title: Performance and meat quality of broiler chickens that are fed diets supplemented with Agaricus brasiliensis mushrooms.
abstract: This trial was performed to study the use of the mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis as an alternative additive to antimicrobial growth promoters in broiler chicken diets and to assess the quality of the broiler chicken breast meat of birds that are fed diets containing this fungus. Thus, 595 1-day-old chicks were reared in reused poultry litter without anticoccidial and antimicrobial additives. The results showed that a concentration of 1.6 g mushrooms/kg diet was ideal for these birds because it provided better bird performance. When the birds' immune system organs were analyzed, it was found that the addition of both mushrooms influenced the immune system organs of these broiler chickens. Adding A. brasiliensis to broiler chicken diets did not compromise breast meat quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Borges
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Eder Clementino
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.forename: Eustáquio Souza
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Antônio Gilberto
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bertechini
authors.forename: Carla Luiza
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: da Silva Ávila
authors.forename: Francesca Silva
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Dias
mesh_terms: D000364:Agaricus; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*