ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on metabolizable energy, feed digestibility, intestinal morphometric analysis, and antioxidant parameters in broilers. A completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replications of eight broilers (Cobb male) was used, and collections were carried out at 20 and 42 days of age. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improved apparent metabolizable energy but did not change protein and ether extract digestibility. Supplementation increased intestinal villus height and villi:crypt ratio; in which 100 mg/kg produced the greatest villus height. Serum uric acid levels were lower in birds receiving supplementation. Improvement in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase was observed, while lower uric acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improve apparent metabolizable energy and can be administered in broiler feed without risk to the bird’s health. These supplements may serve as alternative products to aid the performance of commercial poultry.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of the enzymes phytase and xylanase, isolated or associated, in the liquid form after feed pelletization could improve energy utilization and digestibility of calcium and phosphorus by broiler chickens. Three experiments were performed using 120 birds each, divided into five treatments with eight replicates per group (n = 3), identified as: experiment 1 (xylanase: control, 1000 IU, 1500 IU, 2000 IU, 2500 IU), experiment 2 (phytase: control, 500 FTU, 1000 FTU, 1500 FTU, 2000 FTU), experiment 3 (xylanase + phytase: control, 3000 IU + 500 FTU, 3000 IU + 1000 FTU, 3000 IU + 1500 FTU, 3000 IU + 2000 FTU). Samples for digestibility tests were collected at 14 to 21 days of age. Therefore, the inclusion of liquid phytase and liquid phytase + xylanase after pelletization in broiler diets has become a relevant way to reduce the inclusion of inorganic P, which can reduce the cost of feed and P excretion in the environment. Furthermore, it is an interesting strategy to avoid enzyme denaturation in the pelleting process.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) and production efficiency index (p < 0.001) in broilers fed vegetable choline, with no differences on body weight (p = 0.372) and weight gain (p = 0.427) among broilers. Carcass, cuts yield, and organ relative weights do not alter (p > 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.