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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of caraway (1%) in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens’ diet and its effect on performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, and relative organ sizes and ileum morphology in slow-growing broilers. Two separated experiments were performed. On the first day of age, the broilers were divided into 2 equal groups (Control and Caraway) with 6 replicates per treatment in both experiments. Experiment I: The total of 276 male fast-growing Ross 308 broiler chickens were used. The trial lasted from the first day to 35th day of chickens’ age. Experiment II: The total of 216 male slow-growing (Hubbard JA 57) broilers were used. The trial lasted from the first to 50th day of chickens’ age. Mean liveweight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, blood biochemical parameters, and relative organ sizes were not significantly different in these trials. The group of slow-growing broilers supplemented with 1% of caraway in the diet showed longer villi and deeper crypt in the ileum after 50 d of life. Based on our results, it can be stated that the proportion of 1% caraway in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens’ diet did not influence performance parameters, blood biochemical profile and relative organ sizes. In case of the experiment with the slow-growing broilers supplemented with caraway, a significant difference in the height of the villi and the depth of the crypts was found. Caraway can be included in the broiler chickens’ diets without negative effects, but further study of the effect on the intestinal morphology is necessary.

The effect of feeding colored wheat varieties (PS Karkulka and Skorpion) on chicken´s performance and texture, color and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken´s meat were evaluated in this study. The experiment was performed with 66 of Ross 308 cockerels. Cockerels were divided into three equal groups. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 40% of wheats with different grain colour: groups PS Karkulka (n = 22) with PS Karkulka wheat cultivar and Skorpion (n = 22) with Skorpion cultivar. The third group (n = 22) had 40% of common wheat Vánek cultivar (Control). The live weight of broilers between all three groups was not significant different, as well as carcass yield and chemical composition of breast and thigh meat of chickens. In the parameter Razor Shear Force was found statistically significant higher breast meat tenderness in PS Karkulka against Control and Skorpion groups. In parameters L* and b* of colour of the meat samples was found statistically significant higher value in L* parameter in Skorpion group and b* parameter was higher in Control group. The total colour change was 2.25 and 2.53 for PS Karkulka and Skorpion group, respectively. In sensory analysis of broilers breast muscle was found statistically significant differences in odour, colour, fibreness, chewiness, juiciness and flavour parameter. The fatty taste parameter was non-significant. The odour parameter of chicken´s breast muscle was significantly lower in Skorpion group against PS Karkulka and Control groups. The significantly most intense colour of breast muscle was found in Control group versus Skorpion and PS Karkulka groups (91.71 mm, 79.71 mm and 71.15 mm, respectively). The fibreness parameter was significantly higher for Control group, as well. Significantly higher chewiness of breast meat was in Control (68.49 mm) than PS Karkulka (52.02 mm) and Skorpion (43.32 mm) group. The feeding of wheat cultivars with different grain pigmentation had no effect on performance parameters of broiler chicken´s as well as to it´s body and chemical composition of breast and thigh meat in this study.

Aim of the experiment was evaluation of the effect of reduced calcium and magnesium content in the broiler chickens diet on its parameters of fattening, bone strength and calcium and magnesium content in liver. The trial was performed with cockerels of Ross 308 hybrid (n = 160) which were fattened in cage batteries from day 11th to 36th day of age. Cockerels were divided into 4 groups (differ in various intake levels of calcium and magnesium) in four replications. The maize-wheat-soybean basal diet contained 2.33 g Ca and 1.58 g Mg per kilogram. Calcium was added by CaCO3 and magnesium by MgSO4. Control group (C) received feed mixture with added CaCO3 in dose of 19.49 g.kg-1 and 0.41 g.kg-1 of MgSO4. Three experimental groups contain added CaCO3 in dose of 11.83 g.kg-1 and 0 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp1); CaCO3 11.83 g.kg-1 and 0.41 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp2); CaCO3 19.49 g.kg-1 and 0 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp3), respectively. The feed consumption was daily monitored and the cockerels were weighed twice a week. At the end of the study the experimental animals were weighted and slaughtered by decapitation. The weight of carcasses, liver and proportion of breast and thigh muscle was determined in the selected chickens (n = 24). The atomic absorption spectrometry was used for Ca and Mg evaluation in liver tissues. Bone strength parameter was measured at the femur bone. The statistically significant differences (p >0.05) were not detected between control and experimental groups in the case of studied parameters of fattening, bone strength and calcium and magnesium content in the chicken´s liver. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded the reduction of determined elements in the chicken diet did not deteriorate parameters of yield, elements content in liver tissue as well as the bone strength of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seed cakes at dose 5% and 15% in feed mixture on quality indicators of broiler chickens meat. The used milk thistle seed cakes contained 3.73% of flavonolignans and 129.83 mg.kg-1 of cyanidin-3-glucoside. A 150 cockerels of Ross 308 were divided into three equal groups. The chickens were fattened on conventional deep litter system. The experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 5% of milk thistle seed cakes (MT5), 15% of milk thistle seed cakes (MT15) and third group was control - without milk thistle seed cakes (C). The trial lasted 37 days. At the end of trial was observed significant higher average weight of chickens (2,320.31 g) in control group. Compare to that the experimental group MT5 achieved significant lower mean bodyweight 2,166.69 g. From the perspective of fattening was decreased growth of chickens where a higher percentage of milk thistle seed cakes (MT15). The group MT15 was up to 420 g lower slaughter weight compared to the control group. This was probably due to the higher content of fiber in the feed. At the end of experiment 15 birds were selected randomly from each group, weighed and slaughtered. Feathers were removed and chickens were eviscerated. Carcass yield was calculated for each group like as percentage of live weight. The MT5 and MT15 group had significantly higher breast meat tenderness that the control group. Initial pH1 was highest in group with its middle addition of milk thistle seed cakes (MT5). Significant differences were not observed between control and group MT15. Breast meat was rated as the best in parameter flavour in control and MT15 group. The thigh meat was evaluated significantly best for colour parameter in MT15 group. Fibreness was rated as the finest in MT15 group. The addition of milk thistle seed cakes do not worsened sensory characteristic of breast or thigh meat of broilers and reflects optimal sensory quality traits.

The effects of feeding rabbits a diet that includes wheat enriched with anthocyanins were examined in this study. In addition to the animal's performance, the basic carcass yield indicators and the basic indicators of the clinical biochemistry were also evaluated. The experiment was carried out using 18 HYLA female rabbits. The trial was performed at the age of 42 to 103 days. The experimental group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing 15% PS Karkulka wheat. The control group (n = 9) received a pelleted feed mixture containing the common wheat variety Vanessa with a minimal anthocyanin content. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the control and experimental group in the live weight on the 103rd day. The same trend was found in the average weight gain per trial and in the feed conversion ratio. The average feed consumption was higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the experimental group. There was also a higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight in the control group of the rabbits compared to the experimental group. There were no differences in the percentage carcass yield between the groups. The biochemical indicators and antioxidant activities did not differ between the two groups of rabbits (P > 0.05). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the use of 15% PS Karkulka wheat in the feed ration for HYLA broiler rabbits was safe and may be fed to broiler rabbits.

The main objective of this study was to verify the safety of mealworm meal in the feed of laying hens from 17 to 42 weeks of age. Therefore, the feed mixtures were tested in terms of microbiological stability, fungal and mycotoxin content and selected parameters of hens’ intestinal morphology and physiology were monitored. The experiment was carried out with 30 Lohmann Brown Classic hens. Hens were divided by body mass into three equal groups with 10 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% and 5% yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group was a control group which had 0% of mealworm meal in the diet. Diets with 2% and 5% of mealworm meals did not affect the length of villi and microbiome of the caecum. The highest digesta viscosity from the ileum was found in the group with 5% mealworm, which may indicate a slower passage of the digesta through the digestive tract. Based on our results, it may be concluded that the proportion of mealworm meals does not deteriorate the quality of feeds. Mealworm meal does not negatively affect microbial stability in experimental feeds. Therefore, it can be recommended the two and (or) five percent of mealworm meal inclusion in hen’s diet.

The aims of this work were to summarize the nutritional value of the milk thistle seed cakes and hempseed cakes and describe the influence on selected performance parameters, metabolism and animal health from inclusion of these non-traditional feeds into diets. It seems more appropriate to apply the extract of the bioactive substances complex to the livestock diets than addition of expellers or other forms of plants processing. The seed expellers, etc. mostly worsened the chickens’ performance parameters with higher doses in diets, while most of the work using the extract yields had positive results on animal performance.

Due to a ban of use of antibiotic growth promoters in the poultry industry it is necessary to look for alternative solutions. The use of some herbs showing antimicrobial effects can be one of such alternatives. In this experiment, effects of three different concentrations of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) extract, (0.3%; 0.6% and 1.2%) in feeding doses on the microbial population in the gastrointestinal tract of growing broiler chickens were studied. The main attention was paid to the population of Clostridium perfringens and to numbers of coliform microbes. Clostridia were cultivated under anaerobic conditions at 46 °C on the Tryptone Sulfite Neomycin (TSN) agar for a period of 24 hours. Coliform microbes were grown on the violet red bile lactose (VRBL) agar at 37 °C for a period of 24 hours. The experiment lasted 39 days and involved 80 chicks that were slaughtered in the course of their growth period at the age of 18, 25, 32 and 39 days; there were 5 chicks in each group. The obtained results indicated that increasing doses of chamomile in the feeding ration decreased numbers of coliform microbes in the digestive tract of chicks and also reduced the population of C. perfingens.

The article presents the results of studying the indicators of the crumbling of granules and the specific energy costs of experimental batches of granulated feed for broilers. The process of granulation of compound feed for broilers was studied using the statistical planning method of a multifactorial experiment using a granulation line, including a granulator press. The dependence of the crumbling of granules and the energy consumed on the selected factors has been established. The moisture content of the feed mixture W (%) and steam pressure P (MPa) were chosen to optimise the granulation process. A matrix plan of the experiment was compiled. With the optimal values of the factors obtained in the study using the experimental planning method, an experimental batch of granulated feed was developed. At the selected levels of factors, the calculated value of the crumbling of granules was 20.11%, which fits into the optimum according to the standard of the crumbling of granulated feed for poultry (no more than 22%). The specific electricity consumption was 9.23 kWh/ton. Experiments have shown that the discrepancies between the experimental and calculated data are insignificant and within these indicators' experimental error determination. Mathematical modelling of the granulation process of loose compound feed for broilers made it possible to solve an important practical problem – to optimize the granulation mode, which ensures the production of good quality granules with minimal energy consumption. The obtained optimal granulation parameters can serve as the basis for producing granulated feed for broilers.

The aim of the study was to determine the calcium requirements in preparation period of the sexual mature and egg-laying and evaluate development of calcium retention in the first laying period of the hybrid combination Bovans Brown hens. The experimental trial lasted from 14 to 30 weeks of hens age. The animals were fed ad libitum with a pelleted complete feed mixture with 42 g/kg of calcium content. The amount of calcium retained by pullets gradually increased along with feed intake depending on age and preparation for sexual maturity and was around 0.39 ± 0.19 g Ca in the first period. Ca retention increased up to an average of 0.85 g Ca from 8 day before laying the first egg. Retention dropped sharply on the day of laying the 1st egg and a negative Ca balance occurred. Shell output was 1.75 ± 0.21 g/day for the beginning of laying and subsequently increased to 2.23 ± 0.08 g/ day during evaluate peak laying. The range weight of the first laid eggs was 45 ± 5 g. Percentage of eggshell move around an average of 10 ± 0.37% throughout the observed period. The daily calcium intake of pullets was 3.56 ± 0.26 g/day. With the beginning of laying, the daily intake increased to an average of 4.51 ± 0.43 g/day Ca. Before reaching sexual maturity, the calcium apparent digestibility of laying hens was relatively low, averaging around 22%, but the moment the hens began to lay, the apparent calcium digestibility began to increase to an average of 50%. Feeding a non-standard feed mixture with a higher calcium content than usual in mixtures for pullets did not have a negative effect on the finishing of animal development, the onset of sexual maturity, or deterioration of the observed parameters of eggs quality.

The study is focused on how the physical structure of the feed affects the health status of broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed particle size in broiler diets on gastrointestinal tract morphology, digesta viscosity, and blood biochemical parameters. A total of 90 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into three different experimental groups (with five replicates per pen), with 6 birds per cage. The first experimental group (Coarse) was fed with the coarsest particle size, with feed with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 1111.26 µm, the next group (Medium) was fed with a less coarse feed size of GMD 959.89 µm, and the last group (Fine) was fed a diet with a fine feed particle size of GMD 730.48 µm. The use of coarse feed particle size in the diet had a positive effect on the gizzard weight and small intestinal villi height and crypt depth, which increased the surface area intended for digesting nutrients. The use of finely ground particles in the feed increased the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and at the same time, decreased the level of urea, which could indicate adverse changes in the liver.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk thistle seed cakes addition in laying hens diet to performance, blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity. A total of 30 Bovans Brown hens were included to the experiment. The trial was performed from the age of 69 weeks to 80 weeks of hens age. The experimental group received feed mixture containing 7% milk thistle seed cakes. Control group received feed mixture without milk thistle seed cakes. After the 69th week of age, the laying hens in the experimental group reached a higher number of eggs and produced more egg mass compared to the control group. In the evaluation of the egg quality parameters, higher Haugh units, a higher millimeter height of the egg and thinner eggshell in the group receiving 7% of the seed cakes were found. When evaluating health indicators, higher antioxidant activity was found in the experimental group. Blood biochemical parameters was without any differences.

The impact of colored wheat bran addition on bread quality was tested on wheat varieties with purple pericarp (Konini, Rosso and Karkulka) and on a variety containing blue aleurone (Skorpion). The effect of 10 %, 15 % and 20 % bran addition on sensory evaluation, bread color and texture was compared to the characteristics of bread prepared from wheat variety Mulan. The addition of 10 % bran significantly increased the sensory evaluation scores of bread. Crumb characteristics were improved mainly by the addition of 10 % bran. Moreover, top-quality bread contained bran separated from wheat variety Konini.

The effects of low‑phosphorus diets with two levels of phytase were examined in broiler chickens using eight replicates per treatment. The diets contained 40 % of spring barley with either 201 or 305 phytase activity units per kg. Chromic oxide was included in the diets as an indigestible marker. Excreta were collected during four consecutive three‑day balance periods from the 12th to the 23rd day of age. No difference was observed for body weight gain between the dietary treatment groups but feed conversion ratio was better (P < 0.05) when higher phytase barley was used. In spite of the higher dietary level of phosphorus, the coefficient of apparent P retention was higher (P < 0.01) in higher than in lower phytase group. The retention of phosphorus increased (P < 0.01) with time of feeding in both low‑phosphorus dietary groups. Differences between treatments in concentration of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium in defatted tibia were not significant (P > 0.05).

The feeding effect of of three spring wheat genotypes (Vánek, Konini and UC66049) with different grain colour on growth performance, body composition and meat quality parameters of broiler chickens was tested. Ninety chickens were divided into three groups (control, Konini and UC) with 30 chickens in each. The tested genotypes were compares with standard variety Vánek (control) with common (red) grain colour. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 38.2% of wheats with different grain colour: groups Konini (n = 30) and UC (n = 30) with. The third group (n = 30) had 38.2% of common wheat Vánek cultivar (Control group). The live weight of chickens between the experimental groups and control group was not significant different, as well as body composition and chemical analysis of breast and thigh meat of chickens. The feeding of wheat with different grain colour had no effect on performance parameters of broiler chickens. Breast meat tenderness according to the Razor Blade Shear Force was higher in control group against experimental groups. The colour change was not significantly different in all coordinates. pH values (measured after 1-hour post mortem) were found significantly higher in the group fattening with Konini wheat than control and UC groups. Chickens meat from the experimental group was characterised by steady overall quality. The effect of various feeding had no effect on meat quality in terms of relevance to consumers.

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of reduced supplemental zinc levels on broiler growth and carcass yield. A total of 160 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) divided into four groups were allotted to 16 cages with 10 birds per cage in each of group and kept in a temperature-controlled room. During the trial, chicks were ad libitum access to feed and water. The experiment started at 11 days of broiler age and chicks were fattened up to 35 days of age. It consisted of 4 dietary treatments with 4 replications per treatment. A corn-wheat-soybean meal basal diet containing 25.84 mg Zn.kg-1 was formulated and zinc levels of 120, 40 or 20 mg.kg-1 was supplied as zinc oxide to give four dietary treatments. At the end of the feeding trial, 24 birds from each group were randomly selected, slaughtered and carcass evaluation was performed. The results show that different levels of zinc had no significant effect on body weight of broilers or feed consumption ratio. These parameters increased by decreasing zinc levels from 120 to 20 mg Zn.kg-1 similarly as the carcass yield, percentages of breast meat and leg meat, but differences between these groups were not significant. In case of relative liver weight and zinc concentration in liver there were significant difference (p -1 and group without zinc supplementation and 120 mg.kg-1 and 40 mg.kg-1, respectively. No signs of disorders such as loss of appetite, growth depression or abnormalities of the skin was appeared in chicks. It seems that reduced supplemented zinc levels from 120 to 20 mg.kg-1 (total Zn 153.13 mg.kg-1 to 45.28 mg.kg-1 respectively) not influenced growth performance parameters of broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diet.

Grain hardness is one of the most important quality characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It is a significant property of wheat grains and relates to milling quality and end product quality. Grain hardness is caused by the presence of puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb). A collection of 25 genotypes of wheat with unusual grain colour (blue aleurone, purple and white pericarp, yellow endosperm) was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diversity within Pina and Pinb (alleles: Pina-D1a, Pina-D1b, Pinb-D1a, Pinb- -D1b, Pinb-D1c and Pinb-D1d). The endosperm structure was determined by a non-destructive method using light transfl ectance meter and grain hardness by a texture analyser. Genotype Novosibirskaya 67 and isogenic ANK lines revealed hitherto unknown alleles at the locus for the annealing of primers of Pinb-D1. Allele Pinb-D1c was found to be absent from each genotype. The mealy endosperm ranged from 0 to 100 % and grain hardness from 15.10 to 26.87 N per sample.

Hemp is diploid organism (2n = 2x = 20, genome size 534 Mb) with nine pairs of autosomes plus XX (♀) or XY (♂) chromosomes. Cannabis sativa L. is an important economic plant for the production of food, fibre, oils, and intoxicants. Genotypes (varieties or chemovar) of hemp with low Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol content are used for industrial applications. Varieties with high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol or high cannabidiol content are used for medicinal applications. Biochemical and molecular methods can be used for identification and classification. An important step for molecular biology methods is to obtain the matrix of the native and sufficiently pure DNA. We tested two different experimental variant of samples (20 mg and 100 mg) of seeds, oilcake and dried flowers for analysis of the Italian variety Carmagnola for analysis (harvested in 2014, Hempoint Ltd., Czech Republic). The DNeasy® Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, GE) was used to isolate the DNA. The DNA concentration and purity was assessed by agarose electrophoresis and via a spectrophotometer. Samples of lower weight yielded lower values of DNA concentration (average 16.30 - 38.90 ng.µL-1), but with better purity than samples of higher weight (ratio A260nm/A280nm for low-weight samples was near 1.80). To test the applicability of DNA analysis, we used two SSR markers (CAN1347 and CAN2913). PCR products were separated on 1% agarose and on 8% polyacrylamide electrophoresis. DNA samples obtained from samples of higher weight exhibited less PCR amplification than samples of lower weight. We found no effect of sample weight on the formation of non-specific amplification products during the PCR reaction. Based on our results we can be recommended for practical isolation procedure using DNeasy® Plant Mini Kit with lower of sample weight (20 mg). In future work the procedure for DNA isolating from wheat-cannabis products, e. g. breads, rolls or pasta, will be optimized.

This study assessed and compared the influence of feeding wheat with purple pericarp (variety Konini) and standard coloured wheat (red variety Bohemia) on the growth characteristics of fingerling carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) of the "Amurský lysec" line. The total content of anthocyanins converted to cyanidin 3-glucoside in the control Bohemia wheat was 24.95 mg.kg-1 and in the Konini purple wheat 41.70 mg.kg-1. Two experimental variants for feed were evaluated: dipped wheat grain and crushed wheat grain. The feed dose for wheat was 1.5% of the fish stock weight and for natural food (frozen Chironomid larvae) was 0.2% of fish stock weight to all variants. Growth parameters (body length, body weight, Fulton's condition factor and feed conversion ratio) of the fish were evaluated after one month of administration. The feed consumption and physico-chemical parameters (temperature, oxygen saturation, pH, N-NH4 +, N-NO2-, N-NO3- and Cl-) of the environment were observed. During the feeding test, no major differences in food consumption among variations feeding on either wheat and on Chironomid larvae were noted. Satisfying results for mas and length gain were achieved in V2 wheat with purple pericarp (Konini variety - dipped grain), where the average total body length was 156.56 mm and the average unit mass was 60.81 g. In this variant, higher values of the parameters were achieved compared to the control group (100.6%, resp. 104.2%). A positive impact of wheat with purple pericarp on the evaluated parameter of fish condition factor was demonstrated. This trend was confirmed in all variants. No effect was demonstrated for mechanical disruption of kernels on the level of utilization of nutrients. In further experiments on growth characteristics we would like to determine antioxidant parameters in the blood and liver of fry.

In 2006 the European Union banned the feeding of antibiotic growth promoters because of possible risk of drug resistance in human pathogens bacteria. This is the reason for the study of various phytogenic additives and their extracts as a natural source of biologically important compounds. Antimicrobial substances are a commonly included in chicken feed rations. They are used mainly as prevention against various diseases, and also to stimulate growth. The beneficial effects of garlic on animal organism resulting from their antimicrobial, antioxidative and antihypertensive properities. Studies focused on growth, conversion and meat quality of different types of animals indicate its positive effects. In our experiment we studied the influence of garlic extract in a dose of 0, 10 g and 15 g per 1 kg of chicken feed mixture. We focused on weight gains and antioxidant status of an organism. The experiment took 39 days. 54 seven-day-old chickens were included in the experiment. The chickens were weighed once a week, when aged 11, 17, 24, 31 and 38 days, at the same time of the day. The chickens had ad libitum access to feed ration and water. The chickens were taken blood sample at the end of the experiment when 39 days old. Their antioxidant status were measured using ABTS, FRAP and DPPH methods. Our results show that owing to higher concentration of garlic extract in feed ration the antioxidant status of observed chickens was increased. DPPH method showed an increase in antioxidant status of both experimental groups by 38% (a group with a dose of 10 g/kg of mixture) and by 46% (a group with a dose of 15 g/kg of mixture) compared to the control group. When using FRAP method, antioxidant status of both G10 and G15 groups increased by 24%, resp. 16%. No evidential differences in antioxidant activity between the experimental groups and control group were found using ABTS method. The supplement of garlic extract into a feed ration did not have any influence on weight gains of chickens.