This study was conducted to compare the effects of different types and levels of organic acids being Formic (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% FA), Fumaric (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% FUA), Acetic (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% AC) and Citric Acids (1, 2 and 3% CA). A total number of 351 one d-old Arbor-Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into 13 treatment groups, each in three replicates of 9 chicks per replicate. The first group was fed the basal diet without supplementation and served as control. While, the other groups were received the basal diet supplemented with the tested organic acids. The experiment was lasted when chicks were 42 d old. Performance, pH of some gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) segments, organ morphology, cecal bacteria, blood metabolites and nutrients digestibility were measured. Results obtained could be summarized as follow: 1-Any of the tested organic acids increased significantly (p<0.01) body weight gain and European Production Efficiency Index compared with the control group. However, feed conversion ratio improved, but not significantly in case of formic and fumaric acids, while significantly improved with acetic and citric acids supplementation, compared to the control. No great differences in mortality rate were observed among all treatments as from 1 to 2 birds were died all over the experimental period due to natural causes and not due to nutritional treatments. 2-Dietary organic acids improved both ME and nutrients digestibility of the experimental diets compared to the control. 3-Dietary organic acids significantly reduced (p<0.01) the pH values in the different GI-tract segments of the chicks compared to chicks fed the control. 4-Feeding dietary FA and FUA led to sharp reduction in caeca content of lactobacilli bacteria, but increased number of coliforms bacteria and anaerobes was slightly increased. Feeding 0.75% AC and 2%CA increased Lactobacillus count and coliforms. Villus height was significantly higher (p<0.01) of all organic acid supplementation fed groups. 5-Blood serum content of calcium, phosphorus, total protein and globulin were increased significantly (p<0.01) by 0.5% FA, 0.5% FUA, 0.75% AC and 2%CA in the diet compared to the control. 6-Relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen, bursa of fabrics and thymus gland) were significantly higher (p<0.01) by supplementing the tested organic acids compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary 0.5% either of formic or fumaric as well as 0.75% acetic or 2% citric acids could be used safely to improve performance and health of broiler chickens.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Heat stress and the associated production losses and mortality are a challenge to commercial broiler production. A total number of 1000 one day old unsexed Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used in this study. Birds were offered with water and grower diet containing 23% crude protein and 3100 kcal ME/ kg of the diet from 1 to 4 weeks of age. At 29 day of age, 900 birds of nearly similar live body weight (about 850 g) were chosen to study the effect of different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and poultry fat (PF) on broiler performance, nutrients digestibility and carcass characteristics during the hot summer season (29-36 C o and 50-60% H). The birds were randomly distributed into 9 treatments, each contained 100 birds in 4 replicates of 25 birds each. Three levels of ME and three levels of PF were tested in 3 X 3 factorial designs to alleviate the side effects of heat stress on broiler chick performance. The tested ME levels (kcal/ kg) were 3100 (low level, ME), 3200 (recommended level, ME) and 3300 (high level, ME). The tested three levels of 1 2 3 PF were 0 % (PF), 2.5% (PF) and 5% (PF) for each level of ME. Chicks were allocated in a littered floor 1 2 3 poultry house in an open system under the same management conditions. Water and feed were offered adlibitum and artificial lighting was provided 24 hours daily for the either experimental period, which lasted for 7 weeks.The overall results showed that the average body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index were improved significantly with high levels of either metabolizable energy or poultry fat. Data showed that the digestion coefficient of both crude protein and ether extract were improved significantly when broiler chicks were fed diets containing high level of either metabolizable energy or poultry fat. Results indicated that the average values of abdominal fat increased significantly with high levels of either metabolizable energy or poultry fat. While, there were no significant differences for either dressing percentage or giblets due to dietary treatments. Therefore, it is suggested to increase dietary metabolizable energy more than recommended level and adding fat up to 5 % of the diet to alleviate the side effects of heat stress on the performance of broiler chicks.

No abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by different strains of fungi, such as aspergillus, fusarium, and penicillium that can contaminate feed ingredients or the entire feed of poultry and animals. Mycotoxins can cause many serious complications to both humans and animals due to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and immunosuppressive disorders. Therefore, the present experiment aims to investigate the effect of broiler chickens’ diets supplemented with different levels of nanosilica (NS) as an adsorbent agent of mycotoxins on their growth performance and hepatic histopathology. Detectable levels of toxins were present in the feed before feeding, and all levels of mycotoxins were above the normal limit. A total of 180 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens were allocated randomly to six treatment groups with three replicates per group, including ten chickens per replicate. The experiment lasted for five weeks, and dietary treatments included control diet and diets with four levels of nanosilica as 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20% as well as 0.50% bentonite (fixfin® Dry) diet. Bodyweight, body weight gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were measured weekly. At the end of the fifth week, six chickens per treatment were sacrificed to investigate the effects of NS and bentonite on carcass characteristics and hepatic histopathology. The results showed that providing broiler chickens’ diets with an adsorbent agent, such as NS or bentonite, can reduce the side effects of mycotoxins and enhance their growth performance. The best record was achieved with NS at 0.20%, compared with the control group and other dietary treatment groups. Accordingly, 0.20% of NS could be used in broiler chickens’ diets to minimize the harmful effects of mycotoxins.