Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract The Iraqi indigenous chicken (IIC) is a native breed known for its remarkable ability to thrive in harsh environments. However, the primary challenge with this breed is its lower productivity levels especially when compared to commercial strains. This study evaluated the performance of 120 layers of IIC in comparison with an equal number of Hy-Line W-80 layers across multiple traits including feed efficiency (FE), feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily feed intake (DFI), egg mass (EM) and total egg number (EN) production. Over a period spanning four consecutive weeks intervals significant differences were observed between the two lines across all measured parameters. Hy-Line W-80 consistently exhibited superior FE, with values ranging from 0.49 to 0.54 compared to IIC values that ranged from 0.23 to 0.26. Similarly, Hy-Line W-80 demonstrated lower FCR values ranging from 1.85 to 2.03 contrasting with IIC (3.77 to 4.37). The DFI was notably higher in Hy-Line W-80 (ranging from 104.30 to 106.00 g per day) compared to IIC (73.75 to 90.20 g per day). Furthermore, Hy-Line W-80 consistently outperformed IIC in EM production with values ranging from 52.33 to 56.67 compared to IIC values (19.83 to 21.47). Another superiority of Hy-Line W-80 was observed by showing higher EN over IIC layers in all sixteen weeks of investigation. In conclusion, Hy-Line W-80 consistently outperformed IIC in various parameters such as FE, FCR, DFI, EM and EN production. Accordingly, these data could be exploited in selective breeding and genetic improvement strategies to enhance the productivity of IIC.

Abstract Among global concerns about antibiotic resistance, it is necessary to identify food-safe alternatives to enhance production. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) inclusion to replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diets of ISA Brown laying hens aged between 23 and 31 weeks. Two hundred forty hens were grouped into five treatments: Control, AGP (130 ppm of enramycin 8.00%), and 100, 200, and 400 ppm of MOS. Each treatment had 16 experimental units (each unit with n = 3) in a randomized block experimental design. Productive data (egg production %, feed intake, egg weight), egg quality variables (albumin height, yolk weight, albumin, yolk %, weight eggshell, eggshell %, equator thickness, width-pole thickness, and Haugh units), organ weights (ovary, liver, and cecum) and jejunal histomorphometry were analyzed. The egg production was not affected by the substitution of AGP by MOS. Furthermore, MOS supplementation resulted in significantly increased feed intake, larger egg weight, higher yolk weight and higher body and ovarium weight compared to the AGP group. Besides, MOS supplementation at 400 ppm demonstrated significant improvements in jejunal villus morphology indicating enhanced intestinal health. These findings highlighted the potential of MOS as an alternative to AGP, offering benefits such as improved feed intake, egg quality and intestinal health in laying hens at 400 ppm.

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the impact of wet feeding on broiler chicken performance and intestinal histomorphometry. The research was conducted at the Veterinary College, Udaipur, India, using 144 commercial broiler chicks from day 1 to 6 weeks of age. The chicks were divided randomly into three experimental groups, each with four replicates comprising 48 birds. The control group (G1) was fed dry; while, group 2 (G2) received wet feed supplemented with 1.00 g water per g of feed and group 3 (G3) received wet feed supplemented with 1.20 g water per g of feed. Results revealed that G3 had significantly superior feed conversion ratios, lower feed intake, and increased body weight and weight gain compared to G2 and G1. Among the three treatment groups, there were no variations in blood plasma indicators. In comparison with G1, duodenum and ileum in G2 had higher villus height. The G3 revealed higher net profit margins and 18.89% saving of feed compared to G1, suggesting that it may be a valuable tool for lowering chicken feed costs.

Abstract This research explored the impacts of feed-born silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and whether dietary curcumin supplementation could ameliorate the impacts of AgNPs on growth, hemato-biochemical parameters and digestive enzyme activity. Nine experimental diets were prepared containing 0.00, 0.05, and 0.15 g kg^-1 AgNPs, as well as 0.00, 0.75, and 1.50 g kg^-1 curcumin in a factorial design. Triplicate groups of common carp (4.82 ± 0.41 g) were fed on the test diets for 60 days. The results demonstrated that AgNPs reduced growth performance and enhanced the feed conversion ratio dose-dependently. Supplementing 0.75 g kg^-1 curcumin at a low AgNP level improved the growth rate, while its inclusion at a high AgNP level led to further suppression of growth performance. The highest hematocrit value, hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count were recorded in the group receiving 0.75 g kg^-1 curcumin. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were elevated by increasing AgNP levels. However, curcumin inclusion, particularly at the lower level of AgNPs significantly decreased their values. Similarly, intestinal alkaline protease and lipase activities were progressively reduced by increasing dietary AgNP contents, but, significant improvements were observed by curcumin application at the lower AgNP level. Our results revealed that curcumin supplementation could limit the toxic effects of lower dietary AgNP contents.

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary oil sources supplementation on laying hens’ performance and fatty acids profile of egg yolks. Seventy-two 23-week-old laying hens (Tetra-SL) divided into six experimental diets (four replicates and three birds per replication) in a completely randomized design for nine weeks. Experimental diets were included: 1) control (no oil), 2) 3.00% fish oil, 3) 3.00% olive oil, 4) 3.00% grape seed oil, 5) 3.00% canola oil, and 6) 3.00% soybean oil. The diets were similar in terms of energy and protein. Egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and fatty acid composition of egg yolk were determined at the end of the trial. The results indicated that the performance parameters were not significantly different between treatments in the entire period (p > 0.05). However, fatty acids profiles of yolk were affected by experimental diets (p < 0.05). Fish oil significantly reduced omega-6 fatty acids and increased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in egg yolk. Also canola oil increased linolenic acid content in the egg yolk. In conclusion, fish oil increased omega-3 long-chain fatty acids and decreased omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in eggs which may have beneficial effects on human health.

Abstract This study was performed to investigate the effects of antibiotic, organic acid, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on performance, egg shell quality, pH value of gastrointestinal (GI) tract and small intestinal morphology of laying hens. The experiment was a completely randomized design with 160 laying hens strain (W-36) from 32 to 42 weeks of age, with five treatments, four replicates and eight hens in each replicate. The experimental treatments consisted of: 1-basal diet, 2-basal diet + 150 g per ton antibiotic (oxytetracycline), 3-basal diet + 3 kg per ton mixture of organic acids supplementation, 4- basal diet + 50 g per ton probiotic (protoxin) and 5-basal diet + 2 kg per ton prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharide). During the experimental period, performance characteristics were evaluated. At the end of experiment two birds per replicate was sacrificed for small intestinal morphology. The results showed that organic acid and mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased average egg weight. Also feed conversion ratio significantly improved by mannan oligosaccharide. Eggshell quality was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Regarding gastrointestinal tract characteristics, pH value of different parts of GI tract were significantly affected by dietary treatments. Villi height in duodenum by probiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. Villi width in duodenum by antibiotic and probiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. The number of goblet cells in duodenum by addition of antibiotic and in ileum by mannan oligosaccharide significantly increased. It was concluded that the use of organic acids and mannan oligosaccharide could have positive effects on performance of laying hens.

Abstract This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of prebiotic as alternative feed additive to an antibiotic growth promoter (bacitracin methylene disalicyate) on the growth performance and morphometrical parameters of the small intestine of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty four day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 6 wk and each treatment contained four replicates (12 birds each). Dietary treatments were as follow: 1- Control (basal diet), 2- basal diet + antibiotic growth promoter and 3- basal diet + prebiotic. During the feeding experimental period, body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured. At the end of the experiment, small intestine segments were sampled and routine histological laboratory methods containing fixation, dehydration, clearing and paraffin embedding were used. Sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy evaluation and the height and width of villi and depth of crypts were measured. The results showed that body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not affected by dietary treatments. Prebiotic and antibiotic had significant (P < 0.05) effect on improvement of feed intake in 22 - 42 days and total period compared with the control. The addition of prebiotic or antibiotic increased the villus height in duodenum (P < 0.05) and prebiotic increased villus width of duodenum and ileum compared with other treatments. The duodenal crypt depth was increased by antibiotic compared with the prebiotic and control group. In conclusion, prebiotic can be used as a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoter.

Abstract A feeding trial of 120 days duration was conducted to study the effect of replacing 20 and 25 % of camel ration by poultry litter (PL) on the performance and some blood biochemical parameters. Fifteen healthy one–humped camels were allotted into three groups (5 animals / group). The first group was fed a basal ration and considered as control, while the second and third groups were fed rations in which poultry litter replaced 20 and 25 % of the basal ration. There was no significant differences in the dry matter intake and digestion coefficients of dry matter and ether extract between the different groups and camels fed on ration containing poultry litter had significantly (P < 0.05) decreased daily gain and feed conversion compared to the control. The apparent digestibility of crude protein by camels increased with 20 % poultry litter in the ration compared with other treatments. Digestibility of crude fibre was higher in rations containing poultry litter compared to control one. No significant differences were observed in blood biochemical parameters except urea and uric acid concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the serum of animals fed on poultry litter. In general, it could be concluded that, dried poultry litter can be utilized efficiently and safely in rations of camels up to a level of 25 % without adversely effect on performance.