The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of rosemary, oregano and fennel volatile oil (FVO) supplementation on the performance and ilio-caecal bacteriological flora of broiler chickens. A total of 800 male Ross-308 broiler chickens were divided equally into 8 groups; each contained 100 chickens. The study included a control treatment (NC) with no dietary additives that was supplemented with oils according to the following 7 treatments: 200 mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg (PC), 100 mg oregano volatile oil (OVO)/kg, 100 mg rosemary volatile oil (RVO)/kg, 100 mg FVO/kg and an equal mixture of oregano+rosemary+fennel VO (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, VOM-1, VOM-2 and VOM-3, respectively). The experiment lasted for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol, oregano, rosemary and FVO and two different volatile oil mixtures (VOMs) (VOM-2; VOM-3) significantly increased the body weights (BWs) of broilers at 7, 14 and 21 d of age compared to the negative control (NC) (-) and VOM-1 groups. At 0-42 d, birds fed on VOM-3 were considerably heavier and also gained more weight than NC (-) and VOM-1 groups. The blend of VOs at 400 mg/kg significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. in faeces. The blends of oregano, rosemary and FVOs (VOM-3) at 400 mg/kg concentration and also VOM-3 group exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against coliform bacteria compared to the NC (-) group. In conclusion, the blend of oregano, rosemary and fennel VOs at higher concentrations (400 mg/kg concentration) in diets can be used to stimulate the growth and can improve the intestinal microbial balance (including a reduction of coliform bacteria and an increase in Lactobacillus spp. counts) of broiler chickens.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of juniper oil (JO) dietary supplementation on the laying performance, egg traits and egg malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations of quail. 2. A total of 400 female Pharaoh quails were equally divided into 4 groups containing 100 quails (5 replicates of 20 quails each). The study included a control treatment with no diet additives, and the treatments were as follows: (group 1) 100 mg JO/kg; (group 2) 200 mg JO/kg; (group 3) 300 mg JO/kg. The experiment was carried out for 60 d. 3. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences in body weight, egg weight, egg mass, egg shape index, yolk colour, egg production, feed consumption or feed efficiency. 4. The Haugh unit was increased in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. Dietary fortification with JO improved eggshell thickness and breaking strength compared to the control group. Furthermore, the damaged egg ratio was significantly decreased in group 3 compared to the control. The increasing concentration of JO (200 and 300 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in egg yolk MDA concentration after 15 and 30 d of storage at 20°C. 5. It was concluded that inclusion of JO in layer diets can improve egg quality characteristics in terms of Haugh unit, eggshell thickness and breaking strength. Moreover, supplementation of JO in the diets of quail may enhance the antioxidant status of eggs, and the most effective doses of JO were 200 and 300 mg/kg.

1. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of juniper oil on growth performance and meat quality in quails to determine its use as a safe and natural method to reduce overdependence on the use of antibiotic. 2. A total of 1000 1-d-old Pharaoh (Coturnix coturnix Pharaoh) quails, including both males and females, were divided into 4 groups containing 250 quails and treated as follows: (1) a control group with 0 mg volatile oil/kg diet; (2) 100 mg/kg juniper oil; (3) 150 mg/kg juniper oil and (4) 200 mg/kg juniper oil. The diets were prepared fresh for each treatment. The experiment was carried out for 42 d. 3. The results of the study showed that supplementation with juniper oil (100 and 150 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in live weight, live weight gain and carcass yields during the growing and finishing periods. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced by treatments. 4. The quails given rations containing juniper oil had reduced thiobarbituric acid levels in raw thigh meat samples at different storage times. Juniper oil was found to have significant antioxidant activity and prevented lipid oxidation in stored meat. 5. In conclusion, natural antioxidants such as a juniper oil can be used instead of synthetic antioxidants to retard lipid oxidation in animal diets to improve meat product quality and animal performance.

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How to Cite This ArticleCetin I, Turkmen II, Kara C, Orman A, Sen E: Improved lactational performance in dairy cows supplemented with methionine or rumen-protected choline during the transition period. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg, 24 (2): 289-293, 2018. DOI: 10.9775/kvfd.2017 AbstractThe current study was aimed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with rumen-protected choline and methionine on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition and body condition score of transition cows. In this study, 32 Holstein dairy cows which made one parturition at least was used as the animal material. The cows were randomly assigned to four groups according to lactation number, previous lactation milk yield and body condition score before close-up. Cows within each group was fed a basal control (CON) diet (n=8). Cows in treatment group methionine (MET, n=8) were supplemented with 42 g/d of methionine (Metasmart R ). Cows in treatment group choline (CHOL, n=8) were supplemented with 75 g/d of rumen protected choline (RPC) source (CholiPEARL TM ). Cows in treatment group Mix (MIX, n=8) were supplemented with 75 g/d RPC and 42 g/d methionine. Milk yields and dry matter intakes were determined during the trial as daily. At the results of analyses that were detected; milk yield and composition the highest level in MET group (P<0.028). In conclusion of this study that was determined; the supplementation of methionine to the rations of dairy cows affected milk yield and composition positively. Keywords: Methionine, Rumen-protected choline, Transition periods, Dairy cows Geçiş Dönemindeki Süt İneklerinde Metiyonin veya Korunmuş Kolin İlavesinin Laktasyon Performansını Geliştirmesi ÖzBu çalışma, geçiş dönemindeki süt sığırlarında, rasyonlarına ilave edilen korunmuş kolin ve metiyoninin, kuru madde tüketimi, süt verimi, süt kompozisyonu ve vücut kondisyon skoru üzerine etkilerini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapıldı. Çalışmada, en az bir doğum yapmış 32 adet Holştayn inek kullanıldı. İnekler, laktasyon sayısı, önceki süt verimi ve geç kuru dönem öncesindeki kondisyon skorlarına göre rastgele dört gruba ayrıldı. Bütün gruplardaki inekler bazal kontrol rasyonu ile beslendi. Metiyonin grubundaki ineklere günlük 42 g metiyonin ilave edildi. Kolin grubundaki ineklere günlük 75 g korunmuş kolin ilave edildi. Miks grubundaki ineklere günlük 75 g korunmuş kolin ve 42 g metiyonin ilave edildi. Süt verimleri ve kuru madde tüketimleri günlük belirlendi. Yapılan analizler sonucunda süt verimi ve süt bileşenlerinin MET grubunda en yüksek düzeyde olduğu tespit edilmiştir (P<0.028). Sonuç olarak, yüksek verimli süt sığırlarının rasyonlarına korunmuş metiyonin ilavesinin, süt verimi ve bileşenlerini olumlu yönde etkilediği belirlenmiştir.