Based on a nonlinear N utilization model, 2 N balance experiments with growing broiler chickens were conducted, investigating the ideal amino acid (AA) ratio (IAAR) of the branched-chain AA (BCAA) Leu, Ile, and Val related to Lys. In both of the experiments, the starter (I: 10-20 d of age) and grower periods (II: 25-35 d of age) utilized 36 male Ross 308 chickens each (n = 144). Nitrogen balance periods were divided into an adaptation period (5 d) and 2 consecutive collection periods (2 × 5 d). Diets of experiment 1 were based on a consistent mixture of wheat, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, fish meal, and crystalline AA, subsequently diluted by wheat starch to provide 8 graded CP levels (6-34% CP). Results of nonlinear regression between N intake and N deposition yielded the theoretical maximum for N deposition (NDmaxT; I: 4,593 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d; II: 4,302 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d). Furthermore, the daily N maintenance requirement (NMR) was derived (I: 113 mg of N/BWkg(0.67); II: 215 mg of N/BWkg(0.67)/d). Both the age-dependent data for NMR and NDmaxT were applied to calculate the model parameter b (protein quality, independent of N intake) and bc(-1) (efficiency of limiting AA), respectively. Five diets based on the same ingredients as in experiment 1 were formulated for experiment 2: an AA balanced basal diet and 4 diets of the same composition but lacking in supply of Lys, Leu, Ile, or Val. All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. For calculation of the IAAR, observed bc(-1) data of each AA diluted diet were utilized. The concluded IAAR of Lys:Leu:Ile:Val for the starter and grower period were 100:94:55:65 and 100:106:56:72, respectively. These results indicated a higher demand for Leu and Val during the grower phase and, generally, a lower IAAR for the BCAA than previously reported in comparable experiments.
Necrotic enteritis (NE) causes significant economic losses in the broiler chicken industry, especially in birds raised without in-feed antibiotics. A standardized blend of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids (IQA) derived from Macleaya cordata has shown to have anti-inflammatory potency and promoted animal productivity. This study investigated the effects of IQA supplementation on broiler chickens under NE challenge. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed with factors: NE challenge (no or yes), and additives (no additive or IQA at 0.15 g/kg) in starter, grower, and finisher diets. Birds were challenged with Eimeria spp. on d 9 and 108 to 109Clostridium perfringens on d 14. Each treatment had 7 replicate floor pens with 17 birds each. NE challenge negatively affected growth performance, livability, and carcass traits. Regardless of challenge, IQA increased feed intake and gain on d 24 (P < 0.05) and 35 (P < 0.01) and improved FCR (P < 0.05), flock uniformity (P < 0.01) and breast meat yield (P < 0.001) on d 35. Supplementation of IQA also reduced lesions in the duodenum (P < 0.05), jejunum (P < 0.001), and ileum (P < 0.001). This study suggests that IQA may protect broilers from NE indicating its role as a promising antibiotic alternative.
Nitrogen (N) balance studies were conducted with male growing broiler chickens to reevaluate the lysine (Lys) requirement of a modern broiler strain (Ross 308), making use of eight diets with graded crude protein (CP) supply (6%-34% CP as-fed). Wheat, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, fishmeal and crystalline amino acids (AAs) were the protein sources in the experimental diets with Lys as limiting AA. Following an adaptation period of five days, two consecutive excreta collection periods (2 × 5 d) were conducted: 10-20 d of age (starter period) and 25-35 d of age (grower period). Statistical evaluation of N balance data utilized an exponential modelling approach. Based on different dietary Lys efficiency, Lys requirement data were derived by modelling depending on average body weight (BW) during starter and grower period and targeted body protein deposition (PD), respectively. In addition, the influence of graded feed intake was taken into account. For the starter period at 600 g BW and assumed 10 g daily body PD, Lys requirement data between 741 mg and 823 mg per day were observed. The corresponding Lys in-feed concentration was 1.06% and 1.18%, dependent on supposed Lys efficiency at 70 g daily feed intake. For the grower period (average BW 1800 g), 1272 mg to 1473 mg Lys per day was needed to yield 16.5 g daily PD. The corresponding required Lys in-feed concentration was between 0.85% and 0.94% Lys for 150 g daily feed intake.
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