Productive Performance Traits Research Articles

Effects of Cold Stress and Ammonia Concentration on Productive Performance and Egg Quality Traits of Laying Hens

In a cold climate, ensuring indoor air quality and heat preservation simultaneously has always been a difficult problem in the poultry house. The current study was carried out in order to determine the effects of chronic low temperature and ammonia concentration on productive performance and egg quality of commercial laying hens. 576 18-week-old Hy-line Brown hens were used in this study. Birds were housed in cages and received for 20-week exposure to low temperature and ammonia in six artificial environmental chambers. Birds were randomly assigned into six treatments: treatment 1 (T1, 20 °C, ≤5 ppm, control group), treatment 2 (T2, 20 °C, 20 ppm), treatment 3 (T3, 20 °C, 45 ppm), treatment 4 (T4, 8 °C, ≤5 ppm), treatment 5 (T5, 8 °C, 20 ppm) and treatment 6 (T6, 8 °C, 45 ppm). Daily feed intake (DFI), feed efficiency (FE), egg production (EP) and body weight (BW) were recorded and calculated from 19 weeks of age. Egg samples were collected at 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38 weeks of age and egg weight (EW), shell breaking strength (SBS), albumen height (AH), yolk weight (YW), shell weight (SW), shell thickness (ST) and Haugh unit (HU) were measured. The results of the present study indicated that low temperature and excessive ammonia decreased the EP of hens compared with those of the T1 birds. Low temperature increased DFI of hens thereby FE showed significant differences among treatments. During the early period of the experiment, low temperature treatment increased the BW of laying hens, but this trend of increase was suppressed by the treatment of ammonia with the prolongation of the experimental period. Egg quality was also affected by low temperature and excessive ammonia. At different experimental periods, egg quality traits of hens exposed to the cold and ammonia stress presented significant differences compared to those of control birds. The present study indicated that the effect of ammonia was more pronounced on hens than that of low temperature at the early and peak laying period in terms of several main traits of productive performance and egg quality under long term hens breeding.

Effect of replacing soy bean meal with maggot meal on the production performance and egg quality traits of commercial white leg horn layers

Along with energy, quality protein is also essential for the health and production for poultry birds. Total 150 white leghorn layer birds, aged 25 weeks approx weight 1.5±0.5 were used in this study. The formulated ration contain control diet-1 (D-1) having 100% soybean meal and 0% maggot meal, Diet-2 (75% soybean meal and 25% maggot meal), Diet-3 (50% soybean meal and 50% maggot meal), Diet-4 (25% soybean meal and 75% maggot meal) and Diet-5 containing (0% soybean meal and 100% maggot meal). Egg shell thickness was determined after removing the shell membrane. The daily feed intake (g/day/bird), per/day egg production (%), weight (g) and feed conversion ratio (g feed/dozen egg production) did not differ (P<0.05) among the experimental groups (MD-2, MD-3, MD-4, MD-5), and MD-1 group. However MD-3 replacement diet had a better result on performance basis. The blood profile that is red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), albumin and total protein were not affected (P<0.05) by the different diets and no significant differences were found among the different treatment groups. The egg weight, egg shell weight, shell thickness, albumen height, yolk weight, yolk height and haugh unit were not affected (P>0.05) within dietary treatment. Finding of our result indicated cheap protein alternatives sources like maggot meal, help the resource poor farmers not only to cut down their production costs, but also to improve their production efficiency.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Spirulina on production performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality traits in post-weaning piglets.

The effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), individually or in combination with two commercial carbohydrases, in piglet diets was assessed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality traits. Forty post-weaned male piglets from Large White×Landrace sows crossed with Pietrain boars with an initial live weight of 12.0±0.89kg were used. Piglets were assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n=10): cereal and soya bean meal base diet (control), base diet with 10% Spirulina (SP), SP diet supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP (SP+R) and SP diet supplemented with 0.01% lysozyme (SP+L). Animals were slaughtered after a 4-week experimental period. Growth performance was negatively affected by the incorporation of Spirulina in the diets, with an average decrease of 9.1% on final weight, in comparison with control animals. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of crude protein was higher (p<.05) in the control group than in other groups. In addition, lysozyme increased TTAD of crude fat and acid detergent fibre, relative to the SP and control groups, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of Spirulina, individually and supplemented with enzymes, did not impair meat quality traits. Surprisingly, no protective effect against lipid oxidation was observed with the inclusion of Spirulina in pork after 7days of storage. This study indicates that growth performance of post-weaning piglets was impaired by the incorporation of 10% Spirulina in the diets, which is mediated by an increase in digesta viscosity and a lower protein digestibility, as a consequence of the resistance of microalga proteins to the action of endogenous peptidases. In addition, it also indicates that lysozyme, in contrast to Rovabio® Excel AP, is efficient in the degradation of Spirulina cell wall in piglet's intestine. However, the digestion of proteins liberated by Spirulina cell wall disruption is still a challenge.

PRODUCTIVE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF BROILER CHICKS TO SUPPLEMENTATION OF DIFFERENT COPPER FORMS

Two hundred and ten unsexed broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) at 7 day of age were used to study the effect of dietary supplementation of different Copper (Cu) forms i.e. inorganic (copper sulfate, CuSO4), organic (copper methionine Cu2-Met) or nano inorganic copper particles (Cu-NP) on the productive performance, hematological and biochemical constituents of blood and immune response of broiler chicks. They were randomly divided into seven dietary treatments with five replicate cages per treatment, six chicks for each. The first group was fed the basal diet without any supplementation (control); while the 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of inorganic Cu (copper sulfate, CuSO4), respectively. The 4th and 5th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of organic Cu (copper methionine Cu2-Met), respectively. The 6th and 7th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppb of nano inorganic copper (Cu-NP), respectively. Results showed that chicks fed the basal diet supplemented with different forms of Cu had significantly better LBW, BWG, FCR, economic efficiency and production index. Both organic and nano Cu-fed groups showed significantly better productive performance traits compared with the inorganic Cu – fed groups. Supplementation of different Cu forms decreased serum levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), whereas RBCs count, hemoglobin, PCV, glucose, globulin, thyroid hormones (T3-T4), immunoglobulin (IgM, IgG), and antioxidant enzymes activity (TAC– GPX- GSH-SOD) were significantly increased compared with the control treatment. Additionally, Cu supplementation increased lactobacillus sp. while decreased total bacterial count (Salmonella, E. coli and Proteus) compared with the control group. In conclusion, Cu supplementation improved the growth performance, immune response and physiological status of broiler chickens. Broilers fed organic and nano Cu-supplemented diets had better growth performance and immune response than those fed inorganic copper.

Productive and immunological responses of broiler chicks to supplementation of different copper forms.

Two hundred and ten unsexed broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) at 7 day of age were used to study the effect of dietary supplementation of different Copper (Cu) forms i.e. inorganic (copper sulfate, CuSO4), organic (copper methionine Cu2-Met) or nano inorganic copper particles (Cu-NP) on the productive performance, hematological and biochemical constituents of blood and immune response of broiler chicks. They were randomly divided into seven dietary treatments with five replicate cages per treatment, six chicks for each. The first group was fed the basal diet without any supplementation (control); while the 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of inorganic Cu (copper sulfate, CuSO4), respectively. The 4th and 5th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of organic Cu (copper methionine Cu2-Met), respectively. The 6th and 7th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 ppb of nano inorganic copper (Cu-NP), respectively. Results showed that chicks fed the basal diet supplemented with different forms of Cu had significantly better LBW, BWG, FCR, economic efficiency and production index. Both organic and nano Cu-fed groups showed significantly better productive performance traits compared with the inorganic Cu – fed groups. Supplementation of different Cu forms decreased serum levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), whereas RBCs count, hemoglobin, PCV, glucose, globulin, thyroid hormones (T3-T4), immunoglobulin (IgM, IgG), and antioxidant enzymes activity (TAC– GPX- GSH-SOD) were significantly increased compared with the control treatment. Additionally, Cu supplementation increased lactobacillus sp. while decreased total bacterial count (Salmonella, E. coli and Proteus) compared with the control group. In conclusion, Cu supplementation improved the growth performance, immune response and physiological status of broiler chickens. Broilers fed organic and nano Cu-supplemented diets had better growth performance and immune response than those fed inorganic copper.

Effects of sunflower meal supplementation in the diet on productive performance, egg quality and gastrointestinal tract traits of laying hens

ABSTRACT 1. A trial was conducted to study the effects of additional dietary fibre (DF), resulting from partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with high-fibre sunflower meal (SFM), on egg production and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits in laying hens. 2. A total of 480 Nick Chick white laying hens (21 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments and fed for 24 weeks. The hens were fed either the control diet based on corn and SBM, which contained 30 g/kg crude fibre (CF) without SFM, or test diets containing 40 g more CF/kg from adding 47 g/kg SFM or 50 g more CF/kg from adding 97 g SFM/kg. Each dietary treatment was replicated eight times (20 hens per replicate). 3. Body weight (P < 0.05), egg production rate (P < 0.05), egg weight (P < 0.01) and egg mass (P < 0.01) linearly increased but feed conversion ratio linearly decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing SFM supplementation. Feed intake, cracked/broken egg ratios and shell less egg ratios were comparable amongst the groups. 4. The egg quality indices were not influenced by dietary treatments, except for the Haugh units, which decreased (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic P < 0.05) when SFM was added. 5. Digestive organ size was not affected by the dietary treatments, but caecum length increased in hens fed SFM (P < 0.05). Digesta pH in the ileum and caecum was reduced linearly (P < 0.01) with SFM supplementation. 6. Small intestine morphology traits improved with 47 g SFM/kg supplementation, whereas negative effects were observed with 97 g SFM/kg. 7. Productive performance of laying hens improved with 40 or 50 g/kg more CF in feed, mostly from SFM supplementation. It was concluded that this performance increase was attributed mostly to the increase in fat content, rather than DF level, when high-fibre SFM was included in layer diets.

Effect of β-Mannanase Enzymes Supplementation to Energy Deficient Diets on Productive Performance, Physiological and Carcass Traits of Broilers

Effect of β-Mannanase Enzymes Supplementation to Energy Deficient Diets on Productive Performance, Physiological and Carcass Traits of Broilers

Effect of Season, Parity and Stage of Lactation on Productive Performance of Sahiwal Cattle

The study was conducted to understand the effect of season, parity and stage of lactation on productive performance of Sahiwal cattle. The data of productive traits of 133 Sahiwal cattle from 2016 to 2018 maintained at the Livestock Research Center, Karnal, Haryana, were used for this study. The production data were analyzed using least-square procedures based on season, parity and stage of lactation. Results indicated that the parity had significant (p less than 0.05) influence on monthly milk yield (MMY) whereas, the stage of lactation had highly significant (P less than 0.01) influence on monthly milk yield (MMY) and test day milk yield (TDMY). However, there was no significant effect of season on different productive performance traits in Sahiwal cattle. The phenotypic parameter estimates indicated that the parity and stage of lactation of cattle can be used as a selection tool for improvement of productive traits considering its high positive phenotypic correlations with succeeding productive traits in Sahiwal cows.

Effect of a Diet Supplemented with the Moringa oleifera Seed Powder on the Performance, Egg Quality, and Gene Expression in Japanese Laying Quail under Heat-Stress.

Simple SummaryThe debilitating effect of heat stress on egg production is well known, but its mechanism is not understood. Some studies attribute for this bad effect on the reduction in feed intake to high temperature or the relation between heat stress and reproductive and ovarian dysfunction, which cause a lowering in egg production. Heat stress directly affects ovarian function by altering the secretion of ovarian hormones such as prolactin. Moringa seed powder plays an effective role in overcoming the effect of heat stress, through the flavonoids and other phenolic compounds present in it. Hence, we investigated the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera seed powder with different concentrations, on egg production, egg quality trait, and the expression levels of selected ovarian genes in quail layers subject to heat stress. We found that supplementing laying Japanese quail feed with the Moringa oleifera seed powder at level 0.3% enhanced resistance to heat stress condition and consequently improved egg productivity.This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three concentrations of the Moringa oleifera seed powder as a feed supplement on the productive performance and egg quality traits of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) exposed to heat stress. The expression patterns of the genes estrogen receptors (ESR2), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) were estimated in ovaries, using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 200 laying quail aged seven weeks were randomly allocated to the following four experimental groups—the control (CNT), T1, T2, and T3 groups; each group comprised 50 quail females with 5 replicates (10 per group). The CNT group was fed a basal diet, whereas the T1, T2, and T3 groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder, respectively. The results revealed that the T3 group showed the highest hen-day egg production (%) as well as the highest egg yolk index. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio improved significantly (p < 0.05) with increased concentrations of the M. oleifera seed powder supplementation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of ESR2, FSHR, and STAR increased significantly in the T3 group, compared to those in the CNT group. Alterations in ovarian gene expressions corresponded to the reproductive patterns of the treated Japanese quail. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of the Japanese quail feed with 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder during the laying period might enhance resistance to heat stress and consequently improve egg productivity.

Detoxification Impacts of Ascorbic Acid and Clay on Laying Japanese Quail Fed Diets Polluted by Various Levels of Cadmium.

A total number of 360 laying Japanese quail (8 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 12 groups. Birds in all groups had nearly the same average initial body weight. A factorial arrangement (4 × 3) was performed including four levels of dietary cadmium (Cd) as cadmium chloride (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet) and three levels of feed additives (without, 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid and 1.50% natural clay). Results revealed that Cd contaminated feed caused significant (p < 0.01) retardation in body weight, lower egg number and egg mass and worse feed conversion. On the other hand, the addition of ascorbic acid or natural clay to quail diets caused a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in all studied traits. With respect to the interaction among Cd and the experimental additives, results showed that within each Cd level, ascorbic acid or clay supplementation recorded the highest body weight, egg number, egg weight and mass in addition to improved feed conversion. Cadmium levels decreased (p < 0.05) blood total protein, albumen and A/G ratio. Both 300 mg ascorbic acid and 1.50% clay increased (p < 0.05) blood total protein and albumen compared to non-supplemented groups. It could be concluded that the consumption of polluted diets Cd causes deleterious effects on the productive performance of laying Japanese quail. The addition of ascorbic acid or natural clay to the diets causes beneficial effects on productive performance traits, improves egg quality criteria and diminishes the toxic effects of Cd.

Production performances of cows of different origin and housing method

In order to examine the variability of production performance traits (lactation duration, milk yield for the whole lactation, milk yield in standard lactation, milk fat content, milk fat yield in standard lactation, protein content and yield in standard lactation), 954 cows, domestic and imported Simmental populations, were included in the study, with a total of 3641 completed lactations. Cows were located in the area of Toplica district, reared on individual farming households (tied system) and on the farm with intensive farming (free system). Based on the rearing method and origin, animals were divided into four groups: Group 1 (domestic animals reared by individual agricultural producers on individual farming households); Group 2 (imported animals reared by individual agricultural producers on individual farming households); Group 3 (domestic animals reared on the farm) and Group 4 (imported animals reared on the farm). The fourth group of studied cows showed the highest yield and protein content, while the cows of the third group had the longest lactation and the highest milk fat content. All production performance traits varied highly significantly (p?0.001) under the influence of the combined factor of housing/rearing method and origin.

Influence of two dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides supplementation on productive performance and carcass traits with special attention to their biochemical alterations in two rabbit breeds

Influence of two dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides supplementation on productive performance and carcass traits with special attention to their biochemical alterations in two rabbit breeds

Effect of Four Different Formulated Rations on Production Performance and Egg Quality Traits of Fayoumi Chickens

Four experimental rations were formulated from locally available protein and energy source feed to study its effect on the production performance, on some egg quality traits for fayoumi chickens and to know the financially feasibility of such locally formulated rations for fayoumi layer chickens. Ninety six fayoumi chickens of 24 weeks of age were subjected to four formulated rations. Each of the four treatments were replicated three times with 8 birds (1 male: 7 females) per replicate. Each replicate feed was fed in group in feeding pens. Feed intake and egg production data were collected daily for each replicate. Dry matter feed intake was not significantly different (P >0.05) between treatments 1 and 3, and between treatments 2 and 4. Significantly higher (P<0.05) egg production and egg weight were observed in treatment 2 with no significant difference (P>0.05) among the other three treatments. Egg shell weight (g), shell thickness (mm) and Yolk color did not differ (P>0.05) significantly among the treatments. In the current study net profit of 47.2, 39.4, 21.41 and 15.3 Ethiopian Birr were obtained per bird on treatments 2, 3, 4 and 1 respectively within six months of feeding period. Locally available protein and energy source feed can be used for the formulation of nutritionally balanced and economically feasible diet for fayoumi layers chickens. Ration formulated from 0.5% limestone, 0.5% salt, 1% layers premixes, 28% wheat bran, 3.5% fish meal, 11.5% soybean, 32% maize and 23% noug cake was found to be financially feasible and recommendable in areas with similar climatic conditions to Adami Tulu area and in area where these feed ingredients are available.

Productive and Reproductive Performance Traits Associated with Sahiwal Cattle of Punjab

Preliminary data on Productive and Reproductive efficiency traits associated with Sahiwal Cattle maintained at Regional Research and Training Centre (RRTC), Kaljharani, Bathinda, Punjab, India, during the period 2011 to 2016 revealed the average values for productive traits i.e. 305 day Milk Yield (305 DMY; kg), Total Milk Yield (TMY; kg), Lactation Length (LL; days), Peak yield (PY; kg), Days to reach Peak Yield (DPY; days) and Dry Period (DP; days) as 1897.03±392.27, 1920.07±508.00, 270.71±64.32, 11.04±3.45 kg, 37.05±18.90 and 119.90±44.27, respectively. Fat and Solid-not-fat (SNF) percentage recorded was 4.25±0.81 and 8.16±0.19. Similarly the average values for reproductive traits i.e. Body Weight at birth (BWT; Kg), Age at Puberty (AP; days), Age at first Calving (AC; days), Service Period (FSP; days), Calving Interval (CI; days) and First Postpartum Heat Period (PPHP; days) were 24.50±2.89, 1139.30±420.28, 1444.79±305.56, 141.13±34.29, 449.74±110.45 and 73.29±17.34, respectively. Satisfactory feeding, breeding and genetic improvement strategies would result in improved performance in Sahiwal cattle of Punjab.

Comparison between effect of adding propolis and antibiotic in in broiler chickens on productive performance and carcass traits

This study was conducted to Compare effect between addition of propolis and antibiotic in performance and carcass traits of broiler from 07/02/2018 until 20/03/2018. 135 one day old unsexed chicks (Ross, 308) were reared for 42 day, they distributed to three treatments, three replicates per treatment (15 birds in replicate). First treatment was control, the second treatment was adding 0.5 g antibiotic (Oxytetracyclin 20%)/1 kg feed, and the third treatment was adding 1 g propolis / 1 kg feed. The results were showed no significant differences in all broiler performance characteristics. While, the propolis treatment was high significantly (P≤0.05) in the relative weight of bursa and gallbladder. Whereas, the relative weight of neck and wings was increased significantly (P≤0.05) in the antibiotic treatment. On the other hand, other carcass traits and relative weights for internal organs were not differed among treatments.

Effect of adding some medical plants on some productive performance traits of Japanese Quail.

This study was conducted in the field quail of the Agriculture College/University of Basrah for the period from 24/11/2018 to 04/01/2019 to study the effect of adding different levels of dietary Marjoram (Origanumvulgarae) and (Rosmarinus officinalisL) on some productive of Japanese Quail in the study (450) chick. Unsexed one day old chicks were used at an initial weight 8.5 g. The chicks were randomly distributed into Ten treatments each treatment contained 45 chicks with three replicates each one has 15 chicks, the treatments as the following T1,T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,T7,T8,T9,T10 (Control, Adding 5 g powder of marjoram leaves from one day to 21 days, Add 5 g of marjoram powder from the age of 22 to 42 days, Adding 5 g of rosemary leaves powder from 1 day to 21 days, Adding 5 g of rosemary leaves from 22 to 42 days, Adding 2.5 g powdered leaves of marjoram and 2.5 g of rosemary leaves from 1 day to 21 days, Adding 2.5 g powdered leaves of marjoram and 2.5 g of rosemary leaves from 22 to 42 days, Adding 5 g of powder of marjoram leaves from one day to the end of the experiment, Adding 5 g of rosemary leaves powder from one day to the end of the experiment, Adding 2.5 g powder of marjoram leaves and 2.5 g of rosemary leaves from one day to the end of the experiment. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in the final body weight and cumulative weight gained, and a significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in the cumulative feed conversion ratio compared with control treatment, while no significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found in the amount of feed intake.

Effects of Terbutaline on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Some Biochemical Parameters and its Residues in Broiler Chicken.

Terbutaline is a β-agonist that used as growth promoters to improved carcass chemical composition of chicks without residues. The purpose of the present investigation is exploring the effect of different dietary levels and duration of terbutaline on the productive performance, biochemical and carcass quality traits including residue of acres broiler. A total of 150 one-day-old arbor acres broiler chicks were allotted into 5 groups (3 replicates per each). Group 1 was fed on the basal diet without supplement, while groups 2-5 fed on the basal diet supplemented by 5 or 10 mg terbutaline kg-1 diet during 1-42 or 21-42 days, respectively. When handling the dietary levels and duration of terbutaline, results of the present study showed that10 mg terbutaline kg-1 diet during the whole experimental period is a more effective dose for improvement of growth performance with significant (p<0.05) increased serum protein and breast muscles relative weight compared with control. Also, 10 mg terbutaline kg-1 diet during the whole experimental period significantly (p<0.05) increase d CP% (crude protein%) and CHO% (carbohydrate%) of breast muscle and significantly (p<0.05) decreased fat% (ether extract%) of breast muscle and abdominal fat relative weight compared with control. Meanwhile, 5 mg terbutaline kg-1 diet during 1-42 or 21-42 days has no significant effect on the above-mentioned parameters. Regarding residue, the terbutaline residue wasn't detected in broiler meat. It can conclude that 10 mg terbutaline kg-1 diet during the whole experimental period is a better dose and duration for improving growth performance, the chemical composition of breast muscle and carcass traits of broiler chickens with no terbutaline residue in breast muscle.

Impact of light-emitting diode and compact fluorescent light source type and cage tier on layers reared in an enriched cage system Part 1: Production performance and egg quality

This study?s aim was to investigate the effects of age, light source type (light-emitting diode (LED), and compact fluorescent (FLO)), and cage tier on production performance and egg quality traits of layers reared in the enriched cage system. A total of 800 Nick Chick White layers were used in the study. A total of 800 eggs were used for egg quality traits at 25 and 45 weeks of age. The enriched cage tiers were coded as I, II, III, and IV from bottom to top. Layer age significantly affected egg mass, hen-day egg production rate, hen-house egg production rate, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, damaged egg ratio (P < 0.05), egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, yolk color index, albumen ratio, yolk ratio, and shell ratio (P < 0.001). The higher egg mass, egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell thickness (P < 0.001), dirty egg ratio (P < 0.01), and lower FCR, yolk color index (P < 0.01), shell ratio (P < 0.01) were found in the FLO group when compared to the LED group (P < 0.05). Highest body weight was found in cage tier I at 45 weeks of age (P < 0.001). Level of cage tier significantly affected 50% egg production age, egg mass, hen-day egg production rate, hen-house egg production rate, and dirty egg ratio (P < 0.01). Level of cage tier significantly affected 5% egg production age, FCR, and shape index (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the hens in the FLO group were better than the LED group in terms of some production and egg quality traits.

Reproductive and Productive Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cows (Zebu × HF) Under Small and Medium Scale Dairy Farmers Management System in Amanuel Town, Ethiopia

Evaluations of the productive and reproductive performances of crossbred dairy cows were carried out in Amanuel town Ethiopia under small scale and medium scale dairy farms. To collect data from 102 (60 small and 42 medium) dairy scale farms, a cross- sectional study were employed via structured questionnaires. To assess the reproductive performance of the dairy cows, age at first services (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), number of service per conception (NSPC) were utilized as an indicator traits. In addition, lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL) were considered as an indicator of the productive performance traits. To study the variation on the measured traits the collected data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. As reported by the respondents, the overall mean value of AFS, AFC, DO, CI and NSC were 16.46 ± 0.35 months, 25.43 ± 0.36 months, 81.62 ± 0.26 days, 12.95 ± 0.20 months and 1.81 ± 0.048, respectively and their LL and LMY were 7.49 ± 0.13 months, 1685.95 ± 8.50 litres, respectively. There was significant difference (p&lt;0.1) between small and medium scale dairy farm in AFS and LMY. Managemental differences (shortage of feed, inadequate health care, weak AI service, poor market linkage) are the major limitations for low productivity of both small and medium scale dairy farms in the sample area. Keywords: Crossbred, Reproductive and productive traits, Small and medium scale dairy farms DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-19-07 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Dietary levels of energy and protein on productive performance and carcass traits of growing female Mexican hairless pigs

The Mexican hairless pig (MHP) is a slow-growing pig with an obese genotype and nutritional requirements which are different from those of pigs with lean genotypes. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) levels in the diet of female MHP during the growth period (10–25 kg). Forty five growing females with initial body weight of 12.05 ± 2.43 kg were randomly distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (n = 5) to evaluate the productive performance. When the animals reached the desired weight of 25 kg, three animals of each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered for evaluation of carcass traits and commercial cuts. The main factors were three levels of ME (2,800, 3,000, and 3200 kcal of ME/kg) and three levels of CP (180, 200, and 220 g of CP kg−1). Animals were individually housed in elevated cages (1.0 × 0.70 m) and provided with a feeder and a nipple drinker. Feed was offered ad libutum. There was no significant (P > 0.10) interaction between energy and protein levels on any of the variables evaluated. Females consuming feed with 3200 kcal of ME/kg had the greatest (P < 0.05) daily weight gain (336 g) and reached the desirable slaughter weight in shorter time (39.87 d) with lower feed consumption (38.97 kg) and better feed conversion (2.92 kg:1 kg). Carcass yield, backfat thickness and commercial cuts were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments. It´s conclude that the optimal levels of ME and CP in the diet of growing female MHP are 3200 kcal EM and 180 g PC per kg of feed.