@article{barasch_grimes_2021, title={The effect of a heat-stable xylanase on digesta viscosity, apparent metabolizable energy and growth performance of broiler chicks fed a wheat-based diet}, volume={100}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2021.101275}, abstractNote={Feed costs represent a significant portion of the cost of poultry production. This study, in 3 experiments, was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a heat-stable xylanase (XYL) as a dietary supplement and its effect on digesta viscosity, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), and live performance in broiler chicks. Experiment 1: the objective was to determine the effects of the amount and type of enzyme supplementation on digesta viscosity, AMEn, and bird performance using 7 diets. The dietary treatments were: no supplementation (C), 5 levels of XYL (1 to 16 ppm), or supplementation with a carbohydrase cocktail (CC). Experiment 2: the objective was to determine the interaction of the dietary XYL and the energy content of the feed. There were 2 levels of XYL (0 and 20 ppm) and 3 dietary energy levels (2,770, 2,920, and 3,070 kcal/kg ME). Experiment 3: the objective was to determine the interaction of the dietary XYL and feed form. The treatments were: 5 levels of XYL (0 to 40 ppm) and 2 feed forms (mash and crumble). Broiler chicks were reared in battery cages to 21 d. Statistical analysis of the data was completed using Proc GLM of SAS (9.2) (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). In experiment 1, increasing XYL (0 to 16 ppm) resulted in a decrease in digesta viscosity and an increase in AMEn. The XYL included as low as 1 ppm resulted in a significant increase in AMEn which reached 5% with 16 ppm XYL. In contrast, increase in BWG (4%) above values with the basal diet was greatest with 1 ppm XYL. In experiment 2, the caloric content of the diet influenced the increase in AMEn with inclusion of XYL, 8% and 6% increases with 2,920 kcal/kg and 3,070 kcal/kg diets, respectively. Without addition of XYL, BWG was significantly lower when fed the diet with the highest energy content. In experiment 3, feed form x XYL influenced the effect of XYL on BWG. The BWG was greater when birds were fed the crumble diet with XYL vs when they were fed the mash feed with XYL. The xylanase proved effective for broilers to 21 d when fed the diets used herein with changes in digesta viscosity, increased dietary AMEn, and improved bird performance represented by either BW gain or FCR.}, number={9}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, author={Barasch, I. B. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2021}, month={Sep} }
 @article{ferket_malheiros_moraes_ayoola_barasch_toomer_torrent_2020, title={Effects of functional oils on the growth, carcass and meat characteristics, and intestinal morphology of commercial turkey toms}, volume={99}, ISSN={0032-5791}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.050}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.050}, abstractNote={Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of functional oils containing cashew nutshell and castor oil on turkey performance and intestinal morphology. In experiment 1, 585 hatchlings were randomly placed in 15 replicate floor pens, (13 poults/pen) with recycled litter and provided feed and water ad libitum. Birds were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments from 1 to 12 wk: nonmedicated control, 0.15% functional oils, and 66-ppm monensin. From wk 13 to 20, each initial treatment group was further divided into 3 treatments—control (no additive), 0.15% of functional oils, or 20 ppm of virginiamycin to produce 9 different treatments, 5 replicate pens per treatment. Data on feed weights were collected weekly, and body weight bi-weekly. At termination (20 wk), birds were euthanized, and their meat was processed to determine mass of carcass sections and meat quality, while intestinal samples were collected for histology. In experiment 1, toms fed monensin or functional oils were 10.5 and 4.5% heavier (P < 0.05), respectively, than the controls at 12 wk. Birds fed monensin had a 4% improvement (P < 0.05) in feed conversion as compared to the other treatments. Neither virginiamycin nor the functional oils affected bird performance when fed from 13 to 20 wk. The jejunum villi surface area at 3 wk was most enhanced (P < 0.05) for the poults fed monensin. Supplementation with functional oils significantly reduced leg yield and thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances of white meat after 7 D of storage (P < 0.05). There were no effects on performance or carcass characteristics in experiment 2. While additional confirmatory studies are needed, functional oils in the diet of turkey toms may be a viable alternative to antibiotic growth promotants.}, number={7}, journal={Poultry Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Ferket, P.R. and Malheiros, R.D. and Moraes, V.M.B. and Ayoola, A.A. and Barasch, I. and Toomer, O.T. and Torrent, J.}, year={2020}, month={Jul}, pages={3752–3760} }
 @article{evans_garlich_barasch_stark_fahrenholz_grimes_2019, title={The Effects of Miscanthus Grass as a Bedding Source and the Dietary Inclusion of Unheated, Low-Trypsin Inhibitor Soybeans on the Performance of Commercial Tom Turkeys Reared to Market Age}, volume={28}, ISSN={["1537-0437"]}, DOI={10.3382/japr/pfz060}, abstractNote={SUMMARY A study was conducted to evaluate bedding source and the inclusion of rolled, unheated soybeans on the growth performance of male turkeys when reared to market age. Pine shavings are the most common poultry bedding material, however recently, increased marketplace competition has significantly reduced its availability and necessitated the need for economical alternatives. Additionally, the development of new varieties of soybeans with low levels of antinutritional factors have created an opportunity for dietary inclusion with minimal processing. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Miscanthus grass as an alternative to pine shavings litter and to evaluate 2 novel, low trypsin inhibitor soybean varieties as a potential ingredient for turkeys. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design with main effects of litter type (Miscanthus grass or pine shavings) and dietary treatment. Diets were defined based on the soy protein source: LO (novel, unheated low oligosaccharide and trypsin inhibitor soybean), LT (novel, unheated low trypsin inhibitor soybean), SBM (commercial solvent extracted soybean meal), or CB (unheated conventional soybeans). Bedding type did not affect BW gain or feed intake at market, however, a tendency for improved FCR was observed when turkeys were raised on Miscanthus grass (P = 0.073). Turkey toms fed diets containing low trypsin inhibitor soybeans had improved BW gain and feed intake with a lower overall FCR compared to turkeys fed diets containing conventional raw whole soybeans. Therefore, there was improved digestibility of the novel soybean lines. Nutrient utilization of the novel low trypsin inhibitor soybeans, however, remained inferior to diets containing solvent extracted soybean meal, which yielded the heaviest BW and lowest FCR with similar feed intake to the low trypsin inhibitor soybean diets.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH}, author={Evans, C. E. and Garlich, J. D. and Barasch, I. B. and Stark, C. R. and Fahrenholz, A. C. and Grimes, J. L.}, year={2019}, month={Dec}, pages={982–996} }
 @article{da costa_grimes_oviedo-rondón_barasch_evans_dalmagro_nixon_2014, title={Footpad dermatitis severity on turkey flocks and correlations with locomotion, litter conditions, and body weight at market age1}, volume={23}, ISSN={1537-0437 1056-6171}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr.2013-00848}, DOI={10.3382/japr.2013-00848}, abstractNote={Abstract Footpad dermatitis (FPD) and walking ability are both parameters used on poultry welfare audits. One survey was conducted to determine the correlation between FPD severity, gait score (GS), BW, and litter condition on turkeys at market age. A total of 41 commercial tom flocks of 16 to 19 wk of age were evaluated. On each visit, 50 toms were selected, weighed, and evaluated for GS and FPD. Litter score (LS) was also recorded according to moisture content and caking. Data analyses consisted of pairwise correlations and 3 separate multiple linear regression models using FPD, GS, and BW as response variables. Fixed effects included LS, season, FPD, GS, and BW. Based on pairwise correlations, FPD was correlated with LS, BW, GS, and age. Gait score was correlated with LS, BW, and age. Body weight was correlated with LS. With multiple linear regression analysis it was observed that LS and BW were the parameters that were associated the most with FPD severity and GS. As litter condition worsened and BW increased, FPD and GS worsened. Moreover, a seasonal effect was observed on both FPD and GS. Colder seasons, winter and autumn, were associated with increased FPD severity and GS. A negative effect of FPD and GS was observed on BW. In conclusion, FPD and GS are correlated with BW at market age and litter condition is a major factor in FPD development and walking ability in turkeys.}, number={2}, journal={The Journal of Applied Poultry Research}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Da Costa, M. J. and Grimes, J. L. and Oviedo-Rondón, E. O. and Barasch, I. and Evans, C. and Dalmagro, M. and Nixon, J.}, year={2014}, month={May}, pages={268–279} }