Effect of Season of the Year, Sex, and Dietary Fats on Broiler Performance, Abdominal Fat, and Preen Gland Secretion

Abstract

Broiler chicks were used in two experiments conducted during summer and winter months to study the effect of various dietary fats on broiler performance, fatty acid composition of abdominal fat, and preen gland secretion. Commercial blended fats, soy bean oil, palm oil, coconut oil, tallow, and yellow grease (50% pork and 50% beef fat) were added at dietary levels of 7.72% (0 to 4 wk) and 7.85% ( 4 to 8 wk). Growth rate was significantly increased using either soy bean oil plus palm oil or palm oil alone as compared to results obtained with a blended fat. Feed efficiency was significantly increased by feeding coconut oil. Male chick growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly increased using soy bean oil alone. Differences in the feed utilization produced by different fats were associated with the linoleic acid content of the fats in most instances. The percentage of abdominal fat was greater for females than for males. Abdominal fat in female birds fed diets containing tallow or blended fats was significantly greater than that for females fed soy bean oil. Fatty acid analysis of abdominal fat from both experiments indicated a significant influence of dietary fats on abdominal fat composition. Significant differences due to the sex of birds existed for some fatty acids. When abdominal fat composition of birds fed with soy bean oil during the summer was compared to that of birds fed with soy bean oil during the winter, significant difference existed in oleic acid content. Fatty acid analysis of preen gland secretions indicated that there were no influences of dietary fats and sex of birds on the fatty acid composition of preen gland secretion. Significant differences that existed in the fatty acids of the preen gland secretion were due to season of the year.

Effects of genotype, sex, and feed restriction on the biochemical composition of chicken preen gland secretions and their implications for commercial poultry production

“…In total, we found 34 FAs in the preen secretions of ISA Dual and Ross 308 genotypes, 14 of which have not been detected in the currently available studies on the biochemistry of chicken preen secretions ( Apandi and Edwards, 1964 ; Saito and Gamo, 1968 ; Pan et al, 1979 ; Kanakri et al, 2018 ). These results corroborate with previous studies documenting that preen gland secretions are the site of unique lipids not found elsewhere in the body ( Lillard and Toledo, 1976 ) and that the occurrence of short-chain, branched-chain, or odd-chain fatty acids is typical of preen gland lipids, whereas their occurrence elsewhere is rather sporadic ( Saito and Gamo, 1968 ).…”

“…While the use of different fats and oils in the diet leads to changes in the fat composition of the chicken body ( Ajuyah et al, 1991 ), the fatty acid representation in preen secretions does not reflect the fatty acid levels in the blood and meat ( Kanakri et al, 2018 ). This is evidenced by a study in which geese were fed Sudan III red azo dye for several months, and while the body fat of geese was stained and turned orange, the coloration of uropygial secretions remained unchanged ( Pan et al, 1979 ). Similarly, ( Kanakri et al, 2018 ) found a relationship between diet and the composition of uropygial secretions for only a negligible number of fatty acids tested.…”

Yield and Proximate Analysis of Meat From Turkeys Fed Two Sources of Supplemental Fat

“…One possible way to change meat yield is by feeding a particular source of fat. Pan et al (1979) noted that tallow increased abdominal fat in broilers as compared to soybean oil; however, work of Edwards et al (1973) and Fuller and Rendon (197'7) did not agree with these results. As Pan et al (1979) did not determine the yield of meat, it is not known whether increased meat yield was concomitant with reduced abdominal fat.…”