In this study, 600 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were distributed according a completely randomized experimental design into the different dietary treatments. Broilers were fed the following dietary treatments: positive control diet (PC), containing 54 ppm zinc bacitracin; negative control diet (NC), with no inclusion of performance enhancers and 3% reduction in metabolizable energy, crude protein, and amino acid levels; PC up to 33 days and then NC, with the dietary addition of 75, 150, or 225 ppm plant extracts, until day 42 days of age. Broiler performance and carcass yield were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System package (SAS Institute Inc., 2008), and submitted to polynomial regression analysis using the GLM procedure at 5% significance level. There was no influence of treatments on feed intake or weight gain, but feed conversion ratio of the broiler fed the plant extract was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with those fed the antibiotic. There was no significant effect (p>0.05) of the applied treatments on carcass yield. We concluded that the replacement of performance-enhancing additives by plant extracts, at the evaluated inclusion levels, does not promote positive performance results.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate different criteria in feed formulation based on digestible amino acids for broilers during the grower phase. Diets were formulated according to the recommendations for digestible methionine, methionine + cysteine, lysine, and threonine. A total number of six hundred Cobb 500 male day-old chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with three formulation criteria supplying the recommendations established by Baker & Chung (1992), Degussa (1997), and Rostagno et al. (2000), with 4 replicates of 50 birds each. No significant differences were observed for weight gain and feed intake. However, feed conversion ratio improved when birds were fed the diets containing the profiles recommended by Baker & Chung (1992) and Degussa (1997). No difference was observed in terms of leg, wings, back, and head yields. Broilers fed with the profile of Baker & Chung (1992) presented worst breast yield, whereas those fed the Degussa (1997) standard had better carcass yield.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of broilers at 55 days of age fed diets with different levels of metabolizable energy and lysine. Evaluated data of performance were weight gain, feed intake, energy intake, lysine intake, caloric conversion and feed conversion. Carcass assessment was performed based on data from carcass yield, breast weight, whole wings, whole legs, back, head + neck, feet and abdominal fat. A 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used, with 3 levels of metabolizable energy (3,200; 3,400 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg) and 3 lysine levels (0.95%; 1.05% and 1.15%). There was no interaction between the two factors. Nevertheless, increasing levels of metabolizable energy improved weight gain (745 g; 841 g and 910 g, respectively) and feed intake was higher in broilers receiving the diets with 3,200 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg. Overall performance was not affected by lysine levels. Feed conversion values were 2.69, 2.42 and 2.14 for birds fed diets with 3,200; 3,400 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg, respectively. Carcass yield and breast weight increased with higher levels of energy and lysine in the diets.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate different formulated feeds for broilers from 43 to 49 days of age. Six hundred male Cobb broilers were distributed in a completely at random experimental design with 3 treatments (3 different criteria of feed formulation) and 4 repetitions per treatment, with 50 birds each. Diets were formulated with different criteria of digestible amino acid inclusion (methionine, methionine+cystine, lysine and threonine), according to the profiles recommended by Baker and Chung (1992), Degussa (1997) and Rostagno (2000) Live performance and carcass yield were evaluated in birds fed the different diets from 43 to 49 days of age). The profile established by Degussa (1997) resulted in best live performance. All profiles supplied the nutritional requirements of the birds for adequate carcass yield, but Degussa (1997) profile resulted in highest breast yield.

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes critérios de formulação de rações, baseados em aminoácidos totais e digestíveis, para frangos de corte no período de 1 a 21 dias de idade. As dietas foram formuladas para atender às exigências de metionina, metionina+cistina, lisina e treonina. No primeiro experimento, foram utilizados 800 pintos machos, Hubbard, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 critérios de formulação, para atender às exigências em aminoácidos totais - NRC (1994), Rostagno et al. (1992), Degussa (1997) e AEC (1993), com 4 repetições de 50 aves. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 600 pintos machos, Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 3 critérios de formulação, para atender às exigências em aminoácidos digestíveis - Rostagno et al. (2000), Baker & Han (1994) e Degussa (1997), com 4 repetições de 50 aves. Foram avaliados ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram não haver diferença no desempenho das aves ao serem alimentadas com diferentes critérios de formulação baseados em aminoácidos totais. Ao formular dietas com aminoácidos digestíveis, o padrão estabelecido por Baker & Han (1994) resultaram em melhor desempenho das aves no período avaliado.

Two experiments were conducted with the objective of evaluate different criterion of feed formulation based on total and digestible amino acids for broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. The diets were formulated to attend methionine, methionine+cystine, lysine and threonine recommendations. In the first experiment, eight hundred males birds, Hubbard, were allocated in experimental design with four formulations criterions, for attempt recommendations in total amino acids - NRC (1994), Rostagno et al. (1992), Degussa (1997) e AEC (1993), with 4 replications of 50 broilers each, profiles of amino acids (methionine, methionine+cystine, lysine and threonine) for broilers. In experiment two, six hundred males birds, Cobb, were allocated in experimental design with three formulations criterions, for attempt recommendations in digestible amino acids - Rostagno et al. (2000), Baker & Han (1994) and Degussa (1997), with 4 replications of 50 broilers each, profiles of amino acids (methionine, methionine+cystine, lysine and threonine) for broilers. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were evaluated. The obtained results demonstrated that there is no difference in performance of broilers fed with different criterion formulation based on total amino acids. Diets formulated with digestible amino acids, the standard established for Baker & Han (1994) resulting in best performance of broilers in the available period.

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de aminoácidos e de cálcio sobre o desempenho e excreção de cálcio de duas linhagens de frangos de corte (Cobb e Avian Farms) na fase inicial de criação. Foram avaliados os dados de desempenho (consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar) e excreção de cálcio. Foram utilizadas 540 aves, em cada experimento, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2, ou seja, 3 perfis de aminoácidos (metionina, metionina+cistina, lisina e treonina - 100%, 125% e 150% dos níveis do NRC,1994) e 2 níveis de cálcio (75% e 100% dos níveis do NRC,1994), com 30 aves por repetição. Analisou-se o cálcio excretado das aves, e para tanto, utilizou-se 72 aves, em cada experimento, alojadas em gaiolas, seguindo o mesmo delineamento descrito anteriormente. Não houve interação entre os tratamentos estudados. Para a linhagem Avian Farms, o ganho de peso diminuiu com a elevação dos níveis de aminoácidos e ocorreu menor excreção de cálcio com menor nível de cálcio da dieta. A linhagem Cobb não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos em nenhum dos parâmetros estudados.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance and calcium excretion of broilers fed the diets with different amino acids (AA) and calcium (Ca) levels in the initial phase. In each experiments, male broilers, Cobb or Avian Farms, were randomly assigned to six treatments in a three X two factorial arrangement, considering the factors AA (100, 125 and 150% NRC, 1994) and Ca (75 and 100% NRC, 1994), in three replications of 30 birds each. The studied AA were methionine, methionine + cystine, lysine and threonine. The performance of the birds was analyzed according weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. The lower calcium level reduced calcium excretion and increasing amino acids levels reduced weight gain in Avian Farms strain. The Cobb strain was not affected by treatments.

Foram realizados dois experimentos utilizando-se 520 pintos machos de um dia para avaliar o efeito da proteína bruta (PB) e do balanço eletrolítico (Na + K- Cl) sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte no período inicial. O Experimento I (1 a 7 dias de idade das aves) foi realizado em baterias, utilizando-se 160 pintos machos "Cobb", no Experimento II (1 a 21 dias) foram utilizados 360 pintos machos "Aviam Farms" que foram alojados em um galpão experimental dividido em box. Nos dois experimentos as aves foram aquecidas com lâmpadas infravermelhas e receberam água e ração à vontade. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em um esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (PB x balanço eletrolítico - BE), com 5 repetições e 8 aves por unidade experimental no Experimento I e fatorial 2 x 3 (PB x BE), com 3 repetições e 20 aves por unidade experimental no Experimento II. Os níveis de K foram mantidos constantes, oscilando-se o Na e o Cl para obter os balanços eletrolíticos desejados. Os parâmetro de desempenho (consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar) foram analisados no final de cada fase experimental. Em ambos os experimentos não houve interação entre PB e BE. Os níveis de 21,0 e 23,5% de PB não afetaram o desempenho das aves. Em dietas pré-iniciais e iniciais o melhor desempenho foi atingido com 260 mEq/kg.

Two experiment were carried out using 520 one-day old male broilers to evaluate the effect of crude protein and of electrolytic balance ( Na+K-Cl) in starter diet on broilers performance. The experiment I (1 to 7 days of age) was accomplished in batteries, being used 160 one-day old male 'Cobb", in the experiment II (1 to 21 days of age), used 360 one-day old male "Avian Farms" that were housed in an shed experimental, divide in box. In the two experiments, the birds were heated with infrared lamps and they received water and ration at large. Experimental designs were completely randomized factorial 2x2 (proteins levels and Mongin of number) with five replications of eight birds each for experiment I and factorial 2x3 (proteins levels and Mongin of number) with three replications of twenty birds each for experiment II. The level of potassium was maintained constant, the levels of Na and Cl were varied to obtain the electrolytic balance. The performances parameters (feed intake (g), weight gain (g) and feed:gain) were analyzed in the end of each experimental phase. In both experiments there was no interaction between crude protein and electrolytic balance. The crude protein levels (21 and 23,5 %) did not influenced the broilers performance. In pre-starter and starter diets the best performance was obtained with electrolytic balance of 260 mEq/kg.

Um mil quatrocentos e quarenta pintos de um dia, machos, foram utilizados com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização da farinha de carne e ossos (FCO) sobre o desempenho e rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2, com os fatores: níveis de inclusão da FCO (3 e 6%), tipos de FCO (37,51 e 41,58% de proteína bruta), valores de energia metabolizável da FCO conforme equações de predição sugerida pelo NRC (1994) ou tabela de Rostagno et al. (1994), mais um tratamento controle sem a inclusão de FCO, com quatro repetições de 40 aves cada. O consumo de ração e ganho de peso (GP) foram influenciados pela inclusão de FCO, sendo verificado maior GP quando a FCO não foi utilizada. As demais características de desempenho não foram afetadas pelos fatores estudados. A gordura abdominal foi reduzida quando a FCO não foi utilizada. Concluiu-se que dietas de frangos de corte contendo até 6% de FCO proporcionam pior desempenho quando comparadas com aquelas a base de milho e farelo de soja.

Fourteen hundred and forty day-old male chicks were used to evaluate the use of meat and bone meal (MBM) on performance and carcass yield of broilers. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial random arrangement: inclusion levels of MBM (3 and 6%), types of MBM (37.51 and 41.58% of crude protein), metabolizable energy values for MBM according to prediction equations (NRC, 1994) or by Rostagno et al.(1994), plus a control diet without MBM, with four replicates of forty chickens each. Feed intake and body weight gain (WG) were influenced by inclusion levels of MBM, with higher WG when MBM was not used. The remaining performance characteristics were not altered by the factors studied. There was reduction in abdominal fat when MBM was not used. It was concluded that the performance was impaired due to the use of diets containing up to 6% of MBM when compared to corn-soybean meal diets.

Foram utilizadas doze codornas domésticas, divididas em três grupos de quatro aves cada. As aves receberam rações padronizadas contendo 16%, 20% e 24% de proteína, sendo alimentadas por um período de quinze semanas, quando foram pesadas e sacrificadas imediatamente. Após a abertura da cavidade abdominal e evisceração do trato gastrointestinal, os ovários e ovidutos foram dissecados e pesados. Com o auxílio de um paquímetro mediu-se o comprimento das partes do oviduto: infundíbulo, magno, istmo, útero e vagina e avaliou-se o número de pregas do magno e do istmo. Foram realizados cortes histológicos do magno, istmo e útero onde se obteve medidas das espessuras das camadas epitelial e glandular. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA) e observou-se que não houve diferenças significativas no peso corporal, peso do ovário, do oviduto e nos comprimentos das partes do oviduto bem como no número de pregas do magno e ístmo. Verificou-se diferenças significavas na espessura da camada epitelial do istmo de aves alimentadas com 20% de proteína na ração. Além disso, houve diferenças significativas na espessura da camada glandular do magno, istmo e útero das aves alimentadas com 24% de proteína na ração em relação às aves que receberam 16% e 20% de proteína. O nível de 24% de proteína aumentou a espessura da camada glandular do magno, ístmo e útero o que poderia resultar em melhoria no peso dos ovos e na espessura da casca.

The twelve domestic quail used in this study were divided into three groups, each with four birds. The groups received each a different treatment using standard feed containing three different levels of protein (16%, 20% and 24%). The treatments were continued for a period of fifteen weeks, after which the quails were immediately weighed and then killed. After opening the abdominal cavity and eviscerating the gastrointestinal tract, the ovaries and oviducts were dissected and weighed. Using a packymeter, the different parts of the oviducts were measured: infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina. The number of folds present in the magnum and the isthmus were evaluated. Histologic sections of the magnum, isthmus and uterus were used to measure the thickness of their epithelial and glandular layers. The data obtained was statistically analysed using a Variance analysis (entirely casual distribution). It was concluded that there were no significative differences on body weight, ovary weigth, oviduct weigth and between the lengths of the different parts of the oviduct as well as regarding the number of folds in the magnum and the isthmus. It was concluded that there was significative differences were also found regarding the thickness of the epithelial layer of the isthmus in the birds treated with the feed containing 20% protein. Moreover there was a significative difference between the thickness of the glandular layer of the magnum, the isthmus and that of the uterus in the birds treated with 24% protein feed when compared to the quails that were given a 16% and 20% protein feed. Diet with 24% protein increased the glandular layer thickness of the magnum, isthmus and uterus that it could result in improvement in the weight of the eggs and in the shell quality.

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de frangos de corte no período de 1 a 21 dias alimentados com dietas formuladas nos conceitos de proteína bruta e proteína ideal. No primeiro experimento, foram utilizados 400 pintos machos de um dia de idade da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 2 tratamentos (proteína total e proteína ideal) e 5 repetições de 40 aves cada. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 800 pintos, 400 machos e 400 fêmeas, em arranjo fatorial 2x2 (2 formulações - proteína bruta e proteína ideal e 2 sexos) com 4 tratamentos e 5 repetições de 40 aves cada. As dietas foram formuladas atendendo às exigências estabelecidas pela DEGUSSA (1997). Aos 21 dias, foram avaliados, o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar. No experimento 1, as aves alimentadas com dietas formuladas no conceito de proteína ideal apresentaram maior ganho de peso e maior consumo de ração. No experimento 2, as aves que se alimentaram com a dieta formulada com base da proteína ideal apresentaram melhor ganho de peso e melhor conversão alimentar, não influenciando o consumo de ração. Os resultados demonstraram que as aves alimentadas com dietas baseadas no conceito de proteína ideal apresentam melhor desempenho.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age fed diets based on the concept of crude protein and ideal protein. In experiment one, four hundred one-day Cobb male birds, were allocated in experimental design involving 2 treatments (crude protein and ideal protein) with 5 replications of 40 broilers each. In experiment two, 800 birds were used, 400 males and 400 females, in factorial arrangement 2x2 (2 concept - crude protein and ideal protein and 2 sex) with 4 treatments with 5 replications of 40 broilers each. The digestible amino acid and total amino acid recommendations were based on DEGUSSA (1997). Data from performance (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion) were collected. Broilers fed diet based on ideal protein showed greater weight gain and feed intake in experiment 1.In experiment 2 broilers fed diet based on ideal protein showed better weight gain and feed conversion, but feed intake was not affected. The results showed that broilers fed diet based on ideal protein showed better performance.

Um experimento foi conduzido para estudar a adição do ovo em pó na dieta de frangos de corte no período de 1 a 28 dias, sendo dividido em duas fases (1 a 7 e 8 a 28 dias). No período de 1 a 7 dias, as aves receberam dietas contendo 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% e 20% de ovo em pó e de 8 a 28 dias de idade as aves foram distribuídas em um arranjo fatorial 2x5 (2 níveis de ovo em pó - 0% e 5% - e os 5 níveis da fase anterior). No período de 1 a 7 dias as aves do tratamento controle apresentaram melhor ganho de peso e as aves alimentadas com dietas contendo 20% de ovo em pó apresentaram menor ganho de peso e pior conversão alimentar. As aves deste mesmo tratamento apresentaram também menor peso e comprimento do intestino. Na segunda fase (8 a 28 dias) não houve interação entre os tratamentos estudados. O desempenho, peso e comprimento do intestino não foram afetados pelos tratamentos, ocorrendo apenas maior peso do coração em aves que receberam ovo em pó nesta fase. Os resultados obtidos demonstram ser economicamente inviável a utilização de ovo em pó na dietas de frangos de corte no período de 1 a 28 dias e pela falta de resposta que este ingrediente promove no desempenho da ave.

A experiment was conducted to study the addition of dried whole eggs (DWE) in broilers diets from 1 to 28 days of age in two phases (1to 7 and 8 to 28 days). From 1 to 7 days the birds received the diets with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% DWE and from 8 to 28 days of age the birds were assigned in a factorial arrangement 2x5 (2 levels of DWE - 0% and 5% - and the five previous levels). From 1 to 7 days of age birds fed control diet without DWE showed better weight gain and those fed the highest level of DWE showed the worst feed conversion. In the second phase (8 to 28 days) no interaction was found between treatments and also performance, gut weight and gut length were not affected by treatments. The results obtained suggest that the addition of DWE does not results in beneficial effects in broiler diets.

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar os efeitos do tamanho da partícula do fosfato bicálcico (fina ou granulada) e dos níveis de fósforo total sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte e sobre os teores de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio dos ossos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x2 com 3 níveis de fósforo total (0,5%; 0,6% e 0,7%) e duas granulometrias de fosfato bicálcico (fina e granulada). Foram utilizados 300 pintos de corte com um dia de idade, machos, da linhagem Cobb, alojados em baterias metálicas em 6 tratamentos com 5 repetições de 10 aves, totalizando 30 gaiolas dispostas em 6 baterias de 5 andares cada. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso do fosfato granulado resultou em melhor desempenho dos animais. Aves alimentadas com o nível de 0,5% de fósforo total apresentaram o pior desempenho, sendo que o nível de 0,6% proporcionou melhor desempenho das aves. As diferentes granulometrias do fosfato, não diferiram estatisticamente quanto a percentagem de matéria mineral, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio nos ossos.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of particle size of dicalcium phosphate (fine or granulated) and of the levels of total phosphorus on the performance of broilers and levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium of the bones. Three hundred one-day chicks, males, Cobb strain, were used in an experimental design involving six treatments in a factorial arrangement 2x3 (2 particles size of dicalcium phosphate and 3 phosphorus levels of 0,5%, 0,6% e 0,7%). It was concluded that the addition of granulated dicalcium phosphate resulted in a better performance. The level of 0,5% total phosphorus depressed body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion and level 0,6% showed better performance. Total bone ash and bone calcium were not affected by treatments, however, better bone phosphorus was found when the broilers received the diet with 0,7% total phosphorus. Particle size did not influence the content of ash, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels of the bone.