Artificial lighting has enabled improvements in egg production, and different types of light and wavelengths have been tested to achieve better production results in the past. It has been established that red light positively affects the laying performance of hens…
In an experiment, the efficacy of Tragopogon graminifolius (TG) plant powder as a medicinal supplement for laying hens was investigated. A total of 192 Hy-line (W36) hens that had been laying for 52 to 63 weeks, were used. They were…
The aim of this study was to identify variations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and VIP receptor-1 (VIPR-1) genes that might be associated with turkey reproductive traits. One hundred twenty turkey hens were recorded for age at first egg (AFE),…
Egg production performance of the Lesotho native chickens was compared with that of South African native (Ovambo, Lebowa-Venda, Naked Neck and Potchefstroom) and exotic (Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire) chicken lines under semi-intensive conditions in Lesotho. Traits that were…
The aim of this study was to explore the potential of Pistacia terebinthus (terebinth) seed meal as a dietary supplement for laying hens. One hundred and ninety-two Babcock 30-week-old laying hens were assigned to one of six treatments (n =…
This study was conducted to determine the effects on performance, egg quality parameters and some serum profiles of vitamin E, thyme and rosemary extracts that were added to laying hen feeds. One hundred twelve 48-week-old Bovans-genotype white laying hens were…
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various fat sources on productive performance, blood biochemical variables and immune responses of laying hens. Laying hens were divided into seven groups, which received i) basal or control diet (no oil);…
The objective of the study was to determine how the partial supplementation of Moringa oleifera whole seed meal (MOWSM) would affect layer performance, egg quality and egg fatty acid profile. One hundred and forty-four Hy-Line hens in early-lay (20-weeks-old), with…
The Boschveld indigenous chicken is a breed that was developed in South Africa for rural household free-range production of meat and eggs. A performance test was carried out to identify their production characteristics when reared intensively, and to estimate the…
Prolactin (PRL), a polypeptide hormone synthesized and secreted by the animal's anterior pituitary gland, plays an important role in the regulation of mammalian lactation and avian reproduction. Considering the significant association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5'-flanking region…
Elucidating the factors affecting feed intake is important when quantifying nutrient responses in breeding ostriches. The experiment was conducted to determine to what extent dietary energy content will affect the important production parameters of breeding ostriches. Ninety pairs of breeding…
One hundred and twenty 4-month·old, single-combed, brown Hy-Line pullets were fed two isocaloric diets containing 16 or 13,5% protein with and without 5% clinoptilolite in four treatments with thirty hens per replicate. Sterile river sand was used as a filler…
Considerable savings can be realized and performance can be improved by formulating poultry feeds based on the daily feed intake and nutrient needs of the chicken. Programmes have been developed for commercial layers, broiler breeders, and replacement pullets for commercial…
A trial was conducted with 1 152 Amberlink laying pullets from the ages of 30 to 35 weeks to determine the tryptophan requirements. The eight treatments consisted of a series of diets made by dilution of a summit diet with…
Data involving monthly records of egg production (EP), chick production (CP), hatchability (H), mean egg weight (MEW) and mean day-old chick weight (MCW) were analysed using REML procedures. All traits were treated as hen traits. Egg production of young birds…
The effect of the inclusion of meat and bone meal (MBM) in the diet of old laying hens on their egg production and the quality of their eggs was investigated. Meat and bone meal containing a high concentration of ash…
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplements of either an essential oil mixture (EOM) or a mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) as alternatives to an antibiotic feed additive (avilamycin) for layers kept under hot summer conditions. Four hundred…
This study was conducted to examine the response of broiler breeder hens to feeds supplemented with synthetic lysine and methionine when fed once or twice daily during peak production. Replacing intact protein with increasing amounts of free lysine and methionine,…
Cobb 500 broiler breeder females (n = 832), which had been raised to achieve a typical 20-week body weight of 2.1 kg, were subjected to an abrupt or gradual increase in photoperiod to determine the effects on reproductive performance. One…
The study investigated genetic parameters for egg and chick production recorded over an 8-month breeding season, as well as average egg and chick weight for pair-bred ostrich females. Estimates of h² were moderate for reproduction traits and very high for…
