This work was carried out to study the effect of different sources of dietary antibiotics (Zinc bacitracin, Flavomycin, Virginiamycin) in rations with optimal protein levels (starter phase: 23.5%, finisher phase: 20.0%) and low protein levels (starter phase: 19.6%, finisher phase: 17.0%) on broiler performance with 8 groups of 75 broiler each. The supplement of diets, containing the optimal and low protein level, with antibiotics increased the body weight after 7 weeks of age and improved the feed conversion as compared with control groups. Virginiamycin was superior in increasing body weights after 7 weeks of age and in improving the feed conversion with rations containing low protein level when compared with zinc bacitracin and Flavomycin. When broiler rations, low in the protein content, were supplemented with antibiotics, they could not substitute the difference in optimal protein level. Antibiotics supplementation increased the value of improvement in production efficiency and this was more pronounced with Virginiamycin.

This study was carried out to detect the differences in some physiological aspects of female reproductive system of Muscovy, Pekin ducks and their intergeneric Hybrid cross. Fifty days old female ducklings from each breed and cross were raised until 25 weeks of age. Ovary, oviduct weights and oviduct length, histological measurements of the ovary and serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations were measured at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 22 weeks of age. The results indicated that there were significant differences between breeds in the studied physiological aspects of the female reproductive system. Crossing between Muscovy males and Pekin females produced intergeneric sterile birds which are known as mule ducks. All characteristic studies of the female reproductive system of these Hybrid ducks were physiologically and histologically abnormal as compared to Muscovy or Pekin ducks.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) by locally available oilseed meals i.e., sunflower seed meal (SFM) and sesame seed meal (SSM) at different substitution levels 25, 50 and 100% on an isonitrogenous and isocaloric basis. A total number of 315 mixed sex 7 th days-old Japanese quails were randomly distributed into 7 treatment groups of 45 birds each, with three replicates containing 15 birds each. The experiment was carried out for 42 days (from7th to 48 th days of age). Treatment 1 was fed a control diet (100% SBM), whereas treatment 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7 were fed diets containing 25, 50 and 100% of both SFM and SSM respectively. SBM was replaced with SFM and SSM on a weight basis. Experimental diets and fresh water were offered ad libitum along with the experimental period. Results revealed that substitution of SBM by SFM at 50% and 100% significantly (p≤0.05) increased live body weight, body weight gain, protein and energy efficiency ratios compared with quails fed other dietary treatment groups. While feed intake, protein and energy intakes were significantly (p≤0.05) higher for quails fed 100% SBM (control group) compared with quails fed SFM or SSM at different levels. However feed conversion ratio was the best for quails fed 100% and 50% SFM, followed by quails fed 100%SSM, 25%SFM, 50% SSM and control diet (100% SBM) respectively, while the worst FCR was observed for quails fed 25% SSM. The highest mortality rate was observed for quails fed 100% SSM, while the lowest values were recorded for quails fed 25% SFM. Carcass traits expressed as percentage of body weight were significantly (p≤0.05) affected by replacing SBM with SFM and SSM at different levels, where the percentage of total edible part were significantly (p≤0.05) higher for quails fed 50 % SFM, while the lowest values were shown for quails fed 25% SSM and 100% SBM (control group). However total inedible parts percentage were significantly (p≤0.05) higher for quails fed 100% SBM (control group), while the lowest values were recorded for quails fed 50% SFM. Concerning plasma parameters and carcass composition measured at the end of experimental period significant (p≤0.05) differences were observed among the experimental groups due to feeding Japanese quails on diets containing different levels of SFM and SSM or control group, except with ALT values, where insignificant differences were detected. Replacement of SBM by SFM or SSM at 25, 50 and 100% levels reduced feed costs/birds. In general, conclusion based on the present results it could be recommended that SFM or SSM can safely replace SBM up to 50 and100% without any adverse effects on growth performance or carcass traits of Japanese quail and using of SFM in quail diets as a plant protein alternative source was better than SSM.

No abstract