AUTOMATIC WEIGHING OF POULTRY REARED ON A LITTER FLOOR

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1075-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
IRENE DOYLE ◽  
STEVE LEESON

Four trials were conducted to test the accuracy of an automatic weighing system with broiler chickens and turkeys. Body weights were recorded manually and automatically and compared statistically. The body weights obtained automatically were similar to body weights recorded manually (P > 0.05) with broilers weighing up to 2 kg and turkeys up to 2.5 kg. A larger plate size would be required to weigh heavier birds. The number of weights recorded per day varied according to age of bird. The sex of the bird, however, did not influence the number of weights recorded (P > 0.05). The automatic weighing system was shown to record a daily mean comparable to the mean obtained manually. Key words: Poultry, weighing, automation

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. PROUDFOOT ◽  
H. W. HULAN

An experiment involving 2000 broiler chickens grown to 49 days was designed to measure the performance of birds subjected to detoeing and restricting feeding time to 16 h per day commencing at 21, 28, 35 and 42 days. No beneficial effects resulted from detoeing. Body weights were reduced for males at 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days; however, these differences were significant (P < 0.05) only at 21, 28 and 35 days. Female body weights were reduced (P < 0.01) only at 21 days. Detoeing had no significant effect (P = 0.05) on carcass grades, mortality, or monetary returns. Although feed conversion up to 21 days tended to be enhanced, this advantage did not persist to 49 days. Reducing feeding time to 16 h/day had no significant (P = 0.05) effect on mortality, body weights, feed conversion, percent Grade A carcasses or monetary returns. Key words: Broiler chickens, toe clipping, feed restriction, feed denial


1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. HURNIK ◽  
W. D. MORRISON ◽  
R. G. BROWN

Four hundred and forty vent-sexed commercial broiler chicks were used in this study. One half of this sample was exposed to common fluorescent light, the other half to a light source that in the spectral composition better approximates daylight characteristics (Vita-lite). Body weights of all birds were measured at weekly intervals. Weight of the body organs was measured on 20 birds randomly taken from each of four possible light source-sex combinations at 14-day intervals. The only significant difference in body weights linked with lighting was found in 2-wk-old chicks. High interactions between sex and lighting at this age revealed a positive effect of Vita-lite on females. In all other age categories, lighting did not affect body weights and did not interact with sex. Regression of body weights on age did not show any differentiation in growth related to the light source. Proportional weight of body organs did not indicate any significant effect of lighting. Birds in cages, illuminated with Vita-lite, when transferred to floor pens showed lower ambulatory activity than their counterparts from normal fluorescent light. Overall mortality during the first 14 days was lower in the Vita-lite group. Frequencies of subjective classifications of birds’ visual appearance showed evident sex × light source interactions only at the age of 14 days.


1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
MW Islam ◽  
MM Rahman ◽  
SML Kabir ◽  
SM Kamruzzaman ◽  
MN Islam

The study was carried out to know the effects of probiotics (Protexin® Boost) supplementation on growth performances and haemato-biochemical parameters of "Shaver Star Bro" broiler chickens during the period from September to October 2003. A total of 20, day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned into four equal groups (n = 5) as A, B, C and D. Group A was considered as control fed with commercial ration while group B, C and D were fed with commercial ration with the addition of 1 g, 2 g and 3 g probiotics / 10 litres drinking water respectively up to 35 days of age. The results showed that the body weight gains corresponding to the different treatments were differed significantly (p < 0.01) at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of age. The meat yield characteristics corresponding to the different treatments did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) whereas bursa weight differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the different groups. The mean values of Hb, PCV and ESR corresponding to the different treatments were significantly (p < 0.01) differ. Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, SGPT and SGOT values corresponding to the different treatments were also differed significantly (p < 0.01). The findings suggest that supplementation of probiotics has significant effects on live weight gain and haemato-biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Key words: Probiotics; effects; growth; haemato-biochemical parameters; broiler chickens doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i1.1933 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (1) : 39-43


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (05) ◽  
pp. 6534-2021
Author(s):  
KAROLINA FABIA ◽  
DARIUSZ WOLSKI ◽  
DAMIAN KROPISZ ◽  
RADOSŁAW P. RADZKI ◽  
MAREK BIEŃKO ◽  
...  

The withdrawal of antibiotic growth stimulators as of 1 January 2006 in the European Union countries has forced the search for alternative solutions to improve the health and productivity of poultry. The poultry industry also faces the challenge of developing alternative feeding systems with the restriction or exclusion of coccidiostats. One of them is the use of probiotic strains as feed additives. This study aimed to determine the effect of the use in compound feed of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis on rearing rates and postmortem performance of broiler chickens. The experiment was performed on 8012 unsexed broiler chickens of the Ross 308 line divided into four equal groups. The experimental factors were the addition of a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis bacteria and the addition of a coccidiostat. The introduction of probiotic bacteria into compound feed did not increase the body weight of birds, in particular, control weights, and at the end of rearing, but it decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) and mortality. Addition of probiotic in compound feed did not have a significant effect on bird muscle. The mean weight of pectoral muscle between control (C+, C–) and study (C–BL, C+C–BL) groups did not show statistically significant differences; however, the highest mean weight of the evaluated parameter was visible in the C+ group (0. 665) and the lowest in the C–BL group (0. 623). Similarly to the mean weight of the carcass, also in the mean weight of thigh muscles, the lowest statistically significant values were observed in chickens belonging to the C+C–BL group (vs. C–; P <0.05). Based on the obtained results, it can be acknowledged that the probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis in broiler feed can be a good feed additive to replace antibiotics/coccidiostats. This probiotic has a positive effect on the overall health of birds, contributes to better use of nutrients and stimulates growth and development of broiler chickens.


1962 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Ashton

1. Eight nitrogen metabolism experiments, each with sixteen steers representing grade Brahman, Brahman x Shorthorn, Africander x Hereford and Herefords, were carried out. The steers were fed according to body weight to the power 0·73, on rations consisting of natural pasture hay alone or in combination with lucerne hay.2. These experiments showed that the steers with zebu blood were significantly superior to the Herefords with regard to dry-matter digestibility and apparent nitrogen digestibility. The breed difference disappeared when nitrogen digestibility was calculated from the relationship feed nitrogen minus undigested faecal residue nitrogen, divided by feed nitrogen.3. Two further nitrogen metabolism experiments with six Africander x Hereford and four Hereford steers fed natural pasture hay plus lucerne hay, and one experiment with two Brahman x Shorthorn, two Africander x Hereford and two Hereford steers fed chaffed wheat straw were carried out. The steers were fed an equal amount of ration, irrespective of body weight.4. In these three experiments faecal nitrogen was fractionated into undigested residue nitrogen, non-dialysable centrifugable nitrogen, non-dialysable non-centrifugable nitrogen, and dialysable nitrogen. The breed groups differed significantly in the amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted but not in any other component.5. The amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted on equal intake was very significantly negatively correlated with body weight (r = −0·807, P < 0·01).6. It was found that in two experiments the mean difference between Africander x Herefords and Hereford steers, mean body weights 863 and 686 lb., respectively, was 1·81 ± 0·51 g. nitrogen per day. It was calculated that this would represent about 70 ± 20% of the body-weight difference between the breeds if the lost nitrogen was fully utilizable. This agreed well with the estimate of 65% derived from the square of the correlation coefficient.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (50) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Veselin Petričević ◽  
Miloš Lukić ◽  
Zdenka Škrbić ◽  
Maja Petričević ◽  
Snežana Bogosavljević-Bošković ◽  
...  

The study objective was to examine the effect of the addition of different concentrations of a mixture of three plants (garlic, mint and rosemary) in the diet of broiler chickens on production and slaughter results. The mixture was formed by grinding plants after drying and mixing them in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. The experiment was performed on 600 chickens divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates per group. The chickens were fed at will and the composition of the diet differed only in the amount of added mixture. No mixture was added in control group (C). Group MIX-I chickens consumed a diet supplemented with 0.25% of the mixture, group MIX-II diet contained 0.5% of the mixture supplement, while group MIX-III broilers received 0.75% of the mixture in their diet. At the end of the experimental period, at the age of 42 days, the body weight of the chickens was measured. Mortality, feed conversion and EPEF were determined. At the end of the experiment, 12 chickens (6 males and 6 females) were sacrificed by random sampling from each group in order to determine slaughter results. The obtained results showed that the use of the mixture of three plants had a positive effect on the production parameters. MIX-II group chickens had significantly higher (p<0.01) body weights, better feed conversion and significantly higher (p<0.01) EPEF values compared with C group. No significant differences in slaughter performances were found.


1947 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Finney

When individual responses in a biological assay show considerable variation associated with the values of a concomitant variate, covariance analysis may be used in order to adjust the mean responses and to improve the precision of the assay. Usually this is preferable to the choice of an adjustment which involves an arbitrary assumption about the effect of variations in the concomitant variate on the measured response. Published accounts of the process are open to certain theoretical objections, though they may be sufficiently exact for most practical purposes.The present paper describes a method of calculating the relative potency, and its precision, which may be a little more laborious, but which is in full accord with standard statistical practice. The computations are illustrated on data from a prolactin assay by the pigeon crop-gland technique, in which the final crop-gland weight showed a positive correlation with the body weight at the start of the assay. The results are compared with those obtained either from the unadjusted crop-gland weights or from these weights expressed as proportions of body weights. The covariance method leads to a more precise estimate of the potency of the test preparation than do either of the others; there is evidence, however, that the increase in precision will not necessarily be large unless the correlation between the response and the concomitant variate is very close.In a final section, the full statistical tests of assay validity in the covariance analysis are described; these are lengthy, and fortunately are required only when the validity is in considerable doubt.The methods of adjustment have been described in this paper with respect to an assay depending upon parallel regression lines of responses on the logarithms of doses. They may be adapted for use with ‘slope-ratio’ assays (Bliss, 1946; Finney, 1945; 1948; Wood & Finney, 1946), in which the regression of response on dose itself is linear. So far the need for adjusting for concomitant variation in these assays seems not to have arisen, and discussion of computational details may be postponed until the need is felt.


1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Tam ◽  
P. D. Payson

Hatchery-reared brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were maintained in the laboratory at mean pH values of 7.34, 5.56, 5.16, and 4.48 from early February to early December. At pH 4.48, the mean growth rates of males were uniformly lowered during the entire experimental period. Among females, growth was inhibited during the first 5 mo, but their rate of weight gain recovered during the period of rapid oocyte development. At the end of the experiment, the body weights of both male and female fish in pH 5.16 and 4.48 were only 70.70–77.34% of the control fish at pH 7.34. Growth was not affected by exposure to pH 5.56. Rapid oocyte development occurred simultaneously over all pH groups in June, suggesting that the initiation of gametogenesis was not affected over the range of pH tested, the number of eggs produced was significantly correlated to body weight; consequently the number of eggs produced by the smaller pH 5.16–4.48 females was reduced. Ovulation was also significantly delayed in the acidic groups.


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