Chicken bones, a by-product of the poultry industry, can directly or indirectly enter the food chain. Bone meal and bone products could be sources of many contaminants. Considering the wide range of uses made of bones in the culinary and food industries, this material needs to be safe and antibiotic residue–free. To determine if such is the case, the concentration of doxycycline in chicken bones was investigated, this antimicrobial being one of the most commonly used in poultry production.

Broiler production is a promising sector to achieve food security and economic development in Egypt. It has a big share in animal protein supply which can relieve the problem of animal protein shortage. This study focused on estimating broiler farms profitability after the major financial changes that took place in Egypt, by studying how different housing systems and broiler breeds can affect farm production and profitability. Farm records and research questionnaires were used to collect data from broiler farms in two governorates (Al Sharkia and Ismailia). Different broiler breeds and housing systems were compared. Results showed that despite the high cost of production, broiler production is still a profitable business appealing for further private or governmental investments. The veterinary management, housing system and breed have a positive effect on the productivity. The highest production was obtained for Cobb breed and closed systems, whereas Ross breed achieved the highest net profit. Despite the challenges faced by producers, it was concluded that broiler farms in the study area are acting in the second stage of production where resources are probably used for the existing conditions.

Bile acid (BA) is a feed additive that can increase fat digestibility in poultry. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to assess the effectiveness of supplementation with bile acid on growth performance, carcass trait, fat digestibility, and blood lipid profile of broiler by meta-analysis evidence. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were found using databases such as PubMed, and Scopus. The meta-analysis required information on moderators (inclusion level, and treatment duration), a sufficient description of randomization, performance data, and associated measures of variance such as standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE). All analyses were carried out using the Open Meta-analyst for Ecology and Evolution (OpenMEE) program. Data from the 10 studies included in the meta-analysis were pooled and presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results indicate that dietary BA supplementation decreases FCR (SMD = –0.50, 95% CI: –0.76 to -0.23, p<0.001), and tends to decrease abdominal fat (SMD = SMD = -0.39; 95% CI =  -0.78 to 0.01; p=0.055). Contrastingly, BA supplementation increases fat digestibility (SMD = 1.67; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.26; p<0.001) and dressing carcass (0.44; 95% CI -0.08 to 0.8; p=0.016) compared with the controls The meta-analysis explains that bile acid is an ingredient that could be used as a feed additive in broiler.

A serious infection in avian species can be caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). Because of the harmful consequences that antibiotics have on public health, reducing their usage in the animal industry is a major global concern. As an alternative to antibiotics, nanoparticles (NPs) have been used more and more recently to target bacteria. Zinc oxide (ZnO), one of these NPs, exhibited antibacterial activity even at low concentrations. Consequently, at 14 days, 75-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were separated into 5 equal groups (15 birds each divided into triplicate, 5 bird per replicate). The groups were calssified as G1, G2, G3, G4 & G5. G1 was infected with C. perfringens type A; G2 was infected & given zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs); G3 was infected with C. perfringens & given doxycycline as an antibiotic; G4 received ZONPs continuously for 35 days; & G5 was the negative control. For two successive days, 4×108 colony forming units (CFU) of C. perfringens type A/mL/bird were given orally to birds in infected groups. ZONPs in the treatment groups received a total dose of 150 µg/bird. Bird performance is measured for 35 days, & data is gathered on body weight (BW), feed conversion (FC), feed conversion rate (FCR), clinical signs score, & mortalities. Moreover, immune organ indices & the microbial loads in the caecum & intestine were assessed. Remarkably, BW improvements (P < 0.05) were noted in ZONPs treated group & ZONPs / C. perfringens infected group, in contrast to those in G1. Compared to G1, treatment with ZONPs lowered the colonization of C. perfringens in the caeca & intestine, lessened the severity of clinical symptoms, & decreased mortality. Thymus, bursa, & spleen relative weights varied considerably (P < 0.05) between treatment groups. When ZONPs were administered alone or in conjunction with infection, the spleen’s relative weight was considerably (P < 0.05) larger in treated birds than in control & antibiotic-treated birds. In conclusion, ZONPs positively affect the BW & FCR, improve the relative weight of immune organs, & can decrease the C. perfringens count in the intestine, positively impacting performance, general health, & gut health integrity. However, ZONPs also reduce the population of gut microbes. On the other hand, birds that received antibiotic treatment showed adverse effects on a few metrics. Therefore, more investigation into the use of ZONPs in broiler diets and their safety for the health of humans and avian species is still advised.

The experimental protocol aimed to assess the influence of nucleotides and/or β-glucan on the production performance, growth-related gene expression in the broiler chickens’ liver tissue, intestinal histomorphology, and some biochemical parameters. One hundred forty-four newly hatched chicks were categorized into four groups based on the supplements: a control group, a group supplemented with nucleotides (200 mg/kg diet), a group with β-glucan (1 g/kg diet), and a group with both nucleotides and β-glucan. The study's findings showed that, when compared to the control group, all dietary supplemented groups showed a substantial (P < 0.05) improvement in production parameters without having a negative impact on the general health of broilers. Additionally, the treatments positively impacted the expression of some genes associated with growth performance in the broiler chickens’ liver tissue, such as the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR). The supplemented groups also demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in intestinal histomorphology, characterized by increased villi length, crypt depth, and goblet cell number. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of nucleotides and/or β-glucan led to a significant (P < 0.05) elevation in total protein and albumin levels, with no significant effect on globulin, AST, and ALT. The conclusion can be drawn that adding nucleotides along with β-glucan to the diet led to enhancements in growth performance, the expression of genes related to growth (GHR and IGF-1), intestinal histomorphology, and certain biochemical parameters (specifically total protein and albumin).

Aflatoxins are one of the most dangerous toxic residues in various foods including poultry. This study was conducted to assess the reducing effect of gamma radiation on the levels of aflatoxin B1 in poultry meat, skin, and liver. To this end, a total of 80 poultry samples including meat, skin, and liver were surveyed for the incidence of aflatoxins, where only positive samples (27 samples of muscle, skin, and liver; 9 samples each) were selected for testing the effect of treatment by gamma radiation. The levels of aflatoxins were estimated in the examined samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) whereas positive samples were exposed to 0 kGy, 5 kGy, or 10 kGy, and the differences in aflatoxin contents before and after exposure were calculated. The obtained results clarified that radiation achieved reduction rates in aflatoxin B1 level in muscle samples with a mean value 99.259±0.741, and 100.00±0.00% when treated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. Whereas in skin samples, 98.676±1.324 and 100.00±0.00 % when treated 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. While in liver samples, reduction rates accounted for 84.312±7.406 and 88.249±10.882 were obtained when treated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. In conclusion, the exposure of poultry meat, skin, and liver to gamma radiation (5kGy or 10 kGy) has a significant reducing effect (p<0.05) in aflatoxins B1. The results were discussed from the hygienic point of view and compared with the national and international standards to assess their reliability for consumption.

The current study was carried to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chicks in Dakhalia province. Besides, the effects of carvacol and thymol essential oils (EO), as a continuous drinking water treatment for protection against Campylobacter jejuni challenge in commercial broiler chickens were assessed. Four hundred and fifty samples were collected from 50 healthy bird, 100 freshly dead birds and 100 diseased birds. Out of 450 examined samples, 22.44 % (101̸450) were positive for Campylobacter jejuni. These isolates were sensitive for neomycin, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. Random assignment of 180 one-day old chicks into 6 groups (30 birds/group in 3 replicates) arranged as follows: G1 as non-challenged group, G2 was challenged with C. jejuni while G3, and G4 were challenged with C. jejuni and continuously supplemented with carvacol and thymol, respectively, in drinking water from day 7. G5 was challenged with C. jejuni and had the two essential oils continuously in drinking water from day 7. G6 was challenged with Campylobacter jejuni and treated with neomycin (15 mg/kg B.W). Our results showed that the combination of essential oils was more effective in mitigating the devastating effects of Campylobacter jejuni challenge in broilers than using one EO alone. Growth performance represented by body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p<0.05) improved. Campylobacter jejuni shedding was reduced in the challenged treated groups. Also, the biochemical profile was improved. In addition, the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly down regulated in the challenged-treated group. In conclusion, it is highly recommended to use carvacol and thymol EO either alone or in a combination to improve the body performance and to protect broilers against Campylobacter jejuni.

The addition of microbial phytase is crucial for lowering the reliance on inorganic forms of phosphorus and enhancing the absorption of various minerals. The present investigation sets out to ascertain the optimal outcomes of dose-dependent phytase supplementation on production performance, economic efficiency, physical meat quality, and intestinal histomorphometry in Hubbard broiler chickens. A total of 270-days-old Hubbard broilers were distributed randomly among six groups. The experimental setup consisted of: Group 1 (G1) served as the control and was provided with standard basal diets, while G2, G3, G4, G5, and G6 were supplemented with standard basal diets containing 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200gm/ton of phytase, respectively. Weekly recordings of productive performance were conducted throughout the experimental duration. At the end of the study, specimens of both intestine and meat were collected from every pen. The best outcomes regarding body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were noted for G5 and G6. The economic appraisal revealed that G6 had the lowest feed costs per kilogram of body weight and the highest revenue and economic efficiency. Intestinal morphological examination supported these findings, showed that phytase supplementation significantly improved villi length and crypt depth, with the greatest enhancement seen in groups G5 and G6. Water holding capacity and shear force exhibited notable increases in G5 and G6. In conclusion, incorporating a higher dosage of phytase (200gm/ton) in broiler diets has the potential to decrease overall feed costs per kilogram of body weight gain, enhance growth performance, economic efficiency, and intestinal histomorphometry, and have no adverse effects on meat quality.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) on performance and intestinal integrity in broilers. &nbsp;A total of 300 day old Vencobb chicks were randomized in 5 groups, each with 6 replications (5x6) 10 birds per replicate. Groups provided with Sb ( 2 × 108 cfu/kg) in 0,0.02,0.04,0.08 and 0.16 mg/L in D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 respectively through water up to 42 days of age with adlibitum isonitrogenous and isocaloric ration. The results revealed, a significant (p&lt;0.05) improvement in body weight gain, better FCR with increased concentration of Sb in water (D5). No significant variation was observed in feed intake with the level of Sb in water. Intestinal villus height, cryptal depth increased in groups with increased Sb. The results suggest that supplementation of Sb &nbsp;at 0.16mg/L through drinking water &nbsp;improved &nbsp;the performance of the broilers by increasing the absorption capacity in the gut.&nbsp;