Muhammad Waqas

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the effects of organic acid supplementation on growth performance and disease-related parameters in broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, yielding 11 controlled experimental studies for quantitative analysis. The outcomes measured were BWG, feed conversion ratio (FCR), lesion score, and oocyst count (OPG). No overall significant effect of organic acid supplementation was detected on body weight gain (BWG) (MD = 49.88 g; 95% CI: −156.94 to 256.70; p = 0.64) and FCR (MD = −0.12 g/g; 95% CI: −0.25 to 0.01; p = 0.08), with high heterogeneity across investigations (I² = 100%) as identified through random-effects meta-analysis. Organic acid supplementation was associated with lower lesion scores (MD = −1.08 score units; 95% CI: −1.39 to −0.77; p < 0.00001; I² = 57%) and reduced oocyst shedding (SMD = −1.25; 95% CI: −2.25 to −0.25; p = 0.01; I² = 93%). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested possible differences according to study duration, organic acid type, Eimeria species, and measurement time point. However, several subgroup estimates were based on a small number of studies and should therefore be interpreted cautiously rather than as confirmatory evidence of differential efficacy. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses showed stable conclusions for BWG, FCR, and lesion score, whereas the statistical significance of the OPG effect was sensitive to omission of some studies. Exploratory assessments suggested possible small-study effects for BWG and OPG, but these analyses were underpowered because fewer than 10 studies contributed to each outcome. Using the GRADE framework, the certainty of evidence was rated as very low for BWG, FCR, lesion score, and OPG because of risk-of-bias concerns, inconsistency, and imprecision. Overall, very low-certainty evidence suggests that organic acids may reduce intestinal lesion severity and oocyst shedding, whereas their effects on growth performance remain uncertain. Further well-designed and standardized studies are required to clarify treatment effects and optimal supplementation strategies.

This study evaluated the effects of different environmental enrichment tools on broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 120,000 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments, each consisting of four replicates with 6000 birds per replicate. Replicates were housed in pens measuring approximately 362 m². The treatments included: T1, green balls (approximately 40 balls per pen); T2, hanging toys (8–10 toys per pen); T3, hanging strings (8–10 string bundles per pen); T4, rotational use of green balls, hanging toys, and strings at equivalent densities; and T5, a control group without enrichment. Data were collected on growth performance, foot health, behavioral activity, serum biochemical parameters, and carcass and meat quality traits. Birds provided with hanging enrichment tools showed significantly improved growth performance (p ≤ 0.05) compared with the control group. Among enriched treatments, T2 yielded the highest body weight and weight gain, as well as the lowest feed conversion ratio. Enrichment treatments also resulted in significant improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in carcass characteristics and selected meat quality parameters, including lightness (L*) and pH stability. Behavioral observations indicated substantially higher activity levels in enriched groups relative to the control. Toe damage scores differed significantly among treatments (p = 0.004), with the lowest scores observed in T1 and the highest in T4; however, no significant differences were detected in footpad dermatitis or hock burn scores (p > 0.05). In conclusion, hanging environmental enrichment tools, particularly hanging toys, can effectively enhance growth performance, behavioral activity, and selected carcass and meat quality traits in broiler production systems, while their effects on footpad health appear limited under the conditions of this study.

Fermentation-based feed processing has been proposed as a nutritional approach to improve nutrient availability and metabolic efficiency in laying hens. However, information on its impact on production performance and egg quality remains limited. This meta-analysis statistically assessed the impact of fermented feed supplementation on the production performance and egg quality parameters of laying hens while investigating potential sources of heterogeneity across studies. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and controlled intervention studies with non-fermented control diets. Two primary outcomes were examined: (1) production performance and (2) egg quality. Multilevel random-effects meta-analyses employing restricted maximum likelihood were conducted to address multiple effect sizes. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q statistic and I² estimates. Meta-regression analyses were performed considering dietary inclusion level, trial duration, and total hens, with subgroup analyses based on fermented feed type, assessment of publication bias using Egger’s test and trim-and-fill methods, and leave-one-study-out sensitivity analysis. Twenty-four studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. Supplementation with fermented feed markedly enhanced the egg-laying rate (MD = 2.11 percentage points; 95% CI: 0.92–3.30; p = 0.0005), Haugh unit (MD = 1.99; 95% CI: 0.61–3.38; p = 0.0048), and eggshell thickness (MD = 0.0081 mm; 95% CI: 0.0037–0.0124; p = 0.0003), whereas no significant overall effect was noted on the feed-to-egg ratio (MD = −0.0384 g feed/g egg; 95% CI: −0.0871–0.0103; p = 0.1218). Significant heterogeneity was observed across outcomes (I² ≈ 73–93%). Subgroup analyses revealed notable feed-type-specific effects, whereas meta-regression indicated that dietary inclusion level is a significant moderator of the feed-to-egg ratio. Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the pooled estimates, and publication bias did not significantly influence the results. Supplementation with fermented feed was associated with improvements in egg-laying rate, albumen quality (Haugh unit), and eggshell thickness in laying hens. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies and variability in effect sizes indicate that responses may depend on feed type, inclusion level, and study conditions. These findings should therefore be interpreted with caution, and further well-designed and standardized trials are needed to confirm the consistency and magnitude of these effects.

This study evaluated the metabolic and mineral profiles in the blood serum of Simmental dairy cows during the transition period to assess their energy, protein, and mineral status. A total of 78 cows from 10 farms in Samsun Province were grouped based on farm size (medium, large), altitude (sea level, mid-altitude), and dietary energy level (low, optimum). Blood samples were collected three weeks before calving, at calving, and three weeks postpartum. Farm size and altitude had no significant effect on serum glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels; however, dietary energy levels had a significant impact (P = 0.004). Cows fed optimum energy diets had significantly higher prepartum serum glucose concentrations (P < 0.008). Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) concentrations were below risk thresholds, indicating that the cows were likely not experiencing negative energy balance. NEFA. Serum total cholesterol and HDL levels increased significantly (P < 0.001), while LDL levels remained stable, reflecting mild liver stress and effective NEFA utilization during the postpartum period. LDL levels were higher in cows on low-energy diets (P < 0.001), but without adverse hepatic effects. Total protein levels were the lowest prepartum and increased postpartum, particularly in cows fed optimum energy content. Liver enzymes (AST and ALT) were influenced by both feed and period but remained within physiological limits. Triglyceride (TG) levels remained within reference ranges, suggesting no hepatic fat accumulation. Altitude had a significant effect on MDA levels, which were elevated at mid-altitudes. In contrast, SOD levels showed no significant variation. Serum calcium and magnesium were influenced by dietary energy levels, while phosphorus levels remained unaffected. In conclusion, both dietary energy level and physiological period significantly influenced metabolic and mineral parameters in Simmental dairy cows during the transition period. Conversely, farm size and altitude had minimal effects. Feeding cows an optimal-energy diet supported overall metabolic health throughout the transition period.

The objective of this thesis project was to investigate the efficacies of dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves and the yeast ( Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (SC ) based prebiotic (cell wall components) on the growth performance, blood biochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 320 (Ross 308) straight one-day-old broiler chicks were utilized in this study. The chicks were indiscriminately allocated into four groups: 1 control group and three experimental groups; each experimental group was replicated 4 times with 20 chicks each. The control group (C) was fed a basal diet (without MO and SC addition). The MO group received a basal diet supplemented with 1.5% dried MO leaf powder; the SC group received a basal diet supplemented with 1.5% Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (SC); and the MO + SC group received a basal diet supplemented with 1.5% MO + 1.5% SC. The experiment lasted 40 days, and birds were offered isocaloric and isonitrogenous feed and water ad libitum. From the first week up to the end of the study, the separate and combined use of MO and SC treatment groups significantly impacted the average live weight compared to the control group. At the end of the study, the best feed conversion ratio was observed in the MO + SC and MO groups. The highest (P < 0.05) carcass weight was obtained treated groups compared to the control group. The relative weights of the liver and gizzard were significantly greater in the MO + SC group, while the kidney and spleen also showed notable (P < 0.05) increases. Similarly, the bursa of Fabricius and pancreas were markedly higher in the treated groups compared with the control. In terms of meat quality, no significant differences were detected in pH or water-holding capacity; however, lightness, redness, yellowness, and cooking loss varied significantly between the treatment and control groups at both 0 and 24 hours post-slaughter. Significant variations were observed among the experimental groups for all fatty acids, with the exception of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P ≤ 0.001). As a result, using Moringa oleifera leaves powder and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae at 1.5% in broiler rations significantly contributed to growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and fatty acids profile of meat in broiler chickens