Background and Objective: Because of a severe yellow corn shortage in Côte dʼIvoire in 2021, the study assessed Bixa orellana (B.o) grains and Curcuma longa (C.l) rhizomes powder effect on Coturnix coturnix japonica hens egg yolks colouration.Materials and Methods: First, two control diets were made of yellow corn (YC) and white corn (WC).Additionally, 10 diets were made by enriching the white corn-based diet with B.o grains and C.l rhizomes powders, at different incorporation rates.Second, three hundred sixty Coturnix coturnix japonica laying hens, 51 weeks old weighing 227.68±16.68g, were randomly allotted to the 12 diets, with 10 birds in each, with 3 replications.Following, on the last day of week 8 (59 weeks old), the eggs were weighed.Then, three eggs of similar weights per diet were collected for analysis.To end, the eggs and their constituents were weighed and the yolksʼ colours were assessed through L*, a* and b* measurements.Results: First, the best egg weights were obtained with WC+1% B.o, WC+0.15%B.o+0.45% C.l and WC+0.6%B.o diets for 11.31±0.21,11.10±0.12and 11.06±0.12g, respectively.Second, following the YC diet that performed 98.34±061 (p<0.0001),white corn-based diets containing natural carotenoid sources best egg yolk yellowness (b*) were obtained with WC+0.75% B.o+0.25% C.l and WC+1% B.o for 90.11±1.21and 80.55±1.21(p<0.0001).Thirdly, the total cholesterol lowest content with well-coloured egg yolk was obtained with WC+1% B.o for 18.60±3.47mg per g of fresh yolk.The WC+1% B.o result was far away from that of the YC diet (32.58±1.74mg/g, p<0.0001).Conclusion: White corn-based diets can be beneficially enriched with 1% of Bixa orellana grainsʼ powders for Coturnix coturnix japonica hens egg yolks colouration.
Background and Objective: Searching for an alternative feed source was the objective of this study.Protein-source feedstuffs are mainly becoming costly and unavailable, therefore raw, full-fat soybean was considered an alternative source.Pelleting was considered to reduce antinutritional factors in raw soybean.Materials and Methods: A total of 408 unsexed broiler chicks were allocated to replicates.In a starter phase, commercial SBM was replaced by raw full-fat soybean (RFSB) at 0, 10 or 20%, which had three treatments and each was replicated eight times.Six treatments were prepared by dividing each of the aforementioned starter diets into two and then by pelleting anyone from each respective group and leaving the other as mash.Every treatment had four replicates and 17 birds in each.Results: Results indicated that FI, BWG and FCR of broilers were not significantly (p>0.05)affected by the supplementation of a levelled RFSB on diets at starter, grower and finisher phases.However, the interaction effect between the feed-form and levels of RFSB influenced (p<0.05) the FI, BW and BWG, at the grower stage.The FI, at the finisher stage, was also significantly (p<0.05)influenced by the feed-forms.Moreover, weights of dressed, eviscerated, cut parts of the carcass and visceral organs were not significantly (p>0.05)affected by both RFSB supplementations, up to 20% and the feed forms.Conclusion: It is concluded that commercial SBM can be replaced by locally produced RFSB at up to 20% without pelleting the diets.
Background and Objective: Poultry industry aims mainly to produce genetically superior animals with high productivity of egg and meat.On a commercial scale, the purpose of most quail genetic improvement programs is to select genetically superior birds for meat and egg production.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term selection through four generations of selection in Japanese quail on egg number at the first 90 days of laying, estimate genetic parameters of egg production traits and estimate the correlated response to selection.Materials and Methods: Data of 1,352 female Japanese quails were collected through five consecutive generations (base and four selected generations) to estimate genetic gain, depending on breeding values, for Age at First Egg (AFE), Body Weight at Sexual Maturity (BWSM), Weight at First Egg (WFE), Egg Number at first 90 days (EN90D) and Average Egg Weight (AEW).Results: Estimates of heritability for egg production traits were ranged from 0.17 to 0.26.Moreover, positive genetic correlations were detected (0.18 to 0.43) between all studied egg production traits, except the correlation between AFE and EN90D (-0.32).The contrast among estimates was significant (p<0.05),favoring the selected generations over the base.The cumulative selection response was favorable for all unselected traits with the superiority of the selected generations to the base generation.Conclusions: It can be concluded that early selection based on breeding value for a cumulative egg number at first 90 days of egg production can effectively improve the total egg production and other egg traits in Japanese quail through four selected generations.
During the surveillance of avian influenza, an H5N2 influenza A virus was isolated from a cloacal swab sample of an apparently healthy free-grazing duck in Banglane district, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand in July 2007. It has been previously reported that tea extracts inhibit the growth of influenza virus by polyphenolic compounds in the leaves of Camellia sinensis. In this study, we found that dried tea leaves extract and green tea extract inhibited hemagglutination caused by H5N2 influenza A virus and viral propagation in embryonated chicken eggs. Total phenolic contents were recorded for dried tea leaves and green tea extracts (491 and 470 mg/GAE/g respectively), the total phenolic contents correlated with antiviral propagation. The cytotoxicity of dried tea leaves extract and green tea extract on HEK-293 cells was found to be low toxicity with IC50 values of 283.35 and 1765.25 mg/ml, respectively. These results are expected to provide guides for rational design of tea extracts as an antiviral substances to prevent influenza A virus infection, especially in pandemic area of avian influenza A viruses.
Background and Objective: Poultry production is a vital livestock production system for most people living in low income countries, including Ethiopia.This study was conducted in South Western parts of Ethiopia with the aim of assessing the effectiveness and impacts of hybrid chicken breed distribution on performances and populations of indigenous chickens.Materials and Methods: A total of 384 respondents were randomly selected using a stratified sampling technique from purposively selected 6 districts.Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through direct observations, focused group discussions and questionnaires.Results: Majorities (69.5%) of respondents were female and 32% of respondents attended primary school education.About 45.1% of farmers keep their chickens in the kitchen and (36.5%) kept together with family and (18.5%) keep in separate houses.Maize, sorghum and household left over (39.8%) were the major feed sources in the study areas.Feed shortage (35.4%), disease (34.4%) and predators (30.2%) were the most important constraints.The result pertaining to the effectiveness of hybrid chicken breed distribution was described as high egg production, fast growth rate and highly demanded as compared to the indigenous chicken populations.However, the status of indigenous chicken populations has been decreasing (59.9%) and replaced by imported hybrid chicken breeds.Conclusion: The impacts of hybrid chicken breed distributions were reduced production of indigenous chicken (35.4%), gene dilution (18.8%), development of cannibalism and destruction of vegetables in the compound.Therefore, the present finding indicated production of indigenous chickens were immensely reducing and replacing by the imported chicken breeds.Thus, it is crucial to conserve and upgrade indigenous chicken which possesses useful genetic potentials that could be improved through systematic selection under a scavenging management system.
Background and Objectives: Growth promoters possess great interest in poultry feeds including vitamins, medicinal plants, enzymes and antibiotics where play an active role in production of poultry.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of alpha-tocopherol and medicinal plants seeds powder Black Seeds (BS), Fenugreek (FENS), Moringa (MORS), Clitoria (CLIS), Sun flower (SFS) on broiler performance.Materials and Methods: During the finisher period, one hundred and 5, 1 day old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated into seven treatments.In a completely randomized design, the experimental treatments consisted: Negative control (without additives), 200 g kgG 1 alpha-tocopherol (positive control) and tested seeds powder in 5% level of inclusion.Each treatment was replicated three times with 5 birds each .The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous to meet the broiler requirements .Overall Daily Feed Intake (ADFI), Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were recorded.Three birds from each treatment were slaughtered.Then carcass percentage and relative weights of internal organs were determined.Results: The results showed that ADFI, ADG and FCR were significantly influenced by experimental treatments.The best FCR was recorded with BS treatment.The relative weights of internal organs were significantly influenced by experimental treatments. Conclusion:Based on results, it can be concluded that the average daily feed intake increased by the incorporation of SFS and CLIS where it was decreased by BS, MORS, FENS and Vit E inclusion.The best FCR was recorded with BS treatment which could be recommended to be included in broilers rations.
Background and Objective: To combat the persistence of Salmonella in poultry products, intervention strategies that have efficacy in the digestive tract of birds are needed as part of a comprehensive food safety plan.A study was commissioned to evaluate the ability of a high mannan and $-glucan yeast fraction to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in laying hens.Material and Methods: Twenty-four Hy-Line pullets were placed in individual cages and at 17 weeks of age all 24 pullets were challenged orally with 7×10 7 CFU/bird of Salmonella Enteritidis.At 18 weeks of age, all ceca and ovaries were aseptically removed and cultured for Salmonella Enteritidis prevalence and number by the most probable number (MPN) method.Results: There was a numerical reduction of cecal Salmonella Enteritidis prevalence that was significant at p = 0.089 (16.7% positive) in the yeast fraction group versus the untreated control (58.3%).Conclusions: Reduction in the ceca of hens is an important result indicating this yeast cell wall can impact levels of Salmonella Enteritidis shed to the environment and thus reduce the potential of Salmonella Enteritidis contamination of the eggshell.
Objective: A study on the effects of Eupatorium odoratum and Ocimum gratissimum leaf extracts on the growth performance, haematology and cost benefit of broiler chickens were evaluated using 72 day old Anak broiler chickens in the Animal Science Department, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Four water infusion levels, 0, 25, 25 and 25 mL for control, E. odoratum, O. gratissimum and both leaf extracts per liter of clean drinking water designated as T 1 (control), T 2 , T 3 and T 4 respectively, were used.The birds were randomly allotted to these dietary infusion levels in a completely randomized design (CRD).Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 6 birds per replicate.Feed intake, weight gain and haematological indices were determined.Economic analysis was also conducted at the end of the 4 weeks experiment.Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA using Duncanʼs new multiple range test.Results: There were no significant (p>0.05)differences in the feed intake as well as weight gain and feed conversion ratio.The growth performance of the broilers fed E. odoratum and O. gratissimum were better than those fed diets without E. odoratum and O. gratissimum.There were significant (p<0.05)differences in the blood components of the broilers under this feeding regime.Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) improved with infusion of leaf extracts.Conclusion: The combination of the leaf extracts gave better result in growth and haematological indices of broiler chickens.These showed that the use of both leaf extracts played more significant role as anti-microbial than without E. odoratum and O. gratissimum leaf extracts in the diets of broiler chickens.
Background and Objective: Currently, there is paucity of information in tropical and sub-tropical conditions on the interaction effects of genotype, sex and stocking density on optimum broiler performance and carcass characteristics, since the recommended densities are based on researches in temperate environments.Therefore, the interaction effects of genotype, sex and stocking density on growth performance and carcass characteristics were investigated.Materials and Methods: Male and female Ross 308 and Cobb Avian 48 broilers were reared at stocking densities of 30, 35 and 40 kg BW mG 2 over 42 days.Data were analyzed by a three-way ANOVA for a 3×2×2 factorial using the GLM procedure of Minitab 17. Results: During the entire period, genotype had no effect (p>0.05) on any growth performance traits.While, males consumed 8.5% more (p<0.01)feed, gained 11.5% more (p<0.01)body weight and were 10.9% heavier (p<0.01) at slaughter (day 42) than females.For stocking density, broilers reared at 30 kg BW mG 2 consumed 9.0 and 12.8% more (p<0.01)feed, gained 7.4 and 9.4% more (p<0.01)body weight and were 6.8 and 8.7% heavier (p<0.01) at slaughter than those raised at 35 and 40 kg BW mG 2 , respectively.Except the reduction (p<0.05) in breast percentage weights with increasing stocking density, neither genotype, sex nor stocking density influenced (p>0.05)percentage weights of carcass parts.There were also stocking density×sex interaction effects (p<0.05) on feed consumption, genotype×stocking density interaction effects (p<0.05) on the relative weights of the wing and abdominal fat and genotype×sex interaction effects on 42 days body weight (p<0.01) and relative weight of the wing (p<0.05). Conclusion:The results showed that male Cobb Avian 48 raise at stocking density of 30 kg BW mG 2 performed better in the sub-tropics specifically in winter.
Background and Objective: The heat stress of quail plays an important role in feed utilization, blood profile, growth performance and its influence economic loss.Supplemented of volatile oil garlic is one the efforts to avoid the negative impact of heat stress.This study was conducted to investigate the potential of garlic powder in improving feed utilization, some parameters of blood biochemistry and performance.Materials and Methods: A total of 400 laying quails was used in this experiment.Animal samples were obtained at 6 week of age randomly assigned to 4 groups of treatment.Each group of treatment involved 10 replicates with 10 quails each (100 laying quails per group).All of the groups were provided basal diet and supplemented with volatile oil of garlic 0 (control), 0.75, 1.50 and 2.25 mL LG 1 drinking water for group of D0, D1, D2 and D3, respectively.All of the groups were exposed heat stress under 33-35EC.Faces and eggs ware collected and also measured feed consumption to determined feed utilization.Blood sample was collected and centrifuged to separate plasma.The plasma was used for determination of concentration of blood biochemistry by spectrophotometer method, based on BIOLABO kit.Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SAS.Results: Based on the results of this study, there was significant effect (p<0.05) supplementation of volatile oil garlic on the feed utilization between D0 and D1, D2, D3.Commonly, supplemented of volatile oil garlic showed significantly affected (p<0.05) on the blood biochemical and performance, however did not significantly affected (p>0.05) on the glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL) .The administration of 2.25 mL LG 1 drinking water was a optimum level for increasing feed utilization, improving profile of blood biochemistry and rising performance.Conclusion: The result in this study indicated that bioactive compound in volatile oil can be improved feed utilization, metabolism rate and quail production by administration 2.25 mL LG 1 in drinking water.
