Weights, Breeding, and Survival in European Sparrowhawks

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Newton ◽  
M. Marquiss ◽  
A. Village
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
High Weight ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
First Year ◽  
Accipiter Nisus ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Food Shortages ◽  
Independent Life

Abstract No significant diurnal variation in mean weight was detected in trapped European Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus). Weights of males fluctuated rather little through the year, but were highest in March and lowest in August. During the breeding cycle, males lost weight slightly in the prelay/early laying periods, when they were feeding females in preparation for egg production, and in the late nestling/postfledging periods, when they were feeding large young. Weights of females fluctuated greatly during the year: they were highest in May at the time of egg laying and lowest in August at the end of breeding. Females increased in weight by 40-50 g (15%) in the 10-20 days before laying; lost about 20 g over the laying period, on average; maintained high weight through much of incubation; and lost weight during the nestling period. The main functions of the extra body reserve are probably to buffer the female against temporary food shortages during incubation and to enable her to feed the chicks preferentially in the nestling period. Females that did not lay eggs remained low in weight throughout the early part of the breeding season and were then significantly lighter than breeders. Moreover, females that laid large clutches were heavier throughout the prelaying and laying periods than were females that laid small clutches, and females that subsequently hatched their eggs started incubation at a significantly greater weight than did those that deserted their eggs. We suggest that clutch size and breeding success are dependent on the female being able to maintain high weight during the periods she is dependent on the male for food and, hence, on the hunting success of the male. First-year birds of both sexes weighed less than adults throughout the year and were especially light during their first 2 months of independent life. This was probably a period of high mortality, especially in males, in which a clear relationship emerged between weight and survival prospects.

Organ development in relation to egg-laying capacity in the fowl

1954 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. E. Hafez
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Alimentary Canal ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
First Year ◽  
Organ Development ◽  
Ovarian Weight ◽  
High Class ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Maturation Rate

Eighty-nine Fayomi pullets were classified into three major classes High, Medium and Low according to the intensity of egg laying. Six birds in each class were slaughtered. The major body organs were dissected and weighed. The number and diameter of the visible oocytes were recorded. The dressing out percentage was obtained. The results were as follows:1. During the first year of laying, the averagenumber of eggs laid per day was 0·50, 0·42 and 0·24 eggs for the High, Medium and Low classes respectively.2. There were significant differences in the ovarian weight, length and weight of oviduct, these being highest in the High class.3. The number of visible oocytes was some 200 in all classes. There were, however, differences between classes in the maturation rate of the oocytes as measured by the differences in the diameter of successive ones.4. The weight of blood, feathers, head, wings and legs were higher in the Low than in the High; these are all early maturing organs.5. The weights of the full alimentary canal and the empty gizzard were higher in the High than in the Low, this might be accounted for by a greater appetite and to intake of feed induced by the higher egg production.6. There were no significant differences in the weight of the circulatory, excretory and respiratory organs which are needed for the physiological welfare of the birds.7. The dressing out percentage was higher in the Low and Medium than in the High. This may be due to the greater drainage of nutrients required for high egg production.

Sexual Roles in the Dot-Winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis), a Tropical Forest Passerine

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 920-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Greenberg ◽  
Judy Gradwohl
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
Sexual Roles ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Term Pair ◽  
Foraging Ability ◽  
Maintenance Behavior

Abstract Dot-winged Antwrens maintain long-term pair bonds on year-long territories in tropical forests and woodland of Central and South America. Pairs partition breeding-related activities nearly equally. Like other antbirds (Formicariidae), both sexes incubate and brood. Both sexes participate equally in territorial maintenance behavior, which primarily involves active border displays. Initial investment in offspring is possibly equalized by long-term nuptial feeding of females by males. Overall, both sexes contribute equally to nestling care, although considerable variation is observed between nests, much of which probably results from variation in the foraging ability of parents. Females feed young consistently less often than do males during the early part of the nestling period and may be recovering from depletion of reserves resulting from egg production. In most pairs females bring more spiders than do males. This difference in prey type is unexpected, because the pair forages close together in the same microhabitat and their bill size is similar. Pairs are distinct in their interactions: some pairs have a rigid feeding order, and others do not.

Probiotics in the diets of laying quails

2020 ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
O. Merzlyakova ◽  
V. Rogachyev ◽  
V. Chegodaev
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Bacillus Licheniformis ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Economic Effect ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
The Cost

The efficiency of introducing probiotics based on strains of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and their consortium in the amount of 150 g/t of feed into the diets of laying quails has been studied. The experiment lasting 182 days has been carried out on four groups of quails with 30 heads in each. The quails have been housed in the broiler battery in compliance with the required microclimate conditions. Quails of all groups have been received the main diet (compound feed) developed taking into account their age and physiological characteristics. The quails of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups in addition to the main diet received probiotics (150 g/t compound feed) based on strains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and their consortium, respectively. It has been found that feeding the laying quails of the consortium of strains Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis had the most significant positive impact on their productive performance, it allowed to increase egg production by 7,81 %, egg laying intensity by 5,0 %, egg mass yield by 9,77 %, while reducing feed expenditures for 10 eggs by 13,35 %. The yield of hatching eggs has been increased by 7,03 %, hatchability of chickens from laid and fertilized eggs by 8,33 and 8,35 %, brooding waste decreased by 21,74 %. Hematological parameters of quails during the whole experiment were within the physiological norm. The economic effect calculated on the basis of data on the cost of compound feed, probiotics and the cost of sold eggs of quail laying was 14,56 % in the 3rd experimental group (in relation to the control group).

scholarly journals Proteomic Analysis Identifies Potential Markers for Chicken Primary Follicle Development

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1108
Author(s):  
Armughan Ahmed Wadood ◽  
Jingyuan Wang ◽  
Liping Pu ◽  
Qaisar Shahzad ◽  
Muhammad Waqas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proteomic Analysis ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Phosphate Binding ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Mannose Metabolism

Follicles’ development in chicken imparts a major impact on egg production. To enhance the egg-laying efficiency, comprehensive knowledge of different phases of follicular development is a prerequisite. Therefore, we used the tandem mass tag (TMT) based proteomic approach to find the genes involved in the primary follicular development of chicken. The primary follicles were divided into two groups—small primary follicles (81–150 μm) and developed primary follicles (300–500 μm). Differential expression analysis (fold change > 1.2, p-value < 0.05) revealed a total of 70 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), of which 38 were upregulated and 32 were downregulated. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis disclosed that DEPs were intricate with cellular protein localization, the establishment of protein localization, and nucleoside phosphate-binding activities. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway indicated the involvement of DEPs in different metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, galactose metabolism, and fructose and mannose metabolism. The current proteomic analysis suggested suitable markers such as Anxa2, Pdia3, and Capzb, which may serve as a potential role for primary follicle development. The present study provides the first insight into the proteome dynamics of primary follicle development and would play a potential role for further studies in chicken to improve egg productivity.

scholarly journals Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Marianne Hammershøj ◽  
Gitte Hald Kristiansen ◽  
Sanna Steenfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Genotype A

Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste concerns, the search for suitable dual-purpose genotypes in order to avoid euthanasia of male day-old chicks has intensified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential dual-purpose genotypes for their egg quality compared to a representative egg laying genotype. Three dual-purpose genotypes with divergent characteristics were evaluated: genotype A represented an experimental crossbreed based on a broiler type male and an egg layer female, genotype B was a pure breed, and genotype C was a crossbreed of a layer type. These were compared to a control genotype D, which was an egg layer. Eggs were collected six times during the period of 21–54 weeks of hen age, i.e., a total of 1080 shell eggs were analyzed. Examined parameters were weights of egg, shell, yolk, and albumen, by calculating their relative proportions. Shell quality was assessed by shell strength, shell stiffness, and shell thickness. Yolk quality was determined as yolk color and inclusions of blood and meat spots, and albumen quality was evaluated in terms of pH and dry matter (DM) content. The egg layer genotype produced the smallest eggs with least blood and meat spot inclusions compared to that produced by the three dual-purpose genotypes. Shell quality was superior for the layer genotype. However, the experimental genotype A laid eggs of comparable shell quality, albumen DM, and yolk weight, but also with the darkest and most red-yellow colored yolk. The two other dual-purpose genotypes produced eggs of low-medium quality. In conclusion, the genotype A could serve as dual-purpose genotype from an egg quality perspective.

Observations on the mineral metabolism of pullets. II

1936 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Common
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Mineral Metabolism ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Phosphorus Metabolism ◽  
Phosphorus Excretion ◽  
Calcium Phosphorus ◽  
Digestible Protein

1. Where heavy phosphorus excretion accompanies egg laying in the pullet the excretion of ammonia nitrogen is simultaneously increased. It is probable that this indicates an excretion of excess phosphate in the urine as ammonium phosphate.2. It is shown that heavy phosphorus excretion does not accompany egg laying provided the calcium carbonate intake is sufficiently high.3. The origin of the excess of phosphorus excretion is discussed in relation to calcium-phosphorus metabolism.4. Pullets on a ration containing 5 per cent, calcium carbonate laid eggs containing a higher percentage of P2O5 than pullets receiving a similar ration but from which the calcium carbonate supplement was omitted.5. Some evidence is put forward in support of the view that current standards pitch the requirements of digestible protein for egg production at too high a level.

PERFORMANCE OF DWARF BROILER BREEDERS IN LAYING CAGES AND FLOOR PENS AND OF NORMAL BREEDERS IN FLOOR PENS

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
A. P. PILOSKI
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Broiler Breeders ◽  
Feed Costs

Dwarf broiler breeders in single-bird cages (DC), in floor pens (DF) and normal broiler breeders in floor pens (NF) were compared for their own and their offspring’s performance. No differences were observed in rate of egg production at 147–329 days of age between the NF and DF birds (48 vs. 47%) whereas the DC birds laid at the rate of 40%. Hen-housed egg numbers for the same period followed the same general pattern (NF, 81; DF, 82; DC, 70 eggs/bird). DF and DC birds consumed less feed per dozen eggs than the NF birds (3.4 vs. 4.3 kg/doz). Egg weights in the early part of the production cycle were not significantly different among the groups but at 294 days of age the normal birds laid larger eggs than the dwarfs (65 vs. 62 g). Dwarfs in cages reached 50% production earlier than the DF or NF birds. Female offspring from the three groups grew at the same rate and weighed 1.7 kg at 56 days of age but there were significant differences in feed conversion (NF, 2.46; DF, 2.43; DC, 2.53 kg/kg body weight produced). Male offspring had small but not statistically significant differences in body weight at 56 days (NF, 2.16; DF, 2.12; DC, 2.09 kg) or feed conversion (NF, 2.30; DF, 2.29; DC, 2.34 kg/kg body weight). Mortality in the offspring ranged from 2.7 to 9.2% but did not differ significantly. Income over feed costs per broiler started did not differ from the three groups regardless of the meat price – feed price combination considered. However, when profit was computed on a breeder hen basis, the DF females were more profitable than either the NF or DC females.

EGG-LAYING FEATURES, WEIGHT AND SIZE OF GERMINATIVE DUCK CHIMERAS EGGS

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Doroshenko ◽  
S. O. Kostenko ◽  
P. V. Korol ◽  
A. M. Chepiha ◽  
O. V. Sydorenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Adhesive Tape ◽  
Chemical Agent ◽  
Entire Study

The consequences of chimerization and its possible influence on the productivity of chimera offspring remain poorly understood. The objects of research were ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) of the Shanma (Shan partridge duck) and Shaoxing breeds kept at the Zhuji Guowei Poultry Development Co, Ltd, P.R.China. The study was conducted in the poultry genetics laboratory of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences on a duck farm of Zhejiang Generation Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Zhejiang Province, PRC). To create chimeras of ducks, the method described by Aige-Gil, Simkiss, 1991; M.T. Tagirov, 2010 was used. Blastodiscs have been isolated from freshly hatched fertilized eggs using a filter paper ring. Shanma duck embryos have been used as recipients, and Shaoxing duck embryos, homozygous for plumage color gene allele (wild type), have been used as donors. Busulfan (SigmaAldrich, United States) have been used as a chemical agent that suppresses a division of primary germ cells (PGC) of recipient embryos. A hole in an eggshell (window) of recipients (Shanma breed) have been made between a blunt and sharp ends of eggs. (This reduced a distance between an injector and an embryo needle). The recipients havebeen incubated for 8–10 hours at a temperature of 38 °C. After recipient eggs incubation for 8 hours, the windows were opened in them. Busulfan was injected into the subgerminal cavity of the embryo with a micropipette (1.5–3 μl of liquid). After busulfan injection, the empty cavity was filled with culture medium (RPMI-1640) supplemented with antibiotics (ampicillin, streptomycin), the hole was closed by plastic wrap and adhesive tape. The eggs have been incubated at a reduced temperature (+32 °C) for 24 hours with the aim of prolong the duration of busulfan action on the PGC (primary germ cells). More than 50% of embryos have been died in the first 2–3 days (after an incubation start). Head and neck disorders have been observed in the 1.2% of embryos. Busulfan injection at a concentration of 300 ng per egg have been leads to 95.0–96.3% mortality of duck embryos, concentration of 150 ng per egg, a mortality rate of 33.3–75.3% have been observed, concentration to 75 ng led to 18.75–38.5% of embryonic mortality. Analysis of the age of puberty (laying of the first egg) indicates that the chimeras matured later. If in the control group the average age of puberty was 139 ± 9 days, in the group of chimeras - 148 ± 13 days. Thus, we can attest that in our experiment, the chimeras matured later than the control animals, which may be due to the effect of busulfan in the sterilization of recipient embryos. The average weight of ducks in the control group was lower, and the group itself was more consolidated. Thus, in the control ducks weighed 1422.40 ± 57.00 g, the chimeras 1608.80 ± 94.76 g. The advantage of live weight chimeras over the control group may be due to the fact that the control group consisted of recipients served by Shanma animals. Egg production of ducks for the entire study period was 87.5 ± 0.05 % (control) 79.5±0.12 % (busulfan). The weight of eggs of ducks of two groups for the entire period was 70.62±0.199 g (control) and 71.15±0.157 g (p˂0.001). The eggs morphometric parameters of the studied ducks groups were: the average values of egg length were 6.056±0.0564 cm (control) and 6.269±0.1341cm (busulfan); egg breadth were 4.520±0.0053 cm (control) and 4.529±0.004 cm (busulfan). There were no statistical intergroup differences in the morphometric parameters of the eggs of the studied groups. In fact, we obtained results similar to the previous ones, which concerned the egg production of daughters of drake chimeras.

New method of poultry selection

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
E. Rehleckaya ◽  
A. Dymkov ◽  
L. Lazarets ◽  
A. Maltsev
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
New Method ◽  
Egg Diameter ◽  
Correlation Rate

Purpose: Install the influence of the «small diameter of the egg» on the living mass and the reproductive qualities of chickens of meat crosses and the quail of meat breeds.Materials and methods. The selection was carried out along egg production and mass of eggs and additionally on the average small diameter of 5 eggs by value of ≥0.5σ from the average for the herd, while the evaluation on the basis of the «small diameter of the egg» was carried out in chickens aged 238 days of life, quails — 70 days of life. Calculated the average for each female and the average for the herd. For further reproduction, chickens carrying eggs with a small egg diameter ≥0.5σ from the average for the herd. Studies were held in SibNIP on quail and on the courses.Results. In the initial period of the egg laying, the individual variability of the small diameter of the egg — more than 10% (in the future, the figure decreased). The close correlation rate of the small egg diameter in the first half of the egg laying with such at the end of the bird's operation period was revealed. It has been established that the large diameter of the egg has a positive reliable connection with a lively mass, but negative with egg production. The reliable correlation rate of the small diameter of the egg with a live weight at a 42-day age, as well as with the derivation of eggs. The inheritance coefficients of the small diameter of the egg are comparable to the inheritance coefficients of the mass of eggs and significantly exceed those for a large diameter of the egg. The selection according to the small diameter of the eggs by ≥0.5σ from the average for the herd led to the fact that the chickens of the experimental groups reliably exceeded the live weight in the SB level of 1.57%, in the line G8 — by 1.35%. The superiority of a lively mass of quail of experienced groups was more pronounced than that of the chickens: the Pharaoh breed — by 4.15%, the Texas white breed is 4.22%. In relation to the derivation of eggs, a similar trend was traced. The derivation of eggs in quails of experienced groups was more than 4.59–4.98%; Country, respectively, 4.57–5.22%. Egg production of females of comparable groups of both chickens and quail was almost on the same level, and the difference was unreliable.Conclusion. It was established that a new method of breeding the poultry of the meat direction of productivity allows without decreasing egg production to increase the living mass of chickens of meat crosses by 1.5%, rewinds of meat breeds — by 4%, the derivation of eggs, respectively, by 4–5%. The method is intended for early prediction of females productivity during breeding selection.

Evaluation of egg production in Italian white geese in their first year of reproduction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kuźniacka ◽  
J. Biesek* ◽  
M. Banaszak ◽  
M. Adamski
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
First Year
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