Metin Petek

Effects of non-feed removal molting methods on egg quality traits in commercial brown egg laying hens in Turkey

Non-feed removal molting programme in commercial brown laying hens and its influence on pre-molting, post-molting and end of cycle egg quality traits were investigated. Overall 54 birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups and each group was fed with one of the following diets during 10 days of molting period: (i) grain barley, (ii) alfalfa meal, or (iii) commercial layer ration (non-molted control group). Eggs obtained from groups in pre-molting, post-molting and end of cycle periods were examined for several quality performance traits such as egg weight, specific gravity, shape index, shell strength, shell thickness, eggshell weight, haugh unit, albumen index, yolk index and yolk color. Results indicated that non-feed removal molting programme based particularly on grain barley had positive effect on egg quality traits in laying hens. Notably, yolk color and haugh unit, which are considered as the most important quality parameters from the consumer point of view, were relatively improved in barley molted group.

Effect of First Feed Intake Time on Broiler Performance and Carcass Traits

Abstract Petek, M., Yilmaz, E. and Cibik, R. 2007. Effect of first feed intake time on broiler performance and carcass traits. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 203–206. Influence of first feed intake time on broiler performance parameters and carcass traits have been evaluated using 225 newly hatched male chicks (Ross), randomly divided into three treatment groups and post-hatch initial feeding times as Oh, 18h and 36h. During the first four weeks, body weight gain of delayed fed groups were lower than control group. However, by the end of the 42 d experimental period body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, survival rate and carcass trait parameters were not different (P>0;05) among the groups. Performance deficiencies caused by delayed feeding disappeared in subsequent days suggesting that this process had no detrimental effect on broiler performance.