The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of estrus synchronization programmes on parturition time and some reproductive characteristics of Saanen goats. Estrus of Saanen goats was synchronized as follows: by use of intravaginal sponges containing 30 mg flugestone acetate for 11 days following IM injection of 500 IU PMSG (group PP; n = 80) or only intravaginal sponges (group P; n = 80) and natural estrus (control; C, n = 50). Forty-eight hours after removing intravaginal sponges, all goats were introduced to Saanen bucks. Kidding rate and litter size of goats in the PP group were higher than those of goats in the C and P groups (P < .05). Neonatal mortality rate of kids from goats in the PP group was found higher than those of goats in the C and P groups (P < .05). The length of kidding period in goats of group C was longer than goats in the P and PP groups (P < .05). Births showed a unimodal distribution, with maximum parturition at midday and minimum parturition at midnight in all goats. The parturition that occurred during daytime hours in goats of P and PP groups was more than goats in the C group (P < .05). The results of this study may suggest that estrus synchronization shortened the length of the kidding period, concentrated parturition time during daylight hours and increased reproductive performance in Saanen goats.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Successful incubation affects the number of healthy chicks in all poultry species. This study examined the effect of eggshell thickness on the hatching rates of guinea fowl and pheasant eggs. In total, 964 guinea fowl and 1,728 pheasant eggs were used in the study. Eggshell thickness was measured directly with an ultrasound gauge. Thicknesses ranged between 0.27-0.47 mm in guinea fowl and 0.24-0.49 mm in pheasant eggs. Incubation periods were 28 days for guinea fowl and 25 days for pheasant eggs. At the end of the incubation period, unhatched eggs were broken to identify the causes of embryonic mortality. Eggs were classified as thin-, medium-and thick-shelled, and hatching rates were calculated as a function of eggshell thickness. Differences in hatching rates of guinea fowl and pheasant eggs with different shell thicknesses were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
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