The European performance indicators of broiler chickens as influenced by stocking density and sex

ArticleThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different stocking densities on the growth performance of Ross 308 broiler chickens up to six weeks of age. A to tal of 216 one - day broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups based on the stocking density: Low (LSD) = 14 chickens m - 2 , Medium (MSD) = 18 chickens per m 2 and High (HSD) = 22 chickens m - 2 , with four replications. Higher body weight gain (TWG) was observed for the low (2,043.89 g) and medium (2 , 008.03 g) compared to the high (1,901.51 g) density. The study revealed that chickens of the LSD treatment consumed significantly ( P < 0.01) more fe ed compared to the HSD chickens. High stocking density (22 m - 2 ) tended to improve feed conversion ratio compared to medium (18 m - 2 ) and low (14 m - 2 ) stocking density, but the differences were not significant ( P > 0.05). From the results of this study it can be concluded that broiler chicks can be stocked up to 22 chickens m 2 , as far as required standards are assured

Enzyme-Treated Yeast Fed to Coccidia-Challenged Broiler Chickens

There is a growing search for natural feed additives to alleviate the deleterious effects of coccidia infection in poultry. Research has shown that may serve as healthier alternatives to coccidiostats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of enzyme-treated yeast (EY) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and health of coccidia-challenged broiler chickens. 480 broiler chickens were allocated to 3 corn-soybean meal-based experimental diets with increasing concentrations of EY (0, 1, or 2 g/kg). Dietary EY enhanced nutrient utilization and augmented intestinal development in broiler chickens. However, dietary EY did not completely attenuate the adverse effects of a coccidia challenge in broiler chickens

Performance of broiler chickens fed South African sorghum-based diets with xylanase

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of sorghum variety and xylanase on performance of broiler chickens. In Experiment 1A, a total of 240 day-old Ross broiler chickens were assigned to a 2 (sex) × 3 (sorghum variety) × 2 (with or without xylanase) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with 20 chickens per treatment. Gross performance measurements were assessed at 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Carcass yield and visceral organ weights were measured at day 21. In Experiment 1B, a total of 108 female Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to a 3 (sorghum variety) × 2 (with or without xylanase) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments replicated 6 times. On day 25, all birds were euthanazed by intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbitone and digesta contents from the distal ileum were collected to determine the nutrient digestibility. Broiler chickens offered sorghum variety Pan8816 supplemented with xylanase had higher feed intake, weight gain, and similar feed conversion ratio at 1 - 7 days of age. Breast meat of broiler chickens was not affected by variety or xylanase. The small intestine was heavier in the Pan8625 and Pan8816 groups with xylanase than in the similar Pan8906 group. Enzyme inclusion increased the crude protein digestibility. When xylanase was included in all sorghum varieties, numerically, starch digestibility tended to improve. Sorghum variety affected the growth performance of broiler chickens. Furthermore, nutrient digestibility was affected by the differences in variety.Keywords: Digestibility, tannin, poultry, visceral organs, xylanas

THE IMPACT OF BROILER FARMERS’ BEHAVIOR USING BROODING PERIOD EQUIPMENT ON PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME IN SEMARANG REGENCY

It is crucial to pay great attention to the broodstock or brooding period and determine the maintenance success afterward. All important organs such as the immune system, respiratory tract, digestive tract, skeleton, and fur are experiencing development during the brooding period. This study aimed to: (1) analyze the impact of broiler farmers’ behavior in the brooding period on the productivity of broiler chickens in Semarang Regency, (2) evaluate the effect of the use of equipment in the brooding period on the productivity of broiler chickens in Semarang Regency, (3) evaluate the effect of broiler chickens productivity on the broiler farmers’ income in Semarang Regency. The research method used was survey research. This research was descriptive with a quantitative approach. Exogenous variables studied include the farmers’ behavior and brooding period equipment, while the endogenous variables are productivity and income. The population in this study was broiler farmers in Semarang Regency. Sampling using a purposive sampling technique. Determination of samples using random sampling. The unit of analysis of this research is broiler farmers in Semarang Regency. The number of respondents was 120 people. Path analysis was used to analyze the impact of farmers’ behavior in the brooding period on the productivity of broiler chickens and the income of broiler farmers, and the effect of broiler chicken productivity on broiler farmers. The results showed that farmers’ behavior (Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Motivation) and brooding equipment significantly affect the productivity of broiler chickens. Farmers’ knowledge in the brooding period significantly affects farmers’ income. Farmers’ skills during the brooding period significantly affect the income, and the productivity of broiler chickens significantly affects farmers’ income

Effect of Giving Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa) Extract on Broiler Body Weight and Death Rate at Broiler Chicken Farming

This study aims to determine the effect of black cumin seed extract (Nigella sativa) on body weight and mortality of broiler chickens. Broiler chickens were randomly selected to represent 4 dose groups: control group (P0), 1.5 ml/liter extract (PI), 2 ml/liter extract (PII), and 2.5 ml/liter extract (PIII). The treatment was given by mixing black cumin seed extract (Nigella sativa) into the drinking water of broiler chickens for 3 weeks. The variables observed included body weight and mortality of broiler chickens. Data analysis used the one way ANOVA test followed by the LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. The results showed that the higher the dose of black cumin seed extract (Nigella sativa) given, the greater the broiler weight gain, while the mortality rate did not show any effect on the dose given. It can be concluded from this study that black cumin seed extract (Nigella sativa) has a significant effect on weight gain, but has no effect on broiler mortalit

Molecular Identification of Eimeria Species in Broiler Chickens in Trinidad, West Indies

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease of chickens of major economic importance to broiler industries worldwide. Species of coccidia found in chickens include Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria praecox, and Eimeria tenella. In recent years, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been developed to provide accurate and rapid identification of the seven known Eimeria species of chickens. The aim of this study was to use species-specific real-time PCR (qPCR) to identify which of the seven Eimeria species are present in Trinidad poultry. Seventeen pooled fecal samples were collected from 6 broiler farms (2–5 pens per farm) across Trinidad. Feces were also collected from birds showing clinical signs of coccidiosis in two live bird markets (pluck shops). qPCR revealed the presence of five species of Eimeria (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, and E. tenella), but not E. brunetti or E. praecox. Mixed infections were detected on all broiler farms, and DNA of two highly pathogenic Eimeria species (E. tenella and E. necatrix) was detected in feces taken from clinically sick birds sampled from the two pluck shops

Pengaruh Berbagai Frekuensi Pemberian Pakan pada Pembatasan Pakan terhadap Performans Ayam Broiler

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of feeding frequency on feed restriction on broiler chickens performance. The material used in this study were 200 heads of unsex 1 Day Old Chick (DOC), broiler strain. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with 4 treatments and 5 trials consisted of 10 chickens. T0: ad libitum feeding according to the standard PT. Charoen Pokphand, T1: feeding 75% of standard feed with 3 times a day frequency, T3: feeding 75% of standard feed with 2 times frequency of. Data obtained then analyzed with the F test at range test level of 5%. The results showed there's no interaction between the restriction on the consumption of feed rations, body weight gain and conversion rations. Consumption of broiler chicken rations at T0: 553.09 g, T1: 553.57 g, T2: 552.80, T3: 555.42 g. Body weight gain of broiler chickens at T0: 360.13 g, T1: 350, 52 g, T2: 347, 99 g and T3: 354.01 g. Conversion ration of broiler chickens at T0: 1.54 g, T1: 1.58 g, T2: 1.59 g and T3: 1.56 g. The conclusion is there's no effect of feeding frequency 4 times, 3 times and 2 times at 75% of standard feed restriction on the broiler chicken performance

Health Management and Disease Control of Broiler Chicken in Din Dahlan Farming Seri Kembang III village Payaraman Subdistrict Ogan Ilir Regency

Broiler chickens are easily to be inffected by disease and bring some disadvantages because of the effect from attacking diseases the health of broiler farms is affected the environment. The existence of health management and control of broiler chicken disease in Din Dahlan Ranch, Seri Kembang III Village, Payaraman District, Ogan Ilir Regency. The purposes of this study are to observe and study the management of disease control, especially in the field of broiler farms. This research was carried out for 2 months by collecting data directly to the research location of the owner of  Din Dahlan ranch and distributing questionnaires. The result is showed that Din Dahlan Farms implemented a vaccination program, provision of medicines, aspects of biosecurity and sanitation in broiler chickens. So that this research shows that the Health Management and Control of Broiler Chickens in Din Dahlan Farms is already good

SELECTED WELFARE PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS ON DIFFERENT FEED QUANTITY AND TIME

This study was conducted to determine welfare of broiler chickens fed ad libitum and restricted feed during early (08.00hour) and late (16:00hour) of the day. One hundred and eighty (21d old) broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 treatments in a 2x2 factorial arrangement comprising of ad libitum and restricted feeding (75% of ad libitum) quantity at 8 and 16 hours feeding time in three replicates. Data were collected on leg problem, dust bathing, body temperature, mortality and haematology. Result revealed that neither feed quantity nor time had significant (P&gt;0.05) effect on leg problem, dust bathing and mortality of broiler chickens. Broiler chickens under ad lib feed quantity and 16:00hours feeding time had (P&lt;0.05) highest body temperature (40.93oC) while those under ad libitum morning (08:00hours) recorded the least (40.75°C). Pack Cell Volume had similar (P&gt;0.05) increase from 26.75% at the beginning (21d) to 31.25 (%) at 56d with broiler chickens under restricted feeding and fed at 16:00hours feeding time. Basophil count reduced from a range of 0.5-2% (P&lt;0.05) to 1% (P&gt;0.05) with restricted feeding. Also eosinophil reduced from 2-4% (P&lt;0.05) range to 0-2.5% (P&gt;0.05) with restricted feeding while birds under ad lib increased from 0-1% (P&lt;0.05) at 21d to 2.75% (P&gt;0.05) at 56d. Better welfare (good body temperature) of broiler chicken could be achieved with early feeding time irrespective of quantity. However, restricted feeding could be explored in broiler production where reduced basophil, eosinophil and stress are vital for enhanced welfare and performance. &nbsp; &nbsp

Pathogenesis and Control of Inclusion Body Hepatitis in Broiler chickens

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically important fowl adenovirus (FAdV) disease of broiler chickens. In Canada, FAdV-8a, FAdV-8b, FAdV-11, FAdV-7 and FAdV-2 are the prevalent FAdV serotypes. Currently, there is no commercial vaccine available in Canada to prevent IBH in broiler chickens. The objectives of this study were to develop live, inactivated or subunit FAdV vaccines to control IBH and to identify a suitable adjuvant for an inactivated FAdV vaccine. In chapter 2, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of live and inactivated bivalent FAdV vaccines (FAdV-8b-SK+FAdV-11-1047) against IBH. We demonstrated significant immunoprotection of broiler chickens (98 – 100%) (P<0.01) against IBH by vaccinating broiler breeders with FAdV-8b-SK+FAdV-11-1047 with either a bivalent live vaccine (1x104 TCID50) at 16 weeks of age or a bivalent inactivated vaccine (1x106 TCID50) at 16 and 19 weeks of age. Both the live and inactivated bivalent FAdV vaccines induced broad-spectrum protection against all common serotypes of FAdV circulating in the Canada. Both the live and inactivated FAdV vaccines were equally efficacious in protecting broiler chickens against IBH by passive transfer of maternal antibodies (MtAb) from broiler breeders to their broiler progeny. In chapter 3, we demonstrated that FAdV-8b-SK adjuvanted with CpG-ODN induced a long-lasting humoral immunity similar to inactivated FAdV-8b-SK adjuvanted with Emulsigen-D. FAdV-8b-SK adjuvanted with CpG-ODN induced T helper (Th)-1 and Th-2 type immunity. CpG-ODN as an adjuvant enhanced cytotoxic T-cell memory response of FAdV-8b-SK vaccine. Propagation of some serotypes of FAdVs are difficult in cell lines. Hence, we explored the possibility of developing a subunit FAdV vaccine. In chapter 4, we demonstrated significant protection of broiler chickens against IBH by vaccinating their broiler breeder parents using a FAdV-8b-SK subunit vaccine [fiber protein or virus-like particles (VLPs)]. We also demonstrated that the FAdV-8b-SK fiber and VLPs induce strong cytotoxic T-cell responses in the broiler breeders. The results of this study will help in designing FAdV control strategies for the prevention of IBH in Canada