This study investigated the laying performance, egg quality, and egg yolk fatty acids (FAs) and cholesterol content in layer hens housed with free access to chicory- and/or white clover-vegetated areas. During a 16-week study, 400 Lohmann Brown hens (32 weeks old) housed with free outdoor access were allocated randomly into four groups, each with four replicates of 25 hens. Control hens were fed a conventional diet with free access to a soil area (C), whereas other hens were fed on a conventional diet with free access to a chicory (CI)- or white clover (TR)-vegetated area or a CI and TR mixture (MIX)-vegetated area. The C hens consumed more concentrate feed (p = 0.018) than the TR and MIX hens, which had a higher herbage intake than the CI birds (p < 0.001). The C hens produced eggs with a thicker shell than those in the other treatment groups (p = 0.013). Compared with C, the saturated FAs of egg yolk decreased for MIX (p = 0.010). The polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the MIX eggs than in the C and TR eggs (p < 0.001). Although FAs were distributed in all quadrants of the principal component analysis (PCA), three main FA profiles could be identified based on the loadings of natural groupings in the PC2 versus PC1 plot. The present study shows clear evidence for the contribution of herbage to the hen diet without affecting laying performance. In addition, the FA composition of the CI and MIX vegetation contributed to the production of eggs with preferred FA attributes, such as polyunsaturated FAs and a favourable n-6 to n-3 ratio.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of normal and low protein content (PC) of starter diet supplemented or not with blends of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on growth performance of broilers under summer conditions and to investigate whether these effects altered some quality traits and the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract.Methods: A total of 768 mixed-sex broiler chicks (Ross 308, one-d-old) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 47.6±1.03 g were allocated into six treatments with four replications in 2×3 factorial arrangement. Factors were: PC, normal (N, 22% to d 15); and low (L, 20% to d 15); and added BCAA blends, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine at zero (0L:0I:0V); 1.0, 0.25, and 0.25 (4L:1I:1V); or 1.0, 0.25, 0.75 (4L:1I:3V) g/kg of diet. Hence, six dietary treatments were named as N0L:0I:0V, N4L:1I:1V, N4L:1I:3V, L0L:0I:0V, L4L:1I:1V, and L4L:1I:3V. Average indoor temperature and humidity were 32.8°C±1.7°C and 61.1%±4.12%, respectively.Results: BW, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass weight were not affected by PC, BCCA and their interaction (p>0.05). The L diets decreased the water holding capacity of the breast (p = 0.002) and thigh (p = 0.050) meats and dressing percentage (p = 0.005) compared to the N diets. The 4L:1I:1V diet decreased breast yield compared to the 0L:0I:0V diets (p = 0.041). The effect of PC on feed intake, mortality and gastrointestinal trait weight were depended on the L:I:V ratios under summer conditions due to interactions between factors (p<0.05). The FI and mortality of L4L:1I:1V broilers were lower than those of N4L:1I:1V birds (p<0.05).Conclusion: It was concluded that the blends of BCAAs used failed to improve performance and to promote breast yields, because diets with normal or with reduced protein supplemented or not with BCAAs up to d 15 produced a similar BW and FCR in broilers raised in hot-climate conditions.

BACKGROUND: Dietary l‐leucine or its metabolite 𝛽‐hydroxy‐𝛽‐methylbutyrate (HMB) has a crucial role in the muscle protein metabolism of broilers during the first few‐week growing period. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of l‐leucine (LLPD) or HMB (HLPD) supplementation in a low‐protein diet (20%, LPD) until 21 days old on performance, carcass weight, muscle yield and meat quality, as well as intestinal morphometry, in broiler chickens.RESULTS: From days 1–42, LPD decreased body weight gain and feed intake (FI) and increased feed conversion ratio compared to a standard protein diet (22%, SPD). The LLPD and HLPD did not affect FI, but the LLPD decreased the body weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio compared to the SPD. The LPD group had lower body and muscle weights than other groups. Compared to LPD, HLPD increased dressing percentage. The LPD decreased the serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 content compared to the SPD and LLPD. The duodenal villus height of the LPD and LLPD broilers was smaller than those of the SPD and HLPD birds. The HLPD broilers had lower duodenal villus width than the SPD birds. The duodenal crypt depth and ileal mucosal thickness were higher in the HLPD group than in other groups. The HLPD and LLPD enhanced the ileal villus height compared to the SPD. The LLPD and HLPD treatments did not affect meat quality traits compared to the SPD treatment.CONCLUSION: Dietary HMB could be a conducive approach to reducing dietary protein for broilers until 21 days old. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Firstly, this study aimed to evaluate the effects on hatchability and relative weights of yolk, metabolic organ (heart, liver, breast muscle, and thigh muscle) and total digestive system (GUT) of in ovo feeding of cinnamon, ginger or anise extract. Secondly, it was investigated to determine the appropriate dose of cinnamon, ginger or anise extract in in ovo feeding. For this purpose, 480 fertilized broiler eggs were randomly distributed into 12 groups with four replicates as a factorial arrangement of three extracts (cinnamon, ginger, anise) x 4 doses (0, 3, 9, 12 mg/egg) to hatching trays. On the 18th day of incubation, 1 ml of 0.9% saline solution containing 0, 3, 9, 12 mg of cinnamon, ginger or anise extract was injected into the eggs with a 19 mm and 27-gauge needle. The cinnamon and ginger groups had higher hatchability, chick quality and proventriculus weight, while the anise group had higher thigh muscle weight. Chick weight was 12 mg/egg, chick quality was 0 and 3 mg/egg, breast muscle weight was 9 mg/egg, and liver, gizzard and GUT weights were higher at 0, 3 and 9 mg/egg in ovo extract doses. In ovo anise injection increased the number of non‐pipped dead embryos. The interaction effect of factors on the hatchability and chick quality were found significant. The results of this study indicate that 9 mg/egg cinnamon, 12 mg/egg ginger, and 3 mg/egg anise extract can be used in in ovo injection without negative effects on the investigated parameters. The role of in ovo cinnamon, ginger or anise extract injection in broiler needs further research.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of offering (OSF) or not (NSF) supplemental feed at milking on temperament (TS), udder hygiene (UHS) and body condition (BCS) scores, and milk yield per milking (MYM), milk quality traits, and profitability of primiparous Anatolian buffalo cows at 90 days of lactation confined in closed-tied (CB) or semi-open free-stall (OB) barns.Methods: In Experiment I, 108 cows were selected to encompass four treatments (OBOSF, OB-NSF, CB-OSF, and CB-NSF) of 27 cows, considering barn type (OB and CB) and supplementary feed (OSF and NSF) at milking. In Experiment II, 60 OB cows were selected to encompass one of five groups of 12 cows each: i) no supplemental feed (CON), ii) commercial concentrate (CC), iii) CC + corn silage (CCS), iv) CCS + alfalfa hay (CSA), or v) CC + ryegrass silage (CRS) at milking.Results: The TS and UHS of the OB and OSF cows were lower (better) than those of the CB and NSF cows, respectively. The OSF increased milk protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat but decreased milk freezing point and electrical conductivity compared with the NSF. The MYM and milk fat of the OB-OSF cows were higher than those of the OB-NSF and CBNSF cows. The TS and UHS of the cows negatively correlated with MYM and some milk chemicals (fat, protein, and solids-not-fat), but BCS correlated positively. The TS and milk electrical conductivity of the CCS, CSA, and CRS cows were lower than those of the CON and CC cows, but BCS, MYM, and milk fat were higher. Partial budget analysis identified a higher net profit for supplemental feed-offered groups (OB-OSF, CCS, CSA, and CRS).Conclusion: Offering roughage with concentrates at milking for indoor primiparous buffalo cows is more conducive to well-being, milk yield, milk quality, and economy.