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Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health

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A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2022) | Viewed by 34978

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Prof. Dr. Fulvia Bovera

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Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Interests: poultry; rabbit; insects; nutrition; production; precision farming
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world is undergoing profound changes. Global warming and climate change are terms with which we are all familiar. It is thus necessary to reduce the environmental impact of all anthropogenic activities, and in this context the poultry sector is of great relevance. The industry has grown from 9 to 122 Mt over the last five decades (1961–2017), and a further increase is expected (FAO, 2020), despite the overall stagnation of livestock production. The success of poultry production is mainly due to the high nutritional value and moderate costs of meat and eggs. In addition, poultry meat consumption is not limited by religion. Thus, reducing the environmental impact of poultry production could make a great contribution to the global environmental cause. The aim of this Special Issue is to stimulate the submission of research in which animal welfare, meat and egg quality, sustainability of poultry production, immunity, and health are the main topics. We call on researchers to contribute their recent findings, especially focusing on, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Poultry nutrition;
- Poultry farming and management;
- Meat and egg quality;
- Precision poultry farming;
- Poultry welfare;
- Alternative poultry farming;
- Poultry biotechnologies;
- Poultry immunity and health.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Fulvia Bovera
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

poultry
rabbit
nutrition
production
husbandry
reproductive efficiency
breeders
poultry immunity and heath

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition and Impact of Liposorb^® and Vitamin E-Se on Sustainability of Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Biochemistry, and Antioxidant Indices

by Youssef A. Attia, Elwy A. Ashour, Sameer A. Nagadi, Mayada R. Farag, Fulvia Bovera and Mahmoud Alagawany

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(4), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10040299 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4324

Abstract

The impact of dietary rice bran with or without feed additives on the performance, carcasses, and blood profiles of chickens was examined. A total of 245 unsexed one-week-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, with seven replications of five chicks each. The treatments were: (1) control, (2) 5% rice bran, (3) 5% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg of Liposorb^®, (4) 5% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E-Se, (5) 10% rice bran, (6) 10% rice bran + 0.5 g/kg Liposorb^®, and (7) 10% rice bran + 1 g/kg of vitamin E–selenium. Considering the entire experimental period, it did not affect the in vivo performance of the broilers. However, all the experimental diets decreased dressing % compared with the control (p < 0.01) and the worst values were obtained for the 10% RB groups (75.7, 75.9, and 75.8%, respectively, for 10%RB, 10%RB + Liposorb, and 10%RB + Vit. E-Se groups). All the experimental diets decreased (p < 0.01) the albumin/globulin ratio due to an increased level of serum globulins. Differences in lipid profiles, antioxidants, and immunity parameters in plasma were not related to dietary treatments. In conclusion, the use of rice bran up to 10% in diets had no harmful effect on the overall growth performance of the broilers from 1 to 5 weeks of age. Still, carcass characteristics were negatively affected, except for heart percentage. In addition, the supplementation of Liposorb^® or vitamin E-Se to rice bran diets did not recover these harmful effects. Thus, rice bran could be utilized at 10% in broiler diets when growth performance was considered; further research is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

14 pages, 1878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple Effects of Egg Weight, in Ovo Carbohydrates, and Sex of Birds on Posthatch Performance in Broilers

by Virág Ács, Szilvia Áprily, József Nagy, László Kacsala, János Tossenberger, Nóra Katalin Szeli and Veronika Halas

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090491 - 10 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1634

Abstract

Chickens raised for their meat (Gallus gallus domesticus) tend to have a critical phase of life right after hatching due to the management of modern production systems. Early nutrition strategies such as in ovo intervention can be an alternative means to support growth and gut health by compensating for the energy deficit after pipping out of the egg. In the current study, 1200 Ross 308 eggs were used to examine the effects of a complex carbohydrate solution of disaccharides and glucose applied in ovo on hatchability, the hatching time of different-sized eggs, and the development, performance, and carcass characteristics of broilers of both sexes. The eggs were divided into three treatment groups: intact (NT), in ovo saline (ioS), and in ovo carbohydrate mixture (ioCH). The incubation protocol was performed according to the recommendations of Aviagen (2019), and the in ovo process was carried out on day 17 by manually injecting 0.5 mL of the solutions into the amniotic fluid. After hatching, the birds were kept in floor pens until day 35 and fed ad libitum in a three-phase feeding program. Body weight, average daily weight gain, feed intake and conversion, and carcass characteristics were measured during the trial. In ovo carbohydrates reduced hatchability by 15%, while growth performance and the weight of thigh and breast muscle were enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) compared with ioS as a possible outcome of carbohydrate-to-muscle satellite cell proliferation and protein accumulation. However, further study is needed to refine the in ovo carbohydrate supplementation method to minimize the mortality of embryos during hatching. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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17 pages, 368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Maca Powder (Lepidium meyenii) as Feed Additive in Diets of Laying Quails at Different Ages: Its Effect on Performance, Eggshell Quality, Serum, Ileum, and Bone Properties

by Esra Tuğçe Gül, Osman Olgun, Alpönder Yıldız, Ahmet Engin Tüzün and Ainhoa Sarmiento-García

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(8), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9080418 - 08 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2869

Abstract

Using additives can reduce the negative effects of aging on factors affecting profitability, such as the availability of nutrients, production, and egg quality. Maca is an herbaceous plant rich in protein, crude oil, essential acids, and pharmacological compounds. Maca has positive effects on different health parameters. In this study, the effect of adding Maca powder to the diets of young and old laying quails at the end of the 10-week trial was investigated. In total, 150 laying Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (209.1 ± 10.0 g) were randomly distributed to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two ages (10 weeks and 30 weeks) and three Maca powder levels (0, 1, or 2 g/kg), with five subgroups per treatment. According to the study, eggshell quality, total cholesterol, triglyceride, progesterone, and testosterone concentrations of serum were lower in old quail than in young quail, while egg weight, feed intake, and follicle-stimulating hormone increased significantly as quail aged. (p < 0.05). Furthermore, aging negatively affected the histomorphology of the ileum and cortical bone thickness (p < 0.05). Additional findings show that adding 1 g/kg Maca powder to the diet of quail significantly improved eggshell, ileum, and bone traits that deteriorate with age, without affecting performance, and adding 2 g/kg Maca powder to the diet significantly reduced serum total cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Incorporating Maca powder into the diet of aged birds could reduce the negative effects of aging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

13 pages, 1602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Graded Levels of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seeds on the Growth Performance, Hematological Parameters, and Intestinal Histomorphology of Broiler Chickens

by Deependra Paneru, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, Nicholas Romano, Gautami Lohakare, Walter G. Bottje and Jayant Lohakare

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(5), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9050207 - 23 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3468

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of fenugreek seeds (FS) as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens. In the first experiment, one-day-old Ross (n = 160) straight-run broilers were fed FS at 0 g, 2.5 g, 5 g, and 10 g/kg of diet during the starter (from 1 to 21 days) and finisher phase (from 22 to 35 days) with four replicates of ten birds each. In the second experiment, one-day-old Ross (n = 144) male broilers were fed 0 g, 5 g, and 10 g FS per kilogram of diet during the starter (from 1 to 21 days) and finisher phase (from 22 to 42 days) with six replicates of eight birds each. In addition to growth performance, hematological parameters and intestinal histomorphology were measured in the second experiment. FS linearly reduced the body weight gain (BWG) (p < 0.001), feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the starter phase in both experiments. However, no significant effects on BWG, FI, and FCR were observed during the finisher phase. Moreover, the overall BWG and FI were linearly reduced (p < 0.05) with the increasing levels of FS, but BWG and FI were similar in the 5 g/kg FS group and control group. The inclusion of FS had a linear increase in white blood cell (WBC), heterophil, and lymphocyte count (p < 0.005) and the decrease in hematocrit % (p = 0.004) and total bilirubin (p = 0.001). The villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio of jejunum and ileum were significantly lower in 5 g FS and 10 g FS treatments (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The result indicates that the dietary inclusion of FS reduces the early growth performance, increases the WBC counts, and negatively affects the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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16 pages, 2106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Dietary Supplementation with Boswellia serrata and Salix alba on Performance and Blood Biochemistry in Free-Range Leghorn Laying Hens

by Alessandro Guerrini, Thomas Dalmonte, Caterina Lupini, Giulia Andreani, Roberta Salaroli, Giulia Quaglia, Augusta Zannoni, Maurizio Scozzoli, Monica Forni and Gloria Isani

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(4), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9040182 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2446

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with Boswellia serrata (Bs) and Salix alba (Sa) in Leghorn hens during the critical pre-laying and laying phases. A total of 120 pullets, 17 weeks of age, were assigned to two groups (Control—C; Treated—T, n = 60 each). For 12 weeks, the T group received a diet supplemented with 0.3% of dry extracts of Bs (5%) and Sa (5%). The study lasted 19 weeks. Productive performance, serum analytes, H/L ratio, IgA and anti-IBV antibodies were investigated. Water intake was significantly higher, while body and egg weight was significantly lower for the T group (p < 0.05). No other differences were detected in performance parameters, serum analytes, IgA and H/L ratio excluding t0, with a significantly (p < 0.05) higher H/R ratio and higher titers of anti-IBV antibody for the T group. Overall, the data obtained in this study show that the supplementation with Bs and Sa was safe and resulted in an increase in water consumption, a decrease in egg weight, and a sedative effect in the hens. In the future, it would be interesting to test this supplement in hens reared on intensive farms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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12 pages, 596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Complex Competitive Exclusion Culture Reduces Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Broiler Chickens at Slaughter Age In Vivo

by Vanessa Szott, Benjamin Reichelt, Anika Friese and Uwe Roesler

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(4), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9040181 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3331

Abstract

Diminishing Campylobacter prevalence in poultry flocks has proven to be extremely challenging. To date, efficacious control measures to reduce Campylobacter prevalence are still missing. A potential approach to control Campylobacter in modern poultry productions is to occupy its niche in the mucosal layer by administering live intestinal microbiota from adult chickens to dayold-chicks (competitive exclusion (CE)). Therefore, this in vivo study investigates the efficacy of a complex CE culture to reduce Campylobacter (C.) jejuni colonization in broiler chickens. For this purpose, the complex CE culture was applied twice: once by spray application to day-old chicks immediately after hatching (on the 1st day of life) and subsequently by an additional application via drinking water on the 25th day of life. We observed a consistent and statistically significant reduction of C. jejuni counts in cloacal swabs throughout the entire fattening period. At the end of the trial after necropsy (at 33 days of age), C. jejuni cecal counts also showed a statistically significant decrease of 1 log₁₀ MPN/g compared to the control group. Likewise, colon counts were reduced by 2.0 log₁₀ MPN/g. These results suggest that CE cultures can be considered a practically relevant control strategy to reduce C. jejuni colonization in broiler chickens on poultry farms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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11 pages, 15712 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electromagnetic Force-Driven Needle-Free in Ovo Injection Device

by Ko-Jung Huang, Cheng-Han Li, Ping-Kun Tsai, Chia-Chun Lai, Yu-Ren Kuo, Ming-Kun Hsieh and Ching-Wei Cheng

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030147 - 21 Mar 2022

Viewed by 4675

Abstract

Needle-free injections are mainly used for administering human or mammalian vaccines or drugs. However, poultry vaccines, in ovo injections to embryos, subcutaneous injections to chickens, and intramuscular injections are administered using needle injections. This article presents a new needle-free in ovo injection device method that uses push-pull solenoids to eject liquid jets, mainly for embryonic eggs of chickens. Furthermore, our study investigated the suitable jet pressures for using this method and the post-injection hatching rates in 18-day-old embryonic eggs. Using this method, we could deliver the liquid to the allantoic and amniotic cavities or the muscle tissue through the egg membrane of the air chamber using a jet pressure of ~6–7 MPa or ~8 MPa. After injecting 0.25 mL of 0.9% saline into 18-day-old Lohmann breed layer embryonic eggs and specific pathogen-free (SPF) embryonic eggs at a jet pressure of ~7 MPa, we observed hatching rates of 98.3% and 85.7%, respectively. This study’s electromagnetic needle-free in ovo injection device can apply vaccine or nutrient solution injection for embryo eggs and serve as a reference for future studies on needle-free in ovo injection automation systems, jet pressure control, and injection pretreatment processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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12 pages, 1157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of Slow-Growing Chickens Fed with Tenebrio molitor Larval Meal as a Full Replacement for Soybean Meal

by Jaime Nieto, Javier Plaza, Javier Lara, José-Alfonso Abecia, Isabel Revilla and Carlos Palacios

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030131 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2425

Abstract

Insect larval meal is an increasingly common protein source in poultry systems. In this study, the effect of replacing soybean meal with Tenebrio molitor larval meal on the performance of slow-growing chickens was assessed. A total of 128 one-day-old chickens (Colorield) were randomly divided into a control group (C) (n = 64), fed with soybean meal, and an experimental group (TM) (n = 64), fed with T. molitor larvae meal. The chicks were slaughtered after 95 days. Three different isoenergetic and isoproteic diets (F1, F2 and F3) were used for each group. The F1 diet resulted in higher body weight gain and higher feed and water intakes in group C, but a lower feed conversion ratio. Contrarily, diets F2 and F3 did not produce differences in the studied parameters between the two groups, except for body weight gain in the case of diet F2, which was highest in group C. Therefore, weight gain and feed and water intakes were significantly higher in group C, but there were no differences in feed conversion ratio or live weight. In conclusion, the total replacement of soybean meal with T. molitor larvae meal resulted in a reduction in feed intake and a consequent reduction in weight. During this period, partial rather than total substitution may be recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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17 pages, 12366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Hepatic Insulin and Glucagon Signaling by Nutritional Factors in Broiler Chicken

by Janka Petrilla, Gábor Mátis, Máté Mackei, Anna Kulcsár, Csilla Sebők, Márton Papp, Péter Gálfi, Hedvig Fébel, Korinna Huber and Zsuzsanna Neogrády

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030103 - 25 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2319

Abstract

Influencing the endocrine metabolic regulation of chickens by nutritional factors might provide novel possibilities for improving animal health and productivity. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of dietary cereal type (wheat-based (WB) vs. maize-based (MB) diets), crude protein level (normal (NP) vs. lowered (LP)), and sodium (n-)butyrate (1.5 g/kg diet) supplementation (vs. no butyrate) on the responsiveness of hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR), insulin receptor beta (IRβ) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the phase of intensive growth of chickens. Liver samples of Ross 308 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were collected on day 21 for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Hepatic GCGR and mTOR gene expressions were up-regulated by WB and LP diet. GCGR and IRβ protein level decreased in groups with butyrate supplementation; however, the quantity of IRβ and mTOR protein increased in WB groups. Based on these data, the applied dietary strategies may be useful tools to modulate hepatic insulin and glucagon signaling of chickens in the period of intensive growth. The obtained results might contribute to the better understanding of glycemic control of birds and increase the opportunity of ameliorating insulin sensitivity, hence, improving the production parameters and the welfare of broilers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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20 pages, 1447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Black Pepper or Radish Seed Oils in a New Combination of Essential Oils Modulated Broiler Chickens’ Performance and Expression of Digestive Enzymes, Lipogenesis, Immunity, and Autophagy-Related Genes

by Asmaa T. Y. Kishawy, Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah, Hend S. Nada, Elshimaa M. Roushdy, Asmaa W. Zaglool, Tamer Ahmed Ismail, Seham M. Ibrahim and Doaa Ibrahim

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9020043 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3306

Abstract

Optimal combinations of essential oils (EOs) can enhance performance and maintain poultry productivity. The effects of EOs with black pepper oil (BPO) or radish seed oil (RSO) on performance and the expression of digestive enzymes, lipogenesis, immunity, and autophagy-related genes in broiler chickens were explored. Six dietary treatments for 300 one-day-old chicks were allocated as follows: controls were fed a basal diet, one group was fed an EO-supplemented diet (1.5 g/kg diet of parsley, mint, and carrot seed oils (1:1:1)), and other groups received Eos + BPO0.25, Eos + BPO0.5, Eos + RSO0.25, and Eos + RSO0.5 treatments, with a basal diet containing EOs plus BPO or RSO at the level of 0.25 or 0.5 g/kg, respectively. Supplementation with 0.5 g/kg of EOs plus BPO or RSO resulted in the most improved maximum BWG and FCR in broiler chickens. The lactobacilli population was increased in Eos + BPO0.5, followed by EOs + RSO0.5, unlike in the control. The highest expression of the CCK and PNLIP genes was identified in the Eos + BPO group. The FAS and ACC genes were upregulated, while the IgA and IL-10 genes were downregulated, with EOs plus RSO or BPO. The group that received Eos + BPO0.5, followed by Eos + RSO0.5, displayed patterns of higher expression for atg5, atg7, and atg12, with lower expression of mTOR. In summary, a new combination of EOs with 0.5 g/kg BPO had potential growth-promoting and immune-boosting effects in broiler chickens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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10 pages, 1884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Citric Acid By-Products from Rice Produced by Microbial Fermentation on Growth Performance and Villi Histology of Thai Broiler Chicken (KKU 1)

by Mutyarsih Oryza.S, Sawitree Wongtangtintharn, Bundit Tengjaroenkul, Anusorn Cherdthong, Sirisak Tanpong, Padsakorn Pootthachaya, Wuttigrai Boonkum and Nisakon Pintaphrom

Vet. Sci. 2021, 8(11), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8110284 - 20 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

This study was conducted with Thai broiler chicken (KKU 1) to investigate the effect of citric acid by-products from rice (CABR) on growth performance and villi histology. A total of 192 broiler chicks were subject to three dietary treatments, including 0% CABR, 3% and 6% of dry matter. Body weight gains, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, and production index (body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rates, and productive index, respectively) were considered for growth performance evaluation. Villi height (µm), crypt depth (µm), and villi: crypt ratio were recorded for the villi histological measurement. The performance did not show a significant effect when compared with the control group during at ages ranging from 1 to 56 days. Villi histology indicate a significant effect on villi height (µm), crypt depth (µm), and villi: crypt of broiler chicks compared with the control group. Also, the use of 3% CABR caused a reduction microbial contamination in chicken fecal matter. In conclusion, supplementation of CABR had no negative effects on growth performance of Thai broiler chicken (KKU 1). Also, the addition of 3% CABR to the feed might help reduce fecal microbial contamination and affect the villi histology of Thai broiler chickens (KKU 1). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Poultry Nutrition, Breeding and Health)

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