Safety of Improved Milbond-TX When Fed in Broiler Diets Limiting in Available Phosphorus or Containing Variable Levels of Metabolizable Energy

Improved Milbond-TX (IMTX), a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, was added to broiler diets at 0, 1, or 2% in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, three concentrations of available P, 0.22, 0.32, and 0.42%, were combined with the IMTX in isocaloric and isonitrogenous corn-soybean meal-based diets and fed to male broilers for 21 d. In experiment 2, the IMTX was added to isonitrogenous broiler diets calculated to contain 2,940, 3,020, or 3,100 kcal of ME/kg and also fed for 21 d. Deficient dietary P reduced feed intake and BW at 7, 14, and 21 d of age, but IMTX had no effect even when fed at 8 times the amount recommended by the manufacturer (0.25%) to ameliorate the toxic effects of feed mycotoxins. Similarly, increasing the energy level of the diet resulted in improved BW and feed conversion, but IMTX fed at 8 times the amount recommended by the manufacturer had no detrimental effect on chick performance. There was no interaction found between IMTX and energy or available P for any performance measure. Addition of IMTX to the diet above the recommended concentration of the manufacturer also had no detrimental effect on percentage of toe ash or excreta moisture.     

Prediction of ingredient quality and the effect of a combination of xylanase, amylase, protease and phytase in the diets of broiler chicks. 2. Energy and nutrient utilisation

1. In order to investigate the effects of xylanase, amylase, protease and phytase in the diets of broiler chickens containing graded concentrations of metabolisable energy (ME), two 42-d experiments were conducted using a total of 2208 broiler chicks (8 treatments with 12 replicate pens in each experiment). 2. Four diets including one positive and three negative control diets were used. Three maize/soybean meal-based negative control (NC) diets were formulated to be identical in available phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and amino acids but NC1 contained approximately 0.17 MJ/kg less ME than NC2 and approximately 0.34 MJ/kg less ME than NC3. A positive control (PC) was fed for comparison and was formulated to be adequate in all nutrients, providing approximately 0.63 MJ/kg ME, 0.13% available P, 0.12% Ca and 1 to 2% amino acids more than NC1. 3. The reduction in nutrient density between NC1 and PC was determined using ingredient quality models Avichecktrade mark Corn and Phychecktrade mark that can predict the response to exogenous enzymes in maize/soybean meal-based broiler diets. Supplementation of each diet with or without a cocktail of xylanase, amylase, protease and phytase gave a total of 8 dietary treatments in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement. The same treatments and diet designs were used in both experiments but conducted in different locations using different batches of maize, soybean meal and minor ingredients. 4. In both experiments, digestibility was improved by the addition of exogenous enzymes, particularly those for P, Ca and certain amino acids. In addition, the supplementation of the PC with enzymes elicited a positive response indicating that over-the-top addition of xylanase, amylase, protease and phytase may offer a nutritionally and economically viable alternative to feed cost reduction. 5. It can be concluded that the digestibility of nutrients by broilers fed on maize/soybean meal-based diets can be improved by the use of a combination of xylanase, amylase, protease and phytase.     

日粮能量、蛋白质水平对22~42日龄肉鸡WOD168公鸡生长与屠宰性能的影响

为研究22~42日龄肉鸡WOD168公鸡适宜的能量、蛋白质水平,以1 350只22日龄健康的肉鸡WOD168公鸡为试验对象,采用2×3因子设计,研究代谢能水平(ME分别为12.98、13.19 MJ/kg)、粗蛋白水平(CP分别为17.5%、18.5%、19.5%)及其交互作用对鸡生长性能与屠宰性能的影响。结果显示:CP水平为17.5%时42日龄体重显著降低(P<0.01);采食量、料肉比、营养摄入量等均表现出ME、CP的交互作用(P<0.05);屠体率随日粮能量水平提高而降低(P=0.057),而翅膀相对重随蛋白水平提高而提高(P=0.091)。研究提示,22~42日龄肉鸡WOD168公鸡在ME为13.19 MJ/kg、CP为19.5%时可获得最佳生长性能,而ME为12.98 MJ/kg、CP为17.5%时可获得较低料肉比及最佳屠宰性能。     

Effects of Broiler Strain,Dietary Nonphytate Phosphorus,and Phytase Supplementation on Chick Performance and Tibia Ash

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of broiler strain and phytase supplementation on chick nonphytate P (NPP) requirements for growth, feed intake, and tibia ash. The first experiment compared the NPP requirements for 8- to 22-d-old chicks from 2 broiler strains, Ross 308 and 708, that have been selected for differences in early weight gain and performance. The second experiment utilized similar 8- to 22-d-old Ross 308 and 708 chicks but also compared the effects of dietary fungal phytase supplementation (600 U/kg) on broiler NPP requirements. The third experiment utilized a younger starting age, 5 to 23 d old, for Ross 308 and 708 chicks with and without phytase supplementation. Minor differences in chick growth did not affect chick NPP requirements in Experiments 1 and 3, but a substantial and unexplained reduction of growth of the Ross 708 chicks in Experiment 2 resulted in a lower NPP requirement for chick growth and feed intake but not for tibia ash. As expected, supplementation of diets with fungal phytase did result in decreased NPP requirements for growth, feed intake, and tibia ash in both strains used in Experiment 3.     

Effects of different copra meals and amino acid supplementation on broiler chick growth.

1. The effects of including copra meals from different sources in nutritionally-balanced broiler chick diets were compared. A meal screw press-expelled twice to contain 75 g residual lipid/kg produced a lower growth rate than a meal pressed once to contain 220 g lipid/kg. 2. Chicks fed copra meal at 400 g/kg diet had a higher growth rate on a diet formulated to contain 12.4 g lysine/kg and 8.3 g methionine+cystine/kg than on a diet containing 13.5 and 9.0 g/kg of the respective amino acids; however, in a second experiment performance of chicks was unaffected when the low amino acid, low-oil copra meal-based diet was supplemented with synthetic amino acids.     

复合酶制剂对肉种鸡生产性能和繁殖性能的影响

试验选用28周龄AA父母代肉种鸡576只,随机分为正对照组、负对照组、试验组Ⅰ(正对照组日粮添加500g/t复合酶)和试验组Ⅱ(负对照日粮添加500 g/t复合酶),研究在正常和低能量的玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加复合酶对肉种鸡生产性能和繁殖性能的影响。结果表明:高峰前期2个试验组在产蛋率方面都显著高于正对照和负对照组(P<0.05)。高峰后期加酶组的产蛋率有提高的趋势,但是差异不显著,试验组之间也无显著差异(P>0.05)。与正对照组相比,2个试验组在第36周龄的受精率有显著(P>0.05)提高;试验组Ⅱ的健雏率有显著(P<0.05)提高。与负对照相比,2个试验组在第45周龄的健雏率有显著(P<0.05)提高,试验组Ⅱ的孵化率比正对照有显著提高。说明在日粮中添加复合酶对生产性能和繁殖性能有一定的改善。     

木聚糖酶在蛋鸡饲料中代谢能当量值的评定

试验通过蛋公鸡排空强饲法研究了2种木聚糖酶在5种能量饲料和6种产蛋鸡日粮中代谢能的当量值。结果表明:2种木聚糖酶都显著提高了蛋鸡对小麦和玉米小麦豆粕、玉米小麦豆粕棉粕、玉米小麦豆粕菜粕型日粮的代谢能(AME和TME)(P<0.05);酶A显著提高了小麦麸的代谢能(P<0.05);酶B对次粉、玉米豆粕、玉米豆粕棉粕型日粮的代谢能都有显著提高的趋势(P=0.089,P<0.05,P=0.070)。除酶A的代谢能当量值在小麦麸上为ME1.22 MJ/kg外,2种木聚糖酶的代谢能当量值在ME0.21-0.53MJ/kg之间。     

Impact of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide and its effects on coccidia challenge in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. Two experiments were conducted, the first to determine the optimum inclusion of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) in broiler diets to support growth performance, digestive functions, intestinal morphology, and immune organs. The second experiment evaluated the immune-protective properties of COS on broiler chickens during coccidia challenge (CC).

2. Experiment 1 investigated the effect of graded dietary concentration of COS in the diets of broiler chickens using eight cage replicates for each of the six diets. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was used as the basal diet and supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 g of COS/kg feed to form the six treatments.

3. The diet supplemented with 1.0 g COS/kg of feed provided the optimal inclusion level for broiler chickens regarding body weight (BW) gain, jejunal villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and ileal energy digestibility at d 22 of age.

4. Experiment 2 investigated the immune-protective properties of COS in broiler chickens during CC. A total of 224 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight replicate cages in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two COS concentrations (0 or 1 g of COS/kg of diet), with or without CC.

5. On d 18 of age, birds in the CC group received twice the recommended coccidia vaccine dose of 30 doses/kg BW.

6. Coccidia challenge reduced (P < 0.05) and dietary COS increased (P < 0.05) BW gain, and feed intake. Dietary COS mitigated (P < 0.05) the CC-induced effects on gain:feed. Dietary COS supplementation attenuated the CC-induced effects (P < 0.05) on the expression of occludin genes.

7. In conclusion, dietary COS improved performance, and the immune-related beneficial impact of COS supplementation was associated with reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes.     

Effects of Multiple-Enzyme Mixtures on Growth Performance of Broilers Fed Corn-Soybean Meal Diets

Two experiments were conducted under hot and cool seasons to investigate the effects of multiple-enzyme mixtures on the growth performance of broilers fed reduced energy corn-soybean meal diets. Broilers responded to enzyme supplementation with greater magnitude in the hot season (experiment 1) than in the cool season (experiment 2). Adding adequate activity levels of α-amylase, β-glucanase, and xylanase to broiler starter and grower corn-soybean diets with a 3% reduction in dietary ME allowed full restoration of growth performance of broilers comparable to those fed the adequate energy positive control diet regardless of season.     

Effects of heating time and sodium metabisulfite on the nutritional value of full-fat soybeans for chicks.

Two 21-d trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of heating time and sodium metabisulfite (SMBS) on the nutritional value of full-fat soybeans for chicks. In Trial 1, four pen-replicates of eight chicks each were fed corn-based diets (19% CP; 3,167 kcal of ME/kg) containing either 44% CP soybean meal or full-fat soybeans. The soybeans either were unheated or were autoclaved at 121 degrees C for 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, or 90 min. Soybean oil was added to the soybean meal diet to make it isoenergetic with the soybean diets. Trypsin inhibitor, urease activity, and the solubility of protein in the soybeans decreased as heating time increased. Weight gain increased and feed:gain and pancreas weights decreased quadratically (P less than .01) with heating time. Rate and efficiency of gain were maximized when the soybeans were heated for 40 min; further heating for 60 or 90 min reduced performance. In Trial 2, SMBS was added at levels of 0, 1, or 2% to full-fat, unheated soybeans or to soybeans before autoclaving at 121 degrees C for 10, 20, or 40 min. Four pen-replicates of seven chicks each were fed corn-soybean diets (19% CP; 3,144 kcal of ME/kg) with 12 treatments in a factorial arrangement of heating times and SMBS levels. The rate and efficiency of chick weight gain improved linearly (P less than .01) and pancreas weights decreased linearly (P less than .01) as heating time increased. Less heating time was required to maximize performance and minimize pancreas weights when SMBS was added, resulting in a heating time x SMBS interaction (P less than .05). Under the conditions of this research, chicks fed full-fat soybeans achieved maximum performance when the soybeans were heated at 121 degrees C for 40 min, and SMBS decreased by one-half the heating time required to inactivate the trypsin inhibitors. Trypsin inhibitor activity in soybeans was more closely related to their nutritional value than was urease activity.     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量植酸酶对 肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

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3~6周肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。选用1日龄AA肉公雏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3~6周两个阶段,6个处理组分别为:正对照组(前期总磷0.69%,0.45% NPP;后期总磷0.59%,0.35% NPP);负对照组(前期总磷0.60%,0.35% NPP;后期总磷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种水平的植酸酶。结果显示,①日粮添加植酸酶水平显著影响前期(1~21日龄)平均日增重(P＜0.05),对采食量和饲料转化效率(F∶G)影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。②日粮添加植酸酶水平对后期(22~42日龄)平均日增重和饲料转化效率(F∶G)影响差异显著(P＜0.05),添加植酸酶水平对采食量影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。③在低磷日粮中添加高水平植酸酶8000 FTU/kg时,饲料转化效率最高。④随着植酸酶水平增加,21日龄肉鸡血清钙水平有降低趋势,血清磷水平显著增加(P＜0.05),血清碱性磷酸酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05),对总蛋白影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。植酸酶添加水平影响42日龄肉鸡血清钙水平、总蛋白水平和血清碱性磷酸酶活性,对血清磷水平影响显著(P＜0.05)。因此,在低磷日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶肉鸡的生长性显著增加,碱性磷酸酶的活性显著降低,添加8000 FTU/kg效果优于500、2000和32000 FTU/kg。     

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

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

Effects of Excess Methionine from Meeting Needs for Total Sulfur Amino Acids on Utilization of Diets Low in Crude Protein by Broiler Chicks

Failure to obtain optimum performance by broilers fed low CP diets supplemented with amino acids may be due to a number of factors, including potential toxic effects of amino acids in excess of requirements. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of excess levels of Met on performance of broilers fed low CP diets. Corn and soybean meal of known composition were used to formulate diets with 22, 20, 18, and 16% CP with 100 and 110% of NRC recommendations. DL-Methionine was used to meet Met and TSAA requirements; the dietary levels of Met exceeded minimum needs. Within each CP level, 2 additional series were prepared. For one series, only the amount of DL-methionine needed to reach the Met requirement was added, leaving a calculated deficit of TSAA. For a second series, excess Met was replaced with sufficient Cys to meet Met and TSAA exactly. Each of the test diets and a 23% CP positive control were fed to 6 replicate pens of 5 male broiler chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. Performance of the birds fed 22% CP diets did not differ significantly from that of chicks fed the positive control. Chicks fed diets with less than 22% CP had significantly lower BW and increased FCR regardless of level of amino acid supplementation. There was no significant effect of Met status on performance, indicating that corn-soybean meal diets do not appear to be deficit in Cys and do not respond to levels of Met greater than minimum NRC recommendations for Met. Excess levels of Met in this study did not appear to contribute to the reduced performance at low CP levels.     

25-羟基维生素D_3和复合酶制剂对肉鸡生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

试验选用1日龄正大艾维茵肉鸡480只,随机分成4个处理组,每个处理6个重复,每个重复20只鸡(公母各半)。参照肉鸡饲养标准,按照1～3周龄、4～5周龄和6周龄阶段配置基础饲粮。处理1饲喂基础日粮(对照组),处理2在基础日粮的基础上添加69mg/t的25-羟基维生素D_3,处理3在基础日粮的基础上添加750U/kg的复合酶制剂,处理4在基础日粮的基础上同时添加69mg/t的25-羟基维生素D_3和750U/kg的复合酶制剂。试验结果表明:①单独添加复合酶制剂,降低了4～5周龄时的日采食量和6周龄时的料重比(P>0.05);在其他方面与对照组相比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。②单独添加25-羟基维生素D_3,在生产性能、屠宰指标方面虽然有部分高于对照组,但差异均不显著(P>0.05)。③同时添加69mg/t的25-羟基维生素D_3和750U/kg的复合酶制剂,生产性能方面与对照组相比差异均不显著,但表现出提高的趋势(P>0.05);屠宰性能方面,使屠宰率和腹脂率显著降低(P<0.05),但使全净膛率显著提高(P<0.05)。     

能量蛋白水平对4～6周龄肉仔鸡生产性能的影响

本试验通过研究日粮能量蛋白水平对4～6周龄肉仔鸡生产性能的影响,建立起体增重、耗料量和日粮能蛋水平之间的回归关系模型。根据市场行情和建立的模型,筛选具有最佳效益的能蛋水平。3周龄来源相同、体重均匀的AA肉仔鸡1440只,采用代谢能和粗蛋白3×4随机交叉试验设计,共分12个组,每组4个重复,每重复30只鸡。试验期为4～6周。玉米-豆粕型日粮,代谢能的3个水平分别为12.55、12.76、12.97MJ/kg;粗蛋白的4个水平分别为18%、19%、20%、21%。结果表明:1.日粮能量蛋白水平对肉仔鸡各周龄的体增重影响规律不一致,为了达到较大的体增重,按周龄配制日粮能更好地满足营养需要;2.体增重最大时的日粮营养水平不一定就是利润最大的营养水平,我们可根据市场行情以及体增重和耗料量与日粮能量蛋白水平之间的关系模型,选择具有最佳经济效益的能量蛋白水平。     

Effect of feeding different levels of energy and protein on performance of Aseel breed of chicken during juvenile phase

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) levels on performance of Aseel chicken during 0 to 8?weeks of age (Juvenile phase). At 1?day old, 432 chicks were randomly distributed into nine groups. Each group had 48 chicks distributed into eight replicates with six birds in each. Maize-soybean meal-based diets with three ME levels (2,400, 2,600 and 2,800?kcal/kg) and three CP levels (16%, 18% and 20%) were fed to birds in a 3?×?3 factorial design. Different ME levels had significant effect on body weight gain (BWG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Birds fed diet with 2,400?kcal/kg ME had significantly lower BWG (P?相似文献   

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

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

低蛋白质补充合成氨基酸日粮对9～16周龄宁都三黄鸡生长性能和胴体品质的影响

本研究旨在探讨蛋能比保持一定的情况下,低蛋白质补充前3种限制性氨基酸日粮对9～16周龄宁都三黄鸡生长性能和胴体品质的影响。试验选用160羽体重为(573.1±11.0)g的9周龄健康宁都三黄母鸡,随机分为4个处理,每个处理4重复,每个重复10羽鸡。处理Ⅰ组(对照组)为玉米-豆粕型日粮,按照我国黄羽肉鸡饲养标准(2004)进行配制,其中代谢能为13.3 MJ/kg、蛋白质含量为16.5%(蛋白质/代谢能=12.3 g/MJ)。处理Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组(试验组)日粮蛋能比与处理Ⅰ组一致,代谢能分别为12.6、11.8、11.0 MJ/kg,蛋白质含量分别为15.5%、14.5%、13.5%。4组日粮均补充了蛋氨酸、赖氨酸和苏氨酸以满足三黄鸡对其需要。结果表明:(1)日粮蛋白质水平由16.5%降至14.5%,9～16周龄宁都三黄鸡日采食量、日增重和料重比无显著影响(P>0.05);当蛋白质降幅达3个百分点时,尽管补充了蛋氨酸、赖氨酸和苏氨酸,但宁都三黄鸡的生长性能受到显著影响(P<0.05);(2)日粮蛋白质水平降低3个百分点,宁都三黄鸡全净膛率显著升高(P<0.05),但对屠宰率、半净膛率、胸肌率及腿肌率影响不显著(P>0.05);(3)日粮蛋白质水平降低2个百分点及以上同时补充蛋氨酸、赖氨酸和苏氨酸时,宁都三黄鸡的腹脂率显著降低(P<0.05)。综合生长性能和胴体品质指标,在补充前3种限制性氨基酸的情况下,宁都三黄鸡日粮蛋白质降低的幅度不应超过2个百分点。     

Effects of raw and heat-treated bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) on the performance and body composition of growing broiler chicks.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterannea)--a leguminous root nut, which grows in the tropics and subtropics--was used in an experiment to test its effect on the performance of growing broiler chicks. Performance was measured by monitoring growth, measuring nutrients and energy balances and also by determining nutrient accretion. Twelve-day old broiler chicks, kept in individual metabolic cages, were used in an experiment in which birds were equally allotted (n = 10) into a control (fed high performance diet made up principally of wheat and soybean meal) and 6 test groups fed diets containing 19, 76 and 95% raw or autoclaved bambara groundnuts. All diets were similar in energy, nitrogen and total lipid contents. Diets were also balanced for amino acids, vitamins and minerals in accordance to the specific requirements of the birds. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Growth performance was monitored over 15 days. Nutrient and energy balances were measured by use of TiO2 as marker. The comparative slaughter technique was implored for the determination of energy and nutrient accretion. The results showed that the level of raw or autoclaved bambara had no significant influence on feed intake. Increasing the bambara level in the diets caused a general linear drop in the performance of the broilers. However, with up to 95% bambara in the diet, the general performance was still above 75% compared to the control. Increasing levels of bambara groundnut caused a decrease in the metabolizability of energy and efficiency of utilisation of ME for BWG. The animals retained more water with increasing levels of raw bambara in the diets while autoclaving increased their DM content to levels comparable to the control. The protein composition of gain was comparable at all levels of inclusion. In general autoclaving improved the performance of bambara.     

Utilization of alternative protein meals with or without multiple-enzyme supplementation in broilers fed low-energy diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different protein meals, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the performance of broilers. A diet based on a combination of protein meals (15% soybean meal, and 5% each of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal) was compared with 4 other diets containing 15% soybean meal and 20% of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, or cottonseed meal. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,630 kcal of ME/kg and 0.95% digestible lysine, with all other essential amino acids set to meet or exceed the ideal protein ratios. Each diet was fed with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme (Rovabio Excel at 500 g/metric ton of feed) to 6 replicate pens of 50 chicks from 1 to 35 d posthatch as coarse mash. In the cottonseed meal-based diet, supplemental enzyme resulted in high 35-d feed intake and FCR compared with the cottonseed meal-fed groups with no enzyme. There was a significant (P < 0.05) diet × enzyme interaction for 35-d feed intake and FCR. Birds fed the sunflower meal-based diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final BW gain and lower FCR as compared with those fed rapeseed meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets, whereas the BW gain of birds fed the rapeseed meal-based diet was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with birds in all other groups. In conclusion, in low-ME broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, up to 20% sunflower meal and canola meal can be safely incorporated into the diet. Supplementation of Rovabio failed to exert any positive effect on production parameters when used with diets containing high levels of each of the common protein meals.