Praveen K. Tyagi

Effect of enzyme supplementation on the metabolisable energy content of solvent-extracted rapeseed and sunflower seed meals for chicken, guinea fowl and quail

1. The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEN) content of solvent-extracted rapeseed and sunflower seed (un-decorticated) meals in relation to species (chicken, guinea fowl and quail) and dietary addition of feed enzymes (0 or 0·5 g/kg diet) was evaluated by a diet replacement method in a 3 × 2 factorial design. 2. The metabolism trial was conducted at two substitution levels (200 and 400 g/kg diet) of each meal with or without supplementation of commercial enzyme preparation in 6 individuals or 6 groups of cockerels, guinea fowls and quails. 3. The experimental diets were fed for a period of 12 d followed by a 3-d collection period during which total feed consumed and droppings output were quantitatively recorded. 4. The AMEN values of rapeseed meal for cockerels, guinea fowls and quails were 8·4, 8·7 and 8·8 MJ/kg, respectively, while the corresponding values for sunflower seed meal were 6·1, 6·1 and 6·2 MJ/kg dry matter, without enzyme supplementation. 5. The AMEN value of rapeseed meal did not improve with enzyme supplementation. However, AMEN values of sunflower seed meal significantly increased with enzyme supplementation, from 6·1 to 6·5 MJ/kg dry matter. 6. Since AMEN values of rapeseed meal and sunflower seed meal were similar in chicken, guinea fowl and quail, values reported for chicken could, therefore, be used for guinea fowl and Japanese quail.

Effects of feeding raw or reconstituted high tannin red sorghum on nutrient utilisation and certain welfare parameters of broiler chickens

1. A feeding trial was conducted on 360 1-d-old chicks from 0 to 6 weeks of age to assess the effect of processed high tannin red sorghum in the diet of broiler chickens on nutrient utilisation and certain welfare parameters. 2. Each of 9 dietary treatments was allotted to 4 groups (replicates) of chicks in a completely randomised design. The treatments were a maize–soy based standard broiler diet (control, RS0) and eight test diets formulated by incorporating either raw red sorghum (RS25, RS50, RS75, RS100) or reconstituted red sorghum ( ) replacing 25, 50, 75 or 100% of maize from the control diet. 3. The tannin content was reduced from 23 to 16 g/kg in reconstituted red sorghum. 4. Utilisations of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus retention were similar in all the dietary groups. 5. The cell-mediated immune response measured as footpad index (FPI) value of birds given raw red sorghum was significantly higher than in control and reconstituted red sorghum groups. Similarly, comparatively better humoral response measured as HA titre value was observed in raw red sorghum based groups than in reconstituted ones. 6. Plasma albumin, globulin, protein, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, SGOT, SGPT and uric acid levels did not differ significantly due to dietary treatments. 7. Mild histopathological changes were observed in liver and kidney tissues of birds given raw red sorghum. 8. From the present study, it is concluded that (1) the reconstitution of high tannin red sorghum resulted in about 30% reduction in its tannin concentration; (2) the feeding of reconstituted sorghum based diets to broiler chickens did not exert any appreciable influence on nutrient utilisation, blood biochemicals and enzymes and gross pathological changes; and (3) the birds fed on raw red sorghum exhibited higher immuno-responsiveness in comparison to their reconstituted counterparts.

Comparative apparent metabolisable energy values of high, medium and low tannin varieties of sorghum in cockerel, guinea fowl and quail.

1. Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy values (AMEN) of three varieties of sorghum (white—low tannin, brown—medium tannin and red—high tannin) were measured in three species of poultry (cockerel, guinea fowl and Japanese quail) by a practical diet replacement (total collection) method. 2. Each variety of sorghum was tested at two concentrations (200 and 400 g/kg of reference diet) in 6 replications with one cockerel or guinea fowl or two quails per replication. The duration of the trial included a 10 d preliminary feeding period (on conventional grower diet) followed by a 12 d adaptation period (on reference and test diets) and a 3 d balance period (with recording of feed intake and excreta output). 3. The calculated AMEN values of different sorghum varieties were: white—12.9, 12.8 and 12.7; brown—12.7, 12.3 and 12.6; and red—11.4, 11.1 and 11.6 MJ/kg for cockerels, guinea fowls and quails, respectively. The mean AMEN value of red sorghum (11.3 MJ/kg) was significantly lower than those of brown (12.5 MJ/kg) or white sorghum (12.8 MJ/kg). A negative correlation was observed between tannin concentration and AMEN. 4. There was no significant difference in the AMEN values of white, brown and red sorghum varieties to the different poultry species. AMEN values of sorghum for the cockerel could, therefore, be used in practical feed formulation for guinea fowl and quail.

Effects of supplemental vitamin E in diet of Japanese quail on male reproduction, fertility and hatchability.

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding higher supplemental vitamin E (VE) concentrations on male reproductive variables, fertility and hatchability of quails. 2. In experiment 1, sixty 5-week-old male quails, reared in individual cages, were fed male breeder diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg. At 10 weeks, observations on cloacal gland size, foam production, testes weight and blood samples for testosterone estimation were taken. 3. In experiment 2, 50 male and 50 female cage-reared quails (5 weeks old) were fed male breeder and layer rations, respectively, supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. At 13 weeks, 9 different mating pairs (5 pairs/group) were formed. Group 1 contained one control male and one control female in each of 5 pens. In groups 2 to 5, control males were paired with females on supplements of 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. In groups 6 to 9, control females were paired with males on supplements of 75, 150, 225 and 300 IU/kg. During subsequent adaptation and egg collection periods, each of 10 d, control layer ration was fed to all groups. All the eggs laid during the 10-d egg collection period were incubated artificially to estimate fertility and hatchability. The trial was repeated at 15 weeks. 4. Adult male quails receiving moderate supplemental VE (75 and 150 IU/kg) had a higher cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone than quails fed on either VE-deficient or more highly supplemented diets (225 and 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg). 5. It was concluded that a supplement of 75 IU VE/kg in maize/soybean diet could provide the best reproductive performance of male breeder quails. Cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone can serve as indirect indicators of testicular activity and fertilising ability in quails. Supplemental VE did not affect the fertility and hatchability of male and female Japanese quails.

Utilization of Sorghum and Finger Millet With or Without Feed Enzyme in Broiler Chickens

Abstract Elangovan, A.V., Mandal, A.B., Tyagi, Pramod K, Tyagi, Praveen K., Toppo, S. and Johri, T.S. 2004. Utilization of sorghum and finger millet with or without feed enzyme in broiler chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 33–38. A 4x2 factorial experiment of seven weeks duration was conducted on day-old broiler chicks (n=240) to study the efficacy of commercial feed enzyme preparation added @ 50g/quintal in four experimental diets containing either maize, sorghum, finger millet as sole cereal source or a combination of maize, sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet in equal proportions on performance, nutrient utilization, carcass traits and feed cost of production. The body weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly lower (P<0.01) in finger millet based diet, which were improved (P<0.01) upon enzyme addition. However, addition of enzyme in diets based on other cereals did not improve the performance of broilers. The enzyme addition significantly (P<0.05) improved the dry matter and gross energy metabolizability with higher nitrogen retention from diet containing finger millet. The carcass traits remained unaltered (P>0.05) by various dietary treatments. Feed cost of broiler production was higher (P<0.05) in finger millet based diet. It is concluded that diet containing finger millet, a poor quality grain, can be improved by adding commercial feed enzyme preparation.

Feeding value of rice gluten meal as an alternate protein source in broiler chickens

* Correspondence: nasirakbar129@gmail.com

Effect of Feeding Rice Gluten Meal (RGM) on Haematological, Serum Biochemical and Carcass Traits in Broilers

Poultry industry is the fastest growing sector in Indian agriculture. Feed is the major constituent in the poultry production accounts for 65-75% of total recurring expenditure. Feed costs are primarily driven by the cost of protein sources. Substitution of expensive protein sources with lower cost ingredients would potentially reduce the cost of the feed. Soybean meal (SBM) is the major protein source used in poultry diet. Instability in its production, indiscriminate exports and higher demand has resulted in its shortage for the poultry industry leading to its higher price. Substitution of SBM at reasonable price will lead to economic broiler production.

Response of Supplementary Sources and Levels of Copper in Diet on the Performance of Broiler Chickens

The response of broiler chickens to dietary supplemental copper sources and levels in terms of growth performance, serum cholesterol level and carcass yield of broiler chicks was studied in a 3×4 factorial design involving three copper sources (copper sulphate, CuS; copper chloride, CuCl and copper propionate, CuP) each at four dietary levels of copper (8, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) during starting (03 wk) and finishing (4–6 wk) phases. Each of the diets was offered ad libitum as mash to three replicated groups of 10 chicks each. Significantly (P 0.05) due to either main effect or interaction between copper sources and levels. The FCR during 4–6 and 0–6 wk was significantly (P<0.05) better in CuP supplemented diet than the other Cu sources. The FCR was also significantly (P<0.05) better at 200 mg/kg diet than at other dietary Cu levels during different growth phases. Serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P<0.01) lower with 200 mg Cu/kg diet than other Cu levels. Significantly lower heart weight was observed in CuS supplemented group than other copper sources. Dressed weight and eviscerated weight was significantly higher at 150 and 200 mg Cu/kg diet than those recorded at other levels of copper in the diet. It is concluded that a dietary copper concentration of 200 mg/kg through supplementation of organic copper (copper propionate) in broiler diet is more effective in promoting growth, feed conversion efficiency, carcass yield and reducing serum cholesterol concentration.

Effect of rice gluten meal as protein source in the diet of broiler chicken: Immunity, gut microbial count, haematology and serum bio-chemical parameters

Rice gluten meal (RGM), a by-product of wet-milling of rice, is relatively a new feedstuff having brownish coloured coarse powdery texture. An Investigation has been planned to explore the feeding value of RGM in the diet of broiler chicken. A 6 week study was conducted on 240 CARI BRO VISHAL chicks of same hatch with uniform weight. The birds were randomly assigned to six isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments including control group, containing RGM at 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15% levels. Each group comprised of 40 birds. The overall results of the present study on immunity, gut microbial count, haematology and serum biochemical parameters did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among different dietary treatments and control group during 0–6 weeks of feeding period. The study envisaged that rice gluten meal can be safely incorporated upto15% level as a substitute of soybean meal without any adverse effects on immunity, gut microbial count, haematology and serum bio-chemical parameters in broiler chicken.