The current study was performed to investigate the influence of different stocking density rates on the performance, thermophysiological measurements as well as blood parameters of 0 to 30 d of age female Ross broiler. A total of 96 chicks were randomly distributed in a randomized complete block design among 12 cages. Three stocking density rates were applied; low (28.0 kg/m 2 ), medium (37.0 kg/m 2 ) and high (40.0 kg/m 2 ). Results revealed that cumulative body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were influenced (P<0.01) by the rate of stocking density, while no effect (P>0.05) were observed for broilers mortalitycorrected feed conversion ratio (FCR). Higher BWG (P<0.01) and FI (P<0.05) were reported for low and medium density rates broilers in comparison to the high density rate broilers. Overall means of body temperature as well as head, neck, wing, body and shank surface temperatures have displayed (P<0.05) higher values in medium and high density rates broilers compared to the low density rate broilers. Furthermore, increasing the stocking density from 28 to 40 kg/m 2 induced a state of hemodilution in higher density rate broilers, which might explain the noticeable decrease in packed cell volume (PCV). Meanwhile, an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was observed in the higher density group, which might indicate hepatocellular injures. It can be concluded that increasing the stocking density rate from 28 to 40 kg of BW/m 2 had evident impingement effects on the performance of broiler chicken and could jeopardize their welfare.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of probiotics (Protexin) and prebiotics (active MOS, mannan oligosaccharides) on growth performance, carcasses, and antibody titer in broilers. A total number of 360-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly divided into 9 groups in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Nine broiler starter (0–21 d) and finisher (21–35 d) diets were formulated by using 3 levels of probiotics (0, 1, and 2 g/kg of feed) and 3 levels of MOS (0, 1, and 1.5 g/kg of feed) and were randomly allotted to 9 groups. Feed intake was not affected by interaction of treatments during all phases ( P > 0.05). Feed intake was improved due to the main effect of probiotic ( P = 0.0001) or MOS ( P = 0.005). No interaction ( P > 0.05) was observed for weight gain in the starter, finisher, and overall phases. While, during the starter and finisher phases, weight gain was increased by probiotics ( P = 0.028 or 0.04, respectively). Dietary supplementation of MOS improved weight gain ( P = 0.01) and feed conversion ratio ( FCR ) ( P = 0.03) during the overall period, but during starter and finisher periods, weight gain and FCR were not affected by prebiotics. Apart from dressing percentage, no interaction or individual effect of probiotics and prebiotics was observed for carcass, breast, thigh, heart, liver, and gizzard weight. Antibody titer for infectious bursal disease ( IBD ) was improved ( P = 0.026) by the interaction effect between probiotics and prebiotics, when compared with the control group. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease ( ND ) was not affected by probiotics or prebiotics or their interactions ( P > 0.05). It could be concluded that supplementation of prebiotics or probiotics can improve the growth performance of broilers. It may also be helpful in improving the antibody titer against IBD in broilers fed antibiotic-free diets.

A total of 120 growing rabbits (7-weeks old) reared under high ambient temperature were divided into four equal groups, 30 rabbits each. The first group was received a basal diet without Phycocyanin (PC) (0 g/kg diet) and served as a control (PC0). The other three groups were received diets containing PC (50 (PC50), 100 (PC100), 150 (PC150) mg/kg diet, respectively). Live body weight (LBW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were enhanced significantly by 11.83% (p ¼ .028) and 18.23% (p ¼ .002) in PC50 group, and; respectively, compared with the PC0 group. Red blood cells, platelet, and haemoglobin values were significantly increased, while white blood cells were reduced (p ¼ .033) in rabbits received diets containing PC (50, 100 and 150 mg/ kg) compared to the PC0 group. Plasma urea, total bilirubin, and the gamma gamma-glutamyl transferase in the group PC100 were significantly higher than those in the PC group. Compared with the PC150 and control groups, treatment with 50 or 100 mg/kg decreased plasma interleukin-4 (p < .0001) and interferon c (p < .0001) levels, but increased the levels of nitric oxide (p < .0001). Activities of antioxidants indices were improved (p < .0001) in the group treated with PC (50 and 100 mg/kg). However, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) was decreased (p ¼ .001) in PC50 compared with the other groups. The caecal bacterial populations were lowered in the groups treated with (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) compared with those in the PC0 group. Conclusively, dietary inclusion of PC (100 mg/kg) could be effectively used to enhance the performance, antioxidants indices, decrease inflammatory responses and intestinal pathogens and hence enhance the health status of growing rabbits during the summer season. HIGHLIGHTSPhycocyanin (PC) is one of the most bioactive compounds of spirulina platensis. PC improved rabbit's growth, immune, and antioxidants under heat stress.

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