ABSTRACT. Emulsifiers in animal diets are an interesting and effective strategy for nutritionists to improve the digestion of dietary lipids and, consequently, provide better performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of diets with emulsifier based on mono- and diglycerides (120 g t-1 of feed) associated with different energy levels (2,775; 2,725; 2,675 and 2,625 kcal of metabolizable energy kg-1 of feed) on performance and egg quality of Hisex Brown laying hens. The laying hens were distributed in 50 experimental plots with eight birds each. A completely randomized design with five treatments and ten replicates/treatments was used. The treatments in this study were: control diet (C) with 2,775 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) kg-1 of feed; C + E: diet C supplemented with an emulsifier (E) at 120 g t-1 of feed; diet C with reduction of 50 kcal ME and supplemented with E (NC50 + E); diet C with reduction of 100 kcal ME and supplemented with E (NC100 + E); and diet C with reduction of 150 kcal ME and supplemented with E (NC150 + E). All diets had the same inclusion level of degummed soybean oil (2%). There was no influence of the treatments on the performance and quality of the eggs (p >0.05). The current study has shown that diets supplemented with emulsifiers based on mono- and diglycerides (120 g t-1) allows reducing the metabolizable energy level up to 150 kcal kg-1 of feed, without impairment on performance and egg quality of Hisex Brown laying hens.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to evaluate the supplementation of yellow natural pigment levels based on Marigold Flower extract (2%) and yellow synthetic pigment (Carophyll Yellow 10%) in sorghum-based rations for commercial laying hens and their influence on bird performance and egg quality. A completely randomized design was adopted with 5 treatments, 6 replicates, and 5 laying hens in each repetition. The treatments evaluated were: Sorghum based diet without supplementation with pigmentant - Negative Control; 150 g t-1 of Yellow Natural Pigment feed; 300 g t-1 of yellow natural pigment feed; 450 g t-1 of yellow natural pigment feed; 25 g t-1 of yellow industrial pigment feed. The Tukey test was applied at 5% for the analysis of the variables of performance and quality of the eggs. The variables related to external and internal egg quality and poultry yield performance did not present significant results (p > 0.05). Only the variable color of the yolk obtained significance (p < 0.01), with an increase according to the number of pigments included in the diet. Sorghum can be used together supplementation of natural and synthetic pigments in the diet to improve yolk pigmentation. It is recommended to include 450g t-1 of natural marigold flower pigment feed (2%) in sorghum-based diets for better pigmentation of the yolk in place of 25 g t-1 of yellow synthetic pigmented, by improving the color of the yolk and not interfering in the productive performance of the laying hens and the quality of the eggs.

ABSTRACT We intended to evaluate the influence of supplementation with biocomplexed minerals on the performance and carcass characteristics of Label Rouge broilers of both sexes, as well as on the feed efficiency and feed costs. The experimental design was completely randomized arranged in factorial scheme (3×2) – three experimental diets (control, 0.50 ppm of selenium, and 0.40 ppm of chromium) and two sexes (male and female). Each treatment was composted of three plots, each one represented by 21 birds. The average weight (g/bird), weight gain (g/bird), feed intake (g/bird), and feed conversion in periods of 1 to 7, 1 to 21, 1 to 35, 1 to 49, 1 to 63, and 1 to 90 days were calculated. Weight and yield of carcass and cuts were determined. Both average feed cost (AFC, R$/bird) and cost per kg of weight gain (CWG, R$/kg weight gain) as well as economic efficiency index (EEI) were estimated. There was no influence of the diet on performance, carcass characteristics, and feed costs of the birds. The males presented higher means of average weight (3819.2 g/bird), weight gain (3780.9 g/bird), feed intake (11030.2 g/bird), and better feed conversion index (2.9) in the period of 1 to 90 days, besides presenting higher values of live weight at slaughter (3740.2 g), carcass weight (3117.5 g) and carcass yield (83.4%), breast weight (832.4 g), thigh weight (432.5 g), and thigh yield (13.9%); the females presented higher breast yield values (28.1%). The males presented higher AFC and lower CWG. The addition of minerals in the diet does not change performance, carcass characteristics and feed costs. The males present better performance and better carcass characteristics, in addition to being economically more viable.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o desempenho de frangos coloniais machos alimentados com ração suplementada com probiótico comercial (Calsporin ®). Foram utilizados 210 pintos de corte machos da linhagem Label Rouge, e foram criados em galpão experimental até os 30 dias de idade. Estas aves tiveram livre acesso aos piquetes de Tifton-85 (Cynodon spp.) dos 31 aos 90 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, dois tratamentos, um contendo ração suplementada com probiótico Bacillus subtillis (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) e outro sem suplementação, com dez repetições cada, constando 21 aves/repetição. Foram avaliados o peso corporal médio (PM), ganho de peso (GP), consumo de ração (CR), conversão alimentar (CA), mortalidade e viabilidade. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste F a 5% de significância. A adição do probiótico (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) na dieta de frangos Label Rouge não interferiu nas variáveis GP, PM, e CA no período total de 1 a 90 dias (P>0,05); a variável CMR diferiu (P<0,05), sendo maior o consumo em aves recebendo a dieta com o probiótico. A inclusão de probiótico na ração de frangos caipiras não melhorou o desempenho produtivo das aves possivelmente devido a um baixo desafio por microorganismos patogênicos nos ambientes em que foram criados.

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of male colonial chickens fed diet supplemented with commercial probiotic (Calsporin ®). A total of 210 male chicks Label Rouge lineage were used and they were raised in experimental shed up to 30 days old. These birds had free access to the pickets of Tifton-85, from 31-90 days of age. The experimental design was completely randomized, two treatments, one containing feed supplemented with probiotic Bacillus subtillis (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) and another one without it, with ten replications per treatment, consisting of 21 chickens/replication. The mean of body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FC), mortality and viability were evaluated. The data were submitted to variance analysis and the averages of the treatments were compared by the F-test at 5% of significance. The addition of probiotic (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) in the diet of Label Rouge broilers did not interfere in the MW, WG, and FC variables in the total period from 1 to 90 days (P>0.05); the MFI variable differed (P <0.05), with higher consumption in chickens receiving the diet with the probiotic. The inclusion of probiotic in the wild-type chicken ration did not improve the productive performance of poultries possibly due to a low challenge by pathogenic microorganisms in the environments in which they were raised.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o rendimento de carcaça e pH intestinal de frangos coloniais machos criados em piquetes com Tifton- 85, alimentados com ração suplementada com probiótico comercial. Foram utilizados 210 pintos de corte de um dia, machos, da linhagem Pescoço Pelado, criados em boxes experimentais em galpão convencional até os 30 dias de idade, e de 30 a 90 dias tiveram acesso a piquetes de Tifton-85 (Cynodonspp.). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos (ração convencional e ração convencional suplementada com probiótico “Bacillus subtillis DSM 15.544”) e cinco repetições, contendo 21 aves por tratamentos. As variáveis de rendimento da carcaça avaliadas foram peso vivo aos 90 dias (PV), peso de carcaça (com pé, pescoço e cabeça), peso da carcaça (sem pé, pescoço e cabeça), coxa, sobrecoxa, peito, asas, vísceras comestíveis,vísceras não comestíveis, gordura abdominale o pH dos compartimentos do trato gastrointestinal (papo, duodeno, jejuno, íleo, proventrículo, moela, ceco). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste F a 5% de significância. As variáveis de rendimento de carcaça, cortes primários, secundários e pH das vísceras não foram influenciadas (P>0,05) pelos tratamentos com e sem adição de probiótico. Presumiu-se que o desafio sanitário não foi suficiente para demonstrar efeitos do probiótico sobre as variáveis de carcaça e pH dos compartimentos intestinais.

SUMMARY This study had as an objective to evaluate the carcass yield, morphology and intestinal pH of male country hick broilers raised on Tifton-85 pickets, fed with commercial probiotic supplemented ration. A total of 210 one-day-old males broiler's chicken from the Peeled Neck lineage were raised in experimental boxes on a conventional shed until 30 days of age, and from 30 to 90 days of age they had access to Tifton-85 pickets (Cynodonspp.). The carcass yield variables evaluated were live weight at 90 days, carcass weight (with foot, neck and head), carcass weight (without foot, neck and head), thigh, chest, wings, edible viscera, inedible viscera, abdominal fat, pH, length and weight of the gastrointestinal tract compartments (gut, duodenum, jejunum, ileus, proventriculus, gizzard, and cecum). All data went through analysis of variance, and the means of the treatments were compared by the F test with 5% of probability. Variables of carcass yield, primary and secondary cuts, length, weight and pH of gastrointestinal tract compartments were not influenced (P> 0.05) by treatments with and without probiotic addition. Inclusion of 300 g / ton of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DSM 15,544 in broiler's chicken from the Peeled Neck lineage had no influence over the carcass yield, pH and morphology of the gastrointestinal compartments of the birds in the period and levels in the present experiment. The sanitary challenge was not enough to demonstrate the effectiveness of probiotic action.