Effect of different litter materials on growth performance, the gait score and footpad dermatitis, carcass parameters, meat quality, and microbial load of litter in broiler chickens

In the current study, the microbial load of litter materials, growth performance, the gait score and footpad dermatitis, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broilers reared on different litter materials were investigated. After hatching and sex determination, the chicks were allocated to 3 different experimental groups with each having 8 replications. The chicks were reared on thick sawdust, fine sawdust, or rice hull litter materials. A total of 480 chicks were used with each replicate having 20 chicks (10 males, 10 females) of similar body weight. At the end of the experiment, a total of 96 chickens were slaughtered, 32 from each group with equal number of males and females. The effect of the experimental groups on body weight, mortality, and carcass characteristics were not significant; however, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the treatments in all weeks except the first 2 wk of the experiment. Different litter materials significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the foot health of the chickens as well as the microbial load of the litter. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in terms of pH, color, and cutting resistance of raw meat however, the water loss during the cooking of the meat and the TPA analysis results such as hardness, springiness, and chewiness of the cooked meats were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the type of litter material. It was concluded that the use of fine sawdust from trees such as pine and larch containing antimicrobial extracts would be more appropriate as a litter material in broiler production.

Recovery of E. coli From Liver and Spleen of Broiler Birds and the Effects of Induced High Ammonia Level on Haematobiochemical Parameters and Its Amelioration by Different Modifiers

The poultry sector is one of the most vibrant segments of the agriculture industry of Pakistan. In addition to different infections, ammonia (NH₃) production from litter material of broiler is the most harmful pollutant and causes serious threats for the environment. To overcome this problem, different methods are proposed assuring poultry bird’s health and production. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of toxic levels of NH₃ on the haematology and serum proteins of broiler birds and its amelioration by using different modifiers. The recovery of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from liver and spleen of broiler birds was also carried out. A total of 100 birds were divided into 5 separate groups (groups A–D). The groups C, D and E were treated with potassium aluminium sulphate, aluminium silicate and Yucca schidigera plant extract, respectively. Blood and tissue samples were collected after slaughtering the birds at 42 days of age. This study revealed increased RBC, total leucocyte count, Hb and heterophils percentage. Serum proteins were decreased in Yucca-treated and potassium aluminium sulphate–treated groups. This study concluded that NH₃ production was reduced by the application of different modifiers, and these modifiers also neutralized the changes in blood parameters induced by NH₃.

Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens Reared on two Different Litter Materials and at two Stocking Densities

1. This study evaluated the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens reared on two litter materials and at two stocking densities.2. The chicks were allotted in a completely randomised design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two litter materials (wood shavings or rice straw) and two stocking densities (24 or 30 kg/m²), with six replicates per treatment. Broiler performance, carcase yield, prime cuts, blood plasma proteins, the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, edible viscera, immune organs, intestine weight and length, abdominal fat, breast meat colour, pH, weight loss by defrosting, weight loss by cooking and shear force were evaluated.3. The density of 24 kg/m² positively influenced feed consumption and weight gain. The type of litter had a positive influence on feed conversion, with a lower value for birds raised on wood shavings.4. Breast production was improved in birds reared at a density of 24 kg/m² when compared to birds reared at a density of 30 kg/m². The rice straw bedding negatively affected abdominal fat (resulting in higher percentages) when compared to birds reared on wood shavings.5. The types of litter affected the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in birds raised on wood shavings, although these values were not increased to the point of influence on the physiological functions of broilers.6. The colour of the breast meat, pH, temperature, weight loss after thawing or cooking, shear force, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total proteins, glucose or alanine aminotransferase content were not influenced by the stocking densities or bedding.7. The use of wood shavings as poultry bedding at a stocking density of 24 kg/m²resulted in the best performance for broiler chickens at 42 days of age.

Efficacy of pine leaves as an alternative bedding material for broiler chicks during summer season

Aim:

The aim was to assess the efficacy of pine leaves as an alternative bedding material on the performance of broiler chicks.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was conducted in summer. Total 120, day old Vencobb straight run chicks were procured, and after 5 days of brooding, chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups viz. paddy husk (Group I), paddy straw (Group II), pine leaves (Group III), and combination of paddy straw and pine leaves (Group IV), each having 30 chicks with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. Chicks were reared under intensive conditions in houses that have a semi-controlled environment, with optimum temperature and adequate ventilation. Food and water were provided as per NRC (1994) requirement.

Results:

The average body weight after 6 weeks of the experiment was 2018.83±31.11, 1983.80±33.27, 2007.36±35.73, and 1938.43±36.35 g. The bedding type had no significant effect on the carcass characteristics viz. evisceration rate and proportion of cut-up parts of the carcass except giblet yield. The experiment suggested that performance of broiler chicks reared on paddy straw and pine leaves as litter material, had improved body weight and feed conversion ratio as compared to rearing on paddy husk as bedding material. Bacterial count, parasitic load and the N, P, K value of manure of different bedding material shows no significant difference.

Conclusion:

Pine leaves have a potential to be used as an alternative source of litter material to economize poultry production in a sustainable way, so as to make poultry farming as a profitable entrepreneur.