This study aimed to investigate the effects of the supplementation of defatted mealworm larvae meal fermented with probiotics to the diet of broilers reared under normal stocking density (NSD) and high stocking density (HSD) on the morphometric characteristics and mineral contents of tibia bone of broilers. A total of 450 one-d-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly distributed into six groups of similar mean weight, each containing five replicates. The experimental treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial design, incorporating two levels of stocking density (12 birds/m², designated as NSD, and 18 birds/m², designated as HSD) and three different diets in mash form: CONT- a corn-soybean meal-based diet containing no fermented defatted mealworm larvae meal (FDM) (0%); FDMLP- the diet obtained by supplementing defatted mealworm larvae meal (DM) fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum to the CONT diet (0.4%); FDMLB- the diet obtained by supplementing DM fermented with Lactobacillus brevis to the CONT diet (0.4%). HSD significantly aggravated the morphometric parameters (weight, length, weight/length index, diameter of diaphysis and medullary canal, tibiotarsal index and breaking strenght) and decreased mineralization (ash, Ca and P contents) of the tibia of broilers, whereas the FDMLP and FDMLB diets improved tibia mineralization and morphology except its medullary canal diameter and ribusticity index of broilers due to the results of enhanced mineral absorption. In conclusion, the use of FDMLP and FDMLB as new antibacterial feed additives in broiler diets regardless of stocking density was able to improve tibia mineralization and morphology except its medullary canal diameter and ribusticity index of broilers due to the results of enhanced mineral absorption.

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the major viral diseases of poultry, remains a constant threat in poultry farms that causes huge economic losses every year. However, little is known regarding the potential risk factors of the disease in broiler. The study was undertaken to ascertain the potential risk factors and biosecurity measures in ND prevalent broiler farm. A total of 116 broiler farms were considered as a sample size from a different area of Barishal district of Bangladesh in which 19.83% ND prevalence was found. In the findings, the farmers (33.62%) who had training on poultry farming, were significantly less ND positive case (7.69%). Besides this, among the different risk factors and biosecurity measures only shed location, ventilation, vaccination status, feeder and waterer cleaning frequency, visitors accession, pets in the farm, use of disinfectant and seasonal variation had significant effect on ND outbreak. However, among all the factors only farmers training (OR=0.025; 95% CI: 0.001-0.509), shed location (OR=0.035; 95% CI: 0.003-0.390), vaccination against ND (OR=0.017; 95% CI: 0.001-0.435) and use of disinfectant daily (OR=0.011; 95% CI: 0.000-0.294) made a unique statistically significant contribution to the regression model and the predictors had approximately similar strength on reporting ND outbreak. In completion, ND can be reduced in broiler farms by improving the level of common biosecurity, farm management practices, and minimizing the potential risk factors through training of farmers, awareness build-up, and enforcement of these practices on the farms.

The increasing costs of conventional feedstuffs like corn, soybean meal and fish meal for poultry diets increased the need for cheaper alternatives. Babassu is a tall palm tree species found in Brazil. Babassu meal is high in protein (19.49-20.19%), minerals (1.20% Ca, 0.41% available P) and gross energy, 4553 kcal/kg. The amino acid profile of babassu meal indicates that it is a good source of amino acids especially arginine (2.34%), glycine+serine (1.75%) and phenylalanine+tyrosine (1.32%). In this review, the studies focused on possibilities of using babassu meal in poultry and ruminant rations were discussed.

Copra meal (CM) is an important feed ingredient and the by-product of the oil extraction from dried coconut kernels. This product, although copra meal has a moderate protein content (15-25%); because of a high cellulose content (11.63-16.00%) and some limiting amino acids (particularly lysine and methionine), limits its use as a basic source of protein in poultry due to insufficient. Copra meals are more suitable common supplements as both an energy and protein source for ruminants. In this paper, nutritional researches performed with the copra meal usage on poultry and ruminant species have been reviewed.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of in ovo DL-methionine injection into the fertile broiler eggs on hatchability and relative chick weight. In the trial, 132 fertile broiler eggs were obtained from a breeder flock (34-wk-old Ross 308 parent stock). Fertile eggs were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Experimental groups were 1) Control 2) DL-methionine injected group with three replicates. Injections were carried out at the 16th day of incubation. At the end of the study, hatchability was 90.29%, and 84.74% in control and DL-methionine injected eggs respectively. Relative chick weights were 70.04% and 72.70% control and DL-methionine injected group respectively. At the end of the study, it determined that injection of DL-methionine increased 3.8% relative chick weight according to control. It suggested that DL-methionine may use as an in ovo feed additive for obtain heavier chick.

Nowadays, the concept of sustainability is important in poultry meat production as in every field. The health status of the birds must be well-stated for sustainable broiler production. Considering that synthetics attract reactions and some of them are banned or limited, the use of natural feed additives for health protection has been the focus of research attention. St John’s wort is a plant that can positively affect the health of animals with bioactive components such as the hypericin it contains. St John’s wort or hypericum (Hypericum perforatum L.) has antiviral and antimicrobial effects in broilers and positively affects on blood biochemical parameters. This positive effect on health level also improves performance. The review aims to give information about St John’s wort and to examine a limited number of studies on their use in the diet of broilers.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of pre-starter feed prepared using different sugar sources on the performance, carcass parameters, internal organs and intestinal development, microbial load in broilers. In total, 360 newly hatched chicks divided into 4 treatment groups with 5 replicates. 18 chicks with similar live weights (9 male, 9 female) were used for each replicate. Control or pre-starter feeds (containing %14 saccharose, %14 dextrose, or %7 saccharose+ %7 dextrose) were used for the feeding of the groups. For the feeding of the control group, standard chick starter feed was used for the first 5 days; for the treatment groups, the pre-starter feeds prepared were used. For the rest of the trial period, all groups were subjected to standard feeding. A significant difference was observed among groups with regards to live weight gain and feed conversion rate during the first four weeks of the study; however, this effect disappeared over the last week. In addition, it was determined that any differences observed with regards to carcass parameters other than hot and cold carcass weights, internal organ development aside from proventriculus, intestinal development and microbial load were not significant. It was concluded that the pre-starter feed prepared with saccharose and/or dextrose did not show the expected effect

The study investigated the effects of oregano- or red pepper-essential oil at delayed feeding (0, 24 and 48 h post-hatching) on performance and morphological development of small intestine segments. Female broilers were fed one of 3 rations including a control ration with no essential oil (CONT), the rations added with either oregano essential oil (OEO) or red pepper essential oil (RPEO) at 250 mg/kg to CONT. A total of 18 chicks from each treatment were used to measure the morphological parameters of the small intestine segments on the 14th day. Prolongation of accessing time to ration significantly decreased the body weights of broilers at 3rd, 7th and 14th d, feed intake (FI) from 4 to 7 d and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers at the period of 4-7 d. Access to ration for 48 h post-hatching significantly decreased the body weight gains at the period of 4-7 and 7-14 d, FI from 7 to 14 d and improved FCR of broilers at the period of 7-14 d. OEO250 ration significantly increased villus height (VH) and villus surface area (VSA) of jejunum (J) and ileum (I) of broilers fed immediately and the IVH and IVSA of broiler accessed to ration for 48 h post-hatching. VH of duodenum (D), IVH and IVSA of broilers fed for 24 h post-hatching were significantly increased by RPEO250 ration. OEO250 and RPEO250 rations significantly reduced crypt depth (CD) of D and J of broiler accessed to ration for immediate and DCD of broiler fed for 24 h post-hatching. OEO250 and RPEO250 rations significantly increased IVH and IVSA and reduced DCD, JCD and ICD of broilers. In conclusion, OEO250 and RPEO250 rations affected positively VH and VSA of I and reduced CDs of small intestine segments of broilers accessed to ration at different times.

The impacts of egg weight (EW), egg shell temperature (EST), egg position in the incubator (EP) and incubator ventilation program (IVP) on embryonic mortality (EM) and hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE) of broiler breeders were investigated in this study. EW was determined total 1920 hatching eggs which were obtained from middle aged (31 weeks) Ross 308 broiler breeders. These eggs were classified according to weight as heavy (65.52±0.08g), medium (61.47±0.04g) and light (57.56±0.08g) then were randomly set in trolleys of four identical incubators sorted as near the heather side – door side, humidifier side – opposite side and top – middle – bottom. In two incubators 37.78°C (100.0°F) EST and 38.06°C (100.5°F) EST were provided in the other two. Similarly, two machines were operated on classic IVP system and the other two were operated on new IVP system organised specially for this project during first 10 days of incubation. At the end of the hatching period, data including EM and HFE data were examined in eggs with different EST, EW and EP. It was found that EW and EST were affected to EM and HFE. Lower last stage + pipped but unhatched embryo rates and accordingly higher HFE were determined in eggs with 37.78°C (100.0°F) EST and light. However, differences between IVP and EP data were not significant.

The study investigated the effects of oregano- or red pepper-essential oil at delayed feeding (0, 24 and 48 h post-hatching) on performance and morphological development of small intestine segments. Female broilers were fed one of 3 rations including a control ration with no essential oil (CONT), the rations added with either oregano essential oil (OEO) or red pepper essential oil (RPEO) at 250 mg/kg to CONT. A total of 18 chicks from each treatment were used to measure the morphological parameters of the small intestine segments on the 14th day. Prolongation of accessing time to ration significantly decreased the body weights of broilers at 3rd, 7th and 14th d, feed intake (FI) from 4 to 7 d and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers at the period of 4-7 d. Access to ration for 48 h post-hatching significantly decreased the body weight gains at the period of 4-7 and 7-14 d, FI from 7 to 14 d and improved FCR of broilers at the period of 7-14 d. OEO250 ration significantly increased villus height (VH) and villus surface area (VSA) of jejunum (J) and ileum (I) of broilers fed immediately and the IVH and IVSA of broiler accessed to ration for 48 h post-hatching. VH of duodenum (D), IVH and IVSA of broilers fed for 24 h post-hatching were significantly increased by RPEO250 ration. OEO250 and RPEO250 rations significantly reduced crypt depth (CD) of D and J of broiler accessed to ration for immediate and DCD of broiler fed for 24 h post-hatching. OEO250 and RPEO250 rations significantly increased IVH and IVSA and reduced DCD, JCD and ICD of broilers. In conclusion, OEO250 and RPEO250 rations affected positively VH and VSA of I and reduced CDs of small intestine segments of broilers accessed to ration at different times.