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The study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing chitosan, Bacillus subtilis or blends of both on broiler growth performance, immune response, biochemical variables, and intestinal ecology of broiler chickens. Two hundred and eighty day-old chicks were distributed into 4 experimental groups, including T0 (control, basal feed), T1 (basal feed + chitosan 0.1% feed), T2 (basal feed + B. subtilis 0.01% feed), and T3 (basal feed + chitosan 0.1% feed + B. subtilis 0.01% feed). Variables measurements and sample collection were conducted on day 35. The T3 did not differ from T0 and T1, but they consumed less (p=0.05) feed than T2 chickens. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (p=0.05) in T1 and T3 compared to T0 and T2 groups. Leukocyte counts in T2 and T3 were higher (p=0.05) than those in T0. The T1, T2, and T3 had higher (p=0.05) lymphocyte counts than T0. The T3 had lower (p=0.05) low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than the T0 group. The T2 had higher (p=0.05) levels of total protein and globulin than T3 and T0. Compared to T0 and T3, serum albumin levels were greater (p=0.05) in T1 and T2. The T3 had higher (p=0.05) duodenal villi height than that in the other groups. The T2 and T3 chicks had higher (p=0.05) Newcastle disease titer than T0 and T1. Compared to T2 and T3, T0 and T1 showed a worse (p=0.05) microscopic structure of jejunum. The T2 and T3 showed lower (p=0.05) lesion score in bursa of fabricius than that in the other groups. In conclusion, the blends of chitosan and B. subtilis resulted in improved FCR, higher leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, lower LDL, higher duodenal villi height, higher Newcastle disease titer, better microscopic structure of jejunum, and lower lesion score in bursa of fabricius of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding Spirulina platensis to replace zinc bacitracin on performance, egg quality, blood profile, total gut bacteria, and liver histopathology of local indigenous Arab chicken (Gallus turcicus). One hundred and eight 28-week-old laying hens were distributed randomly to three treatments: T0 (control diet), T1 (T0 + 1% S. platensis), and T2 (T0 + 0.04% zinc bacitracin). The treatment was applied for 49 days. S. platensis and zinc bacitracin decreased feed intake (p<0.05), but the egg mass had no significant effect; this provides a good improvement in feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). S. platensis helped maintain persistent egg production (p<0.05). S. platensis and zinc bacitracin provided the best results on haugh unit (p<0.05). S. platensis increased the yolk score (p<0.05). Zinc bacitracin decreased erythrocytes (p<0.05) but was not significantly different from S. platensis. S. platensis and zinc bacitracin increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p<0.05). Blood chemical profile and total gut bacteria were not affected by the treatments. S. platensis was the best at maintaining liver's health (p<0.05). This research concludes that S. platensis can efficiently optimize feed consumption, enhance performance, maintain egg quality, and protect the liver damage of Arab chicken. Therefore, S. platensis could be considered to replace the use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restriction of synthetic antioxidants and prohibition of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) have had an impact on impairing the growth rate of broiler chickens, and hence the alternatives for these additives are urgently needed by broiler farmers. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MOLE), whey protein or their combination on the growth, carcass and meat quality of broilers. A total of 336 broiler chicks were arranged into four groups, including T0 (basal diet with no additive), T1 (basal diet with 1% MOLE), T2 (basal diet with 1% whey protein powder) and T3 (basal diet with 0.5% MOLE and 0.5% whey protein powder). Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Internal organs and meats were obtained on day 42. Results showed that MOLE impaired body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broilers (p<0.05). MOLE, whey protein and their blend decreased the abdominal fat content of broilers (p<0.05). Whey increased the moisture content of breast meats (p<0.05). Water holding capacity (WHC) was higher in T2 than in the other breast meats (p<0.05). Among the groups, pH value was highest in T2 breast meat (p<0.05). The lightness values of breast meat were lower in T2 than in the other groups (p<0.05), while the lowest yellowness values were found in T2 breast meat (p<0.05). The WHC was higher in T1 thigh meat than in T2 and T3 (p<0.05). The T1 thigh meat showed higher pH than the T2 group (p<0.05). The T1 thigh meat showed higher redness values than the other groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, MOLE reduced broiler growth and abdominal fat deposition. Whey reduced fat deposition and improved the meat quality of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary administration of Acalypha australis L. leaf extract, whey powder, or a combination of both on the growth, physiological condition, and carcass traits of broilers. A total of 392 broiler chicks was divided into four groups based on a fully randomized design, including (1) control (C, basal feed without additives), (2) basal feed supplemented with 1% Acalypha australis L. leaf extract (AALE), (3) basal feed with 1% whey powder (WHEY), and (4) basal feed with 1% Acalypha australis L. extract and 1% whey powder (AALEWHEY). Samples (i.e., internal organs, blood, intestinal digesta, small intestinal segments, and breast and thigh meats) were collected on day 33. Data were treated with an analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple analysis. Treatments did not affect body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). Abdominal fat was higher in the treated broilers than in the control (C) (p<0.05). The serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were lower in AALE, WHEY, and AALEWHEY groups than in the control (C) (p<0.05). Serum creatinine concentrations were higher in WHEY and AALEWHEY groups than in C and AALE groups (p<0.05). The AALE, WHEY, and AALEWHEY groups had higher duodenal villi height than C group (p<0.05). The villi height to crypt depth ratios were higher in the jejunum of the WHEY and AALEWHEY group than in the C group (p<0.05). The pH of breast meat was higher in the C group than in AALE and AALEWHEY groups (p<0.05). The lightness values of breast meats were lower in the AALEWHEY group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The redness values of breast meats were lower in the C group than in the AALE, WHEY, and AALEWHEY groups, while the yellowness values were lower in C and AALE groups than in WHEY and AALEWHEY groups (p<0.05). The pH values of thigh meats were higher in the AALE group than in control (C), WHEY, and AALEWHEY groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the treatment of broilers with leaf extract of Acalypha australis L., whey powder, or a combination of both improved intestinal morphology and meat quality without affecting the growth performance of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]