Variation in quality of newly hatched chicks from Japanese breeder quail fed guava extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract as a dietary supplement for Japanese quail hens on incubation parameters, intestinal development, and the quality of newly hatched chicks. Six hundred and forty-eight eggs were collected from Japanese quail hens fed diets with 0.0, 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 g/kg of guava extract. The study consisted of four treatments, six replicates, and 27 eggs per replicate. The guava extract contained 2% ellagic acid. The eggs were incubated at 37.5 °C and 65% relative air humidity. The hatch window, hatchability, embryo development in unhatched eggs, quality of newly hatched quails, and intestinal histomorphometry of a duodenum segment were evaluated. Differences among the treatments in hatchability and the hatch window were not significant. The guava extract did not affect mortality rate, live pecking, dead pecking, and contaminated and inverted eggs. The number of infertile eggs was lower in the groups that received 3.0 and 9.0 g/kg of extract in their diets. Use of up to 3.0 g/kg of guava extract in the diet increased the weight of both eggs and newly hatched chicks. The quality score of newly hatched quail was similar across treatments. The inclusion of 3.0 g/kg of guava extract in the diet of Japanese quail breeder hens increased the hatchling weight of the chicks and improved the villus to crypt ratio of their duodenum. Keywords: embryology, embryo metabolism, hatchery, incubation, breeder nutrition

Effect of Egg Size on Hatchability and Subsequent Growth Performance of Fayoumi Chicken

The study was conducted to determine effect of egg-weight on hatchability and subsequent growth performance of Fayoumi breeds. A total of 576 eggs were purposively selected and arranged into three groups of small, medium and large sizes each with 192 eggs. Each egg group was randomly sub-divided into three replicates of 64 eggs in a CRD. Eggs were incubated for 21 days and chicks hatched on the same day were counted and individually weighed. Chicks were intensively raised on deep litter system for eight weeks on same diet, but kept separately according to their initial treatment of eggs. Data was analyzed by GLM of SAS and separated for means by Duncan’s multiple-range test. The study result revealed that egg size had effect on hatchability and strongly influenced all parameters measured during the brooding periods. It has significant effect on day-old weight, body weight, final weight gain, final feed conversion and mortality. Chicken producers may opt for medium-sized eggs principally for the purpose of better hatchability and feed conversion ratio whereas large sized eggs for better hatchling weight, weight gain and survivability. It is also recommended that future work may also address the effect of egg size on the same parameters at grower or pullet stage performance and specific diseases which cause paramount chick mortality should be identified.

Acid phosphatase and cathepsin activity in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) eggs: the effects of Ag, Cd, and Cu exposure

Lacoue-Labarthe, T., Le Bihan, E., Borg, D., Koueta, N., and Bustamante, P. 2010. Acid phosphatase and cathepsin activity in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) eggs: the effects of Ag, Cd, and Cu exposure. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1517–1523. Changes in the activity levels of acid phosphatase (AcP) and cathepsin during cuttlefish embryo development are described, as are the effects of exposure to heavy metals. Enzyme activity kinetics appear to be linked to the developmental stage. The activities of both enzymes increased during the final days of development, suggesting de novo production by the maturing embryo in the digestive gland. The effects of selected heavy metals, Ag (0.06, 1.2, 60, 1200 ng l−1), Cd (31, 61, 305, 610 ng l−1), and Cu (0.23, 2.3, 23, 230 µg l−1), were assessed based on AcP and cathepsin activities at the end of embryonic development and on hatchling weight. Enzyme activities were not impacted by Ag but were significantly inhibited by Cd, at all four concentrations for AcP and at 610 ng l−1 for cathepsin. Cu (at 2.3 µg l−1) stimulated AcP activity. No cause–effect relationship was found between the effects of metals on the enzyme activities and hatchling weight, suggesting that heavy metals could affect other physiological functions during embryogenesis.

The Hawksbill Turtle, Eremochelys imbricata (L.), in North-Eastern Australia: the Campbell Island Rookery

Low-density nesting by hawksbill turtles at Campbell I., Torres Strait, is described. The average female measured 83.2 cm in carapace length, weighed 51.6 kg and laid three clutches per season with a renesting interval of 14.7 days. The average clutch contained 131.8 eggs, mean egg weight was 26 g and mean diameter was 3.6 cm. Hatchling weight was 14.3 g, mean period to emergence was 55 days. Varanid predation is described. Scute variation of adults and hatchlings is summarized.