level. The methodology and results of three separate on-farm trials evaluation the possible use of some non-conventional feedstuffs in broiler diets under small farm conditions in Sri Lanka are reported in this paper. In all trials, the commercial mash, that in normally used in the farms, served as the control. In trials 1 and 2, 5 and 10% cassava leaf meal, respectively, was substituted (w/w) for the commercial mash and fed to broilers for six weeks. In trial 3, several non-conventional feedstuffs (cassava leaf meal, rubber seed meal, ipil ipil leaf meal and died poultry manure) were substituted (w/w) for the commercial mash at levels of 15-20%. The results demonstrated that these non-conventional feed resources can be used in broiler diets under small farm conditions, with no adverse effects on performance. The salient features of on-farm animal research are highlighted.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.302-307
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• 2010

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal factors on body weight at hatching (day-old) and at six weeks of age in a commercial broiler line. A total of 6,765 records on body weight at day-old (BWTDO) and 115,421 records on body weight at six weeks of age (BWT6W), originated from a commercial broiler line during 14 generations, were used to estimate genetic parameters related to the effects of maternal traits on body weight of chicks immediately after hatch or six weeks thereafter. The data were analyzed using restricted maximum likelihood procedure (REML) and an animal model with DFREML software. Direct heritability ($h^{2}{_a}$), maternal heritability ($h^{2}{_m}$), and maternal environmental variance as the proportions of phenotypic variance ($c^{2}$) for body weight at day-old were estimated to be 0.050, 0.351, and 0.173, respectively. The respective estimated values for body weight at six weeks of age were 0.340, 0.022, and 0.030. The correlation coefficient between direct and maternal genetic effects for six-week-old body weight was found to be -0.335. Covariance components and genetic correlations were estimated using a bivariate analysis based on the best model determined by a univariate analysis. Between weights at hatching and at six week-old, the values of -0.07, 0.53 and 0.47 were found for the direct additive genetic variance, maternal additive genetic variance and permanent maternal environmental variance, respectively. The estimated correlation between direct additive genetic effect influencing weight at hatch and direct additive maternal effect affecting weight at six weeks of age was -0.21, whereas the correlation value of 0.15 was estimated between direct additive maternal effect influencing weight at hatch and direct additive genetic effect affecting weight at six-week-old. From the present findings, it can be concluded that the maternal additive genetic effect observed for weight at six weeks of age might be a factor transferred from genes influencing weight at hatch to weight at six-week-old.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.979-985
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• 2001

Two experiments on commercial broiler chickens (3-37 d) and WL layers (252-364 d) were conducted to study the relative bioavailability of phosphorus (P) from different P supplements in comparison to tricalcium phosphate (TCP), at constant dietary calcium (Ca):P ratio. The P sources tested were dicalcium phosphate (DCP), steam sterilized bone meal (SSBM), commercial mineral mixture (CMM), phosphoric acid (PA) and a combination of CMM + PA. Fluorine (F) content in CMM and SSBM was 13.12 and 0.14 g/kg, respectively. In commercial broiler diets, DCP, SSBM or PA could be used as supplemental P sources without affecting (p<0.05) weight gain, feed intake, tibia ash and, P and Ca contents in tibia ash when compared to TCP. Severity of leg abnormality and deposition of F in bone were higher (p<0.05) in group fed CMM. P retention and serum inorganic P content was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in CMM fed birds compared to those fed TCP, SSBM, PA or CMM+PA. Among other P sources (TCP, SSBM, PA and CMM+PA) the serum inorganic P levels did not vary significantly (p<0.05). The P retention also significantly reduced in CMM fed groups compared to those fed DCP or PA. The P retention significantly increased from 0.183 to 0.216 units by supplementation of PA to CMM diet. In layers, egg production was not affected by replacing TCP with DCP, SSBM, PA or CMM+PA, but significantly (p<0.05) reduced with CMM. Feed (kg)/kg egg mass, egg weight, shell quality (shell weight and shell thickness) and serum Ca levels were not influenced by dietary variation in P source. The poor performance of both broilers and layers fed on CMM based diets could be attributed to the presence of hlgher levels of F (647.8 and 630.1 mg/kg, respectively) and low P utilization. Based on growth, bone mineralization and P retention it is concluded that DCP, SSBM or PA can be used as alternatives to TCP in broiler diets. In WL layer diets, in addition to above P sources, CMM can also be used as supplemental P source by replacing one half of P from CMM with PA without affecting egg production and shell quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.605-610
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• 2006

The objective of the present experiment was to determine the effects of slaughtering at different ages and the use of a commercial probiotic (115-Biogallinox) in broiler diets on the color properties of carcasses, during the first 24 h following slaughter. Ross 308 male broiler chickens obtained from a commercial hatchery were raised to either 35 or 42 days of age. Chickens were fed with different levels of probiotic ($P_0$: 0.0%, $P_1$: 0.1% and $P_2$: 0.2%) containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the experimental period. At the end of the trial all birds were slaughtered and then stored at $3^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The pH and skin colour of carcasses were determined 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 17 and 24 h after slaughter. Although the use of probiotic and post-mortem ageing time affected the pH (p<0.01), it was not affected by slaughter age (35 and 42 days) (p>0.05). The highest pH values occurred in carcasses of broilers fed 0.2% probiotic. The pH values of carcasses decreased with post-mortem ageing time (p<0.01). Main factors (treatment, slaughter age and post-mortem ageing time) had an effect on colour ($L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$) values (p<0.01). $L^*$ values of 42d-old slaughter and $P_2$ group were lower than those of 35d-old slaughter and other probiotic groups. The $a^*$ and $b^*$ values of 35d-old slaughter were lower than those of 42d-old slauhgter. The $a^*$ and $b^*$ values increased during post-mortem ageing (p<0.01). It was determined that changing of the colour traits of broiler carcasses was correlated with probiotic, pH and post-mortem ageing time. Also, it was observed that darkness of carcass colour increased as time progressed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 1996

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of skip-a-day feeding program in early growing stage of male broiler chicks on the compensatory growth, and development of visceral organs during the later realimentation period. Day-old 328 male broiler chickens( Avian x Avian) were divided into control(ad libitum feeding) and skip-a-day feeding(limited feeding) treatments. Each treatment was consisted of 4 pens( replicates) of 41 birds each. Chickens on the skip-a-day program were fasted every other day during the second wk of age(8~15 d of age). During the starter period(0~4 wk), chickens were fed a commercial crumble diet. A commercial pellet diet was fed to chickens during the finishing period( 5~8 wk). Chickens were group-weighed every week, and one bird was selected from each pen to measure carcass characteristics. The skip-a-day program delayed the growth rate of male broilers up to 4 wk of age(P