Apple cider vinegar administration on carcass characteristics and meat quality of broiler chickens.

This study evaluated the effect of apple cider vinegar (ACV) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 300 broilers (Arbor Acre) were randomized to six treatments replicated 5 times (50 birds/treatment and 10 birds/replicate) from 2 days old till the sixth week of age in a 2 by 3 factorial layout consisting of dosages (5.0 mL/L and 10.0 mL/L ACV) and administration frequency (antibiotics following standard schedule, twice/week ACV and thrice/week ACV). At the sixth week, sixty birds (10 birds/treatment) were selected for carcass yield, cut part yield, organ weight, meat technological properties, lipid profiles, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test at a P < 0.05 significant level. Birds administered 5.0 mL/L ACV thrice weekly presented a significantly (P < 0.05) higher plucked, eviscerated, dressed, thigh and breast weight compared with the other treatments. The spleen of birds in the control group was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than those administered ACV. The meat from the 5.0 mL/L ACV group had significantly higher (P < 0.05) water absorptive power and lower refrigeration loss, as depicted in the main effect table. Meat cholesterol, phospholipids, and MDA levels did not differ across the treatments except triglyceride, which was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the 5.0 mL/L ACV thrice-weekly group. This study concludes that ACV administration could improve carcass yield and meat quality indices. Thus, its use as an alternative to conventional antibiotics for broiler chickens might be beneficial.

Performance, blood profile and gut morphometry of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Yohimbe (Pausynistalia yohimbe) and Larvacide.

The need for making livestock products free from antibiotics residue and other synthetic chemicals has resulted to the use of herbal products in livestock production. A 42-day study was conducted to compare the influence of Yohimbe (Pausynistalia yohimbe) and Larvacide on the growth performance, blood profile and gut morphometry of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five 14-day old broiler chickens were randomly allotted into five treatment groups comprising of forty five chicks each. The groups were triplicates of fifteen birds. The five treatment groups consist of Basal (control), Larvacide (5 mg/Kg), three levels of Yohimbe supplementation (60 mg, 120 mg, and 180 mg/Kg) diets. Each supplement was supplied with the specified diets for the two phases of feeding [starter diet (3-4weeks) and the finisher diet (5-8weeks)]. Data collected were subjected to One-way analysis of variance. Results show insignificant effect (p>0.05) on the growth performance parameters at the starter phase. However, at the finisher phase, supplementation of Yohimbe resulted to a progressive reduction in the feed intake (p<0.05) without consequential reduction in the body weights. The chickens fed Basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the best Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). Furthermore, chickens fed basal starter diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) total protein, globulin, Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), and Eosinophil counts while it had the least (p<0.05) Alanine Transaminase (ALT), uric acid and creatinine. Also, chickens fed basal starter diet + 60 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) while chickens fed basal starter diet+120 mg Yohimbe had highest (p<0.05) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), but lower Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride. At the finisher phase, chickens fed basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) Pack Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin and basophils while chickens fed basal diet+60 mg Yohimbe had the highest WBC. Chickens fed basal diet+120 mg Yohimbe had the least ALT and uric acid. Triglyceride, and cholesterol, HDL and VLDL, were lowered (p<0.05) in chickens fed basal diet+Larcacide. Also, chickens fed basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) villi height. The study concluded that feeding broiler chickens basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe improved optimum growth performance, blood profile and gut morphology.

Chemical and color characterization of breast meat from FUNAAB indigenous and marshal broiler chickens.

The study was conducted to evaluate breast meat quality attributes of Marshal and FUNAAB Indigenous (Alpha C13 and Alpha C14) Broiler (FIB) chickens. Birds of average live weights (1.8 to 2.0 kg) were selected from flock fed same concentrate diet and managed under deep litter system. Birds were slaughtered, scalded in hot water at 65 °C, de-feathered, and frozen-stored. Proximate, mineral, cholesterol contents, pH, color, and fatty acid profile of the chickens' meat were determined. Data were subjected to ANOVA (p < 0.05). Moisture (73.87%) and fat (2.82%) contents of Marshal were higher than FIB. Protein (23.65%) and ash (1.56%) were highest (p < 0.05) for Alpha C14. pH ranged between 5.94 and 6.58. Lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values were 69.37-75.52 and 8.77-7.96. Alpha C13 had significantly higher L* and a* than Marshal. Potassium was most abundant mineral observed across breeds. Saturated (SFA, 38.03-57.10%), monounsaturated (MUFA, 29.78-41.55%), and polyunsaturated (PUFA, 10.91-20.29%) fatty acid compositions differed significantly among breeds. Cholesterol contents of Alpha C14 (4.23 mg/kg) was significantly lower, while Marshal (5.67 mg/kg) chicken showed significantly higher value. Conclusively, FIB chickens are valuable nutritional meat sources with desirable chemical composition and can constitute alternative chicken meats with human health benefit.

Performance and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens fed dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powders as antioxidants.

A 56-day experimental trial was conducted to investigate the performance and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens fed dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (t) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powder (c) as antioxidants. Two hundred and forty three (two-week old) broiler chicks were randomly allotted into nine treatment groups consisting of 27 selected chicks and three replicates of nine birds each. Three levels of t - (0, 200 and 400 g/ 100 kg basal diet) and three levels of c - (0, 100 and 200 g/ 100 kg basal diet) were used to formulate nine dietary treatments (basal diet (B) inclusive) and fed to each groupin two phases, starter (3-4 weeks) and finisher (5-8 weeks) phases in a randomized design. Feed intake and weight gain were highest (p < 0.05) in chicks fed B + 100c diet at the starter phase, while feed conversion ratio was best (p < 0.05) in chickens fed B + 400t + 200c diet at finisher phase. All chickens fed dietary additives had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and low density lipoproteins but increased high density lipoproteins in the starter phase. The hematological count determined indicate poor (p < 0.05) profile in groups fed B + 200c diet. Feeding broiler chicks dietary B + 400t + 200c was recommended for optimal growth performance. However, indices measured in the finisher phase allude that the best (p < 0.05) lipid profile were for chickens allotted B + 400t and B + 200t + 100c diets, while chicks fed B + 200t + 100c diet had overall a better serum count in the finisher phase.

Utilization of unpeeled cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal supplemented with or without charcoal by broiler chickens.

A 42-day feeding trial was conducted using 480-day-old, male Marshall broilers to study the utilization of unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) supplemented with or without 6 g/kg charcoal. The experimental design was laid out in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments having three inclusion levels of UCRM (0, 100 and 200 g/kg) with or without 6 g/kg charcoal supplementation. Each treatment consisted of 80 birds replicated eight times with 10 birds per replicate. Main effect of inclusion level of UCRM and supplementation of charcoal showed reduced (p < 0.05) final live weight, weight gain, feed intake and apparent crude protein digestibility of the birds with increasing inclusion levels of UCRM. Birds fed diets supplemented with charcoal showed higher (p < 0.05) final live weight, weight gain and feed intake than birds fed diets without charcoal. Supplementation of charcoal in diet containing 100 g/kg UCRM resulted in improved (p < 0.05) weight gain when compared with birds fed similar diet but not supplemented with charcoal. Broilers fed diet containing no UCRM but supplemented with charcoal had the highest overall (p < 0.05) final live weight and weight gain, while birds fed diet containing 200 g/kg UCRM supplemented with charcoal recorded the poorest (p < 0.05) final live weight and weight gain. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum thiocyanate concentration increased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary inclusion levels of UCRM. Dietary supplementation of charcoal resulted in increased (p < 0.05) concentration of serum glucose and cholesterol and reduced (p < 0.05) SGOT concentration. Birds fed diets containing UCRM had high (p < 0.05) serum thiocyanate concentration irrespective of dietary supplementation or not with 6 g/kg charcoal. In conclusion, supplementation of diet containing up to 100 g/kg UCRM with 6 g/kg charcoal showed improved weight gain without any deleterious effect on serum metabolites.