Chick Hatch Weight Research Articles

Age Difference, Not Food Scarcity or Sibling Interactions, May Drive Brood Reduction in Wild Scarlet Macaws in Southeastern Peru

Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific chicks). In psittacines, brood reduction has been reported, but the mechanisms and causes remain unexplored. In this paper, we test the hypotheses that Scarlet Macaw chick starvation is driven by (1) sibling aggression, (2) food scarcity, and (3) parental food allocation based on (a) chick hatch weight and (b) chick age differences. We documented wild Scarlet Macaw behavior in lowland Peru in 37 nests over 19 seasons using morphological measurements and nest videos. Chick starvation was the leading cause of chick mortality (27% of all second-hatched chicks starve, and nearly all third- and fourth-hatched chicks starve). We found no evidence that starvation was caused by (1) sibling conflicts or (2) food availability. We did find parental food distribution favors first-hatched chicks, with larger age differences increasing the chances of second chick starvation. This study offers insights into brood reduction among Neotropical cavity-nesting birds and enhances our capacity to develop scientifically informed management strategies to support endangered psittacines.

The analysis of ostrich chick vitality

Examinations on ostrich chick vitality can help to improve the effectiveness of Hungarian ostrich husbandry and hatching technology. The investigations were carried out on an ostrich breeder farm in Eastern Hungary. For the analyses, the Tona et al. (2003) scoring system was applied presenting eight main criteria (activity, feather, condition, eyesight, the condition of navel and leg, the amount of the remaining shell membrane and egg content, and the size and tenderness of the abdomen). Most chicks (98.08%) were vigilant and had clean and dry feathers. There was no difference between the average hatching weights between May and August but a decreasing tendency was shown during the laying season. The vitality total score was above 90 in each evaluated month and was not affected by the hatching month. Our results revealed that the vitality of chicks was not affected by either the hatching month (P=0.51) or the weight category (P=0.11). Neither the hatching weight of chicks and leg condition were correlated (P=0.79). Results showed that the Tona scoring system with small modifications can be well applied to ostrich chicks. Practical on-farm usage of the system can be suggested as an aid in day-old chick evaluation. After individual marking of chicks, the investigation of growth and culling rate could be carried out for more precise conclusions, involving more farms and laying seasons.

Influence of non-ventilating intervals during early incubation stage on egg hatching process.

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the incubator plays a key role in embryonic development and hatching. This study aimed to study the effect of non-ventilated (NV) intervals during the early stage of embryonic development on the hatching process. Hatching eggs (n = 7200) were equally divided into four treatment groups and incubated in four incubators. The first group was incubated in normal ventilated condition (V) during the setting phase of incubation. Ventilation holes of the three remaining incubators were closed for the first 3, 6, and 9 days and termed as NV groups (NV1, NV2, and NV3, respectively). A gradual increase in CO2 was allowed for NV groups, followed by opening the incubator holes to permit ventilation throughout the rest of the incubation periods. Obtained results demonstrated that CO2 concentration gradually increased up to 0.19% for the NV1 group, 0.41% for the NV2 group, and 0.90% for the NV3 group, while CO2 concentration remained at 0.08% during the first 9 days of incubation in the V group. Albumen pH was lowered for all NV groups. The highest hatchability percentage was recorded for NV3 followed by NV2 and NV1 groups. All NV groups represented earlier and narrower spread of hatch and higher hatched chick weight. Embryos and hatched chicks in the NV groups had higher hormonal levels of thyroxin and corticosterone. All non-ventilation periods had positive effects on narrowing the spread of hatch, increasing hatched chick weight and hatchability percentage compared to the normal V condition. Furthermore, the non-ventilation throughout the first 9 days of incubation yielded the best hatching results.

Effects of different light-emitting diode light on hatch performance, embryo development, eye structure, and plasma melatonin in layer incubation

Light intensity, wavelength, and photoperiod have a combined effect on chicken incubation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 12-h light, 12-h dark (12L:12D) photoperiod of white light (380-780 nm, WL), blue light (455/447.5-462.5 nm, BL), and green light (525/515-535 nm, GL) in chicken perceived light intensity during layer incubation on hatching performance, embryo development, eye structure, and melatonin concentration. Three batches of eggs from Jinghong No. 1 layer breeder were used in this experiment. Light stimulation had no effect on hatchability, and no consistent effect on embryo weight and newly hatched chick weight. However, the average hatching time of white light group and green light group was 7.3 h and 5.5 h later than that of the control group. Therefore, the holding period of chicks was significantly shortened (P=0.001) in these 2 light groups. Light stimulation had a significant effect on the thickness of retinal layers (P < 0.05), retinal layers of white light group was thicker than that of the other 3 groups. Melatonin levels of chicks hatched in the green light and blue light were significantly higher than that of chicks hatched in the white light and darkness (P < 0.05). It indicated that the monochrome green and blue light promoted the expression of melatonin in chicken embryos. No significant diurnal rhythms were found at the level of plasma melatonin in 4 groups on d 21 using cosine analysis. It was concluded that green light has a positive effect on embryo development and melatonin secretion, while white light probably has positive effect on eye development. Furthermore, both green and white light stimulation resulted in late hatch for layer egg incubation. The obtained results are important in determining the light protocol for chicken incubation.

Embryo Development and Chick Performance of Local Chicken Following In-Ovo Injection of L-Arginine Into Local Chicken Eggs

This study aims to determine the effect of in-ovo injection of L-arginine into local chicken eggs on embryo development and chick performance of local chicken. A total of 160 eggs were incubated using semi-automatic incubator with temperature of 37-38C and relative humidity of 55-65%. The injected L-arginine solution has a concentration of 0.5% (m/v). In treatment was divided into 4 groups, the first treatment was without injection (control), the second treatment was the injection of 0.2 mL L-arginine solution 0.5% (m/v)/egg, the third treatment was the injection of 0.4 mL L-arginine solution. 0.5% (m/v)/egg, and fourth treatment was the injection of L-arginine solution 0.6 mL 0.5%(m/v)/egg. The results showed that embryo mortality and hatchability were lower with L-arginine injection treatment than without injection. All treatments showed no effect on extraembryonic fluid absorption, but there was an increase in embryo weight in the injection treatment 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mL L-Arginine 0.5% /eggs 2,355 g, 2,577 g, 2,705, respectively. In conclusion, an in-ovo injection of L-arginine in local chicken eggs has a good effect (the beneficial effect) on embryo death and embryo performance. Injection of 0.4 ml L-Arginine 0.5% /eggs improved hatchability and Newly Hatched Chick Weight (NHCW).

Effect of in ovo injection of DL-methionine on hatchability, embryo mortality, hatching weight, blood biochemical parameters and gastrointestinal tract development of breeder chicks

The current investigation was conducted to test the potential effects of in ovo feeding of DL-methionine (MET) on hatchability, embryonic mortality, hatching weight, blood biochemical parameters and development of heart and gastrointestinal (GIT) of breeder chick embryos. 224 Rhode Island Red fertile eggs were randomly distributed into seven experimental treatments: untreated egg (control), buffered saline (0.5% NaCl), and five solutions containing increased levels of MET (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) + 0.5% NaCl, being separated into four groups/replicates (each one with 8 eggs), totaling 32 eggs/treatment. All embryos submitted to in ovo injection with MET presented a decrease in the hatchability results and an increase in the results of intermediary embryonic mortality. Chicks hatched from eggs injected with until to 1.0% MET were heavier and presented better development of the heart and GIT, especially important organs and regions for digestion and nutrient absorption. Conclusively, the in ovo feeding using MET showed positive impacts on hatching weight and GIT development of breeder chicks. However, caused negative impacts on hatchability when used at high levels.

IMPACT OF EGG SHELL AND SPOTS COLOUR ON THE QUALITY OF HATCHING EGGS DERIVED FROM THREE LINES OF LOCAL QUAIL

This study was carried out to analyze the impact of lines, egg shell colour and intraction between (Line ⁎ eggshell colours) on egg quality characteristics and hatching parameters assess the correlation between these traits in three local quail eggs (desert, brown and white). A total of 409 eggs were collected from female quails during 16 weeks divided into five groups on the basis of eggshell colour and spot colour for each line. The results revealed that there were significant (P≤0.05) variances among lines for quality characteristics of the whole egg (weight, length, width, Egg volume, Haugh unit), albumen (weight, height, diameter), yolk (weight, height, index, Yolk/albumen) and shell (weight, thickness, egg surface area, unit surface). The desert line resulted in the best quality. The results demonstrated that internal and external egg quality characters were differed significantly among egg shell colour. Whereas, yolk parameters such as: yolk weight, yolk height, Yolk diameter and Yolk percentage revealed no significance differences among these groups. Phenotypic correlation appeared that there were significant correlation coefficients among the internal and external egg quality traits. The incubation characteristics, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability of set eggs and Chick hatching weight were significantly differences among eggshell colour groups within lines.

Impact of spraying eggs with betaine after exposure to short-term thermal stress during early embryogenesis on pre and post-hatch performance of Japanese quail

It is essential to understand and manage environmental factors for good quail production and welfare. One of the most important environmental stressors that hinder quail productivity is heat stress. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of spraying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs with betaine after exposure to short-term high temperature during early embryogenesis on pre and post-hatch performance of quail. A total of 750 eggs were equally divided into two groups. Eggs in the first group were incubated at normal incubation temperature (37.5 °C/NIT), while those in the second group were incubated at high incubation temperature (39.0 °C/HIT) for 3 h daily from day 4–6 of incubation. Eggs in both groups were subjected to five treatments, NC (negative control), PC sprayed distilled water (positive control), while B0.5, B1, and B2 treatments were sprayed with distilled water supplemented with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg betaine/L, respectively. The chick weight at hatch, slaughter weight, and first egg weight was significantly impaired by the HIT treatment. The HIT group revealed a significant increase in cloacal temperature, H/L ratio, liver enzymes, triglyceride, and cholesterol and a significant decrease in hatchability, T3 hormone, and blood protein levels than the NIT group. Regarding betaine effects, the embryonic mortality rates, hatchability, hatched chick weight, and oviduct percentage in groups treated with 1000 or 2000 mg betaine/L were significantly improved compared with the control. Also, spraying betaine at 1000 or 2000 mg/L significantly increased blood protein and triiodothyronine (T3) hormone levels and significantly decrease liver enzyme levels and total feed consumption compared with the untreated group. The right/total ventricle ratio (RV/TV) of quail in HIT group was significantly increased, while betaine treatment significantly decreased this ratio. Considering these results, it is strongly suggested that spraying of betaine on eggs at 2000 mg/L optimizes Japanese quail performance.

Effect of genotype and egg weight on hatchability properties and embryonic mortality pattern of native chicken populations

Fertility and hatchability are 2 major parameters that highly influence the reproductive performance of chicken breeds. The objective of this study is to investigate how the genetic background of chickens affects the aspects of fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality pattern. Six different native chicken genotypes (black, black-barred, brown, gray, naked neck, and frizzle) kept under similar conditions were evaluated. A total of 1,645 fertile pedigreed eggs from all genetic groups were collected and incubated in forced draft setter. Fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and hatched chick weight were determined. The data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance with breed (genotype) as a fixed effect. Sire component of variance were used to compute heritability estimates for hatchability traits. The results showed that the fertility and hatchability of the eggs produced from the naked neck or frizzle genotypes exhibited higher values compared to the other genetic groups. An increase in the relative weight of hatched chicks was detected in hatching eggs weighing 44 g or higher. Therefore, attention should be given to the egg size produced by native chicken populations to achieve maximum hatchability performance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the settable egg weight and the egg weight loss during incubation are the main factors affecting the relative weight of hatched chicks of all genotypes.

Effects of in ovo application of resveratrol on hatchability, hatching time, yolk sac weight and chick performance in quail

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of in ovo resveratrol in hatching quail eggs on hatching traits, organ weights and chick performance. The eggs were randomly distributed into four groups as non-injected group (PC; Positive control), 0.2 ml saline (NC; Negative control), 0.2 ml solution containing 1 nmol of resveratrol (R1) and 0.2 ml solution containing 4 nmol of resveratrol (R4). Hatchability of set eggs (HSE) and hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE), embryonic mortality (EM), chick hatching time, yolk sac weight (YSW), and chick performance characteristics were investigated. The effects of in ovo resveratrol administration on the HSE were insignificant. HFE decreased significantly with in ovo resveratrol treatment. All injected groups were adversely affected in terms of embryonic deaths. The effect of in ovo resveratrol application on chick hatch weight, and YSW (g, %), chick performance was insignificant. It was observed that in ovo resveratrol treatment had no significant effect on the hatching time, except at 408 h of incubation. As a result, in ovo resveratrol application had a negative effect on hatchability and EM, but did not have affected the hatching time, YSW and chick performance.

Impact of Organic Zinc and Vitamin-E Supplementation on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Hatching Traits of Japanese Quail

The objective of current study was to investigate the effects of Zn (organic and inorganic) and Vitamin-E on egg production, quality and hatchability of Japanese quails. The experiment carried out for a period of 12 weeks, total of 640 7 weeks old quails were randomly assigned to eight (80 quails in each) different dietary treatments A (control), B, C, D, E, F, G and H under completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group was further replicated into four sub units with twenty quails in each (comprising five male and fifteen female). The results revealed that adding Zinc+Vit-E to diets caused a significant effect (P&amp;lt;0.05) on weekly egg production, while the difference in egg production due to interactive effect of weeks × treatments was insignificant (P&amp;gt;0.05). Average weekly egg production was significantly greater (P&amp;lt;0.05) in group H (82.45/bird), followed by group F (78.27), G (77.93) and E (77.50/bird). Relatively lower egg production of 77.22, 76.97, 76.41and 74.14/bird was recorded in groups D, C and A respectively. Whereas, diets had insignificant effect (P&amp;gt;0.05) on egg exterior quality including (weight, length, width and shape index) as well as interior quality (albumen height, width, yolk weight, height, and width). However, the dietary Zn and Vit-E had a significant effect on egg hatchability percentage (P&amp;lt;0.05). The higher hatchability percentage was observed in group H (75.66 %) followed by F, E and G (72.33, 70.0 and 67.25 percent) respectively. While, the lower hatchability % was in group B (62.75), C (62.0), D (56.17) and control A (50.42%). Supplementary dietary treatments showed significant effects (P&amp;lt;0.05) on dead germs. Results indicates that dead embryos were least (5.00) in group H, followed by groups F , E and G as 6.41, 7.50 and 7.75 dead germs, respectively were examined. Similar pattern was also observed for dead chicks in eggs shell affected by feeding dietary treatments. Significantly the highest hatched chick weight (9.21 g) was obtained in group H than in groups F, E and G, where recorded 9.16, 9.03 and 9.02 g respectively. The average chick weight declined to 8.97, 8.96 and 8.92 g in groups B, C and D respectively; while the least average chick weight (8.92 g) was recorded in control (A). The current finding revealed that supplementation of Zn (organic and inorganic) and Vitamin E had significant effect on Japanese quail egg production, quality and hatchability reread under different dietary treatments.

Effect of egg size on hatching quality and post-hatch performance of indigenous chickens

The experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of egg size on hatching quality and post-hatch growth performance of normal feathered indigenous chickens. Hatchable eggs, grouped into three sizes: medium/control, small and large, were incubated to obtain day-old chicks. One hundred and eighty (180) day-old chicks were allotted to three treatment groups according to the egg sizes from which they were hatched. Egg size significantly (p&lt;0.05) influenced chick hatching weight. Chicks hatched from large eggs were the heaviest (36.89g) while those obtained from small ones were the smallest (31.02g). Daily growth rate (DGR) was progressive and uniform in both cockerels and pullets in the first 8 weeks of life across the treatment groups. It was concluded that egg size, though could determine chick hatching weight, but not a good predictor of post-hatch growth performance in normal feathered indigenous chickens

Prediction Model of Chick Hatching Weight with Restricted Ridge Regression

In this study, it is aimed to obtain prediction model for chick hatching weight by using shell ground color, shape characteristics, shell characteristics, white + yellow weight and weight loss property values during hatching of quail hatching eggs. Multicollinearity is one of the most common problems in prediction models. It is defined as linear dependence between explanatory variables in linear regression analysis. In this case, the ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator is not a predictor with minimum variance between unbiased estimators. Accordingly, the parameter estimates are away from the real value. One proposed approximation approach to eliminate this problem is restricted ridge regression.&#x0D; According to the findings obtained from 523 chick hatching eggs, elongation, egg shell weight, shell weight + embryo waste (g), absolute weight loss after transfer (g), relative weight loss after transfer (%) and absolute weight loss in 0-14 days (g) were determined as factors affecting chick hatching weight. In the linear modeling approach, which is used to determine these factors, multicollinearity problem is revealed. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable set of parameters, restricted ridge regression analysis was applied and estimations with lower standard errors than standard errors of the parameters obtained from the (least squares) LSQ approach were obtained.

Combination of a &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Lactobacillus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;-Based Probiotic and Organic Acids Decrease Egg to Chick Weight Loss and Reduce &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Salmonella&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; spp. Counts in the Litter of Commercial Broiler Breeders

The effects of supplementing a blend of organic acids (OA) and a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) based-probiotic on egg to chick weight loss (%) and Salmonella spp. recovery counts in the litter of commercial broiler breeders were examined in three independent trials during the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. In each trial, ten thousand birds were divided into two groups of 5000 birds (4500 females and 500 males in each group): Control non-treated group, receiving regular water or treated group, receiving OA and probiotic in the drinking water from 25 to 35 weeks of age. During the ten weeks of evaluation, one thousand fertile eggs or hatched chickens in each trial respectively, were evaluated to obtained, hatching set weight, transferred egg weight, and hatching chick weight, to estimate the difference between egg to chick weight loss (%). Besides, in trial 2 (2014) and trial 3 (2015), litter samples were collected to evaluate Salmonella spp. counts. The supplementation of OA and probiotic during ten consecutive weeks significantly decreased the egg to chick weight loss (%) when compared with the control non-treated groups in all three trials evaluated. Interestingly, at the end of the trials 2 and 3, no counts of Salmonella spp. in the litter were detected. In contrast, control-non treated groups resulted in 4.30 and 4.24 Log10 of Salmonella spp. in trials two and three respectively. The results of the present study suggest that supplementation of OA and a LAB-probiotic for ten consecutive weeks decrease the egg to chick weight loss (%) and reduce Salmonella spp. counts in the litter of commercial broiler breeders. Higher initial body weight in broiler chickens and reduction of Salmonella spp., clearly justify the use of the combination of these products, as alternatives to antibiotics.

Prognostic indicators for survival in African penguin chicks (Spheniscus demersus): A retrospective analysis.

Mystic Aquarium has successfully maintained an active breeding population of African penguins since 1990. Between 1990 and 2015, 477 eggs were laid, 84 of which were recommended for rearing according to the SSP Breeding and Transfer Plan. Sixty-five percent hatched successfully, and total fertility ranged from 56% to 78%. Of the 55 hatchlings, 60% of chicks reached fledgling age (80 days). Of the 22 chicks that died before fledging, 59% died within 7 days of hatching, and 82% within 30 days of hatching. Categories of mortality were broken down into the following categories: failure to thrive (in the absence of a definitive cause of death) (41%), respiratory disease (32%), parent-associated trauma (13%), congenital defects (9%), and gastrointestinal disease (5%). Analysis of associated factors identified a significant correlation between the hatch weights of chicks that survived beyond day 7 (60.5-66.0 g), and those that did not (49.5-59.5 g). Further positive correlations were established between chick hatch weight and both dam body weight, and egg weight. While hand-reared chicks gained weight more slowly than their parent-reared counterparts, results showed that rearing method had no significant impact on survival. The findings of this study provide a baseline for assessing reproductive success and chick mortality, and supply prognostic indicators for evaluating chick success in managed African penguin populations.

EFFECTS OF BETAINE WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GUANDINO ACETIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL MAMOURAH STRAIN DURING SUMMER SEASON IN EGYPT.

ABSTRACT: The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding betaine with different levels of guandino acetic acid (GAA) on the productive and reproductive performances of the Mamourah chickens strain, under Egyptian summer conditions. A total number of 192 laying hens and 24 cocks of Mamourah chickens at 48 weeks of age (At 63.24 % egg production) was used in a completely randomized design and randomly assigned into 8 experimental similar groups in body weight and egg production (24 hens + 3 cocks in each treatment group), each group with three replications (8hens +1 cock in each replicate) and was kept in a single cage within an open system house until 60 weeks of age. The experimental 8 groups were arranged as control, and that fed a basal diet supplemented with 1600 mg betaine/kg diet, while the third up fifth groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 600, 800 and 1000 mg guandino acetic acid/kg diet, respectively, and from the sixth to the eighth groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1600 mg betaine/kg diet and 600, 800 and 1000 mg guandino acetic acid/kg diet. The obtained results showed that, dietary betaine and GAA had no significant (P<0.05) effect on body weight changes (BWC),feed intake (FI), egg weight (EW), hatchability/fertility eggs (%), chick hatch weight (gm), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of Mamourah layers during the whole experimental period. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg production (EP) and egg mass (EM) significantly (P<0.01) improved in hens fed the diet containing 1600 mg betaine + 600 mg/Kg GAA as compared to the control group. Fertility eggs (%) and hatchability/total eggs (%) were significantly (P<0.05 and 0.01) higher for layers fed diets contained betaine, GAA and their mixtures., Increasing the amount of GAA significantly (P≤0.05) increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). However, Malonidialdehyde (MDA) caused decreased significantly (P≤0.05) with supplementing either dietary betaine, GAA and their mixtures as compared with the control group. Dietary supplementation of either betaine, GAA and their mixtures improved significantly (P<0.05) sperm motility (%), dead spermatozoa (%), sperm abnormalities (%), sperm-cell concentration (X 109/ml) and acrosomal damage (%) as compared with the control group. Feeding Mamourah layers a diet supplemented with1600 mg betaine + 600 mg GAA recorded the highest net revenue and the best economical efficiency. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of betaine with various levels of GAA might be potentially used to improve each of EP, fertility eggs (%) and hatchability per total eggs (%) of Mamourah laying hens and most characters of semen quality for cocks under summer season conditions in Egypt.

Comparative effects of zinc oxide, zinc oxide nanoparticle and zinc-methionine on hatchability and reproductive variables in male Japanese quail

The objective was to examine the effect of different dietary zinc sources on reproduction of male Japanese quail. A total of 512 quail chicks (day-old) were divided into four groups with four replications for a period of 42 days. After this period, excess chicks were removed to attain the ratio of one male to three females and 16 quail in each subgroup. At 52 to 60 d of age, the eggs were collected and incubated. The basal diet (control) contained no zinc and the other three experimental diets were supplemented with 25 and 50 mg/kg zinc from zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) for 1 to 35 and 36 to 60 days, respectively. On day 42, two males from each replicate were euthanized. Males from the ZnO and Zn-Met treatments had an increase (P < 0.05) in seminiferous tubule diameters (STD) and germinal epithelium thickness (GET) compared with the control and ZnONP treatments. Cloacal gland index (CGI) was greatest (P < 0.05) for the Zn-Met compared with the other groups. Testosterone concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in the ZnO and Zn-Met compared with the other groups. Addition of Zn-Met to the diet enhanced (P < 0.05) fertility, hatchability and hatched chick weight compared with the other groups. Early and late embryonic death was greater (P < 0.05) in the control and ZnONP groups, respectively, compared with the other groups. This study indicated that supplementing diets with the Zn-Met source improves male Japanese quail reproductive performance and hatchability traits while zinc oxide nanoparticles have detrimental effects on male Japanese quail reproduction and reduces hatchability.

Impact of maternal heat stress in conjunction with dietary zinc supplementation on hatchability, embryonic development, and growth performance in offspring broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal dietary supplementations with different zinc (Zn) sources could reduce the deleterious effect of maternal heat stress on hatchability performance and progeny growth performance. A completely randomized design (n = 6) with 2 maternal environmental temperatures [normal 21 ± 1°C (NT) vs. high 32 ± 1°C (HT)] × 3 maternal dietary supplemental Zn levels [Zn-unsupplemented control diet (CON), the control diet + 110 mg of Zn/kg of diet as either inorganic ZnSO4 (iZn) or organic Zn with a moderate chelation strength (oZn)] was used. HT decreased (P < 0.05) fertility, hatchability, chick hatch weight, and embryonic survival. HT also decreased (P ≤ 0.05) progeny BW, ADG, and ADFI at one to 21, 22 to 28, and 29 to 42 d of age as well as breast muscle ratio and plasma aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activities at 42 d of age. Maternal dietary Zn supplementation with either iZn or oZn increased (P < 0.004) Zn contents in yolk and liver, non-weak chick ratio, as well as progeny BW, ADFI, and survivability at one to 21 d of age. Notably, the addition of oZn increased (P < 0.05) hatchability and progeny thigh meat quality by reducing b* value. The progeny ADG at one to 21 d and 22 to 28 d of age and BW at 28 d of age from maternal NT were not affected (P > 0.46) by maternal dietary Zn supplementation, but the above 3 indices from HT-iZn (P < 0.05) and HT-oZn (P < 0.003) were higher than those from HT-CON. Our results indicate that maternal heat stress impairs hatching performance, embryonic development, and progeny growth performance, inducing metabolic changes, while supplementation of Zn in maternal diets regardless of Zn sources improved hatch chick quality and survivability of offspring and alleviated the negative effect of maternal heat stress on growth performance of offspring during the starter period. In addition, maternal dietary supplementation with the organic Zn improved hatchability and progeny meat quality.

Effects of Protein in Diet and Sex Ratio on Egg Production, Egg and Hatching Chick Weight, Fertility, Hatchability and Embryonal Mortality in Pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus)

ABSTRACT This study was performed to investigate the effects of crude protein (CP) in diet and sex ratio on egg production, egg and hatching chick weight and hatchability traits in pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus). In this study, the treatment groups were constructed as 15% CP-5:1; 15% CP-7:1; 18% CP-5:1; 18% CP-7:1 for CP and sex (male:female) ratio respectively. The eggs were obtained from 48 weeks old pheasant. In this study, it was determined that there was positive effective on egg production, egg and hatching weight and hatchability of fertile eggs (HFE) for 18% CP. In contrast, fertility (FR) (p 0.05), EPEM (p>0.05) and MPEM (p>0.05) tended to decrease with increasing CP. It was found that there was egg production, egg (p>0.05) and hatching weight (p>0.05), FR (p>0.05), HR (p>0.05) and HFE (p>0.05) increased with increasing female for sex ratio. In terms of embryonic mortality, the EPEM (p>0.05) and LPEM (p>0.05) rate decreased with increasing female. For protein levels × sex ratio, it was found that hatchability traits were adversely affected for 15% CP-1:7. Also, it was determined that the lowest EPEM, MPEM and LPEM were determined for 7:1 in 18% CP group. Based on these results, to improve hatchability traits and a lower embryonic mortality rate, it may be beneficial to use 15% CP-5:1 or 18% CP-7:1 for pheasant breeding.

Comparative performances of hilly chicken and naked neck hilly chicken at Naikhongchari hilly areas of Bangladesh

A total of 115 hilly chickens (92 female and 23 males) and 35 naked neck hilly Chickens (28 females and 7 males) were reared in open sided poultry house for 10 months period to compare their productive and reproductive performances. The mean body weights of adult female and male hilly birds and naked neck hilly birds were 2244, 2005 and 2664, 2576 g respectively. The age at first egg of both type of birds were 147 and 159 days respectively and hen-day egg production were 27±1.4 and 35±3.3 respectively. The average egg weight was 41±4 and 38±3.6 g respectively. Both type of bird per day average feed consumption were 97.61±11 and 102±22 g and mortality were 15.56±3.7 and 11.42±2.7 percent respectively. The average hatchability percentage performed by 14 broody hens reared on litter floor was 67.5±10 and 57±22 percent respectively. The average hatching egg weight and chick weight were 47.28±3, 41.48±1 and 31.4±3, 29.6±4 g respectively. The body weight of growing hilly bird and Naked Neck hilly bird after eleven weeks of age were 727.3±17.4 and 645±97.6g, respectively and Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were 3.39 and 3.34 respectively. It was concluded that Hilly chicken improved by body weight than previous year and both feathered and Naked Neck Hilly chicken given an indication of meat type native chicken and required to reproduce to have large stock for undertaking conservation and further improvement programme.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 348-351