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The study aimed to determine the effect of the use of insect meal in the diet of pheasants in aviary breeding on anatomical and morphological traits which can affect their survival in natural conditions and their suitability for introduction. The study consisted of measurements of the weight and length of selected body parts of pheasants (hens and cocks) from two groups – control and experimental. The control group consisted of 15 individuals (7 cocks and 8 hens) fed a traditional diet, and the experimental group comprised 15 birds (7 cocks and 8 hens) receiving a diet supplemented with insect meal. The weight of the following body parts was measured: body, carcass, breast muscles, whole thighs, thigh muscles, drumstick muscles, drumstick and thigh bones, heart, liver, stomach muscle, and head. The length of the spur (left), whole leg, humerus, forearm, femur, tibia, and sternum was also measured. The use of insect meal contributed to increased leg muscle weight, which should be regarded as a positive trait in this species, given the threat of predation in natural conditions.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of replacing soybean meal with insect meal on the body weight and the chemical composition of selected muscle groups of common pheasant females and males, including the mineral composition and the amino acid profile of the thigh and breast muscles. The study was conducted on three feeding groups, namely one control and two experimental groups. In the control group, plant feed components were used, which are commonly used to feed pheasants in confined breeding facilities. In the experimental groups, 100 g (group II) and 200 g (group III) portions of insect meal were introduced instead of the plant-protein components. The experiment used a preparation of insect larvae (Hermetia illucens) containing approximately 52% crude protein. The pheasant diet supplementation applied contributed to an increase in the proportion of muscles in the carcasses, with the highest effectiveness obtained for a 20% addition of insect meal. Lower and significant differences were noted in the feed conversion by birds from the experimental groups, as compared to the control group. The chemical composition of the birds’ muscles also changed. The experimental groups exhibited higher protein and fat contents and a lower water content. No significant changes in the amino acid profile or the mineral composition of the muscles were noted. The few exceptions concerned the methionine levels in both muscle groups and the isoleucine levels in the breast muscles. In most cases, the mineral composition did not vary significantly (p < 0.05). When supplementing the diet of breeding pheasants for improving meatiness, a 20% addition of insect meal is recommended, which affects the production effect of this trait while reducing feed consumption and maintaining the fatty acid profile.

Ducks (Anatinae) play a crucial role in wetland ecosystems, contributing to seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. This study investigates the skeletal adaptations of three duck species: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), and Green-Winged Teal (Anas crecca). The focus is on the tibiotarsus and humerus bones to understand how these adaptations support their different locomotion and habitat preferences. Bone samples n = 6 of deceased ducks (both male and female) from each species (for a total of 36 samples) were cleaned and measured for length, weight, and density. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), and mechanical properties like yield force and stiffness were tested using a 3-point bending test. The results show significant differences in body weight, bone weight, and bone length among the species, with Mallards being the largest and Teals the smallest. Male Teals displayed higher relative bone weight (RBW) in their tibia compared to male Mallards, and male Mallards had significantly lower RBW in the humerus compared to the other species. Female Teals had higher RBW than the other species. Teals also exhibited much lower BMD in the tibia, whereas female Mallards had lower BMD in the humerus. The Seedor index revealed that male Mallards had the highest values in the tibia, while female Teals had the lowest. Mechanical testing indicated that Teals had lower yield force and breaking force in the tibia, whereas Mallards showed the highest stiffness in both bones. Tufted Ducks had intermediate values, consistent with their diving behaviour. These findings suggest that the Mallard’s robust bones support its adaptability to various environments and diverse locomotion and foraging strategies. The Teal’s lighter and less dense bones facilitate rapid flight and agility in shallow wetlands. The Tufted Duck’s intermediate bone characteristics reflect its specialization in diving, requiring a balance of strength and flexibility. Understanding these skeletal differences may provide valuable insights into the evolutionary biology and biomechanics of these species, aiding in their conservation and enhancing our knowledge of their roles in wetland ecosystems. By exploring the functional morphology of these ducks, this study aims to shed light on the biomechanical mechanisms that underpin their locomotion and foraging behaviours.

The study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 75% of inorganic calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with organic forms (glycine chelates of these elements) with or without the addition of l-carnitine on some reproductive traits and the blood lipid and mineral profile, as well as mineral and fatty acid profile of pheasant egg yolk. The study was performed on three groups of pheasant hens using glycine chelates with calcitriol (group II) or analogical treatment with the addition of l-carnitine at the level of 100 mg/kg of feed (group III) instead of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn salts (control). The replacement of inorganic forms with glycinates contributed to an increase in the number of laid eggs with a concomitant lower share of rejected eggs. The supplementation of organic forms of minerals improved mineral absorption and bioavailability in blood serum as well as in the egg yolk of experimental groups. Egg yolk fat was characterized by a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a favorable ratio of PUFA ω-3/ω-6. The proposed nutritional supplementation of the pheasant’s diet might be a good strategy for increasing the nutritional reserves of poultry and improving their reproduction.

Cel pracy: W pracy przedstawiono podstawowe zasady opiniowania sądowego w sytuacjach postrzeleń ludzi lub zwierząt na polowaniach z broni długiej o lufach gwintowanych, w tym postrzeleń ze skutkiem śmiertelnym. Materiał i metody: Opinie takie wydawane są w oparciu o zgromadzony materiał dowodowy oraz wiedzę biegłego z zakresu broni i amunicji, balistyki jak również z zakresu medycyny anatomopatologicznej. Wyniki: Tego rodzaju kompleksowe analizy pozwalają na wydanie szczegółowej, a zarazem precyzyjnej opinii jako szczególnego środka dowodowego, mającego najistotniejsze znaczenie w przebiegu całego postępowania procesowego. Dlatego też niezmiernie ważnym jest właściwe zabezpieczenie materiału dowodowego w postaci pocisku lub jego fragmentów i konfrontacji tych elementów z oceną rany postrzałowej, a przede wszystkim kształtu i rozmiaru kanału postrzałowego oraz chwilowej jamy postrzałowej. Tego rodzaju postępowania są dość skomplikowane, gdyż wymagają od biegłego szerokiego spektrum wiedzy, dlatego też niejednokrotnie celem rozwikłania skomplikowanej materii będącej przedmiotem opiniowania, zachodzi konieczność wydania opinii nawet przez kilku biegłych. Konkluzja: Opiniowanie sądowe w sprawach dotyczących postrzału, w tym ze skutkiem śmiertelnym, wymaga od biegłego interdyscyplinarnej wiedzy specjalistycznej. Wszelkie analizy w tym zakresie oparte powinny być o ekspertyzę balistyczną w aspekcie oceny rany postrzałowej. Połączenie tych dwóch elementów warunkuje wydanie obiektywnej i niebudzącej wątpliwości interpretacyjnych opinii.

Lagomorphs, which include hares, rabbits, and pikas, are herbivorous animals renowned for their exceptional running abilities. The femur, the largest and strongest bone in their bodies, plays a crucial role in supporting their weight and facilitating movement. This study aimed to investigate the structural and functional changes in the femora of hares during their development in a sex-dependent manner, and the influence of aging on femur structure and function. Various mechanical properties, including stiffness and strength, as well as densitometry and morphology, were evaluated. The study was conducted on n = 24 hares collected from a hunting district in the Lublin region of Poland and divided into four groups: young females, adult females, young males and adult males (n = 6 animals each). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), and a three-point bending test was performed to assess mechanical properties. The findings revealed age-related differences in bone properties, with adult males exhibiting increased BMC, and BMD compared to young males. Geometrical properties of the femora mid-diaphysis, such as cortical index and cross-sectional area, remained relatively unchanged during maturation. Regarding mechanical properties, the femora of young males exhibited higher elastic work compared to those of young females, while the femora of adult males exhibited higher elastic and breaking work than those of adult females. The stiffness of femora was higher in adult females compared to young females. The results provide insights into the development and aging of hare femora and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between bone mechanical properties, musculoskeletal system, and aging in the wild. This knowledge can inform animal husbandry practices in captivity and enhance our broader understanding of the ecological functions of lagomorphs.

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the duration of the mating season and the time of day on the parameters of the vocalization pheasants (duration of vocalization, frequency of the sound wave, intervals between vocalizations). In the study, pheasant vocalization recorded in the morning (600–800) and in the afternoon (1600–1800) between April and June 2020 was analyzed. In total, the research material consisted of 258 separate vocalizations. After recognition of the individual songs of each bird, frequency-time indicators were collected from the samples to perform statistical analysis of the recorded sounds. The duration of the first syllable [s], the duration of the second syllable [s], the duration of the pause between the syllables [s], the intervals between successive vocalizations [min], and the peak frequency of the syllables I and II [Hz] were specified for each song. The duration of the syllables and the pauses between the syllables and vocalizations were determined through evaluation of spectrograms. The peak amplitude frequencies of the syllables were determined via time-frequency STFT analysis. Statistically significant differences in the distributions of the values of all variables between the analyzed months were demonstrated. The longest duration of total vocalization and the shortest time between vocalizations were recorded in May. Therefore, this month is characterized by the highest frequency and longest duration of vocalization, which is related to the peak of the reproductive period. The time of day was found to exert a significant effect on all variables except the duration of syllable II. The duration of vocalization was significantly shorter in the morning, which indicates that the cooks are more active at this time of day in the study area. The highest peak amplitude frequencies of both syllables were recorded in April, but they decreased in the subsequent months of observation. The time of day was also shown to have an impact on the peak amplitude frequencies, which had the highest values in the morning.

European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is one of the main causes of mortality in brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Europe. Since the mid-1990s, this highly lethal and contagious plague has been widespread in many European countries, contributing to a drastic decline in the number of free-living and farmed hares. A second lagovirus, able to infect some species of hares is rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) recognised in 2010, a new viral emergence of RHDV (GI.1) which is known to be responsible for haemorrhagic disease in rabbits—RHD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current EBHS epidemiological situation on the basis of the presence of antibodies to European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) and anti-RHDV2 antibodies in sera collected from free-ranging hares in Central and Southeastern Poland in 2020–2021. Additionally, studies on the presence of EBHSV and RHDV2 antigens or their genetic material in the blood and internal organs taken from brown hares between 2014–2021 have been carried out. The results of the serological examination showed nearly 88% of tested blood samples were positive for EBHSV antibodies. No EBHSV was identified in the examined hares using virological and molecular tests. The positive results of EBHS serological studies confirmed the circulation and maintenance of EBHSV in free-living brown hares in Poland. However, no serological, virological or molecular evidence was obtained indicating that the brown hares tested had been in contact with RHDV2.

We developed an algorithm to classify brown hares into two age classes, juveniles (up to 1 year old) and adults (over 1 year old), based on body weight, which can be determined by both the examination of live animals and postmortem analysis. Considering the strong correlation between lens weight and carcass weight, we assumed that hares could be classified into one of the two age groups based only on carcass weight, using a logistic regression model. Using logistic regression, a model was constructed to assess the age of hares based on their body weight. For comparison with the current age-assessment method based on the dry lens weight, a logistic regression classifying the hares based on the dry lens weight was performed as well. The results of the study facilitated the development of a method to classify hares into age groups based on body weight. The proposed approach is innovative, as it allows for the determination of the age of not only culled (postmortem) but also live hares. The method is easy and does not require laboratory tests; hence, the results can be used immediately following evaluation. This method allows hares to be categorized into two age groups (juveniles and adults). With an accuracy of 97.52% and 95.45% in the case of juvenile and adult hares, respectively, the proposed approach can be widely used both in population management and scientific research.

This study analyzed the effects of partial replacing of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu salts with glycine chelates on the measures of bones health in 16-week-old captive-reared male pheasants, allocated to one of the three experimental groups supplemented with Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu in forms of inorganic salts (the control group) or groups receiving from the ninth week 25% and 50% of supplemented elements as glycine chelates. At the end of rearing birds receiving chelates were heavier (p < 0.001) and their tibia showed an increase of numerous mechanical parameters: yield and ultimate force (p = 0.028, p < 0.001, respectively), stiffness (p = 0.007), Young modulus (p < 0.001), compared to the control animals. The bones of birds receiving chelates in 50% were also heavier (p < 0.001) and longer (p = 0.014), with thinner cortical bone in midshaft (p = 0.027) and thicker proximal trabeculae (p < 0.001) compared to the control. While both doses of chelates increased mineral density in midshaft (p = 0.040), bone content of Cu and Zn decreased (p = 0.025, p < 0.001, respectively). The content of immature collagen in cancellous bone and articular cartilage increased in groups receiving chelates (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, glycine chelates probably enhanced development of the skeletal system in male pheasants as bones were denser and more resistant to mechanical damage.