• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.333-337
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• 2001

This study investigated the effects of fermented product from Bacillus subtilis (FPBS) on feed conversion efficiency, fat accumulation and ammonia production in broiler chicks. Sixty female broilers (strain Chunky, 7-day old) were divided into four groups and raised in individual cages. One group was fed a commercial diet without supplementation of FPBS as the control and the other three groups were fed commercial diets containing FPBS, either 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0%, for 21 days from 7 to 28 days of age. Water and feed were given ad libitum. Feed conversion efficiency was significantly improved in chicks supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0% of FPBS as compared with the control (p<0.05). The activities of hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase, and contents of triglyceride and cholesterol in the liver were significantly decreased in treatment groups (p<0.05) as compared with the control group. FPBS had no effect on the concentration of plasma triglyceride, phospholipids and cholesterol. Feeding FPBS at 1 % or 2% levels reduced ammonia gas release (p<0.05). The inclusion of FPBS at 1 % level may be recommended both to improve production efficiency and to reduce air pollution caused by ammonia gas release. For production efficiency to reach maximal profit, the inclusion of FPBS at 0.5% level can be recommended. Feeding FPBS reduced fat accumulation in the liver.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.9.1-9.5
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• 2015

Background: A simple binary scoring system (SBSS) was developed and used to assess the welfare measures of commercial broiler chickens in South Korea. We also correlated welfare measures with environmental parameters of broiler house. Our measures of welfare included lameness, hock burn (HB) and foot pad dermatitis (FPD), whilst environmental parameters included air temperature, relative humidity, air speed, light intensity, air quality (in particular carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and ammonia ($NH_3$) concentrations) and airborne microbes. Results: The effect of environmental parameters on welfare measures was apparent even on 10-day-old broilers. A non-parametric correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between environmental parameters and welfare measures. The key environmental parameters were relative humidity and light intensity. The results indicate that there is a need for proper control of environmental conditions on poultry farms, which could reduce health problems and subsequently reduce disease and mortality. Conclusions: In conclusion, the simplicity of SBSS makes it preferable over more complex scoring systems and allows a farmer to more easily assess the welfare measures on their own farm.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

This study investigated the effects of the addition of commercial enzyme products to broiler feed with reduced levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein on the growth performance, blood profiles, and cecal microflora. A total of 750 seven-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five treatment groups with six replicates (25 birds/replicate) for 28 days. A corn-wheat-soybean meal-based diet was formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient recommendations and used as the control diet. Experimental diets with metabolizable energy reduced by 100 kcal/kg and crude protein by 1% were formulated containing four different commercial enzyme products. Feed intake and weight gain were not affected by the dietary treatments; however, feed conversion ratios were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the control group than in the other treatment groups during the entire experimental period. There were no significant differences in the blood profiles and cecal microflora between the dietary treatments. However, the viscosity of jejunal contents in chicks fed a diet with enzyme B was significantly lower than that in the other groups. The tentative marketing age was unaffected by any of the dietary treatments, and ranged from 26.39 d to 26.84 d. Collectively, the use of commercial enzymes contributed to a similar weight gain as that in chicks fed diets with reduced energy and crude protein levels; however, it failed to maintain the feed conversion ratio.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1501-1509
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• 2003

The simultaneous addition of xylanase (5,600 EXU/kg) and phytase (500 FTU/kg) feed enzymes to wheat-based broiler diets was investigated. Starter, grower and finisher diets, with three tiers of nutrient specifications, were fed to 1,440 broiler chicks kept on deep litter from 1-42 days post-hatch, without and with xylanase plus phytase, to determine the effects of diet type and enzyme supplementation on growth performance. The nutrient specifications of type A diets were standard; energy density and protein/amino acid levels were reduced on a least-cost basis to formulate type B diets and further reduced to type C diets. Phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) levels were adjusted in supplemented diets. From 1-42 days post-hatch, diet type significantly influenced growth performance. Birds on type C diets had lower growth rates (2,429 vs. 2,631 g/bird; p<0.001), higher feed intakes (4,753 vs. 4,534 g/bird; p<0.005) and less efficient feed conversion (1.96 vs. 1.72; p<0.001) than birds offered type A diets. Enzyme supplementation increased growth rates by 3.2% (2,580 vs. 2,501 g/bird; p<0.005) and improved feed efficiency by 2.7% (1.80 vs. 1.85; p<0.05) over the entire feeding period. There were no interactions between diet type and enzyme supplementation. At 21 days, 5 out of 30 birds per pen were transferred to cages to ascertain treatment effect on apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen (N) retention. Xylanase plus phytase enhanced AME (13.48 to 13.91 MJ/kg DM; p<0.001) and N retention (56.3 to 59.7%; p<0.005). Carcass and breast weights of the caged birds were determined following commercial processing. Diet type significantly influenced breast weight, carcass weight and yield. Birds offered Type A diets, in comparison to Type C diets, supported heavier breast (467 vs. 424 g; p<0.001) and carcass weights (1,868 vs. 1,699 g; p<0.001) with superior carcass yields (71.8 vs. 70.6%; p<0.005). Enzyme addition increased carcass weight by 3.9% (1,752 vs. 1,821 g; p<0.005) and breast weight by 5.8% (431 vs. 456 g; p<0.01) without influencing yields. Feed ingredient costs per kg live weight gain and per kg carcass weight indicated that enzyme addition was economically feasible, where supplementation of Type A diets generated the most effective results. Importantly, soluble and total non-starch polysaccharide and phytate contents of the wheat used were typical by local standards. This study confirms the potential of supplementing wheat-based broiler diets with xylanase plus phytase but further investigations are required to define the most appropriate inclusion rates and dietary nutrient specifications in this context.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1510-1510
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• 2001

NIRS uses reflectance signals resulting from bending and stretching vibrations in chemical bonds between carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur and oxygen. These reflectance signals are used to measure the concentration of major chemical composition and other descriptors of homogenized and freeze-dried whole broiler carcasses. Six strains of chicken were analyzed and the NIRS model predictions compared to reference data. The results of this comparison indicate that NIRS is a rapid tool for predicting dry matter (DM), fat, crude protein (CP) and ash content in the broiler carcass. Males and females of six commercial strain crosses of broiler chicken (Gallus domesticus) were used in this study (6$\times$2 factorial design). Each strain was grown to 16 weeks of age, and duplicate serial samples were taken for body composition analysis. Each whole carcass was pressure-cooked, homogenized, and a representative sample was freeze-dried. Body composition determined as follows: DM by oven dried method at 105$^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours, fat by Mojonnier diethyl ether extraction, CP by measuring nitrogen content using an auto-analyzer with Kjeldhal digest and ash by combustion in a muffle furnace for 24 hour at 55$0^{\circ}C$. These homogenized and freeze-dried carcass samples were then scanned with a Foss NIR Systems 6500 visible-NIR spectrophotometer (400-2500nm) (Foss NIR Systems, Silver Spring, MD., US) using Infra-Soft-International, ISI, WinISl software (ISI, Port Matilda, US). The NIRS spectra were analyzed using principal component (PC) analysis. This data was corrected for scatter using standard normal “Variate” and “Detrend” technique. The accuracy of the NIRS calibration equations developed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) for predicting major chemical composition and carcass descriptors- such as body mass (BM), bird dry matter and moisture content was tested using cross validation. Discrimination analysis was also used for sex and strain identification. According to Dr John Shenk, the creator of the ISI software, the calibration equations with the correlation coefficient, $R^2$, between reference data and NIRS predicted results of above 0.90 is excellent and between 0.70 to 0.89 is a good quantifying guideline. The excellent calibration equations for DM ($R^2$= 0.99), fat (0.98) and CP (0.92) and a good quantifying guideline equation for ash (0.80) were developed in this study. The results of cross validation statistics for carcass descriptors, body composition using reference methods, inter-correlation between carcass descriptors and NIRS calibration, and the results of discrimination analysis for sex and strain identification will also be presented in the poster. The NIRS predicted daily gain and calculated daily gain from this experiment, and true daily gain (using data from another experiment with closely related broiler chicken from each of the six strains) will also be discussed in the paper.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1066-1072
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• 2010

In this study, the effects of replacing inorganic copper, zinc and manganese with different levels of organic complexes of the same trace minerals on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in broilers were investigated. Two-hundred Ross-308 one-day-old broiler chickens were placed on controlled diets until 42 d of age. The experimental animals were divided into four groups comprising three experimental groups and one control group, each consisting of 50 chickens. All groups were also divided into five subgroups each containing 10 broiler chicks. The mineral content of the control group diet was controlled using a standard inorganic mineral premix with supplement levels and sources of trace minerals typical of commercial broiler diets according to the National Research Council (NRC) (containing 8 mg Cu as $CuSO_4$, 40 mg Zn as $ZnSO_4$, and 60 mg Mn as MnO, per kg). In the experimental diets, mineral premix was also comprised of inorganic formulations, except for those of Cu, Zn and Mn. Organically-complexed Cu, Zn, and Mn were separately added to the basal diet at 1/3 (L1), 2/3 (L2) and 3/3 (L3) levels with respect to the NRC recommendation, as Bioplex $Cu^{TM}$, Bioplex $Zn^{TM}$, Bioplex $Mn^{TM}$. At the end of the trial, the plasma Zn level significantly increased when the plasma Cu level significantly decreased (p<0.05) in chickens fed at 2/3 and 3/3 levels of organically complexed minerals. The liver trace mineral concentrations were significantly higher in chickens fed inorganic trace minerals in comparison to those fed organically-complexed minerals. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level of experimental chickens was decreased in groups receiving levels of organic Cu, Zn and Mn in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in all groups receiving the organic mineral supplements in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). No differences were observed on either the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity or the plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, and the liver MDA levels and liver CAT and SOD activities in any of the groups that received the organic supplements of Cu, Zn, and Mn. It was concluded that supplementation of lower levels of organically-complexed copper, zinc, and manganese instead of their inorganic forms in diets had no negative effects on the antioxidant defense system in broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2014

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Zizyphus jujuba seed meal on broiler performance, small intestine and cecal length, gizzard weight and fecal gas emission. A total of 180 day-old broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into 4 groups, fed the commercial diet containing 0, 0.3 (T1), 0.6 (T2) and 0.9 % (T3) of Zizyphus jujuba seed meal from two to 5 weeks of age. Body weight gain and feed efficiency (feed/gain) were significantly increase in T2 than other groups at 3 weeks age (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in body weight gain and feed efficiency (feed/gain) by feeding Zizyphus jujuba seed meal, although they tended to be improved by treatment during whole experimental period (5 weeks age). The gizzard weights of three treatment groups were higher than control. But no difference among three treatment groups was observed. The small intestine and cecal length was no change by feeding Zizyphus jujuba seed meal. Emission of $NH_3$ and VFA gas from excreta were significantly decreased from 5 to 10 days of storage period (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the addition of Zizyphus jujuba seed meal at 0.3 to 0.6 % to the diet has increased digestibility of feed and the reduction of $NH_3$ emissions from feces, there was a possibility of improvement in body weight gain of broiler chickens.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.483-490
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• 2014

The study was conducted to the effect of inclusion of chitosan-oligosaccharide in drinking water on the blood component profile, immunity and antioxidative enzyme of broiler chickens. A total of 28,000 broiler chickens (Arbor Acre) at 1 days of age were fed the commercial diet until 35 days of age, the treatment divided into two treatments, normal control group and chitosan-oligosaccharide in drinking water group. In concentration of glucose, treatment was significantly decreased than control (P<0.05), but not statistically different on the Triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the Blood component profile of broiler chicks. The concentration of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) was statistically different but the concentration of glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) was significantly decreased in treatment fed chitosan-oligosaccharide than control (P<0.05). Immunoglobullins in the blood, concentration of IgG was not significantly different among control and treatment but concentration of IgM was significantly increased in fed chitosan-oligosaccharide than control (P<0.05). Antioxidant and super oxide dismutase (SOD) was not different among control and treatment and concentration of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in fed chitosan-oligosaccharide than control (P<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.939-943
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• 2007

Two experiments were conducted to determine the lysine requirement of straight-run broiler chickens ($Hubbard{\times}Hubbard$) during the period 4-21 (Exp. 1) and 21-40 (Exp. 2) days of age. Experiments were conducted during the summer months (June-August) in open-sided houses, thus exposing chicks to chronic heat stress. Daily min-max temperature averaged $28-40^{\circ}C$ (Exp. 1) and $28-36^{\circ}C$ (Exp. 2). Lysine deficient basal diets were formulated to contain low-nutrient-density, i.e., 2,700 kcal per kg ME, 18.6% CP (Exp. 1), and 2,750 kcal per kg ME, 17.1% CP (Exp. 2), to mimic typical commercial broiler diets used in Pakistan. Diets were supplemented with L-lysine HCl to provide total lysine level ranging from 0.85 to 1.10% (six increments) and 0.72 to 1.02% (six increments), respectively in Exp. 1 and 2. Live performance data were subjected to quadratic analysis and requirement was defined as the level achieving 95% of maximum or minimum values. Lysine requirements were found to be 0.98 and 0.97% total lysine, respectively, for gain and feed efficiency during 4-21 days, and 0.87% total lysine for both gain and feed efficiency during 21-40 days of age. Calculated on a digestible lysine basis, the estimates were 0.85 and 0.84%, respectively, for gain and feed efficiency during 4-21 days of age; and 0.75% for gain and feed efficiency during 21-40 days of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1641-1648
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the combined effect of dietary supplementation of gallic and linoleic acid (GL) on the antioxidative effect and quality of thigh meat from broilers. Broilers received 3 dietary treatments: i) commercial finisher diet (control), ii) 0.5% GL (gallic:linoleic acid = 1 M:1 M), and iii) 1.0% GL during the 22 to 36 d. The pH value of broiler thigh meat was increased by GL supplementation. Water holding capacity of the thigh meat was enhanced by the 1.0% dietary GL supplementation. Antioxidative effect (total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, $ABTS^+$ reducing activity, reducing power, and TBARS value) in the thigh from the broilers improved significantly with 1.0% GL. Linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acids were higher in the broilers fed both levels of dietary GL. However, volatile basic nitrogen content and microbiological quality was not shown to be different between control and treated group. Results indicate that 1.0% dietary supplementation of GL can improve the antioxidant activity of broiler thigh meat and may enhance the meat quality.