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Commercial laying hens are kept in production until approximately 80 weeks of life, when the first production cycle usually ends, after which they are often discarded due to the decrease in the number of eggs produced and shell quality. However, in situations of high demand for eggs in the market, high feed prices and delays in the supply of one-day-old chicks by hatcheries lead producer to prolong the laying lifetime of birds. The technique used for this purpose is forced molting, which aims to make the reproductive system of the bird rest for a period and then regenerate its productive capacity. This can increase the useful lifetime of laying hens for another 25 to 30 weeks, in addition to improving the quality of the eggs and reducing the level of losses due to poor shell quality. This process induces the loss of feathers, with subsequent growth of new feathers and rapid resumption of egg production, which should take at most 6 to 8 weeks. The best-known forced molting procedure is the fasting method (total feed deprivation for a period of at least 9 days). Fasting as a stimulator of forced molting is a controversial practice due to animal welfare concerns, and has been widely questioned, generating criticism of the current system adopted. In this way, new techniques of forced molting have are being developed to reduce the stress generated in the birds, such as administration of alternative feeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the replacement of fasting with provision of alternative feeds, in order to improve the welfare of the birds through the use of less aggressive technique. Seventy-two heavy laying hens of the Hy-Line W-80 strain, with 105 weeks of age at the beginning of forced molting, were evaluated. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, divided into six treatments with 12 replications each (n=72): T1-conventional forced molting (fasting); T2- provision of standard feed ad libitum throughout the forced molting period; T3-provision of rice bran ad libitum during forced molting; T4-provision of wheat bran ad libitum during forced molting; T5- provision of coarse-grained limestone ad libitum during forced molting; and T6- provision of ground alfalfa ad libitum during forced molting. Data on the decrease in egg production during forced molting were analyzed by mixed models (SASr), including the fixed effects of treatment, day and treatment x day interaction, while the bird/animal effect was used as the random effect. Means were compared by the Tukey test (P

Using 60 hens eggs and 60 fresh quail eggs, an experiment was conducted at the UFRRJ, which analyzed the correlation between egg shell quality measurements using the following methodologies: specific gravity, breaking resistance, shell percentage and shell thickness. For hen`s laying eggs, the specific gravity showed a greater correlation with the shell thickness compared to the other methodologies; the resistance to breaking, correlated better with the percentage of egg shell and the percentage of egg shell, with the thickness of this structure. In quail eggs, there was no correlation between the specific gravity and the other peel quality analyzes, only a correlation between the resistance to breaking with percentage and thickness of the peel occurred, being this correlation slightly higher for the first compared to the second . In chicken eggs the specific gravity method used in commercial farms was adequate to indicate a good peel quality, due to its greater correlation with the thickness method. For quail eggs, the specific gravity method needs to be adapted in its methodology for the morphology of eggs of this species.

Foi avaliado o efeito da temperatura de estocagem e do tempo de armazenamento sobre a qualidade físico-química de 1350 ovos provenientes de galinhas poedeiras semipesadas da linhagem Isa Brown com 46 semanas de idade, criadas em diferentes sistemas (baterias de gaiolas, livre de gaiola ou cage-free e com acesso à área de piquetes para pastejo ou free-range). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC), em esquema fatorial 3x2x5, com três sistemas de produção (gaiola, cage-free, free-range), duas temperaturas (ambiente e refrigerada) e cinco períodos de armazenamento (zero, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias), com 15 repetições, de 3 ovos cada. Foi avaliada a percentagem de perda de peso, gravidade específica (g/cm³), unidade Haugh, índice gema (g) e, percentagem de gema e albúmen, oxidação lipídica, pH do albúmen e da gema e a composição centesimal dos ovos. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e comparados pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Todos os parâmetros de qualidade física diferiram significativamente (p

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão do metabólito 1,25(OH)2D3 como fonte de substituição da vitamina D3 (colecalciferol) no suplemento vitamínico das rações de frangos de corte, assim como a influência desse metabólito sobre o desempenho e qualidade óssea até os 21 dias de idade. Foram alojados 1400 pintos de corte machos, aos 7 dias de alojamento, esses foram pesados e divididos em seis tratamentos experimentais, com 6 repetições e 38 aves por repetição. Os tratamentos constituíam da manutenção da quantidade de vitamina D3 para frangos de corte em: 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% e 0%, e adição do metabolito vitamínico bioativo [1,25(OH)2D3] em quantidade fixa, mais o tratamento controle, que recebeu somente a vitamina D3 na dose recomendada como única fonte de vitamina D. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância usando o procedimento General Linear Models do software SAS® e, em caso de diferenças estatisticamente significativas, as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Dunnett a 5% de probabilidade. O peso médio, o ganho de peso e o ganho de peso diário diferiram significativamente (p0,05) para a conversão alimentar. A morfometria óssea não foi influenciado (p>0,05) pela redução da vitamina D3 no suplemento vitamínico e nem pela utilização do 1,25(OH)2D3. O percentual de cálcio nas cinzas das tíbias nos tratamentos em que houve inclusão de 75% Vit D3+1,25(OH)2D3 foi superior (p

The production efficiency and yield of poultry are assured by the use of growth promoters, mainly to control diseases. Such substances added to the feed at low dosages can be antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. Their continuous use is a problem, since they can leave residues in the meat or eggs and promote selection of resistant microorganisms. Functional additives are being used as a substitute for antibiotics, such as probiotics, improving the performance and immune response. The water in the production system is also a concern. Chlorine is used to control bacteria and viruses but it can also leave residues, forming organochlorine compounds, tri halo methane (THM) and halo acetic acids. Ozone can be an efficient agent to control fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and spores. Poultry litter contains feces, feed, feathers and other materials. Knowing the microbiological condition of poultry litter can contribute to good practices. This study evaluated 192 brown egg-type pullets in the rearing phase, raised over litter of wood shavings, distributed in a random design, with four treatments. T1- control feed with antibiotics; T2- feed without antibiotics; T3- feed with probiotics; and T4- feed with no additives and modified water. T1, T2 and T3 used potable water for the birds. Each treatment had six repetitions, eight birds each. The new poultry litter had 10 cm thickness. For microbiological analysis, samples were collected from each of the 24 boxes, far from water and food disposal. Culture media for the microbiological evaluations were PDA (potato 200 g, dextrose 20 g, agar 20g ), autoclaved and dispensed in Petri dishes (9 x 1.5 cm), under laminar flow with sterile conditions. Samples of 0.5 g were separated and diluted in 50 mL of distillated water in Falcon tubes. The stock solutions were diluted to 10-6. Inoculations of 0.1 mL were performed with a Drigalski spatula in Petri dishes. Only feed was used as control. Plates were incubated at 25 0C, for 24 hours, when colonies were observed to count CFU/mL (colony forming unit). The poultry litter contamination was evaluated statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's multiple comparisons test (1990 – 1993) with Graphpad Instat software. Results of CFU/mL, after 24 hours were Feed, T1, T2, T3 and T4 (0; 0; 2.3 x 107; 2.9 x 106; and 9 x108 respectively). There were significant differences between median values for CFC/mL, where lower growth was observed in the litter with feed plus antibiotics. Such treatment impaired the development of microorganisms, probably due to the residual effect. The use of alternative additives (probiotics and modified water) promoted the development of microorganisms in the litter, which allows fast decomposition and reuse of the litter, contributing to the sustainability of the system. Those alternative additives can substitute antibiotics, but further studies need to be performed for accurate evaluation of this substitution in poultry systems.

ABSTRACT Organic acids are used as feed additives to promote growth of weaned piglets since they prevent the occurrence of diarrhea. Thus, performance and digestibility assays were conducted and economic viability of diets was evaluated. In the performance assays, 64 hybrid piglets weaned with a mean weight of 5.87±0.31kg were divided in a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 piglets per experimental unit (1 castrated male and 1 female). In the digestibility assay, 24 castrated male hybrid piglets with a mean weight of 8.21±0.79kg were individually assigned to 4 treatments and 6 repetitions. The treatments in the two assays were as follows: control, basal diet without addition of an acidifier; blend: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids; butyrate: inclusion of 0.1% of sodium butyrate; blend+butyrate: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids and 0.1% sodium butyrate. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the acidifiers on animal performance during the period studied. Organic acids exerted no effect (P>0.05) on the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Diets supplemented with sodium butyrate had an economic advantage for the period of 10-24 days. No episode of diarrhea was observed. This study demonstrated no effect of acidifier feed additives as growth promoters in complex diets for weaned piglets.

Objetivou-se no presente estudo avaliar a qualidade interna de ovos brancos e vermelhos, comercializados durante o inverno e o verão, no estado de São Paulo. Para tal análise, utilizaram-se ovos classificados como tamanho grande, e a avaliação da qualidade interna realizada por meio das seguintes variáveis: massa média do ovo, gravidade específica, unidade Haugh, índice de gema, coloração da gema e incidência de partículas estranhas nos ovos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em fatorial 2 x 2 (cor da casca x épocas do ano), sendo as cores da casca: branca e vermelha, e as épocas do ano: inverno e verão. Verificou-se que, no verão, foram obtidos os menores valores de massa média do ovo, de unidade Haugh e de índice de gema, o que evidencia maior perda da qualidade do produto, provavelmente devido às elevadas temperaturas, comparativamente ao inverno. Entretanto, durante o inverno, foram observados ovos contendo discos germinativos fecundados. Conclui-se que os ovos comercializados no Vale do Ribeira, SP, apresentaram baixa qualidade e, portanto, estavam impróprios ao consumo e à industrialização.

Monensin is an ionophoric antibiotic used to treat bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Although it can be toxic to most livestock, at low dosages, it is recommended to increase the rate of weight gain and for prevention and control of coccidiosis due to Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii in beef and dairy cattle kept in pasture or in dry feed lots. It mainly acts against gram positive bacteria. In the rumen, ionophoric substances accelerate protein degradation, decreasing the gas production during rumen fermentation. At higher levels, the addition of those ionophoric substances can lead to toxicological panel and even death of animals, such as horses. In the sugar and alcohol industry, monensin is used to control bacteria during fermentation. Therefore, yeast recycled from the alcohol-sugar industry is dried and used as supplementation for animal feed, mainly as a source of vitamins, especially of the B complex. The correct identification of residues from monensin in animal feed and meat, eggs and milk is important to determine the amount of monensin present in the biological matrix as well as for the certification of organic food, which must be monensin-free. This work aimed to validate polyclonal antibodies, produced in female New Zealand rabbits, to identify monensin by immunoassay. For the immunogenic activity, monensin was purified from a commercial product (20% monensin) and it was conjugated using the carbodiimides method of bio-conjugation. Antibodies were raised for 60 days and titrated by PTA-ELISA (plate trapped antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), at 565 nm, with horseradish peroxidase enzyme complex revelation system. Sera harvested each 15 days during the immunization schedule were diluted at 1:800 and titrated. Optical density (OD) values were 0.17, 0.19, 0.22 and 0.23 for day 15, 30, 45 and 60, respectively. Antibodies could detect monensin at concentration of 50 ng per mL in the premix supplement. Optimization tests are being conducted to identify monensin in biological matrix, from livestock feed with dried yeast or premix with monensin. The correct identification of whether food (meat, eggs or milk) is monensin–free or not determines the consumer profile for acceptance of livestock products. Organic food needs to be certified and one of the best food safety tests is ELISA, in this case for monensin detection.

The objective of this study was to trace the inclusion of bovine meat and bone meal (BMBM) in the diet of Japanese quails by analyzing eggs and egg fractions (yolk and albumen) by the technique of carbon-13 (13C) and nitrogen-15 (15N) stable isotopes. In the trial, 120 Japanese quails were distributed in six treatments with four replicates of five birds each. The following treatments were applied: feed based on corn and soybean meal, containing graded BMBM inclusions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5%). After 42 days, 20 eggs per treatment were randomly collected for three consecutive days. Ten eggs were used for yolk and albumen sample collection, and ten for total egg sample collection. It was possible to detect the dietary inclusion of 1% BMBM in the egg and its fractions. Therefore, the technique of isotopes 13C and 15N is able of tracing since 1% inclusion level of BMBM in the diet of Japanese quails in eggs and their fractions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of annato (Bixa orellana L.) and turmeric (Turmeric longa L.) in layer feeds on live performance, egg quality, and yolk pigmentation and depigmentation time. A number of 144 layers were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments with six replicates of six birds each. In the basal diet, sorghum replaced 50% of corn, and was supplemented or not with natural pigments to composse the following treatments: Control (0% pigments), AS (2.0% annato), TR (2% turmeric) and ASTR (1% annato and 1% turmeric). Egg weight (g), egg production (%), egg mass (%), feed intake (g), feed conversion ratio (kg/dz and kg/kg) and mortality were evaluated. The following egg quality parameters were evaluated: specific gravity (SG); yolk, albumen, and eggshell percentages, and yolk color. The treatments did not influence layer performance or egg quality parameters, except for egg production and yolk color. The dietary inclusion of 1% turmeric root and 1% annato seed promoted higher egg production. Diets containing annato resulted in more saturated, more intense, and redder yolk color, with increasing pigment deposition after day 10, with maximum values obtained on day 28. Dried turmeric root did not promote good yolk pigmentation, resulting in higher presence of white in the yolk, which was stabilized on day 4. Three days after pigments were withdrawn from the feeds, yolk color faded in the treatments with annato inclusion.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o peso vivo, o peso de pernas, os aspectos morfológicos das fibras musculares do músculo flexor longo do hálux e o perfil eletroforético das miosinas de cadeia pesada de quatro linhagens de frangos de corte criados nos sistemas de confinamento e semiconfinamento. Foram utilizados 1.440 pintos distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado em esquema fatorial 4 × 2, composto de quatro linhagens (Ross 305, Máster Gris, Label Rouge e Vermelhão Pesado) e dois sistemas de criação (confinamento e semiconfinamento), cada combinação avaliada com quatro repetições. Aos 28 e 84 dias de idade, foram abatidas quatro aves por tratamento, totalizando 64 aves. A eletroforese identificou a presença das três isoformas de miosinas, tipo MyHC-I, MyHC-IIa e MyHC-IIb, no músculo flexor longo do hálux dos frangos de corte. Com aumento da idade, a isoforma de miosina MyHC-II aumenta, enquanto a MyHC-I diminui. Somente aos 84 dias de idade, a expressão das isoformas de miosina do tipo MyHC-II foram influenciadas pela linhagem, confirmando o reflexo da seleção na linhagem Ross no músculo mais glicolítico.A linhagem Ross apresenta maior peso vivo, peso de perna, peso e área do músculo flexor longo do hálux em comparação às linhagens tipo caipira.The objective was to evaluate body weight, leg weight and morphologic aspects of the muscle fibers of the flexor hallucis longus muscle and electrophoretic profile of myosin heavy chain of four strains of broilers, reared in confinement and semi-confinement systems. 1440 chicks were randomly assigned in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement: four strains (Ross 305, Master Gris, Label Rouge and Vermelhao Pesado), two production systems (confinement and semi-confinement), with four replicates for each treatment. Four birds were sacrificed for each treatment, at 28 and 84 d, totaling 64 animals. Electrophoresis technique identified the presence of three myosin heavy chain types: MyHC-I, MyHC-IIa and MyHC-IIb, in the flexor hallucis longus muscle of the broilers. There was increase in MyHC-II and decrease in MyHC-I, as age passed. Only at 84 days-old was the MyHC-II expression influenced by strain, confirming a response of selection in Ross lineage on a more glycolytic muscle. The Ross lineage has higher live weight, leg weight, weight and area of the flexor hallucis longus, compared to different chicken strains.

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of dietary calcium levels and the replacement of calcium sources with different particle size compositions on the performance and egg quality of brown layers in their second egg production cycle. A randomized block experimental design was applied with 12 treatments in a 3x4 factorial arrangement: three calcium levels (2.6, 3.2, 3.8 %) and four combinations of calcium sources (1- 100% fine limestone (FL), 2- 50% FL + 50% coarse limestone (CL), 3- 50% FL and 50% oyster shell (OS), 4- 50% FL and 25% CL+ 25 %OS), with six replicates of eight birds each. Calcium sources were analyzed for geometric mean diameter (GMD) and in-vitro solubility. The following performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated: egg weight (EW, g), egg production (% Eggs), egg mass (EM %), feed intake (FI g), feed conversion ratio (FCR kg/dz and FCR kg/kg), mortality (% Mort.), specific egg gravity (SG), percentages of yolk (Y%), albumen (Alb%) and eggshell (ES%), eggshell thickness (EST), eggshell breaking strength (BS), eggshell weight per surface area (EWSA), Haugh unit (HU), yolk index (YI) and yolk color. Performance and internal egg quality were not affected by the treatments (p>0.05). Blocks had a significant effect on (p

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da debicagem e do tipo de bebedouro sobre o desempenho produtivo de codornas japonesas, 672 fêmeas de codornas de um dia foram usadas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e distribuídas em um dos três tratamentos como não-debicagem; debicagem até 1/3 dos bicos; e cauterização, com oito repetições de 28 aves na fase de cria. As aves foram debicadas aos 21 dias de idade e, no 35 dia, foram avaliados o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a taxa de mortalidade. Aos 39 dias, 576 codornas foram remanejadas para gaiolas de postura, distribuídas em esquema fatorial 3 × 2, composto de três tipos de debicagem e dois tipos de bebedouro (taça e nipple), de modo que cada combinação foi avaliada com quatro repetições de 24 aves. A fase de produção teve início quando as aves atingiram 50% de produção de ovos, aos 60 dias de idade. As codornas submetidas a debicagem por cauterização apresentaram menor ganho de peso e menor consumo de ração na fase de cria. O estresse pela dor com a debicagem por cauterização pode justificar não só o menor consumo e o menor ganho de peso, como também a maior mortalidade. Infere-se que este método, por ser mais demorado, tenha provocado mais dor e maior nível de estresse, piorando o desempenho das aves. A debicagem de 1/3 dos bicos cortados pode ter ocasionado estresse menos intenso às aves, não interferindo no desempenho. Não se observaram diferenças no desempenho das aves e na qualidade de ovos entre os tipos de bebedouro e métodos de debicagem utilizado na fase de produção. O método de debicagem por cauterização influencia o desempenho de codornas na fase de cria, mas, na fase de produção, assim como o tipo de bebedouro utilizado, não interfere no desempenho das aves nem na qualidade de ovos.A total of 672 one day old- female quails was allotted to a completely randomized experimental design, with three treatments (non-trimmed birds; 1/3 of the beak trimmed and cauterized beak), 8 replicates of 28 birds to evaluate the effect of beak trimming and drinking system on productive performance. The birds were beak trimmed at 21 days of age, and at day 35 the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality were evaluated. At day 39, 576 quails were transfered to laying cages, and assigned to a 3x2 factorial arrangement, to evaluate three beak trimming methods and two drinking systems (cup and nipple) by using four replicates of 24 birds each. The production phase started when the birds reached 50% egg production, at 60 days of age. The quails submitted to beak trimming by cauterization showed smaller weight and lower feed intake during the initial period. Stress pain due to the cauterized beak can justify not only lower feed intake and lower weight gain, but also increased mortality. It can be inferred that once this method takes more time it has caused more pain and higher levels of stress, worsening the performance of birds. The trimmed to 1/3 of the beaks cut can have caused stress to the birds less intense, without effect on performance. No differences on bird performance and egg quality were observed between drinking systems and beak trimming during the laying phase. In the initial phase, beak trimming system reduced performance, however, during the production phase, both drinking and beak trimming systems do not affect performance and egg quality of Japanese quails.

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of trace mineral levels and sources supplemented to diets fed to semi-heavy layers in their second laying cycle on the quality of eggs stored for 14 days at different temperatures. The experimental diets consisted of the inclusion of inorganic trace minerals (T1 - control: 100% ITM) and five supplementation levels of organic trace minerals (carboaminophopho chelates) (110, 100, 90, 80, and 70% OTM). Trace mineral inclusion levels (mg/kg feed) were: T1: control - 100% ITM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10), I (0.61) Se (0.3); T2 - 110% OTM: Zn (59.4), Fe (59.4), Mn (79.2), Cu (11.88), I (1.21) Se (0.59); T3 - 100%: OTM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10.8), I (1.10) Se (0.54); T4 - 90% OTM: Zn (48.6), Fe (48.6), Mn (64.8), Cu (9.72), I (0.99) Se (0.49); T5 - 80% OTM: Zn (43.2), Fe (43.2), Mn (57.6), Cu (8.64), I (0.88), Se (0.43); T6 - 70% OTM: Zn (37.8), Fe (37.8), Mn (50.4), Cu (7.56), I (0.77) Se (0.38). A completely randomized experimental design in a split-plot arrangement with 60 treatments of four replicates each was applied. The combination of six diets versus storage temperature (room or under refrigeration) was randomized in plots, whereas the sub-plots consisted of storage times (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days). Data were submitted to analysis of variance of a model in slip-plots in time using the software package SAS (2000) at 5% probability level. It was concluded that 70% OTM supplementation can be used with no damage to egg quality, independently from storage temperature or time. The quality of refrigerated eggs stored up to 14 days is better than those stored at room temperature.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça e das partes de quatro linhagens de frangos de corte criados em sistemas de confinamento e semiconfinamento. Foram utilizados 1.440 pintos distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado com esquema fatorial 4 õ 2, composto de quatro linhagens (Ross 308, Máster Griss, Label Rouge e Vermelhão Pesado) e dois sistemas de criação (em confinamento e semiconfinamento), cada um com quatro repetições de 45 aves. Aos 84 dias de idade, foram abatidas quatro aves por repetição, totalizando 128 aves, para avaliação do rendimento de carcaça e das partes. O acesso ao piquete (semiconfinamento) não influenciou o desempenho nem o rendimento de carcaça das linhagens, exceto o rendimento de gordura abdominal, que foi mais baixo nas aves semiconfinadas. Considerando apenas aves das linhagens tipo colonial, a Máster Griss e Vermelhão Pesado tiveram melhores resultados de peso e a Label Rouge, melhor conversão alimentar. Os frangos tipo colonial Máster Griss, Label Rouge e Vermelhão Pesado, em comparação aos da linhagem comercial Ross, apresentaram maior rendimento de partes, exceto de peito e carne de peito, que foram maiores na linhagem Ross. A escolha da linhagem deve ser feita de acordo com o interesse de mercado, pois há diferenças no desempenho e no rendimento de carcaça e das partes.The objective of this work was to evaluate performance and carcass and dressing yields of four broiler chicken lineages raised in confined and semi-confined systems. It was used 1,440 chicks distributed in a random block design with a 4 õ 2 factorial scheme, composed of lineage types (Ross 308, Máster Griss, Label Rouge and Vermelhão Pesado) and two production systems (confinement and semi-confinement), each one with four replications with 45 birds. At 84 days of age, four birds of each repetition were slaughtered, totaling 128 birds, for evaluation of carcass and dressing yields. Access to the paddock (semi-confinement) did not affect performance neither the yield of the carcass of the lineages, except abdominal fat yield, which was the lowest in the semi-confined birds. Considering only birds of colonial lineage, Máster Griss and Vermelhão Pesado showed the best results for weight and Label Rouge, the best feed intake. Broilers of Master Griss, Label Rouge and Vermelhão Pesado, compared to the Ross commercial lineage, showed the highest dressing yield, except for breast and breast meat, which were the highest in Ross lineage. Choice of lineage must be done accordingly to the market interest, since there are differences on performance and yield of dressing and carcass.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary trace mineral levels and sources on egg quality parameters of second-cycle semi-heavy layers. A number of 360 72-week-old layers were submitted to forced molting. Upon return of lay (83 weeks of age), birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design of six treatments with six replicates of 10 birds each. The control treatment consisted of 0.10% dietary supplementation of trace minerals from inorganic sources, which was proportionally replaced by five levels (110, 100, 90, 80, 70%) of an organic trace mineral supplement containing 30, 30, 40, 6, 0.61, and 0.3 g/kg product of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, and Se, respectively. All diets contained equal protein, energy, and amino acid levels. Every 28 days of the experimental period (112 days) four eggs per replicate were collected for egg quality evaluation. The following parameters were evaluated: specific gravity, yolk, albumen and eggshell percentages, yolk index, Haugh units, and eggshell thickness and breaking strength. One sample per replicate, consisting of the pool of the yolks of three eggs collected at the end of each experimental period, was used to assess protein and mineral (Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) contents. The results were submitted to ANOVA, and means to the test of Tukey at 5% significance level. The evaluated trace mineral levels and sources did not influence any of the studied egg quality parameters. It was concluded that reducing organic trace mineral supplementation in up to 70% relative to 100% inorganic trace mineral supplementation does not affect egg parameters and therefore, can be applied to the diet of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay.

A 112-day trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary calcium level and limestone particle size on the egg quality of 288 Hy-Line Brown semi-heavy layers, with 83 weeks of age at the beginning of the experiment. A completely randomized experimental design was applied in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two dietary calcium levels (3.5 and 4.0%) e three limestone particle size compositions (100% fine limestone (FL), with 0.185mm; 30% coarse limestone (CL), with 2.83mm, + 70% FL, with 0.185mm; and 50% CL, with 2.83mm, + 50% FL, with 0.185mm), with six replicates of eight birds each. Mean geometric diameter and in-vitro solubility of the limestone sources were, respectively, 0.185mm and 18.7% for the fine limestone, and 2.83mm and 10.5% for the coarse limestone. At the end of each 28-day period, 72 eggs per treatment were used to determine egg specific gravity, yolk percentage, albumen percentage, eggshell percentage, yolk index, Haugh units, eggshell thickness, and eggshell breaking strength. There was no influence of the treatments on the evaluated parameters. It was concluded that feeding the level of 3.5% calcium usually recommended for layers in their first laying cycle, and the substitution of up to 50% fine limestone by coarse limestone in the feed of semi-heavy commercial Hy-Line Brown layers in their second laying cycle can be applied with no impairment of egg quality.

The main objective of this trial was to find out the best metabolizable energy (ME) consumption in order to improve the egg quality. 288 laying hens Hissex Brown aging 30 weeks were randomly assigned in a 3x3 factorial design with nine treatments and four replications each, being respectively 280, 300 and 320 kcal/bird/day and three levels of oil (0.00, 0.75 and 1.5 g/day). Daily feed intake was based on 115, 110 and 105 g/bird/day to achieve the desirable levels of ME and oil. The rations were formulated to furnish the following amounts: protein 18g; Ca 42 g, total phosphorus 0.66; methionine 0.40 g;methionine+cystine 0.73 g and lysine 0.83. No significative statistical differences were detected (P>0.05) for mean egg weight (g) and specific gravity. There was significant quadratic effect of the energy consumption on the egg shell percentage (%), with decrease of the percentage among 280 and 300kcal of ME/bird/day and increase of the same among 300 and 320kcal of ME/bird/day, significant reduction of the albúmen percentage (%) and increase of consume and Haught Unit (UH) which decreased as daily the yolk percentage with the increase in the oil consumption energy intake increased (PKEY WORDS: Egg quality, energy, semi heavy layers, vegetable oil. Objetivou-se buscar o melhor nível de energia metabolizável (EM) e de óleo vegetal em rações de poedeiras, visando melhorar a qualidade dos ovos. Utilizaram-se 288 aves da linhagem Hisex Brown, em produção, com trinta semanas de idade no início do experimento, divididas em nove tratamentos com quatro repetições cada, num esquema fatorial 3x3, sendo três níveis de EM (280, 300 e 320 kcal/ave/dia) e três consumos de óleo por ave/ dia (0,00; 0,75 e 1,50g). O consumo diário de ração foi restrito a 115, 110 e 105g para obtenção dos consumos desejados de EM e óleo. Balancearam-se as rações para fornecer diariamente às aves 18g de proteína bruta (PB), 4,2g de cálcio (Ca), 0,66g de fósforo total (Pt), 0,40g de metionina (Met), 0,73g de metionina+cistina (Met+Cis) e 0,83g de lisina (Lis). Não se constataram efeitos significativos de tratamento (P>0,05) para peso dos ovos (g) e gravidade específica. Houve efeito quadrático significativo do consumo de energia sobre a percentagem de casca (%), com redução da percentagem entre 280 e 300kcal de EM/ave/dia e aumento da mesma entre 300 e 320kcal de EM/ave/dia, redução significativa da percentagem de albúmen (%) e aumento da percentagem de gema com o aumento no consumo de óleo. Houve interação significativa entre consumo de energia e de óleo sobre a Unidade Haugh, que piorou com o aumento da energia e do óleo consumidos diariamente (PPALAVRAS-CHAVES: Energia, óleo vegetal, poedeiras semipesadas, qualidade de ovos.

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry house of the Research and Development Unit of Brotas of Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios do Centro-Oeste, SP, Brazil. The objective of the study was to evaluate forced-molting methods and their effects on body weight, egg production, feed intake, and mortality, as well as bird performance during the second laying cycle. A total number of 400 65-week-old Japanese quails was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments, with four replicates of 20 birds each. The following treatments were applied: T1= not submitted to forced molting, T2= 01 day of fasting + 13 days receiving 15g feed/bird/day (1F+R), T3= 02 days of fasting + 12 days receiving 15g feed/bird/day (2F+R), T4= 03 days of fasting + 11 days receiving 15g feed/bird/day (3F+R), and T5= 3 days of fasting and fed ad libitum thereafter (3F+AL). Significant differences were detected among treatments. When submitted to 3 days of fasting followed by ad libitum feeding, birds presented complete body weight recovery. No egg production percentage differences were detected in birds submitted to forced molting.

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry house of the Research and Development Unit of Brotas of Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios do Centro-Oeste, SP, Brazil. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of Japanese quails submitted to forced molting aiming at optimizing the use of the same quail flock by promoting a second laying cycle. A total number of 400 67-day-old Japanese quails in lay, previously submitted to 14 days of forced molting, was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments (T1= not submitted to forced molting, T2= 03 days of fasting + fed ad libitum, T3= 01 days of fasting + 13 days of feed restriction, T4= 02 days of fasting + 12 days of feed restriction, and T5= 03 days of fasting + 11 days of feed restriction. Feeds were contained equal nutrient levels, and were formulated according to NRC (1994) recommendations. There were significant differences among the studied treatments. Although the treatment of 3 days of fasting followed by ad libitum feeding resulted in lower egg weight, it promoted better lay percentage, egg mass, and feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). On the other hand, 3 days of fasting followed by restricted feeding resulted in higher feed intake and worse feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). When birds were not submitted to forced molting, they presented lower lay percentage and egg mass.

It was aimed to determine the best schedule of supply and the better calcium level, aiming to optimize the quality and production of quail’s egg. 360 Japanese quails (54 weeks old) were used. The quails were divided in three treatments T1, 3.75% of Ca in the morning (0800 until 1600 hours) e 1.25% of Ca on afternoon (1600 until 0800 hours); T2, 2.5% of Ca in the morning e 2.5 of Ca in the afternoon e T3, 1.25 of Ca in the morning end 3.75% of Ca in the afternoon with six replicates each. The diets were formulated to contain 20% of protein, 2,900 kcal ME/kg and 2.5% of calcium. The average egg weight (g), egg production (%), egg mass (g/quail/day), diet consumption (g), feed conversion for dozen, feed conversion per kilogram of produced eggs, specific gravity, yolk index, Haugh Units, shell thickness and shell percentage, were not affected by schedule or calcium supplementation. It was concluded that the variation of calcium supplementation during the considered period did not alter the performance and the egg quality. Key-words: Calcium, quails, schedule, production of eggs, quality of eggs. Objetivou-se buscar o melhor horário de fornecimento e melhor nível de cálcio, visando otimizar o desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de codornas em final de produção. Foram utilizadas 360 codornas japonesas, em produção, com 54 semanas de idade, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com três tratamentos: T1 - 3,75% de cálcio (Ca) pela manhã (das 8,00 às 16,00 horas) e 1,25% de Ca à tarde (das 16,00 horas ás 8,00 horas); T2 - 2,5% de Ca pela manhã e 2,5 de Ca à tarde; e T3 - 1,25 de Ca pela manhã e 3,75% de Ca à tarde, com seis repetições de vinte aves por parcela. As rações isoprotéicas e isocalóricas foram balanceadas para fornecer às aves 2,5% de cálcio em média. Não foram constatadas diferenças estatísticas (P>0,05) para peso médio dos ovos (g), percentagem de postura (%), massa de ovos (g/ave/dia), consumo de ração (g), conversão alimentar por quilograma e por dúzia de ovos, gravidade específica, índice gema, Unidades Haugh, espessura, percentagem e resistência à quebra da casca. Pode-se concluir que a variação dos níveis de cálcio durante os períodos considerados não alterou o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de codornas. Palavras-chaves: Cálcio, codornas, horário, produção de ovos, qualidade de ovos.

Avaliou-se o efeito da linhagem, do sistema de criação e do sexo sobre o peso vivo, o rendimento de carcaça e de pernas e os aspectos morfológicos das fibras musculares esqueléticas do músculo flexor longo do hálux de frangos de corte. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 x 2, ou seja, quatro linhagens (Ross-308, Pescoço Pelado Label Rouge, Caipirinha e Paraíso Pedrês), dois sistemas de criação (confinamento e semiconfinamento) e dois sexos, com duas repetições por tratamento, sendo que cada ave retirada ao acaso aos 56 dias de idade foi considerada uma unidade experimental, totalizando 64 aves. A linhagem Ross apresentou maior peso vivo e maiores pesos de carcaça, de pernas, de carne de penas e do músculo flexor longo do hálux e maiores rendimentos de carcaça e de carnes de pernas que as outras linhagens. A maior massa muscular das aves selecionadas para alta taxa de crescimento está relacionada ao aumento na área dos três tipos de fibras musculares (SO, FOG e FG). Machos apresentaram maior massa muscular e musculatura mais glicolítica que fêmeas. O sistema de semiconfinamento alterou a composição de fibras musculares esqueléticas dos machos, tornando-a mais oxidativa, porém, esse efeito não foi observado nas fêmeas.The effect of strain, breeding system and sex on body weight, carcass and leg yield, and morphologic aspects of skeletal muscle fibers of flexor hallucis longus muscle of broiler chickens was evaluated in this study. The experiment consisted of a 4x2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with four strains (Ross-308, Naked Neck Label Rouge, Caipirinha and Paraiso Pedrês), two breeding systems (confinement and semi-confinement) and two sexes, with two replicates per treatment, considering each bird selected randomly at 56 days of age an experimental unit, with a total of 64 birds. Ross strain had the highest values of body weight, weights of legs and meat of legs and weight of flexor hallucis longus muscle and highest values of carcass yield and meat of leg yield. The higher muscle mass of birds selected for high growth is related to an increase in the area of the three types of muscle fibers evaluated (SO, FOG and FG). Males presented higher muscle mass and a musculature higher in fast-glycolityc-type fibers than females. Semi-confined system modified the composition of skeletal muscle fibers of males, increasing the oxidative-type fibers. However this effect was not observed in females.

This study aimed at verifying if beak-trimming methods in Japanese quail pullets could optimize production by decreasing stress caused by cannibalism. A total number of 816 day-old Japanese quails was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with two beak-trimming ages (14 and 21 days of age) and three beak-trimming sizes (not trimmed, 1/3 trimmed, or 1/2 trimmed), and 4 replicates of 34 birds per replicate. Birds were submitted to the same management and feeding conditions. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were evaluated. There was no significant effect of age at beak trimming on the evaluated parameters (P>0.05), as well as no significant interaction between age at beak trimming, and beak-trimming method. There was a significant effect (P

Objetivou-se determinar o melhor nível de adição de sal, visando otimizar a produção e qualidade dos ovos de codornas em período final de produção. Utilizaram-se 192 codornas japonesas, em produção, com 54 semanas de idade no início do experimento, em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. As rações isoprotéicas e isocalóricas foram balanceadas com a adição de 0,15%, 0,25%, 0,35% e 0,45% de sal comum de modo a fornecer 0,10%; 0,14%; 0,18% e 0,22% de sódio na ração. Analisaram-se os dados utilizando o procedimento GLM do SAS (1999) e para diferenciar as médias,quando necessário, foi utilizado o teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Não se constataram diferenças estatísticas (P>0,05) para peso médio dos ovos (g), percentagem de postura (%), massa de ovos (g/ave/dia), consumo de ração (g), conversão alimentar por dúzia, gravidade específica, índice gema, unidades Haugh, espessura da casca e percentagem de casca, mas houve efeito (P

Three experiments were carried out to analyze the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails throughout the day when submitted to different lighting programs. In each experiment, birds were submitted to a period of 28 days for adaptation to the lighting program. During the following three days, each day - from 7 am to 7 pm or 9 pm - was divided into six or seven periods of two hours each, and the remaining hours corresponded to another single period. All birds were submitted to the same management practices, and received water and feed ad libitum. The experimental diet was formulated according to NRC (1994) standards. It was observed lower feed intake in the period of 9 pm to 7 am, and a higher incidence of lay from 3 pm to 7 pm, as opposite to hens, which peak of egg laying occurs during the morning. Some controversial results were found among experiments as to eggshell quality during the different periods of the day. Variation on the lighting program had little influence on the other performance and egg quality parameters.

An experiment was carried out at the Research and Development Unit of Brotas aiming at evaluating dietary calcium level and limestone particle size on the production performance of commercial (Hy-Line Brown) layers in the second lay cycle. Experiment duration was 112 days. A total number of 288 hens, with 83 weeks of age in the beginning of the experiment, were used in a completely randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement of 2x3, with two calcium levels (3.5 and 4.0%) and three limestone particle size compositions: 100% fine limestone (FL), 30% coarse limestone (CL) + 70% fine limestone (FL), and 50% (CL) + 50% (FL), with six replicates of eight birds each. Egg weight (g), egg production (%), egg mass (%), feed intake (g), feed conversion ratio (kg/dz and kg/kg), mortality (%), and egg loss (%) were evaluated. The analysis of variance did not detect significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments on any of the evaluated performance parameters. It was concluded that the tested calcium levels and limestone particle composition did not influence the performance of semi-heavy layers in second production cycle.

Foram utilizados 1600 pintos de corte de um dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento, em blocos ao acaso, com esquema fatorial 4×2 (quatro linhagens, sendo uma delas comercial (Ross-308) e as demais específicas para a produção colonial (Caipirinha, Pescoço Pelado e Paraíso Pedrês) e dois sistemas de criação (confinado e com acesso a piquete), com quatro repetições de 50 aves cada. A ração não continha promotores químicos de crescimento e produtos de origem animal. Avaliaram-se o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar, a mortalidade e os rendimentos de carcaça e das partes (peito, pernas, asas e dorso) aos 56, 63, 70, 77 e 84 dias de idade. O comprimento e a porcentagem (em relação ao peso vivo) dos intestinos e o peso e a porcentagem (em relação ao peso vivo) do fígado, moela e pâncreas foram avaliados aos 84 dias de idade. Houve efeito (POne thousand and six hundred day-old-chicks were randomly assigned to a 4×2 factorial design (4 strains and 2 production systems) with 4 replicates of 50 birds each. A commercial strain Ross and three strains (Caipirinha, Pescoço Pelado and Paraíso Pedrês) for free range chicken production systems were used. The production systems were confined and semi-confined supplemented with grass paddock (3m²/bird). The diets did not contain chemical growth promoters and animal by products. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, mortality and carcass yield and parts were evaluated at 56, 63, 70, 77 and 84 days. Length and percentage of gut, liver, gizzard and spleen were evaluated at 84 days. Differences (P0.05) among production systems were observed.

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of total replacement of dry corn by wet grain corn silage (WGCS) in the feed of label broilers older than 28 days of age on performance, mortality, carcass, parts, breast meat and thighs meat yields, and meat quality. A mixed-sex flock of 448 ISA S 757-N (naked-neck ISA JA Label) day-old chicks was randomly distributed in to randomized block experimental design with four treatments (T1 - with no WGCS; T2 - WGCS between 28 and 83 days; T3 - WGCS between 42 and 83 days; and T4 - WGCS between 63 and 83 days) and four replicates of 28 birds each. Birds were raised under the same management and feeding conditions until 28 days of age, when they started to have free access to paddock with pasture (at least 3m²/bird) and to be fed the experimental diets. Feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the rearing period, which was divided in three stages: starter (1 to 28 days), grower (29 to 63 days), and finisher (64 to 83 days) according to the feeding schedule. During the short periods of WGCS use (group T2 during grower stage and T4 during the finisher stage), performance and mortality results were similar as to those of the control group (T1). At the end of the experiment, it was observed that the extended use of WGCS (T2 and T3) determined a negative effect on feed conversion ratio. However, the best results of breast meat yield were observed with birds fed WGCS since 28 days (T2). It was concluded that WGCS can replace dry corn grain for short periods during the grower and finisher stages with no impairment of meat quality and yield in slow growth broilers.

Two trials were carried out in the present study. Trial I evaluated the performance, carcass yield and breast meat quality, whereas Trial II evaluated the efficacy of utilizing prebiotics + probiotics on the control of Salmonella spp incidence in the carcasses of free-range broilers. In Trial I, 688 one-day-old male chicks of the Naked Neck Label Rouge strain were used, distributed in a randomized block design arranged according to a 2 x 2 factorial: control diet or diet supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics; and two rearing systems (confined or with access to paddocks - 3m²/bird), using four replicates with 35 birds each. The birds were reared until 84 days of age following the recommendations of management and nutrition for free-range strains, and had access to paddocks after 35 days of age. Water and food were given inside the experimental poultry house. Birds fed probiotics and prebiotics in the diet and the confined birds showed better performance, carcass yield and meat quality compared to the birds of the other treatments. In Trial II, 128 one-day-old male chicks of the free-range Naked Neck Label Rouge strain were used. The birds were distributed into four treatments: NCC (non-challenged control), NCS (non-challenged supplemented), CC (challenged control) and CS (challenged supplemented). There were no significant effects of adding probiotics and prebiotics in the diet in regard to Salmonella enteritidis recovery from the carcasses.

Um experimento foi realizado para se avaliar a influência das densidades da gaiola sobre o desempenho de poedeiras semi-pesadas em diferentes fases de criação (cria, recria e produção) e pesquisar seus efeitos sobre o desempenho das aves na fase seguinte. Na fase de cria (0 a 6 semanas), 804 pintinhas da linhagem Isa Brown foram distribuídas em gaiolas medindo 100 x 80 x 35 cm, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (29, 32, 35 e 38 aves por gaiola ou 275,86; 250,00; 228,57 e 210,52 cm²/ave) e quatro repetições por tratamento. Não houve diferenças significativas para ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e uniformidade nas densidades utilizadas na fase de cria. Na fase de recria (6 a 16 semanas), foram utilizadas 720 aves, alojadas em gaiolas medindo 100 x 50 x 50 cm, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com 12 tratamentos, distribuídos em esquema fatorial 4 x 3 (densidades na fases de cria e recria), correspondendo a 10, 12 e 14 aves por gaiola, ou seja, 500,00; 416,67 ou 357,14 cm²/ave, com quatro repetições. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e uniformidade nas densidades utilizadas nesta fase. Na fase de produção, 540 aves foram alojadas em gaiolas com dimensões de 100 x 45 x 45 cm, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com nove tratamentos, distribuídos em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 (densidades na recria e na produção), com 8, 10 e 12 aves por gaiola, correspondendo a 562,15; 450,00 e 375,00 cm²/ ave, com cinco repetições. Observaram-se efeitos significativos da densidade na gaiola apenas para peso dos ovos e consumo de ração. Para as condições de realização desta pesquisa, pode-se afirmar que as densidades utilizadas nas três fases de criação não prejudicaram os parâmetros de produção estudados.This trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of different stocking densities on performance of caged layers during the growing and laying periods and to verify the effects in the next phase. In the growing period (0-6 weeks), eight hundred and four chicks (Isa Brown ) were assigned to 100 x 80 x 35 cm cages, according to a completely randomized design, with four treatments (275.86, 250.00, 228.57, and 210.52 cm² per bird) and four replicates. No significant effects of treatments on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and uniformity were observed during the growing period. In the 6-16 w period, 720 pullets were randomly assigned to 100 x 50 x 50 cm cages, according to a completely randomized design of 4 x 3 factorial arrangement (four densities from 0-6 weeks and three densities from 6-16 weeks), with different treatments (500.00, 416.67, and 357.14 cm² per bird) and four replicates. No significant differences among treatments in the 6-16 w period on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and uniformity were observed. In the laying phase, 540 laying hens were randomly assigned to 100 x 45 x 45 cm cages, according to a completely randomized design of 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (three stocking densities in the 6-16 w periodand three caging densities in the laying phase), with different treatments (562.15, 450.00, and 375.00 cm² per hen) and five replicates. Significant effects of cage density on egg weight and feed intake were detected. No significant effects of cage density on bird performance in the growing and laying periods were observed.

Avaliou-se o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de codornas de corte de quatro grupos genéticos, utilizando-se 288 aves com 42 dias de idade, em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos (grupos genéticos A, B, C e D) e seis repetições de 12 aves cada. A partir da primeira semana de alojamento, estabeleceu-se o programa de luz, iniciando-se com 14 horas diárias de fotoperíodo, com aumentos sucessivos de 30 minutos por semana até que atingisse 17 horas diárias de fotoperíodo. Semanalmente, os ovos e as sobras de ração de cada parcela foram pesados, para determinação do peso médio dos ovos e do consumo médio diário de ração. A cada 28 dias, foram coletados e analisados três ovos/parcela/dia por três dias consecutivos, para avaliação da qualidade externa e interna. Foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos genéticos para massa de ovos e peso médio dos ovos, de modo que o grupo genético B apresentou média superior à dos demais. Para gravidade específica e porcentagem de casca, foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos genéticos, com médias superiores para o grupo genético D. Os grupos genéticos testados apresentaram boa produção e qualidade de ovos, comprovando que estas codornas de corte podem ser utilizadas como matrizes de pintainhos de corte.The study aimed to evaluate the performance and egg quality of four genetic groups selected for meat production. Two hundred and eighty eight quails 42 days old were used. The experiment design was the completely randomized blocks with four treatments (genetic groups A, B, C and D) and six replicates of 12 birds each. In the first week, it was given 14 hours of light with increases of 30 minutes per week until it reached 17 hours of light. Egg and feed were weighed once a week to determine egg weigh and feed consumption. Eighteen eggs from each replicate were collected and analyzed each 28 days period during three consecutive days to evaluate quality. There were significant differences among the genetic groups for egg weight and egg mass, and the genetic group B showed the higher values. Significant differences concerning specific gravity and shell percentage were observed among genetic groups and D group showed higher means for these characteristics. The genetic groups evaluated presented good results for egg production and egg quality, showing that these birds could be utilized as quali breeds.

Para avaliar o desempenho e rendimento de carcaça de quatro grupos genéticos de codornas de corte de 1 a 42 dias de idade, foram utilizadas 1.200 codornas distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (A, B, C, D) e cinco repetições de 60 aves por parcela. Uma vez por semana as aves foram pesadas para avaliação do ganho médio de peso e consumo médio de ração, além do registro da mortalidade. Aos 42 dias de idade, foram identificados e abatidos 10 machos por parcela, para avaliação do rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes cárneos. No período 1 a 42 de idade, o grupo genético C apresentou maiores peso e ganho médio de peso que os demais grupos. Contudo, para consumo médio de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade, não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos genéticos. Para peso vivo, peso de carcaça, rendimento de carcaça e porcentagem de peito, não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos genéticos. Para porcentagem de asa, coxa e carne de peito, o grupo genético D apresentou maior valor que os demais grupos. Considerando os resultados obtidos, os grupos genéticos de codornas para produção de carne utilizados no Brasil apresentam diferenças no seu desempenho produtivo e nos cortes cárneos.The study aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of four quail genetic groups male and females. The birds were grown until 42 days old. A thousand and two hundred day old quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (A, B, C and D) and five replicates of 60 birds each. The birds were weighed once a week in order to evaluate weight gain and feed consumption. Mortalities were recorded daily. At 42 days, ten male quails from each replicate were identified and slaughtered to evaluate the yield of carcass and parts. In the period from 1 to 42 days, genetic group C showed higher values of body weight. Group C showed the higher values for weight gain in the period from 1 to 42 days. No differences concerning the results of feed consumption, feed efficiency, mortality, body weight, carcass weight, carcass yield and breast percentage were observed among the groups. Genetic group D showed higher values for wings, legs and breast meat percentage. It was concluded that there are differences of performance and carcass and parts yield among the quail genetic groups selected for meat production presented on Brazilian market.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de maximizar a produção e a qualidade dos ovos e minimizar a excreção de nitrogênio nas excretas de poedeiras no final do primeiro ciclo de produção, por meio do fornecimento de aporte adequado de proteína bruta (PB) e aminoácidos sulfurados totais (AAST) na dieta. Foram utilizadas 432 poedeiras Isa Brown, com 52 semanas de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 (PB e AAST) e nove tratamentos (14 e 0,57; 14 e 0,64; 14 e 0,71; 15,5 e 0,57; 15,5 e 0,64; 15,5 e 0,71; 17 e 0,57; 17 e 0,64; 17 e 0,71 % de PB e AAST, respectivamente), com seis repetições de oito aves cada. A duração do experimento foi de 140 dias. Foram avaliadas as características de desempenho, qualidade dos ovos e excreção de nitrogênio nas excretas. A única característica de desempenho influenciada pelos tratamentos foi o peso dos ovos, que apresentou os maiores valores para as combinações de 15,5 e 0,71; 17 e 0,71; 15,5 e 0,64; 14 e 0,71 e 17 e 0,64% de PB e AAST, respectivamente. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura e de ovos quebrados, massa de ovos, conversão alimentar por dúzia e por massa de ovos e mortalidade. Para os parâmetros de qualidade dos ovos, foram observadas diferenças significativas apenas para as porcentagens de gema e de albúmem. A excreção de nitrogênio foi maior nas aves alimentadas com as rações contendo 17% de PB. Pode-se sugerir que a ração contendo 14% de PB e 0,57% de AAST pode ser utilizada, sem prejuízos no desempenho e na qualidade dos ovos, e ainda contribui para a redução da excreção de nitrogênio no ambiente e do custo da ração.The aim of the study was to maximize the egg production and quality and minimize nitrogen excretion of laying hens in the end of the first production cycle through the supply of adequate levels of crude protein (CP) and total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) in the diet. Four hundred and thirty two Isa Brown hens 52-w old were assigned to a completely randomized experiment design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (CP and TSAA), with nine treatments (14 and 0.57; 14 and 0.64; 14 and 0.71; 15.5 and 0.57; 15.5 and 0.64; 15.5 and 0.71; 17 and 0.57; 17 and 0.64; 17 and 0.71% of CP and TSAA, respectively) and six replicates of eight birds each. The experiment lasted 140 days. Characteristics of performance, egg quality and nitrogen excretion in excreta was evaluated. There was significant difference just for egg weight with the combinations of 15.5 and 0.71; 17 and 0.71; 15.5 and 0.64; 14 and 0.71 e 17 and 0.64% of CP and TSAA, respectively, showing the highest values. There was no differences for feed consumption, percentage of egg production, percentage of broken eggs, egg mass, feed efficiency per mass and dozen of eggs and mortality. Concerning egg quality, significant differences were observed just for the percentages of yolk and albumen. Nitrogen excretion was higher for the layers fed with a 17% CP diet. The results obtained in this work suggest that the diet containing 14% of CP and 0.57% of TSAA can be used without causing a decrease on performance and egg quality, besides contributing to the reduction of nitrogen excretion on the environment and reducing the costs with the diet.

An experiment was conducted at Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia/Unesp - Botucatu for 168 days to evaluate the effects of protein, Met + Cys and lysine diet levels on egg production and egg quality of laying Japanese quails. Quails with 42 days of age were reared in a completely randomized design. There were 1,944 quails distributed in four replicates of 27 birds per pen, according to a factorial 3x3x2 with three crude protein levels (16, 18 and 20% CP), three Met + Cys levels (0.700; 0.875 and 1.050%) and two lysine levels (1.100 and 1.375%). Birds fed diets with 18 and 20% CP had higher feed intake and egg production than those fed diets with 16% CP. There was significant interaction (p0.05) of the protein level on feed conversion per dozen eggs; however, improved feed conversion per egg mass was seen for birds fed diets with 20% CP compared to those fed diets with 16% and 18% CP. Protein and lipid percentage in the yolk increased when dietary protein level increased from 16 to 18%. Increasing Met + Cys from 0.700% to 0.875% reduced yolk protein percentage. Higher lipid percentage in the yolk was seen in eggs from quails fed diets with 1.050% Met + Cys, whereas 1.375% lysine in the diet of resulted in decreased egg production and egg mass, besides poorer feed conversion per dozen eggs and per egg mass.

This study assessed the effect of different cage stocking densities on the performance of Italian quails in the laying period. Two hundred and sixty four quails with 30 weeks of age and 280g mean body weight were used. Birds were randomly assigned to 96 x 33 x 16 cm cages and distributed in a randomized block design with 4 treatments (12, 15, 18 and 21 quails per cage or 264, 211, 176 and 151 cm² per quail, respectively) and 4 replicates. Birds were given feed and water ad libitum and submitted to the same experimental conditions. The experimental diet was formulated based on NRC (1994) recommendations. There were no significant differences among treatments for feed conversion per egg mass (kg:kg), percentage of broken eggs and mortality. There was a linear reduction (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial and yeast origin on the performance, development of the digestive system, carcass yield and meat quality of free-range broiler chickens. Five hundred and sixty male chicks of the strain ISA S757-N were reared from one to 84 days old. The birds were distributed in four treatments according to a completely randomized block design: T1 = Control, T2 = Probiotics and Prebiotics of bacterial origin, T3 = Probiotics and prebiotics of yeast origin, T4 = Probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial origin + probiotics and prebiotics of yeast origin. There were four repetitions with 35 birds per repetition, and the birds had access to a pasture area after 35 days of age. Characteristics evaluated were performance, development of the digestive system, carcass and parts yield, abdominal fat, breast meat physical measurements (length, width and height) and meat quality parameters (pH from breast and leg meat, cooking loss and shearing force from breast meat). Lower mortality (p

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic associated to prebiotic on performance, carcass and cut yields, qualitative traits of meat, development and score of lesions due to coccidiosis in digestive tract of broiler chickens raised in a free-range system during 85 days. One thousand, six hundred and ninety-six day-old male broiler chicks from naked-neck ISA S757-N Label Rouge line were used in a randomized block design with factorial scheme of 4x2 and four repetitions. The effect of four additive (1 - biologic promoter + coccidiosis vaccine; 2 - biologic promoter + anti-coccidiosis; 3 - chemical promoter + coccidiosis vaccine; 4 - chemical promoter + anti-coccidiosis) and two breeding systems from 35th day of age (one with no-access to pasture or confined and the other with free-access to pasture or semi-confined) on performance parameters, carcass and cut yields, qualitative meat traits, coccidiosis development and lesions in digestive tract were evaluated. There was effect (p

Freezing has been widely used as the safest and most economical preservation method for poultry meat because on the frozen meat the microbial activity is paralyzed, the enzymatic and the speed of chemical reactions are substantially reduced. So, the aim of this current study was to analyze the efficiency of different methods of freezing over the maintenance of quality of frozen meat when it is compared to in natura meat intend for laboratory tests. It was used 50 Pectoralis major muscles from deboned chicken breasts, which was submitted to four different methods of freezing (domestic freezer, freezer -20°C, freezer -70°C and liquid nitrogen). The samples were previously weighed, individually packed in vacuum or with aluminum foil (in the case of the samples that would be frozen with liquid nitrogen) and storage in low temperature for 30 days. The samples frozen with liquid nitrogen were kept on freezer -20ºC after fast freezing. The following parameters were analyzed: water holding capacity (WHC), cooking weight loss (CWL) and shear force (SF). The WHC was evaluated using the compression method and its determination was given by the difference between the initial weight and the final weight. The CWL was determined in samples of deboned muscles packed in plastic bags and cooked in water bath (85ºC) for 30 minutes. The CWL determination was given by the difference between the initial weight and the final weight, expressed in grams. To determine the shear force were used the samples from the CWL analysis that have been cut in subsamples with approximately 1 cm in width and analyzed with the Texture Analyzer TA-XT2i coupled to the device Warner-Bratzler and the results were expressed in Kgf cm2. The parameters were evaluated before and after the freezing for 30 days. It was used a completely randomized design with 5 treatments (without freezing – control group, domestic freezer, freezer -20°C, freezer -70°C and liquid nitrogen) done in 10 replications. All the freezing methods evaluated reduces (P

The egg is known as one of the most complete foods because it has a rich source of nutrients, with an excellent balance of fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, and especially proteins, being the second best source of protein available for human consumption, second only into breast milk. However, it is an ideal for growth of pathogenic microorganisms and because it is a product of animal origin, such as meat and its derivatives means, is a highly perishable food and can quickly lose its quality. The eggs are important constituents of the diet, may help to improve the diet of the poor. In shell eggs are considered resistant to lipid oxidation, but studies have shown that commercial egg yolk lipids undergo oxidation during storage. Organic eggs are produced by hens receiving a diet 100% organic, grown in conditions that value their well-being and natural behavior, with some prohibited practices such as beak trimming and confinement in cages. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of storage time on lipid oxidation of egg yolks organic and conventional eggs from hens Isa Brown, collected at 46 weeks of age. Eggs were collected and stored in plastic trays under ambient temperature conditions (25°C) using 100 eggs for analysis of the process of TBARS with ten repetitions for different storage periods, corresponding to 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days (Table 1). The results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using the Statistical Package SISVAR and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance.

Spent birds are usually used in the industry to make processed foods. This occurs due to the advanced age of these birds and the small price per kilogram of them. As well, the consumer is not used to buy meat of spent birds, thinking that this meat has a lower quality then the commercial one, found at the markets. Today, in Brazil, white spent males are sold for R$ 0.55/kg and red ones for R$ 0.65/kg. According to these, the aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition of birds with the ideal age to slaughter and birds in a spent age. It was used the Pectoralis major muscle from ten deboned carcasses of slow growth lineage at the ideal age to slaughter (85 days) and ten of spent birds (70 weeks) obtained from a commercial slaughterhouse. After the slaughter and rigor mortis process, they were carried to the Laboratory of Animal Products Technology. The breasts were crushed in a compact industrial mill and the meat was placed (100g of average weight) in an aluminum pot (or aluminum lunch box). These pots were carried to a forced ventilation heater with temperature of 65ºC and took off 72 hours later. The dried meat was crushed again in a ball mill, the dusted meat placed in porcelain crucibles and carried to a new dry at 105ºC in other heater to determine the humidity percentage. After this process, 0.1g of the sample dried was weighed in triplets to total nitrogen (protein) and 3.0g (approximately) to ether extract (weighing the recipient before and after) determinations. The rest of the dust was carried to a 600ºC muffle that resulted, after 24 hours, the total ashes. For statistical analysis a completely randomized with two lineages in ten replications and the data submitted to analysis of variance and the means compared by Tukey test (P

Eggs are considered one of the most complete foods, by providing essential health, such as protein, vitamins and mineral elements. Reduction of internal egg quality during storage that is related to the loss of water and carbon dioxide, is proportional to the elevation of temperature. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of storage time on physical quality of organic and conventional eggs from hens Isa Brown, collected at 46 weeks of age. One hundred fifty eggs were used for the analysis of the percentage of weight loss, Haugh unit, percentage of yolk and albumen, with 15 repetitions for different storage periods, corresponding to 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days (Table 1). The results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using the Statistical Package SISVAR and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. No significant statistical differences about the percentage of weight loss of eggs (P>0.05) between the two systems were observed, unlike Haugh units, percent of yolk and albumen showed difference b (P

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de codornas poedeiras alimentadas por diferentes períodos com milho moído ou ração de postura durante sete dias após três dias de jejum, método de muda utilizado. Após esse período, as aves foram alimentadas com ração de postura durante as 20 semanas do período experimental. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com três tratamentos (ração de postura por sete dias, ração de postura por três dias e milho moído por quatro dias e milho moído por sete dias), e quatro repetições de 24 aves por parcela. Os resultados mostraram que aves alimentadas apenas com ração de postura nos sete primeiros dias após o jejum apresentaram maior produção de ovos nas seis primeiras semanas do período de produção pós-muda. Porém, não foi constatado efeito de tratamento sobre a produção de ovos, peso dos ovos, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar durante as 20 semanas do período experimental.

O experimento objetivou avaliar as alterações físicas, produção de ovos e mortalidade de codornas poedeiras alimentadas por diferentes períodos com milho moído após muda forçada. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três tratamentos (0, 4 e 7) dias de alimentação com milho moído e quatro repetições de 30 aves por parcela para análise do peso vivo e mortalidade e duas aves por parcela para análise das características físicas. Os resultados mostraram involução do aparelho reprodutivo até o quarto dia após muda forçada. Após sete dias, as aves alimentadas com ração de produção atingiram o peso que possuíam antes da muda forçada, e aos onze dias, as aves alimentadas com milho moído por sete dias não haviam ainda recuperado o peso de aparelho reprodutivo existente antes da muda forçada.

Objetivou-se avaliar as alterações físicas, produção de ovos e mortalidade de codornas poedeiras submetidas a muda forçada, durante um período de jejum. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (0, 1, 2, e 3) dias de jejum, com três repetições de 36 aves por parcela. No início e ao final do período de jejum 2 aves por parcela foram abatidas, pesadas individualmente e sacrificadas para retirada e avaliação do ovário, oviduto, e fígado. Os resultados mostraram que no período de jejum de três dias houve uma redução de 25,64% no peso vivo, a produção de ovos caiu a 2,81% e a mortalidade foi de 4,60%.

The quail for being an alternative species will be able to supply a new market niche due to its fast growth, high laying rate, low feed intake, in addition to the increase of the acceptance of its products by the consumer. A growing interest in raising the stocking rates in the cages as an alternative to increase the performance of the stock is noticed; although studies demonstrate that high densities can result into unfavorable environment to the birds’ welfare with alterations in the performance of the flocks and as a stressing factor being able to alter the production and profitability of the flock. At high stocking rates, the birds become predisposed to aggressiveness reactions, presenting cannibalism behavior, besides the combination of factors such as pH, temperature, ventilation and humidity deficiency which create environmental conditions favorable for certain benign bacteria which utilize uric acid of the manure through their enzymatic complexes and produce ammonia, causing stress to birds and which can cause damages to performance with significant economic losses to the producer. The experiment with 112-day duration was conducted with the objective of evaluating the inclusion of acidulants in the Japanese quails’ drinking water and verifying the effect on the stocking rate in cages. A completely randomized design with four treatments (2 stocking rates of quails x 2 additions of) and 5 replications of 24 and 36 birds per cage, corresponding to the stocking rates of 141.67 and 94.44 cm2/bird, respectively, receiving or not acidulant in the water (acetic, lactic and phosphoric acid) was utilized. Performance was evaluated through egg weight (EWg), egg yield (%Laying.), egg mass (EMg/bird/day), feed intake (FIg/bird/day), feed conversion (FCkg/dz and FCkg/kg) and mortality (%Mort). No significant statistical differences about the performance (P>0.05) were found. There was a significant effect (P

O artigo não apresenta resumo em português.

This study was developed to evaluate the effect of adding natural pigments on the storage of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle submitted to diets based on corn and low-tannin sorghum. A total of 160 eggs from Hy-Line Brown laying hens at 90 - weeks old after forced molting were used. The study evaluated the isolated effect and the interaction of two factors: the inclusion of natural pigments (control diet - 50% low-tannin sorghum replacing the corn; RC - 2% powdered dry turmeric rhizome; PU - 2% dry annatto powder; RCPU - 1% turmeric rhizome + 1% dry annatto powder) combined with the storage period (0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days). The studied variables were: specific gravity, percentages of yolk, albumen and shell in relation to the egg weight, and yolk color. Yolk color was more intense with increasing percentage of annatto. The inclusion of 2% annatto powder promotes and maintains an adequate pigmentation of egg yolk when stored for up to 21 days. Regardless of natural pigment supplementation, the egg quality decreases as storage time increases.

Objetivou-se buscar o melhor nível de energia metabolizável (EM) e de óleo vegetal em rações de poedeiras, visando melhorar a qualidade dos ovos. Utilizaram-se 288 aves da linhagem Hisex Brown, em produção, com trinta semanas de idade no início do experimento, divididas em nove tratamentos com quatro repetições cada, num esquema fatorial 3x3, sendo três níveis de EM (280, 300 e 320 kcal/ave/dia) e três consumos de óleo por ave/ dia (0,00; 0,75 e 1,50g). O consumo diário de ração foi restrito a 115, 110 e 105g para obtenção dos consumos desejados de EM e óleo. Balancearam-se as rações para fornecer diariamente às aves 18g de proteína bruta (PB), 4,2g de cálcio (Ca), 0,66g de fósforo total (Pt), 0,40g de metionina (Met), 0,73g de metionina+cistina (Met+Cis) e 0,83g de lisina (Lis). Não se constataram efeitos significativos de tratamento (P>0,05) para peso dos ovos (g) e gravidade específica. Houve efeito quadrático significativo do consumo de energia sobre a percentagem de casca (%), com redução da percentagem entre 280 e 300kcal de EM/ave/dia e aumento da mesma entre 300 e 320kcal de EM/ave/dia, redução significativa da percentagem de albúmen (%) e aumento da percentagem de gema com o aumento no consumo de óleo. Houve interação significativa entre consumo de energia e de óleo sobre a Unidade Haugh, que piorou com o aumento da energia e do óleo consumidos diariamente (P