Hasan Ersin Samli

Effects of Enterococcus faecium and dried whey on broiler performance, gut histomorphology and intestinal microbiota.

Abstract The experiment was conducted to study the effects of supplementing a broiler starter diet with the probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 and dried whey (80% lactose) on chick performance, gut histomorphology and intestinal microbiota. One-day-old male Ross 308 strain broiler chickens were fed diets containing: (i) control feed, (ii) control + 3.5% dried whey, (iii) control + 0.2%E. faecium, and (iv) control + 3.5% dried whey + 0.2%E. faecium. Birds were maintained in battery brooders confined in an environmentally controlled experimental room. The experiment lasted for 21 days. Birds fed E. faecium or E. faecium + dried whey exhibited significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion rate (FCR). Weight gain and FCR of treatment groups 1 – 4 were 628.7, 657.8, 690.9, 689.3 and 1.218, 1.193, 1.107, 1.116, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria counts in both the ileal content and excreta were significantly affected by dietary treatment. Supplementation of the E. faecium and dried whey separately and in combination increased lactic acid bacteria colonization in the ileal content from 4.2 to 5.0, 7.8 and to 5.1 log cfu/g, respectively (treatments 1 – 4). Similarly, supplementation of dried whey and E. faecium separately and in combination increased lactic acid bacteria in the excreta from 5.3 to 5.5, 8.0 and to 7.2 log cfu/g, respectively. Addition of the probiotic E. faecium increased villus height in the ileum (p < 0.05). Thus, supplementation of E. faecium enhanced broiler chick performance with respect to weight gain and FCR. No additive effect of E. faecium and dried whey was detected. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between E. faecium and dried whey with respect to gut histomorphology.

Influence of a combination of formic and propionic acids added to wheat- and barley-based diets on the performance and gut histomorphology of broiler chickens.

Day-old male chicks were used to test the effects of a combination of formic and propionic acids (CFP) added to wheat- and barley-based diets on the performance and gut histomorphology of broilers. The CFP, containing formic and propionic acids based on an inorganic phyllo-silicate carrier, was added to starter and grower broiler diets of standard (NRC, 1994) or lower nutrient density (LND) using different levels of wheat and barley. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chicks were significantly (P < 0.001) improved by CFP supplementation at 21 days of age regardless of nutrient density (ND). However, at 35 days of age CFP addition significantly (P < 0.001) increased BWG and FCR. Proventriculus weight was also significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Ileal viscosity was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by ND which was associated with wheat and barley contents, whereas feed viscosity was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by CFP supplementation. Villus height was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the CFP supplementation. In the case of villus width, an interaction effect was observed: there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the group fed the standard ND diet, but only a numerical decrease in the group fed the LND diet compared to control group. No significant effect of dietary treatment on the thickness of the lamina muscularis mucosae could be detected.

Effects of Enterococcus faecium supplementation and floor type on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

1. The experiment was to study the effects of floor type and probiotic supplementation (Enterococcus faecium) on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. 2. The experimental design was a factorial 2 × 2 with 6 replicates. The factors were floor type (wire floor versus wood shaving litter) and the presence or absence of probiotic. 3. Birds housed on wood shavings exhibited significantly improved weight gain and food intake. 4. Addition of E. faecium led to significantly decreased food intake and gizzard weight. Supplementation with E. faecium positively influenced the ileal and caecal microbiota, with a significant decrease in the population of Escherichia coli. 5. Erythrocyte length decreased and erythrocyte width increased in the birds housed on wood shavings.

Effects of whole wheat with or without xylanase supplementation on performance of layers and digestive organ development

Abstract An experiment was conducted using Bovans White layers to investigate the effects of 30% whole-wheat inclusion in a standard layer diet supplemented with xylanase, on laying performance, digestive organs and ileal mucosa development. Three dietary treatments were used: 1) control diet (30% ground wheat); 2) 30% whole wheat; 3) whole wheat+wheat xylanase. Xylanase was added to whole wheat at 150g/ton. Including the pre-experimental period the trial lasted for 13 weeks. Xylanase supplementation to whole wheat significantly (P<0.05) improved egg production and feed conversion rate compared to the ground wheat and whole wheat fed groups. Gizzard pH was not affected by dietary treatments, while whole wheat feeding significantly (P<0.05) reduced jejuno-ileal pH and increased gizzard and jejuno-ileal viscosity compared to the ground wheat fed and xylanase supplemented groups. Proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, colon and liver weights were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Feeding whole wheat w/wo xylanase supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased crypt depth but did not affect lamina muscularis mucosae thickness.

Effects of mannanoligosaccharide and/or organic acid mixture on performance, blood parameters and intestinal microbiota of broiler chicks

Abstract The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic acid mixture and/or mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) on growth performance, blood parameters and intestinal microbiota in 120 Ross 308 male broiler chicks, over a period of 21 days. Birds were maintained in battery brooders confined in an environmentally controlled experimental room. There were 4 dietary treatments, each consisting of 6 replicates. Dietary treatments were: (i) basal diet (as a control), (ii) basal diet + MOS 2 kg/ton feed, (iii) basal diet + organic acid mixture 3 kg/ton feed and (iv) basal diet + MOS 2 kg/ton feed + organic acid mixture 3 kg/ton feed. Weight gain of the broilers in this study was significantly influenced by the addition of organic acid mixture (P<0.01). The lowest feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were detected in the MOS supplemented groups (P<0.05). Erythrocyte length (EL) was significantly increased in MOS + organic acid mixture fed groups (P<0.05). In ileal digesta, lactic acid bacteria counts increased in MOS + organic acid mixture fed groups (P<0.001). Otherwise, E. coli counts decreased in MOS, organic acid mixture and MOS + organic acid mixture fed groups compared to control groups (P<0.001). In caecal digesta, lactic acid bacteria counts increased (P<0.001), whereas E. coli numbers decreased compared to control groups (P<0.001).

The effects of temperature on the silage microbiology and aerobic stability of corn and vetch-grain silages

Abstract The purpose of the current work was to extend the study of the effect of temperature on silage microbiology, with or without formic acid, and on the aerobic stability of corn and vetch-grain silages. The silage samples were ensiled in 1.0-l anaerobic jars, with and without formic acid, at room (20°C) or elevated temperatures (30–37°C). After 45 days of ensiling, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test at room (20°C) and elevated (30–37°C) temperatures. The most intensive deterioration occurred at 30–37°C. Samples incubated at 30–37°C had the highest yeast and mould count, most prolific CO2 production. The finding of the current study suggests that formic acid may decrease mould growth in silage samples. Unfortunately, formic acid does not reduce aerobic deterioration rate of silages. Applying a 5 g/kg formic acid on corn and vetch-grain silages was not very effective at high temperatures.

Effect of addition of a commercial organic acid mixture on feed microbiology according to duration and conditions of storage

Abstract The present study investigated the relationship between addition of a commercial organic acid mixture to feed and feed microbiology. Feedstuffs’ composition and duration, temperature and humidity of feed storage were taken into account. The evaluated organic mixture contained formic acid, ammonium formate, propionic acid, ammonium propionate and inorganic phyllosilicate carrier. Microbiological changes were investigated in five types of feed using a 2×2×2 factorial design: organic acid addition (with/without), conditions of storage (22°C and 57% relative humidity (HR)/41°C and 65% HR) and storage duration (30/60 days). Supplementation of the organic acid mixture has positive effect on feed microbiology.