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PubMed1996

Effects of ambient temperature on broiler mineral balance partitioned into urinary and faecal loss.

1. Two experiments were conducted on control (intact) and colostomised 4 to 7 week old broilers to evaluate the influence of 24 degrees C, diurnally cycling 24 to 35 degrees C and chronic 35 degrees C ambient temperatures on broiler mineral balance, urinary and faecal mineral excretion and urinary osmolar characteristics. 2. In the first experiment, colostomy had no significant effect on mineral balance. However, broilers exposed to high cycling ambient temperature reduced their retention of phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, manganese, copper and zinc compared with birds housed at 24 degrees C. 3. Despite the minimal effect of high ambient temperature on urine production, minerals excreted disproportionately excreted in urine included potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur while copper and magnesium were lost primarily via the faeces. 4. In the second experiment, exposure to 35 degrees C increased urine output from 50.7 ml/12 h per kg of body weight at 24 degrees C to 101.3 ml/12 h per kg of body weight and was associated with an increased urine:water ratio and reduced urine osmolality. 5. Reduced urinary chloride and higher potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, sodium, magnesium, calcium and manganese excretion was observed for broilers housed in under high ambient temperatures compared to 24 degrees C. 6. These studies suggest that high ambient temperatures adversely influence mineral metabolism and, furthermore, that the route of excretion varies with the specific mineral and the environmental temperature exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of sweet, bitter and soaked micronised bitter lupins on broiler performance.

1. The feeding value for broilers of sweet white lupins (Lupinus albus variety Hanti), bitter lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) and soaked micronised bitter lupins was examined. 2. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated; one contained no lupins and the other 3 contained 400 g/kg sweet, bitter or soaked micronised bitter lupins. The 3 lupin diets were blended appropriately to produce 16 experimental diets containing 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g/kg sweet, bitter and soaked micronised bitter lupins, respectively, and these were fed to Ross broilers for 6 weeks. 3. The feeding of diets containing bitter lupins to broilers at 300 and 400 g/kg and soaked micronised bitter lupins at 400 g/kg resulted in significantly different body weights, food intakes, food conversion ratios, carcase moisture and carcase fat contents from those of birds fed on the control diet. No significant differences were observed with carcase protein or carcase ash contents. 4. There were significant linear adverse responses with bitter and soaked micronised bitter lupins in most of the parameters studied whereas no responses were observed with sweet lupins as the dietary inclusion rate of the lupins increased. The soaked micronised bitter lupins performed better than the bitter lupins showing that the amount of bitter lupins in broiler diets can be increased by this method.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

Utilisation of squilla meal (a novel animal protein source) by broilers.

1. The nutritive value of squilla meal, which contained 339 g crude protein, 18.6 g ether extract, 72.8 g calcium, 17.2 g phosphorus and 7.13 MJ of apparent metabolisable energy/kg, was examined in 5 experiments with broilers. 2. Squilla meal contained less lysine (3.45 vs 6.74 g/16g nitrogen) and methionine (1.02 vs 1.86/16 g nitrogen) than fish meal, had a lower protein digestibility coefficient (0.66 vs 0.72) and a lower gross protein value (68% vs 74%). 3. By gradually replacing the fish meal with squilla meal in isocaloric, isonitrogenous broiler diets it was shown that there was a linear decrease in broiler weight gain; efficiencies of food utilisation were also lower at all squilla meal substitution rates. Inclusion of squilla meal in the diets increased intestinal lengths. 4. Addition of a proteolytic enzyme to the diets containing squilla meal restored broiler weight gain and efficiency of food utilisation to that of birds fed on the control diet. 5. Diets containing autoclaved squilla meal resulted in reduced weight gain although efficiency of food utilisation was not affected.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1998

Optimum dietary arginine:lysine ratio for broiler chickens is altered during heat stress in association with changes in intestinal uptake and dietary sodium chloride.

1. The effects of varying the dietary arginine:lysine (Arg:Lys) ratio for broiler chickens at thermoneutral and high temperatures was studied in a series of 5 experiments which measured intestinal epithelial transport or evaluated growth and food efficiency with practical diets or diets supplemented with L-arginine free base. 2. The growth studies showed that increasing the Arg:Lys ratio at high temperatures produced consistent improvements in food conversion without any loss in growth. 3. Increasing dietary sodium chloride concentration reduced the Arg:Lys ratio necessary for optimum food conversion. 4. Food conversion responses were improved whether L-arginine free base was used as a dietary supplement in place of an inert filler or practical diets with differing ingredients were used to vary the Arg:Lys ratio. 5. In the presence of an equimolar concentration of lysine the uptake of arginine by the intestinal epithelium of heat-stressed broilers was reduced significantly compared with that of broilers at thermoneutral temperatures. 6. The results indicate that the ideal amino acid balance for broilers varies with ambient temperature.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1982

The relationship between plasma triglyceride concentrations and body fat content in male and female broilers--a basis for selection?

1. The relationship between plasma triglyceride concentrations and body fat content was examined in three groups of male and one of female broiler chickens fed ad libitum on a normal growing diet. 2. Phenotypic correlations between total plasma triglyceride concentration and fat content were +0.50, +0.37 and +0.39 for the three groups of male broilers and +0.33 for the group of females. Triglyceride content of plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) plus low density lipoprotein (LDL) showed similar correlations with fat content. 3. Selection of birds from a flock of 550 male broilers on the basis of high or low plasma VLDL plus LDL triglyceride concentrations produced groups with significant differences in body fat content but little difference in body weight. 4. The results suggest that measurements of plasma triglyceride concentration could be used as an indirect means of selecting for decreased body fat content in broiler breeding programmes.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The use in practice of inactivated oil emulsion vaccine against infectious bursal disease in broiler breeders and its influence on the progeny: a comparative field trial.

Field trials were conducted to establish the effect of the use of an inactivated oil emulsion vaccine against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD OEV) in broiler breeder hens, and its effects on their progeny. The performance of 18 broiler flocks, which were the progeny of the IBD OEV vaccinated breeder hens, but which were not vaccinated with a live vaccine against IBD, was equal to that of broiler flocks which were vaccinated with a live IBD vaccine and originated from parent stock that had been vaccinated only against IBD with a live vaccine. In none of the 18 flocks, progeny of IBD OEV vaccinated parents, was IBD diagnosed. In a second stage, 15 broiler flocks were included in the trial: these were derived partly from IBD OEV vaccinated parents, and partly from parents that received only live IBD vaccine at 8-10 days of age. No cases of IBD occurred and all flocks were positive for IBD precipitins at slaughter age. Vaccination with a live vaccine against IBD at the age of 8-10 days had no influence on NCD antibody development after a NCD vaccination at 7 days. No immunosuppressive effect from this type of live live IBD vaccine could be determined under field conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Simultaneous determination of four coccidiostats in eggs and broiler meat: validation of an LC-MS/MS method.

A published confirmatory method for the quantitative determination of four ionophoric coccidiostats (lasalocid, monensin, salinomycin and narasin) in eggs and broiler meat has been further developed. It is proposed for replacement of liquid chromatography methods previously used in analysis of ionophoric coccidiostats. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified on a silica solid phase extraction column. Purified samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and the method, was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The validation parameters selectivity, linearity, specificity, precision, recovery, decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) were determined. The recoveries of coccidiostats analysed ranged from 64-99% in eggs and 62-100% in broiler meat. CCalpha varied from 0.8-1.4 microg/kg in eggs and from 1.5-2.5 microg/kg in broiler meat. CCbeta varied from 0.9 microg/kg to 2.0 microg/kg in eggs and from 1.7-3.2 microg/kg in broiler meat.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term administration of low doses of mycotoxins to poultry. 1. Residues of aflatoxin B1 and its metabolites in broilers and laying hens.

A study was performed to determine aflatoxin residues in tissues and organs of male broilers and hens that had been fed a diet contaminated with 50 micrograms/kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Residue levels of AFB1, aflatoxicol (Ro), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) were determined by an HPLC method and, with the exception of AFB2a, were detected in the liver, kidney and thigh of both male broilers and hens. The highest levels found were for Ro in liver (1.10 and 0.60 micrograms/kg for male broilers and hens, respectively). On the other hand no detectable amounts of aflatoxins were found in any tissue after withdrawal periods of 14 and 33 days for male broilers and laying hens respectively.

Aflatoxin B1↗

PubMed2002

A reovirus challenge model applicable in commercial broilers after live vaccination.

The efficacy of live reovirus vaccines may be determined by challenge via the foot pad route 3 to 4 weeks after vaccination. Swelling and discoloration in the foot pad and shank are scored for a period of 14 days. The major disadvantages of this challenge model are the subjective judgement of gross foot pad and/or shank lesions, that it is very difficult to induce lesions in broilers, and that it causes animal suffering. Other reovirus challenge models are based on reisolation of the virus from different tissues or on scoring microscopic lesions in the tendons. Some disadvantages of these models are that they either cannot be used after vaccination with live reovirus because they cannot discriminate between vaccine and challenge virus or that the microscopic lesions scored need not necessarily be related to the challenge virus but may have been induced by other factors. Therefore, we have attempted to develop a reovirus challenge model that was an improvement on the existing ones, using isolation of reovirus from different organs followed by specific detection of the challenge virus with a monoclonal antibody that can discriminate between challenge and vaccine virus. The reovirus challenge model was examined in specific pathogen free (SPF) White Leghorn chickens and commercial broilers. In vivo studies were conducted to examine the efficacy of an attenuated reovirus vaccine in SPF White Leghorn chickens and commercial broilers with maternal immunity against reovirus. No challenge virus could be detected in any of the organs of the vaccinated chickens 3 and 10 days after challenge. In contrast, challenge virus could be isolated from the unvaccinated control group. At an increased challenge dose all unvaccinated challenge control birds were positive, while the vaccinated chickens were protected. It was shown that 1-day-old vaccination in the presence of maternal immunity was effective. It seemed that protection induced in broilers by the attenuated reovirus vaccine may not have been entirely humoral because in protected birds no antibodies against reovirus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent at the time of challenge. Protection in these birds might therefore have been induced by cellular immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Diagnosing Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotic enteritis in broiler flocks by an immunoglobulin G anti-alpha-toxin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The tools available for monitoring necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens in broiler chickens have been limited, particularly for identifying subclinical disease. In this study, a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify levels of specific immunoglobulin G to C. perfringens alpha-toxin in serum from broilers. We found significantly higher antibody levels in broilers with a history of subclinical necrotic enteritis compared with a zinc-bacitracin-treated group with a low level of gut lesions. Furthermore, in 4.5-week-old commercial broiler flocks, there was an association between the occurrence of C. perfringens-associated hepatitis at slaughter and the immune response to alpha-toxin. Practical solutions for defining cut-off levels for positive serum samples at individual and flock levels are proposed, and were found to be useful on a set of samples available from flocks with different histories regarding the occurrence of C. perfringens-associated disease. This serological approach seems promising as a diagnostic tool in research and disease monitoring regarding C. perfringens-associated disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Systemic Mycoplasma synoviae infection in broiler chickens.

Systemic Mycoplasma synoviae infection in 47-day-old broiler chickens with septicaemic lesions and increased carcass condemnation rate is reported. The clinical history included respiratory signs and an enlarged keel bursa. Condemnations at the processing plant were due to airsacculitis and keel bursitis. Involvement of several organs, including the keel bursa, liver, spleen, brain, choroid of the eye, nerves and skeletal muscle associated with vasculitis, and the isolation of M. synoviae from the liver and keel bursa are only occasionally seen in field cases. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of the M. synoviae isolated from the broiler chickens in this study had a different pattern when compared with the reference M. synoviae strains, WVU-1853, MS-H and F10-2AS, and another M. synoviae isolated from broiler breeders from the same company, but had a similar DNA pattern to an M. synoviae isolated from broiler chickens and turkeys owned by the same company. This finding suggests a horizontally acquired infection rather than vertical transmission.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli transmission from broiler breeders to their progeny in an integrated poultry production chain.

Early cases of colibacillosis with omphalitis, yolk sac infection and increased mortality were observed in five broiler chicken flocks (A1, A2, A3, A4 and B1) from two broiler breeder flocks A and B, respectively. Avian pathogenic Escherichia Coli (APEC) serotype O78, Fim/Tsh/Iuc pathotype, were isolated from flocks A, A1, A2, A3 and A4, and APEC serotype O139, pathotype Fim/Iuc, from flocks B and B1. APEC O78 strains isolated from broiler chicks A1, A2, A3 and A4, originating from breeder flock A, had the same antibiotic resistance pattern as APEC O139 strains isolated from broiler chicks B1 and breeder B. The random amplified polymorphic DNA technique performed on APEC strains revealed two distinct clusters of genetic similarity: cluster I consisted of some APEC O78 and cluster II of APEC O139. These results indicated that a transmission of APEC strains from adults A and B to their respective progeny could occur.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The pathogenesis of and susceptibility to malabsorption syndrome in broilers is associated with heterophil influx into the intestinal mucosa and epithelial apoptosis.

Malabsorption syndrome (MAS) in broilers is characterized by enteritis and reduced body weight gain. The pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions and the reasons for susceptibility differences between broiler lines are not clear. We studied the development of enteric lesions, epithelial apoptosis, and cell proliferation in relation to susceptibility. One-day-old chickens from two broiler lines were orally inoculated with intestinal homogenate derived from MAS-affected chickens. Vacuolar degeneration and apoptosis of the villous epithelium and infiltration of heterophils into the lamina propria occurred from day 1 post-inoculation. Following heterophil accumulation, at day 4 to 6 post-inoculation, there was severe apoptosis of the crypt epithelium and villous atrophy. The susceptible broilers had a significantly greater influx of heterophils and, subsequently, severe epithelial apoptosis and cystic damage to the crypts. There appeared to be a causal relationship between heterophil influx and the onset of apoptosis. Coincident with the epithelial apoptosis, MAS-affected chickens had crypt hyperproliferation and faster epithelial turnover. Heterophil infiltration and epithelial apoptosis appear to be critical in the pathogenesis of MAS. Heterophil recruitment may be a major factor in differences in susceptibility to MAS.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Ammonium-nitrogen transformation and nitrogen retention in broiler manure supplemented with a soil amendment containing nitrifying bacteria.

The effect of a soil amendment on ammonium nitrogen transformation and nitrogen retention in broiler manure was evaluated. Prior to incubation, broiler manure was mixed with autoclaved soil or non-autoclaved soil in different ratios to make 1 kg mixtures; broiler manure:non-autoclaved soil=9:1, 5:5, and 1:9 or broiler manure:autoclaved soil=9:1, 5:5, and 1:9. The non-autoclaved soil treatment reduced either numerically or significantly NH(4)(+)-N concentration compared to the autoclaved soil treatment during the 8-wk incubation. Total-N concentration of the non-autoclaved soil treatments was lower than the autoclaved soil treatments from 4 to 8 wk. The lowest manure to non-autoclaved soil treatment (M:S=1:9) had considerably more nitrite and nitrate; however, the higher ratio manure to non-autoclaved soil treatments (M:S=9:1 and 5:5) had slightly higher total nitrite and nitrate levels compared to the same ratio of autoclaved soil treatments. The moisture level of the 9:1, 5:5, and 1:9 M:S treatments were approximately 70, 45, and 30%, respectively. The results indicated that nitrifying bacteria in the non-autoclaved soil reduced the ammonium nitrogen concentrations of poultry manure by converting NH(3) or NH(4)(+) to NO(2)(-) or NO(3)(-). However, the higher moisture levels in treatments with greater manure to soil ratios (M:S=9:1 and 5:5) created anaerobic conditions that allowed for denitrification and greater N losses.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1975

[Studies on the use of wheat rich in crude protein in the feeding of broilers. 1. Experimental procedure, weight gains, food consumption and food efficiency].

A fattening trial was carried out with 8 groups of broilers each comprising 1225 birds. Within this trial tests were made to replace the protein feeds of newly hatched chicks over a period of up to 56 days of age, by wheat rich in crude protein. If wheat with a high crude protein content is fed supplementation with lysine and methionine will be necessary depending on the kind of protein feed used. No supplementation with amino acids is required if rations of fish meal + extracted soya bean meal are used despite their reduced content of these amino acids. The broilers consumed larger quantities of the wheat + extracted soya bean meal+fish meal ration than of the mixtures containing no fish meal. Food requirements per unit of weight gain were the same for the mixtures containing high-protein wheat and for the standard maize ration. The lowest food consumption per unit of weight gain was computed for the wheat + extracted soya bean meal diet supplemented with amino acids. The same quantities of lysine, thioamino acids and threonine were necessary for broilers receiving the wheat rations as for birds of the standard group. Protein feed may be saved by using high-protein wheat in the fattening of broilers. The rates of weight gain obtained with these rations are the same or even better than those achieved with rations of maize + fish meal+soya bean meal.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Comparison of the supplemental effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and antibiotics in low-protein and high-fibre diets fed to broiler chickens.

Two experiments were completed to compare the supplemental effects of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and sub-therapeutic antibiotics in high-fibre and low-protein diets for broiler chicks. In experiment 1, yeast was added at 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 g kg-1 while penicillin, tylosin or neoterramycin were added at 150 mg kg-1 into different batches of a high-fibre diet containing 250 g kg-1 palm kernel meal. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and antibiotics increased BW, BWG, FCR, feed intake, carcass and breast weights above the control. Small intestine weight was reduced by antibiotics, while yeast caused a lower deposition of abdominal fat. Liver weights of different treated broilers were similar. The performance indices were superior on penicillin and 3.0 g kg-1 yeast compared to other supplements evaluated. In the second experiment, 1.5 and 3.0 g kg-1 of yeast, and 0.75 mg kg-1 of procaine penicillin, zinc bacitracin and tylosin were separately added to a 180 g kg-1 crude protein diet. Performance of the chicks with additives was compared with unsupplemented negative and positive controls containing 180 and 210 g kg-1 crude protein respectively. Broilers fed with supplements had superior BW, BWG, FCR and feed intake compared to the negative control, but carcass data were similar. Dietary penicillin increased BW, BWG, feed intake more than other supplements, but yeast stimulated higher FCR. Data from both studies indicated that Saccharomyces cerevisiae comparatively increased growth and carcass weight and reduce abdominal fat, therefore, it can serve as a natural substitute for antibiotics in broiler diet.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2000

Effect of dietary iron and copper on performance and oxidative stability in broiler leg meat.

1. An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of removal of supplemental iron and copper from broiler diets during the last 3 weeks before slaughter on broiler performance, tissue vitamin E concentrations and oxidation values in raw; cooked and stored broiler leg meat. 2. Removal of supplemental iron and copper from the diet slightly decreased food efficiency; the differences were significant only when both minerals were removed simultaneously 3. Effect of iron withdrawal on iron concentration in tissue was low. However, total copper concentration in tissue was reduced in animals deprived of iron or both minerals simultaneously. 4. Removal of dietary iron and copper did not affect vitamin E concentration in raw and cooked meat, while stored meat showed lower concentrations in animals deprived of iron and copper simultaneously. 5. The removal of iron and copper from the diet reduced oxidation values in cooked broiler leg meat as measured by the thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances method (TBARS).

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Effect of different types of litter material for rearing broilers.

1. Coir dust was evaluated as broiler litter in comparison with sawdust and rice husk using 135 commercial broilers. Forty-five broiler chicks were reared to 42 d on a 50 mm layer of each of these litters. 2. Birds reared on coir dust showed no difference in food consumption, body weight gain, food conversion efficiency production number and survivability in comparison to those reared on saw dust and rice husk. 3. It was concluded that coir dust is suitable as broiler litter when cheaply available.

Animals↗