Evaluating the suitability of maggot meal as a partial substitute of soya bean on the productive traits,digestibility indices and organoleptic properties of broiler meat

This study was conducted to replace soya bean meal with maggot meal at difference percentages. A total of 120 one‐day‐old broiler chicks were divided into four groups. Four diets were formulated with maggot meal to replace soya bean meal at the rate of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% designated as A, B, C and D respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum during the study which lasted for 28 days. Feed intake decreased significantly in treated groups while body weight, Feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage increased significantly in group D. Apparent metabolizable energy increased significantly in the group fed 30% maggot meal; however, no significant difference was found in dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract between the control and treated groups. The result of sensory evaluation revealed that tenderness and juiciness increased significantly in group C and B respectively. The colour and flavour were most accepted in group B and C. The results indicate that replacement of soya bean meal at the rate of 30% in broiler feed produced most favourable results.     

Effect of poultry by-product meal on pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure and ascites in broiler chickens

We tested the hypothesis that poultry by-product meal would produce a thermogenic response (an increased requirement for oxygen) resulting in an increased incidence of pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular failure and ascites in commercial broiler chickens.

Four treatment groups, each with three replicates of 40 chicks, were fed a commercial broiler starter to day 21, grower to day 35, and the following experimental diets after day 35: group 1, commercial chicken broiler finisher; group 2, commercial chicken broiler finisher with poultry by-product meal added to replace part of the soyabean meal; group 3, commercial chicken broiler finisher with poultry fat added to replace the animal-vegetable (AV) fat; group 4, commercial chicken broiler finisher with both poultry by-product meal and poultry fat added to replace soyabean meal and AV fat. On day 35, pen temperature was reduced to 15°C, and on day 42 to 12°C.

Mortality from ascites between days 35 and 56 was 11(9%) in group 2, 5(4%) in group 4 and 3(2.5%) in groups 1 and 3 The incidence of pulmonary hypertension, as measured by an increased right ventricle: total ventricle (RV:TV) ratio (RV:TV > 0.249) at processing on day 57, was higher in the groups receiving poultry by-product and poultry fat: 27(22.5%) in group 2, 26(21.7%) in group 3, and 20(16.7%) in group 4 compared to that of the controls 12(10%).

     

Guar meal ameliorates Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chicks

Guar meal contains relatively high levels of saponins, which are known to have antiprotozoal activity and may be effective against coccidiosis. A 2x2 factorial experiment investigated the impact of guar meal (0 or 5%) corn-soy-based starter broiler diets on chicks unchallenged or challenged with Eimeria tenella. At 1 day of age, 120 unsexed RossxRoss broiler chicks were randomly distributed among four treatment groups. Chicks were challenged with 5x10(3) sporulated oocysts of E. tenella in 0.5ml at 10 days of age by oral gavage. Weekly body weight, body weight gains, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate were recorded for chicks fed from 0 to 21 days of age. Oocysts shed per gram feces were recorded from 6 to 10 days post-challenge. Results showed that challenged chicks fed 0% guar meal had significantly higher oocysts per gram shed in feces than the other groups. No significant differences among treatment groups in mortality rate were observed. Body weights of unchallenged and challenged chicks fed 0% guar meal were significantly higher than those fed 5% guar meal at 2 weeks of age. Results indicated that including 5% guar meal in the diet of chicks challenged with E. tenella decreased oocysts shed per gram feces and prevented bloody diarrhea, but without affects on body weight and feed conversion ratio at 11 days post-challenge.     

Yellow mealworm,Tenebrio molitor (Col: Tenebrionidae), larvae powder as dietary protein sources for broiler chickens: Effects on growth performance,carcass traits,selected intestinal microbiota and blood parameters

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TM meal) inclusion on the performance, carcass traits, caecum microbiota and blood parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 180-day-old chickens were allocated to three dietary groups with five replicate pens (12 birds/pen). Experimental diets were included a corn-soybean basal diet, and two diets with 2.5% and 5% TM. TM-included diets have been administered for periods of starter (1–10 days) and grower (11–25 days). A regular finisher diet was given to all groups during the 26–42 days of age. Diets containing TM meal did not influence feed intake and mortality percentage. Feed conversion ratio was lower with the 2.5% TM meal diet compared with the control group at starter period (p < .05). Besides, broiler chickens fed TM meal included diet had a higher body weight gain than the control group during 1–10 days of age (p < .05). The carcass characteristics and length and weight of different parts of small and large intestines were not influenced by diets. TM meal inclusion decreased the albumin-to-globulin ratio compared with the control group (p < .05). Additionally, lower total count of aerobic and Escherichia coli bacteria was observed in response to diet inclusion of 5% TM meal. Overall, the inclusion of TM meal in broilers' diet improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in the starting period, decreased albumin-to-globulin ratio and E. coli bacteria content.     

Nutritional Value of electron beam irradiated cottonseed meal in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of electron beam‐irradiated cottonseed meal on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chicks. Treatments were cottonseed meal (CSM) at levels of 12% and 24% (raw and irradiated at 30 kGy) and corn‐soya bean meal diet (as control, without CSM and without irradiation) that used with five dietary treatments, four replicates and 10 birds of each for 42 days in completely randomized design. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded weekly. At 42 days of age, two birds per pen were randomly selected for the determination of carcass characteristics and blood parameters. BWG decreased with increasing levels of dietary CSM during the experiment (p < 0.05). In addition, radiation had significant positive effect in broilers fed 12% compared with those fed 24% CSM. FI in chicks fed control and diet containing 24% CSM were increased significantly in starter period. But FI was significantly decreased in broilers consumed CSM compare to the control in grower and during the experiment. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased with increasing levels of CSM in the diets. Relative weights of liver, gastrointestinal tract (GI), pancreas, gizzard and abdominal fat were increased by increasing levels of CSM in the diet (p < 0.05). Glucose, cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride and phosphorous concentrations increased, and LDL concentration decreased as the dietary CSM levels increased (p < 0.05). But radiation had not significant effect on blood parameters. Electron irradiation seems to be a good procedure to improve the nutritional quality of CSM, but it seems higher dose of it was needed to improve performance of chickens.     

A study on feeding hazelnut kernel oil meal as a protein source for broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of substituting different levels of hazelnut kernel oil meal (HKM) for soybean meal (SBM) in diets for broiler. A total of 450 one-day-old female Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated randomly to three treatment groups of 150 birds each in a randomized design. Each treatment group consisted of five replicates each of 30 chicks. All diets (in mash form) were formulated to meet nutrient concentrations recommended for broilers. The experiment lasted for six weeks. In the experiment, an SBM control (SBM) diet was compared to two HKM diets, replacing 50 (50HKM) and 100% (HKM) of SBM protein, respectively. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broilers were adversely affected ( P  < 0.05) by the HKM diets at 42 days of age. Broilers fed 50HKM and HKM had growth performances similar ( P  > 0.05). The carcass yield and abdominal fat pads of birds fed diets with SBM were higher ( P  < 0.05) than those of chicks fed the 50HKM and HKM diets. The edible inner organ weight of chicks fed diets with HKM was the heaviest ( P  < 0.05). It is concluded that SBM cannot be replaced even up to 50% with HKM in commercial broiler diet.     

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid on growth performance,creatine metabolism and plasma amino acid profile in broilers

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, creatine deposition and blood amino acid (AA) profile on broiler chickens. In Exp. 1, a total of 540 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres male broilers (average initial body weight, 45.23 ± 0.35 g) were divided randomly into five treatments with six replicates of 18 chicks each. Broilers were fed corn–soybean meal‐basal diets supplemented with 0, 600, 800, 1,000 or 1,200 mg/kg GAA for 42 days respectively. Results showed that dietary GAA inclusion increased average daily gain (ADG) and improved gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F) from 1 to 42 days (p < 0.01). However, average daily feed intake was unaffected by dietary supplementation of GAA. As GAA inclusion increased, the contents of creatine in plasma and kidney were increased (linear, p < 0.01), while the contents of GAA and creatine in liver were decreased (linear, p < 0.01). Similarly, GAA supplementation was inversely related to concentrations of most essential AA in plasma. In Exp. 2, a total of 432 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres male broilers (average initial body weight, 39.78 ± 0.58 g) were divided randomly into four treatments with six replicates of 18 chicks each. Birds were fed a corn–soybean meal‐basal diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg GAA for 42 days respectively. Dietary inclusion of 600 mg/kg GAA significantly increased ADG and G:F of broilers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 600–1,200 mg/kg GAA can effectively improve the growth performance in broiler chickens by affecting creatine metabolism and utilization efficiency of essential AA, and 600 mg/kg GAA is the minimum dose for improving performance.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of graded levels of toasted guar meal on performance,nutrient digestibility,carcass traits,and serum parameters in commercial broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to explore the replacement value of toasted guar meal (TGM) for soybean meal (SBM) in commercial broiler diets. Hypothesis was tested by including graded levels (0, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18% of diet) of TGM to replace maize-SBM on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and serum parameters. A total of six iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared, and each diet was fed ad libitum to 12 replicates of five chicks each from 1 to 42 days of age. Results showed that inclusion of TGM up to 12% in broiler diets did not affect the body weight gain, feed efficiency, and energy digestibility. Feed intake, dry matter, nitrogen digestibility, and relative weights of ready-to-cook yields, breast muscle, abdominal fat, liver, and pancreas were not affected (P > 0.05) by incorporating TGM even up to 18% in broiler diets. Concentration of glucose, total protein, and triglyceride in serum was also not affected (P > 0.05), while serum total cholesterol concentration was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed diets containing TGM as compared to those fed on 0% TGM diet. From the results, it was evident that TGM may be incorporated up to 12% in commercial broiler diets for better growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass traits.     

Effect of dietary probiotic,prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation on performance,immune responses,intestinal morphology and bacterial populations in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic (Primalac), prebiotic (TechnoMos) and synbiotic (Primalac + TechnoMos) supplementation on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum in broilers. A total of 240 one‐day‐old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups which included 60 birds. Control group did not receive any treatment. The chicks in the second, third and fourth groups were fed probiotic (0.9 g/kg), prebiotic (0.9 g/kg) and probiotic (0.9 g/kg) plus probiotic (0.9 g/kg; synbiotic), respectively, at entire period. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. The birds were immunized by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) on days 12 and 29 of age and serum antibody titres were measured on days 28, 35 and 42. Newcastle vaccines administered on days 9, 18 and 27 to chicks and blood samples were collected on day 42. Intestinal morphometric assessment and enumeration of intestinal bacterial populations were performed on day 42. The results indicated that consumption of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic had no significant effect on daily feed intake, daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum (p > 0.05). Consumption of prebiotic increased total and IgM anti‐SRBC titres on days 28 and 42 and antibody titre against Newcastle virus disease on day 42 (p < 0.05). Synbiotic increased only total anti‐SRBC on day 28 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that consumption of prebiotic increased humoral immunity in broilers. Therefore, supplementation of diet with prebiotic for improvement of humoral immune responses is superior to synbiotic supplementation.     

Effect of Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation at finisher stage on productivity and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation at finisher stage on productivity and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens. The first experiment examined the effect of level of Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation at finisher stage (30 to 42 days of age) on productivity and carcass characteristics of chickens. Level of Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on diet intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio and live weight of chickens. Daily supplementation with 300 mg of Hoodia gordonii meal reduced (P < 0.05) fat pad weights by 40 % in broiler chickens The second experiment examined the effect of Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation interval on the productivity and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Hoodia gordonii meal supplementation interval had no effect (P > 0.05) on feed intake, growth rate, live weight, feed conversion ratio and all carcass characteristics except fat pad of broiler chickens. Daily supplementation with 300 mg of Hoodia gordonii meal/bird reduced fat pad weights of the chickens by 18 %. This could not be explained in terms of differences in feed intake, digestibility, or growth rate.     

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.     

蒙脱石对采食霉变花生粕型饲粮肉仔鸡生长性能和免疫机能的影响

本试验旨在研究蒙脱石对采食天然黄曲霉素毒素B1(AFB1)污染花生粕型饲粮的肉仔鸡生长性能和免疫机能的影响,确定蒙脱石作为霉菌吸附剂的饲用效果。选用288只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)健康公雏,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。正对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,负对照组饲粮用自然霉变花生粕(含AFB11 284.21μg/kg;前期、后期饲粮分别添加8.8%和12.0%)替代部分豆粕,试验组分别在负对照组饲粮中添加2.0 g/kg的天然或改性蒙脱石。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与正对照组相比,霉变花生粕显著降低了肉仔鸡平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)、42日龄胸肌率和腿肌率以及血浆蛋白含量(P0.05),显著提高了料重比和免疫器官指数(P0.05)。2)与负对照组相比,天然或改性蒙脱石均显著提高了肉仔鸡ADG、ADFI及血浆蛋白含量(P0.05),显著降低了免疫器官指数(P0.05)。3)与天然蒙脱石组相比,改性蒙脱石显著提高了肉仔鸡ADG及血浆总蛋白和白蛋白含量(P0.05),显著降低了胸腺指数(P0.05)。综上,AFB1污染的霉变花生粕能降低肉仔鸡的生长性能和免疫功能,蒙脱石能缓解AFB1引起的不良影响,改性蒙脱石作用效果更佳。     

The response of Ross 308 and Hybro broiler chickens to early and late skip-a-day feed restriction

The effects of skip-a-day feeding for 14 days during the starter or grower period or for 28 days during both periods followed by ad libitum feeding to market age on the growth performance of two strains of broiler chickens, Ross 308 and Hybro, were studied over 7 weeks. Ross was superior to Hybro in weight gain, final body weight and feed conversion but consumed more feed. Overall, feed restriction reduced feed intake, weight gain and body weight in all feed - restricted birds. Also, the 14-day feed-restricted birds gained more weight and were heavier than the 28-day restricted ones. Feed restriction neither improved feed conversion nor reduced abdominal fat but decreased mortality rate. Strain | treatment interaction significantly affected only feed intake. It is suggested that for broiler chicken production in the tropics Ross 308 could be used and feed restricted for 14 days during the starter or grower period.     

Supplementation of diets containing pea meal with exogenous enzymes: effects on weight gain,feed conversion,nutrient digestibility and gross morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of growing broiler chicks

1. The potential for the nutritional improvement of pea-based diets by supplementation with a cocktail of exogenous carbohydrases was investigated using growing broiler chicks. 2. Pea meals (grown in the UK) were included in wheat-based diets at 300 g/kg as a partial replacement for an approximately isonitrogenous mixture of wheat and soybean meal. A wheat/soybean meal diet served as a control and each diet was supplemented with a cocktail of alpha-amylase, pectinase and cellulase. The diets were fed to 1-d-old broiler chicks for a period of 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion were monitored weekly and excreta were collected during the final week in order to determine nutrient digestibility coefficients and metabolisable energy. On d 21, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was excised and gross morphology measured. 3. Inclusion of pea meal reduced weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and also increased the relative sizes of the distal sections of the GI tract. 4. Enzyme addition partially ameliorated the detrimental effects of pea meal inclusion although similar improvements were also noted for birds fed on the control diet. 5. It is concluded that the nutritive value of pea-meal-based diets can be improved by the addition of carbohydrases, and that some pea cultivars show considerable potential as vegetable protein sources for broiler chicks.     

Effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaves on the performance,ileal microbiota and antioxidative status of broiler chickens

In this study, we investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) supplements on the performance, ileal microbiota carcass traits and biochemical and antioxidant parameters of broiler chickens. MOL was added to starter, grower and finisher diets at four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0%). A total of 320 one-day-old mixed-sex Cobb-500 broiler chicks were divided equally into four treatment groups, with 5 replicates of 16 chicks each until 42 days of age. Compared to the control group, chicks fed 0.5% and 1% MOL exhibited a higher final body weight (FBW), greater weight gain (BWG), and better average daily gain (ADG). Feed intake (FI) gradually decreased as the inclusion rate of MOL in the broilers' diet increased to 5%. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and performance index (PI) were observed in broilers that were fed the MOL diet. The percentage of abdominal fat in broilers decreased significantly in response to dietary supplementation with MOL. The haematological profile in the MOL group revealed a lower WBC count and lymphocyte percentage but higher heterophil and H/L ratio without affecting haemoglobin and RBC count. The inclusion of MOL increased total serum protein, Ca and P levels but decreased glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST and ALT concentrations. Moreover, dietary MOL increased the activities of GSH, CAT and SOD, GPx and GST while decreasing the TBARS level. The pH value decreased in the ileum of broilers fed the 1% and 5% MOL diet compared to the other treatments. Decreased ileal counts of E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus spp. were observed whereas the total ileal Lactobacillus spp. count increased in broilers fed the MOL diet. In conclusion, the MOL supplement can enhance growth performance and antioxidant status, alter ileal microbiota and protect against enteropathogens with no deleterious effects on the broiler chickens.     

Effects of high non‐phytate phosphorus starter diet on subsequent growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

The trial was performed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of non‐phytate phosphorus (nPP) in the starter and grower (with phytase inclusion) periods on carcass characteristics, organ weight and weekly variations of growth performance in the grower period. Seven hundred and twenty‐day‐old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 12 treatments in a completely randomized design. Chickens received two dietary treatments (4.5 g/kg and 6 g/kg nPP) in the starter (0–21 days) and six experimental diets (4 g/kg, 3.1 g/kg, 2.3 g/kg and 2.3 g/kg + 1000 FTU/Kg of feed phytase, 1.5 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg nPP + 1000 FTU/Kg of feed phytase) in the grower period (22–42 days). Results showed that phytase inclusion in the second and third weeks of grower period could increase feed intake significantly. Also, decrease in the concentrations of nPP to 1.5 g/kg caused to decline body weight gain markedly. Moreover, there is a significant difference between 4.5 g/kg and 6 + 4 g/kg nPP (starter+grower) and 1.5 g/kg nPP. Phytase inclusion increased carcass yield and declined liver weight significantly. Dietary treatment of 4.5 + 1.5 g/kg nPP enhanced heart and liver weight markedly. It is concluded that starter diets with increased concentration of nPP (6 g/kg nPP) had no beneficial effects on growth performance in the starter and grower period in the total (0–42 days). Also, it is possible to decrease nPP concentration of grower diets to 1.5 and 2.3 g/kg with and without phytase inclusion respectively.     

Effects of dietary substitution of zinc‐methionine for inorganic zinc sources on growth performance,tissue zinc accumulation and some blood parameters in broiler chicks

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of zinc‐methionine (ZnMet) as a replacement for conventional inorganic zinc sources on performance, tissue zinc accumulation and some plasma indices in broiler chicks. A total of 450‐day‐old Ross male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five pen replicates of nine experimental diets. Dietary treatments consisted of two basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg added Zn as feed‐grade Zn sulphate or Zn oxide in which, Zn was replaced with that supplied from ZnMet complex by 25, 50, 75 or 100%. At 42 days of age, three randomly selected birds from each pen were bled to measure plasma metabolites; then, the chicks were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Results showed that dietary treatments affected (p < 0.05) feed intake during the starter period, and chicks on Zn oxide diets consumed more feed than sulphate counterparts. Furthermore, dietary substitution of inorganic Zn sources by ZnMet caused improvements (p < 0.01) in body weight gain during all experimental periods. Dietary supplementation of ZnMet improved feed conversion efficiency during 1–21 and 1–42, but not in 21–42 days of age. Complete replacement of inorganic Zn by that supplied from ZnMet caused an increase (p < 0.05) in relative liver weight. Similarly, dietary inclusion of ZnMet increased breast meat and carcass yields and reduced abdominal fat percentage (p < 0.05). Incremental levels of ZnMet increased (p < 0.05) zinc concentrations in liver and thymus, and the highest zinc accumulations were seen in 100% ZnMet‐supplemented birds. Interestingly, introduction of ZnMet into the diets partially in place of inorganic sources resulted in decreases (p < 0.01) in plasma uric acid and triglycerides concentrations. The present findings indicated that dietary ZnMet inclusion in replacement of inorganic sources in addition to improving growth performance, reduced plasma uric acid and triglycerides concentrations, consequently decreased abdominal fat pad and increased carcass meat yield.     

Utilization of potato peels and sugar beet pulp with and without enzyme supplementation in broiler chicken diets: effects on performance,serum biochemical indices and carcass traits

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of including potato peels (PP) and sugar beet pulp (SBP), as unconventional feeds, with and without enzyme in broiler diets from 1 to 42 days of age by observing the growth performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics. A total of 150, 1‐day old, chicks were randomly assigned into five groups, each with 30 chicks. Birds in group 1 were fed on the control diet. Chicks in groups 2 and 3 were offered diets containing PP and SBP at the rate of 15% and 7.5%, respectively, while those in groups 4 and 5 were fed the same diets but with adding an enzyme mixture. Using the unconventional feeds in the diets was found to decrease the body weight (BW). However, the feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion did not differ from the control in PP at the grower period, but decreased in SBP throughout the experiment. Addition of enzyme greatly improved the BW in PP and SBP to a degree that it surpasses the control and also increased the feed intake and conversion. The total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels were decreased in all tested groups. Carcass yield was not affected by treatments, but the carcass fat content was reduced using the unconventional feeds with or without enzyme. In conclusion, PP can be used at a rate of 15% in the grower diets of broilers. Furthermore, 15% PP or 7.5% SBP can be included in starter and grower diets, but with the addition of enzymes. This can help in solving the problem of current shortage and rising costs of conventional feeds.     

Dietary mannanase‐hydrolyzed copra meal improves growth and increases muscle weights in growing broiler chickens

The utilization of copra meal as a feed ingredient is limited because it contains a high level of mannan. However, recent findings indicate that the effect of copra meal on growth performance in broiler chickens can be improved by the supplementation of mannanase in the diet. In the present study, we examined the effect of mannanase‐hydrolyzed copra meal (MCM) on growth performance and muscle protein metabolism in growing broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Forty 8‐day‐old male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups (four birds in each pen, five replicates) and fed either a commercial diet (as a control diet) or a diet containing MCM at 0.2% until 22 days of age. Dietary MCM significantly increased the weights of body, breast muscle, and thighs in chickens, whereas the weights of abdominal adipose tissue and liver were not affected. Cumulative feed intake was significantly increased by MCM. Dietary MCM significantly decreased plasma 3‐methylhistidine level. The messenger RNA and protein levels of muscle protein metabolism‐related factors were not altered by MCM. These findings suggest that the growth‐promoting effect of MCM is related to the suppression of muscle proteolysis in growing broiler chickens.     

Whole pearl millet feeding does not impair performance and nutrient digestibility in 28-day-old broiler chickens

The effects of varying inclusion levels of whole grain millet in millet–soya bean-based diets on growth performance, gizzard development, digesta characteristics and nutrient digestion in broiler chicken were investigated. Starter (0–14 days) and grower (15–28 days) broiler chicken diets containing pearl millet at 500 and 540 g/kg diet, respectively, were formulated. The diets comprised of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of millet incorporated as whole grain. One-day-old unsexed Arbor Acres Plus chicks (n = 540) were allotted to the experimental diets in a completely randomized design with the diets and water provided ad libitum for 28 days. Each treatment was replicated seven times, and each replicate had 12 chicks. Results showed that daily live weight gain and feed conversion ratio of chickens on the whole millet grain diets compared favourably with chicken on the control in both starter and grower phases, while feed intake reduced quadratically (p < .05) with increased whole grain millet levels in the starter phase. Morphological and structural characteristics of the gizzard and small intestine and intestinal digesta pH and viscosity were also unaffected (p > .05) by whole grain millet inclusion levels. However, the weight of intact millet grain in gizzard increased linearly (p < .001) with whole grain millet inclusion in the diets. Dietary whole grain millet inclusion also consistently lowered (p < .05) jejunal and ileal maltase and sucrase activities, but did not influence (p > .05) pancreatic amylase activity. Ileal crude protein and starch digestibility increased, while ileal energy digestibility decreased significantly (p < .05) with whole grain millet inclusion. Whole grain millet inclusion in broiler starter and grower diets up to 500–540 g/kg did not negatively impact on broiler chicken performance.