A trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding an exogenous α-amylase-β-glucanase complex produced from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the growth performance, carcass yield, and relative AME bioequivalence in broilers fed corn-soy diets from 1 to 40 d of age. One thousand seven hundred and fifty one-day-old Cobb x Cobb 500 slow-feathering male broilers were randomly allotted to seven treatments with 10 replicates of 25 birds each as follows: control diet (C); C diet with reduction of 60 (C-60), 90 (C-90), or 120 (C-120) kcal AME/kg; C diet with reduction of 120 kcal AME/kg and supplemented with 200 (C-120-200), 300 (C-120-300), or 400 (C-120-400) mg of the enzyme complex/kg. Each g of the enzyme complex corresponded to 200 kilo-Novo α-amylase and 350 fungal β-glucanase units. On d 40, eight birds were randomly taken from each pen and processed to evaluate carcass and commercial cuts yields. Percent mortality was not affected by the treatments (p > 0.05). Live performance, as indicated by BW gain (BWG) linearly decreased (p < 0.05) and FCR linearly increased with the reduction in AME. Birds fed diets supplemented with the enzyme complex showed weekly improvements in BWG and FCR. There were no effects of the treatments on the yield of the carcass or of commercial cuts; however, abdominal fat was significantly lower (p < 0.0343) in birds fed the C-120-400 compared to the C-120 feeding program (1.67% vs. 1.90%); all other treatments were intermediate. Average AME equivalence of the enzyme complex varied weekly. Estimations for the entire period were 40, 46, and 56 kcal for BWG and 58, 76, and 99 kcal AME/kg for FCR (p < 0.001) for the diets containing 200, 300, and 400 mg enzyme complex/kg, respectively.

Acidulated soy soapstock (ASS) and lecithin (LEC) are by-products from processing soy oil (SO) for human consumption, whereas glycerol (GLY) can be obtained through the transesterification of vegetable oils during the production of biodiesel. These are valuable by-products for poultry feeds that have been underutilized in many parts of the world. One study was conducted to estimate the AMEn of ASS, LEC, GLY as well as of their mixture (MIX: 85% ASS, 5% LEC and 10% GLY). Two hundred and sixty Cobb 500 female broilers of 20 days of age were housed in steel wire battery cages in a controlled temperature room for broilers. A completely randomized (energy sources x fat inclusion level) factorial design was applied, with 4 replicates of three birds per treatment. Birds were fed a corn-soybean meal control diet without supplemental fat or with the addition of 2, 4, or 6 % of the four energy sources. Total excreta collection was performed from 26 to 28 days. The AMEn values of by-products were calculated using regression analysis as well as by the difference method. The average AMEn values calculated by regression analysis were: 9,232, 7,502, 5,447 and 8,404, whereas results with the difference method were: 7,951, 6,579, 3,979 and 8,101 kcal/kg for, in both cases for ASS, LEC, GLY and MIX, respectively. It is concluded that these energy sources can be for broilers and that there are significant differences between the methods used to estimate AMEn of fats.

A study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the combined application of tiamulin (TIA) and salinomycin (SAL) in broiler diets fed from 1 to 42 d of age. One thousand and two hundred Cobb x Cobb 500 male broilers were housed in 48 floor pens and fed corn-soybean meal diets containing 66 ppm of SAL combined or not with TIA at 30 or 20 and 20 or 15 ppm, respectively, in the starter (1-21 d) and grower feeds (22-42 d); however, TIA was withdrawn from the feeds 7 days before slaughter. The experimental design was completely randomized with 3 treatments and 16 replicates of 25 birds each. Broilers were weekly evaluated for live performance whereas carcass yield, abdominal fat and commercial cuts were assessed at 42 d using 6 birds randomly taken from each pen. Results obtained at the end of the study demonstrated that body weight gain was not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatments, whereas feed intake was reduced (P < 0.05) and feed conversion was improved (P < 0.05) for birds on diets containing TIA at 30/20 and 20/15 ppm, respectively. Carcass yield, abdominal fat, and commercial parts were not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatments. Live performance and post-slaughter yields data obtained in this study did not indicate that combinations of TIA with SAL could be detrimental. In fact, an improvement in feed conversion was observed at the lowest dose of TIA.

Organic minerals have been subject of an increasing number of investigations recently. These compounds can be considered the most significant event regarding commercial forms of minerals targeting animal supplementation in the last decades. Minerals, especially metals, are usually supplemented in poultry feeds using cheap saline sources and have never required a lot of attention in terms of quality. On the other hand, definitions of organic minerals are very broad and frequently lead to confusion when decision-making becomes necessary. Organic minerals include any mineral bound to organic compounds, regardless of the type of existing bond between mineral and organic molecules. Proteins and carbohydrates are the most frequent candidates in organic mineral combinations. Organic fraction size and bond type are not limitations in organic mineral definition; however, essential metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn) can form coordinated bonds, which are stable in intestinal lumen. Metals bound to organic ligands by coordinated bonds can dissociate within animal metabolism whereas real covalent bonds cannot. Chelated minerals are molecules that have a metal bound to an organic ligand through coordinated bonds; but many organic minerals are not chelates or are not even bound through coordinated bonds. Utilization of organic minerals is largely dependent on the ligand; therefore, amino acids and other small molecules with facilitated access to the enterocyte are supposed to be better utilized by animals. Organic minerals with ligands presenting long chains may require digestion prior to absorption. After absorption, organic minerals may present physiological effects, which improve specific metabolic responses, such as the immune response. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of metal-amino acid chelates on animal metabolism, but the detection positive effects on live performance is less consistent.

This study investigated the hatching distribution of eggs from broiler breeders of different ages in distinct periods of incubation. Eggs were incubated in a single-stage experimental incubator. A number of 3.510 eggs were distributed into 3 treatments with 13 replicates of 90 eggs each. Treatments corresponded to breeder age: young (34 weeks), intermediate-age (44 weeks) and old (72 weeks) breeders. Eggs were transferred to the hatcher at 432 incubation hours, hatching was first checked at 449 hours, after which the number of hatched chicks was counted every 6 hours up to 515 incubation hours. After each count, hatched chicks were removed from the hatcher. Data were submitted to analysis of variance using measures repeated. A significant interaction between breeder age and incubation time was found. The total period required to hatch all incubated fertile eggs was not influenced by breeder age, which, however, affected hatching distribution. Eggs from old breeders hatched later as compared to young and intermediate-age breeders. More than 71% of the eggs had already hatched at 485 incubation hours, and 94% at 491 hours. Eggs laid by old breeders presented higher infertility and total embryo mortality, resulting in lower hatching percentage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of ascorbic acid (AA) and citric flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) on the performance and meat quality characteristics of broilers submitted to cyclic heat stress. Four-hundred one-day-old female Ross 308 were housed in 40 battery cages a in temperature controlled room. Treatments consisted of 0, 250, 500, and 1000 g/ton on of AA + citric flavonoids. Birds were fed ad libitum until 32 day of age. Beginning on day 14 post-hatch until the end of the experiment, in order to simulate cyclic heat stress, the temperature inside the room was increased to 32°C for 5 hours, and decreased until reaching the comfort temperature corresponding to the age of the animals. Birds were slaughtered at 33 days of age, and carcass and commercial cuts yields were determined. Thighs and boneless breast samples were collected and frozen for subsequent analyses of pH, cooking loss, shear force, color, and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS). Significant differences (p <0.05) were found for feed efficiency from 1 to 7 days of age, with the best values for the birds fed 0 and 250 g/ton on of AA + citric flavonoids. At the end of the experiment, there were no differences in other performance variables, carcass and parts yields, pH, shear force, color and TBARS. The meat of the birds supplemented with 250 g/ton on of product presented the lowest cooking loss.

This research included two studies evaluating the live performance of broilers fed Sangrovit® (minimum of 1.5% sanguinarine, a quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid extracted from Macleaya cordata). Both studies were conducted using Ross 308 female broiler chicks. Birds were fed corn-soybean meal all-vegetable diets without growth promoters with 5 treatments and 8 replications in each study. In the first study, treatments were composed of a Negative Control without feed additive and four diets with graded increases of Sangrovit of 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50 ppm. In the second study, chicks received a similar diet from placement to 21 days of age and subsequently were given feeds with graded reductions in crude protein (CP) as follow: a Negative Control with 19.7% CP without sanguinarine, and then 19.7, 19.2, 18.8 and 18.3% CP supplemented with Sangrovit at 20 ppm. It was demonstrated that body weight was increased when birds were fed 50 ppm of Sangrovit at 21 d when compared to the Negative Control. Also comparatively to the Negative Control, cumulative feed conversion was improved for birds fed with Sangrovit at 37.5 ppm as well as feed intake from placement to 7 days at 12.5 ppm. No differences were observed in feed intake. Birds supplemented with Sangrovit and 18.8% CP had similar body weight gain and feed intake as the Negative Control with 19.7% CP. Mortality in both studies was not correlated with the treatments. Results from both studies indicate benefits of the supplementation of Sangrovit in diets for broilers.

The present study had the objective of investigating the performance of broilers housed immediately after hatching or after a 12 or 24 hour of post-hatching holding time. One thousand and six hundred male Ross 308 broiler chicks with an initial body weight of 46 grams were used. These chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with 5 treatments and 8 replications of 35 birds in each treatment. The treatments in this study consisted of the removal of chicks from the hatchery in three different times: after 480, 492 and 504 hours of incubation. In each one of these times, 280 chicks were removed from the hatchery and immediately housed. Another group of an identical number of chicks of each time remained in the hatchery to be housed at 504 hours after hatching. The chick group corresponding to those hatched at 480 and 492 hours performed better until 7 days. However, no differences in body weight or body weight gain were observed at the end of the study. Feed efficiency, however was worse for the birds hatched and placed at 480 hours. There were no differences among treatments for mortality.

A study was conducted to compare live performance and digestive metabolism of broiler chickens fed all-vegetable diets (All-Veg) compared to a regular diet including animal by-products. Three feeds were formulated and provided to broilers according to the feeding program: pre-starter from 1 to 10 days, starter from 11 to 21 days, and grower from 21 to 35 days. All feeds had corn and soybean meal as major ingredients; however, two of them were all-vegetable diets having either Degummed Soybean Oil (DSO) or Acidulated Soybean Soapstock (ASS) as fat sources. The third diet included poultry by-product and poultry fat. A total number of 360 day-old broiler chicks were allocated to 1m² battery cages, 10 chicks in each, and 12 replicates per treatment. Live performance was similar between groups of birds receiving the different diets with the exception of weight gain, which was increased for birds fed the All-Veg diet with ASS. Birds fed All-Veg diets had increased water intake and produced more excreta with a concurrent reduced feed metabolizability at both ages, regardless of fat source. Metabolizable Energy was not different for the three diets.

This study aimed to evaluate broiler responses to increases in feed energy (2,870, 3,000 and 3,100 kcal ME/kg) and the inclusion of Acidulated Soybean Soapstock (ASS) when compared to Degummed Soybean Oil (DSO) in feeds from placement to 7 days of age. From 7 to 42 days ASS or DSO were included in diets that contained similar energy and nutrient levels. Metabolizable energy values used to formulate the diets for ASS and DSO were 8,351 and 7,701 kcal ME/kg in the first week and 9,314 and 8,559 kcal ME/kg afterwards, respectively. Diets were based on corn and soybean meal and were fed to 1,600 one-d-old male broiler chicks randomly placed in 40 floor pens. No differences in performance due to fat source were seen at 7 days. However, the increase in energy levels to 3,100 kcal ME/kg reduced feed intake, whereas feed conversion was improved with energy at 3,000 kcal ME/kg. Live performance, and the yields of carcass and commercial cuts were not affected by the type of fat included in the feeds from 7 to 42 days, except for increased body weight at 21 and 35 days with ASS supplementation. Litter moisture at 7, 21, 35 and 42 days was not affected by any of the factors and there were no residual effects of treatments at 21, 35 and 42 days of age. On the other hand, body weight at 35 days was affected by the interaction of diets fed in the first week with those provided afterwards. The results showed that ME values used for DSO and ASS are adequate and that ASS may be used as fat source in broiler feeds from placement to 42 days of age.

Broiler chicks from one incubator hatch within long periods of time, which leads to dehydration and reduction in yolk sac reserves of those chicks that have hatched earlier and potentially impairs early performance. The present research investigated the hatching distribution at intervals of incubation using eggs of different weights within one breeder age or eggs from widely different breeder ages. Eggs from breeders at 27 and 59 weeks of age (54 and 69 g) and from breeders at 40 weeks of age, which were graded as light (58 g) and heavy (73 g), were placed in a commercial incubator. There were a total of 1,184 eggs distributed in four treatments and eight replicates: eggs from 27-week-old breeders (27B), eggs from 59-week-old breeders (59B), light eggs from 40-week-old breeders (40BL) and heavy eggs from 40-week-old breeders (40BH). Replicates were comprised of 37 eggs that were placed in each incubator tray. The treatments were physically separated from each other using a plate. Eggs were transferred to a hatcher after 432 hours of incubation and the first chick hatched at 449 hours of incubation. Afterwards, the number of completely hatched chicks from each replicate was recorded at six-hour intervals until 503 hours of incubation, when the hatchings stopped. Hatched chicks were removed from the trays after each measurement. Data were submitted to an analysis of variance with repeated measures. There was a significant interaction between breeder age and incubation length. The hatching onset of eggs from the old breeders was later compared to young breeders. Hatchability (%incubated eggs) was lower for the old breeders; however, differences in hatchability as a percentage of the hatched eggs were not so evident. Complete hatchability occurred only at 503 hours of incubation; however, more than 90% eggs had hatched 18 hours earlier.

O produto comercialmente chamado "óleo ácido de soja", resulta da acidificação da borra residual do processo de refino do óleo de soja. Este tem sido muito utilizado na indústria de rações animais, ainda que com vários questinamentos a cerca de sua eficiência, tais como a adulteração com outros ácidos graxos de baixo valor nutricional, nível de peroxidação, presença de impurezas, e valores energéticos não confiáveis. Neste estudo, foi avaliado o desempenho de frangos de corte consumindo dietas contendo óleo de soja ou óleo ácido de soja nos níveis de 4 e 8% ou a mistura das duas fontes em partes iguais de 2 e 4% cada. Essas dietas foram fornecidas para frangos de corte alojados em baterias climatizadas a partir dos 7 dias de idade. As aves que receberam misturas equivalentes de óleo ácido de soja e óleo de soja apresentaram menor peso corporal no final do experimento (aos 42 dias) quando comparadas com aquelas que consumiram apenas óleo ou óleo ácido de soja, independentemente do nível adicionado. O nível de inclusão de óleo de soja ou óleo ácido de soja não influenciou o peso final das aves. Foi verificado maior consumo de ração pelos animais que receberam dietas de menor nível de inclusão, o que contribuiu para piorar a conversão alimentar dos mesmos. O óleo ácido de soja demonstrou ser uma fonte energética alternativa de alto potencial econômico para uso em dietas comerciais para frangos de corte, apresentando valor energético de 8.114 kcal EMAn/kg de MS, valor 5% inferior ao determinado para o óleo de soja degomado.

Acidulated soapstock, a by-product from the vegetable oil industry has been widely used in poultry nutrition. It is produced by the acid treatment of the residue left after refining vegetable oils. Several concerns exist on the use of this product, such as: adulteration, peroxidation, impurity, and uncertain energetic value. The current experiment focused on the use of the acidulated soapstock in broiler feeds compared with soybean oil. Feeds formulated with 4 and 8% added acidulated soapstock or soybean oil or their mixture in the ratios of 2 : 2 and 4 : 4 % were given to 7 day-old broiler chicks to 42 days of age placed in heated batteries. Birds receiving the diets with acidulated soapstock plus soybean oil had lower body weight at the end of the experiment when compared with birds on the treatments exclusively prepared with acidulated soapstock or soybean oil. This response was independent of the level of oil inclusion. Birds on the lower inclusion level consumed more feed, regardless of the oil source and showed poorer feed conversions, but did not show reduction in body weight when compared to the higher level of inclusion. Acidulated soapstock demonstrated an excellent potential as an energy supplement to be used in broiler feeds and had its energetic value determined as 8.114 kcal EMAn/kg DM, 5% below the value determined for soybean oil.

O uso de linhas genéticas de diferentes fontes comerciais em programas de reprodução de frangos de corte permite produzir gerações comerciais mais bem adaptadas a realidades diversas e otimizar os potenciais de desempenho do frango de corte com os da reprodutora. Entretanto, a prática predominante no Brasil é o uso de pais e mães de mesma origem. O uso de bebedouros tipo "nipple" vem sendo difundido com a perspectiva de gerar benefícios ainda não comprovados inteiramente na prática. Esse estudo avaliou a evolução dos órgãos da digestão, o desempenho vivo e o rendimento de carcaça e das partes de frangos de corte de diferentes cruzamentos entre reprodutores machos de diversos cruzamentos entre linhagens comerciais (R, I, S, e H) com fêmeas também de origem variável (R, I, e H) em sistemas de produção com bebedouros pendular ou nipple. As aves dos diferentes cruzamentos apresentaram curvas de crescimento com diferentes intensidades em momentos distintos, determinando desempenhos em peso vivo sempre superiores para o cruzamento RR. O rendimento de peito, entretanto, foi maior para o cruzamento IH. O cruzamento SH, de mais baixo peso corporal, evidenciou rendimentos de carcaça inferiores a todos os demais. O tipo de bebedouro não influenciou nenhum resultado de desempenho vivo ou de rendimento de carcaça, independentemente da linhagem. Os órgãos da digestão apresentaram proporções do peso vivo decrescentes com a idade, mas não evidenciaram efeito de cruzamento entre linhagens ou tipo de bebedouro.

Breeding programs using parents from different genetic companies allow the production of commercial generations of broilers directed to attend diverse market situations, but they also serve to optimize the performance of the breeder female. However, this is not a current practice in Brazil where most of the commercial broilers being raised are originated from crosses within the same genetic company. The use of nipple drinkers in broiler houses has increased in the last few years; however, practical benefits have not been proved yet. This study evaluated the development of the digestive organs, live performance and carcass and cut up yields from broilers originated of the crossing between breeder males from four commercial strains (R, I, S, and H) with females also from various origins (R, I, and H) raised in pens with bell or nipple drinkers. Birds’ growth curves varied with strain cross and led to better body weight at marketing for the RR strain cross. Breast yield, however, was better for the cross IH. The SH strain cross showed a consistently lower body weight and carcass yield at all ages. The type of drinker did not affect any measured response regardless of the strain cross. Strain crosses or type of drinkers did not affect development of the digestive organs.

A emergência da casca marca o final do período de incubação das aves. Esse período pode ter extremos que vão de 480 a 510 horas em galinhas domésticas. As aves precociais nascem com reservas nutricionais provenientes do albúmen e gema residuais contidos no saco vitelino, que são importantes nas primeiras horas de vida enquanto ocorre a adaptação à alimentação independente, com recursos obtidos no meio ambiente. Aparentemente, os pintainhos de corte não apresentam restrições significativas com relação à utilização dos nutrientes obtidos externamente. Uma exceção, de importância questionável, pode ser a possível redução na capacidade de emulsificação das gorduras devido a uma menor concentração de sais biliares momentaneamente disponíveis. Entretanto, o imediato alojamento com disponibilização de alimento e água acelera a adaptação das aves à vida independente e tem reflexos positivos no desempenho posterior. Atrasos no alojamento, seja ainda na câmara de eclosão, transporte ou manejo dos pintinhos, reduzem o potencial de síntese protéica muscular, especialmente na musculatura do peito. Por muitos anos, os produtores de frangos de corte têm usado programas nutricionais que incluem uma mesma dieta da eclosão até as 3 semanas de idade. Recentemente, tem havido um aumento no interesse comercial por uma dieta especializada que contemple as diferenças de adaptação dos primeiros dias de vida das aves. A existência de diferenças entre exigências nutricionais das aves nessa situação com relação a animais mais maduros é ainda uma incógnita, tendo em vista o volume pequeno de informações disponíveis.

The emergence from the shell delineates the end of a period of incubation with extremes between 480 to 510 hours after the chicken lays the egg. Precocial birds hatch with a yolk sac attached containing residual albumen and yolk. These reserves are very important in the first hours after hatching while the birds adapt to the independent feeding with resources originating from the external environment. Apparently, the post-hatched bird does not have important restrictions to utilize nutrients obtained externally. One possible exception is the reduced ability for fat emulsification due to lower availability o bile salts. However, placing the birds as soon as they hatch accelerates adaptation to the independent life that leads to improved performance. Delaying bird placement in the house reduces the overall potential for protein deposition, especially in the breast muscle. Traditional broiler feeding programs use one feed from hatching to 3 weeks. There is an increasing interest for a diet elaborated to compensates for the uniqueness of the first days of birds lives. Differences in nutrient requirements between the post-hatching chick and more mature birds seem to be obvious. However, the information available on this subject is scarce which makes the proposed commercial pre-starter diets be very conflicting.