Journal of World's Poultry Research

280-291

Authors: Mekonnen KT

Native chickens in Ethiopia are characterized in a fragmented manner for their performance characteristics and genotypes. This review aimed to explore the production and reproduction performance characteristics as well as the morphometric and morphological diversity of Ethiopian native chickens. The investigation was performed on four production performance characteristics, including average egg per clutch, average clutch/hen/year, average egg set/hen, and average egg/hen/year, as well as six reproductive performance characteristics, including age at first laying, age of male chickens at first bred, age at which female chickens are first bred, the reproductive life span of males and females, and fertility percentage in various parts of Ethiopia. Some economically practical morphometric characteristics of native chickens, such as shank length, chest circumference, comb length, body weight, body length, keel length, wattle length, neck length, back length, and morphological diversity, were also summarized. Regarding performance characteristics, there were some variations in eggs’ average production performance per clutch (13.56-15.4 eggs) and clutch/hen/year (3.0-4.29) in Ethiopia. The average reproduction performance characteristics of Ethiopian native chickens for age at first laying (6.90-7.13 months), age of male chickens at first bred (5.87-6.15 months), female at first bred (5.20-5.93 months), the reproductive life span of males (3.79 years) and hens (3.56 years), and chicks hatched from set eggs revealed variation across Ethiopia. In various locations of Ethiopia, the average trait values reported for Ethiopian native chickens under the farmer’s management differed in terms of morphometric and morphological features. The variation observed in performance characteristics, as well as morphometrics and morphological characteristics for Ethiopian native chicken ecotype population, can help the native breed classification, unique trait conservation, and breed improvement intervention programs

307-316

Authors: Eglite S

In response to the 2006 EU ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, researchers have sought alternatives, leading to a focus on the beneficial effects of probiotics on chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus (L.) farciminis CNCM-I-3699 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM-I-3698 on the growth, production indicators, and edible organs of broiler chickens. Three trials were conducted, each consisting of 260 newly hatched Ross 308 broiler chicks (males and females) from a commercial hatchery, randomly allocated into control (n = 130) and probiotic-supplemented groups (n = 130). The dietary treatments were basal diet for the control group and basal diet + the mixture of L. farciminis CNCM-I-3699 (2.1010 GU/g) and L. rhamnosus CNCM-I-3698 (2.1010 GU/g) at a rate of 4g/10kg of diet for the probiotic supplemented group. Broilers were raised until day 35 of age, and their body weight and feed intake were recorded on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. All broiler chickens were weighed on the first day. The investigated parameters included average weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cumulative feed intake, and the European Broiler Index. Daily mortality was recorded. The average organ’s relative weight was calculated for each group on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Although both groups yielded positive results regarding growth and production indicators, no significant differences were observed between the two groups, suggesting that probiotics may not provide expected outcomes when appropriate conditions and age-related requirements are met. The probiotic-supplemented group exhibited significantly accelerated growth in the heart and liver. However, relative organ weights did not differ significantly between the groups.

323-331

Authors: Saner KA

The climate significantly impacts the temperature in different parts of the world. A moderate environment makes it simple to construct a chicken farm. Nevertheless, raising the birds in tropical places where typical temperatures can exceed 40-45°C is difficult because they can only survive at temperatures between 30°C and 35°C. As a result, the current study aimed to design a chicken house with a ventilation and cooling system to prevent excessive heat. The effectiveness of ventilation systems in maintaining liveable and constant conditions at the chicken house was assessed using computational fluid dynamics modeling to mimic internal and external airflows. In this study, a water evaporator-based cooling system and an exhaust fan-based ventilation system were built within a poultry house. ANSYS CFD was utilized to create the design and examine the flow of the model. The findings of each model were generated individually, and these results were compared to those of the other models to determine which model could decrease the temperature within the chicken coop. The proposed model's maximum temperature was around 30-32°C. A poultry house can be constructed using this idea to maintain chickens at a suitable temperature range of 30-32°C.

342-351

Authors: EL-Barbary AM

Eruca sativa (ES) seeds are annual herbs belonging to the Brassicaceae family, widely grown in Mediterranean countries, such as Egypt, Italy, and Greece. The ES is rich in macronutrient components and phytochemical content, exhibiting potent antioxidant properties and functional properties for vital processes such as digestion and absorption of nutrients. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary ES supplementation on laying performance, some blood parameters, and egg yolk cholesterol. A total of 300 Silver Sabahia strain hens, aged 26 weeks, were randomly distributed among four groups of five replicates, each replicate consisting of 15 hens. Chickens in group 1 served as a control and were fed the basal diet. Those in groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed basal diet supplemented with 1, 2, and 3% ESs, respectively. Productive performance traits, egg quality traits, hematological parameters, blood parameters, and yolk cholesterol profiles were performed throughout the study. The study lasted for 13 weeks (until week 39 of chickens' age). Results indicated that 3% ES supplementation had higher results on egg mass (35.68%), egg production (21.13%), and improved feed conversion ratio by 30.37%, compared to all groups. Furthermore, ESs supplementation positively affects the shell thickness and yolk color score compared to the control. Compared to the control, the highest significant blood hemoglobin and lymphocytes were recorded in the groups supplemented with 2% and 3% of ESs. The ES inclusion at a higher level (3%) in the diet of laying hens led to significantly enhanced serum high-density lipoprotein and total antioxidant capacity, while reducing cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde levels, compared to the control diet. Serum calcium, tri-iodothyronine, and alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly in response to 3% ES treatment, while liver enzymes decreased significantly compared to the control diet. Notably, the addition of 2% and 3% ESs to the hens’ ration resulted in reduced egg cholesterol content, which is desirable for consumers seeking healthier dietary choices. Finally, adding 3% ESs to hens’ diet improves productive performance, egg quality traits, hematological parameters, blood parameters, and yolk cholesterol profile