Impact of different light sources on broiler rearing environment.

Broiler production is highly dependent on the use of artificial light. The light source may affect the effectiveness of housing conditions due to increasing ambient temperature and concentration of noxious gases. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different bulb types on the thermal, aerial, and acoustic environment of broiler aviaries. The experiment was carried out at a commercial broiler farm in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Three aviaries were used, and two flocks of male broilers from Cobb® genetic strain were reared from the first day to slaughter. Each aviary was equipped with a different light source, comprising the adopted treatments (A1 - incandescent light bulb, control; A2 - sodium vapor light bulb; A3 - fluorescent light bulb). The aviaries were divided into nine quadrants, and the environmental data (ambient dry bulb temperature and relative humidity), litter surface temperature, CO2 and NH3 concentrations, and bird sound pressure behavior were recorded in each quadrant. The aviary with incandescent light presented higher air and litter temperatures, and concentration of gases than the other tested alternatives. It also presented higher level of sound pressure in the second week of the growing period; however, from this period up to slaughter, there was no effect of the light source on the results of broiler sound pressure level

Bone Characteristics of Broilers Supplemented with Vitamin D Author(s)

ABSTRACT Vitamin D is added to broiler diets to supply its physiological requirement for bone formation. The fast growth rate of modern broilers is often associated with poor bone formation. Increasing vitamin D supplementation levels and the use of more available sources have applied to try to prevent leg problems, to increase carcass yield, and to improve the performance of broilers. The present study evaluated three vitamin D supplementation levels (1) 3,500 IU (control); (2) control + 1,954 IU of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol; and (3) control + 3,500 IU of vitamin D in broiler diets supplied up to 21 days of age. The objective was to investigate if the vitamin D levels above the recommendations could reduce leg problems in broilers. In this experiment, a total of 1,296 oneday-old male and female Cobb® 500 broilers were used. A 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was applied, consisting of two sexes and three vitamin D levels. No difference was found between the levels of vitamin D (p > 0.05), the performance of males or females, the gait score, the valgus and varus incidence, the tibial dyschondroplasia incidence, the occurance of femoral degeneration, the bone colorimetric, and the carcass yield. Parts yield differences were found (p > 0.05), except for liver and intestine yields. We concluded that the lowest tested vitamin D level (3,500 IU per kilogram of feed) added to the diet was the best choice in terms of cost/ benefit to help minimizing leg problems in broilers

Effect of thermal environment on breeding performance and energy utilization in broilers

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da temperatura e do índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) nas idades pré-inicial e inicial de frangos de corte sobre as alterações provocadas nas partições da energia metabolizável ingerida (EMI) e sobre as exigências de mantença (EMm) e, desempenho. Um terceiro experimento mediu o desempenho subsequente de frangos que foram submetidos a diferentes temperaturas durante os primeiros 14 dias de vida, bem como a composição e rendimentos de carcaça e cortes. Nos experimentos 1 e 2 foi determinado a energia metabolizável (EM) utilizando indicador óxido de cromo, e os resultados das partições da EMI foram determinados a partir da técnica de abate comparativo para cada período avaliado. O desempenho também foi avaliado. Os resultados das variáveis de resposta animal foram submetidos a análise de regressão tendo como variáveis independentes as médias de temperatura e o ITU. Os resultados permitiram determinar no experimento 1 que, para a idade de 1 a 7 dias a média de temperatura de 28,3 °C melhorou os índices de desempenho. A exigência de mantença por peso metabólico nesta idade apresentou menor valor em 30,8 °C, sendo estimada em 163,7 kcal/kg PV0,75/dia. A temperatura de 29,3 °C determinou as maiores proporções da EMI destinadas para as retenções de energia bruta (EB), proteína bruta (PB) e gordura bruta (EE). No experimento 2, a média de temperatura de 24,6 °C melhorou os índices de desempenho para a idade de 8 a 14 dias, assim, a média da exigência de mantença foi estimada em 238 kcal/kg de PV0,75/dia. A temperatura em que as maiores proporções da EMI foram destinadas para as retenções de EB e PB foi próxima a 26,4 °C. No experimento 3 foi observado que, apesar de ter piorado a conversão alimentar, as temperaturas entre 22,6 e 24 °C até os 14 dias de idade se mostraram mais favoráveis para o desempenho produtivo e rendimentos de corte dos frangos aos 39 dias. Os resultados demonstraram também que, frangos que receberam temperatura mais baixa até os 14 dias e em função disso apresentavam menor desempenho, demonstraram uma tendência de recuperação ascendente do desempenho, até os 39 dias. Concluí-se por estes resultados que, frangos de idades pré-iniciais e iniciais modificam as suas exigências de energia para mantença em função da modificação do ambiente térmico, influenciando no seu desenvolvimento inicial com reflexos na idade de abate.Two experiments were performed to assess the effect of temperature and the temperature and umidity index (TUI) in the pre-starting and starting age of broilers on changes caused in partitions of metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and maintenance (MEm) requirements and performance. A third experiment measured the subsequent performance of chickens that were subjected to different temperatures during the first 14 days of life, as well as the composition and yield of carcass and cuts. In experiments 1 and 2 was determined to metabolizable energy (ME) using chromium oxide indicator, and the results of the partitions of the MEI have been determined from the slaughtered comparative technique for each evaluated period. The performance was also evaluated. The results of animal response variables were subjected to regression analysis with independent variables temperature averages and the TUI. The results determine in experiment 1 that, for the age of 1 to 7 days the average temperature of 28.3°C improved levels of performance. The maintenance requirement for metabolic weight at this age showed lower value in 30.8°C, being estimated at 163.7 kcal/kg BW0,75/dia. 29.3°C temperature determined the highest proportions of MEI for the retention of gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP) and crude fat (CF). In experiment 2, the mean temperature of 24.6°C improved levels of performance on 7 to 14 days, so the average maintenance requirement was estimated at 238 kcal/kg BW0.75/day. The temperature at which the highest proportions of MEI were intended for the retention of GE and CP was next to 26.4°C. In experiment 3 was observed that, in spite of having worsened the feed conversion, temperatures between 22.6 and 24° C until the 14 days of age were more favorable for the productive performance and cutting income of chickens to 39 days. In experiment 3 was observed temperatures between 22.6 and 24° C until the 14 days of age were more favorable for the productive performance and yield of chickens to 39 days. The results showed that chickens that received lower temperature until the 14 days and because of this had less performance, showed a trend of rising performance recovery, until the 39 days. It was concluded that chickens for ages pré-iniciais and initials modify their energy requirements for maintenance depending on the modification of the thermal environment, influencing in early development with reflections in the age of slaughter

Monochromatic light-emitting diode (LED) source in layers hens during the second production cycle

ABSTRACTLight is an important environmental factor for birds, allowing not only their vision, but also influencing their physiological responses, such as behavioral and reproductive activity. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of different colors of monochromatic light (LED) sources in laying hens production during the second laying cycle. The study was conducted in an experimental laying house during 70 days. A total of 300 laying hens Isa Brown® genetic strain, aged 95 weeks, in the second laying cycle were used in the study. The artificial light sources used were blue, yellow, green, red and white. The light regimen was continuous illumination of 17 h per day (12 h natural and 5 h artificial) in a daily light regimen of 17L:5D (light: dark). The Latin Square design was adopted with five treatments (five colors) divided into five periods, and five boxes, with six replicates of ten birds in each box. The production and egg quality were evaluated. The different colors of light source did not affect production parameters or egg quality (p > 0.05). The monochromatic light source may be considered as an alternative to artificial lighting in laying hens during the second production cycle

Broiler carcass condemnation pattern during processing

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the influence of climate pattern and rearing conditions on broiler carcass condemnations observed during processing. We evaluated the registered data of 2015 from the federal inspection files in all broiler slaughterhouses located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwestern Brazil. The percentages of condemnations by airsacculitis, cellulitis, dermatosis, ascites syndrome, total carcass condemnations, and average broiler weight at 42 days were analyzed. Data were associated with housing systems and season of the year in which each flock was reared. Two-way ANOVA was applied to the data in a completely randomized design 4×3 (four seasons and three houses) and compared by Tukey's test. The results indicated that the housing system did not affect the studied condemnations, and seasons of the year did not change condemnation by airsacculitis; however, the other pathologies leading to carcass condemnations were affected by season. Condemnations by cellulite were higher during summer than in winter. For dermatosis, the maximum index appears during summer and the lowest during winter and spring. The ascites syndrome presented the smallest index in summer and winter, and the minimum value was found in spring. The average bird weight was higher in autumn than in winter and spring. Type of broiler rearing did not affect the carcass condemnation index. Summer was the most detrimental period regarding the condemnation rates for the pathologies studied, mainly cellulitis and dermatosis, while the highest average weight of birds was found during autumn and spring

Revista Brasileira de Ciência Avícola Bone Characteristics of Broilers Supplemented with Vitamin D Author(s)

ABSTRACT Vitamin D is added to broiler diets to supply its physiological requirement for bone formation. The fast growth rate of modern broilers is often associated with poor bone formation. Increasing vitamin D supplementation levels and the use of more available sources have applied to try to prevent leg problems, to increase carcass yield, and to improve the performance of broilers. The present study evaluated three vitamin D supplementation levels (1) 3,500 IU (control); (2) control + 1,954 IU of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol; and (3) control + 3,500 IU of vitamin D in broiler diets supplied up to 21 days of age. The objective was to investigate if the vitamin D levels above the recommendations could reduce leg problems in broilers. In this experiment, a total of 1,296 oneday-old male and female Cobb® 500 broilers were used. A 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was applied, consisting of two sexes and three vitamin D levels. No difference was found between the levels of vitamin D (p > 0.05), the performance of males or females, the gait score, the valgus and varus incidence, the tibial dyschondroplasia incidence, the occurance of femoral degeneration, the bone colorimetric, and the carcass yield. Parts yield differences were found (p > 0.05), except for liver and intestine yields. We concluded that the lowest tested vitamin D level (3,500 IU per kilogram of feed) added to the diet was the best choice in terms of cost/ benefit to help minimizing leg problems in broilers

Alternativas para a composição de cama de frango

Estão instaladas na região de Dourados-MS grandes empresas integradoras da área da avicultura que, juntamente com os produtores buscam formas mais eficientes de produção. A maravalha de madeira, que é geralmente empregada como cama de frango por possuir boas características para tanto, encontra-se atualmente em pouca disponibilidade. Algumas alternativas que vem sendo utilizadas na tentativa de substituir a maravalha foram pouco estudadas e carecem de resultados científicos quanto aos seus resultados finais. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho produtivo de frangos de corte (machos e fêmeas) criados sobre diferentes tipos de camas (maravalha, bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e capim napier). O experimento foi conduzido no Setor de Avicultura da FCA/UFGD. Foram utilizados 3240 pintos de corte de um dia de idade, sexados, e avaliados: consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar, mortalidade, peso vivo e rendimento de carcaça. O tipo de cama utilizada não influenciou no desempenho de frangos de corte de 1 a 42 dias de idade, sendo os materiais usados nesse estudo passíveis a utilização no aviário como alternativas em substituição ou complementação a maravalha. O desempenho das aves apresentou diferenças superiores apenas para os machos, com maior consumo de alimento, porém maior eficiência alimentar

Qualidade de filés de peito de frango de corte marinados e maturados

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar as características qualitativas e quantitativas da carne de frango de corte marinados e maturados. Os filés de peito (n = 90) foram submetidos a três soluções de marinação: água (controle), cloreto de sódio e glutamato monossódico e três tempos de maturação (0, 24, 48 h), em um arranjo fatorial 3 x 3. Avaliou-se as características de pH, dimensionamento de peito (DP), perda de peso por cozimento (PPC), força de cisalhamento (FC), capacidade de retenção de água (CRA) e perda de exsudato (PE). Os tratamentos não alteraram o valor do pH. A espessura dos filés foi afetada (