Monobutyrine: a novel feed additive in the diet of broiler chickens

Purpose of the present work was to validate the monoglyceride of butyric acid (MB) as an alternative to antibiotics as growth promoters in the diet of broiler chickens. The approach is a kind of prolongation of previous works, in which a blend of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides of butyric acid have been previously tested. The results indicated that MB was very efficient in limiting the mortality of birds challenged with Eimeria spp., but did not appreciably impair the performance of unchallenged birds. In conclusion, the metabolisable energy content of MB appeared comparable with that of soybean oil and MB a reliable coccidiostat

. Nutritional characteristics and quality of eggs from laying hens fed on a diet supplemented with chestnut tannin extract (Castanea sativa Miller)

1. The trial was performed with 80 laying hens belonging to two Tuscan autochthonous breeds: 40 birds of the Mugellese breed (MU) and 40 of the White Leghorn breed (WL). 2. The animals were allotted to 4 groups of 20 hens each: two groups were fed on a commercial diet and worked as the control groups (MUC and WLC); the other two groups received the same diet, integrated with 2 g of chestnut tannin extract per kg of diet (MUT and WLT). 3. A sample of 70 eggs were randomly collected and analysed for cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, weight, thickness of shell and colour of yolk. 4. Physical parameters, including yolk colour, and indices of egg quality were not affected by the treatments. 5. The concentration of unsaturated fatty acids increased whereas cholesterol was significantly decreased: -17% in WLT and -9% in MUT. Dietary supplementation with chestnut tannin extract resulted in a modification of lipid composition, toward a more healthy quality of eggs

Effect of chestnut tannins and short chain fatty acids as anti-microbials and as feeding supplements in broilers rearing and meat quality

Chestnut tannins (CT) and saturated short medium chain fatty acids (SMCFA) are valid alternatives to contrast the growth of pathogens in poultry rearing, representing a valid alternative to antibiotics. However, the effect of their blends has never been tested. Two blends of CT extract and Sn1-monoglycerides of SMCFA (SN1) were tested in vitro against the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella typhymurium, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni. The tested concentrations were: 3.0 g/kg of CT; 3.0 g/kg of SN1; 2.0 g/kg of CT and 1.0 g/kg of SN1; 1.0 g/kg of CT and 2.0 g/kg of SN1. Furthermore, their effect on broiler performances and meat quality was evaluated in vivo: one-hundred Ross 308 male birds were fed a basal diet with no supplement (control group) or supplemented with CT or SN1 or their blends at the same concentration used in the in vitro trial. The in vitro assay confirmed the effectiveness of the CT and SN1 mixtures in reducing the growth of the tested bacteria while the in vivo trial showed that broiler performances, animal welfare and meat quality were not negatively affected by the blends, which could be a promising alternative in replacing antibiotics in poultry production

Monobutyrine: a novel feed additive in the diet of broiler chickens

Purpose of the present work was to validate the monoglyceride of butyric acid (MB) as an alternative to antibiotics as growth promoters in the diet of broiler chickens. The approach is a kind of prolongation of previous works, in which a blend of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides of butyric acid have been previously tested.The results indicated that MB was very efficient in limiting the mortality of birds challenged with Eimeria spp., but did not appreciably impair the performance of unchallenged birds. In conclusion, the metabolisable energy content of MB appeared comparable with that of soybean oil and MB a reliable coccidiostat

Characterization of morphological, reproductive, and productive performances of Mugellese breed: an update of knowledge

The recovery, safeguarding, and valorization of autochthonous poultry breeds may contribute toward the preservation of animal biodiversity and utilization of marginal lands that otherwise offer little agricultural or industrial value. A key strategy in promoting local breeds involves the characterization of morphological traits and productive performances, which are influenced by the breed's genetic make-up as well as its environment. The Mugellese breed is an Italian local poultry breed originating in the Mugello area of north-east Tuscany. It is characterized by frugality, resilience and resistance to disease, cold, and heat stress. Moreover, these birds are particularly suitable for free-range farming. The Mugellese chicken is described as a dwarf breed with a medium neck, broad shoulders, fairly long and horizontal wings, wide, and well-developed breast (especially in the hen). Over the course of a 1-yr observation and data collection period, involving 23 breeders and 405 adult chickens, the Mugellese breed showed the following performances: 1) a hen-day egg production characterized by 2 major peaks: the first in the spring time (March–April, 65.75%), and the second in the late summer period (August–September, 51.86%); 2) high true fertility values (94.35%) throughout the entire breeding season; 3) a weight gain of 732.44 ± 117.06 g and a feed conversion ratio of 3.94 ± 2.42 at an age of 140 d; 4) a slaughter yield of 77.80% (± 3.91); v) a respective protein, fat, and mineral content in the yolk and albumen were: 27.21 ± 4.21 g, 57.77 ± 1.03 g and 3.47 ± 0.40 g per 100 g of yolk; and 82.50 ± 0.57 g, 0.12 ± 0.01 g and 5.43 ± 0.34 g per 100 g of albumen. More data are needed to validate the data obtained in this trial