Energy cost of physical activities in growing broilers.

1. The time-energy budget method estimates the energy used for physical activity (PA) by integrating behaviour PA patterns with energy cost for specific PAs. Nevertheless, information about individual energy cost by type of PA are not available and so this study estimated the energy cost of PA for growing broilers.2. An indirect calorimetry system for single birds was constructed to measure the variation in the rate of O2 consumption (V˙O2, L/min) and rate of CO2 production (V˙CO2, L/min) produced by these PAs.3. A total of five birds were used in a replicated trial where their body weight (BW) ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 kg to measure the increase in heat production (HP) above resting levels as a result of PA. The procedure in the chamber was divided into five steps: (1) initial baselining, (2) resting metabolic rate, (3) PA such as feeding, drinking and other standing activities, (4) removal of gas exchange produced in step 3, and (5) final baselining. The PA was recorded using a video camera fixed at the chamber's top (and outside).4. The area under V˙CO2 and V˙O2 curves was used to calculate the CO2 production (vCO2, L) and O2 consumption (vO2, L). Then, the HP (cal/kg-0.75) was calculated according to the Brouwer equation. Two observers analysed the video records to estimate the time spent for each PA (seconds and frequency).5. To calculate the energetic coefficients, the HP was regressed with the function of time spent to perform each PA allowing to estimate the energy cost for eating, drinking and stand activities, which were 0.607, 0.352 and 0.938 cal/kg-0.75/s, respectively.

The effect of feeding adequate or deficient vitamin B6 or folic acid to breeders on methionine metabolism in 18-day-old chick embryos.

Three isotopic tracers ([2,3,3-2H3]-L-serine, [2H11]-L-betaine, and [1-13C]-L-methionine) were administered by amnion injection into 18-day-old chick embryos to investigate the kinetics of methionine metabolism. The embryos utilized were from eggs collected from 34-week-old Cobb 500 broiler breeders that were fed either a control diet containing folic acid (1.25 mg/kg diet) and pyridoxine HCl (5 mg/kg diet) or diets devoid of supplemental pyridoxine or folic acid. Intermediate metabolites of methionine metabolism and polyamines were analyzed in 18-day-old chick embryos. There were no differences in hepatic [2H2] methionine or [2H3] cysteine enrichments or in physiological concentrations of sulfur amino acids for chick embryos from breeders fed the control diet and embryos from breeders fed diets containing no pyridoxine or folic acid. Supplementation of B6 or folic acid did not affect the production of methionine and cysteine in chick embryos. However, breeders fed the control diet with both folic acid and pyridoxine supplementation produced embryos with a two-fold reduction of hepatic homocysteine and increased spermine compared with embryos from breeders fed diets containing no supplemental pyridoxine or folic acid (P < 0.05). Hepatic S-adenosylmethionine for embryos from breeders fed no supplemental B6 was half the concentration compared with embryos from breeders fed the control diet. Embryos from breeders fed the control diet were utilized to determine the proportion of homocysteine going through remethylation and transsulfuration and also to determine the pathway of remethylation. Sixty-five percent of the methyl groups used for homocysteine remethylation from control embryos was via the MFMT pathway. Alternatively, 61% of homocysteine from control embryos was remethylated via the MFMT and the BHMT reactions and 39% of homocysteine was catabolized to cysteine via the transsulfuration pathway. These data show that in embryos, intermediate metabolites of methionine and polyamines increase in concentration when pyridoxine levels are provided in deficient concentrations to the breeder hen. In addition, this research demonstrates that folic acid deficient embryos conserve methionine, rather than catabolize it to cysteine.

Predicting nutrient digestibility and energy value for broilers.

Digestibility coefficients of nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE) and the ratio of NE to ME (NE/ME) of 20 diets were measured in broiler chickens (1 to 21 d). Dietary nutrients were formulated to keep similar ME/nutrient ratios, except for dietary protein, fat, and fiber using corn, soybean meal, animal protein blend, barley, poultry oil and an enzyme mixture of xylanase, glucanase, and phytase. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients and ME were measured in battery cages under free-access of feed, while NE was measured in floor pens feeding 75% of recommended ME intake each day. NE for maintenance was calculated on basis of mean metabolic weight using a coefficient from a previous study and NE for gain was calculated by body protein and fat gains using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Digestibility coefficients of protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were curvilinearly related to dietary protein and NDF, respectively, while digestibility coefficients of fat and starch were linearly correlated to dietary fat and starch, respectively. The inclusion of enzymes increased the digestion coefficient of NDF to predict the digestibility of protein, NDF, fat, and starch. MEn/gross energy ratio averaged 72.5% and was correlated to protein, fat, NDF, and starch. ME values were accurately predicted from chemical characteristics, where best equations were obtained from digestible nutrients. Energetic efficiencies of ME were 72% (NE/MEn) and 68% (NE/ME) and varied by about 20 and 18%, respectively. Ratios of energetic efficiency were 68% for digestible carbohydrates; 86% for digestible fat; and 76% (NE/MEn) and 59% (NE/ME) for digestible protein. According to the lowest residual standard deviation the best nutrient components to predict energy were digestible nutrients for predicting ME values (41 kcal/kg); digestible protein intake, fecal organic matter, and body fat and protein for predicting heat increment values (111 kcal/kg); and combination of ME and crude nutrient for predicting NE values (140 kcal/kg).

Effect of dietary amino acid density on broiler breeder reproductive performance.

The effects of 3 dietary amino acid (AA) profiles during lay on reproductive performance of broiler breeders were investigated. A flock of 2,376 Ross 708 female broiler breeders were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 12 replicates of 66 females per replicate, and fed 2 breeder feed phases (breeder 1: 25 to 36 wk; breeder 2: 37 to 60 wk) which were formulated to 3 different AA densities (Aviagen advice = control; 10% increased AA in Aviagen advice = high-AA; and estimated AA needs for maintenance, growth, and egg mass = estimated-AA). No differences in total or hatching egg production due to dietary treatments were observed. Hens fed high-AA had a higher incidence of double-yolk eggs. During the second phase of lay, hens fed estimated-AA had lower livability compared to the other treatments. Hens fed estimated-AA also laid smaller eggs compared to control and high-AA fed birds. Back feather cover deteriorated as hens grew older, and hens fed the estimated-AA diets had poorer feather cover from 41 wk onward. Overall, these results suggest that feeding higher AA levels than Aviagen recommendations presented no benefit in reproductive performance or feather quality. The estimated-AA feeding approach supported laying performance similar as other treatments, although affected egg weight and back feather cover.

Effect of body weight and energy intake on body composition analysis of broiler breeder hens.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different feeding programs and energy intakes on the body composition of broiler breeders (BB) from 22 wk of age to 65 wk of age. Cobb 500 BB that had been reared using three growth curves: (1) the control group followed Cobb 500 guidelines (SBW) for target body weights (BW), (2) the second group target BW was 20% heavier (HBW) than the SBW group, and (3) the third group target BW was 20% lighter (LBW) than the SBW group. At 21 wk of age, pullets from each growth curve were assigned to be fed one of six treatments. Diets were formulated and allocated to provide 330, 360, 390, 420, 450, or 480 kcal ME/hen/d and 24 g protein/hen/d, at peak intake. Body composition (lean mass, fat mass, and mineral content) was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry throughout the production period. Significantly, greater (P < 0.05) amounts of fat mass and lower amounts of lean mass were evident at the beginning of the production period for HBW hens compared with SBW and LBW hens. Higher levels of energy intake also affected body composition. Namely, fat deposition was greatest throughout the production period in hens consuming 480 kcal/d at peak intake (P < 0.05). Critically, fluctuations to lean and fat mass throughout the production period are suggestive of underlying regulatory processes. Specifically, hens appears to maintain consistent lean mass throughout the production period with a coefficient of variation of <12% across all birds. The results of this study provide important BB body composition information from management and nutrition studies that showed the dynamics of body composition change during the production period.

Effect of dietary nutrients on ileal endogenous losses of threonine, cysteine, methionine, lysine, leucine and protein in broiler chicks.

An isotope dose technique was utilized (i) to determine endogenous amino acid (AA) and protein losses and (ii) to propose adjusted values for AA requirements. The endogenous flow rate was calculated from the pool of enrichment in plasma AA, assuming similitude to enrichment of endogenous AA. In experiment 1, chicks were orally administered D4-lysine at 2% of estimated lysine intake from 16 to 24 days to find the isotopic steady state of the atom percent excess (APE) of lysine for plasma and jejunal and ileal digesta. The APE of D4-lysine in plasma, jejunal digesta and ileal digesta reached the isotopic steady state at 5.5, 3.4 and 2.0 days, respectively, by using the broken-line model. It was assumed that the isotopic steady state at 5 days identified for D4-lysine is also representative for the 15N-labeled AA. In experiment 2, chicks were fed diets from 1 to 21 days with increasing levels of fat (6%, 8%, 12%, 13% extract ether), protein (26%, 28.5%, 31% CP) or fiber (14%, 16%, 18% NDF) by adding poultry fat, soybean meal, blended animal protein or barley. Chicks were orally administered 15N-threonine, 15N-cysteine, 15N-methionine, 15N-lysine and 15N-leucine at 2% of estimated daily intake for 5 days from 17 to 21 days of age. Dietary nutrients influenced endogenous losses (EL), where dietary fat stimulated EL of lysine (P=0.06), leucine and protein (P=0.07); dietary protein enhanced EL of leucine and protein; and finally the dietary fiber increased EL of leucine. Dietary nutrients also affected apparent ileal digestibility (AID). Dietary fat increased AID of cysteine but decreased AID of lysine. Dietary protein reduced AID of protein, threonine, lysine and leucine, and similarly dietary fiber decreased AID of protein, threonine, methionine, lysine and leucine. In contrast, dietary fat or protein did not affect real ileal digestibility (RID) of protein and AA except threonine and leucine. The dietary fiber reduced the RID of protein, threonine and leucine. This indicate that variations of some endogenous AA and protein losses due to dietary nutrients almost eliminates the effects of RID, and thus the EL coming from the body should be utilized to adjust the AA requirement instead of changing the true digestible nutrients of ingredients. The present data suggest that 5 days' feeding labeled AA was enough to reach the isotopic steady state and AA requirements should be adjusted when additional dietary protein, fat or fiber is fed.

Mechanisms of lipid mobilization towards egg formation in broiler breeder hens using stable isotopes.

The contribution of dietary, mobilized, or newly synthesized fatty acids in yolk formation at different periods of egg production was determined. In an initial experiment, a single dose of 13C-linoleic acid was administered to pullets at the onset of egg production and their presence in follicles determined over the subsequent 10 days. In a second experiment, pullets were fed a daily 15 mg dose of U-13C-glucose beginning 2 wk prior to sexual maturity through the end of the experimental period. A 50 mg meal of U-13C-linoleic acid was orally administered approximately 10 d prior to sexual maturity (defined as first egg) representing body linoleic acid. Upon each hen's first egg, each bird received a 25 mg meal of 2D31-linoleic acid representing dietary linoleic acid. All eggs were collected for the next 10 days. The incorporation of labeled linoleic acid and palmitic acid in egg yolk was then determined using GC-MS. This process was repeated at peak production and at 45 wk of age. At sexual maturity, the deposition of labeled palmitic acid in the yolk was higher compared with its deposition at peak production and 45 wk of age. The deposition of both 13C- and 2D31-linoleic acid increased with hen age. These results suggest that dietary and tissue linoleic acid is utilized to a greater extent in older hens and that lipogenesis (synthesis of palmitic acid) plays a larger role at sexual maturity in the young hen.

Lysine partitioning in broiler breeders is not affected by energy or protein intake when fed at current industry levels.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary energy and protein intake on the partitioning of lysine in broiler breeder hens. One hundred twenty-six broiler breeders were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 2 (390, 450 kcal/d) × 3 (22, 24, 26 g of CP/d) fashion. Thirty-six hens were administered a daily oral dose of 15 mg of (15)N-Lys for a period of 2 wk or until first egg. After the 2-wk enrichment period, no isotopes were given for 2 d. After 2 d, a daily oral dose of 15 mg of (2)D4-Lys was administered until the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th egg (saved) after the initial (2)D4-Lys was given, at which point pectoralis muscle was sampled. Weeks 25, 29, and 45 were assessed. Isotopic enrichment of pectoralis muscle, egg yolk, and albumen was determined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The (15)N-Lys was intended to represent endogenous lysine, whereas the (2)D4-Lys was intended to represent dietary lysine. Greater than 78% of all labeled lysine ((15)N and (2)D4-Lys) was found in breast muscle. Endogenous muscle was the main source of lysine for yolk formation at wk 25 and 45. Diet was the main source of lysine for albumen formation at wk 25 and 29. A consistent decrease in the (15)N-Lys in breast muscle from the 2nd to the 3rd egg was observed, while also seeing an increase in the (15)N-Lys in the egg from the 3rd to the 4th egg. No difference in the partitioning of lysine was determined by energy or protein intake at levels typical for the current poultry industry. Rather, age, and possibly rate of production, appear to be the main drivers of lysine partitioning in the broiler breeder hen.

The effects of pullet body weight, dietary nonpyhtate phosphorus intake, and breeder feeding regimen on production performance, chick quality, and bone remodeling in broiler breeders.

A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment, consisting of 52 hens per treatment, was conducted to determine the effects of pullet BW, dietary nonphytate phosphorus (NPP), and feeding regimen on performance, progeny quality, and bone remodeling. Cobb 500 broiler breeder pullets were reared to 3 different growth curves: 20% under, Cobb standard, and 20% over. Body weights were recorded weekly and feed adjustments made accordingly. At 21 wk, 624 hens were fed one of 2 breeder diets differing only in the amount of dietary NPP: 0.15 or 0.40%. A normal feeding regimen was appropriate for the particular growth curve; an alternative regimen considered the 3 growth curves together as a flock. At 24, 26, and 29 wk, blood was collected from 5 hens per treatment every 4 h over a 24-h period. Plasma samples were analyzed for total alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, Ca, and inorganic P. Eggs per hen housed were diminished in hens fed the low dietary NPP and by low pullet target weight. Hens fed low dietary NPP also had lower egg weights but better eggshell quality. Mortality was significantly higher in hens fed low dietary NPP. Breeder tibia relative strength and ash were also significantly lower in hens fed low dietary NPP, regardless of the quantitative amount. Progeny tibia ash was not affected by any treatment. Total alkaline phosphatase responded to pullet BW, however by wk 29, total alkaline phosphatase also became sensitive to dietary NPP. The NPP by pullet BW interaction for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase levels became significant by 29 wk, and pullet BW was significant at wk 24. The NPP by pullet growth curve interaction was also critical for plasma inorganic P levels throughout the sampling period. In summary, both 0.15% dietary NPP and reared pullets 20% under standard BW negatively affect egg production but do not impair progeny productivity. Body composition appears to be a main contributor in bone remodeling mechanisms, especially during the transition into egg production.