Mirosław Banaszak

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aluminosilicates in feed and litter on the microstructure of broiler breast muscle and small intestine. The research was carried out on 3 farms with 500 broilers divided into five groups per farm. Groups II–V received halloysite and zeolite...

In recent years, the free-range system for laying hens has increased, driven by societal sensitivity to animal welfare. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the total lipid, cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of egg yolks of late-age laying hens reared in enriched cages (C) and the free-range system (FR). Eggs were collected from Lohmann Brown Classic hens at the 68th, 70th, 72nd, and 74th week of age. The concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol were not affected (p > 0.05) by either factor. Egg yolk from the FR group showed lower (p < 0.01) monounsaturated fatty acids and higher (p < 0.01) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) compared with that of the C group. From a nutritional point of view, the PUFA n-6/n-3 and the PUFA/SFA ratios of egg yolk from the FR group were favorably lower and higher (p < 0.01) compared with the C one. Conversely, hen age did not affect (p > 0.05) the fatty acid composition of yolks. Interactions between factors were found for total n-3 and n-6 PUFA and the n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.01), as well as the thrombogenic index (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results confirmed that the free-range system may improve the nutritional yolk fatty acid profile and its positive impact on human health.

The study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of pellet bedding made of straw or coffee husks (10, 25, 50%) and the performance characteristics of broiler ducks and footpad dermatitis. During rearing, the properties of the bedding and utility features of ducks were analyzed, and the frequency of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in ducks was verified. There was a decrease in dry matter from the 28th day of rearing. The crude fiber, NDF, ADF, and nitrogen content decreased compared to fresh bedding, while phosphorus and potassium increased. The highest pH was found in the CH25 and CH50 groups in fresh bedding on day 42 and in CH50 on day 14. High adj. R² was found due to rearing time and bedding material (0.817–0.985). The ducks’ growth rate in the CH25 group was higher at week 6 than in the other groups. In CH10 and CH25 groups, higher carcass weight was found than in group C. In group CH10, a higher weight of pectoral muscles and lower wing proportion was found than in C. In CH25, a higher remains weight was shown than in C and CH50. In CH50, lower water-holding capacity in the pectoral muscles was found than in the other groups. Considering the bedding (the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), carcass features, and meat quality (water-holding capacity, intramuscular fat, and water content), it is possible to use 10, 25 or 50% of coffee husks in straw pellets in the rearing of broiler ducks. Due to the FPD, the moisture should be lowered.

Bedding material is a crucial environmental factor for chickens. Coffee husks are waste from the industry that could be reused. The study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of various bedding types and assess their impact on the performance characteristics of broiler chickens and the incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD). Ross 308 broilers were used in the study. Birds were divided into 3 groups (216 chickens, 72 per group). Group 1 was kept on chopped straw (S). Group 2 was kept on coffee husks (CHs), and the 3rd group (PB) was kept on pellet bedding made from S and CHs in a 1:1 ratio. The dry matter (DM), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) content, and the pH of the bedding were analyzed. Production results were examined during 42 days of rearing. FPD was assessed on a point scale. The tissue composition of the carcasses and qualitative physicochemical characteristics of the meat (pH, color, water holding capacity, drip loss) and bone-breaking strength were analyzed. Straw had a higher CF content. In total, the highest N content in CHs was noticed. P content was lower in the S, and K was the highest in the CHs group, followed by S and PB. The pH of the bedding was lower in the CHs group, higher in PB, and highest in S bedding. The DM was decreasing within the days of rearing. A significant interaction was demonstrated between the type of bedding and rearing days on the bedding (manure) composition. On days 1–14, FCR deteriorated in the PB group compared to the S group. The presence of FPD was significantly lower in the PB group than in the others. In the PB group, chickens had a higher slaughter yield than in the S group and a lower weight and liver share than in the CHs group. The weight and proportion of abdominal fat were higher in the group kept on S than on CHs. It can be concluded that coffee husks as a component of pellets had a beneficial effect on reducing FPD in chickens and their slaughter yield and enriched bedding with nutrients, which with poultry manure, could be a good fertilizer for agricultural soils after rearing. It could be recommended to use pelleted bedding.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production efficiency (economics), growth, and meat quality of ducks fed with feed partially replaced with wheat. A total of 200 ducks were reared for 49 days. Each group consisted of 50 ducks (5 pens with 10 birds). For slaughter, 10 birds per group were chosen. The control group (C) was provided with a complete feed. In the experimental groups, from 42 to 49 days, the feed was replaced with wheat grains at the level of 10% (W10), 20% (W20), or 40% (W40). In the W20 and W40 groups, the cost of feed was reduced. In the W40 group, the profit per 1 kg carcass was increased by PLN 3.34 (more than 24% higher than the C group profit). A higher percentage of pectoral muscles and intramuscular fat was observed in the W20 group, with lower water content. A lower water-holding capacity (WHC) was observed in the duck leg muscles in group W40. The muscles from the W20 group had higher protein, collagen, and water content, and the fat was highest in the W40 group. A lower toughness of cooked meat was observed in the W20 group, and lower shear force in the pectoral muscles of groups C and W40. Thinning feed with wheat grains could represent an alternative to conventional feeding of broiler ducks, owing to reduced feed costs, with no negative impact on utility features, including growth, except the share of pectoral muscle and water absorption traits.

The assessment of aluminosilicates’ impact on the production of chickens, the physical features of the intestines, and leg bones was done. 500 Ross 308 chickens were used and divided into 5 groups. The control group was I. Groups II, III, IV, and V were fed with halloysite and zeolite (1:3 ratio) at 0,5% (1–35 days; starter, grower 1 and 2) and 1% (36–42 days; finisher) levels. Aluminosilicates were also used for the peat litter: II—500 g of halloysite/m²; III—250 g of halloysite/m² and 250 g of zeolite/m²; IV—500 g of zeolite/m²; V—130 g halloysite/m², 370 g zeolite/m². During 42 days, growth and feed indicators were recorded. 10 birds from each group were selected for slaughter. The digestive tract, femur, and tibia bones were sampled, and physical features were analyzed (weight, length, and strength). A lower feed conversion ratio on days 23–35 was found in the groups with the aluminosilicates addition. In group V a lower weight of the gizzard was found than in group I. A liver weight was higher in group V than in group III. A higher strength of the femurs was demonstrated in group IV. The tibia bones were characterized by higher strength than the femurs of broiler chickens. The aluminosilicates to feed and litter had no adverse effect.

Zeolite is an effective and non-toxic silicate mineral. Its properties are widely used in industry due to its sorption and ion exchange properties. Due to its excellent chemical properties, it has also great potential in poultry production as a food additive or supplement to bedding. This is of great importance for the biosafety and hygiene of production. The study aimed to analyse the effects of simultaneous application of zeolite to feed and bedding on production parameters and expression of genes related to intestinal tightness, organism defence, and immune response. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in the experiment. In the experimental group, an external factor in the form of a powdery zeolite was used for feed and pelleted bedding. On the day of slaughter, the caecal mucosa was collected for gene expression analysis. We showed no significant changes in the tissue composition of the carcasses, but zeolite had a beneficial effect on the carcass yield. The analysis of the immune gene panel showed a significant increase in the expression of the interleukins and interferons genes. We have demonstrated the effect of zeolite on the improvement of the intestinal barrier and increasing the tightness of the intestines. There were no changes in gene expression related to the host’s defence against infections; therefore, based on the obtained results, it was concluded that zeolite can be considered an immunomodulating factor of the immune system.