Effects of feed withdrawal on the weight, fecal excretion and Salmonella status of market age broiler chickens.

The withdrawal of feed from the pens of broiler chickens for several hours before they are shipped for slaughter is an increasingly common practice, whose objective is to decrease fecal contamination of birds during processing. In this study, Salmonella typhimurium-infected market age broiler chickens were subjected to feed withdrawal for eight hours, then placed in crates for 18 hours before they were killed and weighed. The intestines, ceca, and cloacal feces were weighed and cultured for salmonellae. The feces deposited in the crates were also weighed and cultured. The results were compared with those of control birds whose feed was not withdrawn before they were placed in crates. The withdrawal of feed did not significantly affect the total liver weights of the birds, but reduced the weights of the intestines in 7/10 groups, and of the ceca in 5/11 groups, and dramatically reduced the amount of feces deposited in the crates. There was no consistent effect on excretion of salmonellae. These results indicated that feed withdrawal for eight hours before broilers are shipped for slaughter should be effective in reducing the spread of fecal contamination and of salmonellae during transport and processing, and in improving the effectiveness of crate washing procedures.     

The influence of crate height on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of crate type (particularly its height) on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). The physiological changes in response to 2‐h crating in crates of either 20 cm or 26 cm height were monitored in 6‐week‐old mallards. Plasma corticosterone concentrations showed an increase (P = 0.036) in mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference in plasma corticosterone levels was found between mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height and control non‐crated birds. Lower concentrations of plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05) and uric acid (P < 0.05) were found in crated mallards in comparison with control non‐crated birds; the height of the crates had no effect. Mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height also exhibited a higher (P = 0.032) plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentration in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference (P > 0.05) was found in lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height. Our results suggest that crating mallards in lower crates (20 cm) may be less stressful than keeping them in crates allowing vertical movements of the birds.     

Changes in the Salmonella status of broiler chickens subjected to simulated shipping conditions.

Market-age broiler chickens from flocks infected with Salmonella typhimurium were killed after being placed in crates and subjected to simulated shipping conditions for five, 19 or 24 hours. The cloacal feces, ceca and exteriors of the birds were cultured for salmonellae to identify shedders, cecal carriers and external carriers respectively, and the results compared with those obtained from pen-mates killed at the time the tested birds were put into the crates. Carriage of S. typhimurium was significantly higher among birds placed in clean crates than among the uncrated controls, mainly due to an increase in cecal carriers (from 23.5% to 61.5%). This increase was not related to the time spent in the crate. Twenty-four chickens were placed in crates contaminated with Salmonella alachua and all 24 became carriers of this organism: 22 (91.5%) of these were cecal carriers and 18 (75%) were shedders. This contamination also spread to 15/24 chickens placed in clean crates and "shipped" in the same truck: six of these became cecal carriers and seven were shedders. These results indicated that chickens in shipping crates which are exposed to salmonellae under transport conditions may readily become infected and begin to shed salmonellae within 24 hours.     

Effects of Feed Withdrawal Time on the Incidence of Fecal Spillage and Contamination of Broiler Carcasses at Processing

Carcass contamination during processing is an expensive problem for poultry processors. Feed withdrawal (FW) is commonly used to reduce the amount of gut contents prior to slaughter, thereby reducing the probability of contamination. The present study used market aged mixedsex broilers to evaluate the effect of FW time on the incidence of fecal spillage and contamination of broiler carcasses at processing. In order to develop a more simple research protocol for FW, the effects of live haul and holding in stationary crates were compared. Broilers were subjected to 1 of 4 FW times (4, 8, 12, and 16 h) prior to slaughter at a commercial processing plant, in which the incidence of carcass contamination was recorded. Carcass yield and clearance of contents from 8 gut sections were determined. Moisture content of the pooled gut contents was assessed.Shrink increased from 2.1 to 3.3% of pre-FW BW after 4 and 16 h, respectively. Gut weights decreased significantly with every additional 4 h of FW. The incidence of processing plant inefficiencies decreased with increasing FW time. Gut moisture was not correlated with FW time, although moisture of the gut contents was reduced in birds subjected to live haul. Twelve hours of FW resulted in an optimal combination of gut clearance and carcass yield.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Oil on Broiler Health

Insects are a potential source of proteins and fats which can be incorporated into diets of broiler chickens. Accordingly, black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) needs to be tested as an appropriate fat source to produce healthy chickens for consumers. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the replacement of soybean oil (SBO) with BSFLO in broiler diets on intestinal health and blood profiles. A total of 210 one-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments (10 replicates of seven birds per group): a control diet and two experimental diets in which SBO was replaced with 50% (50 BSFLO) or 100% (100 BSFLO) BSFLO. At the end of the study (35 days), 18 birds (six broilers per treatment) were slaughtered to determine the intestinal morphology, digestibility, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile. Blood samples were collected from 24 randomly selected birds (eight broilers per treatment) to determine the blood profiles. BSFLO supplementation positively affected villus height but did not affect digestibility. BSFLO showed no adverse effects on the VFA and blood profiles. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that SBO can be replaced by BSFLO without any adverse effects on broiler health.     

芽孢乳杆菌对肉仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育和微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平芽孢乳杆菌对内仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育及微生物菌群的影响.选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡2 400只,随机分为4组(每组6个重复,每个重复100只):对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂分别添加200、100和50 mg/kg芽孢乳杆菌的试验饲粮,试验期42 d.结果表明:1)饲粮添加200 mg/kg...     

黄连提取物对高饲养密度下肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响

文章旨在研究高密度饲养条件下肉鸡日粮添加黄连提取物对其生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响。试验将640只平均体重为（42.12±0.16）g的肉鸡随机分为4组（T1～T4）,每组4个重复,每个重复40只。T1组肉鸡在高密度（20/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T2组肉鸡在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T3组肉鸡在高饲养密度下饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物,T4组在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物。在为期42 d的饲养试验结束后分析相关指标。结果：T4组22～42 d肉鸡平均日增重、22～42 d和1～42 d采食量最高（P＜0.05）,而T1组1～42 d肉鸡平均日增重和采食量最低（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡法氏囊重量分别较T2～T4组显著降低了18.53%、17.42%和18.89%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡血清SOD和T-AOC活性最高（P＜0.05）,但血清丙二醛含量较T1组显著降低了29.04%（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡回肠大肠杆菌数量最高,分别较其他组显著提高了7.22%、6.93%和8.10%（P＜0.05）,但T1组肉鸡回肠乳酸杆菌数量较其他组显著降低了14.21%、15.74%和17.62%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡回肠双歧杆菌数量较T1组显著提高了5.41%（P＜0.05）。结论：在高饲养密度条件下肉鸡日粮中添加20 mg/kg黄连提取物可以改善肉鸡生长性能和肠道有益菌数量,提高血清抗氧化指标,降低氧化应激。 [关键词]黄连提取物|饲养密度|肉鸡|生长性能|肠道微生物|血清生化     

乳酸菌制剂对肉仔鸡鼠伤寒沙门菌感染的控制效果研究

本试验旨在研究乳酸菌制剂对肉仔鸡鼠伤寒沙门菌（ST）感染的控制效果。选择无ST感染的1日龄AA公雏480只，随机分为4组，每组6个重复，每个重复20只。其中未感染组饲喂基础日粮；感染组饲喂基础日粮且沙门菌感染；抗生素组在基础日粮中添加40 mg/kg盐酸恩诺沙星；乳酸菌组在基础日粮中添加3×10⁹ CFU/kg乳酸菌制剂（植物乳杆菌、噬酸乳杆菌和屎肠球菌等比例混合）。5日龄时，除未感染组外，其他各组每只鸡灌服1 mL（10⁵ CFU）ST液。7、14和21日龄时，每个重复随机选2只鸡，采血、屠宰、取样。结果显示，ST感染显著降低了1~21日龄肉仔鸡的平均日采食量和平均日增重，日粮中添加乳酸菌制剂显著提高了平均日采食量和平均日增重（P<0.05），且达到了未感染组和抗生素组水平。基于器官指数和组织载菌量，乳酸菌制剂对肉仔鸡ST感染表现出显著的控制效果（P<0.05）。14、21日龄时，乳酸菌组和抗生素组白细胞介素-10（IL-10）含量均显著高于未感染组（P<0.05）；21日龄时，乳酸菌组肉仔鸡血清IL-10含量显著低于感染组，免疫球蛋白G（IgG）和分泌型免疫球蛋白A（SIgA）含量显著升高（P<0.05）；乳酸菌组肉仔鸡血清IL-10和SIgA含量与抗生素组间差异不显著（P>0.05），而IgG水平显著低于抗生素组（P<0.05）。综上，日粮中添加乳酸菌制剂能显著抑制肉仔鸡肠道ST的数量及组织感染，能显著缓解炎症反应、提高免疫水平和生产性能。     

抗球虫中药制剂对肉鸡血清学指标的影响

本试验旨在研究抗球虫中药制剂对肉鸡血清学指标的影响。720只1日龄健康AA肉仔鸡随机分为6组,第1～5组为试验组,分别在基础日粮中添加0.4%中药制剂、0.8%中药制剂、0.4%中药制剂+0.5 mg/kg地克珠利、1 mg/kg地克珠利、60 mg/kg盐霉素,对照组（第6组）饲喂基础日粮。结果表明,血清AKP活性第3组和第4组显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,血清ACP活性、LPL活性、Ca和P含量各试验组与对照组均无显著差异（P＞0.05）。血清LPS活性,第1～4组显著或极显著高于对照组（P＜0.05或 P＜0.01）。第1、2、3组TC含量显著低于对照组、第4组和第5组（P＜0.05）。血清BUN含量,第2组和第3组极显著低于第4、5组（P＜0.01）,第5组显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。GOT活性第1～4组显著或极显著高于对照组（P＜0.05或 P＜0.01）。GPT活性各试验组与对照组差异不显著（P＞0.05）。血清TAA含量,第1～3组显著低于第4～6组（P＜0.05）。     

八角抽提油和蚯蚓粉对肉鸡肠道发育和养分利用率的影响

本试验旨在研究八角抽提油(八角油)和蚯蚓粉对肉鸡肠道发育和养分利用率的影响。试验一选用1日龄爱拔益加肉鸡384只,随机分为4个处理,每个处理12个重复,对照组饲喂基础日粮,八角油组、蚯蚓粉组和杆菌肽锌组分别在基础日粮中添加50 mg/kg八角油、100 mg/kg蚯蚓粉和20 mg/kg杆菌肽锌;试验二选用21日龄爱拔益加肉鸡120只,随机分为5个处理(处理1~4同试验一,处理5为内源组),每个处理12个重复。结果表明:与对照组相比,其余各组均能显著改善肉鸡21 d小肠各段的相对长度和相对重量(P0.05);与对照组相比,八角油和蚯蚓粉均显著提高肉鸡部分肠段的绒毛高度(P0.05);与对照组相比,其余各组均显著提高部分肠段绒腺比(P0.05);与对照组相比,其余各组均极显著提高肉鸡氮的表观和真利用率(P0.001);与对照组和杆菌肽锌组相比,八角油组和蚯蚓粉组肉鸡蛋氨酸的表观和真利用率均显著提高(P0.001)。由此可见,八角油和蚯蚓粉作为饲料添加剂均可以一定程度上改善肉鸡肠道发育,提高养分利用率。     

Pathogenesis of rotavirus infection in various age groups of chickens and turkeys: clinical signs and virology

Age-related susceptibility patterns of turkeys, broilers, and specific pathogen-free (SPF) White Leghorn chickens to experimentally induced infection with turkey or chicken rotavirus isolates were compared. The following determinants were evaluated: clinical signs, onset and duration of virus production, viral titers, involvement of intestinal villi in the replication of the virus, and the development of antibodies against the virus. Older turkeys and chickens were more susceptible than were their younger counterparts, turkeys were more susceptible than were broiler and White Leghorn chickens (regardless of age), and broiler chickens were slightly more susceptible than were age-matched White Leghorn chickens. Turkeys developed diarrhea, accompanied by high viral titers within 1 day after inoculation with virus. Viral antigen was found in the epithelial cells of the intestinal villi throughout the intestinal tract and some cells of the cecal tonsils. Antibodies could be detected as early as 4 to 5 days after inoculation. These findings were more pronounced in turkeys inoculated at 112 days of age than in birds inoculated at a younger age. Age-related susceptibility patterns were similar in White Leghorn and broiler chickens. Infection was subclinical in birds less than 56 days old, whereas older birds developed soft feces. Egg production in the White Leghorn chickens decreased after being inoculated with virus at 350 days of age.     

The avian major histocompatibility complex influences bacterial skeletal disease in broiler breeder chickens

This study evaluated bacterial skeletal disease in conjunction with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in a genetically pure line of broiler breeder chickens. Chickens from six broiler breeder flocks were examined for skeletal lesions, bacterial pathogens, and MHC genotype. During a 10-week period, eighty-eight, 9- to 21-week-old lame chickens and 34 normal, age-matched controls were selected. Tenosynovitis, arthritis, and femoral or tibiotarsal (or both) osteomyelitis occurred in 86 of 88 (97.7%) lame chickens. Ninety-five bacterial isolates were obtained from 83 of 88 (94.3%) lame birds and 4 of 34 (11.8%) controls. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 72.6% of the skeletal lesions, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus (38.9%). MHC B complex genotypes were determined by hemagglutination for 88 lame birds, 34 controls, and 200 randomly selected birds from each of the six flocks (1,200 total). Combined chi-square analysis revealed that the homozygous MHC genotypes B(A4/A4) (chi(2) = 14.54, P = 0.0063) and B(A12/A12) (chi(2) = 42.77, P = 0.0001) were overrepresented in the sample of symptomatic birds compared with random samples from the same flocks. The homozygous A4 and A12 MHC genotypes influenced flock chi-square values more than the corresponding heterozygotes. An MHC B complex influence on bacterial skeletal disease was apparent in this line of broiler breeders.     

皮质酮应激改变了肉仔鸡的肠道形态和功能

本研究通过2个饲养试验旨在研究日粮添加皮质酮对肉仔鸡小肠形态和消化吸收功能的影响.试验1中,120只8日龄肉仔鸡随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡.试验2中,108只8日龄肉仔鸡随机分为2组,每组9个重复,每个重复6只鸡.对照组饲喂基础日粮;试验组日粮由每千克基础日粮添加30 mg皮质酮组成.21日龄时,测定肉仔鸡生产性能、小肠形态特征、血浆木糖水平、小肠食糜消化酶活性、养分消化率及小肠黏膜上皮细胞5-溴-2-脱氧鸟苷酸(BrdUrd)标记指数.结果表明,皮质酮诱导的应激显著降低了肉仔鸡日增重、采食量和饲料效率;显著降低了十二指肠和空肠绒毛高度及隐窝深度;显著降低了血浆中木糖水平及十二指肠和空肠黏膜上皮细胞的BrdUrd标记指数(P<0.05).同时,皮质酮显著提高了肉仔鸡小肠食糜中胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性,但显著降低了蛋白质表观消化率(P<0.05).由此可知,采食含有皮质酮的日粮,使肉仔鸡小肠绒毛高度降低,小肠吸收功能下降,但由于消化酶活性提高,因此消化功能提高.     

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。     

Response time of broiler chickens to cimaterol: meat tenderness, muscle composition fiber size, and carcass characteristics.

The response time to cimaterol (CIM), a beta-adrenergic agonist, by broiler chickens for carcass characteristics, muscle composition, muscle fiber size, catheptic enzyme activity, and tenderness was determined. Two trials were conducted in which chickens were fed a control diet (CON) containing 0 ppm of CIM or a diet containing 1 ppm of CIM. Trial 1 consisted of 55, 31-d-old broiler chickens individually fed for up to 48 h. At 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, five CON and five CIM-fed chickens were killed. Trial 2 consisted of 160, 33-d-old broiler chickens group-fed for up to 14 d. At 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d, 10 CON and 10 CIM-fed chickens were killed. The breast muscle (BM) and leg muscle (LM) weight, cathepsin B and L activities, DNA, RNA, and protein concentration, and BM shear force value (SFV) were measured in both trials. Thigh muscle (TM) SFV were measured in Trial 2 only. Fiber size of BM was measured (five birds per treatment) at d 2, 6, 10, and 14. In Trial 1, BM weight and SFV were lower in CIM-fed birds at 6 h (P less than .05). In Trial 2 BM SFV were higher at d 8 (P = .06) and d 10 (P less than .05) in CIM-fed chickens. The SFV of CIM-fed chickens were higher at d 4, 8, 10, 12, and 14 (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rate of metabolic decarboxylation of leucine as assessed by a l[1-(13)C(1)]leucine breath test combined with indirect calorimetry of broiler chickens fed isocaloric diets with different protein:fat ratio

Research has shown that broiler chickens reared on a low-protein diet have a more efficient protein digestion. However, information on the fate of absorbed amino acids in relation to the dietary crude protein level in poultry is sparse. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a methodology for a 1-(13)C(1)-leucine breath test combined with indirect calorimetry, and to apply this technique using broiler diets known to induce differences in protein retention. From 14 days of age onwards, broiler chickens were reared on one of two isocaloric diets with substitutions between fat and protein [low-protein (LP) vs. high-protein (HP) diet: 130.4 vs. 269 g protein/kg; and 101.8 vs. 27.9 g fat/kg]. Every 4 or 5 days, three chickens per diet were placed in the respiratory cells for 48 h. The broilers were intubated with 40 mg 1-(13)C(1)-leucine/kg body weight, followed by breath sampling for 4 h at 15-min intervals and mass spectrometric analysis of the (13)C:(12)C ratio in the samples. The CO(2) level in the respiratory cell air was monitored and excreta samples were collected. The methodology to study l[1-(13)C(1)]leucine decarboxyation in chickens using a breath test combined with indirect calorimetry was accomplished. Results of the nitrogen balance test indicated that the LP broilers had an improved dietary protein retention compared with the HP animals. Moreover, LP chickens decarboxylated a significantly lower percentage of l[1-(13)C(1)]leucine, demonstrating several 'protein- or amino acid-sparing' mechanisms in animals reared on a diet with lower protein level, both at the digestive and at the postabsorptive level.     

Effect of wet feeding on growth performance of broiler chickens in a hot climate

1. The Guinea Savanna in the tropics is characterised by high diurnal temperatures, often beyond the thermo-neutral zone of modern poultry, which imposes heat stress on them. 2. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of partially (12 h wet mash in the day and 12 h dry mash in the night) or wholly (24 h) feeding wet mash on the growth performance of broiler chickens. 3. Three treatments: dry mash (control), wet mash (day) + dry mash (night) and wet mash (day + night) were tested. At 28 d of age, a total of 120 broiler chickens (Hybro, Netherlands) were randomly divided, using a completely randomised design, into 12 groups of 10 birds, each with mean live weight of approximately 800 g/bird. A maize-soybean based grower mash (200 g CP/kg and 12·5 MJ/kg ME) was fed. The wet mash was prepared daily by addition of 1·3 parts of water to 1 part of dry mash and fed from 28 to 56 d of age. The birds were housed in raised-floor pens. Feed and water were given ad libitum and light provided 24 h. Mean daily room temperature was 28-29°C in the morning and 35-41°C in the afternoon. 4. Mean feed intake of birds fed the wet mash (174 g/day) or wet + dry mash (166 g/day) was higher than that of birds fed the dry mash (152 g/day). Mean live weight gain of birds fed the wet mash (64 g/day) or wet + dry mash (64 g/day) was higher than that of birds fed the dry mash (58 g/day). There were no differences in gain/feed ratios (0·38-0·39) of any of the treatments, neither were there any differences between the feeding of wet mash partly or wholly for all variables. 5. It was concluded that wet feeding, particularly during day-time, had the potential to improve growth performance of broiler chickens in a hot climate.     

Eating behaviour, and preprandial and postprandial correlations in male broiler and layer chickens

1. It has been suggested that broiler chickens have a disturbed satiety and hunger mechanism. The satiety mechanism for eating can be expressed as the positive correlation between meal length and the length of the preceding (preprandial) interval; the hunger mechanism for eating as the positive correlation between meal length and the length of the succeeding (postprandial) interval. An experiment was conducted to investigate eating behaviour of male broiler and layer chickens by measuring meal and interval lengths. 2. Eight male broilers and 8 male layer chickens were housed individually and visually isolated in floor pens (1 m2/pen) on wood shavings. From 4 to 7 weeks of age, eating behaviour of each bird was recorded for 3 h in two conditions each week. In the first condition, the birds were not deprived from feed. In the second condition, they were 24-h food deprived and feed was provided just before the observation started. Preprandial and postprandial correlations were calculated based on data of the non-deprived condition. Before and after each observation bird and feeder were weighed to measure weight gain and feed consumption during observation. 3. Under the non-deprived condition, the broilers spent initially more, but at a later age less time on eating. The broilers had fewer meals per hour, consumed more feed per hour, and had longer meal and interval lengths than the layer chickens. After 24-h feed deprivation, the broilers had a longer first meal, consumed more feed per hour and spent more time on eating than the layer chickens. Significant preprandial correlations but no postprandial correlations were found in the broilers. In the layer chickens, both significant preprandial and postprandial correlations were found. This indicates that for regulating eating behaviour, the satiety mechanism dominates the hunger mechanism in broilers, and satiety and hunger mechanisms are equally involved in layer chickens. 4. The typical eating behaviour of broilers and the calculated preprandial and postprandial correlations have given new indications that hunger and satiety mechanisms in broilers have changed compared with layer chickens. In broilers, there is no lower set point, but only an upper set point for controlling eating behaviour, which suggests that broilers eat to their maximal physical capacity.     

Subclinical coccidiosis in broilers and pullets

In the period from 1985 to 1987, 24 broiler crops (12 houses; one integration and 3 farms) and 9 pullet flocks (9 houses, 4 farms) were examined for parasites. Intestinal lesion scores and the number of parasites in the intestinal lumen (semiquantitative estimation) were recorded, and the Eimeria species determined when possible (broilers crops: 3rd and 5th week, pullet flocks 4th, 8th, 12th and 18th week). Additionally, the quantity of parasites in litter or faecal samples was examined in regular intervals. Clues for economic damage were only found in broiler crops with increased numbers of coccidial oocysts per gram litter in the 5th week of the fattening period. Eimeria tenella and E. acervulina were the dominating species in broiler chickens and also pullets, E. maxima oocysts however were only casual findings. No ectoparasites, helminths or other protozoa than Eimeria were observed. With regard to the intestinal lesions and the quantities of parasites in the intestine no significant differences were seen when comparing selected broiler chicks and birds taken at random. In pullet flocks the examination of random samples was the superior method, because only freshly dead bodies, collected in insufficient numbers, were suitable for diagnostics. In 3 broiler crops and one flock of replacement pullets kept on a wired floor no Eimeria were diagnosed.     

Effects of Clostridium butyricum on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism and Tibia Indexes of Broilers

The effects of Clostridium butyricum on calcium and phosphorus metabolism and tibia indexes in broiler chickens were evaluated in this study.One hundred eighty 1-day-old healthy Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly allotted to three groups:the control group,antibiotic group and Clostridium butyricum group with six replicates per group and 10 chickens per replicate.The broilers in control group were fed with the basic diet,while the antibiotic group was fed with 5 mg/kg of flavomycin,75 mg/kg of aureomycin and 20 mg/kg of kitasamycin.Clostridium butyricum group was fed with 2.5×10⁸ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum in the basic diet for 42 days.The results showed that:Compared with the control group,①the supplementation of Clostridium butyricum did not significantly affect serum calcium and phosphorus level of broilers (P>0.05),and adding antibiotic significantly increased serum calcium level of 21-day-old broilers(P<0.05).②The addition of Clostridium butyricum increased tibia strength at 21-day-old (P<0.05),and phosphorus content of tibia at 42-day-old (P<0.01).③The supplementation of Clostridium butyricum extremely significantly decreased the phosphorus content in feces of 21-day-old broilers (P<0.01),and had no significant difference with ATB group (P>0.05).The supplementation of Clostridium butyricum increased calcium content (P<0.01) and phosphorus content (P<0.05) in feces of 42-day-old broilers.Based on the above results,adding 2.5×10⁸ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum could improve the tibia development,increase the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus by broilers,and efficiently reduce the calcium and phosphorus excretion of 21-day-old broilers,but not for 42-day-old broilers.