Effects of chick separation and feeding on the performance of hens and chicks

A study was conducted to observe the effect of separating chicks from broody hens after hatching, and supplementary feeding, on the performance of broody hens and chicks. Eighteen broody hens incubated 360 eggs of native hens. Broody hens and chicks were divided into three treatment groups; in T1, chicks were not separated, and chicks scavenged with mothers; in T2, chicks were separated at five days and fed ad libitum; and in T3, chicks were separated at 10 days and fed ad libitum. Hens in T2 and T3 received 50g feed/hen/day. The interval between end of incubation and first lay was shorter in T2 (36.3 days) and T3 (41.7) than in T1 (55.2). Clutch length was shortest in T1 (12.7 days), medium in T3 (15.0) and longest in T2 (17.0). There were more eggs/clutch in T2 (14.7) and T3 (14.3) than in T1 (11.5). There were no differences in broody hen's body weight between treatment groups. Mortality of chicks was highest in T2 (39.6%), medium in T3 (33.9), and lowest in T1 (21.0). Body weight of chicks was highest in T2, medium in T3 and lowest in T1, except at 1st week of age. It is suggested that separation of chicks and supplementary feeding was beneficial in terms of interval between end of incubation and first lay, clutch length, number of eggs per clutch and body weight of chicks. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v26i1.4626 Bangl. vet. 2009. Vol. 26, No. 1, 13-16</jats:p

Effect of exogenous Phytase on Egg Production and Egg Quality of Spent Hen

The present study determined, assessed and quantified the exogenous phytase on egg production and egg quality of spent hens. Ninety laying hens (ISA- Brown) received iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diet supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 % phytase and reared in cages. Each layer was fed 120g feed/day from 90 to 100 weeks of age. At the inception of the study the spent hen at the age of 90 weeks had an average egg production 65.21 %. Phytase addition in diet increased (p&lt;0.05) egg production  (7.67, 12.17, 12.04 and 15.87 % higher than control group), egg mass output (5.5, 9.34, 7.65 and 12.72 % higher than that of control) and feed conversion, but it did not alter shell weight, shell thickness, shape index, albumen index, Haugh unit, per cent yolk and yolk color. It was concluded that reduced egg production of spent hen at older ages to some extent might have a relationship to decreased availability of phosphorus. The decreased egg production in hens at older ages could be corrected by adding appropriate phytase level in the diet. Thus, it may be possible to extend and prolonged productive life of spent hens by supplying exogenous phytase in diet. However, the effect of availability of phosphorus on egg production using larger population for a longer period may be performed to confirm the findings of the current study.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 20(1-2): 68-76, Jan-Dec 2013</jats:p

Pattern and problem of poultry consumption by the rural and urban families of Fulbaria Upazila

The pattern and problem of poultry consumption by the rural and urban families of Fulbaria upazilla were studied. Data were collected through interview schedule from 100 respondents (50 from rural area and 50 from urban area). Problem confrontation index (PCI) in urban area 27 to 143 against the possible range of 0 to 150 and in rural area 33 to 138 against the possible 0 to 150. Overall area PCI was 60 to 281 against the possible range of 0 to 300. Nonavailability of day old chicks, lack of optimum amount of feed, unbalanced diets and fluctuating prices of eggs and meat were the acute problems hampered the consumption of poultry. The average farm size in urban and rural areas was 167.84 and 233.94 decimal. Livestock population consisted of 80% poultry and 20% large animal. Poultry contributed 4% of the total income in the rural area and 3% in the urban area. Rural people have less knowledge on health and nutrition than that of urban people. Poultry consumption in both rural and urban area is certainly very low. A positive correlation of age with poultry consumption implies that per capita poultry consumption is higher for older people. Reverse case is expected to build a healthy society. From correlations it can be concluded that in urban area increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income, better knowledge on health and nutrition and decreased family size should increase per capita poultry consumption. Correlations also indicate that decreased family size and better knowledge on health and nutrition could minimize problems of poultry consumption. In rural area correlations computed impress that increased literacy, increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income and better knowledge on health and nutrition should increase per capita poultry consumption. Whereas, increased income could remove problems of poultry consumption. Keywords: Poultry; Consumption; Problem confrontation index; Pattern and problem DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v6i2.4827 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 6(2): 307-313, 2008</jats:p

Disposal of layer droppings reared in case and impact on environmental pollution

A study evaluated the droppings disposal in layer farm and measures adapted to protect environmental pollution. Data were collected from 20 randomly selected layer farmers by a semi structured personal interview schedule from Sadar upazilla of Mymensingh. The independent variables such as age and gender of farmers, family size educational qualification occupation etc. and the dependent variables such as flock size, age of birds, feed consumption, egg and dropping production, cleaning of dropping etc. were studied. The feed consumption and droppings production/layer/day were 116.54 and 151.65g, respectively. Hen housed egg production was 80.55%. The cost for cleaning, price of droppings and profit on droppings sale/layer/day were Tk 0.01, 0.07 and 0.07 respectively. Half of farmer received maximum earning from droppings in winter. Most of the farmers had single storied house and used ceiling fan. Most of the farmers clean droppings in alternate day in the morning by the male worker using belcha to minimize environmental pollution and half of them used disinfectants. Average time required/day to clean droppings was 83.00 minute. Majority of the farmer consider cleaning of droppings to be a real problem for odour and gas (NH3) emission. Majority farmers stored droppings at high land as an open pit. Average distance between pit and shed was 58.33m. The highest proportion of the farmers used droppings in the crop field by composting while others sold to fisheries. Majority of the respondents opined that feed, droppings, dead birds, medicinal wastes and odour do not cause environmental pollution. Droppings disposal is a real problem for aesthetic, public safety and environmental point of view. Cleaning technique and tools needed to be modernized for efficient and cost effective cleaning. Standard method needed to be introduced for proper treatment and use of droppings to maximize its use and benefit. Keywords: Droppings disposal; Environmental pollution; Caged rearing DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v7i2.4735 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 7(2): 281-290, 2009</jats:p

Resistência ao Estresse Calórico em Frangos de Corte de Pescoço Pelado Resistance to Heat Stress of Naked Neck Broilers

Aves de duas linhagens, sendo uma portadora do gene pescoço pelado (Na_) que determina redução no empenamento, e outra não portadora, com empenamento normal (nana), foram submetidas a estresse térmico gradativo (38, 40 e 42ºC), em câmara climática, nas idades de 28, 35 e 42 dias, com o intuito de se verificar a resistência ao estresse térmico. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre a temperatura retal média e a taxa respiratória média da linhagem de empenamento normal quando comparada com a linhagem de pescoço pelado, em todas as idades e períodos de estresse. Foram verificados valores mais altos das aves de empenamento normal, demonstrando a influência do conjunto temperatura de estresse térmico e idade. Pôde-se constatar que houve diferença significativa entre as linhagens para as médias de perda de peso apenas aos 35 dias de idade. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a linhagem de pescoço pelado (Na_) possui maior resistência ao estresse térmico em relação à linhagem de empenamento normal (nana).<br>Birds of two lineages, a carrier of the Naked Neck gene (Na_) that determines reduction in the feathering and other non-carrier (normal feathering, nana), were submitted to thermal stress (38, 40 and 42ºC) in climatic chambers at 28, 35 and 42 days of age to verify the resistance to the thermal stress. Significant differences were verified among the mean rectal temperature of the normal feathered lineage when compared with the naked neck lineage, in all the ages and stress periods, with higher values in the normal feathered birds. The same result was found for mean respiratory rate. Significant difference was found for weight loss between the two lineages only at the age of 35 days. The results obtained suggest that the Naked Neck lineage possesses higher resistance to the thermal stress in relation to the normal feathered lineage