The quality of poultry feed is an important precondition to achieve optimal production results, and the preservation of the health status of animals, especially in intensive livestock production, hence it is necessary to control both raw materials and finished feed mixtures. The presence of fungi (moulds) in food for animals is a natural phenomenon, not an exception. Sources of contamination of poultry feed with fungi and resulting mycotoxins vary, starting with raw materials (e.g. corn as the most common component) during harvest and transport, during storage of raw materials and finished products, as well as in the production process and manipulation of poultry feed. Mineral adsorbents are increasingly used in poultry production, especially in the nutrition of various types and categories of poultry, to control fungal contamination. Using different mineral adsorbents in poultry nutrition can prevent the losses due to mycotoxicosis. It can also prevent appearance of toxic residues in poultry products, improve production and reproductive ability of birds, and contribute to improving the quality of poultry products. In addition, the use of mineral adsorbents in poultry feeds has application in neutralising the harmful effects of mycotoxins in buildings where poultry is reared.

In this research influence of the rooster body weight on reproductive performance of broiler parents was examined for Ross 308 and Cobb 500 hybrids. At the beginning of the productive cycle (24 weeks of age) for roosters Ross 308 hybrids average body weight of 3,030.00 g has been determined, while for Cobb 500 rooster average body weight was 3,045.00 g. In the 42nd week of age (middle of productive cycle), body weight of Ross 308 roosters was 4,306.00 g and 4,323.00 g for Cobb 500 roosters, while at the end of productive cycle in the 61st week of age Ross 308 hybrids had average 4.908,00 g and Cobb 500 had 4,918.50 g. Determined differences in body weight of roosters (15.00 g, 17.00 g and 10.50 g) in specific periods of productive cycle, as well as difference in body weight for the entire productive cycle (19.97 g) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Between rooster body weight and fertilized eggs laying intensity positive statistically significant (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation coefficients were determined. Between rooster body weight and hatchability percentage of the chicks positive statistically significant (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation coefficients were determined for both hybrids. However, based on correlation coefficient it has been determined that rooster body weight had positive influence on laying intensity of fertilized eggs till 58th week of age (Ross 308) and 60th week of age (Cobb 500), while on hatchability of chicks it had positive influence till 58th week of age for both hybrids.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age and sex of the foal on the gestation length of thoroughbred mares. The study covered six stallions (of average age of 10.25 years) and 34 mares (of average age of 10.51 years) with descent records (pedigree), English Thoroughbred horses raised and actively used for breeding at a study farm called Ljubičevo, located in Serbia. The following average morphological body measures were established: body weight (473.10 kg), withers height (159.55 cm), body length (160.54 cm), chest circumference (188.00 cm), and tibia circumference (19.21 cm) were found to be within the scope of standard measures for this breed and particular ages e.g. 9 to 15. The average gestation length, regardless of the sex of the foal, was 336.57 days. The gestation of mares carrying male foals was somewhat longer (337.70 days) than of mares carrying female foals (335.80 days). The difference (1.90 days) in gestation length was not statistically significant (P>0.05). A weak positive correlation (rp=0.321) was observed between the age of the mare and the gestation length (regardless of foal sex). Additionally, a medium correlation (rp=0.444) was observed between the mare's age and the gestation length in the case of male foals, and a very weak correlation (rp=0.210) in the case of female foals.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of physical characteristics of pheasant eggs (egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index) on incubation results. The study was performed on 150 randomly chosen pheasant eggs from the parent flock at 45-50 weeks of age. The birds were bred at the pheasant station „Ub“ (44°28’N, 20°03’E, 97 m a.s.l.). Eggs were incubated and divided into three groups: all eggs, eggs lighter than average (< 28 g), and eggs heavier than average (> 28 g). Each group was subdivided into three categories: all eggs, hatched eggs, and eggs that did not hatch. Significant correlation (p<0.001 and p0.05). In all groups and categories of pheasant eggs, correlation between weight of eggs and egg shape index was not statistically confirmed (p>0.05), except in hatched eggs with lower than average weight (p<0.05). It can be concluded that egg weight significantly impacts incubation results, but egg length and shape index should also be considered to improve hatchability and offspring vitality. Overall, incorporating all examined physical parameters of pheasant eggs into the selection criteria for incubation is essential for optimizing hatchability and offspring vitality.

Poultry production is one of the most intensive sectors of animal production providing a significant source of animal protein through meat and eggs. However, increasing production intensity has brought challenges related to animal health, welfare, and product quality. In chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), the sterno-pectoral region represents a key anatomical and functional unit that supports the birds’ body and is essential for locomotion and respiration. This region is particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of intensive selection and production in both broilers, i.e., meat production, and laying hens, i.e., egg production. Skeletal disorders of the sternum, predominantly observed in laying hens, and breast muscle myopathies, primarily affecting broilers, are typically investigated as separate conditions. However, their anatomical co-localization, shared developmental background, and common risk factors suggest they should be considered within a unified framework. The aim of this review is to integrate the current knowledge on skeletal and muscular disorders of the sterno-pectoral region, with emphasis on their interrelationships, underlying mechanisms, and implications for production efficiency and animal welfare. By identifying this region as a critical hotspot for production-related pathology, this review offers a more comprehensive perspective on the biological limits of intensive poultry production and highlights the importance of an integrated approach as the foundation for developing future breeding and production strategies.