日粮中添加包被肉桂油对肉鸡屠宰性能、肌肉品质和风味的影响

为探究鸡日粮中添加包被肉桂油对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、肌肉品质和肌肉风味的影响,试验选用168只1日龄罗斯308雏鸡,随机分成2个处理组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加300 mg/kg的包被肉桂油。结果显示:与对照组相比,试验组肉鸡活体重没有显著的差异(P>0.05);21日龄胸肌的a^*值和b^*值(P<0.05)和42日龄胸肌和腿肌的24 h pH值(P<0.05)提高,21和42日龄胸肌和腿肌的滴水损失(P<0.05)降低;21日龄胸肌中过氧化氢的含量和42日龄胸肌丙二醛含量(P<0.01)降低;腿肌中的甜味氨基酸(丝氨酸和甘氨酸)(P<0.05)和芳香族氨基酸(酪氨酸和苯丙氨酸)的含量(P<0.01)提高。研究表明:日粮中添加300 mg/kg的包被肉桂油能够改善肉鸡肌肉品质的部分指标,提高胸肌抗氧化力和腿肌风味。     

野山杏总黄酮对三黄肉鸡屠宰性能的影响

[目的]研究不同剂量野山杏总黄酮对三黄肉鸡屠宰性能的影响。[方法]采用单因素试验设计,将96羽1日龄雌性三黄肉鸡随机分为4组,每组24羽。于14日龄开始,野山杏总黄酮低、中、高剂量组肉鸡分别灌服50、100、200 mg/（kg·BW·d）的野山杏总黄酮,对照组肉鸡灌服生理盐水,试验期42 d。28、35、42日龄时每组分别选取8羽肉鸡进行屠宰试验,测定并比较相同日龄下各组肉鸡的屠宰性能指标。[结果]高剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著或极显著（P<0.05或P<0.01）提高28、35、42日龄肉鸡宰前体重,中剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）提高35日龄肉鸡宰前体重。高剂量野山杏总黄酮分别显著（P<0.05）和极显著（P<0.01）提高35日龄和42日龄肉鸡屠宰率。中、高剂量野山杏总黄酮极显著（P<0.01）提高28日龄肉鸡半净膛率。低剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）提高28日龄肉鸡全净膛率,显著（P<0.05）提高35日龄肉鸡全净膛率;中剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）提高35日龄肉鸡全净膛率;低、中、高剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）提高42日龄肉鸡全净膛率。低、中、高剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著或极显著（P<0.05或P<0.01）降低35、42日龄肉鸡皮下脂肪厚度。高剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著（P<0.05）降低28日龄肉鸡肌间脂肪宽度,极显著（P<0.01）降低35日龄肉鸡肌间脂肪宽度;低、中、高剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）降低42日龄肉鸡肌间脂肪宽度。低剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著（P<0.05）降低28、42日龄肉鸡腹脂率,中剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著（P<0.05）降低28、35、42日龄肉鸡腹脂率,高剂量野山杏总黄酮可极显著（P<0.01）降低42日龄肉鸡腹脂率。高剂量野山杏总黄酮可显著或极显著（P<0.05或P<0.01）提高35、42日龄肉鸡胸肌率,可显著或极显著（P<0.05或P<0.01）提高28、35、42日龄肉鸡腿肌率。[结论]灌服不同剂量的野山杏总黄酮能够明显改善三黄肉鸡的屠宰性能。     

The effect of cimaterol and its withdrawal on carcass composition and meat tenderness of broiler chickens.

To examine the effects of cimaterol (CIM) and its withdrawal on meat tenderness and carcass composition, 21-d-old broiler chickens (n = 288) were randomly assigned to one of nine treatments. For Treatments 1 through 6, birds were fed a control diet or a diet containing 1 ppm CIM until slaughter at 35, 42, or 49 d of age. Treatments 7 and 8 consisted of birds fed the CIM diet for 14 d and then withdrawn from CIM for either 7 or 14 d before slaughter (42 or 49 d of age). In Treatment 9, birds were fed the CIM diet to 42 d of age, then withdrawn from CIM for 7 d. Breast muscle (BM) weight, leg muscle (LM) weight, whole body weight, and BM and LM cathepsin B and L activities were obtained on 12 birds/treatment. Body, LM and BM composition and BM shear values were obtained on 12 additional birds/treatment. Eight birds/treatment were used to balance the number of birds per pen. Leg muscle weight, as a percentage of whole body weight, was elevated in CIM-fed birds at all ages, and BM percentage was greater at 35 d of age (P less than .05). Leg muscle fat percentage was reduced at 35 and 42 d of age (P less than .05), and LM protein was elevated at 42 and 49 d of age (P less than .05) in CIM-fed birds. Percentage of protein in the BM of CIM-fed birds was elevated at 35 and 42 d of age. Protein content of the whole body was also increased at 35 d of age. Shear values were higher in 42- and 49-d-old CIM-fed birds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sensorial quality and bone strength of female and male broiler chickens are influenced by weight and growth rate

1. An experiment was conducted with 98 male and 98 female broiler chickens (Ross 308) to study the effect of growth rate, induced by different dietary means, sex and live weight (1500?g and 2000?g) at slaughter on production parameters, bone strength and sensorial characteristics of the breast meat.

2. The birds were divided into four groups and individually fed a standard commercial diet, a high energy diet or low energy diet from d?11 to slaughter at between d 28 and 39. Three groups were fed ad libitum and a further group was fed a restricted amount of the high energy feed. Half of the birds in each group were slaughtered at approximately 1500?g and the other half at 2000?g live weight.

3. The diets resulted in different growth rates. The chickens fed the high energy and the commercial diet had the highest growth rate at both live weights at slaughter. The restricted fed chickens had lower bone strength than the chickens fed the low energy diet.

4. Breast meat from male broilers was juicer, more tender and less hard than breast meat from females. Chickens slaughtered at 2000?g live weight were juicer than those slaughtered at 1500?g. Chickens given the high energy feed ad libitum and restricted had different growth rates, but the sensory parameter related to texture showed no difference.

5. It was concluded that an increased slaughter weight might improve meat quality due to improved juiciness.     

Lack of interrelationship between the effects of dietary factors and food withdrawal on carcase quality of broiler chickens

1. Four factorial experiments were carried out to determine whether there is any interrelationship between dietary energy-to-protein (E:P) ratio (experiments 1, 2 and 3) or pelleting the diet (experiment 4) and the duration of food withdrawal (FW), in their effect on carcase quality of broiler male chickens. The quality was evaluated by yields of carcase and breast meat, abdominal fat pad size, and the content and composition of the fat in the meat. The effect of sex on the response to FW was also determined in experiment 3 and that of age in experiment 4. 2. The diet with an E:P ratio higher than recommended decreased the weights of carcase and breast meat significantly (P 0.05) in 2 of the 3 experiments, and consistently increased the size of the abdominal fat pad and the fat content in thigh, but not in breast meat. Abdominal fat pad and the fat in meat of birds fed on this diet contained a significantly higher amount of oleic acid and a lower amount of linoleic acid, than the fat of birds fed on the diets with the recommended and the low E:P ratios. The pellets increased significantly the weights of carcase and breast meat and the relative size of abdominal fat pad. 3. FW for 24 h decreased significantly the weight at slaughter in all 4 experiments, carcase weight in 3 experiments, and breast weight in 1 experiment. However, it did not affect the relative size of the abdominal fat pad, the fat content in thigh and breast meat, and the composition of fatty acids in these tissues and in abdominal fat. None of the variables mentioned was affected significantly by the interaction between the dietary factors evaluated, sex or age of the birds on the one hand, and FW on the other hand. 4. It is concluded that the effect of 24 h of FW on weight at slaughter, carcase and breast meat weights and on fattening, is not affected by dietary E:P ratio, pelleting the diet, or sex and age of the broilers.     

Dietary Apparent Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Density Effects on Growth and Carcass Traits of Heavy Broilers

Two experiments (EXP) were conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary AME and amino acid (AA) density (total basis) on broiler chickens from 42 to 56 d of age. In EXP 1, diets were formulated to contain low AME (3,140 kcal/kg) and moderate AME (3,240 kcal/kg) in combination with moderate AA (16.2% CP, 0.88% Lys, and 0.75% TSAA) and high AA (18.0% CP, 0.98% Lys, and 0.83% TSAA) and fed to male broilers. Dietary treatments in EXP 2 were diets formulated to contain moderate AME (3,220 kcal/kg) and high AME (3,310 kcal/kg) combined with moderate and high AA concentrations used in EXP 1 and fed to male and female broilers. In general, dietary AME and AA did not interact to influence growth and meat yield responses. Broilers provided the low AME diet in EXP 1 consumed more feed and had poorer feed conversion but had higher total breast meat yield than birds fed the moderate AME diet. In EXP 2, broilers fed the high AME diet from 42 to 56 d had increased BW gain, decreased feed consumption, and improved feed conversion. Feeding the high AA diets in both EXP decreased feed consumption, improved feed conversion, and increased total breast meat yield. Nutritionists establishing nutritional programs for heavy broilers late in development from 2.5 to 3.6 kg may need to consider increasing AA density to optimize breast meat yield. Increasing the AME content of the diet improves feed conversion but not breast meat yield.     

Effect of age and different doses of dietary vitamin E on breast meat qualitative characteristics of finishing broilers

The supplementation of vitamin E on broiler chicken diets is essential to the prevention of lipid oxidation reactions in the meat and improvement of meat quality. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different doses of dietary vitamin E on breast meat quality of broiler chickens in the finishing period. Five doses of vitamin E were used (30, 90, 150, 210, and 270 mg/kg feed) in broilers'' diets from 42 to 54 d of age. A completely randomized design was conducted, followed by a split-plot, where the vitamin E dose was considered as the whole plot, and broilers’ age at slaughter was the subplot. Breast meat quality was assessed at 4 different ages (45, 48, 51, and 54 d old), using 50 birds per age, totaling 200 birds. Meat quality characteristics evaluated were: pH at 24 h post mortem, color (brightness, redness, and yellowness), water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force, and lipid peroxidation. There was no interaction between age and dose of vitamin E for meat quality characteristics (P > 0.05). The age at slaughter had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on pH, brightness, redness, and water holding capacity. Although pH values were higher in the breast meat of older birds (51 and 52 d old), breast meat of younger birds (48 d) had a more reddish aspect. Shear force value was higher in breast meat of birds slaughtered at later ages (P < 0.01), as a linear age-effect was observed. Brightness increased linearly (P < 0.05) with higher vitamin doses, whereas treatments did not alter yellowness, cooking loss, and lipid peroxidation. In this study, increasing vitamin E doses in the finishing period increased the brightness of broiler breast meat, whereas slaughtering at later ages resulted in greater meat pH and shear force value.     

不同养殖模式及季节性因素对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质影响的研究

旨在探讨不同养殖模式及季节性因素对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。选取2个批次的相同品种肉雏鸡,第1批饲养时间为10—12月,第2批饲养时间为3—5月,从第5周龄开始,将每个批次的肉鸡随机分为3组,各组饲养模式分别为散养、网上平养、发酵床养殖。测定并比较相同批次内不同养殖方式与相同养殖方式下不同批次5~10周龄肉鸡的生长性能,以及10周龄后肉鸡的屠宰性能和肉品质性能指标。结果表明:第1批散养肉鸡的第10周龄体重极显著高于发酵床养殖(P<0.01),第2批散养肉鸡的第10周龄体重极显著高于发酵床养殖和网上平养(P<0.01);第1批散养肉鸡的胸肌肉色和粗脂肪含量极显著高于发酵床养殖和网上平养(P<0.01),第2批散养肉鸡的胸肌粗脂肪含量极显著高于发酵床养殖和网上平养(P<0.01);第2批散养肉鸡的腿肌水分极显著低于发酵床养殖和网上平养(P<0.01),腿肌粗脂肪含量极显著高于发酵床养殖和网上平养(P<0.01)。3种饲养模式下,第2批肉鸡的第8~10周龄体重均极显著高于第1批(P<0.01);网上平养模式下,第1批肉鸡的屠宰率与全净膛率显著高于第2批(P<0.05);网上平养与散养模式下,第1批肉鸡的胸肌率极显著高于第2批(P<0.01);3种饲养模式下,第2批肉鸡的胸肌粗蛋白含量极显著高于第1批(P<0.01),第1批肉鸡的腿肌肉色、剪切力与系水力极显著高于第2批(P<0.01)。综上提示,散养模式下肉鸡的体重及肉品质指标优于网上平养及发酵床养殖模式;肉鸡的生产性能、屠宰性能及肉品质受季节性因素影响。     

Progressive bradycardia,a possible factor in the pathogenesis of ascites in fast growing broiler chickens raised at low altitude

1. The first objective was to evaluate baseline heart rate (HR) responses in fast growing broilers fed ad libitum from 1 to 45d or subjected to a food restriction (85%, 70% and 55% of ad libitum from 7 to 21d) and a refeeding (22 to 45d) regimen in a normal thermal environment. The second was to evaluate HR and haematocrit responses in fast growing broilers reared at a low environmental temperature and fed ad libitum (A-L) from 1 to 42d, subjected to food restriction (70% ad libitum ) between 7 to 21d and refed thereafter (R-R), or subjected to food restriction between 7 to 42d (R), and to follow the changes in normal birds and those prone to ascites. 2. The baseline HR in the normal thermal environment at 21 and 45d in birds fed ad libitum was lower (P < 0.001) than at 7d. The food-restricted groups had higher HRs at 21d than at 7d, with the differences significant (P < 0.01) for the 70% and 55% treatments. At 21d the HRs in restricted groups were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in ad libitum -fed birds. After returning to ad libitum feeding the HRs in these birds tended to decline, with the differences significant (P < 0.05) for the 70% and 55% treatments. 3. In the birds exposed to cold, each feeding regimen produced distinct patterns of change in HR and haematocrit. Both feeding regimen and age had significant (P < 0.001) effects on the changes of both variables. Relative to 7d, on 14d and 21d the HRs decreased and haematocrits increased in all groups, but the rates of change were highest in the A-L and R-R birds. The first fulminant cases of ascites were observed during the third week in the A-L group and during the fourth week in the R-R group. None of the chickens from the R group developed ascites. Altogether, the incidence of ascites was 48% in the A-L group and 28% in the R-R group. 4. Among the birds exposed to cold, the ascitic birds had significantly (P < 0.001) lower HRs and higher haematocrits than normal birds from the same feeding regimen group. The time trends in the rates of change in HR and haematocrit were distinctly different (P < 0.001) for ascitic and normal birds. The change in feeding regimen from restricted to ad libitum in the R-R group resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in HR and increase in haematocrit. 5. In view of the evidence presented, it appears that hypoxaemia and tissue hypoxia in broiler chickens may be a result of circulatory insufficiency associated with progressive bradycardia rather than, as commonly believed, pulmonary insufficiency. In this situation the pulmonary hypertension may be a secondary symptom.     

补饲青绿饲料对不同性别肉仔鸡屠宰品质的影响

试验旨在探讨饲喂全价基础日粮的基础上补饲青绿饲料对不同性别肉仔鸡屠宰品质的影响。选择1日龄健康AA肉鸡360只(公母各半),根据不同性别随机分成4组,每组3个重复,每重复30只。分别设为Ⅰ♂、Ⅱ♂、Ⅰ♀、Ⅱ♀组。Ⅰ♂和Ⅰ♀为对照组,饲喂全价基础日粮,Ⅱ♂和Ⅱ♀为试验组,全期补饲新鲜青绿饲料。分别于第14、28、42日龄(d)时取样进行屠宰品质分析。结果表明:①各试验日龄公鸡的体重高于母鸡(P<0.05或<0.01);42日龄时公鸡的屠宰率和半净膛率高于母鸡(P<0.05),腹脂率低于母鸡(P<0.05)。②补饲青绿饲料能显著提高肉仔鸡胸肌率(P<0.05)和降低腹脂率(P<0.05),42日龄时公鸡和母鸡的胸肌率分别提高了14.9%和16.4%,腹脂率分别降低了20.8%和22.2%。③补饲青绿饲料对肉仔鸡屠宰率、半净膛率、全净膛率和腿肌率无显著影响。④总体上补饲青绿饲料对母鸡屠宰品质的影响作用更大。     

Body weight,meat quality and blood metabolite responses to carbohydrate administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal in broilers

This study was conducted to determine weights of body (BW), carcass (CW), gastrointestinal tract (GTW), meat quality and some blood metabolite responses to corn starch, saccharose or glucose administration in the drinking water during pre‐slaughter feed withdrawal (FW) in broilers. On day 42 of age, 200 broilers (Ross 308) were allocated randomly to five treatments with four replicates. During a 10‐h FW, control broilers (C) were provided with non‐treated water and the standard finisher diet ad libitum, whereas fasted broilers provided with non‐treated (NFW) or treated water, 3 g glucose (G), saccharose (S) or corn starch (CS)/L. Eight birds (four males and four females) per treatment were slaughtered. Birds receiving non‐treated or treated water had lower BW and higher carcass yield than the full‐fed broilers. The full‐fed broilers had higher absolute and relative GTW than the fasted birds. Broilers consumed more readily treated water compared with non‐treated water. While the a* value of breast meat from CS birds was higher than that from NFW, the b* value of that was higher than S and C birds. The c* values of breast meat from S birds were lower compared with that from the CS treatment. The thigh meat from NFW broilers had higher h* value than that from C and G broilers. The thigh meats of C and CS broilers had higher c* value than that of G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma triglyceride concentration than NFW, S and G birds. The full‐fed broilers had higher plasma uric acid and uric acid nitrogen concentrations than S birds. These results show that carbohydrate administration in the drinking water cannot be a good alternative for the FW period before slaughter due to the fact that the carbohydrates do not reduce BW losses and do not lead to increases in meat quality.     

Incidence of white striping under commercial conditions in medium and heavy broiler chickens in Italy

Several types of muscle abnormalities are present in the poultry industry as a result of genetic selection, leading to decreased quality of meat and consequent economic loss. The appearance of thin (moderate) to thick (severe) white striping (WS) striations parallel to muscle fibers on the surface of broiler breast fillets is one of the most troubling issues in the poultry industry. White striping also has unfavorable implications on visual acceptance, nutritional value, and processing traits of breast meat. The aim of this survey was to assess the influence of market class (medium and heavy birds) and genotype (standard- and high-breast yield hybrids) on the incidence of WS in broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions in Italy. The incidence of WS for both medium and heavy broilers was high (43.0%), with 6.2% of samples considered severe. Heavy flocks had significantly higher percentages of both moderate (46.9 vs. 25.8%;P ≤ 0.001) and severe (9.5 vs. 2.7%;P ≤ 0.001) WS than medium flocks. Considering the effect of genotype, high-breast yield hybrids exhibited a higher incidence of both moderate (40.2 vs. 33.2%;P ≤ 0.001) and severe WS (7.2 vs. 5.0%;P ≤ 0.001) compared with standard-breast yield birds. In addition, within the medium class, the occurrence of WS reached higher levels in flocks of males. The heavy class consisted of male flocks separated into 2 slaughter weight categories. Birds that reached higher slaughtering weights (3.8–4.2 kg) exhibited higher incidence of WS than flocks slaughtered at lower weights (3.0–3.8 kg) at a similar age. In conclusion, the main broiler genotypes used for commercial production were affected by a high rate of WS; hybrids selected for higher breast yields were more prone to the WS abnormality. In addition, severe cases of WS are even more prevalent at higher slaughter age and weight, although reduced growth rate is associated with a lower incidence and severity of WS.     

The effect of a diet containing grasshoppers and access to free-range on carcase and meat physicochemical and sensory characteristics in broilers

1. Research was conducted to evaluate the impact of a diet containing grasshoppers on the carcase, physicochemical and sensory characteristics in a free-range, grassland-based broiler production system.

2. A total of 80, 28-d-old male broilers were reared on grassland containing a large population of grasshoppers (treatment PB). Control birds were reared intensively on a maize-soybean diet (treatment CB). At 91?d of age, 24 birds from each treatment were slaughtered to evaluate carcase, meat and sensory characteristics.

3. Treatment PB produced birds with significantly lower live weights, breast, wing, thigh and drum weights, and higher dressing percentage and breast percentage of carcase, compared with CB. Treatment PB produced breast meat with significantly higher redness values, shear force and protein content, and lower pH values, cooking loss, moisture and fat content compared with CB. Sensory panel results for breast and thigh meats showed no treatment effect on colour and juiciness, but significantly higher scores for chewiness, flavour, aroma and overall appreciation, and lower scores for tenderness from treatment PB compared with CB.

4. Rearing chickens on rangeland may provide an alternative way to produce poultry meat which is considered superior by modern consumers.     

Effects of dietary glutamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid on meat colour,pH, composition,and water-holding characteristic in broilers under cyclic heat stress

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln, 0 and 5?g/kg) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 0 and 100?mg/kg) on raw breast meat colour, pH, composition and water-holding characteristic of broilers under cyclic heat stress (HS).

2. A total of 360 21-d-old Arbor Acres male chicks were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups (6 replicates of 12 birds per cage). The positive control (PC) broilers were kept in a thermoneutral chamber (22–24°C) and fed on the basal diet. The other 4 groups were kept in a cyclic HS chamber (30–34°C) for 9?h (from 09:00 to 18:00).

3. A significant increase was observed in breast meat lightness at 28, 35 and 42?d; and pH values at 28, 35 and 42?d; while a significant decrease was observed in breast meat cooking loss (CL) and contents of moisture, crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF) and crude ash (CA) due to HS.

4. The supplementation with 0·5?g?Gln/kg decreased lightness at 28, 35 and 42?d; while increasing redness at 28?d, yellowness at 35?d, contents of CP, CF and CA, thawing loss (TL) and drip loss (DL). The addition of 100?mg?GABA/kg decreased lightness at 28 and 35?d, pH value at 28, 35 and 42?d, and TL; while increasing redness at 28?d, 35 and 42?d, contents of moisture, CP and CF.

5. The lightness, redness, and pH value; contents of moisture, CP, CF and CA; and TL, DL and CL of breast meat of broilers fed with the mixture of Gln and GABA under cyclic HS were similar to those of the broilers in the PC group.

6. Significant interactions were found between Gln and GABA for yellowness at 28 and 35?d; pH at 28, 35 and 42?d; moisture content, CP content, water-holding capacity and TL.

7. These results demonstrated that dietary Gln and GABA offer a potential nutritional strategy to prevent cyclic HS-related depression in broiler meat chemical composition and quality.     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat composition of Milanino chickens fed on diets with different protein concentrations

1. Milanino is a heavy Italian chicken breed included in a conservation project of the University of Milan and is an important genetic resource for alternative production systems. This research was aimed to study the effect of the dietary protein concentration on growth, slaughter performance and meat composition in free-range reared Milanino chickens.

2. A total of 120 Milanino chickens were fed on different protein concentrations (HP = 20% CP and LP = 16% CP), reared according to a free-range system and slaughtered at 150 and 180 d of age. Growth, slaughter performance and meat (breast and thigh) composition were recorded.

3. The protein concentration of the diet did not affect the overall Milanino mean body weight recorded in the straight-run group in the whole rearing period. However, the growth rate within sex was significantly different between the dietary treatments: heavier females were found in the HP group from 125 d onwards, while no differences were recorded in male body weights. The protein concentration of the diet did not affect carcass weight data or meat composition.

4. The present results suggest the use of a low-protein diet for rearing straight-run Milanino chickens for long rearing periods. However, in females, a high-protein diet is recommended from 125 d of age onwards.

     

Effects of Early Feed Restriction on Performance and Ascites Development in Broiler Chickens Subsequently Raised at Low Ambient Temperature

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of early-age growth limitation, achieved through feed restriction (FR), as a means of reducing ascites mortality in broiler chickens exposed to low ambient temperatures. Feed restriction was applied to broilers from 5 to 11 d of age so as to reduce their weight gain to about 40% of that of control broilers that were fed ad libitum (AL). At the age of 21 d the chickens were exposed to a temperature of 15°C, which induced ascites. By 46 d of age, ascites incidence and mortality in the feed-restricted birds were reduced to 15.79 vs. 36.84% and 7.89 vs. 26.32%, respectively, compared with those in the controls (P < 0.05). After feed restriction was stopped, the FR chickens had accelerated weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio from 11 to 18 d of age (P < 0.05), and by 46 d they had achieved the same body weight as the AL birds. Ascitic broilers had smaller relative breast muscle and spleen weights than those of the healthy broilers at 46 d (P < 0.05). However, the relative weights of lung, heart, and liver and the right ventricle weight per total ventricle weight (RV:TV) ratios were greater in ascitic broilers (P < 0.05). At age 37 d, when ascites had developed but not yet caused mortality, the ascitic broilers had lower plasma concentrations of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and higher hematocrit values (P < 0.05) in comparison with the healthy ones. Ascitic birds also had lower oxygen consumption at 6 wk (P < 0.05), which agrees with information that the terminal stage of the ascites syndrome can be characterized by low oxygen consumption. We concluded that the early-age feed restriction reduced ascites incidence and mortality and prevented reduction of the thyroid hormone concentrations in male broilers reared at low ambient temperature from the age of 3 wk onward.     

蛋氨酸螯合锌替代硫酸锌对肉鸡生产性能、肉品质及抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究蛋氨酸螯合锌替代硫酸锌对肉鸡生产性能、肉品质及抗氧化指标的影响。试验选用1日龄体重接近的健康爱拔益加（AA）肉公鸡200只,随机分为2个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复20只鸡。各处理组肉鸡均饲喂基础日粮且将Zn的添加水平定为40 mg/kg,其中处理1组以硫酸锌形式添加锌,处理2组以蛋氨酸螯合锌形式添加锌。试验期为42 d。结果表明,①与硫酸锌相比,蛋氨酸螯合锌显著降低了22~42 d和1~42 d肉鸡的料重比（P < 0.05）,但对各阶段肉鸡平均日采食量、平均日增重以及21和42 d肉鸡体重均无显著影响（P > 0.05）。②蛋氨酸螯合锌替代硫酸锌对42 d肉鸡宰前体重、屠体重、全净膛重、腿肌重、屠宰率、胸肌率和腿肌率均无显著影响（P > 0.05）,但显著降低了42 d肉鸡全净膛率（P < 0.05）,增加了42 d肉鸡胸肌重、腹脂重和腹脂率（P < 0.05）。③蛋氨酸螯合锌替代硫酸锌对42 d肉鸡胸肌肉色、滴水损失和蒸煮损失均无显著影响（P > 0.05）。④与硫酸锌相比,蛋氨酸螯合锌显著提高了21和42 d肉鸡血清铜锌—超氧化物歧化酶（CuZn-SOD）活力以及42 d肉鸡血清总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）（P < 0.05）,降低了21 d肉鸡血清丙二醛（MDA）含量（P < 0.05）,但对21和42 d肉鸡血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活力无显著影响。由此可见,蛋氨酸螯合锌替代硫酸锌具有提高肉鸡生产性能和抗氧化功能的作用。     

苜蓿多糖对不同性别肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、肉品质及抗氧化性能的影响

本试验旨在研究苜蓿多糖对不同性别肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、肉品质及抗氧化性能的影响。选取468只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡,随机分为3组,每组12个重复(公母各6个重复),每个重复13只鸡。组1为对照组,饲喂基础饲粮,组2、组3分别在基础饲粮中添加1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖,试验期42 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,1)饲粮中添加1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖对公鸡和母鸡的平均体重、平均日采食量、平均日增重、料重比、屠宰率、腿肌率和腹脂率均无显著影响(P0.05),但显著提高了母鸡全净膛率和胸肌率(P0.05),且添加2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖显著提高了公鸡胸肌率(P0.05)。2)1 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组(即组2)公鸡胸肌p H45 min显著提高(P0.05),公鸡和母鸡胸肌滴水损失率和公鸡胸肌蒸煮损失率显著降低(P0.05);2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组(即组3)公鸡和母鸡胸肌滴水损失率和公鸡胸肌蒸煮损失率显著降低(P0.05)。1 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组公鸡和母鸡腿肌滴水损失率和母鸡腿肌剪切力显著降低(P0.05),母鸡腿肌p H24 h显著提高(P0.05);2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组母鸡腿肌滴水损失率和剪切力显著降低(P0.05)。3)1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组21日龄公鸡血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著提高(P0.05),2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组35和42日龄母鸡血清T-AOC显著提高(P0.05),2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组28日龄公鸡和母鸡血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著提高(P0.05),1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖组21和35日龄母鸡血清总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著提高(P0.05),但饲粮中添加1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖对公鸡和母鸡血清中丙二醛(MDA)含量无显著影响(P0.05);此外,饲粮中添加1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖对公鸡和母鸡肝脏和胸肌中T-AOC、GSH-Px和T-SOD活性及MDA含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综上,饲粮中添加苜蓿多糖对公鸡和母鸡的生长性能无显著影响,但能够改善公鸡和母鸡的屠宰性能、肉品质和血清抗氧化性能,且苜蓿多糖的适宜添加量为1 000mg/kg。     

β-羟基β-甲基丁酸钙对肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能和血液激素的影响

试验旨在探讨日粮中β-羟基β-甲基丁酸钙(HMB-Ca)对肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能和血液激素变化的影响。选用刚出雏的雄性肉雏鸡600只,随机分配到5个处理组(每组6个重复,每重复20只鸡),分别饲喂HMB-Ca添加量为0 (对照组)、0.05%、0.1%、0.15%和0.2% 的日粮,试验期42 d。测定1~21、22~42 、1~42 d的平均日增重、平均采食量和料重比,42 d的屠宰性能及21 、42 d血清激素含量。结果表明,各组间肉鸡的平均日增重、平均日采食量和料重比均无显著差异(P＞0.05),但后期和全期均以0.1% HMB-Ca组为最佳;42 d时,0.1% HMB-Ca显著提高肉鸡胸肌率(P＜0.05),同时该处理也有提高腿肌率的趋势(P＞0.05);42 d时,0.05%以上 HMB-Ca组胰岛素含量均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),以0.1%添加水平为最高;低剂量HMB-Ca(0.05%)组生长激素水平显著高于高剂量HMB-Ca组(0.15%和0.2%)(P＜0.05)。综上可知,HMB-Ca可促进肉仔鸡胸肌的生长发育,提高血清中胰岛素含量;肉仔鸡日粮中适宜的HMB-Ca添加水平为0.1%。     

发酵黄芪-甘草水提物对817肉鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数和肉品质的影响

试验旨在研究发酵黄芪-甘草水提物对817肉鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数和肉品质的影响。选用1日龄健康817肉鸡90只，利用单因子完全随机试验设计，将90只肉鸡随机分为空白对照组、试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组，每组3个重复，每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮+清水、试验Ⅰ组饲喂基础日粮+未发酵黄芪-甘草水提物（饮水给药）、试验Ⅱ组饲喂基础日粮+发酵黄芪-甘草水提物（饮水给药），未发酵中药、发酵中药均用水稀释2 000倍。在试验第21和42天，分别测定肉鸡的平均日增重、料肉比、免疫器官指数及肌肉（胸肌、腿肌）营养成分含量、肉色、滴水损失等肉品质指标。结果显示：1~42日龄时，与对照组相比，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组平均日增重分别提高5.09%（P < 0.05）和12.72%（P < 0.05），料肉比分别降低10.84%（P < 0.05）和22.09%（P < 0.05）。21日龄时，与对照组相比，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组脾脏指数分别提高4.40%（P > 0.05）和13.19%（P > 0.05），法氏囊指数分别提高32.39%（P < 0.05）和37.09%（P < 0.05）；42日龄时，与对照组相比，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组脾脏指数分别提高31.97%（P < 0.05）和50.82%（P < 0.05），法氏囊指数分别提高16.25%（P > 0.05）和38.13%（P < 0.05）。21、42日龄，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组肝脏指数均高于对照组。42日龄时，与对照组相比，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组胸肌肌肉水分含量（P < 0.05）、粗脂肪含量（P < 0.05）、肉色a^*值和肌苷酸含量均提高，肉色b^*值和滴水损失均降低；Ⅰ、Ⅱ组腿肌肌肉水分含量、粗蛋白质含量、肉色a^*值和肌苷酸含量（P < 0.05）均高于对照组，肉色b^*值和滴水损失（P < 0.05）均降低；对照组、Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组胸肌和腿肌肉色L^*值均差异不显著（P > 0.05）。综上所述，发酵黄芪-甘草水提物可在一定程度上提高817肉鸡的生长性能和免疫功能，改善肉品质，且作用效果优于未发酵中药。