The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional efficiency of feed additives on base L-carnitine (30 %) in drinking water on performance and carcass parameters of broiler chickens. The study was realised on 100 Ross 308 broiler chickens randomly divided into two groups. Chickens from the experimental group were supplemented with preparation on the base L-carnitine in drinking water (1 ml per 1.2 l) during three periods: from 1 to 5, 19 to 23, and 37 to 41 days of age. The study evaluated the effect of L-carnitine supplemented to chickens on performance and slaughter parameters. It was found that L-carnitine supplemented to drinking water increase final body weight and improved feed consumption over the whole fattening period. From carcass parameters addition of preparation on base L-carnitine statistically significant increased proportion of leg muscle in males, not significantly reduced the proportion of breast muscle in males and females and increased carcass yield in both of sexes. The addition of L-carnitine in broiler chickens from the experimental group had little effect on the percentage of fat, gizzard, liver and heart in the carcass.

The Oravka tawny is a Slovak national breed of chicken. This breed has combined utility, which means it is valuable for both its meat and eggs. The Oravka tawny is linked to a specific region, Orava, and therefore these products could be protected by European geographical indication. The labeling and sale of chicken meat by the traditional breed of origin are widely used to promote quality and attract those products in the marketplace. For that use, we created the system and method of authentication that can reliably distinguish between the Oravka tawny, other chicken breeds, and other of Oravka’s colorful characters. In our research, we analyzed 153 chicken feathers from the Oravka breed as well as from breeds used in the process of breeding the Oravka to their current state. They were divided into nine populations. To separate those populations, we used seven microsatellite markers recommended by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and other authors. To create separate clusters of individual breeds, we used DAPC (discriminant analysis of principal components) analysis.

The genetic diversity was assessed in 102 individual genotypes in two national goose breeds Suchovska and Slovak and one extinct production crossbreed Tesedik Goose. A total of 40 alleles were found across 6 detected microsatellite loci with a mean number of 6.67 alleles per locus. The mean observed heterozygosity in total population was 0.40. The degree of inbreeding of Suchovska, Slovak and Tesedik calculated as a mean FIS was 0.15, 0.11 and 0.07 respectively. The populations were low differentiated, with a mean FST value 0.075 in total population. The highest genetic distance was estimated between Slovak and Tesedik (0.087). The results of genetic diversity showed that Suchovska and Slovak Goose satisfies criteria for endangered breeds.

Genetic diversity study as a tool for knowledge of the within-and among-breed diversity is particularly important in the case of endangered breeds as well as for reconstructing the history of livestock. The characterization of the genetic diversity and structure were assessed in Tesedik Goose based on 6 microsatellite (Aalμ1, Bcaμ1, CKW21, TTUCG5, Ans2, Ans25) loci analysis in a total population of 50 geese. A total of 28 alleles were found across population with a mean number of 4.67 alleles per locus. An average allele frequency was 0.67 per locus. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.43. The degree of inbreeding calculated as a mean FIS was 0.07.