- Email: [email protected]
Comparison of Two Antioxidants and Two Sources Xanthophyll in a Pigmentation Study with Broilers1
716
D. E. TURK, W. G. HOEKSTRA, H. R. BIRD AND M. L. SUNDE
REFERENCES Berg, L. R., and G. E. Bearse, 1958. Protein and energy studies with developing White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci..37: 1340-1346. Berg, L. R., 195°. Protein, energy and method of feeding as factors in the nutrition of develop-
ing White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 158-165. Blaylock, L. G., 1956. The protein requirement of growing birds. Poultry Sci. 35: 1133. Denton, C. A., and R. J. Lillie, 1959. Effect of protein restriction in growing and laying diets on the performance of White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 1198. Leong, K. C , M. L. Sunde, H. R. Bird and C. A. Elvehjem, 1959. Interrelationships among dietary energy, protein and amino acids for chickens. Poultry Sci. 38: 1267-1285. Orr, H. L., E. S. Snyder, W. F. Pepper and S. J. Slinger, 1958. Effect of high and low energy diets and range vs. confinement rearing on egg production and quality of fresh and held eggs. Poultry Sci. 37: 1231. Pepper, W. F., S. J. Slinger, H. L. Orr and E. S. Snyder, 1959. Effect of high and low energy diets and range vs. confinement rearing on egg production and quality of fresh and held eggs. Poultry Sci. 38: 379-385. Sunde, M. L., and H. R. Bird, 1959. The protein requirements of growing pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 48-55.
Comparison of Two Antioxidants and Two Sources Xanthophyll in a Pigmentation Study with Broilers1 ROBERT G. RATCLIFF, ELBERT J. DAY AND JAMES E. HILL Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, State College, Mississippi (Received for publication July 26, 1960)
T
ODAY, it appears that in certain areas not as much emphasis is being placed on broiler pigmentation as formerly as evidenced by the relative drop in price of some feedstuffs that are used as sources of xanthophyll and by the fact that processors are not discriminating and complaining about poor pigmentation as much as in the past. Nevertheless, it is still a necessity to have well pigmented birds if they are to be sold commercially. During periods of stress, 1 Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Journal article no. 879.
Station
such as coccidiosis and respiratory diseases, good pigmentation is hard to obtain. Therefore, it is of importance to know the relative pigmenting values of feedstuffs and to find new ways of enhancing the utilization of xanthophyll and/or to find new sources of xanthophyll in order to produce well pigmented broilers at a minimum cost. The present study was concerned with the use of two different antioxidants in an attempt to improve xanthophyll utilization and a comparison of a new clover meal with alfalfa meal as a source of xanthophyll in broiler rations.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
tein level of 20 to 2 1 % with an energy level of about 900 Calories gave the best growth and feed efficiency from 0 to 8 weeks of age; 15 to 16% protein with 800 to 1000 Calories was optimum or near optimum during the 8 to 15 week period; and 13 to 15% protein with 800 to 1000 Calories gave the best performance with the fewest problems from feather picking and eating during the 15 to 20 week period. An energy level of 1000 Calories was borderline for the feather picking problem, but gave the best feed efficiency. The best energy level within the above limits was a question of economics, and not of nutrition.
BROILER
717
PIGMENTATION
TABLE 1.—Composition of the master control ration
EXPERIMENTAL
Starter
Finisher
55.50 26.21 2.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 5.00 3.29
60.00 20.71 2.50 2.00 2.50 4.00 5.00 3.29
Total
100.00
100.00
Calculated analyses: Energy (prod. Cal./lb.) Crude protein (%) C / P ratio
988.44 23.15 42.7
1,033.54 20.79 49.7
White corn (grade no. 2) Soybean oil meal ( 5 0 % protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Feather meal Poultry by-products meal Fat, vegetable (Wesson) Wheat shorts Premix 1
1 Premix furnished 1.5% defluorinated rock phosphate, 1.0% ground limestone, and 0.3% sodium chloride. It also provided the following vitamins and minerals per pound of ration: vitamin A, 2,400 I.U.; vitamin Da: 544 I.C.U.; vitamin E, 6.0 I.U.; vitamin B12, 6.0 meg.; choline chloride, 226.8 mg.; pantothenic acid, 6.0 mg.; vitamin K, 6.0 mg.; riboflavin, 2 mg.; thiamine, 4 mg.; niacin, 12.5 mg.; and manganese sulfate, 64.0 mg.
wheat shorts, and the antioxidants, butylated-hydroxy-toluene (BHT) and Santoquin,* were substituted at the expense of corn. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Influence of Antioxidants on Broiler Pigmentation. The master control rations were modified to include two different levels of dietary xanthophyll (4 and 8 mgs./ lb.) and fed to chickens, with and withsupplementary ethoxyquin and BHT (0.0125%), as shown in Table 2. Both alfalfa meal and clover meal (GranladinoLactus, a type of Ladino white clover) were used separately to furnish the dietary xanthophyll. The addition of ethoxyquin to the rations significantly (P < .01) improved pigmentation and the efficiency of xanthophyll utilization in all instances, except in Treatment 2 where the improvement was not significant. Also, the addition of BHT significantly (P < .01) improved pigmentation and xanthophyll utilization at the high dietary level of xanthophyll (Treat. 10). However * Reg. T. M. Monsanto Chem. Co. for ethoxyquin (1, 2, dihydro- 6-ethoxy 2, 2, 4 trimethylquinoline).
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Day-old broiler-type chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery and randomly assigned to treatments (20 per treatment, replicated twice). The chicks were raised in electrically heated battery brooders until five weeks of age, after which they were transferred to finishing batteries where they were kept until the end of the test period (eight weeks). All chicks were fed a xanthophyll-free diet for the first three weeks in order to start the test with completely bleached birds. Group feed consumption records were only obtained during the test period (3-8 weeks of age) and individual body weight data were obtained at three, five and eight weeks of age. Body weight data represent sex-corrected averages. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The xanthophyll content of dehydrated alfalfa meal (17% protein) and dehydrated clover meal (20% protein) were determined prior to the use of these feedstuffs by employing essentially the method of Bickoff et al. (1954). Dehydrated alfalfa meal and dehydrated clover meal were found to contain approximately 160.73 and 223.17 milligrams of xanthophyll per pound, respectively (averages of 10 separate analyses). The method employed in determining pigmentation was the same as that used by Ratcliff et al. (1959). Forty birds from each treatment were used in determining the average pigmentation score. Statistical examination of the pigmentation data was made by the analysis of variance according to Snedecor (1956) with significant treatment differences determined using Duncan's multiple range test (1955). Rations: The composition of the master control ration (starter and finisher) is shown in Table 1. The experimental rations were formulated by substituting the test material as follows: alfalfa meal and clover meal were substituted at the expense of
718
R. G. RATCLIFF, E. J. DAY AND J. E. HILL TABLE 2.—The results of feeding low and high dietary levels of dehydrated alfalfa meal and clover meal, with and without antioxidants, on pigmentation of broilers from three to eight weeks of age
Treat. no. 1 2 3 4 ,i
6 7 8
11
None Plus A. M., 2.50% 7 Plus A. M., 2.50% and santoquin, 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 1.79%7 Plus C M . , 1.79% and B. H. T., 0.0125% 7 Plus C. M., 1.79% and santoquin, 0.0125% 7 Plus A. M., 5.00%' Plus A. M., 5.00% and santoquin, 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 3.57% 7 Plus C. M., 3.57% and B. H. T., 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 3.57% and santoquin, 0.0125%7
Avg. Feed
Xan.2 level mg./lb.
Avg. wt. lbs.
%T<
Avg. pigm.5
Gain
4.00
—
2.96 3.09
2.56 2.66
95.54 90.06
21.31 50.67
24.80
2.04
4.00 4.00
3.02 2.98
2.46 2.60
89.51 81.70
55.87 98.74
23.52 24.60
2.38 4.01
4.00
3.06
2.64
88.99
59.76
25.44
2.35
4.00 8.00
3.04 3.04
2.52 2.66
77.42 84.71
124.72 82.37
23.72 49.52
5.26 1.66
8.00 8.00
3.12 2.91
2.64 2.70
79.44 76.44
111.73 129.92
52.80 50.56
2.11 2.57
8.00
2.91
2.60
70.41
162.40
46.88
3.46
8.00
2.98
2.58
69.48
168.90
48.64
3.47
3
Avg. xan. intake
—
Avg. effic. score6
—
1
See Table 1 for the composition of the master control ration. Dietary xanthophyll level. Feed efficiency during test period (3-8 wks.). 4 Percent transmission as recorded from the spectrophotometer. 5 Micrograms of xanthophyll per 100 cm2, of toe web area. 6 Pigmentation value divided by the milligrams of xanthophyll intake. 7 The xanthophyll content of A. M. (alfalfa meal, 17% protein) and C. M. (clover meal, 20% protein) was found by analyses to be 160.73 and 223.17 milligrams per pound, respectively. 2
3
at the low dietary level of xanthophyll, BHT depressed pigmentation for some unexplainable reason (Treat. 5). According to these results, ethoxyquin is a much better antioxidant than BHT to enhance pigmentation in broilers. Supplementary ethoxyquin improved pigmentation more than BHT did in both instances. This difference in favor of ethoxyquin was significant (P < TABLE 3.-—Statistical
.01) in one of the two treatments (Treat. 6 versus Treat. 5) where the two antioxidants were compared (Table 3). According to the results reported in the literature, BHT exerts little, if any, effect on xanthophyll utilization. Potter et al. (1956) and Elrod et al. (1958) reported only a slight improvement in pigmentation with the use of BHT; whereas, no improve-
results {average pigmentation) *
Treatment number 1 21.31
2
3
5
7
4
8
6
9
10
11
50.67
55.87
59.76
82.37
98.74
111.73
124.72
129.92
162.40
168.90
* An}' two means not underscored by the same line are significantly different at the 1 percent level.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
9 10
Modification of master control ration 1
719
BROILER PIGMENTATION
the clover meal was significantly (P < .01) greater than that produced by the alfalfa meal. From the results obtained in this study it can be seen that xanthophyll was more efficiently utilized for pigmentation at low dietary levels than at high dietary levels. These results are in agreement with earlier findings of Day and Williams (1958) and Ratcliff et al. (1959). SUMMARY
1. The addition of 0.0125% ethoxyquin to broiler rations significantly enhanced pigmentation in three out of four instances. BHT, at the same dietary level, significantly improved pigmentation in one instance but significantly depressed pigmentation in another instance. 2. On a comparison basis supplementary ethoxyquin improved pigmentation more than BHT in two instances, significantly so in one instance. 3. Average body weights of broilers were improved in three out of four treatments with supplementary ethoxyquin and feed efficiency was improved in all four of the treatments. 4. Clover meal (Granladino-Lactus) was found to contain (chemical analysis) more xanthophyll on a per pound basis than alfalfa meal. When these two feedstuffs were used to supply comparable dietary xanthophyll levels, clover meal significantly produced greater pigmentation in broilers than alfalfa meal. According to these results, it is evident that this type of clover meal could be substituted for alfalfa meal in broiler rations. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported in part by a grant-in-aid from Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, Missouri. We wish to thank Monsanto Chemical Company for supplying Santoquin; Kop-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
ment in pigmentation with the use of BHT was reported by Fritz and Wharton (1957), Day and Williams (1958) and Williams et al. (1959). Data concerning the effect of ethoxyquin on pigmentation is conflicting. Williams et al. (1959) found that ethoxyquin was without effect on pigmentation; whereas, the findings of Harms (1960) and the results reported herein indicate significant improvements in the amount of xanthophyll deposition in the skin of broilers with the addition of 0.0125% of ethoxyquin to the feed. Harms (1960) reported that growth rate of broilers was increased by the addition of ethoxyquin to the feed. Although the body weight data in this study were not statistically analyzed, there was an improvement in average body weights in three out of the four treatments that contained ethoxyquin. Furthermore, feed efficiency was improved in all rations that contained ethoxyquin as compared to their respective control rations (no ethoxyquin). Observations on the effect of ethoxyquin in improving growth rate and feed conversion have also been reported by Gordon et al. (1960). Comparison of Alfalfa Meal and Clover Meal as Sources of Xanthophyll. The master control rations were modified, as shown in Table 2, with each of these feedstuffs to provide comparable dietary xanthophyll levels (4 and 8 mgs./lb.). The xanthophyll efficiency values that were obtained in this test indicate that the xanthophyll of clover meal (Treats. 4 and 9) was much more efficiently utilized than that of alfalfa meal (Treats. 2 and 7). The xanthophyll of alfalfa meal was only 50.87 percent as efficiently utilized as that of clover meal when they supplied low dietary levels; whereas, at the high dietary level of xanthophyll, the alfalfa meal was 64.59 percent as efficiently utilized as the xanthophyll of clover meal. At both the low and high levels of dietary xanthophyll the pigmentation produced by
720
R. G. RATCLIFF, E. J. DAY AND J. E. HILL
pers Company, Inc., Monaca, Pa., for the BHT; and Mr. Carl Ross, Consultant to the Calapproved Seed Growers Association, Modesto, Calif., for the clover meal. REFERENCES Bickoff, E. M., A. L. Livingston, G. F. Bailey and C. R. Thompson, 1954. Xanthophyll determination in dehydrated alfalfa meal. J. Assoc. Off. Agric. Chem. 37 : 894-902. Day, E. J., and W. P. Williams, Jr., 1958. A study of certain factors that influence pigmentation in broilers. Poultry Sci. 37: 1373-1381. Duncan, E. M., 1955. Multiple range and F tests. Biometrics, 11: 1-42. Elrod, R. C, E. S. Robajdek, R. H. Gledhill, W. M. Witz, G. M. Diser and J. W. Hayward, 1958. Pigmentation studies with broilers and laying hens. Feedstuffs, 30 (33): 26-32.
The Use of Reclaimed Egg Cases in the Shell Egg and Egg Products Trade LEONARD Z.
EGGLETON
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa AND CLIFF D.
CARPENTER
Laguna Beach, California (Received for publication July 27, 1960)
commodity began on the New York Mercantile Exchange April 18, 1960, with the A LARGE percentage of the wholesale following provision: "in used cases—30 •*• *• packs of eggs for consumption in cents allowance (penalty) for case." shell form moving from surplus production Used cases, fillers and flats are readily areas to terminal markets are packed in new available after being used initially for shipcases, fillers and flats. Larger assemblers of ments to terminal markets. These used cases shell eggs in deficit areas also pack most become an item of trade in deficit areas of table grades of eggs in new materials. the Northeast and Southeast. Their reuse Wholesale packs of eggs offered for sale at is predicated on the assumption that a either the New York or Chicago Exchanges saving in materials cost will result. The are required to be in new cases. problem facing industry is whether in fact, A good example of the comparative value the purchase of used cases does represent a of eggs in new versus used materials is cited total savings in the distributive channels in the new shell egg futures contract gov- for shell eggs. A similar problem exists in the handling erning "Fresh Mediums." Trading in this THE PROBLEM AND PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY
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Fritz, J. E., and F. D. Wharton, Jr., 1957. The influence of feed on broiler pigmentation. Poultry Sci. 36: 1118. Gordon, R. S., and L. J. Machlin, 1960. Effect of Santoquin on growth and feed conversion of young chickens. Poultry Sci. 39: 1253. Harms, H., 1960. Where the "yellow" went—and stayed! Broiler Industry, Feb.: 48. Potter, L. M., R. H. Bunnell, L. D. Matterson and E. P. Singsen, 1956. The effect of antioxidants and a vitamin Bis concentrate on the utilization of carotenoid pigments by the chick. Poultry Sci. 35: 352-456. Ratcliff, R. G., E. J. Day and J. E. Hill, 1959. Broiler pigmentation as influenced by dietary modifications. Poultry Sci. 38: 1039-1048. Snedecor, G. W., 1956. Statistical Methods. Iowa State College Press. Ames, Iowa. Williams, W. P., Jr., R. E. Davies and J. R. Couch, 1959. Broiler pigmentation. The Texas Nutrition Conference: 85-95.
D. E. TURK, W. G. HOEKSTRA, H. R. BIRD AND M. L. SUNDE
REFERENCES Berg, L. R., and G. E. Bearse, 1958. Protein and energy studies with developing White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci..37: 1340-1346. Berg, L. R., 195°. Protein, energy and method of feeding as factors in the nutrition of develop-
ing White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 158-165. Blaylock, L. G., 1956. The protein requirement of growing birds. Poultry Sci. 35: 1133. Denton, C. A., and R. J. Lillie, 1959. Effect of protein restriction in growing and laying diets on the performance of White Leghorn pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 1198. Leong, K. C , M. L. Sunde, H. R. Bird and C. A. Elvehjem, 1959. Interrelationships among dietary energy, protein and amino acids for chickens. Poultry Sci. 38: 1267-1285. Orr, H. L., E. S. Snyder, W. F. Pepper and S. J. Slinger, 1958. Effect of high and low energy diets and range vs. confinement rearing on egg production and quality of fresh and held eggs. Poultry Sci. 37: 1231. Pepper, W. F., S. J. Slinger, H. L. Orr and E. S. Snyder, 1959. Effect of high and low energy diets and range vs. confinement rearing on egg production and quality of fresh and held eggs. Poultry Sci. 38: 379-385. Sunde, M. L., and H. R. Bird, 1959. The protein requirements of growing pullets. Poultry Sci. 38: 48-55.
Comparison of Two Antioxidants and Two Sources Xanthophyll in a Pigmentation Study with Broilers1 ROBERT G. RATCLIFF, ELBERT J. DAY AND JAMES E. HILL Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, State College, Mississippi (Received for publication July 26, 1960)
T
ODAY, it appears that in certain areas not as much emphasis is being placed on broiler pigmentation as formerly as evidenced by the relative drop in price of some feedstuffs that are used as sources of xanthophyll and by the fact that processors are not discriminating and complaining about poor pigmentation as much as in the past. Nevertheless, it is still a necessity to have well pigmented birds if they are to be sold commercially. During periods of stress, 1 Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Journal article no. 879.
Station
such as coccidiosis and respiratory diseases, good pigmentation is hard to obtain. Therefore, it is of importance to know the relative pigmenting values of feedstuffs and to find new ways of enhancing the utilization of xanthophyll and/or to find new sources of xanthophyll in order to produce well pigmented broilers at a minimum cost. The present study was concerned with the use of two different antioxidants in an attempt to improve xanthophyll utilization and a comparison of a new clover meal with alfalfa meal as a source of xanthophyll in broiler rations.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
tein level of 20 to 2 1 % with an energy level of about 900 Calories gave the best growth and feed efficiency from 0 to 8 weeks of age; 15 to 16% protein with 800 to 1000 Calories was optimum or near optimum during the 8 to 15 week period; and 13 to 15% protein with 800 to 1000 Calories gave the best performance with the fewest problems from feather picking and eating during the 15 to 20 week period. An energy level of 1000 Calories was borderline for the feather picking problem, but gave the best feed efficiency. The best energy level within the above limits was a question of economics, and not of nutrition.
BROILER
717
PIGMENTATION
TABLE 1.—Composition of the master control ration
EXPERIMENTAL
Starter
Finisher
55.50 26.21 2.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 5.00 3.29
60.00 20.71 2.50 2.00 2.50 4.00 5.00 3.29
Total
100.00
100.00
Calculated analyses: Energy (prod. Cal./lb.) Crude protein (%) C / P ratio
988.44 23.15 42.7
1,033.54 20.79 49.7
White corn (grade no. 2) Soybean oil meal ( 5 0 % protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Feather meal Poultry by-products meal Fat, vegetable (Wesson) Wheat shorts Premix 1
1 Premix furnished 1.5% defluorinated rock phosphate, 1.0% ground limestone, and 0.3% sodium chloride. It also provided the following vitamins and minerals per pound of ration: vitamin A, 2,400 I.U.; vitamin Da: 544 I.C.U.; vitamin E, 6.0 I.U.; vitamin B12, 6.0 meg.; choline chloride, 226.8 mg.; pantothenic acid, 6.0 mg.; vitamin K, 6.0 mg.; riboflavin, 2 mg.; thiamine, 4 mg.; niacin, 12.5 mg.; and manganese sulfate, 64.0 mg.
wheat shorts, and the antioxidants, butylated-hydroxy-toluene (BHT) and Santoquin,* were substituted at the expense of corn. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Influence of Antioxidants on Broiler Pigmentation. The master control rations were modified to include two different levels of dietary xanthophyll (4 and 8 mgs./ lb.) and fed to chickens, with and withsupplementary ethoxyquin and BHT (0.0125%), as shown in Table 2. Both alfalfa meal and clover meal (GranladinoLactus, a type of Ladino white clover) were used separately to furnish the dietary xanthophyll. The addition of ethoxyquin to the rations significantly (P < .01) improved pigmentation and the efficiency of xanthophyll utilization in all instances, except in Treatment 2 where the improvement was not significant. Also, the addition of BHT significantly (P < .01) improved pigmentation and xanthophyll utilization at the high dietary level of xanthophyll (Treat. 10). However * Reg. T. M. Monsanto Chem. Co. for ethoxyquin (1, 2, dihydro- 6-ethoxy 2, 2, 4 trimethylquinoline).
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
Day-old broiler-type chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery and randomly assigned to treatments (20 per treatment, replicated twice). The chicks were raised in electrically heated battery brooders until five weeks of age, after which they were transferred to finishing batteries where they were kept until the end of the test period (eight weeks). All chicks were fed a xanthophyll-free diet for the first three weeks in order to start the test with completely bleached birds. Group feed consumption records were only obtained during the test period (3-8 weeks of age) and individual body weight data were obtained at three, five and eight weeks of age. Body weight data represent sex-corrected averages. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The xanthophyll content of dehydrated alfalfa meal (17% protein) and dehydrated clover meal (20% protein) were determined prior to the use of these feedstuffs by employing essentially the method of Bickoff et al. (1954). Dehydrated alfalfa meal and dehydrated clover meal were found to contain approximately 160.73 and 223.17 milligrams of xanthophyll per pound, respectively (averages of 10 separate analyses). The method employed in determining pigmentation was the same as that used by Ratcliff et al. (1959). Forty birds from each treatment were used in determining the average pigmentation score. Statistical examination of the pigmentation data was made by the analysis of variance according to Snedecor (1956) with significant treatment differences determined using Duncan's multiple range test (1955). Rations: The composition of the master control ration (starter and finisher) is shown in Table 1. The experimental rations were formulated by substituting the test material as follows: alfalfa meal and clover meal were substituted at the expense of
718
R. G. RATCLIFF, E. J. DAY AND J. E. HILL TABLE 2.—The results of feeding low and high dietary levels of dehydrated alfalfa meal and clover meal, with and without antioxidants, on pigmentation of broilers from three to eight weeks of age
Treat. no. 1 2 3 4 ,i
6 7 8
11
None Plus A. M., 2.50% 7 Plus A. M., 2.50% and santoquin, 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 1.79%7 Plus C M . , 1.79% and B. H. T., 0.0125% 7 Plus C. M., 1.79% and santoquin, 0.0125% 7 Plus A. M., 5.00%' Plus A. M., 5.00% and santoquin, 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 3.57% 7 Plus C. M., 3.57% and B. H. T., 0.0125%7 Plus C. M., 3.57% and santoquin, 0.0125%7
Avg. Feed
Xan.2 level mg./lb.
Avg. wt. lbs.
%T<
Avg. pigm.5
Gain
4.00
—
2.96 3.09
2.56 2.66
95.54 90.06
21.31 50.67
24.80
2.04
4.00 4.00
3.02 2.98
2.46 2.60
89.51 81.70
55.87 98.74
23.52 24.60
2.38 4.01
4.00
3.06
2.64
88.99
59.76
25.44
2.35
4.00 8.00
3.04 3.04
2.52 2.66
77.42 84.71
124.72 82.37
23.72 49.52
5.26 1.66
8.00 8.00
3.12 2.91
2.64 2.70
79.44 76.44
111.73 129.92
52.80 50.56
2.11 2.57
8.00
2.91
2.60
70.41
162.40
46.88
3.46
8.00
2.98
2.58
69.48
168.90
48.64
3.47
3
Avg. xan. intake
—
Avg. effic. score6
—
1
See Table 1 for the composition of the master control ration. Dietary xanthophyll level. Feed efficiency during test period (3-8 wks.). 4 Percent transmission as recorded from the spectrophotometer. 5 Micrograms of xanthophyll per 100 cm2, of toe web area. 6 Pigmentation value divided by the milligrams of xanthophyll intake. 7 The xanthophyll content of A. M. (alfalfa meal, 17% protein) and C. M. (clover meal, 20% protein) was found by analyses to be 160.73 and 223.17 milligrams per pound, respectively. 2
3
at the low dietary level of xanthophyll, BHT depressed pigmentation for some unexplainable reason (Treat. 5). According to these results, ethoxyquin is a much better antioxidant than BHT to enhance pigmentation in broilers. Supplementary ethoxyquin improved pigmentation more than BHT did in both instances. This difference in favor of ethoxyquin was significant (P < TABLE 3.-—Statistical
.01) in one of the two treatments (Treat. 6 versus Treat. 5) where the two antioxidants were compared (Table 3). According to the results reported in the literature, BHT exerts little, if any, effect on xanthophyll utilization. Potter et al. (1956) and Elrod et al. (1958) reported only a slight improvement in pigmentation with the use of BHT; whereas, no improve-
results {average pigmentation) *
Treatment number 1 21.31
2
3
5
7
4
8
6
9
10
11
50.67
55.87
59.76
82.37
98.74
111.73
124.72
129.92
162.40
168.90
* An}' two means not underscored by the same line are significantly different at the 1 percent level.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on May 5, 2015
9 10
Modification of master control ration 1
719
BROILER PIGMENTATION
the clover meal was significantly (P < .01) greater than that produced by the alfalfa meal. From the results obtained in this study it can be seen that xanthophyll was more efficiently utilized for pigmentation at low dietary levels than at high dietary levels. These results are in agreement with earlier findings of Day and Williams (1958) and Ratcliff et al. (1959). SUMMARY
1. The addition of 0.0125% ethoxyquin to broiler rations significantly enhanced pigmentation in three out of four instances. BHT, at the same dietary level, significantly improved pigmentation in one instance but significantly depressed pigmentation in another instance. 2. On a comparison basis supplementary ethoxyquin improved pigmentation more than BHT in two instances, significantly so in one instance. 3. Average body weights of broilers were improved in three out of four treatments with supplementary ethoxyquin and feed efficiency was improved in all four of the treatments. 4. Clover meal (Granladino-Lactus) was found to contain (chemical analysis) more xanthophyll on a per pound basis than alfalfa meal. When these two feedstuffs were used to supply comparable dietary xanthophyll levels, clover meal significantly produced greater pigmentation in broilers than alfalfa meal. According to these results, it is evident that this type of clover meal could be substituted for alfalfa meal in broiler rations. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported in part by a grant-in-aid from Monsanto Chemical Company, St. Louis, Missouri. We wish to thank Monsanto Chemical Company for supplying Santoquin; Kop-
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ment in pigmentation with the use of BHT was reported by Fritz and Wharton (1957), Day and Williams (1958) and Williams et al. (1959). Data concerning the effect of ethoxyquin on pigmentation is conflicting. Williams et al. (1959) found that ethoxyquin was without effect on pigmentation; whereas, the findings of Harms (1960) and the results reported herein indicate significant improvements in the amount of xanthophyll deposition in the skin of broilers with the addition of 0.0125% of ethoxyquin to the feed. Harms (1960) reported that growth rate of broilers was increased by the addition of ethoxyquin to the feed. Although the body weight data in this study were not statistically analyzed, there was an improvement in average body weights in three out of the four treatments that contained ethoxyquin. Furthermore, feed efficiency was improved in all rations that contained ethoxyquin as compared to their respective control rations (no ethoxyquin). Observations on the effect of ethoxyquin in improving growth rate and feed conversion have also been reported by Gordon et al. (1960). Comparison of Alfalfa Meal and Clover Meal as Sources of Xanthophyll. The master control rations were modified, as shown in Table 2, with each of these feedstuffs to provide comparable dietary xanthophyll levels (4 and 8 mgs./lb.). The xanthophyll efficiency values that were obtained in this test indicate that the xanthophyll of clover meal (Treats. 4 and 9) was much more efficiently utilized than that of alfalfa meal (Treats. 2 and 7). The xanthophyll of alfalfa meal was only 50.87 percent as efficiently utilized as that of clover meal when they supplied low dietary levels; whereas, at the high dietary level of xanthophyll, the alfalfa meal was 64.59 percent as efficiently utilized as the xanthophyll of clover meal. At both the low and high levels of dietary xanthophyll the pigmentation produced by
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pers Company, Inc., Monaca, Pa., for the BHT; and Mr. Carl Ross, Consultant to the Calapproved Seed Growers Association, Modesto, Calif., for the clover meal. REFERENCES Bickoff, E. M., A. L. Livingston, G. F. Bailey and C. R. Thompson, 1954. Xanthophyll determination in dehydrated alfalfa meal. J. Assoc. Off. Agric. Chem. 37 : 894-902. Day, E. J., and W. P. Williams, Jr., 1958. A study of certain factors that influence pigmentation in broilers. Poultry Sci. 37: 1373-1381. Duncan, E. M., 1955. Multiple range and F tests. Biometrics, 11: 1-42. Elrod, R. C, E. S. Robajdek, R. H. Gledhill, W. M. Witz, G. M. Diser and J. W. Hayward, 1958. Pigmentation studies with broilers and laying hens. Feedstuffs, 30 (33): 26-32.
The Use of Reclaimed Egg Cases in the Shell Egg and Egg Products Trade LEONARD Z.
EGGLETON
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa AND CLIFF D.
CARPENTER
Laguna Beach, California (Received for publication July 27, 1960)
commodity began on the New York Mercantile Exchange April 18, 1960, with the A LARGE percentage of the wholesale following provision: "in used cases—30 •*• *• packs of eggs for consumption in cents allowance (penalty) for case." shell form moving from surplus production Used cases, fillers and flats are readily areas to terminal markets are packed in new available after being used initially for shipcases, fillers and flats. Larger assemblers of ments to terminal markets. These used cases shell eggs in deficit areas also pack most become an item of trade in deficit areas of table grades of eggs in new materials. the Northeast and Southeast. Their reuse Wholesale packs of eggs offered for sale at is predicated on the assumption that a either the New York or Chicago Exchanges saving in materials cost will result. The are required to be in new cases. problem facing industry is whether in fact, A good example of the comparative value the purchase of used cases does represent a of eggs in new versus used materials is cited total savings in the distributive channels in the new shell egg futures contract gov- for shell eggs. A similar problem exists in the handling erning "Fresh Mediums." Trading in this THE PROBLEM AND PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY
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Fritz, J. E., and F. D. Wharton, Jr., 1957. The influence of feed on broiler pigmentation. Poultry Sci. 36: 1118. Gordon, R. S., and L. J. Machlin, 1960. Effect of Santoquin on growth and feed conversion of young chickens. Poultry Sci. 39: 1253. Harms, H., 1960. Where the "yellow" went—and stayed! Broiler Industry, Feb.: 48. Potter, L. M., R. H. Bunnell, L. D. Matterson and E. P. Singsen, 1956. The effect of antioxidants and a vitamin Bis concentrate on the utilization of carotenoid pigments by the chick. Poultry Sci. 35: 352-456. Ratcliff, R. G., E. J. Day and J. E. Hill, 1959. Broiler pigmentation as influenced by dietary modifications. Poultry Sci. 38: 1039-1048. Snedecor, G. W., 1956. Statistical Methods. Iowa State College Press. Ames, Iowa. Williams, W. P., Jr., R. E. Davies and J. R. Couch, 1959. Broiler pigmentation. The Texas Nutrition Conference: 85-95.