ABSTRACT. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with reduced energy level content, supplemented with carbohydrase, on broiler performance and the coefficient of metabolizability of nutrients. A total of 720 one-day-old male Cobb-500 chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments, eight repetitions of 15 birds each. The treatments were: (1) a positive control, basal diet to meet the requirements of broiler chickens (PC); (2) a negative control, basal diet with a reduction of 80 kcal kg-1 (NC); (3) NC + alphagalactosydase; (4) NC + xylanase; (5) NC + xylanase and alphagalactosydase, and (6) NC + enzymatic blend (alphagalactosydase, xylanase, pectinase and amylase). The nutrient digestibility was not improved by use of enzymes. At 7 days of age, the broilers which were fed diets supplemented with enzymes showed a lower feed intake (FI) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the broilers fed on PC. Both the NC and enzymatic blend resulted in a worse performance of the broilers at 21, 35 and 42 days old. The use of alphagalactosydase and xylanase, isolated or in combination, in a corn-soybean meal-based diet is effective in improving the growth performance of broilers fed energy-reduced diets.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds (SGE) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry. A total of 300 one-day-old male Cobb-500® broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (basal diet supplemented with 120 mg vitamin E/kg and basal diet supplemented with 0, 600, 800, or 1,000 mg SGE/kg) and six replicates of ten birds each. Performance was evaluated at seven and 21 days of age; digestibility of nutrients was determined by total excreta collection from 18 to 21 days of age; and histomorphometry of the small intestine was assessed at 21 days of age. Broilers fed diets supplemented with SGE or vitamin E had higher body weight and weight gain and better feed conversion than those fed unsupplemented diet at seven days of age. At the same age, there was a quadratic effect of SGE levels on body weight and weight gain, with better weights for 715 and 716 mg SGE/kg, respectively; and a decreasing linear effect for feed conversion. At 21 days of age, body weight and weight gain increased linearly with the inclusion of SGE in diet. Digestibility of feed nutrients was not influenced by treatments. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 800 or 1,000 mg SGE/kg had greater villus height and villus:crypt ratio of the duodenum than those fed unsupplemented diet. Villus height in the jejunum of broilers fed diet supplemented with 600 mg SGE/kg was lower than that of broilers that received vitamin E. Guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds can be used in diets for broilers in the starter phase, considering that the extract increases weight gain, reduces feed conversion, and helps in the development of the intestinal mucosa.

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry of broilers fed diet supplemented with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. The experiment was carried out with 320 male broiler chicks distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2×2 factorial scheme (0 and 0.1% chondroitin sulfate and 0 and 0.3% glucosamine sulfate), with eight replications of 10 birds. Performance was evaluated at 7 and 21 days of age, nutrient digestibility of the diet was performed from 18 to 21 days of age, and small intestine histomorphometry was evaluated at 21 days of age. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 0.3% glucosamine sulfate showed high final weight and weight gain. A significant interaction was observed between sulfates for digestibility coefficients of nitrogen, mineral matter, and calcium. The use of 0.1% chondroitin sulfate without glucosamine sulfate resulted in a reduced digestibility of nitrogen but increased digestibility of total minerals and calcium. Diets without chondroitin sulfate with 0.3% glucosamine sulfate increased the digestibility coefficients of mineral matter and calcium. A significant interaction was found for jejunum villus height, which was higher in broilers fed diet supplemented with 0.3% glucosamine sulfate, regardless of the inclusion of chondroitin sulfate. Thus, supplementation with glucosamine sulfate in broiler diets contributes to high weight gain and villus height. Sulfates used in isolation promote high digestibility of minerals.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to investigate the antioxidant capacity of the guava agroindustrial waste as a functional additive in broiler feed to improve the performance and meat quality of boilers. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments and six replicates with 12 birds. Treatments included different levels of guava byproduct in the feed: 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%. We evaluated the performance of broilers at 7 and 21 days old. At 21 days old, two birds from each experimental unit were euthanized for intestine histologic evaluation (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and breast and deboned thigh samples were collected for analyzes of pH, colorimetry (L*, a*, and b*), and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS). The use of guava byproduct in the diet at 7 days old did not affect feed intake and feed conversion of the birds. However, the body weight and weight gain increased linearly with the inclusion of the byproduct. At 21 days old, the guava byproduct did not depress the performance of birds. There was no effect of treatments on villus height, crypt depth, and villus:crypt ratio of the duodenum and jejunum of the birds. The inclusion of guava byproduct resulted in lower crypt depth and linear increase in villus:crypt ratio of the ileum. There was no significant difference in pH and colorimetry of the breast and thigh. With increasing inclusion of byproduct, TBARS value was reduced to 0.72%, indicating greater lipid stability in thigh meat in this inclusion amount. Guava byproduct can be used as an alternative antioxidant additive in broiler feed because it does not depress the productive performance and improves thigh meat quality of boilers.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da substituição do milho pelo sorgo sobre o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e composição dos cortes nobres em codornas para corte. Foram alojadas 1.200 codornas de corte, fêmeas de um dia de idade até os 42 dias, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, composto de quatro tratamentos, com seis repetições cada, sendo que, em cada gaiola, foram alojadas 50 codornas. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro níveis de substituição do milho pelo sorgo (0, 40, 60 e 100% de sorgo). Todas as aves foram pesadas para obtenção do ganho de peso. A conversão alimentar foi calculada pela relação entre o consumo de ração e o ganho de peso, considerando o peso das aves mortas. A mortalidade era registrada diariamente e calculada ao final de cada semana. Aos 42 dias, as aves foram abatidas e obtidos os rendimentos de carcaça, coxa+sobrecoxa e peito. Para os cortes de peito e coxa+sobrecoxa, foram realizadas análises de matéria mineral, extrato etéreo e proteína bruta. Não se observaram diferenças significativas nas variáveis de desempenho, rendimento e composição de cortes. Conclui-se que o sorgo grão moído pode substituir totalmente o milho em rações para codornas de corte, pois não compromete os índices de desempenho, rendimento e qualidade nutricional da carcaça.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing corn with sorghum in feed on performance, carcass yield, and composition of specialized meat cuts in quails. A total of 1200, 1-day-old female quails were raised up to 42 days of age. The completely randomized design consisted of four treatments with six replicates each and with 50 quails in each cage. Treatments consisted of four levels of sorghum replacement in the diet (0, 40, 60, and 100% sorghum). All birds were weighed to assess the weight gain. Feed conversion was calculated as the relationship between feed intake and weight gain. Mortality was reported daily and calculated at the end of each week. At 42 days, the birds were slaughtered and the carcass, thigh and drumstick, and breast yields were assessed. Mineral matter, ether extract, and crude protein analyses were performed using breast cuts and thigh + drumstick cuts. No significant differences were noted in cut performance, yield, or composition. Thus, it can be concluded that the ground grain sorghum can entirely replace corn in quail feed, as it does not negatively affect carcass performance, yield, and nutritional quality.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de milheto e óleo de milho em dietas a base de sorgo sobre o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e de cortes nobres (asas, peito, coxa e sobrecoxa) e peso relativo das vísceras comestíveis (moela, coração e fígado) de frangos de corte. Foram alojadas 684 aves, sendo 342 de cada sexo, da linhagem Hubbard Flex. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualisado, composto pelas dietas: A) sorgo+farelo de soja/óleo de soja (controle), B) sorgo+farelo de soja/óleo de milho e C) sorgo+farelo de soja/milheto+óleo de soja. Cada dieta experimental foi avaliada em seis repetições de 38 aves cada (19 machos e 19 fêmeas). Aos 14, 21, 35 e 42 dias de idade das aves, avaliou-se o consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e viabilidade. Aos 42 dias, foi obtido o peso vivo, rendimento de carcaça e de cortes nobres, além do peso relativo das vísceras comestíveis. A inclusão de milheto ou óleo de milho nas dietas não alterou nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Concluiu-se que, em dietas a base de sorgo para frangos de corte, o milheto e o óleo de milho podem ser adicionados sem comprometer a produtividade das aves.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effects of millet and corn oil additions to sorghum-based diets on the performance, carcass yields and prime cuts (i.e., wings, breasts, thighs and drumsticks) and the relative weights of edible offal (i.e., gizzard, heart, and liver) of broiler chickens. A total of 684 Hubbard Flex chickens, including 342 broilers of each sex, were housed. The design was completely randomized, and the following diets were supplied: A) sorghum and soybean meal + soybean oil (control); B) sorghum and soybean meal + corn oil; and C) sorghum and soybean meal + millet and soybean oil. Six replicates with 38 birds each (19 males and 19 females) were evaluated regarding each experimental diet. At 14, 21, 35 and 42 days of age, the feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and viability of the chickens were evaluated. At 42 days, the live weight, carcass yield, prime cuts and relative weight of the edible offal were measured. The dietary inclusion of either millet or corn oil did not affect any of the parameters. In conclusion, additions of millet and corn oil to sorghum-based diets of broilers do not compromise poultry performance.