Feed costs account for over half of total production costs in broiler farming; thus, minimizing them without compromising performance is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary feed additives containing zinc and manganese chelates, vitamins C and D, and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on growth performance, carcass traits, and footpad dermatitis, and to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. A total of 144 male day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments, each replicated four times with nine birds per replicate. The dietary treatments consist of a basal diet without any additive (T1) and the basal diet supplemented with the feed additive at three inclusion levels: 0.5 g/kg (T2), 1 g/kg (T3), and 2 g/kg (T4). These inclusion levels supplied with 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of chelated Zn and Mn; 424.5, 849, and 1,698 mg/kg of sodium bicarbonate; 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg of vitamin C; and up to 325, 650, and 1,300 IU/kg of vitamin D, respectively. The results showed that supplementing the basal diet with 2 g of Zn and Mn chelates, vitamins C and D, and a NaHCO₃ mixture per kg significantly enhanced broiler performance, especially in body weight, feed intake, and weight gain during the second week. Clear linear effects appeared in the early production stages. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis indicated that higher supplementation was economically beneficial. Furthermore, no adverse effects were observed on carcass characteristics, skin tearing, or footpad dermatitis. In conclusion, increased supplementation with these nutrients improved broiler chicken performance during the early production phase.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2026.49.1.bm.vi

Nutrition is a vital component of health, productivity, and performance. During the last decades, nanotechnology has been highlighted as an innovative technique in the area of animal nutrition, which is used for improving nutrient utilization/supply and maintaining the health of the animal. Among the nano-minerals, selenium nano-particles (Nano-Se) have been of exceptional interest because of higher bioavailability and biological activity than the traditional sources of Se. Nano-Se is essential for growth performance, gut health, and immunity in rabbits. The absorption of trace elements is essential for an animal’s growth and productivity. Nano-Se has exhibited visible potential in advancing physiological processes, functioning as an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. These attributes result in better immune response, healthier guts, and proper organ function. Moreover, selenium is well known for its vital role in immune regulation, digestion, and metabolism. Several reports are available on the beneficial effects of Nano-Se supplementation on production performance, reproductive performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in rabbits. By modulating the expression of tight junction proteins, Nano-Se safeguards gut barrier function, improves hematobiochemical profiles, and supports tissue histology. Therefore, Nano-Se not only enhances biological performance but also the economic efficiency of rabbit production. The review provides a comprehensive and updated overview of the action mechanisms, effective dosage levels, and physiological effects of Nano-Se on rabbit growth, nutrient digestibility, reproduction, immunity, and intestinal health. It also stresses the necessity of precise selenium supplementation and indicates the range of optimum dietary selenium levels between 0.05 and 0.3 mg/kg, depending on the diet composition. Further research is needed to establish proper and safe Nano-Se supplementation guidelines for sustainable rabbit production.

This study investigated the chemical composition and anthelmintic activity of Acanthophora spicifera against Haemonchus contortus from sheep in vitro. Fresh macroalgae were collected from Sepanjang Beach, Gunungkidul, Indonesia. Proximate analysis, fiber fractions, mineral composition, and color profile analysis were conducted to determine chemical profile of the macroalga. It was extracted by maceration with 96% ethanol (1:5) and ultrasonication. Secondary metabolites analyzed from the extract included total flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. The anthelmintic activity was tested in vitro through H. contortus adult worm motility and egg hatch inhibition tests. Extract treatments included P0: 0.9% physiological NaCl (negative control); P1: 0.5 mg/mL macroalgal extract; P2: 1 mg/mL macroalgal extract; P3: 1.5 mg/mL macroalgal extract; and Palb: 0.5 mg/mL albendazole (positive control). Motility test results showed that the use of macroalgae at levels of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/mL significantly reduced H. contortus motility (p<0.05). However, effective LD₅₀ was reached in 1 and 1.5 mg/mL within the first 10 hours, and LD₁₀₀ after 21 hours (p<0.05). None of the extract levels matched the efficacy of albendazole (p<0.05). The egg hatch inhibition test revealed that the use of macroalgae at levels of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited H. contortus egg hatching by more than 85.73% after 24 hours (p<0.01), demonstrating comparable efficacy to albendazole. Based on these findings, A. spicifera extract contains various secondary metabolites with anthelmintic activity, inhibiting both H. contortus adult worm motility and egg hatching. This suggests that A. spicifera has potential for further development as a bioanthelmintic for ruminant parasite control, although further in vivo studies are needed.

The efficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass is essential for sustainable bioenergy production and the enhancement of ruminant feed quality. This study aimed to isolate and characterize cellulase and xylanase-producing fungi from soil and decayed wood samples collected in the Hala-Bala Forest, Yala Province, Thailand, and to evaluate their potential for rice straw fermentation. A total of 15 fungal isolates were obtained through selective culturing and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing. The identified species included Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium oxalicum, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus flavus, among others. Enzymatic activity was screened using plate assays with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xylan substrates. T. reesei demonstrated the highest enzymatic potential, with clear zones of 5.2 cm for cellulase and 6.8 cm for xylanase. Six top-performing strains (T. reesei, A. niger, F. oxysporum, A. flavus, C. globosum, and T. viride) were selected for rice straw fermentation trials using a completely randomized design. Fermentation quality was assessed through pH, lactic acid content, and organoleptic properties (color, odor, and texture). Results revealed that rice straw fermented with A. niger, A. flavus, and T. viride exhibited optimal pH, high lactic acid levels, and favorable physical characteristics. Additionally, chemical composition analysis showed that rice straw fermented with A. niger and T. viride had significantly higher crude protein content and improved fiber fractions (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose), indicating improved nutritional value for ruminants. These findings emphasize the possible use of indigenous fungal isolates for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products for sustainable agriculture and energy applications.

A comprehensive understanding of agricultural production variables is essential for developing effective agricultural strategies. To identify the key factors shaping cattle farming practices in Côte d’Ivoire, a study was conducted to characterize the diversity of livestock farming practices and identify the different typologies of livestock production systems in the northern (Poro, Tchologo, and Bagoué) and north-eastern (Bounkani) regions. The methodology involved a structured survey targeting livestock farmers. Participants were selected based on two main criteria: the accessibility of their farms and their willingness to share information. Data collection was carried out using a standardized questionnaire designed to gather information on socio-economic characteristics, herd composition, farming practices, and constraints. Of the 105 livestock farmers initially identified, only 53 satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the survey. The results revealed that cattle farming is predominantly managed by Peulh ethnic groups originating from neighbouring countries (Mali and Burkina Faso) to the north. Herds are largely composed of Méré and Zebu cattle breeds. Through data analysis, three distinct livestock production systems were identified: (i) sedentary native farmers engaged in livestock rearing as a secondary activity alongside trade, (ii) semi-transhumant Fulani pastoralists for whom livestock is the primary livelihood, and (iii) agro-pastoralists integrating crop and livestock farming. The main challenges reported by farmers include feed shortages and animal diseases, with additional constraints related to land-use conflicts and limited access to agricultural services. Farmers expressed the need for designated grazing areas, affordable feed supplements, and improved access to veterinary care. This typology provides a clear view of livestock systems in Côte d’Ivoire. It serves as an effective foundation for an integrated strategy to improve Ivorian livestock production.

The valorization of agricultural residues as alternative feed resources is increasingly critical for enhancing livestock sustainability. This study investigates the potential of sequential fermentation to improve the nutritional quality of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus L.) residues and evaluates the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with machine learning (ML) models for rapid feed quality assessment. Citronella residues were subjected to sequential fungal and lactic acid bacterial fermentation, and their feed quality attributes, including moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and ash content, were measured using standard laboratory methods. NIR spectra were acquired from 1000 to 2500 nm and analyzed using partial least squares regression (PLSR), ridge regression, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), and support vector machine regression (SVMR). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a high degree of spectral homogeneity with sufficient underlying variability to enable robust modeling. Among the models evaluated, AdaBoost and SVMR consistently outperformed linear models, achieving high coefficients of determination (R² ≥ 0.99) and low root mean square errors (RMSE). Particularly, SVMR and AdaBoost achieved high predictive accuracy for moisture, crude protein, and ether extract content, with residual predictive deviation (RPD) values far exceeding standard thresholds. The integration of sequential fermentation, NIRS, and advanced ML algorithms presents a rapid, non-destructive, and sustainable approach to upgrading and monitoring alternative fibrous feed sources, supporting broader initiatives in circular bioeconomy and sustainable animal production.

This study evaluated the efficacy of chive ( Allium schoenoprasum ) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum 1582 (FC) as an antibiotic alternative in controlling Eimeria acervulina infection in broiler chickens. A total of 250 J-Dabaco male chickens were divided into five treatment groups, each with five replicates (cages) of 10 chickens: PC - positive control, NC - negative control, FC1 - supplemented with 1% FC, FC3 - supplemented with 3% FC, and antibiotic treatment (AB). Chickens in the NC, FC1, FC3, and AB groups were experimentally infected with E. acervulina at 14 days of age and monitored until day 42. Assessed variables included growth performance (body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), production efficiency index (PEI), serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), ileal mRNA expression of tight junction (ZO-1, Claudin-2) and immune-related genes (IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ), fecal oocyst counts, and intestinal lesion scores. The results showed that both FC3 and FC1 groups improved BWG, FI, FCR, SR, and PEI, with the FC3 group showing the best performance, equivalent to the AB group. Additionally, FC contributed to preserving the integrity of the intestinal epithelium by enhancing tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, Claudin-2) and reducing inflammatory responses (IFN-γ, TNF-α), as well as reinforcing the intestinal barrier by improving villus morphology and reducing intestinal mucosal damage scores. Moreover, a significant reduction in Eimeria oocyst counts in the excretion demonstrated effective parasite control. These findings suggest that FC, especially at 3% concentration, can be an effective alternative to antibiotics in broiler farming for controlling coccidiosis and improving the safety and sustainability of production.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding the multienzyme Apsazyme (glucanase, xylanase, galactosidase, mannanase) to diets containing different levels of wheat distiller’s dried grains with solubles (WDDGS) on performance, ileal bacteria, intestinal viscosity, pH, and blood variables of broiler chickens. For this purpose, 300 one-day-old male and female broilers of the Ross 308 strain were used. The experimental diets included three levels of WDDGS (0%, 10%, and 20%) with and without multienzyme (125 g/ton). Data analysis was done using SAS statistical software as a factorial design. The use of 20% WDDGS reduced feed intake (FI) in the finisher period and total period compared to the control treatment (p<0.05). The use of 20% WDDGS level reduced body weight gain (BWG) compared to 10% WDDGS treatment (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly reduced in birds fed with 125 g/ton of multienzyme diet (p<0.05). The number of aerobes bacteria and coliform was higher in broiler chickens fed with 10% and 20% WDDGS diet compared to the control treatment (p<0.05). Also, the use of multienzyme increased the number of lactic acid bacteria in the ileum. Multienzyme supplementation significantly reduced the increase in intestinal viscosity and pH caused by the 20% WDDGS level (p<0.05). Using 20% WDDGS in the diet increased the serum albumin concentration compared to 10% and 0% WDDGS (p<0.05). Finally, it can be concluded that the use of multienzymes compensates for the negative effects of diets containing 20% ​​WDDGS on performance by reducing intestinal viscosity and modulating the gut microbial population. Therefore, it is recommended to add a multienzyme to the diet when using a 20% WDDGS level.

Plant-derived supplements, such as tomato flour (TF), may enhance organ function and improve productive performance in poultry, but their effects under tropical conditions and between sexes remain unclear. This study assessed the effects of TF supplementation and sex on productive performance, hepatic function, and intestinal morphometry in broilers reared under tropical conditions. A total of 300 28-day-old Cobb-500 broilers were randomly allocated to six treatments: males and females fed a conventional diet or diets supplemented with 1% or 2% TF (T1-T6). Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly to evaluate productive performance. Intestinal morphometry (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), hepatic fatty infiltration (HFI), and liver function were analyzed. Supplementation with 1% TF improved final weight and FCR in male broilers (p<0.05). Supplementation with 2% TF reduced HFI in both sexes (p= 0.01) and lowered the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio in males (p= 0.015). However, 2% TF impaired villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in females, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05), while males were less affected. These findings indicate that TF enhances hepatic function and productive performance while reducing HFI in tropical-reared broilers. Its effects on intestinal morphometry are dose- and sex-dependent, with females being more negatively affected at higher doses, warranting further research into sex-specific dietary strategies.