W. Guenter

The nutritive value of barley, rye, wheat and corn for young chicks as affected by use of a Trichoderma reesei enzyme preparation

Two experiments were conducted to establish the effect on the performance of growing Leghorn chicks of different concentrations of a crude enzyme preparation when added to diets containing high amounts of barley, rye, wheat or corn. In the first experiment it was shown that the enzyme which had high xylanase and cellulase activities considerably improved (P 0.05). The wheat and barley-based diets that were supplemented with enzyme yielded weight gains that were the same as obtained with the corn diets. Enzyme supplementation also improved (P 0.05). Enzyme treatment reduced the water content of the colon in birds fed diets containing all of the different grains (P<0.05) with the effect being greatest for chicks fed barley (6%) and wheat (5%), intermediate for those fed rye (3%) and lowest for the corn-fed birds (1%). These results demonstrate that a low dietary inclusion rate of a crude enzyme preparation that has high activities of two enzymes (xylanase and cellulase) can considerably improve the nutritional value of barley and rye, probably that of wheat, but not that of corn.

The effects of protease and carbohydrase supplementation on the nutritive value of canola meal for poultry: In vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract An in vitro incubation system was used to assess a variety of enzyme preparations regarding activities toward protein and carbohydrate components in canola meal with the objective of identifying those preparations that possessed potential for improvement of the nutritive value of canola meal. Promising preparations were evaluated further in 2-week growth trials utilizing 4-day-old broiler chickens. Enhanced protein hydrolysis was demonstrated for several of the protease enzyme preparations studied in the in vitro incubation system. Protein hydrolysis was most effective when either pancreatin or pronase were included in the incubation medium along with the protease enzyme and for the most effective protease preparations values for percent of total protein hydrolyzed exceeded those for pancreatin or pronase acting alone. The most effective protease preparation also resulted in improved broiler chick growth performance when added to semipurified canola meal diets. While some carbohydrase enzyme preparations were shown to be effective in the in vitro test of cell wall polysaccharide solubilization, only a trend toward improved growth performance was noted when broiler chickens were fed semipurified canola meal diets containing these enzyme preparations. A synergistic response in growth of young (4–11 days of age) broiler chickens was noted when phytase, carbohydrase and protease enzymes were added to a wheat/canola meal based diet deficient in available phosphorus.

Performance and welfare of laying hens in conventional and enriched cages

Concerns regarding the welfare of laying hens raised in battery cages have led to the development of enriched cages that allow hens to perform natural behaviors including nesting, roosting, and scratching. This study was conducted to compare indices of production and welfare in birds housed in 2 different caging systems. Shaver White hens were housed from 21 to 61 wk in either conventional battery cages (n = 500; 10 cages; 5 hens/cage; floor space = 561.9 cm(2)/hen) or enriched cages (n = 480; 2 cages; 24 hens/cage; floor space = 642.6 cm(2)/hen) and were replicated 10 times. Enriched cages provided hens with a curtained nesting area, scratch pad, and perches. Production parameters and egg quality measures were recorded throughout the experiment. Plumage condition was evaluated at 37 and 61 wk. Bone quality traits and immunological response parameters were measured at 61 wk, and 59 and 61 wk, respectively. Hen-day egg production, feed consumption, egg weight, and percentage of cumulative mortality of laying hens were not affected by the cage designs. Specific gravity and the percentage of cracked and soft-shelled eggs were also similar between the 2 housing systems. The incidence of dirty eggs was, however, significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in enriched cages than in conventional cages. Feather scores were similar between birds except for the wing region, which was higher (P < 0.05) for hens housed in conventional cages. Bone quality measures tended to be higher for hens housed in enriched cages compared with hens in conventional cages. However, the increase was significant only for bone mineral density. Immunological response parameters did not reveal statistically significant differences. Overall, laying performance, exterior egg quality measures, plumage condition, and immunological response parameters appear to be similar for hens housed in the 2 cage systems tested. Enrichment of laying hen cages resulted in better bone quality, which could have resulted from increased activity.

The use of enzyme technology for improved energy utilization from full-fat oilseeds. Part I: canola seed.

The effect of carbohydrase enzyme supplementation on energy utilization from full-fat canola seed was investigated in a TMEn assay with adult roosters and in a nutrient digestibility and growth performance study with broiler chickens. In the TMEn assay, enzyme preparations C (cellulase, 340 U/g), XG (xylanase, 63,600 U/g and glucanase, 48,300 U/g), P (pectinase, 10,000 U/g), and MC (mannanase, 10,900 U/g and cellulase, 600 U/ g), alone and in combination (C + P, C + XG, C + MC, P + XG, P + MC, XG + MC, C + P + XG, C + P + MC, and C + P + XG + MC), were evaluated at an inclusion level of 0.1%. On average, hammer-milled canola seed with a TMEn content of 3,642 kcal/kg showed an increase (P < 0.05) to 4,783 kcal/kg following supplementation with the enzyme blends C + P + XG, C + P + MC, and C + P + XG + MC. A similar pattern of increase (P < 0.05) in fat (80.4 vs. 63.5%) and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP; 20.4 vs. 4.4%) digestibilities was observed. Enzyme combination C + P + XG was further evaluated in a 2-wk (5- to 18-d) trial with broiler chickens fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic corn and soybean meal-based diets containing canola seed (15%), the corresponding canola meal (8.85%) plus canola oil (6.15%) mixture, or canola seed (15%) supplemented with 3 different levels (0.002, 0.01, or 0.05%) of the enzyme. Poorer (P < 0.05) feed:gain (1.412 vs. 1.344), lower (P < 0.05) total tract DM (65.9 vs. 70.7%) and fat (69.6 vs. 88.0%) digestibilities, lower AMEn content (2,963 vs. 3,200 kcal/kg), and lower ileal fat (65.6 vs. 85.6%) and protein (75.6 vs. 81.2%) digestibilities were observed for the canola seed diet compared with the canola meal plus canola oil diet. Enzyme supplementation of the canola seed diet resulted in an improvement (P < 0.05) in feed:gain; total tract DM, fat, and NSP digestibilities; AMEn content; and ileal fat digestibility. Although the enzyme effect on ileal and total tract fat digestibilities was significant at both high and medium inclusion levels, other parameters showed the significant improvement only when the highest inclusion rate of enzyme was used. These data support the need for carbohydrase enzyme supplements in poultry diets containing full-fat canola seed.

Nutrient digestibility and performance responses of growing pigs fed phytase- and xylanase-supplemented wheat-based diets

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing phytase and xylanase on nutrient digestibility and performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets. In Exp. 1, 10 diets were fed to 60 pigs from 20 to 60 kg of BW to determine the effect of combining phytase and xylanase on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and growth performance. The 10 diets included a positive control diet (PC; 0.23% available P; 0.60% Ca) and a negative control diet (NC; 0.16% available P; 0.50% Ca) supplemented with phytase at 0, 250, and 500 fytase units (FTU)/kg and xylanase at 0, 2,000, and 4,000 xylanase units (XU)/kg in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement. In Exp. 2, 6 ileally cannulated barrows (initial BW = 35.1 kg) were fed 4 wheat-based diets in a 4 x 4 Latin square design, with 2 added columns to determine the effect of combining phytase and xylanase on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients. The 4 diets were NC (same as that used in Exp. 1) or NC supplemented with phytase at 500 FTU/kg, xylanase at 4,000 XU/kg, or phytase at 500 FTU/kg plus xylanase at 4,000 XU/kg. In Exp. 3, 36 barrows (initial BW = 55.5 kg) were fed 4 diets based on prepelleted (at 80 degrees C) and crumpled wheat for 2 wk to determine the effect of phytase supplementation on ATTD of nutrients. The 4 diets fed were a PC (0.22% available P; 0.54% Ca) and a NC (0.13% available P; 0.43% Ca) alone or with phytase at 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg. All diets in the 3 experiments contained Cr(2)O(3) as an indigestible marker. No synergistic interactions were detected between phytase and xylanase on any of the response criteria measured in Exp. 1 or 2. There were no dietary effects on growth performance in Exp. 1. In Exp. 1, phytase at 250 FTU/kg increased the ATTD of P and Ca by 51 and 11% at 20 kg of BW or by 54 and 10% at 60 kg of BW, respectively, but increasing the level of phytase to 500 FTU/kg only increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of P at 20 kg of BW. In Exp. 2, phytase at 500 FTU/kg increased (P < 0.05) the AID of P and Ca by 21 and 12%, respectively. In Exp. 3, phytase at 500 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.05) ATTD of P by 36%, but had no further effect at 1,000 FTU/kg. Xylanase at 4,000 XU/kg improved (P < 0.05) AID of Lys, Leu, Phe, Thr, Gly, and Ser in Exp. 2. In conclusion, phytase and xylanase improved P and AA digestibilities, respectively, but no interaction between the 2 enzymes was noted.

Nutritive value of peas for nonruminant diets

Peas, the seeds of Pisum sativum, are produced usually in temperate regions but are accepted as a food source worldwide. Traditionally, nonruminant diets utilized peas which had been rejected by the food industry but specific cultivars of feed (or field) peas also have been developed for livestock use. In view of the diversity of varieties, seeding times (spring or winter-sown) and agronomic conditions during the growing season, there is a considerable range in the composition and nutritive value of peas. The seed coat (hull) represents 70 to 140 g kg-’ of the total weight and consists mainly of non-starch polysaccharides, while the major components of the dehulled pea are starch (- 450 g kg-‘) and protein ( - 250 g kg-‘). Published energy values for the whole seed range from 12.2 to 16.6 MJ ME kg-’ DM for pigs and 10.1 to 12.8 MJ TME, kg-’ DM for poultry. Reported analyses for crude protein vary from 156 to 325 g kg-’ DM, while content and availability of the constituent amino acids vary also with cultivar, seed type and analytical methods. Most concerns about low digestibilities relate to the sulphur amino acids and tryptophan. Potentially detrimental constituents in raw peas include anti-proteases, haemagglutinins, phytic acid and tannins although these appear negligible in Canadian peas. When analytical data are lacking, the following limits to use of peas are suggested: 100, 200 and 350 g kg-‘, respectively, in pig starter, grower and finisher diets; 200 g kg-’ in broiler, 250 g kg-’ in turkey and 300 g kg - ’ in layer diets.

Total dust and endotoxin in poultry operations: comparison between cage and floor housing and respiratory effects in workers.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess respiratory outcomes and environmental exposure levels of workers in cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations. Methods: Poultry operations were evaluated for total dust, endotoxin, and ammonia, and respiratory symptoms and lung function tests of workers were conducted. Results: Workers in floor-housed poultry operations had significantly greater exposures to total dust and ammonia, whereas workers from cage-housed poultry operations reported greater frequency of current and chronic symptoms overall and significantly greater current and chronic phlegm (39% vs 18% and 40% vs 11%, respectively). Endotoxin concentration (EU/mg) was a significant predictor (P = 0.05) of chronic phlegm for all poultry workers. Conclusions: Greater endotoxin concentration in the presence of significantly lower total dust, in conjunction with greater respiratory symptoms in workers from cage-housed poultry operations, as compared with workers from floor-housed poultry operations, appears to indicate that differences in environmental exposures may impact respiratory outcomes of workers.

The Effect of Enzyme Supplementation on Egg Production Parameters and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deposition in Laying Hens Fed Flaxseed and Canola Seed

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a multicarbohydrase enzyme on egg production parameters, nutrient digestibility, and egg fatty acid composition in Hy-Line CV-20 laying hens (39 to 63 wk of age) fed diets containing 150 g/kg of diet of canola seed, flaxseed, or Linpro (flaxseed:peas, 1:1 wt/wt). The diet effect on each parameter was also evaluated. Hens consuming the canola seed and Linpro diets had greater egg production, lower feed consumption, and therefore better feed conversion than those fed the flaxseed diets. Enzyme supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.01) egg production (from 78.0 to 80.9%) and improved (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (from 2.15 to 2.03) in hens fed flaxseed. Hens fed the canola seed and Linpro diets produced eggs with greater egg specific gravity than those from birds consuming flaxseed. Enzyme supplementation significantly increased egg specific gravity in hens fed flaxseed (from 1.0773 to 1.0800, P < 0.01) in phase I of the experiment. There was no effect of diet on fat digestibility, and similar fat digestibility values with enzyme supplementation were observed for canola seed (92.1 vs. 96.7%) and flaxseed (87.4 vs. 92.4%). Eggs produced by hens fed flaxseed had the greatest n-3 fatty acid content (562 mg/60 g of egg) when compared with those from hens consuming canola seed (207 mg/60 g of egg) or Linpro (427 mg/60 g of egg). Enzyme supplementation increased the egg n-3 content for the flaxseed diet (from 546 to 578 mg/60 g of egg; P = 0.01) and for the Linpro diet (from 415 to 438 mg/60 g of egg; P = 0.05). In addition, enzyme addition increased the egg docosahexaenoic acid content from 91.8 to 101.9 mg/60 g of egg (P < 0.01) and from 89.4 to 96.8 mg/60 g of egg (P = 0.01) for the flaxseed and Linpro diets, respectively. When compared with canola seed, long-term feeding of flaxseed to laying hens resulted in reduced egg production and eggshell quality. Enzyme supplementation had positive effects on feed utilization, eggshell quality, and n-3 fatty acid deposition in the egg.

Effect of dietary vicine and vitamin E supplementation on the productive performance of growing and laying chickens

1. Experiments were conducted to study the effects of dietary vicine (2, 6-diamino-4, 5 dihydroxy pyrimidine-5 (beta-D-glucopyranoside)) and supplemental vitamin E on the performance of laying hens and growing chicks, haemolysis of erythrocytes than birds fed on a control diet. 3. Vicine when fed to laying hens had a very dramatic effect. It depressed food consumption, egg weight, fertility and hatchability of eggs. Packed cell volume and erythrocyte haemoglobin levels and led to increased liver weights, liver glutathione levels, liver and plasma lipid levels, plasma lipid peroxide levels and erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro. Liver protein and plasma vitamin E:lipid levels were not altered. Vitamin E supplementation slightly increased egg weights, markedly improved fertility and hatchability of eggs and lowered liver weights and lipid levels but did not affect the other factors examined. 4. It is concluded that vicine which was isolated from faba beans (Vicia faba L.) has a marked influence on the metabolism of the laying hen and only a slight effect on growing chick. Vicine or its metabolites or both cause peroxidation of cellular components which result in abnormal lipid transport of synthesis or both, increased fragility of erythrocytes, and reduced fertility. These effects are overcome to varying extents by supplemental vitamin E.

Wheat by-products in poultry nutrition. Part I. Chemical and nutritive composition of wheat screenings, bakery by-products and wheat mill run

A study was conducted to investigate the variability in chemical and nutritive composition of wheat screenings, bakery by-products and wheat mill run used by the feed industry in Canada. On average, and in comparison to wheat (as-fed basis), the wheat screenings (16 samples) contained less starch (457 vs. 560 g kg-1; P 0.05), phytate phosphorus (2.4 vs. 3.0 g kg-1; P > 0.05), and higher levels of protein (151 vs. 126 g kg-1; P < 0.0001), fat (66 vs. 12 g kg-1; P < 0.0001) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) (100 vs. 91 g kg-1; P < 0.01). A negative relationship (P < 0.0001) between starch and fat contents of the wheat screenings samples was noted indicating that a decrease in starch content of 20 g kg-1 would result in an increase in fat content by approximately 9 g kg-1. This inverse relationship should result in the maintenance of a relatively high content of available energy in...