Cassava starch factory residues in the diet of slow-growing broilers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of dehydrated cassava starch residue (DCSR) on the performance, gastrointestinal tract characteristics and carcass traits of ISA Label JA57 slow-growing broilers. A total of 510 broilers at 21 were distributed in a randomized experimental design with 5 treatments (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 % DCSR inclusion) and a control group, 5 replicates, and 17 birds per experimental unit. The DCSR inclusion from 21 to 49 days of age negatively influenced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake and did not affect (P > 0.05) feed conversion in the broilers with increasing of DCSR inclusion. From 21 to 79 days, DCSR inclusion impaired (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed conversion, and poultry litter quality with increasing of DCSR inclusion. The level of blood triglycerides showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05) at 79 days of age with the highest value predicted to occur at 5.45 % of DCSR inclusion. DCSR levels affected (P < 0.05) the gastrointestinal organ characteristics, cecal content pH, and pigmentation of the shank, breast, and thigh meat of the birds but did not alter (P > 0.05) the other parameters of carcass quality and yield, cuts, and percentage of abdominal fat. In conclusion, DCSR inclusion levels above 2 % compromised broiler performance.

Use of vitamin d3 and its metabolites in broiler chicken feed on performance, bone parameters and meat quality.

The objective of this experiment was to assess the use of different vitamin D metabolites in the feed of broiler chickens and the effects of the metabolites on performance, bone parameters and meat quality. A total of 952 one-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomised design, with four treatments, seven replicates and 34 birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of four different sources of vitamin D included in the diet, D3, 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, and 1α(OH)D3, providing 2000 and 1600 IU of vitamin D in the starter (1 to 21 d) and growth phases (22 to 42 d), respectively. Mean weight, feed:gain and weight gain throughout the rearing period were less in animals fed 1α(OH)D3 when compared with the other treatments (p<0.05). No significant differences were noted among the treatments (p>0.05) for various bone parameters. Meat colour differed among the treatments (p>0.05). All of the metabolites used in the diets, with the exception of 1α(OH)D3, can be used for broiler chickens without problems for performance and bone quality, however, some aspects of meat quality were affected.