Effect of High-Protein and All-Vegetable Diets on the Incidence and Severity of Pododermatitis in Broiler Chickens

The incidence and severity of pododermatitis in broiler chickens is of great concern to the broiler industry, both from product quality and animal welfare standpoints. A total of 1,600 birds were raised in floor pens in a design involving a 2 × 2 × 2 arrangement of protein level [high or low], protein source [all vegetable (VEG) or vegetable plus animal (VEG + ANI)], and sex (male and female) on a 4-stage feeding program (50 birds per pen; 4 pens of males and 4 pens of females per treatment). In addition to live performance, the feet were scored on all birds on 29, 43, and 54 d of age, and the severity of lesions was recorded as none, mild, or severe. A subsample of birds was processed at the end of the experiment to evaluate carcass yields. Pooled litter samples were collected on 29, 43, and 54 d of age for total and NH₃-N analysis. Protein level had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on BW on 14, 29, and 43 d of age. At 43 and 54 d of age, BW was significantly influenced by protein source and sex. Chilled carcass yields did not differ between the treatments (P > 0.05). Footpad lesions were significantly affected by protein level, protein source, and sex. At 29 d of age, all lesions were mild in severity and varied significantly in incidence by protein source (31% for VEG vs. 41% for VEG + ANI). At 54 d of age, both protein level and protein source significantly increased the incidence and severity of footpad lesions. Incidence of pododermatitis was higher for males (61%) than females (55%). Litter total N was significantly affected by protein level and protein source. The litter NH₃-N content, although not significant, except for 29 d of age, showed an increasing trend for each feeding period. The incidence and severity of pododermatitis was significantly affected by protein level, protein source, sex, and age. Hence, nutritional factors play a significant role in the etiology of pododermatitis in broilers.     

Efficacy of a Litter Amendment to Reduce Pododermatitis in Broiler Chickens

Broiler house environment, especially volatile NH₃ content, has a significant effect on pododermatitis in chickens. The efficacy of NaHSO₄ in reducing pododermatitis in broiler chickens was investigated in this study. A total of 960 straight-run 1-d-old chicks were randomly assigned to 16 environmental chambers with 4 different levels of NaHSO₄ (4 chambers/treatment). The treatments (TRT) comprised of TRT 1 (control), TRT 2 with NaHSO₄ applied at 1 × rate (0.22 kg/m²) on the day of placement of chicks, TRT 3 with NaHSO₄ applied at 2 × rate on the day of placement of chicks, and TRT 4 with NaHSO₄ applied at 1 × rate on the day of placement of chicks and at 1 × rate on 21 d. Birds were raised to 49 d of age on a 4-stage feeding program with diets formulated to contain high protein levels and all-vegetable ingredients. At 35 d of age, the litter was moistened artificially to see the effect of NaHSO₄ on NH₃ volatilization. In addition to assessing live performance, feet were scored on 42 and 49 d of age for incidence and severity of pododermatitis. Ammonia concentration (ppm) in the chambers was measured before placement of chicks and on a weekly basis throughout the experiment. No differences in live performance of the birds were observed throughout the study (P > 0.05). Sex had significant effects on incidence of pododermatitis (P < 0.05), with females showing higher incidence of pododermatitis than males. The NaHSO₄ had a significant effect on NH₃ volatilization in the chambers (P < 0.05). Ammonia concentration was significantly reduced in all TRT except the control (TRT 1). Sodium bisulfate had no significant effect on NH₃ levels after 35 d upon addition of moisture to the litter. Although not significant (P > 0.05), using NaHSO₄ as a litter amendment numerically reduced the incidence of pododermatitis by 10 or more percentage points.     

Influence of Age and Sex on Footpad Quality and Yield in Broiler Chickens Reared on Low and High Density Diets

The effect of age and sex on live performance, processing yields, and footpad quality of broiler chickens was evaluated by rearing 2 commercial strain-crosses (SC) to 56 d of age on 2 diets varying in nutrient density. Each strain cross was placed in 10 replicate pens of 50 birds (25 males and 25 females per pen). Equally distributed among the replicate pens were high- and low-density starter (0 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 42 d) diets with a common finisher fed from 43 to 56 d to all birds. Body weights, adjusted feed conversion, and mortality were determined at 21, 42, and 56 d of age. Processing yields, foot weights, and yields, and the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis were evaluated on d 35, 42, 49, and 56.No differences (P > 0.05) were seen in mortality between the SC and diet density treatments throughout the course of the study. Strain-cross had a significant effect on body weights at d 21 and feed conversion at d 42, but no differences remained at d 56. Significant SC effects were present for carcass without giblets at d 35, 42, and 56. Diet density effects were limited to carcass without giblets at d 35 and abdominal fat content at d 56. As expected, females had higher abdominal fat yields than males at all ages examined.Foot weight and yields were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by SC and sex at d 42, 49, and 56. As expected, foot weights increased with age. The proportion of birds with footpad dermatitis tended to increase until 49 d of age after which they started to decline. Male broilers had significantly higher incidence of footpad dermatitis than female broilers at d 49 and 56. Footpad dermatitis response to diet density and pigmentation of the feet was dependent on SC.     

Xylanase Inhibitors Affect the Action of Exogenous Enzymes Used to Supplement Triticum durum-Based Diets for Broiler Chicks

Diets containing low-quality durum wheat (716 g/kg) for production of pasta were used to feed male broiler chicks. The efficacy of xylanase supplementation and the impact of xylanase inhibitors on losses in exogenous enzyme activity were analyzed. Birds fed on the basal diet, not supplemented with recombinant xylanases or Roxazyme G, reached a BW of 1,509 g with a feed conversion ratio of 1.77 at d 28. Growing performance was above that expected for the breed used, whereas feed conversion ratios were relatively higher. None of the 3 xylanase preparations under analysis affected growing performances and feed efficiency of broiler chicks. The activity of feed xylanases was considerably reduced in the presence of durum wheat extracts. The results suggest that reduction of exogenous enzyme activity was due to the action of durum wheat xylanase inhibitors and not to proteolysis.     

Nutritional Evaluation of a High-Oil Sunflower Meal in Broiler Starter Diets

Two experiments were conducted with broiler chicks to determine the nutritive value of high-oil sunflower meal (HO-SFM), a sunflower oil extraction by-product obtained through screw-press extraction and expanding processes with a proximate composition of 32% CP, 12% crude fiber, and 19% ether extract. In Experiment 1, the effects of a high level (46.4%) of HO-SFM on chick performance and gastrointestinal organs were tested. The objective of Experiment 2 was to determine if pelleting the feed could overcome the bulkiness resulting from inclusion of HO-SFM at a high level. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that addition of 46.4% HO-SFM to broiler starter diets significantly (P < 0.05) depressed body weight, feed intake, and gain but not feed conversion. Fat pad and liver lipid were again significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the HO-SFM treatment. Impaired performance might have been due to the difference of the density of HO-SFM diet (608 g/L) compared with the soybean meal control (723 g/L). When bulkiness was overcome by pelleting in Experiment 2, it was found that pelleting the feed significantly enhanced growth of broiler chicks compared with SFM or soybean meal mash diets. Liver weights and lipid content were again decreased in HO-SFM diets. The results of this study suggest that HO-SFM can be used up to 28% without adverse effects on broiler chicks. Further improvement was observed with pelleting. Liver weight and lipid content were consistently reduced by feeding HO-SFM.     

Evaluation of Phytase Enzyme with Chicks Fed Basal Diets Containing Different Soybean Meal Samples

Soybean meal contains approximately 0.62% total P of which 0.4% can be phytate P, which is considered less biologically available for poultry than other forms of P. Soybean meal is a key ingredient in poultry feeds and information is needed about the range of phytate P and nonphytate P in different soybean meals. The phytate P content of soybeans may vary due to climatic conditions, soil type and soybean variety. Previous research has shown that phytate P can be hydrolyzed in the gastrointestinal tract providing available P by adding a commercial phytase enzyme to poultry feed. The extent of phytate hydrolysis by dietary supplementation of phytase has been shown to vary depending on the type of dietary ingredients such as corn, soybean meal, canola meal, and wheat. Research is needed to determine if different commercially available soybean meals respond in a similar manner to a feed added phytase. Twenty-five soybean meal samples were collected from active soybean crushing plants in the United States and 18 of the samples were selected to evaluate the effect of a microbial phytase on phytate P disappearance using 5-d bioassays. The range of analyzed values in soybean meal samples for total P, phytate P, Ca, protein, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were 0.59 to 0.87, 0.32 to 0.42, 0.28 to 0.54, 40.44 to 51.69, and 7.78 to 16.09%, respectively. Bioassay results indicate that body weight, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio improved significantly (P < 0.05) in some of the groups fed diets with enzyme compared with groups fed the same diet with no added enzyme. The range of total P retention and phytate P disappearance for groups fed diets with no enzyme were 21.35 to 48.41 and 13.64 to 37.13%, respectively. The addition of phytase increased total P retention and phytate P disappearance from 56.81 to 68.62 and 76.18 to 94.08%, respectively. The results indicate no correlation among components (total P, phytate P, Ca, protein, and NDF) of soybean meal samples, percentage of phytate P disappearance, and percentage of total P retention for groups fed diets with and without added phytase.     

肉鸡小麦型饲粮4种单酶复配效应的体外法评定

本试验旨在研究β-葡聚糖酶、木聚糖酶、纤维素酶和植酸酶用于肉鸡小麦型饲粮的最佳复合酶谱。采用单因素完全随机试验设计,将不同水平的β-葡聚糖酶(30、60、90、120、150和180 U/g)、木聚糖酶(200、400、600、800、1 000和1 200 U/g)、纤维素酶(200、400、600、800、1 000和1 200 U/g)和植酸酶(500、1 000、1 500、2 000、2 500和3 000 U/kg)分别添加于肉鸡小麦型饲粮中,采用模拟胃肠液体外消化试验,研究单酶的最佳添加水平;据此,采用4因子3水平L9(34)正交设计和体外法研究4种单酶复配效应,每种酶各设计3个添加水平:β-葡聚糖酶为100、150和200 U/g,木聚糖酶为900、950和1 000 U/g,纤维素酶为900、950和1 000 U/g,植酸酶为1 500、2 000和2 500 U/kg,以还原糖生成量、植酸磷降解率、饲料残渣总能为判定指标,确定4种单酶的最佳复合酶谱。结果表明:1~3周龄肉鸡小麦型饲粮中,当β-葡聚糖酶、木聚糖酶、纤维素酶添加水平分别为150、960、950 U/g时,分别获得最大还原糖生成量0.918、1.161、0.927 mg/g,当植酸酶添加水平为2 010 U/kg时,获得最大植酸磷降解率92.35%;4~6周龄肉鸡小麦型饲粮中,当β-葡聚糖酶、木聚糖酶、纤维素酶添加水平分别为150、950、960 U/g时,分别获得最大还原糖生成量0.920、1.160、0.929 mg/g,当植酸酶添加水平为1 940 U/kg时,获得最大植酸磷降解率92.23%;当4种酶的复合酶谱为β-葡聚糖酶150 U/g、木聚糖酶950 U/g、纤维素酶900 U/g、植酸酶2 500 U/kg时,还原糖生成量、植酸磷降解率、饲料残渣总能均获得较优值。综上,肉鸡小麦型饲粮中β-葡聚糖酶、木聚糖酶、纤维素酶和植酸酶的最佳添加水平,1~3周龄分别为150、960、950 U/g和2 010 U/kg,4~6周龄分别为150、950、960 U/g和1 940 U/kg,且2个阶段肉鸡小麦型饲粮中4种酶的最佳复合酶谱为β-葡聚糖酶150 U/g、木聚糖酶950 U/g、纤维素酶900 U/g、植酸酶2 500 U/kg。     

Inclusion of Buckwheat in Organic Broiler Diets

Many smaller farms in the United States are switching to organic crop production to remain competitive in an era of industrial agriculture. In doing so, they are cultivating crops not traditionally grown in the area. In the US Midwest, a popular organic crop is buckwheat. As organic corn continues to increase in price, many organic poultry farms are using alternative grains in their poultry diets, including buckwheat. Although buckwheat has been used as a livestock and poultry feed for many years, there are very few published data available on its use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of buckwheat as the main ingredient in organic broiler diets. Four experimental diets were used, with varying levels of buckwheat: 0, 20, 40, and 60%. The results indicated that up to 60% buckwheat can be included in broiler diets with no significant effect on BW gain. With the 60% inclusion level, however, there was a significant decline in feed efficiency. As the price of organic corn continues to increase, the lower price for buckwheat may make it an economical substitute in organic broiler diets.     

低聚原花色素对高温环境下肉鸡抗氧化酶及胸肌品质的影响

作者旨在研究低聚原花色素（oligomeric proanthocyanidins,OPC）对夏季肉鸡体内抗氧化酶及胸肌品质的影响。将144只28日龄的AA肉用公鸡分为4个处理组,每个处理组6个重复,每个重复6只鸡。分别饲喂含0、50、100、200 mg/kg OPC的4种日粮,饲养于7月中旬高温季节,试验持续3周。研究结果发现,100、200 mg/kg OPC显著提高肉鸡血清、肝脏中的SOD、GSH-Px酶活性（P<0.05）,但对CAT酶无显著影响。100、200 mg/kg OPC显著降低血清CK酶的活性（P<0.05）,50 mg/kg以上OPC显著降低血清、肝脏中的MDA含量（P<0.05）,同时200 mg/kg OPC显著提高肉鸡胸肌pH_i,100、200 mg/kg OPC显著降低胸肌L*值、滴水损失和剪切力值（P<0.05）,不同剂量OPC对pH_u、肉色a*值和b*值的影响未达到显著水平。研究结果表明,低聚原花色素可上调肉鸡体内的抗氧化酶,降低体内脂质过氧化物的含量,维持肌纤维膜的完整性。这种作用可能与二氢杨梅素改善胸肌肉色、滴水损失和嫩度有关。     

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.     

复合酶对肉仔鸡生产性能及代谢的影响

选取１日龄ＡＡ肉仔鸡８０只，随机分成二组，研究日粮添加和不添加复合酶对肉仔鸡生产性能、代谢及免疫的影响。结果表明：复合酶使肉仔鸡日增重提高７％～７．７％，料肉比降低了４．５％～４．９％，但采食量增加不显著；血液中尿酸和血糖浓度显著下降，血浆胰岛素与血清Ｔ３浓度显著提高，提示复合酶改善了肉仔鸡营养物质的吸收与代谢；此外，血清蛋白和血浆ＩｇＧ水平高于对照组，表明复合酶促进了免疫功能     

酶制剂提升大麦营养价值后对肉鸡生产性能的影响

通过对大麦代谢能、蛋白质和氨基酸的营养价值提升后进行饲料配方设计,研究饲喂大麦基础日粮加酶、不加酶以及玉米基础日粮的肉鸡生产性能。结果表明：大麦基础日粮加酶能促进7～21日龄雏鸡的生长、提高增重和饲料利用率,且生产性能等同于同水平玉米基础日粮组;而对21～42日龄生长鸡的作用效果不明显,但饲料回收率高于玉米基础日粮组。因此饲料厂家在根据市场行情选择饲料原料方面更具有灵活性。     

日粮中添加不同酶制剂对肉鸡表观代谢能的影响

为探讨酶制剂对肉鸡表观代谢能的影响,选用180只21日龄公鸡,分别饲喂A、B、C、D、E、F共6种日粮,A组为正对照组,B组为负对照组,C组为在B组基础上添加0.1%的康地恩复合酶101M,D、E、F组为在B组基础上分别添加0.05%的康地恩复合酶Ⅰ、酶a、酶b.结果表明,C、D、F组表观代谢能显著高于B组(p《0.05),E组与B组差异不显著(P》0.05),C、D、F组之间差异不显著(P》0.05),氮校正代谢能和表观代谢能结论一致.低能量日粮添加0.1%的康地恩复合酶101M、0.05%的康地恩复合酶Ⅰ及酶b可以提高日粮的表观代谢能和氮校正代谢能(P《0.05).     

不同能量蛋白水平日粮中添加磷脂和NSP酶制剂对肉仔鸡相关生理机能的影响

为了研究磷脂和NSP酶制剂对肉仔鸡消化力的影响,在不同能量蛋白日粮中分别添加磷脂、NSP酶制剂以及二者复合添加。结果表明：磷脂有提高21 d肉仔鸡的肝脏和胰腺器官指数的趋势;3个处理组的养分表观消化率总体上都表现一定降低的趋势;各组空肠消化酶活性多表现一定升高;复合添组提高了21 d空肠黏膜二糖酶活性。     

在低营养水平的肉鸭日粮中添加酶制剂的效果研究

将240只1日龄樱桃谷鸭随枘发成4组，每组60只，15只为1个重复，Ⅰ组为对照组（营养水平100％，不加酶），Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组的营养水平分别为96％、92％和88％，并加0.1%复合酶，试验期28天。结果表明：在0－14日龄为，Ⅰ组14日龄体重、ADG高于其它各组（P＜0.05）。各处理组28日龄体重、ADG和ADFⅠ均没有显著差异（P＞0.05）。结论是降低3－4周肉鸭日粮营养水平12％，使用复合酶制剂不会对肉鸭的生长性能产生显著影响，经济效益明显。     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量植酸酶对肉鸡养分利用率的影响

本试验研究了玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶对0~3和4~6周肉鸡养分利用率的影响。选用1日龄AA肉鸡公雏576只,随机分为6组,每组8个重复,每个重复12只。试验日粮分0~3和4~6周两个阶段,6个处理组:正对照组(前期为总磷0.69%,0.45% NPP;后期为总磷0.59%,0.35% NPP);负对照组(前期总磷0.60%,0.35% NPP;后期为总磷0.49%,0.25% NPP);4个试验组在负对照日粮中分别添加500、2000、8000和32000 FTU/kg 4种植酸酶水平。结果显示:①日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的钙、磷的消化利用率(P<0.05),随着植酸酶添加水平增加,钙的消化利用率显著增加(P＜0.05)。②日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响38~42日龄肉鸡磷的消化利用率(P＜0.05)。在负对照组日粮中随着植酸酶水平添加的提高,钙的消化利用率呈现先增加后降低的趋势,磷的养分利用率反而显著减少。③日粮添加高剂量不同水平植酸酶显著增加生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能(P＜0.05),在生长后期(38~42日龄)对肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能提高达到显著水平(P ＜0.05)。因此,高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著提高肉鸡AME和粗蛋白质、钙、磷的消化利用率,添加高水平植酸酶可以适当调低日粮能量和蛋白质水平,日粮中总磷(tP)水平应低于NRC标准,减少无机磷和钙的添加量,以提高钙、磷在体内的存留量。     

日粮粗蛋白质水平对肉鸡内源氨基酸损失量的影响

利用一次注射法测定了日粮粗蛋白质分别为17.0%,18.5%及20.0%时肉鸡内源氨基酸损失量.结果表明,不同蛋白质水平下各种氨基酸内源损失量差异不显著(P＞0.05),但适中的粗蛋白质水平(18.5%)有降低内源氨基酸损失量的趋势.