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PubMed1998

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac structure and function in broiler and Leghorn chickens.

This study was conducted to validate echocardiography in chickens, and to compare cardiac structure and function between broiler and Leghorn chickens. Diameters of the right and left ventricles, and thicknesses of the left ventricular free wall and the interventricular septum were measured echocardiographically in 5- and 7-wk-old chickens from both lines. Images were obtained from minimally restrained, standing birds using a 7.5 MHz probe placed in a parasternal position. End-systolic and end-diastolic echocardiographic measurements were compared with post-mortem measurements of the same variables. Comparisons resulted in correlation coefficients greater than 0.70 between in vivo (echocardiographic) and post-mortem measurements of the same variables, with post-mortem measurements more closely resembling end-diastolic echocardiographic measurements. After being normalized to body weight, post-mortem myocardial thicknesses, aortic and left ventricular diameters, heart weight at 5 wk of age, and left ventricular weight at 7 wk of age were smaller in broiler than in Leghorn chickens. Echocardiographic parameters, including ventricular wall thicknesses, ventricular diameters, and left ventricular fractional shortening, were also smaller in the broiler chicken. Right ventricular fractional shortening did not differ between the chicken lines. These results indicate that echocardiography is a useful noninvasive technique for in vivo evaluation of cardiac structure and function in the chicken, and that broiler chickens have a relatively smaller structural and functional heart than Leghorn chickens.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

The effect of monochromatic light on broiler growth and development.

Artificial illumination, including light quality, is crucial in modem broiler management. In the present study, a new, highly efficient, monochromatic light system has been developed for broilers. One hundred and eighty male broiler chicks (Anak) were divided into four light treatment groups (n = 45) in three replicates each. All birds were housed in a single room previously divided by wooden bars into 12 sealed cells of 1 m2. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. Light intensity was 0.1 W/m2 at the height of birds' heads and was scheduled for 23 h of light and 1 h of dark during the entire experimental period. Light treatments were: control white (mini-incandescent light bulbs), blue (480 nm), green (560 nm), and red (660 nm). Body weight was recorded periodically, feed consumption was measured daily, and feed efficiency was calculated. Blood samples were taken at 1, 9, and 32 d of age and plasma testosterone was determined. Two necropsies were conducted, at 23 and 35 d of age, and selected glands and organs were weighed. In the group reared under green light, a significant enhancement in weight gain was observed as early as 3 d of age; this gain was maintained during the entire experimental period. Broilers reared under blue light had a later onset of growth enhancement and were significantly heavier than those reared under white and red light at 20 d of age. Plasma testosterone levels were significantly higher in birds reared under blue light. Breast muscle weights were significantly higher in the birds reared under green light at 23 and 35 d of age. These results suggest that green and blue light stimulate growth.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Effect of Natuphos Phytase supplementation to feed on performance and ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids of broilers.

Nutrient equivalency of Natuphos Phytase for minerals, amino acids, and energy has been estimated elsewhere for broiler chickens. The current study was to evaluate equivalent values of 600 FTU/kg Natuphos Phytase for amino acids and energy in 3,150 broiler chicks from hatch to 7 wk of age. Treatments consisted of a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of three levels of dietary amino acids (AA; 100, 92.5, and 85% of Illinois Ideal Protein for Broiler Chickens) and three phytase inclusion approaches (positive control: 0 FTU/kg with no reduction of Lys, TSAA, and ME; negative control: 0 FTU/kg with reduction of 2% Lys, 1% TSAA, and 0.5% ME; and reformulation with phytase: 600 FTU/kg with reduction of 2% Lys, 1% TSAA, and 0.5% ME). The effect of AA was linear on BW gain and feed conversion (FC); a greater AA level improved performance. No interaction of AA and phytase inclusion approach was significant in terms of BW gain, feed intake (FI), and FC of growing and finishing broilers. Birds fed the positive control diet had greater BW gain than those fed the negative control diet. Body weight gain of birds fed the diet reformulated with phytase did not differ from those of birds fed the positive control. Feed conversion was not affected by phytase inclusion approaches. Effects of phytase supplement on apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of CP and AA were not significant. Restoring BW gain lost in the negative control by reformulated feed with 600 FTU/kg phytase indicates that equivalent values estimated elsewhere might be adequate.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed1999

Plasma taurine levels in broilers with pulmonary hypertension syndrome induced by unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion.

Low plasma levels of taurine are associated with losses of cardiac sarcomeric proteins, leading to heart failure in mammals. Recently, it was proposed that cardiac taurine depletion serves to defend the heart against injury caused by regional ischemia in mammals. The role of taurine has not been well documented in broilers, particularly in relation to pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS; ascites). Three independent experiments evaluated plasma taurine in male broilers by utilizing the following treatments: unoperated controls (CONTROL; n = 10 in each experiment); sham operated (SHAM; n = 11, 12, and 10); or, unilaterally pulmonary artery clamped (PAC; n = 18, 29, and 24) that did (PAC-ascites) or did not (PAC-normal) develop ascites within 12 d postsurgery. Plasma samples were collected 9 and 11 d postsurgery in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and 2 d before and 4, 8, and 12 d after surgery in Experiment 3. Plasma taurine was analyzed by HPLC. Twelve days postsurgery, the birds were euthanatized, and ventricles were weighed for calculating the right:total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV). The RV:TV of PAC birds (>0.35) consistently was higher (P < 0.01) than that of CONTROL and SHAM birds (<0.27 and 0.25, respectively). In Experiments 1 and 2, plasma taurine was higher (P < 0.05) in PAC-ascites (380 and 370 nmol/mL) than in SHAM broilers (183 and 186 nmol/mL), whereas CONTROL (262 and 278 nmol/mL) and PAC-normal (362 and 300 nmol/mL) broilers tended to have intermediate plasma taurine levels. In Experiment 3, PAC birds had higher (P < 0.05) plasma taurine at 8 and 12 d postsurgery when compared with presurgery levels, whereas plasma taurine was unchanged over time in CONTROL and SHAM birds. These results suggest cardiac taurine may be released into the plasma as a protective mechanism in response to the induction of pulmonary hypertension, hypoxemia, and right-side heart failure, similar to the mechanism reported for protecting cardiac muscle from ischemia in mammals.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effects on commercial broiler chicks of constant exposure to ultraviolet light from insect traps.

Constant exposure of newly hatched Avian x Avian broilers to ultraviolet light from insect traps for 42 d resulted in no significant differences in mortality, weight gain, feed consumption, or feed conversion. Birds were exposed to greater intensities of ultraviolet light for longer periods than could be expected under commercial conditions. Although house flies are rarely a problem in broiler houses, our results indicate that insect traps with ultraviolet light as an attractant would not be detrimental to production of broilers. The need for additional testing of light traps for nuisance fly control in commercial broiler houses is discussed.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1999

Effects of breeder age and dietary fat on subsequent broiler performance. 2. Slaughter yield.

The effects of breeder age (35, 51, and 63 wk) and added dietary fat on subsequent broiler slaughter yield were evaluated. Beginning at 22 wk of age, diets included 0, 1.5, or 3.0% added poultry fat (PF), 1.5 or 3.0% added corn oil (CO), or 3.0% added lard (LA). Slaughter yields were greatest in broilers from 63-wk-old breeders. Added CO in broiler breeder diets significantly increased subsequent 43-d live BW and chilled carcass yields compared to LA. Furthermore, CO diets significantly increased relative front-half yields compared to PF diets; and compared to the 3.0% fat level, 1.5% added fat significantly increased 43-d live BW, regardless of fat type. In conclusion, breeder age influenced broiler slaughter yield, and fat added at the 1.5% level to breeder hen diets was an effective energy source. However, less saturated fat improved subsequent slaughter yield.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed1999

Influence of supplemental phytase on performance of broilers four to six weeks of age.

The influence of dietary phytase on phytate P availability was investigated using Ross x Hubbard male broiler chicks. A randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of 2 x 3 was used with eight replicates (n = 2,400; 50 chicks per replicate) per treatment. Diets were formulated to contain two levels of nonphytate P (NPP; 0.225 and 0.325%) and three levels of phytase [0, 300, and 600 phytase units (FTU)/kg] with 0.75% Ca. An additional diet with 0.425% NPP and 0.85% Ca was used as a positive control (n = 400). Prior to assigning treatments, all chicks were fed a commercial starter mash adequate in all nutrients until 3 wk of age. Neither performance nor bone strength was significantly influenced by a reduction of NPP to 0.325% and Ca to 0.75% as compared to the positive control. However, when NPP was reduced to 0.225% and Ca to 0.75%, significant negative impacts on body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, and bone strength were observed. Phytase significantly increased BW at the lower NPP level but not at the higher NPP level. A significant NPP by phytase interaction occurred in bone criteria and livability. Phytase (300 FTU/kg) had greater influence on bone mineral content, bone density, bone breaking strength, and livability in broilers fed 0.225% NPP than in broilers fed 0.325% NPP. This study indicates that supplementing phytase in grower diets containing reduced levels of NPP and Ca significantly improved performance and bone strength of broilers. In diets containing marginal to deficient levels of either NPP or Ca or both, the addition of microbial phytase at 300 to 600 FTU/kg feed prevents P deficiency symptoms. Increasing phytase levels from 300 to 600 FTU/kg feed provided no additional benefit.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed2000

Nonphytate phosphorus requirement and phosphorus excretion of broiler chicks fed diets composed of normal or high available phosphate corn with and without microbial phytase.

A study was conducted to evaluate the ability of the young (0 to 3 wk) broiler chicken to utilize the P provided by a high available P corn [HAPC; 0.27% total P and 0.17% nonphytate P] in comparison with yellow dent corn (YDC; 0.23% total P and 0.03% nonphytate P), and to determine the extent to which supplementation with exogenous phytase enzyme could reduce the demands for dietary P and subsequently reduce P excretion. Diets prepared using the two types of corn differed in the amount of phytate-bound P, with the HAPC diets containing approximately 50% less phytate-bound P. Treatment diets were prepared by varying the amount of dicalcium phosphate, and ranged from 0.10 to 0.50% nonphytate P for YDC diets, and from 0.18 to 0.50% nonphytate P for HAPC diets. Sublots of each diet were supplemented with 800 units/kg phytase. Each diet was fed to six pens of five male chicks of a commercial broiler strain from 1 to 21 d of age. Regression analysis was used to estimate nonphytate P requirements for each corn type with and without phytase supplementation. The greatest need for nonphytate P was for maximum tibia ash, with requirements of 0.39, 0.29, 0.37, and 0.32% in diets with YDC, YDC plus phytase, HAPC, and HAPC plus phytase, respectively. Addition of phytase liberated approximately 50% of the phytate-bound P from each diet. These levels were sufficient to support body weight, feed conversion, and livability. Fecal P content of broilers fed diets with YDC at the NRC (1994) recommended level of 0.45% nonphytate P was 1.21%, whereas at the respective requirement points indicated above, the P content was 1.09, 0.87, 0.78, and 0.64% in feces from broilers fed diets with YDC, YDC plus phytase, HAPC, and HAPC plus phytase, respectively. Thus, fecal P output could be reduced while maintaining optimum performance by the use of reduced dietary nonphytate P, introduction of HAPC, and phytase supplementation. One of the greatest benefits of phytase supplementation appeared to be maintaining livability at lower dietary levels of nonphytate P.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed2000

Measurements of pulmonary arterial pressure in anesthetized male broilers at two to seven weeks of age.

Pulmonary hypertension (an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure) is the defining symptom of the pathophysiological progression leading to pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) in broilers. Previously, closed-thorax techniques had not been reported for measuring the pulmonary arterial pressure in young (<5 wk of age) broilers. The objective of this research was to evaluate continuous pulmonary arterial pressure in anesthetized male broilers at weekly intervals (2 to 7 wk of age) by inserting a cannula directly into the pulmonary artery. Body weights, heart rates, and the right:total ventricular weight ratio were also recorded. Clinically healthy individuals were selected from two separate hatches without prior assessment of electrocardiograms or the percentage of saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. The pulmonary arterial pressure increased (P < or = 0.05) from 20 to 25 mm Hg between Weeks 2 and 3, remained at approximately 25 mm Hg during Weeks 4 and 5, and then returned to 19 mm Hg during Weeks 6 to 7. Body weight increased with age, the heart rate and body weight-normalized right and total ventricular weights remained constant through Week 5, and the right:total ventricular weight ratio remained constant through Week 7. This technique is useful for determining age-related changes in pulmonary arterial pressure that may contribute to a mismatch between pulmonary vascular capacity and cardiac output in apparently healthy broilers during the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension syndrome.

Aging↗

PubMed2000

Campylobacter recovery from external and internal organs of commercial broiler carcass prior to scalding.

Campylobacter is a human pathogen commonly found on live broilers and processed carcasses. To plan effective intervention strategies, it would be helpful to know which Campylobacter populations are associated with the external and internal organs of broilers. Six carcasses were collected after exiting the bleed tunnel at a commercial broiler plant on each of three visits (n = 18). Carcasses were placed individually into sterile plastic bags, sealed, and covered with ice for transport to the laboratory. Five locations were sampled aseptically from each carcass: breast feathers (hand picked from the sternal tracts); breast skin, including the sternal tracts; crop; ceca; and colon. Samples included adhering contamination or lumen contents and were covered with phosphate-buffered saline and blended. Serial dilutions were made for examination of Campylobacter, coliform, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic bacterial populations. Average sample weights (grams) were as follows: feathers, 1.5; skin, 6.5; crop, 5.1; ceca, 7.8; and colon, 3.1. Campylobacter populations (mean log10 colony-forming units per gram of sample) found were feathers, 5.4; skin, 3.8; crop, 4.7; ceca, 7.3; and colon, 7.2. Coliform/E. coli populations observed were feathers, 6.4/6.0; skin, 5.3/4.9; crop, 4.3/3.7; ceca, 6.6/6.2; and colon, 5.8/5.3. Total aerobic bacterial populations found were feathers, 7.9; skin, 7.1; crop, 5.8; ceca, 6.8; and colon, 6.4. On a per gram basis, ceca and colon are the internal organs that if ruptured could cause the highest number of Campylobacter to be leaked onto the carcass. The crop also contained more Campylobacter per gram than did the skin, and if compromised may increase the numbers on the surface of the carcass. However, even with no contamination from an internal organ, a substantial population of Campylobacter is already resident on broiler skin as the carcass enters the early stages of processing.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2000

Ascites resistance of progeny from broiler breeders selected for two generations using chronic unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion.

Broilers that survived unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion and lived to maturity comprised the first generation (GEN1) of an ascites-resistant line. Progeny from the GEN1 line previously were shown to tolerate fast growth and cool temperatures with a 50% lower incidence of ascites than chicks from the breeder pullet line serving as the base population for the resistant line. In the present study, progeny from the GEN1 line were subjected to unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion, and survivors were reared to breeding age to serve as the parent stock for the second generation (GEN2) ascites-resistant line. In two experiments (EXP1 and 2), chicks were reared separately by sex but were mixed by line within environmental chambers, where they were grown as rapidly as possible and exposed to cool (14 C) temperatures from 17 to 49 d of age. In EXP1, the ascites incidences in the base population, GEN1, and GEN2 lines, respectively, were 31% (48/157), 15% (8/52), and 4% (3/69) for males and 10% (13/128), 11% (5/46), and 3% (1/36) for females. In EXP2, the ascites incidences in the base and GEN2 lines, respectively, were 44% (71/163) and 6% (7/110) for males and 12% (19/155) and 0% (0/92) for females. The final BW for nonascitic broilers did not differ across lines in EXP1. In EXP2, the final BW was lighter for nonascitic GEN2 males (2,915+/-43 g) and females (2,382+/-17 g) than for nonascitic base population males (3,088+/-42 g) and females (2,493+/-22), respectively. Right:total ventricular weight ratios were higher for ascitic than nonascitic broilers, confirming the primary role for pulmonary hypertension in the pathogenesis of ascites. These experiments demonstrate ongoing improvement in the ascites resistance of progeny from broiler breeders that, for two consecutive generations, have survived the rigorous selection pressure imposed by unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2000

Struggling behavior in shackled male and female broiler chickens.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the struggling behavior of shackled broiler chickens may be positively related to compression of the shank and the probable associated discomfort: birds with large shanks tend to struggle more violently than do those with smaller shanks. Males are generally heavier and have thicker shanks than females. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that, because the leg gaps of shackles are fixed in size, male broilers would struggle more than females. At 42 d of age, 264 floor-reared broilers were cooped in groups of 12 (six males and six females) and were transported from the university farm to the abattoir. Eighty of these served as test birds (n = 40/sex) and were shackled on a moving processing line with a bird of randomly selected sex on either side. Upon shackling, the latencies to struggle, numbers of struggling bouts, and total time spent struggling were recorded during a 1-min test period. Subsequently, the BW and circumference of the right shank (CRS) of each test bird were measured. Male birds were heavier and had thicker shanks than females (both P < 0.0001); they also struggled sooner (P < 0.01) and longer (P < 0.008). When data from males and females were pooled, CRS was negatively correlated with latency to struggle (r = -0.30; P < 0.006) and positively associated with SB (r = 0.23; P < 0.04) and total time spent struggling (r = 0.23; P < 0.04). However, there were no detectable correlations within sex. Body weight was not significantly correlated with any of the struggling behavior measures. Although other gender-related factors may be influential, an interpretation of our findings based on sex differences in CRS seems the most parsimonious. We conclude that use of shackles of fixed leg-gap size may contribute to increased struggling behavior in male broilers.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Tryptophan requirements of different broiler genotypes.

Two experiments were conducted with broiler chicks in battery brooders from 1 to 18 d of age to determine Trp requirements and to evaluate the performance of different genotypes (classic vs. high yield and male vs. female). Experiment 1 was a 6 x 2 factorial experiment, with six levels of Trp (0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, and 0.24% of the diet) and two broiler chicken strains (male Arbor Acres Classic and Arbor Acres High Yield). Experiment 2 was a 6 x 2 factorial design with the same levels of Trp as in Experiment 1 and two sexes (males and females); Ross x Ross 308 birds were used. Both experiments had four replicate pens of eight birds each per treatment. The basal diet was based on corn (70.79%), corn gluten meal (17.44%), and gelatin by-product and poultry fat (23% of CP and 3.34 kcal/g of ME). At 18 d of age, three birds per replicate were killed, and livers and fat pads were removed. The broken-line linear model was used to estimate the chicks Trp requirement. Liver or liver fat and fat pad weights (as a percentage of body weight) were affected by dietary Trp level. In Experiment 1, the Trp requirements differed little; for gain they were 0.18 +/- 0.002% and 0.17 +/- 0.002%, and for feed conversion they were 0.16 +/- 0.004% and 0.16 +/- 0.002%, for the Classic and High Yield broilers, respectively. In Experiment 2, the Trp requirement of males was 0.17 +/- 0.003% for BW and 0.17 +/- 0.003% for feed conversion, and that of females was 0.17 +/- 0.003% for body weight and 0.16 +/- 0.001% for feed conversion. There was no apparent difference in the Trp requirement of young broilers due to genetic stock or gender (P > 0.05).

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Comparison of mucosal competitive exclusion and competitive exclusion treatment to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. colonization in broiler chickens.

Control of Salmonella spp. during the earliest phases of broiler production may provide the best opportunity to reduce human pathogens on processed broiler carcasses. Application of the "Nurmi concept" has been demonstrated to be an effective means in reducing Salmonella colonization among broiler chicks. In 1989, Aho et al. developed a competitive exclusion (CE) culture for control of Salmonella spp., whereas a mucosal competitive exclusion culture (MCE) developed in the United States was originally created to control Campylobacter colonization (Stern et al., 1995). The major differences in the two patents were the higher level of anaerobic culture required, the degree of epithelial scraping and washing of the ceca, media used for subculturing, and the culture incubation temperatures (35 C vs. 42 C). The CE and MCE were compared for efficacy in reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter colonization in broiler chicks. Nine adult birds (three for each of three replicates) were slaughtered, and each of a bird's paired ceca were used to produce corresponding antagonistic microflora, which were administered to day-of-hatch chicks. The chicks (a total of 210) were challenged 24 h later with Salmonella and Campylobacter and were killed 1 wk later, and levels of the pathogens were determined. Ninety CE-treated birds were significantly more colonized by Salmonella typhimurium than those 90 chicks treated with the MCE microflora (3.97 log 10 cfu/g cecal contents vs. 1.25 log 10 cfu/g cecal contents). Also, Campylobacter spp. colonization of these birds was significantly higher for CE-treated birds when compared with MCE-treated birds (6.96 log 10 cfu/g cecal contents vs. 5.03 log 10 cfu/g cecal contents). These results can be useful in developing intervention strategies to reduce chicken colonization by Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Performance of broilers fed limited quantities of feed or nutrients during seven to fourteen days of age.

Three experiments were conducted with male broilers to study the effects of early life undernutrition. In all studies, treatments were represented by three or four replicate floor pens, each containing 30 to 40 birds. In Experiment 1, broilers were fed at 0.75 kcal ME/gBW0.67 for 4 d, 1.5 kcal ME/gBW0.67 for 5 d or 2.25 kcal ME/gBW0.67 for 6 d, all imposed beginning at 6 d of age. Birds were smaller following feed restriction (P < 0.01) although growth compensation occurred, and at 49 d all restricted birds were heavier (P < 0.01) than full-fed control birds. Improved growth was associated with improved feed conversion (P < 0.01), although carcass composition was unchanged. In a second study, birds were fed at 0.75 kcal ME/gBW0.67 for 3, 4, or 5 d, starting at either 4, 7, or 10 d of age. When feed restriction was applied early, or for shorter periods of time, growth compensation occurred (P > 0.05). With other more severe feed restriction, birds were smaller (P < 0.05) at 49 d compared to controls. Feed conversion was improved following prior feed restriction (P < 0.01, 0 to 49 d). In a third trial, broilers were fed a starter diet diluted with 50% oat hulls. Birds failed to consume enough of this diluted feed, and so were initially smaller. However 49-d weight was not affected (P > 0.05). When periods of 24-h feed withdrawal were imposed in conjunction with the diluted diets, birds were underweight at 49 d. It is concluded that physical feed restriction at 0.75 to 1.5 kcal ME/gBW0.67 imposed for 3 to 4 d in the second week of life currently presents the best option as a means of controlling broiler growth so as to improve feed efficiency.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2001

The performance of broiler chicks fed diets containing extruded cottonseed meal supplemented with lysine.

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that extruding cottonseed meal (CSM) with supplemental lysine improves its feeding value by detoxifying gossypol. The performance of 1-wk-old straight-run Peterson x Arbor Acres broiler chicks fed diets containing 20% feed-grade or extruded CSM was compared with that of control chicks fed corn and soybean meal-based broiler rations. All diets were formulated to meet minimum NRC requirements. Lysine levels were adjusted by addition of synthetic lysine at rates of 0.5 to 2.0% of the protein in CSM. In all experiments, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers at 21 d were significantly affected by the diets. Feeding feed-grade and extruded CSM resulted in decreased body weight gain, increased feed intake, and inefficient feed utilization. When 2% lysine was added to feed-grade or extruded CSM, the body weight gains of chicks were not significantly different from those fed the control diet. The FCR of chicks fed feed-grade and extruded CSM plus 2% lysine at 21 d was significantly better than that of chicks fed feed-grade or extruded CSM alone. Abdominal fat pads (as a percentage of body weight) were significantly increased by the inclusion of CSM with or without the addition of lysine (P < or = 0.019). Liver, spleen, and heart weights were not affected by the presence of 20% CSM in the diet. The effects of CSM on plasma iron level was not consistent. Only in Experiment 1 did CSM cause a significant reduction in plasma iron. The hemoglobin contents and hematocrit values of blood from chicks fed diets with 20% CSM were not significantly different from those of the controls. The extrusion process reduced the free gossypol in CSM, but the total gossypol level was not changed, and chick performance was not improved. However, this study shows that, with adequate supplemental lysine, CSM can be used in broiler diets without a reduction in performance.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2001

Use of expander cottonseed meal in broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis.

This experiment was designed to evaluate the use of expander cottonseed meal (CSM) in broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis and to determine the tissue distribution of gossypol enantiomers and their relationship to gossypol consumption. Gossypol is an antinutritional polyphenolic pigment found in cottonseed. A total of 800 1-d-old broilers (Arbor Acres) was randomly divided into 40 groups of 20 birds each and placed in a broiler house with wood shavings litter. The CSM was included in starter and grower diets at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28% of the diet. Diets were formulated to have similar levels of digestible methionine and lysine as the 0% CSM control diet. At 21 d of age, five birds per pen were randomly selected for the determination of gossypol enantiomers in plasma, liver, heart, and breast muscle. Tissues were again collected at 42 d of age. Results of this experiment indicated that at 21 d of age cumulative body weight and feed-to-BW ratios of birds fed CSM diets were not significantly different from the control. By 35 d of age, feed-to-BW ratios of experimental birds fed the 28% CSM diet were significantly greater than the control birds, and by 42 d, BW were lower than those of the control group. Tissue concentrations of total, (+) and (-) gossypol increased linearly as the level of CSM increased. At 42 d, liver had the most gossypol with a ratio of 87% (+) gossypol to 13% (-) gossypol. Plasma contained 73% (+) gossypol and 27% (-) gossypol. Heart contained 45% (+) gossypol and 55% (-) gossypol. Breast muscle had the least gossypol. Results of this experiment indicated that expander solvent CSM could be fed to broilers at up to 21% of the total diet if amino acid digestibility was considered.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2002

Effects of the tricothecene mycotoxin diacetoxyscirpenol on egg production of broiler breeders.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) on egg quality and egg production of broiler breeders. In Experiment 1, feed containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg DAS/ kg was fed from 67 to 69 wk of age followed by a 3-wk recovery period on a slat-litter floor. In Experiment 2, individually caged broiler breeder females were studied from 23 to 31 wk of age. The basal diet containing 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg DAS/kg was fed from 25 to 27 wk of age. In Experiment 3, individually caged broiler breeder hens were studied from 23 to 32 wk of age. DAS was fed at levels of 0 (basal), 5, 10, and 20 mg DAS/kg for 2 wk beginning at Week 24, followed by the basal breeder diet for 7 wk. Egg production was not affected by levels of up to 5 mg DAS/kg in the older hens of Experiment 1. When fed from 25 to 27 wk of age in Experiment 2, DAS decreased egg production at the 20 mg/kg level only. When fed from 24 to 25 wk of age in Experiment 3, DAS had no significant effect on egg production or egg quality. Short-term consumption of DAS at levels that might naturally occur appears to have little effect on broiler breeder egg production.

Aging↗