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.     

Inheritance of reproductive traits of female common ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in pure breeding and in inter-generic crossbreeding with muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata)

1. Genetic parameters of reproductive traits were estimated in a population of common duck, in purebreeding and crossbreeding (with Muscovies) insemination systems. A total of 989 females were studied over three generations as well as 4025 purebred offspring and 4,125 male mule offspring. 2. Traits studied were age at first egg, total number of eggs laid until the age of 48 weeks, fertility and hatchability rates in pure and crossbreds, weight at 6 and 30 weeks of age, average egg weight and body weight of the male mule ducks at 6 weeks of age. 3. Heritability estimates were found to be medium range for reproductive traits (0.15 to 0.47). Heritability value for fertility or hatchability in crossbreds was twice as high as in purebreds (0.32 vs 0.15 for fertility; 0.36 vs 0.16 for hatchability). 4. Fertility in purebreeding and in crossbreeding were two different traits (r(g) = 0.49) while hatchability displayed a high genetic correlation between breeding systems (r(g) = 0.88). 5. Genetic correlations with number of hatched mule ducks were medium or high and favourable. Genetic correlations between reproductive traits and weights were low (< 0.36), the most related trait being the body weight of the male mule duck at 6 weeks of age.     

Effect of climate region and stocking density on ostrich (Struthio camelus) productive performances

The effects of three climates (hot and dry, mild and humid and Alpine) and three flock densities (<100, 100–300 and >300 m²) on ostrich reproductive and productive traits were studied. Data were compared with the benchmark target sets by the World Ostrich Association (Ostrich benchmark Performance Targets. Version 2, May, 2008) for reproductive qualifications of ostrich. No significant difference was observed on egg production, weight, fertility, hatchability and day‐old chicks weight among the three climate conditions; however, the Alpine climate had a lower performance trend. Mild and humid climates had a significant effect of age at sexual maturity for both males and females as well as on the duration of egg production season. Stocking density did not show significant difference on egg production, hatchability, age of male and female at sexual maturity and on duration of egg production season, while an area >300 m² showed a reduction in egg weight and day‐old chick weight. Further, an area <100 m² led to a weaker ostrich fertility rate. Results showed that the ostrich would have a better performance under hot and dry and mild and humid climates as compared to Alpine climate with a stocking density of 100–300 m² area per breeder bird. Thus, climatic intervention strategies at Alpine regions may be carried out for maintaining optimal reproductive qualification of ostrich so as to improve the productivity in this sector.     

河北省西门塔尔牛体重体尺性状遗传参数分析

［目的］本研究旨在探究河北省西门塔尔牛体重和体尺性状的遗传参数,为育种提供参考。［方法］本研究以2015～2021年河北天和肉牛养殖有限公司266头西门塔尔牛的体重体尺性状为研究材料,包括体重性状及体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围、腹围和管围等6个体尺性状,使用DMU软件采用AI-REML结合EM算法并配合动物模型对体重、体尺性状进行了遗传参数估计。［结果］结果表明：体重、体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围、腹围和管围的遗传力分别为0.41、0.41、0.45、0.45、0.48、0.31和0.66。体重与体尺之间的遗传相关范围为0.20（体高）~0.79（胸围）,表型相关范围为0.14（十字部高）~0.23（胸围）;体尺性状间的遗传相关范围为-0.70（腹围和管围）~0.92（体高和十字部高）,表型相关范围为-0.10（腹围和管围）~0.94（体高和十字部高）。［结论］体重与体尺性状均属于高遗传力性状,体重及体尺性状间除管围外其他体尺性状间均呈较强的遗传正相关,在选育过程中加强对这些性状的选育,有利于提高西门塔尔牛的生长发育性能。     

Effects of electrical field on hatchability performance of eggs from a layer-type breeder

1. Eggs from a layer-type breeder flock (Baladi, King Saud University) between 50 and 63 weeks of age were used in three trials to study the effects of electrical field (EF) during incubation on albumen and yolk heights, incubation temperature, egg weight loss and hatchability traits. The effects of egg size and eggshell characteristics on hatchability traits of eggs incubated under EF were investigated. 2. Eggs were weighed and graded into three weight classes (small, medium, and large). The physical dimensions, eggshell characteristics, and conductance of eggs were examined. The incubator was divided into two compartments for the control and EF treatments. Two aluminium plates were fitted on the inside walls of the EF compartment, face to face, and connected to a step up electric transformer. Eggs were exposed constantly to the EF during the first 18 d of incubation at the level of 30 kV/m, 60 Hz. 3. Egg size influenced the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs. Large eggs had higher egg weight, egg surface area, egg volume, eggshell conductance, and eggshell weight and lower yolk weight percentage than medium or small size eggs. Small eggs had lower egg length and higher egg density than large or medium size eggs. Large eggs had higher eggshell thickness than small size eggs. 4. EF incubation of eggs raised incubation temperature by 0.06 degrees C, and increased the percentage of egg weight loss, hatchability, and weight of hatching chicks and reduced the early embryo deaths, and length of incubation by approximately 9.8, 19.6, 1.7, 62.1 and 2.1%, respectively. 5. There was no significant difference between the two incubation treatments in the heights of albumen and yolk of incubated eggs, percentages of late embryo deaths, and pips with live and dead embryos. Hatchability traits were not significantly influenced by egg size. 6. It was concluded that EF incubation of eggs increased hatchability, chick-hatching weight, and reduced the length of incubation of Baladi eggs. Differences in the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs did not influence hatchability traits of eggs under EF incubation.     

Similar improvements in reproductive performance of male line, female line and parent stock broiler breeders genetically selected in the UK or in South America

1. Field data on the reproductive performance of parent stock and grandparent female line and male line broiler breeders were extracted from a commercial database covering the years of hatch from 1989 to 2002. The data were from the UK, Western Europe, Central and South America and Japan. Quadratic regression curves were fitted to the data to estimate the long-term phenotypic trends in total egg production, hatching egg production, chick numbers, hatchability and female mortality. 2. Changes in performance over time were similar in the UK, Western Europe and Central and South America and are consistent with the suggestion that genetic selection in separate breeding programmes in the UK (supplying the UK and Western Europe) and Brazil (serving Central and South America) was associated with similar improvements in the performance of commercial parent stock and grandparent flocks. Changes in performance in Japan (supplied from the UK) were different but recent performance was similar to those in the other regions. 3. The mean annual improvements over 10 years to 2002 for male line, female line and parent stock, respectively, were 0.4, 1.7 and 1.7 for total egg number; 0.5, 1.8 and 1.6 for hatching egg number; 0.6, 1.8 and 1.3 for total chick production; 0.25, 0.47 and 0.09% for hatchability; and -0.69, -0.05 and -0.41% for female mortality. 4. The results are consistent with claims that significant genetic change in pedigree selection (nucleus) flocks by the primary breeding company are reflected in substantial improvements in reproductive performance in commercial flocks. The presence of similar rates of improvement in different geographical regions as a result of genetic selection in two continents representing tropical and temperate regions suggests that genotype-environment interactions for reproduction traits are not important.     

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.     

Effects of egg weight on the egg quality,chick quality,and broiler performance at the later stages of production (week 60) in broiler breeders

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of broiler breeder egg weight on egg quality, chick quality, and broiler performance using Hubbard Classic broiler breeder flock. Hatching eggs from a commercial broiler breeder flock (Hubbard classic strain) were obtained at the age of 60 wk and divided into 3 egg-weight categories, namely small, medium, and large. For this purpose, 930 eggs having weights 63.09 ± 0.21, 68.85 ± 0.23, and 74.81 ± 0.11g were divided into 3 egg categories labeled small, medium, and large respectively. We further divided these eggs into 2 categories, eggs for quality parameters and eggs for incubation and posthatch performance parameters. Eggs from the small egg category had greater proportion of the shell weight and more shell strength. Egg weight did not significantly affect the albumen and yolk weight percentage. Egg weight affected the shape index and specific gravity for which lower values were observed for large eggs. Egg weight positively affected the chick weight, chick yield, and chick length (P < 0.05) of both male and female chicks. Results of the body weight gain showed that effect of egg weight on the posthatch performance of chick diminishes with the age of broilers. Egg weight significantly affected the body weight gain of male and female chicks up to 3 wk of age. Egg weights did not significantly affect the feed intake and mortality of broiler. Different egg-weight categories significantly affected the feed conversion ratio of female chicks at wk 2 and 3 of age and did not affect the feed conversion of male and female chicks at the end of wk 5. In conclusion, egg weight positively affected the chick characteristics (e.g., chick weight, chick length) and did not affect the final live body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, and mortality in broilers.     

Repeatability and phenotypic correlations for body weight and reproduction in commercial ostrich breeding pairs

1. Reproduction is an important aspect of ostrich farming, where income is mainly derived from hides and meat. No estimates of repeatability or phenotypic correlations for reproduction and body weight are currendy available for commercial ostriches.

2. Means, standard deviations, repeatability coefficients and phenotypic correlations for and among reproductive traits and body weight were computed for the average yearly production of 42 to 67 mixed age ostrich breeding pairs maintained on the Klein Karoo Agricultural Development Centre from 1990 to 1994. The among‐breeding‐pair variance component was used in the repeatability estimations, as the pairing off of the same male:female combinations repeatedly resulted in the confounding of these effects.

3. Phenotypic correlations of male body weight with egg production performance ( — 0.20) and female body weight with hatchability percentage ( — 0.16) were negative. Correlations of egg production performance with infertility (— 0.20) and hatchability (0.23) percentages were favourable.

4. The repeatability of annual adult body weight was 0.68 ± 0.05 in male ostriches and 0.61 ±0.05 in females.

5. Ostrich reproduction traits were extremely variable. An appreciable portion of this variation could be attributed to the repeatable nature of breeding pair performance from year to year. All the reproduction traits analysed were moderately repeatable, ranging from 0.38 ± 0.07 (hatchability percentage) to 0.51 ± 0.06 (percentage of embryonic deaths). Egg production performance during the first breeding season of 17 breeding pairs for which data were available predicted subsequent performance satisfactorily, suggesting that selection decisions can be made at quite an early age.     

Genetic parameter estimates for growth traits in Horro sheep

Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for growth traits: birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6‐month weight (6MWT) and yearling weight (YWT) in indigenous Ethiopian Horro sheep using the average information REML (AIREML). Four different models: sire model (model 1), direct animal model (model 2), direct and maternal animal model (model 3) and direct–maternal animal model including the covariance between direct and maternal effects (model 4) were used. Bivariate analysis by model 2 was also used to estimate genetic correlation between traits. Estimates of direct heritability obtained from models 1–4, respectively, were for BWT 0.25, 0.27, 0.18 and 0.32; for WWT, 0.16, 0.26, 0.1 and 0.14; for 6MWT 0.18, 0.26, 0.16 and 0.16; and for YWT 0.30, 0.28, 0.23, and 0.31. Maternal heritability estimates of 0.12 and 0.23 for BWT; 0.19 and 0.24 for WWT; 0.09 and 0.09 for 6MWT and 0.08 and 0.14 for YWT were obtained from models 3 and 4, respectively. The correlations between direct and maternal additive genetic effects for BWT, WWT, 6MWT and YWT were –0.64, –0.42, 0.002 and –0.46, respectively. On the other hand, the genetic correlations between BWT and the rest of growth traits (WWT, 6MWT and YWT, respectively) were 0.45, 0.33 and 0.31, whereas correlations between WWT and 6MWT, WWT and YWT and 6MWT and YWT were 0.98, 0.84 and 0.87, respectively. The medium to high direct and maternal heritability estimates obtained for BWT and YWT indicate that in Horro sheep faster genetic improvement through selection is possible for these traits and it should consider both (direct and maternal) h² estimates. However, since the direct‐maternal genetic covariances were found to be negative, caution should be made in making selection decisions. The high genetic correlation among early growth traits imply that genetic improvement in any one of the traits could be made through indirect selection for correlated traits.     

Genetic parameters for body weight, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits in the Creole goat

We estimated the genetic parameters for BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits to implement a breeding program for the Creole goat. The traits were preweaning BW at 70 d of age (BW70d), BW at 11 mo of age (BW11), fecal egg count at 11 mo of age (FEC11) for all animals, packed cell volumes of lactating does (PCV), and their fertility (FER) and litter size (LS). We analyzed about 30 yr of data, which included 18,450 records on 11,970 animals from the INRA experimental flock in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Heritability estimates were low for reproduction traits (0.11 ± 0.02 for LS and FER) to moderate for production traits (0.32 ± 0.03 for BW11; 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.08 ± 0.02 for the direct and maternal heritability estimates of BW70d, respectively). Heritability estimates for gastrointestinal nematode resistance traits were situated in an intermediate range (0.13 ± 0.05 for PCV and 0.18 ± 0.04 for FEC11). Genetic correlations between FER, PCV, BW11, and the maternal effect of BW70d were altogether positive, whereas LS and FEC11 were almost uncorrelated phenotypically and genetically. These correlations are very favorable for setting up a breeding program, making it possible to improve BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits simultaneously.     

Assessment of genetic variability of resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Creole goats in the humid tropics

Goat production is widespread in the tropics. Goats are very susceptible to gastrointestinal nematode infection, but there is less evidence of their genetic resistance. Genetic resistance of Creole goats to gastrointestinal nematodes has been studied at Guadeloupe in the French West Indies since 1995. The objective of this research was to investigate genetic variation for resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection, in order to introduce this trait into breeding schemes. Genetic variability was assessed within a Creole experimental flock. Forty-nine sire groups were characterized at weaning and 55 during fattening after weaning. Kids were naturally infected, mainly by Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Fecal egg counts were determined once at weaning and every 6 and 7 wk after drenching during fattening. Blood samples were collected every 7 wk during fattening for determination of packed cell volume. Live weights were recorded at weaning and at the beginning and middle of every infection period during fattening. Genetic parameters were estimated using the REML for multivariate animal models. The heritability estimate for transformed fecal egg count was 0.37+/-0.06 at weaning. During fattening, it increased from 0.14+/-0.05 at 4 mo to 0.33+/-0.06 at 10 mo. Heritabilities of packed cell volume ranged from 0.10 to 0.33. At weaning, maternal heritability of fecal egg count reached 0.26 and direct heritability 0.20. After 6 mo of age, maternal effects were found to be unimportant for fecal egg count and packed cell volume. Live weights presented significant genetic variability. Genetic relationships between fecal egg counts and live weight in infected pastures were never significant. Genetic correlations between packed cell volume and live weight decreased from 0.47 to 0.10 from weaning to 10 mo of age. These results demonstrated the feasibility of breeding for improved resistance to nematodes in Creole kids.     

Genetic Relations between Reproduction,Chick Weight and Maternal Egg Composition in a White Leghorn Line

Selection is a viable way to increase egg dry matter, an important trait for the egg processing industry, but simultaneously a change in the embryonic environment takes place. The main purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for the percentage of fertile eggs of eggs set (FERT), percentage of eggs hatched of fertile eggs (HATCH), percentage of live chicks 2 weeks post-hatch of hatched eggs (SURV/h) and of fertile eggs (SURV), and their genetic correlations with egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk proportion, albumen dry matter and mean chick weight in a White Leghorn selection line. Direct and maternal heritabilities were low for FERT, HATCH and SURV, and non-existent for SURV/h. All direct-direct genetic correlations between reproduction traits and egg composition traits were not significant. Maternal-direct genetic correlations between HATCH and egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk proportion and albumen dry matter were - 0.22, - 0.30, 0.28, 0.52 and 0.26, respectively. Similar correlations were found between SURV and egg composition traits. No significant genetic relationship was found between chick weight and post-hatch survival. In conclusion, within the range of values for egg composition in this study, selection for an increased egg dry matter should not impair reproduction.     

Assessing the productivity of indigenous chickens in an extensive management system in southern Nyanza, Kenya

The present study was conducted to assess the performance of indigenous chickens under extensive system in southern Nyanza, Kenya. The study was carried out in two phases in Komolorume and Kawere villages in Rongo and Rachuonyo districts, respectively. The first phase was a cross-sectional study in 81 farms selected by cluster sampling to get the overview of the indigenous chicken production. A four-month prospective longitudinal study in 60 farms randomly selected from the previous 81 farms followed. Mean flock sizes per household were 20 and 18 birds in Komolorume and Kawere, respectively. Overall mean flock size was 19 birds ranging from 1to 64. The mean clutch size, egg weight and hatchability were 12 eggs, 48 g and 81% respectively in Komolorume and 10 eggs, 45 g and 70%, respectively, in Kawere. The chick survival rates to the age of eight weeks were 13% and 10% in Komolorume and Kawere, respectively. Mean live weights for cocks and hens were 2096 g and 1599 g in Komolorume and 2071 g and 1482 g in Kawere, respectively. The mean household cock to hen ratio was 2:5 and 2:4 for Komolorume and Kawere, respectively. The mean chick to grower to adult ratio per household was 8: 6:6 in Komolorume and 8:4:6 in Kawere. Clutch sizes and hatchability rates were significantly higher in Komolorume village (P?<?0.5). The productivity of the indigenous chickens was shown to be low compared to that of the improved chickens in other parts of the world.     

Neoplasms in the oviducts of turkeys

The reproductive tracts of turkey breeder hens from five flocks were examined grossly and histologically. Hens from one flock had a normal reproductive history, but hens from the four other flocks had poor records in both egg production and hatchability. Nodular growths occurred in the oviducts of birds in all five flocks. The incidence of lesions varied from flock to flock and from bird to bird. In four flocks, lesions were small and consisted of areas of dysplasia with adenomatous change. Histologically, the lesions in some birds in the fifth flock were adenocarcinomas. No metastases were observed.     

Effects of in ovo administration of L-carnitine on hatchability performance,glycogen status and insulin-like growth factor-1 of broiler chickens

1.?Eggs from a meat-type breeder flock (Ross) were used in two trials to study the effects of in ovo administration of L-carnitine (carnitine) on hatchability traits (hatchability percentage, embryo deaths, pipped with live or dead embryo), chick weight at hatch as an absolute value (CWT) or expressed as a percentage of egg weight (CWT%), hatching period, glycogen status (liver and pectoral muscle) and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of hatched chicks were investigated. There were 9 treatments with three replicates of each. Treatments were non-injected control (negative control), or injection with sterilised saline (0?9%, positive control), or sterilised saline with carnitine at 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 µg/egg.

2.?In ovo carnitine treatment increased CWT, CWT%, glycogen in the liver and pectoral muscle, glycogen index and plasma IGF-1 of hatched chicks, and did not influence hatchability traits and hatching period. The glycogen index of hatched chicks of the in ovo carnitine treatments with values (500 > 400 = 300 > 200) was higher than that of the control and in ovo carnitine at 25, 50, and 100 µg/egg treatments. The nature of response to carnitine was cubic for CWT and CWT%, and linear for glycogen in the liver and pectoral muscle, glycogen index of hatched chicks when the negative control or positive control treatment was used as base line.

3.?It was concluded that in ovo administration of carnitine at 25–500 µg/egg increased chick weight at hatch and IGF-1, and did not influence hatchability traits and hatching period of eggs. The linear relationship between in ovo administration of carnitine and glycogen status of hatched chicks indicated that increasing in ovo doses improved glycogen status of hatched chicks.     

Thyroid activity in relation to feed intake, growth rate and feed conversion in growing heifers

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for thyroid activity (T4 serum level, T4 apparent distribution volume, T4 fractional turnover rate and T4 degradation), and for certain production traits (roughage dry matter intake, daily weight gain and roughage dry matter/kg weight gain), were investigated in cattle. In the experiment, 480 growing heifers were studied, daughters of 20 AI sires previously tested for thyroid activity. Repeatabilities for thyroid traits 2-3 months apart varied, with an average 0.3-0.6 for the different traits. Heritability estimates based on sire components were 0.1-0.4 for the thyroid traits, 0.16 +/- .10 for roughage intake and 0.18 +/- .11 for daily gain. The sire component for feed efficiency (roughage dry matter/kg weight gain) was 0, and genetic correlations between thyroid traits and the production traits in growing heifers were low with large standard errors.     

Age at first egg and egg production--their inheritance and expected response to different methods of selection

Data pertaining to a closed White Leghorn flock maintained at the Punjab Agricultural University were used for estimating genetic and phenotypic parameters for age at first egg and 70‐d egg production and also to evaluate the expected response to different methods of selection. Records of 2377 pullets, a progeny of 1001 dams and 155 sires over a period of two years, were used. The birds in this flock attained sexual maturity on an average at the age of 176.6 d and produced on an average 33.6 eggs in first 70 d of egg production.

Heritability for age at first egg and 70‐d egg production was obtained from different observational components. Age at first egg was found to have a medium heritability, the estimates being 0.370 ±0.003, 0.080 ±0.016 and 0.224 + 0.040 from sire, dam and full sib components, respectively. The heritabilities for 70‐d egg production were low. The estimates were 0.132±0.004, 0.214±0.011 and 0.173±0.06 from sire, dam and full sib components, respectively. Phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations were also obtained from analysis of variance and covariance. These two traits were found to be highly genetically negatively associated (—0.554 ±0.007). Phenotypic and environmental correlations between these two traits were also found to be negative and very low.

An index incorporating age at first egg and 70‐d egg production with 1.5 times negative weightage to the former was found to be two times more effective in reducing the age at first egg and 2–3 times more effective in increasing the 70‐d egg production as compared to direct selection for the two traits individually.     

野生盘羊×巴什拜羊回交二代的脂尾形态变异分析

试验旨在研究野生盘羊×巴什拜羊回交二代的脂尾形态特征以及脂尾大小对体尺指数的影响。以216只饲养条件相同、体况良好的75日龄野生盘羊×巴什拜羊回交二代为研究对象,计算脂尾性状的变异系数,再根据脂尾性状采用R语言K-mean聚类分析方法对野生盘羊×巴什拜羊回交二代进行分析,研究脂尾的分离分化情况,并用SPSS 19.0对回交二代各类型脂尾羊的7个体重体尺指数（体重、体长指数、胸围指数、管围指数、体躯指数、肢长指数和胸指数）进行差异比较分析。结果发现,根据聚类分析结果可将野生盘羊×巴什拜羊回交二代分为4个类型：小尾型、中尾型、大尾型和肥尾型;肥尾型体长指数极显著大于小尾型（P<0.01）,大尾型体躯指数极显著大于小尾型（P<0.01）,大尾型和肥尾型胸围指数、胸指数极显著大于小尾型（P<0.01）,各尾型间的体重、管围指数、肢长指数差异不显著（P>0.05）。综合以上试验结果,回交二代的脂尾出现了性状分离,脂尾越大其体型越大,但体重无明显变化;结合野生盘羊与巴什拜羊的体型外貌特征及生产性能的特点,大尾型和肥尾型在体型上更趋近于巴什拜羊,小尾型则在尾型上更趋近于野生盘羊。     

Effect of intensity of eggshell pigment and illuminated incubation on hatchability of brown eggs

The effects of intensity of brown eggshell pigment (light (LBP), medium (MBP) and dark (DBP)) and light intensity during incubation (low and high, 900 to 1380 and 1430 to 2080 lux, respectively) on eggshell characteristics, embryonic growth, hatchability traits, chick hatching weight and hatching time were investigated using eggs from a meat-type breeder (Hybro) flock at 32, 36 and 41 weeks of age in three trials. With eggs of similar weights the intensity of brown pigment was not associated with eggshell weight and thickness, and did not influence embryo weight and egg weight loss during incubation. The shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by young hens influenced the percentage hatchability (HP) of eggs incubated under light. Illuminated incubation improved HP of LBP eggs (compared with MBP and DBP eggs) from 32- and 36-week-old hens, but had no significant effect on HP of eggs from 41-week-old hens. Light intensity during incubation did not influence egg weight loss. High intensity of light during incubation reduced HP and increased early death percentage (EDP) in the LBP and MBP groups, and did not influence HP and EDP in the DBP group. Brown eggshell pigment and intensity of light during incubation did not influence hatching time. It is concluded that the shade of brown pigment, intensity of light during incubation and age of the breeder hens influenced the hatchability performance of embryos from brown eggs. Light during incubation improved the hatchability of embryos in light brown eggs laid by young hens and the shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by older hens did not influence hatchability under illuminated incubation. High intensity of light during incubation reduced hatchability of light and medium brown eggs, but not the dark brown eggs.