• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.539-555
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• 2009

The potential of encapsulated inuloprebiotics from domestic Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthustuberosus) as natural antibacterial growth promotor for an antibiotic replacement in broiler chickens was presently assessed through assays of growth performance, serum immunoglobulin production and influence on caecal microflora. Two hundred-forty, 1-day-old, male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to four treatments (T1-T4), with three replicate pens per treatment and 20 chicks per pen. Broiler chicks were fed a basal diet (T1: control) or basal diet plus antibiotics (T2: Chlorotetracycline, 0.10%), 300 ppm of the inuloprebiotics (T3), or 450 ppm of the inuloprebiotics (T4) for 35 days. Body weight, dressing percentage or weight of breast and thigh muscles relative to carcass weight of T3 and T4 broiler chickens was significantly (P<0.05) higher than T1 and T2 broiler chickens. The weight of abdominal fat from T3 and T4 broiler chickens were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of T1 and T2 chickens. Serum immunoglobulins in the T3 and T4 groups were significantly (P<0.05) elevated compared to the T1 and T2 groups. The weight of immune organs, thymus and Bursa of Fabricius relative to live body weight in the T3 and T4 groups were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the T1 and T2 groups. Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, which are beneficial bacteria, were present in greater numbers in the caecum of T3 and T4 birds than T1 and T2 groups, whereas potentially harmful Escherichiacoli and Salmonella were present in lower numbers, with differences being significant (P<0.05). These results suggest that a diet supplemented with 300 ppm of inuloprebiotics has potential as an antibiotic replacement for organic livestock feed supplement intended to improve production of broiler chicken.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2021

The study determined the effects of stock density (SD) and energy level (EL) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, and meat quality in Korean native chickens. A total of 240 chickens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments including two stock density (low, 14, and high, 16 chickens per m²) and two energy level (low, 2,950, 3,000, 3050 ME kcal/kg, and high 3,150, 3,200, 3,250 ME kcal/kg, for starter, grower, and finisher, respectively). During the whole period of the experiment, the chickens were fed ad libitum. The greater final body weight and weight gain were achieved in chickens fed high energy diet, whereas the final body weight and weight gain were significantly reduced in high-density treatment compared with the low density. Chickens in low-density groups had a higher feed intake compared with high-density treatment, however, the energy level did not affect the feed intake. An improved overall feed conversion ratio was detected in the high energy treatment. There was a significant interaction between stock density and energy level on cholesterol concentration. The concentration of aspartate transaminase in serum was increased by higher stock density. There was a significant treatment interaction on IgM levels. Moreover, the carcass rate was significantly increased in the high energy level treatment. Based on the findings, we suggest that rearing chickens in low density with high dietary energy levels could be beneficial by improving the growth performance.