Colonic Microbiota Improves Fiber Digestion Ability and Enhances Absorption of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Local Pigs of Hainan

Compared to commercial breeds, Chinese local pig breeds have a greater ability to digest dietary fiber, which may be due to differences in intestinal microbiota. In this study, we fed Ding'an and DLY pigs high and low levels of dietary fiber, respectively, to investigate factors contributing to high dietary fiber adaption in Ding'an pigs. Twelve Ding'an pigs and DLY pigs were randomly divided into a 2 (diet) × 2 (breed) factorial experiment (n = 3). Compared with commercial pigs, Ding'an pigs have a stronger ability to digest dietary fiber. Prevotella was more prevalent in Ding'an pigs than in DLY pigs, which may be an important reason for the stronger ability of fiber degradation in Ding'an pigs. When the effects of feed and breed factors are considered, differences in abundance of 31 species and 14 species, respectively, may result in a greater ability of fiber degradation in Ding'an pigs. Among them, Prevotella. sp. CAG:520 may be a newly discovered bacterium related to fiber degradation, which positively correlated with many fiber-degrading bacteria (r > 0.7). We also found that the concentration of plant metabolites with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects was higher in the colonic chyme of Ding'an pigs after increasing the fiber content, which resulted in the downregulated expression of inflammatory factors in colonic mucosa. Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed a strong correlation between microbiota and the apparent digestibility of dietary fiber (r > 0.7). The mRNA expressions of SLC16A1, PYY, and GCG were significantly increased in the colonic mucosa of Ding'an pigs fed on high-fiber diets, which indicates that Ding'an pigs have an enhanced absorption of SCFAs. Our results suggested that an appropriate increase in dietary fiber content can reduce the inflammatory response and improve feed efficiency in Ding'an pigs, and differences in the intestinal microbial composition may be an important reason for the difference in the fiber degradation capacity between the two breeds of pigs.

Alfalfa leaf meal as a new protein feedstuff improves meat quality by modulating lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs

The effects of alfalfa leaf meal (ALM) on the meat quality of finishing pigs are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of ALM diet on meat quality by replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of soybean meal in the diet of finishing pigs, respectively. The findings showed that 25% ALM diet increased the IMF, cooked meat rate, a* and antioxidant capacity of longissimus dorsi (LD), improved amino acid composition, increased MUFA content, and increased LD lipid synthesis and mRNA expression of antioxidation-related genes. At the same time, ALM diet altered serum lipid metabolism (TG, FFA). Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with meat quality. In addition, metabolomic analysis of LD showed that the main metabolites of 25% ALM diet altered stachydrine and l-carnitine were associated with meat quality and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, ALM replacing 25% soybean meal diet can improve the meat quality of pigs.

An overview of health challenges in alternative poultry production systems

Due to consumer demand and changing welfare standards on health, ecology, equity, and safety concepts, poultry production has changed markedly over the past 20 y. One of the greatest changes to poultry production standards is now offering poultry limited access to the outdoors in alternative and organic poultry production operations. Although operations allowing access to the outdoors are still only a small portion of commercial poultry production, it may impact the gastrointestinal (GIT) health of the bird in different ways than birds raised under conventional management systems. The present review describes current research results in alternative systems by identifying how different poultry production operations (diet, environmental disruptive factors, diseases) impact the ecology and health of the GIT. Various research efforts will be discussed that illustrate the nutritional value of free-range forages and how forages could be beneficial to animal health and production of both meat and eggs. The review also highlights the need for potential interventions to limit diseases without using antibiotics. These alternatives could enhance both economics and sustainability in organic and free-range poultry production.

Effects of Linseed Meal and Carotenoids from Different Sources on Egg Characteristics, Yolk Fatty Acid and Carotenoid Profile and Lipid Peroxidation

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet of laying hens with linseed meal and carotenoids from different sources on egg characteristics, yolk fatty acid and carotenoid profile, and lipid peroxidation. A 4-week experiment was conducted on 168 Lohmann Brown layers (43 weeks of age), assigned to four dietary treatments (42 hens/group; 21 replicate/groups with 2 birds/pen) consisting of a control diet (C) and three diets simultaneously supplemented with 6% linseed meal and 2% dried kapia pepper (E1), 2% dried sea buckthorn pomace (E2) and 2% dried carrot (E3). Every 2 weeks, 18 eggs/group/period were collected randomly from each group and used to determine the egg quality and nutritional parameters. The results showed that dietary linseed meal and carotenoids sources improved egg color, carotenoids’ accumulation in egg yolk and fatty acid profile, especially the n-3 PUFA content. Dietary carotenoids supplementation reduced, n-6/n-3 ratio, cholesterol content of the egg yolk and improved yolk pH, egg thickness and yolk oxidative stability. In conclusion, the use of these sources of carotenoids in the linseed meal enriched diets could be an effective way to improve the nutritional properties of the eggs without affecting their quality and consumer’s safety.

Effects of Sunflower Meal Supplementation as a Complementary Protein Source in the Laying Hen’s Diet on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Digestibility

The practical usage of untraditional feedstuffs such as sunflower meal (SFM) in laying hens nutrition in developing countries has received considerable attention. SFM is a by-product of the sunflower oil industry and has been progressively added to bird’s diets. Sunflower meal (SFM) is gaining great interest as a feed ingredient due to its eminent crude protein content, low anti-nutritional compounds, and low price. The current experiment was aimed to assess the production efficiency, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and nutrient digestibility of laying hens fed SFM. A total of 162 Bovans Brown laying hens aged 60 weeks old were randomly allocated using a completely randomized design into three experimental groups of nine replicates each (n = six/replicate) for eight weeks. The dietary treatments involved a control (basal diet) and two levels of SFM, 50 and 100 g/kg feed. The dietary treatments did not influence live weight gain, feed intake, and egg mass. On one hand, the laying rate was increased; on the other hand, the feed conversion ratio and broken eggs rate of laying hens were decreased (p < 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of SFM. Dietary treatments had no effect on the egg’s quality characteristics except the yolk color and yolk height were larger (p = 0.01) for laying hens fed SFM compared with those fed the control. Dietary inclusion of SFM decreased (p < 0.05) the content of cholesterol in the egg yolk. Still, it increased the yolk contents of vitamin E, calcium, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the dietary inclusion of SFM increased crude protein and calcium digestibility, but decreased the ether extract digestibility. In conclusion, our results suggested that the dietary inclusion of SFM, up to 100 g/kg at a late phase of laying, could improve the production performance, some of the egg quality traits, and nutrient digestibility while decreasing egg yolk cholesterol.

Effects of Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) Dietary Supplementation on Laying Hens Productivity and Oxidative Status

Simple Summary

In the last decade, the interest in plants, plant extracts, and derived phytochemicals as dietary additives for poultry has significantly increased. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of both horsetail and spirulina on performance, egg quantitative and qualitative traits, serum and yolk cholesterol, and antioxidant status of laying hens. Based on the findings, supplementing laying hen diet with horsetail and spirulina did not have a detrimental effect on productive parameters.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of dietary horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and spirulina (Spirulina platensis) supplementation on performance, egg quality, serum biochemical and antioxidant status of laying hens. A total of 648, 63-week-old Hy-Line W-36 layers were divided into nine groups with eight replicates per group (nine birds per replicate). A feeding trial was conducted under completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 3 × 3 consisting of three different dietary levels of horsetail supplementations (0, 0.25, and 0.50%, respectively) in combination with three levels of spirulina (0, 1, and 2%, respectively). Results showed that feed intake, egg production, egg weight and mass, and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Eggshell thickness, strength, and yolk color were significantly improved in diets supplemented with 0.5% horsetail and 2% spirulina and their interactions. Egg yolk cholesterol was not significantly different among groups; however, a significant reduction was found when fed 2% spirulina. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration decreased by supplementing 2% spirulina in diet; also, spirulina increased total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in laying hens. Overall, the findings indicated that the combination of horsetail and spirulina could have potential for improving the egg’s physical parameters, whereas spirulina was more effective in improving blood traits and oxidative status.

Effects of edible environmental enrichments during the rearing and laying periods in a littered aviary-Part 2: physical development of pullets and performance, egg quality, and carcass composition in laying hens

Feather pecking and cannibalism are 2 major problems in laying hens' husbandry. Although additional environmental enrichment material (EM) supply is thought to lessen these problems, consistent evidences are lacking. This study examined the effects of EM supply (pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on biological performance, carcass composition, and animal losses in a littered housing system. 2,000 brown-egg and 2,000 white-egg layer hen pullets of the genetic strains Lohmann Brown classic and Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic, respectively, were reared separately in a 16-compartment aviary system until week 18. 1,320 remaining laying hens were then transferred to a 44-compartment laying stable (weeks 19–48). Both strains were tested under 4 treatment variants (n = 150–180 per strain and per variant): V1—no EM over the entire study period; V2—the rearing period with and the laying period without EM; V3—the rearing period without and the laying period with EM; V4—EM over the entire study period. Data on development, performance, egg quality, feed intake, EM consumption, animal losses, carcass composition, and economic traits were collected. Enrichment material supply during rearing (V2 and V4, both strains) was found to globally increase not only hens' relative gizzard mass (P = 0.036) but also the cracked eggs' percentage (compared with V3; P = 0.008) and to decrease the body mass in weeks 6 (P = 0.023) and 8 (P = 0.023) and the uniformity in week 16 (P = 0.011). Enrichment material provision during the laying period (V3 and V4, both strains) increased egg weights (P = 0.028) and the mean body mass (P = 0.036); however, continuous provision of EM (V4, both strains) increased the floor eggs' percentage (P = 0.019). The EM supply did not affect mortality, loss of production days, losses due to skin and toe cannibalism, or the income over feed costs. However, the income over feed and enrichment costs of V1 hens was higher by 0.55 €/hen than that of V4 hens (P = 0.022). Therefore, EM supply cannot be recommended as a measure to increase laying performance and reduce animal losses, but its positive effects on animal welfare should be considered.

Seaweed Potential in the Animal Feed: A Review

Seaweed (known as marine algae) has a tradition of being part of the animal feed in the coastal areas, from ancient times. Seaweeds, are mixed with animal feed, because when consumed alone can have negative impact on animals. Thus, seaweeds are very rich in useful metabolites (pigments, carotenoids, phlorotannins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, agar, alginate and carrageenan) and minerals (iodine, zinc, sodium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium), being considered as a natural source of additives that can substitute the antibiotic usage in various animals. In this review, we describe the nutritional values of seaweeds and the seaweed effects in the seaweed-based animal feed/supplements.

Quality of Eggs, Concentration of Lysozyme in Albumen, and Fatty Acids in Yolk in Relation to Blue Lupin-Rich Diet and Production Cycle

In recent years, the interest in lupin seeds as a source of protein in poultry nutrition has increased. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of table eggs produced by hens that were fed diets containing pea seeds and various levels of narrow-leafed lupin as a substitute for soybean meal. The share of lupin seeds in the treatment groups was 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Egg morphology, the fatty acid profile in egg yolk and the amount and activity of lysozyme in egg white were analysed. Results show that using 10-20% lupin seeds in feed in the diet of laying hens in intensive farming does not result in a change in weight or egg structure, their physical properties or their morphological composition. Increasing the share of lupin seeds in feed for laying hens increases the saturation of the colour of egg yolks, which is a desirable feature among consumers. The use of lupin seeds in feed for laying hens does not adversely affect the chemical properties of egg proteins, as expressed by the amount and activity of lysozyme. In feed for laying hens, replacing soybean meal with lupin seeds has a positive effect on the fatty acid profile in egg yolk (omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated acids and hypocholesterolemic acids).

Effect of Breed and Diet Type on the Freshness and Quality of the Eggs: A Comparison between Mos (Indigenous Galician Breed) and Isa Brown Hens

Eggs are a nutritious food, offering a balanced source of essential amino and fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Genetic and diet factors can modify hen egg traits. Thus, the effects of breed and feed on egg quality using two laying hens, Mos (autochthonous breed) and Isa Brown (commercial hybrid), and three feeds, commercial fodder (CF), corn/pea/triticale (CPT) and corn/wheat (CW), were investigated. Freshness parameters (egg weight, eggshell weight and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units and yolk color), chemical composition, color and textural parameters, as well as fatty acid profile, were assessed on a total of 288 eggs, from the two breeds. The samples were divided in 96 eggs, corresponding to each of the three dietary treatments. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in albumen height and Haugh units, obtaining the highest values for Isa Brown genotype; meanwhile, laying hens fed with CF had the highest weight, as well as the greatest eggshell thickness. Cooked yolks of Isa Brown eggs presented the highest values of luminosity, while the yellowness was higher for Mos eggs. Regarding the texture of eggs, genotype was again the parameter having the greatest impact, obtaining higher values in hardness, gumminess and chewiness in those eggs from the Mos breed. Concerning egg chemical composition, it was affected by breed and diet type, but Mos eggs were characterized by a significantly (p < 0.001) higher contents of fat (9.53% vs. 7.58%), protein (12.31% vs. 11.66%) and ash (1.10% vs. 1.04%) than Isa Brown ones. Finally, diet type influenced the fatty acid profile, mainly affecting oleic and linoleic acids, which showed significantly (p < 0.05) highest values (42.90 and 14.66 g/100 g of total fatty acids) in CW and CF diets, respectively. Overall, breed and bird diet factors had a strong effect on egg quality and nutritional profile. Moreover, eggs from Mos hens had more attractive nutritional indices, and they could even be improved more by changing the diet.

Effects of dietary alfalfa protein concentrate supplementation on performance, egg quality, and fatty acid composition of raw, freeze-dried, and hard-boiled eggs from Polbar laying hens

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of addition of alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) at the dose of 15 g or 30 g per 1 kg of complete feed ration for the native Polbar breed on selected production traits and the fatty acid profile in the yolk of raw, hard-boiled or freeze-dried eggs. Laying hens were assigned randomly to 3 experimental groups, each comprising 30 birds. The control group received a standard diet without the APC addition and the experimental groups received APC, which partially replaced postextraction soybean meal. Egg laying performance, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were controlled throughout the experiment. At 33 wk of age, 45 eggs were randomly selected for assessment of the quality of the egg content and eggshell, and 30 eggs were taken for each of the cooking and freeze-drying treatments. The fatty acid composition was determined in the yolks of hard-boiled, freeze-dried, and raw eggs. There was no effect of the APC addition on the laying performance, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, and a majority of egg quality traits. Hens fed with the APC laid eggs with a darker colored eggshell and yolk and a slightly lower breaking strength. The yolks in the eggs from hens receiving the APC addition were characterized by distinctly higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The group fed with a higher dose of APC produced eggs with a substantially lower level of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Boiling resulted in an increase in the SFA content and a decline in the level of PUFAs and carotenoids. Freeze-drying led to an increase in the total SFA content and a decrease in the level of n-3 PUFA. The APC addition to feed can replace the genetically modified soybean meal without reducing the values of production traits and egg quality and with a beneficial effect on the yolk color and fatty acid profile.

Comparison of Dietary Kudzu Leaf Meal (Pueraria montana Var. lobata) and Alfalfa Meal Supplementation Effect on Broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Organ Parameters

Simple Summary

The increase in demand for poultry products has directly influenced an increase in poultry production. This increase has placed a strain on the accessibility of high protein feed resources (e.g., soybean meal). High demands for these protein resources from large poultry production industries have left small-scale poultry producers with minimal access to these feed ingredients. In response to this demand, many small-scale poultry producers are utilizing plant leaf based ingredients (i.e., leaf meals) as a protein substitute. Leaf meals offer poultry producers a feed resource that is inexpensive and high in protein. Kudzu is a rapid growing invasive plant species that can engulf and destroy many environments. Kudzu contains a high concentration of nutrients, making it a potentially viable protein substitute in poultry production. In the present study, meat chickens (broilers) were fed a diet containing kudzu leaf meal to assess effects on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and organ parameters during a 3 week growing period. The results indicated that broilers fed kudzu performed at a relatively high level. Utilizing kudzu leaf meal as a protein substitute could benefit poultry producers in tropical countries/regions where kudzu is highly accessible and other protein sources are not.

Abstract

This research study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of kudzu leaf meal (KLM) and alfalfa meal (AM) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and organ parameters. Kudzu leaf meal and AM were added at rates of 6% and 7.3%, respectively, to a complete broiler starter diet. Three treatments (control (complete broiler starter diet), KLM supplementation; and AM supplementation) with four replicates were fed to 217 male broilers over a 21 d battery cage grow out. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with battery cage representing the experimental unit. Birds on KLM and AM had a lower average body weight, lower cumulative feed consumption, and a higher adjusted feed conversion than control (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were observed treatment effects on whole breast weight (p = 0.0010), with control being higher than both treated diets. Minimal treatment effects were observed for organ parameters. Furthermore, there were no observed treatment differences for mortality (p > 0.05). Although broilers on KLM did not perform as well as those in the control group, these results are indicative that kudzu is safe to use in poultry production and has a high potential as a protein supplement in tropical regions with a low availability of commercial protein feedstuffs.

Visceral composition, carcass yield and meat quality parameters of free-range broilers with diets containing different levels of crushed sugarcane

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the visceral composition, cuts, and meat quality of two strains of free-range chickens fed diets containing crushed sugar cane. 448 chickens were distributed at 35 days of age, in two randomized blocks design, in 4x2 factorial, with four levels of replacement in the feed (0; 15; 30 and 45%) by sugarcane and two strains (Pesadão and Label Rouge), in two repetitions per block of fourteen birds per experimental unit. In 30 minutes after slaughter, the parameter a* was higher for animals of the Pesadão strain relation to the Label Rouge lineage. A quadratic effect was observed with increasing levels of sugarcane on the L* parameter of breast meat; and linear effect on parameter b* of the breast skin. Within 24 hours after slaughter, a quadratic effect of sugarcane levels was observed on the b* parameter of the breast meat. The increase in sugarcane levels linearly reduced the weight of heart, liver, chest, thigh plus drumstick, wing, carcass yield and relative heart weight of the animals. A quadratic effect was observed with increase in sugarcane levels over the relative weight of abdominal fat, the lowest fat content was observed in animals that consumed up to 30% of sugarcane in the feed. The use of sugarcane as an alternative feedstuff in up to 45% in the diet maintains the quality of meat and reduces the abdominal fat content, however, decreases the carcass yield.

Resistance and tolerance to mixed nematode infections in relation to performance level in laying hens

Modern chickens have been genetically developed to perform high under optimal conditions. We hypothesized that high-performance is associated with a higher sensitivity to environmental challenges in laying hens. By using nematode infections as an environmental stressor, we assessed performance-level associated host responses in a high (i.e. Lohmann Brown Plus, LB) and in a lower performing, a so-called dual-purpose chicken genotype (i.e. Lohmann Dual, LD). The hens were infected with 1000 eggs of Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum at 24 weeks of age. Hen performance parameters, humoral immune responses in plasma and egg yolks and worm burdens were assessed at several occasions over a period of 18 weeks post infection (wpi). While infections had no significant effect on feed intake (P = 0.130) and body weight in both genotypes (P = 0.392), feed conversion efficiency was negatively affected by infections (P = 0.017). Infections reduced both laying rate and egg weight and thereby per capita egg mass in both genotypes (P < 0.05). While laying rate in infected LB hens decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the early infection period (i.e. by 3 wpi), the decrease in LD hens appeared much later (i.e. by 14 wpi). Worm burdens resulting from the experimental infection were not different between the genotypes for both worm species (P > 0.05), whereas LB hens were more susceptible (P < 0.05) to re-infections than LD hens. Changes in humoral immune responses (i.e. ascarid-specific IgY antibodies in plasma and egg yolks) of the two genotypes over time reflected closely the corresponding changes in larval counts of the hens, descending from both experimental and subsequent natural infections in both genotypes. Infections caused a shift in egg size classes, leading to smaller frequency of larger eggs in both genotypes. Infections reduced egg weight (P = 0.018) and led to a reduced fat content in the egg yolks (P = 0.045). The proportion of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially n-6-PUFA, was also lower in egg yolks of the infected hens (P = 0.032). We conclude that tolerance to nematode infections in laying hens is dependent on host-performance level. The impairment in host tolerance was both genotype and time dependent, likely due to differences in genetic programming for production peak and persistency of the two genotypes. The two genotypes exhibited similar levels of resistance after a fully controlled experimental infection, but the high performing hens were more susceptible to subsequent natural infections. Infections negatively affected economically important egg-quality traits, including egg weight, fat content and fatty acid profiles in egg yolks.

Effect of feeding broccoli floret residues on leghorn layer performance and egg quality and nutrient digestibility

1. A study was conducted to determine the effects of dried broccoli floret (DBF) on egg production parameters, egg quality and apparent nutrient digestibility of laying hens. It was hypothesised that feeding DBF can improve egg quality without adversely affecting layer performance.2. Seventy-two White Leghorn layers aged 62 weeks were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (6 cage replicates with 3 hens each) and fed diets containing 0, 40, 80 and 120 g/kg DBF in feed for 56 d.3. Inclusion of DBF had no effect on feed intake, egg production, feed conversion ratio or egg components. However, egg weight increased (linear effect, P < 0.05) as the level of DBF in the diet increased. Egg breakage strength, eggshell strength and Haugh unit were not influenced by dietary treatments. Egg yolk colour (quadratic effect, P = 0.002) and α-tocopherol concentration (quadratic effect, P < 0.0001) improved as a result of DBF inclusion. Egg yolk cholesterol concentration was not altered by DBF inclusion. Apparent total tract nutrient (dry matter, organic matter and crude protein) digestibility coefficients decreased (linear effect, P < 0.05) as the level of DBF increased.4. Feeding DBF to layers up to 120 g/kg of the diet had no negative effects on feed intake, egg production and feed efficiency and improved egg yolk colour and α-tocopherol concentration. However, total tract nutrient digestibility coefficients were negatively decreased as a result of DBF inclusion.

The effect of dietary alfalfa meal on the chicken meat quality

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of feed mixtures with proportion of alflafa meal 4% on body weight of broiler chickens, fat content their meat and oxidative stability meat fat under storage conditions. Final hybrid Cobb 500 chickens were used in the experiment. The broiler chickens were fed with feed mixtures starter from the 1st to the 18th day, grower from the 19th to the 31st day and finisher from the 32nd to the 38th ad libitum. An alfalfa meal of 4% was added in the feed mixtures of experimental group. In our experiment, we used alfalfa meal, which was made from Medicago sativa L. harvested in the bud's phase. The carcasses of broilers were stored at -18° C for a period of nine months. The average weight of chickens at the end of our experiment, the control group was 1685.6 g. In experimental group with addition of 4% alfalfa meal in feed mixtures, the chickens weighed 1709.6 g. The difference in body weight between the groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). The average fat content in chicken meat was lower in the group with a share of 4% alfalfa meal 2.33 g.100g-1 compared to the fat content in meat chickens control group 2.59 g.100g-1. Differences in fat content in meat between the groups were not statistically significant (p >0.05). In our experiment, the average peroxide value of fat in meat under storage conditions 9 months at -18°C was lower in the group with a share of 4% alfalfa meal 2.42 µmol O2.g-1 compared with an average value of peroxide number 5.79 µmol O2.g-1 in the control group. Medicago sativa L. is an interesting object for research. It is characterized by high content of protein and biologically active substances that are effective for the promotion of health, and also an improvement the nutritional value and technological properties of the poultry food, when is used in feed mixtures.