The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of extruded flaxseed (EFS) and α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) for the enhancement of polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (PUFA) over saturated fatty acids (SFA) in broiler meat as a source of healthier meat.

A total of 96 one-d-old Cobb 550 broilers were randomly divided into 8 treatments with three replicates having 4 birds in each. EFS (extruded at 155°C) at 100, 150 and 200 g/kg alone and in combination with ATA at 200 mg/kg were supplemented through normal feed from the third week onward.

During the 6-week growth period, body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were recorded. At slaughter, weight of liver, heart and kidney and fat content in breast and leg meat were measured. Fatty acid profiles in breast and leg meat were developed to estimate the PUFA to SFA ratio.

The results revealed that FI and FCR changed significantly in all groups and BWG increased in all the supplemented groups. The weight of liver, kidney and heart increased more in the supplemented group containing the maximum level of EFS with ATA compared with single supplementation of EFS.

The fat content in breast and leg meat decreased as the inclusion level of EFS increased. The level was low in leg meat compared with breast meat. Mortality decreased in all supplemented groups.

The PUFA to SFA ratio was significantly higher in leg meat (3.23) compared with breast meat (1.81) and the study therefore indicates that ATA and EFS supplementation could be used to improve the PUFA to SFA ratio in broiler meat.

The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of α-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E (VE)) and microencapsulated VE (MVE) on growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens.

A total of 360 d-old broiler chicks were procured and randomly allocated into three groups with 6 replicates. Each replicate had 20 chickens. Chickens were fed with basal diets (CON group) or experimental diets supplemented with 20 mg/kg VE (VE group) or 20 mg/kg MVE (MVE group) for 42 d.

The results showed that the MVE group had higher body weight gain (BWG) than the CON and VE groups, and higher gain/feed ratio (G/F ratio) than the CON group during the period of 22–42 d. During the whole experiment, a higher increase in BWG was found in the MVE group than the CON group.

Chickens fed on diets supplemented with the VE or MVE had lower abdominal fat percentage, higher pH and antioxidant enzyme activity than the CON group in the breast meat.

There was an increased tendency in the hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activity of the VE and MVE groups than the CON group. The hepatic mitochondrial total antioxidant capacity and GSH-Px enzyme activity in the MVE group were higher than the CON group. Hepatic 2,2-dipheny-?-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of the MVE group was higher than the CON group.

These results suggested that the dietary addition of VE or MVE could improve breast meat quality in broilers. MVE supplementation may improve growth performance, hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging capacity in chickens. In addition, dietary supplementation of MVE gave better broiler growth performance than VE.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of thymol, synbiotic (Biomin, IMBO) and their combination in laying hen diets on laying performance, egg quality and serum metabolic profile from 24 to 36 weeks of age.

Treatment groups were fed on a control diet, the control diet supplemented with thymol (250 mg/kg), the control diet supplemented with synbiotic (250 mg/kg) or the control diet supplemented with a combination of thymol (250 mg/kg) and synbiotic (250 mg/kg).

Supplementation of thymol and synbiotic, separately as well as combined, improved egg weight, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio from 24 to 36 weeks of age. The eggs obtained from thymol, synbiotic or their combination treatments displayed higher values of shell thickness, Haugh unit and shell percentage compared to the control.

Serum cholesterol significantly decreased in the single or combined form of thymol and synbiotic supplementation treatments.

This trial was conducted to study the effect of full-fat rice bran inclusion in diets on growth performance, carcass and meat quality and fatty acid composition in Sichuan goose.

A total of 204 Sichuan white male geese (28-d-old, 984 ± 15 g) were used in the 42-d assay. Full-fat rice bran inclusion in diets was 0%, 6%, 12% and 18%, respectively.

On d 70, two geese from each pen were randomly selected and killed for measuring the carcass and meat quality and the meat fatty acid composition.

The results showed that full-fat rice bran inclusion had no effect on average daily gain during 28–56 d, but rice bran inclusion at 18% increased average daily gain during 57–70 d. In addition, the full-fat rice bran supplementation decreased the subcutaneous fat yield, and the inclusion of full-fat rice bran in amounts of 12% and 18% decreased the half-eviscerated carcass yield, eviscerated carcass yield and crude fat content in goose meat. Moreover, full-fat rice bran supplementation had no effect on the content of total saturated fatty acid (SFA), but decreased the content of total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). The inclusion of full-fat rice bran in amounts of 12–18% increased the content of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and total n-6 in goose meat and in the amount of 18% increased n-3 fatty acids content in goose meat.

The results indicated that the rice bran inclusion had a positive effect in geese by stimulating growth performance and improving meat quality and fatty acid composition of goose meat.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of production system on the meat quality of slow- and medium-growing chickens. A total of 1075 1-d-old male chicks were equally divided into 6 experimental groups, represented by three strains (SG: TETRA-H, MG1: TETRA HB Color, MG2: Shaver Farm) and were reared in a poultry house in floor pens (12 males/m²).

On d 49, 150 healthy birds (50/genotype) were placed in a free-range family farm while the rest of the birds remained indoors. All birds were fed ad libitum and consumed the same diet. On d 70, 20 birds of each experimental group were slaughtered and muscle samples were taken from the left breast and thigh muscles.

Thigh muscle of SG males kept on free range was darker (L* = 75.12 vs. 78.33) with lower frying loss (45.9% vs. 55.9%) compared with the indoor group. Similar results were obtained from the MG1 group. Free-range MG2 males had lighter thigh meat (L* = 50.7 vs. 57.8) and lower frying loss compared to the indoor group.

In general, the indoor treatment had a lower impact on breast meat than the outdoor system. Regardless of the rearing system, genotypic differences were more pronounced in thigh than in breast muscle.

Milanino is a heavy Italian chicken breed included in a conservation project of the University of Milan and is an important genetic resource for alternative production systems. This research was aimed to study the effect of the dietary protein concentration on growth, slaughter performance and meat composition in free-range reared Milanino chickens.

A total of 120 Milanino chickens were fed on different protein concentrations (HP = 20% CP and LP = 16% CP), reared according to a free-range system and slaughtered at 150 and 180 d of age. Growth, slaughter performance and meat (breast and thigh) composition were recorded.

The protein concentration of the diet did not affect the overall Milanino mean body weight recorded in the straight-run group in the whole rearing period. However, the growth rate within sex was significantly different between the dietary treatments: heavier females were found in the HP group from 125 d onwards, while no differences were recorded in male body weights. The protein concentration of the diet did not affect carcass weight data or meat composition.

The present results suggest the use of a low-protein diet for rearing straight-run Milanino chickens for long rearing periods. However, in females, a high-protein diet is recommended from 125 d of age onwards.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Quail were fed with a basal diet, and the treatment groups were fed on the basal diet with 1.25 or 2.50 g/kg catechin supplementation for 30 d.

Fattening performance and meat quality of the quail were estimated. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and some serum biochemical parameters were measured.

The results showed that catechin supplementation did not affect live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass dressing or the nutrient composition of breast and thigh meats. The water holding capacity (WHC) of breast meat was increased in the 2.50 g/kg catechin treatment. Catechin supplementation increased the serum TAS, but decreased plasma MDA and liver MDA concentration as well as serum glucose and total cholesterol levels. Serum triglyceride and total protein levels were not affected by catechin supplementation.

In conclusion, catechins have effective antioxidant hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic properties, as well as having the potential to increase meat quality in fattening quail. On the other hand, catechin supplementation did not have any negative effect on the fattening performance, meat nutrient composition and fattening costs in fattening quail.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of acetylated wood powder (AW) as a new feed additive on performance, liver and muscle metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids and nucleotide-related substances of meat in broiler chickens. It was hypothesised that acetic acid desorbed from AW during intestinal digestion affects tissue metabolism.

Two-week-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups and fed on diets supplemented with wood powder (30 g/kg) less than 106 µm in diameter, except for controls. The AW was added to diets at 0, 10 and 30 g/kg to replace the non-acetylated wood powder (NAW) for 26 d. Plasma, liver tissue and breast muscle were taken from half of birds at 40 d of age under the fed condition. After the remaining chickens were fasted for 14 h, breast muscle was taken and refrigerated for 24 h.

Consumption of wood powder with or without acetyl groups had no effect on growth performance including tissue weights of abdominal fat and breast muscle and plasma metabolites.

Feeding AW decreased total free amino acid concentrations in the liver compared to the group only fed on the NAW. This response was dependent mainly on reduced non-essential and glucogenic amino acid concentrations. However, in breast muscle, alterations of free amino acid concentrations were observed only for histidine and tryptophan. In addition, the fatty acid composition of liver and breast muscle was not affected by feeding AW.

In breast meat obtained from fasted chickens, the higher level of AW increased the concentration of inosine 5′-monophosphate, a taste-active compound, and in contrast, decreased the subsequent catabolites (inosine and hypoxanthine). However, the concentration of glutamic acid, a taste-active compound, was lowered at this level of AW ingestion.

Therefore, this study suggested that feeding AW as a new feed additive regulates ante-mortem amino acid utilisation in the liver and contributes to retard post-mortem degradation of inosine 5′-monophosphate as a taste-active compound in chicken meat.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a monocomponent protease and dietary inclusion of canola meal (CM) and poultry by-product meal (PBM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites of turkeys fed on low crude protein (CP) diets from 28 to 55 d post hatch.

Experimental treatments included control, maize–soybean meal diet including 258.3 g/kg CP; negative control 1 (NC1), maize–soybean meal diet with reduced CP (232.4 g/kg); NC2, control diet (CP, 258.3 g/kg) including CM (80 g/kg) and PBM (80 g/kg); NC3, maize–soybean meal diet with reduced CP (232.4 g/kg) including CM (80 g/kg) and PBM (80 g/kg). Also, the NC1 + P and NC3 + P diets were created by addition of protease enzyme (30 000 units/kg of diet) to the NC1 and NC3 diets, respectively.

The NC3 group had lower body weight gain (BWG) compared to those fed on the control diet, and no improvement with enzyme addition (NC3 + P) was achieved. The protease addition to the NC1 diet (NC1 + P) improved BWG to the level of the control diet. The NC1 group had higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control and NC3 + P, but protease addition to the NC1 diet improved FCR.

Protease addition to the low CP diets resulted in higher nitrogen (N) retention than in the control and NC2 groups. Also, the NC1 + P and NC3 + P diets increased apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP compared to the control group.

It was concluded that addition of CM (up to 80 g/kg) and PBM (up to 80 g/kg) to turkey diets had no negative effect on growth performance from 28 to 55 d of age. The NC1 + P group achieved the BWG of the control group which was partially due to increases in N retention and AID of CP, but the NC3 + P group failed to recover the growth losses. This difference implies that the efficacy of the protease may depend upon the protein source in the ration.

A 4 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP), in lieu of meat meal, in the starter diet on performance and digestive physiology of broiler chickens between hatch and 35 d of age. Four levels of SDPP (0, 5, 10 or 20 g/kg) were included in the starter diets in lieu of meat meal on either wheat- or maize-based diets.

Over the first 10 d, and throughout the 35-d experimental period, birds gained more body weight with increasing concentrations of SDPP regardless to the type of grain used. Inclusion of SDPP in the starter diet markedly improved feed per gain in the starter phase and across the 35-d study. There was no significant effect of the type of grain and its interaction with SDPP on the body weight gain and feed per gain for the two assessed periods.

At d 10, the relative weight of the gizzard+proventriculus, spleen and liver increased with increasing concentrations of SDPP.

At 24 d of age, the grain and SDPP inclusion significantly interacted, depressing the weight of bursa and spleen in birds that received the highest concentration of SDPP in the maize-based diet. Birds fed on the maize-based diets had higher relative weight of pancreas than those on the wheat-based diets.

Increasing concentrations of SDPP in the starter diet improved the activities of maltase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase at 24 d of age. The interaction of grain and SDPP concentration was significant for sucrase activity in birds on the wheat-based diets. Chickens on maize-based diets had higher alkaline phosphatase and maltase activities than those on wheat-based diets.

Chicks that were offered SDPP-containing starter diets had longer villi, deeper crypts and lower villi/crypt than the control at 24 d of age regardless of the grain type used. Furthermore, longer villi and larger villi/crypt were found in chicken groups fed on wheat-based diets than those on maize-based diets.

Chickens on maize-based diets had higher dressing percentage and relative breast weight than those on wheat-based diets at 35 d of age.

It can be concluded that supplementation of starter diets with SDPP would be beneficial to the long-term growth of broiler chickens. The effect of the basal grain used in the diet is minimal.

A trial was conducted to explore the effect of feeding graded concentrations of green tea extract (GTE; 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg) on the growth performance, serum lipid profile, liver glutathione-reduced, thigh muscle malondialdehyde and humoral immune response against Newcastle disease virus vaccines of broiler chickens from hatching to 42 d of age. The results of broilers fed on GTE were contrasted to those fed on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 125 mg/kg) or unsupplemented controls.

The obtained results revealed no significant difference among treatments in the measured growth performance parameters (body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio), per cent liveability and serum lipid profile (total lipid, total cholesterol, high-density, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterols).

Dietary intake of GTE resulted in a significant increase in the liver glutathione-reduced level compared to the control. The glutathione-reduced level of broilers fed on the BHT diet was not significantly different from that of broilers fed on GTE or control diets. Feeding GTE or BHT resulted in a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde level of meat tissue.

The specific antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus vaccines was significantly increased at 28 and 35 d of age in broilers fed on diets supplemented with GTE but not with BHT.

In conclusion, GTE was found to possess antioxidant and immunostimulant characteristics for broilers when supplemented to their diets, and its optimum inclusion level ranged from 125 to 500 mg/kg.

Two experiments were carried out in parallel with male Ross 308 broilers over 37 d. An experiment with a total of 736 broilers was performed to study the effect of dietary inclusion of crimped kernel maize silage (CKMS) on broiler production and meat quality. Another study with 32 broilers was carried out from 21 to 25 d to investigate the inclusion of CKMS on nutrient digestibility.

In both trials, 4 dietary treatments were used: wheat-based feed (WBF), maize-based feed (MBF), maize-based feed supplemented with 15% CKMS (CKMS-15) and maize-based feed supplemented with 30% CKMS (CKMS-30).

Compared with MBF, the dry matter (DM) intakes of broilers receiving CKMS-15 and CKMS-30, respectively, were numerically 7.5 and 6.2% higher and feed conversion ratio 6 and 12% poorer (significant for 30% CKMS), although there were no significant differences in AME content between the three diets. At 37 d, the body weight of birds receiving 15% CKMS was similar to birds fed with MBF. However, the inclusion of 30% CKMS decreased broiler growth. Dietary supplementation with CKMS significantly reduced the apparent digestibility of phosphorus. The fat digestibility was significantly lower for CKMS-30 than for the other three diets.

Broiler mortality decreased significantly when CKMS was added to the diet.

The consumption of drinking water was significantly lower in all maize-based diets as compared to WBF and was lowest in broilers fed with CKMS-30.

An improved litter quality in terms of DM content and a lower frequency of foot pad lesions was observed with broilers supplemented with both dietary levels of CKMS.

The addition of CKMS to maize-based diets increased juiciness, tenderness and crumbliness of the meat.

In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of 15% CKMS had no negative effect on broiler growth and positively influenced bird welfare in terms of mortality and foot pad health. Therefore, the addition of 15% CKMS to maize-based diets is considered an advantageous feeding strategy in broiler production.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of α-lipoic acid supplementation on post-mortem changes in the fatty acid profile and concentrations of nucleotide-related substances, especially those of a taste-active compound, inosine 5?-monophosphate, in chicken meat.

Mixed-sex broiler chicks aged 14 d were divided into three groups of 16 birds each and were fed on diets supplemented with α-lipoic acid at levels of 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Blood and breast muscle samples were taken at 42 d of age under the fed condition and then after fasting for 18 h. The breast muscle obtained from fasted chickens was subsequently refrigerated at 2°C for one and 3 d.

α-Lipoic acid supplementation did not affect any plasma metabolite concentration independently of feeding condition, while a slight increase in plasma glucose concentration was shown with both administration levels of α-lipoic acid. In early post-mortem breast muscle under the fed condition, α-lipoic acid had no effect on concentrations of fatty acids or nucleotides of ATP, ADP, and AMP.

In post-mortem breast tissues obtained from fasted chickens, total fatty acid concentrations were markedly increased by α-lipoic acid feeding at 200 mg/kg irrespective of length of refrigeration. This effect was dependent on stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. However, among fatty acids, the only predominantly increased unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid.

Dietary supplementation with α-lipoic acid at 200 mg/kg increased the inosine 5?-monophosphate concentration in breast meat and, in contrast, reduced the subsequent catabolites, inosine and xanthine, regardless of the length of refrigeration.

Therefore, the present study suggests that α-lipoic acid administration altered the fatty acid profile and improved meat quality by increasing taste-active substances in the post-mortem meat obtained from fasted chickens.

The effects of high dose of microbial phytase and an emulsifier on the performance, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen (N) retention in broilers fed on diets containing different fat sources were examined in a 5-week trial. Two fat sources (soy oil and tallow), two inclusion levels of E. coli phytase (500 or 1000 phytase units (FTU)/kg diet) and two inclusion levels of lysolecithin emulsifier (0 or 3.5 g/kg of diet) were evaluated in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

Throughout the 5-week trial, soy oil supplementation improved weight gain and feed per gain compared with tallow, but had no effect on feed intake.

The high dose of phytase increased the weight gain and feed intake and lowered the feed per gain during d 1–21, but had no effect on performance parameters over the whole trial period.

An effect of emulsifier was observed for feed intake during d 1–21 and over the whole trial period. Addition of emulsifier increased feed intake compared with diets without emulsifier.

During weeks 1, 2, 3 and 5, birds fed on soy oil–based diets had higher nitrogen-corrected AME (AME_N) compared with those fed on tallow-based diets. During weeks 2, 3 and 5, the effect of phytase was significant for AME_N, with the high dose increasing the AME_N. During week 2, AME_N was increased with emulsifier addition.

During weeks 1, 2, 3 and 5, birds fed on soy oil–based diets had higher fat retention compared with those fed on tallow-based diets. The high dose of phytase improved the retention of fat during week 5 and the addition of emulsifier resulted in higher fat retention during week 1.

During weeks 2, 3 and 5, an interaction between fat source × phytase × emulsifier was observed for N retention. In soy oil–based diets, emulsifier plus 1000 FTU/kg phytase increased N retention compared with other groups, while in tallow-based diets, emulsifier addition increased N retention in diets with 500 FTU/kg, but not in 1000 FTU/kg diet.

Overall, the present data suggest that the dietary fat source influenced performance, AME_N and fat retention in broiler chickens. There is opportunity to improve bird performance during d 1–21, AME_N and fat retention with higher doses of microbial phytase. Addition of the emulsifier increased the AME_N during week 2 and tract retention of fat during week 1, but this effect was not translated into improvements in performance.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of reciprocal crossing of turkeys on early and 24 h post-mortem changes in quality traits of their breast muscles.

The turkeys of slow-growing (SG) and fast-growing (FG) lines as well as SF (SG × FG) and FS crosses (FG × SG) were reared with access to free range.

After slaughter turkey breast muscles were examined in the following terms: 5 min, 45 min, 2 h and 24 h post-mortem, for: temperature, pH, glycogen content (G), lactate content (L) and electrical conductivity (EC). Quality attributes of the breast meat were evaluated based on chemical composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (%), shear force (N) and colour (L*, a*, b*).

Despite differences in the rate of post-mortem changes, the genotype of turkeys had no significant effect upon many quality traits assessed 24 h post-mortem. Meat of lighter birds (SG and SF) was characterised by a lower fat content but a similar protein content compared to meat of FS and FG turkeys. In addition, meat of males from these groups was darker. Meat from the breast muscles of heavier birds (FS and FG) was harder.

Significant negative maternal effects were determined for temperature of meat of both male and female turkeys, for pH₂ and EC₂₄ of males as well as for L₂, L₂₄ and cooking loss of female meat. Positive heterosis was confirmed only for pH₂ of female meat and for G₂ of male meat.

In summary, the direction of fast- and slow-growing turkey crossing may affect the quality of their meat. However, meat of both types of hybrids reared under semi-confined conditions (with the possibility of using free range) was characterised by appropriate quality parameters.

The aim of this study was to increase the content of n-3 fatty acids (FA) of meat without affecting its sensory and/or technological properties or the growth performance of chickens reared under standard conditions. Male chickens, Ross 308, were distributed into 5 groups corresponding to 5 different diets for the growing and finishing periods: control (T), containing extruded linseeds exhibiting high concentration of fibre (ELHF), extruded linseeds exhibiting low concentration of fibre (ELLF), microalgae, or an association of 75% ELLF and 25% MA (ELLF+MA).

The diet containing microalgae induced a decrease in feed consumption without affecting growth rate. Chickens exhibited a lower feed conversion ratio than the other groups for the growing and finishing periods but also the whole rearing period. The use of linseeds in diets had no effect on the growth performance of chickens in comparison to the control group.

The dietary enrichment with n-3 FA had few effects on carcass composition or the ultimate pH and colour of breast meat. The microalgae increased the meat susceptibility to oxidation. The lipid content of breast meat was not affected by the diets. The breast meat of chickens fed on diets containing linseeds and/or microalgae had greater n-3 FA content (2.4 to 3.9 times higher than group T). The linseeds and microalgae mainly increased the contents in linolenic acid and long chain n-3 FA, respectively.

Dietary enrichment with n-3 FA had no effect on the sensory quality of fillets whereas the thighs of the MA group exhibited the lowest score for the flavour “chicken” and the greatest score for the flavour “abnormal” corresponding to a fish flavour.

A comprehensive study was conducted to analyse the meat quality attributes, composition and carcass traits in Aseel chickens and commercial broilers at market age on the basis of physiological age. A total of 20 Aseel (26 and 56 weeks) and 20 broiler (6 weeks) chickens were divided into two groups on a live weight basis, i.e. large (≥2.5 kg) and small (<2.5 kg) with 10 birds in each subgroup.

The pH of meat did not show any significant variation between Aseel and broiler chickens. The meat from heavier birds had significantly higher pH. Shear force value and hydroxyproline contents were significantly higher in Aseel chickens. Aseel birds had significantly higher red (a*) colouration and lower lightness (L*) than broiler chickens.

The texture and acceptability of Aseel meat were significantly higher.

Scanning electron microscopy revealed that muscle fibres in Aseels were arranged in a more coiled pattern making the muscle tough. A larger amount of connective tissue was also observed between the muscle fibres compared with the broiler chickens.

The dressing percentage was significantly higher in larger chickens. Commercial broilers recorded significantly higher meat proportion and lower proportion of bone. The meat:bone ratio was 1.07:1.0 in Aseel and 1.31–1.0 in broiler chicken. Breast muscle content was significantly lower in smaller Aseel chickens. Aseel chicken had stronger and heavier backs and shanks. Abdominal fat percentage was significantly lower in Aseel (0.73–0.78%).

The study concluded that the firm texture of Aseel meat was due to the high collagen content and interlocking connective tissue between the muscle fibres. The texture and acceptability of Aseel meat was higher. Aseel cocks had strong legs, lean meat and less abdominal fat, making them a high-value meat bird in addition to their aggressive fighting ability.

Three experiments with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement were conducted to evaluate maize-based diets for broilers containing different lipid sources [soybean oil (S) or beef tallow (T)] supplemented with or without lysophospholipids and organic acids on nutrient balance (Experiment I, evaluation period of 10–14 d), on liver concentration of fat-soluble vitamins, on jejunal microbiota (Experiment II, sampling at d 14) and on performance (Experiment III, accumulated periods of 1–14, 1–21 and 1–42 d).

A total of 1344 male chicks were used. In each experiment, the birds were allotted in a completely randomised design with 8 replications. The lysophospholipids were mainly composed of lysolecithins and the organic acids blend was constituted by lactic (40%), acetic (7%) and butyric acids (1%).

An interaction between lipid sources and lysophospholipids was observed on faecal apparent digestibility of lipid (ADL), which improved with lysophospholipids addition in T diets. Broilers fed on S had higher ADL and faecal apparent digestibility of nitrogen-corrected gross energy (ADGE_N).

It was not possible to demonstrate a significant treatment effect on the liver concentration of vitamins A and E, even with the differences in fatty acid profile between S and T.

Enterobacteria values were below the detection threshold. Lysophospholipid supplementation reduced gram-positive cocci in T-fed birds. S diets promoted lower total anaerobe counts compared with T diets, independent of additives.

S diets increased BW gain and feed:gain ratio in all evaluation periods. Lysophospholipids and organic acids improved feed:gain ratio at 1–21 d in T diets. Furthermore, main effects were observed for lysophospholipids and organic acids at 1–42 d, which increased BW gain and improved feed:gain ratio, respectively.

No positive interactions between additives were found.

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of bentonite clay (BC), diatomaceous earth (DE) and turmeric powder (TUM) in alleviating the toxic effects of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁).

A total of 250 Ross-308 d-old male broiler chicks were assigned to 10 dietary treatments (5 replicates of 5 chicks) from hatch to d 21. Dietary treatments were: basal diet; basal diet plus AFB₁ (2 mg) or BC (0.75%), or DE (0.75%), or TUM (200 mg/kg curcuminoids) and different combinations of AFB_1, BC, DE and TUM.

Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed gain (FG) of the birds fed on BC or DE separately were not different from control birds. Birds fed on TUM only had similar FI and FG but lower BWG than control chicks.

Aflatoxin B₁ reduced FI, BWG and serum concentrations of glucose, albumin, total protein calcium, but increased FG and relative liver and kidney weights. Chicks fed on the combination of AFB₁ and BC had similar FI and FG to control chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of DE and AFB₁ had lower FI (23.1%) and BWG (28.6%) compared with control chicks.

Chicks fed on the combination of TUM and AFB₁ also had decreased FI (26.2 %) and BWG (31%) compared with control chicks. Chicks fed on the combination of AFB₁, BC and TUM consumed significantly higher amounts of feed compared with chicks fed on only AF, but gained less when compared with control diet chicks.

Chicks fed on the combination of AFB₁, DE and TUM diet had poorer growth performance than those fed on AFB₁ alone. None of the combination diets reduced the severity of liver lesions.

A trial was designed to assess the effect of fat supplementation (amount and type of fatty acids) on vitamin E bioavailability in adult cockerels.

A total of 60 birds were force-fed three different diets: a semi-purified diet without added fat (Control diet) or supplemented with 3% fat as linseed (Linseed diet) or hydrogenated coconut oil (Coconut diet). The three experimental diets were also supplemented with dl-α-tocopheryl acetate to provide 40 mg vitamin E per bird.

After one week of depletion, blood was collected from the wing vein before (baseline) and 6, 12, 24 and 96 h after the gavage. Plasma samples were analysed for their α-tocopherol, cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations.

Results showed that the addition of 3% fat in the experimental diet increased post-gavage plasma α-tocopherol response by 153% for Linseed diet and by 75% for Coconut diet (P < 0.0001) compared to the Control group. Furthermore, the plasma α-tocopherol response observed with the Linseed diet was 44% greater than that observed with the Coconut diet (P < 0.0001). There was no effect of treatments on either plasma triglycerides (P = 0.91) or cholesterol (P = 0.45) responses.

In conclusion, this study shows that the addition of 3% fat to the diet significantly increases dl-α-tocopheryl acetate bioavailability in adult cockerels. Supplementation of fat rich in unsaturated fatty acids also leads to a higher dl-α-tocopheryl acetate bioavailability than fat rich in saturated fatty acids.