Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The effect of different calcium levels and two limestone granulometries on performance, egg quality, biometry of digestive organs and bone characteristics of light laying hens were evaluated. A total of 270 laying hens were used during 112 days, distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with 3 levels of calcium (3.8, 4.0 and 4.2%) and 2 limestone granulometries (0.222 and 1.922 mm), totaling 6 treatments with 5 repetitions each. The parameters evaluated were: feed intake, egg production, egg weight and mass, feed conversion per mass and per dozen eggs, albumen, yolk and shell percentage, specific gravity of eggs and shell thickness. In addition, the relative weight of the heart, proventricle, gizzard, liver, pancreas, intestine weight and length, and bone characteristics were also evaluated. A significant interaction was observed for tibia mineral matter. Egg production was influenced by the limestone granulometry, presenting greater value in the treatments which contained fine granulometry limestone. Higher calcium levels of 4.0 and 4.2% provide greater specific density of eggs. Biometric variables and bone characteristics were not influenced by the treatments. In conclusion, it is recommended to use fine-grained limestone (0.222 mm) and a 4% calcium level in diets for light commercial hens, as they improve performance and quality of eggs, without interfering in biometrics of digestive organs and bone characteristics.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study aimed to produce table eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by diet modification and at the same time, determine the fatty acid profile and cholesterol content in egg yolk, and compare them with that of conventionally produced eggs. Eighty laying hens of Tetra SL hybrids were allocated into two experimental groups. The diets were balanced at the level of 11.60 MJ/kg ME and 16.63% crude protein. The experiment lasted 5 weeks. In the n-3 PUFA eggs, yolk cholesterol levels were 1179.25 mg/100 g compared to the 1287.46 mg/100 g measured in the control eggs. The difference of 108.21 mg/100 g i.e. 8.4% was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The fatty acid profile in n-3 PUFA versus control eggs was as follows: SFA 30.55 vs 35.89% (p<0.001), MUFA 42.61 vs 42.28%, n-6 PUFA 22.10 vs 21.40% (p>0.05), and n-3 PUFA 4.74 vs 0.82% (p<0.001). Furthermore, ALA content was 2.28 vs 0.26%, EPA 0.31 vs 0.14%, and DHA 2.20 vs 0.43% (p<0.001) in n-3 PUFA vs control eggs, respectively. The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the enriched eggs was 5.11 and in the conventional ones 23.73 (p<0.001). Based on the results of our study, it can be concluded that in n-3 PUFA-enriched eggs, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio is significantly improved compared to the conventional eggs. Thus, n-3 PUFA eggs are nutritionally and functionally more favorable than conventional eggs for human nutrition.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Poultry products may be a source of foodborne human salmonellosis. The use of alternatives to antimicrobials that are not harmful to humans may reduce the presence of Salmonella spp. in poultry production. Among the products used, organic acids stand out. In the present study, three different organic acid (OA) blends were evaluated for the control of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) in commercial broilers. Day-old chicks (n = 114) were randomly assigned to four treatments, with three replicates of 12 birds each. Birds in treatments A and B received SCFA (0.2mL/L) and SCFA + MCFA (0.2mL/L), respectively, in the drinking water, while birds in treatment C received SCFA + MCFA in the feed (2g/Kg of feed). Birds from treatment D did not receive OAs (control group). At 8 days of age, each bird was orally inoculated with SH at 108 CFU/mL, and cloacal swabs and SH enumeration of the cecal content were performed 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-inoculation (hpi). The results show a reduction of both SH shedding and counts in the birds fed OAs at all pi times relative to the control birds. Fecal shedding was significantly lower in the OA-treated groups compared with the control group. As for SH presence in the cecum, significant differences were detected between groups C and D at 24 and 72 hpi, and between groups B and D at 72 hpi. The results of this study indicate that the use of feeding OAs to broilers may contribute to reduce the incidence of SH in the poultry production chain, allowing better flock health management, provided an efficient biosecurity program is employed.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the effects of adding fruit of juniper berry (Juniperus communis) on performance, some carcass characteristics, serum parameters, histopathological features and jejunum villi lengths in broiler diets. A total of 150 male chicks were used in the study. The chicks were housed for 42 days. One of the experimental groups was a control group, and the diets of the 4 treatment groups included 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% dried natural juniper berries, respectively. Addition of fruit of juniper berry to the diets had positive effects on body weight, average daily weight gain, feed conversion rate and slaughter weight, feed intake, hot carcass yield and serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Juniper berry addition in the diets also increased the length of the jejunum villi. As a result, it can be recommended to add up to 1% of juniper berry in broiler diet.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine evaluate the use of sorghum as a substitute for maize in the laying quail diet and its effect on performance and quality of the eggs produced the best levels of lutein (Marigold flower extract) and canthaxanthin inclusion in sorghum based Japanese quail feed as well as its influence in storage time of the eggs. A total of 680 Japanese laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with 64 weeks of age was distributed in a 4 × x4 factorial + 1 control scheme, with four levels of lutein (LUT), and four levels of canthaxanthin (CTX) and control group with no addition of pigments, with five replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The experiment was divided into three cycles of 21 days, where the performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated. To evaluate the time of deposition and permanence of the pigments in the yolk, three eggs were evaluated per treatment for 12 days at the beginning of the experiment and 12 days at the end, from the last day of consumption of rations containing pigments. For performance and egg quality, no maybe only differences (p> 0.05) were observed, except for the yolk color, with higher color scores according to the increase in lutein and canthaxanthin consumption. Whereas color parameters, it was observed that at the beginning of the period of consumption, canthaxanthin levels influenced the red color reading and lutein levels influenced the yellow color readings, while in the final period the interaction of the levels of 5.4 ppm of lutein and 1.3 ppm of canthaxanthin provided better color parameters up to 10 days after the end of consumption of rations with pigment.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is a dominant serotype among non-typhoidal Salmonella which renders poultry products unsafe for human consumption. Due to frequent reporting of egg associated outbreaks, broiler breeder flocks are understudied although farm environment present supporting conditions for the growth of SE. In this study, two rapid detection techniques for SE were compared in terms of analytical sensitivity and the extent of SE contamination in broiler breeder farm environment was determined. Analytical sensitivity as limit of detection (LOD) was evaluated quantitatively for serotype specific PCR based on amplification of Sdf I gene and a commercially available sandwich ELISA for antigen detection. In triplicate experiments, tenfold serial dilutions of SE were prepared and tested with each technique. Using pure cultures, analytical sensitivity of PCR and ELISA were found to be 18.6 CFU/ml and 2.77×105 CFU/ml respectively. PCR (LOD, log 1.2) was found to be more sensitive and rapid than ELISA (LOD, log 5.4). Environmental swab samples (n = 260) were collected from 22 hen houses representing 8 broiler breeder farms located in and around Lahore and Sheikhupura districts of Punjab province. From each hen house swab samples were collected from litter, nests, feeders, drinkers, fans, pads, ceiling, walls and walkways. Following selective enrichment, pooled swab samples were subjected to PCR. Results showed that 36.3 % (8/22) hen houses were detected positive for SE. These findings suggest improvement in farm biosecurity measures and advocate implementation of integrated Salmonellosis control programs in broiler breeder houses to minimize carcass contamination.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study was planned to examine the effect of silymarin on diminishing adverse effects of ochratoxin-A (OTA) in laying hens. A total number of 300 Inshas, local layer hens of 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 4 groups with 5 replicates each (15 hens). The birds were fed on the following treatments, (Control): fed a hen diet without any supplementation; (SL): fed the control diet supplemented with SL (1000 mg/kg feed); (OTA-diet): was fed the control diet contaminated with 1 ppm of OTA/kg diet, and (OTA+SL): fed the OTA-diet plus SL (1ppm OTA+1000 mg SL/kg feed). Results showed that feeding OTA at 1 ppm reduced productive performance compared with those fed the control diet. In OTA treated groups the total erythrocytes count, leukocytes count, PCV and Hb were decreased when compared to the control and SL groups. Albumin, globulin and serum total proteins in OTA treated groups were significantly lower when compared to the control and SL groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly increased in OTA fed groups in comparison with the control and SL groups. Creatinine and uric acid were increased in OTA treated groups but were almost normal in the SL group. The results showed that OTA had a severe effect on liver and kidney, but SL treated group had normal liver and kidneys showing its hepatoprotective effects.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to examine whether different types of litter (New, used, and mixed) and alum could interfere in litter quality, thereby also influencing the productive performance of laying hens. A total number of 450 Inshas chickens aged 24 weeks were randomly distributed into six groups (5 replicates, each with 15 hens) of floor litter. The groups included (G1) new wheat straw litter, (G2) used wheat straw litter, (G3) mixed wheat straw litter (50% new+50% used) and (4, 5 and 6) the same litter types in groups 1, 2 and 3 supplied with 500g of alum /m2 litter. The experiment lasted 16 weeks. Laying hens productive parameters, blood parameters, carcass parameters, respiratory rate, coliform count and pH, as well as ammonia emission, litter quality were assessed. The results showed that the litter type significantly affects the level of ammonia emission, litter characteristics, carcass characteristics, intestinal pH and coliform count, blood characteristics (T3, cholesterol, uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, hemoglobin, and PCV), as well as the body weight gain. In general, we found that reused litter followed by the mixed litter without added alum resulted in the lowest efficiency on the studied traits, as compared to the same types of litter treated with alum and the new litter. We therefore conclude that the addition of alum reduces ammonia emission and improves the characteristics of the litter, which is reflected in enhancement of productive performance and properties of blood and carcass.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The development of the poultry industry in the last years demanded the evaluation of different broiler chicken strains in order to improve production efficiency and welfare, considering physiological and livability parameters. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the growth performance and the livability of three broiler strains (Lohmann, Hubbard and Ross). All birds were fed a similar standard commercial diet ad libitum, and were separately allocated to three treatment groups. Live body weight (LBW) and body weight gain (BWG) were weekly recorded. Feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and livability (%) were calculated at the end of the experiment. The mean weekly LBW increased significantly in all broiler strains (p<0.05). The mean final LBW (kg/bird) of birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hubbard (1.81±0.20) and Ross (1.80±0.18) than in Lohmann (1.69±0.06). Mean total BWG (kg/bird) was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hubbard (1.67±0.20), and Ross (1.64±0.18) than in Lohmann (1.54±0.06). Broiler strain had no significant effect on total FI and FCR. FCR values were 2.20±0.40, 2.21±0.53 and 2.44±0.65 g feed/g gain in Hubbard, Lohmann, and Ross, respectively. The livability of the three strains did not show any significant differences among the treatment groups, with values of 95.13% (Ross), 95.64% (Lohmann), and 92.94% (Hubbard). In conclusion, the present findings indicated that production performance of broiler chickens are considerably affected by their strains, and Hubbard achieved greater LBW, and BWG and the best FCR as compared to the Lohmann, and Ross strains.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT A study was carried out with the objective of determining the presence of Bacillus cereus in eggshells commercialized in Mexico, the enterotoxigenic profile of the isolated strains, and the production of biofilms in different materials as well as in the eggshell. 1000 chicken eggs from four commercial brands were collected from markets and supermarkets located in the city of Chilpancingo, Mexico. Bacillus cereus was isolated from the eggshell. The molecular identification was by amplification of the gyrB gene and the enterotoxigenic profiles by the amplification of the cytK, ces, nheABC, and hblABD genes, in addition to the amplification of the tasA and sipW genes associated with the production of biofilms. In different materials and in eggshells, the production of biofilms was evaluated. The microbiological and molecular analysis of B. cereus yielded a frequency of 5.5% (55/1000), this was higher in brand III (11.6%, p=0.0001) and white eggshell (7.6%, 38/500, p≤0.001) and by marketing source, it was similar between market (5.2% / 26/500) and supermarket (5.8%, 29/500). The most common was the toxigenic profile A (23/55). Biofilm production is high in PVC in relation to other materials (p<0.0001), and the frequency of the related genes tasA and sipW was 72.7% and 40% respectively; the highest production was related to the tasA gene; in eggshell, most of the strains (54/55) were able to produce biofilm. Strains of B. cereus with toxigenic potential circulate and persist in this product, which shows the need for sanitary regulation in the country.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplemental effects of a novel protease produced from Bacillus subtilis in low crude protein (CP) corn distiller dried grain with solubles (cDDGS) based diets on growth performance, carcass attributes, nutrients digestibility, blood chemistry, and intestinal histomorphometry of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty, one-day-old chicks were randomly allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments. Each dietary treatment had four replicates, with 10 birds in each replicate. Two basal diets were formulated for both starter (1-21d) and finisher (22-35d) phase; (PC) a corn soybean meal based diet as per standard recommendations of Ross 308; (NC) 5% cDGGS with 5% reduction in CP with concomitant reduction in essential amino acids (EAAs) compared with PC. The negative control diet was further subdivided into 3 parts. One part was without enzyme supplementation, while the other two parts were supplemented with a novel protease (PROT1) and a commercial protease (PROT2), respectively. The same procedure was adopted for finisher diets. A digestibility assay (32-35d) was carried out using acid insoluble ash (AIA), an external digestibility marker. At the end of 35d, ileal digesta were collected from four birds per experimental unit for nutrient digestibility measurement. Tissue samples of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected for villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and crypt width. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed:gain were improved (p<0.05) with protease supplementation. No effect was observed on carcass parameters. However, CP digestibility, apparent digestibility coefficient for nitrogen (ADCn), nitrogen retention (Nret ), and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AIAAD) were improved (p<0.05). However, there was no effect on apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn), blood glucose, total protein and cholesterol (p>0.05) and intestinal integrity (p>0.05). It was concluded that protease enzyme can improve nitrogen and CP digestibility, resulting in improved amino acids availability in low protein diets.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera leaves richly contain numerous nutrients that can be used to induce performance in animals and when supplemented in layer feeds can improve the feed intake, body weight, egg qualities and mineral content of the eggs. The study was aimed to determine the performance of layers, egg quality and mineral profile of the eggs produced by inclusion of varying percentages of M. oleifera leaf powder in the feed of layers. Two hundred and forty Isa-brown layer birds were offered 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% M. oleifera leaf powder supplemented feeds respectively, using a completely randomized design. The mineral analysis was done following the procedure of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that the body weight, feed intake, FCR, egg weight, egg length and shell thickness were significantly higher in layers fed M. oleifera leaf powder. However, the laying percentage was significantly higher in the control. The phosphorous, sodium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, selenium and chromium contents of the eggs increased as the percentage of moringa inclusion increased. The eggs produced by layers fed with 5% M. oleifera leaf powder had significantly highest contents of magnesium, potassium and calcium, but decreased with further supplementation of moringa. The findings indicated that the supplementation of M. oleifera leaf powder at various levels improves the mineral contents of eggs but this is significantly achieved at a higher inclusion rate.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Heat stress compromises turkey’s productivity and increase mortality mainly in the final stages of growth. This study evaluated the effect of perches and its interaction with outdoor access on turkey performance in high environment temperature humidity index (THI). Turkeys were reared in 1.75 × 5 m indoor floor pens and were fed with a standard commercial diet, offered ad libitum according to the productive phase. All poults were housed indoors until 62 d of age. A free-range area for a replicate of 8.75 m2, with natural shadow, was available from 07:00 to 19:00 h. Final density was 10.33 ± 0.22 kg/m2. The treatments were a combination of a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) with or without perches and, with or without access to the outdoors. From 10:00 and 19:00 THI was above critical level of comfort (heat stress). In indoors turkeys, feed intake (FI) decreased, and water intake increased, panting was observed, and had a significantly lower final body weight (BW) and FI than turkeys allowed outdoors (p<0.05). Perch availability decreased final BW and FI (p<0.05). Differences in weight of breast meat, wings, or thighs between treatments were negligible. In conclusion turkeys with outdoor access from 62 d of age had better performance.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ambient temperature (T) and feeding time (FT) on eggshell thickness (ST) and egg weight (EW) of broiler breeder hens. Thirty 44-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeder hens were randomly distributed into six environmentally controlled chambers and kept in individual cages. Three thermal treatments were applied: 20 ºC (T1), cyclic 20-30 ºC (30 °C between 1000 h and 1800 h) (T2), and 30 ºC (T3). Birds received 180 g of commercial breeder food at 0730 h (FT1) or 1530 h (FT2). There were two replications per treatment and egg collection was performed for seven days. The eggs from the birds at T1 and T2 fed at 1530 h (T1FT2 and T2FT2 respectively) were significantly heavier than those laid by hens at the same T when fed in the morning (T1FT1 and T2FT1); eggs from T1FT1 and T2FT1 were heavier than the eggs from T3, but there were no significant differences between them. Both T and FT had significant effects on ST, but no significant interactions were found. Birds fed at 1530 h had the highest ST, whilst birds at T3 showed the lowest. Birds on T2 produced the thickest shells due to a higher ST in birds fed at 1530 h. Birds fed at 1530 h consumed their food between 1800 h and 2030 h, resulting in a higher dietary Ca2 + available during shell mineralization. The effect of FT and biphasic T treatments on ST in feed restricted broiler breeders should be interpreted considering the length of the high T phase to the actual food consumption time.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The effects of different supplemental oils on the performance, egg quality, and fatty acid (FA) profiles of eggs produced by 52 week-old Hy-Line laying hens were investigated. A total of two hundred ninety-two laying hens were assigned to three treatments with four replicates each, according to the source of oil supplemented to their diets: corn oil (CO), restaurant spent oil (RO), and a control diet (with soybean oil, SO) using a traditionally used oil in hens’ diets in local conditions. Egg production was not affected by the type of oil fed and did not change during the course of the study. Eggs mean weight were not affected by type of supplemented oil. A similar trend was observed for shell thickness, yolk heights, Haugh units, and albumen heights. The results demonstrated that both fatty acid C8:0 and C12:0, present in RO and SO respectively, do not appear in the egg yolk in any treatment. Incorporated RO significantly reduced (p<0.05) the percentage of unsaturated fatty acid in egg yolk as compared to the SO or CO. Conversely, replacing SO with high quality oil like CO in the feed of laying hens significantly enhanced (p<0.05) egg quality.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT We determined the nutritional and energy compositions of sunflower seed cake (SC) and examined the effects of its inclusion in the diet of meat quail. A metabolism trial was performed employing the total excreta collection method, with 144 quails that were assigned to three treatments (control diet and two test diets in which SC replaced 20 and 40% of the control diet) in a completely randomised design (CRD) with six replicates of eight birds. The values determined of dry matter, crude protein and metabolisable energy were 94.72%, 24.29% and 2,629 kcal/kg, respectively. For the performance trial, 432 quails were assigned to six treatments (dietary inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% SC) in a CRD with six replicates of 12 birds. The metabolic coefficients of dry matter (MCDM) and gross energy (MCGE) of the diet decreased linearly with increasing SC levels. Compared with the control group, SC inclusion at levels greater than 10% resulted in lower MCDM and MCGE values, whereas SC inclusion at 20 and 25% reduced AMEn. Weight gain, feed conversion and economic viability parameters showed a quadratic response, with the best values obtained at the respective SC levels of 15.5, 14.0, and 15.4%. Gizzard weight increased linearly with the inclusion of SC, whereas bone quality was not affected. Sunflower cake can be used up to 25% in diets of meat quails without compromising their performance. However, the best feed conversion and economic viability are obtained with an SC inclusion level of 15%.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.