Utilization of Processed Pine Needle Powder in Broiler Chicken Diets

Abstract

This study examined the effects of dietary processed pine needle tree powder (PPNP) on growth performance, visceral organ parameters, ileal digestibility, blood metabolites and ileal morphology of broiler chickens for 5-week after hatch. In total, 220 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 30 pens (seven birds per pen), and each pen was assigned to one of five dietary treatments, a diet without PPNP (control) and diets with 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% PPNP. The body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. One bird from each pen was selected randomly and gently euthanized to collect the blood, visceral organs and digesta samples on 2, 3 and 5 week of age. Birds fed 2.0% PPNP showed decreased (P<0.05) overall body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake compared to those fed control, 0.5 and 1.0% PPNP. The small intestine length increased (P<0.05) as the level of PPNP in the diet increased. A deeper crypt depth was observed (P<0.05) when birds fed 2.0% PPNP compared to those fed the control diet at week 2. A higher V:C ratio was observed (P<0.05) in birds fed 1.0% PPNP than in those fed other treatments at week 3. Ileal protein digestibility improved (P<0.05) when birds fed 0.5% and 1.0% PPNP compared to that in those fed the control diet at week 3. The feed conversion ratio, ileal dry matter digestibility and blood urea nitrogen and cholesterol, and gizzard and ceca weights were not affected (P>0.05) by supplementation of any levels of PPNP. These results demonstrated that inclusion of PPNP in broiler diets could be a possible factor in improving overall growth performance suggesting early gut development when 1% PPNP is supplemented.

Pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) Needle Extract Supplementation Improves Performance, Egg Quality, Serum Parameters, and the Gut Microbiome in Laying Hens

“…In healthy animals, protein synthesis increases along with TP and ALB. In our experiment, serum TP and ALB were higher in the PNE100 group than in the other groups, indicating a more vigorous protein metabolism in the PNE100 group, which was consistent with the results of Kim et al ( 13 ), who found that 1% pine needle powder strengthened the ability of broilers to utilize protein and N nutrients. Khan et al also demonstrated that including 150 mg/kg PNE ameliorated serum TP and ALB concentrations in quails ( 16 ).…”

“…Khan et al reported that supplementation of 150 mg/kg PNE enhanced quail growth performance ( 16 ). Similarly, Kim et al illustrated that broilers-fed 2.0% simple processed pine needle powder exhibited decreased overall body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and improved ileal protein digestibility compared with those of broilers-fed diets containing 0, 0.5, and 1.0% pine needle powder ( 13 ). Consistent with our results, Kothari et al showed that adding 2.5 and 5 mg/kg fermented PNE increased egg mass and egg production ( 17 ).…”

“…Broilers-fed pine powder had reduced serum total cholesterol ( 12 ) and improved meat quality. Pine needle powder increased growth performance in broilers by improving the small intestinal length and protein digestibility ( 13 ). Moreover, pine needle extracts (PNEs) have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities against pathogens, stimulating growth of beneficial gut bacteria, particularly Enterococcus spp.…”