Effect of dietary zinc proteinate supplementation on growth performance, and skin and meat quality of male and female broiler chicks

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc proteinate (ZP) supplementation on growth performance and on skin and meat quality of male and female broiler chicks.

2. A total of 240 1-d-old male and 240 1-d-old female broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 24 floor pens (12 replicate pens/sex; 20 birds/pen) and were given either 0 (Control diet) or 40?mg/kg ZP (ZP 40), resulting in a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

3. The growth performance of male and female broiler chicks was not affected by the ZP supplementation, but the males showed significantly higher growth performance than did females.

4. ZP supplementation increased the total thickness of skin in both sexes, and males had thicker skin than females. It also increased the collagen content of skin, but not that of meat. Males had higher skin collagen contents than did females, but no sex difference was found in the meat collagen contents.

5. ZP supplementation did not affect the shear force values of skin and meat; however, males had higher shear force values of back skin than females. ZP supplementation increased the zinc contents of thigh meat and plasma in both sexes. Males had higher zinc contents in back skin than females.

6. It is concluded that dietary ZP supplementation could increase the skin quality of broiler chicks in both sexes, particularly in female broilers, without any effect on growth performance. Male broilers have better growth performance and skin quality than females.     

Effect of low doses of dietary rare earth elements on growth performance of broilers

The present study was designed to investigate effect of dietary rare earth elements (REE), including both organic and inorganic compounds, on growth performance of broilers. In experiment 1, a total of 180 male Ross broiler chicks were allocated to 72 pens with different assignment: four chicks per pen or individually. The following three treatment diets were applied: control, REE‐chlorides at a dose of 40 mg/kg and REE‐citrate at a dose of 70 mg/kg. Each treatment group had 24 pens containing both assignments (12 pens each). In experiment 2, a total of 72 male 3‐day‐old Ross broiler chicks were separated to four groups: control, REE‐chlorides at a dose of 70 mg/kg and REE‐citrate at doses of 70 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. In experiment 1, dietary REE‐citrate improved body weight gain during the overall period by 5.0% (p < 0.05) while the increase with REE‐chloride was not significant. In experiment 2, growth effects (p < 0.05) were only found in the period from day 21 to slaughter with all REE forms, and feed conversion ratio was improved by 3.4% (p < 0.05) with REE‐citrate. No significant effects of REE were found on chill weight, percentages of breast meat, thigh weight, drumstick weight and wing weight. Concentrations of La and Ce in the liver and muscles were very low, accounting for 0.11–0.76 and 0.02–0.30 mg/kg respectively. There was weak tendency for a dose–response relationship especially in the groups supplemented with REE‐chlorides. The main blood serum biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by REE in the diets. The results suggest that dietary supplementation of low doses of REE‐citrates might improve growth performance of broilers without affecting carcass composition and health of the broilers.     

日粮中添加酵母培养物对肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质和肠道菌群的影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加不同水平酵母培养物对肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质和肠道菌群的影响。选用432只1日龄、初始体重为（41.73±0.15）g的AA商品代肉仔鸡公雏,随机分为4个处理组（分别在基础日粮中添加0、0.1%、0.2%和0.3%的酵母培养物）,每组6个重复,每个重复18只鸡。试验期42 d,分为1~21和22~42 d两个阶段,试验期间记录采食量、体重和死淘率,试验结束时每个重复选择1只与平均体重接近的肉仔鸡空腹12 h后进行屠宰,测定其屠宰性能和肠道微生物数量。结果显示,与对照组相比,日粮中添加0.2%和0.3%酵母培养物能够显著提高肉仔鸡42 d的体重和试验全期平均日增重（P< 0.05）。且当添加量为0.2%时,能显著提高肉仔鸡22~42 d平均日增重（P< 0.05）,显著降低料重比（P< 0.05）;显著提高试验全期平均日增重和平均日采食量（P< 0.05）,显著降低试验全期料重比（P< 0.05）。同时,添加酵母培养物还可显著降低鸡肉的滴水损失和大肠杆菌数量（P< 0.05）,并显著增加盲肠双歧杆菌数量（P< 0.05）。综上所述,肉仔鸡日粮中添加0.2%酵母培养物的效果最佳,能够显著提高肉鸡生长性能,提高肌肉的系水力,改善其肌肉品质。同时,还能有效增加肉鸡盲肠中有益菌双歧杆菌数量和减少有害菌大肠杆菌数量。     

Effects of Source of Inorganic Phosphorus and Phytase Supplementation on Performance, Physiological Parameters and Bone Mineralization in Broilers

The objective of this study was to eval- uate the effects of inorganic phosphorus source and phytase addition on performance, nutrient digestibility and bone mineralization in broiler chickens. In Exp. 1,150 two-day old, male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with phos- phorus provided by dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated rock phosphate. Five cages containing 10 birds were allotted to each of the three treatments. In Exp. 2,120 three-day old, male broiler chicks were fed the basal diet from Exp. 1 supplemen- ted with 0,250,500 ,or 1,000 P-＇rU phytase per kg of diet. Six cages containing five chicks were allotted to each of the four treatments. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in weight gain, feed intake or feed conver- sion as a result of feeding the different sources of in- organic phosphorus. The digestibility of phosphorus was significantly lower （P =0.01 ） for chicks fed di- ets supplemented with tricalcium phosphate than for chicks fed the other two diets. However, despite the lower digestibility, serum phosphorus levels did not differ among the three treatments. For Exp. 2, feedconversion showed a linear improvement （P = 0.03 ） with increasing levels of phytase inclusion （ days 0 to 33 ）. Phytase supplementation resulted in linear increa- ses in the digestibility of dry matter （P = 0.02 ）, crude protein （ P --- 0.04 ） and energy （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Chicks fed 1,000 FTU/kg phytase had significantly higher bone calcium （ P = 0.05 ） and bone breaking strength （P = 0.04 ） than chicks fed the basal diet on day 33. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that the performance of birds fed diets sup- plemented with dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phos- phate or defluorinated phosphate was similar and therefore production costs could be lowered by choo- sing the cheapest inorganic phosphorus source when formulating diets for poultry. When diets were formu- lated to meet dietary phosphorus requirements, the growth of broilers was not enhanced with phytase sup- plementation. However, increases in feed conversion and bone breaking strength and its potential to impact culling and mortality in broiler operations may be suf- ficient justification for the routine inclusion of phytase in diets fed to broilers.     

日粮中添加辣木提取物对AA肉鸡生产性能、屠宰性能、肉品质及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加辣木提取物对AA肉鸡的生产性能、屠宰性能、肉品质、抗氧化性能及血清生化指标的影响,探讨辣木提取物作为饲料添加剂使用的有效性及最适添加量。试验选取1日龄AA肉鸡480只,随机分成5组,每组6个重复,每个重复16只鸡。对照组饲喂无抗生素基础日粮;抗生素组饲喂基础日粮+50mg/kg金霉素;3个辣木提取物试验组在基础日粮中分别添加0.25、0.50、1.00g/kg辣木提取物。试验期42d,分为1～21d和22～42d两个阶段。结果显示:①与对照组相比,抗生素组显著提高了42日龄肉鸡体重及各阶段平均日增重(ADG)(P<0.05)。添加0.25、0.50g/kg辣木提取物可显著提高42日龄肉鸡体重及1～42日龄ADG(P<0.05),其中添加0.50g/kg辣木提取物效果较好。各试验组平均日采食量(ADFI)和料重比(F/G)均无显著差异(P>0.05)。②各组肉鸡的屠宰性能与肉品质均无显著差异(P>0.05)。③与对照组相比,添加金霉素与0.50、1.00g/kg辣木提取物显著提高了肉鸡血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P<0.05),其中0.50g/kg辣木提取物组作用效果最佳;与抗生素组相比,添加辣木提取物显著降低了血清丙二醛(MDA)含量。④与对照组相比,添加金霉素与辣木提取物组对肉鸡血清生化指标均无显著影响(P>0.05)。⑤与对照组相比,添加0.25、0.50及1.00g/kg辣木提取物组肉鸡死淘率降低到1.04%、3.13%和2.08%。综上所述,肉鸡日粮中添加辣木提取物能够提高肉鸡的增重和抗氧化性能、降低肉鸡死淘率,其中添加0.50g/kg辣木提取物的效果最佳。     

Effects of Source of Inorganic Phosphorus and Phytase Supplementation on Performance, Physiological Parameters and Bone Mineralization in Broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inorganic phosphorus source and phytase addition on performance, nutrient digestibility and bone mineralization in broiler chickens. In Exp. 1, 150 two-day old, male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with phosphorus provided by dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated rock phosphate. Five cages containing 10 birds were allotted to each of the three treatments. In Exp. 2, 120 three-day old, male broiler chicks were fed the basal diet from Exp. 1 supplemented with 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 FTU phytase per kg of diet. Six cages containing five chicks were allotted to each of the four treatments. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion as a result of feeding the different sources of inorganic phosphorus. The digestibility of phosphorus was significantly lower (P = 0.01) for chicks fed diets supplemented with tricalcium phosphate than for chicks fed the other two diets.  However, despite the lower digestibility, serum phosphorus levels did not differ among the three treatments. For Exp. 2, feed conversion showed a linear improvement (P = 0.03) with increasing levels of phytase inclusion (days 0 to 33).  Phytase supplementation resulted in linear increases in the digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.02), crude protein (P = 0.04) and energy (P < 0.01).  Chicks fed 1,000 FTU/kg phytase had significantly higher bone calcium (P = 0.05) and bone breaking strength (P = 0.04) than chicks fed the basal diet on day 33. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that the performance of birds fed diets supplemented with dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated phosphate was similar and therefore production costs could be lowered by choosing the cheapest inorganic phosphorus source when formulating diets for poultry. When diets were formulated to meet dietary phosphorus requirements, the growth of broilers was not enhanced with phytase supplementation.  However, increases in feed conversion and bone breaking strength and its potential to impact culling and mortality in broiler operations may be sufficient justification for the routine inclusion of phytase in diets fed to broilers.     

Effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation on performance and development of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on broiler performance, and physical and morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Experiment 1: A total of 180 one-d-old male chicks were placed in battery brooders in 3?×?6 replicate pens containing 10 chicks each. Chicks were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments; a maize-soyabean meal based diet supplemented with 0, 0·25, and 0·50% Torula yeast RNA (as a source of nucleotides) from 0 to 16?d of age.

3. Experiment 2: A total of 1344 one-d-old male chicks were placed in floor pens and reared on recycled wood shavings (two flocks) under a high stocking density (0·068?m²/bird). Chicks were randomly assigned to one of the 4 dietary treatments (0, 0·25% Torula yeast RNA, 2% and 6% Nupro®) for the starter period (0 to 14?d of age) with 6 replicate pens containing 56 chicks each. All the birds were fed on the same common grower diet with no supplementation of nucleotides from 15 to 32?d of age.

4. Experiment 1: Supplementing the diets with up to 0·50% Torula yeast RNA did not affect broiler performance, or relative intestinal tract weight and length of broilers at any periods measured.

5. Experiment 2: From 0 to 14?d of age, broilers fed on the diets supplemented with 0·25% Torula yeast RNA and 2 and 6% Nupro® were significantly heavier and had improved feed conversion (feed:gain) ratios as compared with the birds fed on the control diet. Supplementing the starter diet only with 2% Nupro® supplementation significantly improved body weight (BW) gain as compared with the control diet over the entire experiment (0 to 32?d of age). Broilers fed on the diets supplemented with 2 and 6% Nupro® from 0 to 14?d of age had better feed conversion (feed:gain) ratios over the entire experiment (0 to 32?d of age) as compared with the birds fed on the control diet, even though the birds were only fed on the diets supplemented with Nupro® from 0 to 14?d of age. The broilers fed on the diets supplemented with 0·25% Torula yeast RNA and 2% Nupro® had higher villus height and an improved villus height-to-crypt depth ratio as compared with birds fed on the control or 6% Nupro® diet at 14?d of age.

6. It is generally assumed that nucleotides are not an essential nutrient; thus there is no need to supplement the diets of broilers reared under normal conditions. However, dietary nucleotide supplementation may be important to maintain maximum growth performance when birds are exposed to stress conditions, such as high stocking density combined with dirty litter.     

红树内生菌对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、营养物质表观代谢率及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在探讨红树内生菌对肉鸡生产性能、营养物质表观代谢率及血清生化指标的影响.选取1日龄黄羽肉鸡240只,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复15只鸡(公鸡10只,母鸡5只).试鸡分别饲喂4种饲粮,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添加0.05％、0.15％和0.45％红树内生菌的试验饲粮,试验期为21 ...     

Effects of supplementation of beta-glucans on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immunity in weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of beta-glucan on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immunity in weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 210 weanling pigs (6.38 +/- 0.92 kg of BW) were fed dietary beta-glucan (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, or 0.04%) for 5 wk. In Exp. 2, 168 pigs (6.18 +/- 1.31 kg of BW) were fed no beta-glucan or antibiotics (T1), 0.02% beta-glucan (T2), only antibiotics (T3), or 0.02% beta-glucan with antibiotics (T4) for 8 wk. In Exp. 2, the antibiotics fed were apramycin and carbadox in phase I (0 to 2 wk) and carbadox and chlortetracycline in phase II (3 to 8 wk). During Exp. 2, the performance study was conducted for 5 wk, and the immune response was tested until 8 wk. In Exp. 1, there was a trend for a linear increase (P = 0.068) in ADG as the dietary beta-glucan concentration increased in the diet. The digestibilities of DM, GE, CP, ether extract, Ca, and P increased linearly (P < 0.05) in the beta-glucan-supplemented pigs. In Exp. 2, the overall ADG was greater (P < 0.05) in treatment T4 compared with the control group (T1). Also, except for P, this group showed greater (P < 0.05) nutrient digestibilities than the control group. In Exp. 2, at d 15, 24, and 46 antibody titers were measured by ELISA against Pasteurella multocida type A and D after vaccination with atrophic rhinitis, and they differed significantly (P < 0.05) with no particular trend. Flow cytometry was used to determine porcine lymphocyte subpopulations at 4 and 8 wk of Exp. 2. There was an increase in CD4 cells (P < 0.05) and a trend for an increase in CD8 cells (P < 0.10) at 8 wk in pigs fed the T2 diet compared with the other groups. Overall, increasing the dietary concentrations of beta-glucan did not improve ADG without antibiotic, and in weanling pigs antibiotics seem to be more effective in improving nutrient digestibilities and growth performance than beta-glucan.     

Effects of Yeast Culture on Growth Performance,Meat Quality and Intestinal Microflora of Broilers

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of yeast culture on growth performance, meat quality and intestinal microflora of broilers. A total of 432 1-day-old AA commercial broiler chicks with initial body weight of (41.73±0.15)g were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates per group and 18 broilers per replicate,receiving diets supplemented with 0,0.1%,0.2% and 0.3% yeast culture, respectively. The trial lasted for 42 days which was divided into two periods with 1 to 21 d and 22 to 42 d,respectively.The feed intake,body weight,death and culling rate were recorded in each period. At the end of the experiment,1 chickens in each replicate with the weight close to the average value were slaughtered after fasting for 12 h. The slaughter performance and intestinal microflora counts were determined.The results showed that compared with control group,the supplementation of 0.2% and 0.3% yeast culture significantly increased the body weight at 42 d and the average daily gain (ADG) during the whole trial (P< 0.05).The diet supplemented with 0.2% yeast culture significantly improved the ADG,decreased the F/G of broilers during 22 to 42 d (P< 0.05),and it also significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and ADG (P< 0.05),decreased the F/G of the whole period (P< 0.05).Moreover,the supplementation of 0.2% yeast culture significantly decreased the drip loss of meat and the count of Escherichia coli (P< 0.05),and significantly increased the count of Bifidobacterium(P< 0.05). In summary, the supplementation of 0.2% yeast culture could significantly improve the growth performance and the muscle quality of broilers.The intestinal microflora in broiler cecum were effectively optimized after inclusion of yeast culture in the study.     

不同锰源与锰水平对肉仔鸡生产性能和组织矿物元素沉积的影响

为研究不同锰源与锰水平对肉仔鸡的生产性能与组织矿物元素沉积的影响,试验采用2×5完全随机试验设计,在玉米—豆粕型基础日粮(锰含量为37.66mg/kg)中添加0、45、90、130、180mg/kg(5个锰添加水平)的复合氨基酸锰和硫酸锰(2种锰源),构成10个日粮处理组,将540只1日龄健康艾维茵肉仔鸡随机分为10个处理组,开展肉仔鸡饲养试验(共42d)。于35日龄时测定其生产性能指标,计算料肉比;于42日龄时测定其胫骨、肝脏、肾脏组织中铜、铁、锌浓度以及胫骨灰分、钙及磷含量。结果表明,在上述日粮中,锰添加量在45~130mg/kg时,无论是添加复合氨基酸锰组还是添加硫酸锰组35日龄肉仔鸡体重和采食量较未添加组差异显著(P≤0.05),经分析,锰水平对其平均体重及采食量有极显著影响(P<0.01);不同锰源的35日龄肉仔鸡体重、采食量、料肉比差异不显著(P >0.05)。42日龄肉仔鸡胫骨、肝脏、肾脏组织中铜、锌、铁含量及胫骨灰分、钙磷含量未受锰源和锰水平及两者互作的显著影响(P >0.05)。由以上结果可以得出,锰水平对肉仔鸡生长性能有极显著影响(P<0.01);锰源对肉仔鸡生产性能无显著影响(P >0.05);锰源和锰水平及两者互作对肉仔鸡组织矿物元素沉积无显著影响(P >0.05)。     

Effect of dietary fibres on small intestine histomorphology and lipid metabolism in young broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary fibres on small intestine histomorphology and lipid metabolism in broilers from 1 to 21 day of age. In experiment 1, diets containing insoluble [cellulose (CEL); 2% and 4%] or soluble [carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); 2% and 4%] fibre were fed to broilers from day 1 to 21 post‐hatch and ileal tissue was collected at day 21 of age for histological evaluation. In experiment 2, broilers diet was supplemented with 0%, 1% or 2% insoluble fibre (Arbocel) during day 7 to 21 post‐hatch and plasma and liver lipid metabolism were evaluated at day 21. In experiment 1, inclusion of CMC reduced body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with others. Intestinal histomorphology was unaffected by CEL, but CMC led to an increase in crypt depth (CD) and serosa thickness and a decrease in villus height (VH), villus width (VW), VH:CD ratio and villus surface area (VSA), rather than control and CEL groups. Treatment did not affect goblet cell type. Moreover, the CMC‐fed birds had greater total goblet cell count (GCC) as compared with others. In experiment 2, fibre inclusion was associated with increases in BWG from 7 to 14 day of age and an improvement in FCR, whereas FI was not influenced by treatments. Inclusion of fibre in the diet decreased the weight of the abdominal fat and cholesterol concentrations of liver and plasma. No significant effects on fatty acid composition of liver lipid were observed by fibre supplementation. These findings suggest dietary fibre affects performance, intestinal histomorphology and lipid metabolism in young chicks, which may directly affect poultry feeding strategies.     

海藻多糖对肉鸡抗氧化性能及存活率的影响

旨在探讨饲料中添加海藻多糖对肉鸡抗氧化性能的影响。选取1日龄健壮肉雏鸡180只,分成3个处理组,即对照组、抗生素组、海藻多糖组,每组设3个重复,每个重复饲养20只鸡,分别于21日龄、42日龄测定血清中总抗氧化能力、超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶和丙二醛的含量。结果表明,海藻多糖可以明显增强肉鸡的抗氧化能力,且与对照组相比,差异显著（P〈0.05）;肉鸡存活率显著提高。     

Effects of Lactobacillus cultures on growth performance,abdominal fat deposition,serum lipids and weight of organs of broiler chickens

1. The effects of a mixture of 12 Lactobacillus strains (LC) on the growth performance, abdominal fat deposition, serum lipids and weight of organs of broiler chickens were studied from 1 to 42 d of age. 2. One hundred and thirty-six 1-d-old male broiler chicks were assigned at random to two dietary treatments: a basal diet (control), and a basal diet with 0.1% LC. 3. The supplementation of LC in broiler diets improved the body weight gain and feed conversion rate from 1 to 42 d of age and was effective in reducing abdominal fat deposition but only after 28 d of age. 4. The LC diets reduced serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in broilers from 21 to 42 d of age. However, there was no significant difference in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol between control and LC-fed broilers. There was also no significant difference in the weights of organs of control and LC-fed broilers. 5. The results indicated that the mixture of 12 Lactobacillus strains have a hypolipidaemic effect on broilers.     

Effects of different management factors on broiler performance and incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia

(1) This study was to determine the effects of two lighting programmes (continuous--24L:0D or intermittent--12L:3(1L:3D)), two feeding programmes (continuous--ad libitum or meal Jeeding--3 h feed:3 h deprivation x 4 times per d) and two ascorbic acid (AA) supplementations (0 or 150 mg/l in water) on broiler performance and incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD). (2) One-day-old male commercial (Ross PM3) broiler chicks (1600) were used. The chicks were randomly divided into 8 treatment groups (2 x 2 x 2) and their replicates (2) replicates per treatment). (3) Intermittent lighting increased body weight and improved feed conversion. Body weight of broilers was decreased by meal feeding. AA supplementation had no significant effect on the body weight and feed conversion ratio. There was no lighting x feeding x supplemental AA interaction for body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and carcase weight. (4) Supplemental AA improved the cortical thickness of tibiotarsus and decreased the incidence of TD. (5) It was concluded that the application of intermittent lighting in combination with supplementation of 150 mg/l AA is a useful method to reduce TD in broilers without loss of performance.     

合生素对肉仔鸡免疫器官指数的影响

为探讨合生素对肉仔鸡免疫器官指数的影响,选取1日龄肉仔鸡280只进行试验,按体重随机分成7个组(每组5个重复,每个重复8只鸡)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂在基础日粮中分别添加合生素Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ及其添加水平0.2%和0.3%,试验期42 d。结果表明,合生素的添加显著降低了(P<0.05)肉仔鸡的脾脏和法氏囊免疫器官指数,也使胸腺免疫器官指数呈下降的趋势,但肉仔鸡的生长、健康状况均处于良好的发展状态。结果提示合生素能增强肉仔鸡免疫与抗应激能力。     

Non‐phytate phosphorus requirements and efficacy of a genetically engineered yeast phytase in male lingnan yellow broilers from 1 to 21 days of age

This experiment was conducted to investigate the requirement of non‐phytate phosphorus (nPP) and efficacy of a genetically engineered yeast phytase in performance and tibia characteristics by male Lingnan Yellow broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 2640 1‐day‐old male chicks were randomly allotted to one of 11 dietary treatments, which consisted of six replicate floor pens with 40 birds per pen. All treatments had the same levels of all nutrients except for phosphorus and phytase. The control group (treatment 1) was fed the basal diet without dicalcium phosphate or phytase supplementation. Dietary concentrations of nPP were 0.11%, 0.19%, 0.27%, 0.35%, 0.43%, 0.51% and 0.59% respectively for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, through addition of dicalcium phosphate (chemistry grade) to the basal diet. Diets 8–11 were supplemented with a genetically engineered yeast phytase 250, 500, 750 U/kg and a commercial phytase product 500 U/kg in basal diet respectively. The results showed that 0.46% and 0.51% nPP were required for maximum body‐weight gain and optimum tibia development indicators respectively. However, 0.59% nPP had a negative effect on bird growth. The equivalency value of the genetically engineered yeast phytase was estimated to be 874 U/kg to liberate 0.1% nPP.     

The detrimental effect of vaccinating parentally immune broilers with a modified liver virus vaccine for infectious bursal disease

The experiment involved 392,955 broilers from breeders vaccinated with a commercially available killed infectious bursal disease (KIBD) virus vaccine (Treatments 1 and 2) and 373,371 broilers from breeders not vaccinated with a KIBD virus vaccine (Treatment 2). The broilers from the KIBD-vaccinated breeders were divided into two treatment groups: Treatment 1 consisted of 209,457 broilers and Treatment 2 consisted of 183,498 broilers. Treatment 2 broilers were vaccinated at 10 days of age intraocularly with a commercially available modified liver infectious bursal disease virus (IBD-MLV) vaccine. Broilers in all three treatments were raised on commercially contracted farms serviced by the same company representative. Broiler performance was based on mortality, body weight, feed efficiency, condemnations, and how each farm ranked with respect to contract settlements. Compared with birds in Treatments 2 and 3 respectively, Treatment 1 broilers had 1.65% and 0.89% less mortality; 0.22 lbs. and 0.09 lbs. increased weight per bird; 0.03 and 0.03 increased feed efficiency; 0.09% and 0.32% fewer air sacculitis condemnations; and 0.57% and 0.83% fewer total condemnations. Treatment 1 broilers ranked in the top 37%; Treatment 2 ranked in the bottom 36%; and Treatment 3 ranked in the lower 57% of contract settlements for all broilers processed. The results clearly showed that Treatment 1 broilers outperformed Treatment 2 amd 3 birds and that the IBD-MLV vaccine had a detrimental effect on Treatment 2 broilers.     

凝结芽孢杆菌对肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标和胫骨强度指标的影响

本试验旨在探究凝结芽孢杆菌对肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及胫骨强度指标的影响。选取180只1日龄健康AA肉仔公鸡,随机分为3个处理,分别为对照组、抗生素对照组及凝结芽孢杆菌处理组。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,抗生素组在基础饲粮中添加5 mg·kg^-1黄霉素、20 mg·kg^-1吉他霉素和75 mg·kg^-1金霉素,凝结芽孢杆菌处理组在基础饲粮中添加3.6×10⁹ CFU·kg^-1的凝结芽孢杆菌,试验期为42 d。结果表明：1）饲粮中添加凝结芽孢杆菌显著降低了肉鸡前期（1~21日龄）平均日采食量（P<0.05）,对平均体重和平均日增重无显著影响（P>0.05）;2）凝结芽孢杆菌处理组和抗生素组显著增加了肉鸡前期（1~21日龄）血清中总胆固醇和甘油三脂的含量（P<0.05）,并显著提高了血清碱性磷酸酶的活性（P<0.05）;3）相比于对照组和抗生素组,凝结芽孢杆菌显著增加了肉鸡前期（1~21日龄）血清中总蛋白、白蛋白及球蛋白的含量（P<0.05）,并显著降低了血清中尿酸和血氨的含量（P<0.05）,对42日龄血清总蛋白和白蛋白含量无显著影响,但降低了血氨含量;4）饲粮中添加凝结芽孢杆菌显著提高了肉鸡前期胫骨钙含量（P<0.05）,对胫骨灰分和磷含量无显著影响;凝结芽孢杆菌显著提高了42日龄肉鸡胫骨钙和磷的含量（P<0.05）,其胫骨强度在三个处理组中最高,但差异未达到显著水平（P>0.05）。综上所述,肉鸡饲粮中添加凝结芽孢杆菌可在不影响肉鸡前期日增重的前提下降低平均日采食量,提高饲料转化效率,促进脂类和蛋白质在肉鸡体内的代谢与周转,并促进钙、磷在胫骨中的沉积。     

Evaluation of wet-feeding wheat-based diets containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae to broiler chickens

1. This experiment investigated the effects of water and Saccharomyces cerevisiae added to wheat-based diets on gastrointestinal, blood and performance parameters of broiler chickens. 2. A total of 160 one-d-old male broiler chicks were given air-dry or wet diets, with or without S. cerevisiae supplementation (0 and 20 g/kg air-dry feed) ad libitum to 42 d. 3. Feeding broilers with a diet mixed with water in a ratio of 1·2 : 1·0 increased body weight, feed intake, abdominal fat, carcase weight, feed transit time and blood HDL (high density lipoprotein) (without yeast). Supplementation with S. cerevisiae increased DM digestibility but reduced ileal pH, ileal coliform population and abdominal fat content. 4. There was a significant interaction between S. cerevisiae and wet feeding, with S. cerevisiae supplementation inducing a significant increase in body weight and feed intake but a reduction of relative abdominal fat and ileal pH of broilers fed on wet diets. 5. It is concluded that wet feeding improved growth performance by increasing feed intake and that the addition of a culture of S. cerevisiae had a growth stimulating effect, as the inclusion of yeast in wet wheat-based broiler diets generated greater responses than yeast in dry-based diets.