Effect of dietary energy levels on growth performance, blood parameter and intestinal morphology of Pekin ducks in low ambient temperature

Phylogenetic and lipid metabolic differences between migratory and Egyptian-domesticated Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Although a giant Egyptian domestic non-migratory duck breed is phenotypically identical to the migratory Mallard, yet it is three times larger. The current study sought to determine the genetic and metabolic differences between this duck and Mallard, which arrives in Egypt in September for wintering and departs in March. Mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop) was extracted, amplified, sequenced, and analyzed in both ducks. Both ducks were given a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to assess their metabolic response to this diet. Polymorphism results indicated that the D-loop is highly variable and both populations expansion is balanced. The hierarchical analysis of molecular variants (AMOVA) and interpopulation difference parameters revealed significant genetic differentiation and minimal gene flow between migrant and resident populations. Phylogeny and Network analyses revealed that domestic ducks are a distinct group that separated from mallards. Physiologically, domestic duck blood and adipose tissue had a higher level of triglycerides and adipocyte volume than that of the depleting arriving migratory Mallard ducks, while leaving Mallard parameters were the highest, suggesting a high level of preparatory fat deposition and utilization before starting the trip. In response to HFD, the expression of FA uptake genes cd36, fabp1 was upregulated similarly in livers of domestic and migratory Mallard ducks, while the expression of lipid accumulation genes dgat2 and plin2 was higher in domestic than in migratory Mallards. However, the highest body mass and adipocytes volume gain was observed in the arriving migratory Mallards. In pectoral muscle, the expression of cd36 and fabp3 was higher in domestic than in leaving ducks, while in arriving Mallards, both genes were not upregulated in response to HFD. Dgat2 was upregulated only in domestic muscle, while lipid oxidation genes cpt1, lpl, and the controlling ppara were more upregulated in leaving Mallard. In conclusion, both ducks can be genetically and metabolically differentiated. Migratory mallards are more flexible and efficient in lipid metabolism than domestic ducks.

Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Reduction Levels on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Utilization, Blood Parameters, Meat Quality, and Welfare Index of Broilers in Welfare-Friendly Environments

We investigated the effects of feeding different levels of crude protein (CP) on broiler performance, blood characteristics, meat quality, nutrient and nitrogen (N) availability, stress levels, and welfare indicators in a welfare environment. A total of 625 eight-day-old male broilers were assigned to five dietary CP levels (control (CON) and 1-4% CP reductions) during the grower (8-21 days) and finisher (22-35 days) periods. The CON diet contained 20% CP in the grower phase and 19% in the finisher phase, while all birds received a 22% CP diet during the starter period (1-7 days). Intriguingly, reducing CP levels in the diet did not significantly affect growth performance. These results may be due to the adequate supplementation of essential amino acids in the diets of all treatments and the compensatory growth observed in the finisher phase. Low-CP diets reduced CP digestibility, N intake, and N excretion, while N retention efficiency improved (p < 0.001). Serum total protein (TP) levels decreased equally with decreasing CP in the diet, and the crude fat content in meat increased linearly (p < 0.01). The litter moisture content and pH decreased with lower CP levels, and the welfare indices (footpad dermatitis (FPD), serum corticosterone, etc.) improved (p < 0.01). In conclusion, an appropriate reduction in CP levels in their diet can enhance broiler welfare by reducing N excretion and improving litter quality without adversely affecting performance.

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides Extract Alleviates the Effect of Cold Stress on Chick Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immune Ability

This study aimed to investigate the protective value of Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) on chicks under cold stress. A total of 21 compounds were identified in EUE using mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Ninety chicks were divided into a control group (CS) fed a basal diet and an experimental group supplemented with EUE, exposed to 10 ± 1 °C for 8 h per day. Results showed, compared with the CS group, the body weights (BW) (p < 0.01) and average daily gains ADG (p < 0.05) of the EUE group were increased throughout the study period. Chicks fed EUE had higher AFI (0-7 d, p < 0.001) and lower feed-to-gain ratios (F/G) (0-15 d, p < 0.001). EUE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (15 d, p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (7 d, p < 0.05), whereas it decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (15 d, p < 0.01). The contents of IgA (7 d, p < 0.05), IgG (7 d; 15 d, p < 0.01), and IgM (15 d, p < 0. 001) were higher in the EUE group. Dietary EUE could also reduce chick organ damage. Overall, EUE as a natural feed additive can improve the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune level, and reduce the organ damage of cold-stressed chicks.

Evaluation of crude protein levels in White Pekin duck diet for 21 days after hatching

In poultry diets, a requirement of crude protein is one of the most important factors in poultry productivity. Besides, the Pekin duck requirement of crude protein is still not clear. This experiment was conducted to determine the crude protein requirement of Pekin duck on diet formulation by investigation of growth performance, carcass trait, and analysis of blood parameter for a hatch to 21-day (d) of age. A total of 432 male White Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to six levels of crude protein (i.e., 15%, 17%, 19%, 21%, 23%, and 25%) to give six replicate pens per treatment with 12 ducklings per each pen. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly by calculating feed conversion ratio and protein intake. Two ducklings each pen was euthanized via cervical dislocation for analysis of carcass trait and plasma blood on 21-d of age. Data were applied on both prediction linear-plateau and quadratic-plateau models by estimation of the crude protein requirements. Data were applied on both prediction linear-plateau and quadratic-plateau models by estimation of the crude protein requirements. The level of crude protein requirements of Pekin ducks for 21 days after the hatch was estimated to be 20.63% and 23.25% diet for maximum daily gain, and minimum feed conversion ratio, respectively.