In this trial, a 3 × 2 factorial design with different dietary crude protein levels (CP, 17, 19 and 21%) and two levels of exogenous protease (0 and 30,000 IU/kg) was used. A total of 540 two-week old broilers (Ross-308) was randomly allocated to experimental diets over 15–28 days of age. The interaction between dietary protein levels and enzyme supplementation showed that body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in birds fed CP-19 (1114.7 g) and CP-21 (1108.8 g) with enzymes supplementation. Feed intake was higher (p < 0.05) in broilers fed with CP-17 than CP-19 with supplementation of the protease enzyme. Results also revealed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (p < 0.05) improved in birds fed with CP-19 and CP-21 and protease supplementation. Total tract N retention was lower (p < 0.05) in birds fed CP-17 with no enzyme than the other dietary groups. Similarly, the gross energy (GE) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in birds fed CP-17 with or without the protease enzyme. Abdominal fat was higher (p < 0.05) in CP-17 (0.96%) without the protease enzyme. It was concluded that a diet at 19% CP with the protease enzyme improved the performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers over 15–28 days.

After observing the effects of purified cellulase (C), hemicellulase (H), pectinase (P), and their combinations on the in vitro digestibility of a co

The availability of suitable feedstuffs for poultry nutrition is a significant challenge faced by the global poultry production industry. This issue has been exacerbated by the shift towards using grains for biofuel production, leading to a subsequent rise in feedstuff prices. The study aimed to assess the impact of different levels of dried date wastes in the diet of broiler chicks on their growth, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota and economics. A total of 240 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308/Ross 308 FF) were divided into five experimental groups and fed 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of dietary date meal (DDM). The formulated diets were provided to chicks for a duration of 35 days. The findings of the study indicated that chicks fed with a diet containing 9% dried dates exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher increase in body weight compared to the control group by the end of the study period. Additionally, dressing percentage, carcass weight, leg weight and breast weight were notably higher (p < 0.05) among birds that consumed the 9% dried dates diet. Moreover, the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in birds that were fed a 9% dried dates diet. Furthermore, DDM at 9% experienced significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of Lactobacillus and decreased (p < 0.05) the level of E. coli count. Similarly, economically, birds supplemented with 9% DDM exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher profit compared to the control. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that broiler chicks fed with a diet including 9% dried date waste experienced improved growth performance, enhanced carcass quality, supported digestibility of nutrients, elevated the count of fecal Lactobacillus, reduced E. coli count and economics.

This study investigates the chemical composition of soyhulls (SHs) as an alternative feed ingredient and their effect on nutrient and amino acid (AA) digestibility in laying hens during peak production. A total of 200 golden brown hens (28 weeks old) were subjected to random allocation across 5 dietary treatments: a corn–soybean meal (SBM) reference diet and 4 test diets with 25% SHs from different mills (SH1, SH2, SH3, and SH4). Each treatment was replicated four times with ten birds per replicate. Digesta samples were collected during three phases (28–32, 32–36, and 36–40 weeks of age) to measure apparent metabolizable energy (AME), the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients, and the standard ileal digestibility (SID) of AAs. The SBM diet had 30.0% crude protein (CP) and 3.78% crude fiber (CF), while the SH diets had 21.0 to 21.5% CP and 11.6% CF. The findings revealed that the AME was lower (p < 0.05) with SH diets (2404 kcal/kg) compared to the SBM diet (2627 kcal/kg) in all three phases. The SH diets had a lower AID of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, ether extract (EE), and crude fiber (CF) than the SBM diet by an average of 2.88, 2.25, 4.93, 4.99, and 3.36%, respectively. The AID of nitrogen-free extract (NFE) was higher in the SH diets than the SBM diet by 3.42% in all three phases (p < 0.05). The SH diets had lower uric acid excretion (about 66.93 mg/100 mL) than the SBM diet (about 76.43 mg/100 mL) on average in all three phases. The SH diets had a lower SID of arginine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, cysteine, valine, and tyrosine than the SBM diet by 2 to 10%, while the SID of methionine was higher in the SH diets than the SBM diet by 2.2% on average in all three phases (p < 0.05). The SH from Sadiq Brother Feed (SH1) had the highest AME and AID of DM, ash, CP, EE, CF, and the SID of AA among the SH diets. These results indicate that SH can partially replace SBM in laying hen diets, but the source and quality of SH should be considered.

Excessive use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in broiler rearing has led to severe issues due to antimicrobial resistance and drug residues in meat. This study was conducted to evaluate aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) as a natural alternative to antibiotics in broiler chickens. 150 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five groups: one control, three MOLE-treated groups (60, 90, and 120 mL/L), and one Enrofloxacin-treated group (an antibiotic). The birds were monitored for a 35-day trial period, split further into a starter phase (0–21 days) and a finisher phase (22–35 days). The results were that at the starter phase of their lives, birds treated with MOLE120 experienced better body weight gain and optimal feed conversion ratio (FCR), which showed improved early growth performance. In the finisher phase, the MOLE90 group demonstrated the best FCR and a favorable weight gain, showing better efficiency at later stages. Crude protein digestibility was highest in the MOLE90 group (69.97%), and apparent metabolizable energy also increased in all MOLE-treated groups, especially MOLE120 (2938.9 kcal/kg). Regarding the blood lipid profile, the MOLE90 group had the lowest low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (82.3 mg/dL) and cholesterol (181.7 mg/dL), while MOLE120 achieved the highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (92.6 mg/dL) with significant (p < 0.05) effects across all parameters. Triglycerides were slightly higher in MOLE groups but remained within physiological limits. In conclusion, MOLE supplementation, particularly at 90–120 mL/L, improved performance and blood lipid metabolism in a phase-specific manner. MOLE120 was more effective in early growth, while MOLE90 proved optimal in the finishing stage. This study supports the potential of MOLE as a phytogenic substitute for antibiotics in poultry production.

This study determined the interaction between soybean hulls (SHs) and enzymes (β-mannanase) to improve the sustainability and efficacy of feeding programs for laying hens during peak production while ensuring the best health and efficiency. In a completely randomized design (CRD), 200 golden-brown hens were fed for four weeks (33 to 36 weeks) and randomly distributed into four groups, each containing four replicates of ten birds, with one group receiving a control diet (P0) and the others receiving diets that contained four combinations of SHs and enzymes (ENZs). e.g., 3% SHs and 0.02 g/kg ENZs (P1), 3% SHs and 0.03 g/kg ENZs (P2), 9% SHs and 0.02 g/kg ENZs (P3), and 9% SHs and 0.03 g/kg ENZs (P4). Although most egg quality measures remained similar, the P2 group showed enhanced (p = 0.630) egg weight, albumen weight, and height. Moreover, the P2 group improved gut (p < 0.05) shape by increasing villus width, height, crypt depth, and surface area throughout intestinal sections, while the P4 group markedly improved total cholesterol and LDL (p = 0.022) levels. The P1, P2, and P4 groups exhibited a significant enhancement in dry matter (p = 0.022) and crude fiber (p = 0.046) digestibility, while the P2 group demonstrated superior crude protein digestibility (p = 0.032), and the P1 and P2 groups showed increased crude fat digestibility compared to the other groups. In conclusion, adding 3% of SHs and 30 mg/kg of ENZs (β-mannanase) to the feed may help laying hens, enhance gut health and some egg quality indices, and decrease blood cholesterol and LDL levels without compromising nutrient digestibility.