نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، ایران
2 کارشناس مرکز تحقیقات کشاورزی خراسان رضوی-ایران
3 گروه علوم دامی- دانشکده کشاورزی- دانشگاه بیرجند- ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Introduction:by-products from the dairy industry, particularly whey which is the liquid residue remaining after cheese production, despite its high nutritional value, is often considered waste. However, its dried powder form can be used in poultry nutrition. Whey powder improves protein and fat digestibility in monogastric animals, thereby enhancing feed efficiency.Therefore, given the high biological value and quality of the proteins in whey powder, its bioactive compounds, and prebiotic properties, it plays a significant role in mitigating the effects of stocking density stress and consequently improving bird performance. Additionally, corn gluten, due to its affordability, appropriate nutritional value, and easy accessibility, can reduce feed costs while supplying part of the energy and protein requirements of poultry. Increasing stocking density is considered a management strategy to enhance production and efficiency in poultry farming. However, despite its advantages, high stocking density may lead to reduced performance, increased mortality rates, leg problems, and decreased bird welfare. Based on previous research and reviews, there is currently no information regarding optimal levels of whey powder and corn gluten under varying stocking densities for the Arian strain, specifically concerning growth performance and blood metabolities. Considering the critical role of gastrointestinal health in broiler growth and efficiency, evaluating the combined effects of these two feed sources (whey powder and corn gluten) in broiler diets under both standard and high stocking densities represents a scientifically and economically grounded nutritional and management decision. The goal is to optimize growth performance, essential amino acid profile of the diet, biological value of consumed protein (improved absorption), and blood metabolities by reducing stocking density-induced stress. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the effects of different levels of whey powder and corn gluten under varying flock stocking densities on the growth performance and blood metabolities of Arian broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: In this experiment, 600 one-day-old male Arian broiler chicks were used. The study was conducted as a completely randomized design with a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement, involving 8 treatments, 5 replicates per treatment, and 13 chicks per replicate under standard stocking density conditions, and 17 chicks per replicate under high stocking density conditions, starting from one day of age. In this experiment, 45 experimental units (pen) with a length and width of 100 x 100 cm and a height of 80 cm were used, with a floor area of 1 m2 per pen. The experimental treatments included: 1. Zero percent whey powder and zero percent corn gluten at 13 chicks per replicate (control group) 2. Zero percent whey powder and zero percent corn gluten at 17 chicks per replicate 3. 6% whey powder at 13 chicks per replicate 4. 6% whey powder at 17 chicks per replicate 5. 3% corn gluten at 13 chicks per replicate 6. 3% corn gluten at 17 chicks per replicate 7. 6% whey powder combined with 3% corn gluten at 13 chicks per replicate 8. 6% whey powder combined with 3% corn gluten at 17 chicks per replicate. The diets for the starter, grower, and finisher phases were formulated based on corn and soybean meal according to the nutritional requirements of the Arian strain. Feed intake and body weight gain were recorded weekly, and feed conversion ratio was calculated using the data on feed intake and weight gain. For evaluation of blood metabolities, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at slaughter and analyzed using a centrifuge and an autoanalyzer device. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SAS software.
Results and discussion:The main effects of whey powder and stocking density significantly increased feed intake compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05), while the main effect of corn gluten had no effect on feed intake (P > 0.05). The main effects of whey powder, corn gluten, and stocking density over the entire period significantly increased body weight and average body weight gain of the broilers and decreased the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The interaction effects of whey powder, corn gluten, and stocking density over the entire period significantly increased feed intake in broiler chickens compared to the control, with the highest feed intake observed in the treatment containing 6% whey powder, 3% corn gluten, and 17 chicks per square meter (P < 0.05). Other performance indicators, including feed conversion ratio, average weight gain, and final body weight, were not affected by the interaction effects of the experimental treatments.The main effects of whey powder and corn gluten did not have a significant impact on the blood metabolities of broiler chickens (P > 0.05), but the main effect of stocking density significantly increased HDL levels in the broilers (P < 0.05). Blood metabolities were not affected by the interaction effects of whey powder, corn gluten, and stocking density (P > 0.05). It seems that simultaneous use of whey powder and corn gluten at different stocking densities can be considered an effective strategy for improving the growth and productivity of broiler chickens. Managing stocking density along with the use of nutritional additives can help improve the lipid profile of broiler chickens, but the direct effects of whey powder and corn gluten on blood metabolities require further investigation.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the use of whey powder and corn gluten combined with stocking density management can have positive effects on growth performance and some metabolic indices of Arian broiler chickens. Specifically, whey powder and stocking density significantly improved feed intake and growth parameters, while the combination of corn gluten with stocking density reduced blood LDL levels, which may indicate improved metabolic health. Although some blood metabolities were not affected by the treatments, the overall results suggest that simultaneous adjustment of dietary composition and environmental conditions can enhance productivity and health in broiler chickens. These findings may provide valuable guidance for optimizing feeding and rearing strategies in the poultry industry. Overall, the results of this study indicated that using 6% whey powder and 3% corn gluten at a stocking density of 17 birds per square meter can improve the performance of Arian broiler chickens.
کلیدواژهها [English]
)
ارسال نظر در مورد این مقاله