Direct-fed microbials (DFM) are a method to increase bird performance and health when antibiotics are removed or limited in the diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of a single strain Bacillus subtilis DFM on pullet performance, layer performance, and egg quality when fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age. In total, 576 Hy-Line W-36 laying hen pullets were randomly divided between two treatments (Control and DFM) on day of hatch across 12 cages for each of the treatments and maintained on those respective treatments for 70-weeks. The DFM was added at a target dose of 300,000 cfu/kg of feed. At the end of the 17-week pullet phase, DFM fed pullets resulted in reduced feed intake, improved FCRm with both similar body weights (P = 0.98) and body composition (P > 0.05) to the control fed pullets. At 17 weeks, 72 birds were randomly selected from each treatment and moved to 12 laying hen cages. At the end of the 52-week laying hen phase, DFM-fed hens had significantly higher hen-day egg production (P = 0.02), but decreased egg weights. No differences were reported in egg mass or feed intake, but FCR was significantly improved (P = 0.02) on a per dozen eggs basis, and improved (P = 0.06) on a g/g basis by 7.1 points with DFM-fed hens having an FCR of 2.016 and control fed hens having and FCR of 2.087. Supplementation of diets with DFM resulted in a trend in egg specific gravity, but no differences were reported in shell breaking strength or shell weight. Overall, supplementation of the DFM lowered feed intake and improved FCR without affecting body composition in the pullet phase, and increased production and improved FCR during the egg laying phase. / Master of Science / Due to the decreased use of antibiotics across the poultry industry, producers and allied companies are developing new methods to increase bird health and performance when antibiotics are removed from or limited in the diet. One such method is through the use of "good" bacteria or technically called Direct-Fed Microbials (DFM). Direct-fed microbials are defined as live microorganisms that when fed, confer a health benefit to the host. The goals of this thesis were to determine the effects of a Bacillus subtilis based DFM on pullet performance, laying hen performance, and egg quality when fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age. In the pullet phase, DFM-fed pullets had reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (the ratio of feed intake to body weight gain), with no differences in body weights or body composition at the end of the 17-week growth period. In the laying phase, DFM fed hens had significantly improved egg production, but lighter eggs compared to the control fed hens. Addition of the DFM significantly improved feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs by 5.3 points and reduced feed conversion ratio on a g/g basis by 7.1 points in the 52-week laying phase. Small improvements were noted in specific gravity, but no differences were reported in shell weight or shell breaking strength. When fed from day of hatch until 70 weeks of age, the Bacillus subtilis DFM allowed the pullets to reduce their feed intake, but maintain body development for egg production resulting in an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the growth phase before egg production and once hens initiated egg production resulted in smaller eggs, but increased egg production and FCR in laying hens with minimal differences in egg quality. Therefore, the DFM may be able to be used in place of growth promoting antibiotics to help support efficient protein production.

A series of trials were conducted to determine the effect of feeding barley silage to laying hens and broiler breeder pullets on performance, stress and behaviour. In the first study, two trials were conducted each with 20 hens and 2 roosters (n=176) randomly assigned to one of 8 community cages. The birds in 4 cages were provided with a nutritionally balanced soy/wheatbased laying hen diet ad libitum, whereas the birds in another 4 cages were given free access to barley silage in addition to the regular laying hen diet. In both trials, the control birds consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than the birds given barley silage. Birds fed barley silage had significantly decreased (P < 0.05) aggressive and feather pecking behaviours as well as time spent in their nest boxes at different ages. Time spent drinking, resting, preening and eating a large particle calcium source was similar between the two treatments. No treatment effects (P > 0.05) were found in regards to egg quality, egg production and bird weights at various ages; however yolk colour was darker by silage treatment in each trial. At the end of each trial, the feather score was improved in silage-fed birds compared to the control birds. It was concluded that feeding barley silage as a supplement to laying hens can improve their welfare without negatively affecting the egg production and egg quality. <p>A second study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding barley silage on body weight, stereotypic behaviour, stress and fear on broiler breeder pullets during the brooding and rearing periods. The 3 week old broiler breeder pullets (n=180) were randomly allocated into 12 straw litter floor pens having 15 birds per pen. The birds in 6 pens were provided with a nutritionally balanced corn/oat-soybean/canola meal-based broiler breeder diet at recommended restricted levels, whereas the birds in another 6 pens were given free access to barley silage in addition to a regular broiler breeder diet. Total DM intake was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for silage-fed birds compared to their control counterparts without affecting mean body weights. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on bird behaviour with the exception of object pecking behaviour which was reduced with silage feeding. Aggressive and gentle feather pecking behaviour was consistently numerically higher in the control birds than the silage-fed birds, although not significantly. Age affected many of the behaviours recorded in this study. Silage feeding had no significant effect on heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and tonic immobility values indicating that birds in both treatments were not very stressed or fearful. It was concluded that feeding barley silage to broiler breeder pullets has potential to aid in improving their welfare.

A series of trials were conducted to determine the effect of feeding barley silage to laying hens and broiler breeder pullets on performance, stress and behaviour. In the first study, two trials were conducted each with 20 hens and 2 roosters (n=176) randomly assigned to one of 8 community cages. The birds in 4 cages were provided with a nutritionally balanced soy/wheatbased laying hen diet ad libitum, whereas the birds in another 4 cages were given free access to barley silage in addition to the regular laying hen diet. In both trials, the control birds consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than the birds given barley silage. Birds fed barley silage had significantly decreased (P < 0.05) aggressive and feather pecking behaviours as well as time spent in their nest boxes at different ages. Time spent drinking, resting, preening and eating a large particle calcium source was similar between the two treatments. No treatment effects (P > 0.05) were found in regards to egg quality, egg production and bird weights at various ages; however yolk colour was darker by silage treatment in each trial. At the end of each trial, the feather score was improved in silage-fed birds compared to the control birds. It was concluded that feeding barley silage as a supplement to laying hens can improve their welfare without negatively affecting the egg production and egg quality. <p>A second study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding barley silage on body weight, stereotypic behaviour, stress and fear on broiler breeder pullets during the brooding and rearing periods. The 3 week old broiler breeder pullets (n=180) were randomly allocated into 12 straw litter floor pens having 15 birds per pen. The birds in 6 pens were provided with a nutritionally balanced corn/oat-soybean/canola meal-based broiler breeder diet at recommended restricted levels, whereas the birds in another 6 pens were given free access to barley silage in addition to a regular broiler breeder diet. Total DM intake was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for silage-fed birds compared to their control counterparts without affecting mean body weights. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on bird behaviour with the exception of object pecking behaviour which was reduced with silage feeding. Aggressive and gentle feather pecking behaviour was consistently numerically higher in the control birds than the silage-fed birds, although not significantly. Age affected many of the behaviours recorded in this study. Silage feeding had no significant effect on heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and tonic immobility values indicating that birds in both treatments were not very stressed or fearful. It was concluded that feeding barley silage to broiler breeder pullets has potential to aid in improving their welfare.

The principal objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin contaminated diets (deoxynivalenol (DON)), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and fumonisin (FUM)), with or without the use of a commercially available deactivating compound (DC), in young pullets and replacement laying hens on performance, reproductive, serological, and histopathological parameters. In trial 1, experimental treatments consisted of control, low toxin (1 µg DON/g + 1 µg AFB1/g), and high toxin (2 µg DON/g + 2 µg AFB1/g) diets. Pullets fed the high toxin diet had reduced (P<0.05) body weights compared to control and low toxin diets at d 14, 35, 49, 56, and 63. At d 21 and 28, there was a significant interaction observed between mycotoxin and DC inclusion in body weights. Following necropsies (d 35 and 65), relative liver weights and histopathological liver tissue damage were increased (P<0.05) in pullets fed high toxin diets when compared to control and low toxin diets. Relative kidney weights were increased (P<0.05) due to high toxin diet at d 65. Expected negative effects of toxin administration on titer development were not observed. The only interaction observed between mycotoxin administration and DC inclusion in trial 1 was on body weights. In trial 2, experimental treatments consisted of control, DON (9 µg/g) challenge, AFB1 (2 µg/g) + FUM (54 µg/g) challenge, and a mixed challenge (6 µg DON/g, 1 µg AFB1/g, and 27 µg FUM/g). All mycotoxin diets fed to hens negatively influenced (P<0.05) feed efficiency for the trial period spanning weeks 6 through 10 when compared to control diets. Egg production was not affected (P>0.05) by all mycotoxin diets weeks 6 through 10. Relative weights of the liver and kidney were increased (P<0.05) by AFB1+FUM challenge weeks 4 and 9 compared to control diet. The data reported in this study demonstrate that dietary DON and / or AFB1+FUM influence some performance, reproductive, histopathological, and egg quality traits, but by and large, replacement layer pullets seem to be relatively resistant to the mycotoxins evaluated in this trial at the described levels of administration.

SUCUPIRA, Francislene Silveira. Curvas de crescimento e deposição de nutrientes no corpo e nos ossos de frangas de duas linhagens comerciais alimentadas com diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro na ração de crescimento (7 a 17 semanas de idade). 2014. 102 f. Tese (doutorado em zootecnia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2014. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-04-07T20:12:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_fssucupira.pdf: 948173 bytes, checksum: ddf73aa1bd803307cff1a74a50b47464 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-05-25T19:41:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_fssucupira.pdf: 948173 bytes, checksum: ddf73aa1bd803307cff1a74a50b47464 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-25T19:41:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_fssucupira.pdf: 948173 bytes, checksum: ddf73aa1bd803307cff1a74a50b47464 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / The objective was to evaluate the effect of using different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in diets for hens of two commercial layer-hen strains from 7 to 17 weeks of age on the growth curve and deposition of body components and bones. A total of 648 birds from each strain were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of three levels of NDF and two strains, with four replicates of 54 birds. The tested NDF levels were 14.5, 16.5 and 18.5%. Additionally, live weight, feather weight, body composition of protein, ash and water, bones weight, bones length and bones composition of protein, ash and water were evaluated. Growth curves were determined by applying the data on Gompertz function. According to the results, there was no interaction among factors, strain and NDF levels for the parameters of the equation of Gompertz determined for all evaluated traits. The NDF levels of the diet affected the estimates of weight at maturity and water deposition in the carcass. The level of 14.5% NDF allowed for greater weight at maturity (Wm), greater age at maximum growth (t*) and lower maturity rate (b) than the other tested levels. There was no influence of NDF levels tested on the parameters of the growth curve for weight and length of the tibia and femur (P <0.05). There was no influence of NDF levels tested on the estimates of the parameters of the Gompertz equation for the composition of water, protein and ash of the tibia and fêmur (P <0.05). The level of NDF in the ration of growing can be used to modify the growth curve of pullets, being able to control the body weight gain by increasing its level in the ration without changing the deposition of water, ash and protein in the carcass. Pullets fed diets containing up to 18.5% inclusion of NDF, during 7-17 weeks of age, showed no changes in the curves of growth and nutrient deposition in the tibia and femur. / Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) nas rações de frangas de duas linhagens comerciais de aves de postura, no período de 7 a 17 semanas de idade, sobre a curva de crescimento corporal e óssea e a deposição de componentes na carcaça e nos ossos. Foram utilizadas 648 aves de cada linhagem, distribuídas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, composto de três níveis de FDN (14,5; 16,5 e 18,5%) e duas linhagens (LOHMAN LSL e HY LINE BROWN), com quatro repetições de 54 aves. Semanalmente, foram avaliados o peso corporal e das penas, peso e comprimento dos ossos (tíbia e fêmur) e a composição corporal e dos ossos em proteína, cinzas e água. As curvas de crescimento e deposição foram determinadas aplicando-se os dados na função de Gompertz. Não houve interação entre linhagem e nível de FDN da ração, para os parâmetros da equação de Gompertz determinados, para todas as características avaliadas. Os níveis de FDN da ração influenciaram significativamente nos parâmetros da curva de crescimento para peso corporal e deposição de água, de modo que o nível de 14,5% de FDN possibilitou maior peso corporal e de deposição de água à maturidade (Pm), maior idade de máximo crescimento (t*) e menor taxa de maturidade (b) que os demais níveis testados. Entretanto, os parâmetros da curva de crescimento para o peso e o comprimento da tíbia e do fêmur, assim como, as estimativas dos parâmetros para a deposição de água nos ossos e as deposições de proteína e matéria mineral na carcaça e nos osso não foram influencias significativamente pelo nível de FDN da ração. Entre as linhagem, observou-se que as aves leves, apresentaram menor taxa de maturidade (b) e menor peso à maturidade (Pm), sem apresentar diferenças significativas na idade de máximo crescimento (t*). Os parâmetros para a deposição de proteína e cinzas na carcaça não variaram significativamente, enquanto, as aves leves apresentaram menores estimativas de taxa de maturidade (b) para a deposição de água corporal em relação às aves semipesadas. Não houve diferença entre as linhagens para os parâmetros estimados para o comprimento da tíbia e do fêmur, peso da tíbia, deposição de proteína e cinzas da tíbia. Entretanto, para o peso do fêmur, deposição de proteína no fêmur e deposição de água na tíbia, as aves leves apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e valor da idade de máximo crescimento (t*) e menor valor na taxa de maturidade (b) em comparação as aves semipesada, as quais apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e valor da idade de máximo crescimento (t*) e menor valor na taxa de maturidade (b) em comparação as aves leves para deposição de água no fêmur. Assim, o nível de FDN da ração de recria pode ser utilizado para modificar a curva de crescimento das frangas leves e semipesadas, podendo-se controlar o ganho de peso corporal pelo aumento do seu nível na ração em nível superior a 14,5%, sem alterar o crescimento dos ossos e a deposição de água, matéria mineral e proteína na carcaça e nos ossos até o nível de 18,5%. Embora as poedeiras semipesadas da linhagem avaliada apresentem maior potencial de crescimento corporal e das penas em relação às leves, essa aves são semelhantes quanto à proporção de proteína e matéria mineral depositada na carcaça e divergem no desenvolvimento dos ossos quanto ao peso e deposição de água e proteína no fêmur.

Submitted by HILDA CRISTINA PALMA BENDEZU null (20040345@lamolina.edu.pe) on 2016-03-24T13:00:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese Hilda Cristina Palma Bendezu6.pdf: 1558283 bytes, checksum: d21841bd46693cc1b6787aa6f8a3b529 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-03-24T13:17:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 palmabendezu_hc_dr_jabo.pdf: 1558283 bytes, checksum: d21841bd46693cc1b6787aa6f8a3b529 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-24T13:17:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 palmabendezu_hc_dr_jabo.pdf: 1558283 bytes, checksum: d21841bd46693cc1b6787aa6f8a3b529 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-04 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um modelo para calcular as ingestões de aminoácidos e energia para a fase de maturação sexual e produção de ovos. As exigências de energia, aminoácidos e consumo de ração foram calculados pelo método fatorial, considerando na fase de maturação sexual a quantidade de nutrientes requerida para mantença e a quantidade de nutrientes necessários para crescimento e deposição de nutrientes corporais em cada componente do corpo (ovário, oviduto, corpo livre de penas e penas); na fase de produção foram considerados a quantidade de nutrientes exigida para mantença e a quantidade de nutrientes exigida para a produção de ovos com base no potencial de postura das aves. Foram realizados três ensaios. Os dois primeiros ensaios foram realizados na fase da maturação sexual (de 16 a 28 semanas), no ensaio foram utilizadas 96 aves da linhagem Isa Brown para descrever o crescimento dos órgãos reprodutivos. Duas vezes por semana foram abatidas quatro aves e foi registrado o peso da ave com e sem pena, o peso do ovário e oviduto, adicionalmente se tomara amostra de cada uma destas para posterior analises no laboratório. Nesta mesma fase foi realizado um segundo experimento para avaliar os resultados do consumo predito. Foram utilizadas 76 frangas de 15 a 24 semanas de idade da linagem Hy-Line e ISA-Brown e foi mensurado o consumo diário antes do primeiro ovo. No ensaio da fase de produção (18 a 60 semanas), foram utilizadas 60 aves da linhagem Isa Brown e 60 aves da linhagem Hy-line. Neste período foi registrado a produção, o peso do ovo e o peso dos componentes do ovo (gema, albúmen e casca) das 120 aves. Adicionalmente, foi registrado semanalmente o peso da ave e da sobra de ração para estimar o consumo. Na fase de maturação sexual, os parâmetros de crescimento dos órgãos reprodutivos foram estimados pela equação de Gompertz e com base nestas informações foram calculadas o consumo predito. Os dados do segundo experimento foram para avaliar a acurácia e a precisão dos dados de consumo preditos com base no crescimento do corpo e dos órgãos reprodutivos. O consumo predito sobreestima em 0.41 g/day (P>0.05) e 2.65 g/day (P>0.001) para Hy-Line e Isa Brown, respectivamente. No ensaio da fase de produção foram calculados a produção da gema, o cumprimento do ciclo interno e o peso dos componentes do ovo e com base nesta informação foi calculada a ingestão da energia efetiva e aminoácidos (lisina e metionina+cistina) para a fase de produção. O peso médio do ovo foi 55.1 g e 59.7 g no pico de produção para a linagem Hy-Line e ISA-Brown. Neste período a ingestão de energia efetiva e lisina foi 1067 kJ/d e 723 mg/d para o indivíduo médio da população de Hy-Line, 1075 kJ/d e 744 mg/d para ISA-Brown. Neste estudo, se fundamenta a utilização da modelagem como ferramenta para predizer o potencial de produção de ovos e consumo de nutrientes. Constituindo informação valiosa para simular respostas com diferentes populações, além de fornecer conhecimento do sistema envolvido na produção. / The aim of this study was to develop a model to calculate the feed intake and the nutrient requirement for pre-laying and laying phase. energy and amino acids intake were calculated by the factorial method, taking into account the nutrients required for maintenance and growth of each body component (ovary, oviduct, feather-free body and feathers) in the pre-laying phase and in laying phase were considered the amount of nutrients required for maintenance and for egg production. Two trials were carried out in the sexual maturation phase (16-28 weeks), 96 Isa Brown laying hens were used to describe the growth of the reproductive organs. Twice a week, four birds were slaughtered and measured the body weight with and without feather and the weight of the reproductive organs (ovary and oviduct), additionally samples were taken to analysis in the laboratory (dry matter, gross energy and crude protein). A second experiment in the same phase, it was conducted to evaluate the results of predicted feed intake. Seventy six Hy-Line and ISA-Brown pullets from 15 to 24 weeks of age were used to measure daily feed intake before the first egg. In the laying phase (18-60 weeks), sixty laying birds of Isa Brown and Hy-line were used to register the egg production, egg weight and the weight of the egg components (yolk, albumen and shell). The growth parameters of reproductive organs were estimated by Gompertz equation in the pre-laying phase, and based on this information were predicted feed intake. The data of the second experiment were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the predicted feed intake based on the growth of body and reproductive organs. The predicted feed intake overestimate 0.41 g / day (P> 0.05) and 2.65 g / day (P> 0.001) to Hy-Line Brown and Isa Brown, respectively. Yolk production, internal cycle and the weight of egg components was calculated for the laying phase and based on this information was calculated effective energy intake and aminoacids (lysine and methionine plus cystine). The average egg weight was 55.1 g and 59.7 g at peak production for Hy-Line and ISA-Brown strain. In this period the average intake of effective energy and lysine was 1067 kJ / d and 723 mg / d for average Hy-Line birds, 1075 kJ / d and 744 mg / d for ISA-Brown. Mathematical Models is a tool to predict the potential for egg production and nutrient intake. Constituting valuable information to simulate responses to different populations, as well as providing knowledge of the biological system involved in the production. / FAPESP: 2013/25761-4

No description available.

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, feeding no mineral supplement or organic minerals significantly (P<0.05) decreased manure Cu, Fe and Zn for white pullets and Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn for brown pullets. Dietary phytase significantly reduced manure Fe, P and Ca for white pullets and Fe, Mn, Zn, P and Ca for brown pullets. Adding phytase to diets containing inorganic minerals reduced manure Zn concentration for white pullets and manure Fe, Mn, Zn, P and Ca concentrations for brown pullets. These studies indicate manure levels of trace minerals can be decreased by using low levels of organic mineral supplements and phytase in pullet diets.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes nÃveis de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) nas raÃÃes de frangas de duas linhagens comerciais de aves de postura, no perÃodo de 7 a 17 semanas de idade, sobre a curva de crescimento corporal e Ãssea e a deposiÃÃo de componentes na carcaÃa e nos ossos. Foram utilizadas 648 aves de cada linhagem, distribuÃdas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, composto de trÃs nÃveis de FDN (14,5; 16,5 e 18,5%) e duas linhagens (LOHMAN LSL e HY LINE BROWN), com quatro repetiÃÃes de 54 aves. Semanalmente, foram avaliados o peso corporal e das penas, peso e comprimento dos ossos (tÃbia e fÃmur) e a composiÃÃo corporal e dos ossos em proteÃna, cinzas e Ãgua. As curvas de crescimento e deposiÃÃo foram determinadas aplicando-se os dados na funÃÃo de Gompertz. NÃo houve interaÃÃo entre linhagem e nÃvel de FDN da raÃÃo, para os parÃmetros da equaÃÃo de Gompertz determinados, para todas as caracterÃsticas avaliadas. Os nÃveis de FDN da raÃÃo influenciaram significativamente nos parÃmetros da curva de crescimento para peso corporal e deposiÃÃo de Ãgua, de modo que o nÃvel de 14,5% de FDN possibilitou maior peso corporal e de deposiÃÃo de Ãgua à maturidade (Pm), maior idade de mÃximo crescimento (t*) e menor taxa de maturidade (b) que os demais nÃveis testados. Entretanto, os parÃmetros da curva de crescimento para o peso e o comprimento da tÃbia e do fÃmur, assim como, as estimativas dos parÃmetros para a deposiÃÃo de Ãgua nos ossos e as deposiÃÃes de proteÃna e matÃria mineral na carcaÃa e nos osso nÃo foram influencias significativamente pelo nÃvel de FDN da raÃÃo. Entre as linhagem, observou-se que as aves leves, apresentaram menor taxa de maturidade (b) e menor peso à maturidade (Pm), sem apresentar diferenÃas significativas na idade de mÃximo crescimento (t*). Os parÃmetros para a deposiÃÃo de proteÃna e cinzas na carcaÃa nÃo variaram significativamente, enquanto, as aves leves apresentaram menores estimativas de taxa de maturidade (b) para a deposiÃÃo de Ãgua corporal em relaÃÃo Ãs aves semipesadas. NÃo houve diferenÃa entre as linhagens para os parÃmetros estimados para o comprimento da tÃbia e do fÃmur, peso da tÃbia, deposiÃÃo de proteÃna e cinzas da tÃbia. Entretanto, para o peso do fÃmur, deposiÃÃo de proteÃna no fÃmur e deposiÃÃo de Ãgua na tÃbia, as aves leves apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e valor da idade de mÃximo crescimento (t*) e menor valor na taxa de maturidade (b) em comparaÃÃo as aves semipesada, as quais apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e valor da idade de mÃximo crescimento (t*) e menor valor na taxa de maturidade (b) em comparaÃÃo as aves leves para deposiÃÃo de Ãgua no fÃmur. Assim, o nÃvel de FDN da raÃÃo de recria pode ser utilizado para modificar a curva de crescimento das frangas leves e semipesadas, podendo-se controlar o ganho de peso corporal pelo aumento do seu nÃvel na raÃÃo em nÃvel superior a 14,5%, sem alterar o crescimento dos ossos e a deposiÃÃo de Ãgua, matÃria mineral e proteÃna na carcaÃa e nos ossos atà o nÃvel de 18,5%. Embora as poedeiras semipesadas da linhagem avaliada apresentem maior potencial de crescimento corporal e das penas em relaÃÃo Ãs leves, essa aves sÃo semelhantes quanto à proporÃÃo de proteÃna e matÃria mineral depositada na carcaÃa e divergem no desenvolvimento dos ossos quanto ao peso e deposiÃÃo de Ãgua e proteÃna no fÃmur. / The objective was to evaluate the effect of using different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in diets for hens of two commercial layer-hen strains from 7 to 17 weeks of age on the growth curve and deposition of body components and bones. A total of 648 birds from each strain were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 à 2 factorial arrangement consisting of three levels of NDF and two strains, with four replicates of 54 birds. The tested NDF levels were 14.5, 16.5 and 18.5%. Additionally, live weight, feather weight, body composition of protein, ash and water, bones weight, bones length and bones composition of protein, ash and water were evaluated. Growth curves were determined by applying the data on Gompertz function. According to the results, there was no interaction among factors, strain and NDF levels for the parameters of the equation of Gompertz determined for all evaluated traits. The NDF levels of the diet affected the estimates of weight at maturity and water deposition in the carcass. The level of 14.5% NDF allowed for greater weight at maturity (Wm), greater age at maximum growth (t*) and lower maturity rate (b) than the other tested levels. There was no influence of NDF levels tested on the parameters of the growth curve for weight and length of the tibia and femur (P <0.05). There was no influence of NDF levels tested on the estimates of the parameters of the Gompertz equation for the composition of water, protein and ash of the tibia and fÃmur (P <0.05). The level of NDF in the ration of growing can be used to modify the growth curve of pullets, being able to control the body weight gain by increasing its level in the ration without changing the deposition of water, ash and protein in the carcass. Pullets fed diets containing up to 18.5% inclusion of NDF, during 7-17 weeks of age, showed no changes in the curves of growth and nutrient deposition in the tibia and femur.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) can cause chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. Impacts of MG infections can include increased morbidity and mortality, decreased egg production, hatchability and feed efficiency. Biosecurity and bio-surveillance remain the primary means of deterrence as the current means of control are not wholly effective. Further applications towards the characterization of MG-related disease control requires proper understanding of the characteristics of MG infections with accurate and efficient quantification of in vivo MG populations. To this end, study was conducted to determine the in vivo MG populations in infected pullets and to determine impact of sampling schedule. The role of sampling in 3 distinct anatomical sites, and their associated MG populations were also compared. Results confirmed that sampling events did not affect MG populations and as a possible confounding factor, sampling frequency could be avoided for the future development of novel means of MG control.