Lohmann Brown Research Articles

Comparison of Fatty Acid Profile in Egg Yolk from Late-Age Hens Housed in Enriched Cages and in a Free Range System.

In recent years, the free-range system for laying hens has increased, driven by societal sensitivity to animal welfare. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the total lipid, cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of egg yolks of late-age laying hens reared in enriched cages (C) and the free-range system (FR). Eggs were collected from Lohmann Brown Classic hens at the 68th, 70th, 72nd, and 74th week of age. The concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol were not affected (p > 0.05) by either factor. Egg yolk from the FR group showed lower (p < 0.01) monounsaturated fatty acids and higher (p < 0.01) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) compared with that of the C group. From a nutritional point of view, the PUFA n-6/n-3 and the PUFA/SFA ratios of egg yolk from the FR group were favorably lower and higher (p < 0.01) compared with the C one. Conversely, hen age did not affect (p > 0.05) the fatty acid composition of yolks. Interactions between factors were found for total n-3 and n-6 PUFA and the n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.01), as well as the thrombogenic index (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results confirmed that the free-range system may improve the nutritional yolk fatty acid profile and its positive impact on human health.

Evaluation of the immune response of layer chickens to Newcastle disease virus vaccines using the new vaccination regimens.

The study aimed to evaluate the immunological response of layer chickens to live Newcastle disease virus vaccine using a newly developed vaccine schedule administered via the ocular route, as well as assess the persistence of passive antibodies in layer chickens and the effectiveness of protection against strains of the virus. A total of 140-day-old Lohmann Brown chicks were randomly divided into seven groups, 20 chicks each. Groups 1-3 received a single eye instillation of the vaccine at ages 5, 26 and 54 days, respectively, whereas groups 4-6 received a double eye instillation. Group 7 served as non-vaccinated control group. Ten days after immunization, samples were taken from hens that had received the vaccine at ages 15, 36 and 64, as well as from control chickens that had not received the vaccine at ages 5, 15, 21 and 31. A total of 10 serum samples from all chickens exhibited protective antibodies, and booster doses resulted in the highest haemagglutination inhibition titre. No significant change in antibody production was observed among layer hens (p>0.05). The study found that the La Sota (GMT±SD: 6.71±4.96), La Sota (GMT±SD: 8.00±0.00) and thermostable I2 (GMT±SD: 7.60±6.02), vaccination schedules provided the maximum immune response in single eye instillation, whereas the HB1 (GMT±SD: 7.11±4.77), La Sota (GMT±SD: 7.83±5.76) and La Sota (GMT±SD: 7.60±6.02), combination was the second-best vaccination schedule in double eye instillation. Furthermore, maternally-derived antibodies were maintained up to 31 days of age, indicating the level of passive immunity prior to vaccination. Characteristic lesions, such as edematous and diphtheria mucosal membranes of the trachea, along with petechial and necrotic haemorrhages of the proventriculus, were observed during the necropsy of the birds that died from the challenged virus. This study suggests that subsequent live virus vaccine by ocular route immunization is required to effectively protect against velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease infection. The results also highlight the importance of developing effective vaccination schedules and routes to enhance immunity against ND in layer chickens.

Effects of dietary local hemp seed meal as soybean meal alternative on productive performance, egg quality and yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens

ABSTRACT Supply problems and rising soybean meal prices have an impact on increasing feed costs. Hemp seed meal (HSM) with high protein content has the potential to be used as an alternative to soybean meal. This study evaluated the impact of dietary HSM of Narlı Sarayı variety as a substitute for soybean meal on productive performances, egg quality and yolk fatty acid composition. A total of 120 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 50 weeks were allocated into 4 groups and 10 repetitions. Birds received treatment without HSM (control group), or soybean meal substituted with 4%, 8% and 12% HSM. Dietary 4% significantly increased (p < 0.05) egg production and decreased FCR compared with 8% and 12% HSM group but did not differ from the control group in an overall period of 6 weeks. The inclusion of the 12% HSM group significantly decreased (p < 0.05) egg production. Meanwhile, there was no influence of hemp seed meal (p > 0.05) on feed intake, egg weight, body weight change, egg shape index, albumen index, albumen weight, Haugh unit, yolk weight, yolk index and eggshell thickness. Dietary 8% and 12% HSM significantly increased (p < 0.05) eggshell weight and yolk colour compared with control and 4% HSM groups. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in omega-3 fatty acid concentration and a decrease in yolk omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio with an increase in dietary HSM. It was concluded that dietary up to 12% HSM of the Narlı Sarayı variety decreased egg production and increased FCR. Increasing dietary levels of HSM increased eggshell weight, yolk colour and omega-3 fatty acids content and decreased the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio.

Performance, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality during Frozen Storage in Male Layer-Type Chickens

An experiment was carried out in the Institute of Animal Science—Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, to investigate the growth performance of male layer-type chickens (Lohmann Brown Classic), raised to 6 and 9 weeks of age, to evaluate the economic aspects of this rearing, as well as to present changes in the quality characteristics of the meat during frozen storage. The chickens were reared in a controlled microclimate with an initial stocking density of 9 birds/m2. After 6 weeks of age, fragmentation of the stocking density was applied, and then it diminished to 3 birds/m2. The chickens were slaughtered at 6 and 9 weeks of age. Ten 9-week-old chickens were subjected to carcass analysis. Meat quality parameters (pH, color), degree of proteolysis (free amino groups), and lipid oxidation (content of peroxides and TBARS) were assessed in fresh breast and thigh meat (0 d) and in samples stored for 60 and 120 days at −18 °C in chickens slaughtered at 6 and 9 weeks old. The mean live weight of the male layer-type chickens at 6 weeks was 608.81 g, while the 9-week-old chickens reached 1115.93 g. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the whole period of rearing was 2.75. There were no considerable deviations in the meat traits, indicating quality deterioration over the course of the frozen storage. There was a significant increase in the pH of the breast and thighs, reaching maximum values for 60 days of storage in the 6-week-old chicks, while in the 9-week-old birds, pH peaked in the samples stored for 120 days. The changes in the dynamics of pH corresponded to those of proteolysis. There was an increase in lightness (L*), allowing for higher values in the samples stored for 60 days to be reached regardless of the type of meat and age of the chickens. The content of the peroxides increased considerably for 60 days of frozen storage and decreased afterwards. During storage, there was a constant increase in the secondary products of lipid oxidation. Our results indicated that the application of practices such as the fragmentation of stocking density and finding the suitable age for slaughter have significant importance for the profitability of producing meat product from male layer-type chickens. We found that rearing this type of bird until 9 weeks of age resulted in lower costs and higher economic efficiency.

Differing Expression and Potential Immunological Role of C-Type Lectin Receptors of Two Different Chicken Breeds against Low Pathogenic H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus.

Diverse immune responses in different chicken lines can result in varying clinical consequences following avian influenza virus (AIV) infection. We compared two widely used layer breeds, Lohmann Brown (LB) and Lohmann White (LW), to examine virus replication and immune responses against H9N2 AIV infection. The transcription profile in the spleen of H9N2-infected chickens was compared using a microarray. Confirmatory real-time RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of C-type lectin, OASL, and MX1 genes. Additionally, to investigate the role of chicken lectin receptors in vitro, two C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) were expressed in DF-1 cells, and the early growth of the H9N2 virus was evaluated. The LB chickens shed a lower amount of virus from the cloaca compared with the LW chickens. Different expression levels of C-type lectin-like genes were observed in the transcription profile, with no significant differences in OASL or MX gene expression. Real-time RT-PCR indicated a sharp decrease in C-type lectin levels in the spleen of H9N2-infected LW chickens. In vitro studies demonstrated that cells overexpressing CLR exhibited lower virus replication, while silencing of homeostatic CLR had no effect on AIV replication. This study demonstrated distinct immune responses to H9N2 avian influenza in LB and LW chickens, particularly with differences in C-type lectin expression, potentially leading to lower virus shedding in LB chickens.

Arterial and venous supply of the Harderian gland in hens.

The Harderian gland in domestic birds is a major paraocular excretory gland that has an important role in tear production as well as in the immune protection of the conjunctiva surface. The aim of this research was to investigate the arterial and venous supply of the gland in hens and provide valuable and useful information for future research. The research was conducted on 26 adult hens, provenience of Lohmann Brown. For the identification and determination of blood vessels, we used the vascular corrosion cast technique in conjunction with the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The casts showed that the gland receives the arterial supply via branches of a. ophthalmotemporalis and a. nasalis communis and these arteries are accompanied by the corresponding veins. Ultrastructural analyses showed the presence of fenestrated capillaries, which indicates the possibility for permeability of larger molecules. The present research gives important and detailed information about the arterial and venous supply of the Harderian gland in hens that may serve as guidelines for future vascular and morphological investigations.

Predicting Egg Weight from Egg Quality Traits of the Lohmann Brown Chicken Breed Using Stepwise Regression

Predicting Egg Weight from Egg Quality Traits of the Lohmann Brown Chicken Breed Using Stepwise Regression

Nutritivne strategije u ishrani koka nosilja u svetlu rešavanja izazova u zaštiti životne sredine smanjivanjem izlučivanja azota

This research aimed to assess the impact of incorporating Castanea sativa powder (CSP) into laying hens diets, examining reduced crude protein (CP) levels and their effects on production performance, haematological parameters, nutrients and mineral digestibility and environmental pollution by nitrogen (N) absorption and excretion. For that, a 6-week trial was developed, with 90 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 51 weeks, raised in digestibility cages, divided into three groups with 30 hens each. The diets were composed as follows: a control group fed with 17.50% crude protein (CON), an experimental group with a reduced CP level of 15.50% (RPL), and a similar reduced CP group supplemented with 0.5% CSP (RPC) as tannin additive. The limiting amino acids (lysine, methionine, and threonine) were supplemented to maintain constant equal amino acid concentrations in all experimental diets. Throughout the feeding trial, the laying rate was higher in the RPC group (94.12%), followed by RLP (93.65%) and CON (91.11%). However, CON hens produced heavier eggs compared to RPL and RPC groups. Average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio showed no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) between the groups. Results from blood samples showed a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in RPL group on monocytes and uric acid compared with CON and RPC groups with tendencies for leucocytes, lymphocytes, heterophiles. Notably, excreted N levels were significantly reduced (up to 30%) in RPL (0.33 mg N/100g) and RPC (0.30 mg N/100g) groups compared to the CON (0.42 mg N/100g) group, showing a promising way of reducing N pollution. The RPC group had significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) N content and coefficient of apparent N absorption compared with RPL group. On the other hand, the CP excretion was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in the RPL (2.06 mg CP/100g) and RPC (1.94 mg CP/100g) groups compared with CON group (2.63 mg CP/100g). The lowest CP absorption was determined in the RPL group, while the RPC group (88.24%), had the highest coefficient of apparent absorption, compared with both CON (86.18%) and RPL (86.22%) groups. No significant effect on mineral excretion content was observed.

A comparative analysis of cooked smoked cockerel products derived from male layer-type chickens (Lohmann Brown Classic hybrid) and dual-purpose cocks (based on Bresse Gauloise)

Breeding of chickens is divided in two categories: meat production with focus on the males, and egg production – targeting the females. Culling of male layer-type chickens is a long-standing practice but is now ban some European countries. The dual-purpose cocks (based on Bresse Gauloise) are potential solution to the problem with banned culling practices. The aim of this work is to compare the cooked smoked cockerel products derived from male layer-type chickens (MLC) and dual-purpose cocks (DPC). The highest sensory scores were awarded to the thighs and fillets of the DPC. The hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness, were greater in the thighs of the MLC. In contrast, these parameters were lower in the fillets. The degree of proteolysis in the thighs and fillets of the MLC was greater. The protein content in the tight was not affected by the breed of the cockerels. In contrast higher protein content in MLC fillets was found. Fat or ash content was not affected significantly by the breed of the cockerels. Overall, both breeds of cockerels used for the production of cooked smoked products had a similar and sufficiently high yield, establishing an opportunity for their industrial utilization.

The effect of different layer genotypes raised in the Free-range system on egg quality storage at different temperatures

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stored eggs obtained from different layer genotypes raised in a Free-range system on egg quality at different storage temperatures. Lohmann Brown, Lohmann Sandy, and ATAK-S were used as layer genotypes in the study. The study was performed in a 3x2 factorial design with three genotypes and two storage temperatures. A total of 300 table eggs were used in the study. Egg quality analysis was carried out on 100 eggs from each genotype. Eggs were stored in refrigerator (4±2°C) and at room temperature (22±2°C) for 28 days. Egg quality was determined in 10 eggs from each group after 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of storage, and the effects of temperature, genotype, and temperature x genotype interaction were determined. In the study, the effects of genotype and storage temperature on egg weight loss, Haugh unit, yolk index, and albumen pH were determined to be significant (P&amp;lt;0.05). However, the interaction effects of storage temperature x genotype were not statistically significant for any period of storage on egg quality characteristics such as Haugh unit and albumen pH. As a result, it was determined that eggs stored at refrigerator temperature during the research, depending on the storage conditions, preserved their quality characteristics better than those stored at room temperature. The study concluded that the eggs of the ATAK-S genotype had a lower shelf life compared to those of the Lohmann Sandy and Lohmann Brown genotypes.

Influence of Genotype on Meat Quality in Laying Hens after the Egg Production Season

The aim of this study was to compare the quality characteristics of the meat of two genotypes (Lohmann Brown and Lohmann White) of laying hens after the laying period. Studies were conducted on pectoral and leg muscles from 26 females, 13 of each genotype. Breast and leg muscles were evaluated in terms of their basic chemical composition, acidity (pH24), color attributes (L*, a*, b*), electrical conductivity (EC24) and macro- (K, P, Na, Mg, Ca) and microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr). Analysis of the texture of the pectoral muscle major and rheological properties (sum of viscosity modules and sum of elasticity modules) was also performed. Breast and leg meat were also subjected to sensory evaluation. The genotype of the birds significantly affected the percentage of intramuscular fat in the pectoral muscle and the percentage of protein, fat and water in the leg muscle. When analyzing pectoral and leg muscles for color attributes, we found no significant (p &gt; 0.05) differences between genotypes. Differences were shown, however, between genotypes in EC24 and phosphorus content in leg muscle. Breast muscles differed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in iron and zinc content. Sensory analysis revealed significant differences between genotypes in leg muscle tenderness and juiciness, and breast muscle juiciness and aroma desirability. When analyzing the breast muscle in terms of texture, we did not observe any significant differences, nor did we find any differences in the assessment of rheological properties. Not depending on genotype, however, we noted significant differences between protein, fat, water and collagen content, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, acidity, color parameters (L*, a*, b*), EC24 and tastiness desirability between breast meat and leg meat. The results of this study showed that meat from old hens obtained after the laying period is a good material for further technological processing, due to its favorable basic chemical composition and high nutritional value expressed in the content of macro- and microelements, and is also characterized by relatively good sensory characteristics, which can be improved by marinating or adding enzymatic preparations during its processing.

Fermented rapeseed meal subjected to a biosorption process: A potential new feed additive with microelements for laying hens

The antinutritional substances contained in rapeseed play an essential role in the bioavailability of microelements contained in feed. This problem can be solved by fermentation of rapeseed products, which can also be enriched with selected microelements through biosorption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the biosorption capacity of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) by enriching its biomass with Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions and then using the FRSM prepared in this way in laying hens’ diet and examining its impact on performance, egg quality and transfer of microelements to eggs content. Seventy-two laying hens of the Lohmann Brown line (26 weeks of age) were used in the experiment. The experiment lasted 90 days. The birds were randomly divided into two experimental groups, each group consisted of 12 replications (cages), and each replication of 3 hens (36 birds per group). The first group (BURSM) was the control group and received 30 g/kg unfermented rapeseed meal (URSM) after the biosorption process (enrichment in Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions) in the feed, the second group (BFRSM) received 30 g/kg of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) after the biosorption process (enrichment in Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Fe(II) ions) in the feed. The results conclude that both URSM and FRSM can be used as a substrate in the biosorption process. However, in the case of laying hens’ performance and egg quality, the form of the rapeseed meal (RSM) was not statistically significant. Hens in the BURSM group were characterized by higher bioaccumulation factor (BF), while hens from the BFRSM group were characterized by higher transfer coefficients (TC), which may be important in the design of functional foods.

Shape and fractures of carina sterni in chicken genotypes with different egg deposition rates reared indoor or free-range

Commercial laying hens have high frequency of damage to the keel bone (KB), which causes negative effects on health and welfare. KB damage may consist in fractures (KBF) and deviations (KBD). The aim of the present study was to compare the KB shape, by means of Geometric Morphometric, and the occurrence of fractures in different chicken genotypes reared either free-range (FR) or in enriched cages. Moreover, the relationship between KB shape, genotype and rearing system was analysed. Sixty birds/genotype (2 Italian local breeds, Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata, their crossbreeds with Sasso and Lohmann Brown) were used. All the hens fed the same commercial feed throughout the trial. Body weight, egg production, feed intake and mortality were recorded from 25 to 66 weeks of age. Ca intake (IN) and output (OUT) were estimated and Ca OUT/IN was calculated. FR affected the occurrence of KB deviations but not the shape, whereas the fractures were mainly affected by genotype. Local breeds had a lower prevalence of KBF with similar level of KBD but with different shapes. Crossbreeds seemed to be a suitable compromise between egg deposition rate and occurrence of KB damages.

Physiological Changes Caused by Dietary Proanthocyanidin Supplementation at Varying Doses in Laying Hens

The research was carried out at the college of Agriculture/Al-Qasim Green University’s Department of Animal Production farm. Beginning on March 19, 2022, and ending on July 2, 2022, the experimental field trial lasted a total of 16 weeks (four intervals of four weeks each). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementing chicken diets with varying concentrations of the Proanthocyanidin chemical on egg production, quality, and oxidation markers. During the experiment’s breeding phase, which lasted for 50 weeks, 105 Lohmann brown laying hens were split into four groups: those aged 57-60 weeks, 61-64” weeks, and 65-68 weeks. A total of 21 birds were randomly assigned to one of five experimental treatments, with three replicates per 7 birds in each treatment (as per the standard standards outlined in the Lohmann Brown Layer Managements Guide). This is what we found to work in our clinical trials: The initial procedure: a no-additions control group. Second, 100 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was given to a standard diet. Third, we have a standard diet with 200 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Fourthly, a standard diet with 300 milligrammes of Proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was used. In the sixth treatment, 400 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed is given to a standard diet. The study found mostly these results: Compared to the control group, the third, fourth, and fifth treatments significantly increased (p≤0.05) egg production rate, total eggs laid, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion coefficient. - The shell’s relative weight and thickness were found to be optimal for treatments three, four, and five, while albumin height (mm) and hu units improved significantly (p≤0.05) for treatments four and five compared to the control treatment.

Effect of Adding Different Levels of Proanthocyanidin in Laying Hens Diet on Productive Performance

The research was carried out at the college of Agriculture/Al-Qasim Green University’s Department of Animal Production farm. The experimental field trial ran for 16 weeks, from March 19, 2022, to July 2, 2022 (divided into four 4-week phases). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementing chicken diets with varying concentrations of the Proanthocyanidin chemical on egg production, quality, and oxidation markers. During the experiment’s breeding phase, which was split into four experimental periods (ages 53–56 weeks, 57–60 weeks, 61–64 weeks, and 65–68 weeks), 105 Lohmann brown laying hens were used.15 pens were set up with 5 experimental treatments for each treatment of 21 birds, and each treatment contained 3 duplicates per 7 birds, all fed according to the standards outlined in the Lohmann Brown Layer Managements Guide. The following procedures were used in the pilot programme:In the first phase, a non-experimental group served as a control. Second, 100 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was given to a standard diet. Third, we have a standard diet with 200 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Fourthly, a standard diet with 300 milligrammes of Proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed was used. Fifthly, we have a standard diet with 400 milligrammes of proanthocyanidin per kilogramme of feed. Key findings from the research include: Compared to the control group, the third, fourth, and fifth treatments significantly increased (p0.05) egg production rate, cumulative number of eggs, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion coefficient. - Shell thickness (in millimetres) and relative weight (in percent) were best for treatments three through five. In contrast, albumin height (in millimetres) and hu units improved significantly (p 0.05) for treatments four and five compared to the control therapy (treatment one).

Effect of a Low-Protein Diet with Different Levels of Amino Acid Mixture in Laying Hens on their Performance and Some Qualitative Characteristics of Eggs

This study was conducted for the period from 1/1/2022 to 1/8/2022 (210 days), to study the effect of replacing the mixture of amino acids (methionine, lysine, and threonine) instead of the protein concentrate in the diets of laying hens that reduced crude protein by (1, 1.5, 2%) in some qualitative characteristics of eggs. In the study, (128) laying hens of the Lohmann Brown type were used, at the age of (21) weeks, preceded by two weeks of preparation for the herd. They were randomly distributed among 8 treatments, with 8 replications for each treatment, as each repetition includes (2) chickens (16 chickens/treatment). And the experimental treatments were as follows: T1 the control (standard diet), T2 (a treatment devoid of the protein concentrate), and the treatments T3, T4, and T5 (in which the percentage of crude protein was reduced by 1% and a mixture of amino acids consisting of methionine, lysine, and threonine was added by 1, 1.5, and 2%, respectively)., and treatments T6, T7, and T8 (in which the percentage of crude protein was reduced by 2% and a mixture of amino acids consisting of methionine, lysine, and threonine was added by 1, 1.5, and 2%, respectively). The results showed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) superiority for the treatments T1, T4, and T8 in yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk relative weight, and yolk index at the middle of the experiment at the age of (21-32) weeks, while both were significantly superior (P < 0.05) From the coefficients T2, T9, T10 in the yolk weight, yolk height, yolk diameter, and the relative weight of the yolk in the last period of the experiment, The results showed a significant superiority (P < 0.05) for treatments T1, T8, and T10 when calculating the Albumin weight, Albumin height, Albumin diameter, and the relative weight of the egg, Treatments T2 and T3 were significantly (P<0.05) superior when measuring the weight of the eggshell, the relative weight of the eggshell, and the average thickness of the eggshell, compared with most of the experimental treatments. These results indicate that there is a qualitative improvement for some of the studied traits when adding the mixture of amino acids and reducing the percentage of total protein by 1.2% compared to the control group that does not contain amino acids.

Effect of Adding Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves in Drinking Water on some of the Reproductive Characteristics for Lohmann Brown Rooster Breeder

The purpose of this study, which took place from December 8, 2022, to February 15, 2023, over the course of 10 weeks in the Department of Animal Production at Al-Qasim Green University’s Faculty of Agriculture, was to determine the impact, if any, that varying concentrations of an aqueous extract of the leaves of the Moringa Oleifera plant had on the reproductive and physiological qualities and the rates of hatching and fertilization for rooster breeders of the laying hen the first, a group that drank water without any flavorings or other additions, For the second, add 20 ml of an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves per litre of drinking water; for the third, add 40 ml; for the fourth, add 60 ml; for the fifth, add 80 ml; and for the sixth and final treatment, add 100 ml of an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves per litre of drinking water. As for estimating the individual movement of the sperm, we note from the results a superiority (P0.05) for the third, fourth, and fifth treatments compared to the first treatment in the fourth week. The results also showed a superiority (P0.05) for the second treatment in estimating the size of the ejaculate size compared to the first, third, and fifth treatments. The results revealed that the concentration of sperm increased significantly (P 0.05) after the second, third, fourth, and fifth treatments compared to the first.

Feeding Programs and Addition High Levels of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 to Aged Laying Hens’ Diets on Productive Performance

This study was conducted in poultry farm belong to Department of Animal Production/College of Agriculture/University of Anbar from 15/3/2022 to 6/6/2022 (84) days, 3 periods (28 days/period). The aim of studying was studying effect of feeding programs and addition high levels of Calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D3 to aged laying hens’ diets on productive performance. In this study, 150-layer hens of Lohmann Brown breed, aged 52 weeks were used in this experiment. Laying hens were distributed randomly to ten treatments with five replicates per treatment (3 hens/replicate) in close system (cages). A completely randomized experimental design with a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement consisting Morning feeding with once time (A1), Evening feeding with twice times equal half (A2) 6 hours difference between the first and second period. Feed Additives (B) included: B1(3000 IU vitamin D3, 3.5% Ca and 0.5% P). B2(5000 IU vitamin D3, 4% Ca and 0.6% P.), B3(5000 IU vitamin D3, 4.5% Ca and 0.7% P), B4 (7000 IU vitamin D3, 4% Ca and 0.6% P), B5 (7000 IU vitamin D3, 4.5% Ca and 0.7% P). During the experimental periods hen’s performance traits included egg production H.D%, egg weights, egg mass, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. The results of statistical analysis showed that no effect of feeding programs A1 and A2 on productive performance which included egg production (H.D %), egg weight, egg mass, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio.

Effect of a Partially Purified Actinidin Enzyme from Kiwi Fruit on the Chemical Properties of Aged Chicken Meat

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the actinidin enzyme which is partially purified from kiwi fruit, on the chemical properties of aged chicken meat. Thirty-five old laying hens of the Lohmann Brown breed at the age of 64 weeks, with an average weight of 1.700 kg were used. After slaughtering, skin and intestines were removed, cleaned, and breast meat was cut into small pieces. The experiment had ten treatments, one of which was the control, and nine treatments included some concentrations (0.25, 0.75, and 1.00) % of the partially purified actinidin enzyme for three incubation periods (120, 240, and 360) minutes. The obtained results showed that there was a significant decrease in the pH value at the level of probability (p≤0.05) between the treatments when the enzymatic extract of kiwi fruit was added to the aged chicken meat at three different concentrations for three incubation periods. The results also indicated a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in the percentage of ash, fat and protein compared with control samples, and that the percentages of ash in samples treated with concentrations of (0.25, 0.75, and 1.00%) of actinidin enzyme for the three incubation periods (120, 240, and 360) minutes decreased compared to the control sample.

Effect of Maize Hybrid in Complete Feed on the Production Performance and Economic Considerations in Laying Hens

The nutritional value of maize grain can be influenced by its genetic background, which can lead to differences that could affect laying hens due to the high proportion of maize hybrids in the complete feed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of modern maize hybrids on hen production and egg quality. Dietary treatments differed only in a grain of 15 high-yielding maize hybrids, added at a fixed proportion of 600 g kg−1 and without additional pigments. By 3 in each cage, 225 Lohmann Brown hens were allocated to 15 dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design (15 treatments × 5 cages). The experiment lasted 10 weeks, during which the number and weight of eggs were recorded daily, and diet intake was recorded weekly. Eggs for quality analysis were collected once per week during the last five weeks of the experiment. Dietary treatments differed (p &lt; 0.05) in complete feed intake (119.7–123.1 g), egg weight (58.02–61.51 g), daily egg mass (56.17–60.16 g), and feed conversion ratio (2.01–2.19). As expected, dietary treatments did not affect egg traits such as shape index, albumen height, Haugh units, shell strength, thickness, and weight, but differed (p &lt; 0.05) in yolk color (6.28–8.76) and yolk (14.74–16.03 g) and albumen (34.39–39.29 g) weights. The findings suggest that using different maize hybrids in complete feeds used in egg production systems may lead to small but significant differences in some hen production and egg quality traits, which in turn affect farmers’ income.