Broilers are traditionally managed with feeding programs that often consist of three or four phases. In this study we investigated whether a multiphase feeding program (14 phases) of broilers based on the optimal mix of two feeds could replace a traditional four phase system while maintaining broiler performance. To evaluate this prposed program we measured variables of performance, carcass yield, and nitrogen excretion. In addition, we determined if the multiphase feeding program (14 phases) would be equally effective regardless of bird gender. A total of 480 day-old Cobb chicks were used, with an average weight of 44.74 ± 0.16 g (females) and 44.71 ± 0.11 g (males). The birds were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design. Each treatment consisted of six replicates with 20 animals per experimental unit. Results were analyzed separately in two periods (1-21 and 22-42 days) as determined by slaughter date, as well as for the entire growth period (1-42 days). The multiphase program led to improvements in final body weight and average daily weight gain, in addition to an increase in breast yield.

-This experiment aimed to determine the metabolizable energy and the digestibility of detoxified castor meal and castor cake nutrients for broilers. A total of 180 Cobb-500 TM broilers from 21 to 32 days of age was randomly distributed in three treatments with six replicates of 10 broilers -5 males and 5 females. The experimental treatments were a reference-diet and two test-diets composed of 80% of reference-diet and 20% of detoxified castor cake or castor meal. The adaptation period ranged from 21 to 27 days of age and the total excreta collection period ranged from 28 to 32 days of age. The detoxified castor meal presented apparent metabolizable energy of 2,032 kcal/kg of natural matter, apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance of 1,829 kcal/kg of natural matter and the digestibility coefficients of 57.8% dry matter, 68.4% crude protein, 10.5% crude fiber, 35.9% nitrogen free extract, 80.0% ether extract and 26.6% ash.In the detoxified castor cake, the apparent metabolizable energy content was 2,550 kcal/kg of natural matter, the nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy balance was of 2,320 kcal/kg of natural matter and the digestibility coefficients of 60.6% for dry matter, 77.2% for crude protein, 14.0% for crude fiber, 45.7% for nitrogen free extract, 85.4% for ether extract and 28.2% for ash. The metabolizable energy and digestibility of nutrients in detoxified castor cake are higher than in the detoxified castor meal.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este experimento avaliar o efeito da inclusão de torta de mamona destoxifi cada (TMD) na ração de poedeiras comerciais sobre o desempenho e a qualidade interna ABSTRACT This experiment aimed to evaluate the use of detoxifi ed castor cake (DCC) in the diet of laying hens on performance and internal and external quality of eggs. A total of 200 laying hens with 40-50 weeks of age, of Hy-Line W-36® line, with 1543±34g body weight, were distributed in a completely randomized design with fi ve treatments (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of DCC in diet)