This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of canola oil and diet mixing time length on performance, carcass traits and blood lipids in broilers. In this experiment 288 Ross-308 broilers were used from 11 up to 42 days as factorial arrangement (3×2) included three levels of canola oil (0, 3 and 6%) and two mixing time length (10 and 15 minute) in 6 treatments, 4 replicates and 12 birds in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Canola oil improved the performance of broilers (P<0.01). The highest values of daily weight gain, daily feed intake and final body weight were obtained using 6% of canola oil in diets. Mixing diet more than 10 minute, reduced the amounts of daily weight gain and final weight (P<0.05). In interaction between oil level and mixing time length, 6% canola oil × diet mixing for 10 minute, improved the performance of broilers (P<0.05). Dietary level of 6% canola oil increased the spleen percentage (P<0.05). Canola oil had reducing effect on the level of blood cholesterol (P<0.05). The lowest level of blood cholesterol was observed in group supplemented with 3% canola oil. Mixing diet more than 10 minute, increased the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in blood (P<0.05). In interaction effect, the lowest level of blood cholesterol was seen in 6% canola oil × mixed for 10 minute group. The overall conclusion is that using 6% canola oil and 10 minute mixing time for boiler diets could significantly improve the performance, and reduce their blood cholesterol. Manuscript profile

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of nettle (Urtica dioica) a medicinal plant in starter and grower feeds on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical and immunity parameters of broilers. A completely randomized design was used with 324 broilers (Ross-308) divided in nine treatments and three replicates (with 12 birds in each replicate) 1 to 42 days. The treatment groups consisted of: (1) control group with no nettle supplementation, in other treatments the level of nettle in starter and grower feeds were, (2) 0.75% in both starter and grower, (3) 0 instarter and 0.75% in grower, (4) 0.75% in starter and 0 ingrower, (5) 1.5% in starter and 0.75% in grower, (6) 0.75% in starter and 1.5% in grower, (7) 0 instarter and 1.5% in grower, (8) 1.5% in starter and 0 ingrower, and (9) 1.5% in both starter and grower. The results showed that the use of different levels of nettle in starter and grower feeds had significant effects on carcass traits of broilers (P<0.05). The highest percent of breast and thigh (35.04), (26.29) were observed in groups 9 and 3, the highest percent of gizzard (3.76) was observed in group 6 and finally the highest percentage of liver (3.63) was observed in group 7. The overall results showed that the use of 1.5% of nettle medicinal plant in starter and grower feeds without having any significant effects on performance and blood biochemical and immunity parameters, showed positive effects on carcass traits of broilers. Manuscript profile

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of saturated and unsaturated fats and their composition in growing and finishing periods on performance, carcass traits and blood lipids level in broiler chickens. In this experiment, 432 Ross 308 broilers were used from 11 up to 42 days in 9 treatments, 4 replicates and 12 birds in each replicate in growing (11-24 days) and finishing (25-42 days) periods in a completely randomized design. Treatments included: 1) control group (without fat), 2) 2% canola oil, 3) 4% Canola oil, 4) 2% beef tallow, 5) 4% beef tallow, 6) 2% canola oil + 2% beef tallow, 7) 4% canola oil + 2% beef tallow, 8) 2% canola oil + 4% beef tallow and 9) 4% canola oil + 4% beef tallow. In the growing period, different levels of fat sources had no significant effects on the performance of broilers. In the finishing period, the higher amounts of daily weight gain and final live weight were obtained in group 8 (P<0.05). In the whole feeding period, the best feed conversion ratio and final live weight were observed in group 8 (P<0.05). The lowest amount of intestine, abdominal, gizzard and liver weights belonged to control group (P<0.05). However, a difference was observed between the control group and group 8 in these respects. Using different levels of saturated and unsaturated fat in growing and finishing periods had no significant effect on the blood lipids level of broilers (P>0.05). The overall results indicated that in broilers, using mixing of saturated and unsaturated fats have beneficial effects on their performance. Manuscript profile

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different forms of cattle colostrum as fresh, frozen, and sour on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, immunity, and antioxidant status of broiler chicks. In this experiment, 240 Ross-308 broiler chicks were used from 1 to 42 days in three experimental periods including: starter (1-10 days), grower (11-24 days) and finisher (25-42 days) in 4 treatments and 5 replicates (12 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Treatments included: 1) control (without using colostrum), 2) 2% of fresh colostrum, 3) 2% of frozen colostrum and 4) 2% of sour colostrum. Colostrum was only added in the first ten days of broiler's rairing period in the diets. Colostrum had significant effects on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, immunity, and antioxidant status of broiler chicks (P<0.05). In the starter period, the highest daily feed intake was observed with fresh colostrum (P<0.05). Fresh colostrum increased the spleen percentage (P<0.05). Total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins significantly increased by adding fresh colostrum in diet (P<0.05). The blood level of glutathione peroxidase increased in broilers fed colostrum (P<0.05). Adding colostrum upgraded the immunity status of broiler chicks (P<0.05). Intestinal morphology did not change by adding colostrum (P>0.05). The overall results showed that using 2% of colostrum in the starter period, especially fresh form has beneficial effects on broiler performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, immunity, and antioxidant status. Manuscript profile

In this experiment 240 Hy-Line (W-36) laying hens from 65 to 75 weeks distributed in 5 treatments and 4 replicates (12 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design were used. The amounts of watermelon skin meal (WSM) used to set the treatments were 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% in 1 to 5 experimental groups. The results showed that using WSM up to 2% significantly improved the performance and egg traits of laying hens (P<0.05). The highest amounts of egg weight, egg mass and egg production percentage, the best feed conversion, the lowest feed price for production per kilogram of egg, the highest albumen quality percentage were observed by using 2% WSM. By using 2% WSM the eggshell and yolk weight significantly decreased (P<0.05). The overall results indicated that in laying hens, using watermelon skin meal up to 2% of diets, significantly improved their performance and reduced the production cost. Manuscript profile