A study was conducted to determine the pathological toxic effect of selenium (Sodium selenite). A total number 120 one day old White Leghorn (WLH) healthy broiler birds were randomly divided into A, B and C groups. Each group contain 40 birds daily administration of sodium selenite @ 30ppm and @ 15 ppm in group A and B, respectively and group C was given plain drinking water daily for 42 days and kept as control. Macroscopically and microscopically revealed varying degrees of congestion and haemorrhages in lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and intestine in selenium treated birds. The bursa of Fabricius showed depletion of lymphoid cells between the interfollicular spaces. A significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease in the haemoglobin and packed cell volume was noticed in both the selenium fed groups but the total erythrocyte count remain unchanged. Biochemical parameter revealed slight decline in their activity of serum ALT and AST and increased level of BUN and creatinine in group A and B as compared to group C, suggesting some degree of renal dysfunctioning. 
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Histopathological alterations of selenium toxicity induced in broiler (Birds) 
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<div>Background: The discovery of antibiotics was a great success in control of the pathogenic infections in living beings. In addition, it also played a significant role in upliftment of the meat industry with their use as the growth promoters in the food animals including poultry. However, massive and incorrect use of antibiotics has resulted in the adverse outcome of antibiotic resistance over the years. In order to limit the antibiotic resistance at industry level itself, exploration of the possible alternatives such as probiotics is the need of the hour to replace the antibiotics in poultry industry without compromising the productivity. Hence, the present study was conducted to explore the effects of a novel probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 on the production performance of the broilers with an aim to replace the antibiotics in poultry production.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the present study, a total of 128 broiler birds were grouped randomly into four treatment groups which were fed basal diet (BD) along with the different levels of L. fermentum NKN51,viz.,T1 (BD+107cfu/gm), T2(BD+106cfu/gm), T3 (BD+105cfu/gm) and T4 or control (BD only) for a period of 28 days so as to observe the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 in the starter phase of the broiler birds in terms of growth, immunity, gut health and physiology. 
 
Result: The result revealed that the group of broiler birds supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 at the level of 107cfu/gm of basal feed had significantly better growth performance, cell mediated and humoral immunity, gut health and jejunal histology in terms of villus height, VH:CD ratio and intestinal absorption capacity. Thus, Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 was found as an ideal probiotic supplement exhibiting better potential in enhancing the efficiency of broiler birds in terms of improved productivity.</div>

<div>Probiotic Attributes of Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 Isolated from Yak Cottage Cheese and the Impact of Its Feeding on Growth, Immunity, Caecal Microbiology and Jejunal Histology in the Starter Phase of Broiler Birds</div>

A six weeks trial was carried out to study the effect of feeding cottonseed meal (CSM) with 432, day - old Cobb 400 broiler chicks distributed to nine experimental diets with six replicates, each containing eight chicks. The experimental diets were formulated based on total amino acids (TAA) or based on digestible amino acids (DAA) with or without iron supplementation with two levels of CSM (2 and 4%) and control diet based on maize &ndash; soyabean. Birds fed with CSM at 4% DAA without iron supplementation had higher body weight gain than the control (1918 vs 1804g). Feed intake and feed efficiency were comparable in birds fed with different experimental diets. Inclusion of CSM up to 4% TAA or DAA with or without iron supplementation had comparable dressing percentage, gizzard, giblet (% of live body weight) and spleen (g). The liver weight (% of live weight) was lower in birds fed 4% CSM - TAA and 2 or 4% CSM - DAA with or without iron supplementation (1.45 &ndash; 1.53 vs 1.65%). Heart weight was higher (0.91 vs 0.80% of live weight) and abdominal fat (15.42 vs 24.0g) was lowered in 4% CSM - DAA with iron supplementation. The cost of feed/kg live weight gain in the diet of 4% CSM - DAA was lowest (52.77), followed by 4% CSM - TAA (55.43) and the difference with control was Rs 5.43 and Rs 2.77 respectively. The overall performance based on body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency was better in the diet formulated with 4% level of CSM - DAA. 
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Feeding of decorticated cottonseed meal on performance of growth rate, carcass characters and cost effectiveness in broiler birds

Background: Bangladesh&rsquo;s central and northern regions have seen gizzard erosion and feed passage syndrome in commercial broiler farms, causing significant economic losses due to poor body weight gain, high feed conversion rate, gut health issues and poor performance. This study investigated the causes of gizzard erosion and feed passage syndrome in broiler farms in these areas. 
 
Methods: Commercial broiler farms were selected in three areas (Tangail, Sirajganj and Pabna) for farm visits and data collection because of the higher incidence of gizzard erosion and feed passage syndrome. Feed samples from certain regions were analyzed for mycotoxins and intestinal health in flocks was examined for coccidiosis and bacterial enteritis/dysbacteriosis. Gizzard erosion was observed in 52.78% of birds, with most being flaccid and moderate to severe erosion in the koilin layer. Some birds had mild-to-moderate coccidiosis lesions caused by Eimeria acervulina Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella. Tissue impressions on Fast Technology for Analysis (FTA) cards were collected from livers and gizzards with erosion and submitted for identification of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and phylogenetic analysis. 
 
Result: All samples tested positive for fowl adenovirus (FAdV)-induced Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) and were processed for serotype identification. Two serotypes were detected, namely FAdVD serotype 11 and FAdVE serotype 8b. All mycotoxin levels were less than the quantification limit. The TMLS and dysbacteriosis scores were mild, but individual Eimeria species scores were high in different areas. Therefore, we can conclude that mild coccidiosis with dysbacteriosis and fowl adenovirus-induced gizzard erosions in commercial broiler birds could be the cause of feed passage syndrome.

Gizzard Erosion in Broilers: The Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV)-Induced Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) Poses a Significant Threat to the Broiler

In the present study, sterilized rice bran was fermented for 48, 72 and 96 hours by Aspergillus flavus and proximate analysis indicated that fermentation changed nutritive value of the rice bran. Four experimental feeds were fed to 4 groups of day old broiler chicks for 6 weeks to evaluate their effects on broiler performance (weekly feed intake, weight gain, FCR and mortality). &nbsp;During first 2 weeks, birds of group D showed significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in feed intake and weight gain as compared to groups A (control), B and C. All groups did not show significant differences in feed conversion ratios (FCR). During 3rd week of trial, chickens of Group D showed significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in feed intake, weight gain and FCR as compared to group A. During last 3 weeks, birds in group D showed significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in feed intake, weight gain and FCR as compared to birds of groups A, B and C. Group D showed significantly higher weight gain and better FCR (P&lt;0.05) as compared to groups A, B and C. On the whole, broiler chickens fed on 96 hours fermented rice bran showed best growth performance. In-vivo phytase activity was determined in ash of tibia bones collected from selected birds in each group. Group D showed significantly high percentage (P&lt;0.05) of ash and phosphorus in tibia bones as compared to groups A (control), B and C. In conclusion, fermented rice bran showed beneficial effect on broiler performance and could be used in poultry feed as phytase source.

Effect of fermented rice bran on growth performance and bioavailability of phosphorus in broiler chickens

<div>Background: Leh-Ladakh is situated at an altitude of 3500 m above mean sea level which poses many climatic challenges to the dwellers and animals of this region including the chickens. Chicken rearing is a huge challenge keeping in view the fact that Leh does not have a native chicken breed of its own that is adapted to this conditions. It is necessary to have an high-altitude adapted chicken breed in order to meet the demands of fresh chicken meat and eggs for the locals and the armies deployed in Ladakh. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate growth performances like body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), hematological and serum-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken reared at high altitude.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During the experimental period the birds were fed according to the rations scale formulated by DIHAR for broiler chicken at high altitude. Body weight was taken weekly up-to 28th week and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated up to 7th week. Blood samples were collected on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th week of the birds age. Whole blood was used to study different hematological parameters while serum sample was used to study various biochemical parameters. 
 
Result: It was found that broiler reared at high altitude attained 701.3 g at 7th week of their age whereas lowlander broilers are known to attain the equivalent weight by 4th 5th week. Mean FCR by 7th week was found to be 2.38. Among various hematological parameters, hemoglobin (%) increased with the age of birds. Red blood cell also increased with the age. Drop in hematocrit (%) and mean corpuscular volume (fl) value was observed at 14th week and then it increased by 21st and 28th week of age. There was increase in value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration at 14th and 21st week. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate value also dropped with age. Among biochemical parameters; calcium, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid was observed to increase with age of the birds whereas triglyceride decreased from 7th week to 28th, thus indicating that the birds are adapting to the environmental condition of high altitude.&nbsp;</div>

Age Dependent Growth Performance and Blood Profiling of Broiler Chicken Reared at High Altitude

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on performance, carcass traits of broiler chicken. For this purpose, 280 day-old commercial male broiler chicks were randomly divided into seven dietary groups with eight replicates of five birds each (7x8x5) and reared in battery brooders up to 42 days of age following standard management and vaccination schedule. The birds were offered with corn-soya based broiler pre-starter (0-11 days), starter (12-21 days) and finisher (22-42 days) diets. The control diet (T1) was prepared with sunflower oil and diets for remaining treatment groups (T2- T7) were formulated by replacing sunflower oil with different levels of linseed oil and fish oil. The experimental design consists of T1 - Control diet with sunflower oil, T2 - linseed oil @ 33% of sunflower oil, T3 - linseed oil @ 67% of sunflower oil, T4 - linseed oil @ 100%, T5 - fish oil @ 33% of sunflower oil, T6 - fish oil @ 67% of sunflower oil and T7 - fish oil @ 100%. The performance of broiler chicken was evaluated in terms of weekly body weight gain (WBWG) and Feed consumption (FC) as influenced by the supplementation of various levels of Linseed and fish oil. At the end of experiment (42nd day) one bird from each replicate (8 birds per treatment) was randomly selected for estimating slaughter parameters. Significant (P&lt;0.05) influence was noticed on the body weight gains of broilers. Feed consumption was not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced whereas, FCR was significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced. The Carcass traits like dressing yield, breast yield, liver and giblet percentage were not influenced, whereas abdominal fat percentage was significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced by the inclusion of n-3 fatty acid sources. The study indicated that supplementation of n-3 FA (LO or FO) sources at the level of 3.9 per cent did not cause any adverse effects on performance of broilers, carcass characteristics of meat in addition to decrease in abdominal fat percent.&nbsp;

Effect of Omega-3 fatty acids enrichment on performance&nbsp;and carcass traits of broiler chicken

<div>Background: Broiler feedstuff as Rice bran (RB) is a by-product of rice industry. Using RB in broiler chicken diets is not common, especially in broiler chicken production systems due to limitations like higher content of fiber and lower availability of micronutrients. Fermentation of RB by rumen inoculate would improve the nutritive value and further inclusion of urea as a non-protein nitrogenous substance would increase the microbial population using nitrogen generated from urea.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: RB was fermented anaerobically without or with urea (2.0%) by rumen inoculates for 48 hours. Three isonitrogenous (22.75% CP) and isocaloric (3164 kcal/kg) diets contained 7.0% RB, 7.0% fermented RB (FRB) and 7.0% urea (2.0%) added fermented RB (UFRB) formulated. The total number of 90-day old unsexed broiler chicks distributed in 03 groups considering 30 replicate birds in each.&nbsp; 
 
Result: True protein content increased in FRB (16.45%) and UFRB (16.85%) in comparison to RB group (16.27%). Final body weight of RB, FRB and UFRB groups 1129, 1152 and 1190 g/bird. Feed intake 1884, 1828 and 1924 g/bird respectively for RB, FRB and UFRB groups. Feed conversion ratio 1.75, 1.66 and 1.69 for RB, FRB and UFRB groups respectively. Dressing Percentage of Carcass yield is higher in UFRB (73%) than in FRB (70%). No mortality occurred in any groups during the experiment. So, it may be concluded that inclusion of fermented rice bran by rumen inoculate increase the performance of broiler but urea (2.0%) added to fermented rice bran by rumen inoculate shows better growth performance and carcass yield of broiler.</div>

Effect of Feeding Fermented Rice Bran by Rumen Liquor on the Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

<div style="text-align: justify;">The experiment was designed for 42 days to assess dietary supplementation of Bacillus Subtilis (GalliPro-DSM 17299) on growth performance and intestinal health against C. perfringens induced necrotic enteritis in broiler birds. &nbsp;Birds (n=400) were divided in to four groups [healthy (control), infected, healthy supplemented with B. subtilis @ 500 g/T of feed (1.2 x 106 cfu/g); infected &nbsp;supplemented with B. Subtilis@ 500 g/T ] with five &nbsp;replicates of 20 birds in each group. Necrotic enteritis was induced in broiler birds via inoculation of 50,000 oocysts of mixed strains of Eimeria species on 14 days of age followed by C. perfringens (107 cfu/mL) on 17, 18 and 19 days of age. Study revealed that necrotic enteritis challenge suppressed the body weight gain significantly, whereas infected birds supplemented with Bacillus subtilis showed significantly higher body weight gain. The feed intake and feed conversion ratio was not significantly affected in any of the groups. Significant reduction was noticed in bacterial count of C. perfringens infected birds supplemented with B. subtilis. Intestinal damage was observed in the infected control birds while it was recovered in birds supplemented with B. subtilis. The significant beneficial effect of B. Subtilis was recorded in the production performance of broiler chicken even in the absence of necrotic enteritis challenge. Thus it was concluded that supplementation of B. Subtilis helps to improve body weight gain and gut health to control necrotic enteritis.&nbsp;</div>

Efficacy of Bacillus Subtilis (GalliPro) supplementation in Clostridium perfringens challenged necrotic enteritis of broiler chicken

<div>The experimental trial was carried out to study the effect of multiple phase feeding on the growth performances and the economics of broiler production for a period of six weeks. Day-old chicks (n=160) were divided into two treatment groups, each containing 80 chicks with four replicates in each treatment. The birds of the control group (A) were fed prestarter, starter and finisher diets as per nutrient requirement of commercial broiler strain used in the experiment and the multiple phase feeding was followed in group-B by changing the nutrient densities (Energy, Crude protein, lysine and methionine) of diet per week. The different performance parameters were studied such as live body weight, gain in live body weight, feed conversion ratio and feed consumption at weekly interval. Mortality was recorded daily and the economics was calculated at the end of experiment. The results of experiment showed that the body weight and weight gain of broilers of group-B was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than that of broilers of group-A during first, second, fifth and sixth week of age and also during overall duration of the experiment. Further, the feed intake of broilers of group-B was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than that of group-A during second, fifth and sixth weeks of age and also during the overall feed intake of broilers. The Feed Conversion Ratio of broilers of group-B was significantly better (p&lt;0.05) than that of group-A during fifth week and also during the overall performance. The multiple phase feeding has not put any adverse effect on percentage mortality of broilers. However, broilers fed with the multiple phase feeding showed higher net profit per bird and also per kg of body weight as compared to the broilers of control group (A).</div>

Histopathological alterations of selenium toxicity induced in broiler (Birds)

Probiotic Attributes of Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51 Isolated from Yak Cottage Cheese and the Impact of Its Feeding on Growth, Immunity, Caecal Microbiology and Jejunal Histology in the Starter Phase of Broiler Birds