Search Results (218)

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, and duodenum gene expression of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. supplemented with or without monensin sodium. A total of 144 male chicks were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments: unchallenged control (UN), challenged control (CC), and CC + 100 mg/kg of monensin sodium (MON). Six replicates of eight birds each were used. At 14 days of age, the challenged groups were inoculated with a mixture of Eimeria oocysts, 12,500 E. maxima, 62,500 E. acervulina, and 12,500 E. tenella oocysts/chick. Coccidial challenge impaired growth performance and nutrient digestibility and induced intestinal damage, as evidenced by reduced body weight gain and feed intake (p < 0.001), lower apparent digestibility coefficients (p < 0.001), and altered intestinal morphometry and ISI score in the jejunum and cecum (p < 0.001). Monensin supplementation partially alleviated these negative effects, improving performance and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.001) and delaying oocyst excretion (p = 0.006) when compared with the CC group. However, the duodenal expression of tight junction-related genes, as well as intestinal integrity and health parameters, remained impaired despite monensin supplementation. It is concluded that monensin preserves nutrient digestibility and attenuates performance loss in broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. but not reduced intestinal damage. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary xylanase and protease supplementation, applied individually or in combination, on growth performance, intestinal characteristics, gut fermentation, meat quality, and skeletal traits in broiler chickens. A total of 540-day-old male broiler chicks were allocated to six experimental groups and fed a control corn-soybean meal-based diet or diets supplemented with xylanase, protease, or a xylanase–protease combination. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved body weight gain and feed efficiency, particularly between days 22 and 42, and reduced intestinal digesta viscosity. Improvements in gut morphology were reflected by increased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratios, accompanied by higher cecal total volatile fatty acid concentrations, increased Lactobacillus populations, and reduced coliform counts. In contrast, breast meat physicochemical composition and antioxidant status were not affected by dietary treatments. Skeletal development was positively influenced, with improvements observed in selected morphometric and structural bone traits. Overall, dietary xylanase and protease supplementation enhanced broiler performance and skeletal development primarily through improved digestive efficiency and favorable modulation of gut morphology, microbial ecology, and intestinal fermentation, without adverse effects on meat quality. Full article

In most countries, male siblings of laying hybrids are culled immediately after hatching because their rearing is economically unfeasible due to low growth performance, poor feed efficiency, and a body composition unacceptable to consumers. In Germany, however, culling male day-old chicks has been prohibited for animal welfare reasons since 2022, making their rearing mandatory. Currently, no recommendations exist for protein and amino acid supply for these birds. This study aimed to determine the requirements for standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine + cysteine (Met + Cys) and SID lysine (Lys) during the starter period (days 1–21) in male LSL Classic chicks by a dose–response approach. Two trials were conducted with 120 male chicks each, fed six diets containing SID Met + Cys concentrations ranging from 0.36% to 0.71% (Trial 1) or SID Lys concentrations ranging from 0.50% to 0.89% (Trial 2). Optimal concentrations were estimated using broken-line and exponential models based on body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Considering all criteria, the optimal SID Met + Cys concentration was 0.58% (0.42 g/MJ AME_N), and the optimal SID Lys concentration was 0.74% (0.56 g/MJ AME_N). The calculated optimum SID Met + Cys:SID Lys ratio when standardized to an identical energy level was 74:100. These findings provide a basis for adjusting SID Met + Cys and SID Lys levels in starter diets for male chicks of a layer breed, supporting more efficient and sustainable rearing practices under current animal welfare regulations. Full article

This study aimed to assess the impact of gradual versus abrupt light–dark transitions on the pectoral muscle, heart, tibia, and eye tissues of broilers, focusing on rearing disorders. A total of 270 male broiler chicks (ROSS-308) were divided into three groups according to the type of light transition: abrupt, 30-min gradual, and 1-h gradual changes in light intensity. The broilers were reared for six weeks, after which samples were collected for gross examination, morphometric and histomorphometric measurements, and histopathological analysis of the pectoral muscle, heart, tibia, and eye. White striping incidence in the pectoral muscle was not significantly affected by light–dark transition type. Results indicated that broilers in the 30-min gradual transition group had a higher relative heart weight than those in the abrupt-transition group (p < 0.05), although the RV/TV ratio did not differ. Tibial measurements, including weight, length, and cortical index, showed no differences across groups. Broilers exposed to a 1-h gradual transition between light and dark periods showed significantly greater eye weights compared to both the birds in the abrupt transition group and the birds in the 30-min transition group (p < 0.01). Overall, gradual light transitions did not substantially affect pectoral muscle or bone health but had minor effects on heart and eye weights in broilers reared under intensive production systems. Full article

Bacterial resistance in foodborne pathogens is a global concern and has stimulated the search for alternative compounds to antimicrobials. In this context, the prevention of colonization by Salmonella spp. in poultry production is particularly important. This study investigated the bactericidal effect of lysozyme on Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Minnesota. A total of 44 serotyped isolates were subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against 17 distinct antibiotics. Subsequently, the same isolates were subjected to minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) with lysozyme at concentrations ranging from 15 to 2000 ppm. One strain of S. Heidelberg was selected for an in vivo challenge. Seventy-two male chicks were randomly divided into three experimental groups, and two of them were challenged on the second day with 0.5 mL of an inoculum containing 1 × 10⁵ CFU/mL. One of these groups was treated with lysozyme at a concentration of 1000 ppm per bird for 21 days. MIC tests showed that the multidrug resistance rate was 97.72%, with susceptibility only to fosfomycin, florfenicol, and meropenem. After the in vitro exposure of these isolates to lysozyme, 86.36% were inhibited at concentrations ≤ 15 ppm. The in vivo tests showed a significant reduction in the total number of chickens colonized by S. Heidelberg at 2, 5, 7, 14, 18, and 21 days of farming. On the day of slaughter, the percentage of positive birds in the inoculated group was 63.63%, while that in the group treated with lysozyme was 26.08%. These data highlight the potential use of lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production. Full article

Elevated ambient temperature is the primary abiotic element that possibly diminishes production and economic profitability in the chicken industry. The current study evaluated the role of dietary addition of Spirulina platensis (SP) and humic acid (HA) in mitigating the effects of acute cyclic heat stress on growth performance, meat quality, immune status, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. Five hundred three-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (average body weight 101.42 ± 3.22 g) were assigned to five experimental groups, each with 10 replicates (10 birds per replicate). The chicks in the first group received a basal diet and were maintained in thermoneutral conditions (NEG CON). The remaining four groups received either a basal diet only (POS CON) or a basal diet added with SP (2 g/kg of feed; SP group), HA (5 g/kg of feed; HA group), or a mix of SP and HA by the same doses (SP+HA group). The four groups were exposed to acute cyclic heat stress (36 °C ± 2 °C) from the 22nd to the 25th day of age for 6 h/day. The HA group showed increased body weight and body weight gain, and improved feed conversion ratio compared with other groups (p < 0.001). The addition of SP and HA improved sensory characteristics and reduced the dripping losses of the breast muscles. The phagocytic % and phagocytic index were higher in the SP group compared with the NEG and POS CON. The serum levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine were higher in the HA and SP+HA groups compared with the control groups. The serum concentrations of interleukin-10, complement 3, and lysozymes, as well as the liver concentrations of HSP90A and HSP90B, were higher in the SP, HA, and SP+HA groups compared with the NEG and POS CON. The duodenal villous height and width were significantly greater in the HA group compared to the other groups. Spleen histomorphology in the SP and HA groups was better than that of the POS CON. The HA group showed up-regulation in the immune expression of clusters of differentiation 3 (CD3) and 20 (CD20) proteins in the spleen tissues. In conclusion, both HA and SP, individually but not in combination, mitigated the detrimental effects of acute cyclic heat stress on growth and immunity. Humic acid addition provided the most pronounced improvements in performance and intestinal morphology. Further studies are warranted to clarify the biochemical interactions between SP and HA under different stress intensities. Full article

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaf powder on growth performance, internal organ development, cecal microbiota, intestinal histomorphology, meat quality characteristics, and breast meat malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in broiler chickens. A total of 160 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks of uniform health status and body weight were randomly allocated to four treatment groups, each consisting of four replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were formulated by supplementing the basal diet with 0, 2, 4, or 8 g/kg of sage leaf powder. The trial was conducted for 21 days in four-tier battery cages under controlled environmental conditions, with feed and water supplied ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, dietary inclusion of sage leaf powder at 2 g/kg significantly improved daily body weight gain (p < 0.05), while feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected (p > 0.05). No significant differences were detected among the treatment groups in carcass traits, meat pH, or color parameters. However, marked improvements were observed in intestinal histomorphology. In addition, breast meat samples from birds receiving sage-supplemented diets displayed slightly lower MDA concentrations during storage compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with sage leaf powder improved growth performance, enhanced intestinal health, and demonstrated potential as a natural feed additive for broiler nutrition; however, it did not exert a statistically significant effect on lipid oxidation under the conditions of this study. Full article

Utilizing waste materials in broiler diets supports the principles of the circular economy and promotes environmental sustainability. However, it is essential to ensure that such practices do not compromise meat quality or composition. This experiment evaluated how incorporating shrimp processing waste into broiler diets influences breast meat physicochemical properties, nutrient composition, amino acid profiles, and antioxidant properties. A total of 315 Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allocated to diets containing varying inclusion levels of shrimp waste and reared for 42 days. At the end of the feeding period, seven birds from each treatment group were selected for slaughter, and a total of 35 breast muscle samples were collected for laboratory analyses. Parameters including pH, color, water-holding capacity, cooking loss, nutrient content, amino acid composition, and antioxidant indices were determined. Dietary shrimp waste did not influence pH₁₅ but increased pH₂₄ values. Lightness and redness remained unaffected, whereas yellowness increased. Cooking loss, water-holding capacity, and nutrient composition were not significantly altered. Alanine and aspartic acid levels decreased in groups supplemented with shrimp waste, whereas glycine content increased in the group receiving 1% shrimp waste during the first 10 days. Antioxidant parameters and the oxidative stress index were also unchanged. These findings indicate that incorporating shrimp waste into broiler diets can enhance feed sustainability without compromising meat quality. Full article

The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, cecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile, immune parameters, and serum biochemistry in broiler chickens fed diets with varying nutrient densities. A total of 420 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 28 floor pens. A 2 × 2 factorial design was employed, with two factors: SB supplementation (none or 2.0 × 10¹⁰ CFU/ton), and optimal (OPT) and deficient nutrient density (DEF). The OPT diet significantly improved body weight gain and feed intake across all phases and enhanced the feed conversion ratio during the finisher and overall periods compared to the DEF diet (p < 0.05). However, SB supplementation decreased body weight gain during the starter and overall periods (p < 0.05). Serum levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and triglyceride were elevated in chickens fed the OPT diet (p < 0.05). While SB supplementation did not affect meat quality or cecal VFA profiles, it interacted with nutrient density to influence alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and interferon-gamma concentrations in serum samples (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with S. boulardii did not affect growth performance in broiler chickens regardless of nutrient density levels. However, it interacted with nutrient density to modulate the innate immune markers suggesting the immune-modulating role of S. boulardii in chickens. Full article

It is well established that both the age of the breeder hen and the type of incubator can influence the efficiency of the hatching process. However, there is a lack of information in the literature regarding the interaction between these two factors. This study evaluated the effects of incubator type (multi-stage vs. single-stage) and breeder hen age (35 and 61 weeks) on the hatching parameters, embryonic oxidative stress, performance, carcass yield, and meat quality of male broiler chickens. The embryo livers from the multi-stage incubator presented significantly higher NADP oxidase (NOX) values (p = 0.022), indicating elevated oxidative stress. A significant interaction between breeder age and incubator type was observed for the thiol concentrations, with embryos from older hens incubated in the multi-stage system showing higher thiol levels compared to those from the single-stage system. Birds from these older breeders demonstrated increased breast yield, feed intake, and weight gain, without significant changes in feed conversion ratio. Additionally, the single-stage incubator was associated with reduced embryonic oxidative stress, lower egg weight loss during incubation, and improved early performance of chicks during the first week post-hatch. In conclusion, beyond the previously recognized benefits of single-stage incubation systems, our findings highlight their potential to mitigate oxidative stress in embryos, thereby enhancing early chick development. Full article

This study evaluated the performance and energy and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with a naturally fermented enzyme complex containing xylanase and phytase. This was evaluated using 300 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks in a randomized complete block design with five dietary treatments replicated 10 times with 6 chicks per replicate. The treatments consisted of a positive control (PC) group containing commercially recommended energy and nutrient levels, a negative control (NC) group with reduced metabolizable energy, calcium, and available phosphorus, and three levels of exogenous enzyme supplementation to the NC diet at 150, 200, 250 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of the trial, ileal digesta and excreta were collected for nutrient and energy digestibility and utilization determination, while tibia bones were collected for bone ash determination. The data was analyzed using Proc GLM of SAS 9.4 v 4. Enzyme supplementation quadratically increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency during days 9–21. There was also a linear increase (p < 0.01) between enzyme level and ADFI during days 0–21. Compared with birds fed the PC diet, chickens fed the NC diet had lower (p < 0.01) utilization of DM, N, Ca, P, and energy, as well as lower (p < 0.01) apparent ileal digestibility of essential and non-essential amino acids (AA). Enzyme supplementation level showed a quadratic relation (p < 0.01) with the utilization of DM, N, Ca, P, and AMEn, as well as with the apparent ileal digestibility of essential and non-essential AA. A quadratic relationship was also observed for apparent ileal digestibility of DM, N, P, and digestible energy, except for Ca, where the relationship was linear (p < 0.001). Bone breaking strength and bone ash quadratically correlated (p < 0.05) with the level of enzyme supplementation. The results from this study indicated that the supplementation of exogenous enzyme to a corn–soybean meal-based diet resulted in benefits to performance, nutrient digestibility and utilization, and bone mineralization of broiler chicks compared to birds on the NC diet. Full article

This study investigated the interactive effects of dietary vitamin A (VA) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers. A total of 432 one-day-old male Arbor Acres chicks were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial design with two VA levels (2000 and 6000 IU/kg) and three ATRA levels (0, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/kg). The maize–soybean meal basal diet contained 180 IU/kg VA without extra VA supplementation. Results showed that compared with 0 mg/kg ATRA, 0.50 mg/kg ATRA enhanced average daily gain (ADG) during days 1–21 (p < 0.05). Compared with 2000 IU/kg VA, 6000 IU/kg VA improved body weight on day 35 as well as ADG and feed intake during days 22–35 and reduced feed conversion ratio over the entire trial (p < 0.05). There were VA × ATRA interactions for the ratio of villus height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) in duodenum as well as VH and CD in ileum on day 21 (p < 0.05). The 0.25 mg/kg ATRA decreased duodenal VH/CD and ileal VH in broilers fed 2000 and 6000 IU/kg VA, respectively (p < 0.05). The 0.50 mg/kg ATRA increased ileal VH in broilers fed both 2000 and 6000 IU/kg VA (p < 0.05). When birds were fed 6000 IU/kg VA, 0.50 mg/kg ATRA increased ileal CD compared with 0.25 mg/kg CD (p < 0.05). On day 35, compared with 0 mg/kg ATRA, 0.25 mg/kg ATRA increased ileal VH while 0.50 mg/kg ATRA decreased ileal CD, and both of them increased ileal VH/CD (p < 0.05). The VA × ATRA interactions for mRNA expression of jejunal Mucin5ac on day 21 and jejunal Occludin, Claudin-1, Mucin 2, leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5⁺ (Lgr5⁺), zinc and ring finger 3 (Znrf3), and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) on day 35 were detected (p < 0.05). Dietary 0.50 mg/kg ATRA up-regulated jejunal Mucin5ac expression in broilers fed 6000 IU/kg VA on day 21 as well as Claudin-1, Znrf3, and SPP1 expression broilers fed 2000 IU/kg VA on day 35 (p < 0.05). The 0.25 mg/kg ATRA down-regulated Occludin expression in broilers fed 6000 IU/kg VA on day 35 (p < 0.05). The 0.25 mg/kg ATRA decreased and increased Lgr5⁺ expression on day 35 in broilers fed 2000 and 6000 IU/kg VA, respectively (p < 0.05). Both 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg ATRA down-regulated Mucin-2 expression in broilers fed 2000 IU/kg VA on day 35 (p < 0.05). The VA × ATRA interactions were observed for jejunal retinol dehydrogenase 10 (RDH10), cytochrome P450, family 26, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP26A1), retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α, and RARβ expression on days 21 and 35 (p < 0.05). Both 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg up-regulated RDH10, CYP26A1, and RARβ expression in broilers fed 6000 IU/kg VA (p < 0.05). The RARα expression was up-regulated by 0.50 and 0.25 mg/kg ATRA on days 21 and 35, respectively (p < 0.05). Plasma metabolomics identified 269 VA- and 185 ATRA-associated differential metabolites, primarily enriched in lipid metabolism, vitamin digestion and absorption, and bacterial infection pathways. In conclusion, dietary 0.50 mg/kg ATRA and 6000 IU/kg VA enhanced growth performance, intestinal integrity, and VA metabolism, partly through activation of retinoic acid receptors and modulation of plasma lipid metabolism. Full article

Mitigating stress responses is crucial for maintaining optimal productivity and profitability in modern poultry production. The effects of early feed withdrawal (EFW) and vitamin C (Vit C) supplementation, both individually and in combination, on heat-stressed broilers’ productivity, stress responses, and metabolic markers were investigated. In total, 240 newly hatched Cobb-500 male chicks were randomly distributed to four treatment groups (six replicates × 10 birds per group). A basal diet was offered to the control group; meanwhile, the EFW group underwent a 24 h early feed withdrawal on day four of age. The Vit C group was given 200 mg/kg vitamin C daily, and the EFW + Vit C group received both interventions. The study was executed under hot summer conditions, where the average minimum and maximum temperature-humidity Index (THI) were 29.15 ± 0.78 and 33.34 ± 0.76, respectively. The results demonstrated a superior stress-mitigating effect when EFW was combined with Vit C supplementation, leading to a significant improvement in productive parameters and elevated blood metabolic hormone levels. Additionally, total antioxidant capacity was enhanced, hepatic endogenous antioxidant enzyme expression was upregulated, and stress biomarkers were reduced. Furthermore, the economic efficiency indicators were significantly improved with EFW, and when EFW was combined with Vit C addition. These findings suggest that integrating multiple stress mitigation strategies, such as EFW and Vit C supplementation, may be more effective in relieving the adverse effects of heat stress by restoring homeostasis and optimizing broilers’ productivity and profitability. Full article

Broiler chickens are commonly reared in closed housing systems with limited exposure to sunlight, thereby relying entirely on dietary sources of vitamin D. The hydroxylated metabolite 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D₃] has been proposed as a more potent form than native vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol). This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin D₃ alone or in combination with 25(OH)D₃ on growth performance, bone characteristics, and cecal microbiota in Ross 308 broilers. A total of 952 one-day-old male chicks were allocated to four treatments: a negative control (no vitamin D₃), a positive control (vitamin D₃ according to Ross 308 specifications), and a positive control supplemented with 25(OH)D₃ at 1394 or 2788 IU/kg, in a randomized design with 17 replicates per treatment and 14 birds per replicate. Over a 40-day feeding trial, diets containing vitamin D₃ (positive control) or supplemented with 25(OH)D₃ significantly improved final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio compared with the negative control (p < 0.01), with no significant differences among the positive control and 25(OH)D₃-supplemented groups, with a clear linear dose-dependent response. Although tibia ash and bone-breaking strength were not significantly affected, linear responses indicated a slight numerical trend toward improved skeletal mineralization with increasing 25(OH)D₃. Microbiota analysis indicated that 25(OH)D₃ affected cecal microbial ecology: low-dose inclusion showed reduced species richness and evenness, whereas high-dose inclusion restored richness to levels comparable to the positive control and enriched taxa associated with fiber fermentation and bile acid metabolism while reducing Lactobacillus dominance. In conclusion, supplementation with 25(OH)D₃ in addition to vitamin D₃ enhanced growth performance and selectively shaped the cecal microbiota of broilers, with suggestive benefits for bone mineralization. These findings highlight 25(OH)D₃ as a more potent source of vitamin D than cholecalciferol alone and support its practical use in modern broiler nutrition to improve efficiency, skeletal health, and microbial balance. Full article

Natural products, such as turmeric rhizome meal (TRM), may hold the key to a sustainable solution to antimicrobial resistance rise and antibiotic prohibition in food-producing animals. This study evaluated the effects of dietary TRM at 0 (CON), 0.3 (TRM3), 0.6 (TRM6), and 0.9 g/kg (TRM9) on growth, nutrient digestibility, immunity, gut function, nutrient transport biomarkers, microbiome, and meat quality in 280 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks over a 42-day feeding trial. Birds fed TRM indicated higher body weight gain and lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). The TRM groups promoted higher (p = 0.001) serum immunoglobulin Y, immunoglobulin M, and interleukin-10 compared to the CON. Birds fed CON had higher interleukin-2 (p = 0.025), interleukin-6 (p = 0.027), and TNF-α (p = 0.008) levels compared to the TRM groups. Lactobacillus counts in jejunal villi and crypts were higher in the TRM groups than in the CON (p < 0.05). Dietary TRM increased electrogenic glucose and lysine transport, accompanied by up-regulation of claudin-5, zonula occludens 1, and mucin-2 expression (p < 0.05). In breast muscle, TRM fortification reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05) while increasing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). Thus, TRM is a potent, residue-free phytobiotic alternative to conventional antibiotic growth promoters in poultry systems. Full article