Chick Livability Research Articles

ОЦЕНКА И ОТБОР МЯСНЫХ ПЕРЕПЕЛОВ ПО МАССЕ И ПО ФОРМЕ ЯИЦ

The work has been carried out in “Genofond” LRS in Moscow region for Radonezh breed meat quails. Selection parameters have been developed at the base of egg mass and form for program development of improvement of meat quails reproduction and growth rate. The best egg hatchability and high traits of weight and chick livability up to 5 weeks of age have been established for quails with egg mass 12.1 to 16 grams inclusive and with egg form indices 70 to 76%. Inclusion in meat quails selection program such parameters as egg mass and form will give the possibility to increase chick yield per one layer with their high growth rate maintaining.

Acetic acid, vinegar, and citric acid as washing materials for cuticle removal to improve hatching performance of quail eggs

The cuticle is the outmost layer of the eggshell and may affect the hatchability by modulating eggshell conductance. Three different solutions using acetic acid (AA), vinegar (V), and citric acid (CA) for cuticle removal by egg washing were developed, and the effects of cuticle removal on hatching performance of quail hatching eggs were evaluated. A total of 5,238 fresh quail hatching eggs were randomly divided into 9 treatments as follows: unwashed control, nondipped (CND); washed control, water dipped (CWD); standard control, 0.13% sodium hyperchlorite (CSH); 2% AA (AA2); 4% AA (AA4); 44.4% V (V2); 88.8% V (V4); 2% CA (CA2); and 4% CA (CA4). Overall, AA4, V4, and CA4 treatments significantly improved the hatchability of fertile eggs (95.42%, 94.16% and 95.66%, respectively) (P < 0.05) and the hatchability of CND, CWD, CSH, AA2, V2 and CA2 treatments were 90.98%, 93.00%, 92.27%, 79.44%, 90.37%, and 90.59%, respectively. The eggshell thickness and cuticle quality results showed that all AA, V, and CA solutions can effectively remove the quail eggshell cuticle, and AA4, V4 and CA4 significantly decreased eggshell thickness (P < 0.05). Microbial activity on the eggshell surface in all acid treatments was reduced significantly at day 0 of incubation (P < 0.05) and that significantly decreased than controlled treatments over the incubation period except AA2 treatment.Egg weight loss was lower for all acid treatments than that of the CND treatment (P < 0.05). There was no clear effect of treatments on chick quality. Hatch time in AA4, V4, and CA4 treatments slightly improved compared with controlled treatments (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between treatments for chick livability and live weight at the first 21 D of life. Results of the present study indicate that cuticle removal with AA4, V4, or CA4 could effectively decrease the microbial activity on the eggshell surface during the incubation period and improve hatchability of quail hatching eggs without negative effects on hatch time and performance of quail chicks.

Функціональний стан печінки курчат-бройлерів за застосування мультиферментного препарату «Natuzyme»

The results of investigation using multienzyme preparation «Natyzyme» for broiler chickens to provide ultimate digestion of feed by preventive treatment of digestive system organs, increase of poultry growth intensity and correction of physiological spectrum of homeostasis have been shown in this article. Fifty chickens of cross Ross 308 of first (experimental) group since the sixth day of growth were inserted preparation «Natyzyme» added to feed in a dose of 35 gr on 100 kg of feed during 30 days, while the poultry of second (control) group was not used that preparation. The influence of enzyme preparation «Natyzyme» was estimated on 14th and 36th day of poultry birth according to analysis of productive indices, the results of biochemical and histological researches. It was defined the chick livability and liveweight gain of poultry during the period of growth, feed conversion ratio and EEI (European efficiency index) of poultry operation. Blood sampling was carried out in above mentioned period to define indices, characterized functional liver state: protein contain, albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, cholinesterase, that were investigated spectrophotometrically. The liver samples were taken for histological research on the 36th day of poultry birth. Obtained digital data were processed mathematically of variation statics. The use of preparation «Natyzyme» contributed to broiler body weight gain on 5.1 % (р ≤ 0,05), viability – on 4.0 %. The results of biochemical researches of blood serum showed higher protein content in chickens of experimental group to 14 and 36th day of experience on 3.2 and 8.9 % (р ≤ 0,05) accordingly. In connection with increasing protein content the index of synthetic activity of liver has grown – cholinesterase contain: on 14th day of birth on 7.1 %, 36th day of birth – on 14.6 % (р ≤ 0,05). The indices of enzymes transamination activity - alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase in blood serum of experimental chicken group on 14th and 36th day of birth accurately have not differed from control data. According to the histological analysis of liver the positive influence of multienzyme preparation on the chicken broilers body has been diagnosed. Unlike the chicken liver of control group, where the presence of liver beam decomplexation in the composition of particles and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was detected, the chickens of experimental group did not have the such features of the microscopic structure. As a result, the use of preparation «Natyzyme» contributed to greater growth and safety of broiler chickens, reducing of feed costs per 1kg of poultry gain, increasing the European efficiency index of poultry, had a positive effect on the functional state of the liver, that blood biochemical results and data of histological researches have been proved, that shows the advantages of its use in the feeding of broiler chickens.

Effect of egg weight on hatching characteristics of emu eggs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of egg weight on hatchability traits in emu (Dromiceius novaehollandiae) eggs. Emu eggs (393) that hatched from 3 different egg weight groups (below 500 g (G 1), 501 to 600 g (G 2) and above 601 g (G 3)) were used in the experiment. Hatching traits such as percentage of infertile eggs, early embryonic mortality, late embryonic mortality, dead-in-shell, chicks hatched out, total egg hatchability, fertile egg hatchability, fertility and chick livability were investigated. The mean±SE percentage of early embryonic mortality, late embryonic mortality, dead-in-shell, chicks hatched out, total egg hatchability, fertile egg hatchability, fertility and chick livability were statistically significant for different egg weight groups. The better hatching traits and livability of chicks were obtained from the medium emu eggs weighed between 501 and 600 g then the heavy (above 601 g) and small (below 500 g) egg weight groups.

Effect of Dieldrin and Calcium on the Performance of Adult Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dieldrin and calcium on reproductive performance of quail. At 25% egg production the quail received diets containing 0, 10 or 25 p.p.m. of dieldrin for 6, 28-day periods in experiment 1 and 0, 5, or 25 p.p.m. of dieldrin for 4, 28-day periods in experiment 2. Pesticide treatments were employed with diets containing 0.5% and 3.0% calcium.The results show that egg shell thickness, cracked eggs, egg production, feed consumption, egg weights, fertility, hatchability and body weights were not affected by dieldrin treatments. However, egg shell thickness, cracked eggs, egg production and hatchability were adversely affected by the lower calcium level. Female body weights were consistently heavier for the low calcium diet.Mortality increased in the presence of 10 and especially 25 p.p.m. of dieldrin. Livability of chicks from hens receiving rations with 10 and 25 p.p.m. of dieldrin was significantly lower than those fed no dieldrin.In summary, dieldrin was without effect on egg shell quality or other reproductive factors but did exert a detrimental effect on adult mortality and livability of progeny.

Studies on the Biotin Requirement of Broiler Breeders ,

The minimum requirement of biotin for maximum hatchability of eggs and livability of chicks was determined for broiler breeder hens maintained in individual cages. Groups of hens were fed casein-gelatin, glucose diets containing 20, 40, 60, 100, 180 and 340 μg. biotin/kg. of diet.The requirement was found to be approximately 100 μg. total biotin/kg. of diet for maximum hatchability and chick livability. The concentration of biotin found in the yolk was found to be related to the dietary level. The egg biotin level, which produced maximum hatchability and livability of chicks, corresponding to the estimated minimum requirement of 100 μg. biotin/kg. of diet was approximately 200 mμg. biotin/g. of yolk. A level of 50 mμg. biotin/g. of yolk, or lower, was found to produce zero hatchability.

Growth performance and uniformity of commercial brown layer chicks

Growth performance of commercial brown layer chicks (Shaver 579; n = 408) was studied in an open-sided house by feeding layer starter and layer grower diets during 0-17 weeks of age. The experimental period was divided into three phases: Phase I (0-4 weeks), Phase II (5-7 weeks) and Phase III (8-17 weeks). Both growth and feed consumption closely followed the standard data except during 10, 11, 12 weeks of age when the birds had to face some stresses. The target body weight was 1.4 kg which was achieved at proper age (17 weeks) by consuming feed almost similar to standard amount. Compensatory growth of chicks occurred during the later stage of growing period. The flock uniformity was 80% at 17 weeks. Livability of chicks was found to be excellent (99.3%) during the experimental period (0-17 weeks). It is suggested that despite some stresses, commercial brown layer chicks may achieve body weight and uniformity close to breeder’s standards when reared in an open-sided house. Key words: Growth; Uniformity; Commercial brown layer DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v39i1-2.9691 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2010, 39(1&amp;2): 170-175

Components of Specific Combining Ability Estimated from Strain and Breed Crosses in Chickens ,

INTRODUCTIONHETEROSIS, the increase in performance of crosses over parental strains, has generally been found in fowl for chick livability, early growth rate, age at sexual maturity, egg production and at times for adult livability. Degree of heterosis seems to be positively associated with genetic diversity of the parental strains.A full diallel crossing experiment involving 3 White Leghorn (WL) and 3 Rhode Island Red (RIR) “closed flock” strains has been analyzed and reported by Wearden et al. (1965) with particular emphasis on estimating the relative importance of general and specific combining ability and maternal effects. This follow-up study attempts to elucidate the components of specific combining ability.EXPERIMENTALSamples of 3 WL and 3 RIR “closed flock” strains were obtained from leading commercial breeders in 1956. They were crossed in a full diallel pattern during the following two years. Two “shifts” of males and approximately 90 females per strain .

The Storage of an Unidentified Growth Factor or Factors in the Egg and Its Relation to Chick Growth and Mortality

THERE are many reports showing that the composition of the diet fed to hens influences the growth and livability of chicks when the chicks are fed diets deficient in the essential factor being studied. Norris, Wilgus, Ringrose, and Heuser (1936), Lepkovsky, Taylor, Jukes and Almquist (1938), Hunt, Winter, and Bethke (1936), and Clandinin (1946) showed that the riboflavin content of the breeder diet had a marked influence on growth of chicks and the development of deficiency symptoms when the chicks were fed a riboflavin deficient diet. Sherwood and Fraps (1935) and Bearse and Miller (1937) found that a low vitamin A content of the hens’ diet was reflected in poor livability of the chicks when they were fed a vitamin A deficient chick diet. More recently Bird, Rubin, Whitson, and Haynes (1946) reported that the hens’ diet had a marked influence on chick mortality and that supplementing the chick diet .

The Effect of Varying Levels of Vitamin A in the Hen Ration on the Vitamin A Content of the Egg Yolk, on Hatchability and on Chick Livability

POULTRY producers have long considered it desirable to include large amount of green feed in the ration of breeding hens. Since the discovery and development of our knowledge concerning vitamin A it has been assumed that this green feed was fed to supply large amounts of this vitamin and that vitamin A was closely associated with hatchability and chick livability. Actual corroboration of this assumption by experimental data is limited.Throughout this paper references made to vitamin A refer to vitamin A activity regardless of whether its source is vitamin A, carotene or other vitamin A active substances.Sherwood and Fraps (1934) found that the hatchability increased as the level of heat-dried alfalfa leaf meal increased up to 8 percent of the mash. Later work by these authors (1935) did not show an increase in hatchability for an 8 percent alfalfa group over a 4 percent one. Studies reported by .

Effect of Bacillary White Diarrhea Infection on Egg Production

It is generally conceded that infection with salmonella pullora, the causative organism of Bacillary White Diarrhea, affects reproduction in the domestic fowl. The average fertility and hatchability of eggs and livability of chicks have been shown to be decreased by Bacillary White Diarrhea infection and it has been assumed that egg production was likewise affected, but no conclusive data have been published to support this assumption. A difference in the total annual egg production of reactors and non-reactors is, in fact, not specifically referred to in the literature on the subject. Hooker’s1 complete review of Bacillary White Diarrhea infection of fowls, Beaudette’s2 briefer review of the same subject and the more recent publication of Bushnell, Hinshaw and Payne3 fail to throw any light on the effect of the disease on the egg production of fowls.Rettger and Stoneburn4 note that infected hens seem to be poor layers especially in the .