The effect of storage of cereal grain and enzyme supplementation on measurements of AME and broiler chick performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Scott ◽  
A. B. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Cereal Grains ◽  
Grain Storage ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Broiler Chick ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation

There is a concern that feeding newly harvested cereal grain results in poor performance in poultry. A broiler chick apparent metabolizable energy (AME) bioassay was used to measure changes in feeding value of wheat (n = 14), hulless (n = 10) and hulled (n = 14) barley with or without a commercial enzyme appropriate for wheat- or barley-based diets. In the broiler chick bioassay, four pens of six male broiler chicks were fed ad lib, from 4 to 17 d, diets containing 80% of a test cereal grain and a high-protein basal mixture containing 1% “celite” as an acid-insoluble ash marker. Each of the cereal-grain-based diets, with or without enzyme, was tested within 3 mo of harvest and again 6 mo later. With cereal grain storage there were consistent (P < 0.05) increases in feed intake (FI) between 4 and 17 d and body weight (BW) at 17 d of age with wheat-based diets fed wit h (12.5 and 16.9%, respectively, for FI and BW) or without (16.1 and 22.7%) enzyme. In hulless barley diets without enzyme, there was a significant improvement in BW (7.5%) with storage, while storage had a significant effect on FI and BW (2.9 and 6.3%, respectively) when fed with enzyme. For all other barley diets there was a positive effect of storage on FI and BW, but it was not significant. Feed conversion ratios decreased marginally (P > 0.05) with storage of cereal grain. AME of diets was improved within each period by enzyme supplementation. However, there were measurable decreases (P < 0.05) in AME with storage of cereal grains for the three cereal grains with enzyme supplementation (ranging from –3.2 to –8.2%). The r2 of the above measurements for the different sources of cereal grain between storage periods ranged from 0.65 to 0.94, indicating that the relative ranking of the cereal grains, with respect to feeding value, remained similar during storage. Increases in FI with storage were not significantly related to the attempts of the broiler chicks, to maintain metabolizable energy (ME) intake. Therefore, this increases our concerns that “factors” in newly harvested cereal grains may exist and that they may limit voluntary feed intake and/or growth. Key words: Cereal grain storage, AME, broiler performance, wheat, barley

Effect of cultivar and environment on the feeding value of Western Canadian wheat and barley samples with and without enzyme supplementation

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Scott ◽  
F. G. Silversides ◽  
H. L. Classen ◽  
M. L. Swift ◽  
M. R. Bedford
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Broiler Chick ◽  
Wheat Cultivars ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Hulless Barley ◽  
Barley Cultivars ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation

The feeding value ofnine wheat cultivars grown in replicate in three locations in each of two crop years, and 14 barley cultivars grown in seven locations over three crop years was tested with or without an appropriate commercial enzyme using a broiler chick bioassay. Four pens of six male broilers were fed mash diets containing 80% of the test cereal with or without enzyme from 4 to 17 d. Digestibilities were determined using an acid insoluble ash marker at 1.1% of diet. Significant intraclass correlation coefficients between duplicate wheat samples suggested a common effect of the location, but their low to moderate values suggested the presence of random variation or variation due to unique growing conditions within location. For both wheat and barley samples, the growing location affected the feeding value of the cereal grain and subsequent broiler chick performance. Durum wheat cultivars had higher feeding values than that of other wheat classes, both with and without enzyme supplementation, and the response to enzyme supplementation was low, likely reflecting a low level of soluble non-starch polysaccharides. The values of hulless barley cultivars were similar to those of hulled cultivars without enzyme, but the lower crude fibre in hulless barley resulted in higher feeding values when diets were supplemented with enzyme. The response to enzyme supplementation for both wheat and barley cultivars was dependent on the feeding value of the cereal grain without supplementation. Knowledge of variation in enzyme response could be used by feed manufacturers to determine the economic merit of supplementing with enzymes. Key words: Metabolizable energy, broilers, performance, wheat, barley, enzyme

Prediction of the performance of broiler chicks from apparent metabolizable energy and protein digestibility values obtained using a broiler chick bioassay

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Scott ◽  
F. G. Silversides ◽  
H. L. Classen ◽  
M. L. Swift ◽  
M. R. Bedford
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Broiler Chick ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Apparent Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Enzymes

Samples of wheat (54) and barley (87) were included in a series of broiler chick bioassays. For each cereal, fed at 80% of a basal diet with or without enzyme, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), retained nitrogen, digesta viscosity, excreta dry matter (DM), and broiler performance (feed intake, body weight [BW] gain, and feed conversion) were measured. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the predictor and the performance variables, separated according to whether or not the diets included feed enzymes. Some correlations between measures of AME and BW, feed efficiency, and to a lesser degree feed intake were significant, but none were high. The correlation coefficients were higher when feeds were not supplemented with an enzyme because enzyme supplementation reduced the variation in both AME and performance by reducing the antinutritive effects of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Including a measure of voluntary intake in AME (AME level multiplied by feed intake) resulted in higher correlations with performance. Evaluation of the feeding value of wheat and barley by researchers or the feed industry will require the determination of available energy and the NSP contents. Key words: Metabolizable energy, performance, wheat, barley, feed enzymes

Effects of wet feeding and enzyme supplementation on nutritional value of wheat screenings for broiler chickens

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1906
Author(s):  
Ghorbanali Sadeghi ◽  
Ahmad Karimi ◽  
Soosan Mohammadi ◽  
Asaad Vaziry ◽  
Mahmood Habibian
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation ◽  
Digesta Viscosity

The effects of wet feeding and a multi-enzyme preparation on the nutritional value of wheat screenings (WS) for broiler chicks were investigated. In total, 540 1-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet up to 29 days of age. At that time, the birds were randomly assigned to nine diets in a completely randomised design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, including three levels of WS (0%, 25% and 50%, WS0, WS25 and WS50 respectively) and three processing methods (no processing, enzyme supplementation and wet feeding). The enzyme mixture contained endo-1, 4-β-xylanase (200 FXU/g), endo-1, 4-β-glucanase (50 FBG/g), endo-1, 8-β-glucanase (21 FBG/g), hemicellulase (3000 VHCU/g), α-galactosidase (3 GALU/g) and protease (260 U/g) and was supplemented at a level of 6 g/kg of diet. The inclusion of water in wet diets was in the extent of 1.2 kg/kg of diet. During the period from 29 to 49 days of age, feed intake was not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of WS in the diet, whereas chicks fed the WS25 diet had a higher (P < 0.05) bodyweight gain than did those on WS0 diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of WS in the diet throughout the study. The feed intake was increased (P < 0.05) by enzyme supplementation to WS50 diet, while bodyweight gain was increased (P < 0.05) by wet feeding. Enzyme supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) FCR, whereas wet feeding resulted in lower (P < 0.05) FCR over the entire study. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of WS in the diet. The viscosity of the ileal digesta was higher (P < 0.05) in chicks receiving the WS50 diet than that in chicks receiving the other diets. The jejunal villus height was increased (P < 0.05) and the jejunal crypt depth was decreased (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of WS in diet. The jejunal crypt depth was greater (P < 0.05) in chicks receiving the wet diets than in chicks receiving the enzyme-supplemented diets (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the results from the present study indicated that broiler growth performance was improved by the inclusion of WS in the diet and also by wet feeding. These effects were largely compatible with the changes that occurred in the small intestine morphology, but not with those observed for ileal digesta viscosity.

Effect of cultivar and enzyme supplementation on nutrient availability and performance of broilers fed Maritime Canadian wheat

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Rafuse ◽  
F. G. Silversides ◽  
M. R. Bedford ◽  
P. H. Simmins
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Broiler Performance ◽  
Key Words Wheat ◽  
Apparent Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation

The feeding value of wheat is affected by the content of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), which varies among cultivars and the environment in which they are grown. Dietary enzymes can reduce the negative effects of NSP and improve the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) content of the wheat. This study examined differences in feeding value of four wheat cultivars grown in 2 crop years in the Maritime provinces of Canada and the need for enzymes. In a growth trial, diets containing one of the Maritime wheats or corn were fed with or without commercial enzymes containing, for wheat-based diets a mixture of xylanase and protease, and for corn-based diets a mixture of xylanase, protease, and amylase. In a broiler chick bioassay, diets containing 80% wheat were fed with or without a commercial enzyme with xylanase and protease activities. Enzymes significantly lowered body weight gain of birds fed Walton wheat in the second year, and improved the grower feed conversion ratio of birds fed Norboro wheat. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved apparent metabolizable energy and digestibility of crude protein. The AME content did not appear to be a direct indicator of performance. There were significant differences in AME content among the wheat samples. Enzymes generally did not improve performance in this study, possibly due to the relatively low in vitro viscosity values of these samples. Maritime wheats were equal or compared favourably with the sample of wheat from Western Canada and to locally obtained corn. Key words: Wheat, broiler performance, apparent metabolizable energy, enzyme

scholarly journals Evaluation of maize–sorghum mixture based diets supplemented with exogenous enzyme on growth response, haematology and serum biochemical indices of starter broiler chickens

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
A. S. Gidado ◽  
M. A. Oguntoye ◽  
A. R. Akintunde
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Poultry diets are largely composed of plant based materials that hold non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). The inclusion of NSP rich ingredients often reduces feed cost, but hampers a proper digestion due to anti-nutritional factors (ANF). Against this background, potency of exogenous enzymes was evaluated to upgrade dietary energy and total protein. A total of 180 broiler chickens were used in 28 days feeding trial. Six experimental diets were formulated in which maize based diet served as control (T1). Maize in the control diet was replaced by sorghum at the levels of 20% (T2), 40% (T3), 60% (T4), 80% (T5), and 100% (T6), respectively. Besides the control diet every other dietary groups were supplemented with enzyme at the rate of 50g/100kg. The broiler chicks were weighed and allotted to six dietary treatments of 30 birds each. The groups were replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The parameters determined for growth performance include: Final weight (g), Weight gain (g/bird), Daily weight gain (g/bird), Feed intake (g/bird), Daily feed intake (g/bird) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR). The result showed significant (p<0.05) effect on total feed intake and daily feed intake. Final weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. Birds fed 60% (T4), 80% (T5) and 100% sorghum (T6) with enzyme supplementation showed higher similar statistical values 1365.00g, 1373.33g and 1373.66g, respectively for total feed intake. Haematological parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Maize-sorghum based diet with enzyme supplementation had significant (p<0.05) effect on total protein, albumin and uric acid. Birds fed diets with 80% (T5) and 100% T6 sorghum levels with enzyme supplementation showed higher (p<0.05) statistical values 4.10 and 3.66 g/dl for total protein. Inclusion of sorghum up to 100% replacement level for maize with enzyme supplementation could be fed to starter broiler chicks for improved growth performance without adverse effect.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF PROTEASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF BROILERS

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Muhammad Hasnain Riaz ◽  
Aamir Iqbal ◽  
Samiullah Khan ◽  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Mian Nazir Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Prominent Response

Premise of the study was to validate the growth promoting eff ect of protease on the performance and to explore its digestion enhancer eff ect in broiler chicks. For this purpose 4 commercial diets were divided into two types (low and high density) and were enriched with protease using a completely randomized design with 4 replicates per diet having 10 chicks each having totaled 200 poultry broiler chickens (day-old). Until 14 days, no eff ects were observed on chicks however at day 14; little variations were observed on weight gain, feed intake and FCR (feed conversion ratio) among the enzyme enriched diets. At day 28, prominent response of protease supplementation in low protein was procured. The chicks gained 10.06 and 8.0 % more weight on CFP1 than CFG1 and CFG2, respectively. Similar response in FCR was observed and was found to be 0.20 and 0.15 points better on CFP1 than on CFG1 and CFG2, respectively. However, CFP2 failed to show protease effi cacy declining the weight gain by 23.01 % while the FCR by 0.49 points as compared with CFP1. This suggested that the nature of feed ingredients in the diets is important for obtaining maximum benefi t of protease supplementation. The overall performance indicated signifi cant response to enzyme supplemented diets. Among the low protein diets CP digestibility remained unchanged but they were diff erent in sparing AME (apparent metabolizable energy) for chicks. The CFP2 spared 98.21 kcal/Kg more AME than CFP1. However, this increased AME values did not help to boost the performance and was attributed to the widening ratio between CP and AME. These results demonstrated that the overall growth response of chicks was improved on low protein diet enriched with protease. It showed higher CP digestibility and AME values than good quality diets. However, the inconsistent results observed within the two types of diets revealed that the nature of diets might have infl uenced the effi cacy of protease. Key words: Broilers, digestibility, protease, FCR, Feed intake.

Measurements of enzyme response with hulless barley-based diets full-fed to Leghorn and broiler chicks or restricted-fed broiler chicks

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Scott ◽  
M. A. Leslie ◽  
A. Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Lower Growth ◽  
Hulless Barley ◽  
Barley Cultivars ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation ◽  
Digesta Viscosity

Broiler chicks fed diets high in soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP; e.g., wheat- and/or barley-based diets) have a higher capacity to ingest, digest and absorb nutrients when diets are supplemented with appropriate NSP enzymes. However, this same enzyme response is typically reduced or non-significant in older birds, Leghorn chicks and turkey poults. We hypothesise that the enzyme response in the latter classes of poultry is reduced because feed intake is lower in comparison to feed intake by broilers. In the present study, the hypothesis that restricted feeding of broilers would reduce the enzyme response typically observed in full-fed broilers was tested. Two experiments were conducted to determine the feeding value of hulless barley supplemented or not supplemented with enzyme (Avizyme 1100, Finnfeeds Int, UK). In Study 1, eight sources of hulless barley were included at 80% in each diet and fed to four groups of six male broilers or Leghorn chicks from 4 to 17 d of age. The response to enzyme in hulless barley-based diets by broilers was approximately twofold that of Leghorns for growth and feed intake. The Leghorns had higher digesta viscosity than broilers, although the relative drop in digesta viscosity with enzyme supplementation was equal. In a second study (Study 2) broiler chicks were fed one of four diets (two hulless barley cultivars with or without enzyme) at three feed allotment levels (ad libitum, R1 and R2) from 4 to 21 d of age. The R1 and R2 feed allotments were pre-determined fixed daily feed amounts. Actual feed restriction in the R1 group was only achieved for diets with, but not without, an enzyme. At the lowest feed allotment (R2) actual feed intake of diets with or without enzyme were lower than that recorded for ad libitum fed birds. Study 2 demonstrated that restricted-fed broilers had a lower growth response to enzyme supplementation compared to birds allowed ad libitum intake, in part due to improved retention of energy, either directly in response to feed restriction or because digesta viscosity in diets without enzyme was lowered. Although digesta viscosity of restricted-fed birds was lower, it is still high enough to be considered problematic. In determining feeding value of cereal grains or supplements such as enzymes, especially those directed for use with broilers, it is imperative that a broiler chick bioassay be used and that they have ad libitum access to the diets. Key words: Enzyme, hulless barley, viscosity, feed intake

scholarly journals Metabolizable energy levels for semi-heavy laying hens at the second production cycle

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-862
Author(s):  
Fernando Guilherme Perazzo Costa ◽  
Janaine Sena da Costa ◽  
Cláudia de Castro Goulart ◽  
Denise Fontana Figueiredo-Lima ◽  
Raul da Cunha Lima Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Level ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Feed Conversion

This study was carried out to evaluate the energy levels in the diet to obtain better performance rates and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle. One hundred and eighty Bovans Goldline laying hens with 62 weeks of age were used during four 28-day periods. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four metabolizable energy levels (2,650, 2,725, 2,800, 2,875 and 2,950 kcal/kg), each with six replicates of six birds. The energy level of diet did not affect the weight of the egg, yolk, albumen and eggshell, the percentages of yolk, albumen and eggshell, yolk color and egg specific gravity. Feed intake, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs increased significantly with increasing levels of metabolizable energy. Feed intake decreased linearly as the energy level in the diet increased. The metabolizable energy levels showed a quadratic effect on egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs. The metabolizable energy level of 2,830 kcal/kg was the most appropriate to promote better performance and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle.

Interactions between weaning age, weaning weight, sex, and enzyme supplementation on growth performance of pigs

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. Dunshea ◽  
D. K. Kerton ◽  
P. D. Cranwell ◽  
R. G. Campbell ◽  
B. P. Mullan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Large White ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Exogenous Enzyme ◽  
The Third ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Enzyme Supplementation ◽  
Daily Gain

Digestive capacity of early-weaned pigs may be insufficient to fully digest many ingredients currently used in weaner diets. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether an exogenous enzyme preparation with broad carbohydrase activity could benefit pigs that developmentally might be immature at weaning, especially with regard to gastrointestinal development. Eighty Large White × Landrace pigs were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment with the factors being: weaning age (14 or 24 days), weaning weight (heavy or light), sex (boar or gilt), and dietary Biofeed Plus CT (0 or 500 μg/g) which contained fungal xylanases, pentosanases and β-glucanases. Pigs were housed individually and given a wheat-based (550 g/kg) diet containing 15.0 MJ DE and 15.9 g lysine/kg on an ad libitum basis for 21 days. The diet also contained 50 g/kg of soybean meal and 50 g/kg of lupin (Lupinus�angustifolius) kernels. The liveweights of heavy (H) pigs weaned at 24 or 14 days and light pigs (L) weaned at 24 or 14 days were 7.9 and 5.3 and 5.2 and 3.9 kg, respectively. Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (157 v. 345 g/day) than those weaned at 24 days, although there was a suggestion of an interaction between age and weight at weaning (P = 0.081). Thus, H and L pigs weaned at 14 days grew at 148 and 166 g/day, whereas H and L pigs weaned at 24 days grew at 374 and 315 g/day, respectively. Although there was no main effect of enzymes on daily gain (248 v. 254 g/day, P = 0.80), feed intake (278 v. 284 g/day, P = 0.79), or feed conversion ratio (1.19 v. 1.25, P�=�0.35), there were interactions with weaning age on daily gain (P = 0.050) and feed intake (P = 0.060). Pigs weaned at 14 days grew slower (176 v. 138 g/day) and ate less (206 v. 174 g/day), whereas pigs weaned at 24 days grew faster (321 v. 369 g/day) and ate more (351 v. 394 g/day), when supplemented with enzymes. During the third week after weaning there were interactions between dietary enzymes and sex (P = 0.060) and dietary enzymes and age (P = 0.023) on daily gain. Thus, pigs weaned at 24 days and supplemented with Biofeed Plus CT grew more quickly during the third week (559 v. 460 g/day), whereas the converse was true for pigs weaned at 14 days (286 v. 334 g/day). Also, enzyme-supplemented boars grew better over this period (457 v. 371 g/day), whereas the converse was true for gilts (388 v. 423 g/day). In conclusion, these data clearly indicate that the greatest determinant of post-weaning performance under the present conditions was the age of the pigs at weaning. Dietary enzyme supplementation appeared most efficacious in boars weaned at an older age, although benefits did not become apparent until 2 weeks after weaning.

scholarly journals Paper products as litter materials for broilers: performance, carcass defects, footpad lesions.

1969 ◽  
Vol 90 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Héctor L. Santiago ◽  
Kenneth H. Aponte ◽  
Abner A. Rodríguez ◽  
José A. Orama ◽  
Mireille Argüelles
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Recycled Paper ◽  
Carcass Yield ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Moisture Percentage

Recycled paper products were evaluated as litter material for broilers; parameters were growth performance, carcass quality, and footpad problems. One hundred sixty-eight broiler chicks were raised to market age (42 d) in an open-sided poultry house located at the Lajas Agricultural Experiment Station Small Animal Research Farm. Birds were assigned to 12 floor pens bedded with either rice hulls (RH) as control; a 50:50 mix of RH and shredded white paper (SWP); or a 50:50 mix of RH and shredded newspaper (SNP) according to a completely randomized design replicated four times. Traits measured were body weight, feed intake, feed conversion, carcass yield, breast blister score, footpad burn score, and mortality. Litter moisture percentage was assessed at 14, 28, and 42 d of age. Litter material had no influence on body weight, breast blister score, or bird mortality. However, birds raised on SWP had lower feed intake and higher body weight than those raised on RH and SNP. No significant differences in feed conversion were observed among treatments from 7 to 28 d of age. At 35 and 42 d, birds raised in SWP had significantly lower feed conversion than controls, whereas feed conversion of birds raised in SNP did not differ from that of the other treatments. No differences were found for carcass yield among treatments. At all sampling times, litter moisture percentage was significantly higher in SNP than in the control. No litter caking problems were observed in any of the treatments. Significant differences in footpad burn scores were observed among all treatments, with birds raised on SNP having higher scores (severer lesions), than those on SWP and RH.The results suggest that recycled paper products could be an excellent alternative bedding material for broilers. The use of SWP as litter appears to improve broiler performance and reduce the incidence of footpad problems.

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