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This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of selenium sources on egg and hatching traits of native Aseel chicken. Selenium-treated 21-weeks-aged 84 pullets and 12 cockerels from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties (21 pullets and 3 cockerels per variety) were divided into three treatment groups A, B and C (7 pullets and 1 cockerel per group). Group A and B were experimental and C was control. Ration for group A was included 0.3 mg/kg Se-yeast, B was included 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite and C with No selenium. Se-yeast supplementation presented increased egg weight, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh units; enhanced egg length, breadth, volume, shape index and surface area; decreased dead germ%, dead in shell%, clear egg% and enhanced hatchability%, the hatch of fertile% and chick weight. Present study concluded that Se-yeast is a superior supplement in improving egg quality, geometry and hatching features of indigenous Aseel varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment to test the selenium impact on body measurements of Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties of Aseel was conducted. A total of 240 three-weeks-aged birds were selected and divided into four groups, 60 birds per variety (30♁ + 30♂). These birds were subdivided into three treatment groups A, B, and C with 10 birds from each sex. Birds of group A were fed the diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg Se-yeast, B with 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite and C with No selenium. Improved body measurements in the birds fed Se-yeast included diet were recorded compared to those received sodium selenite incorporated or control diet. Interaction of varieties and selenium sources presented increased breast width, keel length, wing spread, shank length, shank circumference, drumstick length and drumstick circumference in the birds of Lakha got Se-yeast supplemented diet. The study concluded that Se-yeast was more effective in enhancing body measurements of Aseel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hundred-forty 3-weeks-old Aseel birds from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties of indigenous Aseel were chosen (60 birds/variety, 30 males and 30 females) to evaluate the influence of selenium supplements on growth performance. The birds of either sex were divided according to randomized complete block design into A, B and C treatment groups (10 birds/treatment); A and B were experimental, while C was control. Se-enriched yeast (organic selenium) and sodium selenite (inorganic selenium) were supplemented @ 0.3 mg/kg in the basal diets of group A and B, respectively, while, group C was fed without additional selenium. Birds were maintained individually in battery cages from 4-21 weeks. Statistically, the results showed the reduced (P>0.05) feed intake, while enhanced (P≤0.05) nutrient utilization for dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and ash; superior feed conversion ratio; higher live final body weight; lower (P≤0.05) mortality and rearing cost in Se-enriched yeast fed birds, chiefly in the males of Lakha variety than those received sodium selenite supplemented or control diet. The study concluded that the organic selenium supplement (Se-enriched yeast) had a major influence in improving the overall growth performance of Aseel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study to examine the impact of selenium forms on productive traits and egg selenium deposition in Aseel was conducted. A total of 96 selenium-treated 21-week-aged Aseel birds were used, 84 females (1726.25 ± 121.65 g) and 12 males (1973.17 ± 182.84 g) from Lakha, Mushki, Peshaweri and Mianwali varieties. Birds were distributed into four experimental groups (21 females and 3 males/variety), further subdivided into three treatment groups A, B and C with 8 birds each, 7 females and 1 male (4 varieties ×3 Se treatments ×8 birds/treatment). Group A and B were the experimental while, C was a control group. Ration for the birds of group A included 0.3 ppm Se-enriched yeast, group B with 0.3 ppm sodium selenite, while, group C received a basal ration containing no selenium. Experimental birds were maintained separately in battery cages from 22 to 42 weeks. The pullets received Se-enriched yeast (organic source of selenium) supplemented ration gained the sexual maturity earlier (168.61 ± 0.64 d) and represented increased (p ≤ .05) body weight (1973.56 ± 3.43 g); egg production (38.17 ± 1.27%); egg mass (112.52 ± 2.63 g); FCR/dozen eggs (3.26 ± 0.06); FCR/kg egg mass (6.77 ± 0.23) and the selenium contents in the whole egg (11.70 ± 0.01 μg), in egg yolk (8.31 ± 0.01 μg) and in egg albumen (3.33 ± 0.01 μg). It is concluded that Se-enriched yeast is more potent than sodium selenite and is a key supplement used to improve production performance and egg-selenium status of Aseel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]