1,720,974 research outputs found
Impact of Eggs Storage Time and Duration of Fumigation on Hatchability, Embryonic Mortality and Characteristics of Day Old Chicks
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the effects of egg storage time and fumigation duration on chick quality, hatchability, and breakout analysis in broilers. A total of 600 eggs from each storage time (24 and 48 h) were divided into three fumigation groups (15, 20, and 25 min), with each group further split into four replicates of 50 eggs, resulting in six experimental groups: S24F15, S24F20, S24F25, S48F15, S48F20, and S48F25. The results indicated that egg storage times of 24 or 48 h and fumigation durations of 15, 20, and 25 min did not significantly affect most chick quality parameters, including egg weight, A-grade
chicks, B-grade chicks, contamination, and water loss (P>0.05). However, chick weight was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the F15 group (44.4±0.73g) compared to the F20 (43.3±0.47g) and F25 (43.2±0.58g) groups. Similarly, chick yield was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the F15 group (68.8±0.62%) than in the F20 (67.9±0.33%) and F25 (67.5±0.39%) groups. Interaction effects showed significantly higher chick weight (44.8±0.68g) and chick yield (69.3±0.38%) in the S48F15 group compared to other groups. The breakout analysis revealed no significant effect (P>0.05) of egg storage time or fumigation duration on dead chicks at different weeks, dry chicks, contaminated chicks, and total unhatched eggs. Similarly, hatchability and the percentage of hatch of fertile eggs were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by egg storage time or fumigation duration, nor by their interaction. In conclusion, while most parameters remained unaffected, a fumigation duration of 15 min, especially with 48 h of egg storage, resulted in higher chick weight and yield, suggesting potential benefits for broiler production efficiency
Effect of soy hulls as alternative ingredient on growth performance, carcase quality, nutrients digestibility and intestinal histological features in broilers
Full text linkThe objective of this study is to investigate the effects of increasing levels of soybean hulls in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, carcase composition, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, amino acid digestibility, and intestinal histomorphology to determine the optimal inclusion level for maximising poultry health and performance. A total of 680, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly assigned to five treatments with eight replicates, each consisting of seventeen birds, and housed in an environmentally controlled room with nipple drinkers and trough feeders. The experimental diets, containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% dietary soybean hulls (SH), were fed to the broilers for 35 days. During the starter phase, the growth performance of chickens fed 2% SH was not significantly different from the control group, but differences emerged during the later stages. Chickens fed 2% SH showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain compared to higher SH levels. Carcase yield decreased with increasing SH content in the diet, while wing meat yield was highest in birds fed 0% and 2% SH. The relative weights of gizzard, jejunum, and ileum varied significantly among groups. Higher SH levels led to decreased nutrient digestibility but increased excreta nitrogen and ether extract content. Ileal amino acid digestibility varied among SH levels. Intestinal histomorphology revealed significant differences in villi height and crypt depth among groups. Overall, diets with 2% and 4% SH demonstrated superior nutrient utilisation and intestinal health compared to higher SH levels. These findings suggest an optimal inclusion level of SH in broiler diets to optimise performance and intestinal morphology
Comparative growth, production, carcass characteristics and reproduction performance of Naked Neck, Black Australorp and their crossbred chicken
No full textThis study evaluated the phenotypic and genetic parameters of indigenous Naked Neck (NN), exotic Black Australorp (BA), and their crossbred (NNBA) chickens. A total of 270 day-old chicks (30 per group) were raised under identical conditions from day 1 to 48 weeks of age. Growth performance, including body weight, daily and total gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), was highest in BA, followed by NNBA, and lowest in NN. Carcass composition also varied significantly, with BA and NNBA having higher dressing percentages (62.98% and 62.68%, respectively) compared to NN (60.60%). BA produced the heaviest eggs (54.0 g), followed by NNBA (50.9 g) and NN (47.93 g). BA also had the best egg quality, hatchability, and FCR (3.15), with NNBA showing intermediate results. NN had the poorest performance in all traits. Age at sexual maturity was earlier in NNBA (161.23 days) compared to NN and BA. The study concluded that NNBA crossbreds outperformed NN in growth, carcass traits, and egg production, indicating their potential for enhancing rural poultry farming
Effect of dietary polyphenol rich grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract supplementation on production performance, egg quality, plasma MDA, reproductive performance and faecal microbiota of golden laying hens
Full text linkThe study investigated the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on laying hens aged 30–35 weeks. Hens were assigned to four groups: a control group with only basal diet and three experimental groups with basal diet supplemented with 250 (GSE 250), 500 (GSE 500) and 750 (GSE 750) mg/kg GSE. GSE-supplemented groups showed significantly lower feed intake in week 1 and 3 in GSE 750. No significant differences were observed in feed efficiency, egg weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumin weight, or Haugh Unit, suggesting GSE did not significantly impact these parameters. Egg production significantly increased in groups supplemented with 500 and 750 mg/kg GSE compared to the control group. Additionally, GSE-supplemented birds exhibited significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating potential antioxidant effects. The study further revealed a significant increase in Lactobacillus at GSE500 and GSE 750 levels and a significant reduction in E. coli levels with GSE 750 supplementation, suggesting potential benefits on gut microbiota. In conclusion, GSE positively influenced egg production, promoted Lactobacillus growth, and reduced lipid peroxidation and E. coli populations. However, reproductive efficiency in golden laying hens was not significantly affected. These findings contribute valuable insights into the potential benefits of GSE in poultry nutrition
Single or Combined Applications of Zinc and Multi-strain Probiotic on Intestinal Histomorphology of Broilers Under Cyclic Heat Stress
No full textTwo-hundred-eighty-day-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups. The groups were designated as T1, thermoneutral zone; T2, heat stressed (HS); T3, HS + zinc (Zn) supplementation (30 mg/kg); T4, HS + Zn (60 mg/kg); T5, HS + probiotic (0.1 g/kg); T6, HS + probiotic (0.1 g/kg) + Zn (30 mg/kg); and T7, HS + Zn (60 mg/kg) + probiotic (0.1 g/kg). Significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in villus height (VH), VH to crypt depth ratio, and villus surface area of all intestinal segments in the T2 group when compared with the T1 group. The same parameters had significantly higher (p < 0.05) values in the jejunum and ileum of the Zn- and probiotic-supplemented groups (alone + combination) when compared with the T2 group. The birds exposed to HS showed fewer (p < 0.05) intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the jejunum and ileum than the T1 group, while their count increased in the jejunum and ileum with dietary treatments. In conclusion, Zn and probiotic positively modulated the intestinal microstructures of broilers kept under high environmental temperature
Prevalence, Species Diversity, and Risk Factors of Tick Infestation in Cattle From District Peshawar, Pakistan
No full textThis study investigated the prevalence, diversity, and risk factors of tick infestation and Theileria annulata infection in cattle from District Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 322 cattle of different breeds, ages, and sexes were examined between January and March 2024. The overall prevalence of tick infestation was 35.4%, with females more frequently infested than males. Exotic and crossbred cattle, particularly Holstein Friesian and Jersey, along with calves, showed higher susceptibility compared to indigenous breeds and older cattle. Morphological identification revealed Rhipicephalus microplus as the most prevalent species, followed by Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, while other species occurred at lower frequencies. Species distribution varied significantly across breeds, with R. microplus predominating in Sahiwal cattle and H. anatolicum strongly associated with Holstein Friesian. Molecular screening confirmed T. annulata infection, with the highest prevalence detected in female H. anatolicum, whereas R. microplus showed relatively low infection rates. Ecological analysis indicated moderate species diversity overall, with Holstein Friesian cattle exhibiting the greatest richness and dissimilarity in tick fauna compared to indigenous breeds. Tick burden severity was mostly moderate, and co-infestation patterns were dominated by combinations of H. anatolicum and R. microplus. This study is the first to integrate molecular detection of T. annulata with ecological indices of tick diversity in cattle of Peshawar, providing a comprehensive picture of vector–host–pathogen interactions. The identification of breed- and age-specific vulnerabilities highlights the need for targeted tick control strategies. These findings have direct implications for designing sustainable management programs aimed at reducing the economic and health burden of tropical theileriosis in endemic regions
Impact of varying levels of soy hulls and β-mannanase enzyme supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient utilization and blood biochemical profile in broiler chickens
Full text linkTwo hundred and forty day-old broilers were randomly assigned to six experimental groups in a 2 x 3 factorial design. The birds were fed diets containing soybean hulls (SH) at the levels of 4% and 6% and β-Mannanase (BM) at the concentration of 0%, 0.05% and 0.1%. Results indicated significant effects of SH and BM supplementation on body weight (BW) and weight gain (WG), with birds fed 4% SH and 0.1% BM exhibiting higher (p < 0.05) body weight and weight gain compared to other groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (p < 0.05) in birds receiving 4% SH with 0.1% BM supplementation. However, no significant effects were observed on carcase traits across treatment groups. Regarding nutrient digestibility, birds supplemented with 0.1% BM showed improved (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) digestibility compared to those without BM supplementation. No significant variations were observed in dry matter, crude fibre and ether extract utilisation among treatment groups. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters were not influenced by SH and BM supplementation, indicating no adverse effects on blood parameters. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential advantages of incorporating 4% SH and 0.1% BM in broiler diets for enhanced growth performance and nutrient utilisation
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Multiple beneficial applications and modes of action of herbs in poultry health and production-a review
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