The effect of dietary phytase supplementation at different levels on tibial bone characteristics and strength in broilers

The influence of various levels of supplemental phytase on P and Ca availability was investigated using morphometric indices and the bone strength of tibiotarsi in broilers. Forty tibiotarsi were used from the Ross 308 male broilers fed corn-soybean meal based diets. Dietary treatments were: 1) Control: diet with DCP, 2) Negative control: control diet without DCP, 3) Control diet + 300 U of phytase/kg, 4) Control diet + 500 U of phytase/kg, 5) Control diet + 700 U of phytase/kg. There were no significant differences among the groups in the mean for tibiotarsal weight and length and also for the thickness of the medial wall. However, 300 U/kg diet with phytase supplementation had a greater influence on the tibiotarsal weight/length index and the robusticity index when compared to those of broilers in both control groups, and the thickness of the lateral wall and tibiotarsal index among all the groups (P<0.05). The percentages of tibia ash were improved by the addition of dietary phytase. Phytase supplementation slightly improved tibia breaking stress and the modulus of elasticity in broilers. Increasing phytase levels from 300 to 700 U of phytase/kg of diet provided no additional benefits for tibiotarsal bone characteristics and strength in broilers

Effect of different dosages of oregano oil on performance and some blood parameters in lambs

This research was carried out to determine whether adding oregano essential oil as a feed additive to the diet would affect the performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of lambs. In the trial, 36 weaned male Kivircik lambs (2.5-3 month-old) were used. Lambs had an initial live weight of 22,71 +/- 0,71 kg and were divided into three groups of 12 lambs each. For the two treatment groups, Origanum vulgare essential oil was added into grower feed at the dose of 250 ppm and 500 ppm respectively. Besides this, hay was provided as roughage. Feed and water was supplied ad libitum during the trial. The first week was accepted as adaptation period and the experiment lasted for 9 weeks. The live weights and feed consumptions were measured in the beginning of the experiment and on the 14, 28, 42 and 56th days. Blood samples were collected before the morning feeding on the 0, 28 and 56th days of the experiment. All lambs were slaughtered, hot carcass weights and the weights of liver, empty stomach and empty intestine were determined at the end of the experiment. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured using commercial kits. The final live weights were 28 +/- 0,73 kg and no differences were observed among treatments. Daily live weight gain, hot carcass weights and yields, organ weights and serum parameters were not statistically significant between groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, addition of the oregano oil had no significant effects on performance, organ weights and blood parameters of weaned lambs in this study

Effects of various calcium levels and anionic salts on blood acid-base balance, growth performance and development of tibial dyscondroplasia in broilers

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of chlorine and phosphate salts in the diet, and 2 different levels of diet Ca, on the acid-based balance, growth performance and development of tibial dyscondroplasia (TD) in broiler chicks. Three hundred Ross X PM3, 1-day-old broiler chicks were used during the 5-week trial. Chicks were divided into 6 groups. Three groups (2 experimental and 1 control) were given diets with Ca levels near the bottom limit of the normal requirement (starter 0.90% and grower 0.80%) and 3 groups (2 experimental and one control) were given diets with higher Ca levels (starter 1.25% and grower 1.15%). No anionic salt was added to 1 of the diets, while the other 2 were supplemented with 100 meq/kg DM CaCl2, 2H(2)O or CaHPO4. 2H(2)O. All the chicks were weighed individually at the beginning of the trial and once per week from then on. Weekly feed consumption of the chicks was recorded. At the end of the 3rd and 5th weeks, from each group 10 chicks were randomly selected and blood samples collected in order to determine the blood pH, pCO(2), HCO3- and N+, K+ and Cl- levels. A blood gas measurement device was used for this purpose. Subsequently. the right and left tibias were removed in order to check for TD and determine bone ash levels, respectively. The results of the trial indicated that the live weight gain of chicks on a lower Ca diet. except group 2 which was supplemented with Cl, was higher than that of chicks on a higher Ca diet. Cl reduced and PO4 increased the live weight gain of chicks (P<0.05). When compared to that of broilers in the control group, the addition of PO4 to the diet increased the feed consumption of the chicks. It was also recorded that the FCR was better in chicks on a lower Ca diet, except group 2 (low Ca + Cl)

The effects of dietary humate supplementation on broiler growth and carcass yield

The growth-promoting effect of Farmagulator DRY(TM) Humate (FH) on live performance, carcass weight, and the abdominal fat pad of broilers was studied during different feeding periods. Four hundred, 1-d-old straight-run birds were randomly distributed to 20 floor pens of an environmentally controlled house. Four dietary regimens were replicated in five pens, each containing 20 chicks, as follows: 1) birds received no added FH in the starter or grower (NAFH), 2) birds received FH from 0 to 21 d (FH0-21), 3) birds received FH from 22 to 42 d (FH22-42), 4) birds received FH from 0 to 42 d (FH0-42) in the starter and grower diets, respectively. The FH was added to the diets at 2.5 kg/per ton of feed. Starter and grower diets were formulated to meet the minimum NRC requirements for broilers and were provided as a mash feed. Body weights at 21 d were not affected by the dietary regimens. At 42 d, body weights and feed conversions of broilers were significantly affected by the dietary humate treatments. Birds fed FH22-42 weighed more than the NAFH, whereas the FH0-21 and FH0-42 were intermediate and not different from the other treatments. Feed:gain was lower for the FH22-42 and FH0-42 treatments compared to the NAFH. There was no difference in carcass yield or abdominal fat pad percentages due to feeding FH. Feeding FH during the grower period had the most beneficial effect in terms of growth and feed conversion on broiler performance

Effects of dietary supplementation with organic acids and zinc bacitracin an ileal microflora, pH and performance in broilers

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of an organic acid combination (Acid Lac Dry: lactic, fumaric, propionic, citric and formic acid) and/or zinc bacitracin on the body weight gain, feed efficiency, microflora and pH in the ileum content of broiler-type chicks. Ross PM3 broiler chicks were placed in an experimental design that consisted of four dietary treatments with 48 broilers in each group. One-day-old chicks were fed either a control diet or a similar diet supplemented with 3 g/kg Acid Lac Dry, 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin or both additives in combination during a 42-d feeding trial. Acid Lac Dry+zinc bacitracin supplemented diet, significantly (P<0.05) increased body weight at 3 weeks of age but not at 6 weeks of age when compared with control and Acid Lac Dry supplemented diets. The best feed to gain ratio was obtained in group fed Acid Lac Dry+zinc bacitracin supplemented diet during this experiment. Carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by any treatment. Mean ileal pH was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group fed the additives in combination than the animals treated with either Acid lac Dry or zinc bacitracin. However, the combination had the lowest number of Enterobacteriaceae in the intestinal material

The effect of various weighing procedurs on broiler performance evaluation

This study was caried out to determine the effects of weighing, after 0 or 18 hours of starvation period of chicks and at intervals of 1 or 2 week or at the end of starter and finisher period on the live weight and feed convertion rate of broilers

The Effects of Sorghum Grain on Live Weight Gain, Feed Conversion Ratios and Digestibility of Nutrients in Beef Cattle

In this research, the effect of sorghum in beef cattle mixture feeds as energy source instead of wheat on live weight gain, feed conversion ratio and digestibility of nutrients were investigated. In the experiment, 20 Holstein male beef cattle of 1.5 years old and each weighing average 330 kg were used as animal material. The trial was done in two stages: the first stage was pre-experimental period for 2 weeks and the second stage was the main experimental period for 10 weeks, totally lasting 12 weeks. During the whole experimental period, isocaloric and isonitrogenic 2 diets were used. In control group, feed mixtures involved 27% wheat, but in experimental group, 27% sorghum was used instead of wheat. Dried alfalfa hay was used as roughage. Both rations consisted of 80% concentrated feed and 20% roughage. The differences between the control and treatment groups, in terms of live weight gains, feed intakes, daily live weight gains, feed conversion ratios and digestibility of nutrients, during 84 days of feeding period were not significant (p>0.05). Trial results indicated that sorghum grain could be used instead of wheat as an economical energy source in beef cattle rations