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.

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.