Growth performance of Hubbard × Cobb 500 and Ross × Ross 708 male broilers fed diets varying in apparent metabolizable energy from 14 to 28 days of age

The cost of energy-contributing ingredients has increased over the last several years. Defining minimum dietary energy specifications for broilers is a strategy to mitigate high diet cost. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of diets with graded concentrations of AME_n fed to Hubbard × Cobb 500 (experiment 1) and Ross × Ross 708 (experiment 2) male broiler chicks from 14 to 28 d of age. Both experiments were identical in experimental procedures with the exception of genetic strain. Broilers were fed a common corn-soybean meal-based starter diet from 1 to 13 d of age. At 14 d of age, dietary treatments were provided with 1 of 6 concentrations of AME_n (3,000, 3,030, 3,060, 3,090, 3,120, and 3,150 kcal/kg). In experiment 1, BW gain, feed intake, and FCR of Hubbard × Cobb 500 broilers decreased linearly with increasing AME_n. Linear broken-line response of FCR was estimated at 3,062 kcal of AME_n/kg based on broken-line methodology. In experiment 2, Ross × Ross 708 broilers did not respond to graded concentrations of energy, as indicated by linear and quadratic regression of BW gain, feed intake, caloric conversion, and FCR data. Therefore, Hubbard × Cobb 500 male broilers respond to AME_n from 14 to 28 d of age and may be fed diets formulated at 3,062 kcal of AME_n/kg without loss of performance. Conversely, growth performance of Ross × Ross 708 male broilers was not affected by varying AME_n (3,000 to 3,150 kcal/kg) from 14 to 28 d of age. In addition, the response to AME_n may not be as pronounced with the modern broiler compared with broilers used in previous research.     

Marginality and Needs of Dietary Valine for Broilers Fed Certain All-Vegetable Diets

Valine is likely the fourth limiting amino acid in most diets based on corn and soybean meal (C/SBM). However, the exact needs for Val are not well known, and information regarding it is sparse. A series of studies was conducted to validate the limitation of Val in all-vegetable diets fed to broilers, and subsequently to quantify an adequate ratio to Lys in high-yield late-developing broilers (Ross × Ross 708) from 21 to 42 d. A preliminary study was designed to evaluate the supplementation of different amino acids likely to be fourth limiting on a C/SBM-based diet, where Lys, TSAA, and Thr were supplemented but no other critical amino acids were given minimums in the formulation. Results obtained for BW gain, abdominal fat weight, and abdominal fat percentage showed that birds were more responsive (P < 0.05) to l-Val supplementation. A follow-up study using a corn-peanut meal (C/PM)-based diet formulated to be deficient in Val validated (P < 0.05) a Val deficiency based on poor growth performance and resulted in an immediate return to good performance when this amino acid was supplemented. Furthermore, the C/PM diet was compared with a nutritionally similar C/SBM diet, and no difference was observed in the performance of broilers fed these diets, thus validating the ability of the C/PM-based diet to support adequate growth of these broilers. This C/PM-based diet was used to feed gradual concentrations of Val, from levels that would be considered deficient (0.59% digestible) up to adequate (0.84% digestible Val). Results indicate that a ratio of Val to Lys of 78, or a minimum dietary value of 0.74% digestible Val (0.82% total Val), should be adequate for this high-yield broiler grown from 21 to 42 d of age.     

Hatchery Feeding of Starter Diets to Broiler Chicks

This study examined hatchery feeding of starter diets differing in amino acid density and moisture on live performance measurements up to 37 d and processing measurements at 38 d. Eggs from a Cobb × Cobb 500 slow-feathering cross broiler strain were set in a common incubator and hatched. Chicks were feather-sexed, placed in 36 chick trays (25 chicks of each sex), and weighed by tray. One of 4 dietary treatments was administered (454 g/tray) in crumble form: 1) no feed; 2) feed containing 1.24% digestible Lys, 0.84% digestible TSAA, 0.80% digestible Thr, 23.2% CP, and 3,080 kcal/kg of ME; 3) feed containing 1.45% digestible Lys, 0.94% digestible TSAA, 0.84% digestible Thr, 26.0% CP, and 3,080 kcal/kg of ME; and 4) treatment 3 plus 100 mL of potable water added to the crumbles 5 min before administration in the trays. Chicks received feed treatments in trays in the hatchery, during transportation to the research facility, and in the research facility until placement (5 h of total tray feeding). Body weight gain at d 7 was increased in birds fed the high density diet alone or in combination with water as compared with birds that were fasted. Subsequent live performance, processing, and small intestine weights, however, did not differ among treatments. Lack of 37-d improvements (average 4.6-lb birds) to early feed allocation may be a result of diet composition, duration of diet allocation, and the genetic strain of bird used, because much literature has pointed to the importance of posthatch nutrition of broilers.     

Use of Digestible Amino Acids and the Concept of Ideal Protein in Feed Formulation for Broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate diet formulation based on digestible amino acids (DAA), the formulation of low protein diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids, and L-Thr supplementation to increase the Thr:Lys ratio from 67:100 to 70:100. Two experiments were carried out with Hubbard male broilers from 3 to 6 wk of age. In experiment 1, corn-soybean meal diets containing 20% CP were used. In experiment 2, 20% CP diets were formulated with corn, soybean meal, wheat bran, feather meal, and meat meal. In both experiments, body weight gain and economic evaluations were better for broilers fed diets formulated on DAA. Carcass yields and carcass composition were not significantly affected by formulation procedures. In experiment 2, birds fed diets based on DAA had improved feed efficiency compared with those fed total amino acids (TAA). In experiment 1, a reduction of CP from 20 to 18.2% did not affect broiler performance. It did, however, result in fatter carcasses, lower percentages of breast meat, and lower economic evaluation. In both experiments, performance and economic evaluation were not affected by the Thr:Lys ratio. In experiment 1, however, abdominal fat and carcass fatness were reduced, and, in both experiments, carcass protein level was higher with a Thr:Lys ratio of 70:100 than with 67:100 ratio (P < 0.05).     

Growth and meat yield responses of Ross × Ross 708 male broilers fed diets formulated with distillers dried grains with solubles varying in ether extract content and inclusion rate from 1 to 49 days of age

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing low-, moderate-, or high-oil dried distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) included at conventional- or increased-inclusion rates fed to 1,500 Ross × Ross 708 male broilers that were assigned to 60 floor pens from 1 to 49 d of age. Three sources of DDGS had ether extract composition of 6.06, 8.80, or 11.59%, on dry matter (DM) basis, representing low-oil, moderate-oil, or high-oil DDGS, respectively. Diets were formulated to contain corn, soybean meal, animal protein meal as the primary ingredients, and 1 of the 3 DDGS sources at either 5, 7, 9, or 11% (conventional-inclusion rate) and 8, 10, 12, or 14% (increased-inclusion rate) in the starter (1 to 14 d), grower (15 to 24 d), finisher 1 (25 to 34 d), and finisher 2 (35 to 49 d) periods, respectively. Apparent ME_n (low-oil:1,975, moderate-oil: 2,644, and high-oil: 3,137 kcal/kg) and digestible amino acid (AA) values of the 3 DDGS sources were determined from previous research. No differences were detected for cumulative BW gain and feed conversion 1 to 49 d of age or meat yields at 50 d of age. Feeding broilers diets containing the low-oil DDGS source increased feed cost per BW gain and breast meat weight of $0.025/kg and $0.004/kg compared with birds fed diets containing high-oil DDGS or moderate-oil and high-oil DDGS sources, respectively. These data indicated that DDGS source and inclusion rate did not affect cumulative growth and carcass characteristics of broilers from 1 to 50 d of age but demonstrate differences in feed cost/BW gain and feed cost/breast meat weight.     

Influence of thermal stimulation during the late phase of incubation on hatching results and post-hatch broiler performance under commercial conditions

1. Two experiments, which differed in breeder age, strain and season, were conducted to study the influence of low-intensity, short-duration thermal stimuli during the late phase of incubation on hatchability and performance. The first experiment conducted in April–June used eggs from Cobb × Ross broiler breeders at 35–41 weeks of age and the second experiment performed in February–April used eggs from Hubbard × Cobb broiler breeders at 49–53 weeks of age.

2. Eggs in the test group had the same physical environment as eggs in the control group except that incubation temperature was increased by 1?C for 2 h/d above the control group from 18 to 20 d of incubation (DI).

3. The results demonstrated that thermal stimulation of 1?C for 2 h/d above control incubation temperature during 18–21DI did not have any adverse effects on hatch and post-hatch performance of broilers.

4. In both experiments, treatment did not significantly alter the secondary sex ratio in hatched chickens, but hatch residue showed that the proportion of unhatched male embryos was significantly lower in the test groups than in the control groups.

5. In the first experiment, thermal stimulation improved feed conversion by 1.82% compared with the control.

     

Broiler responses to feeds formulated with or without minimum crude protein restrictions and using supplementall-valine andl-isoleucine

Comparisons of corn-soy-feeding programs formulated using different protein constraints were done in the present study. A total of 1,800 one-day-old, slow-feathering Cobb × Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were placed in 72 floor pens of 25 birds each with 9 birds/m². Feeding programs (PRG) were composed of prestarter (PST,1–7 d), starter (ST, 8–21 d), grower (GR, 22–35 d), and finisher (FN, 36–43 d) diets formulated as: PRG 1 = CP restricted to a minimum (22.4, 21.1, 19.8, and 18.4% for PST, ST, GR, and FN, respectively) with amino acid-to-Lys ratios only set for TSAA (0.72) and Thr (0.65); PRG 2 = CP not restricted, whereas ratios of amino acids to Lys were also extended to Val (0.77) and Ile (0.67); PRG 3 and PRG 4 were the same as PRG 2, but withl-Val added in PRG 3 andl-Val andl-Ile in PRG 4. Feeds were formulated to have digestible Lys of 1.324, 1.217, 1.095, and 1.006% for PST, ST, GR, and FN, respectively, or 5% higher. A completely randomized design was used with a 4 × 2 factorial (4 PRG and 2 digestible Lys) design with 9 replications per treatment. Overall, no interactions between PRG and digestible Lys were observed, with 1 exception observed for BW gain and FCR from 36 to 43 d. Birds fed PRG 2 showed improvements in BW gain and FCR when fed the diet 5% higher in digestible Lys. Cumulative BW gain and FCR results at 35 and 43 d, as well as in each individual feeding phase, showed broilers from PRG 2 having the best results, but without mean separation significant differences when compared with PRG 3 and 4. Feeding a dietary program with a 5% increase in digestible Lys resulted in improved cumulative FCR only when cumulatively measured from placement to 43 d. Abdominal fat, as a percentage of the eviscerated carcass at 43 d, was lowest for birds fed PRG 2 diets. Formulation of diets having traditional recommendations of digestible Lys with Val- and Ile-to-Lys ratios of 0.77 and 0.67, without restricting CP, led to the best results overall in performance and fat pad deposition; therefore, if the goal is to reduce CP, similar results should be achieved by addingl-Ile with further reductions in protein ifl-Val is also added. Data obtained in this study support the applicability of supplementation withl-Val andl-Ile when ideal AA ratios are followed.     

Influence of Temperature on the Arginine and Methionine Requirements of Young Broiler Chicks

Two experiments were conducted with Ross × Ross broiler chicks in battery brooders from 7 to 21 d of age to determine the Arg and Met requirements of young broiler chicks at control (25°C) and warm (35°C) temperatures. In both experiments, 1-d-old broiler chicks were fed a corn and soybean meal based starter diet for 7 d. Six replications (2 replicates in each of 3 rooms per temperature) with 8 chicks each were used for each treatment. In experiment 1, the basal diet was based on corn (34.52%), whey (26.96%), corn gluten meal (16.53%), soybean meal (11.74%), and poultry fat (23% of CP and 3.20 kcal/g of ME_n). Six levels of Arg (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5%), supplementing the basal diet containing 0.95% Arg, were the dietary treatments. A broken-line linear model was used to estimate chick Arg requirements. Based on body gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) data, respectively, the Arg requirements of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks raised at 35°C were 1.15 ± 0.03% and 1.13 ± 0.02%, whereas those of chicks at 25°C were 1.26 ± 0.03% and 1.27 ± 0.02%. In experiment 2, the influences of temperature and dietary Arg on the Met requirements of young broiler chicks were investigated. The basal diet was based on corn (53.45%), soybean meal (37.72%), and poultry fat (23% of CP and 3.20 kcal/g of ME). Experiment 2 had a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the basal diet (0.35% Met and 1.52% Arg) supplemented with 6 levels of dietary Met (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, or 0.3%) and 2 levels of dietary Arg (0 and 1.0%). When chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 1.52% Arg, the Met requirements of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks raised at 35°C were 0.43 ± 0.02% and 0.43 ± 0.03%, whereas those of chicks at 25°C was 0.43 ± 0.01% and 0.48 ± 0.03%, based on body gain and FCR data, respectively. When Arg levels were increased to 2.52%, the Met requirement of young Ross × Ross broiler chicks was greater at both temperatures (P < 0.05). The requirements of chicks raised at 35°C were 0.50 ± 0.02% and 0.49 ± 0.02% and at 25°C were 0.59 ± 0.03% and 0.57 ± 0.02%, based on body gain and FCR data, respectively. Temperature and amino acid balance may both affect the amino acid requirements of broilers.     

Dietary Threonine Needs for Growth and Immunity of Broilers Raised Under Different Litter Conditions

Two studies were conducted simultaneously and evaluated the Thr needs of male Ross × Ross 708 broilers. Broilers in the 2 studies were reared under 2 litter conditions: new (NL) vs. used built-up soft wood shavings (BL). Separated by a center aisle, all floor pens from 1 side of the close-sided house contained NL, whereas the opposite side contained BL. Broilers received common diets up to 21 d and then were fed 1 of 6 total dietary Thr levels that ranged from 0.51 to 0.86% total Thr until d 42. At 42 d, birds were processed. A subsample of birds from each experimental unit corresponding to either the 0.51 or 0.72% Thr treatments was taken, immune function was quantified, and lymphoid organs were weighed. Results for live performance and carcass traits are in close agreement with previously reported values in the literature. Quadratic responses were observed for BW gain, feed conversion, and carcass and breast meat absolute and relative weights. Depending on the variable, these responses were maximized from 0.71 to 0.74% Thr when broilers were raised on NL and from 0.73 to 0.78% Thr when broilers were raised on BL. Low Thr (0.51%) was without effect on most immune parameters. However, low Thr decreased relative thymus weight and increased monocyte NO production in built-up and new litter environments, respectively.     

Assessing the threonine-to-lysine ratio of female broilers from 14 to 28 days of age

Diets for straight-run broiler flocks are often formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of male broilers, assuming this will cover the nutrient needs of the females. Delineating the nutrient needs of female broilers may allow for a more precise formulation and may lead to a reduction in associated feed cost, particularly when feeding sexes separately. A study was designed to simultaneously evaluate the dietary needs of Lys and Thr of a high-yielding female broiler from 14 to 28 d of age. Dose-response diets were accomplished via the diet-dilution technique, and were formulated to provide a range from 0.84 to 1.24% and 0.46% to 0.86% standardized digestible Lys and Thr, respectively. Requirement estimates ranged from 1.06 to 1.11% for standardized digestible Lys, depending on the parameter and the statistical method used, whereas Thr requirement estimates ranged between 0.73 and 0.79%. In addition to the aforementioned requirement estimates, Thr-to-Lys ratios of 69 for BW gain and 70 for FCR were calculated.     

Dietary glycine and threonine interactive effects in broilers

Little information is available regarding the interaction of dietary Thr and Gly on the potential metabolic sparing effects, live production, or breast meat yield of broilers. To test these potential interactions, 432 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were fed a common diet up to 21 d of age, and then fed 1 of 6 experimental diets. A factorial arrangement of treatments consisted of 3 dietary levels of standardized digestible Thr (0.57, 0.61, and 0.65%) in combination with 2 levels of total Gly + Ser (1.55 and 1.65%). Experimental diets were fed from 21 to 42 d of age, with live performance, carcass traits, and free blood plasma levels of Gly, Ser, and Thr serving as evaluation criteria. Interactions (P ≤ 0.05) were observed for BW gain, feed consumption, carcass and breast meat weight, and carcass yield, all showing improvements with increasing dietary Thr in combination with low dietary Gly + Ser treatments. Circulating plasma Gly, Ser, and Thr were affected by their respective dietary status.     

Threonine and tryptophan ratios fed to nursery pigs*

The optimal ratio of tryptophan (Trp):lysine (Lys) relative to the ratio of threonine (Thr):Lys was studied in 288 crossbred (Cambrough 15 x Canabrid) nursery pigs from 7.1 to 15.6 kg BW. Treatments were arranged in a 3 x 3 factorial with three calculated ratios of true digestible Thr:Lys (0.55, 0.60, or 0.65) in combination with three Trp:Lys ratios (0.145, 0.170, or 0.195). Treatments were replicated with eight pens of four pigs each. The experiment lasted 28 day with Phase II (222.6 g CP and 11.9 g true digestible Lys/kg diet, initially 24 day of age and 7.1 kg BW) and Phase III (196.2 g CP and 10.1 kg true digestible Lys/kg diet, initially 38 day of age and 9.8 kg BW) diets each fed for 14 day. Threonine by Trp interactions were observed for average daily gain during each period, and for daily feed intake during Phase III and overall. Generally, Trp addition linearly increased gain and feed intake at a Thr:Lys ratio of 0.60 and 0.65 but not at a Thr:Lys ratio of 0.55. Gain:feed was increased linearly with increasing levels of Trp during both periods. There were no main effects of Thr in either time period or overall. Overall, optimal performance was obtained in pigs fed the true digestible Trp:Lys ratio of 0.195 at Thr:Lys ratios 0.60 or 0.65. These results indicate that Trp:Lys ratios above 0.195 may be needed to maximize performance in diets containing wheat and barley.     

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。     

Optimal dietary lysine to threonine ratio in pigs (30–110 kg BW) derived from observed dietary amino acid efficiency

Optimal ratio of lysine (Lys) to threonine (Thr) in diets for growing barrows [genotype: Piétrain × (Large White × German Landrace)] was established at 30, 50, 70, 90 and 110 kg body weight (BW). N balance studies were conducted with diets based on constant mixture of wheat, barley, soybean meal and field peas. Supplementation of crystalline amino acids (AA) provided diets with Lys (diet A) and Thr (diet B) in first limiting position. For each BW range, totally 28 individual N balance data were utilized for assessing model parameters (exponential N utilization model) of dietary efficiency of Lys and Thr, respectively. Observed maximal dietary efficiency of Lys and Thr provided the database for conclusion of optimal dietary Lys to Thr ratio. Based on applied experimental conditions, BW dependent Lys to Thr ratio could not be concluded. On average, the dietary ratio Lys to Thr = 1:0.61 ± 0.02 was obtained as optimal for growing pigs.     

1～21日龄雌性肉仔鸡表观回肠可消化色氨酸需要量评定

本试验旨在研究1～21日龄雌性肉仔鸡表观回肠可消化色氨酸需要量及饲粮色氨酸水平对肉仔鸡肉品质、抗氧化指标和免疫指标的影响。试验选取480只1日龄雌性商品代肉雏鸡,随机分成5个处理,每个处理8个重复,每个重复12只鸡。采用含0.170%色氨酸的玉米-豆粕-玉米蛋白粉型基础饲粮,分别在其中添加0、0.021%、0.042%、0.063%和0.084%晶体L-色氨酸,使饲粮色氨酸水平分别为0.170%、0.191%、0.213%、0.234%和0.248%。测定1～21日龄肉仔鸡生产性能、胸肌品质、抗氧化指标、免疫指标和21～25日龄肉仔鸡氨基酸表观消化率和表观回肠消化率。结果表明:饲粮色氨酸水平显著影响1～21日龄肉仔鸡采食量及增重(P<0.05),采食量及增重与饲粮表观回肠可消化色氨酸水平呈现二次曲线关系(P<0.05)。1～21日龄肉仔鸡获得最大增重的饲粮表观回肠可消化色氨酸水平为0.176%,表观回肠可消化色氨酸摄入量为68.15 mg/d。与饲粮色氨酸水平0.170%相比,饲粮色氨酸水平0.213%及0.248%可显著降低肉仔鸡胸肌丙二醛含量、肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶活性和血清谷丙转氨酶活性(P<0.05),饲粮色氨酸水平0.248%可显著提高肉仔鸡屠宰后45 min胸肌pH、肠道总分泌型免疫球蛋白A浓度及血清总免疫球蛋白A浓度(P<0.05)。由此可知,1～21日龄雌性肉仔鸡获得最大增重的表观回肠可消化色氨酸需要量为0.176%(68.15 mg/d)。提高饲粮色氨酸水平可减轻肉仔鸡组织细胞脂质过氧化损伤,降低屠宰后肉仔鸡胸肌酸度,改善肉仔鸡肠道黏膜免疫和体液免疫能力。     

3～6周肉仔鸡苏氨酸、色氨酸需要量的研究

本试验研究 3～ 6周肉仔鸡苏氨酸 (Thr)和色氨酸 (Trp)的需要量。Thr和Trp各设四个水平 ,日粮总Thr的含量为 0 .66%、0 .70 %、0 .74 %和 0 .78%,真可消化Thr的含量为 0 .57%、0 .61 %、0 .65%和0 .69%;日粮总Trp的含量为 0 .1 7%、0 .1 8%、0 .1 9%和 0 .2 0 %,真可消化Trp的含量为 0 .1 5%、0 .1 6%、0 .1 7%和 0 .1 8%。采用两因子完全随机设计。对体增重、饲料转化率、氮表观存留率和血清尿酸浓度等指标进行了测定。结果表明 :3～ 6周肉仔鸡粗蛋白水平降到 1 8%仍有较好的饲养效果 ;Thr和Trp间存在交互作用 ,且对体增重和饲料转化率有显著影响 ;综合考虑各项指标 ,日粮总Thr和Trp的需要量为0 .66%和 0 .1 8%～ 0 .1 9%,真可消化Thr和Trp的需要量为 0 .57%和 0 .1 6%～ 0 .1 7%。     

Effects of dietary amino acid density and metabolizable energy level on the growth and meat yield of summer-reared broilers

The effects of dietary amino acid (AA) density and AME on the growth and meat yield of summer-reared Cobb × Cobb 700 (CCB-700) broilers were evaluated. In addition, the responses of CCB-700 and Cobb × Cobb 500 (CCB-500) broilers to dietary AME levels (with low AA) were compared. All chicks were fed through a starter, grower, finisher, and withdrawal phase program. Grow-out performance, carcass traits, meat yield, and feed cost efficiency were evaluated using 2 separate 2-way ANOVA based on 2 separate 2 × 2 factorial arrangements of treatments. Each group includes 14 replicate pens with 14 chicks/replicate. Mortality was not affected by treatment; however, as compared with birds fed other diets, feeding CCB-700 broilers a low-AME and high-AA density diet decreased feed intake and BW on d 35, 42, and 54, and decreased carcass, breast, wing, front half, and back half weights on d 55. The CCB-500 broilers consumed more feed and gained more weight as compared with CCB-700 broilers at 14, 28, and 35 d of age. However, at 55 d of age, breast weight and wing yield were observed to be higher in the CCB-700 than in the CCB-500 broilers. However, the back half (drumstick and thigh) weights were lower in the CCB-700 than in the CCB-500 broilers. In conclusion, without affecting feed costs, broiler performance and carcass yield were affected by diet in both strains. More specifically, a higher AME diet and lower AA density increased the yield of all cut-up parts, except for legs, in summer-reared CCB-700 chicks.     

Influence of pre‐press solvent‐extracted cottonseed meal supplemented with exogenous enzyme and digestible lysine on performance,digestibility, carcass and immunity responses of broiler chickens

The response of broiler chickens to two levels of endo‐1,4‐β xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) and endo‐1,3‐β glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) combination (with and without), three levels of digestible lysine (0.8%, 0.9% and 1.0% with the applicability of ideal protein concept) and two levels of cottonseed meal (CSM; 20% and 30%) were evaluated in 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. A total of 2448 male Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical vegetable‐based mash diets having 2750 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) per kg and 18.5% crude protein (CP) from the age of day 1 to 42. The supplemental enzyme had minimum 1100 units of endo‐1,4‐β xylanase and 100 units of endo‐1,3‐β glucanase/kg of finished diet. The addition of CSM at 30% resulted in increasing arginine to lysine ratio. A decrease in dressing and breast percentages were observed by the addition of 30% CSM. The digestible lysine at 1.0% decreased the body weight (BW) gain and lowered the mortality during day 1 to 21 whereas the BW gain and feed:gain ratio were unaffected among the three digestible lysine levels during day 1 to 42. The antibody titres against Newcastle and infectious bursal disease viruses were improved with the increasing levels of digestible lysine. The enzyme supplementation improved the apparent ME and digestibility coefficient of nitrogen when it was used with 30% CSM. No effect of enzyme, lysine, CSM or their interactions was observed on serum iron, gizzard and liver weights or abdominal fat percentage. The results showed that increasing digestible lysine improved the antibody titre but did not improve the growth performance and carcass characteristics; supplemental enzyme failed to show any improvement in performance of birds fed on CSM‐based diets.     

Effect of Spray-Dried Plasma Form and Duration of Feeding on Broiler Performance During Natural Necrotic Enteritis Exposure

The effect of duration of feeding (continuous or discontinued after d 14) and form (granular vs. powder) of spray-dried plasma (SDP) on performance and mortality of broilers using used litter was evaluated with 240 Ross × Ross 308 male broilers (6 broilers per pen, 8 pens per treatment). Dietary treatments were control (no SDP) or SDP as powder or granular included in the pellet and fed continuously (d 0 to 35) or discontinued after d 14. During the experiment, broilers developed necrotic enteritis, and tissue cultures were positive for Escherichia coli and Salmonella, resulting in 50% mortality on control broilers. Addition of SDP to the feed improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency for each period of the study (d 0 to 14, 15 to 28, 29 to 35, and 0 to 35). Continuous feeding of SDP improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency from d 15 to 35 compared with broilers fed SDP to d 14. Liveability was improved (P < 0.05) in broilers consuming SDP either for 14 d or continuously throughout the experiment compared with control broilers. Spray-dried granular plasma was more effective than spray-dried powder plasma from d 0 to 14. The results of this experiment confirmed that SDP improved broiler growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency, and minimized enteric challenge associated with necrotic enteritis with maximal protection afforded by continuous feeding. The response to SDP was independent of age of the broiler.     

Ideal amino acid profile and dietary lysine specification for broiler chickens of 20 to 40 days of age.

1. The aim of the study was to determine the ideal ratio of the essential amino acids lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), arginine (Arg), valine (Val) and isoleucine (Ile) and to assess the required dietary lysine concentration for optimum performance in broiler chickens of 2 commercial strains from 20 to 40 d of age. 2. An identical basal diet was used throughout all experiments. It consisted mainly of maize and soyabean meal and contained 172 g crude protein and 13.2 MJ AME(N) per kg. For each experiment, the basal diet was adequately supplemented with all essential amino acids except the one to be tested, which was supplemented in 6 graded concentrations in exchange for maize starch. One (Met, Trp, Arg, Val, Ile) or 2 (Lys, Thr) growth trials were conducted per amino acid tested and the response in weight gain, food: gain ratio, breast meat yield and abdominal fat were examined. 3. The ideal amino acid ratio relative to Lys (expressed as a percentage) was calculated to be 75% Met+Cys, 63% Thr, 19% Trp, 112% Arg, 71% Ile and 81% Val on a true faecal digestible basis when the data were subjected to broken-line regression analysis. From both lysine studies the concentration for optimum food: gain ratio was calculated, by exponential regression analysis, to be 11.5 g true faecal digestible lys per kg diet.