This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different feed forms on small intestine histomorphology of broiler chicken at 35 days of age. A total of 72 unsexed New-Lohman broiler chicks was placed into three treatments with three replications of 8 chicks. Feed treatments were given in two phases: 0-21 days and 22-35 days. The treatments group consisted of T1 (0-21 days: mash form, 22-35 days: mash form, defined as mash: mash), T2 and T3 were crumble:crumble and crumble: pellet form, respectively. Parameters evaluated were small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) histomorphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus height to crypt depth ratio), as well as their weight (g) and length (cm). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Villus height, crypt depth, and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum of T1 were lower than T2 and T3. The length and weight of duodenum and jejunum of T2 and T3 were higher than T1. It can be concluded that broilers fed by crumble: crumble and crumble: pellet form could improve the development of small intestine as well as its histomorphology.

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Genetic parameters for egg production traits in Alabio and Mojosari ducks were estimated. Egg production data were collected from 530 Alabio and 461 Mojosari ducks. The ducks were 6th generation of selection program for egg production trait at the BPTU-HPT Pelaihari. Heritability values were estimated using paternal half-sib correlation method in a one-way analysis of variance. The result showed that heritability estimates for body weight at 16 weeks of age were high, in Alabio ducks (0.63±0.242) and in Mojosari duck (0.88±0.269). Heritability for body weight at first egg was 0.55±0.23 in Alabio duck and 0.44±0.222 in Mojosari duck. The heritability estimates for number of eggs from months 1-3 (EN3) and 1-6 (EN6), ranging from 0.30 to 0.46. The heritability for number of eggs from months 1-12 (EN12) was high in Alabio duck (0.62) and moderate in Mojosari duck (0.46). The EN12 had high genetic correlation with EN3 and EN6 (ranging from 0.80 to 0.99). EN12 had a negative genetic correlation with body weight and age at first egg (between -0.81 and -0.21). This finding indicates that EN3 could be used as a selection criteria to increase EN12 in Alabio and Mojosari ducks.

Prolactin (PRL) affects egg production in duck as it induces broodiness and promotes follicles development. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphism of PRL gene and egg production traits in Alabio and Mojosari Ducks. Genomic DNA were isolated from 111 blood samples (51 Alabio and 60 Mojosari). PCR and sequencing were performed to identify poly-morphisms and genotype of the animals. Data recording of the ducks including body weight at 16 weeks of age and at first egg, average weight of three first eggs laid and egg number laid up to 3, 6 and 12 months production were collected. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-Test. As a result, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were detected in intron 4. Both SNP C-5796A and SNP T-5817C were found to have association with egg number laid up to three months (P<0,005). The CA/TC genotype had higher egg number than CC/TT. These suggested that SNP C-5796A and SNP T-5817C could be potential markers for marker assisted selection to increase egg number in duck.

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