A total of forty eight, 8 weeks old, unsexed, New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) were, randomly, distributed into four groups (12 rabbit each) to examine the effect of Gibberellic acid (GA3) and/or antioxidants (AO) on the productive and reproductive performance. During experimental period, groups 1, 2 and 3 were given 75 mg of GA3/liter, 100 IU of vitamin E/liter and mixture of GA3 & V. E with the same level in drinking water, respectively. While, the fourth group was used as a control (without any additive in drinking water). Generally, the obtained results exhibited that GA3 & VE treated groups were significantly (P 0.05) better during growing period than that in reproductive period. Significant (P 0.05) effects were observed in body weight (g), daily gain (g/d), feed conversion ratio, dressed carcass, liver percentages and economical efficiency in treated groups compared to control group. Conception rate and litter size at birth, 4 and 8 weeks of age as well as healthy disorders were significantly (P 0.05) increased in V. E treated group and control than that in GA3 treated group. On the other hand, no significant differences were demonstrated in feed intake, gestation period, bunny weight at birth, 4 and 8 weeks of age and pre-weaning mortality rate. In conclusion, using Gibberellic acid and antioxidants as a water supplement confirm nonharmful effect during growing period, while, using antioxidants (V. E) as water supplement is beneficial factor during reproductive period.

Four hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old, sexed Japanese quail birds were wingbanded, 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.

Four hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old, sexed Japanese quail birds were wingbanded, 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.

Four hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old, sexed Japanese quail birds were wingbanded, 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.

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.

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.

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 influence of feed form on productive and reproductive performance was studied in 240 Japanese quail chicks from 14 to 180 d of age to alleviate high temperature effects during summer season. The experimental chicks of were housed in batteries and assigned to 4 groups (60 birds /each). Birds fed mash feed, and considered as control group (C). While, the first, second and third treatment (T1, T2 and T3) was fed on pellets, crumbles and wet feed, respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. The results showed that treatments birds fed crumbles and wet diets throughout the experimental period had superior body weight, feed conversation, egg number, shell thickness, haugh units, dressed carcass, lymphocyte, hematocrit and mortality percentages compared to birds fed mash and pellets at any time. Otherwise, no significant differences (P≤0.05) existed in feed consumption, plumage conditions and egg weight. It could be concluded that birds fed wet during growing period and crumbles feed during laying period had high performance and economical efficiency.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed frequencies and durations on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters and economical efficiency of broilers chicks. Two hundred and ten, one day old Ross chicks were randomly distributed into seven groups (each consisted of 3 replicates of 10 birds each) as follows: ad libitum (Control, C), one meal/day for 6 and 12 hours each (Treatments 1, 2), respectively, two meals/day for 3 and 6 hours each (Treatments 3, 4), respectively and three meals/day for 2 and 4 hours each (Treatments 5, 6), respectively. The obtained results indicated that feed frequencies with different durations significantly (P≤0.05) affected body weight and feed consumption. However, no significant (P≤0.05) differences in feed conversion ratios were found among all groups. Also, feed frequencies and durations had insignificant (P>0.05) effect on most carcass traits and blood parameters except liver, abdominal fat, juiciness and blood protein percentages. From the previous results and economical evaluation, it could be recommended that feeding broilers chicks over once a day (three times/day) in a 4 hours duration improved growth performance and reduced carcass fat without any adverse physiological effects at marketing age.

A total number of one hundred and eighty birds aged 8 weeks were randomly assigned into three equal groups to investigate the effect of using clover and corn stalks straw as alternative litter materials on growth performance, carcass characteristics, leg problems, breast blisters, airborne and litter conditions of local turkey. Birds in the first group were raised on wheat straw litter and were considered the control (C). While the second, and third groups (T1 and T2) were raised on clover and corn stalks straw, respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. Body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, carcass weights, airborne dust particulates, litter pH and bacterial count were not different between treatments. However, the incidence of leg problems and breast blisters were decreased with clover litter. Otherwise, corn stalks chips decreased litter moisture percentage, caking score and ammonia concentrations inside the poultry house, which positively reflected on the health condition of the birds. From these results and economical efficiency, it could be concluded that, using clover and corn stalks straw as economical alternative litter materials for local turkey is highly recommended.