Metabolizable energy equivalence of guanidinoacetic acid in corn soybean meal-based broiler diets

In this study, we evaluated how guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) addition in diets with various metabolizable energy (ME) contents affects the performance of broiler chickens. We also estimated the equivalence of GAA in ME. We distributed 1,280 one-day-old broilers in a completely randomized design with eight treatments, eight replicates, and twenty birds per experimental unit. Treatments were based on ME levels (2,775-2,875-2,975 kcal/kg; 2,850-2,950-3,050 kcal/kg; 2,925-3,025-3,125 kcal/kg; or 3,000-3,100-3,200 kcal/kg, from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, and 22 to 42 days of age) and the inclusion of GAA (0 or 600 mg/kg). Supplementation of GAA increased weight gain in broilers at an energy level of 2,908 kcal/kg and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at energy levels of 2,908 and 2,983 kcal/kg. There was a linear reduction in feed intake and an improvement in FCR of broilers with increasing levels of energy in diets, with and without GAA addition. Solving the equivalence equation, by applying each of the weighted average energy levels studied. indicates the GAA equivalence of 133, 103, 74, and 44 kcal/kg of diet. In conclusion, GAA supplementation improves broilers' efficiency of energy use; the average ME equivalence of 600 mg/kg of GAA is 88.5 kcal/kg.

Effects of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on feed digestibility, intestinal mucosa, and biochemical and antioxidant parameters in broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on metabolizable energy, feed digestibility, intestinal morphometric analysis, and antioxidant parameters in broilers. A completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replications of eight broilers (Cobb male) was used, and collections were carried out at 20 and 42 days of age. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improved apparent metabolizable energy but did not change protein and ether extract digestibility. Supplementation increased intestinal villus height and villi:crypt ratio; in which 100 mg/kg produced the greatest villus height. Serum uric acid levels were lower in birds receiving supplementation. Improvement in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase was observed, while lower uric acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improve apparent metabolizable energy and can be administered in broiler feed without risk to the bird's health. These supplements may serve as alternative products to aid the performance of commercial poultry.

Addition of a blend of exogenous enzymes to broiler chickens diets: impacts on performance and production costs / Adição de uma mistura de enzimas exógenas a dietas de frangos de corte: impactos no desempenho e custos de produção

Broiler diets are based on corn, soybean and wheat production; however, some protein ingredients have many antinutritional factors and low digestibility. The objective of this study was to add a blend of exogenous enzymes to the feed with low nutritional value for broilers to reduce production costs and improve digestibility while maintaining good zootechnical performance. The experimental design was completely randomized, including three treatments with five replications (n=15) each: a) positive control (PC), diet calculated for males with average performance; b) negative control + exogenous enzymes (NC+EE), minimum nutrient diet according to the requirements of the production phase, and the enzymatic blend was added; and c) negative control (NC), minimum levels of nutrients for each phase. At 21 days, the PC group showed greater weight gain and lower feed conversion than the NC (P<0.05). At 42 days, PC had lower feed intake than NC (P=0.040), while lower feed conversion was observed in groups PC and NC+EE than NC (P=0.001). The production efficiency index was higher in the PC treatment, but the NC+EE treatment was higher than the NC (P=0.001). Considering production costs and body weight, we found that NC+EE birds had greater profitability. Therefore, we conclude that the blend of exogenous enzymes added to a diet with minimal nutritional levels has practical application in the broiler production system.(AU)

As dietas de frangos de corte são baseadas na produção de milho, soja e trigo; no entanto, alguns ingredientes proteicos possuem muitos fatores antinutricionais e baixa digestibilidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi adicionar à ração uma mistura de enzimas exógenas com baixo valor nutricional para frangos de corte para reduzir os custos de produção e melhorar a digestibilidade, mantendo o bom desempenho zootécnico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, incluindo três tratamentos com cinco repetições (n=15) cada: a) controle positivo (PC), dieta calculada para machos com desempenho médio; b) controle negativo + enzimas exógenas (CN+EE), dieta mínima de nutrientes de acordo com as exigências da fase de produção, e foi adicionada a mistura enzimática; c) controle negativo (CN), teores mínimos de nutrientes para cada fase. Aos 21 dias, o grupo PC apresentou maior ganho de peso e menor conversão alimentar que o NC (P<0,05). Aos 42 dias, PC apresentou menor consumo de ração que NC (P=0,040), enquanto foi observada menor conversão alimentar nos grupos PC e NC+EE que NC (P=0,001). O índice de eficiência de produção foi maior no tratamento PC, mas o tratamento NC+EE foi maior que o NC (P=0,001). Considerando os custos de produção e peso corporal, verificamos que as aves NC+EE tiveram maior rentabilidade. Portanto, concluímos que a mistura de enzimas exógenas adicionada a uma dieta com níveis nutricionais mínimos tem aplicação prática no sistema de produção de frangos de corte.(AU)

Vegetable choline as a replacement for choline chloride in broiler feed

The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) and production efficiency index (p < 0.001) in broilers fed vegetable choline, with no differences on body weight (p = 0.372) and weight gain (p = 0.427) among broilers. Carcass, cuts yield, and organ relative weights do not alter (p > 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.(AU)

Vegetable choline as a replacement for choline chloride in broiler feed

The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.

The effect of dietary phytase and various available phosphorus levels on performance and egg quality in Japanese quail / Fitase e diferentes níveis de fósforo disponível em dietas de codornas japonesas sobre a produção e qualidade de ovos

Birds show poor utilization of phytic phosphorus in their diets because of the lack of endogenous enzymes to digest phosphorus and make it bioavailable. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate phytase supplementation in the diets of laying quails. Eighty quails were used in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and four replicates of four birds each. The treatments were as follows: 0.35% Pd; 0.20% Pd; 0.20% Pd + 500FTUs of phytase; 0.09% Pd; 0.09% Pd + 500 FTUs of phytase. The birds were housed in metallic batteries during a trial period of 21 days, for evaluation of egg production, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion. After being collected, the eggs were sent to the nutrition laboratory of the department of zootechnics of the CEO/Udesc, where analyses of albumin, yolk and shell quality were performed. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the differences between the averages were compared using the Tukey test at 5% of significance. No differences (P> 0.05) were observed in terms of performance and egg quality parameters. We conclude that the inclusion of phytase in the diet of laying quails can be accomplished without compromising the performance and quality of the eggs. Additionally, 0.09% of 22 disponible phosphorus can be used to grant adequate performance for 21 days.(AU)

As aves possuem baixo aproveitamento do fósforo fítico das dietas, devido à falta de enzimas endógenas que consigam realizar a quebra e aproveitamento do mesmo. Objetivou-se no presente estudo avaliar a adição de fitase em dietas de codornas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 80codornas, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado composto por cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, de quatro aves cada. Os tratamentos foram: 0,35% Pd; 0,20% Pd; 0,20% Pd + 500FTUs de fitase; 0,09% Pd; 0,09% Pd + 500 FTUs de fitase. As aves foram alojadas em baterias metálicas, em período experimental de 21 dias, para avaliação da produção de ovos, peso dos ovos, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. Após coletados, os ovos foram encaminhados ao laboratório de nutrição do departamento de zootecnia do CEO/Udesc, onde foram realizadas as análises de qualidade de albúmen, de clara e casca. Os resultados obtidos foramsubmetidos à análise de variância e as diferenças entre as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) nos parâmetros de desempenho e qualidade de ovos avaliados. Conclui-se que a inclusão da fitase na dieta de codornas poedeiras pode ser empregada sem causar comprometimento do desempenho e qualidade dos ovos das aves. Adicionalmente, 0,09% de fósforo disponível pode ser utilizado, garantindo o desempenho em período de 21 dias de produção.(AU)

The effect of dietary phytase and various available phosphorus levels on performance and egg quality in Japanese quail / Fitase e diferentes níveis de fósforo disponível em dietas de codornas japonesas sobre a produção e qualidade de ovos

Birds show poor utilization of phytic phosphorus in their diets because of the lack of endogenous enzymes to digest phosphorus and make it bioavailable. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate phytase supplementation in the diets of laying quails. Eighty quails were used in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and four replicates of four birds each. The treatments were as follows: 0.35% Pd; 0.20% Pd; 0.20% Pd + 500FTUs of phytase; 0.09% Pd; 0.09% Pd + 500 FTUs of phytase. The birds were housed in metallic batteries during a trial period of 21 days, for evaluation of egg production, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion. After being collected, the eggs were sent to the nutrition laboratory of the department of zootechnics of the CEO/Udesc, where analyses of albumin, yolk and shell quality were performed. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the differences between the averages were compared using the Tukey test at 5% of significance. No differences (P> 0.05) were observed in terms of performance and egg quality parameters. We conclude that the inclusion of phytase in the diet of laying quails can be accomplished without compromising the performance and quality of the eggs. Additionally, 0.09% of 22 disponible phosphorus can be used to grant adequate performance for 21 days.

As aves possuem baixo aproveitamento do fósforo fítico das dietas, devido à falta de enzimas endógenas que consigam realizar a quebra e aproveitamento do mesmo. Objetivou-se no presente estudo avaliar a adição de fitase em dietas de codornas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 80codornas, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado composto por cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, de quatro aves cada. Os tratamentos foram: 0,35% Pd; 0,20% Pd; 0,20% Pd + 500FTUs de fitase; 0,09% Pd; 0,09% Pd + 500 FTUs de fitase. As aves foram alojadas em baterias metálicas, em período experimental de 21 dias, para avaliação da produção de ovos, peso dos ovos, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. Após coletados, os ovos foram encaminhados ao laboratório de nutrição do departamento de zootecnia do CEO/Udesc, onde foram realizadas as análises de qualidade de albúmen, de clara e casca. Os resultados obtidos foramsubmetidos à análise de variância e as diferenças entre as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) nos parâmetros de desempenho e qualidade de ovos avaliados. Conclui-se que a inclusão da fitase na dieta de codornas poedeiras pode ser empregada sem causar comprometimento do desempenho e qualidade dos ovos das aves. Adicionalmente, 0,09% de fósforo disponível pode ser utilizado, garantindo o desempenho em período de 21 dias de produção.