The current investigation aimed to study the effects of feed withdrawal times, water temperature and their interaction on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters and health aspects of native turkeys. 180 one-day old of native turkey chicks, of 4 weeks of age, were used in current work. Turkeys were divided into six equal treatments in a 3×2 factorial arrangement. Birds were allocated in three main groups according to feed withdrawal times (ad libitum, feed withdrawal during 8.00 to 14.00 h; FW8-14, and feed withdrawal during 14.00 to 20.00 h; FW14-20) and then each main group was divided into two sub-groups corresponded to water temperature (ordinary and chilled water). Results indicated that birds reared under FW14-20 had the highest body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) when compared with the other groups. Turkeys drank chilled water recorded higher BW than those had ordinary water. Turkeys reared under FW8-14 and drank chilled water had the highest BW at marketing and BWG during 4-16 weeks of age as compared with the other groups of the interaction. Turkeys kept off feed FW14-20 had the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) when compared with the other groups. Birds reared under FW14-20 and got chilled water had the highest feed efficiency. Feed withdrawal schedules, water temperature and their interaction did not significantly influence carcass traits. Meat color score for birds drank chilled water was higher than those got ordinary water. Birds kept off feed FW14-20 followed by those fed ad libitum had higher values of tenderness and juiciness than the other group. Birds reared under FW14-20 had the highest values of A/ G ratio and glucose, while they had the lowest values of globulin and AST. Turkeys kept under FW14-20 and drank chilled water had the lowest corticosterone concentration as compared with the other groups. Turkeys reared under FW14-20 had the lowest body temperature in comparison with the other groups. Birds drank chilled water had lower body temperature than those got ordinary water. Turkeys fed ad libitum and drank chilled water had the lowest body temperature, while those kept off feed FW8-14 and got ordinary water had the highest one. From these results, it could be concluded that, using feed withdrawal and cold water as managerial alternatives for raising local turkey during summer season is highly recommended.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of dietary vitamin D supplementation in relation to light flash program on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, some blood parameters and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. Therefore, 270 birds were randomly distributed into three main groups and housed in floor pens and reared under continues light for 24 hrs per day; 16 hrs continues light +8 h flash light/day and 8 hrs continues light +16 hrs flash light/day, respectively. Each main group were divided into 3 equal groups (60 birds each) and received 0, 100 and 200 ppm vitamin D from 4 wks till six weeks of age. Main results could be summarized as follows: light flash program significantly affected body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion, dressed carcass, some blood traits as T3 hormone, leg problems, lymphoid organs and body temperature. However, it had insignificant effects on most meat quality traits. In addition, the body weight and body weight gain were significantly increased at all levels of dietary vitamin D. The liver, bursa and breast weights (expressed as percent of body weight) increased significantly with diet containing 100 or 200 ppm vitamin D. Meat quality traits, bone measurements and plumage conditions significantly affected by all levels of dietary vitamin D. Plasma protein, glucose, AST and ALT activities increased significantly in birds fed diets added 200 ppm vitamin D levels. Economic efficiency of the broiler chickens was precisely improved at levels of 100 ppm dietary vitamin D with second program of flash light (16 hrs continues light +8 h flash light/day) .

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different outdoor swimming durations on the performance and health status of Muscovy ducks raised during the hot summer season in Egypt. One hundred and eighty (180) one-month old Muscovy ducks were randomly allotted to four treatments based on the outdoor swimming duration offered to birds as following: control group (C) where birds were raised by using indoor system without outdoor water pond access. While, birds of the other 3 groups had an access to outdoor swimming pond as follow: birds of treatment one (T1) had access to outdoor swimming pond for 2 hrs /day (10:00 to 12:00 h), birds of treatment two (T2) had access to outdoor swimming pond for 4 hrs /day (10:00 to 14:00 h) and birds of treatment three (T3) had access to outdoor swimming pond for 6 hrs/day (10:00 to 16:00 h). Each treatment includes forty five birds which divided into five replicates of 9 birds each. The results indicated that the different durations of outdoor swimming significantly (P≤0.05) improved the growth performance, dressed carcass, abdominal fat, meat quality (color, flavor and tenderness), lymphocyte, H/L ratio, body temperature, plumage conditions, keal bone length, body depth, foot pad burns, breast blisters score and mortality rate of Muscovy ducks. Moreover, the effects of accessing Muscovy ducks to outdoor swimming pond for 4 hrs /day during hot summer were clearer (better) than the other experimental durations. However, no significant differences in feed consumption, giblets, meat juicines, shank length, hock discoloration and blood hematocrit values were recorded between different treatments. In conclusion, accessing Muscovy ducks to outdoor swimming pond for 4 hrs /day may be a good strategy to improve the ducks’ health status during the harmful hot summer conditions; however, further investigations are still needed to give further data about the behavioral changes and welfare indicators.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding time management (at morning or afternoon) on productive performance of New Zealand white rabbits in the hot summer of Assiut. Forty rabbits, four weeks old, were reared in batteries and assigned to 5 groups (8 rabbits /each). In the control group, the feed was offered ad libitum daily (C). While, the first treatment group (T1) was fed at 1000 and 1600 h, during the warmest time of day. The second treatment group (T2) was fed at 1600 to 2200 h. The third treatment group (T3) was fed at 2200 to 0400 h. The fourth treatment group (T4) was fed at 0400 to 1000 h, during the temperate climatic conditions, in order to avoid the deleterious effect of the high temperature on the growing rabbits in the summer season under Upper Egypt. All the other conditions were the same during the experimental period. The rabbits were supplied with clean water all the time. The results showed that change feeding time to afternoon significantly (P≤0.05) improved growth performance, body temperature, dressed carcass percentage. While, no significant differences (P≤0.05) existed in most blood parameters. In conclusion, feeding New Zealand white rabbits at afternoon is a good and economical managerial tool to alleviate the harmful effects of high temperature stress during the summer season.

In this study, the light: dark program was used for raising growing rabbits during summer season under hot climatic conditions. Sixty four growing New Zealand white rabbits, four weeks old, were randomly divided into four experimental groups (16 rabbit/group): The rabbits of first and second groups (C and T1), were exposed to 12 h light during 1000 to 2200 and 2200 to 1000 h, respectively. The third and fourth groups (T2 and T3), were exposed to 8h light during 1000 to 1800 and 2200 to 0600 h, respectively. Rabbits were reared under the same managerial, feeding and hygienic conditions throughout the experimental period. Besides, body weight (BW), body weight gains (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FC), carcass traits, blood parameters and economical efficiency were estimated in this study. The achieved results confirmed that the productive traits (BW, BWG, FI and FCR) and economical efficiency of New Zealand white rabbits during the summer were better in the T3 group (8 h/day light during 2200 to 0600) than other groups. Also, the values of AST, ALT, N / L Ratio, rectal temperature and mortality rate were significantly lower in T3 group. Furthermore, lymphocyte, hematocrit, albumin and glucose increased relatively in groups exposed to photoperiod during afternoon. While, no significant differences were existed in blood protein, lipids, globulin, cholesterol and carcass traits percentages. Generally, it could be concluded that using short photoperiod during afternoon in rabbits farms owing to its beneficial effects on the productive traits of growing rabbits as well as lowering of electricity consumption (better economical efficiency).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cold water during summer season of Upper Egypt in different times on growth performance, carcass traits and economical efficiency of New Zealand white rabbits. The experimental rabbits were reared in batteries and equally distributed into four groups (8 rabbits/each) in open housing system. The rabbits of first group (C) were full-fed ad libitum with tap water. In the other treated three groups, the birds of second, third and fourth groups (T1, T2 and T3) were supplied with cold water at different times: 1000-1300h, 1300-1600h and 1000-1600h, respectively. The results indicated that time of cold water in open housing system did significantly affect live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and water consumption. Also, the group which received cool water at 1000-1600h showed the best records for decreased levels of rectal temperature and respiratory rate. However, no significant differences were existed in blood protein, lipids, globulin, cholesterol and carcass traits percentages. It could be concluded that most of growth performance and physiological parameters of examined rabbits were significantly decreased by heat stress under Egyptian summer conditions. Applying drinking cold water during the period from 1000 to1600h resulted to improve growth performance and economical efficiency.

ABSTRACT : Plant growth regulator supplements into the nutrient medium is one of the most influential factors affecting efficiency of in vitro propagation. While benzyladenine (BA) has been extensively studied, no information is available on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, L.) responses to thidiazuron (TDZ). Current study used explants prepared from proliferating shoots of established axenic cultures of two cvs (11 and 44). Explants were incubated on agar solidified (0.7% g) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3% sucrose and supplemented with 5μM BA or 0.5 μM TDZ or used free of BA and TDZ (MS-0, control). Data suggesting that BA and TDZ were indispensable for in vitro propagation of sweet potato since no excisable shoot were produced on MS-0 medium. BA was more effective than TDZ in inducing multiple shoot buds but only one shoot developed to well excisable shoot from such multiple shoot-buds. Responses to BA and TDZ were cultivar-dependent for percentage of explants excisable shoot which was higher on BA-medium in cv 11 while on TDZ-medium for cv 44. The harvested shoots from BA-medium had 13 leaves and those produced on TDZ-medium developed 10 leaves. In vitro rooting was not necessary since non-rooted shoots were capable to root while acclimatized to ex-vitro conditions. Cultivar 11 showed 100% survival after ex-vitro acclimatization whether on BA or TDZ medium. All plantlets of cv 44 produced on TDZ medium survived the ex-vitro acclimatized while those from BA medium showed 87% survival rate. It is proposed that culture of 12 single nodal axillary-buds prepared during September from growing sweet potato cv. 11 in the production field would produce transplants to grow one feddan (25,000) next season (April) after 4 sequential cycles of in vitro propagation on BA-medium. For cv. 44, starting with 25 axillary buds cultured on TDZ-medium would be needed. The described protocol may be useful to establish micropropagation industry of sweet potato that to help in overcoming difficulties of conventional vegetative propagation for this crop species.

ABSTRACT : Plant growth regulator supplements into the nutrient medium is one of the most influential factors affecting efficiency of in vitro propagation. While benzyladenine (BA) has been extensively studied, no information is available on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, L.) responses to thidiazuron (TDZ). Current study used explants prepared from proliferating shoots of established axenic cultures of two cvs (11 and 44). Explants were incubated on agar solidified (0.7% g) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3% sucrose and supplemented with 5μM BA or 0.5 μM TDZ or used free of BA and TDZ (MS-0, control). Data suggesting that BA and TDZ were indispensable for in vitro propagation of sweet potato since no excisable shoot were produced on MS-0 medium. BA was more effective than TDZ in inducing multiple shoot buds but only one shoot developed to well excisable shoot from such multiple shoot-buds. Responses to BA and TDZ were cultivar-dependent for percentage of explants excisable shoot which was higher on BA-medium in cv 11 while on TDZ-medium for cv 44. The harvested shoots from BA-medium had 13 leaves and those produced on TDZ-medium developed 10 leaves. In vitro rooting was not necessary since non-rooted shoots were capable to root while acclimatized to ex-vitro conditions. Cultivar 11 showed 100% survival after ex-vitro acclimatization whether on BA or TDZ medium. All plantlets of cv 44 produced on TDZ medium survived the ex-vitro acclimatized while those from BA medium showed 87% survival rate. It is proposed that culture of 12 single nodal axillary-buds prepared during September from growing sweet potato cv. 11 in the production field would produce transplants to grow one feddan (25,000) next season (April) after 4 sequential cycles of in vitro propagation on BA-medium. For cv. 44, starting with 25 axillary buds cultured on TDZ-medium would be needed. The described protocol may be useful to establish micropropagation industry of sweet potato that to help in overcoming difficulties of conventional vegetative propagation for this crop species.

ABSTRACT : Plant growth regulator supplements into the nutrient medium is one of the most influential factors affecting efficiency of in vitro propagation. While benzyladenine (BA) has been extensively studied, no information is available on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, L.) responses to thidiazuron (TDZ). Current study used explants prepared from proliferating shoots of established axenic cultures of two cvs (11 and 44). Explants were incubated on agar solidified (0.7% g) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3% sucrose and supplemented with 5μM BA or 0.5 μM TDZ or used free of BA and TDZ (MS-0, control). Data suggesting that BA and TDZ were indispensable for in vitro propagation of sweet potato since no excisable shoot were produced on MS-0 medium. BA was more effective than TDZ in inducing multiple shoot buds but only one shoot developed to well excisable shoot from such multiple shoot-buds. Responses to BA and TDZ were cultivar-dependent for percentage of explants excisable shoot which was higher on BA-medium in cv 11 while on TDZ-medium for cv 44. The harvested shoots from BA-medium had 13 leaves and those produced on TDZ-medium developed 10 leaves. In vitro rooting was not necessary since non-rooted shoots were capable to root while acclimatized to ex-vitro conditions. Cultivar 11 showed 100% survival after ex-vitro acclimatization whether on BA or TDZ medium. All plantlets of cv 44 produced on TDZ medium survived the ex-vitro acclimatized while those from BA medium showed 87% survival rate. It is proposed that culture of 12 single nodal axillary-buds prepared during September from growing sweet potato cv. 11 in the production field would produce transplants to grow one feddan (25,000) next season (April) after 4 sequential cycles of in vitro propagation on BA-medium. For cv. 44, starting with 25 axillary buds cultured on TDZ-medium would be needed. The described protocol may be useful to establish micropropagation industry of sweet potato that to help in overcoming difficulties of conventional vegetative propagation for this crop species.

One hundred and twenty birds were used to investigate the effect of raising the Egyptian geese (four week old) in open houses with or without swimming pond on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits and meat quality. This study included four groups of geese each of 30 birds (10 per replicates each), both groups were raised under almost similar housing conditions. Birds of the first and second groups (C and T1) were raised indoor system with or without swimming pond. While, birds of the third and fourth groups (T2 and T3) were raised in outdoor system with or without swimming pond. The results showed local geese group raised in outdoor system with pond had better values for all criteria under study than geese group raised indoor system with or without pond and outdoor system without pond. Wet and dry housing system significantly affected body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion, abdominal fat, mortality rate and most meat quality. However, it had insignificant effects in most of blood parameters. In addition, birds reared under wet housing system had significantly (P≤0.05) effect on body temperature as compared to the other groups. No significant differences (P≤0.05) were found between groups in dressed carcass, leg problems, confirmation and plumage conditions. Finally, the economical efficiency of the birds reared under wet housing system was better than the dry housing system groups. It could be concluded the importance of raising local geese during growing period in open house (outdoor system) with pond, that was more adequate performance, better appearance and meat quality, healthy and more welfare than raising indoor system with or without pond.