Influences of stocking density and dietary probiotic supplementation on growing Japanese quail performance.

This study investigated the effects of stocking density and dietary supplementation of probiotic (Lactobacillus) on growth, traits of carcass, lymphoid organs and intestinal microbial count of Japanese quail. Quail chicks (one week old) were randomly allotted to 6 groups in a 2×3 factorial experiment included 2 levels of stocking density (100, and 75 cm2/bird) and 3 levels of probiotic (0.00, 0.02 and 0.04 g/kg diet). Quail reared at 100 cm2/ bird showed significantly the highest body weight and daily gain. Quail reared at 75 cm2/ bird had significantly the lower average of feed consumption and the best ratio of feed conversion. Increasing level of probiotic up to 0.04 g/kg led to a significant decrease in dressing percentage by about 2.7 % compared to the control. Interaction effect was insignificant on carcass traits studied except for liver percentage which was significantly higher for birds fed diet supplemented with probiotic at 0.04 g/kg of diet and reared at 100 cm2/bird. Rearing quail at 100 cm2/bird stocking density significantly increased bursa weight. Birds fed diet supplemented with probiotic at 0.02 g/kg of diet and reared at 100 cm2/bird showed significantly the highest (p = 0.043) spleen weight when compared with the other groups. In conclusion, the low (100 cm2/bird) stocking density was sufficient to give better performance of Japanese quail than the other group. Probiotic supplementation diminished the stressful effect of crowding on growing Japanese quail.

Laying Performance, Physical, and Internal Egg Quality Criteria of Hens Fed Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles and Exogenous Enzyme Mixture.

: The effects of dietary inclusion of distillers dried grains with solubles in laying hen diets with and without exogenous enzyme mixture (EEM) on performance and egg characteristics were evaluated. One of the main objectives of this study was to examine the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and enzyme cocktail on egg yolk fatty acids. The study used total of 144 Hisex Brown laying hens in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, including four levels of DDGS (0, 6, 12, and 18% of diet) and two levels of enzyme cocktail (0 or 250 mg EEM/kg of diet) through 32⁻42 weeks of the age. The inclusion of 18% DDGS was associated with the worst (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and the lowest daily feed intake. Numerically, hens fed 6% DDGS diet consumed more feed and had the greatest egg production. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in the control, while the worst was recorded in the 18% DDGS group. Compared with EEM-free diets, EEM supplementation improved FCR by about 2.79%, but the difference was not significant. Shell thickness and shell percentage were significantly increased in hens fed 6% DDGS diet compared to other groups. Egg weights in the 6% and 12% DDGS groups were significantly higher than those in the control and 18% DDGS groups. Non-significant increases in shell and albumin percentages were recorded in groups fed EEM-supplemented diets. The interaction effect of DDGS and EEM was significant (p ≤ 0.01) for the majority of egg characteristics. As dietary DDGS level increased, yolk color density increased. Elevating DDGS level up to 18% increased yolk cholesterol, total fat, and total unsaturated fatty acids. The effects of EEM supplementation on egg yolk fatty acid composition and the interaction effects between DDGS and EEM were not significant. Considering these results, it could be concluded that DDGS is an acceptable feed ingredient in layer diets and that the maximum inclusion level of DDGS should not exceed 12% of the whole diet.