Project Number: 6406-32630-005-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 27, 2007
End Date: May 31, 2012

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to improve broiler production efficiency and meat yield of heavy broiler chickens fed low-energy diets or diets varying in amino acid levels and to evaluate production efficiency and physiological responses of heavy broiler chickens as a function of light intensity.

Approach:
Day old broiler chickens will be obtained from a commercial hatchery and reared and fed low energy diets including strategies to increase the inclusion of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDG/S) in broiler diets. In addition, dietary amino acids will be investigated throughout the production cycle. Production efficiency and meat yield will be characterized. Studies on varying light intensities will be conducted in light controlled chambers. Blood samples will be obtained for analyses of selected blood gases, electrolytes, and indicators of stress as well as evaluation of immune stress. Also, neuropeptides associated with proopiomelanocortin release will be determined by obtaining brain samples from the thalamic region. Specific dissected areas will be extracted and component neuropeptides will be fractionated according to molecular size. Peptide identification will be performed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.