ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of including an emulsifier (soybean lecithin) and two lipid sources (soybean oil and chicken fat) on the performance and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 576 one-day-old Cobb® 500 male chicks were housed in a completely randomized design, with treatments divided in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (with and without emulsifier and two lipid sources – soybean oil or chicken fat), totaling four treatments with eight replications and 18 chicks per plot. The experimental diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic. The use of chicken fat improved the live weight at the starter rearing stage. However, the use of the emulsifier improved the live weight at the grower and finisher phases. No interaction effect was observed between treatments for performance. The intestinal morphology showed an increase in duodenal villus height with the use of chicken fat and emulsifier. The ileum had an increase in villus height in chickens fed the diet with soybean oil and emulsifier. Supplementation of the emulsifier resulted in positive results in the live weight of chickens at 35 and 42 days of age, in addition to increasing the villus height in the small intestine. lecithin 57 onedayold one day old Cobb 50 design fat, , 1 plot isoproteic stage However phases 3 4 age intestine 5

ABSTRACT. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of protease addition to the diet of broilers at a higher level (1× or 2×) than the nutritional value proposed for the enzyme. The first experiment, 1280 day-old chicks (Cobb500®) were randomly allocated (randomized block design, 2×2+1 factorial arrangement), five treatments, eight replicates containing 32 birds/replicate. Treatments consisted: control diet without protease (CD); CD + 1× nutritional value of the enzyme (CDM1); CD + 2× nutritional value of the enzyme (CDM2); CDM1 + protease; and CDM2 + protease. The experimental period was 42 days. The mean weight (AFW), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion, and carcass yield were evaluated. Significant differences were observed for AFW, WG, FI, abdominal fat yield, and feet percentage in the carcass. In the second experiment, 120 Cobb500® chicks at 14 days of age were allotted in a completely randomized design, 2×2+1 factorial arrangement, five treatments, six replicates with four birds/replicate. The treatments were consistent with the first experiment. Significant improvements in the nitrogen balance were observed for the broilers that received protease. The use of the enzyme tested is recommended with the recommended nutritional matrix, improving the zootechnical indices of broilers. ABSTRACT 1 (1 2 experiment 128 dayold day old Cobb500 Cobb (Cobb500® design 221 2×2+ arrangement , arrangement) 3 birdsreplicate birds replicate birds/replicate consisted (CD) CDM (CDM1) (CDM2) 4 AFW (AFW) FI (FI) WG (WG) conversion evaluated 12 matrix ( Cobb50 (Cobb500 22 2×2 (CD (CDM1 (CDM2 (AFW (FI (WG Cobb5 (Cobb50 (CDM (Cobb5 (Cobb

RESUMO: A qualidade da casca está diretamente ligada à boa aceitabilidade do produto pelos consumidores, enquanto a indústria se preocupa com as perdas econômicas. Períodos prolongados de postura, doenças, nutrição, idade da ave e genética podem influenciar a qualidade dos ovos. Objetivou-se avaliar a influência do ambiente, idade da ave e período de armazenamento nas características físicas da casca de ovos de poedeiras comerciais. Foram utilizados 288 ovos de poedeiras Hy-line, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em fatorial triplo 3x2x4, sendo os fatores: três idades (31, 62 e 88 semanas), temperatura de armazenamento (ambiente e refrigerado), e quatro períodos de armazenamento (um, 10, 20 e 30 dias), totalizando 24 tratamentos, com quatro repetições de três ovos. Avaliou-se a resistência, percentual e espessura da casca. Foram observadas diferenças, uma vez que os ovos armazenados em temperatura ambiente apresentaram diminuição na resistência de casca. Ovos de poedeiras em idade avançada (88 semanas) apresentaram pior resistência de casca em relação às demais idades, enquanto ovos provenientes de poedeiras jovens (31 semanas) apresentaram maior espessura de casca. A idade avançada da poedeira reduziu a qualidade de casca dos ovos, independentemente do ambiente de armazenamento. Ainda, os ovos armazenados em geladeira apresentaram melhor qualidade e integridade da casca em comparação com os armazenados ao ambiente.

ABSTRACT: Eggshell quality is directly linked to the good acceptability of the product by consumers, whereas the industry is concerned with economic losses. Prolonged periods of laying, diseases, nutrition, bird age and genetics can influence egg quality. This study aimed to examine the influence of the environment, bird age and storage period on the physical characteristics of the shell of eggs from commercial laying hens. The experiment involved 288 eggs from Hy-line hens, which were distributed in a completely randomized design with a triple 3×2×4 factorial arrangement represented by three ages (31, 62 or 88 weeks), two storage temperatures (ambient or refrigerated), and four storage periods (one, 10, 20 or 30 days), totaling 24 treatments. Four replications were used with three eggs each. Eggshell strength, percentage and thickness were measured. Differences were observed, with the eggs stored at room temperature exhibiting lower shell strength. Laying eggs at an advanced age (88 weeks) resulted in decreased eggshell strength as compared with the other ages, whereas the eggs from young layers (31 weeks) had a thicker shell. The advancing age of the laying hens reduced eggshell quality, regardless of the storage environment. Nonetheless, the eggs stored in the refrigerator showed better eggshell quality and integrity than those stored at ambient temperature.

Resumo Uma das pragas que mais afetam e comprometem a produção avícola no mundo é o inseto Alphitobius diaperinus, conhecido como cascudinho. Este inseto é vetor de doenças que comprometem não só a produção de frangos como também a saúde humana. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a eficácia e determinar a dose adequada de Metilxantina (MTX), inseticida natural extraído da cafeína, para o controle da população adulta de cascudinhos em cama de frango. Foram utilizados 2.500 cascudinhos adultos distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, cinco tratamentos, 10 repetições com 50 insetos por repetição. Os tratamentos consistiram de grupo controle e quatro concentrações 14 g/m2, 16 g/m2, 18 g/m2, 20 g/m2 de MTX espalhadas em recipientes plásticos contendo cama de frango reutilizada e ração, alocados em um galpão de frangos de corte a fm de simular a condição de granja. Período experimental foi de 18 dias e realizadas cinco leituras nos dias dois, quatro, seis, 10 e 18. A MTX afetou (P<0,05) a taxa de mortalidade acumulada de cascudinhos, grupos de insetos alojados em caixas tratadas com 16 g/m2 de MTX apresentaram maior mortalidade acumulada (86,6%) ao final do período experimental. Conclui-se que MTX tem ação inseticida sobre adultos de cascudinho, podendo ser utilizada sobre a cama de frango para o controle da população deste inseto em galpões de criação de frangos, a concentração 16 g/MTX/m2 demonstrou maior efetividade.

Abstract One of the pests that most affect and compromise poultry production worldwide is the insect Alphitobius diaperinus, known as the lesser mealworm. This insect is a vector of diseases that compromise not only chicken production but also human health. This study proposes to examine the efficacy and determine the appropriate rate of methylxanthine (MTX), a natural insecticide extracted from cafeine, for the control of an adult population of lesser mealworms in poultry litter. A total of 2,500 adult mealworms were distributed into five treatments in a completely randomized design using 10 replications with 50 insects per replication. The treatments consisted of a control group and four concentrations of MTX (14, 16, 18, and 20 g/m2) spread in plastic boxes containing reused poultry litter and feed, allocated in a broiler shed, to simulate the farm condition. The experimental period was 18 days, and five readings were performed on days 2, 4, 6, 10, and 18. Methylxanthine affected (P<0.05) the mealworms’ cumulative mortality rate, with the groups of insects housed in boxes treated with 16 g /m2 MTX showing the highest cumulative mortality (86.6%) at the end of the experimental period. In conclusion, MTX has insecticidal action on adults of lesser mealworm and can be used on chicken litter to control the population of this insect in poultry sheds. The MTX concentration of 16 g/m2 showed the greatest effectiveness.

ABSTRACT. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of eggs produced by Japanese quails fed with guava extract. A total of 400 eggs collected from the quails fed with experimental diets, were distributed in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement 4 x 4 with main effects including four dietary levels of guava extract (0, 3, 6 and 9 g kg-1) and four storage periods (0, 9, 18 and 27 days) totalizing 16 treatments with five replicates of five eggs. The eggs were produced by Japanese quails, fed with experimental diets. The diets were isonutritive formulated by corn-soybean basis. The eggs were stored for different periods, at the same conditions, to constitute the treatments. The parameters evaluated were egg weight loss (g and %), yolk color, Haugh unit, specific gravity, eggshell thickness and pH of the yolk and albumen. Data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared using Scott-Knott test, using α = 0.05. The specific gravity of fresh eggs was better with the use of 6 g kg-1 of guava extract in the diet. The use of 3 g kg-1 of guava extract resulted in smaller eggshell thickness of fresh eggs. The Haugh unit was affected just by the storage periods. The dietary guava extract (3, 6 or 9 g kg-1) increased the pH of albumen in eggs stored for 27 days. The use of 6 g kg-1 of guava extract in quails diet increase the specific gravity in fresh eggs and increase the yolk color when the eggs are stored.

Resumo Realizou-se um experimento objetivando avaliar a utilização de Neem como antimicrobiano em rações de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 240 pintos de corte, Cobb, com 1 dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, 4 tratamentos, 6 repetições, 10 aves por unidade experimental, o período experimental foi de 21 dias. Os tratamentos consistiram: dieta basal sem inclusão de antimicrobiano; dieta com 0,05% de tilosina; dieta com 0,05% e 0,1% de Neem. Avaliou-se: o desempenho zootécnico, a digestibilidade da ração, contagem intestinal de Salmonella sp. e Escherichia coli, e o desenvolvimento dos órgãos linfoides. Dados de desempenho e metabolização dos nutrientes da ração foram submetidos à ANOVA, médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey, adotou-se α=0,05. Dados de contagem de E. coli foram analisados pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis. O Neem não influenciou as variáveis de desempenho. O coeficiente de metabolizabilidade da matéria seca e extrato etéreo da ração foi melhor com utilização de tilosina (P<0,05). Não se observou crescimento de Salmonella durante o período experimental. A utilização de Neem não reduziu a população de E. coli, e não influenciou no peso dos órgãos linfoides. A utilização do Neem não afetou o desempenho, digestibilidade e microbiota intestinal das aves até 21 dias.

Abstract In the present work, we carried out an experiment aiming at evaluating the use of Neem as an antimicrobial substance in the feeds of broiler chickens. We used 240 one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks distributed in an entirely casual design, with 4 treatments, 6 repetitions and 10 birds per experimental unit, during a 21-day experimental period. Treatments consisted of a basal diet with no antimicrobial inclusion, a diet with 0.05% of tylosin, and a diet with 0.05% and 0.1% of Neem. Parameters evaluated were zootechnical performance, feed digestibility, intestinal count of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli, and the development of lymphoid organs. Data on the performance and metabolization of nutrients were subjected to an ANOVA and averages were compared with a post-hoc Tukey test considering α=0.05. Data on E. coli counts were analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis test. Neem did not influence performance variables. The metabolization coefficient of dry matter and feed ethereal extract was better with tylosin (P<0.05). No growth of Salmonella was observed during the experiment. The use of Neem did not reduce E. coli population and had no influence on lymphoid organs' weight. Therefore, Neem had no effect on the performance, digestibility and intestinal microbiota of birds up to 21 days old.