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This study, it was aimed to determine the effects of murt volatile oil added to the diet on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation on body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, slaughter characteristics, some blood and organ parameters in quails. The study groups were formed as follows: control (commercial chick starter feed), M group (commercial chick starter + 200 mg/kg Murt volatile oil), MLPS group (commercial chick starter + 1 mg/kg-17th day and 7.5 mg/kg- 24th day intrabdominal LPS administered group) and LPS (commercial chick starter feed + 1 mg/kg 17th day and 7.5 mg/kg - 24th day intraabdominal LPS administered group). The study, 4 experimental groups consisting of 40 (4x10) quail chicks were formed and the fattening period lasted for 36 days. The study, blood and liver OSI (Oxidative stress index) values were found to be lower in the M and MLPS groups with murt supplementation than in the control groups without murt addition. During the study, the body weight value was determined lower in the groups with Murt added than in the groups without Murt addition. In addition, the feed conversion ratio was significantly better in the M group with murt supplementation between the 5th and 33rd days than in the other groups. Significant differences were determined between the groups in terms of gizzard ratio and chest+back+neck+wing ratio values. In the study, macroscopic and histopathological hyperemia was not observed in the small intestines, there was an increase in cell infiltration in other groups with added murt compared to the control group, and degeneration and necrosis of the epithelium were detected more prominently. In the study, it was determined that the addition of murt to quail compound feed had a positive effect on growth performance, feed consumption and feed efficiency.

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of olive cake meal (0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5%) on the fattening performance and slaughter and carcass traits of quails. For this purpose, 400 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to 4 groups, each with 5 replicates. The quails were fed on either a basal diet alone (Control Group) or a basal diet supplemented with olive cake meal at rates of 2.5% (Group I), 5% (Group II) and 7.5% (Group III) for a period of 42 days. At the end of the fattening period, dietary olive cake meal was observed not to have caused any adverse effect on body weight, feed intake and feed conversion rate. Eviscerated hot carcass weight, eviscerated cold carcass weight, wing weight, breast weight, thigh weight and edible visceral organ weights were determined to have improved in the treatment groups that received dietary olive cake meal, when compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with olive cake meal, a waste product of the olive oil industry, at a level of 5%, was observed to produce the closest and most similar results to those of feeding on the basal diet. Thus, it is suggested that olive cake meal could be used as an alternative feedstuff for poultry. Furthermore, the use of olive cake meal as an alternative feedstuff would contribute to reducing both feed costs and environmental pollution.

This study was aimed at determining the effects of dietary supplementation with 0%, 3%, 6% and 8% of clinoptilolite on live weight gain, carcass/carcass part traits and some blood and bone parameters in quails. For this purpose, forty 17-day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly assigned to four groups, each of 10 animals. The study groups were established as follows: BC (+0% clinoptilolite), B3C (3% clinoptilolite), B6C (6% clinoptilolite) and B8C (8% clinoptilolite). Live weight measurements were performed until 35 days of age, and after the measurement of the slaughter weight at 38 days of age, all animals were slaughtered. The live weight values measured in Groups B3C and B6C were similar to those of group BC, the control group. Even if slightly different, higher mean initial live weights in the males resulted in final live weights higher than those of the females. It was observed that the feed conversion rate had improved in the groups that received dietary clinoptilolite. The weight of abdominal fat was determined to have decreased with increasing dietary clinoptilolite levels. The weights of the edible visceral organs and abdominal fat were higher in the female quails, compared to the males. The osteometric values of the femur and humerus were higher in the males, compared to the females, in Group B3C. While calcium (Ca-CAL) and magnesium (Mg) levels were lowest in Group B8C, phosphorus (P-FOS) levels were lowest in groups BC and B3C. In result, it is suggested that dietary supplementation with clinoptilolite, up to a level of 6%, would not show any adverse effect on the fattening performance of animals. Thus, clinoptilolite can be used as a feed additive. Furthermore, good quality clinoptilolite supplied at low costs may also aid in preventing feed losses due to wetting, depending on the environmental conditions.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementation of ground fennel to quail rations on egg production, slaughter, intestinal parasites, and semen quality. For this purpose, 48 female and 24 male quails were used in the study. The experimental groups consisted of the control group with basal feed + 0% ground fennel, and the GF1, GF2, and GF4 groups with ground fennel-supplemented basal feed by 1%, 2%, and 4% respectively, also each group was designed in pairs. The weekly live weight values were found to be numerically higher in the groups with fennel-supplemented rations than in the control group. In addition, the live weight values of female and male quails were also numerically higher in the groups with fennel-supplemented rations. Egg weight, egg production, and feed intake of female quails were high, especially in the GF2 group. Furthermore, the feed conversion ratio was superior in the GF2 group. Regarding the slaughter and carcass parts, the fennel-supplemented groups were numerically higher than the control group. It was observed that the oviduct weight increased with the growing fennel ratio. In addition, the fennel supplementation increased the semen concentration in male quails. The increasing fennel addition enhanced the abnormal and dead spermatozoa rates and decreased semen motility. As a result of the macroscopic examination of the intestinal lumen of the quails in the control and fennel-supplemented groups, no adult helminths were detected; however, Giardia spp.-like cysts were observed. As a result, the usage of ground fennel as a feed additive by 2% had a positive effect on yield characteristics of female quails, and the use by 1% had a positive effect on male quails. Consequently, the usage of ground fennel as a feed additive would be beneficial in quail farming., Bu çalışma bıldırcın rasyonlarına öğütülmüş rezene ilavesinin yumurta verimi, kesim, bağırsak paraziti ve sperma kalitesi üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada 48 adet dişi ve 24 adet erkek bıldırcın kullanılmıştır. Çalışma grupları; bazal yem+%0 öğütülmüş rezene olan kontrol grubu ve bazal yeme %1, %2 ve %4 oranlarda öğütülmüş rezene ilaveli GF1, GF2 ve GF4 gruplarından oluşturulmuş, her grup iki tekrarlı olarak tasarlanmıştır. Haftalık canlı ağırlık değerleri kontrol grubundan rakamsal olarak rezene ilaveli gruplarda yüksek olarak saptanmıştır. Ayrıca dişi ve erkek bıldırcın canlı ağırlık değerleri de rezene ilaveli gruplarda rakamsal olarak yüksek olmuştur. Dişi bıldırcınların yumurta ağırlığı, yumurta verimi ve yem tüketimi özellikle GF2 grubunda yüksek saptanmıştır. Aynı zamanda yemin yumurtaya dönüşümü en iyi GF2 grubunda gerçekleşmiştir. Kesim ve karkas parçaları bakımından kontrol grubundan rakamsal olarak rezene ilaveli gruplarda daha yüksek olmuştur. Yumurta kanal ağırlığının artan rezene oranı ile arttığı görülmüştür. Erkek bıldırcınlarda sperma yoğunluğunu rezene ilavesinin artırdığı belirlenmiştir. Aynı zamanda artan rezene ilavesinin anormal spermatozoon ve ölü spermatozoon oranlarını artırdığı, ancak motiliteyi ise azalttığı belirlenmiştir. Kontrol ve rezene ilaveli gruplardaki bıldırcınların bağırsak lümenlerinin makroskobik incelenmesi sonucunda erişkin helmint saptanmamış, ancak dışkıların natif muayenesinde bütün gruplarda Giardia spp. benzeri kistlere rastlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak yumurta verim döneminde dişi performansını iyileştirmek için öğütülmüş rezenenin %2 oranının, erkek bıldırcınlar için %1 oranının bitkisel yem katkı maddesi olarak kullanımının olumlu olacağı ifade edilebilir.

Bu çalışma, bıldırcın rasyonlarına öğütülmüş rezene tohumu ilavesinin bazı kan parametreleri ve karaciğer oksidan-antioksidan parametreleri üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada 32 adet (16 adet erkek+16 adet dişi) japon bıldırcını kullanıldı. Her bir grupta 8 hayvan olacak şekilde, katkı içermeyen bazal yemle beslenen kontrol erkek, kontrol dişi ve bazal yeme %1 öğütülmüş rezene tohumu ilavesi ile beslenen rezene erkek, rezene dişi olmak üzere dört grup oluşturuldu ve 28 gün beslendi. Rasyona % 1 öğütülmüş rezene tohumu ilavesinin, karaciğer MDA düzeyini ve GPx aktivitesini azalttığı ve Vit C düzeylerini ise arttırdığı (P0.05). Çalışma, bıldırcın rasyonlarına % 1 öğütülmüş rezene tohumu ilavesinin serum total kolesterol, LDL, HDL düzeyleri, AST ve ALT aktivitelerini değiştirmeksizin, karaciğer oksidan-antioksidan dengeyi etkileyebileceğini göstermiştir. Ayrıca bıldırcınlarda serum ve karaciğer değerlerinin cinsiyete bağlı olarak farklı olabileceği de bu tarz çalışmalarda göz önüne alınmalıdır.

This study was aimed at determining the effects of various levels of dietary olive cake meal (OCM) on certain blood parameters and breast muscle fatty acid and cholesterol levels. For this purpose, 400 day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks of both sexes were randomly assigned to four trial groups, each including five replicates of 20 animals. The quail were fed on a maize and soybean meal-based basal diet supplemented with 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% of OCM for six weeks. Dietary supplementation with 5% and 7.5% of OCM decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood serum, and increased cholesterol levels in the breast muscle. Dietary supplementation with various levels of OCM decreased saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and increased monounsaturated fatty acid and total unsaturated fatty acid levels in the breast muscle. As a result, it was concluded that, olive cake meal, which contains a high level of olive oil, could be incorporated in poultry feed at a level of 5%, owing to its beneficial effects of decreasing serum LDL cholesterol, which plays a major role in the aetiology of cardiovascular diseases, and in reducing saturated fatty acid levels in breast muscle.

Aims: This study was aimed at the assessment of pre- and post-incubation values determined for selected characteristics in fertilized and unfertilized eggs of different weight groups laid by chukar partridges.Methods and Results: Chukar partridge eggs were assigned to two weight groups as follows: Group I: 15.60-20.49 g and Group II: 20.51-25.63 g. At the end of the incubation period, all eggs in the two weight groups were classified as hatched or unhatched. The hatched eggs were investigated for chick-hatch weight, eggshell weight, and absolute and relative weight loss. The unhatched eggs were investigated for post-incubation egg weight, post-incubation egg content and eggshell weights, absolute and relative weight loss, unfertilized egg and embryonic death numbers and hatchability. The two weight groups of eggs (Group I: 15.60-20.49 g and Group II: 20.51-25.63 g) placed in the incubator showed statistically significant differences for egg weight, egg length and width, egg shape index, elongation, eggshell weight and percentage, albumen + egg yolk weight and percentage (P0.05), it was significant on absolute and relative incubation egg weight loss in both the hatched and unhatched eggs (P, Amaç: Bu çalışmada farklı yumurta ağırlık gruplarındaki döllü ve dölsüz kınalı keklik yumurtalarının kuluçka işlemi öncesi ve sonrasında özelliklerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntemler ve Bulgular: Kınalı keklik yumurtaları yumurta ağırlıklarına göre grup I: 15.60-20.49 g ve grup II: 20.51-25.63 g ve olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. Yumurtalar, kuluçka makinasına yüklenmeden bireysel olarak yumurta ağırlığı, yumurta boyu ve eni belirlenmiştir. Kuluçka işlemi sonrası her bir gruptaki yumurtalar civciv çıkışı olan ve olmayan olarak tanımlanmıştır. Civciv çıkışı olan yumurtalarda; civciv çıkış ağırlığı, kabuk ağırlığı, mutlak ve bağıl ağırlık kaybı belirlenmiştir. Civciv çıkışı olmayan yumurtalarda; kuluçka sonu yumurta ağırlığı, kuluçka sonu yumurta içerik ve kabuk ağırlığı, mutlak ve bağıl ağırlık kaybı, döllülük ve embriyonik ölüm gerçekleşen yumurta sayısı belirlenerek çıkış gücü belirlenmiştir. Kuluçka makinasına yüklenen yumurta ağırlık gruplarında (grup I: 15.60-20.49 g ve grup II: 20.51-25.63 g) yumurta ağırlığı, yumurta boyu ve eni, şekil indeksi, uzama değeri, kabuk ağırlığı ve oranı, ak+sarı ağırlığı ve oranı bakımından farklılık önemli (P0.05), civciv çıkışı olan ve olmayan yumurtalarda kuluçka süresince mutlak ve bağıl ağırlık kaybına etkisinin önemli olduğu tespit edilmiştir (P

WOS: 000378892800003, This study was carried out to investigate the effects of eggshell colour and spot properties (colour and size of the spot area) on eggshell incubation temperature and hatching outcomes of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Study material was allocated to five groups according to their eggshell and spot colours: black spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (I), blue spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (II), diffuse brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (III), brown spots on light green coloured eggshell (IV), and small brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (V). The size of the spotted area was determined in each egg group using digital image analysis. Mean relative weight losses of hatched and unhatched eggs between days 0-10 and 0-14 of embryonic development were 4.76% and 10.48% and 9.17% and 15.46%, respectively. The mean eggshell temperatures of hatched and unhatched eggs measured at the equatorial region on days 10 and 14 during embryonic development were 36.92 and 37.79 degrees C and 36.84 and 37.18 degrees C, respectively. Eggshell temperatures at the equatorial region on days 10 (36.89 degrees C) and 14 (37.57 degrees C) of embryonic development were lower than the fixed temperature of the incubator (37.6 degrees C). Fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, and hatchability and embryonic mortality rates do not vary in relation to eggshell colour or the size of the spotted area., Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey [1206 M0117], This study was conducted between February and April, 2013. Present study was supported by the Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey (Project number: 1206 M0117).

Çalışma kaz, ördek ve hindi kanatlı hayvan türlerinin yumurtalarına ait dış kalite özellik değerlerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın materyalini Konya ilinde halk elinde yetiştirilen kaz, ördek ve hindilerden temin edilen toplam 440 adet kaz (n117), (n260) ördek ve hindi (n63) yumurtası oluşturmuştur. Her bir yumurta bireysel olarak tartılmış olup yumurta boyu ve eni saptanmıştır. Ölçümle belirlenen bu üç değer kullanılarak matematiksel denklemler yardımıyla yumurta dış kalite özellik değerleri tespit edilmiştir. Yumurtaların şeklini tanımlamada şekil indeksi ve elongasyon değerleri kullanılmıştır. Kaz, ördek ve hindi yumurta kabuk özellikleri olarak kabuk ağırlığı (11.32 ve 11.23 g; 5.69 ve 5.71 g; 5.31 ve 5.33 g), kabuk kalınlığı (0.45 ve 0.48 mm; 0.35 ve 0.35 mm; 0.32 ve 0.34 mm) ve kabuk yoğunluğu (2.08 g/cm3; 2.06 g/cm3; 2.06 g/cm3) sırasıyla belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca yumurta kabuk yüzey alanı ve yumurta kütlesi saptanmıştır. Kaz, ördek ve hindi yumurtalarına ait şekil indeksi ve elongasyon değerleri sırasıyla %68,130.39 ve 1.470.01, %71,760.19 ve 1.400.00, %72,530.32 ve 1.380,01 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, yumurta ağırlığı, yumurta boyu ve eni baz alınarak bazı küçük beden yapısına sahip kanatlı hayvanların yumurta özellikleri için belirlenen matematiksel formüller yardımıyla kaz, ördek ve hindi kanatlı türlerinin yumurta dış kalite özellik değerleri hesaplanmıştır., The present study aimed at the determination of certain external quality traits of goose, duck and turkey eggs. A total of 440 eggs obtained from geese (n117), ducks (n260) and turkeys (n63), which were raised by the local people of Konya province, constituted the material of the study. Each egg was weighed individually, and the length and width of the eggs were determined. Using these three measurements and mathematical equations, the external quality traits of the eggs were determined. For defining the shape of the eggs, both the shape indices and elongation values were utilised. Goose, duck and turkey egg shell traits determined, included egg shell weight (11.32 and 11.23 g; 5.69 and 5.71 g; 5.31 and 5.33 g), egg shell thickness (0.45 and 0.48 mm; 0.35 and 0.35 mm; 0.32 and 0.34 mm) and egg shell density (2.08 g/cm3; 2.06 g/cm3; 2.06 g/cm3), respectively. Furthermore, egg shell surface area and egg mass were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the mean and standard errors for these types of poultry eggs. The shape indices and elongation values detected for goose, duck and turkey eggs were 68.130.39% and 1.470.01, 71.760.19% and 1.400.00, and 72.530.32% and 1.380.01, respectively. In this study, the external quality traits of goose, duck and turkey eggs were calculated using mathematical formulae established for small poultry species on the basis of egg weight, egg length and egg width values.

This study was carried out to investigate selected traits of hatched and unhatched eggs and chick growth performance of yellow Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Eggshell temperature at the time of transfer to the hatcher was higher in hatched eggs (38.09oC) than in unhatched eggs (37.43oC) (p=0.000), lower in eggs with in early embryonic mortality (37.39oC) than those with late embryonic mortality (38.13oC) (p=0.000), and higher in eggs with female chicks (38.14oC) than those with male chicks (37.95oC). Lower eggshell, yolk, and albumen weights were determined in eggs with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (0.58 g, 3.13 g and 4.96 g) compared with those with 10-16 days (0.67 g, 3.55 g and 5.58 g) and embryonic mortality of 1-9 days (0.75 g, 3.95 g and 6.19 g) (p=0.000). Lower egg weight loss was obtained in eggs with embryonic mortality (13.85%) of 1-9 days than those with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (26.48%) (p=0.001). Females were heavier at chick weight (8.98 g vs. 8.63 g; p=0.033) and at 4 (231.81 g vs. 211.43 g; p

This study intended to investigate slaughter, carcass and meat quality characteristics of Damascus male kids reared under different production systems and antioxidant effect (Vit E). The kids, housed in pen groups and grazing groups, were equally divided for production systems and later each group was again equally divided for determination of Vit E effect. Production systems and Vit E were found to have no significant effect on slaughter and carcass traits. Differences between production systems were found significant for meat pH(24), water holding capacity, cooking loss, tenderness, ether-extractable lipid and some color characteristics and concentrate feed supplemented with Vit E was effective on TBARS values. Each of the fatty acids except C18:2 n6 was affected by the production system but Vit E influence was superior on long-chain fatty acids. Grazing kids had a lower percentage of total SFA, n6, n6/n3, AI and TI ratio, while kids housed in pens had the lowest percentage of total UFA, NV and n3 ratio. On the other hand, kids that consumed supplemental Vit E had a higher percentage of total UFA, ratio of UFA/SFA, n3 and lower percentage of SFA, ratio of n6/n3, AI, TI compared to the kids fed by non-supplemental concentrate feed with Vit E. In accordance with the meat fatty acid composition, meat obtained from the kids that grazed and consumed supplemental Vit E was healthier than that of those housed in pen kids and non-supplemental Vit E consumed kids. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000385454300002, This study was carried out to investigate the effects of eggshell colour and spot properties (colour and size of the spot area) on growth performance and carcass traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs. Study material were allocated to five groups according to their eggshell and spot colours: black spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (I), blue spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (II), diffuse brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (III), brown spots on light green colored eggshell (IV), and small brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (V). The size of the spotted area was determined in each egg group using digital image analysis. The groups did not differ for body weight and length of the shank at the end of the growth period. However, the groups differed significantly for carcass yield after slaughter (not eviscerated) and carcass yield. These parameters were highest in Group I (82.08 and 76.09%) and lowest in Group III (80.20 and 73.86%). Digital image analysis demonstrated that heart length, cardiac fat area, gizzard width, and intestine length varied between the groups. Cardiac fat area was largest in Group III (0.86 cm(2)) and smallest in Group V (0.65 cm(2)). Gizzard width was greatest in Group I (2.63 cm) and smallest in Group V (2.47 cm). Intestine length was greatest in Group V (78.45 cm) and smallest in Group IV (72.39 cm). Body weight, shank length, and slaughter and carcass weight do not vary in relation to eggshell colour or the size of the spotted area. The lengths of intestine and heart, gizzard width, and cardiac fat area do vary in relation to eggshell colour or the size of the spotted area., Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey [1206 M 0117], The present study was supported by the Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey (Project no. 1206 M 0117).

WOS: 000365036300001, This study was carried out to evaluate the use of propolis extract on egg storage time of table quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) eggs. Propolis is a sticky, resinous, dark-colored material that honey bees collect from young plants. In the experiment, 600 quail eggs were used and eggs were coated with various concentrations of propolis extract (0%: group I, 5%: group II, 10%: group III, 15%: group IV) and treated with 70% ethyl alcohol (group V). A 5-week storage period was implemented, and 120 eggs were used for each group. Consequently, the effects of storage time and shell treatments on storage time and the effects of treatments on the interior quality of eggs were determined. The results of the study confirmed highly significant differences between weekly changes in egg weight loss, albumen-yellow indexes, and Haugh units (P < 0.001). While the difference in yolk index between groups was insignificant, the difference between groups with respect to albumen index (P < 0.001), Haugh units (P < 0.001) albumen pH (P < 0.001), and egg weight loss (P < 0.001) were significant. The significance of the overall difference with regard to Haugh units varied among groups; for example, group IV showed the highest value of 87.73%, followed by group III (87.69%), group II (86.97%), group V (85.53%), and group I (85.21%). Albumen pH levels were increased with increasing storage time for each treatment group. The best egg protection results in terms of interior quality were obtained in eggs coated with 10% and 15% propolis extract during storage., Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey [1201M0110], This study was supported by the Scientific Research Project Unit of Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey (Project number: 1201M0110).

WOS: 000311195800014, The present study was aimed at the investigation of egg quality characteristics of different poultry species by digital image analysis. The material of the study was comprised of eggs of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and cross-chickens (Denizli x Leghorn F1). Values pertaining to egg quality characteristics were obtained using the conventional method and digital image analysis. Egg length, egg width and shape index values measured by digital image analysis were shown to correspond closely with values measured using the conventional method, within an accuracy range of 98.44-98.54%. As regards internal egg quality characteristics, high error rates were determined for albumen height (32.24%) and yolk diameter (13.44%) values measured by digital image analysis, in comparison to values obtained with the conventional method. In result, it was demonstrated that egg quality characteristics could be determined by digital image analysis, in close correspondence with the conventional method, provided that devices equipped with measurement scales and images with reference points are used.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sunflower oil supplementation (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) to partridge chicks (Alectoris chukar) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. Feed consumption and live weight gain were responsive to dietary sunflower oil inclusion during the starter period, but not during the grower period. Increasing sunflower oil level linearly increased crude protein and fat digestibilities. Except for abdominal fat, weights of inedible parts and edible organs remained unchanged by the diets. The treatments linearly decreased weight and efficiency of carcass and weights of wings and breast and did not alter weights of thighs and neck. Breast meat saturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 17.9% and unsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 10.6%, as sunflower oil level increased in the diets. Monounsaturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 27.3%, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 51%. Overall, n-3 (0.78% vs. 0.59%) and n-6 (42.6% vs. 29.8%) were greater in breast meat in treatment groups than in control group. In conclusion, sunflower addition into diets has minimal effects on performance of growing partridges, but significantly alters meat fatty acid composition.

WOS: 000266043400029, PubMed: 19439647, The effect of 1 to 2-, 3 to 4-, 5 to 6-, 7 to 8-, 9 to 10-, 11 to 12-, and 13 to 14-d storage periods on quality characteristics and hatchability of partridge (Alectoris graeca) eggs was studied. There was no significant effect of storage period on egg weight, shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness as external quality characteristics of partridge eggs (P > 0.05). Storage periods affected internal quality characteristics of partridge eggs (P < 0.05). An increase in yolk ratio (P < 0.05) and decrease in albumen ratio, yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit (P < 0.001) occurred when storage periods were lengthened. However, storage period had no significant effect on hatchability (P > 0.05). This study shows that long storage periods do not have negative effects on hatchability of partridge eggs to the extent that occurs in other poultry species. Because of a lack of knowledge about this subject, these studies will be useful in terms of successful intensive partridge breeding.