Abdullah Bilir

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of blood tubes with different anticoagulants and different spinning speed applications in the blood centrifuge on biochemical analyses. The study conducted with a total of 16 Gerze cocks, a native breed of Türkiye. In the first part of the study, 8 roosters were slaughtered and the blood taken was transferred to lithium heparinized tubes only. Then, the blood was centrifuged at 3000, 4000 and 5000 rpm for 10 minutes. Blood samples were taken into plain-tubes, K3EDTA and lithium heparin tubes, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. The study results indicated that, centrifugation speed had no statistically significant effect on the levels of plasma glucose (p = 0,691), triglyceride (p = 0,451), total cholesterol (p = 0,993), high-density lipoprotein [(HDL-cholesterol) (p = 0,917)], low-density lipoprotein [(LDL-cholesterol) (p = 0,990)], total protein (p = 0,860), inorganic phosphorus (p = 0,885), calcium (p = 0,980), amount of plasma (p = 0,903) and, aspartate aminotransferase activities [(AST) (p = 0,692)]. In the second part of the study 8 different cocks apart from first part of the study, were slaughtered and the blood taken into tubes with different contents as plain tubes (serum), lithium heparinized tubes (plasma) and K3EDTA tubes (plasma). Same parameters with first part of the study were investigated. The results showed that no statistical difference found between serum or plasma obtained from blood tubes with different contents (p˃0.05). Additionally, the calcium levels could not be analyzed with K3EDTA plasma. Consequently, we observed that centrifugation speeds up to 5000 rpm did not affect the parameters frequently investigated in scientific research and routine analysis in poultry Similarly, in the tube content experiment, no statistical difference was found in other parameters.

The present study was aimed to determine the most appropriate stocking density in breeding partridges by considering animal welfare. For this purpose, feed consumption, egg production and quality parameters, fertility, survival rate, feather condition score, cortisol and testosterone hormones were examined. A total of 552 breeding partridges with a ratio of 3 females to 1 male were used in the study and the groups were designed as 0.25 m², 0.19 m², 0.15 m² and 0.11 m² per partridge (4 groups and 3 replicates). Increasing the stocking density had no effect on feed consumption while it negatively affected egg production. Higher stocking density had a negative effect on the feather condition score which is similar to those for egg production. A parallel decrease in feed consumption and egg production was observed with the temperature increases according to the summer months. Stocking density had no effect on egg quality parameters, fertility rate, survival rate, testosterone and cortisol. In conclusion, a larger allowed space with 0.20 m²/bird or more benefits egg production and the welfare degree of chukar partridges.

Aim: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of different hen ages on egg quality characteristics, hatching performance and chick quality in chukar partridges. Materials and Methods: A total of 510 eggs obtained from chukar partridge flocks were used to determine the effects of different hen age on hatching performance, egg quality traits and chick quality. Daily collected 20 eggs from each age group (1, 2 and 3 years of age) were assessed for internal quality characteristics. A total of 150 eggs per each age group were set into incubator and hatcher set. After hatching, unhatched eggs were broken to determine hatching performance and embryonic mortality. Hatched day-old chicks were scored to determine chick quality characteristics. Results: Internal egg quality traits were not statistically affected by different breeding ages. Different breeding ages did not affect hatchability, early and middle embryonic mortality while late embryonic mortality and fertility of eggs were statistically affected. The evaluated chick quality traits were affected by the different hen age. Conclusion: Despite decreasing fertility rate with age, the results of this study suggest incubating eggs of chukar hens with 3 years age for optimum chick quality and being raised chukar hens up to 3 years of age.