Comparison of reproductive performance, live weight, survivability, and fleece characteristics of indoor-raised Central Anatolian Merino and Malya sheep

This study was conducted to compare Central Anatolian Merino (CAM) and Malya sheep under intensive conditions in terms of reproductive traits, birth and weaning weights, fattening performance, and some fleece characteristics. In this study, 840 CAM and 194 Malya ewes were used for the comparison of reproductive performance, whereas 740 and 211 lambs were used to compare growth traits between the two breeds. Additionally, the fattening performance of 61 CAM and 68 Malya lambs were compared. Finally, for the comparison of wool quality traits, 94 CAM and 90 Malya lambs were used. The lambs were kept together with the sheep that gave birth to them for 10 days. After this period, lambs were given lamb starter feed, alfalfa hay, and vetch hay in addition to milk. When lambs reached 40 days old, they were taken to the pasture with the sheep. In this period, pasture grass, growing lamb concentrate feed, alfalfa hay, and vetch hay were given in addition to milk. Lambs were weaned when they reached an average age of 90 days, and their live weights were determined. A determined number of lambs was selected from weaned male lambs. For these animals, in the fattening period, barley, alfalfa hay, vetch hay, meadow hay, and lentil straw were provided ad libitum in addition to 400 g/day/head of fattening feed. This study indicated that birth rate was better for CAM sheep than for Malya sheep. However, Malya lambs may have more advantages than CAM lambs in terms of survival and fattening performance. Although birth weight was higher for Malya sheep than for CAM sheep, the opposite result was observed for the weaning weight. The beginning weights of fattened male lambs were higher for CAM lambs than for Malya lambs, but the ending weights of both fattened groups were similar.(AU)

The Effects of Dietary Clinoptilolite Supplementation on Fattening Performance, Some Blood and Visceral Organ Parameters in Japanese Quails

This study was aimed at determining the effects of dietary zeolite (clinoptilolite) supplementation on fattening performance, slaughter characteristics, and some blood and visceral organ parameters in Japanese quails. For this purpose, 140 (4x35) four-day-old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 4 replicates (9+9+9+8), and the study was continued for a period of 31 days. The groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0% of clinoptilolite (control group), 1.5% of clinoptilolite (Z1.5), 3% of clinoptilolite (Z3) and 6% of clinoptilolite (Z6). For the female quails, the best blood TOS and liver TAS levels were detected in Z3 and Z1.5, respectively. For the male quails, the best blood TAS and liver TOS levels were determined in Z1.5. Histopathological examination demonstrated that dietary supplementation with 1.5% of zeolite had increased the height of the intestinal villi in both male and female quails, and had reduced hepatic lipidosis in female quails. Female quails displayed significantly increased levels of hepatic lipidosis in Z3 and Z6, and liver hepatitis in Z3. In result, it is suggested that zeolite, a hydrated aluminosilicate, in its form containing 90.2% of clinoptilolite, can be incorporated as a feed supplement into quail basal diets at a rate of 3%, owing to its positive effect on fattening performance. Furthermore, the use of zeolite may also contribute to maintaining animal health by reducing humidity in poultry houses and feed.(AU)

The effect of lentil-by product on growth performance and carcass traits of heavy white turkeys

The subject of this study was to figure out the effects of lentil by product (LP) on growth performance and carcass traits of the white heavy turkeys. To accomplish this goal, a total of 210 day old big-6 turkey chicks were used. The birds were divided into 7 seven groups with 3 replicates. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th groups received 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 % lentil by product, respectively. All the diets were made as izonitrojenic and izocaloric. The highest live body weights of males and females were observed in the control group at the end of the 15th week, which was the time of slaughtering of females, however the differences between the control and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were not significant (p>0.05). The same differences continued for males at the end of the 17th wk of age, which was the time of slaughtering of males. Similar results were observed in carcass traits, as well. The best FCR was noted in the control group and it was significantly (p<0.05) different than in the treatment groups. The lowest and highest feed intake was observed in the 7th and 3rd groups. No significant differences were observed between control and all treatment groups. As a result, it could be said that lentil by product could be added into turkey diets up to 15% with no negative effect on live body weight and carcass traits because there was no significant differences between control and treatment groups (5, 10,15 % LP).

The effect of lentil-by product on growth performance and carcass traits of heavy white turkeys

The subject of this study was to figure out the effects of lentil by product (LP) on growth performance and carcass traits of the white heavy turkeys. To accomplish this goal, a total of 210 day old big-6 turkey chicks were used. The birds were divided into 7 seven groups with 3 replicates. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th groups received 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 % lentil by product, respectively. All the diets were made as izonitrojenic and izocaloric. The highest live body weights of males and females were observed in the control group at the end of the 15th week, which was the time of slaughtering of females, however the differences between the control and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were not significant (p>0.05). The same differences continued for males at the end of the 17th wk of age, which was the time of slaughtering of males. Similar results were observed in carcass traits, as well. The best FCR was noted in the control group and it was significantly (p<0.05) different than in the treatment groups. The lowest and highest feed intake was observed in the 7th and 3rd groups. No significant differences were observed between control and all treatment groups. As a result, it could be said that lentil by product could be added into turkey diets up to 15% with no negative effect on live body weight and carcass traits because there was no significant differences between control and treatment groups (5, 10,15 % LP).(AU)