Increased CO2 Levels during the First Half of Incubation at High Altitude Modifies Embryonic Development of Fertile Leghorn Breeder Eggs

The exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) within an incubator has a significant impact on embryonic development (ED) and hatching processes. This study examines the influence of non-ventilation (NV) conditions during the first ten days of incubation at high altitudes on Leghorn hens hatching eggs. Five hundred four hatching eggs were equally divided into three treatment groups and placed in twelve incubators (R = 4). The first group was subjected to standard ventilated conditions (V) during the setting phase. The ventilation inlet holes of the remaining incubators in the NV treatments were closed with either micropore (M) or polypropylene (P) tape, referred to as NVM and NVP groups, respectively. These two different airtight settings were intended to allow for a gradual rise in CO2 naturally generated by the embryos. Results indicate that carbon dioxide concentration gradually increased during the first half of incubation, reaching 1.42% in the NVM group and 1.20% in the NVP group, while the V condition group remained at 0.15%. From 10 days of incubation onwards, normal V conditions were restored in all incubators. The highest hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE) was shown by the NVP group (55.7%), followed by the V (52.6%) and NVM (38.6%) groups. The NVP group showed a greater yolk-free body mass (YFBM) from 10 days of incubation until the hatch basket transfer. NV conditions during the first 10 days of incubation at high altitude produced higher YFBM with gradually decreasing yolk sac mass. In comparison to the NVM and V conditions, the particular NVP condition showed a beneficial impact on the quality of hatched chicks. Sustaining NVP condition (1.2% of CO2) throughout the first half of incubation at high altitude generated the optimal environment in the incubator ensuring the best hatchability results. This study highlights how important it is for hatchery managers to recognize the influence of low O2 and high levels of CO2 on the development trajectories of Leghorn embryos during early incubation at high altitudes.

Correlation between Intestinal Health and Coccidiosis Prevalence in Broilers during Different Seasons of the Year in Brazil from 2012 to 2018

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites, specifically belonging to the genus Eimeria. These parasites target the gastrointestinal tract in different types of hosts, causing sores in the intestinal lining. The presence of these lesions reduces the animal’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients, significantly impacting their overall performance. The current study aimed to explore the potential correlation between seasonal variations and the incidence of Eimeria spp-induced lesions in broiler chickens’ gastrointestinal tracts in Brazil from 2012 to 2018. A total of 8,607 broiler chickens, aged 14 to 42 days, were sampled from 103 poultry integrated companies in Brazil to conduct intestinal health examinations. The sampling process involved selecting 3 to 6 chickens from each poultry house for examination. The assessment included various abnormalities such as shedding of intestinal cells and excessive fluid and mucus presence, thickening and tension of the intestines, food movement, roughened mucosal surface resembling a Turkish towel in the small intestine, tissue death, duodenal inflammation, intestinal inflammation, gizzard erosion, presence of worms and bedding material, and ingestion of mealworms. During the seasons, winter exhibited the highest average occurrence of Eimeria maxima microorganisms at 52.83%, with E. acervulina following closely at 26.42% in second place. In spring, E. maxima had an occurrence of 11.31%, while in fall, E. tenella had the lowest occurrence at 6.74%. When analyzing the seasonal occurrence of Eimeria, it was observed that E. maxima micro was more common during winter compared to summer (P = 0.0491). However, no discernible variation was observed in the occurrence of the remaining species across different seasons. Research findings suggest that subclinical coccidiosis is most prevalent during the winter season in Brazil. Likewise, clinical disease caused by E. acervulina is also prevalent during this time. In contrast, E. maxima is more likely to cause clinical disease in the spring, whereas E. tenella is more commonly associated with clinical disease in the fall. Lesions induced by Eimeria spp. are associated with factors influencing the overall health of broiler intestines. These findings allow for the utilization of seasonal metrics in disease management, thereby reducing economic losses associated with the condition.

Progress of amino acid nutrition for diet protein reduction in poultry

There is growing interest among nutritionists in feeding reduced protein diets to broiler chickens.Although nearly a century of research has been conducted providing biochemical insights on the impact of reduced protein diets for broilers,practical limitation still exists.The present review was written to provide insights on further reducing dietary protein in broilers.To construct this review,eighty-nine peer reviewed manuscripts in the area of amino acid nutrition in poultry were critiqued.Hence,nutritional research areas of low protein diets,threonine,glycine,valine,isoleucine,leucine,phenylalanine,histidine,and glutamine have been assessed and combined in this text,thus providing concepts into reduced protein diets for broilers.In addition,linkages between the cited work and least cost formation ingredient and nutrient matrix considerations are provided.In conclusion,practical applications in feeding reduced protein diets to broilers are advancing,but more work is warranted.

Dietary branched-chain amino acid assessment in broilers from 22 to 35 days of age

Background:Valine and isoleucine are similar in chemical structure and their limitation in broiler chicken diets.To evaluate their limitation and interactive effects,multivariate assessment nutrition studies for the branched-chain amino acids(BCAA)are needed.A three level(−1,0,+1),three-factor Box-Behnken design study was conducted to assess dietary BCAA ratios to lysine of 65,75,and 85 for valine,58,66,and 74 for isoleucine,and 110,130,and 150 for leucine in male and female Lohman Indian River broilers from 22 to 35 d of age.Results:Live performance of male broilers was not affected by BCAA level.However,male broilers fed increasing isoleucine had improved(P=0.07)carcass yield as leucine and valine were reduced.Female broilers had improved body weight gain(P=0.05)and feed conversion(P=0.003)when leucine and isoleucine were at their lowest levels,independent of valine,but increasing leucine impaired live performance and warranted concomitant increases in isoleucine to restore responses.Increasing dietary isoleucine and valine in female broilers increased breast meat yield(P=0.05),but increasing leucine tended to diminish the response.Conclusion:The female Lohman Indian River broiler is more sensitive to BCAA diet manipulation than males.Specifically,as dietary leucine is increased in female broilers,dietary isoleucine increases were needed to offset the negative effects.Both increases in dietary valine and isoleucine improved breast meat yield in female broilers,but only when birds were fed the lowest dietary leucine.