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SUMMARY: This study examines how the combination of layer breeder age and oxygen concentration in the incubator impacts Chorioallantoic (CAM) vascularization, embryo and chick organs, blood profiles, and organ histology at hatch. Nine hundred (900) eggs from 33 to 50 wk ISA breeders were incubated at different O2 levels (15%, 17%, and 21%). Results showed significant interactions between breeder age and oxygen levels, affecting liver and heart weights, blood indices, and CAM vascularity. Hypoxic conditions led to adaptive changes in embryonic organs, with notable differences between breeder age groups, suggesting that mild hypoxia can influence compensatory growth, depending on exposure stages.

SUMMARY: This experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection of Citrus aurantiifolia seeds extract (CASE) into broiler incubating eggs. Five hundred and four (504) Cobb 500 breeder eggs with evidence of living embryos were selected for air chamber injection on embryonic d 18. The experimental treatments included control (without injection), Ext0.5µg (eggs injected with 0.5 μg/ml of CASE), Ext0.75µg (eggs injected with 0.75 μg/ml of CASE), Ext1µg (eggs injected with 1.0 μg/ml of CASE). After hatching, 360 chicks were distributed to their respective treatments with 6 replicates and raised for 6 wk in a completely randomized design (15 birds per replicate). The hatch events time decreased with increasing levels of CASE injection while at day old, the concentration of hematological parameters and chick quality score increased in all the in ovo injection treatments (P < 0.05). The injection of CASE at 0.5 µg/ml into the incubated eggs increased the weight of chicks at hatch and the ratio of the weight of chicks at hatch to the weight of the incubated egg (P < 0.001) and showed improved values of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio at 42 d. At hatch time, the injection of CASE showed a higher concentration of T4 (thyroxine) and a marked increase in plasma SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity compared to the control (P < 0.05). Additionally, CASE injection caused a significant improvement in the jejunal morphometry (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the in ovo injection of Citrus aurantiifolia seed extract during the prehatch period in broiler eggs is effective at 0.5 µg/ml.

Summary: The quality of meat and eggs, as well as consumer acceptance, is influenced by microbial load, flavor, and lipid oxidation. Recently, consumer preferences have shifted toward naturally healthy, disease-free poultry products that have no negative side effects. Natural additives are now gaining popularity in research due to the presence of microbial-resistant bacteria associated with synthetic products and feed additives. Garlic and its bioactive components (BCs) have been found to improve the quality of meat and egg yolks by affecting the activities of important enzymes such as squalene oxidase and HMG-CoA reductase, which are responsible for cholesterol and lipid synthesis. However, the extent to which the organosulphur compounds (OSCs) in garlic can enhance lipid stability and reduce total cholesterol depends on various variables including preparation technique, shelf life, rate of inclusion, and duration of supplementation in bird diets. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the impact of garlic supplementation on the lipid profiles and fatty acids in poultry.

SUMMARY: Nutraceuticals of natural origin (for example, garlic) have proven to enhance the immunity, health and performance of birds just as the synthetic types (antibiotics). However, health-related concerns about the use of synthetic feed additives call for more studies to be conducted on the use of phytogenics, which are natural growth promoters obtained from plants. Thus, a 5-wk feeding trial was carried out to assess the response of layer chicks to the dietary inclusion of allicin-rich extract. Six hundred 21-day-old Bovans Brown layer chicks were allocated to 6 treatments with 5 replicates (20 chicks each) using a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments consisted of negative control (T0), positive control (T1) was supplemented with antibiotics, whereas the experimental groups T2 was supplemented with garlic powder (0.50 g/kg), and T3, T4, and T5 were supplemented with an allicin-rich extract from garlic in the proportion of 0.10, 0.30, and 0.50 mL/kg in the diet, respectively. The results showed that feed intake was increased (P ≤ 0.001) at the highest level of inclusion (0.50 mL/kg) during wk 8. Lymphocyte percent of the blood was superior (P = 0.042) in all the groups compared to the negative control. Mean corpuscular volume was significantly (P = 0.025) lower in T2 compared to the control groups. The total protein concentration of the serum was statistically (P = 0.015) higher in the allicin-rich extract groups compared to the positive control. Histopathological examination revealed that liver toxicity increased as the levels of allicin-rich extract increased. It can be concluded that allicin-rich extract supplementation improved the immunity of chicks by inhibiting microbial infections and inflammations.

SUMMARY: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fish meal replacement by black soldier larvae meal on biochemical parameters, thyroid hormone and productive parameters of egg-type chickens from day-old to 68 wk of age. A total of 480-day-old Isa Brown egg-type chickens were assigned to 4 dietary treatments with larvae meal to replace fish meal at 0% (T0:), 50% (T50), 75% (T75), and 100% (T100). Each treatment had 6 replicates of 20 birds. Fish meal was used at the 8% level as the control diet. Data were collected on feed intake, live weight, biochemical parameters, eggs production, serum triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Results showed that there was a similarity in the feed intake of the birds across the treatments. Higher body weights and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded in the birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal during the rearing period. Overall, egg production was similar in birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal and significantly higher (P < 0.05) as compared to other groups. Total protein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, serum T3 and T3/T4 ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of larvae meal. It was concluded that fish meal can be replaced with larvae meal up to 100% in layer diet for improved body weights and egg production.