Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Small Scale Production and Marketing.

The intensive use of high-performing strains in poultry production has led to the extinction of several autochthonous chicken breeds and, consequently, loss of genetic variability. Interest in saving biodiversity is growing rapidly and has become a major objective worldwide. The aim of this study was to shed light on the production trends of native Italian poultry breeds and the related market.

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Conservation Status and Rearing Systems in Use.

The most reared species of farm animal around the world is the chicken. However, the intensification of livestock systems has led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a limited number of breeds, resulting in substantial erosion to the genetic pool. The initial step of an 'animal conservation program' entails establishing the actual conservation statuses of the breeds concerned in a defined area; in this case, in Italy.

Performance of Slow-Growing Male Muscovy Ducks Exposed to Different Dietary Levels of Quebracho Tannin.

The study of the nutritional effects of tannins is complex due to the large chemical diversity; consequently, in poultry nutrition the biological responses may vary greatly. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dietary Quebracho tannins (QT) on growth and production performance in slow-growing type Muscovy ducks. For this purpose, a 42-d trial was carried out on 126 male ducks (42-d old at start), fed on three levels of dietary QT inclusion in the diet (0% as control diet, vs.

Effects of Dietary Quebracho Tannin on Performance Traits and Parasite Load in an Italian Slow-Growing Chicken (White Livorno Breed).

Tannins have shown numerous biological activities and are very appreciated in food animal production, especially for their antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antivirus effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two levels of dietary Quebracho tannin (QT) on growth and performance traits, and possible effects on intestinal parasite load in Italian White Livorno pullets. A 140-day trial was carried out on 180 35-day-old females, fed on two levels of dietary QT inclusion: 0%, 1% and 2%.