In ovo injection of cinnamon or clove alters the physiology and growth of broilers in a hot tropical environment.

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of in ovo feeding of clove and cinnamon on broilers. The experiment used 700 broiler (Ross 308) hatching eggs that were incubated at the recommended temperature of 37.8 °C. On day 17.5 of incubation, 100 eggs were randomly assigned to each of the following seven treatments: uninjected eggs (OE), eggs injected 0.5 mL distilled water (DH), 2 mg of clove, 4 mg of clove, 2 mg of cinnamon, 4 mg of cinnamon, and 3 mg of ascorbic acid (AC). During the posthatch period, the chicks were raised for 56 days. Data on physiological parameters, growth performance, and intestinal histomorphology were collected. Results revealed that the plasma triiodothyronine (T3) of AC and CV2 chicken was higher than the others. Additionally, the plasma malondialdehyde levels of the chickens of AC, CV2, and CM2 were improved significantly (P < 0.05). The initial weights of CV2 birds were comparable with AC CV4, CM4, and CM2 birds but heavier than those of OE and DW. The bodyweight gain in the CV2 group was similar to AC, CV4, and CM2 groups but heavier than OE, DW, and CM4 birds. Feed intake of OE and DW groups was similar to AC, CV2, CV4, and CM2 but higher than CM4. The feed conversion ratio of OE and DW chickens was comparable but higher than the value obtained in chickens of other treatments. The intestinal morphology of the birds did not follow a particular trend. The study concluded that the in ovo injection of 2 mg of clove improved broiler birds' metabolic and antioxidant status at hatch. The high and low doses of clove and the low dose of cinnamon improved the performance of broiler chickens at the market age in a hot tropical environment.

Influence of in ovo arginine feeding on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types.

The demand for animal protein in Nigeria is so high that introduction of new management techniques to improve poultry production is relevant. This study investigated the effects of in ovo administration of arginine on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types. A total of 528 hatching eggs of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens were used for the study for 11 weeks. Hatching eggs were sorted, balanced for weight and fumigated before setting in the incubator. On the 14th day of incubation 378 eggs were confirmed fertile and they were redistributed into 3 treatment groups (0, 11 and 22 mg of arginine/egg) each consisting 126 eggs, replicated 14 times (9 eggs per replicate). At the 18th day of incubation, in ovo injection of arginine was carried out and at the 21st day of incubation, resulting chicks were balanced for weight, assigned to treatments and assessed for post-hatch performance. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. In the results, hatchability was 92.86% (control), 88.39% (injection with 11 mg of arginine) and 91.07% in birds resulting from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine. In ovo injection of 11 and 22 mg of arginine improved the development of duodenal villi in the birds. In ovo injection of 22 and 11 mg of arginine enhanced CMIR after 24 (0.300 mm) and 48 h (0.223 mm) of injecting phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) antigen. Birds on outdoor run had higher (0.282, 0.224 mm) CMIR after 24 and 48 h of injecting PHA-P relative to those raised in deep litter housing. Birds from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine had a significantly lowered daily feed intake (68.38 g/bird) relative to other treatments. Deep litter housing significantly (p < 0.05) improved daily weight gain (25.02 g/bird) of birds as against outdoor run (22.62 g/bird). It was concluded that in ovo injection of 11 or 22 mg of arginine numerically improved hatchability and cell-mediated immune response with enhanced duodenal villi development, while in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine and raising resulting birds on outdoor run is suitable for achieving significantly lower feed intake with better feed conversion ratio in FUNAAB-Alpha chickens.

Free range and deep litter poultry production systems: effect on performance, carcass yield and meat composition of cockerel chickens.

This study was carried out on 150 cockerel chickens each of Harco Black and Novogen strains to determine their performance, carcass yield and meat composition on free range and deep litter production systems. The birds were brooded for 4 weeks and thereafter allotted to the different production systems for a period of 12 weeks. Each production system was allotted 150 chicks (75 chicks per strain) with three replicates of 25 chicks. The birds on deep litter production system were fed ad libitum while each bird on free range was fed 50 % of its daily feed requirement. On the 84 th day, a total of 36 birds were randomly selected for analysis of the carcass yield and meat composition. The data generated were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental arrangement. Novogen strain consumed less feed (P < 0.05) on free range and had the best feed/gain (2.72). A higher (P < 0.05) shear force value (3.74 N) was obtained in the thigh muscle for birds on free range. The tibia proximal length and breadth, and tibia distal length and breadth were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the production systems and strains. On free range, Harco black had more meat (85.69 g) than bone (18.07 g) in the breast while Novogen had the lowest meat/bone (2.38). Conclusively, Novogen strain should be raised on free range for a better performance in terms of feed/gain, but for higher meat composition, Harco black is a better strain.

Nutritive value of fermented and amino acid-supplemented malted sorghum sprouts for growing pigs.

Two experiments were carried out to determine the effects of diets containing fermented and amino acid (AA)-supplemented malted sorghum sprout (MSP) on performance, nutrient utilisation and feed cost analysis of growing pigs. In experiment 1 (digestibility trial), 12 pigs were individually housed in metabolic crates, equipped with feeding and watering troughs which also allow for separate collection of faeces and urine. Data collection lasted for 7 days during which feed intake and faecal output were weighed, with daily storage of collected faeces at -4 °C. Four diets, a basal diet, basal plus malted sorghum sprout (B + MSP), basal plus fermented malted sorghum sprout (B + FMSP) and basal plus amino acids plus malted sorghum sprout (B + AA + MSP), were tested. Samples of test ingredients, feed and faeces were analysed for their gross energy and proximate compositions. In experiment 2, 18 weaner pigs were used in a completely randomised design for 63 days to determine the performance and cost analysis of feeding malted sorghum sprout at 0, 100 and 200 g/kg in pig's diet, six pigs per diet with each pig representing a replicate. Daily feed intake and weekly weight gain were determined. The prevailing cost of each feed ingredient was used to compute the feed cost and, subsequently, the feed cost analysis. Results of digestibility trial showed that there was no difference in the utilisation of the chemical constituents of B + MSP and B + AA + MSP diets, which were also similar to the basal diet, except the crude protein (CP) in amino acid-supplemented malted sorghum sprout diet, which was lower compared to the basal diet. B + FMSP was lower (P < 0.05) in the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and CP compared to the basal diet. The digestible energy (DE) and the fraction of gross energy utilised as DE of each diet also were not affected by fermentation and supplementation with AA. In experiment 2, the levels of MSP used did not affect (P > 0.05) the performance and feed cost indices measured. It was concluded that MSP can be used in growing pig's diet, without the need for fermentation and AA supplementation, at 200 g/kg level with no adverse effect on the nutritive value of the diet.