Evaluation of various levels of sweet almond meal as a source of protein on the production variables and immune response of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of a sweet almond meal (SAM) as a source of protein on performance and immune responses of broiler chickens. Treatments consisted of different levels of SAM (7%, 14%, 21% and 28% of diet) and control diet that was performed in a completely randomized design in 42 days. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and blood variables were measured on the 42 day of age. Immune response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) was assessed at d 35 and d 42 (7 days after each injection). White blood cell count was done at d 28. The results showed that chickens fed 28% of SAM had lowest FI during the experiment. During grower period and also whole period of experiment, BWG was highest in chickens that consumed 7% SAM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly increased in chickens fed 28% SAM compared to the other treatments during grower period and also whole period of the experiment. The relative weight of thigh and breast significantly decreased and the relative weight of GIT increased by increasing levels of SAM in the diet. The concentration of cholesterol and LDL significantly decreased in chickens that consumed SAM in the diet. However, the highest glucose and HDL concentration were observed in chickens fed 28% SAM in the diet. Treatments did not have a significant effect on the immune response of broilers (primary and secondary SRBC antibody titres, relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius and white blood cell count) (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that a diet supplemented with SAM at the level of 14%, due to the improved FCR and decreased blood cholesterol and LDL concentration, can be a good replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken's nutrition.

Dietary Replacement of Soybean Meal with Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Meal on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters, and Nutrient Utilization in Broiler Chickens

“…The production performance of broilers was significantly improved when perilla seed meal replaces 1-2% soybean meal in the diet [22]. In addition, substituting soybean meal in the diet with plant protein raw materials like fermented rapeseed meal, raw chickpea, sweet almond meal, raw and fermented rapeseed cake, and sprouted whole pearl millet can also contribute to maintaining or even enhancing the growth and development of broilers [23][24][25][26][27]. In the experiment, the substitution of 5-10% soybean meal with ZBM significantly improved the ADG and ADFI of broilers, which supports the feasibility of using ZBM in broiler diets.…”

Partial Replacement of Animal Fat with Full-Fat Almond in Broiler Chicken Diets: Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Cecal-Fecal Microflora Composition, and Foot-Pad Dermatitis

“…Almonds increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in humans when included in the diet [ 41 ]. A previous study reported that including almonds in the diet reduced plasma cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and LDL cholesterol levels, and increased HDL cholesterol levels in broilers [ 42 ]. Similarly, Arjomandi et al [ 43 ] found that blood cholesterol levels in quails fed diets containing 20% and 30% almonds were significantly lower than those of quails fed diets containing 10% almonds and the controls.…”

Effect of pre-treated almond by-products at different doses of fibrolytic enzyme on nutrition value, ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emission

“…Almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is cultivated all over the world and mostly in the United States and Mediterranean countries. The worldwide almond fruit production is estimated at about three million tonnes per year with a very rapid growth rate in recent years (about 5% annually) (Moradi Yeganeh et al 2021).…”