Selected blood parameters in organically raised hens fed with purple coneflower supplemented diet**

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary addition of dried purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) on selected blood parameters of chicks and hens of the native ‘Greenleg Partridge’ breed (Z-11), maintained on a certified poultry farm according to organic farming principles. Birds were divided into two groups according to diet: organic layer diet (group 1), and the same diet supplemented with certified purple coneflower from 20 weeks of age at 10 g/kg feed (group 2). Layers were fed the certified layer diet (17% protein and 11.1 MJ ME/kg diet) following organic farming principles. Experimental incubations were performed at 34 wks of age. Blood was collected from laying hens at 34 wks and from newly hatched chicks at one day of age to determine selected blood parameters. The organically raised ‘Greenleg Partridge’ hens and chicks responded to the purple coneflower supplement by changes in blood picture, which are important indicators of avian health and condition. As in Z-11 chicks, purple coneflower supplemented to the layer diet reduced the H:L ratio and induced a tendency for higher level of the immunoglobulin complex and IgG in blood, which shows their better living comfort and higher immunity. Dietary purple coneflower was observed to have no effect on the level of hematocrit, erythrocytes and leukocytes. High individual variation occurred for the immunoglobulin complex and IgG in the organically raised ‘Greenleg Partridge’ hens

The effect of mixed herb extract on selected stress parameters in broiler chickens of three genetic lines

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of adding a mixture of anti-stress herbs to drinking water on stress hormone levels and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in the blood of intensively reared broiler chickens of three genetic lines. The experiment was performed with ‘Ross 308’, ‘Cobb 500’ and ‘Hubbard Flex’ broiler chickens, which were divided into three experimental groups. Birds were maintained on litter for 42 days at a stocking density less than 33 kg/m2. All the groups were provided with the same environmental and feeding conditions. In each group from 21 to 35 days of rearing, water drinkers were supplemented for 5 h/day (08:00-13:00 hours) with an alcoholic extract from mixed herbs (30% chamomile, 10% oregano, 10% yarrow, 10% knotgrass, 10% valerian, 20% inflorescence of large-leaved lime) at 2 ml/l water. At 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of rearing, blood was collected from 10 birds per group to determine corticosterone, noradrenaline and adrenaline levels. The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L) was also calculated. On day 42 of the study, 500 broiler chickens were characterised by the lowest noradrenaline concentration and a lower H:L ratio compared to ‘Ross 308’ and ‘Hubbard Flex’ (p ≤ 0.05) and ‘Ross 308’ chickens (p ≤ 0.01), respectively. It was concluded from the study that the herb extract had the most favourable effect on relieving the body’s physiological response to stress, and thus on improving welfare in ‘Cobb 500’ compared to ‘Ross 308’ and ‘Hubbard Flex’ broilers. It can therefore be considered that active substances in herbs have varying effects on the body of broiler chickens of different origin

Kształtowanie się wskaźników fizjologicznych kurcząt brojlerów hodowanych w różnych systemach utrzymania w okresie wysokich temperatur

Parametry fizjologiczne u kurcząt brojlerów hodowanych w różnych systemach utrzymania w okresie wysokich temperatu

Effect of the In Ovo Injection Site of Electrolytes on Some Biochemical Blood Parameters and Quality of Layer Chicks

The effects of the in ovo injection site of electrolytes on selected biochemical blood parameters and the quality of layer chicks were investigated. A total of 120 fertile eggs from Rhode Island Red breeders were randomly distributed into 4 groups, with each group including 30 birds. The groups were as follows: untreated control and groups with different injection sites/locations of 500 µL of 0.9% saline (NaCl) on day 18 of incubation, i.e., into the air cell (AC), through the air cell into the amniotic fluid (AFA), and directly into the amniotic fluid (AF). Measurement at 1 day of age showed that regardless of the injection site, embryos injected with 500 µL of saline had significantly higher Tona score (95/100 points) compared to the control group (90/100 points). Chick length was similar among the injected groups (mean 14.7 cm) and shorter in the control group (13.9 cm). There was no significant effect of in ovo injection on the biochemical blood parameters: total protein, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, urea, and uric acid. The highest concentration of sodium was noted in the control group (141.59 mmol/L). Regardless of the injection site/location, chicks treated with 500 µL of NaCl were characterized by a significantly lower blood sodium concentration (by 7.45% (AC), 7.90% (AFA), and 4.84% (AF) compared with birds from the control group (p ≤ 0.01)). The influence of saline solution administration in ovo on the blood potassium content of chicks was demonstrated. The concentration of potassium in the control group was significantly higher (by 11.36%) than in the AC group (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, the injection of 500 µL of saline solution into the developing chick embryo during the last days of incubation may have a positive effect on the quality of day-old chicks

Antioxidant enzymes activity, GSH and MDA level in eggs from heritage breeds

The objective of the study was to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of GSH and MDA in yolk and albumen of hen’s eggs. The experiment was carried out with 99 hens of three heritage breeds (‘Greenleg Partridge’ - group I, ‘Sussex’ - group II, ‘Rhode Island Red’ - group III). Layers were reared in the litter system and had outdoor access. Birds were fed ad libitum standard diets based on concentrates for laying hens and had free access to water throughout the experiment. All the groups were managed under uniform environmental (air humidity and temperature, lighting programme) and feeding conditions. At 48 weeks of age, 6 eggs from each group were collected. In the samples of egg yolks and albumens the concentration of GSH and MDA, and activity of SOD, GPx and CAT were estimated. The results were statistically analysed by one-way analysis of variance and significant differences were estimated with Duncan’s multiple range test. The highest activity of SOD, the highest level of GSH and the lowest level of MDA were characterised by eggs from ‘Sussex’ hens, which may indicate their best quality. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the activity of antioxidant enzymes (mainly SOD) and the levels of GSH and MDA which occur in eggs may depend on the breed of hens