This study aimed to develop a high-productivity breed of Korean native Samgye chicken. We evaluated the production performance of six Korean native chicken combinations (KNC-SCYC, SCYD, SDYC, SDYD, SYYC, SYYD) and GSP-Hanhyup Korean native chickens, with Baeksemi chickens used as a control group. The performance test was conducted from hatching to 7 weeks of age on 756 chickens, and we measured survival rate, body weight, shank length, feed utility, and carcass yield. The overall survival rate was nearly 100% for all strains. However, body weight showed significant differences between strains at all ages (P<0.01), with Baeksemi weighing 863.8±76.9 g, GSP-Hanhyup weighing 804.7±72.5 g, and KNC-combinations weighing 543.0±61.8 g at 5 weeks of age. The duration needed to reach 850 g was estimated to be 34.5 days for Baeksemi, 37.5 days for GSP-Hanhyup, and 45.8-48.8 days for KNC-combinations. Carcass yield percentage was highest for KNC-SYYD combination at 63.3%, followed by Baeksemi at 60.4%, and GSP-Hanhyup at 56.1%. Shank length at 850 g body weight was 7.6 cm for KNC-SYYD combination, 7.8 cm for Baeksemi, and 8.0 cm for GSP-Hanhyup. The feed conversion ratio at 850 g body weight was 1.81 for Baeksemi, 2.17 for GSP-Hanhyup, and 2.27 for KNC-SCYC combination. Our results suggest that the KNC-SYYD combination and GSP-Hanhyup breed have the potential to be used in Samgye production due to their moderate growth performance, higher carcass yield, and shorter shank length, despite their lower growth productivity and feed efficiency when compared to Baeksemi.

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In this study, Rubus coreanus (R. coreanus) byproducts with high polyphenol content were fermented with R. coreanus-derived lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum GBL 16 and 17). Then the effect of R. coreanus-derived lactic acid bacteria fermented feed (RC-LAB fermented feed) with probiotics (Bacillus subtills, Aspergillus oryzae, Yeast) as a feed additive for pigs on the composition of intestinal microbes and the regulation of intestinal immune homeostasis was investigated. Seventy-two finishing Berkshire pigs were randomly allotted to four different treatment groups and 18 replicates. RC-LAB fermented feed with probiotics increased the genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Mitsuokella, Prevotella, Bacteroides spp., Roseburia spp., and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which are beneficial bacteria of the digestive tract of pigs. Also, RC-LAB fermented feed with probiotics decreased the genera Clostridium, Terrisporobacter, Romboutsia, Kandleria, Megasphaera and Escherichia, which are harmful bacteria. In particular, the relative abundance of the genera Lactobacillus and Streptococcus increased by an average of 8.51% and 4.68% in the treatment groups and the classes Clostridia and genera Escherichia decreased by an average of 27.05% and 2.85% in the treatment groups. In mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleens, the mRNA expression of transcription factors and cytokines in Th1 and Treg cells increased and the mRNA expression of Th2 and Th17 transcription factors and cytokines decreased, indicating a regulatory effect on intestinal immune homeostasis. RC-LAB fermented feed regulates gut immune homeostasis by influencing the composition of beneficial and detrimental microorganisms in the gut and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells.

This study was to investigate the relationship between chick weight in the growing period and the laying performance of Korean native chicken (KNC) breeders. We measured the body weights of 1,384 KNC breeders at 1-140 days of age at two-week intervals. The age at first egg laying, hen-day and hen-housed egg production, and the egg weights were investigated. Correlation coefficients between the body weight and egg production traits were analyzed. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between body weight and age at first egg laying were significantly positive before 4 weeks, but negative after 8 weeks of age. The correlation coefficients between body weight and egg production rate were estimated to be negative before 8 weeks and positive after 12 weeks of age. Coefficients of hen-day and hen-housed egg production were similar. There was little correlation between body weight and egg weight at 32 weeks of age, whereas a low positive correlation was with egg weight at 50 weeks. In conclusion, there was little correlation between body weight and laying performance before 8 weeks of age, whereas a significant positive correlation was with body weight after 12 weeks. The results suggest that as the chick's weight increases in the late growing stage, sexual maturity is faster, the egg production rate is higher, and the egg weight increases. Therefore, the weight management of KNC female breeders is very important in the late growing stage, and the body weight of chicks must be maintained above the standard weight.