Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers

The rapid growth and high nutrient density in modern broiler production have led to issues like woody breast myopathy (WBM), footpad dermatitis, and fat accumulation, affecting welfare and profitability. This study evaluated the effects of amino acid (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) redu...

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Main Authors: Bo Zhang, Shengyu Zhou, Wei Zhai, Yang Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1064
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author Bo Zhang
Shengyu Zhou
Wei Zhai
Yang Zhao
author_facet Bo Zhang
Shengyu Zhou
Wei Zhai
Yang Zhao
author_sort Bo Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The rapid growth and high nutrient density in modern broiler production have led to issues like woody breast myopathy (WBM), footpad dermatitis, and fat accumulation, affecting welfare and profitability. This study evaluated the effects of amino acid (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) reductions on organ development, carcass yield, WBM incidence, and economic returns in Cobb 700 and Ross 708 broilers. Two trials were conducted, one per strain, using a factorial design with 12 treatments (four AA × three AME). Each trial included 864 broilers, randomly assigned to six replicate blocks, with 12 pens per block (six males and six females per pen). Diets contained 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of digestible AA and 84%, 92%, or 100% AME based on breeder recommendations. A 30% AA reduction increased fat pad weight, promoted proventriculus and jejunum development (day 58), reduced carcass and tenderloin weights, lowered moderate/severe WBM incidence (day 47), and shortened footpad dermatitis. A 16% AME reduction decreased fat pad weight, improved muscle production and returns, but reduced normal breast percentage (days 40 and 47). The recommended protein–energy ratio (g/MJ) for optimal economic returns was as follows: 19.78 (0–10 d), 17.51 (11–24 d), 16.03 (25–39 d), and 15.25 (40–63 d).
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spelling doaj-art-e8a3645964534906b76a4dd73c9fe1ea2025-08-20T03:08:43ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01157106410.3390/ani15071064Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 BroilersBo Zhang0Shengyu Zhou1Wei Zhai2Yang Zhao3The Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USAThe Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USAThe Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USAThe Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USAThe rapid growth and high nutrient density in modern broiler production have led to issues like woody breast myopathy (WBM), footpad dermatitis, and fat accumulation, affecting welfare and profitability. This study evaluated the effects of amino acid (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) reductions on organ development, carcass yield, WBM incidence, and economic returns in Cobb 700 and Ross 708 broilers. Two trials were conducted, one per strain, using a factorial design with 12 treatments (four AA × three AME). Each trial included 864 broilers, randomly assigned to six replicate blocks, with 12 pens per block (six males and six females per pen). Diets contained 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of digestible AA and 84%, 92%, or 100% AME based on breeder recommendations. A 30% AA reduction increased fat pad weight, promoted proventriculus and jejunum development (day 58), reduced carcass and tenderloin weights, lowered moderate/severe WBM incidence (day 47), and shortened footpad dermatitis. A 16% AME reduction decreased fat pad weight, improved muscle production and returns, but reduced normal breast percentage (days 40 and 47). The recommended protein–energy ratio (g/MJ) for optimal economic returns was as follows: 19.78 (0–10 d), 17.51 (11–24 d), 16.03 (25–39 d), and 15.25 (40–63 d).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1064amino acidenergybroilerprocessingeconomic return
spellingShingle Bo Zhang
Shengyu Zhou
Wei Zhai
Yang Zhao
Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
Animals
amino acid
energy
broiler
processing
economic return
title Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
title_full Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
title_fullStr Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
title_short Effects of Reduced Amino Acids and Apparent Metabolizable Energy on Meat Processing, Internal Organ Development, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers
title_sort effects of reduced amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy on meat processing internal organ development and economic returns of cobb 700 and ross 708 broilers
topic amino acid
energy
broiler
processing
economic return
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1064
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