Inventory of Beekeeping in the Algerian north (Tizi-ouzou and Bejaia)

The objective of this study is to make an inventory of the honey production in the counties of Bejaia and Tizi-Ouzou in northeastern Algeria. To achieve this, a survey was carried out on 31 beekeepers (14 in Bejaia and 17 in Tizi-Ouzou). The survey shows a social, cultural and religious role for 61.29% of the beekeepers. The beekeeping is primarily held by men (93.55%). It is the basic source of income for 64.52% of the respondents. The average age of the beekeepers is 42.90years (Min-Max: 28-67 years, Median: 40.5 years). The main products of the hive are honey (100%), swarms (16.13%), royal jelly (9.68%) and propolis (9.68%). The average honey production per hive is 7.70kg (Min-Max: 0.4-15kg hives, Median: 10kg). The average number of hives per beekeeper is 42.20 hives (Min-Max: 3-300 hives, Median: 17.50 hives). The average selling price of one kg of honey is 4000.00 DA / kg (Min-Max: 2000-5000DA; Median: 4000DA). The phenotype of the bee reported by 74.19% of the surveys is of small size with a long body and dark pigmentation corresponding to the breed “Apis mellifera intermissa”. Two apiculturists described another phenotype corresponding to the “Apis mellifera major”. The factors behind the motivations for beekeeping are consumption of honey (100%), income generation (90.32%), hobby (58.06%) and conservation of biodiversity (22.58%). The multiple constraints associated with several diseases, notably Varroase (mentioned by 80.65% of beekeepers), cause difficulties for the breeders. Thus they cannot profit maximum from beekeeping. Other constraints which were reported are; forest fires (35.48%), wasps (32.26%), absence of beekeeping professionals or technicians (29.03%), harsh and cold winters with snow (19.35%), high density of hives in the region (16.13%) and uncontrolled spreading of pesticides and crop protection products at farms (12.90%). The economic situation of the Algerian beekeepers can be optimized by improving the production potential of the local bees

Rosemary essential oil as a natural disinfectant in Japanese quail Eggs (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica): effect on the bacterial load and hatchability characteristics

peer reviewe

Ressources génétiques animales en Kabylie (Algérie)

La Kabylie est une région côtière montagneuse du nord-est algérien. Ce poster présente les principales espèces et races élevées dans cette région. Les ovins sont représentés par la race Tazegzawt, répertoriée récemment. Elle est reconnaissable à ses tâches noires à reflets bleuâtres, son nom kabyle signifiant bleu. Son poids peut dépasser 30 kg à 6 mois. La population locale de chèvres n’a pas fait l’objet de descriptions. Toutefois, la chèvre locale est adaptée aux massifs montagneux. Elle est de petite taille avec un poids vif d’environ 25 kg. Elle présente de longs poils et différentes couleurs de robe. La race bovine locale est issue de l’adaptation de la race brune de l’Atlas à un climat tempéré. Elle possède un petit gabarit (de 250 à 300 kg) et une robe grise ou allant du fauve brunâtre au rouge-brun. Par l’industrialisation de la production de volailles, les poules locales ont subi une érosion génétique sévère. Elles présentent ainsi une grande variabilité phénotypique et sont de taille moyenne (autour de 1,5kg). Le lapin local connaît une situation similaire et présente un poids de 2 à 3 kg. Il existe une tradition apicole importante en Kabylie. Les types d’abeilles exploitées ne sont toutefois pas encore caractérisés. Toutes les races citées ici sont menacées par le croisement ou l’abandon. Leur caractérisation génétique et zootechnique est nécessaire pour l’amélioration des systèmes de production familiaux, plus particulièrement en régions montagneuses, et la conservation de la biodiversité

L’élevage caprin dans la région montagneuse d’Ath Waghlis dans la wilaya de Bejaia: typologie et caractérisation morpho-biométrique

Le cheptel caprin algérien est estimé à 3,8 millions de têtes dont 2,2 millions de femelles adultes. Comptant 400000 têtes, la race caprine kabyle représente un dixième du cheptel national. Afin de caractériser cette race et son élevage dans la région d’Ath Waghlis, une enquête a été menée auprès de 69 éleveurs (dont 22 femmes) de chèvres répartis sur les communes d’Akfadou, Chemini, Souk Oufella et Tibane. Les questionnaires portaient sur le profil socio-économique du ménage et ses activités agricoles, ainsi que les données techniques se rapportant à la production de chèvres. Il a également été procédé à la caractérisation morpho-biométrique des chèvres (18 mensurations corporelles, 3 variables qualitatives). L’analyse des structures d’élevage par classification hiérarchique ascendante (CHA) a permis de retenir quatre groupes d’élevages conservant 55,7% de la variabilité totale. Les variables considérées étaient le nombre d’animaux par espèce (chèvre, bovin, ovin, lapin, poule, dinde, ruches) et le nombre d’arbres (oliviers et figuiers) détenus. Le nombre moyen de chèvres pour chaque groupe est de 7,2±2,8, 11,1±3,5, 22,3±1,4 et 3,4±1,0. Le groupe 3, démontrant les plus grands effectifs caprins, est composé de personnes âgées en moyenne de 67 ans et ne pratiquant pas l’arboriculture. Ils possèdent également les plus importants effectifs d’ovins (48,67), de lapins (50,83), de poules (48,33) et de dindes (42). Le groupe 4, qui a les effectifs caprins les plus faibles, représente le groupe des jeunes éleveurs (moyenne ~39 ans), orientés vers l’élevage bovin (~52 têtes) et la production d’oliviers (~207 oliviers) et de figuiers (~47 figuiers). Les 18 variables morpho-biométriques étaient significativement plus élevées chez les mâles que chez les femelles (p<0,05). La chèvre kabyle est de petite taille (mâle : 68,23 cm vs femelle : 65,41 cm) et à poil long (mâle : 12 cm vs femelle 9 cm). Ses oreilles sont tombantes, le profil convexe à cassure nasale peu accentuée et sa robe va du brun foncé au noir. La riche diversité génétique des caprins locaux à Ath Waghlis souffre du manque de coordination des efforts de sélection des éleveurs, notamment du fait de l’absence de standard de la race et par l’introduction de races exotiques. Cette richesse devrait représenter un vivier utile où puiser les gènes d’intérêt pour la valorisation de la production locale, basée sur un engagement fort des éleveurs dans la production d’individus correspondant à un idéal collectivement déterminé

Effects of incorporating 3% and 6% nettle powder on zootechnical performance, oxidative status and physicochemical characteristics of commercial turkey meat

editorial reviewedThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of incorporating nettles (Urtica dioica L.) on the zootechnical performance, biochemical and physicochemical parameters of the meat and the oxidative status of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reared under intensive conditions. The evaluation of the potential of this ingredient was carried out by comparing two rates of dietary incorporations, 3 and 6%, of nettles powder in three commercial feeds corresponding to three growth phases, during 12 weeks of rearing. The feed was distributed ad-libitum during the whole rearing phase. A total of 72 one-day-old turkeys were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, consisting of three replicates of eight birds each. Results showed that nettle leaves significantly improved the growth performance, with live weight at 12 weeks of age (P<0.05), which is higher in the group fed with 3% nettle powder (NP3%) than in the groups fed with 0% (NP0%) and 6% (NP6%) nettle powder (NP3%: 10534g; NP0%: 9829g; NP6%:9233g; P<0.05). Over the rearing period, the NP0% group recorded a better feed conversion ratio (NP0%: 2.86; NP3%: 3.03; NP6%: 3.06; P=0.03). Mortality was similar between the three groups (8% average). Oxidative status was significantly affected by supplementation among the three groups (P<0.001). The antioxidant capacity, measured by the way of Total Antioxidant Capacity, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Malondialdehyde, was linearly improved with the level of incorporation of nettle powder (P<0.001). No significant differences were recorded between the 3 groups for the chemical composition (water, protein, Fat and ash) and physicochemical parameters (pH24, WHC, Cooking loss, Redness, yellowness and brightness) of the meat

Effect of olive leaf incorporation in animal feed on broiler turkey (<i>Meleagris gallopavo</i>) growth performance, welfare, oxidative status, and blood and biochemical serum parameters

peer reviewedAbstract. This work investigates how incorporating olive leaves (OLs) (Olea europaea) into turkeys' (Meleagris gallopavo) diets affects their performance, welfare, blood biochemical parameters, and oxidative status of those reared in intensive farming conditions. The potential of this ingredient was assessed by comparing two dietary incorporation rates of olive leaves, 3 % and 6 %, in three commercial feeds corresponding to three growth phases over 15 weeks where feed was provided ad libitum. A total of 270 animals (broiler medium strain) were used. They were divided into three groups: the OL0, OL3, and OL6 regimens with OL incorporation rates of 0 %, 3 %, and 6 %, respectively. Animals were allocated to three pens of approximately 15 m2 of surface area; each pen had 30 animals, with a density of three turkeys per square meter. Throughout the rearing period, the diet had no effect on bird mortality. Olive leaves boosted growth rates. Indeed, after the experiment, the OL3 group had significantly higher weights than the OL6 and OL0 groups, which had the lowest feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, after bleeding, the weights and evisceration was significantly (p 0.05) in carcass yield or gizzard or liver weights. OL supplementation improved oxidative status but had no effect on animal welfare or blood biochemical parameters, with the exception of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the OL3 group than in the OL0 and OL6 groups. Except for the mean cholesterol level, which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the OL3 and OL6 (1.29 g L−1) groups compared to the OL0 group, and the albumin level, which was higher in the OL0 group compared to the OL6 group, no significant effect was observed on biochemical serum parameters. Thus, a 3 % OL supplementation in the turkey diet appears promising for improving the bird's growth performance

Characterization of the Hamra sheep breed in western Algeria

editorial reviewedThe present work is a part of a National Research Project (PNR Algeria 2022) dedicated to the development of the Hamra sheep breed in his cradle western Algeria. The aim of this study is to characterize the morphology, growth and reproductive performance of this ovine breed. A sample of 15 rams and 30 ewes were used for the morphological characterization versus a total of 1,328 head for the growth and reproduction performance carried out at the technical livestock institute in Saida area located in the western Algeria. Hamra sheep breed is small compared to other Algerian breeds. It has a dark brown (mahogany) head and legs, a blackish-blue tongue, white wool, spiral horns, and a fine, medium-length tail. Total body length is 124.5 cm for males and 110.5 cm for females, with a trunk length of 78.6 cm for males and 67.7 cm for females. Depth, width and circumference of chest are respectively 40.3 cm; 30 cm; 116.4 cm for males, and 34.2 cm; 22 cm; 99.8 cm for females. Growth monitoring showed an average birth weight of 3 to 3.6kg, depending on sex (male or female) and litter size (single or double). Live weights reached an average of 17.9kg for males and 16.2kg for females at 90th day of age. The ewes' reproductive performances are as follows: 82.2% for fertility, 97% for fecundity and 118% for prolificacy at birth and weaning. In conclusion, the Hamra breed has shown promise performances in terms of growth, but its butchering potential needs more assessments. Further studies are required to establish a conservation strategy becoming urgent by the uncontrolled introduction of genetics from other sheep breeds.PNR- Algérie12. Responsible consumption and productio

The Effect of Urtica dioica Supplements on Egg Quality

Eggs are a rich source of lipids and proteins. Because of their low production cost, they represent a cheap source of animal proteins and lipids. recently, in Algeria, consumers’ interest are oriented of healthiness and dietetic values food. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects a dietary supplement of Urtica dioica on laying hen's performance and egg quality. The study was conducted from may to june 2014 in the area of Chemini (Algeria). Sixty, 25-wk-old Lohmann Brown layers were randomly divided into 3 groups with 20 hens in each group. Group 1 was the control group fed a standard commercial diet based on corn and soybean, whereas the groups 2 and 3 were fed the control diet supplemented with 1% and 1.5% of nettle respectively. The hens were housed in cages in the same local and fed ad libitum. Fifty five eggs were sampled 4 times in each group from 25 to 27 weeks. A total of 220 eggs were examined. A series of measurements were carried out on each egg, namely egg weight, form index (egg shape), yolk to albumen ratio (Y:A), Yolk color, egg shell thickness, Haugh’s units. Egg weight, yolk color and Haugh Units (HU) were affected by age. Significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded between feeding type in total egg weight, yolk color and Haugh Units. The egg from group 2 proved to have a higher egg weight (57.67g; group 1: 55.41g; group 3: 56.70g; P<0.05), (33.4%), intermediate Yolk color (8.53; group 1: 9.03 ; group 3: 9.38; P<0.05) and HU (79.81; group 1: 80.85; group 3: 76.92). The results showed that the use of 1% and 1.5% of Urtica dioica, had positive effects on the color of yolk of laying hens. Using different levels of Urtica dioica could change the characteristics of egg and could meet the preferences of consumers for the intense color of the yolk

Effect of the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) on rooster sperm motility during 4°C short-term storage

Aim : This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oil on rooster sperm motility during 4°C short-term storage. Materials and Methods : R. officinalis essential oil was analyzed using gas chromato graphy coupled to mass spectrometry to identify the active components. 10 of 45-week-old Hubbard commercial broilers were subjected to biweekly semen collections during 3 weeks. At each collection, sperm was pooled and divided into four aliquots and then diluted with Tris extender supplemented with 870, 87, or 8.7 μg/ml of R. officinalis essential oil, identified as treatments R, R5, and R10, respectively. Tris-based extender without any supplementation was considered as a control group. Diluted sperm was then stored at 4°C in the refrigerator and analyzed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Different semen parameters were measured including total motility, progressive motility, gametes velocities (straight line velocity [VSL], curvilinear velocity [VCL], and average path velocity [VAP]), amplitude of the lateral head displacement [ALH], and beat- cross frequency [BCF]. Results : The phytochemical analysis of R. officinalis essential oil revealed the presence of 25 active components including seven major molecules: Camphor (18.88%), camphene (5.17%), 1,8-cineole (7.85%), β-thujene (13.66%), α-thujene (4.87%), chrysanthenone (12.05%), and β-cubenene (7.97%). The results showed a beneficial effect of R. officinalis essential oil on sperm cells motility, particularly when using the lowest concentrations, 8.7 and 87 μg/ml. Progressive motility and gametes velocities (VCL, VSL, and VAP), materializing the quality of gametes motility, showed highly statistically significant values (p<0.01) in 8.7 and 87 μg/ml treatments, especially from 6 h of storage at 4°C. Conversely, the highest concentration (870 μg/ml) showed harmful effects with a total spermicidal activity after 24 h of storage. Conclusion : The current results revealed the positive impact of R. officinalis essential oil on rooster sperm at 4°C short-term storage probably through fighting against oxidative stress and cold shock damages