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The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oyster mushroom stem waste supplementation on the grown performance of quails. For this a total of 240 days old quails were purchased from a reputed hatchery. Equal number of chicks was assigned to four groups and each group was further replicated three times. Each replicate consisted of 20 chicks. Group PO-0 was considered as control and was fed with commercial ration with no supplementation. Group PO-1 was fed with commercial ration supplemented with 10 g mushroom waste/kg of feed. While group PO-2 and group PO-3 was fed with commercial ration supplemented with 20g and 30g of mushroom waste/kg of feed respectively. The study revealed that there was no notable impact on feed intake. However, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in weight gain observed in the PO-3 group, accompanied by a considerably lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the same group. No instances of mortality were recorded in either the control or experimental groups. Nevertheless, there was a noteworthy improvement in dressing percentage observed in the PO-3 group. Additionally, the antibody titers against NDV, IBV, and IBDV were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the PO-3 group. Similarly, the histological features of the cecum, including villus height, width, and their respective ratio, were significantly higher in PO3 compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that supplementing the diet with various levels of oyster mushroom stem waste led to improved growth performance, enhanced immunity, and improved gut morphology in quails, all without affecting liver and kidney functions. The most favorable outcomes were achieved when oyster mushroom stem waste was incorporated at a 3% level in the feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the combined effect of fiber degrading enzymes (ß-Mannanase) and soybean hulls on the production performance, hematological parameters, and economics in the laying hens during the early (29 to 32 weeks) peak production period. Two hundred golden brown (RIR×Fayoumi) layer birds of age 28 weeks were used for the experimental purpose and were distributed in five groups control (CON), and treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4), each had 4 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The CON group had a corn-soybean basal diet while the T1 group contained 3%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, T2 3%SH+30mg/kg enzyme, T3 9%SH+20mg/kg enzyme, and T4 group 9%SH+30mg/kg enzyme in the feed. Overall feed intake, weight gain, and water intake were calculated (P<0.05) in the T2 diet group. Egg production, FCR, HDEP, and mortality was not effaced (P>0.05) in all weeks. Total revenue was calculated higher in the T2 group while the profit and cost-benefit ratio had a higher (P<0.05) value in the CON and T1 diet groups. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were calculated (P<0.05) higher in the CON group while all other hematological and serum biochemistry parameters were not affected and were in the normal range. It is concluded that the replacement of soybean meal in the diet of laying hens by 3% SH in combination with enzyme (ß-Mannanase) at the level of 20mg/kg feed has a positive effect on the overall performance of laying hens during the early peak egg production period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to find the effect of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera and Thymus vulgaris on the performance, hematology, digestibility and gut health in broiler chickens. A day-old 270 broiler chicks (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups with 3 replicates and 15 birds per replicate. CON (Control) group; M100 (M. oleifera 200mg/L); T100 (T. vulgaris 300mg/L); M50T50 (M. oleifera 100mg/L and T. vulgaris 150mg/L); M75T25 (M. oleifera 150mg/L and T. vulgaris 75mg/L); and M25T75 group (M. oleifera 50mg/L and T. vulgaris 225mg/L). Methanolic extract of both M. oleifera and T. vulgaris were supplemented in drinking water. The duration of the experiment was 42 days. The results showed significantly higher feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, broiler performance efficiency factor, and broiler farm economy index in the M50T50 diet group. Digestibility of ash, dry matter, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract were not affected except for crude protein which was significantly higher in the M50T50 diet group. Similarly, hematological parameters were not affected, while villus height, width, and crypt depth were significantly improved in the M50T50 diet group. These findings demonstrate that the supplementation of methanolic extract of M. oleifera and T. vulgaris in drinking water either alone or in combination improves the production performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation aimed to assess the impact of substituting soybean meal (SBM) with Musca domestica larvae meal (HMM) in the diet of broilers (Ross 308, n=1000) during the initial 1–28 d of their growth period. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous broiler rations were formulated, including a control group (Mag-0) with 100 % SBM and 0 % HMM, diet 2 (Mag-10) with 90 % SBM and 10 % HMM, diet 3 (Mag-20) with 80 % SBM and 20 % HMM, and diet 4 (Mag-30) with 70 % SBM and 30 % HMM. The analysis of amino acid concentrations in diets revealed slight increases in most essential and nonessential amino acids, except for phenylalanine, arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and serine, with increasing levels of SBM substitution with HMM. Digestibility of nutrients, including dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, crude protein ether extract, ash and crude fiber, was not significantly affected across different substituted diets. Similarly, amino acid digestibility did not differ among various diets of SBM substituted with house fly larvae meal. Weekly and overall body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratios were similar across all birds fed different replacement diets. Apparent metabolizable energy, protein efficiency ratio, dressing percentage and antibody titre also showed no significant differences among the substituted diets and the control group. Similarly, hematological and organoleptic studies exhibited statistically similar effects. Overall, the study concludes that substituting up to 30 % of SBM with HMM in broiler rations does not adversely affect health or performance in broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research trial was carried out to explore the effects of supplementation of gum arabic (GA) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) alone and in synbiotic form on overall growth performance, visceral and lymphoid organs weights along with intestinal histomorphology and selected pathogenic bacteria in broiler chickens. Day-old 200 Ross male chicks were allotted to five groups each subdivided in four replicates with ten birds per replicate. Similarly, five different types of feed i.e., diet A as control while B, C, D and E having 1.5% GA, 30mg/kg BS, 1.5% GA+30mg BS and 0.75% GA+15mg/Kg BS respectively, were offered during 42 days of experimental trial. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS following CRD design and data was expressed as means along with SEM after performing Tukey's test. Results indicated significantly high feed intake, body weight gain, improved (P<0.05) FCR, livability and EPEF in group D followed by C, B and E. Same pattern of improved weight of heart, liver, gizzard, pancreas, bursa, spleen and thymus was recorded for the groups studied. Significantly higher (P<0.05) VH, lower (P<0.05) CD and higher (P<0.05) VH:CD in duodenum, jejunum and ileum were recorded in synbiotic group D followed by C, E and B. Similarly, supplementation of synbiotic in group D and Bacillus subtilis group C resulted in complete eradication of E. coli, Salmonella and C. perfringens from ileum, caecum and colon of experimental broiler chickens. It was concluded from the present findings that although prebiotic and probiotic can significantly improve the overall performance alone, the best results can be obtained from their combine synbiotic form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to assess the effect of cinnamon powder (CNP) and turmeric powder (TP) on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity of broiler chickens under heat stress conditions. A total of 200, one day old as-hatched broiler chickens (ROSS 308) were randomly allotted into five treatments with four replicates (n = 10). Treatment groups were control (C): fed basal diet; T1: 0.5% CNP; T2: 1.0% CNP; T3: 0.5% TP and T4: 1.0% TP. Results indicated that body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Serum malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase activity were decreased (p < 0.05) while blood superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Addition of CNP and TP decreased (p < 0.05) serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Treatments fed CNP and TP resulted increased (p < 0.05) breast and thigh meat monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and water holding capacity while decreased (p < 0.05) saturated fatty acid and cook loss. In conclusion CNP and TP possess advantageous effect on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in Japanese quails. The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of tea tree essential oil (TTEO) on growth performance and intestinal health of quails in response to Eimeria tenella challenge. A total of 250 Japanese quails were divided into five treatments: untreated uninfected (negative control); untreated infected (positive control); infected + Amprolium; infected and 1% TTEO; infected and 2% TTEO. Except negative control, all groups were orally dosed with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella. The results revealed that supplementation of 1% TTEO and treatment of amprolium improved feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio in infected quails compared to the positive control. Similarly, lesion score and mortality was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in quails supplemented with 2% TTEO and amprolium treated birds. Moreover, oocysts counts and histological features of caecum in infected birds were reversed in 1% TTEO and amprolium treatment. The histological findings of amprolium and 1% TTEO supplemented quails showed intact intestinal villi with mild sloughed epithelium. In conclusion, 1% TTEO can be safely used to control coccidiosis in Japanese quails as natural effective compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soybean hull in the diet of laying hens on the production performance and nutrient digestibility during peak egg production period with different phases (phase-1=week 29 to 32, phase-2=week 33 to 36, and phase-3=week 37 to 40). One hundred and sixty golden misri (Brown) laying hens of age 28 weeks were brought for the experimental purpose and reared up to 40 weeks of age. All birds were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicate per group containing 10 birds per replicate and offered the corn-soybean meal diet with soybean hull (3,%, 6 %, and 9 %) respectively. Results showed that during all phases, feed intake and weight gain were (P<0.05) higher in the control group, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) was non-significant among all groups. Water intake during phase-1 was (P<0.05) higher in group D as compared to other treated groups while nonsignificant during phase-2 and 3. The average daily eggs production on weekly basis during phase-1 was calculated as non-significant while during phase-2 and 3 higher for the control group than all other groups. Hen day egg production (HDEP), mortality, and ash digestibility were recorded as non-significant, while nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and fat were recorded higher in the control group during all the three phases. It is concluded that the different levels of soybean hull in the basal diet resulted in lower production performance and nutrient digestibility than the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of various levels of milk thistle (MT) on growth performance, oxidative stress, and immune response of natural summer stressed broilers. A total of 120 1-day old broiler chicks were distributed into 4 treatments: MT-0 (control), MT-5 (5 g/kg of MT), MT-10 (10 g/kg of MT), and MT-15 (15 g/kg of MT), each with 3 replicates having 10 birds per replicate. Results showed that overall feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and dressing percentage were significantly (P < 0.5) higher with MT-15 as compared with the other experimental treatments. Unlikely, significantly lower level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed with MT-15. Dietary supplementation of MT had no significant effect on paraoxonase activity in broiler. Antibody titer was significantly (P < 0.05) higher with MT-15 while it was lower with the control treatment. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of MT at the rate of 15 g/kg can significantly lower the negative effects of natural summer stressed broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current experiment was performed to find the potential effect of inorganic and organic forms of zinc (Zn) on growth, intestinal histomorphology, immune response, and paraoxonase (PON1) activity in broiler. In this experiment, a total of 450 broiler chickens were assigned to four experimental and control groups. The birds received organic Zn at the rate of 50 mg/kg (OZ-50) and 60 mg/kg (OZ-60) or inorganic Zn at the rate of 50 mg/kg (IZ-50) and 60 mg/kg (IZ-60) for an experimental period of 30 days. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and production efficiency factor (PEF) were recorded in OZ-50. Similarly, antibody titer against infectious bronchitis (IB) and PON1 activity was higher (P < 0.05) in OZ-50 compared with the control group. In addition, significantly (P < 0.05) higher villus dimensions and goblet cell count were recorded for the group OZ-50 compared with other treatments. It was concluded that the organic form of Zn was superior in improving the growth, histological features of intestines, humoral response, and PON1 activity in broiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 480 1-week-old chicks of about similar average weight, and size were divided into 6 groups. One group served as control, and was fed only basal diet, second group was fed ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg (T1), third group was given organic selenium (Se) at the rate of, 0.3 mg/kg diet (T2), fourth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg (T3), fifth group was fed with organic Se at the rate of 0.3 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T4), sixth group was given organic Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg + 5 g/kg ginger (T5). Mean feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 and T5 while body weight was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T3 compared to the control. Mean feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T2, T3 and T5 compared to the control. Dressing percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) high in T4 and T5 compared to the control. Serum Antibody titre against Newcastle disease and paraoxonase (PON1) were significantly (P < 0.05) high in the T4 and T5 groups compared to the control while melanodialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) low in the same groups. Results of this study showed that ginger at the rate of 5 g/kg and Se at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg were more effective in improving the growth performance, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chickens exposed to high ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]