Influence of the genetic origin and sex on live performance and carcass traits in the rabbit. Preliminary results

The study compared the growth performance and carcass traits of 41 rabbits of both sexes derived from 3 genetic origins (GO): sire Vienna Blue (B), sire Burgundy Fawn (F) and hybrid rabbits (H). From weaning they were reared indoor in bicellular cages and fed ad libitum the same pelleted diet until a fixed slaughter weight (2.8±0.11kg). The rabbits of the 3 GO differed in slaughter age (88 vs 109 vs 122d for H, B and F-GO, respectively; P<0.001). Growth performance of B was better than that of F, while that of H was better than B+F groups. Carcass traits were not modified by the GO; only perirenal fat percentage increased from H (1.2%) to B (1.7%) to F (2.5% of the reference carcass; P<0.05) accordingly to the slaughter age. The sex effect was significant only for the dressing out percentage, being higher in males than females (59.0 vs 57.6%; P<0.05)

rabbit farming for meat purposes

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Dietary inclusion of tannin extract from red quebracho trees (Schinopsis spp.) in the rabbit meat production

Two levels (1% and 3%) of condensed tannin extract from red quebracho (QT) were added to a diet of growing rabbits in a 6-wk feeding trial up to 12 wk of age. Health status was unaf- fected by the QT supplementation. The E. coli count of caecal content denoted a bactericidal activity of the QT. Weight gain and slaughter weigh were significantly higher and conversion index was sig- nificantly lower in rabbits fed QT diets, compared to those fed the control diet (P<0.05). Meat traits, as well the meat fatty acid profile weren't influenced by the QT supplementation. Our results contributed to increase the knowledge on the dietary use of QT in the rabbit. QT extract supplemented at 1% and 3% in fattening rabbits diet had a clear beneficial effect on live performance. Further studies are needed to assess if supplementing diets with QT can be a valuable strategy

The dietary inclusion of Portulaca oleracea to the diet of laying hens increases the n-3 fatty acids content and reduces the cholesterol content in the egg yolk

The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched diet on yolk fatty acid profile and cholesterol content was evaluated. Dried Poutulaca oleracea (purslane: PO diet) was added to a commercial diet (C diet) at 20% of inclusion level. The effect of the supplemented diet was compared to that of C diet. Twenty-six laying hens were fed ad libitum for 21 days with the 2 diets, supplemented also with 300 mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg. Eggs were collected and then the fatty acids (FA) profile and the cholesterol content were analysed. The PO diet significantly reduced the saturated FA content (P<0.05) and increased that of the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA): 18:2 n-6 (P<0.001), 18:3 n-3 (P<0.001) and 22:6 n-3 (DHA; P<0.01). Both n-6 and n-3 PUFA significantly increased with the PO diet and the n-6/n-3 ratio was improved (10.4 vs 11.3; P<0.05)

Meat quality of male and female Italian Padovana and Polverara slow-growing chicken breeds

The study characterised and compared proximate composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of breast and leg meat of chickens belonging to Padovana and Polverara Italian local breeds. Birds were slaughtered at 183 days of age and four experimental groups were formed: Padovana males (PAD M), Padovana females (PAD F), Polverara males (POL M) and Polverara females (POL F). Proximate composition was assessed on 10 breasts and 10 legs per group, whereas FA profile and cholesterol content were assessed on six samples per cut per group. Breast meat proximate composition resulted in similarity between the two genotypes and sexes. Genotype did not affect breast FA profile except for C18:1 n-11, whereas females breast meat was richer in DHA (p < .05) and thus in n-3 (p < .05). Leg meat exhibited greater variability due to genotype and sex. Indeed, PAD chicken legs were richer in dry matter (p < .01), lipids (p < .01) and cholesterol (p < .01) than POL. It emerged that leg meat from PAD breed was characterised by a more desirable FA profile due to its higher UFA:SFA (p < .05) and lower n–6/n–3 (p < .05) ratios. Despite exhibiting a lower PUFA:SFA ratio than males (p < .05), females exhibited a better n–6/n–3 ratio (p < .01). The two genotypes and the two sexes possess peculiar nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to create economic interest around these local productions to assure their survival.Highlights Padovana and Polverara are two rustic slow-growing chicken breeds which are farmed in the Veneto region of Italy. The goal of the present study is contributing to the creation of economic interest around local productions from Padovana and Polverara chickens. Creating an economic interest around Padovana and Polverara breeds would contribute to the preservation of local tradition and rural culture

Productive performances and carcase quality of male and female Italian Padovana and Polverara slow-growing chicken breeds

Live performances and carcase quality of Padovana (n = 81) and Polverara (n = 76) chickens were investigated considering breed, gender and their interaction (B × G). Birds were reared until 183 d of age. After slaughter, yields were computed, and pH and L*a*b*colour values were measured on breast and leg meat. Breeds exhibited similar performances and yields, except a greater commercial carcase incidence for Polverara (p < .01). Breast meat quality was similar, except for higher L* value of Padovana fillets (p < .01). Polverara legs exhibited lower pH (p < .0001), lower L* value (p < .001) and higher a* value (p < .0001). Gender influenced performances and carcase quality traits. Males showed heavier live weight (p < .0001), carcase weight and cuts (p < .0001) and commercial carcase yield (p < .05), females displayed greater breast yield (p < .0001), whereas net carcase yield (% SW) was similar between sexes. Female fillets showed lower pH (p < .001) and higher L* and b* values (p < .0001); their legs had also higher L* and b* values (p < .0001). On the contrary, male legs were remarkably redder (p < .0001). Considering breast meat quality, B × G interaction counterposed Polverara males and Polverara females, whereas the greatest differences in leg meat quality existed between Polverara males and Padovana females. This study revealed that the two breeds and genders possess peculiar quality traits

Camelina sativa as a sustainable and feasible feedstuff for laying poultry: A review

Camelina sativa is a promising oilseed crop with unique characteristics, including rapid growth, drought and frost tolerance, low input requirements, and resistance to pests and diseases. It offers diverse applications in both feed and non-feed sectors, primarily due to its high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and antioxidants. However, the presence of secondary plant metabolites in camelina restricts its use in poultry nutrition. These compounds may inhibit some digestive enzymes, increase digesta viscosity, and affect nutrients absorption, potentially compromising bird health and product quality. Various techniques, such as heat treatment, multi-enzyme supplementation, and copper supplementation, have been employed to mitigate the negative effects of these antinutritional compounds. Inclusion at high levels (>10%) of camelina by-products in poultry diets has been found to decrease nutrients digestibility and laying performance. Nonetheless, the inclusion of camelina by-products, particularly oil, in the diets resulted in comparable or improved egg quality. The egg yolk fatty acid profile exhibited a higher content of PUFA, reducing the n-6/n3 ratio, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of eggs. Sensory evaluations showed no significant differences in product quality among diet groups. This review highlights the feeding value of camelina by-products and provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, focusing on digestibility, performance, and egg quality evaluation in laying poultry diets

Newborn chicks show inherited variability in early social predispositions for hen-like stimuli

open5noopenVersace, Elisabetta; Fracasso, Ilaria; Baldan, Gabriele; Dalle Zotte, Antonella; Vallortigara, GiorgioVersace, Elisabetta; Fracasso, Ilaria; Baldan, Gabriele; DALLE ZOTTE, Antonella; Vallortigara, Giorgi

A tojásösszetétel, a keltethetőség, valamint a kikelő madarak fejlődése és termelése közötti összefüggések in vivo vizsgálata komputer tomográffal kettőshasznosítású tyúk genotípusokban = In vivo examination of the correlations between hen's egg composition, hatchability and hatched chick's development and production by means of computer tomography in dual-purpose genotypes

A kutatási program keretében kidolgoztuk a tyúktojások CT vizsgálatának metodikáját. Meghatároztuk a legjobban értékelhető felvételek elkészítéséhez szükséges technikai paramétereket és az egyidejűleg vizsgálható tojások számát. A tojások sárgája arányának meghatározásához egy új szoftvert fejlesztettünk, ami lehetővé tette a keresztmetszeti képek gyors és automatikus értékelését. Megállapítottuk, hogy a kisebb sárgája, azaz nagyobb fehérje aránnyal rendelkező tojásokból nagyobb súlyú csibék kelnek mindkét ivarban. A kakasok esetében a nagyobb fehérje arányú tojásokból kelt madarak a testsúlybeli fölényüket a hizlalás végéig megőrizték, míg a jércék kelési súlyában megfigyelt különbségeket a hizlalás végén már nem lehetett kimutatni. A keltetőtojások sárgája aránya szignifikáns hatással volt viszont a jércék testzsírtartalmának nevelés alatti alakulására, ami kihatással volt a későbbi termelésükre. A kutatás során megállapítottuk, hogy a tyúktojások összetétele a CT használatával pontosabban becsülhető, mint a korábban alkalmazott TOBEC módszerrel. A tojások összetétele szignifikáns hatással van a csibék kelési súlyának és testösszetételének alakulására, ami kihatással van a későbbi fejlődésükre és ezen keresztül a termelésükre. Mindezek alapján indokoltnak tűnik a tojásösszetétel in vivo meghatározásának további pontosítása, a tojásösszetétel, a keltethetőség, valamint a kikelő madarak fejlődése és termelése közötti összefüggések további tisztázása érdekében. | In the frame of this research project the methodology of CT examination of hen’s eggs was developed. The optimal technical parameters and the number of simultaneously scanable eggs were determined in order to obtain the best quality CT images for the evaluation. For the fast and automatic determination of yolk ratio a new software was developed. By separating eggs with different predicted yolk ratios it was established that chicks hatched from eggs with low yolk – high albumen – content had higher liveweight at hatching in both sexes. This higher liveweight was also observed at the end of the rearing period in the case of the cocks, but it was not observable in the case of the pullets. However, the yolk content of the eggs had a significant effect on the body fat content of the pullets, which affected the latter production of these birds. During this research work it was also established that the predictability of the composition of hen’s eggs is more accurate by means of the CT than it was formerly by means of the TOBEC method. The composition of the eggs has a significant effect on the liveweight and body composition of the chicks at hatching, which has an effect on their latter development and production. Therefore, based on these results it seems to be necessary to improve the accuracy of the in vivo prediction of egg’s composition in order to clarify the correlations between egg composition, hatchability and hatched bird’s development and production more precisely

Potentiality of protein fractions from the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) for pasta formulation

House cricket (Acheta domesticus; AD) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor; TM) are two promising insect species for possible novel food applications. In this research the insect protein fractions were extracted, characterised, and used in the manufacturing of pasta by replacing semolina with 14% of powdered proteins. Pasta samples were then analysed to evaluate technological quality aspects. Results showed that insect protein inclusion resulted in a darker (L* value: 76.7, 53.4, 59.9 for control, AD and TM, respectively) and firmer (12.4, 13.7, 13.8 N: control, AD and TM, respectively) AD and TM pasta, and a higher water absorption index for AD (148, 178, 150%: control, AD and TM, respectively). In conclusion, both extracts offer interesting opportunity for pasta formulations, possibly leading to an improved protein content and quality. From an industrial perspective, the present study demonstrated that the tested edible insects can provide protein extracts for the possible fortification of pasta with high-quality protein and technological traits, thus representing an ingredient with interesting potential for several food applications