Cc Pizzolante

Efeito dos Níveis de Cantaxantina na Dieta Sobre o Desempenho e Qualidade dos Ovos de Poedeiras Comerciais

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cantaxantina levels on performance and egg yolk color. Three hundred and eighty four Hisex laying 65-week old hens were randomized allocated in a block design with six treatments (0, 12, 24, 26, 48 and 60 ppm of cantaxantina , and eight replications of eight birds per pen, during eight weeks. The egg color analysis was determined using the Roche fan colorimeter. The best egg yolk color (14.3) during the first 14 days of essay were reached at 5.43 days of receiving diets with 60 ppm of cataxantina. During the total period, egg yolk color increased quadratically (p .05).

Effects of calcium levels and limestone particle size on the egg quality of semi-heavy layers in their second production cycle

A 112-day trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary calcium level and limestone particle size on the egg quality of 288 HyLine Brown semi-heavy layers, with 83 weeks of age at the beginning of the experiment. A completely randomized experimental design was applied in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two dietary calcium levels (3.5 and 4.0%) e three limestone particle size compositions (100% fine limestone (FL), with 0.185mm; 30% coarse limestone (CL), with 2.83mm, + 70% FL, with 0.185mm; and 50% CL, with 2.83mm, + 50% FL, with 0.185mm), with six replicates of eight birds each. Mean geometric diameter and in-vitro solubility of the limestone sources were, respectively, 0.185mm and 18.7% for the fine limestone, and 2.83mm and 10.5% for the coarse limestone. At the end of each 28-day period, 72 eggs per treatment were used to determine egg specific gravity, yolk percentage, albumen percentage, eggshell percentage, yolk index, Haugh units, eggshell thickness, and eggshell breaking strength. There was no influence of the treatments on the evaluated parameters. It was concluded that feeding the level of 3.5% calcium usually recommended for layers in their first laying cycle, and the substitution of up to 50% fine limestone by coarse limestone in the feed of semiheavy commercial Hy-Line Brown layers in their second laying cycle can be applied with no impairment of egg quality.

Alterações Morfólogicas de Codornas Poedeiras Submetidas a Muda Forçada

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the physical alterations, productive and mortality tracts in layer quails during the fast. During the fast period, a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 1, 2, and 3) days of fast, and three replicates of 36 birds per pen were used. In the beginning and at the end of the period of fast, 2 birds for pen were slaughtered, individually weighed to collect and evaluation of ovary, oviduct, and liver. The results showed a 25.64% reduction in the live weight, at the first three days of the fast period. In the same period, egg production fell to 2.81% and the mortality was 4.60%.

Forced-Molting methods and their effects on the performance and egg quality of japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the second laying cycle

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry house of the Research and Development Unit of Brotas of Agencia Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegocios do Centro-Oeste, SP, Brazil. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of Japanese quails submitted to forced molting aiming at optimizing the use of the same quail flock by promoting a second laying cycle. A total number of 400 67-day-old Japanese quails in lay, previously submitted to 14 days of forced molting, was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments (T1= not submitted to forced molting, T2= 03 days of fasting + fed ad libitum, T3= 01 days of fasting + 13 days of feed restriction, T4= 02 days of fasting + 12 days of feed restriction, and T5= 03 days of fasting + 11 days of feed restriction. Feeds were contained equal nutrient levels, and were formulated according to NRC (1994) recommendations. There were significant differences among the studied treatments. Although the treatment of 3 days of fasting followed by ad libitum feeding resulted in lower egg weight, it promoted better lay percentage, egg mass, and feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). On the other hand, 3 days of fasting followed by restricted feeding resulted in higher feed intake and worse feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). When birds were not submitted to forced molting, they presented lower lay percentage and egg mass.

Beak trimming methods and their effect on the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) during lay

INTRODUCTIONA total number of 720 Japanese quail females, reared under identicalmanagement conditions, and receiving feed and water ad libitum, wasused. Quails were housed and reared from 1-35 days of age in litterpens in a rearing house, and then were transferred to a quail layerhouse. This study aimed at verifying if different beak trimming methodcould optimize egg production and quality by reducing stress andcannibalism among birds. A completely randomized experimental designwas used, with six treatments in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with twobeak trimming ages (14 and 21 days) and three beak trimming variants(non-trimmed, 1/3 of the beak trimmed, or ½ of the beak trimmed),with 6 replicates of 20 birds each. Performance was evaluated by feedintake, percentage of lay, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozeneggs and per kg eggs, and mortality. Performance was influenced bybeak trimming variant, with the best results obtained by birds with intactbeaks and those with 1/3 of the beak trimmed. Better specific gravity wasobserved in quails submitted to beak trimming at 21 days of age, whereasthe other egg quality parameters did not present significant results. Basedon the results obtained in the present study, it is recommended to submitquails to beak trimming either at 14 or 21 days of age.INTRODUCTIONThe expansion of quail production in Brazil, currently established atindustrial level, must be highlighted due to the generation of jobs, theuse of small areas, the need of low investments, the fast return oninvestments, as well as a animal protein source.Beak trimming is considered as necessary as a routine managementpractice in commercial layer production, aiming at the prevention ofcannibalism and at reducing social stress. According to Cloutier et al.(2000), beak trimming is the main method used to prevent featherpecking and cannibalism in the poultry industry. However, its use is stillcontroversial in quail production. Beak trimming is condemned byenvironmentalists, which perceive it as a painful mutilation. In addition,feed intake is impaired during the days immediately after beak trimming(Gentle, 1986).On the other hand, producers consider this practice an essentialprocedure in young birds, in order to reduce feather pecking andcannibalism later, thereby improving performance, and positivelycontributing to bird welfare.According to Hughes & Gentle (1995), beak trimming is indicating insome cases, such as environmental factors (light intensity, environmentaltemperature, type of poultry house), social factors (flock size and density),and genetic lines (more or less aggressive birds). Cunningham (1992)adds that, although beak trimming is usually considered as a stressful

Turmeric root and annato seed in second-cycle layer diets: performance and egg quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of annato (Bixa orellana L.) and turmeric (Turmeric longa L.) in layer feeds on live performance, egg quality, and yolk pigmentation and depigmentation time. A number of 144 layers were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments with six replicates of six birds each. In the basal diet, sorghum replaced 50% of corn, and was supplemented or not with natural pigments to composse the following treatments: Control (0% pigments), AS (2.0% annato), TR (2% turmeric) and ASTR (1% annato and 1% turmeric). Egg weight (g), egg production (%), egg mass (%), feed intake (g), feed conversion ratio (kg/dz and kg/kg) and mortality were evaluated. The following egg quality parameters were evaluated: specific gravity (SG); yolk, albumen, and eggshell percentages, and yolk color. The treatments did not influence layer performance or egg quality parameters, except for egg production and yolk color. The dietary inclusion of 1% turmeric root and 1% annato seed promoted higher egg production. Diets containing annato resulted in more saturated, more intense, and redder yolk color, with increasing pigment deposition after day 10, with maximum values obtained on day 28. Dried turmeric root did not promote good yolk pigmentation, resulting in higher presence of white in the yolk, which was stabilized on day 4. Three days after pigments were withdrawn from the feeds, yolk color faded in the treatments with annato inclusion.

Alimentação de Codornas com Milho Moído e Ração de Postura no Período Pós-jejum Durante a Muda Forçada e Seus Efeitos Sobre o Desempenho

The experiment was conducted to evaluate layer quails performance fed in different periods with corn meal or laying diet during a 7-day post-molt period. Following this, birds were fed laying diet during the experimental period of 20 weeks. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with three treatments (laying diet during 7 days; laying diet ration during 3 days + corn meal during 4 days or corn meal during 7 days) and three replications of 24 birds per pen. The results showed that quails fed laying diet during 7 days post-molt presented larger egg production during the first six weeks of production period than the others receiving corn meal. However there was no effect of treatments on egg production, egg weight, feed consumption and feed conversion during the experimental period of 20 weeks.

Beak-trimming methods and their effect on the performance of japanese quail pullets (Coturnix japonica)

This study aimed at verifying if beak-trimming methods in Japanese quail pullets could optimize production by decreasing stress caused by cannibalism. A total number of 816 day-old Japanese quails was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with two beak-trimming ages (14 and 21 days of age) and three beak-trimming sizes (not trimmed, 1/3 trimmed, or 1/ 2 trimmed), and 4 replicates of 34 birds per replicate. Birds were submitted to the same management and feeding conditions. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were evaluated. There was no significant effect of age at beak trimming on the evaluated parameters (P>0.05), as well as no significant interaction between age at beak trimming, and beak-trimming method. There was a significant effect (P<0.01) of trimming size on performance, with the best performance observed in birds not submitted to beak trimming or had 1/2 of the beak trimmed. When the beak was more aggressively trimmed (1/2), parameters were worse. According to the obtained results, it is recommended to trim 1/3 of the beaks, which can be performed either at 14 or 21 days of age.

Performance, carcass yield, and meat quality of free-range broilers fed wet grain corn silage

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of total replacement of dry corn by wet grain corn silage (WGCS) in the feed of label broilers older than 28 days of age on performance, mortality, carcass, parts, breast meat and thighs meat yields, and meat quality. A mixed-sex flock of 448 ISA S 757-N (naked-neck ISA JA Label) day-old chicks was randomly distributed in to randomized block experimental design with four treatments (T1 n with no WGCS; T2 n WGCS between 28 and 83 days; T3 n WGCS between 42 and 83 days; and T4 n WGCS between 63 and 83 days) and four replicates of 28 birds each. Birds were raised under the same management and feeding conditions until 28 days of age, when they started to have free access to paddock with pasture (at least 3m 2 /bird) and to be fed the experimental diets. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the rearing period, which was divided in three stages: starter (1 to 28 days), grower (29 to 63 days), and finisher (64 to 83 days) according to the feeding schedule. During the short periods of WGCS use (group T2 during grower stage and T4 during the finisher stage), performance and mortality results were similar as to those of the control group (T1). At the end of the experiment, it was observed that the extended use of WGCS (T2 and T3) determined a negative effect on feed conversion ratio. However, the best results of breast meat yield were observed with birds fed WGCS since 28 days (T2). It was concluded that WGCS can replace dry corn grain for short periods during the grower and finisher stages with no impairment of meat quality and yield in slow growth broilers.

Traceability of animal meals in Japanese quail eggs using the technique of 13C e 15N* stable isotopes

The objective of this study was to trace the inclusion of bovine meat and bone meal (BMBM) in the diet of Japanese quails by analyzing eggs and egg fractions (yolk and albumen) by the technique of carbon-13 (13C) and nitrogen-15 (15N) stable isotopes. In the trial, 120 Japanese quails were distributed in six treatments with four replicates of five birds each. The following treatments were applied: feed based on corn and soybean meal, containing graded BMBM inclusions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5%). After 42 days, 20 eggs per treatment were randomly collected for three consecutive days. Ten eggs were used for yolk and albumen sample collection, and ten for total egg sample collection. It was possible to detect the dietary inclusion of 1% BMBM in the egg and its fractions. Therefore, the technique of isotopes 13C and 15N is able of tracing since 1% inclusion level of BMBM in the diet of Japanese quails in eggs and their fractions.