British Poultry Science最新文献

{"title":"Digestible sulphur amino acid to digestible lysine ratios in relation to performance, feather traits and skin properties in broiler chickens.","authors":"M B Carvalho, T S Andrade, N Rohloff Junior, G Toniazzo, D S Gust, E M Henz, M L R Maia, A A Calderano, P C Pozza, J G Vargas Junior, C Eyng, R V Nunes","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2671408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2671408","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated the effects of digestible sulphur amino acids to digestible lysine ratios (dSAA:dLys), applied in increasing and decreasing series, on growth performance, gene expression, plasma homocysteine and taurine and feather quality in broiler chicken.2. Two trials were conducted using 720 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) from 1 to 24 d of age in a completely randomised experiment using four treatments with nine replicates of 20 birds. Treatments consisted of dSAA:dLys ratios applied across the pre-starter (1-10 d) and starter (11-24 d) phases in a decreasing (Trial 1) or an increasing manner (Trial 2).3. In Trial 1, dSAA:dLys ratios (pre-starter/starter) were: TRT1 (84/82%), TRT2 (82/80%), TRT3 (80/78%) and TRT4 (78/76%). In Trial 2, dSAA:dLys ratios (pre-starter/starter) were: TRT1 (78/80%), TRT2 (76/78%), TRT3 (74/76%) and TRT4 (72/74%).4. In the decreasing series of the dSAA:dLys ratio, higher levels improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 24 d of age. The increase favoured feather structural development, providing a linear increase in primary follicle diameter, while feather weight and calamus thickness showed quadratic responses. The maxima was estimated at approximately 78% of the dSAA:dLys ratio, which indicated greater structural development in feathers near this level.5. For the increasing treatments, a linear response was observed in the length of vane 1 of the eighth primary feather and greater skin hardness was estimated at approximately 78% of the dSAA:dLys ratio. This suggested enhanced feather development and greater mechanical resistance of the skin.6. In conclusion, dSAA:dLys ratios at 78% improved feather structure and FCR in the decreasing series and maximised skin hardness in broiler chickens in the increasing series.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148263453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of the ubiquitin associated protein 2 gene marker for sex identification across poultry species.","authors":"X X Jia, Q W Chen, X J Tang, J X Lu, Y F Fan, B Zhou, Y S Gao","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2662301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2662301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. In many poultry species, the absence of pronounced sexual dimorphism or its delayed onset until adulthood complicates visual sex identification. This directly hinders effective breeding and conservation management protocols.2. Sex identification analysis of 11 poultry species was performed, based on the gene ubiquitin-associated protein 2 (<i>UBAP2</i>). Blood and feather samples obtained from both males and females were used for genomic DNA extraction. Subsequent PCR amplification was conducted with <i>UBAP2</i> primers. The amplification outcomes were characterised using both agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis plots. The obtained gene fragments were sequenced to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the <i>UBAP2</i> sequences across the species under study.3. The length polymorphism between <i>UBAP2</i>-W and <i>UBAP2</i>-Z homologous genes allowed clear sex discrimination by agarose gel electrophoresis in chicken, turkey, quail, chukar partridge and pheasant. However, in Muscovy duck, mule duck, goose, guinea fowl sexing was achieved using capillary electrophoresis. Duck and pigeon exhibited a single band or peak, regardless of sex.4. As sequences of species within a family were clustered together, it was predicted that those closely related to each other shared similar <i>UBAP2</i> sequences. The results demonstrated that <i>UBAP2</i> is an effective marker for genetic sex identification in nine poultry species.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148263328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids and apparent metabolisable energy contents of cereal ingredients fed to broiler chickens as affected by growth period and energy evaluation method.","authors":"I Cho, J H Yoon, H J Jung, C Kong","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2678922","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2678922","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated metabolisable energy (ME) and amino acid (AA) ileal digestibility in different cereals and processing for 9 d old broilers. It compared energy estimates derived using the total collection <i>versus</i> the indigestible marker methods and investigated growth period-related differences in energy release and ileal AA digestibility.2. Six experimental diets were formulated as mashed diets, including a nitrogen-free control and five semi-purified diets each using maize, extruded maize, wheat, fine wheat flour, or barley as the sole source of energy and AA. A total of 480 male Ross 308 broilers, aged 5 d old, were allocated to one of the six treatments each with eight pen replicates as a randomised complete block design.3. Interactions existed (<i>p</i> < 0.001) between collection method and cereal ingredient on ME. The total collection method gave higher results (<i>p</i> < 0.05) than the indigestible marker method, particularly for barley and wheat.4. Fine wheat flour had the greatest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) apparent and standardised AA ileal digestibility, followed by maize, extruded maize, wheat and barley. In the grower period, ME and ileal AA digestibility improved, and these responses were dependent on cereal and processing method.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148249377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enzyme super-dosage mitigates growth impairment in broilers fed high levels of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> and improves meat fatty acid composition.","authors":"A R Mendes, C F Martins, D F P Carvalho, O Madacussengua, M P Spínola, J I Ferreira, A M Fontes, J C Tavares, J M Pestana, M P Mourato, A J Davis, A M de Almeida, M Lordelo, J A M Prates","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2673946","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2673946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated whether pancreatin super-dosage or extrusion could mitigate the negative effects of high dietary inclusion of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> (20%), on broiler growth performance. It assessed changes in meat traits and preliminary health-related indicators.2. A total of 120, 7-d old broilers were allocated into one of four treatments; a control diet, or supplemented with either 20% untreated <i>C. vulgaris</i>, 20% <i>C. vulgaris</i> plus 0.30% pancreatin or 20% extruded <i>C. vulgaris</i>. Growth performance was monitored weekly from d 7 to 35 of age, with <i>post</i>-slaughter evaluations focusing on meat traits and organ metrics. Excreta quality and beak adhesion scores were recorded weekly.3. The results indicated that 20% <i>C. vulgaris</i> inclusion impaired growth performance and pancreatin supplementation restored final body weight to levels comparable to those of controls by d 35 of age (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Extrusion affected feed conversion ratio (FCR; <i>p</i> < 0.001). The <i>Chlorella. vulgaris</i> diets improved breast muscle yield and carcass yields increased when treatments were applied (<i>p</i> < 0.001 and <i>p</i> = 0.010, respectively).4. Meat fatty acid profile was improved which was characterised by a reduced n-6/n-3 ratio (<i>p</i> < 0.001), alongside enhanced antioxidant capacity (<i>p</i> = 0.030) and increased yellowness (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No adverse effects were observed in health-related indicators, including excreta quality, digesta viscosity and organ measurements (<i>p</i> > 0.05), although feed adhesion to the beak was increased in all <i>C. vulgaris</i> diets, particularly the extruded form (<i>p</i> < 0.001).5. In conclusion, incorporating 20% <i>C. vulgaris</i> into broiler diets was feasible when combined with enzyme super-dosage, allowing recovery of final body weight and improving meat quality without compromising animal health. However, extrusion at this inclusion level impaired feed efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148249331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary supplementation of encapsulated butyric acid (ECaB) improved production, immunity and faecal microbial profile in laying hens.","authors":"N K Kallam, G Kolluri, N D, K Lakshmi Kavitha, R K Sowjanya Lakshmi, P Kavitha","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2682358","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2682358","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This trial assessed the impact of encapsulated butyric acid (ECaB) supplementation as a sustainable nutritional approach in the diet of laying hens during the mid-production period for its performance-enhancing role.2. A total of 288 White Leg Horn (WLH) layers, aged 42 weeks, were allotted to one of the four dietary treatments with six replicates of 12 birds each. The experimental diets were offered for a period of 16 weeks (43-58 weeks) at varied concentrations of ECaB (0, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg basal diet). Daily egg production, weekly feed intake, egg quality attributes, nutrient utilisation, faecal microbial counts and immune function were measured.3. Feed intake was similar among the treatment groups. Hens fed the ECaB500 diet showed significantly higher egg production (~3%) followed by ECAB250 and ECAB125 and enhanced feed conversion and egg mass. Eggshell thickness and villus: crypt ratio linearly increased with the level of ECaB supplementation. Faecal coliforms were significantly reduced due to ECaB supplementation. Nutrient utilisation and immune response (Humoral and cell mediated) showed significant improvement in hens supplemented with ECaB.4. It was concluded that dietary supplementation with ECaB250 and ECaB500 improved performances of mid-lay hens. This was seen in enhanced production, egg quality, immune responses, nutrient utilisation and favourable faecal microbial profile.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148249418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary conjugated linoleic acid in poultry diets and its implications for hatchability, egg quality and immune function: a review.","authors":"R Aydin","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2678918","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2678918","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This paper reviews the importance of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in poultry nutrition, with particular emphasis on its effects on hatchability, egg quality, fatty acid composition and immune function across different poultry species.2. Poultry meat and eggs naturally contain low concentrations of CLA compared with ruminant-derived meat. However, dietary supplementation effectively increases CLA, resulting in value-added functional products.3. Data from chickens, quail and pigeons consistently shows that high dietary inclusion of CLA in breeder diets can negatively affect hatchability, mainly through alterations in yolk fatty acid (FA) composition rather than through direct effects on fertility.4. Dietary CLA supplementation has been associated with an increase in saturated fatty acids, particularly palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) and a concomitant reduction in monounsaturated FA such as palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) and oleic acid (C18:1, n-9). These changes are due to the inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, which disrupts yolk lipid homoeostasis and impairs embryonic lipid utilisation.5. Supplementation with CLA can reverse storage-related egg quality defects, including increased yolk firmness, discolouration of both yolk and albumen and reduced peelability following refrigeration. These effects are dose-dependent and may be partially mitigated by co-supplementation with unsaturated lipid sources that help restore yolk fatty acid balance. Beyond reproductive traits, dietary CLA has been shown to influence body fat deposition, carcase characteristics and immune responses in poultry.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148210149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A formal description of the growth and composition of bones in male and female broilers.","authors":"F Salisbury, C Angel, A Cowieson, R Gous","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2562137","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2562137","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study measured the changes in weight, size, ash, calcium and phosphorus in the skeletons of growing broilers. Ross 308 broilers were sampled at intervals from hatch to 85 d of age. The selected birds were weighed individually, killed by cervical dislocation and defeathered.2. The skeleton of each bird was excised and defleshed and divided into its component bones which were weighed before and after drying and defatting. The length and width of the metatarsus, ulna, humerus, tibia and femur were measured. The ash content of each component of the skeleton was determined. Ca and P contents were measured in the humerus, tibia and pelvis ash of three birds of each sex.3. Gompertz parameters were determined for the feather-free body and for each of the components. Rates of maturing were maintained for all components within a sex, as these are allometrically related. The slope of the plots of the natural logarithms of skeleton ash and feather-free body weight suggested that the ratio between these increased with age and were predicted using allometry.4. Tibial Ca and P formed a constant proportion of ash in the tibia but these proportions were lower in the humerus and pelvis. Hence, caution must be applied when extrapolating tibia values to the contents of the entire skeleton. The proportion of ash found in the skeleton components changed as the broiler grew, which was in a manner that was predictable using allometry with body protein. Fluctuations in the ratio between ash and body protein over the growth period suggested that birds may not be reaching their potential skeleton mineralisation with the feeds provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"469-478"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Selective breeding improves body weight and egg production in indigenous Tilili chicken in Ethiopia.","authors":"B Kassa, M Taye, W Esatu, A Kebede, G Genetu, Z Asmare, B Lulie, Z Jember, K Yismaw, A Tesfa, M Girma, F G Kebede, G Banos, K A Watson, O Hanotte, T Dessie","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2575984","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2575984","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated body weight and egg production performance of Tilili indigenous chicken from different filial generations as a result of the selective breeding.2. The base populations (G-0) were established from 3,400 one-day-old chicks, which were hatched from 12 500 eggs collected from remote villages in Sekela and Tilili districts in 2021. During the selection program, body weight was recorded at hatch and every two weeks, while egg production data were recorded from the onset of lay to 44 weeks.3. Higher 16th-week body weight and higher cumulative 24-week egg production were selection criteria of the breeding program. Accordingly, 400 hens and 40 cocks were selected based on week sixteen body weight as selection candidates for the next generations, and 200 hens were selected based on their cumulative egg production in 24 weeks after start of lay to produce the next generation.4. Body weight traits significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) increased from Generation 0 (G0) to Generation 3 (G3). At 16 weeks of age, average body weights for G0, G2, and G3 were 814.6 g, 1100.6 g, and 1369.1 g, respectively, an overall gain of 68.1% from G0. Likewise, there was a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001) increment (111.5%) in 24-week egg production in the progressive generations; 39.7, 48.03, and 82.5 eggs for G0, G2, and G3, respectively. A positive association of body weight with 24-week egg number suggested both traits improved simultaneously. Mortality rate declined significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) across generations.5. Overall, the Tilili chicken breeding program had improvements in growth, egg production, and survivability. However, genetic and phenotypic evaluations are needed due to potential negative genetic correlations between traits. Furthermore, it is essential to validate the phenotypic improvements by conducting a signature selection study using whole-genome analysis to identify the genome regions influenced by the selective breeding program.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"365-373"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145602627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research progress of tannins and poultry intestinal health.","authors":"Z Zhao, Z Cheng, Y Ji, W Nie","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2559003","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2559003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. In recent years, tannin has been used as a natural alternative to antibiotics due to its wide availability, ease of large-scale production and efficient extraction from other plants, compared with foreign additives such as plant essential oils and organic acids.2. Tannins are secondary metabolites widely existing in plants as a natural defence mechanism, which exhibit various bioactivities. In poultry, appropriate addition of tannins can enhance the growth performance and play a positive regulatory role in intestinal health, but inclusion in diets is limited by the bitter taste of tannins. However, 1 g/kg tannin in feed significantly reduced the final body weight of broilers and disrupted normal morphology in the intestinal tract.3. Data indicated that the effect of tannin was significantly influenced by its source and dosage, but these differences need to be confirmed. However, there is data showing tannin regulation of intestinal health in poultry, providing practical ideas on mechanism of action and commercial applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"463-468"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145111968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>In silico</i> prediction and comparative analysis of full-length and truncated forms of duck Tembusu virus envelope proteins expressed in <i>E. coli</i> and baculovirus systems.","authors":"H Afzal, L-T Cheng, C-Y Chu, N-T Hoa, T-D Doan","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2585441","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2585441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) envelope (E) protein, a surface-exposed structural component, plays a key role in viral entry and induction of neutralising antibodies. However, the antigenic potential of its domains and their immunogenicity remains largely unexplored.2. In this study, <i>in silico</i> analyses were conducted to predict antigenic epitopes and guide construct design. Full-length E protein and domains were expressed in <i>E. coli</i> and baculovirus. These were used to immunise ducks. Antigenicity was evaluated as IgG titres and cytokine profiling.3. Domain III (DIII) of the E protein was the major contributor to antigenicity and is a promising subunit vaccine candidate against DTMUV.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"416-425"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145630146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}