Exotic Layer Research Articles

Feed gap analysis of dual-purpose chicken production in Tanzania: feed quantity and quality limited production

The demand for chicken meat and eggs exceeds what can be produced in Tanzania, largely due to low productivity of the sector. Feed quantity and quality are the major factors determining the potential production and productivity of chickens. The present study explored the yield gap in chicken production in Tanzania and analyses the potential of increased chicken production as a result of closing the feed gaps. The study focused on feed aspects limiting dual-purpose chicken production in semi-intensive and intensive systems. A total of 101 farmers were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire and the amount of feed provided to chickens per day was quantified. Feed was sampled for laboratory analysis and physical assessments were made of weights of chicken bodies and eggs. The results were compared with the recommendations for improved dual-purpose crossbred chickens, exotic layers, and broilers. The results show that the feeds were offered in insufficient quantity compared with the recommendations for laying hens (125 g/chicken unit/d). Indigenous chickens were fed 111 and 67 while the improved crossbred chickens were fed 118 and 119 g/chicken unit/d under semi-intensive and intensive systems, respectively. Most feeds fed to dual-purpose chickens were of low nutritional quality, particularly lacking in crude protein and essential amino acids in both rearing systems and breeds. Maize bran, sunflower seedcake, and fishmeal were the main sources of energy and protein in the study area. The study findings show that the important feed ingredients: protein sources, essential amino acids, and premixes were expensive, and were not included in formulating compound feeds by most chicken farmers. Of all 101 respondents interviewed, only one was aware of aflatoxin contamination and its effects on animal and human health. All feed samples contained a detectable concentration of aflatoxins and 16% of them exceeded the allowed toxicity thresholds (>20 µg/kg). We highlight the need for a stronger focus on feeding strategies and ensuring the availability of suitable and safe feed formulations.

Effects of location and season on productivity and productive adaptability of two parent stock exotic layer chicken strains in a warm-wet environment

Tropical commercial poultry industry is anchored on exotic strains which suffer varying degrees of productivity and adaptability problems. Adaptability is the ability to produce better or demonstrate least variation in productivity under multiple environments. The study was undertaken to examine the productivity and adaptability of Bevan Nera (IB) and Is a Brown (IB) parent stock strains under two locations and seasons. Data on weekly feed intake (FI g), cock weight (Cockwt, g), hen weight (Henwt, g), hen house production (HHP, %) and egg weight (Ewt, g) were collected from a commercial parent stock breeding farm in Ibadan, Nigeria, on the two strains. Data were subjected to general linear model analysis (GLM) procedures using SAS (1999), while mean separation was by bonferoni t-test (P=0.05). The statistical model was randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial. Factors of importance were Genotype (S), Location (L) as Fixed, and Season (S) as random. The effects of location on seasonal productivity and season on locational productivity for strains were 7.38, 4.96; and 4.99, 8.11 (%) for BN, IB respectively. GxL and GxLxS interactions were significant (P<0.043 and <0.013) for adaptability of strains. Locational adaptability indices were 48.59 and 51.41 while Seasonal adaptability indices were 63.32 and 36.68 (%) respectively for BN and IB strains.

Genetic polymorphisms in part of intron 7 and exon 8 of HSP90AA1 gene and its association with heat tolerance traits in two exotic layer chicken strains.

Chickens, like other vertebrates, react to stress conditions through their cultured cells by expressing heat shock proteins (HSPs). Genetic association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HSPs with desirable traits will reveal their importance as potential genetic markers. Blood samples were collected from 50 birds per strain for DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the HSP90AA1 gene. SNPs were detected using Codoncode Aligner. Association of each SNP with heat tolerance traits was analysed using generalized linear model procedure of SAS. A total of seven SNPs were detected, four SNPs; A7T, A160T, T223A and C134T were detected in part of intron 7 to exon 8 of HSP90AA1 gene of BRD while three A160T, T223A and C134T were detected in HYL. SNPC134T, a synonymous variant, was detected in exon 8. Only SNPA7T was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X2 = 0.03) but had no association with the traits measured. Polymorphic information content calculated showed SNPA160T to be moderately polymorphic; other SNPs were lowly polymorphic. Heterozygosity for SNPs-A160T and T223A of BRD showed moderate genetic variation while the other SNPs and those in HYL recorded low genetic variation. The study concluded that the SNPs detected were majorly lowly polymorphic and also the SNP locus A7T in intron 7 of HSP90AA1 of BRD had no genetic association with heat tolerance traits.

Helminth infection of layer and dual-purpose chickens kept under small scale intensive production system, Ethiopia

Losses due to reduced productivity caused by helminthiasis are economically important to the poultry industry. There are a few research reports in the prevalence of helminth-parasites in the different poultry production systems. A cross sectional study was conducted with the aim of estimating the prevalence of helminth infections in exotic layer and dual-purpose chickens, kept under small scale intensive farms of selected towns, Ethiopia: Addis Ababa (Highlands) and Debre Zeit, Haramaya, Hawassa and Kombolcha (Midlands) climatic zones. Towns and farms were purposively identified while chickens from each farm were randomly selected for fecal sample collection and necropsy examination. A total of 1009 fresh fecal samples and thirty-three chickens were collected from chickens of different breeds. Helminth egg and adult parasite identification was processed through coproscopic and necropsy examination methods, respectively. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 66(%). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of helminthiasis among study sites (P 0.05) among age groups. Three species of nematodes as Ascaridia galli (52%), Heterakis gallinarum (57%) and Capillaria species (1%) and one species of cestode: Raillietina species (3%) were identified. Regular check up for helminth infection and application of appropriate prevention and control measures are important. Key words : Chicken; Exotic; Intensive; Helminth-infection; Small-scale

Sequence Variability in the NRAMP1 Gene among Indigenous and Exotic Chicken Types

The natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 ( NRAMP1 ) gene in chickens, which exists on chromosome 7, is thought to play a significant role in disease resistance. Variations in this gene have been documented and have played crucial roles in the variations in the resistance and/or susceptibility that is expressed by individuals and different groups of animal species. In this study, the NRAMP1 gene was studied for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variability between indigenous and exotic chicken breeds. The gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and sequenced and analyzed. Six SNPs, both synonymous and non-synonymous (C3700T, G3702C, A3712C, C3714G, C3693G, and G3705T), were detected in the gene in both indigenous and exotic chicken types. One allele form was detected among all the sample animals that were studied. A phylogenetic tree revealed that the indigenous chicken type and the exotic broiler chicken type are genetically similar with respect to this gene. However, the exotic layer chicken type is genetically suggested to be distantly related to both the indigenous and broiler chicken types, indicating that the gene has probably been evolving both within and among different poultry species.

Phenotypic characteristics of Exotic-broiler, Kampung, Male Exotic-layer, KUB-1 and Pelung chickens

<p><span lang="EN-US">The needs for chicken meat have been dominated by meat from exotic broilers (bred from imported parent). The potential of local broilers chicken in Indonesia is expected to be able to provide the meat for national needs for chicken meat. The objective of this research was to determine the day-old-chick (DOC) phenotypic characteristics of chickens in Indonesia that have the potential as broilers. The phenotypic characteristics are in the form of body morphometry, visceral organ weight and small intestinal histo-morphology. The chickens used were the DOC type of exotic Broiler, Kampung, exotic male Layer, KUB-1 and Pelung. A total of 125 chickens consisting of 25 chickens of each strain at posthatched age were observed for its body morphometry and its visceral organ weight, and small intestinal histo-morphology. The observed data were then analyzed by similarity analysis using MVSP 3.22 to create a dendogram with the Unweighted Pair Group with Aritmetic Average (UPGMA) method. Results showed that there were 2 different clusters from the level of similarity in their characteristics. Exotic broilers had 94.65% similarity to male exotic layer chicken and 92.26% to pelung chicken, while Kampung chickens had 90.16% similarity to KUB-1Chicken. In conclusion, it is indicated that the level of similarity of the phenotypic characteristics of pelung chickens were close to the type of exotic broiler and male exotic layer chicken. This level of similarity lead to the expectation that pelung chickens potential to be a candidate for meat-type of local chicken.</span></p>

Repeatability estimates of egg weight and egg-shell weight under various production periods for Bovan Nera Black laying chicken

The present research was designed to examine the repeatability estimates of egg weight and egg shell weight of exotic layers at 25, 51, 72 weeks and overall ages of the bird. For this purpose, thirty birds were selected from the flock of layers in the Babcock University Teaching and Research Farm. A total of thirty (30) eggs were collected daily from the birds continuously for five (5) days of egg production, at each age 25, 51 and 72 weeks. The total number of eggs collected at each age was 150 and 450 for the total of three age periods. Data were collected on egg production traits for egg weight and egg shell weight. The mean values of the egg quality traits revealed an apparent increase for egg weight 55.02–63.29 g and egg shell weight 6.36–7.81 g with a corresponding mean combined data of bird of 60.17 g for egg weight and 7.26 g for egg shell weight. A significant positive genetic correlation was obtained among traits with linear regression equations at different age groups. General linear model procedure of statistical analytical system was used to obtain the variance components for the estimation of repeatability. High repeatability estimates were obtained when the age variance was included in the computation and low to moderate estimates were registered when the age variance was excluded from the computation. Since repeatability estimates from various production periods of egg weight and egg shell weight were low to moderate, these traits can be improved by mass selection there culminating in egg production with optimal quality.

High natural antibody titers of indigenous chickens are related with increased hazard in confinement

Natural antibody (NAb) levels and survival rates were evaluated in 4 breeds of laying hens in Ethiopia: indigenous, improved indigenous, exotic layer, and crossbred. Titers of NAb isotypes IgG and IgM binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in serum were measured at 20, 26, 35, and 45 wk age. Repeated-measure ANOVA showed that IgG and IgM levels vary with time within each breed (P < 0.05). Indigenous chickens had significantly (P < 0.05) higher NAb levels at all ages. The Cox proportional hazard analysis showed increased hazard with increased levels of NAbs in the exotic layers (P < 0.05). However, the reduced hazards with increased levels of NAbs were not significant in the improved indigenous and crossbred chickens. Indigenous chickens showed increased hazard with increasing levels of NAb (P > 0.05). We concluded that not only the NAb levels but also the effect of Nabs on survival vary between indigenous and improved breeds. The results indicate that NAb levels are associated with survival in elite (improved) breeds, but are associated with increased hazard in indigenous chickens.

Effect of incorporation of thermo-regulatory genes into exotic layers on egg production and quality under tropical environment

A breed development strategy aimed at making exotic layers (Lohmann Brown) more productive under tropical environment using thermo-regulatory genes is underway at Akate Farms in Kumasi, Ghana. The present experiment was carried out to find out the effect of the genes on egg production in hot and humid environments. Three genetic groups comprising naked-neck, frizzle and their normally feathered sibs were obtained after successive generations of crossing between naked-neck and frizzle cocks and Lohmann brown hens. A total of 270 18-week-old pullets, 90 each of the 3 groups, were selected randomly and assigned to a completely randomized design experiment with 3 replicates, with 30 birds in each replicate group and kept up to a period of 72weeks. The birds were kept in a partitioned open-sided deep-litter house constructed with sandcrete blocks with 30 pullets in each compartment. They were fed ad libitum with layer diets containing 18% crude protein and 2,800kcalME/kg. Results obtained showed that the crossbred naked-neck and frizzle phenotypes produced eggs at a significantly (P < 0.05) higher rates than their normally feathered sibs and also out-performed their normally feathered sibs in other egg production parameters measured, even though they all segregated from similar parents. This is an indication of the favourable effect of the genes on egg production under hot and humid environments.

Genetic Correlations of some Traits of the Heavy Ecotype of Nigerian Native Chicken

Numerous researches have been done and documented on the genetic associations among many traits in the exotic broiler and layer breeds, however there seem to be no single reference documented literature on the collective records of various genetic association present among many traits of the Nigerian local chicken, since most study have been on one or few traits. This study was conducted to determine the genetic and phenotypic correlation existing among many traits in the local heavy ecotype of Nigerian native chicken. Negative phenotypic correlations (-0.02 to -0.04); zero to high genetic (sire) correlations (0 to 1.73), negative to low genetic (dam) correlations (-0.02 to 0.56), and negative to low environmental correlations (-0.03 to 0.03) existed between body weight at day old and other traits. The phenotypic correlations (0.15 to 0.37), genetic (sire) correlations (0.42 to 1.40), genetic (dam) correlations (-0.11 to 0.79) and environmental correlations (-0.03 to 0.49), for body weight at 8weeks and other traits ranged from negative to high and positive. However, phenotypic, genetic (sire and dam), and environmental correlations were found among 8weeks body weight and 8weeks shank length, 20weeks body weight. At 12 weeks of age high phenotypic correlations (0.07 to 0.23), low to high genetic (sire) correlations (0.30 to 1.18), low genetic (dam) correlations (-0.13 to 0.20) and low environmental correlations (-0.10 to 0.25) existed with other traits. 16weeks body weight had low phenotypic, no genetic (sire) associations with other traits, while the dam component ranged from low to high. The relationship between 20weeks body weight and other traits were all moderate, high and positive. Average body weight gain had low to high (-0.07 to 0.60) relationship due to phenotype, low to high (0 to 1.10) relationship due to genotype (sire) with other traits. Mean feed consumption had low to high (-0.01 to 0.50) relationship due to phenotype, low to high (-0.06 to 1.81) relationship due to genotype (sire) with other traits. The genetic association resulting from infertility, hatchability, dead embryo and other traits were low to high. The shank length had highly and positively genetic association with beak colour.

Seroprevalence of avian leukosis virus antigen using ELISA technique in commercial exotic-layer chickens in Zaria and its environs

This study examined the prevalence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) in commercial exotic-layer chickens in Zaria, Nigeria, and its environs. A total of 240 sera from eight commercial exotic-layer farms were tested for ALV p27 antigen using the antigen capture - enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ac-ELISA), out of which 44 (18.33%) sera were positive. Of the eight commercial exotic-layer farms sampled, six were seropositive for ALV, while two were seronegative. The six farms seropositive for ALV had seroprevalence of 20.0, 11.4, 14.3, 8.6, 16.7 and 66.7%. All serum samples from exotic commercial layers that tested positive to ALV p27 antigen were lowly positive, except for farm VIII, where 11 of the 20 positive samples were lowly positive with EUs ranging from 11 to 22.6%, and 9 of the positive sera were moderately positive with EUs ranging from 28.7 to 62.8%. The average age of exotic layers from the ALV p27 antigen positive farms was 17.2 (SD=1.3) weeks. At the time of sampling of chickens from the six farms that tested positive to ALV p27 antigen, the farms had lost between 6.25 and 37.5%, and an average of 20.8% (SD=13.2) of the total chickens stocked. The average mortality rate per week for the ALV p27 antigen positive farms was approximately 2.6% (SD=1.7) with farm I having the highest mortality rate of 5%, and farm VIII lowest with a weekly mortality rate of 0.75%. These findings illustrate the potential severity of ALV infection and its economic consequences in this region. Key words: Seroprevalence, avian leukosis virus, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), chickens, Zaria.

Effects of management systems on semen characteristics of indigenous and exotic layer type cocks

Effects of management systems on semen characteristics of indigenous and exotic layer type cocks

Effect of Plasmodium species infections on packed cell volume of domestic chickens and helmeted guinea fowls in north eastern Nigeria

Populations of exotic and indigenous domestic chickens and guinea fowls in northeastern Nigeria were surveyed for Plasmodium sp by examining their stained blood samples. The packed cell volumes of all blood samples were estimated. During the period of study (March to September 2006), rainfall data were collected. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection in 575 domestic poultry examined was 9.4 % and the prevalence among the difference poultry types (exotic broilers and layers, indigenous chickens and guinea fowls) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).There was a significant (P 0.05), but the infected guinea fowls had lower (P < 0.05) mean PCV than the uninfected ones. In conclusion, Plasmodium sp infection was prevalent among the domestic poultry; and whereas the infection did not cause anaemia in chickens, mild anaemia was observed in infected guinea fowls.

Effect of supplements based on fishmeal or cottonseed cake and management system on the performance and economic efficiency of exotic hens in Burkina Faso

A trial was carried out on-station to evaluate the effect of replacing a low protein fishmeal diet by a high protein diet containing cottonseed cake and cereal bran on the performance of semi-scavenging and confined exotic layers in comparison with full-scavenging birds. One hundred and twenty laying hens at 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed to four feeding/management regimes; (1) CCB, confined and given ad libitum a mixed diet (CB) containing cracked maize, cottonseed cake, cereal bran and a vitamin-mineral premix, oyster shells being provided separately; (2) SCB, scavenging in the daytime (08.00 to 16.00 h), with the CB diet available between 16.00 and 08.00 h; (3) SFM, managed as in SCB, but with fishmeal replacing cottonseed cake and cereal bran (diet FM); (4) SO, scavenging only with no supplement provided. Daily dry matter intakes for CCB, SCB and SFM were 95.5%, 60.5% and 48.5% of the expected intakes, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in energy, calcium and phosphorus intakes between SFM and SCB, but crude protein and essential amino acid intakes were lower in SFM than in SCB (P < 0.05). Hen-day and hen-housed production were the highest in CCB and the lowest in SO (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were found between the two semi-scavenging treatments. Feed conversion ratio and feed cost / kg eggs were the lowest in CCB and the highest in SFM (P < 0.05). Egg weight and shell thickness were higher in SCB compared to SFM. Yolk colour was darkest in SO and palest in CCB. It is concluded that fishmeal can be replaced advantageously by cottonseed cake and a mixture of wheat and maize bran in diets for confined and semi-scavenging exotic layers. Key words: Burkina Faso, egg production, exotic hens, fishmeal, cottonseed cake, semi-scavenging.

A Comparison of the Pecking and Resting Behaviour of Native and Exotic (Layer Type) Chickens in a Humid Tropical Environment

A Comparison of the Pecking and Resting Behaviour of Native and Exotic (Layer Type) Chickens in a Humid Tropical Environment

Geochemistry of an exotic sediment layer above sapropel S-1: mud expulsion from the Urania Basin, eastern Mediterranean?

In a gravity core from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a chemically and mineralogically distinct, 5.5-cm-thick layer is present above sapropel S-1 and overlain by hemipelagic marls. Calcite is completely absent in this exotic layer, dolomite is present only in small amounts, and the Cr concentrations are significantly enhanced. The layer was deposited primarily under reducing conditions, but the distributions of redox-sensitive elements show that a large part of the exotic layer is now oxidised by a downward-progressing oxidation front. Sediments from within the nearby anoxic, hypersaline Urania Basin are similar to those from the exotic layer, in particular in S-, C-, and O-isotope distributions of pyrite and dolomite, as well as increased Cr concentrations. Mud expulsion due to expansion of gas-rich mud is proposed to explain the presence of the exotic layer outside the Urania Basin. The deposition of an anoxic layer above S-1 shielded the sapropel from oxidation which resulted in the rare occurrence of a complete preservation of S-1 and provides the first minimum age for the start of anoxic mud accumulation in the Urania Basin.

Effect of Feeding Different Levels of Protein on Production Traits of Saudi Baladi Chickens Raised in Confinement

Abstract Najib, H. 1994. Effect of feeding different levels of protein on production traits of Saudi Baladi chickens raised in confinement. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 6: 177–181. An experiment was conducted to ascertain the response of the Saudi Baladi layers to the commonly used levels of protein (16 and 18.4%) with exotic layers in Saudi Arabia. The criteria measured, were: hen-day and hen-housed egg production, egg weight, feed consumption and efficiency, egg shell quality and livability. No significant effect of protein level was found on-all traits measured It is suggested that further studies, using multiple levels of protein and energy are needed to determine the nutritional requirement of the Saudi Baladi layers.