The aim of this study was to identify the optimal turning duration of Dandarawi hen incubated eggs on embryo mortality, hatchability, one-day chick weight and viability of chicks at 14 days of age. Collected eggs from Dandarawi hens at 36 weeks of age were stored for 7-d at 16°C and 75% RH and then were incubated for 21-d under standard incubation conditions using different turning durations. Eggs were turned from d 2 till d 12 (T12), 13 (T13), 14 (T14), 15 (T15), 16 (T16), 17 (T17) or 18 (T18) of incubation. Eggs were turned once per hour through an angle of 90°. Three replicates of 100 eggs each per turning treatment per 3 incubation settings (total of 2,100 eggs) were studied. The results showed that turning eggs till d 12 of incubation of Dandarawi hatching eggs gave better hatchability and lower embryonic mortality and pepping chicks than turning eggs till d 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of incubation. One-day old chick and chick weight as a percent of egg weight did not differ between the different treatments of turning duration. Viability of chicks at 14 days of age were lower (P≤0.05) for eggs turned till d 16 and 17 of incubation as compared to the other treatments which did not differ significantly. In general, turning Dandarawi hatching eggs till d 12 of incubation gave better hatchability and lower embryonic mortality and pepping chicks. Moreover, it did not have any significant effect on the viability of chicks at 14 days of age.

Three hundred and sixty, 4 weeks old sexed Dandarawi chicken were classified into two equal groups, the first served as the control (C), while the second was the treatment (T). Each group included 90 males and 90 females, divided into three replicates of 60 birds each. The feed was offered two times daily at 10 AM and 4 PM for the C group and at 6 PM and 2 AM for the T group. Birds in the C and T groups were exposed daily, during the growing period, to 12 hrs artificial lighting, from 8 AM to 8 PM or 6 PM to 6 AM, respectively. Throughout the laying period, the photoperiod increased gradually to reach 16 lighting hrs from 8 AM to 12 PM and from 6 PM to 10 AM for the C and T groups, respectively. The achieved results could be concluded as follow: Males and females fed from 6 PM to 2 AM in the T group had better (P≤0.05) body weight, body weight gain, body weight change and feed efficiency expressed as g feed/ g gain. Birds in T showed significantly (P≤0.05) higher values in hen day egg production, egg weight, egg number, egg mass and economical efficiency, in addition to a remarkably improved (P≤0.05) feed conversion, expressed as g feed/ g egg mass, fertility and true hatchability than the corresponding values for the C group. Also, they had fewer deaths than those in C group. No significant differences were observed in feed consumption during the growing and laying periods between the T and C groups. In general, choosing the best adequate time for feeding the birds, associated with the most temperate climatic conditions could be considered as one of the most efficient manipulations to improve the production and reproduction performance of Dandarawi chicken raised under the prevailing hot climatic conditions in Assiut.

The effects of exposing Dandarawi fertile eggs to warm air before incubation on embryonic development, mortality and hatchability were studied. Seven hundred and fifty fertile eggs were used in this trial. Eggs were collected and stored at 16ºC for five days. Eggs were taken out the storage room and set for 12 hours in ambient air temperature (28ºC). Individual egg weights were recorded, then eggs were divided into five treatment groups (n=150 of each group). The first group (G1) was left for an additional 24 hours at room temperature and served as control. While, the other four groups (G2, G3, G4 and G5) were exposed to a temperature of (38-38.2ºC) for the respective durations of 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours, respectively, then to the ambient temperature (28ºC). After the 36 hours from taking the eggs out the storage room, all groups were set in the incubator. A sample of eggs from each group (n= 12 of each once) was cracked to record embryos’ relative weights at 6, 12 and 18 d of incubation. Eggs exposed (P0.05) to warm air prior to incubation had higher embryos weights at 6 and 12 d of incubation compared to the control. At hatch, no significant differences in hatchling weights were observed. Warming eggs before incubation decreased embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improved hatchability (P0.05). In conclusion the pre-incubation warming for 10 or 12 hrs reduces embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improves hatchability in Dandarawi eggs

Four hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old, sexed Japanese quail birds were wing- banded, individually weighed and equally distributed into two groups (G1 to G2). G1 was reared on litter floor, while G2 was housed in batteries with a sex ratio of 1:2. Each group was divided into two equal subgroups at two densities which were further classified into 3 replicates (30 and 45 bird/replicate). All experimental birds were raised till 20 weeks of age. The achieved results could be concluded as follow: The BWG of females (F) raised in batteries at both densities I and II (BD1 and BD2) exceeded (P≤0.05) those of F raised on litter floor at both densities I and II (LD1 and LD2). The mortality rate decreased in batteries than on litter flower. Also, it decreased at the lower stocking density than that of the higher density. The feed consumption from 4 to 8 weeks of age for M and F in LD1 and LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2. The feed conversion as g feed per g gain (FCRg) of F at both densities (BD1 and BD2) improved (P≤0.05) than those of LD1 and LD2. The FCRg values of M at BD2 improved (P≤0.05) than that of LD2. Feed conversion as g feed per g egg mass (FCRe) for LD1 and LD2 were significantly (P≤0.05) better than those of BD1 and BD2. The differences in egg weight, egg shell thickness and albumen percentage among all groups were insignificant. Shell percentage of birds at LD1 and LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2. The hen day production (HDP), egg number (EN) and egg mass (EM) surpassed (P≤0.05) in LD1 those of LD1, BD1 and BD2. The birds in LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2 for HDP, EN and EM. The fertility percentage (FP) for LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) that of LD1, BD1 and BD2. Economical efficiency (EE) of birds raised on litter floor exceeded that of birds raised in batteries. It exceeded at LD1 those of LD2, BD1 and BD2, while it at LD2 surpassed those of BD1 and BD2. In general, quails raised on litter floor had higher EE than that of birds raised in battery cages. The birds raised on litter floor were superior in FCRe, HDP, EN and EM; in addition to improved FP. Quails raised at the densities I and II on litter floor had the same EE. Applying the density II could be considered more economic and efficient than density I due to saving in management costs as well as in raising housing space area.

The lighting program can have a major influence on the productive performance of Dandarawi chickens during rearing and laying periods. Two hundred 8 weeks old Dandarawi pullets were equally distributed into 5 groups (G1 to G5). The pullets in G1 to G5 were exposed during the rearing period (8 to 18 weeks of age) to 8L:16D, 10L:14D, 12L:12D, 14L:10D, and 16L:8D hrs daily, respectively. The results showed that, at 26 and 62 weeks of age, no significant differences were observed in body weight among the 5 groups. Body weight gain during the rearing period for G5 significantly (P≤0.05) exceeded that of all the other groups. The total mortality rate (8-62 weeks of age) of the G3 group was lower than those of the other groups. The age at sexual maturity decreased gradually with increasing the photoperiod. No significant differences were observed in feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion, as g feed per g gain during rearing period among the 5 groups. However, during laying period, the hens of the 12L:12D group had significantly (P≤0.05) better feed conversion as g feed per g egg mass; decreased FC; greater egg production, eggs number, egg mass; and better shell percentage and economical efficiency than the other groups. No significant differences were observed in egg weight, egg shape index, egg yolk and albumen percentages among the 5 groups. The egg yolk index of 14L:10D group was significantly better (P≤0.05) those of the other groups. Haugh units of the G2, G3 and G4 were significantly (P≤0.05) higher than those of the G1 and G5. It was recommended to expose Dandarawi pullet’s, during the period from 8 to 18 wks of age, to 12L:12D hrs daily to obtain higher productive performance during the laying period .

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of a probiotic as alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for broiler chicks. One hundred and fifty unsexed one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five equal groups; the first was considered the control group, while the second to fifth were the treatments groups. Each group included three equal replicates each of 20 chicks. The ration used in the first group was the experimental ration without any supplements (control) while, those of 2-5 treatment groups were the same ration, but supplemented with antibiotic Neomycin (200 mg/kg diet), probiotic (1g/kg diet), probiotic (1.5g/kg diet), and probiotic (2g/kg diet), respectively. All birds were raised in wire floored batteries with following dimensions width: 97 cm; length: 50 cm; height: 45 cm under similar environmental and management conditions. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR); carcass and some organ weights percentages as well as intestines and ceca lengths were determined at the end of the experiment (42 days of age). The obtained results revealed that birds fed ration supplemented with antibiotic (G2), achieved significantly heavier final BW and higher BWG than birds received different levels of probiotic (G3 to G5) or the control diet (G1). However, birds received 1g or 1.5g probiotic/kg diets (G3 or G4) had significantly higher final BW and BWG than those fed the probiotic diet (G5) and the control diet (G1). Birds fed antibiotic diet (G2) or received 1g and 1.5 g probiotic/kg diets (G3 and G4) had significantly better FCR values than those of birds fed the control diet (G1) and 2g probiotic/kg diet (G5). The total mortality rate of birds in G3 was lower than those of the other groups. Supplementing the diets with antibiotic or probiotics did not affect the percentages of carcass and body organ weights (gizzard, liver, heart, spleen and Giblets) as well as the lengths of intestines and ceca. The abdominal fat percentage in G1 and G4 was decreased compared to the other groups. Therefore, the supplementation of 1.5 g probiotic/kg diet as an alternative to antibiotics in broiler diet is highly recommended to obtain higher growth performance, improved feed conversion, and lower mortality, without adverse effect on abdominal fat and carcass traits.

One hundred and eighty, 60 weeks old, Hi-sex Brown laying hens were randomly classified into three equal experimental groups. Each of them included twelve replicates, of 5 hens each. Birds in all replicates were kept individually in wire cages under controlled conditions in a closed laying house. Experimental hens in groups 1, 2 and 3 were fasted all 24 hrs for 8, 10 and 12 days, respectively. All hens were receiving water ad libitum. At the end of fastening, birds in each group were divided into two equal subgroups. Birds in the first three subgroups were fed on mash diets, while those of the second three subgroups fed pelleted diets. Body weight loss of fasted hens for 12 d (35.8%) excelled significantly those (30.6 and 27.3%) of fasted hens for 8 and 10 d, respectively. All fasted groups ceased egg production by 5 d of the start of fasting and remained out of production until 19, 21 and 27 days before the onset of laying for 8, 10, 12 days fasted groups, respectively. They reached 50% hen-day post molt egg production by 40, 48, 55 d, respectively. During the experimental period, the mortality rate (MR) of 10 d fasted group (5.1%) decreased significantly than both of 8 and 12 d fasted groups (6.6%). The molted hens by 10 d fasting which fed on either fed on either mash or pelleted diets had lower morality than the other subgroups. The molted hens by fasting 10 or 12 d had significantly better hen day egg production (HDP) and egg mass (EM); significantly more shell and yolk percentages(SP and YP, respectively); and significantly less albumen percentage (AP) than those of the molted hens by 8 d. The molted hens by fasting 10 d had significantly improved feed conversation ratio (FCR) than those of fasted hens by 8 and 12 d. The differences due to fasting periods in egg weight (EW), feed consumption (FC), mortality rate (MR), egg shape index (ESI), Haugh unit (HU) and egg yolk index (EYI) were very limited and insignificant. Feeding on pelleted rations had significantly higher HDP, EW, EM, FC, shell thickness (ST), SP and HU; as well as significantly less FCR as compared with hens fed on mash diets. Feed form did not affect MR, YP, AP, ESI and EYI. All fasted hens on mash diets had significantly decreased FC; increased EW; and improved FCR as compared with those of fasted hens fed pelleted diets. The achieved results could suggest that inducing molt of laying hens by 10 d fasting and feeding on mash diets can achieves better FCR, lower MR, and without adverse effects on the productive performance.

The effects of exposing Dandarawi fertile eggs to warm air before incubation on embryonic development, mortality and hatchability were studied. Seven hundred and fifty fertile eggs were used in this trial. Eggs were collected and stored at 16ºC for five days. Eggs were taken out the storage room and set for 12 hours in ambient air temperature (28ºC). Individual egg weights were recorded, then eggs were divided into five treatment groups (n=150 of each group). The first group (G1) was left for an additional 24 hours at room temperature and served as control. While, the other four groups (G2, G3, G4 and G5) were exposed to a temperature of (38-38.2ºC) for the respective durations of 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours, respectively, then to the ambient temperature (28ºC). After the 36 hours from taking the eggs out the storage room, all groups were set in the incubator. A sample of eggs from each group (n= 12 of each once) was cracked to record embryos’ relative weights at 6, 12 and 18 d of incubation. Eggs exposed (P0.05) to warm air prior to incubation had higher embryos weights at 6 and 12 d of incubation compared to the control. At hatch, no significant differences in hatchling weights were observed. Warming eggs before incubation decreased embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improved hatchability (P0.05). In conclusion the pre-incubation warming for 10 or 12 hrs reduces embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improves hatchability in Dandarawi eggs.

The effects of exposing Dandarawi fertile eggs to warm air before incubation on embryonic development, mortality and hatchability were studied. Seven hundred and fifty fertile eggs were used in this trial. Eggs were collected and stored at 16ºC for five days. Eggs were taken out the storage room and set for 12 hours in ambient air temperature (28ºC). Individual egg weights were recorded, then eggs were divided into five treatment groups (n=150 of each group). The first group (G1) was left for an additional 24 hours at room temperature and served as control. While, the other four groups (G2, G3, G4 and G5) were exposed to a temperature of (38-38.2ºC) for the respective durations of 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours, respectively, then to the ambient temperature (28ºC). After the 36 hours from taking the eggs out the storage room, all groups were set in the incubator. A sample of eggs from each group (n= 12 of each once) was cracked to record embryos’ relative weights at 6, 12 and 18 d of incubation. Eggs exposed (P0.05) to warm air prior to incubation had higher embryos weights at 6 and 12 d of incubation compared to the control. At hatch, no significant differences in hatchling weights were observed. Warming eggs before incubation decreased embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improved hatchability (P0.05). In conclusion the pre-incubation warming for 10 or 12 hrs reduces embryonic mortality, pepping chicks and improves hatchability in Dandarawi eggs.

A factorial design (3breeds x 3 Supplemented diets) of the present study was determined. A total number of eighty one New Zealand White (NZW), California (CA) and Ve-Line (VL) growing rabbit females strains at 30 days old was similarly body weights averaged (550 g ± 33) and was distributed into 9 groups (G1 to G9), each of three equal replicates. G1 to G3 (Enz0) for NZ, CA and VL strains, respectively were served as controls. G4 to G6 (Enz1) for NZ, CA and VL strains, respectively were supplemented with 1 g Veta-zyme/kg commercial diet, while the G7 to G9 (Enz2) were supplemented with 2 g Veta-zyme/kg commercial diet. The experiment was terminated when rabbits were 72 days old. Body weights (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. At the end of the experiment, 6 females for each group were slaughtered to determine carcass criteria. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: No significant differences in BWG, FI and FCR among different strains were observed. Supplementing Enz1 or Enz2 in growing diets exceeded significantly (P≤0.05) exceeded BW, BWG and FCR than those of Enz0 during the experimental period (30 to 72 days of age). However, the improvement in FCR and increasing in BW and BWG were higher in Enz1 groups than those of Enz2 ones. Veta-zyme supplemented in diet had no affect on FI. There were no significant differences in carcass criteria under study due to strains or Veta-zyme supplement to diet except liver weight percentage. Conclusively, from these results could be concluded that supplemental Veta-zyme at the levels of 1g/kg diet for different growing female three rabbit strains improved growth performance.