This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the replacement of rice bran oil (RBO) with black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) on growth performance, blood biochemicals, carcass quality, and metabolomics profile of breast muscle of Thai native chickens. A total of 192 1-day-old, mixed-sex, Pradu Hang Dam (Mor Kor 55) chickens were randomly allocated to one of three dietary groups. Each treatment had four replicates with 16 chicks per replicate (8 males and 8 females). Three dietary treatments were used: (T1) the control group, based on a corn–soybean meal with RBO, and two treatment groups that replaced 50% (T2) and 75% (T3) of RBO in the basal diet with BSFLO, respectively. Results showed that BSFLO inclusion at 50% and 75% did not adversely affect the productive performance of Thai native chickens (p > 0.05). Regarding blood profiles, on day 28, chickens fed 75% BSFLO exhibited significant increases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) with lower eosinophil percentages compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, BSFLO supplementation raised glucose levels but decreased globulin and total protein levels (p < 0.05). On day 63, BSFLO inclusion primarily affected MCV (mean corpuscular volume), with higher values in the 50% BSFLO group (p < 0.05). It also increased globulin and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels while lowering AST (aspartate transaminase) concentrations (p < 0.05). For carcass and meat quality, BSFLO supplementation did not affect dressing percentage or edible meat yield (p > 0.05). However, it influenced meat pH and shear force (p < 0.05), with a higher pH at 24 h post-mortem in BSFLO-fed chickens. Metabolomics showed that arginine biosynthesis; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were the most differentially abundant. These findings suggest that BSFLO can be used for a partial replacement (50 to 75%) for RBO in Thai native chicken diets, potentially offering benefits for animal health and meat quality without compromising growth performance.

This study was conducted with Thai broiler chicken (KKU 1) to investigate the effect of citric acid by-products from rice (CABR) on growth performance and villi histology. A total of 192 broiler chicks were subject to three dietary treatments, including 0% CABR, 3% and 6% of dry matter. Body weight gains, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, and production index (body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rates, and productive index, respectively) were considered for growth performance evaluation. Villi height (µm), crypt depth (µm), and villi: crypt ratio were recorded for the villi histological measurement. The performance did not show a significant effect when compared with the control group during at ages ranging from 1 to 56 days. Villi histology indicate a significant effect on villi height (µm), crypt depth (µm), and villi: crypt of broiler chicks compared with the control group. Also, the use of 3% CABR caused a reduction microbial contamination in chicken fecal matter. In conclusion, supplementation of CABR had no negative effects on growth performance of Thai broiler chicken (KKU 1). Also, the addition of 3% CABR to the feed might help reduce fecal microbial contamination and affect the villi histology of Thai broiler chickens (KKU 1).

This research aimed to enhance the diet of Thai broiler chickens (KKU 1) by assessing the impact of CABR on growth performance, carcass yield, and meat composition. A total of 320 one-day-old mixed-sex (1:1) Thai KKU 1 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments incorporating CABR at levels of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%. The chicks were fed for a period of 56 days, divided into three phases: 1–21, 22–49, and 50–56 days. In the grower phase, birds receiving 3% and 6% CABR displayed the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other groups, while their body weight (BW) and BW gain (BWG) were significantly higher than those of other treatments (p < 0.05). In the finisher phase, performance differences were minimal, except for birds on the 3% CABR diet, which had greater BW than those on 9% or 12% CABR diets. Overall, throughout all phases, the inclusion of 3% CABR resulted in improved BWG and FCR compared to other groups across the study period (p < 0.05). Additionally, the 12% CABR treatment reduced dressing percentage compared to other groups, but it did not negatively impact the relative organ weights of the carcass or the quality of breast meat. Incorporating 3% and 12% CABR resulted in the highest values recorded for gross energy and ether extract in breast meat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the gross energy of thigh meat increased with 3% to 12% CABR inclusion, peaking at the 6% CABR treatment (p < 0.05). This study found that adding 3% or 6% CABR to the diet of Thai broiler chickens improves their growth without negatively impacting meat or carcass quality.

1. The demand for natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry has led to growing interest in bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides derived from algae. This study evaluated the effects of algae (Spirulina platensis)-derived polysaccharides (ADP) on growth performance, blood profiles, carcase characteristics, meat quality, amino acid composition and antioxidant status in broilers.2. A total of 320, 1-d-old Ross 308 mixed-sex broilers were randomly allocated to one of the five dietary treatments; a control diet (0% ADP) and diets supplemented with 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60% of ADP. Each treatment included four replicates containing 16 birds each. The feeding trial was conducted over 42 d and was divided into three phases, including starter (1-14 d), grower (15-28 d) and finisher (29-42 d).3. Dietary inclusion of ADP at 0.30% significantly improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the finisher (1.77 kg and 1.71, respectively) and overall (2.82 kg and 1.56, respectively) periods. There were no adverse effects observed on haematological, serum biochemistry or carcase characteristics.4. Supplementation with 0.45-0.60% ADP reduced cooking loss to 34-40% and improved meat cohesiveness by about 5%. Its inclusion elevated the levels of key amino acids, such as threonine, histidine, isoleucine, arginine and glutamic acid in the breast muscle. Additionally, ADP linearly increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including total superoxide dismutase (317.60-337.12 U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (39.98-48.70 U/mg protein), catalase (7.09-7.71 U/mg protein) and decreased malondialdehyde concentrations (0.63-0.68 nmol/mg protein) demonstrating enhanced oxidative status. These improvements were attributed to the prebiotic and antioxidant properties of Spirulina-derived polysaccharides, which enhance nutrient utilisation, maintain gut integrity and strengthen redox balance.5. This study provides preliminary evidence that polysaccharides derived from S. platensis, particularly at 0.30-0.45%, can be used as safe and effective feed additives in broiler diets. These compounds have the potential to enhance performance, oxidative stability and certain aspects of meat quality without adverse effects.