The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using birth weight of kids for weaning on growth and milk yield characteristics of Saanen and Alpine goats. A total of 24 does and their 40 kids were assigned to weaning groups when the kids reached three (X3) or four times (X4) their individual birth weights. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial design with two weaning stages (X3 vs. X4) and two breeds (S: Saanen; A: Alpine). The averages of weaning age of the SX3, AX3, SX4, and AX4 kids were determined as 42.75, 42.21, 53.15, and 65.81 days, respectively. The weaning groups and the interaction between weaning and breed had effects (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) on weaning age of the kids. The average daily weight gain before weaning was different in weaning groups (P < 0.001). On the contrary, the growth performances of the kids until breeding age were not different between groups. The milk yield characteristics of dams in groups were not different. The results indicated that weaning at a predetermined weight based on birth weight can be done successfully in dairy goats under intensive conditions.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the long-term feeding of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on laying hen performance, egg fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and sixty 7-day old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to four groups (40 birds per group) and fed for five weeks on a commercial diet supplemented with either 0.5% hazelnut (Group A), 0.5% sunflower oil (Group B), 0.25% CLA (Group C) or 0.5% CLA (Group D). The birds received water and feed ad libitum during the study. At the end of the five weeks the birds were sexed, and 21 females and seven males from each group were selected. For a further six weeks these selected birds were fed a layer diet supplemented with their respective sources of oil. Eggs were collected daily and incubated weekly. The fertility rate was determined by visual inspection at the end of the incubation period. Dietary CLA at the inclusion level of 0.5%, but not at 0.25%, caused a significant decrease in percentage hatchability of the fertile eggs compared to Groups A and B. Hatchability of fertile eggs from Groups A, B, C and D was 74, 80, 72 and 70, respectively. Fertility rates between Groups A, B, C and D did not differ significantly, and were 64.4, 56.4, 66.0 and 62.8%, respectively. Hen-day egg production of Groups A, C and D were similar, but in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6, hens in Group B had a significantly lower hen-day egg production (%) compared to Group A. Also, in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6, egg size in Group B was significantly lower than that in the other groups. From this study it is concluded that dietary CLA at inclusion levels of 0.25% or 0.5% did not influence egg fertility, egg weight and egg production in Japanese quail.

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