• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1776-1783
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• 2002

A population segregating for the naked neck (Na) gene was used to evaluate its effect on fast growing broilers at heat stress. An experimental stock comparable to those of modern broilers was established by backcrossing to colour synthetic male and female lines. Matings between heterozygous (Na/na) males and females produced normally feathered (na/na), heterozygous (Na/na) and homozygous (Na/Na) chicks for the present study. Day old to seven week old coloured broilers of three genotypes viz. normally feathered (na/na), heterozygous naked neck (Na/na) and homozygous naked neck (Na/Na) were compared for heat dissipation, growth performance, body conformation traits, blood biochemical parameters and carcass traits in tropical climate. In hot climate, naked neck broilers had significantly less body temperature and better heat dissipation capabilities as compared to normal broilers. The naked neck broilers had significantly higher body weight and better feed conversion ratio than na/na broilers. The Na/Na or Na/na broilers exhibited higher giblet yield, blood loss and lower feather mass compared to na/na broilers. The results indicated that the reduction in feather coverage in Na/Na and Na/na broilers facilitates better heat dissipation with lower body temperature, more body weight gain, better FCR and carcass traits compared to normal broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1197-1205
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of feeding DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) and DL-methionine (DLM) supplemented corn-soybean-cottonseed meal diets on growth performance, carcass composition, and muscle color of broilers. The trial was designed as a $2{\times}3{\times}2$ factorial experiment, including two methionine (Met) sources (HMTBA and DLM), three equimolar graded levels of Met supplementation (i.e., 0.08, 0.16, and 0.24% in the starter diet and 0.07, 0.14, and 0.21% in the grower and finisher diets, respectively), and two sexes (male and female). Additionally, one basal diet for each sex was formulated to be limiting in Met to test the dosage response of increasing supplemental Met levels. Four hundred and twenty 10-d-old broilers were randomly allotted to 14 treatments (seven each for males and females), with five replicate pens per treatment and six chicks per pen. There was no difference (p>0.05) between the two Met sources in growth performance and muscle deposition of broilers throughout the whole experimental period (d 10 to 49). With the increasing Met supplementation levels, average daily gain was increased (quadratic; p<0.01) during the starter, grower, and overall phases, average daily feed intake was increased (quadratic; p<0.01) during the starter phase, and feed:gain ratio was decreased (quadratic; p<0.05) during the grower and overall phases. At the end of finisher phase, Met supplementation increased breast muscle content (quadratic; p<0.01) and thigh muscle content (linear; p<0.05), and decreased abdominal fat content (quadratic; p<0.02). Compared to the broiler fed DLM, broilers fed HMTBA had superior breast and thigh muscle coloration (p<0.01). Male broilers had higher weight gain and feed intake and better feed conversion than female broilers (p<0.01). The fat content of thigh muscle in female broilers was higher than that of male broilers (p<0.03). The best fit comparison of HMTBA vs. DLM was determined by Schwarz Bayesian Criteria index, which indicated that the average relative bioefficacy of HMTBA vs. DLM was 120% with 95% confidence limit 67 to 172%. These results indicated that Met supplementation improved growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed corn-soybean-cottonseed meal diets irrespective of Met sources. Compared to DLM, HMTBA has the same molar bioefficacy on improving the growth performance and carcass quality of broilers; however, HMTBA fed birds had superior meat color to DLM fed birds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.161-172
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) as a dietary probiotic and evaluated the most suitable feeding interval for this probiotic on growth performance, carcass yield, and meat quality parameters in broiler chickens. In total, 1,050 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly assigned to one of seven dietary treatment groups, in a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement with 3 SC dosages (0.6%, 1%, and 1.4%) and two feeding intervals [long term (LT) for 35 days and short term (ST) for 28 days after hatching], with a negative control diet (NC; 0% SC). Triplicate experiments were performed with 50 birds per cage. Broilers fed a diet including SC showed increased (p<0.01) daily gain and feed efficiency compared to the control. Further, broilers fed the 1.4% SC supplemented diet showed a significantly increased (p<0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to broilers fed the 0.6% and 1% SC incorporated diets. Similarly, broilers fed an LT SC diet showed a greater (p<0.01) increase in ADG and FCR compared to broilers fed an ST SC diet. Moreover, broilers fed an LT SC diet displayed a reduced (p<0.05) meat pH, gizzard weight, and increased (p<0.05) meat water-holding capacity compared to broilers fed an ST SC diet. Broilers fed the 1.4% SC supplemented diet showed increased (p<0.05) thigh muscle weight compared to broilers fed the 0.6% and 1% SC supplemented diets. In conclusion, broilers fed LT SC diets showed improved growth performance and carcass quality parameters compared to broilers fed ST SC diets, and the NC diet, from hatching to day 35.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.563-574
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• 2021

A total of 1512 Ross 308 broilers (one - day - old) were assigned (random blocks) to 1of 3 dietary treatments with 28 replicates of 18 chicks/cage. The dietary treatments were Cornsoybean-meal based basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% of commercial yeast hydrolysate (YH [Saccharomyces cerevisiae]). The graded level of YH supplementation has linearly increased broilers body weight gain on d 21, 35, and overall (p = 0.044, 0.029, and 0.036, respectively) experimental period. In addition, the increased level of YH supplementation has linearly reduced feed conversation ratio of broilers on d 21, 35, and overall trial period (p = 0.041, 0.052, and 0.032, respectively). However, the feed intake and mortality of broilers were not affected by the graded level of YH supplementation. Though nutrient digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.012) and nitrogen (p = 0.021) was linearly increased in broilers fed YH supplementation, at the end of the trial it fails to affect the total track digestible energy. Dietary inclusion of YH supplementation showed a beneficial effect on the microbial population as linearly improved lactobacillus (p = 0.011) and reduced Escherichia coli counts (p = 0.042). An increasing level of YH supplementation has tended to decrease NH₃ (p = 0.069) and linearly decrease H₂S (p = 0.027) of noxious gas emission in broilers. Moreover, dietary YH supplements trend to increase the glucose (p = 0.066) and reduced cholesterol (p = 0.069) level. At the end of the test, YH supplementation elicited a linear reduction in drip loss on days 5 and 7, respectively (p = 0.045, and 0.021). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of YH supplementation had linearly increased villus height (p = 0.051) but fails to affect crypt depth. Therefore, in terms of positive effects on the broiler's overall performance, we suggest that dietary supplements containing graded YH levels in the broilers diet could serve as a potential alternative for growth promoters.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2020

This study intended to investigate the growth performance and meat quality traits in broilers fed different regimens of NaCl over a period of 35 days. Seven hundred and fifty 1-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to five NaCl feeding regimens to obtain three replicates for each regimen. Broilers in CON group were provided with concentrations of 0.35% NaCl for the duration of the experimental period. The other groups were provided with two concentrations of NaCl (0.45% and 0.55%) under two durations, namely: 1) 1~28 d: 0.45% or 0.55% NaCl for 28 days then CON; and 2) 1~35 d: 0.45% or 0.55% NaCl for 35 days. Broilers fed 0.55% NaCl for 1~35 d showed improved (P<0.05) growth performance compared with broilers fed the CON regimen. Moreover, higher water holding capacity of breast meat was shown by the broilers fed 0.55% NaCl for 1~28 d when compared with that in broilers fed the CON diet (P<0.05). Broilers fed 0.45% NaCl showed an increase (P<0.05) in the lightness of the meat over CON diet and the 0.55% NaCl diet. In addition, broilers offered CON had the highest redness value and highest crude ash content in the breast meat (P<0.05). Feeding 0.45% NaCl for 1~35 d and 0.55% NaCl for 1~28 d resulted in a higher (P<0.05) protein content in breast meat. In conclusion, broilers fed diets with 0.55% NaCl for 1~35 d showed improved growth performance as well as water holding capacity and protein content of the breast meat.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.351-359
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, blood profiles and meat quality of broilers, Korean native chickens and white semi broilers under identical feeding conditions. Sixty 1-d chicks of each type were randomly placed into 12 pens per cage (5 chicks per cage) and fed commercial diets for 28, 49, and 28 days, respectively. The broilers showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth performance from 0 to 4 weeks compared with the other types. Korean native chickens had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen than that of the other species. The blood glucose was significantly higher in the Korean native chickens compared to the other species, and the blood cholesterol was significantly lower. The Lactobacillus content in Korean native chickens was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the other species, and the E. coli content in the broilers was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the Korean native chickens and white semi broilers. In terms of meat quality, the breast meat of the broilers had a high water content and pH level. The breast meat of the white semi broilers had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) shear force than that of the other species. In conclusion, there was an interspecific physiological difference due to the age and body weight of the chickens. The broilers had a higher growth performance and meat quality compared to the Korean native chickens and white semi broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.227-232
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• 2013

Phytate is not only an unavailable source of phosphorus (P) for broilers but it also acts as an anti-nutrient, reducing protein and mineral absorption, increasing endogenous losses and reducing broiler performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-nutritional effects of phytate by including high levels of phytase in diets not severely limited in available P. A total of 768 male Arbor Acres broilers were distributed in six treatments of eight replicate pens of 16 birds each consisting of a positive control diet (PC), positive control with 500 FTU/kg phytase, negative control (NC) diet with lower available P and calcium (Ca) levels and the same NC diet with 500, 1,000 or 1,500 FTU/kg phytase. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were determined at 21 and 35 d of age while foot ash was determined in four birds per pen at 21 d of age. FI, FCR and foot ash where not affected by the lower mineral diets at 21 d of age nor by the enzyme inclusion but broilers fed lower Ca and available P diets had lower BWG. At 35 d of age no difference was observed between broilers fed the positive or NC diets but broilers fed 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg on top of the NC diet had better FCR than broilers fed the positive control diet. When compared to birds fed a diet adequate in P, birds fed the same diet included with 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg of phytase in marginally deficient available P and Ca diets had an improvement of performance. These results support the concept that hydrolysing phytate and reducing the anti-nutritional effects of phytate improves bird performance on marginally deficient diets that were not covering the P requirement of birds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2006

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of choice feeding on growth performance, carcass quality, gastrointestinal development and feed utilization of 22-49 days old broilers. One hundred and forty four 22-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 4 replicates per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. Three feeding regimes are complete diet (control), ground corn and protein concentrate (treatment I), and soybean meal and balancer (treatment II). Protein concentrate is the residue part of complete diet without corn, and balancer is the residue part of complete diet without soybean meal. Treatment I and II are designed for the broilers to freely choose the two parts of diet. The results showed that: (1) broilers under choice feeding (treatment I and II) had lower performances compared with the control; (2) gastrointestinal development and the efficiency ratios that broilers converted dietary crude protein and lysine to body weight gain were improved in treatment I (p<0.05); (3) there were no significant differences in the apparent metabolizabilities of dietary dry matter, crude protein and gross energy, and deposition ratios of dietary nitrogen and energy, and carcass quality among three feeding regimes (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 1992

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of broilers and layers fed locally produced fish waste meal (LFWM) in Western Samoa. LFWM, which was produced by mincing and oven drying of rejects from filleted fish, was included in both broiler and layer diets at the complete expense of imported meat and bone meal (MBM). The experiments were of a completely randomised design. In experiment 1, 120 day-old Strabro broiler chicks were raised to 49 days of ages. In experiment 2, 80 Shaver 288 pullets, 20 weeks of age, were housed in pairs in cages and raised up to 72 weeks of age. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in performance of broilers as measured in terms of final bodyweights, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcass yield between the two diets. Similarly, no differences (p > 0.05) existed in egg production, egg weight and feed required per kilogramme of eggs. It is concluded that LFWM is nutritionally as good as imported MBM and could be used to completely replace MBM in broiler and layer diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.993-1000
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of fermented red ginseng extract (FRGE) as feed additive in broilers and laying hens. In broilers, 480 Arbor Acre male broilers were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 6 replications per treatment and 20 chicks per pen. The experiment lasted 5 weeks and dietary treatments were as follows: i) CON, basal diet; ii) FRGE1, basal diet+1 g/kg fermented red ginseng extract; iii) FRGE2, basal diet+2 g/kg fermented red ginseng extract and iv) FRGE3 basal diet+4 g/kg fermented red ginseng extract. Throughout the experiment, no effects were observed (p>0.05) in performance in response to FRGE. At the end of the experiment, FRGE administration improved (p<0.05) the lymphocyte level compared with CON. The relative weight of bursa of fabricius and spleen were increased (p<0.05) by the inclusion of FRGE3. Besides, redness ($a^*$) value for the breast meat was higher (p<0.05) in FRGE1 and FRGE3 treatments than that in CON. In laying hens, 240 ISA brown layers at 35 weeks of age were used in this 8-week trial. Dietary treatments were the same as in the broilers trial with 10 replicates per treatment and 6 layers per replicate. During the entire experiment, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in performance or egg quality among all the treatments. However, the layers fed diets supplemented with FRGE had higher lymphocyte level (p<0.05) compared with those fed CON. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation with FRGE did not influence performance but improved the lymphocyte level in both broilers and laying hens.