Average Egg Weight Research Articles

Direktne metode za određivanje čvrstoće ljuske jaja

During the manipulation of hen eggs from the farm to the consumer due to action of external forces and weak mechanical strength of shell, the eggs break. The goal of egg producers is to reduce losses when breaking eggs during the production and placement, and thus increase revenues. Each egg can be damaged by external forces whose values are greater than maximum strength of the egg shell. Direct and indirect methods are used to determine the quality of eggs and shell strength. By direct methods, strength of the shell can be determined on the basis of puncture force measurements, impact forces, quasi-static compression forces and free fall forces on a known surface. In our research, a device was constructed for the realization of experiment and a direct method for determining strength of eggs was applied on the basis of measured breaking force of the shell. The device for measuring strength of eggs by the direct method of puncture eggshell was constructed and applied at the Faculty of Technical Sciences and the Faculty of Agronomy in Čačak. Class "M" hen eggs produced on the "Grbović" farm in the vicinity of Čačak were used in the research. The laying hens are a 41-week-old Isa Brown hybrid. During the research, physical characteristics of hen eggs were determined: length, width, index of shape and weight of eggs, as well as weight of the shell, share of the shell in the total mass of eggs, thickness and puncture force of the shell. The results of research show that the length of egg is 57.00 mm, width 44.59 mm with a coefficient of variation from 2.7 to 1.4%. The thickness of egg shell is on average 0.39 mm, in range from 0.377 to 0.416 mm. The share of shell is 10.54% of average weight of eggs (62.43 g). The quality of the tested eggs was quite uniform because the puncture force of egg shell ranged from 20.35 to 23.97 N. The research results are important for cage construction, design of egg collection equipment, design of egg packaging, and applicable in selection for obtaining new genotypes of laying hens with increased resistance to egg breaking.

Demonstration and Performance Evaluation of Dual Purpose "Potchefstroom koekoek" Chickens Under Farmers’ Management Conditions in the High Land Areas of Arsi zone, Oromiya Region

The study was conducted to demonstrate and evaluate performance of dual purpose Potchefstroom koekoek chicken with full package under farmers’ management system in the highland areas of Arsi zone, Oromia Region.A total of 18 farmers were selected purposively based on previous experience in poultry rearing, willingness to construct or modify poultry house, access to market and research input availability. Training was given on all chicken management aspects. A total of 55 day-old chickens with other packages were delivered to each participant farmer in Tiyo and Sagure. Data was collected starting from day one following chicken delivery up to start of the first egg lay and continued until 72 week of age. The current study revealed that on average 9.4% and 5.8% of mortality was recorded per participant farmer up to eight weeks of age at Sagure and Tiyo District respectively. 202.3 days (6.7month) and 1.46 kg body weight was recorded on average for first egg lay. The daily percentage of hen- housed egg production per participant farmers was 41.7% at 50 %( 32week) and 69.7% at 52weeks of age with average egg weight of 49.8g and 51.7g respectively. Per participant farmer, on average 1244 birr was expended for purchase inputs and 5500.33 birr was gained from sale of egg, cockerels and replacement chickens as net income. The farmers became aware of the importance of the breed that adapted well under the existing farmers' management condition and performed better than indigenous breeds for egg and meat production. Keywords : koekoek chickens, demonstration, on farm evaluation, mortality DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-1-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Review on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Different Genetic Group of Chicken in Ethiopia

This review paper was conducted with the aim of reviewing productive and reproductive performance of different chicken breeds in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, chicken production plays a role as a prime supplier of eggs and meat in rural and urban area and as a source of income. As indicated current review results, indigenous chicken breeds had low productive and reproductive performance than exotic breeds. The average age at first egg ranges 6-12 months for indigenous chicken. Their egg production potential ranges 30-60 eggs per year per hen with average egg weight of 38g under village management conditions; while under intensive system they produce 80-100 eggs per year per hen. Average hatchability of eggs was 80% for indigenous chickens. On the other hand, performance of exotic differs from indigenous chickens. Average age for first egg was 5 months for exotic chicken breeds under intensive management system in Ethiopia. Exotic breeds of chicken kept under intensive condition produce around 250 eggs /year/hen with average egg weight of 50-60g; while under village production system it may go down up to 150 with average weight of egg 44g. Average hatchability of eggs was around 70% for exotic chickens in Ethiopia. Generally, this review work recommended cross breeding should be used to combine these different performances of exotic and indigenous chickens so as to create crossbreed chickens having resistance to harsh environment of Ethiopia.

Effects of egg shell meal on the performance and haematology of layers and their egg quality

In an attempt to achieve Sustainable Development Goals numbers one and two, eggshell meal was incorporated into layers diets to replace bone meal. Seventy-two point of lay birds were utilized in a nine-week experiment. Four experimental diets were formulated consisting of graded levels of bone meal (BM) and egg shell meal (ESM) which were coded as; T1 (3%BM: 0%ESM), T2 (2%BM: 1%ESM), T3 (1%BM: 2%ESM), and T4 (0%BM: 3% ESM). Three replicates with six birds per replicate in a completely randomized design were used. Total egg weight, average egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of ESM and BM. Birds on T4 recorded the significantly highest values for these parameters. Yolk width, albumen weight, egg weight and eggshell weight significantly (P < 0.05) increased with an increase in ESM, with eggs obtained from T4 having the highest values. From this study, complete replacement of bone meal with eggshell meal in the diet of layers, i.e. T4, gave the overall best results. It is recommended that farmers replace bone meal with egg shell meal as a major source of dietary calcium and phosphorus for laying birds.

Effect of egg size and lines on hatching performance of chicks from broiler breeders under selection

The study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of egg size (small, medium and large) and lines on egg and hatch weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality and infertile eggs of broiler breeders under selection. A total of 120 broiler chicks were hatched from three different egg sizes (40 chicks per egg size as indicated) from breeder parents at 40 weeks of age. The broiler breeders were mated in a ratio of 1:6. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a complete randomized design. The result showed that significant (p&lt;0.05) egg weight loss in incubator were recorded with the large egg size group having the minimum loss of 10.85%. The hatch weight was significant (p&lt;0.05) and increased from the small to the large (36.24, 36.73 and 40.22g) egg size group. Line had significant effect (p&lt;0.05) only on the medium egg size: egg weight (sire = 57.50g; dam = 55.00g) and hatch weights (sire = 39.71g; dam = 36.10g). The fertility (94.02, 93.01 and 78.01%), hatchability (87.42, 88.20 and 62.41%) and embryonic mortality (6.58, 9.80 and 15.6%) had significant (p&lt;0.05) differences with the small egg size group performing better excluding the average egg weight, which was then followed closely by medium egg size group. It can be concluded that for higher hatch weight target, the large egg size should be selected but for the purpose of better fertility and hatchability, the medium and small egg sizes should be selected.&#x0D;

Relationship between egg weight, hatching weight and subsequent body weight in the Japanese quail

An experiment to determine the relationship between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight of the Japanese quail was conducted. A total of 607 eggs collected over 6 days from an existing flock at the Animal Pavilion of the University of Ilorin were used for the experiment. Eggs were individually numbered, weighed and grouped into small (S) medium (M) and large (L) sized eggs based on the mean and standard deviation of the eggs. Mean egg weight were correlated and regressed with mean hatch weight and subsequent weight. Average egg weights were 10.23± 0.84g, 8.49± 0.72g and 6.94± 0.93g for the large, medium and small group respectively. The result showed relationship between egg weight and hatch weight were positive and highly significant (P &lt; 0.01) with values of 0.973, 0.977 and 0.967 for small, medium and large groups, respectively. Relationship between hatch weights and weekly body weights were also positive and significant (P&lt;0.01) for the medium and large groups only but decreased with age. Linear regression equation showed a significant coefficient of determination for weekly body weight using the values for small, medium and large egg weight values. The results of the study showed that egg weight can be reliably used for estimating body weight in Japanese quail and may be used as criteria for early selection of Japanese quail for body weight.

Особливості поведінки і розмноження сніжниці жовтодзьобої (Chionis alba Gmelin, 1789) в акваторії архіпелагу Аргентинські острови і прилеглих територій (Земля Грейама, Антарктичний півострів)

Systematic studies of the ornithofauna of the Argentine Islands archipelago by Ukrainian polar explorers began in the second half of the 90s. At the beginning of the XXI-st century, the southernmost breeding site of the Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba), Petermann Island, was discovered by Ukrainian ornithologists; later, nesting within the Argentine Islands archipelago was recorded. Breeding and behavioural peculiarities of the Snowy Sheathbill were studied during the XX-th (April 2015 - March 2016) and the XXIII-rd (April 2018 – March 2019) Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions, in accordance with the objectives of the State Target Scientific and Technical Research Program of Ukraine in Antarctica for 2010-2020. The distribution, abundance and detection of the Snowy Sheathbill nesting sites were investigated according to generally accepted methods, by means of surveys on permanent routes, and also by the method of point counting at Cape Marina Point on Galindez Island. During the reporting period, more than 400 hours were spent on conducting morning surveys and recording. The Snowy Sheathbill nests were examined on Galindez and Petermann Islands, the sites of probable breeding were investigated on Uruguay Island and Cape Tuxen (Antarctic Peninsula). In the spring of 2015, at Cape Marina Point on Galindez Island, breeding of one pair of the Snowy Sheathbill was recorded, and in the spring of 2018 – breeding of two pairs. In the spring of 2018, clutches on Galindez Island were registered: in the first clutch - three eggs, in the other – four ones. The average egg weight was 41.0 ± 0.8 (standard deviation – 1.9 g). Under favourable nesting conditions, the hatching of the first chicks is possible in late December. The average weight of newly hatched chicks was 33.3 ± 3.6 g. From January 19 to February 28, 2018, three chicks were weighed: the average increase in the weight of the first chick was 17.9 ± 1.3 g (standard deviation 7.6 g); the increase in the weight of the second one was 17.4 ± 1.3 g (standard deviation 7.7 g); the average increase in the weight of the third chick was smaller than in previous ones and amounted to 13.8 ± 1.5 g. The days without increase in weight were recorded: for the first chick such days were on February 19, 25, 28, for the second one only two days – on February 24 and 28; for the third chick - five days (on February 4, 13, 15, 27, 28). On the 41st day, the weight of the first chick was 680 g, the second one weighed 670 g, and the weight of the third chick was about 480 g. on the 40th day.

Observation of Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) C Lutching without the Presence of Males and Eggshell Mortality on a Large Tortoise Farm in Slovenia Over a Three-Year Period

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of hatched and fertilized eggs in female Hermann’s tortoises before and after the removal of males after breeding. A breeding group of Testudo hermanni boettgeri with 50 females and 12 males was included in the study. In the first year, all adults were together in the same habitat until reproductive activity was observed. After the end of May, the males and females were separated for the next two active seasons. The number of eggs and number of second clutches decreased gradually. In the first year, 76.0% of females laid eggs; in the second year, 24.0%; and in the third year, only 8.0%. Second clutches were observed in ten females (26.3%) in the first year, while in the next two years, one female had a second clutch. There was a small but significant correlation between the weight of a single tortoise and the number of eggs laid but no significant correlation between the weight of the tortoise and its average egg weight. The weight (15.1-16.8 g), length (33.9-36.1 mm) and width of each egg (27.5-28.0 mm) was measured. During the laying season, the eggs were put into incubators. The incubation length varied from 52 to 70 days. After the end of incubation, eggshell mortality and its causes (19.3-52.5%) were examined. In the first year, the viability rate of the incubated eggs was 80.7%; in the second year, 80.5%; and in the third year, 47.8%. Among the unhatched eggs in the first year, 62.5% were unfertilized, 53.1% were infected, 28.1% were dehydrated and 21.9% were found in various stages of embryonic development.

Dietary arsenic supplementation induces oxidative stress by suppressing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in the livers and kidneys of laying hens

This study investigated the effects of dietary arsenic supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, hepatic and renal histopathology, and oxidative stress in the livers and kidneys of laying hens. Furthermore, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway was explored to reveal the molecular mechanism of the stress. Five hundred and twelve 40-week-old Hyline White laying hens were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 8 pens per group and 16 hens per pen. The doses of arsenic administered to the 4 groups were 0.95, 20.78, 40.67, and 60.25 mg/kg. The results revealed that dietary arsenic supplementation significantly reduced hen-day egg production (P < 0.05), average egg weight (P < 0.05), Haugh units (P < 0.05), albumen height (P < 0.05), and eggshell strength (P < 0.05). Dietary arsenic supplementation also induced the accumulation of arsenic and histopathological damages in the liver and kidney. In accordance, dietary arsenic supplementation significantly enhanced serum alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05), blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05), and uric acid (P < 0.05) levels. After arsenic exposure, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05), catalase (P < 0.01), glutathione reductase (P < 0.05), and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), and glutathione content (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased, while the malondialdehyde level was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the liver and kidney. Positive correlations occurred between antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant enzyme gene expressions in the liver and kidney, except for renal manganese superoxide dismutase gene expression and SOD activity. Additionally, hepatic and renal Nrf2 mRNA expression was positively correlated with antioxidant gene expressions and negatively correlated with Keap1 mRNA expression. In summary, dietary arsenic supplementation induced oxidative stress by suppressing the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway in the livers and kidneys of laying hens.

The egg productivity of quails for feeding different levels of dry post-alcohol bard in composition of feed

Numerous studies in animal husbandry are aimed at substantiating the feasibility of using waste from technical industries in animal feeding. Recently, dry post-alcohol bard can be found in compound feed recipes. It is a good source of protein, but its amount in the feed is limited due to the presence of anti-nutrients. Experimental studies of the dynamics of productivity of laying quails for the consumption of complete feed with different proportions of dry post-alcoholic bard were conducted. For this purpose 5 groups of quails of an egg direction of productivity on 30 animals aged 42 days everyone were formed. Quails of the control group consumed complete feed, which did not contain dry post-alcoholic bard. Instead, animals of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th experimental groups during the main period of the experiment were fed, respectively, 5%, 10, 15 and 20% of dry post-alcoholic bard. The nutritional value of compound feeds of all groups was the same. During 120 days of the main period of the experiment, the most prevalent control animals were quails of the 3rd experimental group, which consumed 10% of dry post-alcoholic bard as part of the feed. Slightly smaller (5.0%) was the predominance of animals of the 2nd experimental group, the content of bards in the diet of which was 5%. The least different from the control indicators were the quails of the 4th experimental group, which only 0.3% outperformed the latter, consuming 15% of dry bard in the compound feed. The share of dry post-alcoholic bard 20% in the complete feed of quails of the 5th experimental group had a negative effect on their productivity, as the gross collection of eggs in this group was less than the control by 1.6%. In addition to differences in the number of collected eggs, the results of the experiment showed a statistically significant difference in the weight of laid eggs between animals of the control and experimental groups. During the main period of the experiment on the average weight of eggs the most control was dominated by birds of the 3rd experimental group - by 1.1%. Slightly smaller (0.7%) was the predominance of animals of the 2nd experimental group. Quails of the 4th experimental group were little different from the control in terms of egg weight - only 0.4% outweighed it. The birds of the 5th experimental group also slightly differed from the control in terms of egg weight - only 0.2% inferior to it. Thus, the inclusion of 5–10% of dry post-alcoholic bard in the feed has a positive effect on the productivity of quails. Key words: dry post-alcoholic bard, eggs, quails, laying, egg weight, compound feed, feeding.

Effect of Bacillus velezensis to substitute in-feed antibiotics on the production, blood biochemistry and egg quality indices of laying hens

BackgroundThe excessive use of antibiotics in the livestock feed industry caused inevitable side effects of microbial resistance. Besides this residual antibiotics in animal-derived foodstuff imposed serious health problems for humans. So this study aimed to investigate the potential use of Bacillus velezensis to substitute antibiotics for poultry production. A total of 468, 49-week-old Hy-Line Brown chickens, were randomly divided into four groups the control group (regular diet), experiment group I (0.1% B. veleznesis), experiment group II (0.2% B. veleznesis), and antibiotic group (50 mg/kg flavomycin), with three replicates per group and trial period consisted on 42 days.ResultsThe results showed that, compared with the control group, the average egg production rate and daily feed intake of experimental groups I and II increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the average egg weight was increased in experimental group II as compared to (I) (P < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio was decreased (P > 0.05) in group (II) Egg quality parameters such as yolk weight of the experimental group II was increased, but that of the antibiotic group and experiment group I was decreased, neither significant (P > 0.05). Moreover, the eggshell strength, yolk color, albumen height, and Haugh unit were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, probiotic groups can increase the progesterone and motilin (P > 0.05) but decrease the secretin and cholecystokinin in the blood plasma (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study suggested that B. velezensis can substitute in-feed-antibiotics and improved most of the study parameters significantly. Which suggested that B. velezensis has potential future application value to replace the feed antibiotics.

Dual-purpose production of eggs and meat\u2014part 2: hens of crosses between layer and meat breeds show moderate laying performance but choose feed with less protein than a layer hybrid, indicating the potential to reduce protein in diets

The use of modern chicken genotypes with high egg or meat performance results in the ethically unacceptable practice of culling day-old male layer chicks because of their inefficient fattening performance. Dual-purpose genotypes with a balanced performance profile for eggs and meat are one option to avoid this practice. In this study, the performance of four crosses of a layer breed (White Rock or New Hampshire) and the meat breed Bresse Gauloise, purebred Bresse Gauloise and the layer hybrid Lohmann Sandy was compared under organic husbandry conditions. Part 2 focuses on the laying performance of the hens until the age of 72 weeks and their feed choices when offered energy-rich and protein-rich feed mixtures. Feed consumption was generally high (133–143 g day−1), but the crosses consumed less protein feed than Lohmann Sandy, indicating a potential to reduce the proportion of high-protein components. Bresse Gauloise × White Rock showed severe plumage loss due to feather pecking, which was most likely caused by their low consumption of protein feed. Apparently, free-choice feeding did not agree with this genotype. Average laying performance of the crosses was 68–73% total eggs per average hen, which can be considered moderate. Average egg weights and egg size distribution were comparable with Lohmann Sandy, while slaughter performance of the senior hens was comparable with purebred Bresse Gauloise. Based on these findings, egg production with dual-purpose laying hens can be an ethically desirable alternative to high-performance genotypes, but will require further research on optimal feeding strategies and animal behaviour.Trial registered on July 7, 2017 (reference number V 241-26532/2017)

Comportamiento dinámico del peso del huevo en gallinas camperas discriminadas por indicadores productivos a la madurez sexual

The effects on the dynamic pattern of egg weight of five traits at sexual maturity were characterized in Campero Casilda hens. When the first egg was laid, body weight, age (an indicator of sexual precocity), weight of the first 10 eggs (an indicator of their initial weight), days needed to lay them (an indicator of regularity) and coefficient of variation of these weights (an indicator of uniformity) were recorded. All the eggs laid between sexual maturity and 72 weeks of age was weighed. Longitudinal data relating weekly average egg weight versus laying age were adjusted by non-linear regression with the Weatherup &amp; Foster model. Birds were categorized by the values of each trait measured at sexual maturity and the category effect on the estimators of the function parameters was evaluated. Less precocious birds were heavier and laid larger eggs at the beginning of the cycle and in the asymptote, without differences on the egg weight maturation rate, in comparison to those more precocious. The latter began the laying period irregularly, requiring a greater number of days to lay the first 10 eggs and the weight of these had a higher coefficient of variation. The birds that began laying more uniform eggs in weight maintained that difference throughout the curve. Early selection of birds that begin laying at an older age, with greater body weight, more regularly and with heavier eggs uniform in size would show a favorable dynamic pattern in egg weight.

Meat quality, skin damage and reproductive performance of ostriches exposed to extensive human presence and interactions at an early age.

The effect human presence and interactions performed after hatch to 3months of age has on ostrich meat quality, skin damage and reproductive performance at a later age was investigated in 416-day-old ostrich chicks. The chicks were allocated to one of the three treatments, which varied with regard to exposure to human presence and care for 3months post-hatch: HP1-extensive human presence with physical contact (touch, stroking), gentle human voice and visual contact; HP2-extensive human presence with gentle human voice and visual contact without physical contact; S-standard control treatment, where human presence and visual contact were limited to routine management, feed and water supply only. Carcass attributes (carcass weight, dressing percentage and drumstick weight), meat quality traits (pH, colour and tenderness) and skin traits (skin size, skin grading and number of lesions) were evaluated on twenty-four 1-year-old South African Black (SAB) ostriches. Reproductive performance (egg production, average egg weight, number of clutches, clutch size, chick production, average chick weight, fertility and hatchability percentage) were recorded for the first three breeding seasons of 23 SAB pair-bred females from this study. No differences in carcass attributes, meat quality, skin traits and reproductive performance were found between treatments (P > 0.05). It was evident that exposure of day-old ostriches to extensive human presence and interaction as chicks did not influence carcass attributes, meat quality or skin traits at slaughter age, but more importantly, it did not compromise their reproductive performance.

EFFECTS OF ADDING NANO-CHITOSAN ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

The present study evaluated the effects different forms of chitosan (ordinary chitosan “OCh” and chitosan nanoparticles “ChNP”) as a dietary supplementation on egg production, egg quality, yolk egg composition, blood serum traits, and intestinal bacteria. A total of 96 hens of Babolna TETRA-SL at 23 weeks of age were randomly assigned into 4 experimental groups with three replicates each. The control (Co) group, T1 group, and T2 group were fed 0.0 mg/kg diet, 150 mg/kg diet and 300 mg/kg diet, respectively. The control group (Co) were fed the basal diet without the supplement, while birds in the treatment groups T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg OCh/kg diet, 50 mg ChNP/kg diet, and 200 mg ChNP /kg diet, respectively. The experimental period was 12 weeks (23-34 weeks old). The egg laying rate, average egg weight, and feed conversion ratio of hens were not affected significantly by the experimental groups. Egg mass and feed intake were significantly decreased (P<0.05) for all treatments compared to the control group. Albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly increased in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Unsaturated fatty acids (ΣUSFA) were significantly increased in the T1 and T3 compared to the other groups (P<0.05). However, saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) were significantly decreased in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased in the T1 and T3 groups (P<0.05) compared to the Co group. Immunoglobulin Y was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the T1 group followed by decreasing order in the T3 group. Total bacterial count, including Lactobacillus count in the intestine was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the T1 and T3 groups compared to the other groups. These results concluded that both of OCh and ChNP have a positive effect on the productive performance of laying hens.

Sentetik ve Ticari Etlik Piliç Genotiplerinin Bazı Ekonomik Parametreler ve Ebeveyn Performansları Bakımından Karşılaştırılması

Bu çalışmada, ticari ana ve baba ebeveyn hatlarından geliştirilen sentetik ebeveynler ile ticari ebeveynler karşılaştırılmıştır. Denemede ticari hat (TK) 8520 dişi, 1275 erkek civciv ve sentetik hat (SH) 8584 dişi ve 1275 erkek civciv olmak üzere toplam 19654 adet hayvan kullanılmıştır. Etlik piliç denemesi TK grubundan 1044 (3x348) adet, SH grubundan ise 1029 (3x343) adet, toplam 2073 adet karışık cinsiyette civciv ile yürütülmüştür. TK ve SH grubu dişi ebeveynleri 23 haftalık büyütme döneminde sırası ile hayvan başına 9,91 ve 9,87 kg yem tüketmiştir. Aynı sıra ile %6,5 ve %7,3 oranında ölüm ve ayıklama oranı, %87 ve %85 üniformite ve 23. hafta sonunda 2846 ve 2753g canlı ağırlık ile tamamlamışlardır. Erkekler aynı sırayla %9,5 ve %10,8 oranında ölüm ve ayıklama oranı ile 23. haftalık yaşa kadar 11,1 ve 11,3 kg yem tüketmişlerdir. Dişi ebeveynler TK ve SH grubunda %5 yumurta verimine sırasıyla 26 ve 25. haftalık yaşta; pik yumurta verimine ise 35 ve 32. haftalık yaşta ulaşmışlardır. Ebeveynler TK ve SH sırası ile 50 haftalık yaşta %5,7 ve %6,0 ölüm ve ayıklama oranı, %84,5 ve %83,8 pik yumurta verimi, 129,0 ve 128,0 adet yumurta verimi, 116,8 ve 118,5 adet kuluçkalık yumurta verimi, 62,5 ve 60,0 g ortalama kuluçkalık yumurta ağırlığı saptanmıştır. Aynı sıra ile kuluçka randımanları %82,1 ve %80,6 olarak tespit edilmiştir. TK ve SH ebeveynlerinden elde edilen 39,7 ve 37,7 g ağırlığındaki etlik civcivler, 4429 ve 4372g yem tüketerek 42. günde 2481 ve 2375g canlı ağırlığa ulaşmışlardır. Etlik piliç denemesinde yemden yararlanma oranları sırasıyla 1,79 ve 1,80 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmada, etlik piliç üretimi için ticari ana ve baba hatlarından elde edilen sentetik yeni hatların kullanılabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.

EFFECT OF ADDING THYMUS VULGARIS POWDER TO RATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF QUAIL

This study was conducted in the Poultry farm of Animal production Dept. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mosul University in order to investigate the effect of adding Thymus vulgaris Powder to the diets on productive performance and Reproductive for laying quail. One hundred forty four unsexed quail Coturnix coturnix 90 day old were randomly distributed into four treatments with four replicate in each replicate nine birds 6 female and 3 male, The treatments were as follows: first basal diet without addition as (control). Second, third and fourth treatments basal diet and addition of Thymus vulgaris Powder in 0.5, 1, 1.5 % respectively. Feed and water was ad libitum. Statistical analysis of data showed significant improvement (p≤0.05) in total egg number, average egg weight, hen day production, feed conversion ratio(g feed: g eggs) for treatments third and forth as compared with control. Also significant increase in daily and total egg mass in treatments second, third and forth as compared with control. No significant difference in live body weight, average body weight gain, feed consumption , feed conversion ratio (g feed: egg), mortality rate, fertility percentage, hatchability percentage from total and fertile eggs and embryo mortality

Effect of the level and source of supplementary dietary zinc on egg production, quality, and zinc content and on serum antioxidant parameters and zinc concentration in laying hens.

Zinc is vital for proper functioning of an animal. Two sources of zinc are commonly supplemented in animal feed, organic and inorganic zinc, and there are reports that the former is absorbed to a greater extent than the latter. We hypothesized that supplementary zinc would increase zinc content in eggs of laying hens and that organic zinc would be more effective than inorganic zinc. To test these hypotheses, we examined the effect of levels and sources of supplemental dietary zinc on average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and zinc content in eggs and on serum antioxidant capacity and zinc concentration in laying hens. A total of 720 Roman laying hens (21-week-old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups with 6 replicates, with 24 hens in each replicate. Two sources of zinc, organic (zinc amino acid complex) and inorganic (zinc sulfate), each with 2 levels, low (35 mg/kg) and high (70 mg/kg), comprised 4 treatment groups, and a control group without supplementary zinc was the fifth group. Seven days were allowed for adjustment to the conditions, and then measurements were taken over 42 D. There was no difference in ADFI, average egg weight (EW), ADFI-to-EW ratio, and egg quality (P > 0.05) among the 5 treatment groups; supplemental zinc increased serum concentrations of Zn2+ and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and tended to increase superoxide dismutase content (P = 0.065). Zinc content in eggs increased linearly with supplementary organic zinc (N = 18, R2 = 0.363, P = 0.008) and with supplementary inorganic zinc (N = 18, R2 = 0.366, P = 0.008) treatment, but there was no difference between the source treatments of zinc. Therefore, our first hypothesis was supported, but our second one was not supported. We concluded that zinc supplementation is effective in enhancing zinc content in eggs and in improving antioxidant capacity in laying hens.

Effects of Ligustrum lucidum on egg production, egg quality, and caecal microbiota of hens during the late laying period

This study was conducted to determine the effects of diet supplementation of laying hens with Ligustrum lucidum (LL) on egg production, egg quality and caecal microbiota. A total of 360 72-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into three groups with four replicates of 30 birds each. The laying hens were fed with basal diet (control group), basal diet + 1% LL (group I) and basal diet + 2% LL (group II). The experiment lasted for 45 d. Eggs were collected daily and caecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Results showed that dietary supplementation with LL did not affect the average daily egg weight, the average daily feed intake, the cracked egg rate, the mortality and the egg quality (p>.05). However, groups I and II showed significantly increased laying rate and decreased feed/egg ratio (p＜.05). The differences in caecal microbiota between group II and the control group were significant. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Saccharibacteria and Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level; Ruminococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, unclassified_Bacteroidales, S24-7 group and ODP1230B8.23 at the family level; RC9 gut group, Phascolarctobacterium, unclassified_Bacteroidales, Butyricicoccus, norank_f__Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, coprostanoligenes group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 at the genus level in group II changed significantly compared with that in the control group (p＜.05). Dietary supplementation with 1% and 2% LL could improve the laying performance and affect the caecal microbial community structure of laying hens during the late laying period. Highlights Dietary supplementations with Ligustrum lucidum significantly increased laying performance of hens during the late laying period. Dietary supplementations with Ligustrum lucidum not affected the egg quality of laying hens. Dietary supplementations with Ligustrum lucidum affected the microbial structure of caecum of laying hens.

On-farm comparative evaluation of Solomon hay-box brooder and Mekete bamboo brooders at Basketo Special District, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in two peasant associations (ZabaEla and GezaAyima) and in one city administration (laska) at Basketo special district of SNNPR, Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to compare Solomon hay-box brooder with Mekete bamboo brooder for growth and production performances of day-old chickens. Ten randomly selected households (5 participants with Solomon hay-box and 5 participants with Mekete Bamboo brooder) were involved and each received 50-dayoldkoikok breed chicks. The brooders were used during the night whereas chick-runs were used to hold and feed the chicks during the day. During the brooding period (up to 8 weeks old), chicks were fed on commercial starter ration. Water was provided to chickens at ad libitum. All collected data were analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0. The total cost for building Solomon hay-box with 50 chicken capacities was 4600BIRR and 910BIRR for Mekete bamboo brooder. About 92, 89.2, 87.6 and 86% of chick survivability was recorded at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks, respectively at Solomon hay-box and for Mekete bamboo brooder the result was 94.8, 91.6, 90 and 88.8% at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks, respectively. The average age at first egg laying at Solomon hay-boxwas 139.6 days and 145.4 days at Mekete bamboo brooder. Average weight of eggs at Solomon hay-boxwas 39.16 g and 38.38 g at Mekete bamboo brooder. The average weight of male and female chicken at 20 weeks of age was 1.63 and 1.18 kg, respectively at Solomon hay-box and 1.61 and 1.18 kg for Mekete bamboo brooder. Both brooders have almost similar capacity in all compared parameters except that of cost of input. So, introducing economical brooder is compulsory to increases profitability of farmers.