scholarly journals The Productivity and Financial Impacts of Eight Types of Environmental Enrichment for Broiler Chickens

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Philip J. Jones ◽  
Fernanda M. Tahamtani ◽  
Ida J. Pedersen ◽  
Jarkko K. Niemi ◽  
Anja B. Riber
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Intervention Costs ◽  
Foot Pad ◽  
Financial Impacts ◽  
The Impact

Reduced mobility in broilers can contribute to leg health problems. Environmental enrichment has been suggested as one approach to combat this through stimulating increased physical activity. Past studies have tested the effect of environmental enrichments on bird behaviour, health and welfare, but few have estimated their financial impacts. This study tested the impact of eight types of environmental enrichment on enterprise net margin, accounting for direct intervention costs plus indirect effects via changes to bird mortality, weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and foot pad dermatitis. The trial used 58 pens each containing approximately 500 broilers (Ross 308) at a stocking density of 40 kg/m2. The environmental enrichments were: roughage, vertical panels, straw bales, elevated platforms (5 and 30 cm), increased distances between feed and water (7 and 3.5 m) and stocking density reduced to 34 kg/m2, plus a control group. Mortality was recorded daily and feed intake and weight weekly. Footpad dermatitis was assessed on day 35. Only one intervention improved financial performance (3.5 m between feed and water) above the control, suggesting that most environmental enrichment would have a negative financial impact due to the additional intervention costs, unless consumers were willing to pay a price premium.

scholarly journals Impact of On-Farm Interventions against CTX-Resistant Escherichia coli on the Contamination of Carcasses before and during an Experimental Slaughter

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Michaela Projahn ◽  
Jana Sachsenroeder ◽  
Guido Correia-Carreira ◽  
Evelyne Becker ◽  
Annett Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Slow Growing

Cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are still an ongoing challenge in human and veterinary health. High prevalence of these resistant bacteria is detected in broiler chickens and the prevention of their dissemination along the production pyramid is of major concern. The impact of certain on-farm interventions on the external bacterial contamination of broiler chickens, as well as their influence on single processing steps and (cross-) contamination, have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated breast skin swab samples of broiler chickens before and during slaughter at an experimental slaughter facility. Broiler chickens were previously challenged with CTX-resistant Escherichia coli strains in a seeder-bird model and subjected to none (control group (CG)) or four different on-farm interventions: drinking water supplementation based on organic acids (DW), slow growing breed Rowan × Ranger (RR), reduced stocking density (25 kg/sqm) and competitive exclusion with Enterobacteriales strain IHIT36098(CE). Chickens of RR, 25 kg/sqm, and CE showed significant reductions of the external contamination compared to CG. The evaluation of a visual scoring system indicated that wet and dirty broiler chickens are more likely a vehicle for the dissemination of CTX-resistant and total Enterobacteriaceae into the slaughterhouses and contribute to higher rates of (cross-) contamination during processing.

scholarly journals Effect of stocking density on performance, carcass yield, productivity, and bone development in broiler chickens Cobb 500®

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2705
Author(s):  
Cleoneide Dos Santos Henrique ◽  
Andréia Fróes Galuci Oliveira ◽  
Thales Silva Ferreira ◽  
Eduardo Santos Silva ◽  
Bruna Finotti Fonseca Reis de Mello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Bone Development ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Total Phase ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

This study aimed to assess the effect of stocking density of 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds m?2 on performance, carcass and cut yields, productivity, and bone development of broiler chickens Cobb 500®. The experimental design was completely randomized design with four treatments (stocking densities) and four replications. The assessments were performed weekly at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. The best live weight result was found at a density of 10 birds m?2 in the period from 1 to 7 days. No effect of density was observed on feed intake and weight gain. From 1 to 14 days, the best live weights were found at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2, in addition to a higher feed intake at densities of 10 and 12 birds m?2. Weight gain was better at a density of 10 birds m?2, showing no differences from densities of 12 and 14 birds m?2. In the period from 1 to 21 days, live weight and weight gain were higher at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2. The highest feed intake was observed at a density of 10 birds m?2, which showed no difference from the density of 14 birds m?2. A difference (P < 0.05) was observed for live weight, weight gain, and feed intake of animals reared at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2 for the phases from 1 to 35 days and the total phase from 1 to 42 days of bird age when compared to 16 birds m?2, which presented lower performance. However, feed conversion of 1-7, 1-14, 1-21, 1-35, and 1-42 days and carcass and cut characteristics showed no significant differences for all treatments. On the other hand, productivity was higher in the treatments with 14 and 16 birds m?2, but without difference between each other. No interaction (P > 0.05) was observed between stocking density and age for the assessed bone parameters. Similarly, no difference (P > 0.05) was observed for bone development of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities for the studied parameters. Thus, the increased density of 10 or 12 birds m?2 to 14 birds m?2 has no influence on zootechnical performance, carcass and cut yields, and bone development, but increases broiler chicken productivity reared in a conventional shed without air conditioning.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION AT THE STARTER PHASE ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
M Tion ◽  
M. T. Orga ◽  
I. A. Adeka
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Ad Libitum

Two hundred and twenty five day old straight run broiler chicks were utilized in completely randomized design to test the effect of restricting feed intake of four groups of chicks to 92.5% 85.0%, 77.5% and 70.0% of the unrestricted (control) group in the starter phase and following adlibitum feeding for all groups in the finisher phase. The treatments were simply designated as A, B, C, D and E. The starter phase in which the restriction was carried out lasted 28 days and the finisher phase 42 days. Parameters evaluated during the starter and finisher phases included; growth rate, feed conversion ration and mortality rate. Results show gain in weight among all groups while the group fed diet B and the control had comparable weight gain at the starter phase. The percentage weight difference between the control and each of the other dietary groups was: 4.4%, 8.4%, 8.6% and 10.4% for the treatments B, C, D and E respectively. Feed gain ration improved as the level of restriction became stricter. Following ad-libitum feeding of all grops at the finisher phase, the feed restricted groups at the starter phase voraciously increased their feed intake, thus, producing comparable performance values with the unrestricted (control) group in weight gain in the 8th week of the study. Although birds in all groups averaged more than 2000g final live weight in 10weeks, significant differences exist between groups that were fed diets C, D, and E that were restricted at the starter phase, an indication that complete compensatory growth was not obtainable. Feed gain ration improved for restricted groups. Mortality rate did not show any trend attributable to levels of feed restriction. This study shows that broiler chicks fed restricted levels of balanced diet at the starter phase but later fed ad-libitum at the finisher phase could attain a finished weight of about 2000g or more at a market age of 10 weeks (70 days) with an improvement in feed gain ration.

Performance of Broiler Chickens on Feed Supplemented with Prebiotic Herbs—Origanum Vulgare and Zingiber Officinale

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Condoy Mercy Cuenca ◽  
Cornejo Manuel Maldonado ◽  
Parra Sandro Seminario
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Origanum Vulgare ◽  
Treatment Groups

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feed supplementation with two prebiotic herbs—Origanum vulgare and Zingiber officinale—on growth performance of broiler chickens. The feed conversion ratio was determined weekly by dividing feed intake by body weight gain. A total of 400 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four treatment groups of four replicates of 25 chickens each using a complete design random. The four treatment groups were T0 (control), T1 (0.5% oregano), T2 (0.5% ginger), T3 (0.25% oregano + 0.25% ginger). The chicks were grown to 42 days of age. Weight gain, feed intake, conversion, carcass quality and mortality were determined weekly. Data analysis revealed that during the first 35 days of broiler chicken’s life, none of the dietary interventions had any effect on productive parameters (P > 0.05). However, during the last week of treatment, the oregano and ginger supplementation had a positive effect on weight gain and feed conversion (P < 0.05) than in the control group. In conclusion, the addition of oregano and ginger in the daily food ratio for broiler chickens during the last stage of the productive cycle improved the productive parameters, and carcass characteristics.

scholarly journals Nutrient digestibility parameters as a tool for analysis of the intestinal health of broiler chickens

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2499
Author(s):  
Anderson Mori ◽  
Julyana Machado da Silva Martins ◽  
Genilson Bezerra de Carvalho ◽  
Fabyola Barros de Carvalho ◽  
Jose Henrique Stringhini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Oxidized Oil

The study was performed with the objective of verifying raw soy feed, oxidized oil feed, and a control group. Performance evaluation was done at 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Metabolism assay was carried out between the 17th and 20th days for nutrient digestibility analysis. On the 21st day, two birds per repetition were sent for necropsy and collection of intestine fragments (duodenum and jejunum) for histomorphometric analysis. Eight to 14 days after treatment with Salmonella, individuals showed lower feed intake and feed conversion than the control group. Treatment with coccidiosis decreased all performance parameters in the control. Raw soybeans and oxidized oil induce lower weight gain and higher feed conversion compared to the control feed. Unlike after 14 days, at 21 days treatment with salmonella a decrease in weight gain was noted. For the group challenged by coccidiosis feed intake, the feed conversion remained lower than the control group. Undesirable effects on performance in the groups fed raw soybean and oxidized oil remained at up to 21 days. In the evaluation of digestibility, it was observed that raw soy had lower values for digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, and nitrogen balance due to intake. In addition, a lower ratio of villus:crypt measurements was observed. Lower villus height was found in the duodenum of the group challenged by coccidiosis. This group presented a positive correlation between the digestibility of ether extract and the duodenum, indicating that increased villus height implies an increased digestibility of ether extract. The results obtained for the jejunum showed a positive correlation with villus height in groups challenged by coccidiosis, raw soybeans, and oxidized oil; and to crypt depth in the group challenged with oxidized oil. The information obtained in the present study demonstrates that nutrient digestibility parameters can be useful tools for the analysis of the intestinal health of broiler chickens.

scholarly journals The effects of probiotic Yeasture® using at different rearing periods on performance, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits in broiler chickens

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahyar Khaliq ◽  
Yahya Ebrahimnezhad
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of using probiotic <em>Yeasture</em>® at different rearing periods on performance, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits in broiler chickens. A total of 378 one day old chickens (male and female) were randomly allotted to one of the 21 floor pens in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and three replicate groups and eighteen chickens in each group (9 male and 9 female). The Experiment treatments consisted of seven groups: A (control, without probiotic), B (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 10 days), C (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 24 days), D (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 42 days), E (prebiotics feeding between 11 to 24 days), F (prebiotics feeding between 11 to 42 days) and G (prebiotics feeding between 24 to 42 days). The chickens received the desired probiotic at different days of rearing period. The basal diets were corn and soybean meal, so 0.3 g/kg of basal diets in starter (1-10 days), 0.25 g/kg of basal diets in grower (11-24 d) and 0.2 g/kg of basal diets in finisher (24-42 d) period of probiotic was added to the basal diets for each other than treatment. The growth performance (evaluated through body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio), intestinal microbial population (the measurement of <em>Lactobacillus</em> and <em>Coliforms</em>) and carcass traits (relative weights of carcass, intestine, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat) were determined. Body weight gains and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in broilers with added probiotic compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05) whereas feed intake was not significantly altered. In addition, intestinal microbial population and carcass and gizzard weights markedly increased in the probiotic treated birds compared to control chickens (P&lt;0.05). These results show that diet supplementation with probiotic <em>Yeasture</em>® at the early days of the rearing periods of broiler chickens especially, 1 to 24 and 1 to 42 days, had a positive effect on intestinal microbial population, leading to more nutrients being assimilated by the chickens and consequently greater performance in broiler chickens.

scholarly journals Effect of Sargassum wightii on Growth, Carcass and Serum Qualities of Broiler Chickens

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Athis Kumar K
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Total Serum Protein ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Rate

The basic feed supplemented with Sargassum powder (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) provided more amount of essential amino acids, long chain fatty acids and minerals necessary for the growth of poultry than the basic feed. The growth promoting ability of Sargassum increased from 1% to 2% and then there was ste ady state, which is reflected in the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate, carcass qualities and serum parameters of poultry. Sargassum powder had increased the growth to gain about 1265g more weight compared to the control and the supplementing effect was the maximum at 2% Sargassum powder. The feed intake per bird increased from 4647g at 1% Sargassum powder to 4813g at 4% Sargassum powder while it was 3042g in the control group. The feed conversion rate increased from 51.5 to 51.8 instead of 33. 9% in the control. Sargassum treatment increased the liver weight from 2.26% to 2.30%, the heart weight from 0.53% - 0,45%, the gizzard from 1.76% to 1.83%, the intestinal weight from 210.2 to 226.18%, the leg proportion from 3.77% to 4.57%, the breast weigh t from 28.26% to 30.27%, the thigh weight from 13.37% to 14.68%, the drumstick from 14.16% to 15.28% and the dressing from 70.32% to 81.12%. The maximum supplementary effect was noted at 1% and 2% of the Sargassum powder. Dietary treatment of broiler chick s with Sargassum powder significantly (P<0.05) decreased plasma cholesterol and globulin while increased the total serum protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus and triglyceride compared to control. The 1% Sargassum gave 1.8 fold profits while 2%, 3% and 4% Sargassum powder gave 1.95 fold profit compared to the control. Meat qualities of chicks fed with 1% and 2% Sargassum were superior to the meat of poultry fed only with the basic feed.

scholarly journals Effect of Dietary Medium-Chain α-Monoglycerides on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Histomorphology, Amino Acid Digestibility, and Broiler Chickens’ Blood Biochemical Parameters

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Shimaa A. Amer ◽  
Afaf A-Nasser ◽  
Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah ◽  
Dina M. M. AlSadek ◽  
Doaa M. Abdel fattah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Blood Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Medium Chain ◽  
Blood Biochemical ◽  
Glycerol Monolaurate ◽  
The Impact

This trial was conducted to assess the impact of medium-chain α-monoglycerides, glycerol monolaurate (GML) supplementation on the growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AID%) of amino acids, intestinal histomorphology, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Three-day-old chicks (76.82 g ± 0.40, n = 200) were haphazardly allocated to four experimental groups with five replicates for each (10 chicks/replicate). The treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with four glycerol monolaurate levels; 0, 1, 3, or 5 g kg−1 (GML0, GML1, GML3, and GML5, respectively). Growth performance was determined at three periods (starter, grower, and finisher). Dietary GML had no significant effect on the growth performance parameters (body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio) through all the experimental periods. GML1 diet increased the AID% of leucine and decreased the AID% of arginine. GML1 diet increased the duodenal and jejunal villous height and the jejunal muscle thickness. GML3 and GML5 diets increased the goblet cell count in the duodenum. GML supplementation increased the serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. GML5 diet increased the serum levels of IgM and interleukin 10 compared to the control group. We could conclude that dietary supplementation of glycerol monolaurate can supplement broiler chicken diets up to 5 g kg−1 to enhance the immune status and intestinal histomorphology of birds with no improving effect on growth performance.

scholarly journals Effect of stocking density on performance, carcass yield, productivity, and bone development in broiler chickens Cobb 500®

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2705
Author(s):  
Cleoneide Dos Santos Henrique ◽  
Andréia Fróes Galuci Oliveira ◽  
Thales Silva Ferreira ◽  
Eduardo Santos Silva ◽  
Bruna Finotti Fonseca Reis de Mello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Bone Development ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Total Phase ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

This study aimed to assess the effect of stocking density of 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds m?2 on performance, carcass and cut yields, productivity, and bone development of broiler chickens Cobb 500®. The experimental design was completely randomized design with four treatments (stocking densities) and four replications. The assessments were performed weekly at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. The best live weight result was found at a density of 10 birds m?2 in the period from 1 to 7 days. No effect of density was observed on feed intake and weight gain. From 1 to 14 days, the best live weights were found at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2, in addition to a higher feed intake at densities of 10 and 12 birds m?2. Weight gain was better at a density of 10 birds m?2, showing no differences from densities of 12 and 14 birds m?2. In the period from 1 to 21 days, live weight and weight gain were higher at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2. The highest feed intake was observed at a density of 10 birds m?2, which showed no difference from the density of 14 birds m?2. A difference (P < 0.05) was observed for live weight, weight gain, and feed intake of animals reared at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2 for the phases from 1 to 35 days and the total phase from 1 to 42 days of bird age when compared to 16 birds m?2, which presented lower performance. However, feed conversion of 1-7, 1-14, 1-21, 1-35, and 1-42 days and carcass and cut characteristics showed no significant differences for all treatments. On the other hand, productivity was higher in the treatments with 14 and 16 birds m?2, but without difference between each other. No interaction (P > 0.05) was observed between stocking density and age for the assessed bone parameters. Similarly, no difference (P > 0.05) was observed for bone development of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities for the studied parameters. Thus, the increased density of 10 or 12 birds m?2 to 14 birds m?2 has no influence on zootechnical performance, carcass and cut yields, and bone development, but increases broiler chicken productivity reared in a conventional shed without air conditioning.

Effects of feeding Isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response of broiler chickens

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-157
Author(s):  
Khalid M. Gaafar
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Lipids Profile

The research was conducted to study the effect of feeding broiler chickens on diets containing isomaltooligosaccharides on the growth performance, carcass traits and immune response. 90-one day old broiler chicks were used according to completely randomized two treatment groups and one control, 30 birds each. Birds fed ad-libitum on basal starter and grower-finisher diets for 35 day. Diets of treatment`s groups contained 0.5 g/Kg and 1 g/Kg of Isomaltooligosaccharides, while the control group fed on the basal diets without Isomaltooligosaccharides supplementation. Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with Isomaltooligosaccharides improved body weight, feed conversion, carcass traits, two lymphoid organs weight and log antibody titer against avian flu vaccine. Most of the highest values were for birds fed low levels of Isomaltooligosaccharides. Feed intake decreases as Isomaltooligosaccharides level increases. Dietary supplementation with Isomaltooligosaccharides did not affect the lipids profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL), however the blood VLDL levels decreased with increased levels of Malondialdehyde and Glutathione reductase. Collectively, Dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with 0.5 g/Kg diet of Isomaltooligosaccharides improved growth performance, carcass traits and immune status.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document