• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Cu-sulfate, Cu-methionine chelate (Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) on the performance, blood parameters and mineral contents of muscle. It was conducted with a total of 1,000 one d old broilers chickens (Ross$^{(R)}$) which were assigned to four dietary treatments; Control, Cu sulfate (200 ppm Cu as $CuSO_4{\cdot}5H_2O$), Cu-Met (200 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP (200 ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in weight gain. Weight gain of Cu treated groups were higher than the control during 3~5 wk. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed intake during 0~3 wk. Cu-Met was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control but the differences among Cu treatments were not significant. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed conversion rate (FCR). Cu treated groups were lower than the control during the whole period. Production efficiency factor (PEF) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in Cu treated groups than the control. Nutrient availabilities of diets were not significantly different among the treatments. The count of white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil (EO) were lower in Cu-SP treatment than in the control. Copper concentration in the liver was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Cu treated groups than the control. Zinc concentration in the breast and wing muscle was lower in Cu treated and that of leg muscle was higher in Cu-Met than the control. The result of this experiment showed that Cu supplementation at the level of 200 ppm as Cu sulfate, Cu-Met and Cu-SP improves weight gain (4~5 wk), FCR and PEF. Differences among Cu sources were not significant.

• ANNALS OF ANIMAL RESOURCE SCIENCES
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.97-107
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• 2017

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health of broiler chickens when a dietary supplementation of multienzymes was added to diets, containing different energy levels. A total of 480 broiler chickens of similar body weight (Ross 308, 1-day-old) were randomly subjected to four treatments. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with: multienzyme (amylase+protease+ mannanase+xylanase+phytase), 0.05% enzyme, and different energy levels (3010 and 3060 kcal/kg). The experimental diets were fed to the chicks in a mash form for 35 days in two phases (1-21 d, phase I; and 22-35 d, phase II). During the overall period, chicks fed with diets supplemented with multienzymes had a better weight gain (p<0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed with diets without enzymes. There was no difference in the growth rate and FCR among the chicks fed with diets supplemented with enzymes, even though the dietary energy levels were different. The apparent fecal and ileal digestibility of dry matter, gross, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus were significantly enhanced (p<0.05). The population of cecal and ileal Lactobacillus spp. was significantly increased (p<0.05), and Clostridium spp. and coliforms were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in diets supplemented with enzymes. Villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the small intestine was also significantly enhanced (p<0.05) in diets supplemented with enzymes. In conclusion, multienzyme supplementation had positive effects on the weight gain of broilers, FCR, digestibility of nutrients, and on the growth of intestinal microbiota.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.996-1002
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• 2014

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid (LA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 486 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 9 dietary treatments, 9 treatments were group A (0 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group B (50 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group C (100 mg/kg LA and 0 mg/kg ALC), group D (0 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group E (50 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group F (100 mg/kg LA and 50 mg/kg ALC), group G (0 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC), group H (50 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC), group I (100 mg/kg LA and 100 mg/kg ALC). Birds were slaughtered at 42 days old. Average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI), feed conversion rate (FCR), eviscerated rate, breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage, abdominal fat percentage, liver weight, muscle color ($L^*$ value, $a^*$ value, $b^*$ value), pH values at 45 min and 24 h postmortem were measured. Results showed that there existed an interaction between LA and ALC in growth performance of broilers, carcass traits and meat quality. The overall result is that high level of LA and ALC led to lower AFI, ADG (p<0.01), lower abdominal fat percentage, liver weight (p<0.01), lower $L^*$ value, $a^*$ value, and $b^*$ value of breast muscle, $L^*$ value of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and higher FCR (p<0.01), eviscerated rate (p<0.01), breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage (p<0.05), $a^*$ value, pH 45 min and pH 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.01). These results suggested that dietary LA and ALC contributed to the improvement of meat quality in broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1354-1360
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• 2006

Maize-soybean meal diets with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg double zero rapeseed meal ('00' RSM) with and without an enzyme mixture (xylanase, pectinase, cellulase) at a level of 1.6 g/kg were evaluated with 624 day-old broiler chicks for 5 weeks. The birds were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with three replicates of 26 birds each. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly and ileal viscosity, organ weights, serum enzyme activity, hormonal profile and hematological parameters were measured at the end of week 5. Average daily gain during the weekly periods was significantly influenced by the dietary level of '00'RSM (p<0.01). Inclusion of '00' RSM improved the ADG up to day 28 with the increased level; beyond that time no improvement was recorded when compared to control groups. However, ADG from 1-35 days was significantly different between 300 g/kg inclusion level of '00' RSM and the control diet. Inconsistent decline in feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed up to day 21 and the trend was reversed thereafter. The proportion of '00' RSM in the diet had a significant ($p{\leq}0.05$) influence on thyroid weight but had no effect on the relative weights of liver and heart, serum enzyme activities (${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase), thyroid hormones ($T_3$ and $T_4$), hemoglobin level and hematocrit. Significant improvement in ADG was recorded during the 2nd week of age with the addition of enzyme, whereas for all other periods, including the whole period of the trial, higher but non-significant ADG was observed. FI and FCR were not affected by the addition of enzyme but there was a numerical reduction in FCR during the whole period. The addition of enzyme reduced the ileal viscosity at all levels of '00' RSM inclusion. The results suggest that '00' RSM can be included up to 300 g/kg in broiler diets without any adverse effects on health and performance. The addition of commercial enzyme mixture containing xylanase, pectinase, cellulase to broiler diets containing '00'RSM has some effect on growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2007

A Feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of three different sources and two levels of dietary gelatinized carbohydrate (GC) on nutrient utilization, growth, tissue composition and tissue enzyme activities of fingerlings of Catla catla (15.1-15.3 g). Six isocaloric (17.1-17.5 kJ/g) semi-purified diets were prepared either with rice, corn or tapioca at 40 or 50% GC each. The crude protein (CP) level used in the diet was 35% and 25% for 40% and 50% GC level, respectively to study the protein sparing effect of GC. The degree of gelatinization was higher for corn and tapioca than rice under similar cooking conditions. After a 60-d feeding trial, dry matter, carbohydrate, protein and lipid digestibility were higher in tapioca fed groups at both the levels of GC. However, the highest specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were observed in the corn fed groups at 50% GC level indicating better utilization of nutrients from gelatinized corn. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was almost similar in corn and tapioca fed groups between two levels of GC but in rice fed groups, FCR was lower in 40% GC than 50% GC level. The results indicated higher protein-sparing effect in corn and tapioca fed groups than rice fed groups. The order of gelatinized carbohydrate utilization in Catla catla fingerlings at 50% GC level was corn>tapioca>rice. At 40% GC level, corn and tapioca were comparable and more efficiently utilized than rice. In the corn fed groups, 50% GC was comparable with 40% GC level, whereas in rice and tapioca fed groups the 40% GC was better in terms of nutrient utilization. Liver glycogen content and hepatosomatic index were significantly (p<0.05) higher in those groups fed high GC (50%) irrespective of carbohydrate sources. Higher intestinal amylase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were observed in higher GC fed groups than the lower GC groups. No mortality was found in any groups at any levels of GC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.574-581
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• 2008

Two experiments, involving a total of 100 crossbred pigs (Hampshire$\times$Landrace$\times$Duroc) aged 5 weeks, were used to evaluate the effect of Roselle (Hibicus sabdariffa Linn.) calyx as an antioxidant and acidifier on growth performance. Experiment 1: growth performance response of pigs fed basal corn-soy diet was compared with that of pigs consuming diets that contained 4, 8 and 12% Roselle in powder form, 4 g/kg acidifier (Fra$^{(R)}$Acid Dry) or 100 mg/kg antibiotic (Aurofac$^{(R)}$). All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Twenty-four castrated male and twelve female pigs were randomly allocated into 6 treatments which comprised 3 replicates (2 male and 1 female) of 2 pigs each. The results demonstrated no beneficial weight gain and feed intake response among treatments at 7, 9 and 11 weeks of age (p>0.05). However, feed-to-gain ratios (FCR) of Roselle-fed groups were significantly different from the basal-diet group at 7 weeks of age (p<0.05). Pigs fed with 8% Roselle had the lowest FCR. Therefore, 8% was set as an appropriate level of Roselle in feed. Experiment 2 was conducted to determine antioxidant and acidifier properties. Pigs were fed similar diets to Experiment 1 except that Roselle was fed to only one treatment at the level of 8%. Sixty-four piglets, 32 castrated male and female each were randomly allocated into 4 treatments which comprised 4 replicates (2 male and 2 female) of 4 pigs each. Body weight was measured. At 7 and 9 weeks of age, four pigs from each treatment were randomly selected. The pH in their gastrointestinal tract, pepsin activity in stomach mucosa, trypsin activity in the pancreas and protein and fat digestibility in the ileum were measured to investigate acidifier properties. For antioxidant properties, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione concentration in plasma and liver were used as parameters. The results showed no significant difference in weight gain, pH or pepsin activity among all treatments at both ages (p>0.05). Nevertheless, trypsin activity and fat digestibility of the Roselle-fed group were higher than the basal-diet group at 7 weeks of age (p<0.05). Glutathione in plasma was significantly different between antibiotic-fed and basal-diet groups (p<0.05). Significant differences were found only in some parameters and between the basal-diet group and the other groups. Therefore, it cannot be precisely concluded that Roselle in powder form has clear acidifier and antioxidant properties in postweaning pigs. Further studies should be undertaken to clearly confirm both properties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1285-1291
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• 2017

Objective: A trial was conducted from 11 to 42 d post-hatch to investigate the effectiveness of the supplementation of a multiple-enzyme preparation (Natuzyme Plus) in a wheat-based diet on digesta viscosity, pH and microbial population, villus morphology, feed passage time, nutrient retention, carcass characteristics, blood lipid parameters and growth performance of broiler chickens. Methods: Three hundreds 10-d-old male Ross 308 chicks were allocated to three diets with five replicates of 20 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were i) a wheat-based diet (W), ii) W+Natuzyme Plus (WN; 500 mg/kg of the diet), and iii) a corn-based diet (C). Results: Birds fed on the C diet had higher average daily gain (ADG, p<0.01), villus height (VH, p<0.01), total tract apparent retention (TTAR) of nitrogen (NT, p<0.01) and ether extract (EE, p<0.01), nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy ($AME_n$, p<0.05), relative weight (RW, % of body weight) of carcass (p<0.05), blood concentration of triglyceride (TG, on d 40 [p<0.01]), total cholesterol (TC, on d 22 [p<0.05]) and low density lipoprotein (LDL, on d 22 [p<0.01] and 40 [p<0.05]), and also lower feed conversion ratio (FCR, p<0.01), digesta viscosity (p<0.01), count of coliforms (p<0.01) and Escherichia coli (p<0.01) and epithelium thickness (ET, p<0.05) than those fed on the W diet. ADG, FCR, VH, ET, TTAR of NT and EE, RW of carcass, blood concentration of TG (on d 40), TC (on d 22) and LDL (on d 22 and 40) values of the WN diet did not show a significant (p>0.05) difference compared to those of the C diet. Compared to those of the W diet, the WN diet showed the higher count of Lactobacilli and lower count of coliforms (p<0.01) and digesta viscosity (p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that Natuzyme Plus supplementation in a wheat-based diet can be appropriate to achieve a comparable growth performance in broiler chickens to those given the C diet probably through improving digesta viscosity, VH, ET, TTAR of NT and EE, $AME_n$, count of Lactobacilli and coliforms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1470-1476
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• 2016

Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) $pH_{45min}$ value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers' diet.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.531-540
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• 2017

A study was conducted to compare growth performance of six female commercial Korean native chicken (KNC) crossbreeds from hatching to twelve weeks of age. Three hundred and twelve, 1-day-old female commercial KNC were used within 1 paternal line and 6 maternal lines. The chickens were allocated to 24 battery cages to give 4 replicates per strain with 13 chickens per cage. The chickens were reared under continuous lighting (24 h) and water was available at all times. Ad-libitum feeding was practiced throughout the experimental period. Among the six different strains, 2A had the greatest bodyweight (BW) at 42 days after hatching (p < 0.05). No BW difference between six crossbreed strains (p > 0.05) was found thereafter. Crossbreed 1A had the higher average daily gain (ADG) than crossbreed 2A and 3A chickens (p < 0.05), whereas crossbreed 4A, 5A, and 6A had similar ADGs to that of crossbreed 1A (p > 0.05) at 84 days after hatching. Furthermore, crossbreed 4A had a great average daily feed intake (ADFI) from hatching to 84 days (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, there was no difference in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and uniformity between six crossbreed strains for the experimental period (p > 0.05). Despite that 1A, 4A, and 6A had the higher viability (p < 0.05) than crossbreed 2A and 5A, they had a similar viability than crossbreed 3A (p > 0.05). With this in mind, crossbreed 2A had greater BW, ADG, and FCR than other chicken crossbreeds from hatching to 84 days, although they had a lower viability than others.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.239-246
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• 2015

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology and cecal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of two hundred and eighty eight 1-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to one of four experimental treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was fed to eight replicate cages, with nine birds per cage. Dietary treatments were composed of an antibiotic-free basal diet (control), and the basal diet supplemented with either 15 mg/kg of virginiamycin as antibiotic growth promoter (AGP), 30 mg/kg of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM (DFM 30) or 60 mg/kg of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM (DFM 60). Experimental diets were fed in two phases: starter (d 1 to 21) and finisher (d 22 to 42). Growth performance, nutrient utilization, morphological parameters of the small intestine and cecal microbial populations were measured at the end of the starter (d 21) and finisher (d 42) phases. During the starter phase, DFM and virginiamycin supplementation improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR; p<0.01) compared with the control group. For the finisher phase and the overall experiment (d 1 to 42) broilers fed diets with the DFM had better body weight gain (BWG) and FCR than that of control (p<0.05). Supplementation of virginiamycin and DFM significantly increased the total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM) and gross energy during both starter and finisher phases (p<0.05) compared with the control group. On d 21, villus height, crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were significantly increased for the birds fed with the DFM diets as compared with the control group (p<0.05). The DFM 30, DFM 60, and AGP groups decreased the Escherichia coli population in cecum at d 21 and d 42 compared with control group (p<0.01). In addition, the population of Lactobacillus was increased in DFM 30 and DFM 60 groups as compared with control and AGP groups (p<0.01). It can be concluded that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM could be an alternative to the use of AGPs in broilers diets based on plant protein.