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. 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 Objetivou-se avaliar parâmetros reprodutivos e o desempenho de diferentes grupos genéticos de codornas japonesas com diferentes pesos iniciais de produção. O delineamento experimental utilizado para os dados de desempenho zootécnico das aves foi inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (três linhagens: UEM1, UEM2 e Comercial (COM), e duas classes de peso: leves e pesadas), totalizando seis tratamentos, com oito repetições cada, portanto 48 parcelas. Cada parcela continha oito aves (dois machos e seis fêmeas), num total de 384 codornas. Foi analisado: a idade ao primeiro ovo, idade aos 50% de produção, idade de pico de produção e persistência de pico em semanas. O desempenho foi analisado por meio da produção de ovos, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade. Ainda, foi estudado a produção de ovos incubáveis. A linhagem COM apresentou maior peso vivo às seis semanas de idade, sendo UEM 1 e UEM 2 semelhantes entre si. Para a idade ao primeiro ovo, o grupo COM se equiparou UEM 1, sendo a UEM 2 foi mais tardia. Já para a variável idade aos 50% de produção de ovos a linhagem COM apresentou-se mais precoce em relação às demais linhagens. Não foi observado efeito do peso das codornas sobre a idade do primeiro ovo. Não houve efeito de interação entre linhagem e peso inicial das aves para nenhuma das variáveis de desempenho reprodutivo estudadas. Ainda, pode-se observar que não houve diferença entre os grupos genéticos ou peso corporal inicial para produção de ovos, quando considerado o período de 6 a 26 semanas de idade. Não houve diferença entre os grupos genéticos para consumo de ração durante o período de 20 semanas estudado e não houve efeito do peso inicial de produção sobre essa variável (P>0,05). A conversão alimentar kg/dz, melhorou pelos grupos das linhagens UEM 1 e UEM 2. Para a peso de ovos incubáveis o grupo comercial apresentou maior peso. Foi possível concluir que o melhoramento genético de codornas japonesas de postura necessita aprimoramento e que linhagem comercial não melhorada pode apresentar resultados semelhantes às linhagens melhoradas.

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the performance and reproductive parameters of different genetics groups of Japanese quails with different initial weights. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a factorial 3 x 2 (three strains (UEM1, UEM2 and Commercial (COM)) and two weight classes (light and heavy), totaling six treatments. Was used with eight replications, totaling 48 plots. Each plot contained eight birds (two males and six females), with a total of 384 quails. The COM line presented higher live weight at six weeks of age, being UEM 1 and UEM 2 similar to each other. For age at first egg, the COM group equated EMU 1, with EMU 2 being later. For the variable age at 50% of egg production, the COM strain was earlier than the others. No effect of quail weight was observed on the age of the first egg. There was no interaction effect between strain and initial weight of the birds for any of the reproductive performance. Also, it can be observed that there was no difference between the genetic groups or initial body weight for egg production, when considered the period from six to 26 weeks of age. There was no difference between the genetic groups for feed intake during the 20-week period studied and there was no effect of the initial weight of production on this variable. For the results of the feed conversion index kg/eggs, it can be observed that the best results were presented by the groups of the EMU 1 and EMU 2 strains. It was possible to conclude that genetic improvement of Japanese laying quails requires better adjusts and that an unimproved commercial strain may present similar results to the improved lineages.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização de óleo de copaíba ou sucupira na ração de frangos de corte, sobre o desempenho e saúde intestinal. Foram utilizados 600 pintos de corte machos, da linhagem Cobb500 com um dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições com 25 aves cada. Com o objetivo de aumentar o desafio, as aves foram criadas sobre cama reutilizada. Os tratamentos consistiram de: ração controle; ração com antibiótico melhorador de desempenho avilamicina; ração com 2.000 mg/kg de óleo de copaíba e ração com 500 mg/kg de óleo sucupira. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste Tukey (5%). A adição de 500 mg/kg do óleo de sucupira resultou em queda do desempenho das aves no período de 21, 33 e 40 dias de idade, já a adição do óleo de copaíba proporcionou resultados de desempenho semelhantes ao antibiótico. A suplementação com óleo de copaíba ou sucupira não promoveu alterações no epitélio intestinal dos frangos avaliados. A adição do óleo de sucupira foi prejudicial ao desempenho das aves. O óleo de copaíba pode ser utilizado em dietas para frangos como melhorador de desempenho.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental copaiba or sucupira oils on broiler performance and intestinal health. A total of 600 one-day old Cobb 500 male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates with 25 broilers each. To increase the health challenge, the broilers were reared on reused litter. The treatments consisted of: control diet; diet with a performance enhancing antibiotic (avilamycin); diet with 2,000 mg/kg copaiba oil and a diet with 500 mg/kg sucupira oil. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test (5%). The addition of sucupira oil at 500 mg/kg decreased broiler performance at 21, 33, and 40 days of age, whereas the addition of copaiba oil resulted in similar performance relative to the antibiotic. Dietary supplementation of copaiba or sucupira oils did not change the intestinal epithelium of broilers. The addition of sucupira oil negatively affected broiler performance. Copaiba oil can be used in broiler diets as a performance enhancer.

RESUMO Foram avaliados o desempenho e a cor da pele de frangos de corte de crescimento lento no período de 30 a 90 dias, alimentados com dietas com diferentes inclusões de bagaço de mandioca e colorífico de urucum. 308 frangos de corte de crescimento lento foram utilizados em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial com tratamento adicional 3 X 2 + 1, sendo três níveis de colorífico de urucum como agente pigmentante (1%, 2% e 3%), dois níveis de bagaço de mandioca (10% e 20%) e um tratamento adicional (dieta de controle), totalizando sete tratamentos, quatro repetições e 11 frangos de corte por unidade experimental. O consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, com interação. O ganho de peso e o peso final foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (p<0,001) e os melhores resultados foram encontrados para a inclusão de 10% de bagaço de mandioca e 2% de colorífico de urucum. Não houve efeito dos tratamento e nenhuma interação sobre o rendimento da carcaça. Os parâmetros de cor L *, a * e b * não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. É recomendável a inclusão de bagaço de mandioca a 10% e 1% de colorífico de urucum para frangos de crescimento lento de 30 a 90 dias de idade. No entanto, o uso desses ingredientes provou ser economicamente inviável.

SUMMARY The performance and breast skin color of slow-growing broilers from 30 to 90 days old fed diets with different inclusions of cassava bagasse and annatto colorific were evaluated. 308 slow-growing broilers were used in a completely randomized experimental design, in a factorial scheme with an additional treatment 3 X 2 + 1, with three levels of annatto colorific as a pigmentant agent (1%, 2% and 3%), two levels of cassava bagasse (10% and 20%) and an additional treatment (control diet), totaling seven treatments, four replicates and 11 broilers per experimental unit. Feed intake and feed conversion were affected by treatments, with interaction. The weight gain and final weight were influenced by the treatments and the best results were found for the inclusion of 10% cassava bagasse and 2% annatto colorific. There was no effect of treatment and no interaction on carcass yield. The color parameters L*, a* and b* were not influenced by treatments. The inclusion of 10% cassava bagasse and 1% annatto colorific for slow-growing broilers from 30 to 90 days of age is recommended. However, the use of these ingredients proved to be economically unfeasible.

RESUMO. Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação do extrato de Lafoensia pacari padronizado em taninos na ração de poedeiras sobre o desempenho, a qualidade interna e externa de ovos e metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes da ração. Utilizaram-se 168 poedeiras Isa Brown com 24 semanas de idade, peso médio 2,6 kg e taxa de postura média 87% durante quatro períodos de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos constituíram de rações com antibiótico melhorador de desempenho Halquinol, prebiótico Mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) e três níveis de extrato de pacari - 1.000, 2.000 e 3.000 mg kg-1 de ração. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e sete repetições com quatro aves cada. O extrato de pacari padronizado em teor de taninos apresentou porcentagem de albúmen e peso do ovo semelhante ao antibiótico (p < 0,04). A suplementação com o extrato melhorou a qualidade da casca, verificada pela gravidade específica (p < 0,03) e promoveu metabolizabilidade do extrato etéreo semelhante ao antibiótico e MOS (p < 0,04), sendo indicado como aditivo fitogênico.

ABSTRACT. It was intended to evaluate the supplementation of Lafoensia pacari standardized in tannins extract in the diet of laying hens on the performance, internal and external quality of eggs and metabolism of the feed nutrients. A total of 168 Isa Brown laying hens, aged 24 weeks, with the mean weight of 2.6 kg and the mean posture rate of 87% were used during 4 periods of 28 days each. The treatments consisted of Halquinol performance-enhancing antibiotic, Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic and three levels of pacari extract - 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg-1of feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and seven replicates of four hens each. The pacari standardized in tannin extract presented a percentage of albumen and an egg weight similar to the antibiotic (p < 0.04). The supplementation with the extract improved the shell quality, verified by the specific gravity (p < 0.03) and promoted the metabolizability of ether extract similar to antibiotic and MOS (p < 0.04), allowing its indication as a phytogenic additive.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate combinations of different storage periods and temperature of hatching eggs of breeder quails in two stages of the production cycle (24 and 43 weeks) on hatchability, quail neonate quality, and Bursa of Fabricius characteristics. In each experiment, a total of 1.050 Japanese quail eggs were incubated in a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 5 × 2, with two breeder ages (24 and 43 weeks), five storage periods (one, three, six, nine, and twelve days), and two storage temperatures (28 and 14 °C), totaling 20 treatments with 52 eggs each. Quantitative data were subjected to ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey's test. Qualitative data were subjected to Friedman's test. Polynomial regression analysis was performed in relation to the storage period of the eggs. Hatchability of 43-week-old breeders worsened as the storage period increased at 28 °C, while at 14 °C, hatchability was not affected. Yolk-free body weight was influenced only by storage period; therefore, the group stored for 12 days had the lowest yolk-free body weight. Twelve days of storage reduced the absorption of yolk residue and physical quality score and also affected neonate quail immunity. Fertile eggs from Japanese quails that are destined for incubation should be stored at 14 °C to maintain physical and immunological quality of the progeny. Moreover, eggs from older breeders originate lower-quality quails when eggs are not stored in a refrigerated environment.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o efeito da gravidade específica de ovos de matrizes pesadas com diferentes idades no rendimento de incubação e no peso dos pintos pós-eclosão. Foram utilizados 3.072 ovos oriundos de dois lotes de matrizes pesadas, linhagem Cobb – 500®. Os ovos foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x4, com duas idades de matrizes (53 e 64 semanas) e quatro diferentes densidades (1.070, 1.075, 1.080, 1.085), totalizando oito tratamentos e quatro repetições (com 96 ovos por unidade experimental). As variáveis avaliadas foram o peso do ovo (g), a taxa de eclosão (%), a taxa de fertilidade (%), a perda de peso dos ovos durante o período de incubação (%) e a relação do peso dos pintos/peso dos ovos (%). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo que o efeito das densidades foi avaliado por meio de regressão polinomial e o efeito da idade das matrizes pelo teste F, ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. As perdas de peso dos ovos, exceto para as densidades de 1.075 e 1.085, oriundos de matrizes com 53 e 64 semanas de idade, respectivamente, apresentaram-se dentro dos valores recomendados na literatura. O peso do pinto ao nascer foi proporcional ao peso do ovo, representando em média 68% e sem diferenças entre a idade das matrizes e as diferentes densidades. A idade da matriz exerceu influência no rendimento de incubação, sendo as maiores taxas de fertilidade e eclosão total (p<0,05) obtida pelos ovos oriundos de matrizes com 53 semanas de idade.

SUMMARY The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of specific gravity of eggs from broiler breeders of different ages in the yield of incubation and the weight of post-hatch chicks. Were used 3.072 eggs from two batches of broiler breeders, Cobb - 500®. The eggs were distributed a completely randomized design in a 2x4 factorial design with two broiler breeder ages (53 and 64 weeks) and four different egg densities (1.070, 1.075, 1.080, 1.085), totaling eight treatments and four replications (with 96 eggs per experimental unit). The evaluated variables were the egg weight (g), the hatching rate (%), the fertility rate (%), the weight loss of eggs during the incubation period (%) and the ratio of the weight of the chicks/egg weight (%). The results were submitted to analysis of variance, being that the effect of density was assessed by polynomial regression and the age effect of breeders by F test at 5% probability. Weight losses of eggs, except for the densities of 1,075 and 1,085, from breeders with 53 and 64 weeks of age, respectively, were within the values recommended in the literature. The chick weight was proportional to the weight of the egg, representing on average 68% and no differences between age and density of broiler breeders. The age of the breeders exerted influence on the yield of incubation, and the best results (p<0.05) obtained by eggs from breeders with 53 weeks of age.