Influence of pre-incubation treatment on hatching results of broiler breeder eggs produced at 37 and 59 weeks of age.

1. The influence of temperature in the nest box, temperature during storage, storage time and pre-setting temperature on the hatchability of broiler breeder eggs produced by birds of 37 and 59 weeks of age was examined. 2.

Effect of a soluble polysaccharide (carboxy methyl cellulose) on the absorption of minerals from the gastrointestinal tract of broilers.

1. The effect of an indigestible soluble polysaccharide (carboxy methyl cellulose: CMC) on the absorption of some macro-elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) from different segments of the small intestine of broilers was determined. 2.

Effect of a soluble polysaccharide (carboxy methyl cellulose) on the physico-chemical conditions in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers.

1. The effects of an indigestible soluble polysaccharide (carboxy methyl cellulose: CMC) on broiler performance (body weight gain, food and water intake) and on chyme characteristics (moisture content, viscosity, pH, osmolality and retention time) in broilers were studied. 2.

Plasma levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I and -II from 2 to 6 weeks of age in meat-type chickens selected for 6-week body weight or for feed conversion and reared under high or normal environmental temperature conditions.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of high (33 degrees C) and normal (33-20 degrees C) rearing temperature on growth and plasma levels of the somatotrophic hormones of 2 genetic lines of broiler chickens selected for 6-wk body weight (GL-line) or for feed conversion between 3 and 6 wk of age (FC-line) or for feed conversion between 3 and 6 wk of age (FC-line). Blood samples were collected weekly and analysed for growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and -II levels by RIA. The growth-depressing effect of the HT-treatment was more pronounced in the heavier GL-line and in males.

Ascites in broilers. 2. Disturbances in the hormonal regulation of metabolic rate and fat metabolism.

Effects of different broiler stocks, ambient temperatures (Ta), dietary energy content (AME), and dietary levels of unsaturated fat on plasma thyroid and growth hormone concentrations and energy metabolism were studied. An experiment with a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial split-plot arrangement of treatments with 96 groups of 12 male broilers each was performed. Blood samples were taken at 3, 4, and 5 wk of age.

Different endogenous viral loci in Cornish and White Plymouth rock chickens.

Endogenous viral (ev) loci were studied in three broiler lines. In 5 birds of each of line cw1 and line cw2 (White Plymouth Rock lines) 19 and 14, respectively, different SstI ev-junction fragments were found, while in 8 R line birds (Cornish type) 15 different Sst I junction fragments were found. Further characterization of the line R loci with a second restriction enzyme, BamHI, revealed that these junction fragments represent 25 different loci, of which at least 21 have not been reported previously.

Effects of high temperature on growth and efficiency of male and female broilers from lines selected for high weight gain, favorable feed conversion, and high or low fat content.

Male and female broiler chicks from five different broiler crosses (WI, LF, and HF = Israeli chicks selected for high body weight gain, and low and high abdominal fat, respectively; FC and WN = Dutch chicks selected for favorable feed conversion and high body weight gain, respectively) were raised at a high ambient temperature (32 to 33 C). Weight gain, protein and fat content in the carcass and feed, and protein efficiency were determined at 4, 6, and 8 wk of age. The effect of the high temperature was evaluated by comparing these data with those of similar chicks raised at a normal temperature (20 to 33 C) up to 6 wk of age.

Prevention of colonization by Salmonella enteritidis PT4 in broiler chickens.

Field experiments in The Netherlands and in Scandinavian countries have shown that an undefined microflora originating from SPF adult poultry will reduce considerably the colonization of young chicks by Salmonella. A commercial product from this so-called Nurmi concept, Broilact, was studied for its effectiveness in preventing infection of broilers with Salmonella enteritidis PT4 (S.e.

Concentrations of hormones, glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma of broiler chickens selected for weight gain or food conversion.

1. The concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse-triiodothyronine (rT3), triglycerides (Tri), free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose (Glu) were determined at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age in blood plasma of male and female chickens of broiler lines selected for body weight (GL) or food conversion (FC). 2.

Ascites in broilers. 1. Experimental factors evoking symptoms related to ascites.

Male broilers of two genetically related stocks with divergent growth rates and feed conversion ratios were used to study metabolic backgrounds on the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, hypoxemia, and ascites in poultry. An experiment with a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial split-plot arrangement of treatments with 96 groups of 12 broilers was performed. Effects of stock and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, dietary fat, and dietary energy on performance, energy metabolism, oxygen consumption, hematocrit values, and mortality were investigated in broilers from 1 to 5 wk of age.

Improvement of phosphorus availability by microbial phytase in broilers and pigs.

Techniques have been developed to produce microbial phytase for addition to diets for simple-stomached animals, with the aim to improve phosphorus availability from phytate-P in plant sources. The activity of the crude microbial phytase showed pH optima at pH 5.5 and 2.