scholarly journals Laser Environmental Enrichment and Spirulina Algae Improve Broiler Growth Performance and Alter Myogenic Gene Expression and pectoralis major Dimensions

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan M. Meyer ◽  
Anna K. Johnson ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bobeck

Sustainability in poultry production is evident in efforts to reduce inputs and a focus on bird welfare and livability. Dietary protein alternatives to traditional sources such as soybean meal aim to meet or exceed efficiency benchmarks and be cost-effective. Environmental enrichment encouraging activity may reduce the occurrence of the predominant breast muscle myopathy, woody breast (WB); interventions to minimize muscle damage and economic loss have yet to be established. The study objectives were to maintain or improve broiler performance and breast quality through environmental enrichment and partially replacing dietary soybean meal with Spirulina. Twelve hundred Ross 708 broilers were randomly assigned to enrichment (LASER; laser enrichment, or CON; no laser enrichment) and diet (algae; 2.5% Spirulina algae, or control) in a 2 × 2 factorial design for 49 days. The same 70 randomly selected birds were examined for contact dermatitis wk 1–6. Breast width was measured weekly on 200 growing broilers beginning on d22. On d42 and 49 slaughter, WB score was assigned using a tactile 0–3 scale and the right breast filet was weighed (n = 200). RNA isolated from 30 breast muscle samples each at d42 and 49 was analyzed using real-time qPCR. Laser enrichment increased body weight at all timepoints (d49: 0.148 kg, P < 0.001). Feed conversion ratio was improved in LASER-enriched birds by 3 points in the starter period (P = 0.003). Breast width was increased at all timepoints in LASER-enriched birds compared to CON (d49: 0.47 cm, P < 0.001). Algae inclusion increased body weight at d28 (0.059 kg, P = 0.005). At d42, 12% more LASER-enriched WB scores were 0 (normal) compared to CON, and at d49, 15% more enriched scores were 0. At d42, 5% more algae-fed broiler scores were 0 compared to control. LASER-enriched broiler breast tissue showed upregulated expression of myogenin, muscle regulatory factor 4, insulin-like growth factor 1, and myostatin compared to CON (P < 0.01). Both laser enrichment and algae inclusion improved broiler performance without negatively impacting environmental or physiological outcomes. LASER enrichment decreased severity of WB score and positively shifted myogenic gene expression in the breast muscle at slaughter.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1511
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Gulizia ◽  
Kevin M. Downs

Two trials were conducted to determine feed color effects on broiler performance. A completely randomized design was used. Trial 1 included four treatments: control (complete broiler starter diet), red, green, and blue; and Trial 2 included four treatments: control, orange, yellow, and purple. Each trial had 4 treatments with 4 replicates (60 birds/treatment) fed to 240 male Cobb 500 broilers during a 21 d grow out. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure. In Trial 1, there were no treatment effects on average body weight, body weight gain, and feed consumption (p > 0.05). Adjusted feed conversion for control (1.23) was less than red (1.27; p = 0.001) and green (1.26; p = 0.009), with blue (1.25; p = 0.056) tending to be different during the experimental period. In Trial 2, there were no treatment effects on average body weight, feed consumption, and adjusted feed conversion during this study (p > 0.05). Body weight gain between d 1 to 14 for purple (490.78 g/bird) was more than orange (467 g/bird; p = 0.013) and yellow (461 g/bird; p= 0.004), with control (474 g/bird; p = 0.052) tending to be different. Results indicate that these feed colors had some, albeit limited, influence on broiler performance parameters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Nwe Nwe Htin ◽  
May Phyo Chit

A completely randomized design (CRD) was used with a total of 160 day-old commercial broiler chicks which were randomly assigned to four treatment groups with five replicates into 20 pens and brooded. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. From day old chick to 21 day, the broiler chicks were fed Diet 1 (5% fish meal and 25% soybean meal, 1: 5), Diet 2 (3% fish meal and 30% soybean meal, 1: 10) was served as control diet, Diet 3 (2% fish meal and 30% soybean meal, 1: 15) and Diet 4 (1.5% fish meal and 30% soybean meal, 1: 20). From day 22 onwards, the broiler chicks were fed finisher diet, Diet 1 (5% fish meal and 25% soybean meal, 1: 5), Diet 2 (2.6% fish meal and 26% soybean meal, 1: 10, serve as control diet, Diet 3 (1.8% fish meal and 27% soybean meal, 1: 15) and Diet 4 (1.3% fish meal and 26% soybean meal, 1: 20). Weekly performances and mortality are measured. By feeding FS5 diet (5% fish meal and 25% soybean meal), the heavier body weight, increased feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks was observed when compared to that of other treatment groups. Conclusively, it is obvious that the ratio of dietary fish meal to soybean meal 1: 5 (FS5) improved body weight but the lower feed efficiency of this diet should be considered in economical point of view.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Merry Simanjuntak

The Chicken broiler is a type of superior race chicken that has high genetic properties, especially in growth. The use of herbs as medicines in medicine is now starting to increase, which is evident from the many traditional drugs manufacturers on the market. One of the herbs that can be used as an antibiotic for livestock is basil (Ocimum sp). Basil contains beta-carotene (provitamin A), which supports the function of vision, improves antibody function (influences immune function), protein synthesis to support growth process and as the antioxidant (Adnyana and Firmansyah, 2006). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of basil leaves flour up to 12% level against broiler performance. The experiment was carried out experimentally using a completely randomized design (CRD). The results of statistical analysis showed that the addition of basil meal powder into the feed did not affect to feed consumption between levels (P> 0). The result of the statistical analysis showed that the addition of basil meal powder into the feed had no effect (P> 0,05) to the increase in body weight. The result of the statistical analysis showed that the treatment with the addition of basil powder into the feed had no effect (P> 0,05) to feed conversion. The result of this research can be concluded that the addition of basil powder into feed up to 12% level did not give significantly different effect on production performance such as feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion of the broiler.


Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Shakeri ◽  
Jeremy Cottrell ◽  
Stuart Wilkinson ◽  
Mitchell Ringuet ◽  
John Furness ◽  
...  

Heat stress (HS) is an environmental stressor challenging poultry production and requires a strategy to cope with it. A total of 288-day-old male broiler chicks were fed with one of the following diets: basal diet, basal with betaine (BET), or with selenium and vitamin E (AOX), or with a combination of BET and AOX, under thermoneutral and cyclic HS. Results showed that HS reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.01) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.001), and impaired feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.03) during rearing period (0–42 day). BET increased ADG (p = 0.001) and decreased FCR (p = 0.02), whereas AOX had no effects. Breast muscle weight was decreased by HS (p < 0.001) and increased by BET (p < 0.001). Rectal temperature was increased by HS (p < 0.001) and improved by BET overall. Respiration rate was increased by HS (p < 0.001), but BET decreased it during HS (p = 0.04). Jejunum transepithelial resistance was reduced by HS and had no effect on permeability whereas BET increased jejunum permeability (p = 0.013). Overall, the reductions in ADG of broiler chickens during HS were ameliorated by supplementation with BET, with much of the increase in ADG being breast muscle.


2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 542-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Pintar ◽  
B. Homen ◽  
K. Gazić ◽  
D. Grbeša ◽  
M. Sikirić ◽  
...  

A 21-day experiment with day-old broilers was conducted in order to assess the effect of phytase supplementation to different cereals-soybean meal based diets on broiler performance and tibia ash. Diets were formulated to contain 4 different cereals (maize, wheat, triticale and barley), 2 levels of dietary calcium (0.6 and 1.0%) and 3 levels of supplemental phytase (0, 500 and 1 000 PU/kg). Supplemented phytase had beneficial effects on broiler performance. It significantly increased body weight gain (P &lt; 0.0003) and feed consumption (P &lt; 0.0361) by 6 and 7% in comparison with the control groups, respectively. No influence on feed conversion ratio and tibia ash was detected. Both body weight gain and feed intake were also significantly influenced by different cereals (P &lt; 0.0001 and 0.0348, respectively). The increasing dietary calcium level resulted in a significant increase in body weight gain (P &lt; 0.0024) and tibia ash (P &lt; 0.0016). Effects of 500 and 1 000 PU/kg were not statistically different between themselves. &nbsp;


1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. PROUDFOOT

The effects on broiler performance of different floor, waterer, and feeder spaces and light treatments were estimated. Increased bird density resulted in a reduction in body weight, poorer feed conversion, reduced carcass quality and a reduction in monetary returns per bird started. Feeder space effects were inconsistent. Waterer spaces examined had little effect on bird performance. Light treatments studied revealed that cycles of 1 h of light with 3 h of darkness resulted in slightly superior feed conversion compared with cycles of 3 h of light and 1 h of darkness.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER

Thirty male Holstein calves were utilized in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment designed to compare rapeseed meal (cv. Candle) and soybean meal as protein supplements and 0, 10, and 20% levels of protected lipid as a form of supplemental energy for starter rations. The six rations were fed free choice from 21 to 70 days of the experiment with whole milk fed at 10% of body weight from 0 to 42 days. Starter intake was similar for the two protein sources but significantly less for the ration containing 10% protected lipid compared to either the 0 or 20% levels. Body weight gain was faster for calves fed the starter containing 20% protected lipid compared to those fed the 10% level. Efficiency of feed conversion was greater for calves receiving protected lipid. There were no differences between protein source in dry matter intake, body weight gain, efficiency of feed conversion, apparent dry matter digestibility or dressing percent. Plasma glucose and percent hematocrit were significantly lower and percent kidney fat significantly higher for calves fed starter rations containing soybean meal. The relative availability of copper was reduced significantly when soybean meal or 20% protected lipid formed part of the starter diet. It was concluded from this study that Candle rapeseed meal was a suitable source of supplemental protein for calf starter diets and that the inclusion of protected lipid improved feed conversion of calves from 43 to 70 days of age.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousumi Das ◽  
Suman Kalyan Mandal

Nutrient composition of the grasshoppers Oxya hyla hyla showed that they are a rich nutrient source containing 687.7 g protein/kg of dry body weight. Their antinutrient values fell within nutritionally acceptable values of the poultry bird Coturnix japonica japonica (Japanese quail). The most required essential amino acids and fatty acids were also present in sufficient amount. For feeding trial nine diets were formulated on an equal crude protein (230 g/kg) basis with grasshopper meal, fish meal, and soybean meal. Three sets of diets with grasshopper meal were prepared with 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg, and 150 g/kg grasshopper of total feed. Similarly, other diet sets were prepared with fish meal and also with soybean meal. Results were compared with another group of Japanese quails fed on a reference diet that was considered as control. Two experiments were conducted with a total number of 600, seven-day-old, Japanese quails. In experiment 1 for determination of growth performance, quails were randomly distributed into ten groups of males and ten groups of females containing 30 birds each. In experiment 2 for determination of laying performance, identical ten groups were prepared in ten repetitions (2 females and 1 male in each group) from the six-week-old birds of experiment 1. Birds of diet set GM2 have gained the highest body weight (male 4.04 g/bird/day; female 5.01 g/bird/day) followed by birds of FM3 diet set (male 3.72 g/bird/day; female 4.40 g/bird/day), whereas birds of reference diet have gained 3.05 g/bird/day for male and 3.23 g/bird/day for female. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds fed with GM2 was the lowest (male 3.33; female 2.97) whereas FCR of R group was higher (male 4.37; female 4.65) than grasshopper meal and fish meal based diets. Hen day production percentage was higher (72.2) in GM2 group, followed by FM3 (63.5) group. R group had lower 1st egg weight (9.0 g), weight gain (8.2 g), percentage of hen day production (41.8%), higher feed intake (33.6 g/day/bird), and age at 1st laid egg than the grasshopper meal and fish meal based diets. So growth and laying performance of the birds were significantly better in grasshopper meal and fish meal added diet fed sets than the reference diet fed group; among all the dietary groups 100 g/kg grasshopper meal added diet mostly gave significantly better results followed by 150 g/kg fish meal added diets. It was ascertained that the O. hyla hyla meal had pronounced positive response on the birds. So, the quails could be easily fed 100 g/kg grasshopper meal added diet as it was the most suitable alternative feedstuff compared to the conventional protein source based diets.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
HR Tanzim ◽  
GB Das ◽  
M Ahmad ◽  
M Barua ◽  
K Islam

This study was conducted to determine the effect of phytogenic feed additive and prebiotic on vegetable protein base diet in broiler performance.  A total of 90 chicks (Cobb-500) were weighted and randomly assigned to the three treatment groups (To, T1 and T2) and supplemented with either phytogenic feed additives or prebiotic and reared for 28 days. Data on live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion (FC) were taken at weekly interval. Results revealed that significant (P<0.05) increase in live body weight of broilers was evident in both phytogenic feed additive and prebiotic supplemented groups comparing to the control group at 4th weeks of age. No significant (P>0.05) differences were found in live weight gain among the treatment groups on weekly intervals along the whole experimental period. However, significant differences (P<0.05) were evident on cumulative weight gain at 3rd and 4th weeks of age. In case of feed intake at the age of 3rd and 4th weeks, significant (P<0.05) differences were obtained with decreased feed intake in both phytogenic feed additive and prebiotic supplemented groups comparing to the control group. In case of feed conversion (FC), there were significant (P<0.05) differences among the groups on 1st week and 4th week of age. Best FC was accounted for prebiotic supplemented group along the whole experimental period. The survivability rates were 96.67%, 100% and 100% in control group, phytogenic feed additive and prebiotic supplemented group respectively. Results finally showed that vegetable protein when supplemented with phytogenic prebiotic feed additives and prebiotic c an additive beneficial effect on performance of when compared to non-supplemented control diet. So, ration using vegetable protein mixed with phytogenic feed additives or prebiotic can be recommended for broiler.Progressive Agriculture 28 (4): 323-330, 2017


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gervais Ndazigaruye ◽  
Da-Hye Kim ◽  
Chang-Won Kang ◽  
Kyung-Rae Kang ◽  
Yong-Jin Joo ◽  
...  

Dietary exogenous proteases (ENZ) can be used in poultry production to improve the growth of chickens fed low-protein (LP) diets. We hypothesized that ENZ supplemented in an LP diet would improve growth performance and physiological response in broilers for 8–35 days. To investigate this, we used a 2 × 2 factorial design with crude protein (CP, normal diet (NP) and LP) and ENZ. The LP diet contained low in 1% CP and ca. 8–12% amino acids compared to the NP diet and both NP and LP diets were added without or with (1 g/kg of diet) ENZ. We randomly allocated 720 1-week-old Ross 308 male chicks to 48 pens and experimental diets. At 21 days, dietary ENZ, but not CP, increased (p = 0.007) live body weight. Body weight gain from 8–21 days was affected (p = 0.006) by dietary ENZ, but was not affected (p = 0.210) by CP. The feed conversion ratio was affected by both CP and ENZ during the starter period (p < 0.05), by ENZ (p = 0.034) during the finisher period, and by CP (p < 0.001) during the whole period. However, the interaction between CP and ENZ did not significantly affect growth performance (p > 0.05). Dietary ENZ increased (p = 0.013) the relative weight of liver at 21 days. CP and ENZ affected (p = 0.043) total short-chain fatty acids at 21 days. However, this effect was not seen (p = 0.888) at 35 days. Dietary CP increased (p < 0.05) the serum concentrations of both uric acid and creatinine in broilers. We concluded that dietary ENZ is more beneficial to younger broilers, independent of CP levels, and that its effect was restricted to body weight and the feed conversion ratio.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document