Identification of cases of pododermatitis in broiler chickens when feeding a probiotic feed additive

Pododermatitis is a major concern in broiler production and is used as an audit criterion for poultry health checks in the United States and Europe. Pododermatitis is often associated with wet litter or poor litter quality. It is considered painful for birds and reduces the number of times the affected bird approaches the feeders and drinkers. Reduced feed and water consumption has a significant impact on weight gain, feed conversion and overall herd performance. As a result of the studies carried out to assess the degree of pododermatitis, it was observed that the quality of the paws increases or decreases, depending on the composition of the feed consumed.

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Effect of silicon oxide supplementation in broiler chickens' drinking water on performance and litter quality under tropical environment

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v47i4.91 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 132-138

Author(s):

E. Opoola

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Silicon Oxide ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Feed Cost

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of silicon oxide in broiler chickens drinking water on performance and litter quality. A total of 120, one-day old mixed sex broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments and 3 replications, with 10 birds in each replicate in a completely randomised experimental design, with 4 silicon levels (0.00, 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 mg of silicon oxide/litre of water. Corn-soya based diets were formulated at the starter (0–4 weeks) and finisher (5–8weeks) phases and were supplied ad libitum with free access to water. The average daily temperature and relative humidity inside the poultry house were 35.9 °C and 36%, respectively. At the starter phase, chicks administered 2.00mg silicon oxide/litre of water had significantly (p<0.05) higher final body weight (991.00g) and average weight gain (950.96g) compared to chicks without silicon oxide 778.57 g and 738.54g. The inclusion of 2.00 mg silicon oxide/litre of water improved feed conversion ratio compared to the control group (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced feed cost per kg gain. For the finisher phase, chickens administered 2.00mg silicon oxide/litre of water had the best results for final weight, weight gain and feed cost per kg gain. Also, inclusion of silicon oxide in broiler chickens water improved litter quality as predominantly dry material but with some areas of wet shavings was observed. In conclusion, silicon oxide in broiler chickens drinking water at 2.00mg/litre of water enhanced growth performance, improved feed conversion ratio and litter quality as well as reduced feed cost per kg gain at the starter and finisher phases respectively.

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Dietary Resin Acid Concentrate Improved Performance of Broiler Chickens and Litter Quality in Three Experiments

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113045 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3045

Author(s):

Krzysztof Lipiński ◽

Juhani Vuorenmaa ◽

Magdalena Mazur-Kuśnirek ◽

Katarzyna Sartowska-Żygowska ◽

Hannele Kettunen

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Resin Acid ◽

Efficiency Index ◽

Resin Acids ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Broiler Performance ◽

Improved Performance

Dietary coniferous resin acids have previously been suggested to support the intestinal integrity of broiler chickens by reducing mucosal collagen degradation. The present study examined the effects of resin acid concentrate (RAC) on broiler performance and litter quality. In trial 1, RAC was added to diets at 0, 125, 250, or 1250 g/ton, while in trials 2 and 3, RAC dosing was 0 or 175 g/ton. Bird weight, feed consumption, mortality, feed conversion ratio (FCR), European Efficiency Index (EEI), litter moisture, and footpad dermatitis (FPD) lesions were measured. In trial 1, RAC at 125 and 250 g/ton improved weight gain and EEI, while RAC at 1250 g/ton group did not differ from control. Feed consumption, FCR, FPD scores and mortality were similar in all treatments, but litter quality was improved by all doses of RAC. In trials 2 and 3, RAC increased the final weight of birds, improved FCR, EEI, and litter quality, but had no effects in other parameters. In summary, RAC at 125–250 g/ton improved bird performance and thus shows promise as a feed additive. The dryer litter in RAC treatments may suggest improved intestinal condition as a response to in-feed resin acids.

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Effects of natural antioxidant extract supplementation on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas2004405i ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 405-417

Author(s):

Hakeem Ishola ◽

Elisha Jiya ◽

John Adama ◽

Olushola Alabi

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Antioxidant Supplementation ◽

Significance Level ◽

Peel Extract

The study examined the effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. Namely, 300 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were fed a starter diet from 1 to 4 weeks and a finisher diet for the last 4 weeks. Birds were randomly assigned to treatments based on antioxidant supplementation in drinking water at 0.02% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), ordinary water (OW), 0.02% sweet orange peel extract (SOPE), 0.02% shaddock peel extract (SHPE) and 0.02% lemon peel extract (LMPE) per litre of water in a completely randomized design experiment. Feed intake and body weight gain were recorded on a weekly basis. Three birds were selected in each treatment and slaughtered for meat quality determination. BHA and LMPE treatments had the best weight gain and feed conversion efficiency at the significance level (p<0.05). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the shear force (force peak and yield) in the dietary antioxidants fed to the birds. Sensory parameters (taste, aroma and overall acceptability) show significant differences (p<0.05) amongst the treatments. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in appearance and texture perception amongst treatments. Finally, significant differences (p<0.05) in the lightness (L*) and redness (a*) of the meat samples were observed amongst the treatments. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the yellowness (b*) amongst the treatments. It can be concluded that broiler birds fed SOPE, SHPE and LMPE treatments performed better and that these treatments enhanced the meat quality of the birds when compared to BHA and OW treatments.

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Effect of wood shaving litter density on the growth, leg disorders and manurial value in broiler

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v47i1.39397 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 21-27

Author(s):

MA Hossain ◽

I Zulkifili ◽

S Islam ◽

EA Awad

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Wood Shaving ◽

Litter Sample ◽

Period Data ◽

Completely Randomized Design

The study was conducted with an aim to investigate the effect of litter density on growth, leg health and litter quality of broiler chickens from d1-42 days. Day-old male broiler chicks (n=400; Cobb 500) were distributed randomly into four litter densities [T1, T2, T3 and T4] treatments, each treatment had 5 replicates with 20 birds per replicate cage in a completely randomized design. Wood shaving was used as litter materials to a thickness of 5 cm, 8 cm, 11 cm and 14 cm on the floor of the pen. Birds were reared on the litter floor open-sided housing condition with ad libitum feed and water throughout the trail period. Data on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were measured weekly. Litter sample was collected on day 42 to assess the nitrogen content (N2 %), dry matter (DM%) and moisture level (%). Footpad dermatitis (FPD) and hock burn (HB) incidences were measured on day 42 to assess the leg quality of birds. Results demonstrated that litter thickness had no significant (P>0.05) effect on FI, BW, FCR and mortality of broilers from d1-42 days. The N2, DM or moisture levels (%) of litter were also unaffected (P>0.05) between treatment. Leg disorders such as HB and FPD were influenced (P<0.01) by treatment. The incidences of HB and FPD were higher (P<0.01) in T1 and T2 than other treatments. It can be inferred from our current study that, leg health may be deteriorated by using low density wood shaving without affecting growth and litter quality of broiler chickens. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1): 21-27

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A note on the effect of Probioticum feed additive on the live-weight gain, feed conversion and carcass quality of bacon pigs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100039088 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 95-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

G. S. Burnett ◽

E. L. Neil

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Carcass Quality ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Zinc Bacitracin

SUMMARY1. Two experiments were conducted, one with pigs fed individually on a restricted scale of feeding, and one with pigs fed ad libitum in groups, to test Probioticum as a feed additive with and without nitrovin and zinc bacitracin.2. Growth rate, feed conversion, killing-out percentage and carcass quality were measured.3. No significant difference was shown in any of the characteristics measured between diets containing any of the additives, singly or in combination.

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Efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood profiles of broiler chickens

Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.31248/jasvm2021.275 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 135-143

Author(s):

C. A. Essien ◽

◽

V. S. Udoh ◽

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Ocimum Gratissimum ◽

Final Weight ◽

Blood Profiles

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Ocimum gratissimum as a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on growth performance, carcass, and blood profile of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty day old broiler chickens were used for the study. Four diets were formulated to incorporate Ocimum gratissimum at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g per 100 kg of feed to form T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The birds were divided into four groups of forty birds and each group was assigned one of the diets in a completely randomized design. Each group was further divided into four replicates of 10 birds each. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and data collected were statistically analyzed. The result obtained showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the final weight gain (FWG), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio both at the starter and finisher phases. T4 had the highest significant (p<0.05) final weight gain (FWG), and daily weight gain (DWG) values. The lowest significant (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were observed in T4. The feed intake of the birds was statistically similar (p>0.05) at both the starter and the finisher phases. Significant (p<0.05) increases were observed in dressed weight, dressing percentage, and cut-up parts (wing, thigh, drumstick, and breast) of the birds. T4 had the highest significant values for the carcass parameters. The haematological parameters analyzed showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the value for red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) values with T4 recording the highest significant (p<0.05) values for those parameters. All the serum biochemical parameters analyzed were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by the treatments. It can be concluded that Ocimum gratissimum could be added to broiler diet at 150 g/100kg as feed additive without any deleterious effect on the growth performance, carcass, and blood profiles of the birds.

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Effect of Turmeric and Garlic Inclusion to Sauropus androgynus-Bay Leaves Containing Diets on Performance, and Carcass Quality of Broilers

Buletin Peternakan ◽

10.21059/buletinpeternak.v44i4.52285 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Urip Santoso ◽

Yosi Fenita ◽

Kususiyah Kususiyah ◽

Kiki Rusdi ◽

Elsa Marta Savitri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Carcass Quality ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Commercial Feed ◽

Affect Body Weight ◽

Completely Randomized Design

This study aimed to examine the effect of turmeric or garlic supplementation to fermented Sauropus androgynus-bay leaves (FSBL) containing diet on performance, carcass quality and meat organoleptic status in broilers. This study used a completely randomized design. Two hundred 15-day-old female broilers were grouped into 5 groups with 4 replications as follows: Diet with 0.5% commercial feed additive (P0); 1.25% FSBL containing diet (P1); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 1 g turmeric powder (P2); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 2 g garlic (P3); 1.25% FSBL containing diet plus 1 g turmeric and 2 g garlic (P4). The results showed that the use of turmeric or garlic to FSBL containing diet did not affect body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, meat bone ratio, drip loss, and taste, odor, and texture of broiler meats (P>0.05) but affected cooking loss (P<0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of garlic and/or turmeric to fermented Sauropus androgynus-bay leaves containing diet did not improve performance and carcass quality in broiler chickens. Any combination of medicinal plants could replace commercial feed additive.

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