scholarly journals Dual-purpose production of eggs and meat — Part 1: cockerels of crosses between layer and meat breeds achieve moderate growth rates while showing unimpaired animal welfare

Author(s):  
Lisa Baldinger ◽  
Ralf Bussemas

AbstractThe use of modern chicken genotypes with high egg or meat performance results in the ethically unacceptable practice of culling day-old male layer chicks because of their inefficient fattening performance. Dual-purpose genotypes with a balanced performance profile for both eggs and meat are one option to avoid this practice. In this study, four chicken crosses of a layer breed (White Rock or New Hampshire) and the meat breed Bresse Gauloise were compared under the conditions of organic agriculture. Purebred Bresse Gauloise and the layer hybrid Lohmann Sandy served as controls. Part 1 of this study focused on the fattening performance of the cockerels, which were reared together with the pullets. The birds were housed in a floor system (9.9–20.7 kg live weight per m2 at the end of week 15) with access to a green outdoor run. Live weight of the crosses before slaughter at the age of 15 weeks ranged between 2355 and 2447 g and did not differ significantly between the genotypes. With average daily gains of 22.1–22.8 g, the crosses grew slower than Bresse Gauloise males (26.1 g) but faster than Lohmann Sandy males (15.9 g). Welfare assessment indicated a generally high level of welfare with no foot pad lesions or hock burns on any of the cockerels. Fattening dual-purpose cockerels can therefore be an ethically desirable option with a high level of animal welfare and a better fattening performance than in male layer chicks, but still requires more resources than the fattening of specialised broilers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Malchow ◽  
Lars Schrader

To avoid killing day-old male chicks, one possibility is to keep dual-purpose chicken strains. Here, the hens were kept for egg production, and the roosters were kept for meat production. Both sexes had moderate performances compared to the respective hybrid chicken strains. However, until now, little has been known about whether male dual-purpose chickens may profit from enrichment in the environment in which broiler chickens are raised under conventional conditions. This study aims to further investigate the suitability of elevated structures for dual-purpose chickens (Lohmann Dual) with moderate growth and for fast-growing male broiler chickens (Ross 308). In two consecutive trials, we kept 686 Ross and 672 Dual chickens in 24 compartments (2 trials × 2 strains × 6 compartments). Half of the compartments were equipped with elevated grid platforms at a height of 50 cm (enriched group). In the other half of the compartments, no platforms were installed (control group). We analyzed the usage of the elevated platforms by scan sampling and assessed animal-based (walking ability, plumage cleanliness, and foot health) and management-based (litter quality) indicators. Both strains showed increasing use of the elevated platforms from the first week of life onwards. However, the fast-growing chickens used the elevated platform less than the slow-growing chickens. At the end of the fattening period, the birds used the elevated grids more at night than during the daytime. Slow-growing chickens kept in enriched compartments showed a better walking ability. In general, slow-growing chickens had better plumage conditions and foot health compared to fast-growing chickens. Our results show that natural behaviors such as perching can be supported by offering elevated platforms and that animal-based indicators such as walking ability can be improved, at least in slow-growing chickens. Moreover, the use of an alternative chicken strain avoids killing day-old male chicks, and in addition, these chickens show fewer animal welfare problems than a conventional fattening strain. Thus, the use of male chickens of a dual-purpose strain can substantially contribute to improving animal welfare in broiler meat production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (3) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Батырхан Абилов ◽  
Batyrkhan Abilov ◽  
Лариса Пашкова ◽  
Larisa Pashkova

The article presents the data obtained as a result of carrying by employees of the Research Institute of sheep and goat breeding, a branch of the FSBSI "North Caucasus FARC", the scientific and economic experience to study the efficiency of a new fodder additive "Organic" on the productive and physiological indices of bull-calves during the completion of growing in the conditions of the farm "Pata" agricultural enterprise in the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. The statement of the experience and all researches were carried out according to generally accepted methods. In the course of the experiment, the following indices were studied: the chemical compound of forages, the dynamics of a live weight gain in the experimental stock, hematological parameters, control slaughter data, economic indices. Completed researches have shown positive result from the use of the fodder additive "Organic" in bull-calves diets: an increase in the average daily gain of live weight by 25%, a slaughter yield by 1% and a high level of profitability – 27%. Thus, the additional introduction of "Organic" in a diet of young horned cattle in the 2nd experimental group promoted more intensive metabolism, stabilization of a physiological state, increase in productivity and, as a consequence, profitability of beef production. Researches in this direction reveal the latent fodder reserves promoting increase in the productivity of agricultural animals.


Author(s):  
V. Dodokhov ◽  
N. Pavlova ◽  
T. Rumyantseva ◽  
L. Kalashnikova

The article presents the genetic characteristic of the Chukchi reindeer breed. The object of the study was of the Chukchi reindeer. In recent years, the number of reindeer of the Chukchi breed has declined sharply. Reduced reindeer numbers could lead to biodiversity loss. The Chukchi breed of deer has good meat qualities, has high germination viability and is adapted in adverse tundra conditions of Yakutia. Herding of the Chukchi breed of deer in Yakutia are engaged only in the Nizhnekolymsky district. There are four generic communities and the largest of which is the agricultural production cooperative of nomadic tribal community «Turvaurgin», which was chosen to assess the genetic processes of breed using microsatellite markers: Rt6, BMS1788, Rt 30, Rt1, Rt9, FCB193, Rt7, BMS745, C 143, Rt24, OheQ, C217, C32, NVHRT16, T40, C276. It was found that microsatellite markers have a wide range of alleles and generally have a high informative value for identifying of genetic differences between animals and groups of animal. The number of identified alleles is one of the indicators of the genetic diversity of the population. The total number of detected alleles was 127. The Chukchi breed of deer is characterized by a high level of heterozygosity, and the random crossing system prevails over inbreeding in the population. On average, there were 7.9 alleles (Na) per locus, and the mean number of effective alleles (Ne) was 4.1. The index of fixation averaged 0.001. The polymorphism index (PIC) ranged from 0.217 to 0.946, with an average of 0.695.


1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-210
Author(s):  
H. Appelman ◽  
B.J. Bonhof

161 Australorp X Rhode Island Red (RIR) X New Hampshire (NH) and 166 White Leghorn (WL) imported fowls were kept in insulated housing; 161 Australorp X RIR X NH, 166 WL, 154 RIR X WL and 148 RIR X NH X RIR fowls were kept in open houses. In the 6 groups resp., live weight at 126 days of age averaged 1602, 1227, 1578, 1234, 1397 and 1539 g, food consumption 4.02, 4.49, 4.03, 4.47, 4.25 and 4.17 kg/kg gain, overall laying percentage 56.6, 56.4, 52.5, 53.4, 55.0 and 37.5, egg production/hen 202, 201, 188, 191, 196 and 134, and egg weight 56.3, 56.3, 55.0, 55.8, 55.0 and 57.5 g. Egg mass averaged 1335, 1323, 1191, 1151, 1126 and 796 kg and food consumed/kg eggs produced 3.68, 3.53, 3.71, 3.25, 3.37 and 4.74 kg. Live weight at 16 mth of age averaged 2894, 2040, 2665, 1874, 2132 and 2517 g, and mortality 12.8, 11.1, 33.6, 43.5, 52.8 and 50.4%. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)


Author(s):  
K. I. Khidirov ◽  
◽  
G. J. Kutlieva ◽  
B. I. Turaeva ◽  
N. A. Elova ◽  
...  

Research has been carried out to study the influence of "ProBioKorm Uz", a biologically active feed additive, on the development and physiological characteristics of rabbits of ‘New Zealand’ breed. During the experiment, 2 experimental and a control groups were formed. Adding "ProBioKorm Uz" to the main feed at the rate of 1% and 2% had an increase in experimental group rabbits’ live weight. Average live weight of them was higher by 5,7 %-3.8% than in the control group. Feed units composed 1.59%, dry matter 0.56 kg (3.61%) and crude protein 0.11 kg (3.59%) compared with the control group. Rabbits of experimental groups had higher indicators of erythrocytes concentration by 0.34-1.00 1012/l (10.34-19.53%), leukocytes - by 0.370-0.46 109/l (5.66-8, 06%), as well as a high level of hemoglobin by 7.42-11.08 g/l (6.81-10.08%) and total protein - by 2.40-4.48 (3.64-6, 42%).


2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Thaller ◽  
L. Dempfle ◽  
A. Schlecht ◽  
S. Wiedemann ◽  
H. Eichinger ◽  
...  

Abstract. A total of 345 F2 animals from a crossbred design Mangalitza (homozygous NN) x Piétrain (homozygous nn) were fed ad libitum at the institute's Thalhausen Research Station and slaughtered at a live weight of approximately 100 kg. MHS genotypes (67 nn, 192 Nn and 86 NN) were determined directly in a DNA test targeting the ryanodine reeeptor locus. Models for analysis of variance included sire, dam, pen, slaughter group, sex and MHS effects. Growth Performance was generally lower and carcass composition minor compared to other breeds and crosses. No significant differences were found between MHS genotypes for growth traits but NN animals tended to be less eflicient with respect to food conversion. However, nearly all measurements of the carcass showed significant differences between nn and NN which were especially pronounced for sidefat thickness (−7 1mm) fat over the musculus longissimus dorsi (−8.8 mm) and loin eye area (+8.7 cm2) as well as fat area (−5.1 cm2) We found Nn animals performing similar to NN animals due to incomplete dominance of the N allele. As expected nn had a substantial negative influence on meat quality compared to NN and Nn (e.g. −0.61 and −0.15 for pH 45 min, respectively). Intramuscular fat content was at a high level and nn had significantly lower values with differences of −0.40% and −0.25% relative to NN and Nn, respectively. A whole genome scan is currently underway with emphasis on fat measurements which showed promising Variation in this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 08010
Author(s):  
E.V. Khardina ◽  
O.A. Krasnova ◽  
M.I. Vasilyeva ◽  
S.S. Vostrikova

We performed have performed a comprehensive analysis of the meat productivity of cattle received for slaughter and primary processing at “Uvinsky meat factory” OOO of the Uvinsky district in the Udmurt Republic. The studies were carried out based on data from plumb lines for 2020. During the research, it was revealed that only two districts (Uvinsky and Vavozhsky) had got cattle in 2020, from which they obtained carcasses of the “super” category (21 pieces). This is the highest grade in terms of categorization. Meanwhile, the main range of carcasses of young cattle was assessed in the categories “extra”, “excellent” and “good” (1311 carcasses). However, there were also farms from which carcasses of the “low” fatness category were obtained (Uvinsky, Seltinsky and Vavozhsky districts) (42 carcasses). Based on the results of the commodity evaluation of carcasses of adult cattle, it is worth noting that most of the carcasses were quite well-fed and were rated in the first category. By the end of 2020, the company has obtained meat in carcasses from young cattle in the amount of 608.8 tons. Meanwhile, 917.5 tons of meat were produced in live weight. The meat volume in the carcasses of adult cattle was 180, 1 ton. In live weight, 386, 5 tons were obtained. Given the percentage of beef sales per year and the maximum yield of boneless meat, the company is not capable of fully meeting the needs of all high-level processing shops.


1959 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Brookes ◽  
John Hodges

1. The sources of calves for rearing for beef are discussed and the dependence of the beef industry upon the dairy industry demonstrated.2. An experiment designed to compare the effects of four levels of feeding on the growth rate, conformation, economy of food conversion and type of carcase produced, of three breeds of spring-born steers, Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesian, is described. The levels of feeding are high or moderate in the calf stage, each followed by high or moderate feeding in subsequent winters.3. The results on growth and time of fattening are given and discussed.4. The calves fed on a high level were almost twice the weight of those fed on a moderate level at 8 months old.5. The well-reared calf had an advantage over the moderately reared calf for the rest of its life.6. Although calves which had been reared moderately showed a marked improvement in growth rate when subsequently fed on a higher level they did not reach the weight of calves fed well throughout at 2 years old.7. The level of feeding in the calf stage had little effect upon the time of fattening provided that the level of feeding in the winter periods of subsequent life was on a high level.8. When subsequent feeding was on a moderate level in the winter months, the calf reared well initially fattened on grass a year earlier than the moderately reared animal.9. The high-moderate treatment is shown to be the most satisfactory from many points of view. On this treatment a minimum of concentrates is used in the production of beef.10. The moderate-moderate cattle may be too heavy for present-day requirements when finished off grass at 3½ years old.11. Cattle which were fed on a high level in winter from 8 to 14 months put on less live weight in the following summer than those fed moderately. A live-weight gain of about 1 lb. a day in winter would appear to be satisfactory if the cattle are to make good use of grass in the following summer.12. These main feeding treatment effects applied to the three breeds used.13. The Friesians were heavier than Dairy Shorthorns or Herefords as calves, and the live weight at most ages was in descending order Friesians, Dairy Shorthorns, Herefords.14. The growth rate of Friesian steers was higher than that of the other two breeds at most stages of life, but the difference between Dairy Shorthorns and Herefords was negligible.15. The Herefords finished earlier than the Dairy Shorthorns and Friesians when fattened in yards or on grass.16. There was some indication (Brookes, 1954) that husk and ringworm caused less trouble with cattle which had been well reared than with those moderately reared.


Author(s):  
Emmanuel S. Swai ◽  
Abdu A. Hayghaimo ◽  
Ayubu A. Hassan ◽  
Bartholomeo S. Mhina

Information on the level of foetal wastage in slaughtered cattle in Tanzania is limited. A three-month observational study (April – June 2014) of animals slaughtered at the Tanga abattoir in Tanga region, Tanzania was carried out to determine the number of pregnant cows slaughtered. The total number of cattle slaughtered during the study period was 3643, representing a monthly kill average of 1214 and a daily kill average of 40. Over 98% of the cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughter were local breed (Tanzania shorthorn zebu) and most were above 3 years of age. Improved breeds of cattle represented only 1.3% of all slaughters. Of the cattle slaughtered, 2256 (61.9%) were female and 1387 (38.1%) were male. A total of 655 slaughtered cows were pregnant, representing a foetal wastage of 29.1%. Of the 655 recovered foetuses, 333 (50.8%) were male and 322 (49.2%) were female. Of the recovered foetuses, 25.8% were recovered in the first, 42.7% in the second and 31.6% in the third trimester. This study indicates cases of significant foetal losses, negatively impacting future replacement stock as a result of the slaughter of pregnant animals. The indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant cows suggests that existing animal welfare legislation is not sufficiently enforced and routine veterinary ante-mortem inspection of trade animals is failing to prevent the high level of foetal wastage.


Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Lenin Aguirre-Riofrio ◽  
Rodrigo Medardo Abad-Guamán ◽  
Melania de Lourdes Uchuari-Pauta

The breeding of creole cattle from the southern region of Ecuador, also known as Criollo Lojano, is a source of economic support and work for the communities located in the remote areas of the Andes mountains in this region. These cattle are grouped into four biotypes based on their phenotypic characteristics: Negro Lojano, Encerado, Colorado, and Cajamarca or Pintado. This study analyzes the morphometric variability of these creole cattle using least squares means (LSM) and restricted maximum likelihood Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) variance components. The evaluation parameters used to characterize these cattle were live weight plus 15 morphometric characteristics and nine morphometric indexes. The measurements came from 151 adult animals (28 male and 123 females). With the exception of Height at Withers (P = 0.06), the other morphometric characteristics do not show significant difference among these creole biotypes. Sexual dimorphism was found in live weight, thoracic circumference, height at withers, chest width, length of thorax, length of body, depth of thorax, depth of abdomen, length of head, and length of horns (P < 0.05). The adult Creole Lojano has an average live weight of 288 ± 12.9 kg (mean ± standard error), The Cephalic index is 45.6, the Corporal index is 115.9, the Pelvic index is 90.5, the Thoracic index is 58.3, the Proportionality index is 62.6, the Thoracic Capacity index is 2.1, the Lower Leg–Thoracic index is 9.9, the Transverse Pelvic index is 34.7, and the Pelvic Length index is 38.4. This creole bovine breed presents 4 biotypes that are similar; there are differences in the analysis with respect to sex (males are higher in 10 of the 16 characteristics analyzed); and on the basis of the indexes, this animal is small, has a triangular head, is longilinear with a long and narrow hip. It is a dual-purpose milk type with the exception of the Colorado biotype which is a dual purpose meat type.


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