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Research trials were conducted at commercial farms (n=147,500) to explore the performance of artificial insemination technique at various frequencies in meat-type floored and cage-housed breeder flocks during 1st and 2nd egg-laying cycles under the controlled environment where the average house temperature and RH were 25-28oC;75-85% and 21-24oC; 50-65% during summer and winter seasons, respectively. Birds were divided into six groups; the cage-housed flocks were either artificially inseminated on each 5th (n=20,000) or 7th day (n=20,000) whereas the floored flocks were either naturally mated (n=10,000) or inseminated artificially on 7th (n=10,000) or 5th (n=49000) day during 1st and 2nd egg lay (n=38500) cycles. The egg lay and hatch data was recorded for complete flock cycles and analyzed using SPSS software. Artificially inseminated hens produced 16% more (P<0.01) chicks than naturally mated flocks for 25 weeks long post-peak phase (41-65 weeks) during 1st egg lay cycle without any significant decline in egg lay. Floored flocks produced 2% more eggs during pre-peak but 2% fewer eggs during peak and post-peak phases compared to cage-housed hens (P>0.05). The Hatchery percentile was the same before the peak and then improved (P<0.05) by 4 and 10% during and after the peak, respectively. Insemination frequency, cockerels' body weight, and production cycle had no significant effect (P>0.05) on both parameters, however, the effect of cockerels' body weight on hatch was considerable (P<0.09). Artificial insemination exploits the optimal role-play of both the male and female lines to overcome low fertility in commercial poultry and may replace natural mating as per business needs, particularly after the peak egg-laying period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore the beneficial aspect of serratiopeptidase (proteolytic enzyme) combined with low profile antibiotic (Neomycin) in chickens against the E. coli infection at the finisher stage. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies were carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activities and potency of this combination. A total of one hundred and eighty day-old chicks were randomly allotted to 6 groups i.e. G1 (negative control), G2 (positive control), G3 (standard antibiotic neomycin only), SN-1 (Serratiopeptidase @40g/L+Neomycin@10mg/L), SN-2 (Serratiopeptidase @50mg/L+ Neomycin @20mg/L), and SN-3 (Serratiopeptidase @ 60mg/L+ Neomycin @30mg/L). Each group consisted of thirty birds with 5 replicates (6 birds/replicate). On day 21, fresh inocula of E. coli (1x109cfu) were orally administered to all the groups except negative control. The results revealed that birds in SN-3 group showed significantly larger zone of inhibition, increased feed intake, weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio compared to standard and control groups. Moreover, reduced (p<0.05) mortality and morbidity index was found in SN-3 group among all the treated groups. It was concluded, that use of serratiopeptidase combination with neomycin has better impact on broiler chickens to enhance the antimicrobial effect of Neomycin against E. coli infection and to enhance production parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the combined effect of fiber degrading enzymes (ß-Mannanase) and soybean hulls on the production performance, hematological parameters, and economics in the laying hens during the early (29 to 32 weeks) peak production period. Two hundred golden brown (RIR×Fayoumi) layer birds of age 28 weeks were used for the experimental purpose and were distributed in five groups control (CON), and treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4), each had 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The CON group had a corn-soybean basal diet while the T1 group contained 3%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, T2 3%SH+30mg/kg enzyme, T3 9%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, and T4 group 9%SH+30mg/kg enzyme in the feed. Overall feed intake, weight gain, and water intake were calculated (P<0.05) in the T2 diet group. Egg production, FCR, HDEP, and mortality was not effaced (P>0.05) in all weeks. Total revenue was calculated higher in the T2 group while the profit and cost-benefit ratio had a higher (P<0.05) value in the CON and T1 diet groups. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were calculated (P<0.05) higher in the CON group while all other hematological and serum biochemistry parameters were not affected and were in the normal range. It is concluded that the replacement of soybean meal in the diet of laying hens by 3% SH in combination with enzyme (ß-Mannanase) at the level of 20mg/kg feed has a positive effect on the overall performance of laying hens during the early peak egg production period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine the effect of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract on growth performance, gut morphometry, and economics in broilers. One hundred and twenty days old broiler chicks were used for the experiment and were divided into four groups each with three replicates of ten birds. Group 1 was control with normal water while 1, 1.5, and 2ml/liter of liquorice extract (LE) in drinking water were provided to the remaining three groups. The results showed significantly reduced feed consumption, increased weight gain, and better FCR in 2ml/l of LE group. Similarly, 2ml/l of LE group showed increased (P<0.05) villus height, crypt depth, villus width, and villus height to crypt depth ratio. The digestibility of dry matter, ash, crude fiber, crude protein, ether extract, and calcium was also calculated significantly higher in the 2ml/l of LE group. Total cost in the control group while the gross and net return was recorded significantly higher in the group containing 2ml/l of LE. The dressing percentage had a significantly higher value in 1.5, and 2ml/l of LE groups than in the remaining treatment groups. Mortality was recorded significantly higher in 1 ml/l of LE group as compared to all other groups. It was concluded that liquorice extract at 2ml/l water has a useful effect on growth performance, gut morphology, and economics in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the combined effect of fiber degrading enzymes (β-Mannanase) and soybean hulls (SH) on the egg quality parameters in the laying hens during the early (29 to 32 weeks) peak production period. Two hundred golden brown (RIR × Fayoumi) layer birds, 28 weeks old, were used for the experimental purpose and were assigned into five groups CON, T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each group contained 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The CON group had a corn-soybean basal diet while the T1 group had 3%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, T2 3%SH+30mg/kg enzyme, T3 9%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, and T4 group 9%SH+30mg/kg enzyme in the feed. Results indicated overall significantly lower egg shell thickness in the control group while all other overall internal and external egg quality parameters were not affected (P>0.05). It is concluded that the replacement of soybean meal in the diet of laying hens by 3 and 9%SH in combination with enzyme (β-Mannanase) at the level of 20 and 30mg/kg feed has a positive effect on the egg quality parameters during early peak egg production period in the laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to determine the combined effect of fiber degrading enzymes (β-Mannanase) and soybean hulls on the egg quality parameters in the laying hens during the early (29 to 32 weeks) peak production period. Two hundred golden brown (RIR×Fayoumi) layer birds of age 28 weeks were used for the experimental purpose and were assigned into five groups CON, T1, T2, T3, and T4. Each group contained 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The CON group had a corn-soybean basal diet while the T1 group had 3%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, T2 3%SH+30mg/kg enzyme, T3 9%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, and T4 group 9%SH+30mg/kg enzyme in the feed. The result showed significantly higher digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the T1 group and crude fat in the T1 and T2 groups while the digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude fiber (CF), and ash were not effected (P>0.05). Digesta viscosity and feces consistency were not effaced (P>0.05) but duodenum, jejunum, and ileum villus width, height, crypt depth, and surface area were recorded higher (P<0.05) in the T2 diet group. It is concluded that the replacement of soybean meal in the diet of laying hens by 3%SH in combination with enzyme (β-Mannanase) at the level of 20 and 30mg/kg feed has a positive effect on the nutrient digestibility, digesta viscosity, feces consistency and intestinal histomorphology during early peak egg production period in the laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of soybean hull (HS) in the diet of laying hens on digesta viscosity, fecal consistency, hematology, serum biochemistry, and intestinal morphometrics during peak egg production periods. A total of 160, 28-weeks old golden misri (brown) laying hens were distributed in the following groups. A basal diet of the corn-soybean meal was formulated as a control group and a soybean meal in the basal diet was replaced with 3%SH, 6%SH, and 9% SH respectively. The results of the feces proximate analysis showed significantly higher crude protein during phases 1 and 2, while crude fiber during phase1 and 3 for the SH treatment groups. The crude fat had a significantly higher value for the control group than all SH treatment groups during all (three) phases. The ash amount was significantly higher in the 3 and 6% SH groups during phase 1 while 6% and 9% SH groups during phase 3 than in all other groups. The control group had (P<0.05) lower gut contents viscosity during all phases than the SH treatment groups. During all phases, the feces consistency was normal (dry and cone farming) for the control and 3% SH groups while loose droppings but no free water for the 6% and 9%SH treatment groups. The hematological and serum biochemistry parameters were not affected during all phases. The control group had significantly higher duodenum villus height and crypt depth during all phases while ileum villus height was significantly lower in the 9%SH treatment group than in all other groups. In conclusion, the dietary supplementations of soybean hulls increased the digesta viscosity, and have no adverse effect on fecal consistency, hematological and serum biochemistry, and intestinal morphometric parameters in the laying hens during the peak egg production period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of the minimum level of dietary protein and subtilisin protease enzyme on the performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chicks. Different levels of proteins with and without subtilisin protease enzyme were evaluated on the overall performance, carcass yield, and nutrient utilization. For this purpose, 3 proteins and 2 protease levels were arranged in a 3x2 factorial design and each group was divided into 4 replicates of 10 chicks each. All parameters were calculated significantly different. The interaction effect of (P21.5) and enzyme gave the highest feed intake and weight gain value among all the interactions. The highest crude protein was noted for protein level (P19.5) and maximum crude protein was obtained with enzyme treatment. Protein level (P19.5) and treatment having enzyme gave the highest AME. It was noticed that the lowest level of protein gave the highest FCR while the enzyme effect showed decreased FCR. The highest live weight, carcass weight, and carcass yield were recorded with the treatment having the highest level of dietary protein and enzyme. It is concluded that dietary protein in combination with subtilisin protease enzyme has a positive effect on the overall performance and nutrient utilization in the broiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to determine the effect of varying levels of soybean hulls inclusion in the diet of brown layer on, feed proximate analysis, egg quality, and economies during peak egg production period with different phases (phase-1=week 29 to 32, phase-2=week 33 to 36, and phase-3=week 37 to 40). One hundred and sixty golden misri (Brown) laying hens of age 28 weeks were sourced and reared for 40 weeks. There were 4 groups with 4 replicates per group containing 10 birds each. Corn-soybean meal diet (Basal Diet) was offered to the control group (A), while groups B, C, and D were fed the basal diet with 3, 6, and 9 % soybean hulls (SH) respectively. Results showed higher(P<0.05)crude fiber, ash, cellulose, and hemicellulose content for diets containing soybean hull (SH) at 3, 6, and 9% compared to the basal diet. Egg weight and egg quality parameters during different phases were not affected among the treatment groups. Total revenue and profit during all phases (phases 1, 2, and 3) while cost-benefit ratio during phase-1 and 2 were recorded significantly higher for the control group than all other treatment groups. It is concluded that the effect of different levels of soy hulls in diet did not affect egg weight and egg quality parameters during different phases but economic parameters were significantly higher (P<0.05) amount in the control group than all soybean hull treatment groups. Among soybean hulls groups, 3% and 6% SH group showed better results than 9%SH group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soybean hull in the diet of laying hens on the production performance and nutrient digestibility during peak egg production period with different phases (phase-1=week 29 to 32, phase-2=week 33 to 36, and phase-3=week 37 to 40). One hundred and sixty golden misri (Brown) laying hens of age 28 weeks were brought for the experimental purpose and reared up to 40 weeks of age. All birds were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicate per group containing 10 birds per replicate and offered the corn-soybean meal diet with soybean hull (3,%, 6 %, and 9 %) respectively. Results showed that during all phases, feed intake and weight gain were (P<0.05) higher in the control group, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) was non-significant among all groups. Water intake during phase-1 was (P<0.05) higher in group D as compared to other treated groups while nonsignificant during phase-2 and 3. The average daily eggs production on weekly basis during phase-1 was calculated as non-significant while during phase-2 and 3 higher for the control group than all other groups. Hen day egg production (HDEP), mortality, and ash digestibility were recorded as non-significant, while nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and fat were recorded higher in the control group during all the three phases. It is concluded that the different levels of soybean hull in the basal diet resulted in lower production performance and nutrient digestibility than the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]