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Context: Animal feed production systems have been suffering from a shortage of feedstuffs because of competition for these resources with human food consumption. The use of by-products can increase efficiency and circularity in production chains, reducing this competition. Aims: This study investigated the impacts of Paullinia cupana peel meal (PCPM) on the growth performance, meat quality, and haematological and serum biochemical parameters of slow-growing broilers. Methods: Two hundred and forty slow-growing male Label Rouge broilers were distributed in a completely randomised experimental design. The treatments consisted of five inclusion levels of PCPM (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%) in the diets, with four replicates of 12 birds each. Growth performance data, and haematological and serum biochemical parameters were monitored. Twelve broilers per treatment were slaughtered for meat-quality analysis. Key results: In the starter stage, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in feed intake and weight gain with and increasing inclusion level of PCPM in the diet. However, this effect diminished in the final stage. Even with a reduction (P < 0.05) in feed intake during the final stage, the broilers showed an increase (P < 0.05) in weight gain and improvement (P < 0.05) in feed efficiency in the cumulative performance. Broilers fed diet with a higher inclusion level of PCPM had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of erythrocytes and blood triglycerides, as well as a decreased haematocrit percentage. However, these broilers exhibited higher (P < 0.05) results for mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Broilers fed diets with a higher inclusion level of PCPM were heavier (P < 0.05) at slaughter, with higher (P < 0.05) carcass yield, greater (P < 0.05) liver, gizzard, and heart weight, increased breast, drumstick, and thigh yields, and higher moisture and lipid contents in the breast. Conclusions: The high inclusion levels of PCPM in diets for slow-growing broilers positively affect growth performance, meat quality, and yields of valuable cuts, although they increase moisture and decrease protein in breast meat, affecting some blood parameters. Implications: This study showed the potential advantages of using PCPM as an alternative food in diets for slow-growing broilers to improve the productivity and health of a sustainable livestock. The challenge of feeding our planet sustainably is more pressing than ever, pushing us to find smarter ways to use available resources. This study looked at using Paullinia cupana peel meal (PCPM) as a new ingredient in the feed of slow-growing broilers. The research found that adding PCPM improved the growth and health of slow-growing broilers, suggesting that it could be a game-changer in sustainable livestock farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The need for the storage of fertile eggs is a reality in the poultry industry. At the same time, prolonged storage periods decrease the quality of egg components that are essential for embryo development, and can compromise hatchability and chick quality; thus, the high content of unsaturated fatty acids in embryo tissues increase the susceptibility to peroxidation. Aims. The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of ris-9, trans-11, trans-10 and ris-12 isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to the broiler-breeder diet and the storage time on the internal egg quality, composition and lipid oxidation. Methods. In total, 22 000 Cobb female broiler breeders of 58 weeks of age were fed with diets containing 0 or 0.024% CLA and fertile eggs were stored 3, 6 or 9 days prior to incubation. In total, 6912 hatching eggs were used in a completely randomised experimental design in a 2 X 3 factorial arrangement (CLA inclusion X egg storage time). At the end of each storage period, 30 eggs per dietary treatment were sampled to analyse yolk and albumen height, percentage and pH, yolk:albumen ratio, yolk diameter and index, Haugh unit (HU), yolk lipid oxidation, acidity and fatty acid profile. Key results. The progression of storage negatively affected the internal quality of the eggs; however, inclusion of CLA minimised these effects up to Day 6, especially for yolk diameter, HU, height and albumen pH. The total lipid content was not affected by the dietary treatments; however, CLA inclusion resulted in a higher proportion of stearic acid and a lower concentration of linoleic acid in yolks. Conclusions. The changes observed in fatty acid profile of the eggs may have favoured the reduction of lipid oxidation, as shown by the decrease in the acidity index and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) values at shorter storage periods. Implications. The dietary addition of CLA to broiler breeders may be used to preserve the egg internal quality during a short-term storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The importance of lupin in animal nutrition has increased over the years due to its moderate protein content and relative availability. Low inclusion rate in broiler diet has been associated with the presence of antinutritional factors. The established beneficial effect of fermentation as a processing strategy and dietary enzyme use in improving the nutritional value of legumes such as lupins, thus, necessitated this study. Aims: This study determined the effect of solid-state fermented lupin (SSFLP) and enzyme-supplemented lupin (LP) on the performance and ileal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens. Methods: In Experiment 1 (performance trial), a total of 300 day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were distributed into six dietary treatments, with five replicates of 10 birds each. Diet 1 was based on a corn–soybean meal (SBM), Diets 2 and 3 contained 250 g/kg LP and 250 g/kg SSFLP respectively. Diet 4 contained 250 g/kg LP + phytase (PHY). Diet 5 contained 250 g/kg LP + xylanase (XYL). Diet 6 contained 250 g/kg LP + PHY + XYL. PHY at 500 phytase units (FTU)/kg and XYL at 1000 units/kg were added to the respective diets. In Experiment 2 (digestibility trial), a total of 240 21-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks was assigned to six dietary treatments with five replicate cages of eight birds each. Diet 1 was based on SBM, Diets 2 and 3 contained 650 g/kg LP and 650 g/kg SSFLP respectively. Diet 4 contained 650 g/kg LP + PHY. Diet 5 contained 650 g/kg LP + XYL. Diet 6 contained 650 g/kg LP + PHY + XYL. Key results: Dietary inclusion of SBM and LP + PHY enhanced broiler performance from 1 to 21 days. PHY- supplemented LP diet improved birds' bodyweight gain and feed intake compared with the rest of the LP diets. Dietary inclusion of LP + PHY + XYL improved the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of some amino acids (AA). SSF of LP had no effect on the AA contents, lowered AA digestibility and depressed weight gain in the birds. Although SSFLP diet did not improve performance, it effectively increased phosphorus (P) retention in broiler chickens. Feeding SSFLP and enzyme-supplemented LP diets enhanced the AID of calcium and P, as well as calcium retention. Conclusions: Adding supplemental PHY to LP diet enhanced broiler performance, as indicated by the BWG and FI of these birds, which were significantly higher than those of birds fed on other LP-based diets and comparable with those of birds fed on the SBM diet from 1 to 21 days. Although the SSFLP diet did not improve broiler performance, it was effective in increasing P retention when compared with LP diets. The inclusion of LP + PHY + XYL diet improved the AID of amino acids. Implications: SSFLP is a promising feed ingredient and can have a potential application in feed formulation. However, further studies are still needed to be able to clearly understand its effect at a high inclusion level on the performance and ileal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens. The development of cocktail inoculants to target all ANFs in lupins will definitely open a new window for the poultry feed industry. In this study, two experiments were conducted to understand the response of broiler chickens to solid-state fermented lupins and unfermented lupins containing commercial feed enzymes. The parameters studied included the performance and nutrient digestibility as a result of the birds consuming the above-mentioned feed materials. The performance study was conducted for 21 days, while the measurement of nutrient digestibility was performed for the following consecutive 4 days. This study will open a new window for the poultry feed industry. However, more studies are still needed to be able to clearly understand the practical application of the above-mentioned feed materials in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chromium (Cr) is considered a beneficial trace element. It has been reported that supplementation with Cr in the diet promotes improvements in the productive variables of broilers reared under heat stress (HS). Aim: The study aimed to evaluate dose response of Cr as chromium-methionine (CrMet) supplementation on metabolisable energy, serum biochemistry, growth performance and carcass yield of broilers. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-six 22-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four blocks, six treatments (0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.20 mg/kg dry matter (DM) Cr as CrMet), eight repetitions with seven birds per experimental unit, subjected to HS (33°C for 12h/day) from 22 to 43 days. The supplemented CrMet level for each variable studied was estimated using linear and quadratic regressions. Key results: The bodyweight was quadratically affected at 35 and 43 days (P < 0.01), as well as bodyweight gain (P = 0.02) and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.01) from 22 to 43 days. A linear improvement (P = 0.03) was observed in the feed conversion ratio from 22 to 28 days and bodyweight gain for 22 to 35 days (P = 0.02). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy and the coefficient of metabolisation of energy were quadratically affected (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively) by CrMet levels in the diet. A quadratic response was observed on total serum cholesterol (P < 0.01), serum glucose (P = 0.07) and triacylglycerol (P < 0.01). The abdominal fat deposition was quadratically affected (P < 0.01) by CrMet levels in the diet. Conclusions: The supplementation of 0.77 mg/kg DM Cr as CrMet improves performance, carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry parameters of broiler chickens reared under heat stress. Implications: The results indicate that CrMet can be supplemented in the diet for broilers reared under heat stress to improve productivity of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens, and the possibility of antibiotic residues in meat and meat products are seen as a threat to animal and human health. The search for alternatives to conventional drugs, including natural compounds, is an interesting approach to prevent the adverse effects of antibiotics. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the addition of tannin (as a quebracho extract) in the diet of broiler chickens could be used to replace in-feed antimicrobials and coccidiostatic drugs, to exert positive effects on animal health and performance. The use of tannin in the diet of broiler chicks as an additive (at 0.5% for 1–10-day-old birds; and 1.0% for 11–42-day-old broiler chickens) enhanced their bodyweight, weight gain and daily weight gain on Day 42 of life, compared with the untreated control group (P < 0.05). However, these findings were not observed when tannin was added at 0.5%. Moreover, broiler chickens fed with an extract containing tannins showed higher erythrocyte counts, as well as haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations than did those in the control group, whereas counts of total leukocytes and lymphocytes were lower (P < 0.05). The use of a diet with tannins did not influence meat quality compared with a diet containing zinc bacitracin and salinomycin, which altered some parameters associated with meat colour. Moreover, the diet with tannins reduced (P < 0.05) the number of oocysts of Eimeria sp. (36-day-old broilers) and the total faecal bacterial counts (42-day-old broilers) compared with the control group. Finally, intestinal histopathology showed that the addition of tannins minimised the degree of lesions (Degree 1) compared with the control group (Degree 3). On the basis of these results, we concluded that the use of quebracho extract containing tannins can be a suitable approach to improve the performance of broiler chickens, replacing in-feed antibiotics and coccidiostatic drugs. The use of tannins did not change meat quality; however, it caused positive effects on the immune system, and exerted potent bactericidal and coccidiostatic properties, reinforcing its use as a replacement for conventional drugs. Quebracho extract containing tannins when used in broiler chicken diets is capable of replacing in-feed drugs used as growth promoters (antimicrobials and coccidiostatics), because both experimental groups performed similarly. Tannins in the diet showed antimicrobial and anticoccidial effects, with results similar to those seen in animals that received conventional chemical drugs. Tannin caused an anti-inflammatory effect against coccidiosis, and, consequently, it reduced intestinal lesions caused by this parasite and its usual exacerbated inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude glycerin has been used as an alternative energy source in animal feeding and can thus change both the animal's performance and the levels of gene expression related to energy production process and the antioxidant system, since the effect of glycerin depends on its degree of purity in the diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of crude glycerin inclusion (0, 6 and 12%) in the diet has on performance characteristics and mRNA abundance of genes associated with the mitochondrial function (uncoupling protein (UCP), cytochrome C oxidase subunit III (COX III) and adenine nucleotide transporter (ANT)) and those that combat the reactive oxygen species (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) in the liver and muscle of broilers at 42 days of age. Total RNA was extracted from the tissues, and cDNA was amplified using specific primers for the genes under study through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; the endogenous gene used was β-actin. There was no difference between glycerin concentrations for weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion. Greater expression of UCP at muscle and higher GPx expression at liver were observed in broilers fed 12% glycerin. In conclusion, the addition of 12% glycerin to broiler diets increased the expression of UCP and GPx , but did not change broiler performance. Therefore, glycerin can be used as an alternative ingredient without losses. Glycerin represents an alternative of reducing costs in broiler production. We evaluate whether glycerin interferes in the performance characteristics and in the expression of mitochondrial and antioxidant genes. Although the expression of UCP and GPx genes has been increased, we conclude that glycerin can be used as an alternative in poultry feed without lost performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research report investigated the influences of diet supplemented with sodium diacetate (SD) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and intestinal pH and Escherichia coli count of broilers. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly allocated into four groups fed with basal diets containing 0% (Control group), 0.01%, 0.03%, and 0.05% SD. At 42 days of age, the final weight, bodyweight gain, pre-evisceration weight, eviscerated weight, and breast muscle weight were increased in the 0.05% SD group compared with the Control group (P < 0.05). The 0.05% SD group also showed an increased water-holding capacity in the breast and thigh meat (P < 0.05). However, this group also showed a decrease in the lightness value of thigh meat (P < 0.05). There was a tendency towards a decrease in pH values of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and appendix with the increase in SD supplementation (0.01-0.05%). Broilers in the 0.05% SD group had a lower pH in the jejunum than those in the Control group (P < 0.05). SD supplementation in diets decreased the E. coli count in the small and large intestines (P < 0.05). This study suggests that SD supplementation in diets provides a nutritional strategy to improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and intestinal health of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]