Performance of commercial laying hen genotypes on free range and organic farms in Switzerland, France and The Netherlands.

1. A total of 257 farmers with free ranging laying hens (organic and conventional) in Switzerland, France and The Netherlands with 273 flocks were interviewed to determine the relationships between the genotype of the hens, management conditions and performance. 2.

Differential effects of amount of feeding on cell proliferation and progesterone production in response to gonadotrophins and insulin-like growth factor I by ovarian granulosa cells of broiler breeder chickens selected for fatness or leanness.

Strain differences in reproductive performance were demonstrated between broiler breeder female chickens selected for growth (GL line) or for food conversion efficiency (FC line) and the improvement in reproductive performance due to feed restriction also differed significantly. Feed allowance effects on the maturation of ovarian follicles, the incidence of atresia and egg production differed between the two lines exposed to similar feeding protocols. Feed restriction reduced body weights significantly and to a similar extent in both GL and FC lines.

Association of endogenous avian viral and endogenous viral genes with feed conversion and six-week body weight in broilers.

The consistency of the effect of selection on the frequencies of endogenous avian viral (eav) and endogenous viral (ev) specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) bands was studied in two broiler lines selected from a single base population and in an F2 population derived from a reciprocal cross of both lines. One broiler line (FC line) was selected for low feed conversion ratio and the other line (GL line) was selected for high 6-wk body weight. In the F2 population, the band frequencies were determined in groups representing separate tails of the distribution of two production traits, namely, low feed conversion ratio between 29 and 42 d of age and body weight at 42 d of age.

Endogenous proteolytic enzymes in chicken muscles. Differences among strains with different growth rates and protein efficiencies.

The theory that net muscle growth is, at least partly, regulated by catabolic factors has been tested in order to set up an animal model to study meat aging and post-mortem tenderization. Male and female chickens of a layer strain (White Leghorn), a commercial broiler strain (Ross), and two experimental broiler lines (designated GL and FC) were used to estimate differences in proteolytic enzyme activities in the breast muscles. The GL and the FC lines were selected for high body weight gain and high feed efficiency, respectively.

Effect of dialysis before storage or cryopreservation on fertilizing ability of fowl semen.

Semen of broiler breeder males was collected and used for artificial insemination. Semen was used undiluted and diluted and both inseminated immediately after collection. Only diluted semen was used after storage.