Fermented cottonseed meal improves production performance and reduces fat deposition in broiler chickens

Niu, Jun Li; Wei, Lian Qing; Luo, Yuan Qing; Yang, Wen Ting; Lu, Qi Cheng; Zheng, Xin Xia; Niu, Yu Jie; Sheng, Wen; Cheng, Hong; Zhang, Wen Ju; Nie, Cun Xi

doi:2021.34.4.680

Anim Biosci > Volume 34(4); 2021 > Article

Article

Nonruminant Nutrition and Feed Processing

Animal Bioscience 2021;34(4): 680-691.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.20.0571 Published online November 25, 2020.

Fermented cottonseed meal improves production performance and reduces fat deposition in broiler chickens

Jun Li Niu¹

, Wen Ju Zhang^1,*

, Cun Xi Nie^1,*

College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Xinjiang 832000, China

Correspondence: Wen Ju Zhang, Tel: +86-993-2058-153, Fax: +86-993-2058-839, Email: zhangwj1022@sina.com
Cun Xi Nie, Tel: +86-13899514671, Fax: +86-993-2058-839, Email: niecunxi@shzu.edu.cn

Received: 13 August 2020 • Revised: 30 September 2020 • Accepted: 20 November 2020

Abstract

Objective
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens.
Methods
A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by Candida tropicalis until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal.
Results
FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration.
Conclusion
FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition.

Keywords: Fermented Feedstuffs; Growth Performance; Carcass Trait; Abdominal Fat; Adipocyte Surface; Poultry