• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.450-454
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• 1998

Four groups each containing 48 seven-day-old broiler chicks were reared for 7 weeks during winter on rice husk litter spread to depths of 20, 30, 40 or 50 mm. Broiler performance was evaluated in terms of weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency and production number. Litter dampness was determined and coccidial oocyst populations were counted at different weeks of age. The depth of litter did not significantly affect live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, liveability or production number. Variation in moisture contents of litter was observed but the coccidial oocysts count per gramme of litter was within the safety level and therefore, there was no outbreak of coccidiosis in any group. Use of rice husk litter at different depths (20 to 50 mm) did not cause any breast blisters or leg abnormalities. It was concluded that rice husk can be used as litter at depths of between 20 and 50 mm during winter to raise broilers without affecting performance characteristics and health of birds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 2003

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding Aspergillus oryzae(AO) ferment on performance, intestinal microflora, serum components, ammonia generation and litter dampness in broiler chicks. In experiment I, three hundred sixty, one day old broiler chicks, Abor Acres, were fed 0 and 0.1% of Aspergiilus oryzae short conidia ferment(AOS) and 0.1% of Aspergillus oryzae long conidia ferment(AOL) for five weeks. In experiment II, three hundred sixty, one day old broiler chicks, Abor Acres were fed 0, 0.1 and 0.2% of Aspergillus oryzae long conidia ferment(AOL) for five weeks. In experiment I, growth rates were not statistically different among dietary treatments. AOS and AOL showed increased tendency in weight gain and feed intake compared to those of control, whereas feed conversion was not different. Litter dampness of AOS and AOL was also tended to decrease compared to that of control, but was not significantly different. Fecal ammonia gas generation was decreased in feeding AOS and AOL, and maintained 1/2 to 3/4 compared to the control. In serum metabolites, AOS and AOL increased glucose and calcium, and decreased total protein, blood urea nitrogen and total cholesterol. In experiment II, body weight of chicks fed 0.1 and 0.2% AOL were heavier than the control(P<0.05). Feed intake of chicks fed 0.1 and 0.2% AOL also were higher than the none, but feed conversion ratio was not different among treatments. Ileal and cecal microflora showed increased tendency in lactic acid bacteria compared to those of the control. Salmonella and E. coli were decreased in ileum of chicks fed 0.1 and 0.2% AOL. In conclusion, feeding AO ferment increased growth performance and improved intestinal microflora of broiler chicks and environments of broiler house.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2003

A feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding Lactobacillus reuteri culture(LRC) on the performance, nutrients digestibility, intestinal microflora, serum metabolites, ammonia generation and litter dampness in broiler chicks. Four hundred eighty, one day old male chicks were fed into none, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4% of LRC supplementation fer seven weeks. Basal diets excluded antibiotics contained ME 3,100, 3,100 kcal/kg, and CP 22.0, 20.0% for starter and grower, respectively. Weight gain of chicks fed LRC was significantly higher than no supplemental group in overall period(P<0.05). Feed intake was the highest in the 0.1% LRC, but not statistically different from other treatments. Feed conversion showed no significance among treatments. Viable Lactobacillus spp. number of chicks fed 0.2 and 0.4% LRC was significantly higher in cecum at seven weeks of age compared to the none(P<0.05). The tendency of anaerobes number was similar to Lactobacillus spp in ileum and cecum. Total number of E. coli and Salmonella were no difference in all treatments. In serum metabolites, feeding LRC increased triglyceride, and inorganic phosphorus, but no different total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, glucose, blood urea nitrogen and Ca. Nutrients digestibility improved significantly in 0.4% LRC compared to that of none(P<0.05). Fecal NH$_3$, gas generation was greatly decreased in the LRC supplemental groups(P<0.05). Moisture contents of bedding was also significantly decreased in LRC feeding group. It was concluded from the present study that feeding Lactobacillus reuteri culture improved the growth performance and nutrients digestibility of broiler chicks and minimize the fecal noxious gas emission.