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The incidence of non-infectious skeletal disorders has been reported to increase over the past decade. Both genetic selection and rearing conditions cause skeletal disorders in the broilers. The ra...

Layer hybrids are more superior in the egg yield than pure breeds. But this superiority causes some problems in the bones during the production period. There are a lot of differences among genotypes in the production period that have been examined extensively, however, the differences throughout incubation period aren’t known yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in femur properties of pure breed and layer hybrid embryos during the incubation period. A total of 354 fresh hatching eggs were used from one hybrid (Lohman White) and two pure breeds (Denizli & Gerze). The eggs were incubated. Hatching eggs from each genotype at the beginning of embryonic days (E) 19 and E21 were examined. At these embryonic ages, 12 eggs were selected from each genotype. The eggs were opened and embryos were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Both femurs were dissected from each embryo and then structure, mineral composition and mechanical properties of femur were determined. The genotype affected the length, width and Zn level in the femur of embryos. Weight, length, width, load of yield and ultimate, ash and all examined minerals increased with embryonic development. These results showed that some femur properties of embryos were influenced by the genotype and layer hybrid embryos are beginning to be advantageous in terms of Zn level in the femur at E21. This study leads to better understanding femur development during the incubation period in layer hybrid and pure breeds.

Pekin ducks are easily reared in a wide range of conditions. As waterfowl, the growth, digestive system and visual perception of Pekin ducks are different to chickens. Generally, ducks are raised f...

Factors involved in light management of poultry include source, intensity, duration, uniformity and wavelength (light colour) of light. Research trials have examined the effects of short (blue and green) and long wavelengths (orange and red) on animal welfare, body weight gain, and egg productions in chickens, quail, turkeys, geese and ducks. Blue or green illuminations have a positive effect on body weight and red or white are beneficial to the production of eggs in chickens and quail. During the pre- and post-maturity periods of turkeys, blue light was preferred in the pre-maturity period, whereas the red or white light was better for the post-maturity period. Any noticeable change has not been observed within the body weight gain among the geese under different coloured light; whereas white-coloured light has played an important role in their egg production and semen quality. Positive results have been seen for body weight gain by exposure to red and white light in ducks. The available literature shows that different wavelengths can have positive or negative effects on welfare, body weight gain and egg production of the poultry.

WOS: 000463240000014, PubMed: 30476277, Many bedding materials have been tested in broiler industry for their suitability. However, little knowledge is available regarding the usage of different bedding materials supplemented with sepiolite and their effects on animal performance and final product quality. For this purpose, a total of 288 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into two types of bedding materials (wood shavings and rice hulls). Each bedding material group was divided into 3 subgroups: control with 0% sepiolite, 25%-sepiolite group, and 50%-sepiolite group. Each sub-group was placed in 6 pens with 8 chicks per pen. The effects of bedding materials and sepiolite additions on slaughter yields and some meat quality parameters in broilers were evaluated. Slaughter parameters including hot carcass yield and relative weights of thigh and breast meat, heart, liver, gizzard and bursa Fabricius in broilers were not affected by bedding materials and sepiolite additions (P > 0.05). Also, no significant differences were observed among experimental groups for cooking loss and nutritional profile of breast and thigh meat of broilers (P > 0.05). The freshly measured pH(0) of breast and thigh meats was significantly affected by the bedding material and was higher for wood shavings group (P < 0.01). Breast and thigh meats of broilers reared on rice hulls were lighter (P < 0.01), less red, and less yellow in color than those reared on wood shavings, whereas no effect of sepiolite additions was observed on the color of both meat cuts. No substantial effect of bedding material and sepiolite additions was observed on white stripping; however, their occurrence rate found was very high for meat of broilers reared on rice hulls than those reared on wood shavings (P > 0.05). In conclusion, broilers reared on either wood shavings or rice hulls with or without sepiolite additions did not show any negative effects on slaughter yields and meat quality parameters. Furthermore, sepiolite can be an option as a bedding material for broiler industry, but further research with thorough economic analysis is required.

Pure breeds are important due to the fact that they adapt well to poor husbandry conditions. However, gene expression of digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters of pure breeds and layer hybrids have not been studied yet. Therefore, this study was directed to detect the gene expression of digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters in the yolk sac membrane and small intestine of the embryos in layer hybrid and pure breeds. A total of 354 hatching eggs were collected from 29 wk old Denizli, Gerze and Lohman White (LW) breeder flocks. Twelve eggs from each genotype were selected at embryonic day 19 (E19) and day 21 (E21). APN, SI, PepT1, EAAT3, CAT1, B0AT, SGLT1 and GLUT5 mRNA expressions were evaluated in the yolk sac membrane (YSM) and small intestine of the embryos from different genotypes. Expressions of APN and EAAT3 in the small intestine of Denizli embryo were upregulated from E19 to E21. B0AT, PepT1 and SGLT1 expressions were upregulated in the small intestine of pure breed and layer hybrid embryos with increasing embryonic age. SI expression in the small intestine of the LW embryos was upregulated from E19 to E21. APN, B0AT and EAAT3 expressions in the YSM of Denizli embryos were dowregulated from E19 to E21. EAAT3 and SGLT1 expressions in the YSM of Gerze embryos were upregulated at E21 and compared to E19. Taken together, our results indicate that genotype and embryonic age influenced the expression of digestive enzymes and nutrient transporter genes in the small intestine and YSM of embryos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparison of different brown and white layers in embryonic development and uptake of nutrients in the egg. A total of 360 fertilized eggs obtained from two brown (Atak-S and Brown Nick) and two white (Atabey and Nick) layer breeders at 28 wk old. Hatching eggs from each genotype were examined on the day of setting for fresh egg analysis and then at the beginning of the embryonic day (E19) and embryonic day (E21) for egg, embryo and villus analysis. Differences in egg weight, shell percentages, relative weight of yolk and albumen, relative weight and length of embryo, villus height, some values of shell, yolk and albumen and relative chick weight in examined hybrids were significant. Yolk sac utilization of embryos during the incubation in the white layer hybrids was greater than that in the brown layer hybrids. Villus heights in the duodenum, jejenum and ileum of embryos in the brown layer hybrids was greater than that in the white layer hybrids. Genotype is important parameter to determine the egg composition at the same age and in animals being fed the same diet. It was observed that the consumption of yolk and shell nutrients from the embryos during the incubation was not related to whether embryos were from the brown or white layer hybrids. Only uptake of the yolk sac and villus height in the embryo among examined variables varied depending on whether the embryos were from the brown or white layer hybrids.

The litter quality is an important factor affecting the performance, welfare and carcass quality of the broilers. Depending on the progress of the fattening duration, some materials may be added to the litter in order to keep the pH, moisture and ammonia levels in the litter under control. Sepiolite is a natural material and it has strong absorbing ability to the water. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of sepiolite additions to different litter materials on performance and some welfare parameters of broilers and litter characteristics. A total of 288 1-d-old male broiler chicks (ROSS-308) were used. Birds were randomly allocated to 2 litters (wood shavings and rice hull) and 3 sepiolite groups (0, 25, 50%) with 6 replication, and each pen contains 8 chicks. Fattening performance, IgG, tonic immobility period, feather score, skin injures, breast burns, and footpad burns of broilers were not affected significantly by sepiolite additions to the litter. However, sepiolite addition to the litter can improve litter quality. There was no significant difference between 2 litter materials because both have same color. There were no significant interactions in examined parameters. In conclusion, addition of sepiolite at 25 and 50% levels to litter materials may be used as a litter material in the broiler production without adverse welfare and performance problem.

Yumurtacı tavukları ve üreticileri etkileyen zenginleştirilmiş kafeslere olan ilgi artmaktadır. Yumurta kalite özellikleri ekonomik öneme sahiptir. Bu nedenle bu araştırmanın amacı geleneksel ve zenginleştirilmiş kafeslerde barındırılan iki yumurtacı hibritte farklı yaşlarda yumurta kalite özelliklerini araştırmaktır. Toplam 532 Lohmann Kahverengi (LB) ve 532 Lohmann Beyaz (LW) yumurtacı tavuk 16 haftalık yaştan 73 haftalık yaşa kadar geleneksel ve zenginleştirilmiş kafeslerde barındırıldı. Yumurta kalite özelliklerinin incelenmesi için 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 ve 70 haftalık yaşlarda saat 8.00-10.00 arasında her bir genotip ve kafes grubundan 28 yumurta rastgele seçildi. Bu amaçla toplam 672 yumurta kullanıldı. Yumurta ağırlığı, şekil indeksi, kırılma mukavemeti, kabuk kalınlığı, ak indeksi, sarı indeksi ve Haugh birimi belirlendi. Geleneksel kafeste yetiştirilen tavukların yumurtasında sarı indeksi, ak indeksi ve Haugh birimi zenginleştirilmiş kafeste yetiştirilenlerinkine göre daha düşük bulundu. Yumurta ağırlığı, şekil indeksi ve kabuk kalınlığının kahverengi yumurtacılardan elde edilen yumurtalarda daha yüksek olduğu görüldü. Yumurtacı tavukların yaşı, incelenen tüm yumurta kalite özelliklerini etkiledi. Sonuç olarak, zenginleştirilmiş kafesler ak indeksi, sarı indeksi ve Haugh birimini arttırmıştır ve kafes tipi, hibrit ve yaş arasındaki interaksiyonlar yumurta kalitesi bakımından dikkate alınmalıdır Interest has been increasing about enriched cages affecting the laying hens and the producers. Egg quality traits are important for economic impact. Whence, the purpose of this study was to determine the differences in egg quality traits of two laying hybrids reared in conventional and enriched cages at different ages. 532 Lohmann Brown Classic (LB) and 532 Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) hens were kept from 16 to 73 weeks in either conventional cages or enriched cages. Twenty eight eggs were selected randomly from each hybrid and cage group at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 wk of ages at from 08.00 to 10.00 o’clock to evaluate egg quality traits. For this aim, a total of 672 eggs were used. Egg weight, shape index, breaking strength, shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh Unit were determined. Yolk index, albumen index and Haugh Unit in eggs of hens were reared in conventional cages were lower than those of in enriched cages. Egg weight, shape index and shell thickness were higher in eggs laid by LB hens. Layer age was affected all examined egg quality parameters. Consequently, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh Unit were enhanced by the enrichment of the cages and interactions among cage type, hybrid and layer age should be taken for the egg quality traits

Onbasilar, Ebru/0000-0002-1321-0280; ARIKAN, Mehmet Saltuk/0000-0003-4862-1706; UNAL, NECMETTIN/0000-0001-5250-7063 WOS: 000393748200007 This review provides a comparative analysis on the unenriched and alternative cage systems used in commercial egg production as required by the directive (99/74/EC) of the EU Council on animal welfare in terms of technical performance indicators, distribution of cost items, egg sales revenue, and profitability. Unenriched (conventional) cages are commonly used in Turkey. However these cages don't provide for the laying hens natural needs. The comparison was taken from data regarding Lohmann Brown Classic and Lohmann LSL Classic laying hybrids kept in two caging systems. The rearing period was composed of 399 days starting when 16-week-old commercial pullets were put into unenriched and alternative cage systems and ending at the end of their 73rd weeks of age when laying hens were removed from production. The average shares of the some important cost items in the total cost in the production period were calculated to be as follows for unenriched and alternative cage systems, respectively: pullet 22.17% and 21.17%; feed 61.31% and 58.29%; labour 2.67% and 2.55%; veterinary and health 0.74% and 0.98%; egg packaging 3.23% and 3.48%; maintenance and repair expenses 1.50% and 2.29%; and depreciation costs 5.48% and 8.35%. The average cost of producing one egg was found to be 0.094 US$ and 0.097 US $, respectively. It was determined that investment costs in alternative cage systems was 14.93% higher and the production cost per hen was 2.03% higher than that in unenriched cage systems. In Turkey, on January 1, 2023, all systems will be converted to alternative cages. Investment amounts and production costs for the alternative cage systems are very important in this transformation process. Therefore the present review is to examine the available information on the production data of laying hens reared in the unenriched and alternative cages and to make economic feasibility conclusions under Turkey conditions.

WOS: 000411218900011, PubMed: 28938781, Because of consumers' preferences and also due to changes in production systems, the importance of pure breeds has increased again. There are a lot of differences among breeds which have been studied extensively, however, the differences during the incubation period are not yet fully known. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the composition of the egg parts, absorption of nutrients, and development of embryos from different genotypes. A total of 354 fresh hatching eggs were obtained from one hybrid (Lohman White, LW) and two pure breeds (Denizli and Gerze). Hatching eggs from each genotype were examined on the day of setting for egg analysis and then at the beginning of the embryonic d 19 (E19) and embryonic d 21 (E21) for egg, embryo, jejunum, and tibia analysis. On d 21 of incubation, the healthy chicks were removed and weighed. Egg weight, shell thickness, percentages of albumen, and some parameters of albumen composition (dry matter, water, ash, protein, energy, Na, Ca, K, and Mg) were higher in fresh eggs obtained from LW hens. Furthermore, the relative yolk sac and embryo weight, some yolk parameters (dry matter, water, protein, fat, and energy) and some shell parameters (dry matter, ash, Na, Ca, and K) were also higher in eggs obtained from LW hens during incubation. However, tibia deformation and villus width were lower in LW embryos than the other genotypes. Relative chick weights were 68.9, 72.0, and 68.0% in LW, Denizli, and Gerze genotypes, respectively. During incubation, differences in all examined parameters were significant except thickness and weight of shell, tibia deformation, and crypt depth. Yolk sac weight, some yolk composition parameters, K level in the shell, Cu level in the tibia, and villus height were also affected by genotype and period interaction. Based on these results, LW was found advantageous in terms of egg composition, however, regarding villus development and tibia deformation in embryos during incubation, pure breeds showed better results., TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110O933], This study was supported by TUBITAK Fund (Project No: 110O933).