The aim of this study was to determine effects of different dietary rosemary essential oil levels on growth performance, carcass traits and haematological values of breeder chukar partridge. Eighty (60 females and 20 males), 32-week-old breeder chukar partridge were randomly divided in five treatments, with four replicate pens with 4 birds each. Five experimental diets were formulated according to rosemary essential oil inclusion rates 0 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg, 48 mg/kg, 72 mg/kg and 96 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The chukar partridges had free access to ad libitum feed and water. At the end of the trial, 1 male and 1 female partridge were slaughtered for blood analysis. The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, body weight gain between the control and treatment groups. Dietary rosemary essential oil supplementation did not affect blood serum glucose, urea, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in breeder Chukar partridges. It could be concluded that supplementing rosemary essential oil into Chukar partridges diet show no negative effect on growth performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anti-galactagogue (sage, parsley extract) and anti-inflammatory (echinacea extract) feed supplements on prolactin levels and fertility in the re-pregnancy of lactating Merino ewes. Eighty ewes were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control and treatment. In treatment group (Stop Lactin) group (n = 40) ewes were treated with Stop Lactin® 60 ml on day 0 orally by syringe. The control group (Control) (n = 40), ewes were not treated with any anti-galactagogue feed supplements. On day 0, a vaginal sponge containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate was inserted for seven days. On day 7, all ewes received an intramuscular injection of 500 IU PMSG. The study results indicated no statistically significant differences between the Control group and Stop Lactin group in terms of conception rates (87.2% and 78.1%), late embryonic-early fetal mortality rate (20.6% and 8.0%), lambing rate (79.4% and 92%), twin rate (29.6% and 13.0%) and litter size (1.30 and 1.13). Estrus rates (97.5% and 82.1%, p = 0.050) tended to be higher and pregnancy rates (85.0% and 64.1%, p = 0.037) was found to be significant in the control group compared to the Stop Lactin group. The effect of treatment (P = 0.209) on serum prolactin levels and the interaction between treatment × day (P = 0.874) were both found to be insignificant. It is concluded that anti-galactagogue and anti-inflammatory feed supplements did not reduce prolactin concentration and did not improve fertility in lactating Merino ewes.

In this study, the effects of adding 400, 500, and 600 IU eCG to progesterone treatment on rate of estrus, conception, pregnancy, fetal mortality, lambing, multiple birth and litter size in nulliparous Merino ewes the out of breeding season were investigated. A total of 90 nulliparous Merino ewes were utilized in the study. On day 0, a vaginal sponge containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate was inserted for a seven-day period. Ewes were randomly divided into three groups at the time of sponge removal. Group I (G-400), comprising 30 ewes, received 400 IU of eCG. Group II (G-500) received 500 IU of eCG (n=30), while Group III (G-600) received 600 IU of eCG (n=30). The statistical analysis revealed that the conception rates between the groups were statistically higher in the G-600 group than in the G-400 and G-500 groups (G-400 vs. G-600, P=0.091; G-500 vs. G-600, P=0.080). Pregnancy rates between the groups were found to be statistically higher in the G-600 group than in the G-400 group (P

Aim of study: This study evaluated the impact of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (TEO) supplementation on performance, egg quality, and serum and faecal mineral composition in chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar). Area of study: Türkiye. Material and methods: Ninety-layer partridges, aged 32 weeks, were randomly assigned to five groups. Within each group, there were six replicates with three birds/replicate. The experimental design included a control group receiving a basal diet (0 mg/kg TEO) and four treatment groups with diets supplemented with TEO at 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg over 56 days. Main results: The results showed no significant differences in performance parameters among the groups (p>0.05). However, egg production and mass were significantly higher in the 50 mg/kg TEO group than in the control group (p<0.01). Additionally, eggshell thickness and yolk index were improved in the 50 mg/kg group compared to the 100 mg/kg group (p0.05). Research highlights: These results suggest that incorporating TEO at 50 mg/kg into the diet of chukar partridges may be optimal, as higher concentrations could potentially interfere with nutrient absorption and negatively affect partridge attributes. Nevertheless, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action of TEO´s active ingredients in partridge feed.

In this study, the effects of isoxsuprine hydrochloride applied 14 and 15 days after insemination in Anatolian Merino Sheep on lamb yield and some blood parameters were investigated. The research was conducted during the breeding season and 54 ewes inseminated on the same day were used. The ewes were assigned to three groups. Group I: For the placebo effect, physiological saline was injected on the 14(th) day into half of the control group and on the 15(th) day into the other half after insemination (n=18). Group II: Tocolytic drug was injected on the 14(th) day after insemination (n=18). Grop III: Tocolytic drug was injected on the 15(th) day after insemination (n=18). As the tocolytic drug, isoxsuprine hydrochloride (HCl) 3 ml (Utelax, Sanovel, Turkiye) was used intramuscularly. The number of pregnant and viviparous ewes, single and multiple birth ewes, lambs per viviparous ewes were determined as reproductive parameters. Blood progesterone, cortisol and calcium concentration were determined. As a result, it was determined that the single application of isoxsuprine hydrochloride (3 ml) in the implantation period did not have a positive or negative effect on reproductive parameters, and did not change the blood progesterone, calcium and cortisol concentration in ewes.