• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.974-980
• /
• 2014

In semi-arid areas of Southern Africa, dehydration can compromise the performance and welfare of local chickens, particularly during the growing period when confinement is curtailed and birds are left to scavenge for feed and water. The effect of water restriction on the growth performance was compared in Naked Neck (NNK) and Ovambo (OVB) chickens that are predominant in Southern Africa. A total of 54 eight-wk-old pullets each of NNK and OVB chickens with an initial average weight of $641{\pm}10g/bird$ were randomly assigned to three water intake treatments, each having six birds for 8 wk. The water restriction treatments were ad libitum, 70% of ad libitum and 40% of ad libitum intake. Nine experimental pens with a floor space of $3.3m^2$ per strain were used. The pens were housed in an open-sided house with cement floor deep littered with a 20 cm layer of untreated wood shavings. Feed was provided ad libitum. Average daily water intake (ADWI), BW at 16 weeks of age (FBW), ADG, ADFI, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and water to feed ratios (WFR) were determined. Ovambo chickens had superior (p<0.05) FBW, ADG and ADWI than NNK chickens. Body weight of birds at 16 weeks of age, ADG, ADFI, ADWI, and WFR declined progressively (p<0.05) with increasing severity of water restriction while FCR values increased (p<0.05) as the severity of water restriction increased. Naked Neck chickens had better FCR at the 40% of ad libitum water intake level than Ovambo chickens. The dressing percentage per bird was higher in water restricted birds than those on ad libitum water consumption, irrespective of strain. Heart weight was significantly lower in birds on 40% of ad libitum water intake than those on ad libitum and 70% of ad libitum water intake, respectively. In conclusion, NNK chickens performed better than OVB chickens under conditions of water restriction and would be ideal to raise for meat and egg production in locations where water shortages are a major challenge.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.227-232
• /
• 2013

Phytate is not only an unavailable source of phosphorus (P) for broilers but it also acts as an anti-nutrient, reducing protein and mineral absorption, increasing endogenous losses and reducing broiler performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-nutritional effects of phytate by including high levels of phytase in diets not severely limited in available P. A total of 768 male Arbor Acres broilers were distributed in six treatments of eight replicate pens of 16 birds each consisting of a positive control diet (PC), positive control with 500 FTU/kg phytase, negative control (NC) diet with lower available P and calcium (Ca) levels and the same NC diet with 500, 1,000 or 1,500 FTU/kg phytase. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were determined at 21 and 35 d of age while foot ash was determined in four birds per pen at 21 d of age. FI, FCR and foot ash where not affected by the lower mineral diets at 21 d of age nor by the enzyme inclusion but broilers fed lower Ca and available P diets had lower BWG. At 35 d of age no difference was observed between broilers fed the positive or NC diets but broilers fed 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg on top of the NC diet had better FCR than broilers fed the positive control diet. When compared to birds fed a diet adequate in P, birds fed the same diet included with 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg of phytase in marginally deficient available P and Ca diets had an improvement of performance. These results support the concept that hydrolysing phytate and reducing the anti-nutritional effects of phytate improves bird performance on marginally deficient diets that were not covering the P requirement of birds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.161-172
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) as a dietary probiotic and evaluated the most suitable feeding interval for this probiotic on growth performance, carcass yield, and meat quality parameters in broiler chickens. In total, 1,050 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly assigned to one of seven dietary treatment groups, in a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement with 3 SC dosages (0.6%, 1%, and 1.4%) and two feeding intervals [long term (LT) for 35 days and short term (ST) for 28 days after hatching], with a negative control diet (NC; 0% SC). Triplicate experiments were performed with 50 birds per cage. Broilers fed a diet including SC showed increased (p<0.01) daily gain and feed efficiency compared to the control. Further, broilers fed the 1.4% SC supplemented diet showed a significantly increased (p<0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to broilers fed the 0.6% and 1% SC incorporated diets. Similarly, broilers fed an LT SC diet showed a greater (p<0.01) increase in ADG and FCR compared to broilers fed an ST SC diet. Moreover, broilers fed an LT SC diet displayed a reduced (p<0.05) meat pH, gizzard weight, and increased (p<0.05) meat water-holding capacity compared to broilers fed an ST SC diet. Broilers fed the 1.4% SC supplemented diet showed increased (p<0.05) thigh muscle weight compared to broilers fed the 0.6% and 1% SC supplemented diets. In conclusion, broilers fed LT SC diets showed improved growth performance and carcass quality parameters compared to broilers fed ST SC diets, and the NC diet, from hatching to day 35.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 2001

The objective of these experiments gas to investigate the feeding of Powerfeel supplementation on performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chicks. Five treatments were allocated into 0, 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.10% Powerfeel with four replications for five weeks. Diets contained 21.5% CP, 3,100 kcal/kg ME for the first three weeks and 19% CP, 3,100 kcal/kg ME for the rest two weeks. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion were weekly measured. E. coli and Salmonella were examined from cecum and ileum at the end of experiment. ND titer were also measured at five weeks old after first and booster vaccination at 14 and 21 days of age. In experiment 1, Weight gain of Powerfeef treatments was significantly higher for five weeks (P〈0.05). Feed intake increased on all Powerfeel treatments. Chicks fed Powerfeel improved feed conversion ratio(FCR) significantly compared to that of control (P〈0.05), but was not shown the consistency. In experiment 2, Weight gain and feed consumption of chicks fed Powerfeel were tended to increase, but were not statistically different from control. Powerfeel treatments showed significantly lower FCR than control(P〈0.05). The number of Salmonella and E. coli of chicks ileum fed Powerfeel were highly decreased, compared to those of control in both experiments. Powerfeel supplementation seemed to decrease the number of both Salmonella and E. coli in illeum, but was not consistency in cecum. Chicks fed Powerfeel showed significantly higher ND titer than control (P〈0.05). These results indicated that the optimum level of Powerfeel to maximize the performance of broiler chicks were estimated from 0.050 to 0.075% in broiler diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.11
• /
• pp.1623-1628
• /
• 2011

The effects of dietary lysine (Lys) at a fixed ratio to crude protein (CP) and essential amino acids (EAA) on early growth response of broilers were studied. Four diets were formulated to contain similar metabolizable energy (ME, 2,950 kcal/kg) but contained graded levels of incremental Lys (1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4%) while also increasing the dietary CP and EAA (methionine, methionine+ cystine, threonine and tryptophan) to maintain a constant ratio with Lys. Each diet was fed at random to 10 replicates of 6 chicks each throughout the experimental period (1-21 d). At the lowest concentration of Lys of 1.1% (19.04% CP), body weight gain (BWG) was lowest and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was poorest. The BWG increased and FCR decreased linearly as dietary Lys increased upto 1.3% (22.5% CP). Lowest feed consumption was observed in the dietary group that contained 1.1% Lys (19.04% CP) in the diet. Increasing the concentration of Lys to 1.2% (20.77% CP), significantly increased the feed consumption. The concentrations of protein, calcium, phosphorus and cholesterol in serum were not influenced by the variation in Lys contents in the diet. The humoral immune response as measured by antibody titre in response to SRBC inoculation was significantly lower in the diets containing 1.1% Lys compared to 1.4%. It is concluded that the Lys requirement of broilers is 1.3% (22.5% CP) during 0 to 21 days of age for eliciting optimum performance when a fixed ratio of Lys to CP (1:17.31) and essential AA is maintained (1:0.47 Met; 1:0.56 Thr; 1:0.17 Try).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 1998

Two experiment were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of probiotics for the broiler chicks. Basal diets based on corn and soybean meal with no supplemental probiotics contained 21% dietary crude protein for the first 3 weeks and 19% for the rest of two weeks. In experiment 1, 0.2 % probiotics containing 2X 10 6 cfu /ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S), Clostridium butyricum(C), Lactobacillus acidophilus(L), Bacillus polyfermenticus(B) were respectively supplemented to control groups. Two hundred day-olo chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments which had four replicates of 10 chicks each per treatment. Weight gain, feed consurnption, feed conversion ratio (FCR) were weekly measured for 5 weeks. The number of intestinal microflora was examined at the end of experiment. In experiment 1, Weight gain and feed intake of chicks fed probiotics exhibited a significant response compared to those of control for the first three weeks(P<0.01). Weight gain of S or C treatments was higher than that of control for the rest of two weeks, whereas it was significantly lower in L and B treatments than S or C treatments (P<0.01). Chicks fed S or C was significantly increased weight gain(P <0.05) compared to that of control at five weeks of age. FCR of C treatment seemed to improve relative to other supplemental probiotics groups, but was not significantly different. The number of intestinal anaerobes and Lactobacillus in large intestine of chicks fed probiotics supplements was significantly decreased compared to control groups(P<0.01). In experiment 2, there were six treatments: Ti, control; T2, 0.2%S; T3, 0.2%S + 0.2%C; T4, 0.2%S + 0.2%L; T5, 0.2%S + 0.2%B; T6, 0.2%S + 0.1%C + o.i%L + 0.1%B. Control diet based on corn soybean meal contained 21% CP and 3,2OOca1 /g ME with no probiotics. There were four replicates of 10 chicks each per treatment. Weight gain of chicks fed probiotics tended to increase compared to control groups, but were not significantly different between them. FCR was also improved in probiotics treatments. However, there were no significant differences between probiotics supplementation and control groups. The results of these experiments indicated that dietary supplemental probiotics improved weight gain, feed efficiency for the first three weeks of young broiler chicks, whereas supplementation of C, L, B combined probiotics to young broiler chicks was not superior to those of single or two probiotics.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.62 no.4
• /
• pp.468-474
• /
• 2020

The study was to determine the effects of diverse concentrations of T-2 toxin in broiler diet. Three hundred 1-day-old chicks with initial body weight of 46 ± 0.52 g were chosen and randomly assigned into five dietary treatments with 5 replicate cages and 12 broilers per cage for 42 d feeding trial. Dietary treatments were prepared with basal diets containing 0 (T₁), 50 (T₂), 100 (T₃), 150 (T₄), 200 (T₅) ppb T2-toxin. Significant results were observed in the decreased intake of feed, feed conversion ratio (FCR), body weight gain (BWG), level of serum protein, cholesterol and hemoglobulin of broilers in increased concentration of the T-2 toxin in diet (150 and 200 ppb) groups than control. Also, observed that the uric acid, serum glutamic pyruvic transferase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (SGOT) and Heterophil/Lymphocyte (H/L) ratio value were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in groups T₄ and T₅ than control. However, the BWG, feed intake and FCR, as well blood biochemical profiles of serum protein, cholesterol, hemoglobulin, uric acid, SGPT, SGOT and H/L ratio in groups T₂ and T₃ were statistically similar to control diet of broilers. It was concluded that the results showed that no adverse effects on growth performance and blood biochemical parameters in broilers feed with T-2 toxin (50 and 100 ppb) during the entire trial.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.538-544
• /
• 2005

The present experiment was conducted to assess the effect of reconstitution (R) on utilization of red sorghum (S) in diets of broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks (n=360) were randomly divided into 36 groups of 10 chicks each, and 9 dietary treatments were allotted to 4 groups (replicates) in a completely randomized design. Out of the 9 treatments, one was corn-soy based control (D1). The rest of the treatments were diets consisting of four levels (25, 50, 75 and 100% part of corn) of raw red sorghum (S25-S100) or four levels of reconstituted red sorghum (RS25-RS100). The tannin content reduced from 2.3% to 1.6% after reconstitution of red sorghum. Body weight gain reduced significantly (p<0.01) in diets containing unprocessed red sorghum beyond 33% in diet or reconstituted red sorghum at any level. However, during finishing growth phase the birds receiving either processed or unprocessed sorghum (barring S75) had statistically similar gains in body weight. During over all growth phase (0-6 wk), live weight gains in all the dietary treatments did not differ statistically. Feed intake during 0-6 wk was significantly higher (p<0.05) in diets containing sole red sorghum than corn-soy based control diets Feed conversion ratio during 0-3 wk period in control and unprocessed red-sorghum diets were similar but statistically poorer (p<0.01) FCR emanated from reconstituted groups, while during 3-6 wk of age FCR was poorer (p<0.05) in diets containing 75% red sorghum, either processed or unprocessed. FCR, in overall growth phases, in control diet was statistically similar to the groups fed diets containing up to 33% unprocessed or 16% reconstituted group. The carcass traits and yield of organs did not differ (p>0.05) due to the various levels of red-sorghum. It was concluded that though the tannin content was reduced by 30% by the reconstitution process, but this did not give any additional advantage in broiler performance. More over, red-sorghum can be used effectively up to 33% in diet replacing 50% of corn after proper adjustment of proteins, energy and amino acids.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2000

These studies were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplemental lincomycin at different food waste supplements on performance and blood components of broiler chicks. Diets were based corn, soybean meal and contained 3,100㎉/kg ME, 21% CP for the rest two weeks. Three levels of dietary lincomycin(LM ; 0, 2.2, 4.4 mg/kg) and food waste(FW : 0, 7.5, 15%) were added for both experiments. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio(FCR) were measured for five weeks. Blood components, liver weight and abdominal fat ratio to body weight were examined at the end of experiment. Metabolizable energy of food waste used in formulating diet prior to feeding trials were measured 2,504(Expt 1) and 2,734㎉/kg(Expt 2), respectively. In Expt 1, weight gain of birds fed 4.4mg/kg LM was significantly higher than that of no LM treatment(P〈0.05). It also tended to increase in 7.5% food waste treatment compared to that of control but was not significantly different. FCR of chicks fed 2.2mg/kg LM supplement was significantly improved compared to that of other treatments. However, chicks fed food waste supplements had higher FCR than control as a dietary FW level increased(P〈0.05). There were no significance in blood components of all treatments. Liver to body weight ratio of birds fed 7.5% FW supplements decreased significantly(P〈0.05), but was no consistency in LM treatments. In Expt 2, weight gain of chicks fed 15% FW was not significantly different from the control and 7.5% FW. It tended to increase as dietary supplemental LM increased. It also increased in no LM treatment with 15% FW compared to that of control. However, the birds fed 2.2mg/kg LM with 15% FW exhibited higher weight gain than dther treatments. As FW supplement increased, the feed intake increased significantly(P〈0.05). There were no significance in blood components except serum calcium. Weights of liver were not affected by dietary FW or LM. The results of these experiments indicated that chicks fed 4.4mg/kg LM supplements maximized growth rate of all treatments and improved FCR in 2.2mg/kg LM.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.281-287
• /
• 1995

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of urea treated whole-crop wheat silage (UWCWS) in grass silage based rations on the performance of growing beef cattle. The winter wheat (variety, Riband) was harvested (in the summer of 1991) at a dry matter proportion of 520 g/kg and treated with feed grade urea at the rate of 37 kg/tonne crop dry matter and preserved in a heavy duty plastic bag using a silo press. The urea treated whole crop wheat silage (UWCWS) was mixed with grass silage to replace 0.00 (S100), 0.33 (S33) and 0.67 (S67) parts of the forage dry matter and fed ad libitum in a cross over design to 18 Simmental X Holstein Friesian growing beef animals. Two energy sources {one high in starch, rolled barley (RB) and one high in digestible fibre, sugar beet pulp (SBP)} were fed to supply sufficient energy for the efficient use of nitrogen by the rumen micro-organisms. The data on DMIF (dry matter intake of forage), TDMI (total dry matter intake), DLWG (daily live weight gain), FCR (feed conversion ratio) were recorded and faecal samples were collected to determine the digestibility coefficients. Results revealed that with the inclusion of UWCW in the animals' diets the DMI of the forage was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The highest DMIF was found in the treatment "S33" ($6.28{\pm}0.25kg$) where 67% of the silage dry matter was replaced with the UWCW and the lowest value for DMIF was observed in the control treatment ($5.03{\pm}0.23kg$). The DLWG did not differ significantly between the treatments. However, treatment "S100" showed a trend towards a superior DLWG. Feed conversion ratio in the control treatment differed significantly from "S67" and "S33". The addition of the UWCW in the animals' diet resulted in the lower FCR There was no effect of type of energy supplement on any aspect of performance either overall or in interaction with grass silage: UWCWS ratio. The regression and correlation coefficients for DMIF (r = 5.22 + 0.0184x*), DLWG (r = $1.04-0.00086x^{NS}$) and FCR (r = 4.78 = 0.022x*) on the inclusion of UWCW in the diet were calculated. The effect of the inclusion of UWCW on the overall digestibility coefficients was significant (p < 0.05). The addition of the UWCWS in the diet decreased the digestibility of the DM, OM, ADF and NFE but effect on the protein digestibility was non significant. The results of present study suggests that a DLWG slightly over 1 kg can be achieved with UWCW during the store period (period in which animal performance targets are low especially during winter) and the prediction of ME was overestimated as the high intake of DM did not reflect in improved animal performance.