Journal articles on the topic 'Broilers (Chickens) – Feeding and feeds – Storage'

This study evaluated the effects of feeding whole rice bran (WRB) stored for different times and treated with a mixture of organic acids on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, duodenal morphometry, and bone characteristics of broiler chickens. Three hundred and twenty 1-d-old Cobb broilers were used in a 21 d experiment with a completely randomized design. Whole rice bran with five storage times (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d) was included at a 12% level in the diets, with eight replicates of eight birds each. A polynomial regression with a significance level of 5% was used. A reduction in daily weight gain was observed in birds fed WRB stored up to 90 d. A quadratic response was observed in the daily feed intake and average body weight of birds fed diets containing WRB treated with a mixture of organic acids and stored up to 90 d. There was a linear increase in the digestibility of crude protein with increased WRB storage time. Apparent metabolizable energy and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen showed an increasing quadratic response for up to 60 d of WRB storage and treated with a mixture of organic acids. A quadratic response for the morphometry of intestinal crypts was found. The crypt depth increased as the birds were fed a diet containing WRB treated with a mixture of organic acids, stored up to 30 d and decreased with storage times. In conclusion, WRB treated with a mixture of acetic and propionic acids and stored up to 60 d may be safely added to broiler chicken diets.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different levels of DL-methionine in feed for broiler chickens on the quality of vacuum-packed breast muscles stored under refrigeration. The material for the study was 72 breast muscles from 35-day-old broiler chickens fed diets with varying content of DL-methionine. The control group received a basal diet without additional DL-methionine, while the experimental groups received compound feeds supplemented with 0.08% or 0.24% DL-methionine. At 35 days of age, 24 birds from each group were randomly selected and experimentally slaughtered. After the carcasses were dissected, 8 right breast muscles were selected from each feeding group and analysed immediately after cooling. The remaining muscles were vacuum-packed and after 7 and 14 days of storage physicochemical and sensory analyses were performed to assess the influence of storage time on changes in their quality. The methionine level was not found to affect the sensory properties of the breast muscles, but the meat of birds receiving a higher level of this amino acid had better shear force and water-holding capacity in comparison to the control group. After just 7 days, the results of the analyses of vacuum-packed refrigerated muscles showed a negative effect of storage time on the capacity of the muscle tissue to bind water, as well as changes in the proportion of red colour in the muscles. However, it is worth noting that the sensory quality of the muscles deteriorated only after 14 days of storage.

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in the relative growth of digestive organs of broilers as influenced by whole wheat feeding and age of birds. The secondary aim was to examine the effects of whole wheat feeding on broiler performance over a 5-week feeding period. Diets containing ground wheat and whole wheat (100 and 200 g/kg whole wheat replacing ground wheat during 1–21 days and 22–35 days, respectively) were placed in 4 replicate pens (46 birds/pen) each. Throughout the 5-week trial, the birds offered feed containing wheat as whole grain grew slower (P < 0.05) and consumed less (P < 0.05) feed than those offered feed containing ground wheat. Feed-to-gain ratio was not influenced (P > 0.05) by the form of wheat during the first 2 weeks, but was significantly lowered (P < 0.05) by whole wheat feeding from 3 weeks onwards. Over the 5-week period, the feed-to-gain ratio of birds fed the whole-wheat diet was 7 points better (P < 0.05) than of those fed the ground wheat diet. Improved feed efficiency from Week 3 onwards coincided with significant increases (P < 0.05) in the relative weights of the gizzard in birds fed the whole-wheat diet. Whole-wheat inclusion had no effect (P > 0.05) on the relative weights of crop, proventriculus, and pancreas or on the relative weight and length of the small intestine. The relative weights of storage sections of the gastrointestinal tract (crop, proventriculus, and gizzard) steadily declined during the 5-week period. The relative weights of pancreas and liver increased to Day 14 and decreased thereafter. The relative weights of intestinal segments were maximal during Weeks 1 and 2 of life, and declined rapidly with age. In general, the growth of different segments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) followed a similar pattern. The intestinal mass, measured as g tissue/cm tissue, steadily increased over the trial period, indicating that, although the relative size of the intestine declines with age, this decline is compensated by increased intestinal mass to support the nutrient supply function to the demand tissues.

This study compares between different selenium forms (sodium selenite; SeS, selenomethionine; Met-Se or nano-Se) and levels on growth performance, Se retention, antioxidative potential of fresh and frozen meat, and genes related to oxidative stress in Ross broilers. Birds (n = 450) were randomly divided into nine experimental groups with five replicates in each and were fed diets supplemented with 0.3, 0.45, and 0.6 mg Se/kg as (SeS, Met-Se), or nano-Se. For overall growth performance, dietary inclusion of Met-Se or nano-Se significantly increased (p < 0.05) body weight gain and improved the feed conversion ratio of Ross broiler chicks at the level of 0.45 and 0.6 mg/kg when compared with the group fed the same level of SeS. Se sources and levels significantly affected (p < 0.05) its concentrations in breast muscle, liver, and serum. Moreover, Se retention in muscle was higher (p < 0.05) after feeding of broiler chicks on a diet supplemented with Met-Se or nano-Se compared to the SeS group, especially at 0.6 mg/kg. Additionally, higher dietary levels from Met-Se or nano-Se significantly reduced oxidative changes in breast and thigh meat in the fresh state and after a four-week storage period and increased muscular pH after 24 h of slaughter. Also, broiler’s meat in the Met-Se and nano-Se groups showed cooking loss and lower drip compared to the SeS group (p < 0.05). In the liver, the mRNA expression levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were elevated by increasing dietary Se levels from Met-Se and nano-Se groups up to 0.6 mg/kg when compared with SeS. Therefore, dietary supplementation with 0.6 mg/kg Met-Se and nano-Se improved growth performance and were more efficiently retained than with SeS. Both sources of selenium (Met-Se and nano-Se) downregulated the oxidation processes of meat during the first four weeks of frozen storage, especially in thigh meat, compared with an inorganic source. Finally, dietary supplementation of Met-Se and nano-Se produced acceptable Se levels in chicken meat offered for consumers.

Broilers select an adequate diet when they are given a cycle of 8h free access to whole grain wheat followed by 8h access to a pelleted balancer feed (Foote and Rose 1991). This study had 3 feeding trials. Their objectives were to investigate whether the sequential feeding regimen allowed dietary self-selection by broilers and to compare the productive performance of the broilers with other feeding regimens.The first trial used 144 broilers in 24 cages. Three balancer feeds were formulated by removing part of the wheat component of a complete feed formulation. Either 35%, 50% or 65% of the wheat was removed from the original formulation. A fourth sequential feeding treatment used the 50% balancer but with another sample of whole wheat as the alternate feed.

This study examined growth responses, health status and carcass yield of broiler chickens from 22 to 42 days of age provided with proprietary finished feeds (4 brands; P, Q, R & S) exposed to two storage conditions (lit or dark room) for four weeks. Four hundred and eighty chicks (802.7±14.3 g), at 21-day-old, were randomly allocated to eight groups of 60 chicks each (6 replicates; 10 birds each). Broiler chickens were fed one of the eight resultant diets from storage exercise for 21 d. Results revealed that performance of finishing broiler chickens were influenced by both the main and interaction effects of feed brands and storage condition. Chickens fed feeds stored in dark room gained 5.39% heavier weight with better FCR (5.07%) and higher (P<0.001) crude fat (2.97%), protein (2.36%), fibre (2.43%) and ash (3.89%) digestibilities compared to birds fed feeds stored in lit room. Chickens fed with feed R had higher (P<0.05) PCV, RBC, total protein, albumin, and uric acid. Duodenal and ileal villus height (VH) and villus to crypt ratio (VCR) were higher in broilers fed feed R stored in dark room, whereas jejunal VH and VCR were higher in birds fed feed Q stored in dark room. Salmonella and lactobacillus counts were greater in birds fed feeds R and S stored in lit room, respectively. Higher (P=0.008) dressed yield was obtained in broilers fed feed S stored in lit room. The study revealed that exposure of similar or different finished feeds to varying storage conditions would impart broiler's performance differently.

Based on the results of the analysis of feed materials on the content of micronutrient elements and conducting scientific experiments on broilers chicken, the most effective source of Manganese, Zinc, Iron and Copper in mixed feeds, which contributes to solving the problem of increasing the quality of feeding and intensifying the growth of poultry has been substantiated. The optimum source of essential elements (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu) for broilers chicken through feeds, the level of their incorporation into mixed fodders have been experimentally determined, and their influence on productivity and feed costs per 1 kg of body weight gain have been investigated. The tasks set in the work have been solved experimentally using analytical (analysis of literature sources), zoo-technical (growth indices, feed intake) and statistical (processing of the results obtained) methods of research. The use of mixed feeds in feeding broilers chicken which contained glycinate of Manganese, Zinc, Iron and Copper making 75 % of the needs, contributes to increasing their body weight by 2.5 % and increasing the growth rate by 2.4 %. Feed costs per 1 kg of broilers chicken growth were 1.5 % lower than the young bird index of the control group.

The main objective of this work was to compare the effect of six vegetable oils added to feeding mixtures that were administered to broiler chickens on the content of major fatty acids in chicken meat. The experiment started with 90 one-day-old Ross 308 meat hybrid male chickens that were divided into six groups. Chickens were fed complete feeding mixtures for the prefattening (BR1), fattening (BR2), and post-fattening (BR3) of broiler chickens. The BR1 feeding mixture was administered to chickens aged 1-10 days, the BR2 feeding mixture was given from Day 11 to Day 30, and the BR3 feeding mixture was then administered until Day 42. The BR1 feeding mixture that was administered to all six groups during the first ten days of the experiment was supplemented with soybean oil. BR2 and BR3 feeding mixtures used to feed chickens aged 11-42 days were fortified with soybean oil (SO Group), rapeseed oil (RO Group), sunflower oil (SFO Group), flaxseed oil (FO Group), olive oil (OO Group), and evening primrose oil (EPO Group). The vegetable oils used differed by the composition of fatty acids, particularly by the content of oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid. The use of the above-described experimental diets in young broilers from Day 11 to 42 had a significant effect on the content of fatty acids in the fat from breast and thigh muscles. The content of α-linolenic acid in breast and thigh muscles of broilers that received the feed containing flaxseed oil (21.16 g/100 g of oil and 17.13 g/100 g of oil, respectively) significantly increased (p ⪬ 0.01). The highest content of linoleic acid (p ⪬ 0.01) in breast and thigh muscles was found in chickens that were fed the feed containing primrose oil (59.13 g/100 g and 51.71 g/100 g). A significant increase (p ⪬ 0.01) in the level of oleic acid was detected in both breast and thigh muscles of broilers that received olive oil fortified feed (52.44 g/100 g and 43.70 g/100 g of oil). No significant variation was found in the content of palmitic acid and palmitooleic acid. The levels of oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid in feeding mixtures correlated with those found in breast and thigh muscles (r = 0.88; 0.94 and 0.99; r = 0.99; 0.98 and 0.99).

There is a concern that feeding newly harvested cereal grain results in poor performance in poultry. A broiler chick apparent metabolizable energy (AME) bioassay was used to measure changes in feeding value of wheat (n = 14), hulless (n = 10) and hulled (n = 14) barley with or without a commercial enzyme appropriate for wheat- or barley-based diets. In the broiler chick bioassay, four pens of six male broiler chicks were fed ad lib, from 4 to 17 d, diets containing 80% of a test cereal grain and a high-protein basal mixture containing 1% “celite” as an acid-insoluble ash marker. Each of the cereal-grain-based diets, with or without enzyme, was tested within 3 mo of harvest and again 6 mo later. With cereal grain storage there were consistent (P < 0.05) increases in feed intake (FI) between 4 and 17 d and body weight (BW) at 17 d of age with wheat-based diets fed wit h (12.5 and 16.9%, respectively, for FI and BW) or without (16.1 and 22.7%) enzyme. In hulless barley diets without enzyme, there was a significant improvement in BW (7.5%) with storage, while storage had a significant effect on FI and BW (2.9 and 6.3%, respectively) when fed with enzyme. For all other barley diets there was a positive effect of storage on FI and BW, but it was not significant. Feed conversion ratios decreased marginally (P > 0.05) with storage of cereal grain. AME of diets was improved within each period by enzyme supplementation. However, there were measurable decreases (P < 0.05) in AME with storage of cereal grains for the three cereal grains with enzyme supplementation (ranging from –3.2 to –8.2%). The r2 of the above measurements for the different sources of cereal grain between storage periods ranged from 0.65 to 0.94, indicating that the relative ranking of the cereal grains, with respect to feeding value, remained similar during storage. Increases in FI with storage were not significantly related to the attempts of the broiler chicks, to maintain metabolizable energy (ME) intake. Therefore, this increases our concerns that “factors” in newly harvested cereal grains may exist and that they may limit voluntary feed intake and/or growth. Key words: Cereal grain storage, AME, broiler performance, wheat, barley

Studies were conducted on the use of oil obtained from rapeseed cultivar 'Podmoskovnyj' selection of Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology in feeding broiler chickens. The experiments were carried out on chickens cross-country "ROSS-308". They were grown in a cell battery. For the experiment, 5 groups were formed. In the start and finish periods, the control group received 2.5 and 3.3% sunflower oil. In the experimental groups, sunflower oil was replaced with rapeseed in the following amounts: the first — 1.0 and 1.0%, the second — 1.5 and 1.7%, the third — 2.0 and 2.5% and the fourth — 2.5 and 3.3%. Feeding was carried out with dry loose feed from a day old. Studies have found that rapeseed oil had less saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but more unsaturated fatty acids. The amount of erucic acid was 0.20%. The digestibility of nutrients was high and practically did not differ from the control variant, as was the use of nitrogen. The inclusion of rapeseed oil in the composition of feed for broilers did not have a significant impact on the increase in live weight and feed costs. The cost of feed with increasing rapeseed oil in their composition decreased, and the efficiency of converting feed into products increased slightly. Compound feeds with rapeseed oil were not inferior in terms of the efficiency of using compound feed containing sunflower oil.

Bacterial protein meal (BPM) produced from natural gas by Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), Alcaligenes acidovorans, Bacillus brevis and Bacillus firmus was studied as a protein source for broiler chickens. Three experiments from day-old to slaughter at 35 d were carried out. In exp. 1, BPM was fed at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 g kg-1 diet (as fed) replacing soybean meal protein. Levels of BPM up to 60 g kg-1 had no effect on 0-5 wk gain, while the 80 and 100 g kg-1 levels significantly reduced gain, especially in the 0–2 wk period. In exp. 2, chickens were fed diets containing 0, 30, 60 and 90 g kg-1 BPM and two protein levels, 23 and 21 g kg-1. The highest level of BPM significantly reduced growth, independent of protein level, whereas growth responses to lower levels of BPM were similar to the control diet. In exp. 3, 90 g kg-1 BPM in diets containing 23 g kg-1 protein had no negative effect on growth, but significantly reduced the abdominal fat pad. Overall, substitution of soybean meal protein with increasing levels of BPM significantly lowered feed-to-gain ratio during the last part of the feeding period. Sensory analysis of thigh meat after 2 mo of frozen storage (exp. 1) showed that meat from 35-d-old chickens fed 60 and 100 g kg-1 BPM had less odor intensity and less rancid flavor than meat from control animals fed no BPM. Other sensory attributes were not affected by treatment. Key words: Bacterial protein meal, chicken, growth performance, feed:gain ratio, feed conversion, sensory quality

Humic substances (HS) from different sources have been evaluated to replace or reduce the use of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) in the feeds of broiler chickens. The objective was to evaluate the growth performance, tibia measurements, nutrient balance, meat quality, and microbiological status of broiler fed with an HS extract (EHS) under ad libitum (ADLIB) or feed restriction (REST). Individually caged broilers (n = 180, 14–35 day of age) were assigned to a factorial arrangement of three dietary treatments: (1) positive control with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) and salinomycin; (2) negative control without BMD nor salinomycin, and (3) same as negative control with 0.25% EHS, and two feeding regimens 1) ADLIB or REST for 24 h on d 1, 7, and 14. Results were subjected to ANOVA. Positive control and EHS-fed broilers showed higher carcass yield (p < 0.05) and lower oocyst excretion (p < 0.01) compared to negative control birds. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) were higher in negative control and EHS-broilers compared to positive control (p < 0.01). In conclusion, higher carcass yield, lower C. perfringens and oocyst excretion were found in positive control and higher carcass yield, higher LAB and lower oocyst excretion were found in EHS-fed broilers. Broilers subjected to REST had reduced growth performance and meat quality. In conclusion, EHS could be used to increase the carcass yield and beneficial LAB in broilers.

The effectiveness of the use of zinc mixed-ligand complex in feed for broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 was studied. It was found that the reduction of the dose of introduction into compound feeds for broiler chickens, for periods of cultivation of 5-21, 22-35 and 36-42 days, of mixed zinc complex from 60, 50 and 40 g to 45, 37,5 and 30 g of the element per 1 ton of compound feed shows the best results. Live weight of broilers of the 2nd group, which depending on the growing period 5-21, 22-35 and 36-42 days, consumed feed with mixed ligand complex Zinc in a dose corresponding to the introduction of 37.5, 30.0 and 25, 0 g of element per 1 ton of compound feed was the highest and at the age of 42 was 2669.2 g, which was 7.1% higher than that of the control group chickens. It was found that the use of zinc mixed-ligand complex in the doses corresponding to the introduction, by age, 37,5, 30,0 and 25,0 and 30,0, 25,0 and 20,0 g of element per ton of compound feed, compared with the introduction of mixed ligand complex at doses corresponding to the introduction of 1 t of compound feed 45, 37.5 and 30 g of element, increases the average daily increments for the whole period of the experiment by 4.2 and 2.9 g, or 7.2 (P <0, 05) and 5.1%. Feeding mixed fodder with zinc mixed ligand increased sales revenue by 28.4% and profitability of broiler meat production from 37.2% to 47.1%. Thus, the profit per head increased from 22.6 to 28.65 UAH. As a result of the production check, it is established that, provided the same selling price for the products, the use of compound feeds with the addition of zinc zinc-ligand complex has a positive effect on the conservation of livestock, increases the weight of the carcass, reduces feed costs for growth, which leads to increased profits increasing the level of profitability of meat production of broiler chickens. Key words: zinc mixed ligand complex, zinc sulfate, broiler chickens, daily average gain, control group, experimental group, economic efficiency, production check.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of multiphase feeding, i.e. the effect of different mash feeds with multi-phase protein reduction, on growth, main carcass parts and nitrogen content in faeces of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 1216 chickens of Ross 308 provenience, separated by sex. The experiment lasted for 42 days and the standard technology was used. The groups differed in a type of a mash (treatment) given in the starter period, as follows: T1 (control group) was given a mash with 23% crude proteins from day 1 to day 21; T2 - a mash with 23% proteins from day 1 to day 7, followed by a mash with 21.5% proteins given from day 7 to day 21; T3 - a mash with 23% proteins from day 1 to day 14, followed by a mash with 21.5% proteins given from day 14 to day 21; T4 - mashes changed every three days, having 23%, 22.55%, 22.10%, 21.65% , 21.20%, 20.75% and 20.30% of crude proteins, respectively. Slaughtering performance was investigated on a total of 64 broiler chickens, with eight male and eight female chickens used separately for each of the treatments. Nitrogen content in faeces was determined using the pooled sample of faeces. The obtained results showed some differences in the average daily growth of the male and female chickens when comparing the control (T1) and the experimental groups. Those differences were not statistically significant. However, when comparing the male-only groups, it was determined that the experimental group T4 had statistically significantly higher growth than T2 and T3 group. The effect of the multi-phase feeding programme on the breast, thigh and drumstick share of both male and female broilers was not significant. The applied multi-phase feeding programmes resulted in a reduction in the nitrogen content in the faeces. Considering the obtained results, it can be concluded that the multi-phase feeding programmes had no negative effect on the growth and slaughtering performances of broilers. This goes in favour of these programmes, since they can result in some positive economic and environmental effects of production.

The broiler industry has experienced remarkable improvements in productivity owing to high priority placed on genetic programming, nutrition and management practices. Nutrition of the meat chicken is driven by the need to satisfy the constantly increasing genetic potential, resulting in the shortening of the rearing time required to get the bird to market weight. The concept of feeding broilers a more specialised pre-starter diet for the first 10–14 days of age is gaining interest, as this now accounts for more than 20% of the time for grow-out. Specialised diets may be formulated to be highly digestible or aim to provide specific nutrients at a higher level to meet nutritional requirements of the bird. The effectiveness of specifically formulated pre-starter or starter diets depends on potential carryover effect to increase the bird performance up to the market age. There is evidence that some nutrient requirements of birds, digestible amino acids in particular, in the first 10 days of life may be higher than the current industry recommendation. Among cereals, rice with its lower non-starch polysaccharide content may be a better cereal for pre-starter diets than are corn or wheat. Inclusion of fibrous ingredients in low-fibre diets of young broilers may also stimulate gut development and enhance nutrient utilisation, leading to improved bird performance. There are inconsistencies in responses to various feed additives tested specifically for pre-starter diets of broilers. Finally, with an increasing demand for removal of antibiotic growth promoters from all broiler feeds, focus on formulations to ensure sustainable growth at start will gain importance.

Digestibility of the feed nutrients and the chemical elements balance in broiler chickens were studied under use of mixed feed with sulfate and Zink-mixed ligand complex in the physiological experiment that was conducted in the vivarium of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University. A tendency to increase the level of feed nutrients digestibility in the experimental groups of broiler chickens consuming mixed fodders with Zinc-mixed ligand complex was revealed in the conducted experiment. The nutrients digestibility indices were the highest in the chickens of the experimental group 3 where Zink-mixed ligand complex was added to the mixed feed. 45, 37.5 and 30 g of the element was added per 1 ton of mixed feed, respectively, for the growing period of 5-21, 22-35 and 36-42 days. The protein digestibility in this group was 89.2, fat - 82.5, fiber - 12.9 and Nitrogen free extractive substances (NFES) - 83.8%. The lowest digestibility indices of the nutrients were in the control group chickens, which, depending on the age, consumed feeds added with Zinc sulfate at doses corresponding to the introduction of 60, 50, and 40 g of the element per 1 ton of feed - 60.8, 80.2, 11.27, and 82.2%, respectively. Indicators of Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Zinc deposits in the body were also higher in the chicks of the experimental group 3 consuming the feed with Zink-mixed ligand complex. Feeding the birds with Zinc-mixed ligand complex as a component of mixed feed, in comparison with sulfate, improves the nutrients digestibility and increases the amount of chemical elements deposited in the body, which makes it possible to reduce the dose of the additive.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding graded levels of untreated and cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob based diets on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, haematological and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Three hundred and fifteen day-old broiler chicks with an average initial body weight of 60g were used for the study. Seven dietary treatments were formulated such that Diet 1 was a control. Diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 5%, 10%, and 15% levels of untreated corncob, while diets 5, 6 and 7 contained cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob at 5%, 10% and 15% levels respectively. The birds were randomly distributed into seven treatment groups in three replicates and each replicate had fifteen birds. Crushed corncobs were pretreated with NaOH to remove the lignin contents and later subjected to locally produced cellulase and pectinase enzymes for the degradation of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) for five days. Proximate analyses of untreated corncobs, cellulase and pectinase hydrolyzed corncob, standard diet, diets containing untreated corncobs and diets containing cellulase and pectinase treated corncobs were carried out to determine the nutrient composition of the ingredients and feeds. Data obtained from Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical profile as well as carcass yield were determined in a 2x4 factorial arrangement. Feeding regime was twice daily for all the treatment groups while diets and water were supplied to birds ad libitum. The results showed that at the end of week eight when the experiment was terminated, the broilers placed on untreated corncob diets consumed higher quantities (2497.28 g) of feed than birds placed on enzyme treated diets (2142.94 g) and conversely recorded lower performance indices in all parameters measured. The result also showed that as the levels of untreated corncob diets increased, the final body weight of birds (1450.00 g) significantly (P<0.05) reduced when compared to 2385.33g obtained for enzyme treated birds. The result equally showed that broilers fed hydrolyzed corncob diets had significantly higher (P<0.05) and better performance in terms of feed conversion efficiency (0.67 as compared to 0.50) in the untreated birds, protein efficiency ratio (4.17 as compared to 1.69) in the untreated birds, feed conversion ratio (1.21 as compared to 2.70) in the untreated birds, nutrient digestibility, final body weight, dressed carcass percentage (80.22 as compared to 73.93%) in the untreated birds and carcass cuts when compared to broilers fed untreated corncob diets. Enzyme treated corncob diets significantly (P< 0.05) lowered the blood cholesterol levels (1.85 g/dL as compared to 2.15 g/dL) in the untreated birds and also improved other haematological indices measured in the birds compared to the control broilers. Generally, broilers fed enzyme hydrolyzed corncob diets performed better with birds fed 15.00% enzyme treated corncob diets having the highest and the best performance record which could be attributed to better utilization of nutrients since the enzymes have hydrolyzed the nutrient releasing monomers and hence are better metabolized. It is concluded that feeding broilers with enzyme hydrolyzed corn cob at the levels 5 to15.0 % improved performance and carcass values. In addition, it elevated 99 albumin, globulin, total protein, Aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and Alanine amino transaminase (ALT) levels in the blood.

From the standpoint of modern ideas, the normal functioning of the poultry body and full implementation her of the genetic potential is impossible without the presence of selenium in the diet. The biochemical diversity of selenium puts it in a number of priority trace elements. Scientists who were studying the effects of selenium on poultry body and paid relatively little attention to the quality of the meat. In scientific experiment are studied the effect of additives different doses of selenium in compound feed on the chemical composition, energy and biological value of meat of the cross chickens-broilers COBB 500. Introduction of selenium into the feed for broiler chickens in the doses which are studied (0.3 mg/kg, 0.4 and 0.5 mg/kg) did not significantly affect to the quality of their muscle tissue although it positively affected on some indicators that characterizing its chemical composition, nutritional and biological value. Among the experimental groups, the best meat quality indicators were in the second group of chickens for which was introduced into the feed selenium from the calculation of 0.3 mg/kg. When feeding mixed feeds with selenium additives to broiler chickens it was found that it is likely to increase the concentration of this trace element in muscle tissue by 60.6-100% (P?0.001), which does not exceed the maximum permissible level (MPL). Consumption of selenium-enriched meat of broiler chickens within the limits of the physiological norms recommended in Ukraine will ensure the daily requirement of an adult in this trace element by 23.6-29.4%. This meat product can be especially useful for people who live in regions with low levels of selenium in the natural environment.

The article presents the results of histological, histochemical searches and histomorphometric indices of villous height, depth of the crypt of the mucous membrane of the duodenum, jejunum and caecum of broiler chickens, fed a feed with probiotic additive «Probion forte» at a dose of 1 g/kg for 42 days in a row. The experiments were carried out on broiler chickens of the «Kobb-500» breed under vivarium conditions. Two experimental groups of broiler chickens were formed, with a body weight of 37–40 g, with 30 heads in each: First group was received feed with the probiotic «Probion forte» at a dose of 1 g/kg, and the second-control group, which was fed the main ration without the addition of any preparation. At 15, 30 and 42 days of the experiment, 10 chicks from each group were withdrawn from the experiment, an autopsy was carried out and samples from the duodenum, jejunum and the i caecum were taken, which were fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution, Carnoua and Buena liquid, followed by paraffin filling. Gisto-cutters were made, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, by Stidman and McManus. For the histological, histochemical, histomorphometric search of the mucous membrane of the duodenum, jejunum and caecum of chickens of the experimental group, It was established that the use of «Probion forte» in a dose of 1 g/kg with food for chicken broilers in the process of growth and development was contributed to: activation of the mitotic and synthesizing functions of cells, active hyperplastic and hypertrophic processes in the structural elements of the mucous membrane of the investigated sections of the intestines of broiler chickens, as a result of which was expressed by an increase in the height of the villi and the depth of the crypts. In the broiler chickens of the experimental group it was most likely increased the height of the villi in the duodenum at 15 and 42 days; in the jejunum, the probable increase in the height of the villi was noted at 15 and 30 days, and in the caecum - at 30 and 42 days of the experiment. At the same time, the height of columnar epitheliocytes, which was located on the villi of the jejunum of animals of the I group, was 31.5 μm and 24.9 μm in control. At the same time, active formation of mucus-like cells of the duodenum, jejunum and caecum, rich in glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins, has been established, which contributed to the formation of a thick mucosal biofilm. The latter serves as a liquid phase in which the movement of cells is carried out, as well as an important barrier to the action of enzymes, pathogens and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. An increase in the number of columnar epithelial cells and cello-like cells of the villi of the intestinal mucus was aimed at improving parietal digestion, absorption and enhancement of the protective function.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of an antimicrobial peptide, cecropin A(1-11)-D(12-37)-Asn (CADN), as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in poultry diets. A total of 1500 14-d-old indigenous male chickens (222 (sd 13) g) were randomly allocated to five groups with five replicate cages of sixty birds each, and fed ad libitum five grower diets and subsequently five finisher diets for 14 d each. The diets were made up by supplementing their basal diets with a CADN liquid sample (CADNL) at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ml/kg, respectively. During the feeding period, a metabolic experiment was carried out to determine the apparent digestibility of diethyl ether extract, nitrogen retention and apparent metabolisable energy of the diet sample fed to each cage of chicks. At the end of the feeding experiment, one chick from each cage was killed for bacteriological, light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of the intestinal villi. CADN had a negative linear, positive quadratic and negative linear effect on feed intake (F), weight gain (G) and feed:gain ratio (F:G), respectively, for the growers; it had a quadratic effect on F, G or F:G for the finishers; it increased nutrient utilisation for both growers and finishers; it decreased aerobic bacterial counts in both jejunal and caecal digesta in a dose-dependent manner; it enhanced intestinal villus heights in a dose-dependent manner and made the duodenum villi of the CADNL8 group at 42 d appear as a netted leaf-like structure. CADN is therefore a possible alternative to AGP in broiler feeds.

The effectiveness of the use of sulfate and the mixed zinc ligand complex Zinc and the effect of their feeding on the slaughter indicators of broilers of the Cobb-500 cross were studied after the completion of scientific and economic experience and control slaughter conducted in the premises of the vivarium of the Bila Tserkva National Agricultural University. The difference in feeding conditions between the groups was that for the poultry of the first group, depending on age, compound feed was prepared using zinc sulfate in a dose corresponding to the introduction of 60, 50 and 40 g of element per 1 ton of feed (control), for the second - using a mixed zinc ligand complex at a dose that also corresponds to the introduction of 60, 50 and 40 g of element per 1 ton, and for the third - using a zinc mixed mixed ligand complex at a dose corresponding to the introduction of 45, 37.5 and 30 g. Zinc concentration in the mixed fodder decreased as the age of birds increased. The control slaughter, which has been carried out after the experiment, shows that the different dose use of Sulphate and Zinc mixed ligand complex differently influences on the slaughter characteristics of the control and experimental bird groups. Thus, the largest pre-slaughter weight (2649.3 g) of broiler chicks of the 3rd group is (p <0.01) if they consume mixed fodder with a mixed ligand complex of Zinc at doses corresponding to the adding of 45, 37.5 and 30 g of the element per 1 ton of mixed fodder. The pre-slaughter weight of the 2nd group, which has consumed mixed fodder with Zinc mixed ligand complex at a dose corresponding to adding 60, 50 and 40 g of the element per 1 ton of feed is also higher than in the control group (2549.3 g). But the probable difference for this index is not established. In general, the pre-slaughtered weight of the 2nd and 3rd group is higher than the weight of the the control group, respectively by 4.6 and 8.7 %. Regarding the mass of the gutted carcass, it was also greater in the birds of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups, and the difference was significant. An analysis of the relative indicators of the yield of slaughter products showed that they were better in poultry that consumed compound feeds with a mixed zinc ligand complex. So, the output of a half-gutted carcass was the largest among broilers of the 3rd experimental group (84.19 %), and the difference in this indicator compared with the control was significant (p <0.05). Chickens of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups showed a tendency to increase the output of the pectoral muscles, muscles of the limbs, skin, lungs and heart. The results of scientific and economic experience have shown that feeding compound feed with the mixed zinc ligand complex, in comparison with sulfate, can improve the slaughter quality and yield of edible carcasses. The relative index analysis of the slaughter products reveals that the poultry fed on Zinc mixed ligand complex, has better result. Thus, the yield of a semi-eviscerated carcass is the highest in broiler chicks of the experimental group № 3 (84.19 %), and the difference in this characteristics has been compared with the control group (p <0.05). There is an output increasing tendency of the thoracic muscles, limb muscles, skin, lung and heart in the 2nd and 3rd experimental group. But the probable difference of these indexes in the control and experimental groups has not been established, except for the heart output. Thus, it can be concluded that broiler chicks fed on fodder with Zinc mixed ligand complex, in comparison with Sulfate one, makes it possible to improve the slaughter characteristics and the yield of edible parts of the carcass, and the optimum dose is equivalent to 37.5 g of the element per 1 ton of the feed. Key words: broiler chickens, pre-slaughter weight, slaughter yield, carcass weight, mass of internal organs, Zinc mixed ligand complex, Zinc sulfate.

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of maternal and progeny dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on the growth performance and antioxidant status of offspring before and after egg storage. A total of 576 75-week-old Ross 308 breeder hens were assigned to three dietary VE treatments (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) with 6 replicates of 32 hens for 12 weeks. Two trials were conducted with offspring hatched from eggs laid at weeks 9 and 12 of breeder feeding trial, respectively. Trial 1 was conducted by a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with three levels of maternal dietary VE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and two levels of progeny dietary VE (0 and 35 mg/kg). Trial 2 was conducted with three maternal dietary VE treatment (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and chicks were hatched from eggs stored for 14 d and received the same progeny diet with no addition of VE. Results showed that in trial 1, maternal (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and progeny (0 and 35 mg/kg) dietary VE supplementation did not affect the growth performance of offspring hatched from unstored eggs (p > 0.05). In trial 2, in the case of long-term egg storage, maternal dietary VE supplementation of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the body weight (BW) of 21- and 42-d-old offspring and the body weight gain (BWG) of offspring from 1 to 21 d (p < 0.05), and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of offspring from 1 to 21 d (p < 0.05) compared to 100 mg/kg VE. As the maternal dietary VE levels increased, the liver and serum antioxidant status of offspring enhanced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal dietary VE supplementation of 200 or 400 mg/kg could improve the growth performance and anti-oxidant status of offspring hatched from stored eggs, but not for that of offspring hatched from unstored eggs. The suitable VE level for the broiler breeder diet was 400 mg/kg in the case of long-term egg storage.

SummaryA study was conducted to evaluate a natural carbohydrate fraction Actigen™ (NCF), derived from mannanoligosaccharide, in feed on growth performance, intestinal morphology and goblet cell number and area of male broilers'. Dietary treatments included: 1) control diet (antibiotic and NCF free), 2) NCF at 200 g/t, 3) NCF at 400 g/t, and 4) NCF 800 g/t. Two hundred and forty birds were placed into 12 replicate pens per treatment (5 birds/pen), sixty birds per treatment. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly up to day 42. At this time a 2.5cm section of jejunum and duodenum were excised post mortem for morphological analysis. Birds fed 200 g/t and 800 g/t NCF were significantly (P < 0.01) heavier from day 14 onwards than the control birds. Feed intake was significantly higher in birds fed 200 g/t NCF compared to those fed the control at 21 and 35 days (P < 0.05). Diets containing 200 g/t and 800 g/t of NCF significantly decreased broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control in the first phase (1–14 days) (P < 0.01) and levels of NCF decreased FCR (P < 0.05) in the second phase (15–28 days). NCF had no significant effect on villus height, villus width, crypt depth or villus to crypt ratio in either duodenum or jejunum. NCF did not significantly affect goblet cell area or goblet cell number in the duodenum, however, in the jejunum, 800 g/t NCF significantly (P < 0.05) increased goblet cell area over the control. In conclusion, NCF showed a positive effect on broiler performance in the starter and grower phases, and increased goblet cell area in the jejunum, suggesting higher levels of mucin production. This indicated that the performance benefit of NCF could be age-dependent, with younger birds responding more than the older ones. There were no additional benefits to performance when feeding NCF for a longer period (after 28 d of age), however it is postulated that birds fed NCF would have greater defence to pathogenic challenge through increased storage capacity of mucin.

Broiler poultry is one of the many jobs carried out by the Indonesian people. The industrial revolution changes many aspects of broiler poultry, especially technology developments that made work easier. One of them is broiler poultry using a closedhouse system. This system has several advantages, including temperature and humidity that can be adjusted to the broilers. Conventional feeding systems are also a problem. Therefore, in this study, a broiler feeding system was designed for a closed-house system. The development of an automatic chicken feeding machine can be very useful to the growth of the farming industry, this automatic broiler feeding system has three main components, feed hopper which works as chicken feed storage, screw conveying screw conveyor is useful for transfer of feed material from feed and motor drive systems for drive the screw conveyor. Based on the results of analysis and testing, the automatic feeding system can function properly and can distribute the feed properly. The AC motor has a power of 0.75 HP. The V-pulley is used for power transmission with a size of 2 inches and 8 inches. And the shaft that is connected to the spiral auger has a diameter of 20 mm to support the shaft force of the conveyor screw

The use of dried olive pomace as complementary energy sources in poultry feed is still limited due to its low protein and high fiber contents. Bioconversion of olive pomace through solid-state fermentation with or without exogenous enzymes is considered as a trial for improving its nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented olive pomace with or without enzymatic treatment on the growth, modulations of genes encoding digestive enzymes and glucose transporters, meat oxidative stability, and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A total of 1400 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 20 birds/replicate. Treatments included control (basal corn–soybean diet) and other six treatments in which basal diet was replaced by three levels (7.5, 15, and 30%) of fermented olive pomace (FOPI) or enzymatically fermented olive pomace (FOPII) for 42 days. The highest body weight gain was observed in groups fed 7.5 and 15% FOPII (increased by 6.6 and 12.5%, respectively, when compared with the control group). Also, feeding on 7.5 and 15% FOPII yielded a better feed conversion ratio and improved the digestibility of crude protein, fat, and crude fiber. The expression of the SGLT-1 gene was upregulated in groups fed FOPI and FOPII when compared with the control group. Moreover, the expression of the GLUT2 gene was elevated in groups fed 7.5 and 15% FOPII. By increasing the levels of FOPI and FOPII in diets, the expression of genes encoding pancreatic AMY2A, PNLIP, and CCK was upregulated (p &lt; 0.05) when compared with the control. Fat percentage and cholesterol content in breast meat were significantly reduced (p &lt; 0.05) by nearly 13.7 and 16.7% in groups fed FOPI and FOPII at the levels of 15 and 30%. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in breast meat were significantly increased in groups fed 15 and 30% FOPI and FOPII when compared with the control group and even after a long period of frozen storage. After 180 days of frozen storage, the inclusion of high levels of FOP significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05) the levels of glutathione peroxide and total superoxide dismutase and meat ability to scavenge free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. Furthermore, the highest net profit and profitability ratio and the lowest cost feed/kg body gain were achieved in groups fed 7.5 and 15% of FOPII, respectively. The results of this study indicated that dietary inclusion of 15% FOPII could enhance the growth performance and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. Moreover, a higher inclusion level of FOPI or FOPII could enhance the quality and increase the oxidative stability of frozen meat and extend the storage time.

The purpose of present study was to evaluate the performance of broilers fed the commercial diet partially substituted with leubim fish (Canthidermis maculata) waste meal (LFWM) treated by fermentation and without fermentation. As many as 100 broiler chicks, MB 202 strain, unsex, were reared up to 5 weeks in this study. The research was set up into randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 blocks with 5 birds each. Blocks were as replicate based on the body weights of the birds at the beginning of feeding experimental diets. The experimental diets were commercial diets partially replaced with LFWM administered by either fermentation or not with the level of 6 and 12% each, 6.5% and 13% yellow corn, and 0.5% topmix. The data was analyzed using an Analysis of Variance (AOV) and continued by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) only if significant effects were detected among the treatments. The result of recent study indicated that the inclusion of feeds containing LFWM treated by either or not fermented combined with yellow corn and topmix as partially substitution of commercial diets significantly increased (P<0.05) FBW, BWG, feed intake, and protein intake compared to those fed full commercial diet. However, FCR and PER were not significantly affected. DMRT indicated there were no significant diferences in broiler performances fed the feeds containing LFWM treated by fermentation vs without fermentation.

Background: The presence of inadequate and inconsistent feeds to the chicken resulted in lower performance of chick production in Ethiopia. Broilers are meat type chickens with fast income generation and depend on high quality feed. Feed costs alone currently account for over 65-70% of poultry production in third world countries, there has been recent interest in determining the feeding value of different locally available alternative feeding resources. As fish is generally appreciated as one of the healthiest and cheapest source of protein and it is available in Gambella water bodies, this research is intended to investigate the effects of fish by-product inclusion in broiler feeds on growth performance. Two hundred and forty (240) day old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were reared and assigned to four treatments for 42 days. Treatment one was the control without fish by-product meal, treatment 2 contained 2% fish by-product meal, treatment 3 contained 3% fish by-product meal and treatment 4 contained 5% fish by-product meal. Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 20 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured for the experiment were the initial body weight, final weight, daily feed intake while weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Data were analyzed using General linear model procedure of statistical analysis software (SAS) version 9.2. Results: This study indicated that the average daily feed intake of broiler significantly increased (P<0.05) in 3 and 5% fish by-product meal level to the diets during 11-20 days of age. At the age of 32 – 42 days the average body weight and daily feed intake at the age of 21-32 days were significantly (P<0.05) increased in 3 and 5% fish by-product meal level compared to control and 2% fishmeal diet. Conclusion: This study revealed that inclusion of fish by-product meal in the diet improved the performance of broiler. To utilize and exploit the potential of fish by-product meal as broiler feed in Gambella region, farmers should get training on preparation and utilization of fish by product.

In preparation for a legal implementation of EU-regulation 1829/2003, the Norwegian Environment Agency (former Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management) has requested the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) to give final opinions on all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products containing or consisting of GMOs that are authorized in the European Union under Directive 2001/18/EC or Regulation 1829/2003/EC within the Authority’s sectoral responsibility. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has therefore, by letter dated 13 February 2013 (ref. 2012/150202), requested the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) to carry out scientific risk assessments of 39 GMOs and products containing or consisting of GMOs that are authorized in the European Union. The request covers scope(s) relevant to the Gene Technology Act. The request does not cover GMOs that VKM already has conducted its final risk assessments on. However, the Agency requests VKM to consider whether updates or other changes to earlier submitted assessments are necessary. The assignment includes a scientific risk assessment of oilseed rape T45 from Bayer Crop Science (Unique Identfier ACS-BNØØ8-2) for food and feed uses, import and processing. Food additives produced from T45 oilseed rape were notified in the EU as existing food additives within the meaning of Article 8 (1) (b) of Regulation 1829/2003, authorized under Directive 89/10/EEC (Community Register 2005). Feed materials produced from T45 were also notified as existing feed products containing, consisting of or produced from T45 according to Articles 8 and 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 in 2003. A notification for placing on the market of T45 according to the Directive 2001/18/EC was submitted in March 2004 (C/GB/04/M5/4), covering import and processing of T45 into food and feed. The application was further transferred into Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 in November 2005 (EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/25). An application for renewal of authorisation for continued marketing of food additives and feed materials produced from T45 oilseed rape was submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 in 2007 (EFSA/GMO/RX/T45). The EFSA GMO Panel performed one single comprehensive risk assessment for all intended uses of genetically modified oilseed rape T45 and issued a comprehensive scientific opinion for both applications submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The scientific opinion was published in January 30 2008 (EFSA 2008), and food and feed products containing or produced from oilseed rape T45 was approved by Commission Decision 26 March 2009 (Commission Decision 2009/184/EC). The oilseed rape T45 is however currently being phased out (EU-COM 2009). The commercialisation of T45 oilseed rape seeds in third countries was stopped after the 2005 planting season and stocks of all oilseed rape T45 lines have been recalled from distribution and destroyed. The applicant commits not to commercialize the event in the future and the import will therefore be restricted to adventitious levels in oilseed rape commodity. Thus the incidence of oilseed rape T45 in the EU is expected to be limited. Oilseed rape T45 has previously been risk assessed by the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), commissioned by the NFSA related to the EFSAs public hearing in 2007 (VKM 2007a). The risk assessment of the oilseed rape T45 is based on information provided by the notifier in the application EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/25 and EFSA/GMO/RX/T45, and scientific comments from EFSA and other member states made available on the EFSA website GMO Extranet. The risk assessment also considered other peer-reviewed scientific literature as relevant. The VKM GMO Panel has evaluated T45 with reference to its intended uses in the European Economic Area (EEA) and according to the principles described in the Norwegian Food Act, the Norwegian Gene Technology Act and regulations relating to impact assessment pursuant to the Gene Technology Act, Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety has also decided to take account of the appropriate principles described in the EFSA guidelines for the risk assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed (EFSA 2006, 2011a), the environmental risk assessment of GM plants (EFSA 2010) and the selection of comparators for the risk assessment of GM plants (EFSA 2011b). The scientific risk assessment of oilseed rape T45 include molecular characterisation of the inserted DNA and expression of novel proteins, comparative assessment of agronomic and phenotypic characteristics, comparative compositional analysis, food/feed safety assessments and environmental assessment. It is emphasized that the VKM mandate does not include assessments of contribution to sustainable development, societal utility and ethical considerations, according to the Norwegian Gene Technology Act and Regulations relating to impact assessment pursuant to the Gene Technology Act. These considerations are therefore not part of the risk assessment provided by the VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms. The glufosinate ammonium-tolerant oilseed rape transformation event T45 was developed by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of protoplast from the conventional oilseed rape cultivar “AC Excel”. T45 contains a synthetic version of the native pat gene isolated from the bacteria Streptomyces viridochromogenes, strain Tü 494. The inserted gene encodes the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), which confers tolerance to the herbical active substance glufosinate ammonium. The PAT enzyme detoxifies glufosinate-ammonium by acetylation of the L-isomer into N-acetyl-L-glufosinate ammonium (NAG) which does not inhibit glutamine synthetase and, therefore, confers tolerance to the herbicide. Glufosinate ammonium-tolerant oilseed rape transformation event T45 has been conventionally bred into an array of spring-type oilseed rape varieties. Molecular characterization: The molecular characterisation data established that only one copy of the gene cassette is integrated in the oilseed rape genomic DNA. Appropriate analysis of the integration site including sequence determination of the inserted DNA and flanking regions, and bioinformatics analysis have been performed. Bioinformatics analyses of junction regions demonstrated the absence of any potential new ORFs coding for known toxins or allergens. The genetic stability of transformation event T45 was demonstrated at the genomic level over multiple generations by Southern analysis. Segregation analysis shows that event T45 is inherited as dominant, single locus trait. Phenotypic stability has been confirmed by stable tolerance to the herbicide for T45 lines and varieties derived from the event grown in Canada since 1993. Oilseed rape transformation event T45 and the physical, chemical and functional characteristics of the proteins have previously been evaluated by The VKM Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms, and considered satisfactory (VKM 2007a). Comparative assessment: For compositional analysis seeds were harvested from three field trials performed in Canada (1995, 2000 and 2004). These field trials were conducted using agronomic practices and field conditions typical of commercial oilseed rape cultivation and provided environmental situations representative of the geographical regions oilseed rape will be grown. The analytical data were statistically evaluated by analysis of difference between T45 oilseed rape and its non-transgenic parent variety AC Excel or to other comparators, derived from AC Excel. Several of the components listed in OECDs consensus document (OECD 2011) concerning oilseed rape have not been analyzed in seed, oil or meal such as vitamin K and the antinutrient sinapine. Compositional analysis was carried out with respect to proximates, fibers, amino acids, vitamin E (alfa-, beta, gamma- and delta tocopherol, total tocopherol, minerals (phosphorus, iron, calcium, sodium, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc), fatty acids, phytic acid and glucosinolates (alken glucosin, MSGL glucosin and indole glucosinolates). The PAT protein was detected by ELISA only in trace amounts in toasted meal from T45 oilseed rape and not detected in blended, degummed, refined, bleached and deodorized oil. The compositional analysis showed statistical differences for some of the analyzed components. However, this is not considered biological relevant because it is within the reference range from the literature. Based on results from comparative analyses of data from field trials located at representative sites and environments in Canada in 1995-1997, it is concluded that oilseed rape T45 is agronomically and phenotypically equivalent to the conventional counterpart and commercial available reference varieties, with the exception of maturity and the herbicide tolerance conferred by the PAT protein. The field evaluations support a conclusion of no phenotypic changes indicative of increased plant weed/pest potential of event T45 compared to conventional oilseed rape. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that in-crop applications of glufosinate herbicide do not alter the phenotypic and agronomic characteristics of event T45 compared to conventional oilseed rape. Food and feed safety assessment: The total amino acid sequence of the PAT protein was compared to that of known toxins and allergens listed in public databases. Based on these results, no evidence for any similarity to known toxic or allergenic proteins was found. An animal feeding study was performed in broiler chickens. This study showed no indications that neither the event T45 treated with glufosinate ammonium nor untreated, has adverse effects on feeding, growth or general health. To test the case of an acute exposure of the PAT protein to the circulatory system, an acute intravenous study was conducted in mice with highly purified (>95%) PAT protein, encoded by the pat gene (produced in E. coli). PAT protein, aprotinin (negative control) or melittin (positive control) were administered at dose levels of 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight. After 15 days the animals treated with the PAT protein and aprotinin at 10 mg/kg had no visible signs of systemic toxicity, in contrast to melittin which induced 100% mortality within 5 minutes at the same dose. Macroscopic examination of internal organs showed no signs of acute toxicity following treatment with PAT protein. Environmental risk: According to the applicant, the event T45 has been phased out, and stocks of all oilseed rape T45 lines have been recalled from distribution and destroyed since 2005. However, since future cultivation and import of oilseed rape T45 into the EU/EEA area cannot be entirely ruled out, the environmental risk assessment consider exposure of viable seeds of T45 through accidental spillage into the environment during transportation, storage, handling, processing and use of derived products. Oilseed rape is mainly a self-pollinating species, but has entomophilous flowers capable of both self- and cross-pollinating. Normally the level of outcrossing is about 30%, but outcrossing frequencies up to 55% are reported. Several plant species related to oilseed rape that are either cultivated, occurs as weeds of cultivated and disturbed lands, or grow outside cultivation areas to which gene introgression from oilseed rape could be of concern. These are found both in the Brassica species complex and in related genera. A series of controlled crosses between oilseed rape and related taxa have been reported in the scientific literature. Because of a mismatch in the chromosome numbers most hybrids have a severely reduced fertility. Exceptions are hybrids obtained from crosses between oilseed rape and wild turnip (B. rapa ssp. campestris) and to a lesser extent, mustard greens (B. juncea), where spontaneously hybridising and transgene introgression under field conditions have been confirmed. Wild turnip is native to Norway and a common weed in arable lowlands. There is no evidence that the herbicide tolerant trait results in enhanced fitness, persistence or invasiveness of oilseed rape T45, or hybridizing wild relatives, compared to conventional oilseed rape varieties, unless the plants are exposed to herbicides with the active substance glufosinate ammonium. Glufosinate ammonium-containing herbicides have been withdrawn from the Norwegian market since 2008, and the substance will be phased out in the EU in 2017 for reasons of reproductive toxicity. Accidental spillage and loss of viable seeds of T45 during transport, storage, handling in the environment and processing into derived products is, however, likely to take place over time and the establishment of small populations of oilseed rape T45 cannot be excluded. Feral oilseed rape T45 arising from spilled seed could theoretically pollinate conventional crop plants if the escaped populations are immediately adjacent to field crops and shed seeds from cross-pollinated crop plants could emerge as GM volunteers in subsequent crops. However, both the occurrence of feral oilseed rape resulting from seed import spills and the introgression of genetic material from feral oilseed rape populations to wild populations are likely to be low in an import scenario. Apart from the glufosinate tolerance trait, the resulting progeny will not possess a higher fitness and will not be different from progeny arising from cross-fertilisation with conventional oilseed rape varieties. The VKM GMO Panel The occurrence of feral oilseed rape resulting from seed import spills and the introgression of genetic material from feral oilseed rape populations to wild populations are likely to be low in an import scenario in Norway. Overall conclusion: The VKM GMO Panel concludes that T45 oilseed rape, based on current knowledge, is comparable to conventional oilseed rape varieties concerning health risks with the intended usage. The GMO Panel likewise concludes that T45 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on the environment and agriculture in Norway in the context of its intended usage.