This study was conducted to determine the effects of housing systems (free-range and conventional cage) during the egg-laying phase on the growth, egg production, overall egg weight, and egg quality traits of a new Turkish laying hen hybrid, Akbay. A total of 600 (300 hens per housing system) Akbay laying hen hybrids were used in this study. At the end of the rearing cycle (17 weeks) the average live weight and cumulative feed intake for both groups were 1150.8g and 5067.52g, respectively. The live weight and cumulative feed intake at the onset of laying for both groups were 1198.42g and 5537.77g, respectively. Egg production, average daily feed intake, and average daily feed conversion ratio were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in free-range hens than in hens housed in cages. The live weight at peak production was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in hens housed in cages than in free-range hens. Significant differences (p≤0.05) in terms of internal and external egg quality traits were observed between the housing systems in this study. Generally, the free-range hens had better performance than the hens in cages. It was therefore concluded that the growth performance, egg production, overall egg weight, and egg quality traits of the new Turkish laying hen hybrid Akbay are better in the free-range production system than in convention cages; and that these hens can be housed in the free-range system without any negative effect on performance and egg quality traits.

In the present study, seventy-two 30-week-old laying hens (Brown Hisex) were separated into two groups (control and treatment) and fed with a standard layer diet. In the treatment group the amount of effective microorganism (EM) added to the drinking water is equal to1000 ppm EM dose. Throughout the 8-week study period, 16 h thermoneutral (20-22 ºC) and 8 h hot (35-37 ºC) environmental temperature regime was applied daily. The results indicated that EM supplementation affected performance and some egg quality characteristics of layers exposed high environmental temperature. Feed intake and conversion ratio, yolk index, albumen index, yolk colour b, Haugh unit were decreased by supplemental EM. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, total oxidant- antioxidant concentration were not affected by EM. It is concluded that EM supplementation in laying hens could have potential to improve feed intake and feed conversion ratio under high environmental temperature. However, supplemental EM with drinking water decreased some egg quality parameters.

The digestibility of feed in ruminants and the volatile fatty acids (VFA) resulting from digestion directly affect animal performance. It has long been studied on the use of essential oils as an alternative to antibiotics to ensure optimum conditions for the rumen environment. Cyclotrichium niveum (mountain mint) essential oil is rich in antimicrobial agents. In this study different doses (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L of culture fluid) of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil was incubated 24 hours with barley in diluted ruminal fluid takes from fistulated cows fed with a 40:60 concentrate:forage diet in order to assess the effects on rumen microbial fermentation and in vitro true digestibility of barley. True digestibility of barley was determined in ANKOM Daisy Incubator. All doses of Cyclotrichium niveum significantly (P<0.001) decreased the in vitro dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility of barley. Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil negatively affected end-products of rumen fermentation; the value of the measured rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA: acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyric acid, valerate and isovalerate) significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.001). Carbon dioxide and methane gases created as a result of incubation in rumen fluid were calculated using volatile fatty acid values formed in rumen fluid. The addition of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil significantly reduces the CO2 in rumen fluid (P<0.001). Methane (CH4) gas from rumen fluid was significantly decreased in treatment groups compared the control group (P <0.001) While end-products of rumen fermentation parameters significantly decreased with all doses of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil, rumen pH has increased (P<0.05). The results show that when the Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil incubated with barley significantly inhibited the rumen microbial activity and overall fermentation process of rumen.

This study evaluated the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of male Alpine and Saanen goat kids raised under standardized fattening conditions to inform breed-specific strategies for meat production. The study included 36 single-born male kids (18 Alpine and 18 Saanen purebreds) of similar age and live weight. The animals were allocated by breed and randomly assigned to three replicates per breed, with six animals in each replicate. After a two-week adaptation period, the kids were fattened for 12 weeks on an 80:20 concentrate–roughage diet. At the end of the fattening period, all animals were slaughtered, and physical, sensory, and chemical analyses of the meat were performed on the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle. Final live weights did not differ significantly between Alpine and Saanen kids, nor did average daily gains. However, the feed conversion ratio favored the Saanen breed, indicating superior feed efficiency. Alpine kids had significantly higher internal fat content, while Saanen kids had a higher proportion of full intestines. Meat pH, color, and texture were similar between breeds. Fatty acid analysis showed that Alpine meat had higher palmitic and palmitoleic acid content, whereas Saanen meat contained more calcium and sodium. These results suggest that both breeds are suitable for high-quality meat production under controlled feeding conditions, but breed-specific differences in fat composition and mineral content may affect nutritional value and market positioning. These findings are valuable for optimizing selection and marketing strategies in goat meat production systems targeting diverse consumer demands.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of pre-starter feed prepared using different sugar sources on the performance, carcass parameters, internal organs and intestinal development, microbial load in broilers. In total, 360 newly hatched chicks divided into 4 treatment groups with 5 replicates. 18 chicks with similar live weights (9 male, 9 female) were used for each replicate. Control or pre-starter feeds (containing %14 saccharose, %14 dextrose, or %7 saccharose+ %7 dextrose) were used for the feeding of the groups. For the feeding of the control group, standard chick starter feed was used for the first 5 days; for the treatment groups, the pre-starter feeds prepared were used. For the rest of the trial period, all groups were subjected to standard feeding. A significant difference was observed among groups with regards to live weight gain and feed conversion rate during the first four weeks of the study; however, this effect disappeared over the last week. In addition, it was determined that any differences observed with regards to carcass parameters other than hot and cold carcass weights, internal organ development aside from proventriculus, intestinal development and microbial load were not significant. It was concluded that the pre-starter feed prepared with saccharose and/or dextrose did not show the expected effect