How to translate text using browser tools
7 December 2024 Comparative impact of conventional and alternative gut health management programs on plasma and tibia attributes in broiler chickens raised in commercial and research settings
L. Bean-Hodgins, M. Mohammadigheisar, A.M. Edwards, E. G. Kiarie
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Plasma and tibia attributes were investigated in broiler chickens raised on three gut health management programs in commercial farms (study 1) and research station settings (study 2). The programs were as follows: (1) conventional antibiotics (CON), (2) raised without medically important antimicrobials (RWMIA), and (3) raised without antibiotics (RWA). Birds had free access to feed and water from placement to harvest; samples of blood and left tibia were collected on day 28 in both studies and further samples were taken on day 41 in study 2. In both studies, there were no program differences (P > 0.05) on plasma metabolites with exception of enzyme concentrations with notably higher levels of circulating plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in birds reared on the RWA program (P ≤ 0.04). Differences were observed among programs for tibia length in both studies (P < 0.05). Birds reared on RWMIA exhibited significantly (P = 0.016) higher tibia ash than CON on day 41. Observed differences in the plasma enzyme concentrations, tibia length, and ash concentration suggest altered metabolism which could be linked to gut health management programs and their ability to support gut integrity and function in the absence of antibiotics.

L. Bean-Hodgins, M. Mohammadigheisar, A.M. Edwards, and E. G. Kiarie "Comparative impact of conventional and alternative gut health management programs on plasma and tibia attributes in broiler chickens raised in commercial and research settings," Canadian Journal of Animal Science 104(4), 466-476, (7 December 2024). https://doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2024-0023
Received: 20 February 2024; Accepted: 20 July 2024; Published: 7 December 2024
JOURNAL ARTICLE
11 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
antibiotics
broiler
gut health
plasma biochemical profile
tibia attributes
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top