ABSTRACT In this study, we evaluated how guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) addition in diets with various metabolizable energy (ME) contents affects the performance of broiler chickens. We also estimated the equivalence of GAA in ME. We distributed 1,280 one-day-old broilers in a completely randomized design with eight treatments, eight replicates, and twenty birds per experimental unit. Treatments were based on ME levels (2,775-2,875-2,975 kcal/kg; 2,850-2,950-3,050 kcal/kg; 2,925-3,025-3,125 kcal/kg; or 3,000-3,100-3,200 kcal/kg, from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, and 22 to 42 days of age) and the inclusion of GAA (0 or 600 mg/kg). Supplementation of GAA increased weight gain in broilers at an energy level of 2,908 kcal/kg and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at energy levels of 2,908 and 2,983 kcal/kg. There was a linear reduction in feed intake and an improvement in FCR of broilers with increasing levels of energy in diets, with and without GAA addition. Solving the equivalence equation, by applying each of the weighted average energy levels studied. indicates the GAA equivalence of 133, 103, 74, and 44 kcal/kg of diet. In conclusion, GAA supplementation improves broilers’ efficiency of energy use; the average ME equivalence of 600 mg/kg of GAA is 88.5 kcal/kg.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of purified lignin on the performance, relative organ weights, serum metabolites, and gene expression profiles of broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress (HS). At 22 days old, 280 broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments, ten repetitions, and seven birds per experimental unit. The birds were subjected to daily cyclic HS. A high temperature of 32±1 °C was maintained for 10 h/day (08:00–18:00 h), while a temperature of 22±1 °C was maintained for the remaining time. Treatments were a basal diet or basal diet with the addition of 5, 10, or 15 g of purified lignin/kg of diet. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey's test at 0.05 significance. There was no effect of lignin supplementation on performance, carcass yield, relative weights of the bursa, spleen, and liver, or serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, uric acid, malondialdehyde, triiodothyronine, or tetraiodothyronine. The abundance of mRNA of heat shock protein 70, nuclear factor-κB, glutathione peroxidase, and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in the liver was similarly unaffected by treatments. Purified lignin supplementation does not improve performance or the antioxidant response of broiler chickens subjected to HS.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da substituição do calcário pela farinha de casca de ovo de codorna sobre o desempenho zootécnico, a qualidade dos ovos e a eficiência econômica de codornas japonesas no pico de postura (11 a 20 semanas de idade), foram utilizadas 210 codornas em um período experimental com duração de 63 dias, divididos em três períodos de 21 dias cada. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, composto de cinco tratamentos (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% de substituição de calcário calcítico por casca de ovo), seis repetições e sete aves por unidade experimental. Avaliou-se o consumo de ração, produção de ovo/ave/dia, produção de ovo ave/alojada, produção de ovos comercializáveis, viabilidade, conversão alimentar massa de ovos, índice de Seedor, teor de cálcio na tíbia e porcentagem de cálcio excretado. Para avaliação da qualidade dos ovos, foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: peso do ovo, peso específico, porcentagem da gema, de albúmen e de casca e espessura da casca. A eficiência econômica foi avaliada no ovo in natura e no ovo industrializado. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando o software SAS, 2010 (Statistical Analysis System, versão 9.2). Não houve efeito significativo da substituição do calcário calcítico por farinha de casca de ovo sobre o desempenho zootécnico, porcentagem de cálcio na tíbia e qualidade de ovos. Entretanto, a porcentagem de albúmen e a porcentagem de cálcio excretado foram alterados significativamente. A substituição do calcário pela farinha de casca de ovo nas rações resultou na melhora dos índices de eficiência econômica. É possível substituir em 100% a farinha de casca de ovo em rações para codornas japonesas em postura.

ABSTRACT Were evaluated the effects of substituting limestone with quail eggshell powder on the zootechnical performance, egg quality, and economic efficiency of Japanese quails during peak egg production (11-20 weeks old). The experimental period was 63 days, divided into three 20-day periods. A completely randomized experimental design was used with five treatments (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% substitution of limestone by eggshell powder), six repetitions, and seven birds per experimental unit, for a total of 210 quails. Feed intake, production of egg/bird/day, egg production per bird housed, marketable egg production, egg viability, feed conversion per egg mass, Seedor index, tibia calcium content, and percentage of calcium excreted were determined. The following variables for egg quality were analyzed: egg weight, specific weight, percentage of egg yolk, albumen and shell, and shell thickness. Economic efficiency was evaluated in fresh and industrialized eggs. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS software, version 9.2 (2010). Substitution of limestone for eggshell powder had no significant effect on zootechnical performance, tibia calcium content, or egg quality. However, there were significant effects on the percentages of albumen and calcium excreted. The substitution of limestone by eggshell powder in quail feed resulted in higher economic efficiency indexes. These results indicate that the use of 100% eggshell powder in the feed of Japanese laying quails is viable.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a adição da farinha do cogumelo Agaricus blazei na ração de galinhas poedeiras sobre o desempenho zootécnico, a qualidade de ovos e o sistema imune. Foram utilizadas 210 galinhas Hisex Brown®, com 67 semanas de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado composto por cinco tratamentos (controle [0%]; 0,04%; 0,08%; 0,12% e 0,16% da farinha do cogumelo) com sete repetições e seis aves por unidade experimental. Foi avaliado o desempenho zootécnico (consumo de ração; produção de ovos [ave/dia e ave alojada]; produção de ovos comercializáveis; peso médio e massa de ovos; conversão alimentar por dúzia e por massa de ovos e viabilidade das aves); a qualidade dos ovos (peso específico, unidades Haugh, peso e porcentagem dos componentes, espessura de casca e intensidade da cor amarela das gemas); e o hemograma (eritrograma e leucograma). A inclusão de diferentes níveis de farinha de cogumelo na ração das galinhas poedeiras afetou significativamente (p<0,05) a massa de ovos e o consumo de ração. O leucograma e o eritrograma se mantiveram dentro dos valores de referência, indicando que as aves se encontravam saudáveis. A adição de diferentes níveis da farinha de Agaricus blazei na ração das galinhas poedeiras não promoveu alterações na qualidade dos ovos, no sistema imune nem tampouco no desempenho zootécnico, com exceção do consumo de ração que reduziu com a inclusão da farinha, e da massa de ovos em que o nível de 0,07% promoveu a maximização deste parâmetro.

SUMMARY The current study aims to evaluate the zootechnical performance, quality of eggs, and the immune system of the laying hen's upon supplementing their feed with the flour of the mushroom Agaricus blazei. A total of 210 Hisex Brown® hens, 67 weeks old, were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (control [0%], 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12% and 0.16% of mushroom meal) with seven replicates and six birds per experimental unit. Were evaluated the zootechnical performance (feed intake, egg production [per day and housed], marketable egg production, egg weight and egg mass, feed conversion per dozen and egg mass, and viability);egg quality (specific weight, Haugh units, weight and percentage of components, shell thickness and yellow intensity of the egg yolks); and the hemogram (erythrogram and leukogram). Mainly, different levels of mushroom meal, were includedin laying hens feeds significantly (p<0.05)egg mass and feed intake. However, the leukogram and the erythrogram remained within the reference values, indicating that the birds were healthy. The addition of different levels of Agaricus blazei flour in the laying hens feed did not promote changes in the egg quality, in the immune system, and in the zootechnical performance, except for the feed intake which reduced with the inclusion of mushroom flour and eggs mass in which the 0.07% level promoted the maximization of this parameter.

RESUMO No sistema de criação em piso as galinhas são criadas diretamente em contato com o chão que pode ser coberto por diferentes tipos de materiais. Objetivou-se avaliar o ambiente térmico, o comportamento, os índices zootécnicos e a qualidade de ovos de galinhas poedeiras criadas em dois tipos de piso, maravalha e grama sintética. Foram utilizadas 120 galinhas da linhagem Hisex Brown®, destas, metade foi criada sobre maravalha e a outra metade sobre grama sintética (Tapete Astro Turf®) distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em medidas repetidas no tempo, com dois tratamentos e duas repetições com 30 galinhas por unidade experimental durante 56 dias. Avaliou-se as temperaturas máxima e mínima, bulbo seco, bulbo úmido e de globo negro, umidade relativa, índice de temperatura e umidade e índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade; a frequência do comportamento natural; produção de ovos por ave/dia, por ave alojada, ovos comercializáveis, viabilidade, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar por dúzia e por massa e qualidade física dos ovos. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste F, a 0,05 de probabilidade, exceto a frequência do comportamento que foi analisada pelo teste Qui- quadrado. Os índices zootécnicos das aves foram coerentes com as recomendações dos manuais da linhagem. Apenas foi observada diferença significativa para a melhor conversão alimentar por massa das aves criadas sob grama sintética. Desta forma, verifica-se que a grama sintética pode ser um excelente substrato para a cama de galinhas semipesadas na fase de produção.

SUMMARY In the system of creation in floor the hens are created directly in contact with the floor that can be covered by different types of materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal environment, behavior, zootechnical indexes and quality of chicken eggs created in two types of flooring, wooden shavings and synthetic grass, were used 120 semi-heavy laying hens, Hysex Brown®, of these, half were created on wooden shaving and half on synthetic grass (Carpet Astro Turf®) distributed in a completely randomized in repeated measures in time in two treatments and two replications of 30 laying hens, during 56 days (two periods of 28 days). Were evaluated temperatures maximum and minimum, dry and wet bulb temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity, temperature and humidity index and black globe temperature and humidity index; the frequency of natural behavior; the daily egg production per bird, per bird housed, and marketable, viability, feed consumption and feed conversion per dozen and per mass, average egg weight, specific weight and egg shell thickness. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and means compared by F test at 0.05 probability, except the frequency of natural behavior that was analyzed using the chi square analysis test. The results show that the values of the zootechnical indexes of the layers are consistent with the guide strains recommendations, having no influence from the kind of floor used as bed. Only significant differences were observed in the feed intakeper mass of birds grown under synthetic grass. Thus, it seems that synthetic grass could be an excellent substrate for the bed of semi-heavy laying hens in the egg production phase.