The e cacy of ground marigold flower and orange skin was evaluated for egg yolk coloration. Two feeding trials were conducted. The first trial was carried out with laying pullets (Shaver ) that received , g marigold flower and g orange skin per kg of mixed feed in three dietary treatments. Each of the treatments comprised of birds distributed to three replicate groups each of seven. The second trial was conducted with laying pullets of the same genetic source that received , g marigold flower, g orange skin and mg synthetic pigment in four dietary treatments each having number of birds and replicates similar to trial . All birds received identical care and management including diets of more or less similar in composition. Yolk color scores were measured using Roche yolk color fan and other egg quality characteristics and production performance were recorded simultaneously. The noteworthy findings are i) egg yolk color significantly improved and reached to a level of consumers' standard by feeding g/kg marigold flower and ii) egg yolk color was slightly improved by feeding g/kg orange skin as compared to wheat-based control diet. It was concluded that yolk color in laying pullets may be improved by feeding both orange skin or marigold flower but the latter ingredient appeared to be most e ective.: marigold flower, orange skin, yolk color, egg quality, laying performance

The study was conducted to investigate the phenotypic features, morphometry and production potentialities of indigenous dwarf chicken (IDC) of Bangladesh under intensive management condition. A total of 48 females and 12 males were collected from different districts and the experiment was performed at BAU Poultry farm for a period of 75 weeks. The predominant plumage and skin color were black and white, respectively. The average shank length, shank circumference and live weight (28 weeks) in adult males and females were 7.5 and 4.69 cm, 6.28 and 3.69 cm, and 1.77±0.38 and 1.10±0.077 kg, respectively. The reduction of live weight for dwarf male and female chickens relative to their normal shanked counterparts (NSC) at same age was 12.91 and 16.91%, respectively. Hen day egg production, average egg weight, average feed intake and FCR (feed conversion ratio) of IDC were recorded 37.43%, 38.25 g, 69.57g and 4.58, respectively. The average age and weight at sexual maturity were recorded as 166.53 days and 1093 g, respectively. IDC consumed 11.13% less feed than NSC during 1-20 weeks. Survivability of IDC up to 0-8, 1-23 and 24-75 weeks of age were found 97.25, 94.90 and 95.24%, respectively. The study reveal that IDC had relatively lower adult weight and consumed less feed without affecting egg production compared to NSC under intensive management condition and could be exploited its potentiality for development of mini layer under semi-scavenging system of Bangladesh.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1): 52-61

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Abstract:The study was conducted to investigate reproductive potentialities, meat yield and egg quality characteristics of indigenous dwarf chicken (IDC) of Bangladesh under intensive management condition. The experiment was conducted at BAU Poultry farm for a period of 26 months from March 2013 to April 2015.A total of 499 eggs were incubated to examine hatching performance, 64 eggs were used to determine egg quality characteristics and 33 birds of 24 weeks age were slaughtered to investigate meat yield characteristics. The mean of hatching egg weight and IDC chick weight were 39.81g and 26.68g, respectively. Estimated chick weight was 67.19% of the egg weight. The average mature body weight and age at sexual maturity of IDC was 1093.20 g and 166.53 d, respectively. The average hen day egg production of IDC up to 32 and 75 weeks of age was 55.22 and 37.43%, respectively. The estimated fertility and hatchability of IDC eggs were 78.36 and 71.80%. Among the meat yield parameters considered, dressed weight, breast weight and thigh meat weight varied significantly (P<0.05) between the males from IDC and the chicken with normal size shank (CNS). IDC also differed significantly (P<0.01) from CNS in terms of neck length (P<0.01) and drumstick bone length. Egg quality parameters like egg weight, shape index, yolk diameter and egg breaking strength varied significantly (P<0.05) between IDC and CNS. In addition, eggs of IDC and CNS showed significant (P<0.01) variation in dry albumen weight and albumen dry matter percent. In conclusion, the findings of the present study provided with some basic information about the potentialities of IDC which could be utilized in future breeding program.

The study was conducted for a period of 28 days to investigate the response of broiler to the inclusion of de-oiled koroch (Pongamia Pinnata) seed cake in the diet of broiler. A total of 192 day-old broiler chicks were individually weighed and randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatment groups having 4 replications of 12 chicks each, in a completely randomized design. Broilers under treatment 1 received a basal diet containing no koroch seed cake, considered as control; in treatment 2, 3 and 4, broilers were fed on basal diet containing 2%, 4% and 6% koroch seed cake, respectively. All productive performances (live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency) of broiler fed on koroch seed cake were significantly (P<0.01) depressed compared to the control. The degree of depression was increased with the increasing level of koroch seed cake in the diet at all ages of broiler. The meat yield parameters showed a non-significant (P>0.05) effect except for the percentage of dressing yield, breast, liver and gizzard weight for the broilers in all treatment groups. Broilers fed on diet containing 6% koroch seed cake yielded the lowest dressed weight in the treatment groups. Inclusion of 2% koroch seed cake resulted in higher breast meat yield compared to any other level of koroch cake inclusion in the diet (P<0.01). However, liver and gizzard weight were increased significantly (P<0.05) for incorporation of de-oiled koroch seed cake in the diet at all levels (2%, 4% or 6%). On the basis of these results it is concluded that feeding de-oiled koroch cake had no positive effect on growth response and meat yield characteristics of broiler. Therefore, it is suggested that the koroch seed cake may contain anti-nutritional factor(s), which seemed to be associated with growth depression in broilers. Further research is warranted to alleviate the potential toxic effect of koroch seed cake on broiler performances. Habib et al.Broiler productive performance in response to koroch cake feeding Res.