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Egg has valuable nutrients however; these nutrients may be affected by many factors. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of cage type, oviposition time and egg storage period on egg quality characteristics of laying hens. A total of 410 eggs were collected from unenriched and enriched cages in the morning and in the afternoon. After the eggs were weighed, they were stored at 21oC and 20% relative humidity until the 30th day of storage. It was determined that unenriched cage eggs had higher in shell breaking strength, albumen ash and pH & lipid of yolk and lower egg weight loss, yolk index & yolk color compared with enriched cage eggs. Morning eggs had the highest egg weight loss and the lowest egg weight, yolk height and yolk diameter. Dry matter & protein of albumen and dry matter & lipid of yolk were lower, while protein of yolk was higher in the morning eggs than those in the afternoon. It was observed that the storage period was important factor for egg quality characteristics. The effect of oviposition time and storage period interaction on egg quality should not be neglected. Interactions between cage type and storage period and between oviposition time and storage period were found statistically significant for some chemical composition of albumen and yolk. It is concluded that A quality egg criteria are preserved up to 14 days at an average temperature of 21°C and 20% humidity.

Waste management is the protection of the environment and the health of the population. Paper waste sludge is produced during paper production and sepiolite is a natural clay mineral. The aim of the study was to investigate the usability of sepiolite-added paper waste sludge as a bedding material in the broiler production. Two hundred eighty-eight 1-day old male broiler chicks were divided into the 6 bedding material groups (wood shavings (control), paper waste sludge, sepiolite, mix of 25% paper waste sludge and 75% sepiolite, mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite, and mix of 75% paper waste sludge and 25% sepiolite) with 6 replicate pens per group. Litter quality, performance, and some welfare parameters of broilers were assessed during the 6 weeks’ period. Body weight at 42 days of age and body weight gain from 0 to 42 days of broilers reared on the wood shavings and mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite were found higher than those of the sepiolite and paper waste sludge groups. Feed consumption and feed to gain ratio from 0 to 42 days, yields of carcass and carcass parts, percentages of organs and abdominal fat, IgG, percentage of bursa Fabricius, burns of foot pad and breast, litter pH and meat properties of broilers reared on the wood shavings, paper waste sludge, and sepiolite litter groups were not found to be statistically different. Litter moisture was found higher in the paper waste sludge group than that in the sepiolite group at the 42 days of rearing. As a conclusion, usage of mix of 50% paper waste sludge and 50% sepiolite as a litter does not have any negative effects on performance, welfare, and litter quality. This result is important in terms of utilizing a waste product.

Kontakt dermatit, kanatlılarda yaygın görülen bir deri problemidir. Bu hastalık hayvan refahının belirlenmesinde önemli rol oynamaktadır. Üretici bakımından ise önemli ekonomik kayıplara yol açabilmektedir. Enfeksiyöz olmayan bu hastalık ayak tabanı (ayak tabanı yanığı), diz (diz yanığı) ve göğüsü (göğüs yanığı) etkilemektedir. Hastalığın ortaya çıkmasında; genotip, cinsiyet, canlı ağırlık, beslenme, bağırsak enfeksiyonları, altlık özellikleri ve kümes koşulları gibi pek çok faktör etkili olabilmektedir. Başlıca nedeni ise altlıktaki nem içeriğinin yüksek olmasıdır. Altlıktaki nem oranını etkileyen faktörler; altlığın türü, altlık derinliği, çevre sıcaklığı, havalandırma, nispi nem, suluk idaresi ve birim alandaki piliç yoğunluğu olarak sıralanabilmektedir. Genotip bu hastalığın ortaya çıkmasındaki diğer önemli faktördür. Hızlı büyüyen piliçlerde canlı ağırlık arttıkça yürüme yeteneğinde bozulmalar meydana gelmekte ve bu durum ayak tabanı ile diz yanık oranlarını artırmaktadır. Göğüs yanıkları ayrıca yüksek göğüs ağırlığı ve zayıf göğüs tüylenmesi ile ilişkilendirilebilmektedir. Kontakt dermatit etçi piliçlerde, hindilerde ve Pekin ördeklerinde tespit edilmiştir. Özellikle hindilerde görülme sıklığı etçi piliçlere göre daha fazla olmaktadır. Bununla birlikte altlıklı sistemde yetiştirilen yumurtacı tavuklar ile etçi piliç damızlıklarda da görülebilmektedir. Kontakt dermatitin önlenmesinde kümes içi koşullar ön plana çıkmaktadır. Refah kriterleri göz önüne alınarak yapılan kanatlı hayvan yetiştiriciliğinde, kontakt dermatit yaygınlığının azalacağı ön görülmektedir.

Bone problems are highly prevalent in laying hens. These problems affect the welfare, production and economic losses. Bone development begins in the embryonic period, and if the skeletal system develops well at that time, the subsequent production period can be affected positively. The present experiment aimed to investigate the effect of genotype on biomechanical parameters and composition of bone in the laying hen embryos. For this purpose, 360 fertilized eggs were obtained from two brown (Atak-S and Brown Nick) and two white (Atabey and Nick) layer breeders and incubated. Metatarsus, tibia and femur properties were examined on the embryonic d 19 and 21. Results showed that genotype played an important role in determining the biomechanical properties and mineral composition of the metatarsus, tibia and femur in the embryonic period. Examined bone characteristics improved with embryonic age. The least mineralization was observed in the metatarsus bone. In conclusion, bone properties were influenced from the genotype. However these differences were not related with laying hens being white or brown. The effect of the interaction between genotype and embryonic age on the bone properties should be considered., Yumurtacı tavuklarda kemik sorunları oldukça yaygındır. Bu sorunlar refahı, üretimi ve ekonomik kayıpları etkiler. Kemik gelişimi embriyonik dönemde başladığından bu dönemde iskelet sistemi iyi gelişirse, sonraki üretim periyodu olumlu yönde etkilenebilir. Bu çalışmada genotipin yumurtacı tavuk embriyolarında kemiğin biyomekanik özellikleri ve bileşimine etkisini incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla iki kahverengi (Atak-S ve Kahverengi Nick) ve iki beyaz (Atabey ve Nick) yumurtacı damızlıklardan elde edilen 360 adet döllü yumurta toplanmış ve inkübe edilmiştir. Embiyonik dönemin 19 ve 21. günlerinde metatarsus, tibia ve femur özellikleri incelenmiştir. Sonuçlar, embriyonik dönemde genotipin metatarsus, tibia ve femurun biyomekanik özellikleri ve mineral bileşiminde önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermiştir. Embriyonik yaşın artmasıyla incelenen kemik özellikleri iyileşmiştir. En az minerilizasyon metatarsus kemiğinde gözlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, kemik özellikleri genotipten etkilenmiştir. Fakat bu farklılıklar beyaz veya kahverengi yumurtacı tavuk olmasıyla ilişkili değildir. Genotip ve embriyonik yaş arasındaki etkileşimin kemik özellikleri üzerindeki etkisi dikkate alınmalıdır.

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...

The quality of egg shell and bone properties of hen are important for hen welfare, consumers, and producers. Parameters of the genetic selection have both desirable and undesirable effects among themselves. Until recently, it has been stated that the concept of shell quality is not only about breaking strength, thickness, and weight of shell, but also microscopic properties of the shell. In this study, the effect of index selection including age and weight at sexual maturity, number of eggs and egg weight on eggshell structures, hatching results, and hybrid performance was determined. Ninety Barred Rock 1 (BAR-1) and ninety Rhode Island Red 1 (RIR-1) hens and twenty RIR-1 cocks (46 weeks old) were used. BAR-1 and RIR-1 were classified according to the breeder index value as low and high. Egg quality characteristics, embryo development and hatching results were examined in eggs obtained from these lines. In the hybrid eggs with high breeder index, the thickness of the palisade layer, breaking strength, ash, and Ca level of the shell were lower and cone similarity and egg weight were higher than that with low breeder index. The breaking strength of the egg shell had a significantly positive correlation with the palisade layer thickness of the shell. In addition, the tibia weight of the high breeder index group was lower than that of the low breeder index group. Differences in femur and tibia weights in hybrids with low and high breeder index increased with age. A negative correlation was observed between hatchability and the thickness of the palisade layer. Further studies are needed to determine which selection programs positively affect the thickness of the palisade layer, the Ca level and the breaking strength of the shell, the number of broken eggs, and the tibia weight in layer hybrids.

The quality of egg shell and bone properties of hen are important for hen welfare, consumers, and producers. Parameters of the genetic selection have both desirable and undesirable effects among themselves. Until recently, it has been stated that the concept of shell quality is not only about breaking strength, thickness, and weight of shell, but also microscopic properties of the shell. In this study, the effect of index selection including age and weight at sexual maturity, number of eggs and egg weight on eggshell structures, hatching results, and hybrid performance was determined. Ninety Barred Rock 1 (BAR-1) and ninety Rhode Island Red 1 (RIR-1) hens and twenty RIR-1 cocks (46 weeks old) were used. BAR-1 and RIR-1 were classified according to the breeder index value as low and high. Egg quality characteristics, embryo development and hatching results were examined in eggs obtained from these lines. In the hybrid eggs with high breeder index, the thickness of the palisade layer, breaking strength, ash, and Ca level of the shell were lower and cone similarity and egg weight were higher than that with low breeder index. The breaking strength of the egg shell had a significantly positive correlation with the palisade layer thickness of the shell. In addition, the tibia weight of the high breeder index group was lower than that of the low breeder index group. Differences in femur and tibia weights in hybrids with low and high breeder index increased with age. A negative correlation was observed between hatchability and the thickness of the palisade layer. Further studies are needed to determine which selection programs positively affect the thickness of the palisade layer, the Ca level and the breaking strength of the shell, the number of broken eggs, and the tibia weight in layer hybrids.

One of the factors affecting the hatching results and chick quality is the implementation of an appropriate disinfection program with effective disinfectants. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of oregano juice as a disinfection of hatching layer eggs as an alternative to formaldehyde. In the study, 1800 eggs collected from 48-week old Akbay white layer breeders were used. Eggs were divided into 3 equal disinfection groups (fumigation with formaldehyde, 50% oregano juice, and 100% oregano juice). In the study, the characteristics of the eggshell, microbial load, embryo development, egg weight loss, hatching results, chick weight and quality, and performance in the first 2 weeks were determined. No differences were observed among the disinfection groups in egg shell characteristics, microbial load in the shell, hatchability of fertile and set eggs, embryonic deaths, and body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio in female chicks. Egg weight loss was higher (P 0.001) in the 50% oregano juice group (13.75%) compared to the formaldehyde fumigation group (12.11%). Chick quality score was found to be lower in the formaldehyde fumigation group (96.44) compared to the other two oregano juice groups (P 0.001). The chicks hatched from the eggs in the formaldehyde fumigation group consumed more feed (119 g/week) in the first 2 weeks (P 0.001). The use of 50% oregano juice in the disinfection of hatching eggs did not have any negative effects compared to the fumigation process with formaldehyde. Therefore, it is concluded that disinfection with 50% oregano juice was effective in reducing the microbial load in the egg shell as much as formaldehyde fumigation, and even it was superior in chick quality score.

As most of the unenriched cages will soon switch to enriched cages, it is important to characterize all the effects in the laying hens for sustainable production. Laying hens can be used in several production periods by applying molting. The aim of this study was to determine the cage type (unenriched and enriched) on performance, welfare, and microbiological properties of laying hens during the molting period and the second production cycle. Overall, 840 brown laying hybrids were used in the experiment. Laying hens were reared on two different cage types (unenriched cage (UEC) and enriched cage (EC)) in the same poultry house. When the hybrids were 75 weeks old, they were subjected to force molting with whole grain barley. Performance, welfare, microbiological, and serological data of laying hens were obtained from 73 to 107 weeks of age. Egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, breaking strength, albumen and yolk index, Haugh unit, feather condition, and breaking force of femur and metatarsus were better in the post-molting period. However, keel bone deformities and Newcastle disease virus antibody titers are the worst in the post-molting period. Stiffness of femur and metatarsus was increased with period. These results indicate that necessary precautions should be taken against the problems that may occur in the direction of bone and health. During the molting period, hens kept in EC had lower egg production but they returned to egg production at a high rate. EC type had a positive effect on egg production, feed conversion ratio, feather and foot condition, and breaking force of metatarsus.

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.

As most of the unenriched cages will soon switch to enriched cages, it is important to characterize all the effects in the laying hens for sustainable production. Laying hens can be used in several production periods by applying molting. The aim of this study was to determine the cage type (unenriched and enriched) on performance, welfare, and microbiological properties of laying hens during the molting period and the second production cycle. Overall, 840 brown laying hybrids were used in the experiment. Laying hens were reared on two different cage types (unenriched cage (UEC) and enriched cage (EC)) in the same poultry house. When the hybrids were 75 weeks old, they were subjected to force molting with whole grain barley. Performance, welfare, microbiological, and serological data of laying hens were obtained from 73 to 107 weeks of age. Egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, breaking strength, albumen and yolk index, Haugh unit, feather condition, and breaking force of femur and metatarsus were better in the post-molting period. However, keel bone deformities and Newcastle disease virus antibody titers are the worst in the post-molting period. Stiffness of femur and metatarsus was increased with period. These results indicate that necessary precautions should be taken against the problems that may occur in the direction of bone and health. During the molting period, hens kept in EC had lower egg production but they returned to egg production at a high rate. EC type had a positive effect on egg production, feed conversion ratio, feather and foot condition, and breaking force of metatarsus.

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

WOS: 000334045600027, PubMed: 24570471, The current study was carried out to investigate the effects of breeder age on egg composition, changes of embryo, yolk sac, and yolk minerals during incubation and hatchability in Pekin ducks. A total of 495 freshly laid eggs were obtained from the same flock of Pekin ducks, aged 28, 34, and 40 wk, and were reared in accordance with the management guide of the duck breeders (Star 53-Grimaud Freres). At each breeder age, egg measurements were made on a random subsample of unincubated eggs. Embryo and yolk sac measurements were made on embryonic day (E) 12, E16, E20, and E25. On d 28 of incubation, the healthy ducklings were removed and sex of chicks was determined. All chicks were weighed and hatching results were determined. Egg weight and yolk percentages increased; however, albumen percentages, shell thickness, and yolk index decreased as the flock aged. Shell percentages, shell breaking strength, albumen index, and haugh units were not affected by breeder age. Also, breeder age affected the Mg, P, K, Ca, Cu, and Zn levels in the yolk, except for Na level on day of setting, and breeder age affected the mineral consumed by embryo during incubation. However, on E25, the levels of examined minerals, except for P level in the yolk sac, were not statistically different in duck breeder age groups. Relative yolk sac and embryo weights of eggs obtained from different breeder ages varied from E16 to E25; however, embryo length was different in breeder age groups from E12 to E20. Hatching weight was affected by breeder age and sex. Hatching results were not different among breeder age groups. This study indicates that breeder age is important for some egg characteristics, relative yolk sac weight, some contents of minerals in the yolk, embryonic growth during incubation, and duckling weight.

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).

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early feed restriction on performance, carcass characteristics, meat and liver composition, some blood parameters, H-L ratio, antibody titers against SRBC and tonic immobility duration in broilers. One hundred ninety male chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into two treatment groups each of 95 chicks. Broilers in one treatment fed ad libitum until 42 day of age, however in other treatment, broilers were deprived of feed for 4 h per day from 7 to 21 day. Body weight, feed consumption, feed to gain ratio, carcass characteristics and the percentage of examined organs except heart were not statistically significant in groups. Percentage of heart was higher (p < 0.05) in broilers fed ad libitum. At 41 d of age, H-L ratio (p < 0.05) and TI duration (p = 0.001) were higher, serum glucose (p < 0.05) and triglyceride (p < 0.001) levels were lower in broilers fed ad libitum. Chemical composition of breast and thigh and also fat and ash of liver were not affected by early feed restriction. Moisture of liver (p = 0.001) was lower and protein of liver (p < 0.01) was higher in broilers fed ad libitum

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two lighting programs (continuous lighting (CL) 24L:0D and intermittent lighting (IL) 1L:3D) on the broiler performance, carcass traits, incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), relative asymmetry (RA), duration of induced tonic immobility (TI), heterophils-lymphocytes ratio (H/L), serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The chicks were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups consisting of 100 chicks per treatment, continuous lighting (CL) 24L:0D or intermittent lighting (IL) 1L:3D. Each treatment consists of 5 replicates of 20 chicks. The experimental period was 6 weeks. Use of IL decreased feed to gain ratio, improved immune response and reduced fearful. Body weight, carcass traits, TD and stress parameters (organ weights, RA, H/L, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels) were not significant in different lighting groups. As a result IL was beneficial for producers and chickens than CL.

kocakaya, afsin/0000-0003-2023-8895; Onbasilar, Ebru/0000-0002-1321-0280; UNAL, NECMETTIN/0000-0001-5250-7063 WOS: 000353347100001 PubMed: 25667426 The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in production performance, use of nest box, and external appearance of 2 strains of laying hens kept in conventional and enriched cages. Lohmann Brown Classic (LB, n = 532) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW, n = 532) hens were housed from 16 to 73 wk in either conventional cages or enriched cages. Enriched cages had a nesting area, scratch pad, perch, and nail shortener. Body weight (BW), hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), cracked and dirty eggs, use of nest box for lay, and external appearance were determined. Laying period influenced the hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Cage type affected the hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio, while strain affected the egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Laying period x cage type and laying period x strain interactions affected egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. Both strains preferred to lay in the nest box. Percentages of cracked and dirty eggs of LW hens in enriched cages were higher than that in conventional cages. Most of the dirty eggs laid by both strains were found outside of the nest box. The LW hens laid more dirty eggs than the LB hens. Cage type and cage type x strain interaction were important for total feather score. Final claw length was affected by cage type, strain, and cage type x strain interaction. This study suggests that cage type, strain, and also cage type x strain and period x strain interactions should be considered when alternative housing systems are used. Ankara UniversityAnkara University [BAP-10A3338005] This study was supported by Ankara University (Grant No. BAP-10A3338005).

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder on the performance, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens. One hundred and sixty-two SHSY-type brown layers aged 21 weeks were chosen at random from a large flock. They were allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised six replicates of nine layers in groups of three. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g kg−1 garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 22 weeks. Garlic powder addition did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell index, egg breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index, egg Haugh unit, egg yolk weight and serum protein concentration. Egg weight increased (P < 0.01) with garlic powder supplementation. There was a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in egg cholesterol concentration as mg g−1 yolk when the dietary level of garlic powder was increased from 0 to 10 g kg−1. Hen serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.01) concentrations decreased with garlic powder supplementation. This study demonstrated that garlic powder addition increased egg weight and decreased egg yolk cholesterol concentration (mg g−1 yolk) and serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations without adverse effects on performance and egg traits. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of cage floor and cage density on stress parameters of laying hens. A total of 162 brown laying hens (Hyline Brown), aged 34 weeks, were used in the experiment. Compact-type battery cages, with three floors, were used. Hens were allocated as one, three or five hens in each of 18 cages to obtain three different cage density groups of 1968, 656 and 393.8 cm2 floor area per hen, respectively. The same number of cages with different cage density were allocated to three different battery floors (first floor=top, second=middle, third=bottom) systematically. Values for body weight, mortality rate, egg weight, egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol content, the levels of blood plasma corticosterone, serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides, the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H–L ratio), antibody titers, claw length score, foot health score, plumage score and throat skin injuries were taken as indicators of stress. The values for egg weight (P

Bu araştırma, rasyonlarda humat (farmagülatördryTM) ve probiyotik (proteksin™)kullanımınınbroylerlerde canlı ağırlık artışı, yem tüketimi,yemdenyararlanmatırmada toplam 285 adet günlük ticari Ross PM3 erkek broyler civciv kullanılmıştır.kontrol, 2 deneme olmak üzere toplam 3 grup halinde yürütülmüştür.Grupların her biri 19 adet civciv içeren beş alt gruba ayrılmıştır.Birinci ve:ikirici deneme grupları rasyonlarınatırma 42 gün sürdürülmüştür.oranı ve karkas randımanı bakımından2. deneme gruplarında ortalama canlı ağırlık artışları sırasıyla 2152.8, 2098.1 ve 2100.8 g, bir kg canlı ağırlık artışı için tüketilen yemmiktarları ise sırasıyla1.80, 1.80 ve 1.81 kg olarak belirlenmiştir.teksin ™ ilavesinin canlı ağırlık artışı, yem tüketimi, yemden yararlanma oranı ve karkas randımanı üzerine olumsuz bir etkisi gözlenmemiştir, This experimentwas carried out to determine the effects of the usage of humate (farmagulatorin broiler rations on live weight gain, feed consumption,dryTM) and probiotic (protexin™)285 daily Ross PM3 broiler male chicks were used in this experiment. They were divided into one control group and two treatmentgroups each containing 95 chicks. Each group was divided into five subgroups each containingsecOlıd treatmentgroups were supplementedperimental period lasted 42 days. At the end of the study there were no statistically differences among the groups in Iive weight, liveweight gain, feed consumption,groııps were found as 2152.8, 2098.1 and 2 i00.8 g, respectively during 42 days trial period. Feed consumptionper one kg live weightgain of groups during trial were determinedas 1.80, 1.80 and 1.81 kg, respectively.lt is concluded that the supplementationmagulatorcass yield of broilers

Bu çalışmanın amacı erkek ve dişi Pekin ördeklerinde ilk hafta ana makinesinde büyütmenin besi performansı, karkas özellikleri, et kalitesi ve bazı kan parametreleri üzerine etkilerini belirlemektir. Çalışmada toplam 120 adet (60 erkek ve 60 dişi) pekin ördeği palazı kullanılmıştır. Her cinsiyet grubu rastgele iki farklı yetiştirme grubuna ayrılmıştır. Birinci gruptaki (ana makinesi) palazlar besinin 1-7. günleri arasında ana makinesinde daha sonra altlıklı sistemde büyütülmüştür. İkinci gruptakiler (altlık/kontrol) ise besinin 1-42. günleri arasında altlıklı sistemde büyütülmüştür. Besinin 41. gününde her yetiştirme ve cinsiyet grubundan 5 ördek rastgele seçilerek kan örnekleri alınmıştır. Besinin 42. gününde ördekler özel bir kesimhanede kesilmiştir. Karkas randımanı, organ ağırlıkları ve karkas özellikleri belirlenmiştir. Göğüs ve but etlerinde pH, kül, yağ ve ham protein düzeyleri tespit edilmiştir. Altlıklı sistemde büyütülen ördeklerde toplam canlı ağırlık artışı, karkas randımanı ve göğüs eti yüzdesi ana makinesinde büyütülen ördeklere göre daha yüksek (P, The aim of this study is to determine effects of brooder machine rearing method in the first week on fattening performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and some blood parameters of male and female Pekin ducks. A total of 120 (60 male and 60 female) ducklings were used in the research. Each sex group was randomly allocated into two rearing methods. In the first group (brooder machine), ducklings were arranged in the brooder machine from 1 to 7 d then reared on the deep litter floor until day 42 . In the second group (litter/control), ducklings were reared on the deep litter floor from the day 1 to the day 42 of the fattening period. At the day 41 of the fattening period, 5 ducks from each sex and rearing groups were randomly selected and bled. At the day 42 of the fattening period all ducklings were slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse. Hot carcass yield, organ weights and carcass characteristics were determined. Also pH, ash, fat and crude protein were determined in the breast and thigh muscles. Total body weight gain, hot carcass yield and breast percentage of ducks reared on the litter group (control group) were significantly (P

Onbasilar, Ebru/0000-0002-1321-0280; kocakaya, afsin/0000-0003-2023-8895; UNAL, NECMETTIN/0000-0001-5250-7063; Torlak, Emrah/0000-0003-4636-7791 WOS: 000328082700003 This study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of Yucca schidigera spraying in different litter materials on some litter traits (moisture, pH, ammonia, total colony count, number of Enterobacteriaceae and number of yeast and mold) and breast burn of broilers at the 5th week of production. A total of four hundred thirty two 1-d-old male broiler chicks (ROSS-308) were used. In this study 12 chicks were put in each pen having 170x94x90 cm (depth x length x height). Half of the litter was wood shavings, the other was rice hull. Yucca schidigera extract was pulverized weekly at the level of 0, 4% and 8% to each pen from the second week of the study. Litter materials and Yucca schidigera spraying at different level did not affect the examined litter traits and breast burns of broilers (P>0.05) at the 5th week of production. TUBITAK FundTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110O933] This study was supported by TUBITAK Fund (Project No: 110O933)

WOS: 000296263900031, PubMed: 22010253, This study was conducted to determine the effect of hen production cycle (HPC) and the effect of egg weight (EW) at the same egg production level on egg quality, egg composition, hatchability, duckling quality, and first-week BW in Pekin ducks. For HPC, hatching eggs were obtained from different Pekin-duck breeder flocks, aged 31 wk for the first production cycle (HPC1) and 78 wk for the second production cycle (HPC2). For EW, there were 3 categories: heavy (H), medium (M), and light (L). Ten eggs from each HPC and EW group were analyzed for the determination of egg quality, and albumen and yolk compositions. Ninety eggs from each HPC and EW group were incubated for the determination of hatchability, and duckling weight and quality. After quality scoring, 20 ducklings (10 male and 10 female) from each group were weighed, and reared to 1 wk of age in a brooder machine to determine relative growth (RG). The results showed that the albumen index; Haugh unit; shell percentage; yolk moisture, ash, protein, lipids, and triglycerides; albumen moisture, ash, and protein; yolk fatty acid contents; hatching weight; duckling weights at 1 wk of age; and RG were significantly affected by HPC. Egg weight affected shell thickness, yolk and albumen indices, Haugh unit, yolk and albumen percentages, yolk to albumen ratio, shell percentage, yolk fatty acid content, hatching weight, duckling weight at 1 wk of age, and RG.

Onbasilar, Ebru/0000-0002-1321-0280; demir, pinar/0000-0002-7010-0475; ERISIR, Zeki/0000-0003-0420-023X WOS: 000278340800023 This research was carried out to determine the effects of various housing systems and slaughter age of Pekin ducks on profitability. In this research, it was determined that semi intensive pool system had positive effects on ducklings' welfare in production; on the other hand profitability of duck production is much higher in semi intensive systems without pool.

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of beak trimming age on performance criteria, H-L ratio, antibody production, the percentage of spleen and liver and external appearance. The chicks (Barred Rock) were randomly divided into 4 beak-trimming groups (non-trimmed (control), a trim at 1 d (1D), at 10 d (10D) and at 10 wk (10W)), each of 132 chicks. There were 6 replicate cages at beak trimming groups at rearing period. At 18 wk of age a total of 144 pullets were transferred to the layer house, and the pullets were housed at 323 and 646 cm(2)/hen with 8 and 4 birds per cage in three-deck layer cages. There were a total of 24 replications with 12 replications equally divided between the high and low density cages, and the beak trimmed treatments were randomly and equally divided within each density. As a result of this experiment differences among groups in body weight in rearing phase were disappear in the laying phase. Low feather condition was found in untrimmed hens. H-L ratio in both pullet and laying phase was higher in hens of untrimmed groups. Cage area affected all examined parameters except that body weight, mortality rate, cracked, broken and unshell egg rates, shell breaking, shape index, shell thickness, meat-blood spot rates, spleen and liver percentages, throat injures and antibody production to SRBC.

WOS:000252810900008 The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different molting methods on postmolt production, plasma corticosterone levels, and antibody production to SRBC for the welfare of laying hens. This experiment was conducted with 120 IGH-type Brown laying hens (70 wk of age), randomly divided into 3 experimental groups. The hens in one group were fed a whole-grain barley diet during the first 10 d (WB diet). On d 11, hens consumed 100 g of layer diet/d until d 28. In the second group, hens were fed a Zn diet containing 10,000 mg/kg of Zn as ZnO for 10 d (Zn diet). Hens were then provided 100 g of a layer diet from d 11 to 28. In the third group, feed was withdrawn for 10 d, and on d 11 hens were fed a cracked corn diet ad libitum until d 28 (California method; CAL diet). Hens in all groups were returned to the layer diet ad libitum on d 29. Egg weight was lower in the Zn treatment than in the other treatments. Feed intake and plasma corticosterone levels were higher and antibody production was lower in the CAL treatment than in the WB and Zn groups. The FCR was better in the WB than in the Zn group. Mortality, egg production, and egg quality were not significantly different among the molting methods. As a result, the WB molting program was the best method for postmolt production among the programs examined.