Plasma disposition and tissue residue of Moxifloxacin in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) following different routes of administration

1. The disposition kinetics and the plasma availability of moxifloxacin were investigated in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) following different routes of administration at 5 mg/kg body weight.

2. Tissue residue profiles (liver, kidney, lung and muscle) and plasma were also studied after multiple intramuscular and oral administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight, once daily for 5 consecutive days.

3. Following intravenous injection, plasma concentration–time curves were best described by a two-compartment open model.

4. After intramuscular and oral administration of moxifloxacin, the peak plasma concentrations (C_max) were 2.14 and 1.94 μg/ml and were obtained at 1.40 and 1.87 h (T_max), post administration, respectively.

5. The systemic bioavailabilities following intramuscular and oral administration, respectively, of moxifloxacin were 92.48 and 87.94%.

6. Tissue concentrations following i.m. and p.o. administration were highest in liver and kidney, respectively, and decreased in the following order: plasma, lung and muscle. No moxifloxacin residues were detected in tissues and plasma after 120 h after i.m. or oral administration.     

Improved early performance of turkey poults given an Aloe ferox leaf extract with bentonite

1. AT-402 (20 g/kg), a proprietary blend of Aloe ferox leaf extract and calcium bentonite, had no adverse effect on poult body weights at 3 weeks of age.

2. Lower body weights and lower feed consumption were observed in 4-week-old poults given 10 and 20 g/kg of AT-402 compared to poults given 0 or 5 g/kg.

3. Floor-reared poults, given either 5 or 10 g/kg AT-402 to 4 weeks of age, were significantly heavier than controls (0 g/kg AT-402), and feed conversion ratios for AT-402 given poults were improved.

4. Xylose uptake in 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults was significantly greater than in poults given AT-402 at 0 and 10 g/kg, reflecting increased body weights of 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults.

5. Delayed access by poults to the AT-402 until 10 d of age also improved 4-week body weights, suggesting that the AT-402 might improve performance as soon as it is given.

6. AT-402 at 5 g/kg was most efficacious as demonstrated by improved body weights and feed conversions.     

Prevalence of and risk factors for Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks at the end of the rearing period in France

1. A study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and quantification by species of Campylobacter infection in broiler flocks at the end of the rearing period and to identify associated risk factors.

2. A questionnaire about the rearing period was completed and caecal samples were collected from 121 broiler flocks in Brittany, France, during 2008.

3. Campylobacter was isolated in 87 out of 121 flocks – a prevalence of 71.9% (95% CI, 63.7–80.1%), including 40.5% of Campylobacter jejuni and 29.8% of Campylobacter coli.

4. The average concentration, in positive flocks, was 7.96 log₁₀ cfu/g and ranged from 3.15 to 10.32 log₁₀ cfu/g.

5. The average concentration by species was: 7.57 log₁₀ cfu/g for C. jejuni and 8.44 log₁₀ cfu/g for C. coli.

6. There was a seasonal effect, with increased risk of Campylobacter colonisation in June, July and August (odds ratio (OR) = 9.59, 95% CI 1.15–79.75).

7. The other factors, associated with lower risk of Campylobacter colonisation, were the acidification of drinking water (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.86), antibiotic treatment at the beginning of the rearing period (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07–0.55) and rodent control around the house (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.03–0.95).

8. The results show that hygiene practices and biosecurity measures could lead to a reduction in Campylobacter colonisation.     

Production traits of artificially and naturally hatched geese in intensive and free-range systems: I. Growth traits

1. This study investigated the effect of incubation type and production system on geese growth traits.

2. A total of 216 geese were either naturally (114) or artificially (102) hatched and reared in intensive or free-range production systems (4 replicates each) until 18 weeks of age.

3. Weights of naturally hatched goslings (NHG) were significantly higher than artificially hatched goslings (AHG) at 2 weeks (644 vs. 536 g); however, weights of AHG were significantly higher than NHG at both 6 weeks (3245 vs. 3010 g) and 18 weeks (5212 vs. 4353 g).

4. AHG had better feed conversion ratios (FCRs) than NHG (6.21 vs. 6.46 at 18 weeks). Feed consumption of naturally hatched geese was found higher in first 4 weeks when compared to artificially hatched geese and artificially hatched geese consumed more feed than naturally hatched geese after 8 weeks.

5. Production system had insignificant effects on feed consumption, FCRs, viability and mutilation rates.

6. Slipped wings were more frequent in NHG than AHG (8.32% vs. 1.68% at 6 weeks; 23.84% vs. 5.12% between 7 and 18 weeks) and in free-range production when compared to intensive production (17.88% vs. 11.08% over the course of the production period).

7. The study results indicate that both artificially and NHG can be reared in free-range production systems without any loss in performance and in deference to animal welfare.     

Effects of dietary boron and phytase supplementation on growth performance and mineral profile of broiler chickens fed on diets adequate or deficient in calcium and phosphorus

1. Two experiments were designed to determine the effect of dietary boron (B) in broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effect of dietary calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (aP) (adequate or deficient) and supplemental B (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg diet). In Experiment 2, B, at 20 mg/kg, and phytase (PHY) (500 FTU/kg diet) were incorporated into a basal diet deficient in Ca and aP, either alone or in combination.

2. The parameters that were measured were growth performance indices, serum biochemical activity as well as ash and mineral (i.e. Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn) content of tibia, breast muscle and liver.

3. Results indicated that both supplemental B and dietary Ca and aP had marginal effects on performance indices of chickens grown for 42 d.

4. There were positive correlations (linear effect) between B concentrations of serum, bone, breast muscle and liver and the amount of B consumed.

5. Serum T₃ and T₄ activities increased linearly with higher B supplementation.

6. Increasing supplemental B had significant implications on breast muscle and liver mineral composition. Lowering dietary Ca and aP level increased Cu content in liver and both Fe and Zn retention in breast muscle. Tibia ash content and mineral composition did not respond to dietary modifications with either Ca–aP or B.

7. The results also suggested that dietary contents of Ca and aP do not affect the response to B regarding tissue mineral profile. Dietary combination with B and PHY did not create a synergism with regard to growth performance and bioavailability of the minerals.     

In vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

1. An assessment of the efficiency of the acrosome reaction (AR) provides an important predictor of the fertilizing potential of semen and for diagnosis of the causes of infertility. A standardized protocol was therefore developed for initiation of the acrosome reaction in emu spermatozoa in vitro, and the role of CaCl₂ or perivitelline membrane (PVM) proteins in determining the outcome of the reaction was investigated.

2. The acrosome reaction (assessed by FITC-PNA) was successfully induced in live spermatozoa by incubation for 2 min in NaCl-TES medium supplemented with 5 mM CaCl₂. The maximum response was 32% live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa (LAR) achieved after 10 min incubation.

3. Compared to the outcome with 5 mM CaCl₂ or PVM protein alone, the response was significantly better with a combination of PVM protein and CaCl₂.

4. A significant variation in the percentage of LAR spermatozoa among individual males was observed. No treatment affected the percentage of dead acrosome-reacted spermatozoa.

5. The results emphasize the important role played by both PVM proteins and Ca²⁺ in the in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction.     

The occurrence of giant fibres in different muscles of two chicken genotypes

1. The occurrence of Giant Fibres (GF) in three muscles (Pectoralis major (PM), Iliotibialis lateralis and Semimembranosus) with different types of energy metabolism was studied in slow- and fast-growing chicken strains.

2. A total of 20 one-day-old Leghorn chicks (slow-growing) and 20 broiler (Ross 508) chicks (fast-growing) were reared to 100 and 45 d, respectively.

3. A small percentage of GF was seen in pre rigor muscle samples even at 3 min post mortem in both genotypes and in all muscle types studied.

4. From 3 min to 24 h post mortem GF increased both in Leghorn and broiler chickens but to a different extent according to muscle type and genotype.

5. The highest GF 24 h post mortem value was found in the PM muscles belonging to the fast-growing broiler line.

6. It was concluded that every type of muscle can develop GF, but this phenomenon is more evident in the PM especially in animals selected for increased growth rate.     

Comparative study of the effects of organic selenium on hen performance and productivity of broiler breeders

1. A 10-week experiment was conducted with Ross 308 broiler breeder chickens in cages to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic sources of selenium (Se) supplementation. A total of 600 birds at 29 weeks of age were divided at random into 4 groups and fed on a maize–soya basal diet supplemented with different forms of Se.

2. The first (control) group was given the basal diet without Se supplementation, whereas the second, third and fourth groups were given, respectively, the basal diet with 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic Se in the form of sodium selenite or 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg of organic Se in the form of Se enriched yeast (Se-yeast).

3. The experiment was carried out for 10 weeks to compare and evaluate the influence of Se supplementation on breeder performance, egg production, hatchability and the quality of eggs. Samples were collected for analysis at weeks 0, 5 and 10 of the experimental period.

4. At the end of the experiment (39 weeks), there was a reduction in mortality in breeders given diets supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg of Se-yeast. Supplementation of feed with 0.5 mg/kg organic Se increased egg production, percentage of settable eggs and hatchability.

5. Selenium supplementation increased egg weight and specific gravity compared to the control diet. However, no significant variation was found in albumen or yolk protein content at the end of week 10.

6. Selenium accumulation and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity were lower in the egg albumen and yolk of control compared with Se-supplemented treatments. Se accumulation and GSHPx activity were higher in the group given 0.3 mg/kg organic compared to 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic Se.

7. The results favour the use of Se-yeast at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg in broiler breeder diets for better productivity of eggs, settable eggs, hatchability and higher Se accumulation and antioxidant status in eggs.     

Valine,isoleucine, arginine and glycine supplementation of low-protein diets for broiler chickens during the starter and grower phases

1. Two experiments were performed to study the supplementation of valine, isoleucine, arginine and glycine (Val, Ile, Arg, Gly) in low-protein diets for broiler chickens in the starter (1–21 d; Exp. 1) and grower (22–42 d; Exp. 2) phases.

2. A low-crude protein (CP) diet was formulated to meet the requirements of all amino acids (AA) supplied by the control diet except for Val, Ile, Arg and Gly. The other experimental diets were obtained by the isolated or combined supplementation of the studied AA in the low-CP diet.

3. Growth, serum parameters and litter characteristics were taken in both of the experiments. Carcass measurements were taken in Experiment 2.

4. In the starter and grower phases, low-CP diets without supplementation resulted in birds with a poorer weight gain and feed conversion than those of the birds that received the control diet.

5. In the starter phase, individual supplementation with Val and Gly, but not Ile and Arg, restored the weight gain of the birds, while diets with the addition of Val + Gly, Val + Ile + Arg, Val + Ile + Gly and Val + Ile + Arg + Gly restored their feed conversion.

6. In the grower phase, weight gain was re-established at the same rate as the control diet for the diets supplemented with Val + Ile, Val + Ile + Arg, Val + Ile + Gly and Val + Ile + Arg + Gly. However, the feed conversion was restored only in birds that received the diet supplemented with all studied AA.

7. The supplementation of Val and Gly in low-CP diets was sufficient to avoid adverse effects in the performance and serum parameters of broilers in the starter phase. However, birds in the grower phase required the combined supplementation of Val, Ile, Arg and Gly, to prevent compromised performance.     

Effect of substrate provision on performance and behaviour of laying hens in the pecking and scratching area of furnished cages

1. An experiment was set up to study the effects of substrate provision on performance and behaviour in the pecking and scratching area (PSA) of non-beak-trimmed hens housed in large furnished cages (60 hens/cage).

2. Three layer hybrids (two brown and one white, ISA-Hendrix Genetics, France) and two substrate conditions (with or without wheat bran automatically distributed on the PSA) were compared in a 3 × 2 experimental design with 12 cages per treatment.

3. Substrate distribution improved laying rate with no impact on the frequency of dirty or cracked eggs.

4. Substrate distribution improved the viability and body integrity of hens, which were not beak-trimmed.

5. Distribution of substrate tended to increase the number of hens in the PSA and enhanced their pecking and scratching behaviours but had a negative impact on the number of dust bath bouts per cage and encouraged dust bathing on the wire floor close to the feeder.

6. The white hens laid more eggs in the nest than the brown birds and used the PSA more for pecking, scratching and dust bathing at the end of the day than the brown hens, underlining the necessity to adapt cage furnishing and rearing management to specific behaviours of each layer genotype.     

Possible role of central interleukins on the anorexigenic effect of lipopolysaccharide in chicks

1. The purpose of the present study was to determine if central interleukin-1β (IL1β), interleukin-6 (IL6) and interleukin-8 (IL8) affect feeding behaviour in chicks (Gallus gallus) and examine if central interleukins are related to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anorexia.

2. Intra-abdominal (IA) injection of LPS significantly suppressed feeding behaviour and significantly increased mRNA expression of IL1β and IL8 in the diencephalon when compared to the control group, while IL6 tended to be increased.

3. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of 200 ng IL1β significantly decreased food intake at 60 min after the injection while IL6 and IL8 had no effect.

4. IA injection of these ILs (200 ng) had no effect on food intake in chicks.

5. ICV injection of 200 ng IL1β did not affect water intake and plasma corticosterone concentration, suggesting that central IL1β might not be related to the regulation of drinking behaviour and the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis.

6. The present study demonstrated that central IL1β but not IL6 and IL8 might be related to the inhibition of feeding in chicks.     

Effects of fermented corni fructus and fermented kelp on growth performance,meat quality,and emission of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide from broiler chicken droppings

1. Corni fructus is the fruit of Cornus officinalis, a dogwood species. This study was conducted to prepare fermented corni fructus preparation (FCFP) and fermented kelp (FK) from corni fructus and by-products of Laminaria japonica fermented with Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus oryzae.

2. The effects of dietary FCFP and FK as replacer of oxytetracycline (OTC) on growth performance, meat composition, meat oxidative stability, and emissions of ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) from broiler chicken droppings were investigated.

3. A total of 140 d-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments including control, OTC (0.05 g/kg), FCFP (5 g/kg), and FK (5 g/kg).

4. Overall, inclusion of FCFP resulted in lower weight gain and feed intake during the overall experimental period. Broilers fed FCFP diets tended to have lower crude fat and higher crude ash content in the carcasses.

5. In the fresh state, the malondialdehyde (MDA) value of broiler meat was lower in the FK supplemented group. At one week, meat from broilers fed antibiotic and FK diets had lower MDA values, whereas at 2 weeks broiler meat from all dietary treatment groups had lower MDA values than the control.

6. Dietary supplementation with FK significantly reduced faecal NH₃ emissions throughout the experimental period, whereas dietary OTC and FCFP supplementation increased NH₃ emissions at 2 and 4 weeks. There were no significant effects of dietary treatments on H₂S emissions throughout the experimental period, except during week one, when FCFP supplementation reduced the emission.

7. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 5 g/kg FK improved the oxidative stability of broiler meat and reduce faecal NH₃ emissions without affecting growth performance.     

Effect of feed supplementation with Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate various levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets.

2. Treatments consisted of two cereals (maize- or wheat-based diets) and three levels of SKEO)0, 250 and 500 mg/kg).

3. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets compared to the control diet. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased FI and BWG. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI and BWG only in wheat-based diets and was effective in improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) in both diets.

4. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO caused a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, plasma low-density lipoprotein concentration was decreased in broilers fed on 250 and 500 mg/kg of SKEO. Plasma cholesterol levels in birds fed on the wheat-based diets were lower than in those fed on maize-based diets.

5. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased caecal population of Lactobacillus and reduced total bacterial and Escherichia coli count. Caecal population of Lactobacillus decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets.

6. Digesta viscosity was increased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets and decreased in broilers fed on 500 mg/kg SKEO compared to the control diet. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in reducing digesta viscosity values only in wheat-based diets.

7. Villus height of the duodenum and jejunum decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratios and decreased crypt depth of the duodenum compared to the control diet.

8. It can be concluded that dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI, BWG and FCR values in wheat-based diets.     

Effects of a dry-ice process on surface and carcase decontamination in the poultry industry

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dry-ice decontamination on equipment and carcase surfaces in a poultry slaughterhouse and to present an effective alternative method to the conventional decontamination processes.

2. Appreciable reductions occurred in total aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts of surface swab samples treated with dry ice (maximum difference 3.92 log cfu/100 cm²).

3. After dry-ice treatment, Listeria spp. were detected on surfaces of pluckers and chiller cylinders, whereas Salmonella spp. were totally inhibited.

4. A dry-ice spraying application was more effective than a dry-ice immersing application on total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and yeast and mould counts on poultry carcases.

5. Dry-ice treatment has advantages over conventional processes. Unlike other decontamination techniques, there are no residues, so no need to wash off chemical residues from surfaces as it removes contaminants effortlessly and is environmentally friendly.

6. Dry-ice blasting of production equipment can reduce the microbial load and has potential for use in the poultry industry.     

Effects of broiler breeder-feeding programme and feeder space change at photostimulation using maize- or wheat-based diets on eggshell properties and progeny bone development

1. The effects of diet type, feeding programme and fast- or slow-feed allocation in fast-feathering Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens on eggshell properties and broiler progeny bone development were investigated in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment.

2. The birds were fed on either maize- or wheat-based diets during rearing and production and on a fast- or slow-feed allocation programme from 14 to 29 weeks of age. At 22 weeks, 69 females from each pen were placed in a layer house where feeder space (FS) either remained similar or was increased.

3. Eggs produced at 33 weeks were incubated, eggshell conductance (G) was determined and a sample of 14 chicks from each treatment combination was taken to obtain bone traits at hatching.

4. Diet type did not influence G, yolk-free body weight (BW), residual yolk weight or relative asymmetry (RA) of any bilateral traits of leg bones of hatchlings. However, breeder diet type was involved on two-way and three-way interaction effects on progeny leg bone traits.

5. Breeders feed restricted according to the slow-feeding programme laid eggs with greater G compared to those managed with the fast-feeding programme, but there was no effect of feeding programme on progeny bone traits at hatching.

6. Eggs from breeders given more FS at photostimulation had greater G than those from breeders provided with similar FS. Maternal FS change did not influence hatchling yolk-free BW; however, breeders given more FS produced progeny with heavier tibias and shanks and longer femurs compared with those provided with similar FS, but only when breeders were fed on maize. Moreover, increased maternal FS at photostimulation was associated with an increased RA of femur length in the progeny.

7. It was concluded that breeder FS change at photostimulation influenced eggshell conductance and consistently affected bone development of the broiler progeny.     

Phenotypic and genetic variability for body weight of ostriches (Struthio camelus)

1. objective of the present study was to estimate heritability for hatch weight (HW), body weight at 90 (W90) and 180 (W180) d of age in Brazilian ostriches.

2. The heritability estimates were obtained through the restricted maximum likelihood method for an animal model. Least squares method was used to define possible fixed effects for consideration in the analysis model.

3. The estimates of heritability were 0.42 ± 0.05, 0.16 ± 0.04 and 0.24 ± 0.08 for HW, W90 and W180, respectively.

4. Heritability estimates showed that there are sufficient levels of additive genetic variation present in the traits studied, and these traits may respond to selection.     

Polymorphism and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene and its association with growth traits in chicken

1. The objectives of the study were to detect polymorphism in the coding region of the IGF1 gene, explore the expression profile and estimate association with growth traits in indigenous and exotic chickens.

2. A total of 12 haplotypes were found in Cornish, control layer and Aseel breeds of chicken in which the h1 haplotype was most frequent.

3. Nucleotide substitutions among haplotypes were found at 21 positions in the IGF1 gene in which 4 substitutions resulted in non-synonymous mutations in the receptor binding domain of the IGF1 protein.

4. The haplogroup showed a significant effect on body weight at 24 and 42 d of age in the control layer line, body weight at 42 d and daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in the control broiler line, daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Cornish, and body weights at 42 d as well as daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Aseel birds.

5. IGF1 expression varied among the breeds during embryonic and post-hatch periods. The expression among the haplogroups varied in different chicken tissues. The effect of haplogroup on myofibre number in pectoral muscle was non-significant, although there was significant variation in numbers between d 1 and d 42, and between broiler and layer lines.

6. It was concluded that the coding region of the IGF1 gene was polymorphic, expressed differentially during the pre-hatch and post-hatch periods, and haplogroups showed significant association with growth traits in chicken.     

Effects of enhancing vitamin D status by 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation,alone or in combination with calcium and phosphorus,on sternum mineralisation and breast meat quality in broilers

1. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of improving vitamin D status in broiler diets by supplementary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD₃), alone or in combination with calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (aP), on live performance, sternum mineralisation and breast meat quality in broilers.

2. A total of 936 1-d-old Ross 308 broilers were used in the study. After gender determination at the hatchery, chicks from each sex were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments. The following dietary treatments were used in the experiment from hatch to 38 d: (1) A control diet formulated to meet all of the nutrient requirements of broiler chicks according to the management guide; (2) The control diet supplemented with 18.7–15.0 µg/kg of 25OHD₃; and (3) The control diet supplemented with 18.7–15.0 µg/kg of 25OHD₃ plus Ca + aP.

3. Improvement in vitamin D status by 25OHD₃ supplementation, alone or in combination with Ca and aP, had no effect on body weight and feed conversion ratio of broilers.

4. The serum 25OHD₃ concentration significantly increased with 25OHD₃ and 25OHD₃ plus Ca + aP supplementation (P < 0.05), whereas the ionised Ca and Mg concentrations remained unchanged.

5. Sternum absolute weight, ash content and the concentrations of Ca and P significantly increased (P < 0.01) with supplementation of 25OHD₃, alone or in combination with Ca + aP.

6. Supplemental 25OHD₃, alone or in combination with Ca + aP, slightly increased pH₂₄ (P = 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.01) squeezable water loss in breast meat, whereas it had no significant effect on lightness, yellowness and sarcoplasmic protein solubility.

7. In conclusion, the results suggested that enhancing vitamin D status by 25OHD₃ supplementation alone or in combination with Ca + aP may improve sternum structure and mineral accretion. Furthermore, supplemental 25OHD₃, even in a nutritionally complete diet, may offer an effective way to improve protein solubility in female broilers.     

Volatile gas concentrations in turkey houses estimated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

1. The aim of the present study was to estimate gas concentrations in commercial turkey houses by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

2. The experiment was conducted in 5 buildings of a commercial turkey farm. The measurements of gases were carried out every 3 weeks of the growth cycle.

3. The results demonstrate that ammonia and carbon dioxide are the prevalent gases released during the entire production cycle in turkey houses. The mean concentrations of the above compounds ranged between 4–31 ppm and 220–2058 ppm, respectively. Thiols, nitriles, amines, aldehydes, hydrocarbons and other organic and inorganic compounds also occurred in turkey houses, but they were emitted periodically and their mean concentrations were significantly lower in comparison with CO₂ and NH₃.

4. Lower ventilation ratio and higher moisture of excreta in the first half of the growth period accelerated the release of some gases, whereas gradual faeces and urine accumulation contributed to an increase in the concentration of selected organic compounds.

5. A portable FTIR analyser is a useful device for measuring gas concentrations in commercial turkey farms, and it supports determinations of tolerable emission limits in turkey production.     

Effect of Melissa officinalis supplementation on growth performance and meat quality characteristics in organically produced broilers

1. A trial was conducted to study the effect of Melissa officinalis supplementation on organic broiler performance and meat chemical, microbiological, sensory and nutritional quality.

2. Male and female day-old Ross 308 chicks were fed on a standard commercial diet containing 0, 2.5, 5 or 10 g/kg feed ground M. officinalis for 84 d before slaughter.

3. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in the broilers receiving either 5 or 10 mg M. officinalis/kg feed.

4. Inclusion of M. officinalis did not affect muscle chemical and fatty acid composition.

5. On the basis of microbiological and sensory experimental data and subsequent extension of meat shelf life, M. officinalis did not reduce the microbial populations of the meat, but was effective in limiting lipid oxidation.