Journal of Poultry Sciences and Avian Diseases

Restrictions on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens have stimulated the search for alternatives, such as probiotics and enzymes. Bacillus has benefits for intestinal microbial balance and productive performance; however, less is known about the effects of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) in chickens, and there is scarce information about the combination of both additives on broiler performance and cecal microbiota. Chickens supplemented with either Bacillus (10⁶ spores/g feed), GOx (100 U/kg feed), the combination of both, or a control group were evaluated. Improvements were observed in performance parameters and gut health, with a reduction in intestinal IgA concentration in the treated groups; however, no difference was noted in gut permeability (serum FITC-d concentration). Bacillus and GOx alone increased the cecum microbial Alpha diversity; meanwhile, the Beta diversity from the Bacillus group was different from that of the control and Bacillus-GOx groups. A reduction in harmful bacteria (Proteobacteria) along with an increase in beneficial bacteria (Firmicutes and Actinobacteria) was observed in the cecal microbiota composition from the treated groups. GOx treatment increased the phylum Actinobacteria. Bacillus and GOx can enhance the gut health of chickens by modulating the gut microbiota. However, no synergic effect was seen in the group receiving the additive combination. Further research is needed to more effectively demonstrate the effect.

Oak fruit is high in energy and, therefore, can be used as a substitute for corn in poultry diets. However, one limitation of oak fruit is its high level of antinutritional compounds (tannins). This study investigated the effects of corn replacement with oak acorns on performance traits and the mRNA levels of hypothalamic genes in broiler chickens. For this purpose, a total of 264 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments (0, 15, and 20 % oak acorn). Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were calculated on a pen basis at 21 and 42 days of age. The results showed that body weight gain and feed conversion were significantly affected by treatments at both 21 and 42 days of age; however, no significant difference was observed in feed intake among the treatments. At the age of 21 days, a significant difference in weight gain was observed among the three treatments, whereas this difference was not significant for the treatments with oak acorn on day 42. However, the lowest weight gain was observed in the 20% oak acorn diet at both ages. Feed conversion was significantly higher in 20% of the oak acorn treatment relative to the control group on day 42, while feed conversion was not affected by treatments at the age of 21 days. In addition, the mRNA levels of NPY, AgRP, and Ghrelin were significantly downregulated in the hypothalamus tissue of broilers fed diets containing oak acorn. At the age of 21 days, the expression levels of NPY showed a significant decrease in the hypothalamus tissue of broilers fed with 15% and 20% oak corn diets, while this decrease was significant for the AgRp and Ghrelin genes on day 42. In conclusion, these results suggest that replacing 15% and 20% of corn with oak acorn can negatively affect the performance and hypothalamic gene expression of broiler chickens.

The neurobiological mechanisms underlying appetite regulation and feeding behavior exhibit considerable complexity and interspecies variation. Among the key neurotransmitters implicated in the modulation of feeding behavior are dopamine and insulin, yet the interplay between these signaling molecules remains inadequately characterized. This investigation aimed to elucidate the interactions between insulin and the dopaminergic system in the context of appetite regulation in broiler-type chickens (Ross 308). Experimental protocols involved the intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of insulin at doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 ng, respectively. Additionally, dopaminergic agents, including L-DOPA (a dopamine precursor) and receptor-specific antagonists SCH 23390 (D1), AMI-193 (D2), NGB 2904 (D3), and L-741,742 (D4), were administered alone or in combination with insulin (10 ng). Meal consumption was quantified cumulatively at 30-, 60-, and 120-minute intervals following the infusion. The findings revealed that insulin elicited a dose-dependent suppression of food intake (p < 0.05). Notably, the anorexigenic effect of insulin was attenuated by SCH 23390 (5 nmol) (p < 0.05), implicating D1 receptor-mediated pathways, whereas antagonists targeting D2, D3, and D4 receptors failed to modulate this response (p > 0.05). These results substantiate the critical role of D1 receptors in mediating insulin-induced anorexia in meat-type chickens, thereby advancing our understanding of the neurochemical interactions governing avian feeding behavior.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of organic copper (copper-methionine chelate) in combination with synbiotics (SYN) on the growth performance, morphology, intestinal microbial population, immune response, and meat quality of broiler chickens. 360 mixed-sex, one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to three levels of organic Cu (8, 16, and 32 mg/kg) and two levels of SYN (0 and 200 mg/kg) in a 3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with five replicates of 12 birds each at 6 weeks of age. Interaction effects indicated that from 11 to 24 and 25 to 42 days of age, diets containing higher copper levels (16 and 32 mg/kg) combined with SYN resulted in greater body weight gain compared to diets with 8 or 16 mg/kg of copper without SYN (p<0.05). Birds fed a diet containing 8 mg/kg of Cu without SYN exhibited the highest coliform population and pH in the ileum (p<0.05). Elevated Cu levels or SYN supplementation improved intestinal morphology, particularly increasing villus surface area and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. The total antibody titer and IgM in the serum of chickens fed a diet containing 16 mg/kg of Cu along with SYN were significantly higher compared to those fed diets containing 8 and 16 mg/kg of Cu without SYN. Meat analysis (thigh muscle) showed that the percentage of cooking loss in the meat of chickens fed diets containing 32 mg/kg of Cu with SYN was significantly lower compared to chickens fed diets containing 8 mg/kg of Cu without SYN. The inclusion of Cu-methionine chelate alongside SYN significantly improved the performance, morphology, intestinal microbial population, immune response, and meat quality of broiler chickens. These findings provide a basis for the simultaneous application of organic copper and SYN in the diet of broiler chickens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of selenium-enriched yeast (SeY), selenium-chitosan (SeCh), and selenized glucose (SeGlu) as organic selenium sources, probiotics, and the interactions between selenium sources and probiotics on the intestinal microflora, intestinal morphology, and immune response in broilers. In a 3×2 factorial treatment design, 300 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to six experimental groups. Selenium sources (0.3 mg/kg SeY, SeCh, and SeGlu) and probiotic levels (0 and 100 mg/kg) were among the factors investigated. Five-floor pens with 10 birds each have been used to replicate the treatments. Compared to SeY, broiler chickens fed SeCh or SeGlu had lower coliform bacteria counts, higher lactic acid bacteria counts, and lactic acid bacteria/coliform ratios in the ileum (p<0.05). Interaction results showed that birds fed diets supplemented with SeCh and SeGlu plus probiotics had higher villus height per crypt depth, villus surface area, and goblet cell density, as well as lower epithelial cell layer thickness in the ileum (p<0.05). At 28 and 42 days, birds fed diets supplemented with SeCh and SeGlu had the highest total antibody response to sheep red blood cells, IgG, and IgM titers (p<0.05). Birds fed diets supplemented with SeCh and SeGlu plus Probiotic had higher IgG levels than SeY without Probiotic (p<0.05). As a result, it is possible to conclude that SeCh and SeGlu, as novel and simple Se sources plus Probiotic, can improve intestinal microflora, morphology, and immune response in broiler chickens when compared to SeY alone.

Avian Influenza is an important zoonotic viral disease affecting poultry and wild birds. Current prevention and control strategies are often ineffective, leading to significant economic losses and public health risks. This review highlights the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in enhancing surveillance, early detection, and prediction of avian influenza infections in poultry. Various AI and ML techniques, including Gradient-boosted trees, Convolutional Neural Networks, and Sensor-Based Detection methods, have been applied to classify the pathogenicity of avian influenza virus strains, identify sick and deceased birds, and predict the likelihood of isolating avian influenza viruses in wild bird samples. These innovative solutions can offer high accuracy and efficiency in disease detection, reducing production expenses and enhancing animal welfare. Integrating AI and ML in poultry farming can improve disease management strategies, reduce zoonotic transmission risks, and safeguard global food security. This review provides insights into the current state of AI and ML applications in avian influenza detection and surveillance, highlighting their potential to transform the poultry industry toward a more efficient, sustainable, and healthier future.

Heat stress remains a major challenge for the poultry industry, particularly in tropical regions and warm seasons, where it negatively impacts poultry welfare and performance, leading to economic losses. Although heat stress has been a long-term concern for the poultry industry, existing solutions only partially alleviate the negative impacts on overall productivity. Enhancing our understanding of this challenge and available solutions can aid in shaping future initiatives to develop more robust solutions for managing heat stress. This review explores recent strategies developed to mitigate heat stress in broiler chickens, including genetic selection, nutritional approaches such as vitamins (C, E, A, and B groups), amino acids, electrolytes, environmental modifications, and improving behavioral monitoring systems. Furthermore, we discussed the challenges in reducing the impacts of heat stress. Integrating these diverse strategies can improve poultry resilience, ensuring better welfare and sustainable production systems. Therefore, this review contributes to advancing adaptive strategies to safeguard poultry in a warming world.

Extending laying cycles to 100 weeks or more presents significant nutritional challenges for modern high-producing hens. Traditional age-based feeding strategies may no longer meet the birds’ evolving physiological needs. This study evaluates H&N International’s Hybrid Feed system, which integrates pre-lay and early production nutrition into a unified, performance-based approach. Introduced at 17 weeks and maintained until approximately 70% egg production, the Hybrid Feed features reduced energy density, elevated amino acids, moderate fiber, and a high proportion of coarse calcium. Results show improved body weight, feed intake, and metabolic adaptation during early lay. The system supports targeted egg size management through amino acid adjustments and emphasizes energy intake driven by body weight and environment. A three-phase feeding model, with nutrient modifications tailored to production stages rather than age, is proposed. This strategy enhances eggshell quality, skeletal integrity, and overall productivity, offering a dynamic nutritional framework for extended-cycle layer management.