Dariusz Kokoszyński

Effect of age and sex on digestive tract morphometry of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L.).

As guinea fowl age, their body weights and length of the esophagus and crop increased significantly, and relative length (cm x 100 g b.w(-1)) of the small intestine, caeca and total intestine decreased significantly (P < or = 0.05) in males and females. In addition, 52-week-old males had a significantly higher percentage length of rectum and heart weight, and females a significantly higher gizzard weight compared to 13-week-old birds. Compared to females, adult males differed significantly (P < or = 0.05) in the length of caeca and also in the proportion of the gizzard, proventriculus, heart and liver in total weight.

CARCASS COMPOSITION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF MEAT FROM BROILER CHICKENS OF DIFFERENT ORIGIN

Three commercial lines of broiler chickens, Ross 308, Hubbard Flex and Hubbard F15 were investigated. Preslaughter weight, weight of eviscerated carcass with neck and dressing percentage were the highest in Hubbard Flex and the lowest in Ross 308 chickens. Analysis of carcass composition showed statistically significant differences in the content of neck, wings, breast muscles, skin with subcutaneous fat, abdominal fat and remainders of the carcass. The highest muscle content (total proportion of breast and leg muscles in carcass) was found in Hubbard Flex chickens, and the lowest body fat content (total proportion of skin with subcutaneous fat and abdominal fat) in Ross 308 birds. Chicken origin had a significant effect on pH15, water holding capacity, colour lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and aroma and juiciness of breast muscles.

Body conformation and morphometry of some internal organs of Pharaoh quail of different ages

The effect of age of Pharaoh quail on body weight, body conformation and development of internal organs, including the digestive tract, was determined. At the age of 35 days, Pharaoh quail were characterized by significantly lower body weight, length of trunk with neck, and length of trunk compared to 45-day-old birds. Younger quail had slightly shorter breast bone and lower thighs, smaller chest girth, and the same length of shanks. Body conformation indices were significantly (P?0.05) higher in 35-day-old birds. Pharaoh quail, evaluated at 35 and 45 days of age, did not differ significantly in the length of the oesophagus and crop, the length of intestine and its segments, and the weight and proportion of gizzard, proventriculus and heart. As birds aged, liver weight increased significantly, as did the weight and proportion of testicles in males.

CARCASS COMPOSITION AND MEAT QUALITY OF GREY PARTRIDGE (PERDIX PERDIX L.)

The aim of the study was to determine the body weight, dressing percentage, carcass composition and physico-chemical and sensory properties of meat from grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.). At the age of 32 weeks, male and female grey partridge had similar body weight (301.4 g vs 299.5 g), carcass weight (218.2 g vs 216.0 g) and dressing percentage (72.4% vs 72.1%). Dissection analysis showed non- significant differences in carcass composition between males and females. The carcasses of males contained more leg muscles (17.4%), skin with subcutaneous fat (5.5%) and neck (3.4%), but less breast muscles (30.7%) and wings (8.8%) compared to the carcasses of females (17.0%, 5.3%, 3.3%, 31.1% and 10.7%, respectively). Compared to males, the breast muscles of females were characterized by significantly higher water holding capacity. In addition, females showed significantly (P 0.05) lower values of lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and tenderness of breast muscles compared to males.

Effect of Diet and Physical Activity of Farm Animals on their Health and Reproductive Performance

Abstract Livestock production efficiency is to a large extent dependent on the health status and reproductive performance of the animals. Several factors are known to affect the vitality and reproductive capacity of farm animals, among them biological type, physical environment, and nutrition. Diet plays a major role in enhancing the efficiency of production in all animals. Energy and protein are the major nutrients required in the greatest amounts and should be the highest priority for optimizing reproduction and health in farm animals. Vitamins and minerals cannot be neglected either and must be balanced in the diet. There is also important evidence on the particular effects of physical activity on the health and reproductive capacity of livestock species. In farm animals, locomotion has been identified as a prerequisite for several behaviors. Physical activity is influenced by a wide variety of factors, for example, space per individual.