An evaluation of gallic acid supplementation to corn-soybean-gluten meal-based diet in broilers

Dietary inclusion of micelle silymarin enhances egg production, quality, and lowers blood cholesterol in Hy-line brown laying hens

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of micelle silymarin (MS) supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens. A total of 384 (Hy-Line brown, 28-week-old) laying hens were randomly distributed into one of four dietary treatment groups (eight replication per treatment; 12 hens per replicate) for a 12-week long feeding trial. Hens were fed a basal diet with the addition of 0%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% of MS respectively. The results expressed that egg production percentage and egg weight were linearly (p < 0.05) enhanced at Weeks 0-6, 7-12, and 0-12, when 0%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% of MS were added to laying hen diets. The feed conversion ratio and feed intake improved (p < 0.05) linearly at Weeks 0-6, 7-12, and 0-12 with increasing levels of MS supplementation in laying hens. The eggshell thickness and eggshell strength were linearly (p < 0.05) improved at weeks 4, 8, and 12 with an MS-supplemented diet. Additionally, eggshell colour, Haugh unit, and albumin height had no significant (p > 0.05) difference throughout the experimental period with different levels of MS-supplemented diet. The yolk colour of eggs showed significant (p < 0.05) differences at weeks 8 and 12 with levels of the MS-supplemented diet. However, at the end of the trial, the blood profile indicated that cholesterol levels decreased (p < 0.05) linearly, and triglyceride levels showed a tendency to decrease (p < 0.10) with MS supplementation. In conclusion, increasing the level of MS addition in the laying hen diet improved the egg production percentage and egg quality, reducing cholesterol levels in Hy-Line brown hens. However, this study indicates that MS can be added to the diet of laying hens up to 0.06% for improved egg production and egg quality.

Effects of Micellar Quercetin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota, Meat Quality, and Physiological Status in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the impacts of micellar quercetin (MQ) supplementation on growth performance, meat stability, excreta gas emissions, and physiological status. During a 35-day trial, 640 Ross 308 broilers were utilized. These birds were one day old, with an average initial body weight of 43.34 ± 1.43 g. They were randomly distributed across four experimental diets, each consisting of 10 replicate pens with 16 chicks per pen. The diets included the following: control (CON) with 0% micellar quercetin (MQ), TRT1 with 0.025% MQ, TRT2 with 0.050% MQ, and TRT3 with 0.100% MQ. The results indicate that broilers fed diets with increasing levels of MQ exhibited significantly higher body weight gains (BWGs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear linear increase in the breast muscle percentage with higher levels of quercetin supplementation (p < 0.05), while the breast color remained consistent across all groups (p > 0.05). Both cooking loss and drip loss exhibited a linear decrease as MQ levels in the diet increased (p < 0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to decrease with higher MQ levels. Thyroxine (T4) and lymphocyte levels also showed a linear increase with increasing MQ dosage in the diet (p < 0.05). However, no significant effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, gas emissions, or fecal microbial components (Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella) with higher levels of MQ supplementation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, augmenting quercetin levels in the diet positively influenced the BWG, breast muscle development, and meat quality parameters such as cooking loss and drip loss, with beneficial effects on blood profiles.

Assessing the potential of phytogenic feed additives: A comprehensive review on their effectiveness as a potent dietary enhancement for nonruminant in swine and poultry

Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) often referred to as phytobiotics or botanical feed additives, are natural compounds derived from various plants, herbs, spices and other botanical sources. These feed additives are intended to serve a variety of purposes, including an immune system regulator, an antimicrobial, an antimutagenic, an antioxidant and a growth promoter. They are composed of bioactive compounds extracted from plants, including essential oils, polyphenols, terpenoids and flavonoids. They are mostly utilized as substitute antibiotic growth promoters in nonruminant (swine and poultry) livestock production, owing to the prohibition of antibiotic usage in the feed industry. It has been thoroughly examined to ascertain their impact on intestinal health and activity, correlation with animals' effective health and well-being, productivity, food security and environmental impact. The potential uses of these feed additives depend on the properties of herbs, the comprehension of their principal and secondary components, knowledge of their mechanisms of action, the safety of animals and the products they produce. They are gaining recognition as effective and sustainable tools for promoting animal health and performance while reducing the reliance on antibiotics in nonruminant nutrition. Their natural origins, multifaceted benefits and alignment with consumer preferences make them a valuable addition to modern animal farming process. However, because of their inconsistent effects and inadequate knowledge of the mechanisms of action, their usage as a feed additive has been limited. This review offers a comprehensive assessment of the applications of PFAs as an effective feed supplement in swine and poultry nutrition. In summary, this comprehensive review provides current knowledge, identifies gaps in research and emphasizes the potential of phytogenic additives to foster sustainable and healthier livestock production systems while addressing the global concerns associated with antibiotic use in livestock farming.

Effects of Rumex nervosus leaf powder supplementation on carcasses compositions, small intestine dimensions, breasts color quality, economic feasibility in broiler chickens

Carcass characteristics, product quality, and the conversion of feed into meat with higher performance and feasibility are important determinants of the profitability and sustainability of any poultry enterprise. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effect of Rumex nervosus leaf powder (RNLP) on carcass composition, small intestine dimensions, breast color quality, and economic feasibility of Ross broiler chickens. A total of 122 broilers were randomly distributed evenly among 4 treatments (0, 1, 3, and 5 g RNLP/ kg diet, n = 5 replicates per treatment, with 6 broilers per replicate: 3 ♀ and 3 ♂). Performance and economic data were collected in each replicate during the experiment. One male bird from each replication was examined for other criteria on d 34. Results showed that broilers fed 3 g of RNLP had a higher eviscerated carcass weight and dressing percentage (P < 0.05) than the control. The RNLP-fed broilers had higher weights and thicknesses in the duodenum and jejunum of up to 5 g and in the ileum and overall small intestine of up to 3 g. Broilers fed the lowest levels of RNLP had the highest revenue and net gain and the lowest cost-benefit ratio compared with those fed the highest levels of RNLP. The results indicate that the addition of RNLP has a positive effect on carcass processing, the intestinal measurements, and profitability ratios of the broilers. The 1 g RNLP/kg feed is the recommended dose to increase productivity and economic profitability ratios per kilogram of meat.