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Various immunoprophylaxis programs aimed at protecting chickens from different pathogens and reducing production losses due to mortality or disease are increasingly important in broiler rearing. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different commercial prophylactic vaccination programs (H1 vs. H2), using vaccines against Marek's disease (MD), infectious bursal disease (IBD), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) on the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, meat texture, and biometric characteristics of the digestive system and leg bones of Ross 308 broiler chickens. The study material consisted of 20 carcasses (10 male and 10 female) of 42-day-old broiler chickens. After determining the weight of the eviscerated carcass (H1 - 1822.8±212.4; H2 - 2295.6±275.6), the breast and leg muscles were cut out of the dissected elements of the carcass, followed by the measurements of pH24, L*, a*, b* color attributes, electrical conductivity (EC24) and cooking loss. The basic chemical composition and texture characteristics were determined. Measurements of the femur and tibia were taken after separating the meat from the bone. Measurements of the lengths and diameters of the individual intestinal segments were also carried out. The H2 vaccination program had a significant positive effect on the carcass weight of 42-day-old broilers. Chickens subjected to the H1 vaccination program were characterized by significantly lower water and collagen content, pH24, and meat tenderness (higher WB shear force) in the breast, as well as significantly higher protein content in the breast and leg muscles, and a lower percentage of fat in the leg muscles compared to chickens subjected to the H2 vaccination program The dimensions of femur and tibia bones in 42-day-old broiler chickens administered vaccines according to the H2 vaccination program were significantly higher than in chickens on the H1 vaccination program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to appraise the effect of humic substances (HS) on laying performance. In total, 20 Oravka hens were allocated to 4 treatments, each containing 5 birds. The control birds were fed a diet without additives (0.00% HS), other treatment birds were fed with diets containing HS at 0.50%, 0.75 and 1.00%. The birds in all treatments had available drinking water and feed mixtures ad libitum. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks. Feed consumption and egg production were determined daily, egg weight was measured biweekly, and live body weights were recorded at the beginning and the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the supplementations of HS had a significant effect (P<0.05) on live body weight, egg production and feed efficiency. In liver, gizzard, spleen, ovary and oviduct relative to live body there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the among treatments. Carcass weight and oviduct weight were the highest (P<0.05) in Oravka hens fed HS diets compared with control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to appraise the effect of humic substances (HS) in different concentrations on external and internal egg quality of laying hens. In total, 20 Oravka hens were allocated to 4 treatments, each containing 5 birds. The control birds were fed a diet without additives (0.00% HS), other treatment birds were fed with diets containing HS at 0.50%, 0.75 and 1.00%. The birds in all groups had available drinking water and feed mixtures ad libitum. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks. Also, 20 egg samples from each group were randomly every 2 weeks to assess egg quality parameters. Adding HS in different concentrations significantly increased (P<0.05) egg weight, albumen index, Haugh unit and yolk index and decreased yolk percentage (P<0.05), compared with control. There were no differences (P>0.05) in egg shape index, egg volume, eggshell weight, eggshell percentage, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, albumen weight, albumen percentage, yolk weight and yolk colour among treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The issue was solved by the growth of 632 Charolais calves born between 2011 and 2016 from three farms in the Slovak Republic who are part of performance beef cattle testing. In our work was evaluated a live birth weight, weight at 120 days of age, weight at 210 days of age, weight at age 365 days, average daily gain from birth to 120 days of age, average daily gain between 120 and 210 days of age and average daily gain up to 365 days. Assessment factors were selected by breeder, sex of calves, calf birth year, calf birth month and sire effect. Evaluating of the live weight at birth founded the highest weight of farm A (42.92 kg), which is closest to the breed standard. Heaviest calves were born in 2016 with very high significant effect (p<0.001) on the birth weight. Male calves were heavier than heifers in single, heifer twins were also heavier. High statistical significance (p<0.001) was detected by sire. In our work we've founded the best weaning weight 229.11 kg in lower birth weight (33.52 kg). This indicator reduced over the years up to year 2016, when the weight raised again. Heifers reached higher values than bulls (203.74 kg compared to 177.40 kg), while the impact of this factor was statistically significant (p<0.05). The highest calves weaning weight was found in the October (224.35 kg) and the January (209.98 kg). We also investigated the correlation dependence of growth characteristics, when we found a positive correlation dependence (r = 0.03) between weaning weight and birth weight, which is statistically not significant (p>0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate lactose percentage in relation to the somatic cells count in milk of Slovak Spotted cattle. A total of 468,082 control milk samples from 28,848 dairy cows born from 2000 to 2014 were used for investigating lactose percentage (LP), milk yield (MY), lactose yield (LY), fat percentage (FP), proteins percentage (PP) and somatic cells count (SCC). Data were analysed using the SAS version 9.4 and linear model with fixed effects: farmer (F), years-month of control (YM), order of lactation (OL), sire (S), coding of SCC (CS). In the dataset the average of LP was 4.78±0.27 %, while the one of MY, LY, FP, PP and SCC were 20.44±8.65, 0.98±0.43, 4.04±0.80, 3.49±0.37 and 455.95±1,296.16 cells *1000/ml. The correlation of LP with MY, LY, FP, PP, and SCC was equal to r = 0.33205, r = 0.41609, r = -0.11414, r = -0.24404 and r = -0.31175. These correlation coefficients were statistically highly significant P <0.0001. Among all fixed effects in the analysis of variance of LP, the most relevant effect was observed for CS (P<.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analysed daily the time intervals of egg formation in pure chicken breed Oravka in the second half of egg production on 66 hens for 30 days, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Experiment was realised in deep litter system in pens with automatic egg nest. Feeding of hens was providing by feed mixture for laying hens (crude protein 158.06 g/kg, metabolic energy 11.32 MJ/kg). Feeding and watering were ad libitum. Birds were exposed to natural light as a practiced in rural areas of South-West Slovakia. There were observed that in Oravka chickens the egg forming on average 25.78±0.39 hours, while the range was from 17 to 32 hours. Intervals between successively laid eggs were shortened by the clutch length. Time intervals of egg formation were 26.92±1.87 hours in short clutches (1 to 3 eggs), 25.31±1.65 hours in medium clutches (1 to 8 eggs) and 24.67±1.54 hours in long clutches (more than 9 eggs). Time intervals of egg formation were shortened by prolonging the clutch. The clutch length can significantly affect egg weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we studied the influence of time intervals of egg formation on some egg quality parameters in descending part of laying curve in pure Oravka chicken breed. We studied the daily dynamics of egg production from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for 30 days on 66 hens. Experiment was realised in deep litter system in pens with automatic egg nest. Feeding of hens was providing by feed mixture for laying hens (crude protein 158.06 g/kg, metabolic energy 11.32 MJ/kg). Feeding and watering were ad libitum. Birds were exposed to natural light as a practiced in rural areas of South-West Slovakia. The results showed that prolonging the time intervals of egg formation increased of egg weight, eggshell weight and eggshell proportion. At the same time, albumen weight and albumen proportion decreased during period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary citric acid (CA) on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four groups (n=60) and reared for a period of 42 days. The drinking water of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was supplemented with 0%, 0.50%, 1% or 1.50% CA. At the age of 42 days, 10 birds from each group were slaughtered. The results indicated that birds with CA additions were heavier compared with control birds (P<0.05). Feed consumption was improved (P<0.05) in birds of the CA groups. Citric acid supplementation did not have a significant effect (P>0.05) mortality of broiler chickens. We observed higher (P<0.05) breast, liver, gizzard and small intestine percentage in the groups that were added CA. Thick percentage and carcass yield were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Significant reduction (P<0.05) in abdominal fat weight was found with increased level of citric acid in drinking water. It may, therefore, be concluded that the addition of 1.50% CA in drinking water has most effective effect in broiler chickens fattening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of various disinfectants on hatchability, egg weight loss and embryonic mortality of chickens. Eggs were incubated in medium hatchery Bios midi at standard hatching conditions. All eggs were incubated for 21 days. Five treatments, with 300 hatching eggs each, were evaluated: eggs not submitted to disinfection (negative control), formalin gas fumigation by mixing 40 ml formaldehyde of 40 % concentration and 20 g potassium permanganate on 1m3 room capacity (positive control), ozone concentration of 0.45 ppm for 12 hours, Aldekol DES 03 air aerosol dosing by 0.5 l of Aldekol DES 03 to 3 l of water and Virkon S in 1% solution. Hatchability of fertile eggs and embryonic mortality were significant not affected (P>0.05) by disinfectants, but there were significant lower (P<0.05) values in eggs without disinfection. None of the treatments affected (P>0.05) egg weight loss throughout the first 18-days of incubation. The results obtained for hatching traits indicated that alternative disinfectants may be used as an alternative to formaldehyde fumigation for the disinfection of hatching eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the selected factors for weight at birth (BW), at age of 120 days (W120), at age of 210 days (W210) and at age of 365 days (W365) for calves in different breeding conditions of the Slovak Spotted cattle. We evaluated the influence of the breeder's factor, year of evaluation, month of evaluation, father's factor and breed type. When evaluating the effects on BW, we achieved a statistically highly significant trait of the breeder (P < 0.001), the factor of the year of birth as statistically significant (P = 0.0072) and other factors were statistically in conclusive. In the case of weight at the W120, the breeder, the year of evaluation, the month of evaluation and the father had a statistically very high demonstrable influence (P <0.0001). The breed type factor was not statistically significant (P = 0.8622). The weight at the W210 was again statistically high significantly influenced by the factors of breeder, year of evaluation, month of evaluation and father. The breed type factor was again statistically in conclusive (P = 0.1272). With the weight indicator at the W365, we observed a very high statistical significance for all factors (P <0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine the analyses a chosen group of the Slovak Spotted dairy cows. Within the group we focused on the problematic of utility pointers evaluation, we analysed the milk production of various breed types, years of birth giving, paternity of the descendants and the order of lactation. Moreover, we assessed the mutual correlation dependence between milk production pointers and weight of various factors on milk, fats, proteins and lactose production. The highest amount of produced milk in kg due to breed type measure was in S0 type. Evaluating the year of birth giving, the milk production was the highest between the years of 2010-2016 in a herd of dairy cows at farm reaching 8,341 kg of milk. Milk production pointers such as milk production in kg, fats in kg, proteins in kg and lactose in kg are in a mutual correlation relationship that is highly statistically resulted P ≤ 0.001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research was carried out to determine effect of probiotic and humic acids on external and internal egg quality parameters of Japanese quail housed in 3-floor cage technology. A total of 60 animals were divided into 3 groups. In the control group (n=20) birds fed on basal diet without any additive. Japanese quails in experimental group no. 1 (n=20) were received addition of probiotics preparation in a single dose of 1 g.kg-1 of feed mixture. In the experimental group no. 2 (n=20) received a preparation of humic acids in a single dose of 3 g.kg-1 of feed mixture. Feed mixture contained 11.7 MJ ME and 200.0 g crude protein. Feed and water were given ad libitum. We recorded statistically no significant differences (P>0.05) among groups in egg weight, egg shape index, eggshell weight, albumen weight, albumen percentage, albumen weight, Haugh units, yolk index and yolk colour. The yolk weight and yolk percentage were significantly lower (P≤0.05) in the group with the application of humic acids in feed mixture compared with the control group and the group with the addition of probiotics to feed. The parameters of eggshell quality (percentage, strength, thickness) were recorded significantly higher values (P≤0.05) in both experimental groups compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this work was to evaluate the milk components and somatic cells in selected herd of dairy cows of Slovak Spotted cattle. The traits included the control samples of milk in kilograms, fat, proteins, lactose in percentages and somatic cells count as well as the correlation between given traits. By evaluation of milk yields we have find out that the average of control sample of milk production during the examined period in all the 14,160 control samples in 1,024 dairy cows was 20.69±9.69 kgs of milk with a fat content of 3.94±0.68%, protein 3.48±0.33% and lactose 4.87±0.21% and 338.39±846.15 x 103 cells/ml. The correlation between the traits of milk production and the somatic cells count, for example milk in kgs, fat in %, proteins in %, lactose in % and somatic cells count in cells x 103/ml, where these values were r = -0.03679, r = 0.08985, r = 0.08830, r = -0.30855. These coefficients were statistically highly significant p <0.0001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this study was evaluate the birth weight of calves of the Slovak Spotted cattle in selected herds according to the year of birth, breeder, period of birth and breed type and to determine the linear relation between birth weight and birth year, month of birth, breed type, breeding conditions, calf sire and period of calving. In our measurements, the average weight at birth of 284 evaluated measurements for the years 2012 to 2017 in the three breed type was 46.24 kg. For the breeding environment, breeding type and year of birth we did not achieved statistically conclusive data (P> 0.05). The factor of the month of birth was evaluated as highly provable (P <0.0001) with a determination coefficient of 36.42% and F = 19.70. For sire influence, we achieved a statistically significant value (P <0.0197). The determinant was 27.89%, F = 1.50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this work was to of relation between milk production and somatic cells count in Slovak Simmental dairy cows by different breeding conditions in the period 2010 to 2014. Data were analysed using the SAS version 9.3 (TS1M2) and linear model with fixed effects of herd, years and months controls. The results of somatic cells count during the years 2010 and 2014 were as follows: the highest number of samples was analysed during 2014 (n = 49,974), where the average count was 163.50☆103.ml-1. The lowest average value of somatic cells count was in 2010 in amount 178.90☆103.ml-1 (n = 42,489). The analyses by the effect on somatic cells count was the highest effect of herd-years-season of control R2 = 0.033970 than effect of herd R2 = 0.011951. These effects were high statistical significant P<0.001. Correlation coefficients between milk in kg, fat, protein in % with somatic cells count were r= -0.09878, r= 0.05457and r= 0.09674. These coefficients were high statistical significant P<0.001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this work was analyse reproduction traits in selected breeding herds Slovak Simmental dairy cows in the period 2012 to 2016 by breeding type (S0, S1, S2 ) the results for dairy cows: DFS, DO, NIC and CI. The basic statistical analysis were analysed using the SAS version 9.3 (TS1M2). For the actual computation a linear model with fixed effects was used: yijklm = μ + HYSi + bj + ck + eijkl , where: μ = mean value, HYSi, bj = sire, ck = effect of bull, eijkl = residual error. The basic traits of reproduction traits (DFS, DO, NIC, CI) in selected breeding herds Slovak Simmental dairy cows were 78.55 days, 120.83 days, 407.02 and 2.14 times for S0, 78.62 days, 124.82 days, 408.76 and 2.04 times for S1, and 80.99 days, 124.07 days, 410.90 and 2.20 times for S2. The linear model to represent coefficient determination R2 = 0.482750 % for DFS, R2 = 0.435010 % for DO, R2 = 0.345971 % NIC and R2 = 0.482750 % CI with all fixed effects. The analyses by the effect were the highest effect of HYS than effect of sire. These effects were statistically high significant (P<0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slovak Simmental cattle are a dual-purpose breed with a good milk and meat production, which belongs to the Simmental type of cattle. The aim this work was evaluated relation between traits of milk production and calving interval in breeding herds of Slovak Simmental dairy cows (S0). Data were analysed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.3 (TS1M2) Enterprise Guide 5.1. and linear model with fixed effects of herd-year-season of calving (HYS), sire, number of lactation, and code of milk production by average of milk production. The average of milk production 5 866.4 ± 2 066.6 kg, average of fat production 233.5 ± 83.6 kg, average of protein production 200.4 ± 72.5 kg and average of lactose production 280.8 ± 98.2 kg, average of calving interval (CI) was 408.6 ± 83.9 days. The linear model to represent coefficient determination R2 = 0.2481 % (P<0.001) for calving interval with all fixed effects. The analyses by the effect was the highest effect of HYS of calving R2 = 0.1962 %, than effect of sire R2 = 0.0417 %. These effects were statistically high significant (P<0.001). Correlation between milk, fat, protein, lactose in kg with calving interval (r=0.0130-, r=0.0214+++, r=-0.0028+++, r=0.0115++ ) were statistically high significant. The results confirm the lower positive relation between traits of milk production (milk in kg, fat in kg, protein in kg and lactose in kg) and calving interval in breeding herds of Slovak Simmental dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we aimed to determine the effect of different levels of green tea in powder form to feed on productive performance, carcass parameters and organs in broiler chickens. Totally 240 day-old broiler chickens Ross 308 were divided to four dietary groups (n = 60) namely control and three experimental groups with supplementation of green tea to feed mixture in levels 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%. Broiler chickens were feeding with commercial feed mixtures and feed and drinking water were provided ad libittum. The feeding period lasted 42 days. Individual body weight of broiler chickens was determined at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 day, feed sonsumption and mortality per group were determined at 42 day of fattening period. Carcass quality and organs weight of broiler chickens were determined at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that supplementation of different levels of green tea statistically significant decreased body weight gain and we recorded lower body weight in 21 days of age compared with control group. However, in second period of fattening, broiler chickens in experimental groups growing faster and in 42 days of age we found statistically no significantly differences among control and experimental groups. Feed consumption did not differ among the dietary groups at 42 days of fattening. Mortality no affected by supplementation of green tea to broiler chickens diets in comparison with control group. From the carcass parameters addition of green tea significantly decreased percentage of abdominal fat between control and 1.5% green tea level, in other parameters (percentage of breast, percentage of drumstick, carcass yield) were different among control and experimental groups not statistically significant. The caecum and small intestine weights was significantly (p ≤0.05) decreased in chickens fed diets containing 0.5% green tea supplement compared to 1% and 1.5%. For neck, crop, heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, kidneys, small intestine, caecum and large intestine weights among control and experimental groups we recorded no statistical differences (p ˃0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to analyse of changes in external and internal characteristics of eggs of autochthonous chicken breed Oravka during laying cycle. A total of 350 eggs were collected to study for egg weight in g, egg shape index in %, shell thickness in mm, yolk, albumen and shell weight in g and their proportion in the egg mass, yolk index in % and Haugh units score in 26, 31, 36, 41, 46, 51 and 56 weeks of age (60 eggs for each age). The results showed that as the laying cycle of hens progressed, the egg weight and egg shape index were increased (P<0.05). During laying period increased (P<0.05) yolk weight and yolk proportion in the egg mass, whereas the albumen proportion and Haugh unit score decreased (P<0.05) with age of hens. The quality of yolk and albumen decreased (P<0.05) as the laying cycle advanced. The other results showed that eggshell proportion and thickness were reduced (P>0.05), especially by the end of laying cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of probiotic preparation on productive parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Totally 60 one-day-old chickens of Ross 308 were divided in two groups: control group (n=30) received drinking water without any additives and experimental group (n=30) received probiotic preparation in dose 2 ml per 1 l of drinking water from day 1 to day 42 of fattening. The probiotic preparation contained the strains of Lactobacillus casei CCM 3775 (3.86x106 CFU.g-1), Lactobacillus plantarum 24001 (3.86x106 CFU.g-1) and Saccharomycces cerevisiae MUCL 39885 (7.00x103 CFU.g-1). Broiler chickens were feeding ad libitum with commercial feed mixtures. Individual body weights of all birds, feed conversion ratio per group were determined in 21 and 42 day, total mortality rate we recorded in 42 day of fattening period. Carcass quality of broiler chickens was determined at the end of the experiment. The supplementation of probiotic affected positively body weight (p<0.05) in broiler chickens in 21 and 42 day of fattening. Feed conversion ratio in 21 and 42 day was similar in control and experimental groups. Total mortality in 42 day was positive affected (p<0.05) by supplementation of probiotic preparation in drinking water. The probiotic no significant (P?0.05) affected percentage of breast and thighs from carcass body, weight of giblets and carcass yield. The addition of probiotic significantly (P<0.05) reduced the content of abdominal fat in carcass body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of feed additive on base of L-carnitine (30%) on some parameters of egg quality. Totally 40 White Leghorn laying hens were divided in two groups: control group (n=20) received drinking water without any additives and experimental group (n=20) received feed additive in dose 1 ml per 1.2 l of drinking water for a period of 5 days in 2 week intervals from 26 to 56 week of age. Hens in both groups were feeding ad libitum with commercial layer diet. A total of 200 eggs (100 eggs from both group) were collected to study for external and internal quality of eggs. Albumen index and Haugh unit were improved (p<0.05), while yolk index and yolk color were not affected by administration of L-carnitine (p>0.05). The albumen percentage increased (p<0.05) and that yolk percentage decreased (p<0.05) in response to supplementation of L-carnitine. Addition of L-carnitine did not influence egg weight, egg shape index and egg shell quality (shell percentage, shell thickness, shell strength). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to examine the influence of different heavy chicken breeds on carcass characteristics after reproductive period. The Brahma, Cochin and Orpington cocks and hens were feeding ad libitum with commercial layer diet. At the end of reproduction period, the randomly sampled cocks and hens were slaughtered for examination of major carcass parts (breast, things, wings and back), edible giblets and abdominal fat. The results obtained were used to calculate carcass yield and the percentage of carcass components. Differences in the percentage of wings, back, abdominal fat and edible giblets among cocks of tested heavy breeds were small and statistically no significant (P>0.05). The Brahma and Cochin cocks had significant (P<0.05) higher percentage of things compared with Orpington cocks. Difference in percentage of breast was statistically significant (P<0.05) higher in Cochin and Orpington cocks There were similar percentages of carcass yield in Brahma (72.59%), Cochin (72.21%) and Orpington (72.88%) breed. In hens, breed had influence only on percentage of breast, namely Orpington hens had significant higher percentage breast then hens so Brahma and Cochin. Carcass yield was statistically non significant (P>0.05) among breeds (71.78% in Brahma, 71.84% in Cochin and 72.05% in Orpington). We recorded that sex had statistically significant (P<0.05) effect on some carcass characteristics -percentage of breast and abdominal fat in benefit of hens and percentage of things in benefit of cocks. The results from this study show that carcass yield cocks and hens of Brahma, Cochin and Orpington were higher in comparison with STN 46 64 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at evaluating egg traits, fertility and hatchability of Brahma, Cochin and Orpington breeds. The hens were feeding ad libitum with commercial layer diet. A total of 300 eggs (100 eggs from each breed) were collected to study for egg weight, egg shape index, percentage of yolk, albumen and shell. Fertility and hatchability were assessed in 392 eggs from Brahma, 388 egg from Cochin and 416 eggs from Orpington. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in egg weight and shape egg index. Orpington hens had significantly higher average egg number (138.41 egg) than Brahma (121.62 eggs) and Cochin (119.94 eggs) hens. Differences in percentage of yolk, albumen and shell in eggs of tested heavy breeds were statistically no significant (P>0.05). The average fertility was 59.81%, 57.36% and 58.81% for Brahma, Cochin and Orpington respectively. Average hatchability varied significantly at P<0.05 (80.08% in Brahma, 82.54% in Cochin and 89.86% in Orpington). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this work was to analyse factors affecting on the somatic cells count in Slovak Simmental dairy cows. Data were analysed using the SAS version 9.1.3. and linear model with fixed effects of herd, years and months controls, sire and breeding types. The analyses by the effect on somatic cells count was the highest effect of herd-yearsmonths of control R2 = 0.151316 and effect of sire R2 = 0.054182. These effects were high statistical significant P<0.01. Correlation coefficients between milk in kg, fat, protein, lactose in % with somatic cells count were r= - 0.25096, r= 0.02593, r= 0.22321and r=-0.39567. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of housing system slaughter age and sex on performance and carcass parameters of broiler ducks. The experiment was carried out in half-operation conditions experimental base of Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. A total of 60 one day old ducklings (type Peking Duck White) were randomly divided to 2 housing groups: three-floor cage system and deep litter system, both under uniform microclimate conditions. The housing system, slaughter age and sex significantly affected the slaughter weights of broiler ducks in 49 and 56 day of fattening. The results of this study showed the influence of housing system, sex and slaughter age on slaughter and carcass parameters. The slaughter and carcass parameters were statistically higher (P<0.05) in three-floor cage system in comparison with the deep litter system. Breast, things, back and wings weights and carcass yield were significantly affected (P<0.05) by slaughter age. Sex no significantly affected carcass yield (P>0.05). The some slaughter and carcass parameters of male ducks were statistically higher (P<0.05) compared with female ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of probiotic addition in drinking water on body weight and body measurements of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out in half-operation conditions experimental base of Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in three -floor cage system. A total of 180 one day old chickens (Ross 308) were randomly divided to 3 groups: experimental chickens of E1 group received a probiotic in drinking water with concentration of 1x109 colony forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7158 in 1 g of nutrient medium and experimental, chickens of E2 group concentration of 2x109 CFU of Enterococcus faecium M 74 in 1 g of nutrient medium. The control group of chickens received drinking water without any additives. The fattening period lasted 42 days. Data of body weight and body measurements (body length, body circumference, keel length, thigh length, and shank length) were recording at ages in 42 day. The results of this study showed that body weight was significantly affected (P<0.05) by addition of probiotic strains Lactobacillus fermentum and Enterococcus faecium, between experimental groups we found statistically not significant difference (P>0.05). The body measurements was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by addition of probiotic in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was the assessment of genetic diversity and analysis of production and reproduction traits in different breeding types of Slovak Simmental cattle in the period 2002 - 2012. The number of Slovak Simmental cows is maintained on a relatively stable level in recent years. In the last period, there was also a reduction in the number of Slovak Simmental breed, but not as strong as after 1990 (85 518), where in 2002 it was 17 485. The number of purebred Simmental cows was 12 428 in 2010; 12 307 in 2011 and 12 573 in 2012. The average annual increase in milk production between the years 2002 to 2012 was + 122.92 kg of milk, + 3.45 kg of fat and +4.56 kg of protein. Positive growth of milk production in recent years is partly comparable with the trend of breeding improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim this work was to evaluate the associations between calving interval and milk production traits in population of dairy cows of Slovak Simmental cattle in the period 2003-2009. The basic statistical analysis was performed using the SAS version 9.1.3. The average length between calving intervals was 413.34 days in population of dairy cows of Slovak Simmental cattle. Correlation between evaluated calving interval and traits of milk production (milk, fat, protein) were lower negative r=-0.00924, r=-0.00539, r=-0.0238, respectively and correlation between calving interval and protein in kg was statistically high significant (P<.0001). The most important factor affecting the length of calving interval was the effect of herd-years-season (R²= 0.212786), other effects were the effect of father (R²= 0.028230) and the effects of codes of milk production (R²= 0.001353). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, ejaculates were sampled from cocks of three pure chicken breeds: Brown Leghorn, Oravka and Brahma. The 5 cocks from each breed were housed individually and the ejaculate was sampled regularly five times during the laying period of hens. We determined the volume, concentration of spermatozoids, total amount of produced spermatozoids, pH ejaculate, colour ejaculate and morphological changes of sperm cell. The motility of spermatozoa of the cocks was 64.48% (Brown Leghorn), 62.25% (Oravka) and 57.51% (Brahma). The highest volume of ejaculate was found in Brown Leghorn (0.72 cm³), the lowest in Brahma (0.49 cm³). The White Leghorn and Oravka had an intermediate colour between the opaque and the creamy-white, the Brahma had opaque colour. The ejaculate pH for all the breeds ranged from 7.01 for Oravka to 7.04 for Brahma. The highest sperm concentration was in Oravka (2.59×106/mm³), the lowest in Brahma (1.91×106/mm³). We found higher number of morphologically abnormal sperm cells in Brahma (46.32%), in Brown Leghorn and Oravka had similar value (42.75%, respectively 42.88%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment with three pure chicken breeds the effect of oviposition on egg quality parameters was investigated. Laying hens of the Brown Leghorn, Oravka and Brahma from 20 to 64 weeks of age were housed in pens with deep litter. The collection time was at 6.00, 10.00 and 14.00 h. Eggs were gathered at the start, middle and end of the laying period. In Brown Leghorn time of oviposition had no significant (P>0.05) affected yolk percentage, yolk index and egg weight. However, in shell thickness, albumen index and Haugh Units we detected significant (P<0.05) differences among collection times. In Oravka hens, the time of oviposition had no significant (P>0.05) effect on egg weight, albumen index and Haugh Units. We recorded significantly (P≤0.05) higher value of shell thickness in 06:00 h in comparison with 10:00 and 14:00 h, but other eggshell quality parameters as shell percentage and shell strength were no significantly (P>0.05) affected in the eggs laid at 6:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. In Brahma, the egg weight, shell percentage, shell thickness and shell strength were significant (P<0.05) affected by time of oviposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hatchability is affected by a variety of factors. Eggshell quality plays very important role among these factors. In this work we analysed eggshell quality, hatchability and embryonic mortality of pure chicken breeds New Hampshire, Oravka, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red and Sussex Light. Hatchability was significantly lower (P>0.05) in Sussex Light in comparison with New Hampshire. The eggshell quality for Sussex Light was significantly decreased (P>0.05) in eggshell thickness (398.73 vs. 356.07 μm) and eggshell percentage compared with New Hampshire (10.36 vs. 8.79 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]