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- Optimum Broiler Breeders' Age for Production Performance, Internal Egg
Characteristics and 7 Day Mortality of Chicks
Abstract: Background and Objective: Breeder age strongly influences egg weight, as well as egg quality and composition, however, literature on the optimal age that influences such are scarce. This study was therefore carried out to understand the optimum age of breeder broilers (Ross 308 strains) for enhanced production, internal egg performance and 7 day mortality of chicks using regression models. Materials and Methods: A total of 1188 sexed breeder broiler chicks comprising of 117 males and 1071 females (1:10 ratio) were randomly assigned to pens of 3 treatment groups for this experiment, all reared to maturity. The production, internal egg performance and 7 day mortality parameters measurements were taken at ages 29, 42 and 55 weeks. Results: The production parameters showed that the breeder age affected the average egg weight, percentage fertility, hatch percentage and chick hatch weight significantly (p
PubDate: 15 May, 2022
- Evaluation of Phenotypic and Morphometric Characteristics in Community
Based Breeding Program of Gumer Sheep
Abstract: Background and Objective: Community-Based Breeding Programs (CBBP) have been adopted to improve Gumer sheep. This study was undertaken to evaluate growth rate, prolificacy performance, characterizing morphological traits and to establish weight estimating regression models. Material and Methods: Data on 988, 854, 708 and 404 for birth, weaning, 6 months and yearling weights, respectively for growth rate traits and 678 for prolificacy traits were used for evaluation across the years of 2015-2020. Similarly, 85 males and 200 females were used for morphometric measurements viz, body length, height at withers, heart girth, horn length, tail length, scrotal circumference, tail circumference and ear length. The effect of non-genetic factors like a year of birth, sex, litter size, birth season, CBBP type and coat colour were analyzed by using general linear model procedures of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Correlation between morphometric measurements and stepwise regression procedures to determine the best fitting regression equation for the prediction of live body weights for male and female sheep. Result: The overall least square means for birth, weaning, 6 months and yearling weights of Gumer sheep were 2.09±0.02, 11.63±0.20, 15.76±0.42 and 21.14±0.64 kg, respectively. A high and significant correlation between body weight and morphometric measurements suggest that either of the variables provide a good estimation of live weight. The regression models for both male and female were Y = -42.29+0.46HG+0.53 BL with R2adj = 0.87 and Y = -16.11+0.40 HG with R2adj = 0.50, respectively. Conclusion: The body weight and prolificacy traits of Gumer sheep were in increasing trend and had high within variation which leads to further improvement for those traits through CBBP.
PubDate: 02 April, 2022
- Estimation of Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Rabbits Feeding on
Coca Pod Husk Treated with Various Plant Ash Extract
Abstract: Background and Objective: Forage is the main source of fiber in herbivorous diet, in the context of sustainable development, valorization of agricultural by product is a huge priority. Current article deals with the study of banana plantain ash (ECB) and bean haulms (ECH) extracts on cocoa pod husk and measured its effect on chemical composition and digestibility in rabbits. Materials and Methods: A total of 64-six months old local breed rabbits of average weight 3000±155 g were randomly distributed into 8 experimental rations in a complete randomized designed with 8 rabbits per replicate and each rabbit served as experimental unit. From the control ration T (0-) without cocoa pod husks and T (0+) ration with untreated hulls, six other rations of which three (BT1, BT2, BT3) were formulated with hulls treated with extracts of ash from banana plantain leaves and three others (HT1, HT2, HT3) treated with bean haulms at respective concentrations of 7.5, 10 and 12.5 kg/100 L of water for 12 hrs. Results: The results revealed that treatment with as extract lead to a decrease in NDF, ADF, crude proteins and lipids as compared to the control (T0) without treatment. In contrary the level of crude fiber increases with ash treatment. The levels of theobromine and tannin decreases with increasing concentration of ash. Digestibility of CP, NDF, ADF was significantly higher (p
PubDate: 17 October, 2021
- The PAX7’s 31-bp Indel Associated with Several Carcass Traits in
Vietnamese Local Noi Chickens
Abstract: Background and Objective: PAX7, a member of the paired box family of transcription factors, plays a critical role in forming skeletal muscles and regulating the satellite cell in vertebrates, including chickens. In this study, the genetic association of the PAX7’s 31-bp indel with carcass traits of Noi chicken, a recognized Vietnamese native breed was analyzed. Materials and Methods: A total of 355 Noi broilers (164 males and 191 females) were slaughtered at 91 days old to evaluate carcass characteristics. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. Genotyping the PAX7’s 31-bp indel was based on the length of different fragments such as 588 and 557 bp corresponding to E and F alleles. Results: Its was owed that the genotypes of PAX7 were significantly associated with wing weight and drumstick weight of the Noi chicken (p
PubDate: 15 December, 2021
- Mycotoxigenicity of Territrem B: Histopathological Investigations of Chick
Ingesting Aspergillus terreus Infested Feed
Abstract: Background and Objective: Territrem B, tremorgenic mycotoxin elaborated by A. terreus is neurotoxic and cause a variety of neurological disorders. Therefore, it was aimed to analyze histopathological changes in some of the vital organs of chicks consumed territrem B through the feed. Materials and Methods: A set of 5 days old checks were given measured quantity. Aspergillus terreus infested feed for 6 weeks. At the end of 2, 4 and 6 weeks a batch of chicks was sacrificed and pathological symptoms were examined by microtome sectioning of different vital organs. Results: There was a marked loss of body weight in chicks during 6 weeks of their growth receiving A. terreus infested feed. Intoxication was also observed by reduced emotive behaviour. On grass postmortem examination of liver and kidney revealed significant pathological changes. Consumption of A. terreus infested feed caused degeneration of nephrons and necrosis of renal tubular epithelium resulting in nephrotoxicity. It was also hepatotoxic as it caused necrosis of hepatocytes and dilation of bile ducts resulting in biliary hyperplasia. Conclusion: From the present investigations it is clear that territrem B is neurotoxic and causes malfunctioning of the liver and heart. The present study revealed that importance of providing healthy feed to poults and prevents health hazards of primary and secondary exposure of territrem B to livestock and man.
PubDate: 11 December, 2021
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Open Access journal
