title: Improved early performance of turkey poults given an Aloe ferox leaf extract with bentonite.
abstract: AT-402 (20 g/kg), a proprietary blend of Aloe ferox leaf extract and calcium bentonite, had no adverse effect on poult body weights at 3 weeks of age. Lower body weights and lower feed consumption were observed in 4-week-old poults given 10 and 20 g/kg of AT-402 compared to poults given 0 or 5 g/kg. Floor-reared poults, given either 5 or 10 g/kg AT-402 to 4 weeks of age, were significantly heavier than controls (0 g/kg AT-402), and feed conversion ratios for AT-402 given poults were improved. Xylose uptake in 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults was significantly greater than in poults given AT-402 at 0 and 10 g/kg, reflecting increased body weights of 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults. Delayed access by poults to the AT-402 until 10 d of age also improved 4-week body weights, suggesting that the AT-402 might improve performance as soon as it is given. AT-402 at 5 g/kg was most efficacious as demonstrated by improved body weights and feed conversions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Poultry Science , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA.
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Edens
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ort
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Ludescher
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001546:Bentonite / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D014422:Turkeys / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D001546:Bentonite