Influence of dietary protein and sex on walking ability and bone parameters of broilers

1. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protein on the walking ability and bone parameters of broilers reared under summer temperatures which ranged from 26 to 32C(+/-2C). 2. Three different dietary protein combinations were used. The diets (per kg) were: low protein with 205 g crude protein and 12.94 MJ ME, 184 g crude protein and 12.75 MJ ME; medium protein with 219 g crude protein and 12.99 MJ ME, 201 g crude protein and 12.87 MJ ME; and high protein with 238 g crude protein and 12.99 MJ ME, 216 g crude protein and 12.96 MJ ME from 0 to 4 and 4 to 7 weeks of age, respectively. Body weights of birds were recorded and birds' walking ability (gait scoring) were scored for each bird, according to 3 categories (completely normal to immobile, at 4 and 7 weeks). Tibia parameters and tibia plateau angles were also determined at 7 weeks. 3. Birds fed on the low protein were lighter than those fed on the medium or high protein diets. At 7 weeks, birds with poor walking ability weighed 149 g less than birds with no walking difficulty. 4. Bone parameters were not affected by dietary protein, sex or gait score. There was a significantly positive correlation between bone strength and radiographic density. Bone strength was also significantly correlated with bone weight and length.     

Effect of reduced energy, protein and entire substitution of inorganic phosphorus by phytase on performance and bone mineralisation of laying hens

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total removal of dietary inorganic phosphorus and reduced energy and protein, without and with phytase supplementation, on the performance, egg quality and bone composition of laying hens. 2. Lohmann pink-shell hens were randomly assigned at 56 weeks of age to 5 treatments for 20 weeks as follows: (1) a positive control (PC) with 155 g CP/kg, 11·09 MJ ME/kg, calcium (Ca) 3·40% and non-phytic phosphorus (NPP) 0·26%, (2) a negative control (NC1) diet based on PC diet with Ca decreased to 3·30% and NPP to 0·14%, (3) NC2 diet was formulated on the basis of NC1 diet with 152·7 g CP/kg, 10·90 MJ/kg, (4) NC1 and (5) NC2 supplemented with phytase (300 FTU/kg) each. 3. Feed intake, hen-day or hen-housed egg production, egg number per hen-housed, and final body weight were depressed with NC1 and NC2 diets, but restored by phytase inclusion. There were no significant differences between the dietary treatments for feed conversion efficiency, rates of cracked and broken eggs, egg-shell thickness or egg-shell strength. Mortality was significantly increased by NC2 diet without phytase. Tibia ash was significantly decreased by both NC1 and NC2 diets. Bone strength, and Ca and P contents in tibia ash were significantly increased by phytase inclusion in the NC1 diet. 4. In conclusion, the NC1 and NC2 diets significantly depressed performance and tibia quality, but the addition of phytase (300 FTU/kg) significantly improved performance and tibia integrity.     

不同日粮对广西合浦鹅生产性能及养分代谢的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同日粮对鹅生长性能和纤维类物质及其他养分利用能力的影响。选取4周龄、体重相近的广西合浦鹅60只,随机分为3组,每组20只(公母各1/2),分别饲喂3种不同代谢能(ME)水平的日粮:第1组10.03 MJ/kg,第2组11.00 MJ/kg,第3组11.85 MJ/kg,进行42 d的饲养试验;同时分别于5周龄和9周龄时从上述3组试验鹅中各选取4只体重相近的试鹅进行代谢试验并用内源指示剂法(4 mol/L HCl不溶灰分)测定试鹅对日粮养分的代谢率。结果表明:在整个试验期间各组试鹅平均日增重差异不显著(P>0.05);5周龄时,各组日粮养分代谢率差异也不显著(P>0.05);但在9周龄时,第1组的CF、DM和能量代谢率显著高于其余2组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。因此,本试验证明了日粮ME在10.03~11.85 MJ/kg时,不影响合浦鹅的增重和屠宰性能;在9周龄、日粮ME为10.03 MJ/kg时,其CF、DM和能量代谢率显著高于ME为11.00或11.85 MJ/kg组,而高能量日粮并未表现出养分代谢上的优势。     

不同代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对合浦鹅日粮养分消化率及生长性能的影响

本文旨在研究日粮不同代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对合浦鹅日粮干物质、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗纤维、钙和磷等养分的消化率及生长性能的影响.将120只28日龄的合浦鹅随机分成6个组,进行2个饲养和消化试验:试验1组饲喂粗蛋白质水平为15.10%,代谢能水平分别为10.03、11.00和11.85 MJ/kg的3种日粮;试验2组饲喂代谢能水平为11.50 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质水平分别为12.50%、14.85%和17.83%的3种日粮.用4 mol/L HCI ALA方法测定日粮的养分消化率.结果表明:粗蛋白质水平为15.10%和代谢能水平为10.03 MJ/kg的日粮,具有较高的养分消化率,但不同代谢能水平对试鹅的生长性能影响差异不显著(P>0.05);代谢能水平为11.50 MJ/kg和粗蛋白质水平为12.50%的日粮也具有较高的养分消化率,但不同粗蛋白质水平对试鹅的生长性能影响差异也不显著(P>0.05).因此,28日龄以后的合浦鹅的日粮粗蛋白质和代谢能水平分别为15.10%和10.03 MJ/kg,或分别为12.50%和11.50 MJ/kg时,均具有较高的养分消化率,但对合浦鹅的生长性能无显著影响.     

Influence of phytate level on broiler performance and the efficacy of 2 microbial phytases from 0 to 21 days of age

Phytate is an antinutrient in animal feeds, reducing the availability and increasing the excretion of nutrients. Phytases are widely used to mitigate the negative influences of phytate. This trial was designed to compare the efficacy of 2 Escherichia coli-derived phytases on broiler performance and bone ash as influenced by dietary phytate level. A total of 1,024 Arbor Acres male broilers were used with 8 replicate pens of 16 birds/pen. Experimental diets were based on low available phosphorus (avP; 1.8 g/kg) with low (6.40 g/kg) or high (10.65 g/kg) phytate. The low-avP diets were then supplemented with mono-dicalcium phosphate to increase the avP level to 4.5 g/kg, 500 phytase units/kg of phytase A, or 500 phytase units/kg of phytase B to create 8 experimental diets. Feed intake, BW gain, FCR, and livability were influenced by a P source × phytase interaction. Feed intake, BW gain, and livability were reduced and FCR was higher in broilers fed low-avP diets, particularly in the presence of high phytate. Phytase A or phytase B improved feed intake, BW gain, and FCR, particularly in the high-phytate diet. However, broilers fed phytase A ate more and were heavier than broilers fed phytase B. Tibia ash was lowest in broilers fed the low-avP diet and highest in broilers fed the diet supplemented with mono-dicalcium phosphate. Phytase increased tibia ash, and broilers fed phytase A had an increase in tibia ash compared with broilers fed phytase B. In conclusion, high dietary phytate reduced broiler performance. Phytase A and phytase B improved bone ash and growth performance, especially in the high-phytate diets. However, phytase A was more efficacious than phytase B, regardless of the level of phytate.     

饲粮添加不同水平维生素D_3对肉仔鸡生长性能和骨磷代谢利用的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平维生素D3(VD3)对肉仔鸡生长性能及骨磷代谢利用的影响。试验选用480只1日龄艾拔益加肉公雏,采用2×4双因子完全随机设计,设2个饲粮非植酸磷水平[0.45%和0.23%(实测值为0.44%和0.21%)]与4个VD3添加水平(0、1 000、2 000和4 000IU/kg),共8个组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验期21d。结果表明,与0.21%非植酸磷水平相比,0.44%非植酸磷水平显著提高肉仔鸡平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷含量(P0.05),显著降低料重比(F/G)和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05);与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡ADG、15~21和1~21日龄ADFI、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05),显著降低1~21日龄肉仔鸡F/G(P0.05);0.21%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著降低肉仔鸡死亡率(P0.05),显著提高21日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05),添加2000IU/kg VD3显著提高14日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05);0.44%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05)。以上结果表明,饲粮中添加VD3可提高肉仔鸡的生长性能并降低死亡率,促进磷在骨骼中的代谢利用。     

Relative bio-availability and utilisation of phosphatic fertilisers as sources of phosphorus in broilers and layers

1. Different concentrations of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 g/kg diet) were given to broilers (8 to 42 d of age) to establish regressions between dietary NPP concentration and body weight gain and tibia ash content. Second and third experiments were conducted to study the feasibility of utilisation of different phosphatic fertilisers [ammonium phosphate (AP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), single super phosphate (SSP), NPK (17:17:17, NPK) and NP (28:28:0, NPK)] in commercial broilers (8 to 42 d) and White Leghorn layers (252 to 364 d). 2. Phosphatic fertilisers were incorporated both in broiler (10 g calcium and 4.5 g NPP/kg) and layer (35 g calcium and 3.5 g NPP/kg) diets by replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) in toto. 3. The logarithmic curves obtained for predicting the body weight gain and tibia ash content at different levels of NPP used in experiment 1 were Y = 156.27 + 2,468.8 logX (r2= 0.958) and Y = 530.82 + 144.26 log X (r2 = 0.916), respectively. 4. Body weight gain and food intake in broilers given APP- or NP-supplemented diets were comparable to these in the DCP-fed group. Feeding of NPK, AP or SSP resulted in significant depression in weight gain and food intake and high excreta moisture content. Food/gain, Ca and P contents in tibia ash and serum were not influenced by the use of phosphatic fertilisers as P sources in broiler diets. 5. Tibia ash content in broilers fed on diets containing fertilisers was either similar to or significantly higher than that in the DCP-fed group. Broilers on AP or SSP retained more P and had higher tibia ash content than those on DCP. AP, SSP or NPK caused degenerative and necrotic changes in liver, kidney and intestine of broilers. 6. Relative bio-availability of P from APP or NP was better for body weight gain than AP, SSP or NPK, while the reverse was true for bone calcification. 7. APP and NP gave hen-d egg production similar to that of DCP-fed layers. Food intake was significantly reduced in layers fed on diets containing fertilisers. However, food/egg mass, egg weight and serum Ca and inorganic P contents were not influenced by inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets. 8. Except for AP, inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets reduced shell weight and shell thickness compared with the DCP-fed group. However, no apparent eggshell defects were found which could be attributable to diet. 9. Results of these experiments suggest that APP and NP can be used as the sole source of P both in broiler and layer diets, replacing DCP in toto. However, when utilising these P sources in layers, due attention should be given to shell quality. Fertilisers containing high F (AP and SSP) or K (NPK) reduced performance in broilers and layers and caused microscopic changes in liver, kidney and intestine in broilers.     

磷源对福美双诱导的肉鸡胫骨软骨发育不良及骨骼钙、磷代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究磷酸一二钙(MDCP)和磷酸氢钙(DCP)对福美双诱导的肉鸡胫骨软骨发育不良(TD)及骨骼钙、磷代谢的影响。选取1日龄科宝(Cobb)肉雏鸡120只,试验1～21 d采用2因子设计,按磷源的不同分为2个处理(磷源DCP和MDCP),每个处理60只鸡;试验22～42 d采用2×2因子设计,将每种磷源按福美双的添加水平不同再分为2个处理(福美双水平为0和100 mg/kg),每个处理3个重复,每个重复10只鸡。福美双组在基础饲粮中添加100mg/kg福美双,于22～28 d饲喂,然后换喂对应不含福美双饲粮。结果表明:1)MDCP组肉鸡第35天TD评分相对DCP组有降低的趋势(P=0.09),但磷源对肉鸡第28和42天TD评分影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。福美双显著升高了肉鸡第28、35和42天TD评分(P<0.05)。2)福美双和磷源对肉鸡第35天胫骨灰分、钙和磷含量交互效应显著(P<0.05)。福美双诱导条件下,MDCP组肉鸡第35天胫骨灰分、钙、磷含量显著高于DCP组(P<0.05)。3)DCP组第35天血清甲状旁腺素含量高于MDCP组(P=0.12)。由此可见,相对DCP,MDCP对福美双诱导的TD发生有一定减缓作用,且与肉鸡骨骼钙、磷代谢密切相关。2种磷源对肉鸡最终TD评分影响差异不显著。     

1～21日龄爱拔益加×罗曼肉杂鸡饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸适宜水平研究

本试验旨在研究1~21日龄爱拔益加(AA)×罗曼肉杂鸡饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸的适宜水平。采用L_9(3~4)正交试验设计,饲粮代谢能水平分别为11.70、12.12、12.54 M J/kg;粗蛋白质水平分别为19.00%、20.00%、21.00%;蛋氨酸水平分别为0.45%、0.50%、0.55%;赖氨酸水平分别为1.00%、1.10%、1.20%。选取1日龄AA×罗曼肉杂鸡864只,随机分为9组,每组6个重复,每个重复16只,试验期21 d。通过饲养试验、屠宰试验等方法检测不同营养水平饲粮的饲喂效果。结果表明:1)饲粮粗蛋白质、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸水平对试验鸡平均日增重有显著影响(P0.05),21.00%粗蛋白质水平组显著高于20.00%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05),0.50%蛋氨酸水平组显著高于0.55%蛋氨酸水平组(P0.05),1.20%赖氨酸水平组显著高于1.10%赖氨酸水平组(P0.05)。2)饲粮代谢能水平对21日龄试验鸡活体总能含量有显著影响(P0.05),12.12 MJ/kg代谢能水平组显著高于12.54 MJ/kg代谢能水平组(P0.05);饲粮蛋氨酸水平对试验鸡活体粗脂肪含量有显著影响(P0.05),0.50%和0.55%蛋氨酸水平组显著高于0.45%蛋氨酸水平组(P0.05)。3)饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对21日龄试验鸡活体能量沉积率有显著影响(P0.05),11.70和12.12 MJ/kg代谢能水平组显著高于12.54 MJ/kg代谢能水平组(P0.05),21.00%粗蛋白质水平组显著高于20.00%和19.00%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05);1.10%赖氨酸水平组的试验鸡活体赖氨酸沉积率显著高于1.20%赖氨酸水平组(P0.05)。4)饲粮赖氨酸水平对试验鸡血清葡萄糖、尿酸、尿素氮水平有显著影响(P0.05),1.00%赖氨酸水平组血清葡萄糖水平最高,显著高于1.20%赖氨酸水平组(P0.05),1.10%赖氨酸水平组血清尿酸水平最高,显著高于1.20%赖氨酸水平组(P0.05),1.20%赖氨酸水平组血清尿素氮水平最高,显著高于1.10%赖氨酸水平组(P0.05)。5)由回归分析得出1~21日龄AA×罗曼肉杂鸡饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸适宜水平的计算公式分别为ME=45.33W~(0.75)+183.84△W,CP=19.77 W~(0.75)+626.47△W,Met=1.44 W~(0.75)+10.31△W,Lys=3.01 W~(0.75)+21.28△W(M E为代谢能,W~(0.75)为代谢体重,△W为平均日增重,CP为粗蛋白质,Met为蛋氨酸,Lys为赖氨酸),根据公式计算得出饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸的适宜水平分别为11.90 MJ/kg、21.08%、0.51%和1.05%。     

肉仔鸡生长性能与饲粮营养水平关系模型的建立及应用

本试验旨在通过研究饲粮代谢能(metabolizable energy,ME)和粗蛋白质(crude protein,CP)水平对内仔鸡生长性能和屠宰指标的影响,建立生长性能与ME、CP的回归关系模型,并运用所建模型选择具有最佳效益的ME、CP水平.采用ME和CP 3×3随机交叉试验设计,将饲粮分为9个处理,3个ME水平分别为13.18、12.55、11.92MJ/kg,3个CP水平分别为21.50％、20.50％、19.50％.选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡1 080只,随机分为9组,每组3个重复,每个重复40只鸡,1 ～21日龄分别饲喂对应试验饲粮,22～42日龄饲喂相同的饲粮.结果表明:1)试验饲粮ME、CP水平对1～21日龄体重和耗料量有显著影响(P＜0.05),对42日龄体重也有显著影响(P＜0.05).2)随着饲粮ME水平的提高,21和42日龄肌胃指数显著降低(P＜0.05),42日龄腹脂率显著增加(P＜0.05).3)应用二元曲线逐步回归方法建立了体重、耗料量与饲粮ME、CP水平的回归关系模型.应用举例表明,建立的回归关系模型对确定肉仔鸡饲粮最佳效益的ME、CP水平有很强的实用性.     

Body weight of young broilers fed with declining calcium and phosphorus contents during the starter period is irresponsive to changes in the skeleton

To evaluate the effect of reduced calcium (Ca) and available P (aP) levels in starter diets on growth performance and tibia, sternum and serum characteristics, and to assay the association between Ca and P (aP) intakes and these variables, 600 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a 21-days trial. Broilers were randomly allotted to five treatments with five replicate pens. Chicks were fed on one of the five starter diets that were formulated with a 10% reduction in the Ca and aP contents, starting from the control diet and hence, named as C (0.96% Ca, 0.45% aP), L1 (0.85% Ca and 0.42% aP), L2 (0.77% Ca and 0.38% aP), L3 (0.68% Ca and 0.34% aP) and L4 (0.61% Ca and 0.31% aP). Declining dietary Ca and aP levels did not affect body weight and levels of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase in serum, but reduced linearly feed intake, the feed conversion ratio and the bone weight and ash content. The Ca and aP intakes and Ca:aP ratio displayed a positive correlation with both tibia and sternum weights, and the mass of the bones were equally sensitive to dietary Ca and aP levels. In conclusion, the body weight of young broilers was irresponsive to changes in the skeleton when exposed to early dietary Ca and aP restrictions (up to 0.61% Ca and 0.31% aP) and the mechanostat had limits due to the association between Ca and aP intakes, and bone properties.     

Effect of an organic acid blend and phytase added to a rapeseed cake‐containing diet on performance,intestinal morphology,caecal microflora activity and thyroid status of broiler chickens

The experiment was carried out on 96 female broilers, allocated to eight groups of 12 birds kept in individual cages. Two basal wheat‐ and soyabean meal‐based diets containing 150 g/kg of rapeseed expeller cake were formulated, differing in the level of P: 7.1 g/kg in diet H or 5.9 g/kg in diet L. Rapeseed cake supplied 3.15 μmol alkenyl glucosinolates per gram of diet. The eight treatments were: basal diets only, basal diets + phytase (1000 U/kg), basal diets + organic acid blend (OA, 6 g/kg), or basal diets + both additives. Diets were fed from day 8 to 28 of life. The results showed that the lower dietary P content and OA supplementation did not significantly affect feed intake or BWG, while both increased (p < 0.001) after phytase supplementation. Tibia ash content as well as tibia ultimate strength were lower (p < 0.001) in birds fed diets L compared with diets H, and increased (p < 0.01) with phytase supplementation of diet L, while OA had no influence on either parameter. Dietary P levels and OA supplementation had no influence on the pH of gut digesta, but the pH of jejunal digesta increased following phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). Morphological measurements of the small intestinal mucosa of chicks indicated that OA added to diet L depressed villi height (p < 0.001) and crypt depth (p < 0.001); both parameters increased after phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). The lower total SCFA as well as acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations in caecal digesta indicated lower activity of caecal microflora in birds fed diets L compared with H. OA supplementation had no influence, while phytase supplementation increased the concentration of acetic acid in caecal digesta. Supplementation of diets with either phytase or OA increased thyroid weight by 16% (p < 0.01) and 11% (p < 0.05) respectively. The increase in thyroid weight because of phytase supplementation was greater at the lower dietary P level, and the greatest when both phytase and OA were added to the diet.     

Phosphorus requirements of growing-finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment

The objective of this study was to identify available phosphorus (aP) requirements of pigs reared in commercial facilities. In a preliminary study, 600 gilts (PIC) were allotted randomly to low (0.30%) or high (0.37%) dietary aP from 43 to 48 kg BW, and later to 0.19 or 0.27% aP from 111 to 121 kg BW. No differences were observed (P = 0.42 to 0.88) in ADG, but G:F from 43 to 48 kg tended to improve (P = 0.07) for pigs fed low aP. Results suggested that the aP requirement was at or below 0.30 and 0.19%. These concentrations were used to titrate aP requirements in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, 1,260 gilts (initially 33.8 kg) were allotted randomly to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.18, 0.22, 0.25, 0.29, or 0.32% aP, corresponding to 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9 g of aP/Mcal of ME. There were 28 pigs per pen and nine pens per treatment. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased ADG (linear, P = 0.03) and G:F (quadratic, P = 0.07), with the greatest response observed as aP increased from 0.18 to 0.22% (G:F breakpoint = 0.22%). However, from d 0 to 26, no differences (P = 0.12 to 0.81) were observed for any growth traits. Pooled bending moment of the femur, sixth rib, and third and fourth metatarsals increased (linear, P = 0.007) with increasing aP. In Exp. 2, 1,239 gilts (initially 88.5 kg BW) were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.05, 0.10, 0.14, 0.19, or 0.23% aP, equivalent to 0.14, 0.28, 0.39, 0.53, or 0.64 g of aP/Mcal of ME. The diet with 0.05% aP contained no added inorganic P. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased (linear, P = 0.008 to 0.02) ADG and G:F; however, from d 0 to 28, increasing aP had no effect (P = 0.17 to 0.74) on growth performance. Increasing aP increased (linear, P < 0.001 to 0.04) metacarpal bone ash percent and bending moment. Results suggest that 33- to 55-kg pigs require approximately 0.22% aP, which corresponds to 0.60 g of aP/Mcal of ME or 3.30 g of aP/d to maximize ADG and G:F compared with NRC (1998) estimates of 0.23%, 0.70 g of aP/Mcal of ME, and 4.27 g of aP/d for 20- to 50-kg pigs. Finishing pigs (88 to 109 kg) require at least 0.19% aP, corresponding to 0.53 g of aP/Mcal of ME or 4.07 g aP/d compared with NRC (1998) estimates of 0.15%, 0.46 g of aP/Mcal of ME and 4.61 g of aP/d for 80- to 120-kg pigs. However, the percentage of bone ash and bending moment continued to increase with increasing aP. These data also suggest that complete removal of supplemental P in diets for finishing pigs (>88 kg) will decrease ADG and G:F.     

Foot ash can replace tibia ash as a quantification method for bone mineralization in broilers at 21 and 42 days of age

Prior research indicated that foot ash determinations were as robust as tibia bone ash determinations in reflecting the degree of bone mineralization in chicks at 14 d of age. In the current research, the relative effectiveness of the 2 procedures was evaluated in 21- and 42-day-old broilers while also evaluating a new dietary phytase supplement. In experiment 1, broilers were fed until 21 d of age a negative control diet with 0.24% available phosphorus, a positive control diet with 0.48% available phosphorus, or the negative control diet supplemented with 300, 500, 1,000, or 2,500 phytase units/kg diet. In experiment 2, broilers were fed until 42 d of age negative control diets having 0.275, 0.250, and 0.225 percent available dietary phosphorus in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively, positive control diets having 0.475, 0.450, and 0.425 percent available dietary phosphorus in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively, or the negative control diets supplemented with 500, 1,000, or 2,500 phytase units/kg diet. At 21 and 42 d of age, broilers fed diets supplemented with the 2 highest doses of phytase had foot and tibia ash values equal to those fed the positive control diet and higher than those fed the negative control diet. At 42 d of age, feed conversion and total breast meat yield values for the broilers fed the highest dose of phytase were superior to the values of the birds fed the positive control diet or the diet containing the lowest dose of phytase. The results indicate that adding levels of this new dietary phytase beyond what is necessary for normal bone mineralization enhances feed conversion and that dried foot and tibia bone ash determinations are both reliable in detecting differences in bone mineralization in 21- and 42-day-old broilers.     

The effect of dietary energy and protein levels on production in breeding female ostriches

1. In a study spanning two breeding seasons, we assessed the effect of different dietary energy and protein levels on body mass, body condition, and egg production of female ostriches. 2. During the first breeding season, groups were given diets with energy concentrations of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 MJ/kg dry mass (DM) metabolisable energy (ME) and protein concentrations of 135, 150 and 165 g/kg. In the second breeding season, groups were given diets with ME of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 MJ/kg and protein contents of 105, 120 and 135 g/kg. 3. Body mass of birds on diets of 7.5 and 8.5 MJ/kg ME decreased significantly in the course of the breeding season compared with birds fed on diets with higher energy contents and body measurements decreased, suggesting a loss of body condition. 4. Females fed on diets containing only 7.5 MJ/kg ME produced significantly fewer eggs at significantly longer intervals, resulting in fewer chicks hatched. 5. There was no significant difference in egg mass, initial chick mass, chick survival to one month of age and body mass of chicks at one month. 6. Dietary protein concentrations had no effect on egg production, egg mass, hatchability, initial chick mass, chick survival or chick mass at one month old. 7. The female ostriches regained their original body mass during the 4-month rest period between breeding seasons, but significant differences in some parameters during the second breeding season suggest that they may not have fully recovered their body condition. 8. A dietary energy content of 7.5 MJ/kg proved to have an adverse effect on egg production by breeding female ostriches, and it may be concluded from this study that a diet containing 8.5 MJ ME/kg DM and 105 g/kg protein should be regarded as the minimum that can be used for breeding female ostriches without compromising egg production.     

Response of broiler chickens to microbial phytase supplementation as influenced by dietary phytic acid and non-phytate phosphorous levels. II. Effects on apparent metabolisable energy, nutrient digestibility and nutrient retention

1. Male broilers (n=900) were fed on wheat-sorghum-soyabean meal based diets containing 3 concentrations of phytic acid (10.4, 13.2 and 15.7 g/kg; equivalent to 2.9, 3.7 and 4.4 g/kg phytate P), 2 concentrations of non-phytate (or available) phosphorus (2.3 and 4.5 g/kg) and 3 concentrations of microbial phytase (0, 400 and 800 FTU/kg) from day 7 to 25 post-hatch. The dietary concentrations of phytic acid were manipulated by the inclusion of rice pollards. All diets contained celite (20 g/kg) as a source of acid-insoluble ash. 2. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) concentrations of the diets were determined using a classical total collection procedure during the 3rd week of the trial. On d 25, digesta from the terminal ileum were collected and analysed for phosphorus, nitrogen and amino acids. Nutrient digestibilities were calculated using acid-insoluble ash as the indigestible marker. 2. Ileal digestibilities of nitrogen and essential amino acids were negatively influenced by increasing dietary levels of phytic acid but these negative effects were overcome by the addition of phytase. 3. Supplemental phytase increased AME, ileal digestibilities of phosphorus, nitrogen and amino acids and the retention of dry matter, phosphorus and nitrogen in broilers. There were no differences in the phytase responses between additions of 400 and 800 FTU/kg. 4. The responses in all variables, except AME, were greater in low non-phytate phosphorus diets. 5. In the case of AME, the response to added phytase was greater in adequate non-phytate phosphorus diets. Supplemental phytase increased AME values from 13.36 to 13.54 MJ/kg dry matter in low non-phytate phosphorus diets and from 12.66 to 13.38 MJ/kg dry matter in adequate non-phytate phosphorus diets.     

43～63日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮代谢能需求参数的研究

用1600只42日龄岭南黄鸡以2(性别)×5(代谢能水平)试验设计,向玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加不同剂量植物油、沸石粉和玉米芯粉,使5种代谢能水平分别为:12.134,12.552,12.970,13.389,13.807MJ／kg,观测鸡的生产性能。结果:以生长性能、能量和粗蛋白质沉积率以及胴体品质为评价指标时,43~63日龄最适饲粮代谢能水平分别为13.376MJ／kg、12.958MJ/kg和12.540MJ/kg;以肌肉脂肪含量为评价指标时,公、母鸡饲粮代谢能最适需要量分别为12.958和13.376MJ／kg;以空体成分为评价指标时,母鸡最适饲粮代谢能水平为12.540MJ/kg。     

能量水平对0～21日龄岭南黄肉鸡生产性能、胴体品质和体组成的影响

将600只岭南黄初生雏鸡随机分为5组,每组120只,公母各半,分栏饲养,饲粮代谢能水平(MJ／kg)分别为11.88,12.19,12.92,13.22和13.60,观察21天。结果,11.88 MJ／kg组公雏平均日增重显著低于其余四组(p<0.05),料肉比显著高于其余四组(p<0.05),13.60MJ／kg组腹脂率最高,极显著高于其余四组(p<0.01),13.22和13.60MJ／kg组体蛋白含量极显著低于11.88,12.19MJ/kg组(p<0.01);对母雏,饲粮代谢能12.92,13.22和13.60MJ／kg组平均日增重显著或极显著高于11.88,12.19MJ／kg组(p<0.05或P<0.01),料肉比显著低于11.88 MJ／kg组(P<0.05),11.88 MJ／kg组体脂肪含量显著低于其余四组(p<0.05),但体蛋白含量显著高于其余四组(p<0.05),灰分含量极显著高于12.92,13.22和13.60MJ／kg组(p<0.01)。     

饲养密度和高蛋白质饲粮代谢能水平对公母分饲肉鸡生长性能和腿部健康的影响

本试验旨在研究饲养密度与高蛋白质(前期23%,后期21%)饲粮代谢能水平对公母分饲肉鸡生长性能和腿部健康的影响。试验采用2(性别)×2(饲养密度)×3(饲粮代谢能水平)三因子完全随机设计,选用1日龄罗斯308(Ross 308)肉鸡公雏1 872只和母雏2 160只,随机分成12个组,每组8个重复。试验设高、低2个饲养密度,以出栏体重计,分别为42[高饲养密度(HSD),16公/m2或18母/m2]和26 kg/m2[低饲养密度(LSD),10公/m2或12母/m2]。试验饲粮分前期(1~21日龄)和后期(22~35日龄)2个阶段配制,饲粮代谢能设高、中、低3个水平,其中,高代谢能(HME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为12.81和13.23 MJ/kg,中代谢能(MME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为12.18和12.60 MJ/kg,低代谢能(HME)水平饲粮前期和后期的代谢能水平分别为11.55和11.97 MJ/kg。结果表明:1)饲养密度与饲粮代谢能水平对肉鸡的平均日增重和料重比有显著交互作用(P0.05)。1~21日龄时,随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,HSD组平均日增重的增加幅度和料重比的降低幅度均小于LSD组;22~35日龄时结果正好相反。性别与饲养密度对肉鸡的平均日采食量有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲养密度增加,公鸡平均日采食量的降低幅度大于母鸡。2)HSD极显著降低肉鸡的胸肌率(P0.01),母鸡的胸肌率和腹脂率显著高于公鸡(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平和饲养密度对肉鸡的腿肌率有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,LSD组肉鸡的腿肌率降低,而HSD组基本不变。3)高饲粮代谢能水平极显著降低肉鸡的脚垫损伤评分(P0.01),公鸡的步态评分和脚垫损伤评分显著高于母鸡(P0.05),垫料水分含量显著低于母鸡(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平与饲养密度对肉鸡的脚垫损伤评分有显著交互作用(P0.05)。随着饲粮代谢能水平增加,HSD组脚垫损伤评分的降低幅度大于LSD组。以上结果表明,高饲养密度降低肉鸡的平均日增重,增加料重比;35日龄前,公鸡比母鸡的空间需求更高;提高高蛋白质饲粮的代谢能水平可以缓解HSD对肉鸡生长性能和脚垫健康的不利影响。     

Effect of dietary zinc content and sources on the growth, body zinc deposition and retention, zinc excretion and immune response in chickens.

1. In areas of intensive animal production heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), which is present at high concentrations in poultry excreta in relation to plant requirements, may be at the origin of soil phytotoxicity This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of decreasing dietary Zn content on growth, plasma, tibia and whole body Zn concentrations, immune function, enzyme activity, Zn body retention and Zn concentration in excreta in broilers. 2. Two experiments were carried out using 160 and 80 1-day-old chicks. Broilers received diets with increased Zn contents of 20 to 190 mg/kg. In experiment 1, two sources of zinc methionine were compared to zinc sulphate. 3. A dietary Zn concentration of 45 mg/kg was sufficient to obtain normal broiler performance at 21 d of age. 4. Tibia and plasma Zn concentrations increased linearly with Zn dietary content and reached a plateau at 75 mg/kg, whereas the whole body Zn was saturated when the dietary Zn content was 90 mg/kg. 5. Antibody titres in response to SRBC injection and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity were not affected by dietary zinc concentration. 6. When the dietary Zn content was decreased from 190 to 65 mg/kg, body Zn retention was increased from 8% to 20% and Zn concentration in broiler manure was reduced by 75%. 7. Zn sources had no effect on the parameters measured in this study. 8. A nutritional approach, that is by lowering dietary Zn supplementation may reduce the risks of phytotoxicity in the soil resulting from excessive Zn concentration in manure.