高粱的加工、粒度和水分对饲料制粒和肉鸡生长性能的影响

本研究旨在评价不同水分和颗粒粒度的高粱制粒或膨化对不同原料粒度、肉鸡代谢能、氨基酸回肠消化率和肉鸡生长性能的影响。试验以720只雄性雏鸡为研究对象,随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复20只。试验处理以2×2×2因子设计,即2种加工方式(制粒和膨化),2个调质水分(1.6%和0.8%),2个颗粒粉碎粒度(650和850μm)。结果显示:在添加1.6%水分的膨化日粮中,制粒制粒和颗粒耐久指数较高。850μm的粒径增加了饲料颗粒耐久指数。各处理组对肉鸡日增重和屠体性状均无显著影响(P>0.05)。在10~13 d饲喂颗粒饲料和添加1.6%水分的饲料的肉鸡表观代谢能和氮校正代谢能均较高(P<0.05),与添加膨化性饲料相比,高粱制粒饲料回肠赖氨酸和甘氨酸消化系数显著提高(P<0.05)。在评价饲料加湿效果时,饲料添加1.6%水分后赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、胱氨酸、甘氨酸、组氨酸、异亮氨酸和精氨酸回肠表观消化系数显著升高(P<0.05)。1.6%水分的膨化饲料较0.8%水分显著提高了21 d肉鸡采食量(P<0.05),在42 d时,0.8%水分的颗粒饲料显著提高了采食量(P<0.05)。结论:以650μm的粉碎粒度和1.6%的水分制备颗粒饲料在肉鸡生长后期可以提高回肠氨基酸消化率和表观代谢能,而膨化工艺提高了42 d肉鸡饲料颗粒制粒和饲料转化率。     

Influence of conditioning temperature on the performance, nutrient utilisation and digestive tract development of broilers fed on maize- and wheat-based diets

1. The influence of conditioning temperature on the performance, nutrient utilisation and digestive tract development of broilers fed on maize- and wheat-based diets was examined up to 21 d of age. The experimental design was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating two grain types (maize and wheat) and three conditioning temperatures (60°C, 75°C and 90°C). Broiler starter diets, each based on one grain (maize or wheat), were formulated and pelleted at the three temperatures. 2. Increasing conditioning temperature decreased the body-weight gain and feed intake in wheat-based diets, but birds fed on maize-based diets conditioned at 60°C and 90°C had higher body-weight gain and feed intake than those fed on the diet conditioned at 75°C. Increasing conditioning temperature increased feed per body-weight gain in both grain-type diets but improved pellet durability index (PDI) only in wheat-based diets; PDI was unaffected in maize-based diets. 3. In wheat-based diets, increasing conditioning temperature decreased the ileal digestibility of nitrogen and starch. Ileal nitrogen digestibility of maize-based diets conditioned at 60°C and 90°C was higher than at 75°C. Starch digestibility was unaffected by conditioning temperature in maize-based diets. No effect of conditioning temperature was found for apparent metabolisable energy (AME). Increasing conditioning temperature decreased digestible protein and AME intakes in wheat-based diets but, in maize-based diets, birds fed on the diet conditioned at 75°C had lower digestible protein and AME intakes compared to those fed on diets conditioned at 60°C and 90°C. 4. Small intestine was longer in birds fed on diets conditioned at 75°C and 90°C compared with those fed on diets conditioned at 60°C. 5. Overall, the data suggest that while the effects of conditioning temperature on body-weight gain and feed intake of broilers to 21 d of age differed depending on the grain type, feed per body-weight gain was adversely affected by higher conditioning temperatures.     

Main effects and interactions of varying formulation protein,fiber, and moisture on feed manufacture and pellet quality

The majority of broiler feed is in pelleted form. Feeding pelleted diets results in improved BW gain and FE compared with feeding mash diets. However, improvements in performance are contingent on pellet quality. Past research has focused on methods to improve pellet quality without negatively affecting processing variables and performance. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects and interactions that occur when small inclusion amounts of fiber, protein, and moisture were formulated into corn- and soybean-based broiler diets. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, small inclusion amounts (5%) of fiber (in the form of cellulose) or protein (in the form of soy protein isolate) improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index compared with the control (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, manufacturing variables were not negatively affected (P > 0.05). In experiment 2, small inclusion amounts of protein (2%), in the form of soybean meal, and moisture (2 and 4%), in the form of tap water, improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index (P ≤ 0.05). Small inclusion amounts of fiber, in the form of oat hulls, negatively affected pellet quality and manufacturing variables. Ingredient interactions were not observed for manufacturing variables or pellet quality. These results demonstrate that small inclusion amounts of supplemental fiber (cellulose), protein (soy protein isolate or soybean meal), and moisture (tap water) can be used to ameliorate poor pellet quality.     

Growth response of broilers to spray-dried plasma in pelleted or expanded feed processed at high temperature

A series of 4 experiments evaluated effects of mash conditioning temperature from a pellet mill or expander on performance of broilers fed pelleted diets containing spray-dried plasma (SDP). All experiments utilized Ross x Ross 308 male broilers randomly assigned to their respective treatments (6 or 10 broilers/pen and 8 or 10 pens/treatment). Treatments in Exp. 1 consisted of a control (0% SDP), SDP coated postpelleting, or SDP blended into the meal prepelleting. Experiment 2 and 3 included the same 3 treatments as in Exp. 1 but with additional treatments of SDP blended into the meal and conditioned at 90 or 95 degrees C before pelleting. In Exp. 4, treatments consisted of a control (0% SDP) or SDP blended into the meal and pelleted (85 degrees C conditioning temperature) or expanded (149 degrees C final effective temperature) and then pelleted. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were formulated to be equal in lysine and ME in all experiments. Pelleted diets were conditioned for 15 s at 85 degrees C, and expanded diets were conditioned at 95 degrees C, 29.7 MJ/t, 13.95 kg/cm2 cone pressure, exit temperature of 149 degrees C, and then pelleted through a 4 x 32-mm die. In Exp. 1, ADG and feed intake were improved (P < 0.05) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 28 of age, with greater BW at d 42. In Exp. 2, both in early (d 1 to 28 of age) phases, and overall (d 1 to 42 of age), broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain and efficiency. In Exp. 3, ADG, feed intake, efficiency of gain, and BW were improved (P < 0.01) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 21 of age, regardless of conditioning temperature. In Exp. 4, broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain, BW, and feed intake regardless of processing method. Overall, the results of all of the experiments demonstrated that pellet conditioning temperature from 85 to 95 degrees C and expander temperatures to 149 degrees C did not impair the positive growth effects of SDP in pelleted or expanded broiler feed.     

Effect of Corn Particle Size and Pellet Texture on Broiler Performance in the Growing Phase

A review of past literature revealed inconsistencies in recommended grain particle size for optimal broiler performance. Changing diet formulation and subsequent processing variables may alter pellet texture and potentially affect broiler performance. In the current study, ground corn, varying in size (781, 950, 1,042, 1,109, and 2,242 μm), was added to a soybean-based premix to create 5 different mash diets. Water and a commercial pellet binder were added separately to corn-soybean-based diets before steam pelleting to create 2 pelleted diets differing in texture (soft and hard, respectively). The objective was to evaluate corn particle size, pellet texture, and feed form variation of compound diets on 3- to 6-wk broiler performance, nutrient retention, carcass characteristics, TME_n, feed passage time, and particle size preference. Soft and hard pellets had similar pellet durability (90.4 and 86.2%, respectively) and fines (44.5 and 40.3%, respectively). Increasing particle size of mash diets improved nutrient retention. However, broiler performance and energy metabolism were decreased when corn particle size exceeded 1,042 μm. This observation was due, in part, to increased size and maintenance requirement of the gastrointestinal tract. Broilers fed hard pellets (1,856 g of pellet breaking force) had improved nutrient retention, TME_n, and subsequent performance compared with broilers fed soft pellets (1,662 g of pellet breaking force). Pellet texture may affect broilers in a manner similar to particle size.     

Effects of increasing dried distillers’ grains with solubles and non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme inclusion on growth performance and energy digestibility in broilers

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme on broiler performance and ileal nutrient digestibility in diets containing dried distillers’ grains with solubles, as well as evaluate non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme inclusion in low energy diets with dried distillers’ grains with solubles on performance and carcass yield. Experiment 1 was a 4 (dried distillers’ grains with solubles level of 0, 5, 10, and 15%) x 2 (with and without enzyme) factorial design in battery-reared broilers for 21 d; body weights and feed intake were determined weekly. On day 22, ileal contents were collected to determine digestibility of energy and nitrogen. The second experiment was a 48 d floor pen trial utilizing three dietary treatments: positive control, negative control (positive control, negative control less 132 kcal/kg ME), and a negative control + non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme inclusion. Diets included dried distillers’ grains with solubles at 2.5 to 10%. In Experiment 1, BW decreased (P < 0.05) with 15% dried distillers’ grains with solubles inclusion as compared to the control. The FCR was also increased (P < 0.05) with 15% dried distillers’ grains with solubles inclusion as compared to all other diets through 14 d. Inclusion of dried distillers’ grains with solubles reduced (P < 0.05) ileal digestible energy at 10 and 15% inclusion and inclusion of non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme increased (P < 0.05) ileal digestible energy. Increased energy and nitrogen digestibility coefficients (P < 0.05) were observed at all dried distillers’ grains with solubles inclusion levels with non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme inclusion except for the 10% inclusion rate. In Experiment 2, non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme in the negative control diet increased BW compared to the negative control at all observed time points at each phase (P < 0.05). Additionally, non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme in the negative control diet reduced mortality corrected FCR through the grower phase. Non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme inclusion in the negative control diet resulted in comparable live weights, carcass weights, breast filets, and tenders to the positive control diet; however, fat pad was reduced compared to the positive control (P < 0.05). These data confirm that elevated levels of dried distillers’ grains with solubles in starter diets can negatively impact digestibility and performance of broilers and the inclusion of an non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme can increase nutrient digestibility and improve broiler performance in low energy dried distillers’ grains with solubles containing diets.     

Post-pellet liquid application fat disproportionately coats fines and affects mixed-sex broiler live performance from 16 to 42 d of age

The effect of 2 fat application sites (FAS) and 2 levels of fines on feed manufacturing parameters and broiler live performance from 16 to 42 d was studied. The FAS included mixer-added fat (MAF) and post-pellet liquid application (PPLA) of fat. While the MAF diets had all fat added to the diet prior to pelleting, the PPLA diets were pelleted with 0.5% MAF, and the remaining 3.5% fat was added subsequent to pellet cooling. The levels of fines included 0 and 30%. A total of 32 pens was placed with 8 males and 8 females (mixed-sex) in each pen. Broiler chicks were fed a common crumbled starter for approximately 16 d and then transitioned to one of the 4 dietary treatments. The PPLA pellets were more durable than were MAF pellets (P < 0.01), but required more energy to pellet (P < 0.01). When adding liquid fat post pellet to the diets with 30% fines, the fines absorbed more liquid fat and exhibited a greater gross energy when compared to pellets (P < 0.01). Male broilers consuming the PPLA diets were 50, 97, and 120 g heavier than male broilers consuming the MAF diets at 28, 35, and 42 d, respectively (P < 0.01). Female broilers consuming the PPLA diets with 30% fines were 71 and 90 g heavier than female broilers consuming the MAF diets with 30% fines at 28 and 35 d, respectively (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the females may have benefited from consuming high-energy-density fines present in the PPLA diets with 30% fines when compared to females consuming MAF diets with 30% fines because the additional fat that coated the fines offset the negative energy associated with prehension of the fines.     

The Effect of Steam-Conditioning Practices on Pellet Quality and Growing Broiler Nutritional Value

Feed currently constitutes 60 to 65% of the total cost of broiler production. Pellets are the primary feed form for commercially reared broilers. Understanding how to optimize pellet quality through precision thermo-mechanical processing may impact broiler performance and nutrient availability, and thus cost of production. Steam conditioning represents a manipulable thermo-mechanical processing variable. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were conditioned with 1 of 4 steam pressure × temperature combinations: 138 kPa at 82.2°C, 138 kPa at 93.3°C, 552 kPa at 82.2°C, or 552 kPa at 93.3°C. High steam pressure and temperature conditioning were shown to increase pellet quality. Three additional diets were prepared: unprocessed mash, the 552 kPa/93.3°C diet reground to mash, and a 50:50 combination of pellets and mash produced from the 552 kPa/93.3°C treatment to simulate a high fine percentage diet. All diets were fed to Cobb 500 broilers from 21 to 38 d, and nutrient availability was determined with Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. Broilers fed pellets conditioned with high steam temperature demonstrated decreased feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Amino acid and energy availability were not affected by variations in steam conditioning.     

Black soldier fly larvae in broiler diets improve broiler performance and modulate the immune system

Non-conventional feed ingredients are receiving more interest in their ability to increase farming efficiency, sustainability and animal performance. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal rate of inclusion level of the full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in broiler diets and to evaluate their impact on performance, nutrient digestibility, and the immune system (blood cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes). A total of 400 male day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups with 8 replicates each. Five inclusion levels of full-fat BSFL were investigated across starter (0, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%), grower and finisher diets (0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). All diets were formulated based on digestible amino acid values according to the Aviagen (2016) recommendations. A polynomial regression at different degrees was performed to analyse broiler performance parameters (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio), nutrient digestibility, and blood cell count. Intraepithelial lymphocyte population data was analysed performing univariate linear regression. During the entire experimental period (from 2 to 42 d), BSFL inclusion levels decreased the feed conversion ratio by 10% in broilers that received 20% BSFL in their diets (P < 0.05). Lymphocytes and white blood cell count decreased linearly by 47.7% and 35.9%, respectively, with up to 20% BSFL inclusion (P < 0.001). A 4-fold decrease in CD3+ T lymphocytes and a 9.7-fold decrease of CD3+CD8+ intestinal cytotoxic T lymphocytes occurred in broilers fed 20% BSFL compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the inclusion of BSFL can improve broiler performance and potentially reduce immune response energy expenditure in birds fed 20% BSFL for 42 d.     

The effects of pelleting and glucanase supplementation in hulled barley based diets on feed manufacture,broiler performance,and digesta viscosity

Feeding broilers barley-based diets requires special consideration primarily due to effects on increased digesta viscosity and decreased nutrient digestion. Pelleting and glucanase supplementation are commonly performed prior to feeding broilers barley-based diets; however, the interaction of these practices is complex. The objective of this study was to establish a comprehensive evaluation of glucanase efficacy including: degree of processing, activity postpelleting, broiler performance, and digesta viscosity. Treatments were arranged in a 5 (diet formulation) × 2 (processing) factorial in a randomized complete block design with 8 replications/treatment. The 5 diet formulations consisted of positive control (PC), negative control (NC), glucanase A (GA) 125 or 1,000 β-Glu-U/kg feed, and glucanase B (GB) 1,000 β-Glu-U/kg feed. The PC and NC diets differed in metabolizable energy by 150 kcal/kg and enzymes were added to NC formulations. Diets were either fed as unprocessed mash or ground pellets. Diet formulation × processing did not interact for feed intake (FI), FCR, or total tract viscosity (P > 0.05); however, a trend was observed for ending bird weight, demonstrating that for ground pellets, GA 1,000 β-Glu-U/kg feed was improved relative to NC and similar to PC (P = 0.0903). Benefits associated with GB were not of similar magnitude, perhaps in part due to a 50% decrease in activity postpelleting. In addition, GA benefits were not suggested for unprocessed mash. The main effect processing was significant (P < 0.0001) demonstrating that broilers fed ground pellets resulted in greater pen ending bird weight, FI, and bird live weight gain (LWG) compared to birds fed unprocessed mash diets. Evaluations of glucanase should go beyond in vitro activity and include live bird performance using feed that has undergone pelleting.     

不同工艺参数组合对肉鸡颗粒饲料加工质量、生长性能和养分表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究筛片孔径、调质温度、模孔直径的不同工艺参数组合对肉鸡颗粒饲料加工质量、生长性能和养分表观消化率的影响。以玉米-豆粕型全价配合饲料为肉鸡试验饲粮,在相同配方及模孔长径比一致的条件下,设计3因素2水平(筛片孔径:2.0和2.5 mm;调质温度:70和80℃;模孔直径:3和4 mm)的肉鸡颗粒饲料加工试验,选用864只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡,随机分为8个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复18只鸡。饲养试验共42 d,分1~21日龄和22~42日龄2个阶段。结果表明:1)筛片孔径和模孔直径的交互作用以及调质温度和模孔直径的交互作用对颗粒硬度有极显著影响(P0.01),调质温度和模孔直径的交互作用、筛片孔径和调质温度的交互作用以及筛片孔径、调质温度和模孔直径的交互作用对颗粒耐久性有极显著影响(P0.01),筛片孔径和模孔直径的交互作用对颗粒耐久性有显著影响(P0.05)。2)调质温度对1~21日龄肉鸡末重、平均日增重和平均日采食量有极显著影响(P0.01),对22~42日龄肉鸡末重有极显著影响(P0.01)。3)肉鸡1~21日龄,筛片孔径、调质温度以及2因素的交互作用对肉鸡养分表观消化率的影响不显著(P0.05);肉鸡22~42日龄,筛片孔径、调质温度和模孔直径的交互作用对肉鸡干物质、能量和粗蛋白质表观消化率有极显著影响(P0.01)。综合得出:相同筛片孔径和模孔直径下,颗粒硬度和耐久性随调质温度升高有增大趋势;相同筛片孔径和调质温度下,颗粒硬度和耐久性随模孔直径的增大有降低趋势;肉鸡1~21日龄,筛片孔径选择2.0和2.5 mm均可,调质温度为70℃时肉鸡的生长性能极显著高于80℃时,且料重比显著低于80℃时;肉鸡22~42日龄,当筛片孔径为2.0或2.5 mm、调质温度为70℃、模孔直径为4.0 mm时肉鸡生长性能较高、料重比较低;肉鸡1~42日龄,当筛片孔径为2.0或2.5 mm、调质温度为70℃、模孔直径为4.0 mm时肉鸡的生长性能较高、料重比较低;当筛片孔径为2.5 mm、调质温度为80℃时,1~21日龄肉鸡干物质、能量和粗蛋白质表观消化率较高;当筛片孔径为2.5 mm、调质温度为70℃、模孔直径为4.0 mm时,22~42日龄肉鸡干物质、能量和粗蛋白质表观消化率最高。     

Influence of barley inclusion method and protease supplementation on growth performance,nutrient utilisation,and gastrointestinal tract development in broiler starters

The influence of the method of barley inclusion(fine,coarse and whole barley)in a wheat-based diet and protease supplementation(0 and 0.20 g/kg)on growth performance,nutrient utilisation and gastrointestinal tract development of broilers(d 1 to 21)was evaluated in a 3
2 factorial arrangement.Whole barley(WB)grains were ground in a hammer mill to pass through the screen sizes of 2.5 and 8.0 mm to achieve fine(FB)and coarse(CB)barley particle sizes,respectively.A total of 288,one-day-old male broilers were allotted to 36 cages(6 cages/treatment;8 birds/cage).There was no significant(P>0.05)interaction between barley inclusion method and protease for any growth performance or nutrient utilisation parameters.Birds fed diets containing CB and WB showed higher(P<0.05)weight gain,and digestibility of dry matter,nitrogen,calcium,gross energy,and ileal digestible energy compared to those fed FB diets.Compared to the birds fed FB diets,feed per gain was lower(P<0.05)in birds fed diets made of WB.Fat digestibility of the birds fed CB was higher(P<0.05)than those fed FB and WB birds.Compared to FB and CB diets,inclusion of WB resulted in heavier(P<0.05)gizzards but reduced(P<0.05)gizzard pH.Supplemental protease,however,had no effects(P>0.05)on growth performance and nutrient utilisation,most likely due to the well balanced digestible amino acids and high inherent digestibility of protein in the basal diet,and/or the presence of exogenous carbohydrase and phytase.In conclusion,the present results showed that the inclusion of coarsely ground and whole barley in a wheat-based diet can enhance nutrient and energy utilisation and is beneficial to the growth performance of young broilers.     

Effect of diet form and enzyme supplementation on growth, efficiency and energy utilisation of wheat-based diets for broilers

1. The effect of diet form (mash, cold-pelleted, steam-conditioned/pelleted, wet mash, whole wheat with balancer pellet, restricted pellet) and enzyme inclusion (Avizyme 1300, absent, present) was studied in 2 trials using individually caged, male broilers from 14 to 42 d. Bird performance, viscosity of ileal contents and diet metabolisability (AME) were measured. 2. The performance of mash-fed birds was significantly poorer than for the other treatments in relation to dry matter intake, liveweight gain and gain:food. This was not due to reduced diet AME content. 3. There was no significant effect of heat treatment on any of the variables measured, although viscosity of ileal contents was increased by 30% as compared to the cold-pelleted diet. 4. Gain:food was improved with wet-mash feeding in comparison to the dry mash treatment but it was concluded that this was not due to any intrinsic improvement in diet quality, but rather to voluntary food restriction on introduction of the wet food. 5. Whole wheat feeding improved gain:food and diet AME content by 3% as compared to the complete diets and caused approximately a 50% increase in gizzard weight as compared with the pelleted diets. 6. Food enzyme inclusion did not improve performance although a significant improvement in diet AME content was observed with enzyme inclusion in trial 1.     

Effect of inert fillers with changing energy-protein ratio on growth performance and energy digestibility in broilers

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using sand or diatomaceous earth (DIAE) as an inert filler while changing the energy-to-protein ratio in broilers, and therefore to evaluate if doing either will confound the results in energy enzyme efficacy studies by reducing the difference observed between the standard and low energy control diets. The dietary treatments consisted of one control treatment (3,050 ME kcal/kg, 220 CP g/kg) and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements with 2 energy-to-protein levels (2,850 ME kcal/kg, 205 CP g/kg or 2,850 ME kcal/kg, 220 CP g/kg) and 2 inert fillers (sand or DIAE), each with 9 replicates. Each replicate pen included 5 straight-run broilers fed for a period of 21 d with weekly pen BW and feed intake measured. Ileal contents were collected on d 21 for ileal digestible energy (IDE), with 0.2% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. According to the main effect for inert filler, BW was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in treatments with reduced energy on d 21. Compared with the control group, no differences were observed among the reduced energy treatments for FCR and productivity index. Both IDE and ileal energy digestibility coefficient (IEDC) were decreased in the treatments formulated with reduced energy. Among reduced energy treatments, diets containing sand had significantly higher IDE and IEDC than the ones with DIAE. This study confirms that reduced dietary energy negatively influences broiler performance. Adding sand as the inert filler had an independently beneficial effect, and therefore DIAE may be a more appropriate source of inert filler to replace fat in a diet with a disrupted energy-to-protein ratio, which is the typical methodology in energy enzyme efficacy studies.     

Effect of cereal type and Xylanase supplementation on nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of cereal (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) and supplemental enzyme (a mono-component xylanase) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. A 2-phase feeding program (0 to 21 and 21 to 42 d) was used and 4 iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing corn, wheat, barley, or sorghum as the sole cereal. Diets based on each cereal were fed without or with supplemental xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg) to 8 replicate pens of 10 chicks (5 male : 5 female, Cobb 500) each. Growth performance was recorded at 21 or 42 d posthatch. Excreta was quantitatively collected from 18 to 21 and 38 to 41 d for the measurement of the total tract retention of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Ileal digestible energy (IDE) was measured at the end of the study (42 d posthatch) using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. For the overall 42 d period, birds fed barley-based diets had lower feed intake (P < 0.05), lower body weight (P < 0.05) and converted feed into gain less efficiently (P < 0.05) compared with the diets based on corn, wheat or sorghum. Xylanase supplementation improved weight gain in diets based on corn, wheat, and sorghum with the exception of barley-based diets (cereal × xylanase interaction, P < 0.05). Xylanase improved the overall feed conversion ratio (1.885 vs. 1.939; P < 0.05) with the effect being independent of the cereal type. The N retention of barley-based diets was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the other cereals, while xylanase improved N retention (P < 0.05) regardless of the cereal type. NDF digestibility differed (P < 0.05) across cereal (barley > wheat > corn > sorghum) and was improved (P < 0.05) by xylanase supplementation. A significant cereal × xylanase interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for energy measurements, where xylanase improved IDE of the corn-based diet, and AME of corn- and wheat-based diets. Results of the current study demonstrate potential of xylanase in improving nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers fed diets based on variety of cereal grains.     

Net energy,energy utilization,and nitrogen and energy balance affected by dietary pea supplementation in broilers

Pea starch consists predominantly of C-type of amylopectin chain which is more resistant to digestive enzymes than A-type of starch thus slowly digested in poultry. It was hypothesized that the presence of slowly digested pea starch in broiler diets will increase net energy and the efficiency of energy utilization in broilers. Two experiments were performed to investigate starch digestibility of pea at different incubation times (in vitro study) and the effect of dietary pea on heat increment and net energy in broilers using an open-circuit respiratory calorimetry system (in vivo study). One-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were fed a common starter crumble from d 1 to 10 and standard grower diets thereafter. At d 21, birds were transferred to the chambers each housing 2 birds. Each treatment was replicated 6 times with 2 identical runs of 3 replicates per treatment. A wheat-soybean meal-based diet was used as a control and the treatment diet contained 500 g of pea/kg pea. In vitro study showed that pellet processing increased (P < 0.001) starch digestibility, particularly at shorter times for wheat and a much larger response for pea. Birds offered the pea-based diet had lower (P = 0.002) feed intake, lower (P = 0.020) body weight gain, but a similar (P > 0.05) FCR compared to those offered the wheat-based diet. Net energy (NE) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values were higher in the pea-based diet than in the wheat-based diet (P = 0.037 for NE and P = 0.018 for AME). Heat production, respiratory quotient, heat increment of feed, efficiency of utilization of gross energy for AME, and efficiency of utilization of AME for NE did not differ (P > 0.05) between the 2 treatments. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of pea on the total tract digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein and ash, but the total tract digestibility of starch was higher (P = 0.022) in the pea-based diet compared to the wheat-based diet. This study provides insight into the energy metabolism of broilers offered a pea-based diet and indicates that dietary pea supplementation increases dietary AME and NE but has no effect on heat increment of feed and the efficiency of energy utilization in broilers.     

Conditioning time and sodium bentonite affect pellet quality,growth performance,nutrient retention and intestinal morphology of growing broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of conditioning times and processed sodium bentonite (PSB)-based pellet binder (G. Bind?) on pellet quality, performance, small intestine morphology, and nutrient retention in growing broiler chickens (d 11–24).

2. A total of 540, one-day-old male broiler chicks were fed a commercial starter diet (d 1–10). On day 11, birds were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement including two conditioning times (2 and 4 min) and three levels of PSB (0, 7.5 and 15 g/kg) with six replicates of 15 chicks each. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded to calculate growth performance. The jejunal segment and excreta samples were collected to determine intestinal morphology and nutrient retention, respectively.

3. Diets produced with 2 min conditioning time and containing 15 g/kg PSB increased (P < 0.05) pellet durability index and hardness. Conditioning time and PSB levels had no significant effect on growth performance. The inclusion of PSB to broilers diet increased (P < 0.05) energy usage of the pelleting machine. Chickens fed the diet conditioned for 2 min and containing 15 g/kg PSB had the lowest (P < 0.05) relative jejunal length. Two minutes conditioning of diets containing 15 g/kg PSB increased (P < 0.05) apparent metabolisable energy retention in broilers.

4. It was concluded that 2 min conditioning of diet containing 15 g/kg PSB improved pellet quality and nutrient retention of broiler chickens, while the main effects of conditioning time and PSB levels were controversial in most evaluated parameters.     

Evaluation of Heat-Stable Phytases in Pelleted Diets Fed to Broilers from Day Zero to Thirty-Five During the Summer Months

Supplementing phytase to broiler diets has been shown to improve phytate P digestibility in commercial broilers. Broiler rations are typically pelleted to promote improved broiler performance, but high pelleting temperatures can inactivate phytase enzymes. Before the introduction of heat-stable phytase products, phytase enzymes were generally added postpelleting to limit the effect of pelleting temperature on phytase activity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate postpelleting phytase activity of 3 concentrations of 2 heat-stable phytase enzymes and their efficacy when fed to 0- to 35-d-old broilers. After pelleting the phytase-supplemented diets at 93.3°C, the retained phytase activities of the 2 enzymes were similar, suggesting equivalent heat stability. Supplementing phytase to deficient nonphytate P diets improved FCR by 3% (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the FCR of birds fed an unsupplemented deficient diet. No differences in tibia ash (TA) were detected between the 2 phytase sources; however, TA of birds fed supplemental phytase at the 2 greatest concentrations was improved (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the TA of birds fed nonphytate P-deficient diet. These results suggest that the prepelleting inclusion of heat-stable phytase enzymes may be a viable alternative to postpellet application of phytase for improving P utilization in broilers.     

枯草芽胞杆菌B7对肉鸡生长性能和蛋白消化率的影响

为了探讨肉鸡日粮中添加枯草芽胞杆菌B7对其生长性能、饲料蛋白消化率的影响,选取7日龄健康肉鸡180只,随机分成3个处理组,每个组设4个重复,分别为对照组(CK组)、枯草芽胞杆菌1组(Y1组)和枯草芽胞杆菌2组(Y2组),试验期为42d。研究各试验组日耗料、日增重、料肉比、胃蛋白消化率、回肠蛋白消化率。结果表明,与CK组相比,Y2组肉鸡日耗料提高了5.81%,日增重提高了7.29%,料肉比降低了2.43%,且三者差异均显著(P<0.05);此外,在14日龄时,Y2组的饲料胃蛋白消化率和肠蛋白消化率分别提高了28.07%和21.29%,且两者差异显著(P<0.05)。肉鸡日粮中添加适量的枯草芽胞杆菌能显著提高其生长性能和饲料利用率。