The objective of this study was to estimate the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), true metabolizable energy (TME), their digestible coefficients, as well as the apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE) and apparent ileal digestible coefficient (AIDC) of Ramon (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.) seed meal (RSM). Two experiments were performed using Cobb broilers, in the first experiment, eight birds from a total of 24 broilers (twelve 3-week-old and twelve 6-week-old) were randomly selected for determination of endogenous losses (EL). The sixteen remaining were tube-fed a single dose of RSM and total excreta collection was used. In the second experiment, three diets (100% maize; 40% RSM-60% maize and 60% RSM-40% maize) were made to determine the AIDE and AIDC of each ingredient using the difference method by incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2) at 5 g/kg. Diets were randomly assigned to a total of 51 7-week-old broilers, distributed in 6, 6 and 5 replicates respectively (three broilers per replicate). No age effect (p > 0.05) was found for both AME (1863 and 1909 kcal/kg for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) and TME (2234 and 2271 kcal/kg, for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) of the RSM. The AIDE and AIDC of RSM at 40 and 60% inclusion (2408 and 2538 kcal/kg, and 0.64 and 0.67, respectively) were found to be lower (p < 0.05) than that of maize (3179 kcal/kg and 0.81). It was concluded that the main factor contributing to the decrease in AME, TME, AIDE and AIDC values for RSM was the difference between the chemical composition of this feedstuff and maize, as they have almost the same starch amounts.
<p><strong>Background. </strong>There is a concern among poultry meat consumers due to broiler conditions during rearing period in commercial production systems. Consumers trust the organic and free-range poultry production systems because they suppose are more suitable and natural, giving high nutritive value and low-fat content to the meat, improving also the chicken welfare.<strong> Objetive.</strong> Two studies evaluated the effect of an outdoor access on ethological behavior, health indicators and productive performance of Hubbard broilers in the rearing period. <strong>Methodology.</strong> The first experiment evaluated outdoor access system in spring (april to may), and the second one was implemented in summer (june to august). In both studies included two groups: a) chickens with outdoot access (OA) and b) chickens at indoor rearing only (WOA). In the first experiment, ethological behaviors (EB) were described; forage intake (Fo), feed intake (FI), live weight gain (LWG) and carcass characteristics (Cc) were measured, blood components (BC), total immunoglobulins (Ig) and parasite eggs counts in excreta (Pc) were also determined, besides microscopic gut lesions in chickens (ML) were evaluated. In the second experiment, live weight gain (LWG), feed intake (FI) and forage intake (Fo) were measured, also carcass characteristics (Cc) were determinated. Analysis of variance by one way ANOVA was performed. <strong>Results.</strong> In first experiment, it was found that OA and WOA chickens stayed the most time resting. However, inside and outside, moving and foraging behaviors were observed in OA, while in WOA treatment foraging of chickens was the less frequent conduct. WOA showed higher final live weight and FI, but there were no differences in LWG and feed conversion in comparison with OA. Gizzard and caeca weights were heavier in OA treatment. No differences in both carcass yield and abdominal fat were found. At the last two weeks of age the forage intake amount per bird was 1.93 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.97 g and 2.06 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.87 g of DM/d of <em>Leucaena leucocephala</em> and<em> Pennisetum purpureum</em>,<em> </em>respectively. OA chickens had fewer leukocytes number (lymphocytes, eosinophils) and total inmmunoglobulins, but more heterophils and blood hemoglobulin. No differences between treatments in <em>Eimeria</em> oocysts in excreta were found. However, higher distribution and severity in microscopic gut lesions in birds WAO treatment were found. While in second experiment it was found that both OA and WAO broilers had similar final weight, feed intake, carcass yield and abdominal fat, but OA chickens had a trend to be higher in both weight gain and better feed convertion. Likewise, AO and WAO broilers had similar tibial ash content. Also, AO broilers consumed 0.50 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.36; 0.49 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.50 and 0.60 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.32 g of DM/d of <em>Leucaena leucocephala</em>, <em>Brosimum alicastrum</em> and <em>Moringa oleifera</em>,<em> </em>respectivily. <strong>Implications.</strong> It is basic to have the knowledge regarding poultry production with outdoor access in tropical conditions. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> Outdoor access stimulated natural behaviours expression and did not affect productive performance. Also, AO did not produce hematological changes or severe microscopic lesions.</p>
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