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    Validation of prediction equations to estimate the nutritive value of broiler chicken diets based on their chemical composition
    (Elsevier BV, Netherlands, 2025-02-18) Thiruchchenthuran S; Zaefarian F; Abdollahi MR; Wester TJ; Morel PCH
    An experiment was conducted to validate the accuracy of previously published prediction equations developed to estimate the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and ileal digestible content (IDC) of nitrogen (N), crude fat, starch, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), energy, and dry matter (DM) in broilers using the chemical composition of diets. Twenty new diets were formulated to have a wide range of chemical characteristics relevant to commercial diets. The CAID of N, crude fat, starch, Ca, P, energy, and DM of the diets were determined in broiler growers fed ad libitum from 15 to 22 days post-hatch. The chemical composition and in vivo digestibility values were used to validate the prediction equations developed from a previous study. Comparison between the determined values and predicted values was used to assess the accuracy of prediction equations using the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error of prediction, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and mean bias (MB). The most accurate prediction was achieved in terms of R2 and CCC for CAID of energy and DM (R2 = 0.57 and 0.66, CCC = 0.45 and 0.47, respectively) as well as for IDC of N, starch, energy, and DM (R2 = 0.90, 1.00, 0.65, and 0.66, CCC = 0.48, 0.97, 0.51, and 0.47, respectively). The R2 and CCC values obtained for CAID of N, crude fat, starch, Ca, and P and IDC of Ca and P were not consistent with the expectation of predictive performance. The R2 for IDC of crude fat was high (0.94), however, CCC was moderate (0.43). The determined MB values showed that some equations underpredicted (CAID and IDC of N, crude fat, starch, energy, and DM) and some overpredicted (CAID of Ca and P and IDC of P) the observed values of in vivo study. In conclusion, the equations obtained for CAID of energy and DM as well as IDC of N, starch, energy, and DM could be considered the best fit according to R2 and CCC. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of validation with external data before applying each prediction equation to practical situations.
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    Requirement of digestible calcium at different dietary concentrations of digestible phosphorus for broiler chickens 3. Broiler finishers (d 25 to 35 post-hatch)
    (y Elsevier Inc (USA), on behalf of Poultry Science Association Inc, 2023-04) David LS; Abdollahi MR; Bedford MR; Ravindran V
    An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible calcium (Ca) and digestible phosphorous (P) requirements of 25 to 35-day-old broiler chickens. Fifteen corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 g/kg standardized ileal digestible (SID) Ca and 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 g/kg SID P were fed to broilers from d 25 to 35 post-hatch. Each experimental diet was randomly allocated to 6 replicate cages (8 birds per cage). Body weight and feed intake were recorded, and the feed conversion ratio was calculated. On d 35, birds were euthanized to collect the ileal digesta, tibia, and carcass for the determination of ileal Ca, and P digestibility, concentrations of ash, Ca, and P in tibia and the retention of Ca and P in the carcass. Titanium dioxide (5.0 g/kg) was included in all diets as an indigestible indicator for the ileal digestibility measurement. Feed intake and total excreta output were measured during the last 4 d of the experimental period for the measurement of apparent total tract retention of Ca and P. Fixed effects of the experiment were dietary concentrations of SID Ca and SID P and their interaction. If the interaction or main effects were significant (P < 0.05), the parameter estimates for second-order response surface model (RSM) were determined using General Linear Model procedure of SAS. The maximum response was not predicted for most of the parameters (including growth performance and tibia) as the Ca effect was linear which indicated that the highest level of Ca employed in the study may have not been high enough. The requirement of dietary SID Ca for maximization of these parameters, therefore, depends on the dietary SID P concentration when the dietary SID Ca is within 2.0 to 4.0 g/kg. However, based on the factorial analysis, the highest weight gain was observed at 3.5 g/kg SID P and 3.5 g/kg SID Ca concentrations. Tibia ash was higher in birds fed 4.5 g/kg SID P and was unaffected by dietary SID Ca concentrations. However, based on overall findings, a combination of 3.5 g/kg SID P and 3.0-3.5 g/kg SID Ca may be recommended for the optimum tibia ash. The recommended SID Ca requirements (at 3.5 g/kg SID P) for weight gain (3.5 g/kg or 6.4 g/kg total Ca) and tibia ash (3.0-3.5 g/kg or 5.5-6.4 g/kg total Ca) are lower than the current Ca recommendations (7.8 g/kg total Ca equivalent to 4.25 g/kg SID Ca; Ross, 2019) for broiler finishers, suggesting possible excess of Ca in diets formulated based on the current recommendation.
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    Effect of age on the standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of soybean meal and canola meal in broilers
    (Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd., 2023-12-02) Barua M; Abdollahi MR; Zaefarian F; Wester TJ; Girish CK; Chrystal PV; Ravindran V
    Standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SIDC) of nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) in two protein sources (soybean meal [SBM] and canola meal [CM]) were investigated at six broiler ages (d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42). Two assay diets were formulated to contain either SBM (413 g/kg) or CM (553 g/kg) as the sole dietary AA source. Titanium dioxide (5 g/kg) was added as an indigestible marker. A total of 696 male broilers at 1 d old were allotted to 12 replicate cages per age group. Each assay diet was offered to birds for 4 d prior to the ileal digesta collection on d 7 (14 birds/cage), 14 (12 birds/cage), 21 (10 birds/cage), 28 (8 birds/cage), 35 (8 birds/cage) and 42 (6 birds/cage), respectively. The apparent digestibility coefficients were standardized using age-specific basal endogenous AA flows. In the SBM group, though the SIDC of N tended to be influenced (quadratic; P = 0.075) by age, no linear or quadratic response of age effect was observed on the average SIDC of indispensable (IAA) and total AA (TAA). An age effect (quadratic; P < 0.05) was observed on the average SIDC of dispensable AA (DAA) in SBM with the highest value recorded at d 7, followed by a decrease from d 14 to 28, which increased beyond d 35. The SIDC of some individual AA (Arg, Thr, Trp, Cys, Pro) were affected (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) in a quadratic manner by age. In the CM, the SIDC of N, average SIDC of IAA, DAA and TAA were influenced (quadratic; P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) by age. The SIDC of N and average SIDC of DAA and TAA were higher from d 7 to 14, declined at d 21, and then increased beyond d 28. The average SIDC of IAA was low between d 7 and 28 and increased thereafter. The SIDC of individual AA were affected (linear or quadratic; P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) by different magnitudes by age. The age influence on the SIDC AA was variable, depending on the protein source and AA. The results demonstrate that age-specific SIDC AA data might need consideration in broiler feed formulations.
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    Evaluation of equations for predicting ileal nutrient digestibility and digestible nutrient content of broiler diets based on their gross chemical composition
    (Elsevier B V, 2024-06) Thiruchchenthuran S; Lopez-Villalobos N; Zaefarian F; Abdollahi MR; Wester TJ; Pedersen NB; Storm AC; Cowieson AJ; Morel PCH
    The coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and ileal digestible contents (IDC) of nutrients of 56 diets using 10 feed ingredients were measured in broilers (21–24 d post-hatch). Diets contained varying inclusion levels of traditional and non-traditional ingredients and differed widely in chemical composition. The chemical composition and in vivo digestibility values were used to establish prediction equations for CAID and IDC of nutrients using stepwise multiple regression. The strength and accuracy of the developed equations were evaluated by root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted R2 (adj. R2), and Akaikie's Information Criteria (AIC). The bootstrap method was used to validate the choice of variables by stepwise selection method in the original equation based on their frequencies of selection. Selection of variables was validated if the variables that appear in the original stepwise model were selected in more than 30% of the 1000 bootstrap samples. A close agreement between the original equations and bootstrap resampling was observed for CAID of nitrogen (N) and energy and IDC of energy, starch, and calcium (Ca). Additionally, the original data was subjected to another run of stepwise regression analysis using the selected variables by bootstrapping. The initial regression showed that the CAID of N and energy was highly dependent on crude fibre (CF) and energy contents of the diets. The CAID of energy can be predicted (R2 = 0.89 and RMSE = 0.035) by CF, gross energy (GE), CF2, and starch-to-CF ratio (starch:CF). Calcium content had a positive influence, while phosphorus (P) content had a negative influence on the prediction of CAID of fat. The main variable to predict CAID and IDC of most nutrients was the dietary CF content. Based on the lowest RMSE and AIC, the best predictors for IDC of N were ash, N, fat, CF, CF2, and starch:CF, while the best predictors for IDC of energy were CF, GE, CF2, and starch:CF. The results of the original stepwise regression models and the stepwise regression with the selected variables from the bootstrap results for CAID of N, energy, fat, and DM, as well as IDC of energy, starch, and Ca, were the same with no differences in R2, Adj. R2, RMSE, and AIC. This method can be useful for developing stable and reproducible models using stepwise regression. However, an external validation is needed to confirm the use of these equations in commercial settings.
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    Calcium Nutrition of Broilers: Current Perspectives and Challenges
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-05-09) David LS; Anwar MN; Abdollahi MR; Bedford MR; Ravindran V; Tufarelli V
    Calcium (Ca) plays an essential role in poultry nutrition as 99% of Ca is located in birds' skeletal system. However, oversupply of Ca rather than deficiency of Ca is the current concern in commercial broiler diets. Calcium is an inexpensive dietary nutrient due to the cheap and abundant availability of limestone, the major Ca source; therefore, little attention was given to the oversupply of Ca in the past. The recent shift in the use of digestible P in broiler feed formulations has necessitated a closer look at digestible Ca, as Ca and P are interrelated in their absorption and postabsorptive utilisation. In this context, data on ileal digestibility of Ca and P in ingredients has been determined. Preliminary data on the digestible Ca and digestible P requirements for the different growth stages of broilers have also recently become available. The present review focusses on these recent advances in Ca nutrition. In addition, aspects of homeostatic control mechanisms, different Ca sources and factors influencing Ca digestibility in poultry are covered.
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    Feeding Value of Lupins, Field Peas, Faba Beans and Chickpeas for Poultry: An Overview
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-02-14) David LS; Nalle CL; Abdollahi MR; Ravindran V; Tufarelli V; Bovera F
    Grain legumes are fair sources of protein, amino acids and energy, and can be used as a replacement for soybean meal in poultry feed formulations as the soybean meal becomes short in supply and costly. However, a concern associated with the use of grain legumes in poultry feeding is the presence of antinutritional factors. The effective processing and utilisation of these grain legumes in poultry feeding are well documented. The current review focuses on four selected grain legumes (lupins [Lupinus albus and Lupinus angustifolius], field peas [Phaseolus vulgaris], faba beans [Vicia faba] and chickpeas [Cicer arietinum]) and their nutrient content, the presence of antinutritional factors, processing methods and feeding value, including updated data based on recent research findings.
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    Requirement of digestible calcium at different dietary concentrations of digestible phosphorus for broiler chickens. 2. Broiler growers (d 11 to 24 post-hatch)
    (Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Poultry Science Association Inc., 2022-11) David LS; Abdollahi MR; Bedford MR; Ravindran V
    An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible calcium (Ca) and digestible phosphorous (P) requirements of 11 to 24 d old broiler chickens. Eighteen corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 1.80, 2.35, 2.90, 3.45, 4.00, and 4.55 g/kg standardized ileal digestible (SID) Ca and 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 g/kg SID P were fed to broilers from d 11 to 24. Each experimental diet was randomly allocated to six replicate cages (8 birds per cage). Body weight and feed amount were recorded at the start and end of the experiment and the feed conversion ratio was calculated. On d 24, birds were euthanized to collect ileal digesta, tibia, and carcass for the determination of digestible Ca and P, the concentration of ash, Ca and P in tibia and the retention of Ca and P in the carcass, respectively. Titanium dioxide (5 g/kg) was included in all diets as an indigestible indicator for apparent ileal digestibility measurement. Total excreta output was measured during the last 4 d of the experimental period for the measurement of apparent total tract retention of Ca and P. Fixed effects of the experiment were dietary concentrations of SID Ca and SID P and their interaction. If the interaction or main effect was significant (P < 0.05), the parameter estimate for second-order response surface model was determined using General Linear Model procedure of SAS. The weight gain of broiler growers was optimized at the SID P concentration of 3.5 g/kg and SID Ca concentrations between 2.35 and 4.00 g/kg. At 3.5 g/kg SID P concentration, the required SID Ca for maximum weight gain was determined to be 3.05 g/kg, which corresponded to SID Ca to SID P ratios of 0.87. The concentration of SID Ca that maximized tibia ash at 3.5 g/kg SID P was 3.69 g/kg, which corresponded to SID Ca to SID P ratio of 1.05. Maximizing bone ash requires more Ca than maximizing weight gain. Carcass Ca and P retention were reflective of total tract Ca and P retention values. The estimated SID Ca requirements (at 3.5 g/kg SID P) for both maximized weight gain (3.05 g/kg or 6.11 g/kg total Ca) and bone ash (3.69 g/kg or 7.28 g/kg total Ca) are lower than the current Ca recommendation (8.70 g/kg total Ca equivalent to 4.03 g/kg SID Ca; Ross, 2019) for broiler growers, indicating possible oversupply of Ca in diets formulated based on the current recommendation.
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    Effects of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids, total tract phosphorus retention, and tibia ash in young broilers
    (Oxford University Press, 2022-02-01) Dersjant-Li Y; Abdollahi MR; Bello A; Waller K; Marchal L; Ravindran V
    The effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) and phosphorus (P) utilization in young broilers when added to diets with high phytate-P (PP) content without added inorganic phosphate (Pi) and deficient in digestible (dig) AA and metabolizable energy (ME) was investigated. A total of 256 Ross 308 male broilers were assigned to 4 treatments (8 birds/cage, 8 cages/treatment) in a completely randomized design. Treatments comprised a positive control (PC, 2,975 kcal/kg ME, 3.7 g/kg dig P, 2.83 g/kg PP, 8.4 g/kg Ca, 10.6 g/kg dig lysine), a negative control (NC) without added Pi (ME −68 kcal/kg, crude protein −10 g/kg, dig AA −0.1 to −0.4 g/kg, Ca −2.0 g/kg, dig P −2.2 g/kg, Na −0.4 g/kg vs. PC), and NC plus 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg of PhyG. Test diets were corn/soy/rapeseed-meal/rice-bran-based and fed from 5 to 15 d of age. Ileal digesta and tibias were collected on day 15. Excreta was collected during days 12 to 15 to determine P retention. The NC (vs. PC) reduced (P < 0.05) P retention (−10.4% units), tibia ash (−14.3% units), weight gain (−109 g), feed intake (−82 g) and increased FCR (from 1.199 to 1.504), confirming that the NC was extremely deficient in nutrients and energy. Phytase addition to the NC linearly (P < 0.001) improved performance, but did not fully recover it to the level of the PC due to the severe nutrients/energy reduction in NC. Phytase linearly increased P retention (P < 0.001), tibia ash (P < 0.001), AID of dry matter (P < 0.05), nitrogen (P < 0.01), gross energy (P < 0.05), and all 17 individual AA (P < 0.01). At 1,000 FTU/kg, phytase increased (P < 0.05) P retention vs. PC and NC (+14.5 and +24.9% units, respectively) and increased tibia ash vs. NC (+13.8% units), equivalent to PC. The NC decreased AID of Cys, Gly, Thr, and Met vs. PC (P < 0.05). At 1,000 FTU/kg, phytase increased AID of all 17 AA vs. NC (P < 0.01), equivalent to PC. At 1,000 FTU/kg, AID AA responses (above NC) ranged from +4.5% (Met) to +15.0% (Cys), being maximal for essential Thr (+10.4%) and Val (+8.2%) and non-essential Cys (+15.0%) and Gly (+10.4%). The results highlight the efficacy of PhyG at a dose level of 500 to 1,000 FTU/kg in young broilers for improving the ileal digestibility of nitrogen, AA, and energy alongside P retention and tibia ash. The performance data emphasize the need to consider digestible nutrient intake as a response variable in exogenous enzyme studies.
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    High steam-conditioning temperature during the pelleting process impairs growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler starters fed barley-based diets, regardless of carbohydrase supplementation
    (Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Poultry Science Association Inc., 2021-08) Perera WNU; Abdollahi MR; Zaefarian F; Wester TJ; Ravindran V
    The influence of supplemental carbohydrase (Carb) and conditioning temperature (CT) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and intestinal morphometry of broilers (d 1–21) fed barley-based diets was examined in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, evaluating 2 levels of Carb (0 and 150 g/tonne of feed) and three CT (60, 74, and 88°C). A total of 288, 1-day-old male broilers (8 birds/cage; 6 cages/treatment) were used. The activities of endo-1,4-β- glucanase, endo-1,3 (4)-β-glucanase and endo-1,4-β-xylanase in the Carb were 800 BGU/g, 700 BGU/g and 2,700 XU/g, respectively. On d 21, ileal digesta was collected for the determination of nutrient digestibility. There was no significant interaction between Carb and CT for any tested parameter. Supplemental Carb, regardless of CT, increased weight gain (WG; P < 0.05) and reduced feed per gain (F/G; P < 0.001) by 30 g/bird and 6.5 points, respectively. Increasing CT to 88°C reduced (P < 0.05) WG, but increased (P < 0.05) F/G compared to the diets conditioned at 60° and 74°C. Regardless of CT, Carb enhanced (P < 0.05) the digestibility of starch and AMEn by 1.15% and 32 kcal/kg, respectively. Compared to the diets conditioned at 60° and 74°C, CT at 88°C reduced (P < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, gross energy, and AMEn. Birds fed diets conditioned at 88°C showed lower (P < 0.05) starch digestibility compared to those fed diets conditioned at 60°C. Conditioning at 88°C increased (P < 0.05) jejunal digesta viscosity by 10.2% compared to diets conditioned at 60° and 74°C. Overall, Carb supplementation improved WG, F/G, starch digestibility and AMEn in broilers fed barley-based diets, irrespective of CT applied. Conditioning barley-based diets at 88°C impaired the ability of birds to utilize nitrogen, starch, phosphorus and energy, and consequently deteriorated WG and F/G. The lack of significant interactions between Carb and CT indicated that negative impacts caused by high CT on bird performance and nutrient utilization occurred regardless of Carb enzyme supplementation. Supplemental Carb per se could not remedy the adverse effects of high CT.
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    Influence of age and dietary cellulose levels on ileal endogenous energy losses in broiler chickens
    (Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Poultry Science Association Inc., 2022-07) Khalil MM; Abdollahi MR; Zaefarian F; Chrystal PV; Ravindran V
    Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of age and dietary cellulose levels on the ileal endogenous energy losses (IEEL) in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, a glucose-based purified diet was used to determine the IEEL. Titanium dioxide (5.0 g/kg) was added to the diet as an indigestible marker. Six groups of broiler chickens aged 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 28, 29 to 35 or 36 to 42 d posthatch, were utilized. With the exception of 1-7 d, the birds were fed a starter (d 1–21) and/or a finisher (d 22–35) diet before the experimental diet was introduced. The diet was randomly allocated to 6 replicate cages, and the number of birds per cage was 12 (d 1–7), 10 (d 8–14), and 8 (d 15–42). The ileal digesta were collected at the last day of each week (d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42). Bird age had no effect (P > 0.05) on the IEEL estimates. The IEEL estimates ranged from 263 to 316 kcal/kg dry matter intake (DMI) during weeks 1 to 6. In Experiment 2, 4 glucose-based purified diets were developed using 0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg cellulose. Titanium dioxide (5.0 g/kg) was added to the diets as an indigestible marker. The diets were randomly allocated to 6 replicate cages (8 birds per cage) and fed from 18 to 21 d posthatch and, ileal digesta were collected on d 21. The IEEL estimates of broiler chickens at 21 d of age showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05) to increasing cellulose contents. The lowest IEEL (88 kcal/kg DMI) was recorded for the diet without cellulose and the highest IEEL (430 kcal/kg DMI) was observed for the diet with 75 g/kg cellulose. Overall, the present findings confirmed that the IEEL in broiler chickens can be quantified by feeding a glucose-based purified diet. Broiler age had no influence on the IEEL estimates. The IEEL increased with increasing dietary cellulose contents and the IEEL determined using a purified diet without cellulose represents a better estimate of IEEL.