Comparative efficacy of tannin-free grain sorghum varieties for the control of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens in broiler chickens.

A 28-day battery cage study was conducted to test the efficacy of tannin-free grain sorghum varieties fed to Cobb 500 male broiler chickens (n = 512) and challenged with Eimeria maxima (EM) and Clostridium perfringens (CP). Birds were fed 1 of 8 treatments (corn, red/bronze, white/tan, or U.S. No. 2 sorghum) and were grouped by challenge method (challenged with EM/CP or unchallenged). On d 14, birds in the challenge group were orally inoculated with ∼5,000 oocysts of EM, and on d 19, 20, and 21, birds were given a broth culture of CP with ∼108 CFU/mL once daily. On d 21, three birds were scored for the degree/presence of necrotic enteritis (NE) lesions. Birds and feed were group weighed (d 0, 14, 21, and 28) to calculate average feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and adjusted feed conversion ratio (AdjFCR). Intestinal integrity was assessed through histological analysis of intestinal tissues, and change in transcriptome was determined using mRNA-sequencing on intestinal mucosa. Relative concentrations of secondary metabolites in grain sorghum were determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Data were analyzed as a 2-way ANOVA with factors of treatment, challenge and their interaction. Regardless of challenge from 14 to 21 d, birds on the corn, white/tan, and U.S. No. 2 treatments were more efficient than those fed red/bronze treatment (P = 0.0026). From 14 to 28 d, BWG was significantly higher for the white/tan treatment (P = 0.024) compared to the red/bronze treatment. At 21 d, a significant interaction was observed for lesion score (P = 0.0001) in which, challenged birds fed red/bronze and white/tan treatments had reduced intestinal lesions compared to U.S. No. 2 and corn treatments. No differences among treatments were observed in jejunum morphology, but differential expression analysis showed an upregulation in defense response to bacteria and biotic stress in the challenged red/bronze treatment compared to the challenged corn. This study demonstrated improved gut health and minimal impact on growth and efficiency of broilers fed select grain sorghum varieties when challenged with EM/CP.

Apparent metabolizable energy, growth performance and carcass traits of Japanese quail fed select modern grain sorghum varieties.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) content of tannin-free red/bronze, white/tan and U.S. No. 2 varieties of grain sorghum for feeding Japanese quail and validate their nutrient profile by evaluating effects on performance and carcass traits with full-substitution of corn. METHODS: Experiment 1 determined the AMEn content of red/bronze, white/tan, and U.S. No. 2 grain sorghum varieties fed to mixed-sex Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) (n = 314) at 3 and 6-weeks of age. Analyses were based on a 2×4 factorial treatment design with age and grain types defining the treatments, and a randomized complete block experiment design with cage and trials defining the block. AMEn values were validated by evaluating the performance and carcass traits of Japanese quail (n = 644) from 1 to 40 days of age in Experiment 2 with birds were fed 1 of 4 complete diets. Statistical analyses were conducted on performance data and select individual carcass trait measurements. RESULTS: Determined AMEn values at 3-weeks of age were 3,524±122.03 (red/bronze), 3,252±122.03 (white/tan), and 3,039±123.44 (U.S. No. 2) kcal/kg. At 6-weeks of age, determined AMEn were 3,373±297.35 (red/bronze), 3,279±297.35 (white/tan), and 2,966±298.64 (U.S. No. 2) kcal/kg. Carcass traits showed live body weight (p = 0.0409) and hot carcass weight (p = 0.0234) were greatest in U.S. No. 2; however, carcass yield (p<0.0001) was lowest. No significant differences were observed among treatments for feed intake, feed conversion ratio, breast weight and breast yield (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrated that tannin-free grain sorghum varieties may be a potential alternative to corn in quail diets while maintaining growth performance and carcass parameters.

Influence of monensin and salinomycin on the performance of broiler chicks.

Because monensin and salinomycin are widely used to control coccidiosis, two experiments were conducted to compare the performance of broiler chicks when these compounds were added to the diet. Five levels of each coccidiostat were fed. Increasing the levels of coccidiostat resulted in a decrease in body weight and feed intake. Monensin gave a greater depression at the level suggested by the manufacturer for prevention of coccidiosis (121 ppm) than did salinomycin (66 ppm). The interaction of experiment x treatment was significant and was a result of the greater performance depression at the lower levels (manufacturers' recommended levels) of coccidiostat administered in the first experiment than in the second. This research points out the necessity of the accurate use of the coccidiostats.

Effect of niacin supplementation of a corn-soybean meal diet on performance of turkey breeder hens.

Two trials were conducted to determine the need for niacin supplementation of Nicholas Large White Turkey hens fed a corn-soybean meal diet from 224 to 336 days of age. Analysis of the corn and soybean meal indicated the niacin contribution to be 23.6 mg/kg diet. No supplemental niacin was required for maximum egg production, fertility, or hatchability. However, body and egg weights were significantly increased when 8.4 and 16.7 mg niacin were added per kilogram of diet, respectively. These data indicate that the turkey hen does not require more than 23.6 mg niacin/kg of a corn-soybean meal diet for egg production, but 40.3 mg/kg was required for maximum egg weight in the presence of .17% tryptophan (analyzed in corn and soybean meal).

Performance of turkey poults when fed two levels of methionine with and without ipronidazole.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of adding ipronidazole to the diet of turkey poults containing two different levels of methionine. A corn-soybean meal diet with 0 to .18% supplemental methionine was fed to Nicholas Large White poults from 1 to 21 days of age. The addition of .18% supplemental methionine significantly improved body weight and feed efficiency. The addition of ipronidazole to the diet with either level of methionine did not influence body weight, feed efficiency, or grams of sulfur amino acid required to produce a gram of weight.

Influence of three levels of copper on the performance of turkey poults with diets containing two sources of methionine.

Two trials were conducted to compare the performance of Nicholas Large White turkey poults fed diets with three levels of copper in diets with two sources of methionine. A corn-soybean meal diet, containing 26.5% protein, was used. The two methionine sources were fed at 0 and .06% in diets containing 0, 500, and 750 ppm of copper supplied by CuSO4 X 5H2O. The basal diet contained no supplemental choline and sulfate-free trace minerals were used. The addition of 500 ppm of copper from copper sulfate to the diet improved body weight, feed efficiency, and feed consumption. However, the addition of 750 ppm of copper resulted in a depression of all of the parameters. The addition of both methionine sources significantly improved body weight, feed consumption, and feed efficiency at all levels of copper supplementation. No significant difference was attributed to the two sources of methionine as the response to the two sources was the same at all levels of copper supplementation.

Influence of salinomycin on the performance of broiler chicks.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of graded levels of salinomycin on the performance of broiler chicks. Cobb feather-sexed chicks were fed experimental diets from 1 to 21 days of age. A significant depression in body weight and feed consumption was obtained when the feed contained 77 ppm of salinomycin. Body weight and feed consumption was decreased approximately 10 and 13%, respectively, when the diet contained 88 ppm of salinomycin.

A differential response in turkey poults to various antibiotics in diets designed to be deficient or adequate in certain essential nutrients.

Two experiments, each consisting of two trials, were conducted with day-old Nicholas Large White turkey poults to compare the effectiveness of four antibiotics for growth promotion and the utilization of sulfur amino acids. A corn-soybean meal basal diet that contained no supplemental methionine, choline, or inorganic sulfate was used in order to furnish nutritional stress. The diet was calculated to contain 25.4% protein, .448% methionine, .403% cystine, 1014 mg/kg choline, and 2990 kcal metabolizable energy/kg. In Experiment 1, a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was used. This included two levels, (0% (control) and .18%), of supplemental DL-methionine and no antibiotic or bacitracin MD, flavomycin, or virginiamycin; antibiotics were fed at 50, 2, and 20 g/ton, respectively. In Experiment 2, lincomycin also was included as a treatment (at 4 g per ton) resulting in a 2 X 5 factorial arrangement of treatments. Only the addition of Virginiamycin to the control diet in Experiment 1 resulted in significantly increased body weights. Supplementation by .18% methionine increased body weights and feed efficiency. In addition, all three antibiotics increased body weights significantly when added to the .18% methionine diets. Feed efficiency values were improved by all four antibiotics at both methionine levels. In Experiment 2, increases in body weights similar to those in Experiment 1 were obtained with the addition of .18% methionine to the basal diets. Addition of lincomycin and virginiamycin improved body weights and feed efficiencies in the presence and absence of supplemental methionine.

Influence of virginiamycin on energy utilization when turkey poults were fed ad libitum or restricted.

An experiment was conducted with day-old turkey poults to study the influence of virginiamycin on energy utilization. A 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used, which included ad libitum or a 25% feed restriction and 0 or 22 ppm of virginiamycin. Virginiamycin in the diet significantly improved body weight, feed efficiency, and dietary energy utilization when poults were fed ad libitum or when feed was restricted. These data indicate that virginiamycin enhances the utilization of dietary energy by turkey poults.

Influence of virginiamycin on phosphorus utilization by broiler chicks.

An experiment was conducted with day-old Cobb feather-sexed chicks to determine the influence of virginiamycin on phosphorus. When the average of the three levels of phosphorus were combined, utilization, body weights, and bone ash at 21-days of age were improved by the addition of virginiamycin to the diet. Also the amount of phosphorus required to produce a gram of body weight was decreased by the addition of virginiamycin to the diet.

Sodium requirement of the turkey hen.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the sodium requirement of the Large White turkey hen. A supplementation rate of 0.59 g sodium/kg diet (1.0 g sodium/kg in total) was required for maximum production when the hens were fed a maize-soyabean meal diet. The egg production of hens receiving a diet without added sodium had fallen to zero after 70 d. After 1.18 g sodium/kg was added to the diet 40% of hens returned to production within 14 d.

The influence of the grower diet and fat in the layer diet on performance of turkey hens.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the composition of the grower diet and fat in the layer diet on Broad Breasted Large White turkey hens. In Experiment 1, the turkey hens were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing zero and 3% added fat from 12 to 32 weeks of age. In Experiment 2, they were fed a corn-soybean meal basal and a high fiber diet containing 26% wheat bran. In Experiment 1, during the laying phase, hens were fed a corn-soybean meal basal. This diet was also fed in Experiment 2; however, one-half of the hens on each diet were fed a breeder diet with 8% added fat. The addition of fat to the grower diet in Experiment 1 increased hatchability of fertile eggs. The feeding of the high fiber diet in Experiment 2 decreased body weight at 29 weeks. Feed intake and body weight were increased in the laying house when hens were grown on the high fiber diet. However, other production parameters were not affected by grower diet. The addition of fat to the layer diet resulted in increased egg production, fertility, and body weight. Other production parameters were not affected.