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This study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different ratios of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) extract (KHE) to layer hen rations on performance and egg internal-external quality parameters. In the study, 96 layer Atak-S hens at the age of 22 weeks were used. Chickens were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of six subgroups, and arranged in a way to have four chickens in each subgroup. The study was conducted over a period of 90 days. During the study, the control group was fed with basal feed, and the experimental groups were fed with feeds with 0.30%, 0.60% and 0.90% KHE added to the basal feed, respectively. Although there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production (P>0.05), it was determined that the average egg production at the end of the study was numerically higher in the groups fed with KHE-containing feeds compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, live weight, egg yolk colour averages (P>0.05). In the study, it was determined that egg weight in the groups containing 0.90% KHE was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Egg shell thickness were also significantly increased in 0.30% and 0.60% KHE containing groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that dandelion extract has a positive effect on egg quality in laying hens and more studies should be done on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different amounts of chia seeds as prebiotics to laying hen feed on egg production and the internal and external quality characteristics of eggs. In the study, 96-laying hens at the age of 25 weeks were used. Laying hens were divided into four groups, each consisting of six subgroups, and four chickens were included in each subgroup. During the 70 days, the control group was given no additive laying hen feed while other groups were given feeds containing 0.50 %, 0.75 %, and 1.00 % chia seeds, respectively. As the result, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg weight, egg specific gravity, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, and white index (P>0.05). In terms of live weight gains, there was a difference in favour of the group that added chia seeds at the level of 1.00% (P<0.05). It was observed that the body weight gains were 71.83 g, 40.42 g, 87.85 g, and 116.9 g in the control, 0.50 %, 0.75 %, and 1.00 % chia groups, respectively. In conclusion, it is seen that adding chia seeds to the rations at different rates did not have a significant effect on other parameters except for live weight gain in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, in the course of incubation, it was investigated that the relations and changes amongst the egg shell surface area (ESA), and the egg volume (EV) (both are calculated by different methods) with some traits such as egg weight (EW), egg shell temperature (EST), egg weight loss percentage (EWL), day-old chick weight (CW). A total of 565 hatching Japanese quail eggs from a ten weeks of aged flock were used. The ESA and EV were calculated by either the estimate equations which were developed by previous researchers, and the digital image analysis software tool. All of the estimated ESA and EV values, which were procured by equations, were found to be significantly different than the revealed ones by digital image analysis (P<0.0001). While the EST was lower than setter temperature in the first half of the embryonic development period, it was found to be higher during the subsequent half. As the eggs got heavier, the ESA decreased proportionally and EWL became more difficult. Significantly high negative correlations were found between ESA and ESA:EV ratio, and again between YH and ESA:EV (P <0.01). It was also determined that a significantly high negative correlation between CW and ESA:EV ratio (P<0.01). That is, as expected, as EW increases, ESA, EV and CW are increasing, but ESA:EV ratio decreases. As ESA and EV increase, EWL decreases, it becomes difficult to achieve optimum water loss, and problems may occur to maintain thermal balance. Indirectly, these findings also denote the importance of the uniformity in terms of breeder flock and hatchery management. Depending on the egg shape differences within and between species, the use of generalized ESA and EV estimation equations may be erroneous. It was concluded that image analysis could be preferred in terms of ease of operation and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]