ABSTRACT Growth performance, organ biometrics, bone characteristics, and intestinal morphometry were evaluated in broilers fed a diet containing orange (Citrus sinensis L.) essential oil. A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments with orange essential oil (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg−1 diet) and six replications with 20 birds per experimental unit. In the pre-starter phase, feed intake and weight gain of all birds linearly increased, while feed conversion decreased with the addition of orange essential oil in the feed. At day 21, bone density (Seedor Index) and body weight were higher in the birds that received the maximum level of essential oil (400 mg kg−1) compared with those not treated with essential oil. The observed effects resulted from the better functioning of the physiological mechanisms of digestion and absorption of nutrients, characterized by the increase in villus height. Glycemia and weights of gastrointestinal tract organs of broilers at 21 days of age were not influenced by the evaluated essential oil. The results show that the addition of phytogenic additives to the diet does not cause any physiological impairment in birds.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted using direct method to determine the standardized ileal phosphorus (P) digestibility coefficient (SIPDC) of meat and bone meal (MBM) and poultry byproduct meal (PBM) for broilers. In the first experiment, three MBM from different batches were evaluated, with four treatments (MBMI, MBMII, MBMIII, and a P-free diet) and nine replicates of seven birds each, totaling 252 birds distributed across a completely randomized design. The P-free diet was used to determine endogenous P losses. Titanium dioxide (5 g kg−1) was used as an indigestible indicator. In the second experiment, three PBM from different batches were evaluated, with 189 birds distributed over three treatments (PBMI, PBMII, and PBMIII) and nine replicates of seven birds each. These two experiments were conducted when birds were 19-22 days old. The birds were euthanized to collect the ileal content. Using the P-free diet, endogenous P losses were determined at 94.9 mg kg−1 dry matter intake. Standardized ileal P digestibility of MBMI (0.65) and MBMIII (0.69) was higher compared with MBMII (0.49). The SIPDC determined for three PBM sources were similar and 0.96, 0.96, and 0.93 for PBMI, PBMII, and PBMIII, respectively. The present study demonstrates that P in MBM is not as available as it is believed and that the variability between batches should be considered by nutritionists, while PBM can be considered an excellent P source to broiler diets.

ABSTRACT The rations of monogastric animals in Brazil are composed of corn and soybean meal. Among the obstacles to the use of cereal grains in diets is the presence of non-starch polysaccharides, constituents of low digestibility, undigested by poultry. Thus, it is important to study non-conventional ingredients and the use of additives, such as enzymes in animal feed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and metabolism of Japanese laying quails fed with corn or sorghum feeds containing or not xylanase and β-glucanase. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, with four treatments, with five replicates and seven birds each, to 140 animals. The treatments were: 1) ration based on soybean meal and maize (RSMM); 2) RSMM with enzymes; 3) ration based on soybean meal and sorghum (RSMS) and 4) RSMS with enzymes. The evaluated variables were: zootechnical performance; metabolizable rations and excreta; quality and oxidative process of eggs; biometrics of organs and serum biochemistry. There was no significant interaction between the factors (ingredients x enzymes) for all evaluated characteristics. The rations did not cause changes in the productive variables, metabolizable, egg quality, biometry of the gastrointestinal tract organs and femur of Japanese laying quails. The total egg mass was higher in the different rations with enzymatic use. Serum calcium and phosphate concentrations were higher in the RSMM and RSMM with enzymes, however, the Ca:P ratios remained, indicating a metabolic normality condition in the Japanese quails from 26 to 35 weeks of age.

RESUMO As rações dos animais monogástricos no Brasil constituem-se de milho e farelo de soja. Dentre os entraves do uso de grãos de cereais nas dietas destaca-se a presença de polissacarídeos não amiláceos, constituintes de baixa digestibilidade, não digeridos pelas aves. Desse modo, faz-se importância estudar ingredientes não convencionais e uso de aditivos, tais como as enzimas nas rações. Objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade e o metabolismo de codornas japonesas em postura, alimentadas com rações à base de milho ou sorgo contendo ou não xilanase e β-glucanase. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x2, sendo quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições e sete aves em cada, perfazendo 140 animais. Os tratamentos foram: 1) ração à base de farelo de soja e milho (RFSM); 2) RFSM + enzimas; 3) ração à base de farelo de soja e sorgo (RFSS); e 4) RFSS + enzimas. As variáveis avaliadas foram: desempenho zootécnico; metabolizabilidade das rações e das excretas; qualidade e processo oxidativo dos ovos; biometria de órgãos e bioquímica sérica. Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores (ingredientes x enzimas) para todas as características avaliadas. As rações não provocaram alterações nas variáveis produtivas, de metabolizabilidade, qualidade dos ovos, biometria dos órgãos do trato gastrintestinal e do fêmur de codornas japonesas em postura. A massa total de ovos apresentou-se maior nas diferentes rações com uso enzimático. As concentrações de cálcio e fosfato séricos foram mais elevadas nas RFSM e RFSM + enzimas, entretanto, as relações Ca:P mantiveram-se, indicando condição de normalidade metabólica nas codornas de 26 a 35 semanas de idade.

ResumoEstudou-se o desempenho produtivo e as quantidades de cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), magnésio (Mg), potássio (K) e sódio (Na) nas excretas e carcaças de frangos de corte aos 21 dias de idade alimentados com adição de Solanum malacoxylon (SM) nas rações. Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos: 0,0, 2,5 e 5,0g de SM/kg de ração, sendo cinco repetições e quatro aves por unidade experimental. O uso de 5,0 g de SM/kg de ração reduziu o ganho de peso e piorou a conversão alimentar, embora o consumo não tenha sido influenciado. A inclusão da planta não afetou (p>0,05) os teores de cálcio, magnésio, potássio e sódio nas excretas e, consequentemente, na absorção desses minerais. A composição mineral das carcaças foi alterada, sendo as concentrações de Na, Mg e K, influenciadas. Recomenda-se a adição de até 2,5g de SM/kg de ração para frangos de corte até 21 dias de idade.

AbstractIt was studied the performance and the amounts of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) excreta and carcasses of broilers at 21 days of age fed addition of Solanum malacoxylon (SM) in rations. It was used a completely randomized design with three treatments: 0.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g of SM/kg diet, five replicates of four birds each. Using 5.0g of SM/kg diet reduced weight gain, decreased feed conversion, although consumption has not been affected. The inclusion of the plant did not affect (p>0.05) the levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in excreta, and consequently the absorption of these minerals. The mineral composition of the carcasses was changed, and the concentrations of Na, Mg and K influenced. It is recommended that the addition to 2.5g of SM/kg of feed for broilers up to 21 days of age.