International Journal of Poultry Science - Current Issue

Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Differently Processed Finger Millet Supplemented with Enzyme

10 June, 2026

Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed diets containing differently processed finger millet meal supplemented with enzymes. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 two-week-old broiler chicks of mixed sexes were randomly allocated to one of four diets in a completely randomized block design. The broiler chicks were allocated one of four diets containing either 0 (Control), uncrushed, roughly crushed, or finely crushed finger millet. The starter diets were isonitrogenous (23% CP) but varied in energy levels from 2,710.00 (Diet A) to 2,726.60 kcal/kg ME (for diets B, C and D respectively). The finisher diet was also isonitrogenous (21% CP) and fed to the birds for 21 days. A total of 37 broiler birds were divided into four groups, each receiving a finisher diet containing 0 (control), uncrushed, roughly crushed and finely crushed finger millet, all (except for control) supplemented with enzyme for 3 weeks. Each diet was replicated thrice with 12 birds each. Some replicates had 13 birds each. Feed and water were made available ad libitum. Results: Feed intake was significantly lower (p<0.05) for birds fed on diets A (0.51), B (0.47) and C (0.46kg) than those fed on diet D (0.60kg/bird). However, weight gain and feed efficiency were similar across treatment groups. Feed cost per kilogram gain was significantly lower in birds fed on diet A (₦ 58.05/bird) than those fed on diets B (₦ 71.18/bird), C (₦ 70.60/bird) and D (₦ 71.18/bird), respectively. No differences were observed in carcass values except for the relative gizzard weight which was significantly higher (p<0.05) for birds fed on diets A (8.76), B (10.71) and C (8.04) than those fed on diet D (6.67%). Conclusion: In order to induce an intake response, finger millet can be fed to broiler chickens in finely ground form but it won't affect the weight of the carcass organs. When considered collectively, our results showed that crushing the finger millet was unnecessary because it had no significant impact on the birds' body weight or feed efficiency.

Effect of Probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Supplemented Poultry Diet on the Lymphoid Organs, Hematology and Production Parameters of Broiler Chickens

10 June, 2026

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of poultry diet supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on lymphoid organs, weight gain and hematology of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into two groups (A- control and B- probiotic) of 30 birds each. Each group was further subdivided into 3 replicates of 10 birds each. Birds were fed ad libitum. At the 6th week, 2 birds from each replicate were randomly selected and 3 mL of blood was collected from the right jugular vein for haematological analysis. The thymus, spleen and ileum was collected for histopathology. The weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were also determined. Results: Birds in group B showed increased proliferation of cells in the thymus, spleen and Peyer's patches. The absolute heterophil count of birds in Group A (11.577×10³ μL) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of Group B (22.38×10³ μL), while the heterophil-lymphocyte ratio of birds in group B was lower (1:1) than that of group A (control) (1:3). Group A (control group) had a significant (p<0.05) lower live body weight (3.0 kg) than Group B (3.5 kg). Conclusion: It is possible that probiotics contributed to an increase in the lymphoid organs, absolute heterophil count, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Based on the findings of this study, probiotic inclusion level of 1 g per kg of broiler feed was recommended for improved immunity, productivity and profit in broiler chicken.

Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Sensitivity Profiling of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Spp. from Dead Broiler in Local Market of Dhaka City

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Broiler is an important meat type chicken in Bangladesh. Different bacterial infections affect broiler chicken farming and farmers use antibiotics to protect the birds, as a result antimicrobial resistance in broiler chicken increased day by day. This study was conducted to isolate E. coli and Salmonella spp. strains from broiler for assessing their susceptibility and resistance patterns to some selected antimicrobials. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka for isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity profiling of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from dead broiler in local market of Dhaka city. A total of 150 liver and heart samples were collected from dead broilers and cultured in different media for isolation of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Confirmatory diagnosis is done by biochemical tests. Results: The prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. in liver samples was 45.33% and 40% and in heart samples it was 44% and 38.67% respectively. The overall prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. in broilers was 44.67% and 39.33%. Antibiotic sensitivity profiling of the isolated E. coli and Salmonella spp. was performed by the disc diffusion method against 10 commonly used antibiotics. The highest rate of sensitivity against E. coli was found with Ceftriaxone (52.24%) followed by Gentamicin (49.25%) and Streptomycin (44.78%). The highest rate of resistance was recorded in Tetracycline (52.24%) followed by Ampicillin (50.75%), Cefuroxime (47.76%), Amoxicillin (46.27%) and Co-Trimoxazole (46.27%). The highest rate of antibiotic sensitivity against Salmonella spp. was found with Ceftriaxone (52.54%) followed by Gentamicin (50.85%) and Streptomycin (47.46%). The highest rate of resistance of Salmonella was recorded in Cefuroxime (54.24%) followed by Ampicillin (52.54%), Cefixime (50.85%), Tetracycline (49.15%), Amoxicillin (47.46%) and Co-Trimoxazole (45.76%). Conclusion: Based on the present study, antimicrobial resistance against E. coli and Salmonella spp. increased day by day. From this study, it may be concluded that Ceftriaxone is highly sensitive to E. coli and Salmonella spp. which showed the best result followed by Gentamicin and Streptomycin in the present study.

Effects of a Plant Based Natural Alternative of Choline and Betaine as Replacements for Synthetic Choline in Broilers Diets

10 June, 2026

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of replacing synthetic Choline Chloride (CC) with a natural Choline Alternative (NC) and betaine (BT) in broiler diets, focusing on their effects on broiler performance. Materials and Methods: Ten dietary treatments were tested on 3,000 male Ross-308 broiler chicks over a 42-day period, including varying levels of Natural Choline (NC), betaine (BT) and synthetic Choline Chloride (CC), with 10 replicates per treatment. Birds were housed in 100 pens, with each pen serving as an experimental unit. Results: The study found a significant effect of diet on BW at 42 days. Broilers fed 400 g/ton of either BT or NC exhibited higher BW compared to the control, birds fed with 200 g/ton of NC and broilers fed with CC. The most efficient Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was observed in broilers fed the combination of NC 100 g/ton and BT 200 g/ton, followed by those fed BT or NC at 200 g/ton each. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed among these treatments. Broilers supplemented with CC and the control group showed the least efficient FCR. The combination of NC and BT showed better performance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that NC and BT can replace synthetic CC in broiler diets without compromising performance. Moreover, the combination of NC and BT may provide a synergistic benefit, potentially leading to better feed efficiency and growth performance. This indicates that natural choline alternatives can be a viable replacement for synthetic choline chloride in broiler nutrition.

Solar-Powered Trombe Wall Brooding of Day-old Poultry Chicks

10 June, 2026

Background and Objective: The importance of heat supply in regulating the body temperature of poultry day-old chicks' during brooding operation can never be overestimated. In developing countries, small and medium poultry farms often use kerosene bush lamps or stoves to regulate the body temperature of brooding day-old chicks. Energy poverty and high heating costs often limit the scope of poultry farming, despite the fact that there are many poultry farmers. Using solar energy to brood day-old chicks has proven to be a reliable and attractive solution for sustainable poultry production. Solar energy offers cheap and clean energy in comparison to conventional methods for brooding poultry. This study was designed to develop a solar-powered Trombe wall poultry brooding system for day-old chicks. Materials and Methods: The system consists of a Trombe wall solar energy heat collector, a pebble bed heat storage unit and a brooding room that can handle 300 day-old chicks. The poultry brooding system was coupled with a purposeful built-in data logger powered by a 100 W mono-crystalline solar panel with an Arduino-mega microcontroller. The purpose was to monitor the real-time brooding conditions in the brooding system. Three hundred day-old chicks were used in an experiment to evaluate the physical and biological performance of the poultry brooding system. Results: Results of the experiment showed that the temperature was between 28-35°C and relative humidity was between 56-82%, while the ambient temperature was ranged from 15-33°C and the relative humidity was ranged from 53-95%. Minimum and maximum values of solar radiation intensity was ranged from 0-548 W/m² during the evaluation period. The result of the biological performance showed a 2% mortality rate at the end of a nine-week brooding session. In poultry brooding operations, solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy and lively chicks were produced under solar energy brooding conditions. They attracted higher commercial value over the conventional brooded chicks. Conclusion: In poultry production, the use of solar energy can help revolutionize the present-day poultry production industry. Using the results of the study, field scientists, government officials and decision makers may develop rational policies to improve and boost poultry production in general.

Effects of Probiotic Treated Pomegranate Residue on Growth Performance, Immunity and Microbiome in the Intestines of Broilers

10 June, 2026

Objectives: This research was undertaken to assess the effect of probiotic treated pomegranate residue (PPR) on growth performance, serum immunoglobulins, intestinal and excreta microbiome, and excreta harmful gas emission in broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 128 day-old Ross-308 chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups, each consisting of 4 replicates of 8 birds. The experimental diets were formulated to supply 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% of PPR and were fed for 35 day. Results: Dietary inclusion of PPR linearly increased the weight gain of broiler, while reduced FCR by almost 0.10 points without affecting the feed intake (p<0.05). Following the addition of PPR, a linear rise in serum IgA concentration was perceived (p<0.05). Dietary PPR increased the ileal and cecal Lactobacillus, cecal Bacillus (linear, p<0.05) and ileal yeast and mold (linear, p = 0.0007; quadratic, p = 0.007) population. In contrary, the E. coli population has been decreased in the ileal (linear, p = 0.004, quadratic, p<0.04) and cecal digesta (linear, p = 0.004) and Salmonella only in the cecal digesta (linear, p = 0.0004) in consequence of dietary PPR. As the dose level increased PPR linearly reduced the ileal and cecal pH (p<0.05). Dietary PPR increased the CFU of excreta Lactobacillus (linear, p = 0.002) and Bacillus (quadratic, p<0.05), whereas, decreased the E. coli population (linear, p = 0.008). In relation to dietary PPR supplementation, excreta pH was linearly lowered (p<0.05). Inclusion of 1% and 2% PPR reduced the NH₃ and H₂S emission from broiler excreta. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that PPR supplemented up to 2% level may improve the growth performance, immunity and microbiome in the intestines of broilers.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Broilers (Cobb 500)

10 June, 2026

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on the hematological and biochemical parameters of broilers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at T3F Poultry Farm, Makong from February to April 2024. A total of 150 day-old chicks of Cobb 500 strain, with an average weight of 40.09±3 g, were randomly divided into 20 experimental units according to a completely randomized design with 4 replicates of 7 to 8 subjects each for a period of seven weeks. The experimental rations were formulated such that the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf was included in the diet at 0 g (R₀), 0.25 g (R₁), 0.50 g (R₂), 0.75 g (R₃) and 1 g (R₄) both at the beginning and at the end of the study. R₀ served as the control ration. Results: The main results showed that the addition of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts in the diet had no significant effect on mean platelet volume levels. On the other hand, mean corpuscular volume, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels increased with increasing levels of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the diet, while platelet levels decreased with increasing levels of extract. The HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST decreased with the inclusion of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in the diet. The addition of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves to the diet had no significant effect on total protein, albumin, globulins, total cholesterol, glucose, creatinine and urea. Conclusion: Meat with fewer bacterial residues was obtained when Moringa oleifera leaf extracts were included in the diet, which is beneficial for health-conscious consumers.