Publications by authors named "Bernadette G Sta Cruz"
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates how different crate types (plastic vs. iron) affect the welfare and meat quality of broiler chickens during winter transport, noting that drug stress can impact meat yield and quality.
- - A total of 175 male Ross 308 broilers were compared, with some transported in iron and plastic crates and a control group kept on the farm; results showed no differences in carcass traits, but the plastic crates were linked to lower stress indicators.
- - Findings reveal that broilers in iron crates had higher stress levels (elevated cortisol, glucose, and lactate) compared to those in plastic crates or the control group, suggesting that plastic crates are better for welfare by reducing stress during transport.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate how phytase and multi-carbohydrase affect the growth, nutrient digestibility, and overall quality of broiler chickens fed phosphorus and energy-deficient diets.
- A total of 288 Ross 308 broiler chicks were divided into six dietary treatment groups, including a positive control and various AP-deficient diets with or without enzyme supplements.
- Results showed that enzyme-supplemented diets improved growth metrics like body weight and feed conversion rates, enhanced tibia mineralization, and increased leg meat yield, with the best results seen in the diet combining both phytase and multi-carbohydrase.
Objective: The goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of various concentrations of xylanase in energy-deficient corn-based diets on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and digesta viscosity in broilers from 7 to 35 days of age.
Methods: A total of 280 seven-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to one of the five dietary treatments following a completely randomized design with 8 replicates and 7 birds per cage. The treatments were: i) positive control (PC, without xylanase); ii) NC-1 (80 kcal/kg ME reduced from PC); iii) NC-2 (100 kcal/kg ME reduced from PC); iv) NCX-1 (NC-1 + 2,000 U/kg xylanase); and v) NCX-2 (NC-2 + 3,000 U/kg xylanase).