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ABSTRACT Royal jelly renowned for its robust nutritional, functional, and biological properties, is a pivotal product derived from honeybees. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the theory that in ovo injection of freeze‐dried royal jelly (FDRJ) solutions at varying concentrations can influence the hatchability, blood properties and hatching characteristics of day‐old chicks. A total of 480 eggs (54.81 ± 0.187 g) were allocated into four experimental groups: negative control (NC), without injection, positive control (PC), administered with regular saline, a low FDRJ dose group (9 mg/egg), and a high FDRJ dose group (18 mg/egg). The in ovo injections were administered on Day 18 of incubation, and the experiment was subsequently continued until the incubation period concluded at 21 days. Results revealed that the lower FDRJ dose (9 mg/egg) significantly improved hatchability percentages compared to other treatments. Conversely, the higher FDRJ dose (18 mg/egg) and control groups (NC and PC) resulted in significantly higher chick yield percentages than the lower FDRJ and PC groups. The NC group showed the supreme yolk sac (YS) percentage, whereas the yolk‐free body mass (YFBM) percentages displayed an inverse trend. Furthermore, the in ovo FDRJ injection did not affect haematological values or the relative organ weight of day‐old chicks. In conclusion, in ovo FDRJ injection demonstrated beneficial effects on hatchability and chick weight, as evidenced by the studied parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was designed to assess the impact of L-carnitine (LC) supplementation in the drinking water of growing Alexandria-line rabbits on performance and physiological parameters. Two hundred eighty-eight 35-day-old rabbits were divided into four groups of twenty-four replicates each (seventy-two rabbits/treatment). The treatment groups were a control group without LC and three groups receiving 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/L LC in the drinking water intermittently. The results showed that the group receiving 0.5 g LC/L exhibited significant improvements in final body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and performance index compared to the other groups. The feed intake remained unaffected except for the 1.5 g LC/L group, which had significantly decreased intake. Hematological parameters improved in all supplemented groups. Compared with those in the control group, the 0.5 g LC/L group showed significant increases in serum total protein and high-density lipoprotein, along with decreased cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Compared to other supplemented groups, this group also demonstrated superior carcass traits (carcass, dressing, giblets, and percentage of nonedible parts). In conclusion, intermittent supplementation of LC in the drinking water, particularly at 0.5 g/L twice a week, positively influenced the productivity, hematology, serum lipid profile, and carcass traits of Alexandria-line growing rabbits at 84 days of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intended to assess the properties of in-ovo administration of Melittin (MLT) on hatchability, chick yield, hematology, immunological indices and relative organs weight of Alexandria chickens at hatch. A total of 600 eggs with an average weight of (45.12 g), were gathered and split into five groups: a non-injected group or negative control (NC), a saline injection group or positive control (PC), and three concentrations of MLT (5, 10 and 15 µg of MLT per egg, respectively). On day 18 of incubation, eggs from the injection groups were injected into the amniotic fluid from the large end with the in-ovo injection solutions (0.2 ml per egg). Results indicated that 10 µg MLT/egg positively affected the weight and yield of chicks. In addition, our findings indicated that the in-ovo administration with 10 or 15 µg MLT/egg was superior in most of the immunological indicators (spleen and bursa relative weights, immunoglobulins IgG and IgM, T cells and B cells). In conclusion, in order to improve the immune efficiency (early immune acceleration) of Alexandria chicks, which may contribute to offering a significant boost to their future performance, this study suggests injecting eggs with 5 or 10 µg MLT/egg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of early access to feed and water post-hatch on broiler chicks' performance. One hundred and twenty chicks were transferred from the hatchery to the rearing house and randomly divided into two groups. The first group: chicks were immediately access to feed and water (F-time 0). The second group: was held without feed and water for 24 h (F-time 24). Then, feed and water were provided ad-libitum, for both groups until 35 days of age. Results indicated that F-time 0 increased body weight and body weight gain throughout the experimental period. It increased feed intake during all experimental periods except from (22–28 days). Additionally, the F-time 0 enhanced the European production efficiency factor index. The F-time 24, increased red blood cells (RBCs) count, hemoglobin (HGB), and packed cell volume (PCV) percentage after 24 h. However, the F-time 0 had a higher RBCs count, HGB, and PCV at 35 days of age. F-time 24 increased total plasma protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides, after 24 h. In conclusion, early access to feed and water post-hatch enhances broiler chicks' performance and productivity and increases producers' revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to study the influence of feeding a natural feed additive, Nigella sativa seeds (NS), at different levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency of broiler chicks. One hundred and forty unsexed one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were battery reared in a semi-open house. Chicks were assigned into four treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of seven replicates each replicate contained five birds. The first diet was the control without NS. The second, third and fourth diet were supplied with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% Nigella sativa, respectively. Results showed that the addition of NS at 0.5, 1, and 1.5% levels induced higher market body weight and body weight gain compared to the control group. Moreover, NS supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased ether extract and crude fiber digestibility compared to the control group. Carcass weight percentage increased (P<0.05) due to feeding NS at different levels ranged between 74.7 to 76.5% compared to the control group (66.4%). In addition, Bursa of Fabricius and heart weight percentages were higher than those of the control group at 1 and 1.5% NS levels. Broiler chicks fed diets supplemented with 0.5% and 1% NS were more economical than the control group. They showed a high increase in total revenue, net revenue and relative economic efficiency percentages. It could be concluded that the addition of NS up to 1% seems to have a positive effect on growth, carcass characteristics and economic performance, moreover, it can be used as a growth promoter feed additive for broiler chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broiler males (n= 140) were used in a straight-run experimental design and distributed randomly among four treatment groups with seven replicates per treatment and five broilers per replicate. During 21-42 d old, the chickens were fed iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing four levels of dietary vegetable oils (DVO), of 2.7, 4, 6 and 8%. During d 25-27, 31-33, and 38-40 of age, broilers were exposed to heat stress for 4 h a day (1000-1400 h) at 34 °C, 70-75 % relative humidity. Feeding an 8% DVO diet significantly increased body weight gain compared to the other DVO levels. The feed conversion ratio, protein conversion ratio, metabolizable energy conversion ratio and European production index were significantly enhanced due to feeding an 8% DVO diet compared to a diet containing 6% DVO. Feeding 8% DVO significantly increased the meat protein and lipid percentages, compared to the control group (2.7 % DVO), but decreased the plasma low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein and lymphocytes. Feeding 8% DVO significantly increased the mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin, and bursa weight and percentage compared to the control. In addition, 6 and 8% DVO significantly increased the plasma total antioxidant capacity compared to the control group, but decreased the malondialdehyde. Thus, broilers fed a diet containing 8% DVO have an increased tolerance to heat stress, as evidenced by increasing the productive performance, meat quality, blood hematological and biochemical traits, antioxidants and immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total number of 120 28 week-old laying hens of Gimmizah strain were distributed among four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment and ten hens per replicate. The first group kept as a control group received non-magnetized tap water and the other groups received tap water exposed to different intensity of magnetic strengths 2000, 3000 and 4000 gauss respectively. Laying hens were housed in 12 floor pens (2 m × 1.2 m × 2 m) furnished with wheat straw. Laying hens on - 3000 and 4000 gauss magnetized water consumed significantly more feeds and all groups on the magnetized water had significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group. Egg weight and egg mass were significantly increased in groups supplemented with different strengths of magnetized water compared with the control group and albumen (%) and albumen dry matter (%) were significantly higher of groups offered 2000 and 3000 gauss tap water. Yolk (%) was significantly higher of group on 3000 gauss tap water compared to the control group. Shell thickness was significantly increased in group received 4000 gauss tap water compared with control group. Blood serum glucose and globulin were significantly increased in groups supplemented with 2000 and 3000 gauss water compared with the control group and group supplemented with 4000 gauss water. However, all groups supplemented with different strength of magnetic water had significantly decreased albumin/ globulin ratio. Serum phosphorus level, and blood pH increased. Triiodothyronine increased significantly in groups received magnetized water compared to control and the 2000 gauss group showed the highest response. Red blood cell count (RBCs) and haemoglobin (Hgb) were significantly increased in groups supplemented with 2000 and 3000 gauss water compared with control group. It could be concluded that productive performance, physiological response and egg shell quality of Gimmizah chicken were improved due to offering magnetized water with 2000 gauss was adequate to provide the beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbor Acres broiler chickens (n=140), 7-day-old, were used in a straight-run complete randomized experimental design. The broilers were distributed among four treatment groups with five replicates per treatment and seven chickens per replicate. During the experimental period (7-42 day-old), the chickens were fed iso-caloric and isonitrogenous diets with ginger (Zingiber officinale) level of 0.5% given either continuously or intermittently (two treatments), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) of 0.05%, and the unsupplemented control. The objective of this study was to study the response of broiler chickens to continuous or intermittent supplementation with ginger as phytogenic additive compared with MOS on performance and cost of supplementation. The intermittent treatment was given as two days per week. Feeding 0.5% ginger resulted in higher body weight gain (BWG), European production efficiency factor (EPEF) and economic efficiency (EE) than MOS, however, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was similar among different experimental groups. Ginger level of 0.5% continuously decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased serum globulin, and 0.5% ginger intermittently increased antibody titer to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Ginger given continuously or intermittently significantly decreased meat lipids and plasma glucose with intermittent supplementation showed stronger effect on meat lipids than continuous supplementation. Hence, it could be concluded that 0.5% ginger given continuously can replace MOS as a prebiotic without negative effects on productive performance, carcass traits, meat quality, blood constituents and immune response as compared with the control and this warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and forty 21-day old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were used in a straight-run experimental design. The broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design among four treatment groups with seven replicates per treatment and five chickens per replicate. During the experiment period (21 to 42 days old), the chickens were fed isocaloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing four levels of dietary vegetable oils (DVO) (2.7, 4, 6 and 8%). During the period when chickens were 25-27, 31-33, and 38-40 days old, the chickens were exposed to heat stress for 4 hours a day (from 10.00am-2.00pm) at 34ºC and 70-75% relative humidity, and returned to normal house temperature afterwards. Feeding 8% DVO diet significantly increased body weight gain (BWG) compared to the other levels of DVO. Moreover, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein conversion ratio (PCR), metabolizable energy conversion ratio (ECR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) were significantly enhanced due to feeding 8% DVO diet compared to 6% DVO diet. On the other hand, 6 and 4% DVO did not significantly differ from the control. Feeding 8% DVO diet significantly decreased plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lymphocytes. Feeding 8% DVO diet significantly increased mean corpscular volume (MCV) and mean corpscularhaemoglobin (MCH) compared to the control. Thus, it can be concluded that broiler chickens fed diet containing 8% DVO have showed tolerance to high ambient temperature (34ºC, 70-75% RH) during the period from 21-42 days old, as evidenced by increasing the productive performance, blood haematological and biochemical traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 140, 28-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chickens were used in a straight-run experimental design. The broilers were distributed among 4 treatment groups. One treatment group was raised under a thermoneutral condition (28 ± 4°C and 40 -60% RH) and fed on a basal diet containing 19% CP and 13.18 MJ ME/kg diet during days 28-49 (thermoneutral group). The other three groups (2, 3 and 4) were raised for 4 successive days per week under 36 ± 3°C and 40-60% RH for 6 h per day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Group 2 was kept under chronic heat stress and fed on the basal diet and was considered a negative control. Group 3 was kept under chronic heat stress and fed feed having 22% CP and 13.18 MJ/ME kg, while group 4 was kept under chronic heat stress and fed on a diet containing 22% CP and 13.81 MJ ME/kg. Exposure to chronic heat stress decreased BWG and increased meat lipids, the liver leakage marker AST, cholesterol, glucose, cortisone and alkaline phosphatase, cloacal temperature, respiration rate, PCV, bursa percent, catalase, TAC and IgA, IgM and IgG compared to the thermoneutral group, but showed decreased SOD. on the other hand, increasing the protein concentration alone or in combination with increasing the energy concentration by increasing oil supplementation from 4.5% to 7.5% relieved the negative effects of chronic heat stress in broiler performance, meat lipids and physiological and immunological traits. Increasing the protein with energy concentration was the most effective method. Thus, it can be concluded that increasing protein with energy concentration may be a useful tool in improving the productive performance, meat quality, blood haematological and biochemical traits, antioxidants and immunity of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed at investigating the potential as a growth enhancer of different dietary concentrations of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) as an alternative to oxytetracyline (OTC) as antibiotic and as comparable to mannan oligosaccharide for broiler chicks. A total of 252 Hubbard broiler chicks at one day of age were distributed randomly in a straight run experimental design among six treatments, each replicated seven times, with six unsexed chicks per replicate. The basal diet was administered without supplements (control group) or supplemented with turmeric at 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg diet, or with mannan oligosacride (MOS) at 1 g/kg feed or with OTC at 50 mg/kg feed. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, blood biochemical constituents, antioxidant status and red blood cell (RBCs) were investigated. Turmeric supplementation at 1 g/kg feed significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production index compared to the control group and MOS groups. The results indicated that turmeric can be used at 1 kg/t feed as a phytogenic feed additive as an alternative to OTC or MOS without negative effects on the productive and economic traits of broilers. There were no differences from using OTC and MOS, while there was an increase in the European production efficiency index and the broilers' health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]