• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.107-112
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feed particle size and feed form on growth performance, nutrient metabolizability and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. This experiment was a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement including two feed particle sizes (fine and coarse) and two feed forms (mash and pellet). A total of two hundred and eighty eight day-old male Arbor Acre broilers were used in this six week experiment. Birds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and twelve birds per replicate. The results showed that pelleting diets resulted in greater ADG (p<0.01), greater ADFI (p<0.01) and lower feed to gain ratio (F/G) (p<0.05) during starter, grower and overall period. Also, pelleting improved both apparent metabolizable energy (AME) (p<0.01) and the apparent metabolizability of crude protein (p<0.05) and organic matter (p<0.05) regardless of the phase. Reduction of feed particle size enhanced AME (p<0.05) during d 19 to 21. Increased villus height (p<0.05) and crypt depth ratio (p< 0.05) within duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were observed in birds fed the pellet diet compared with those given the mash diet. In conclusion, results indicated that feed pellets might enhance performance by improving nutrient metabolizability and digestive tract development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of dietary inorganic (copper sulfate) and organic (copper proteinate) forms of copper and energy level on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens. Two hundred day-old commercial Vencobb broiler chicks were purchased and randomly distributed to 20 cages of 10 birds each. These replicates were randomly assigned to one of five treatments in a (($2{\times}2$)+1) factorial arrangement. These two factors were sources of Cu ($CuSO_{4}$ vs. Cuproteinate) and dose of Cu supplements (200 mg and 400 mg/kg dietary dry matter) and the control (no supplemental Cu). After the starter period (up to 3 weeks), from d 22 onwards another factor i.e. energy at two levels (2,900 vs. 2,920 kcal/kg diet) was introduced with the previous factorial arrangements by subdividing each replicate into two equal parts, for two energy levels, without disturbing the dose and source of Cu supplement. Cu-salt supplementation linearly increased (p<0.01) live weight (LW), live weight gain (LWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 3 weeks, whereas cumulative feed intake (CFI) was unaffected (p>0.05). LWG and FCR were higher (p<0.01) in Cu-proteinate supplemented birds compared to $CuSO_{4}$ supplementation. A linear dose response (p<0.01) of Cu was found for the performance of broiler chickens. Birds having a higher energy level in the finisher stage increased (p<0.01) LWG and FCR. Cumulative feed intake was similar (p>0.05) across the groups up to the 5th week. Cu-proteinate increased performance of broiler chickens compared to $CuSO_{4}$. Dose of supplemental Cu-salt irrespective of source showed a linear response (p<0.01) for performance. Supplementation of Cu-proteinate increased metabolizability of DM (p<0.01), NFE (p<0.05), total carbohydrate (p<0.01) and OM (p<0.01) at the starter period. Increased dose of Cu-salt linearly increased (p<0.01) metabolizability of DM, CP, CF, NFE and OM. Higher energy level in the diet improved DM (p<0.05), EE (p<0.01), NFE (p = 0.01), total carbohydrate (p<0.01) and OM (p<0.01) metabolizability. Cu-proteinate supplementation showed better nutrient utilization compared to CuSO4. Dose of Cu linearly increased DM, CP, EE, NFE, total carbohydrate and OM metabolizability. CF metabolizability was unaffected (p>0.05) among the treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Cu-salt more than the requirement may improve performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens even with a high energy finisher diet. Cu-proteinate showed better performance and nutrient utilization compared to $CuSO_{4}$.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2008

A layer feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of high quality corn distiller's dried grains with solubles(DDGS) on laying performance and nutrient metabolizabilities. A total of 216 Hy-line Brown layers, 23-wk of age, were employed in a 10-wk feeding trial consisting of three dietary treatments(0%, 10%, and 20% DDGS), and six replicates per treatment. All experimental diets were prepared as iso-protein(17%) and iso-calorie(2,780 kcal/kg). At the end of the trial, the effect of DDGS on fecal ammonia emission was also estimated. The use of DDGS up to 20% in layer diets did not affect the feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio(P>0.05). The DM metabolizability decreased significantly(P<0.05) by the DDGS supplementation(P<0.05). The NFE metabolizability decreased gradually as the level of DDGS increased(P<0.05). The fecal ammonia emission from DDGS-fed birds tended to decrease as the storage days extended. In conclusion, albeit DDGS has some unfavorable effects on DM and NFE metabolizabilities, it could be included in layer diets up to 20% level without any harmful effects on laying performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.976-982
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• 2007

This study investigated whether supplemental Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn are needed in a practical diet for pullets. Four hundred and twenty females of an egg-laying strain (1-d-old, Lohmann Brown Layer) were randomly distributed into 4 groups, consisting of 7 replicates of 15 birds each. During the 18-week experimental period, chicks were given three basal diets in sequence, each with single or multiple Mn, Zn and Cu supplementation to improve the mineral balance gradually. In the Control, no Mn, Zn, and Cu were added; in the single Mn supplemented group (sMn) Mn was added to 120, 60, and 60 mg/kg for 1-6, 7-12, and 13-18 weeks of age, respectively; in the multiple Mn and Zn supplemented group (mMnZn), Mn was added to 180, 90, and 90 mg/kg and Zn was added to 120, 105, and 105 mg/kg for 1-6, 7-12, and 13-18 weeks of age, respectively; in the multiple Mn, Zn, Cu supplemented group (mMnZnCu), Mn, Zn, and Cu were added to the same multiple of basal Fe concentration relative to NRC (1994) recommendations. Energy and protein metabolizability were determined by subtracting energy/protein intake by energy/protein excretion (from both feces and urine) and dividing by energy/protein intake. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of feed intake, final body weight or tibia length throughout the experiment. Optimal growth performance was observed in the Control, while adding trace minerals to basal diets tended to result in decreased productive performance. Protein metabolizability was increased by mMnZn and mMnZnCu treatments, but energy metabolizability was not affected. Concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cu in excreta varied greatly related to dietary content, and the retentions of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn were all increased due to the improvement of mineral balance. Based on these results, it is suggested that the concentrations of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn in typical basal diets used in this study were adequate for normal growth for pullets from 1 to 18 weeks of age.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary acidifier($Lactacid^(R)$) and essential oil($Immunocin^(R)$) on the performance, nutrient metabolizability, small intestinal microflora, IgG level and leukocytes and erythrocytes in broiler chickens. Five hundred males and 500 females broiler chickens($Ross^(R)$) were divided into 20 pens of 50 chickens(25 birds in each sex). Five pens were assigned to each of four dietary treatments: control, diets containing antibiotics(Bacitracin methylene disalicilate), acidifier($Lactacid^(R)$) and essential oil($Immunocin^(R)$) dietary treatments. Birds were fed experimental diets ad libitum 5 wks. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate were significantly affected by dietary treatment(P<0.05). Overall weight gain($0{\sim}5$ wks) of $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment was significantly lower than the others. Feed intake was highest(P<0.05) in the control followed by antibiotics, $Lactacid^(R)\;and\;Immunocin^(R)$ treatment. Feed conversion rate of $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment was lowest(P<0.05) followed by antibiotics, $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment and the control. Production indices of $Immunocin^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments were significantly higher than those of the control and $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment(P<0.05). $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment was the highest and antibiotics was lowest in serum IgG level. The number of leukocytes and stress index(neutrophil/lymphocytes) tended to be lower in $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment than others. There were no significant differences in erythrocytes among the treatments. The cfu of E. coli was significantly lower in $Immunocin^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments than $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment and the control. Metabolizability of crude protein was significantly lower in the control than $Lactacid^(R)\;and\;Immunocin^(R)$ treatment while that of NFE was significantly lower in $Immunocin^(R)\;than\;Lactacid^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments. It was concluded that essential oil product $Immunocin^(R)$ is as effective as antibiotics in improving feed conversion efficiency and production index while $Lactacid^(R)$ is not.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-112
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• 1994

This study was a sequential experiment consisting if feeding trial and in vitro culture studies. Feeding was conducted by $2{\times}2{\times}2$ factorial design with two cimaterol levels (0, 0.25 mg/kg), two energy levels (3,200, 2,900 ME kcal/kg) and two sexes. In starting period (0-21 days) broilers were fed diets containing two energy level without dietary supplementation of cimaterol. During finishing period (21-42 days) cimaterol groups were fed cimaterol supplemented diets. In vitro cultures were carried out to study the cellular metabolism of protein and fat in liver and adipose tissues prepared from chicks used in feeding trials. Body weight gain was significantly improved by the administration of cimaterol to experimental diets by 2.4% (p < 0.05). Feed intake was reduced by cimaterol administration at the high energy level, but this trend was reversed at low energy level. Feed efficiency was improved by cimaterol administration and at high energy level the difference (5.7%) was significant(p < 0.05). The administration of cimaterol had no effects on percentage of abdominal fat content, giblet and neck. There was little difference in carcass yield between control and cimaterol treated group. The administration of cimaterol had no effects on nutrient metabolizability or carcass composition. The results of in vitro studies with liver tissues showed that cimaterol increased the lipolytic activities (p < 0.05) and decreased lipogenic activities (p < 0.05). In in vitro studies with acinar cell of liver tissues. cimaterol increased the amount of retained protein and decreased secreted protein at high energy level. but the trend was opposite at low energy level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.417-421
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• 1999

This experiment examined the effects of feeding Aspergillus oryzae (AO) culture to laying hens, on fecal microbial populations, fecal pH and moisture content, egg quality, and metabolizabilities of several nutrients. Sixteen commercial 38-wk-old laying hens were randomly allotted to four diets: control; with 0.15% locally produced AO culture; with 0.3% locally produced AO culture, and; or with 0.3% imported AO. Each treatment consisted of four replicates (cages) containing one bird per cage according to a completely randomized design. After 4 wk, AO were recovered in the feces of birds fed the AO diets, indicating that AO might pass through the fore-gut alive and become active in the hind gut. The number of Lactobacillus spp. in feces was higher in all treated groups than that of the control, indicating that AO would provide a beneficial environment for the Lactobacillus spp. to proliferate in the intestine. The number of fecal E. coli was significantly reduced by the addition of AO. A similar trend was also found for aerobic bacteria. Although not significant, fecal moisture contents tended to be reduced by the addition of AO. Fecal pH was not significantly different among the treatments. The addition of AO did not affect the various economic traits of eggs. Metabolizabilities of gross energy and dry matter measured during the 5th wk were increased by the AO supplementation. It appears that AO culture alone could be used as a probiotic supplement for layers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary botanicals (herbs and plant extracts) on the performance, nutrient metabolizability, small intestinal microflora, IgG level and blood parameters in broiler chickens. In Exp. 1, 1,000 (500 each sex) broiler chicks($Ross^{(R)}$) were divided into 20 groups of 50 chickens each(25 birds each sex). Four groups were assigned to each of five dietary treatments:control and diets containing antibiotics($Avillamix^{(R)}$, avillamycin-premix), Herb M(Herb $mix^{(R)}$), Plant extract B(BIOSTRONG $510^{(R)}$) and Plant extract A($APEX^{(R)}$). In Exp. 2, 240(120 each sex) broiler chicks($Ross^{(R)}$) were devided into six treatment groups:control and diets containing antibiotics($Avillamix^{(R)}$, avillamycin-premix), Plant extract D($Digestarom^{(R)}$), Plant extract P($Phellozyme^{(R)}$), Plant extract G($Galicin^{(R)}$) and Plant extract C(CRINA $POULTRY^{(R)}$). Each treatment consisted of four replicates of 10 birds each. In both experiments, birds had free access to diets and water for 5 wk on floor pens(Exp. 1) and cages(Exp. 2). In Exp.1, production index of groups fed diets supplemented with herbs and plant extracts was slightly higher than the control and those fed Herb M was highest. In Exp. 2, groups fed diets supplemented with herbs and plant extracts consumed more feed than the control during the period between 4 and 5 wk(P<0.05). Feed conversion(feed/gain) was lower in antibiotics group than other groups. The values of RBC, Hb and HCT were higher(P<0.05) in chicken fed diets supplemented with the additives than in the control in Exp. 1. BA value was lower(P<0.05) in groups fed diets supplemented with the additives than in the control in Exp. 2. Serum IgG were higher(P<0.05) in groups fed diets supplemented with the additives than in the control in both experiments. The cfu of intestinal microflora and metabolizability of nutrients were not significantly different among treatments in both experiments. It was concluded that the botanical supplements can be used as an alternative to antibiotics in broiler diets.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2008

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary microbial phytase on egg productivity, egg quality, phosphorus utilization and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. The animals used in the experiment were a total of 120 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (32 weeks old). Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) LP (low phosphorus diet) 3) NP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% normal microbial phytase) and 4) CP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% coated microbial phytase). Six laying hens were allotted to a block (pen) with five replicated. Through the whole period of experiment, egg production was significantly increased in CON and CP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments significantly increased their egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments resulted higher yolk color and Haugh unit than LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents in blood were higher in CP treatment compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were greater in CP treatment than CON, LP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Crude ash was increased in CON, CP and NP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium digestibility and phosphorus digestibility were significantly improved in CP and NP treatments than CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). Calcium retention of CON, CP and NP treatments were higher than LP treatment (P<0.05). Phosphorus retention was increased in CP and NP treatments compared to CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). LP treatment significantly increased their nitrogen, calcium excretion compared to CON, CP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Phosphorus excretion was decreased in LP, CP and NP treatments compared to CON treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, CP treatment improved egg production, egg quality, inorganic calcium and phosphorus in blood, calcium and phosphorus retention and nutrient digestibility and decreased nitrogen and calcium excretion in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1488-1495
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of post-harvest storage duration and wheat variety on the digestibility and energy content of new season wheat fed to finishing pigs. Two wheat varieties (Shi and Zhong) were harvested in 2013 and stored in the warehouse of the Fengning Pig Experimental Base at China Agricultural University for 3, 6, 9, or 12 mo. For each storage period, 12 barrows were placed in metabolism crates and allotted to diets containing 1 of the 2 wheat varieties in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets contained 97.34% wheat and 2.66% of a vitamin and trace mineral premix. With an extension of storage duration from 3 mo to 12 mo, the gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) of the wheat decreased by 2.0% and 12.01%, respectively, while the concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and starch content increased by 30.26%, 19.08%, and 2.46%, respectively. Total non-starch polysaccharide, total arabinose, total xylose and total mannose contents decreased by 46.27%, 45.80%, 41.71%, and 75.66%, respectively. However, there were no significant differences in the chemical composition between the two wheat varieties with the exception of ADF which was approximately 13.37% lower in Shi. With an extension of storage duration from 3 mo to 12 mo, the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) content and the apparent total tract digestibility of GE, CP, dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, ADF and metabolizability of energy in wheat decreased linearly (p<0.01) by 5.74%, 7.60%, 3.75%, 3.88%, 3.50%, 2.47%, 26.22%, 27.62%, and 3.94%, respectively. But the digestibility of NDF changed quadratically (p<0.01). There was an interaction between wheat variety and storage time for CP digestibility (p<0.05), such that the CP digestibility of variety Zhong was stable during 9 mo of storage, while the CP digestibility of variety Shi decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, the GE, DE, and ME of wheat was stable during the first 3 to 6 mo of post-harvest storage, and decreased during the following 6 to 12 mo of storage under the conditions of this study.