Average Egg Weight Research Articles

Effect of sea buckthorn extract on production performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality, and cholesterol deposition of laying ducks.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of sea buckthorn extract (SBE) supplementation on the production performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality, and cholesterol deposition of laying ducks. A total of 240 23-week-old laying ducks (female ducks) with similar body weight were randomly divided into four treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 each. The experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg of SBE, respectively. The results showed that the addition of 1.0 g/kg SBE to the diet had significant increase (P < 0.05) in average egg weight and feed conversion ratio. The inclusion of SBE showed the significant improvement (P < 0.05) in yolk weight, shell strength, egg white height and haugh unit. Ducks fed with 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg SBE displayed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in yolk cholesterol. The significant improvements were observed in the contents of total amino acid essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, umami amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and docosahexenoic acids of eggs (P < 0.05) when supplemented with SBE. However, the contents of total saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in eggs showed decrease when ducks fed with SBE diets (P < 0.05). SBE diets may reduce (P < 0.05) the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione catalase compared to the control. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M were improved in SBE diets (P < 0.05) in comparation to the control. The addition of SBE to diets can improve feed nutrient utilization, increase egg weight, optimaze egg quality and amino acid content in eggs, reduce blood lipids, improve fatty acid profile and yolk cholesterol in eggs, and increase antioxidant capacity and immunity in laying ducks.

Impact of fermented Broussonetia papyrifera on laying performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens

Hybrid Broussonetia papyrifera (BP) has been widely planted and commonly used as ruminant forage source after fermentation in China. Very less information is available to know the impact of fermented BP on laying hens, thus, we have investigated effects of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum-fermented B. papyrifera (LfBP) on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens. A total of 288 HY-Line Brown hens (age, 23 wk) were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups: control group (Con, a basal diet), LfBP1 and LfBP5 group (a basal diet supplemented with 1% or 5% LfBP). Each group has 8 replicates of twelve birds each. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of LfBP increased average daily feed intake (linear, P < 0.05), feed conversion ratio (linear, P < 0.05), and average egg weight (linear, P < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. In addition, dietary inclusion of LfBP enhanced the egg yolk color (linear, P < 0.01) but decreased the eggshell weight (quadratic, P < 0.05) and eggshell thickness (linear, P < 0.01). In serum, the LfBP supplementation linearly decreased the content of total triglyceride (linear, P < 0.01) but increased the content of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (linear, P < 0.05). The gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism including acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) was down-regulated whereas liver X receptor was up-regulated in LfBP1 group. Moreover, LfBP1 supplementation remarkably reduced the F1 follicle number and ovarian gene expression of reproductive hormone receptors including estrogen receptor, follicle stimulating hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, progesterone receptor, prolactin receptor, and B cell lymphoma-2. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of LfBP could improve feed intake, egg yolk color, and lipid metabolism, but may cause a decline in eggshell quality with higher inclusion level, herein, 1% is suggested.

Dietary supplementation with selenium polysaccharide from selenium-enriched Phellinus linteus improves antioxidant capacity, immunity and production performance of laying hens

BackgroundSelenium (Se) plays a beneficial role in the physiological function of humans and animals. Selenium polysaccharide, improving enzyme activity and regulating immunity, is the extraction from selenium-rich plants or mushrooms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of selenium polysaccharide from selenium-enriched Phellinus linteus on the antioxidative ability, immunity, serum biochemistry, and production performance of laying hens. MethodsThree hundred sixty adult laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The four groups were divided as follows: CK (control group), PS group (4.2 g/kg polysaccharide), Se group (0.5 Se mg/kg), and PSSe group (4.2 g/kg with 0.5 Se mg/kg, Selenium polysaccharide). ResultsAfter the 8 weeks, the hens were sampled and the antioxidant ability(total antioxidant (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Nitric Oxide (NO)), immunity(Interleukin-2(IL-2), Immunoglobulin M(IgM), Immunoglobulin A(IgA), Immunoglobulin G(IgG) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and secretory Immunoglobulin A(sIgA)), serum biochemistry(total protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, glutamic-pyruvictransaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST)) and production performance were assessed. Compared with the control group, T-AOC, SOD, CAT, GSH, IL-2, IgM, IgA, sIgA, IgG, IFN-γ, total protein, average laying rate, average egg weight, and final body were significantly increased in the PS, Se, and PSSe groups, however, the MDA and NO, triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, AST, ALT, average daily feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were significantly decreased in the PS, Se, and PSSe groups. The PSSe group in the immune index, antioxidant ability and serum biochemistry was improved the highest. ConclusionThe result suggested that selenium polysaccharide from selenium-enriched Phellinus linteus can enhance the antioxidant ability and immunity, change serum biochemistry, providing a new method for improving the production performance of laying hens.

Evaluation and Demonstration of Dual-purpose “Koekoek Potchefstroom” Chickens in Pastoral areas of Hammer woreda, South Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to evaluate and demonstrate the production performance of “Koekoek Potchefstroom” chickens in pastoral areas of Hammer woreda. Twenty women pastorals from rural areas were purposely selected based on their interest to construct chicken shelters or who had house access, interest to rear exotic chickens, well-managing ability and up-come all related challenges, enough time for chickens, cover the required inputs costs and ability to recording production data. Training on poultry housing construction, poultry health, feeds and feeding, watering and important data recording system were given. Quantitative data like body weight, egg weight and first egg laying date were taken. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v-21). Results revealed that the mortality of chicks from 45 to 60 days was 5%. The overall mortality from 60 days to 90 days was 8.75%. About 83.5% of the chicken survived until the laying age. The overall mean body weights were 0.96, 1.91, 2.14 and 2.12 kg at 3, 5, 7 and 9th month’s age, respectively. Body weight at different ages was significantly different between the sexes. The average weight of eggs at 24, 28, 34 and 38 weeks of age were 47.3±0.9, 47.3±1.1, and 48.2±0.9 and 46.9±1.3 g, respectively. Age at first egg laying was recorded as 167.4 days. The major causes of death were diseases (Coccidiosis) and poor management practices like lack of follow-up, letting them go out of their home and allowing them to scavenge and poor nutrition. In a conclusion, this breed has been familiarized with scavenging and partial-scavenging production areas of the existing pastoral system with appropriate housing, feeding and good health service provision. Verification in large-scale pastoral areas with different breeds should also be seen to look at its full potential as compared to agrarian areas. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 1-6, December 2022

Probiotic mediated intestinal microbiota and improved performance, egg quality and ovarian immune function of laying hens at different laying stage.

In order to investigate the effects of dietary probiotics supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum hormone levels, immunity, antioxidant, and gut microbiota of layers at different laying stages, a total of 168 Tianfu green shell laying hens (28-day-old) were randomly divided into 2 treatments: a non-supplemented control diet (NC), and diet supplemented with 10 g/kg of probiotics, respectively. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 14 hens per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 54 weeks. The results showed that the supplementation of probiotics significantly increased the average egg weight, improved egg quality (p < 0.05) and ovarian development. Meanwhile, probiotics increased the serum hormone levels of E2 and FSH, and antioxidant indices T-AOC and T-SOD (p < 0.05) of laying hens at different laying stages (p < 0.05), decreased the expression of proinflammatory factors including IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Furthermore, using 16S rRNA sequencing, we observed that the addition of probiotics increased the distribution of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Synergistota at early laying period. Meanwhile, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Verrucomicrobiota and Deferribacterota showed an increasing trend at the peak of egg production. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Desulfobacterota and Actinobacteriota were significantly increased at the late laying period. Moreover, PICRUSt2 and BugBase analysis revealed that at the late laying period, the probiotics supplementation not only enriched many significant gene clusters of the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketide, genetic information processing, enzyme families, translation, transcription, replication and repair, and nucleotide metabolism, but also decreased the proportion of potential pathogenic bacteria. To sum up, these data show that the addition of probiotics not only improves the performance, egg quality, ovarian development and immune function of laying hens at different laying period, but also improves the gut microbiota of layers, thus enhances production efficiency.

Effects of Glyceryl Monolaurate on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Oviduct Cytokines and Intestinal Microflora of 66 Weeks Old Laying Hens.

The principal purpose of this research was to study the effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the production performance; egg quality; health state of the oviduct, ovary and ileum; and gut microbiota of laying hens in the later stage. The laying hens were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group and an experiment group, for which 1000 mg/kg of GML was added to a control diet. The results showed that GML increased the laying rate, average egg weight, albumen height, yolk color and Haugh unit and decreased the feed conversion ratio and defective eggs (p &lt; 0.05). GML increased the intestinal villi height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, GML improved the contents of cytokines in the oviduct, ovary and ileum mucosa; ameliorated the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, IL-4, IL-1β and TNF-α; and increased the expression of Occludin and Muc-2 in the ileal mucosa. The supplementation of GML increased the volatile fatty acids in the cecal contents, such as acetic acid and propionic acid, and up-regulated Bacteroides (p &lt; 0.01) and Alistipes (p &lt; 0.05) richness in the cecal contents. In summary, GML improved production performance, egg quality and immunity; ameliorated the health status of the oviduct, ovary and ileum; enhanced the intestinal barrier function; improved the content of intestinal volatile fatty acids; and regulated the abundance of cecal flora.

Effect of purple corn extract on performance, antioxidant activity, egg quality, egg amino acid, and fatty acid profiles of laying hen.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) on performance, antioxidant potential, egg quality, egg amino acid and fatty acid profiles of laying hens during the late laying period. A total of 360 88-wk-old laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups, and fed a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 120 (LP), 240 (MP), and 360 mg/kg (HP) PCE, respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the ADFI or average egg weight among the groups. However, the mean feed to egg ratio was quadratically decreased (P < 0.05) in the LP and HP treatments. The mean TAC was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) in all PCE supplemented treatments. The mean SOD was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) in the HP treatment compared with CON and MP groups. The GPX was linearly and quadratically lower in the HP treatment compared to the CON and LP groups. Differently, the MDA was linearly and quadratically lower (P < 0.05) in the PCE treatments compared with the CON. The eggshell thickness value in MP and HP treatments were linearly and quadratically higher (P < 0.05) than that of the CON and LP groups. Hens fed PCE was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) most individual amino acids, essential amino acid and umami amino acid profiles in egg. The PCE treatments showed linearly and quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the myristoleate, heptadecenoic acid, elaidic acid, eicosenoic acid, heneicosanoic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid concentrations. Moreover, dietary supplementation of PCE was quadratically increased egg stearic acid, oleic acid, arachidic acid, linolenic acid methyl ester, arachidonic acid, diphenylamine, docosahexaenoic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid compared to the CON. Therefore, dietary anthocyanin-rich PCE can enhance plasma antioxidant potential, is beneficial to egg production, and improves amino acids and fatty acids in hen eggs during the late laying period.

EFFECT OF SPACING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF INDIAN PEAFOWL (Pavo cristatus) IN CAPTIVITY

Effective use of available cage spaces in wild bird breeding systems in captivity is ofprime economic concern. Present study was carried out at Punjab Wildlife Research InstituteFaisalabad to evaluate effect of cage sizes on reproductive performance of the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Three groups; A, B and C of Indian Peafowl were selected and nurtured under threedifferent cage sizes, viz. 30, 21 and 12 square meters with an available space of 10, 7 and 4 square meters per bird, respectively. The birds were kept with a sex ratio of 1 male:2 female. Number of male mounting, egg production (average number of eggs laid per hen), average egg weight, percent egghatchability, percent egg fertility and chicks’ average weight were found significantly higher (P˂0.01)in Indian Peafowl reared in 21m2 cage size, followed by cage sizes of 30, and12 m2 respectively. Thisstudy indicated that, in case of Indian Peafowl, the breeding flock kept at intermediate cage spacingperformed better than that kept at large spacing or at too narrow spacing.

Protective effects of genistein on the production performance and lipid metabolism disorders in laying hens with fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome by activation of the GPER-AMPK signaling pathways.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects and potential mechanisms of genistein (GEN) on production performance impairments and lipid metabolism disorders in laying hens fed a high-energy and low-protein (HELP) diet. A total of 120 Hy-line Brown laying hens were fed with the standard diet and HELP diet supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg GEN for 80 d. The results showed that the declines in laying rate (P < 0.01), average egg weight (P < 0.01), and egg yield (P < 0.01), and the increase of the ratio of feed to egg (P < 0.01) induced by HELP diet were markedly improved by 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN treatment in laying hens (P < 0.05). Moreover, the hepatic steatosis and increases of lipid contents (P < 0.01) in serum and liver caused by HELP diet were significantly alleviated by treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN in laying hens (P < 0.05). The liver index and abdominal fat index of laying hens in the HELP group were higher than subjects in the control group (P < 0.01), which were evidently attenuated by dietary 50 to 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation (P < 0.05). Dietary 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation significantly reduced the upregulations of genes related to fatty acid transport and synthesis (P < 0.01) but enhanced the downregulations of genes associated with fatty acid oxidation (P < 0.01) caused by HELP in the liver of laying hens (P < 0.05). Importantly, 100 and 200 mg/kg of GEN supplementation markedly increased G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mRNA and protein expression levels and activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the liver of laying hens fed a HELP diet (P < 0.05). These data indicated that the protective effects of GEN against the decline of production performance and lipid metabolism disorders caused by HELP diet in laying hens may be related to the activation of the GPER-AMPK signaling pathways. These data not only provide compelling evidence for the protective effect of GEN against fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens but also provide the theoretical basis for GEN as an additive to alleviate metabolic disorders in poultry.

Estimation of genetic parameters for production, reproduction, and growth curve of Fars indigenous chicken.

Iranian native chicken, including Fars indigenous chicken, is an important genetic resource due to its adaptation to stressful environmental conditions, good endurance and resistance to disease. The aim of this research was to determine the genetic infrastructure of Fars indigenous chicken using several nonlinear functions. The dataset included body weight at hatch (BW1), body weight at the 8th week (BW8), body weight at the 12th week (BW12), weight at sexual maturity (WSM), age at sexual maturity (ASM), number of eggs in the first 12 weeks of laying period (EN), egg weight at the first day of laying (EW1), average egg weight at the 28thday of laying (EW28), and average egg weight at weeks 28, 30, and 32 of the laying period (AEW). Growth models were fitted using the NLIN procedure and WOMBAT software was used to predict variance components for the best fit model parameters. Results suggested three-parameter models, for example, Gompertz, fitted better to the data than others. The maturity weight (A), initial weight (B), and maturity rate (K) parameters in the Gompertz model were 1996.8 ± 6.63, 4.11 ± 0.03, and 0.021 ± 0.0001, respectively. The heritability of A, B, and K parameters were 0.03, 0.05, and 0.12, respectively.

Beneficial effects of instrumental music on the production performance of Xiandao green-shell layers housed under different stocking densities

Context Egg production rate (EPR) is the main criteria for egg producers and egg quality is important for consumers. Exposed to music, layers kept at appropriate stocking density could display optimal production performance without compromising egg quality. Aims This study aimed to investigate the possibility of employing instrumental music stimulus and regulating stocking density to maximise egg production performance and improve egg quality in Xiandao green-shell layers. Methods In total, 378 30-week-old layers were randomly distributed into nine treatments across three types of sound sources (natural sound, instrumental music, or mixed road noise) × three different stocking densities (4, 7 and 10 birds/cage corresponding to low, medium, and high density respectively), with six replicates per treatment. The 24-day experimental period was equally divided into four phases. EPR, average egg weight, and serum IgG concentration were determined at the end of each phase. Egg quality and organ indices were determined at the end of experiment. Results Hens exposed to music had a significantly higher EPR and laid eggs of better quality than did hens subjected to mixed road noise. Across all parameters, hens exposed to music did not significantly differ from hens exposed to natural sound. Stocking density had significant impacts on EPR, relative eggshell weight, and serum IgG concentration, with hens kept at high stocking density (357 cm2/hen) exhibiting the lowest values. Hens kept at medium density (510 cm2/hen) and low density (892 cm2/hen) showed no significant differences in tested parameters except that the former produced eggs with a significantly higher relative eggshell weight. Significant interactions between sound and density were observed in EPR, relative yolk weight, and spleen index, with hens exposed to music and kept at low density displaying the highest values. Conclusions Music and low stocking density had favourable effects on improving egg production and egg quality, while road noise and high stocking density exerted negative influences on them. Implications Xiandao green-shell layers are recommended to be kept at medium density to maximise the production benefits. The integration of music playback into management practices will not compromise layers’ production potential displayed under natural sound exposure.

Performance of Egg Laying Japanese Quail Hens Fed Low Protein Diet Supplemented with Protease and/or Formic Acid

This study aimed to decrease the cost of laying rations by lowering protein as it’s the most expensive constituent in the diet. So, the research stated to investigate the effect of incorporating protease and/or formic acid as feed additives into a low protein isocaloric diet of laying Japanese quail hens on the productive performance, some egg quality parameters and economic efficiency. It was performed on 120 of 5–6-week-old healthy Japanese quail hens (weighed 268g7.06±) and randomly distributed into five groups (3 replicates per group). G1 (control with basal layer quail diet 20% protein), G2 (17% protein diet without protease enzyme or formic acid), G3 (17% protein diet + 0.05% protease enzyme), G4 (17% protein diet + 0.5% formic acid), G5 (17% protein diet + 0.05% protease enzyme + 0.5% formic acid). The experimental period lasted for 12 weeks with two weeks of adaptation before this period. For each replicate, daily egg number, daily egg weight, and egg mass as well as weekly feed intake were recorded. At the end of each week, eggs were collected from each replicate to evaluate egg quality. Mean egg production, egg albumin %, eggshell % and egg yolk % in all groups do not differ significantly with control but G2 was numerically higher than control in egg production, egg mass, FCR, egg shell %, egg yolk % and feed intake. G2 significantly has the heavier egg weight among groups (p < 0.05) as the average egg weights were 11.77g and 12.48g in control and G2 respectively. G3 was being the highest in feed intake and egg albumin percent than the other groups. G4 was being the highest in eggshell percent. Triglycerides per the whole yolk were lower in all groups than in the control. Cholesterol (mg)/whole yolk was low in G2 and G3. FCR was improved in G5. G2 had the highest net revenue and economic efficiency (48 LE&114.3%) in compare with control (46 LE&106.98%), while the values were 47.1LE&107.3%, 43.3LE&101.4% and 46.2 LE&105.5% for groups G3, G4 and G5 respectively. It could be concluded that feeding laying Japanese quail hens on diet containing 17% protein without protease enzyme or formic acid did not differ significantly from those fed on a control diet containing 20% protein. Moreover, it showed the highest net revenue and numerical improvement than the control group regarding egg production, egg mass, FCR, eggshell %, egg yolk %, and cholesterol in egg yolk.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AMONG LOCAL QUAILS

This research was carried out to compare the productivity performance of three lines of local quail. The results showed a significant superiority in the daily gain weight (3.76 g/day/quail) and marketing weight (167.2 g/quail) for brown quail over other colors. Also, significant differences were found in the dressing ratio between males (67.8%) and females (65.76%). As for the egg production of quail, it was found a significant superiority of the desert quail over the other colors in the number of eggs produced, the average egg weight (9.73 g/ egg) and the HDEP (78.6 %) with the best feed conversation (2.15 g / g of egg). The results also show that the white-colored quail was average between the other two colors for the characteristics of the productive performance of body weight and egg production. It could be concluding from these results the possibility of directing the different colors of a particular trait and developing it into specialized lines for the production of eggs or meat through the selection process.

Comparative analysis of physical, morphological, and mechanical characteristics of eggs from three pheasant subspecies

The profitability of pheasants breeding is influenced by many factors, but eggs quality is considered as the backbone for successful pheasant breeding. The objective of this study was to determine and compare various quality characteristics (physical, morphological, and mechanical) of eggs from three pheasant subspecies: common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus), Mongolian pheasant (Phasianus colchicus mongolicus), and black pheasant (Phasianus colchicus vs. tenebrosus). A total sample of 180 eggs (60 eggs of each pheasant subspecies) was collected from pheasant hens kept in aviaries in their first year of production (43-47 wk of age). The average weight and volume of eggs from common pheasants was significantly lower (P ˂ 0.05) than those from Mongolian and black pheasants. No significant differences between three pheasant subspecies were observed in albumen and yolk weight and percentage, while egg shell weight and percentage were significantly higher (P < 0.01) at eggs from black pheasants. In comparison to eggs from Mongolian and common pheasants, eggs from black pheasants had the thickest shell and the highest shell strength and required highest force to egg breaking. The values of breaking force and other mechanical characteristics depend on the direction of the loading force during egg compression. The data obtained by evaluating certain characteristics of egg quality can be useful to breeders when choosing a pheasant subspecies, as well as for choosing quality eggs for hatching and their storage.

A Comparative Study on the Laying Performance and Egg Quality of Four Available Strains in Bangladesh

Among all the sub-sectors of the livestock sector in Bangladesh, poultry stands as one of the most important ones. To evaluate the production performances and egg quality of four commercial layer strains in Bangladesh, a total of 128 laying pullets including NOVOgen brown, ISA brown, Hy-line brown, and Bovans brown were randomly allocated at 4 different treated groups (one individual strain treated as separate treatment) having 4 replications and 8 birds in each replication. The birds aged 20 weeks were considered for the experiment and continued until 35 weeks of age. A commercial layer diet purchased from Kazi Farms Group was fed to the experimental birds. Identical management was provided to the birds irrespective of their strains. Data on feed intake, egg production and body weight were recorded and thereafter egg mass and feed efficiency were calculated. Eggs were collected from the respective treatments and subjected to external and internal egg quality analysis. The results revealed that Hy-Line brown had significantly (p&lt;0.001) lower feed intake compared to other strains. On the other hand, NOVOgen Brown had the significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher shell thickness among others. Other laying performances such as hen-day egg production, average egg weight, egg mass and egg quality parameters such as shape index, Haugh unit, albumen index, and yolk color score did not affect significantly (p&lt;0.05). Taken together, it may be concluded that there were almost no statistical differences in relation to laying performance and egg quality among the strains compared in this study and the strains are highly compatible to the local climatic condition.

Characterization of Mewari, an indigenous chicken breed, from hot tropical climate of India

Mewari, an indigenous chicken breed, was characterized for phenotypic parameters, growth, reproduction and production traits under the hot tropical climate of India. The data collected on 690 chicks were analyzed for effect of sex, hatch and their interaction on body weight and body measurements. The body weights of males were significantly higher at different weeks except at day old. Significantly higher shank and keel length was found in males as compared to females. The effect of hatch was significant on mean body weights at all ages, on shank length and breast angles at 8 weeks of age. The fertility and hatchability on fertile eggs set (FES) was 74.15±4.29% and 71.37±8.15%, respectively. The age at first egg (AFE) in the flock was 142 days and the age at sexual maturity (ASM) was 181.2±3.85 days. The average egg weights at 28 and 40 weks of age were 36.61±0.29 and 42.59±0.37 g, respectively. The hen day egg production (HDEP) up to 40 and 52 weeks of age was 28.93±0.13 and 59.87±0.14 eggs, respectively. The annual HDEP up to 72 weeks of age was 86.37± 0.13 eggs. The growth and egg production of Mewari chicken is comparable with other indigenous breeds. Mewari, a newly registered indigenous breed, needs to be further studied for various parameters to conserve and improve the breed for higher productivity.

EFFECT OF VITAMIN D3 ADDITION AND VARIOUS PARTICLE SIZE OF OYSTER SHELLS TO PRODUCTION DIETS IN LAYING HENS PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

This study was conducted in the Layer farm of Animal production department/ College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, for the period from 20/ 7/ 2021 to 15/ 10/ 2021, to study the Effect of vitamin D3 addition and various particle size of oyster shells to production diets in laying hens productive performance. In this study, 108 Lohman Brown laying hens, 43 weeks were distributed randomly in to nine groups, four replicates for each one three hens reared in cages (cm). The experimental treatments were as follows: T1 normal diet (control group), T2/ calcium source 50% limestone + 50% oyster shell size less than 1 mm + vitamin D3 4000 IU kg-1, T3/ calcium source 50% limestone +50 % oyster shell size 1-2 mm + vitamin D3 4000 IU kg-1, T4 / calcium source 50% limestone + 50% oyster shell size 2-3 mm + vitamin D3 4000 IU kg-1, T5/ calcium source 50% Limestone + 50% oyster shell size 3–5 mm + Vitamin D3 4000 IU kg-1, T6/ Calcium source 50% limestone + 50% oyster shell size less than 1 mm + Vitamin D3 8000 IU kg-1, T7/ Calcium source 50% limestone + 50% oyster shell 1-2 mm + Vitamin D3 8000 IU kg-1, T8 Calcium source 50% limestone + 50% oyster shell 2-3 mm + Vitamin D3 8000 IU kg-1, T9/ Calcium source 50% limestone +50% oyster shell size 3-5mm + Vitamin D3 8000 IU kg-1. results showed no significant differences in daily feed consumption ratio, feed conversion coefficient, egg mass and egg production in the three periods of the experiment and in average. significant improvement (P≤0.05) in average egg weight during third productive period of the experiment for the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth treatments compared to the other treatments.

Repeatability and most probable producing ability of egg weight and one-day-old chick weight in Merawang chicken

Local Indonesian chicken from Bangka Belitung is known as Merawang. This chicken has dual purposes as a meat and egg producer. The objective of this study was to determine the repeatability and most probable producing ability (MPPA) of Merawang chicken’s egg weight and one-day-old chick (DOC) weight. 72 pullet Merawang chickens were raised in single bird cages and their egg weight was checked at 36-38 and 56-58 weeks. The DOC was weighed after the eggs were hatched. The rptR package and the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method were utilized to estimate the repeatability. At 36-38 and 56-58 weeks, the average egg weight was 46.435.44 and 52.146.15, respectively. Meanwhile, the average DOC weight at 36-38 and 56-58 weeks were 31.92±4.54 and 35.40±4.36, respectively. The result showed that at 36-38 and 56-58 weeks, the repeatability of egg weight was 0.77±0.05 and 0.69±0.05, whereas the DOC weight was 0.84±0.04 and 0.64±0.07. The average MPPA ranges based on egg and DOC weights were 46.51-52.23 and 31.97-35.52, respectively. The pullets with MPPA above the average were 38.46%-50.72% (egg weight) and 48.94%-56% (DOC weight). The results from this study can be used for selecting the Merawang pullet.

Effects of melittin on laying performance and intestinal barrier function of quails

To study the effects of melittin on egg-laying performance and intestinal barrier of quails, 240 quails (aged 70 d) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates (10 quails per replicate). They were fed with basal diet (group B), basal diet+0.08 g/kg melittin (group BA1), basal diet+0.12 g/kg melittin (group BA2) and basal diet+0.16 g/kg melittin (group BA3). The experiment lasted for 21 days. The eggs were collected every day. At the end of the experiment, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tissues were collected, and the cecal contents were sampled. Intestinal antioxidant index, barrier function, and intestinal flora were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of melittin significantly increased the laying rate and average egg weight. Addition of melittin significantly increased the antioxidant function, mechanical barrier, immune barrier, and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of small intestine. Addition of melittin had no significant effect on the α and β diversity of cecal flora, but significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidales at family level and genus level. Bioinformatics analysis of cecal content showed significant increase in COG functional category of cytoskeleton, and significant decrease in RNA processing and modification in group BA2. KEGG functional analysis showed significant decrease in steroid biosynthesis, caffeine metabolism, and cytochrome P450 pathways in group BA2. In conclusion, addition of 0.12 g/kg melittin to feed improved the laying performance and the intestinal antioxidant capacity and barrier function of quails but had no significant effect on the composition and structure of cecal microbial community. This study provides experimental data and theoretical basis for the application of melittin as a new quail feed additive.

Research Note: Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals potential candidate genes and regulatory pathways associated with egg weight in ducks

Egg weight is an important indicator of egg phenotypic traits, which directly affects the economic benefits of the poultry industry. In the present research, laying ducks were classified into high egg weight (HEW) and light egg weight (LEW) groups. To reveal the underlying mechanism that may be responsible for the egg weight difference, the integrated analysis of transcriptomes and serum metabolomics was performed between the two groups. The results showed extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) in the total egg weight at 300 d, and average egg weight between the HEW and LEW groups. 733, 591, 82, and 74 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the liver, magnum, F1, and F5 (hierarchical follicles) follicle membrane, respectively. The candidate genes were screened further from the perspective of forming an egg. In terms of egg yolk formation, the functional analysis revealed fatty acid metabolism-related pathways account for 36% of the liver's top pathways, including fatty acid biosynthesis, folate biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and glycerol lipid metabolism pathways. FASN gene was identified as the key candidate gene by comprehensive analysis of gene expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In the follicle membrane, the DEGs were mainly enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and MAPK signaling pathway, and HSPA2, HSPA8, BAG3 genes were identified as crucial candidate genes. In terms of egg white formation, the functional analysis revealed protein metabolism-related pathways account for 40% of the magnum's top pathways, which includes protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum pathway. HSP90AA1 and HSPA8 genes were identified as key candidate genes. In addition, the integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis showed that arginine and proline metabolism pathways could contribute to differences in egg weight. Thus, we speculated that the potential candidate genes, regulatory pathways, and metabolic biomarkers mentioned above might be responsible for the egg weight difference. These findings might provide a theoretical basis for improving the egg weight of ducks.