The present study was designed to investigate the influence of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) pod meal (MPM) on production, immunity, and functional food index of chicken eggs. Two hundred HyLine W36 layer birds aged 50 weeks, 1469 ± 46.63 g, were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design, with five replicates and ten birds each. Diets A, B, C, and D were formulated with the same caloric and protein levels, but with differing MPM dose levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15g MPM/kg finisher diet, respectively. Data for production performance, quality, and chemical composition of eggs were analysed by one-way ANOVA, and means were compared with Duncan's multiple range test. As a result of this study, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg mass (EM) were significantly decreased and recorded lowest in Group B, which was offered 5 g/kg above the basal diet. Bioactives such as β-carotene, quercetin, and selenium levels were increased (540, 121, & 72.21µg/100g of yolk, respectively), whereas cholesterol levels in egg yolk and serum were decreased significantly, that is, 201.87 mg/100g and 8.47 mg/dl, respectively. Serum biochemical indicators, including serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), glucose, creatinine and cholesterol levels, were lowered significantly. Proximate analysis of egg yolk showed that moisture and ether extract were decreased, whereas crude protein (CP), ash and minerals, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) contents were increased. The outcomes of this study showed that MPM supplementation affects EM, serum biochemistry and bioactive compounds of the egg yolk positively. ______________________________________________________________________________________

A prospective study was conducted from November 2013 to February 2014 to estimate the spatial clustering; cumulative incidence and risk factors associated with avian influenza (AI) subtype H9 infection on commercial poultry farms of Pakistan. A total of 400 farms were enrolled and followed during the study period. Among these, 109 farms submitted samples suspected for AI to the laboratory, and only 47 farms were confirmed positive by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) test. Data was collected from these 109 farms about their demography, management, and biosecurity practices. The cumulative incidence of H9N2 was 11.75 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 8.76-15.23). The highest number of cases (40.42 %) was reported in January. One most likely cluster (p = 0.009, radius = 4.61 km) occurred in the Kasur district. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that the presence of wild birds on the farms (odds ratio (OR) = 16.18; 95 % CI 3.94-66.45) was independently associated with H9N2 infection. Cleaning of cages before delivery on farm (OR = 0.16; 95 % CI = 0.06-0.47), presence of a footbath at the entrance of farm (OR = 0.24; 95 % CI 0.08-0.79), and changing of gloves (OR = 0.33; 95 % CI 0.11-0.99) were protective factors against H9N2 infection. Reducing the exposure to risk factors and adapting biosecurity measures may reduce the risk of AI H9N2 infection on commercial poultry farms in Pakistan.

The effect of a prebiotic mannan oligosaccharides (Actigen™) supplementation for 35 days was analyzed on growth, carcass traits and blood physiology of broilers. A total of 360-day-old broilers distributed under completely randomized design into four treatment groups with 24 replicates of 15 birds each was fed with Actigen™ supplemented diets @ 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/Kg and a control diet. Data for growth performance were collected weekly while slaughtering data at 35th day. Results showed that the birds fed with Actigen™ added diet @ 0.6 g/Kg exhibited improved livability% (98.88±1.11), feed intake (3391.68±38.70 g), body weight (2157.66±31.52 g), weight gain (2111.49±30.89 g), FCR (1.57±0.03), dressing% (72.28±0.40), breast yield% (29.58±0.05), thigh yield% (31.61±0.30) and blood biochemical parameters. Superior (P£0.05) antibody response against ND and IB were recorded in birds exposed to Actigen™ supplemented diet @ 0.6 g/Kg. It was concluded that Actigen™ supplementation @ 0.6 g/Kg corroborated to improve growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry and antibody response in broilers.

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This study investigates the effects of hydrolyzed yeast mixture (HYM) and an organic acid blend (OAB) supplementation individually and in combination on growth performance and tibia bone characteristics of broilers. A total number of 128 one day- old chicks were divided into four different groups with each group having 4 replicates in a trial of 35 days. The first group was kept as control whereas, the second and third groups were given HYM and OAB respectively. The fourth group (HYM+OAB) was given combination of HYM and OAB. At the end of trial, two birds from each replicate were slaughtered for analysis. Results revealed that feed conversion ratio and live body weight were significantly higher in HYM+OAB compared to other groups. Tibial bone analysis revealed that robusticity and tibiotarsal indices were significantly better for HYM+OAB. It is concluded that compared to individual, combined supplementation of HYM and OAB is more beneficial in broilers.