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Abstract Background Genetic selection applied to broilers results in fast growth and an increase in meat yield. However, this situation causes welfare problems in broilers. Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the weekly changes in the tibia characteristics in broilers raised on their own commercial diets. Methods In the study, 168 (84 female and 84 male) slow‐growing (Hubbard‐Isa Red JA) and 168 (84 female and 84 male) fast‐growing (Ross‐308) day‐old broiler chicks were used. Six broilers from each genotype and sex group were weighed weekly and slaughtered to determine the tibia properties during the 10‐week fattening period. Results Fast‐growing broilers had higher tibia weight and longer length, diaphysis diameter and medullary canal diameter than those of slow‐growing broilers at the same age. In fast‐growing genotypes, the cortical index was low only in the 2nd week, and Robusticity and Seedor indices were observed to be better throughout the whole fattening. The ash content of the total tibia in the fast‐growing broilers was higher in all of the examined weeks except the 4th week and the 9th week of fattening than that in the slow‐growing broilers. Although the amount of ash per unit body weight in the 1st week of fattening was higher in fast‐growing broilers, this situation reversed after the 4th week. The level of all minerals examined in total tibia weight is high in fast‐growing broilers, and they differed according to the fattening period. Conclusions When comparing tibia characteristics of two different genotypes fed their own commercial diets, the tibia structure was found to be stronger in fast‐growing broilers compared to other genotypes at the same age, but slow‐growing broilers were more prominent in terms of body weight. It was observed that the mineral density was higher in male broilers, except in the 1st week.

Chronic stress is recognized as a secret killer in poultry. It is associated with systemic inflammation due to cytokine release, dysbiosis, and the so-called leaky gut syndrome, which mainly results from oxidative stress reactions that damage the barrier function of the cells lining the gut wall. Poultry, especially the genetically selected broiler breeds, frequently suffer from these chronic stress symptoms when exposed to multiple stressors in their growing environments. Since oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory damages are multi-stage and long-term processes, overshooting immune reactions and their down-stream effects also negatively affect the animal’s microbiota, and finally impair its performance and commercial value. Means to counteract oxidative stress in poultry and other animals are, therefore, highly welcome. Many phytogenic substances, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are known to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this review, firstly, the main stressors in poultry, such as heat stress, mycotoxins, dysbiosis and diets that contain oxidized lipids that trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, are discussed, along with the key transcription factors involved in the related signal transduction pathways. Secondly, the most promising phytogenic substances and their current applications to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in poultry are highlighted.

ABSTRACT: This study was proposed to examine the effects of pine needles powder (Pinus brutia) supplementation on growth performance, breast meat composition, and antioxidant status in broilers fed linseed oil-based diets. For this purpose, a total of 210, Ross-308 1-day-old male broiler chicks were allocated to 5 experimental groups each containing 42 birds. Broilers were fed a linseed oil-based basal diet supplemented with 0% (control), 0.25% (P1), 0.50% (P2), 0.75% (P3), and 1% (P4) pine needles powder. During the 42-D feeding period, no significant differences were observed between experimental groups for body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio; however, carcass yield was increased linearly with pine needles powder supplementation. No marked changes in the breast meat chemical composition were observed among experimental groups. Supplemental pine needles powder linearly decreased the malondialdehyde concentration in breast meat and liver tissues; however, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of breast meat samples remained unaffected. No significant variation was observed among experimental groups for superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in blood erythrocyte lysates, but blood serum total oxidation status tended to decrease with pine needles powder supplementation. In conclusion, results suggested that pine needles powder supplementation to broiler diets could be a viable option to improve the animal antioxidant status and meat oxidative stability; however, supplementation of Pinus brutia needles powder up to 1% into broiler diets was not sufficient to efficiently curb the fat-induced oxidation in meat. Further investigation is needed to determine the full antioxidant potential of pine needles powder supplementation in poultry by comparing different pine species, evaluating the bioavailability of their active compounds and determining most effective dietary concentration for broiler meat production without any adverse effects.

The gut microbiota has been designated as a hidden metabolic ‘organ’ because of its enormous impact on host metabolism, physiology, nutrition, and immune function. The connection between the intestinal microbiota and their respective host animals is dynamic and, in general, mutually beneficial. This complicated interaction is seen as a determinant of health and disease; thus, intestinal dysbiosis is linked with several metabolic diseases. Therefore, tractable strategies targeting the regulation of intestinal microbiota can control several diseases that are closely related to inflammatory and metabolic disorders. As a result, animal health and performance are improved. One of these strategies is related to dietary supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and phytogenic substances. These supplements exert their effects indirectly through manipulation of gut microbiota quality and improvement in intestinal epithelial barrier. Several phytogenic substances, such as berberine, resveratrol, curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, isoflavones and hydrolyzed fibers, have been identified as potential supplements that may also act as welcome means to reduce the usage of antibiotics in feedstock, including poultry farming, through manipulation of the gut microbiome. In addition, these compounds may improve the integrity of tight junctions by controlling tight junction-related proteins and inflammatory signaling pathways in the host animals. In this review, we discuss the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytogenic substances in optimizing gut function in poultry.

A probiotic product of kefir is widely consumed by human beings. The purpose of this research was to investigate the eff ects of kefir on blood parameters and intestinal fl ora in rats. A total of 24 female rats were used in this study. During 35 days of experimental period, rats were fed with a commercial diet and water was provided ad libitum. Kefir was given at the levels of 10 mL/kg, 20 ml/kg and 30 mL/kg with oral gavage to the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. Kefir was not given to the control group. The number of yeast was found to be 1.65x107 and the number of lactobacilli was found to be 4x108 in kefir. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from all rats. Blood plasma parameters and were investigated. The intestinal microfl ora was investigated by classical colony counting method. No diff erences were observed among the groups in total protein, albumin, uric acids, SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase and phosphorus in blood plasma. The plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the second and third groups were lower than control group (P

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of grit supplementation to the diets containing maize and barley as cereal grains on performance and slaughter characteristics in broilers. In the experiment, a total of 160 Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allocated to 2 experimental groups with 4 replicate pens containing 20 birds per each for 5 weeks of experimental period. Granite grit was added at the level of 0 and 0.8% to the basal diets containing barley and maize as cereal grains for control and treatment groups, respectively. Granite grit supplementation had no significant effect on final body weight and body weight gain. Feed intake during the experiment was significantly reduced by grit supplementation (P

This study evaluated the effects of a graded concentration of dietary calcium soaps of tallow (CST) supplementation on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, abdominal fat fatty acid profile, bone biomechanical properties, and bone mineral composition. One hundred and forty 11-d-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups with 5 replicate pens containing 7 birds per each. The birds received corn-soybean meal based diet and CST (CST0, CST10, CST20, and CST30, respectively) was included in the grower (0, 10, 20, and 30 g/kg) and finisher (0, 15, 30, and 45 g/kg) diet at the expense of vegetable acid oil and limestone. Dietary supplementations had no significant effect on BWG and FI during the entire experimental period. However, FCR was improved in CST0 and CST10 groups in comparison to those of the CST20 group from d 11 to d 42. According to the present study result, dietary supplementation of low level of CST significantly influenced intestinal microarchitecture of the jejunum and ileum by improving villus height/crypt ratio and villus height, respectively. Femur (P=0.001) and tibia (P=0.020) stiffness increased linearly with the increasing level of dietary CST. Tibia Ca (P=0.009) and P (P=0.009) concentration of CST10 and CST30 groups were lower than the CST0 group. Increasing levels of CST in diets significantly reduced the Fe and Mn concentrations in tibia samples. In conclusion, supplementation of CST has no detrimental effect on broiler performance parameters and might be used as an alternative dietary fat source in the broiler industry.

The aim of this study was conducted to determine the effects of sepiolite usage on pellet production parameters and pellet quality characteristics for dairy cattle concentrate feed under regular industrial conditions. In the experiment, 14 mt pellet feeds for control and two treatment groups with 7 batch each were produced in a commercial feed factory. Each batch was 2 mt. Control group feed produced contained 87.37% dry matter, 18.06% crude protein, 6.95% crude fibre and 5.34% ether extract. For the treatment groups, 1% and 1.5% sepiolite (Exal T) were used as top dressed in the mixer. Pelleting disc having 6.5 mm hole diameter was used in the factory. Energy consumption during pellet manufacturing was decreased with sepiolite supplementation (P

This experiment was carried out to determine free and total gossypol contents of cottonseed meals obtained from the different parts of Turkey. Cottonseed meal plays an important role in supplying the protein needs of animals. However gossypol content, especially free gossypol content, is a restricted factor for the usage of this meal. At the end of the experiment, free and total gossypol amounts of extraction cottonseed meal were found as 0.0573 and 0.418%; the amounts of expeller cottonseed meal were also found as 0.0694 and 0.565%, respectively.