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The Effects Of Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation On The Performance, Bone Quality, And Nutrient Utilization Of Broiler Chickens, Megan Bauer

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of Allzyme® Spectrum supplementation to a reduced nutrient diet on the growth performance, energy and nutrient digestibility and utilization, bone quality, and jejunal digesta viscosity in broiler chickens. Each experiment used 300 one-day old Cobb by-product breeder chicks with 5 treatments, 10 replicates, and 6 birds per replicate cage in a randomized complete block design. The only differences between the two experiments were experiment 1 lasted for 21 days using a corn-soybean meal-based diet and experiment 2 lasted for 22 days using a wheat-soybean meal-based diet. The 5 treatments included a positive …

The Effect Of Oil Type, Oil Quality, Vitamin E, And Phytase Supplementation On Broiler Performance, Apparent Nutrient And Energy Utilization, And The Fatty Acid Profile Of Fat And Liver In Broiler Chickens, Richard A. Adefioye

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of oil type, oil quality, phytase, and vitamin E (VE) supplementation in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 used 378-day-old male by-product Cobb breeder chicks with 9 treatments, 7 replicates, and 6 birds per replicate, structured as a 2x2x2+1 factorial arrangement of treatments for 14 days. The first 8 treatments were based on a marginally non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) deficient diet (0.31%), while treatment 9 was a positive control (PC) diet with adequate NPP levels (0.45%). There were 2 levels of phytase (0 vs 1000 FTU/kg), 2 levels of oil quality (fresh soy oil; peroxide …

Pharmacokinetics And Reward-Related Behaviors Of Ethanol In Male And Female Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica), Shannon Eaton

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Ethanol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs. Problem use is associated with many different health problems and the economic burden is in the billions of dollars. Additionally, many people have difficulty controlling their ethanol consumption and about 5% of adults end up with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many people with an AUD often find themselves in a cycle of binge, remission, and relapse.

Following ethanol consumption ethanol enters the bloodstream from the small intestine where it gets distributed to peripheral tissues. Ethanol in the bloodstream is cleared from the system by the liver. The primary …

Optimizing Animal Welfare In Commercial Laying Hens Through Novel Management Practices And Farm Manager Evaluation, John R. Brunnquell

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The commercial production of pasture and free-range eggs in the United States is expanding rapidly. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Management Assistance, in May of 2019 there were 2.6M pasture hens and 4.5M free-range hens representing 1.9% of the nation’s laying flock. There is little industry and/or academic experience with this style of production in the United States. Programs such as the European Layer Training Initiative (ELTI), which emerged in 2019, have tried to fill this void but participation from the US was low. The principal sources for guidance of commercial free-range egg production in the …

The Role Of Melatonin In Biological Rhythms Of Songbirds, Clifford E. Harpole

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

In vertebrates, melatonin is a hormone that is produced and secreted at night and inhibited by light. This unique “darkness-only” expression profile makes it an intellectually appealing candidate for a means of transmitting temporal information to an individual, both time of day and time of year.

In passerine birds, “time of day” information is certainly transmitted via melatonin secretion. The primary producer of systemic melatonin in this family of birds is the pineal gland, and surgical removal of it causes a bird to become arrhythmic in constant conditions. I find that as pinealectomized house sparrows (Passer domesticus) become …

The Role Of Feed Additives In Mitigating The Effect Of Stressors On Growth, Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, Permeability, And Immune Response In Poultry, Yemi Olojede Burden

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary supplements in birds exposed to different stressors, on growth performance, nutrient, and energy digestibility, antioxidant status, intestinal permeability, and immune status. The first study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a commercially available algae-based antioxidant, containing Selenium yeast (EconomasE™, EcoE) and two inorganic sodium sources (NaCl and NaCl+NaHCO3) on growth performance, nutrient and energy digestibility and utilization, antioxidant, and immune status of broilers challenged with oral gavage of dexamethasone (DEX). The inclusion of either of the sodium sources did not affect plasma corticosterone and antioxidant status levels, growth …

Optimizing Gastrointestinal Integrity In Poultry: The Role Of Nutrients And Feed Additives, Sunday A. Adedokun, Opeyemi C. Olojede

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Immunomodulation of the immune system by stimulating or suppressing one or both arms, is an emerging concept driven by the understanding of the host defense system. In particular, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) functions not only as a site for digestion and absorption of nutrients but also acts as a metabolic and immunological organ. This serves as a barrier against abnormal presentation of luminal constituents, caused by dysfunctional intestinal epithelial barrier, to the mucosal immune system. Invasion by pathogens in the case of disease or stress or a massive influx of commensal bacteria overcomes the defensive mechanisms, resulting in the full …

Metabolizable Energy Determination In Broiler Chickens, Andrew E. Dunaway

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Feed accounts for the highest cost associated in poultry production, with energy-containing feedstuffs being the most expensive portion of the cost of feeding. The increasing demand for poultry meat gives reason to determine accurate apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values for various feedstuff through measuring energy utilization in the birds. The adaptation length of birds fed an experimental diet may affect the determined AME value due to the diet matrix and physiochemical properties of the feedstuff. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to evaluate a select group of energy-containing feedstuff with different diets and with factors such as coccidia challenge …

Evaluation Of Current And Emerging Techniques For Measuring Eggshell Integrity Of The Domestic Fowl, Lauren Wood Nolan

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

This dissertation is an investigation into the effect of different zinc sources and levels on eggshell quality and microstructure, as well as keel bone damage. Eggshell function is two-fold; eggshells function to protect the developing embryo, as well as act as a barrier against bacterial penetration, optimizing food safety of the egg for human consumption (Mabe et. Al., 2003). Two small trials were conducted in order to determine differences in eggshell microstructure of eggs produced from hens at peak lay (26 weeks of age) and at the end of lay (88 weeks of age). Two groups of hens were fed …

Microalgae And Zinc Source Supplementation Of Broiler Breeder Diets Affects Broiler Breeder Skeletal Development And Reproduction With Transgenerational Impacts On Offspring Performance And Skeletal Characteristics, Marquisha A. Paul

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Leg problems and disorders are of major concern for the poultry industry and animal welfare. Previous studies suggest that it may be possible to improve skeletal characteristics through nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids, including Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential nutrients and are known to play an important role in bone tissue development. FORPLUS™ (Alltech, Inc.) is an unextracted, whole-cell microalgae (Aurantiochytrium limacinum CCAP 4087/2) that contains 64% fat and 16% DHA. Zinc (Zn) is a trace element and essential nutrient for growth and skeletal development. Bioplex^® Zn (Alltech, Inc.) is a Zn proteinate that has been shown to be …

The Effect Of Early Life Photoperiod Manipulation On Cocaine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization In Male And Female Japanese Quail, Shannon Elizabeth Eaton

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Estrogens seem to play a role in the locomotor activating effects of cocaine. Japanese quail provide a good model for hormonal manipulation as alterations of their photoperiod controls hormone levels. The current study aims to examine the role of early life photoperiod manipulation in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in quail. It was expected that if quail were raised on a short photoperiod, they would have a reduction in gonadal hormones and this reduction in hormones would affect the acquisition of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization. Quail were raised on an 8L:16D or a 16L:8D light cycle. Following 2 days of habituation, quail were …

Effect Of Exogenous Enzymes On Apparent Metabolizable Energy Value Of Barley In Swine And Broiler Chickens, Brian L. Bryson

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of exogenous enzyme supplementation, phytase and xylanase-glucanase, on AME value of barley in poultry and swine. In the first study, 280 broilers were assigned 1 of 8 treatments. Barley inclusion in the diet resulted in decreased (P < 0.05) performance. There was a treatment × phytase × xylanase-glucanase interaction for dry matter retention with birds fed the corn-SBM-barley diet supplemented with phytase and xylanase-glucanase having higher (P < 0.05) DM retention compared to birds fed corn-SBM-based diet with only xylanase-glucanase supplementation. AME and AMEn of corn-SBM-based diets were greater (P < 0.05) than the corn-SBM-barley-based diets. Energy metabolizability and AMEn of barley significantly increased with xylanase-glucanase supplementation. In the second study, 24 pigs (12 pigs/phase) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with xylanase-glucanase and phytase. After a 7-d adaption period, urine and feces were quantitatively collected for 5 d. DE of the barley-based diet supplemented with xylanase-glucanase (3,578 kcal/kg) and phytase and xylanase-glucanase in combination (3,617 kcal/kg) were significantly different. Compared to control diets, exogenous enzymes either significantly improved or had a tendency to improve AME and AMEn value of barley in broilers, but not in growing pigs.

Specialty Poultry Production: Impact Of Genotype, Feed Strategies, Alternative Feedstuffs, And Dietary Enzymes On The Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Heritage Breed Chickens, Tatijana Fisher

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

There is a growing market for specialty poultry production using alternative genotypes and management systems. However, producers interested in specialty poultry production face several challenges. One challenge is that little published data exists regarding the growth and production parameters for alternative genotypes like slow-growing meat strains and heritage breeds. To address this challenge, research at the University of Kentucky examined the effect of feed strategies, alternative feedstuffs, and dietary enzymes on the growth and performance of heritage breeds of chicken used for either egg- or meat-production. The first trial documented the growth and nutrient intake of pullets from three heritage …

Effects Of Post-Hatch Holding Time And Early Nutrition Strategies On Growth Performance, Carcass And Skeletal Characteristics Of Young Chickens, Marquisha A. Paul

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The study objectives of this thesis were to evaluate the effects of delayed feeding and specific aspects of the Programmed Nutrition (PN) feeding strategy (Alltech, Inc.) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal characteristics of commercial broiler chicks through market age, as well as investigate the effects of breed and the PN feeding strategy on early growth and development. When commercial broiler chicks were fed reduced nutrient diets, delayed feeding decreased early growth performance and carcass yield (P<0.05), whereas post-hatch PN conditioning for 72 hours improved early growth performance and alleviated the negative effects of delayed feeding on carcass yield (P<0.05). Through market age, delayed feeding improved Gain: Feed (P<0.05), while PN had the opposite effect. Interactive effects and main effects of delayed feeding and PN were observed for tissue mineral concentration (P<0.05). PN lowered bone ash % (P<0.05) and increased meat oxidation of broiler chicks during storage (P<0.05). PN also had negative effects on early growth performance and bone breaking strength (P<0.05) of various meat-type breeds, but especially for non-commercial, moderate-growing or fast-growing breeds. In conclusion, PN may be suitable for commercial broiler chicks that experience delayed feeding and are fed reduced nutrient diets.

Interaction Of Dietary Supplements Of Organic Trace Minerals And Phytase On Growth Performance And Mineral Metabolism Of Replacement Pullets, Alfredo Mañón

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Effects of dietary supplementation with low levels of organic sources of trace minerals in place of normal levels of their inorganic salts and phytase on growth performance and mineral metabolism were evaluated in two studies using pullets of white and brown shell laying strains. The organic sources were proteinates of copper, iron, manganese and zinc and selenium yeast. A corn-soybean meal diet was fed alone, plus inorganic minerals or plus organic minerals, and with or without phytase in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Twelve groups of 16 pullets, 2 weeks old, were used per treatment. Compared with inorganic minerals, …

The Effects Of Actigen® And Threonine Supplementation On Growth Parameters, Immune Function, And Intestinal Health In Monogastrics, Lindsay Good

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The objectives of these experiments were to evaluate the main effects and interactive effects between dietary supplementation of a mannan oligosaccharide based product, Actigen® (ACT), and different levels of threonine in monogastrics, as evidenced by growth parameters, immune function, and intestinal health characteristics.

In nursery piglets, ACT supplementation decreased average daily feed intake (P=0.04), but had no effect on body weight or feed conversion ratio. There were no noted differences between threonine levels on performance traits. There were no consistent differences in complete blood count or cytokine gene expression profiles in the blood. The highest level of threonine, …

Effects Of A Proprietary Premix On Productive Performance And Egg Quality Of White And Brown Egg Laying Hens Fed Diets High In Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (Ddgs), Megan D. Van Benschoten

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate inclusion of up to 35% by-product DDGS (with reduced Ca and P) with and without addition of a proprietary premix (enzyme and antioxidant; Alltech Inc.) on productive performance and egg quality of white and brown egg laying hens. A total of 288 white or brown hens were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: 1) corn-soybean meal (control), 2) 25% DDGS, 3) 25% DDGS plus premix, 4) 35% DDGS, and 5) 35% DDGS plus premix. Hen body weight values were impaired with addition of 25 and 35% DDGS when compared to …

Dietary Antioxidant Supplementation (Economase–Bioplex) To Alleviate Adverse Impacts Of Oxidized Oil On Broiler Meat Quality: A Chemical, Textural, Enzymatic, And Proteomic Study, Rebecca Delles

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

This study investigated the influence of dietary antioxidants and quality of oil on the oxidative and enzymatic properties of chicken broiler meat stored in an oxygen-enriched package (HiOx: 80% O₂/20% CO₂) in comparison with air-permeable polyvinylchloride (PVC) or skin (SK) packaging systems during retail display 2–4 °C for up to 14, 7, and 21 d, respectively. Broilers were fed a diet either with a low-oxidized oil (peroxide vale POV 23 meq O₂/kg) or with a high-oxidized oil (POV 121 meq O₂/kg), supplemented with an antioxidant pack (200 ppm EconomasE and organic minerals …

Minimum Ventilation For Modern Broiler Facilities, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Shuhui H. Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

New functions for whole-house broiler heat production as a function of bird age using modern straight run broiler growth rates are presented and compared to values in the literature. The approximations are based on field measurements of environmental conditions in modern broiler housing, using a technique that matches predicted to actual fuel use to estimate partitioning between latent and sensible heat. Development of a program utilizing these approximations to compute ventilation and heating requirements for temperature and humidity control in broiler housing is described. The program utilizes steady-state heat and moisture balances commonly used for design purposes, with hourly or …

Regional Variation In Temperature Humidity Index For Poultry Housing, Richard S. Gates, Hanzhong Zhang, Donald G. Colliver, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A building thermal model was used to compute hourly values of temperature humidity index (THI) for a broiler house with and without an evaporative misting system. Hourly summer time weather data for 238 U.S.A. locations covering 30 years were used to develop extreme occurrences of THI. Results were incorporated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) database to create isolines of THI and percentage of hours exceeding a heat stress threshold. Regional variations in misting as a suitable cooling technique are presented in terms of hours reduction in annual heat stress. The technique may be used for assisting in management decisions …

Field Calibration Of A Transient Model For Broiler Misting, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Robert W. Bottcher, Shu Hui Zhang

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A transient model to predict temperature within a tunnel ventilated broiler house during misting is developed. The model is calibrated with field data to obtain steady-state constants; transient predictions are compared to measured temperatures during cyclic misting for two different size birds. Measured temperatures during cyclic misting are shown to swing between steady-state asymptotes predicted from the model. Transient response of the model was faster than measured temperature data, in part due to temperature sensor dynamic response. The model predicts the length-wise temperature profile within the building during misting, and can be used to investigate alternate misting strategies and designs. …