Spray-dried blood plasma in broiler nutrition improves performance, intestinal health, and carcass traits

This study evaluated the inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma in the diets of broiler chickens derived from breeder hens of different ages (36 and 56 wk), reared under reused litter and high stocking density conditions (12 broilers/m²). A total of 6,000 one-d-old Cobb®500 broilers were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement: two breeder ages and four plasma inclusion levels (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0%). Evaluations were conducted across five growth phases: 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-33, and 34-44 d, assessing performance, intestinal morphology, microbiological profile, and economic viability. Breeder age significantly influenced final body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio up to 21 d, as well as villus height up to 44 d and crypt depth at d 7, 21, and 44 d. Effects were also observed on breast and eviscerated carcass weight and yield. Plasma inclusion positively impacted performance up to 14 d, improving weight gain, feed intake, and all histological parameters except goblet cell count, which was affected only up to 21 d. Additionally, plasma influenced breast and carcass traits. A significant interaction between breeder age and plasma inclusion was found for final body weight, weight gain up to 14 d, feed intake across all phases, and mortality rate. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in various biological samples throughout the experiment, with higher incidence at d 21 and 44. Dietary inclusion of porcine plasma improved intestinal morphology and zootechnical performance, with optimal supplementation up to 7 d for broilers from older breeders and up to 21 d for those from younger breeders.