Application of risk-rated profit model functions in estimation of economic values for indigenous chicken breeding

The economic values for productive (egg number, average daily gain, live weight, and mature weight) and functional (fertility, hatchability, broodiness, survival rate, feed intake, and egg weight) traits were derived for three production systems utilizing indigenous chicken in Kenya. The production systems considered were free-range, semi-intensive, and intensive system and were evaluated based on fixed flock size and fixed feed resource production circumstances. A bio-economic model that combined potential performances, feeding strategies, optimum culling strategies, farmer's preferences and accounted for imperfect knowledge concerning risk attitude of farmers and economic dynamics was employed to derive risk-rated economic values. The economic values for all the traits were highest in free-range system under the two production circumstances and decreased with level of intensification. The economic values for egg number, average daily gain, live weight, fertility, hatchability, and survival rate were positive while those for mature weight, broodiness, egg weight, and feed intake were negative. Generally, the economic values estimated under fixed feed resource production circumstances were higher than those derived under fixed flock size. The difference between economic values estimated using simple (traditional) and risk-rated profit model functions ranged from -47.26% to +67.11% indicating that inclusion of risks in estimation of economic values is important. The results of this study suggest that improvement targeting egg number, average daily gain, live weight, fertility, hatchability, and survival rate would have a positive impact on profitability of indigenous chicken production in Kenya.     

Genetic parameters for egg production traits in purebred and hybrid chicken in a tropical environment

1. Genetic parameters were estimated for 5 economically important egg production traits using records collected over 9 years in chickens reared under tropical conditions in Thailand. The data were from two purebred lines and two hybrid lines of layer parent stocks.

2. The two purebred lines were Rhode Island Red (RIR) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR) and the hybrid lines were formed by crossing a commercial brown egg laying strain to Rhode Island Red (RC) and White Plymouth Rock (WC), respectively.

3. Five egg production traits were analysed, including age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first egg (BWT), egg weight at first egg (EWFE), number of eggs from the first 17 weeks of lay (EN) and average egg weight over the 17th week of lay (EW).

4. Fixed effects of year and hatch within year were significant for all 5 traits and were included in the model.

5. Maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects of the dam were not significant, except for EN and EW in RIR and BWT and EW in WPR.

6. Estimated heritability of AFE, BWT, EWFE, EN and EW were 0.45, 0.50, 0.29, 0.19 and 0.43 in RIR; 0.44, 0.38, 0.33, 0.20 and 0.38 in WPR; 0.37, 0.41, 0.38, 0.18 and 0.36 in RC; and 0.46, 0.53, 0.36, 0.38 and 0.45 in WC lines, respectively.

7. The EN was negatively correlated with other traits, except for BWT in RC and AFE and BWT in WC.

8. It was concluded that selection for increased EN will reduce other egg production traits in purebred and hybrid chicken and therefore EN needs to be combined with other egg production traits in a multi-trait selection index to improve all traits optimally according to a defined breeding objective.

     

The nutritional effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis> fresh leaves as feed supplement on Rhode Island Red hen egg production and quality

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera fresh leaves (MOL) as feed supplement on the performance and egg quality of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens under the tropical conditions of Yucatan, Mexico. Forty-eight RIR hens were allocated in 12 floor pen replicates each with four birds. Thereafter, the replicates were divided into three groups which were corresponded to ad libitum feed (control), ad libitum feed supplemented with MOL T1 (AL + MOL) and restricted feed amount (20% lower than control) with MOL T2 (RCD + MOL), respectively. T1 (AL + MOL) had higher egg laying rate (71.4% versus 66.6%), higher daily egg mass production (45.4 versus 41.9 g/day), lower feed intake (121.3 versus 127.5 g/day) and better feed conversion ratio (2.8 versus 3.2 g feed:g egg) versus control. T2 / (RCD + MOL) had lower values of body weight, egg laying rate, egg weight and egg mass, and recorded better feed conversion ratio than the control group. The control group recorded a higher percentage of pecked eggs versus T1 and T2 (6.5% versus 1.2% and 2.0 %). Similar intake of MOL (3.1 and 3.4 g DM/day) was recorded in T1 (AL + MOL) and T2 (RCD + MOL). Yolk color was improved significantly in T1 (AL + MOL) than both control and T2 (RCD + MOL), while T2 (RCD + MOL) had eggs with lower yolk and higher albumen percentages than the other two ad libitum groups. The results suggest that MOL could be used successfully as sustainable tropical feed resource for RIR hens.     

不同限饲方法对爱拔益加肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及骨骼性状的影响

本试验旨在研究不同限饲方法对爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及骨骼性状的影响。试验选用80只7日龄的AA肉鸡,随机分成4组:对照组、料量限饲组、能量限饲组和蛋白质限饲组,每组20只鸡。限饲14d(21日龄)、补偿生长21d(42日龄)后每组分别屠宰8只,取其胸肌、腿肌、腹脂、心脏、肝脏、脾脏、胸腺、法氏囊、骨骼等组织并称重,以及测量骨骼的长度和直径。结果表明:1)限饲后,3个限饲组肉鸡的平均日增重显著低于对照组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的平均日采食量、平均日增重和料重比均差异不显著(P0.05),但料量限饲组末重显著低于对照组(P0.05)。2)限饲后,料量限饲组肉鸡的全净膛率、半净膛率、胸肌率、腿肌率和腹脂率显著低于对照组(P0.05),料量限饲组、能量限饲组肉鸡的腹脂率显著低于蛋白质限饲组和对照组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的胸肌率和腿肌率均无显著差异(P0.05),但料量限饲组肉鸡的腹脂率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。3)限饲后,蛋白质限饲组肉鸡的肝脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05),料量限饲组肉鸡的胰脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05);对照组脾脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的心脏指数、肝脏指数、胰脏指数、脾脏指数、胸腺指数和法氏囊指数均无显著差异(P0.05)。4)限饲后,料量限饲组肉鸡的胫骨重、胫骨长、胫骨直径、股骨重和股骨长显著低于其他3组(P0.05),料量限饲组、能量限饲组肉鸡的股骨直径显著低于对照组和蛋白质限饲组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的胫骨重、胫骨长、胫骨直径、股骨重、股骨长和股骨直径均无显著差异(P0.05)。由此可见,3种限饲方法均降低了AA肉鸡的平均日增重和部分骨骼性状指标,其中料量限饲法对肉鸡平均日增重和骨骼性状影响最大。经过21d的补偿生长后,3种个限饲组均表现出补偿生长效应,骨骼性状无显著变化,但料量限饲法会降低肉鸡全期的平均日增重和末重,建议生产中慎用料量限饲法。     

The impact of natural helminth infections and supplementary protein on growth performance of free-range chickens on smallholder farms in El Sauce, Nicaragua

Three on-farm studies were conducted in Nicaragua during three consecutive years (1999–2001) to assess the impact of natural helminth infections on growth performance of free-range chickens aged 3–4 months. On all participating farms, half of the chickens were treated regularly with anthelmintics (Trifén avícola – a combined formulation of piperazine, phenothiazine and dichlorophen – or albendazole) to express the growth potential of non-infected birds, whereas the other half served as non-treated controls. In 1999, treated chickens had a 39% higher weight gain compared to the control group 6 weeks after the first treatment on 15 farms. In 2000 and 2001, treated chickens had similar weight gain as the control group 10 weeks after the first treatment on 7 farms and 12 farms, respectively. The main reason for the very-different weight gain figures seems to be the weather conditions. In 1999, the study site experienced a rainy season with precipitation far above average, whereas in 2000 and 2001 the rainy seasons had precipitations far below average. Based on these findings, routine use of anthelmintics in the study area would only be recommended in wet years when production losses due to helminth infections seem to be pronounced.

In 2001, the study set-up included an assessment of the effect of protein supplementation (soybean) on growth on six farms. Supplemented chickens (treated and non-treated with anthelmintics) had 17% higher weight gain than non-supplemented. Protein supplementation affected neither worm burdens nor faecal egg counts for any of the studied helminths.

The post-mortem examinations showed that Trifén reduced burdens of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and cestodes (efficacies of 100, 100 and 67%, respectively). Albendazole reduced burdens of H. gallinarum (efficacy of 100%). Efficacies against other helminths were difficult to assess due to low worm burdens. Chickens treated with albendazole had lower Ascaridia and Heterakis faecal egg counts than non-treated chickens.     

Effects of Scavenging on Diet Selection and Performance of Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi Breeds of Chicken Offered a Choice of Energy and Protein Feeds

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of scavenging on diet selection and the comparative performance of Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi breeds of chicken. The breeds were compared under three feeding/management regimes: (1) a choice of ground noug cake and cracked maize, with confinement; (2) a choice of ground noug cake and cracked maize, but being allowed to scavenge for about 6 h; and (3) a commercial layer mash, with confinement. Scavenging did not change the pattern of diet selection. About 90% of the daily intake of both the confined and scavenging birds under choice feeding comprised maize. The efficiency of feed utilization and nutrient intake were also similar in these groups. The Fayoumi were more efficient in terms of feed conversion, although the egg production performance of the two breeds did not vary significantly. Scavenging hens had a significantly lower egg production than the birds under confinement offered a choice of feeds. Scavenging significantly increased the mortality in both breeds. In conclusion, scavenging affected the performance adversely and, despite the provision of a choice of feed providing a source of energy and protein, both the scavenging and confined birds on choice feeding failed to eat sufficient to meet their protein requirements.     

Effects of strain and different skip-a-day feed restriction periods on the growth performance of broiler chickens

The effects of 6, 10 and 14 days of skip-a-day feed removal during the starter and grower periods on the growth performance of Ross 308 and Hubbard broiler chickens were studied in a 49-day production period. Ross 308 was superior to Hubbard in weight gain, market weight and feed utilization but consumed more feed, deposited more abdominal fat and had a higher mortality rate. Overall, feed removal improved feed efficiency, had insignificant effects on abdominal fatness and mortality rate and reduced feed intake, weight gain and market weight. On each restricted-feeding regime, the birds gained as much weight as their fully fed counterparts during the period of resumed full feeding but were unable to compensate fully for the weight loss and were lighter at the end of the trial. It is suggested that for profitable broiler production under tropical conditions, Ross 308 and skip-a-day feed removal for less than 6 days from 7 to 17 days of age be considered.     

Performance of indigenous, Khaki Campbell and their reciprocal crossbred layer ducks under different management systems

1. The performance of indigenous ducks (ID), Khaki Campbell (KC) and their reciprocal crossbred layers was studied from 19 to 58 weeks of age. For each genotype, 4 x 18 ducks (3 males + 15 females) were reared under a semi-intensive system (SIS) and an intensive system (IS) with standard management, and 4 x 50 ducks (8 males + 42 females) were reared in an extensive system (ES) with traditional management. 2. In comparison to KC, ID were superior in terms of age at first egg, age at 50% egg production, egg weight, hatchability, eggshell thickness with higher egg shape index. KC ducks were superior to ID in body weight, egg production and feed/kg eggs. Egg quality was similar among the genotypes. Crosses were superior to their parent breeds in age at first egg, egg production and feed/kg eggs. They were also superior to KC in egg weight and egg-shell thickness with a higher egg shape index. 3. The performance of genotypes in the SIS and the IS was similar and superior to the ES except for fertility and yolk colour. 4. Significant heterotic effects were recorded for age at first egg, age at 50% egg production, egg production per duck-day, feed efficiency and egg weight in crosses. Performance was similar in the reciprocal crosses, but superior to their parent breeds.     

笼养和地面平养对肉鸡生产性能的影响

分别于夏季采用7日龄AA肉鸡公雏264只,春季采用7日龄AA肉鸡和北京油鸡公雏各144只,分成2组,每组6个重复,进行地面平养和笼养生产性能比较试验,结果表明:夏季笼养AA肉鸡2～4周龄日增重低于地面平养(P<0.05),5周龄时高于地面平养(P<0.01);春季笼养AA肉鸡2周龄日增重、日采食量和体重高于地面平养(P<0.05);但笼养对AA肉鸡全期平均日采食量、平均日增重、试验末体重、饲料转化率、死亡率没有影响(P>0.05)。笼养北京油鸡表现为3～6周龄平均日采食量、体重高于地面平养(P<0.05),笼养对北京油鸡平均日增重、饲料转化率和死亡率没有影响(P>0.05)。     

葡萄籽粕替代玉米对种鸡产蛋高峰后期生产性能、鸡蛋品质及新城疫抗体水平的影响

试验旨在研究葡萄籽粕对种鸡产蛋高峰后期生产性能、鸡蛋品质及新城疫抗体水平的影响。选取产蛋率、体重相近,健康状态良好的64周龄罗曼灰父母代种鸡810只,随机分为6组,每组5个重复,每个重复27只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分别饲喂葡萄籽粕替代基础日粮中3%、4.5%、6%、7.5%、9%玉米的试验日粮（分别为试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组）。预试期7 d,正试期30 d。探讨日粮中添加不同水平的葡萄籽粕对种鸡产蛋高峰后期生产性能、鸡蛋品质及新城疫抗体水平的影响及其作用机理。结果表明：葡萄籽粕能够明显抑制种鸡产蛋高峰后期生产性能降低,对于日均产蛋量,试验Ⅲ组极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组产蛋率较对照组分别提高了12.38%、14.76%、18.09%（P<0.05）,各试验组蛋鸡的日均采食量、料蛋比及破软蛋率与对照组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）;葡萄籽粕处理组鸡蛋的哈氏单位、蛋黄重及蛋壳强度均高于对照组,但随葡萄籽粕添加量的增加没有表现出规律性变化;葡萄籽粕能够降低鸡蛋胆固醇含量（P<0.01）;并能够提高种鸡新城疫HI抗体水平（P>0.05）。综上,在种鸡产蛋高峰后期日粮中以葡萄籽粕替代玉米,可提高种鸡生产性能和新城疫抗体效价,改善鸡蛋品质,降低鸡蛋中胆固醇含量,且以替代6%的玉米效果较好。     

Economic values for production and functional traits and assessment of their influence on genetic improvement in the Boran cattle in Kenya

Economic values for production (sale weight in steers, SWs, kg and heifers, SWh, kg; dressing percentage, DP; consumable meat percentage, CMP and milk yield, MY, kg) and functional (cow weight, CoWT, kg; cow survival rate, CoSR, %; postweaning survival rate, PSR, %; feed intake of cows, FIc, heifers, FIh and steers, FIs, kg DM) traits were estimated for six production systems utilizing the Boran breed in Kenya. The influence of the estimated economic values on genetic improvement was also assessed using different selection indices. The six production systems were described according to their sale age, levels of input and final goal, namely, short‐fed medium input beef (SMB); long‐fed medium input beef (LMB); short‐fed high input beef (SHB); long‐fed high input beef (LHB); long‐fed low input dual purpose (LLD); and long‐fed medium input dual purpose (LMD). Two evaluation bases were considered: fixed herd size and fixed pasture input. In the fixed herd‐size situation, the economic values for production (except MY in beef systems) and functional traits (except FI in all systems) were positive meaning a unit increase in genetic merit of these traits had greater influence on revenues than costs. As expected, the economic value for MY was negative in the pure beef systems (SMB, LMB, SHB and LHB) and positive in the dual‐purpose systems (LLD and LMD). When compared with the economic values estimated in the fixed herd‐size situation, in the fixed pasture input situation they were lower for feed intake in the three classes of livestock and other traits related to it in all systems. These traits were CoSR, CoWR, PSR, CoWT, SWh and MY. The economic values for CoWT in LLD and LMD were negative (KSh ?11.14 and ?15.33 respectively). The economic values did not influence much the direction of the genetic response in each trait in the different production systems. However, the magnitude of the actual gain was dependent on the index applied. The magnitude of the economic values for production and functional traits estimated in this study suggest that genetic improvement of these traits will have a positive effect on profitability of Boran cows kept in dual‐purpose systems and when herd size is restricted. In beef systems, genetic improvement of MY will have a negative effect on profitability, especially when restrictions on herd size and feed exists.     

加丽素红对海兰蛋鸡生长及产蛋性能的影响

试验探讨加丽素红对海兰蛋鸡生长及产蛋性能的影响,为加丽素红在畜牧养殖业中的合理使用提供依据。试验采用随机分组的方法,设立一个对照组、两个剂量组(分别添加80和8 000 mg/kg加丽素红)。每组海兰蛋鸡36只,分别饲喂基础饲料和添加不同剂量加丽素红的饲料。结果表明,通过对鸡的体重、平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比等生长性能指标的统计分析,加丽素红对上述指标无显著影响;通过对开产蛋重、产蛋率、平均蛋重等产蛋性能的统计分析,加丽素红对上述指标无显著影响;但加丽素红可以使蛋鸡的开产日龄提前。     

红豆杉干粉对产蛋初期仙居鸡生产性能和生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平的红豆杉干粉对产蛋初期仙居鸡的生产性能、血清脂质代谢和抗氧化指标的影响。选取400只140日龄仙居鸡,随机分成4组,每组5个重复,每个重复20只。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加2%、3%和4%红豆杉干粉,预试期7 d,正试期90 d。结果表明:在试验初期(1～30 d),各试验组平均日采食量(ADFI)均低于对照组(P<0.05),4%红豆杉干粉组的产蛋率低于对照组(P<0.05);在试验中期(31～60 d),各试验组ADFI、平均蛋重与对照组无显著差异, 4%红豆杉干粉组的产蛋率高于对照组(P<0.05),4%红豆杉干粉组的料蛋比低于对照组(P<0.05);在试验后期(61～90 d),3%红豆杉干粉组的平均日采食量高于对照组(P<0.05),3%红豆杉干粉组的平均蛋重低于对照组(P<0.05),4%红豆杉干粉组的产蛋率高于对照组(P<0.05);在试验46～90 d, 2%红豆杉干粉组平均日增重较对照组降低(P<0.05);各试验组血清总抗氧化能力高于对照组(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加不同水平红豆杉干粉可以改善仙居鸡生产性能、血清生化指标和抗氧化能力,建议产蛋期日粮中添加4%红豆杉干粉。     

Genetic relations of yolk proportion and chick weight with production traits in a White Leghorn line

1. The main purpose of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between yolk proportion, chick weight and production traits using an animal model. 2. Direct-direct genetic correlations were estimated between yolk proportion and age at first egg (-0.34), body weight at 20 (0.10), 40 (0.58) and 60 (0.52) weeks of age, egg number (0.56), egg mass (0.59), feed intake (0.64) and feed conversion (-0.25). 3. Maternal-direct genetic correlations were estimated between chick weight and age at first egg (0.40), body weight at 20 (0.57), 40 (0.66) and 60 (0.56) weeks of age, egg number (-0.50), egg mass (0.21), feed intake (0.45) and feed conversion (0.17), respectively. 4. In conclusion, the results suggest that selection on a higher yolk proportion would not have any unfavourable effects on egg production. Maternal-direct genetic correlations between chick weight and production traits resembled direct-direct genetic correlations between egg weight and production traits found in other studies.     

Aviary Systems and Conventional Cages for Laying Hens: Effects on Production,Egg Quality,Health and Bird Location in Three Hybrids

Abstract

In two experiments, a total of 4346 laying hens housed in battery cages, with three hens per cage (C), and in two aviary systems, both with tiered wire floors and litter (Lövsta with two tiers (L) and Marielund with three tiers (M)), were used for studies on production, egg quality, health, plumage and foot condition, bone strength and bird location. Three hybrids were used: Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) were kept in all three systems, Dekalb XL (DK) were kept in both aviaries and Lohmann Brown (LB) in M only. Production and feed conversion in M were inferior but not significantly different from C but significantly better than in L. Proportions of dirty eggs were significantly higher in the avaries. No significant differences were found in interior egg quality traits between keeping systems. LSL showed higher production and better feed conversion than the other hybrids and a tendency for a lower proportion of mislaid eggs. Mortality varied considerably between the aviary pens, reaching 35% in LB mainly owing to cannibalism and salpingitis. Keel bone lesions and bumble foot appeared in the aviaries, while toe pad hyperkeratosis was observed in C. Hens in aviaries had significantly stronger bones (tibia and humerus) and showed more wounds from pecks, inferior plumage condition and dirtier feet than in C. LSL had more bumble foot injuries than LB but better plumage condition than DK. The birds used the different parts in the aviaries well, especially the perches on the resting top tier during the night.     

快速型黄羽肉鸡饲料利用效率性状的基因组选择研究

旨在探究快速型黄羽肉鸡饲料利用效率性状的遗传参数,评估不同方法所得估计育种值的准确性。本研究以自主培育的快速型黄羽肉鸡E系1 923个个体（其中公鸡1 199只,母鸡724只）为研究素材,采用"京芯一号"鸡55K SNP芯片进行基因分型。分别利用传统最佳线性无偏预测（BLUP）、基因组最佳线性无偏预测（GBLUP）和一步法（SSGBLUP）3种方法,基于加性效应模型进行遗传参数估计,通过10倍交叉验证比较3种方法所得估计育种值的准确性。研究性状包括4个生长性状和4个饲料利用效率性状：42日龄体重（BW42D）、56日龄体重（BW56D）、日均增重（ADG）、日均采食量（ADFI）和饲料转化率（FCR）、剩余采食量（RFI）、剩余增长体重（RG）、剩余采食和增长体重（RIG）。结果显示,4个饲料利用效率性状均为低遗传力（0.08~0.20）,其他生长性状为中等偏低遗传力（0.11~0.35）;4个饲料利用效率性状间均为高度遗传相关,RFI、RIG与ADFI间为中度遗传相关,RFI与ADG间无显著相关性,RIG与ADG间为低度遗传相关。本研究在获得SSGBLUP方法的最佳基因型和系谱矩阵权重比基础上,比较8个性状的估计育种值准确性,SSGBLUP方法获得的准确性分别比传统BLUP和GBLUP方法提高3.85%~14.43%和5.21%~17.89%。综上,以RIG为选择指标能够在降低日均采食量的同时保持日均增重,比RFI更适合快速型黄羽肉鸡的选育目标;采用最佳权重比进行SSGBLUP分析,对目标性状估计育种值的预测性能最优,建议作为快速型黄羽肉鸡基因组选择方法。     

Fertility and hatchability in RIR and WL breeds as functionally modified by crossing them in alternate sex combinations (Gallus domesticus)

(1) Four breeding groups of Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn domestic fowl (RIR (female) x RIR (male), RIR (female) x WL (male), WL (female) x RIR (male) and WL (female) x WL (male)) were compared for fertility, hatchability, and their post-insemination sustainability, egg weight loss during incubation and uncovered yolk in abdominal cavity of dead in shell in order to understand the problems associated with the RIR breed in these respects. (2) Crossing RIR (female) with WL (male) or in reverse sex combinations did not improve fertility in comparison to pure RIR chickens and all these groups were less fertile than the pure WL. (3) Unlike fertility, hatchability in RIR improved with the change to either sex partner of the WL breed but the WL (female) x RIR (male) combination was similar to the pure WL (97.72 and 97.12%, respectively). In contrast, crossing RIR (female) with WL (male) resulted in an improvement (86.67%) as compared to pure RIR (76.67%) but still lower than the pure WL and WL (female) x RIR (male) cross. (4) Egg weight loss during incubation was more (20.16%) in pure RIR as compared to RIR (female) x WL (male) (17.13%), followed by WL (female) x RIR (male) (10.28%) and pure WL (9.57%). (5) There were more dead-in-shell embryos with yolks outside their abdominal cavity in pure RIR and their crosses as compared to pure WL breeds. (6) Fertility was sustained for longer in WL than other combinations with post-artificial insemination using constant number of spermatozoa. Fertility after a week of insemination tended to decrease more rapidly than hatchability on a fertile egg basis. (7) It is concluded that both sexes are responsible for the poor fertility in RIR but the female is responsible for poor hatchability and this poor performance is mainly due to greater egg weight loss during incubation.     

品种对肉兔断奶后窝生长性状的影响

本研究旨在明确影响肉兔断奶后窝生长性状和料肉比的重要因素。利用一般线性模型分析了来自5个不同肉兔品种(新西兰白兔,加利福尼亚兔,比利时兔,青紫蓝兔和福建黄兔)的909只173窝肉兔断奶后窝生长和料肉比性状。结果表明,品种和断奶数对断奶窝重(5周龄窝重),窝增重,窝上市体重(10周龄窝重),个体平均上市体重,窝采食量和料肉比的影响极显著(P<0.01)。出生月份对窝采食量影响极显著(P<0.01),对断奶窝重和窝上市体重的影响显著(P<0.05)。比利时兔的断奶窝重、窝增重、窝上市体重、窝采食量和平均上市体重显著高于其他品种,而福建黄兔的上述5项指标显著低于其他品种(P<0.05)。断奶数与断奶窝重、窝采食量、窝增重、窝上市体重和料肉比的回归系数为正且显著。品种、断奶数和出生月份是影响肉兔断奶后窝性状和料肉比的重要因素。本研究的结果为将比利时兔作为杂交的终端父本提供重要依据。     

Tetrameres americana Cram (1927) populations in chickens infected with different dose levels

Three groups of 20-45 Lohman brown chickens aged 3 weeks were orally infected with doses of 25, 100 and 400 Tetrameres americana, respectively. Fifteen chickens were kept as uninfected controls. Every third week in a period of 12 weeks, 5-15 chickens were slaughtered and the proventriculi were examined for the presence of adult stages of T. americana. From day 21 post-infection, pooled feacal samples were examined for parasite eggs, whereas the weight gain of the chickens was monitored weekly. The parasite established the infection in similar rates in all the three groups, 9.5-15.2%, except on day 84 post-infection, when the establishment rate of the high-dose group was significantly lower (P < 0.005). The average worm burden increased with increasing dosages, though displaying the worm burden of the high-dose group as being roughly halved on day 84 post-infection, thus suggesting an expulsion of worms. Females were more abundant than males. The mean lengths of male and female specimens showed no significant differences between the groups. The egg output was also increased with increasing dosages with the earliest prepatent period of 38 days post-infection found in the high-dose group. Infected chickens exhibited no difference in weight gain in comparison with the controls. This study demonstrated that single infections with varying doses influenced the establishment rate and the worm burden but not the parasites egg excretion, worm size nor the weight gain and mortality of the final host.     

三个地方鸡种产蛋性状配合力测定

以文昌鸡、如皋黄鸡、仙居鸡为素材,采用完全双列杂交测定配合力,统计各周龄体重、开产蛋重、产蛋高峰期蛋重、开产至40周龄料蛋比、开产至40周龄平均产蛋率,计算一般配合力和特殊配合力效应值.结果表明:父本对开产至40周龄平均产蛋率及入舍母鸡产蛋数贡献较大,母本对蛋重影响较大;文昌鸡♂×仙居鸡♀组合开产至40周龄料蛋比最低、40周龄产蛋数最高,为最佳配套组合,可在生产中配套使用.