Effects of protected sodium butyrate (PSB) in broiler diets with reduced metabolizable energy (ME) content on production performance, intestinal histomorphometry and nutrient metabolizability were evaluated in two experiments. In one experiment, 384 one-day-old male chicks with an average weight of 44 ± 0.2 g were distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with six replications of 16 birds. The treatments consisted of i) a basal diet without reduced ME or PSB (BD); ii) BD with a 100 kcal/kg reduction in ME, without PSB; iii) BD with a 100 kcal/kg reduction in ME + 105 g/t PSB; and iv) BD with a 100 kcal/kg reduction in ME + 225 g/t PSB. Performance and carcass yield were evaluated. In the second experiment, 280 one-day-old male chicks were also distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with seven replications of 10 birds to evaluate metabolizability coefficients and intestinal development. The birds that received diet 3 had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR), final weight (FW) and weight gain (WG). Inclusion of PSB (105 and 225 g/t) in reduced-ME diets increased the metabolizability of crude protein coefficient at 35 days old. Birds that received diet 3 also had greater jejunal villus height at 21 and 35 days old. It is recommended to feed 105 g/t of PSB with a 100 kcal/kg reduction in ME until broilers were 35 days old.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of including protected sodium butyrate (PSB) in the diets of laying hens of advanced age on productive performance and egg quality. In experiment 1, a total of 320 Dekalb White 61-week-old laying hens were distributed in a randomized block design to four treatments (0, 105, 210, and 300 g/ton of PSB) with eight replicates of 10 birds. The experiment was conducted over 112 days, divided into four periods of 28 days each. Productive performance and egg quality were evaluated. In experiment 2, a total of 58 000 Dekalb White 70-week-old laying hens were assigned to diets containing either 0 or 105 g/ton of PSB with two replicates of 14 500 birds. The experiment was conducted on a commercial poultry farm. Egg production and the percentages of broken eggs and dirty eggs were evaluated. The PSB levels did not influence the productive performance of laying hens. A quadratic effect was observed for eggshell thickness, percentage of eggshell and eggshell strength, reaching maxima at 193, 136 and 198 g/ton of PSB, respectively. A quadratic effect on yolk index reached a minimum at 181 g/ton of PSB. The percentages of dirty eggs and broken eggs were lower in laying hens fed 105 g/ton of PSB. In conclusion, the addition of PSB to the diets of old laying hens improved the eggshell quality and decreased the percentage of broken and dirty eggs.

The addition of protease to broiler diets may complement the action of endogenous enzymes and improve protein digestibility. Here, the authors evaluated the effect of adding protease to broiler diets that contained animal-based meal on bird performance, digestibility, and biometry of digestive tract organs. Four treatments, which contained animal- or plant-based meals with or without supplementary protease were compared, namely basal vegetable feed (BVF), BVF + protease (BFP), basal vegetable feed + animal byproduct meal (BFA), and BFA + protease. In the first experiment, 320 one-day-old Cobb 500® chicks were allocated to eight replicates with 10 birds per replicate. The experimental period was seven days, and nutrient metabolizability was evaluated. In the second experiment, 720 one-day-old Cobb 500® chicks were assigned to treatments in a similar manner, with six replicates and 30 birds per replicate, but the experimental period was 42 days. Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed between treatments for nutrient digestibility, weight gain, feed consumption, average final weight, food conversion, viability, and biometry of the pancreas. Treatments with animal-based meals had the highest digestibility. Birds fed these meals grew faster in the pre-starter phase and consumed less feed between 1 and 21 days. However, between 1 and 42 days old, broilers fed plant-based diets had better feed conversion, and the group that did not receive protease supplementation had a better liveability rate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract as a dietary supplement for Japanese quail hens on incubation parameters, intestinal development, and the quality of newly hatched chicks. Six hundred and forty-eight eggs were collected from Japanese quail hens fed diets with 0.0, 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 g/kg-1 of guava extract. The study consisted of four treatments, six replicates, and 27 eggs per replicate. The guava extract contained 2% ellagic acid. The eggs were incubated at 37.5 °C and 65% relative air humidity. The hatch window, hatchability, embryo development in unhatched eggs, quality of newly hatched quails, and intestinal histomorphometry of a duodenum segment were evaluated. Differences among the treatments in hatchability and the hatch window were not significant. The guava extract did not affect mortality rate, live pecking, dead pecking, and contaminated and inverted eggs. The number of infertile eggs was lower in the groups that received 3.0 and 9.0 g/kg of extract in their diets. Use of up to 3.0 g/kg of guava extract in the diet increased the weight of both eggs and newly hatched chicks. The quality score of newly hatched quail was similar across treatments. The inclusion of 3.0 g/kg of guava extract in the diet of Japanese quail breeder hens increased the hatchling weight of the chicks and improved the villus to crypt ratio of their duodenum.

Foram estudados parâmetros de incubação e de qualidade física de codornas japonesas neonatas oriundas de ovos submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre temperaturas e períodos de armazenamento dos ovos férteis. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados em arranjo fatorial 2x5, temperaturas (ambiente (28±1,5ºC) e refrigerada (14ºC)) x períodos de armazenamento (um, três, seis, nove ou doze dias), totalizando 10 tratamentos com 105 repetições, sendo cada ovo uma unidade experimental. Os ovos foram incubados nas condições de 37,9ºC e 60% de umidade relativa (UR). Houve aumento de perda de peso do ovo com o período de armazenamento, com efeito linear positivo. Observou-se maior taxa de eclosão/ovos férteis para os ovos armazenados sob refrigeração. Houve efeito linear negativo para o período de armazenamento sobre a taxa de eclosão somente para os ovos armazenados em 28ºC. Para o peso da codorna neonata, houve efeito linear negativo, independentemente da temperatura de armazenamento. O comprimento do intestino delgado em temperatura ambiente sofreu influência do período de armazenamento, sendo que o período de 12 dias apresentou pior resultado. O pior escore de qualidade física foi encontrado em codornas neonatas oriundas de ovos armazenados em temperatura ambiente por 12 dias. Pode-se concluir que, para melhorar a eclosão e a qualidade física da progênie, ovos de codorna devem ser armazenados por até nove dias e em temperatura de 14ºC.

ABSTRACT Incubation parameters and physical quality of neonate Japanese quails hatched from eggs that were subject to different storage conditions were evaluated. The treatments consisted of a combination of temperatures and storage periods of hatching eggs from breeder quails. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement 2x5, with two storage temperatures (ambient temperature ± 28°C and refrigerated temperature 14°C) and five storage periods (one, three, six, nine and twelve days), totaling 10 treatments with 105 repetitions, each egg considered to be an experimental unit. The eggs were incubated at 37.9°C with 60% of relative humidity (RH). There was a positive linear effect between egg weight loss and storage period. Higher rates of hatching/fertile eggs were observed for eggs stored in refrigerated conditions. A negative linear effect was observed between storage period and hatching rate when the eggs where stored at a temperature of 28ºC. There was a negative effect for neonate quail weight, independent of storage temperatures. The intestine length was influenced by storage period and 12 days of storage showed the shortest intestine length. Lower scores of physical quality were observed in quails that hatched from eggs stored in ambient temperatures during 12 days. In this context, to improve hatching rates and physical quality of neonate quails the eggs should be stored up to nine days at a temperature of 14°C.

Foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação da glutamina em dietas contendo ingredientes de origem animal sobre o desempenho e a integridade intestinal de pintos de corte, criados até 21 dias de idade. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre tipos de dieta, com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou vegetal+animal e suplementação de glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0%). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 2x4, tipos de ração x percentagem de glutamina, com cinco repetições e 12 pintos por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito da interação tipo de dieta versus suplementação de glutamina sobre o desempenho, e os tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho de pintos de corte. Houve efeito quadrático da suplementação de glutamina sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta. A suplementação com glutamina aumentou altura de vilos e profundidade de cripta no duodeno. A utilização de produtos de origem animal em dietas para pintos na fase inicial não prejudica o desempenho, e a inclusão de glutamina melhora a integridade intestinal.

The effect of glutamine supplementation in diets formulated with animal by-products on the performance and integrity of the small intestine of broiler chicks up to 21 days of age was evaluated. The treatments were the combination of types of diets (only with ingredients from a vegetal source or vegetal plus animal source) and levels of glutamine (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2x4 factorial scheme (kinds of diets x levels of glutamine), with five replicates and 12 birds per experimental unit. No interaction between diets and glutamine supplementation and treatment effects on the performance traits were observed during the chick starter phase. There was a quadratic effect of glutamine on the crude protein digestibility coefficient. Birds supplemented with glutamine diets showed higher villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum. Broiler diets formulated with animal ingredients have no effect on chick performance during the initial phase, and glutamine supplementation improved the small intestine integrity.

Avaliou-se a suplementação enzimática em rações contendo milheto ou sorgo sobre a microbiota intestinal e o desempenho de frangos. Foram alojados 420 pintos - ensaio de microbiota - e 1.200 pintos - ensaio de desempenho -, submetidos aos tratamentos com sorgo ou milheto suplementados ou não com complexo enzimático. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com sete repetições de 15 aves cada, para o ensaio de microbiota, e em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e 60 aves por parcela para desempenho. Foram realizadas pesquisas de bactérias Gram-negativas e contagem do número total de microrganismos aeróbios do intestino delgado. A suplementação enzimática não afetou a microbiota intestinal de frangos aos 14 e 28 dias de idade. Houve efeito da suplementação enzimática nas dietas com sorgo para conversão alimentar na fase pré-inicial. Nas dietas com milheto, a suplementação melhorou o ganho de peso no período de um a 35 dias de idade. No período total de criação, de um a 42 dias, não foi observado efeito da suplementação para milheto ou sorgo. Conclui-se que a utilização da suplementação de enzimas em rações com sorgo ou milheto pode melhorar os resultados de desempenho, dependendo da fase de crescimento de frangos de corte.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the supplementation enzyme in broilers fed with sorghum or pearl millet. The intestinal microflora and broiler performance was conducted with 420 and 1.200 broiler chickens, respectively. The treatments consisted of sorghum or pearl millet diet with enzymatic complex. The microflora assay consisted of 15 birds per experimental unit in completed randomized delineament, with seven replicates, and the performance study consisted of 60 birds per experimetal unit in a randomized block design, with five replicates. A study of bacteria negative-gram and total number bacteria aerobic in the small intestine was carried out. The averages were compared by contrasts (performance) and the Kruskal-Wallis (bacteria) tests applied for the research. The enzyme supplementation did not affect the broiler intestinal microflora at the age of 14 and 28 days. Feed conversion in the pearl millet diets supplemented with enzymes was better in the initial phase. The body weight was better to treat enzymatic complex in diets pearl millet (at age of 1- 35 days), however, at the age of 1 to 42 days there was no effect of supplementation for millet or sorghum. The results showed that the sorghum or pearl millet diets supplemented with enzymes are a viable strategy to improve the nutritional value of the diets and performance results depending on the age of the broilers.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da idade das matrizes leves e do período de armazenamento dos ovos sobre o rendimento de incubação. Foram utilizados 7.224 ovos da linhagem Dekalb, distribuídos de acordo com delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, sendo a altura de bandeja uma covariável. Os tratamentos foram definidos pelas idades das matrizes (32 e 57 semanas de idade) e o período de armazenamento dos ovos (três, cinco e sete dias), totalizando seis tratamentos com 14 repetições. A idade das aves influenciou o peso do ovo. Houve aumento na perda de peso dos ovos das matrizes de 32 e 57 semanas de idade, durante o armazenamento (10,48 e 14,16%, respectivamente) e na transferência (10,40 e 12,07%, respectivamente). Verificou-se maior taxa de eclosão (86,90%) em ovos produzidos pelas matrizes novas. Independentemente da idade da matriz, à medida que aumentou o período de armazenamento, houve diminuição na taxa de eclosão dos ovos férteis (86,06 e 82,39%, para as matrizes de 32 e 57 semanas de idade, respectivamente). As matrizes com 57 semanas de idade produziram pintos mais pesados e com menor relação peso do pinto/peso do ovo.

The effects of ages of light breeder hens and storage period of hatchabe eggs on the incubation efficiency were evaluated. A total of 7,224 Dekalb hatching eggs were assigned according to the sample random design, and the hatching tray height was considered a co-variable. The treatments were defined according to the breeder hens ages (32 and 57-week-old) and the period of storage of eggs (three, five, and seven days), with 14 replications. The age of the hen affected the weight of the eggs. There was loss of weight of the eggs of 32 and 57-week-old breeder hens during storage (10.48 and 14.16%, respectively) and transference (10.40 and 12.07%, respectively) according to the aging of the breeder hen. Eggs produced by the younger breeder hens had a higher hatching rate; however, no matter the age of the breeder hen, there was a decrease of the hatching rate of fertile eggs (86.06 and 82.39%, for the 32 and 57-week-old breeder hens, respectively) whenever the storage period was increased. The 57-weekold breeder hens produced heavier chicks and lower chick/egg weight coefficient.

Avaliou-se a infecção experimental por Salmonella Enteritidis fagotipo 4 (SEpt4) em embriões de frango de corte para averiguar a habilidade de penetração através da casca e o efeito da inoculação no albúmen, considerando-se a mortalidade, a eclodibilidade e a colonização intestinal dos pintos eclodidos. Foram realizados dois experimentos, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos (T) cada, com 200 e 194 ovos incubáveis das linhagens Ross e ISA Label, respectivamente. Utilizaram-se ovos não sanitizados e inoculados na casca com Salmonella Enteritidis (T1) ou com placebo (T2); ou inoculados no albúmen com Salmonella Enteritidis (T3) ou com placebo (T4). Imediatamente após a inoculação, os ovos foram incubados, e a mortalidade embrionária avaliada após 96, 432 e 528 horas. Salmonella Enteritidis inoculada na casca manteve-se viável na casca e nas membranas durante todo o período de incubação e migrou para o interior dos ovos, entretanto não afetou os parâmetros de incubação. O patógeno inoculado no albúmen determinou mortalidade embrionária tardia nas linhagens Ross, 17,0%, e ISA Label, 13,0%, e originou pintos com maior freqüência de colonização intestinal por Salmonella Enteritidis, 76,7% e 26,7% para Ross e ISA Label, respectivamente.

The experimental infection of Salmonella Enteritidis phagotype 4 (SEpt4) was evaluated in broilers embryos to verify the ability of penetration through eggshell and the effect of albumen inoculation considering embryo mortality, hatchability, and intestinal colonization of hatched chicks. Two trials were conducted using in four treatments each, totaling 200 and 194 fertile eggs of Ross and ISA Label lineages, respectively. Non-sanitized eggs were inoculated on the shell with Salmonella Enteritidis (Treatment 1) or placebo (Treatment 2); and eggs were inoculated in albumen with Salmonella Enteritidis (Treatment 3) or placebo (Treatment 4). Immediately after inoculation, the eggs were incubated and embryo mortality was evaluated after 96, 432, and 528 hours. The results showed that Salmonella Enteritidis inoculated on egg shell remained active there and in shell membranes during all incubation period and migrated to the interior of the eggs; however, it did not affect the incubation parameters. It was observed that Salmonella Enteritidis inoculated in albumen caused late embryo mortality in Ross (17.0%) and ISA Label (13.0%) lineages, and originated chicks with high frequency of intestinal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis, being 76.7% and 26.7% for Ross and ISA Label, respectively.

Realizaram-se dois experimentos com 1008 pintos machos Ag-Ross 508 em cada um deles. No primeiro, avaliou-se o desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com diferentes níveis de gérmen integral de milho (GIM) na dieta de um a sete dias de idade (fase pré-inicial). No segundo, avaliou-se o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça no período de oito a 47 dias. As aves foram alojadas em 16 unidades, divididas em quatro tratamentos, de acordo com os níveis de GIM, em substituição ao milho na dieta (0%, 33%, 67% e 100%), e quatro repetições de 63 aves cada. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, e os dados foram analisados por regressão polinomial. O GIM não foi um bom alimento para a fase pré-inicial. A inclusão recomendada do GIM foi de 21,9% e 22,5% nos períodos de oito a 21 dias e de 22 a 38 dias, respectivamente. Não houve restrição do uso do GIM na fase final.

Two experiments were carried out with 1008 male Ag-Ross 508 broilers each. Experiment 1 was carried out from October 26th to November 1st, 2001 to evaluate the performance of broilers fed on increasing levels of corn germ meal (CGM) in the diets from 1 to 7 days of age. Experiment 2 was carried from January 24th to March 12th, 2002 to evaluate the performance and carcass yield from 8 to 47 days. The birds were allotted to a completely randomized design with four treatments (levels of CGM replacing corn in ration - 0%, 33%, 67% and 100%) and four replicates of 63 birds. The CGM was not a good ingredient for pre-starter phase. The recommended inclusion levels of CGM were 21.9% and 22.5% from 8 to 21 days and from 22 to 38 days, respectively. No restriction concerning the use of CGM for diets of broilers from 39 to 47 days of age is made.

Avaliou-se o desempenho de codornas-japonesas em postura alimentadas com níveis crescentes de milheto-grão na ração. Duzentas codornas com 70 dias de idade, submetidas a um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições de 10 aves, receberam níveis de milheto de 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% em substituição ao milho em rações na fase de postura. Foram medidos a produção e o peso dos ovos, o consumo de ração, a mortalidade, a coloração da gema pelo leque colorimétrico, e calculada a conversão alimentar em termos de massa e de dúzia de ovos. Os índices de produtividade das codornas não foram afetados pelos diferentes níveis de substituição estudados e o milheto-grão se constituiu em uma fonte de substituição do milho para codornas-japonesas, devendo-se, porém, incluir na ração uma fonte de pigmentação para a gema dos ovos.

The production performance of Japanese quails receiving increasing levels of pearl millet grain in rations was studied. Two hundred, 70-day-old quails submitted to a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates with ten birds each, were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of pearl millet grain in laying rations. The production and weight of eggs and the feed intake, the mortality rate and yolk color by the use of colorimetric fan were measured, and the feed conversion per dozen eggs and in relation to egg mass were calculated. The results indicated that the production performance of laying quails was not affected by the use of increasing levels of pearl millet grain and that pearl millet is a good corn substitute for Japanese quail, but a yolk pigment should be used in the ration.