• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2016

Prediction of growth patterns of commercial chicken strains is important. It can provide visual assessment of growth as function of time and prediction body weight (BW) at a specific age. The aim of current study is to compare the three nonlinear functions (i.e., Logistic, Gompertz, and von Betalanffy) for modeling the growth of twenty five commercial Korean native chicken (KNC) strains reared under a battery cage system until 32 weeks of age and to evaluate the three models with regard to their ability to describe the relationship between BW and age. A clear difference in growth pattern among 25 strains were observed and classified in to the groups according to their growth patterns. The highest and lowest estimated values for asymptotic body weight (C) for 3H and 5W were given by von Bertalanffy and Logistic model 4629.7 g for 2197.8 g respectively. The highest estimated parameter for maturating rate (b) was given by Logistic model 0.249 corresponds to the 2F and lowest in von Bertalanffy model 0.094 for 4Y. According to the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) and mean square of error (MSE), Gompertz and von Bertalanffy models were suitable to describe the growth of Korean native chicken. Moreover, von Bertalannfy model was well described the most of KNC growth with biologically meaningful parameter compared to Gompertz model.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2015

The production performance and egg quality traits among five strains of Korean native chickens (KNC) were evaluated in conventional cages. A total of 240 KNC were housed in a controlled environment. Each strain had 12 replicates with 4 chickens per cage. Feed intake, body weights, egg production and egg quality were measured at 24, 28 and 32 of weeks. Egg quality parameters were analyzed using 150 eggs. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) difference in average body weights, egg production and egg weight among five strains of KNC. In contrast, KNC strains effect was non-significant (P>0.05) for feed efficiency. The difference among those KNC strains on egg shell color, egg shell strength and egg shell density were not different (P>0.05) at the age of week 24 while it was significant (P<0.05) at the age of week 28 and 32. There was no effect (P>0.05) on egg length and egg shape index from five strains of KNC. The significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in egg width with KNC strains during early ages (week 24 and 28) and it was not significant (P>0.05) at the age of 32 weeks. Regarding internal quality parameters, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly (P<0.05) affected with KNC strains while the effect on yolk color was not significant (P>0.05). Based on the egg weight and the production performance, GS-10 KNC strain was superior when compared with the other strains.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to study the optimum energy feeding system for broiler breeders peaked in summer season with 400 caged hens of Ross strain. Four of energy supply series which were different in daily energy allotment during laying period were employed for 40 weeks from 24 to 64 weeks of age. All experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,750 kcal ME/kg with adjustments made in total feed allotment to provide the desired energy levels. Total consumption of the feed would provide 20 grams of protein, 4 grams of calcium and 0.35 grams of available phosphorus. There were no significant difference in hen-day egg production and average egg weight among the series of energy supply, but egg production showed a trend to decline as the level of energy allotment increased. Feed, ME and CP conversion and feed cost required per egg or per kg egg were significantly increased as the level of energy allotment increased(p<0.05). It was concluded that the Treatment 1, which supplied 280kcal ME per day at the age of 24 weeks and then increased the energy supply up to 400kcal ME per day at the peak period of 30∼34 weeks of age, was superior in all production parameters.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.563-573
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• 2000

Periodic outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) caused by velogenic viscerotropic ND virus (vvNDV) has become a major concern in Korea nowadays. Throughout last epidemic, the winter season in 2000, most chicken flocks infected early, under 2-4 weeks of age, showed high mortality up to 50-100%. Serum samples collected from 201 breeder, 284 layer and 112 broiler chicken flocks were examined to evaluate the efficacy of various vaccination methods and programs routinely used for mass vaccination in the field poultry farms. Despite repeated live vaccination, most poultry flocks vaccinated by drinking water route using nipple water supply system failed to produce solid active immune response to NDV during the growing time. In the present study, we applied the spray vaccination technique using Ulvavac or Desvac sprayer to the experimental poultry flocks and examined the efficacy of live vaccination effects induced by it under field condition. Measurable antibody to NDV as well as early protection against vvNDV challenge were found in poultry flocks vaccinated by spray route. Further, we did not found significant post vaccination reactions caused by spray vaccination if properly administered. These data indicate that the spray vaccination will be safe and reliable mass vaccination method for the prevention of ND.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.471-481
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• 2021

Objective: A comprehensive study was conducted to study the effects of partition of variance on accuracy of genetic parameters and genetic trends of economic traits in Vanaraja male line/project directorate-1 (PD-1) chicken. Methods: Variance component analysis utilizing restricted maximum likelihood animal model was carried out with five generations data to delineate the population status, direct additive, maternal genetic, permanent environmental effects, besides genetic trends and performance of economic traits in PD-1 chickens. Genetic trend was estimated by regression of the estimated average breeding values (BV) on generations. Results: The body weight (BW) and shank length (SL) varied significantly (p≤0.01) among the generations, hatches and sexes. The least squares mean of SL at six weeks, the primary trait was 77.44±0.05 mm. All the production traits, viz., BWs, age at sexual maturity, egg production (EP) and egg weight were significantly influenced by generation. Model four with additive, maternal permanent environmental and residual effects was the best model for juvenile growth traits, except for zero-day BW. The heritability estimates for BW and SL at six weeks (SL6) were 0.20±0.03 and 0.17±0.03, respectively. The BV of SL6 in the population increased linearly from 0.03 to 3.62 mm due to selection. Genetic trend was significant (p≤0.05) for SL6, BW6, and production traits. The average genetic gain of EP40 for each generation was significant (p≤0.05) with an average increase of 0.38 eggs per generation. The average inbreeding coefficient was 0.02 in PD-1 line. Conclusion: The population was in ideal condition with negligible inbreeding and the selection was quite effective with significant genetic gains in each generation for primary trait of selection. The animal model minimized the over-estimation of genetic parameters and improved the accuracy of the BV, thus enabling the breeder to select the suitable breeding strategy for genetic improvement.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.698-710
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different degrees of maternal dietary energy restriction on lipid deposition in embryonic tissues during the medium laying period (37 to 39 weeks) in Arbor Acres (AA) broiler breeders. Methods: A single factor design was adopted, and 400 AA broiler breeders (20 weeks of age) with a similar weight were randomly allocated into four groups. The birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet, and those in trial groups were fed diets with 80%, 70%, and 50% energy levels of the basal diet. Incubated eggs from the medium laying period were collected. Samples of developing embryos at various stages were prepared for composition analysis. Results: The embryo weight in the 80% energy group was higher than those of the other groups on embryonic day (E) 13, but at 21 E, they were significantly decreased with decreasing energy intake of the broiler breeders (p<0.05). Additionally, the levels of crude fat in tissues in the restriction groups were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The long axis and area of adipocytes in breast muscle, thigh muscle and the liver were significantly decreased (p<0.05) at 21 E in the 80%, 70%, and 50% energy groups. Conclusion: The effects of the 80% maternal dietary energy restriction energy affects egg production performance, egg quality, and nutrient deposition in egg weights, which then directly impacts on the developmental process of embryos, especially on fat utilization and deposition.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2003

In order to study the optimum daily protein allowance for broiler breeders of 24 to 64 weeks of age on a control-fed basis, an experiment was carried out with 400 hens of Arbor Acres strain. Four levels of protein allowances were used to supply 18 to 24g of protein per day in 2g increments. As the age of hens increased, a same stepwise increase and decrease in daily energy allotment was used in all treatments. Same amount of calcium, phosphorus, methionine and lysine were supplied in all treatments and throughout laying period. Hen-day egg production was highest in hens receiving 20g protein per day(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference among those fed daily protein ranging 18 to 22g, and increasing the daily protein allotment up to 24g resulted in a significant decrease(p<0.05). Average egg weight showed a trend to increase as the daily protein allowance increase(p<0.05), but no significant difference was found among the hens fed daily protein 20 to 24g. Feed and ME conversion was superior in hens receiving 20g daily protein(p<0.05). CP conversion was increased as the daily protein allowance increase(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between hens receiving 18 and 20g daily protein. Feed cost required per egg or per kg egg was lowest in hens fed 20g daily protein. It could be concluded that the optimum daily protein allowance was 20g in all performances.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1638-1642
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to elucidate the effect of graded levels of vitamin $D_3$ in White Leghorn (WL) layer breeders on egg production, shell quality, hatchability of eggs and juvenile performance of offspring during their late laying period (72-88 wk). White Leghorn breeder females were randomly divided into 5 groups of 50 each and were housed in individual California cages in an open-side housing system. Considering birds in five cages as a replicate, 10 such replicates were randomly allotted to each treatment. A basal diet was formulated containing all the nutrients as recommended for WL layers except vitamin $D_3$, which served as control. Another, four diets were formulated by supplementing graded levels of feed grade crystalline cholecalciferol to the basal diet that contained 300, 600, 1,200 and 2,400 ICU of vitamin $D_3$ per kg. Each diet was offered ad libitum to one of the above five treatment groups. The egg production, egg weight, daily feed consumption and the feed intake per dozen eggs or kg egg mass of the birds fed diet without any supplemental vitamin $D_3$ was comparable with those of supplemental groups. Similarly, the level of vitamin in the diet did not have any effect on any of the above parameters. However, the specific gravity of eggs laid by the birds fed the diet without supplemental vitamin $D_3$ was comparable with either 600 or 2,400 ICU supplemental groups but significantly higher when compared to the 300 and 1,200 ICU groups. The egg -shell breaking strength was significantly lowered in the 600 ICU supplemental groups as compared to the strength of other dietary groups. The Haugh unit, egg shell weight, shell thickness, tibia breaking strength, bone ash and calcium content were not influenced by vitamin $D_3$ concentration in the diet. Serum Ca concentration was influenced by vitamin $D_3$ level in the diet. The serum Ca concentration of birds fed either control or the vitamin supplemented diet up to 1200 ICU/kg diet was comparable. However, increasing the concentration of vitamin $D_3$ to 2,400 ICU/kg diet significantly enhanced the concentration of Ca in the serum, which was significantly higher compared to other dietary groups. The serum concentration of P and protein, however, was not influenced by level of vitamin $D_3$ in the diet. Neither fertility nor hatchability was influenced by vitamin $D_3$ concentration in the diet. Feeding a vitamin $D_3$ deficient diet or supplementation of vitamin to hens did not have any influence on their progeny chicks. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of vitamin $D_3$ may not be essential for optimum production, shell quality, hatchability, and juvenile performance of WL breeders during 72 to 88 weeks of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.470-475
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters that are to be used for across-herd genetic evaluations of seed stock pigs at GGP level. Performance data with pedigree information collected from swine breeder farms in Korea were provided by Korea Animal Improvement Association (AIAK). Performance data were composed of final body weights at test days and ultrasound measures of back fat thickness (BF), rib eye area (EMA) and retail cut percentage (RCP). Breeds of swine tested were Landrace, Yorkshire and Duroc. Days to 90 kg body weight (DAYS90) were estimated with linear function of age and ADG calculated from body weights at test days. Ultrasound measures were taken with A-mode ultrasound scanners by trained technicians. Number of performance records after censoring outliers and keeping records pigs only born from year 2000 were of 78,068 Duroc pigs, 101,821 Landrace pigs and 281,421 Yorkshire pigs. Models included contemporary groups defined by the same herd and the same seasons of births of the same year, which was regarded as fixed along with the effect of sex for all traits and body weight at test day as a linear covariate for ultrasound measures. REML estimation was processed with REMLF90 program. Heritability estimates were 0.40, 0.32, 0.21 0.39 for DAYS90, ADG, BF, EMA, RCP, respectively for Duroc population. Respective heritability estimates for Landrace population were 0.43, 0.41, 0.22, and 0.43 and for Yorkshire population were 0.36, 0.38, 0.22, and 0.42. Genetic correlation coefficients of DAYS90 with BF, EMA, or RCP were estimated to be 0.00 to 0.09, -0.15 to -0.25, 0.22 to 0.28, respectively for three breeds populations. Genetic correlation coefficients estimated between BF and EMA was -0.33 to -0.39. Genetic correlation coefficient estimated between BF and RCP was high and negative (-0.78 to -0.85) but the environmental correlation coefficients between these two traits was medium and negative (near -0.35), which describes a highly correlated genetic response to selection on one or the other of these traits. Genetic Trends of all three breeds tend to be towards bigger EMA or greater RCP and shorter DAYS90 especially from generations born after year 2000.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.102-108
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• 1986

This study was carried out to examine the effects of seasonality, age, abnormalities of reproductive tract and the frequency of superovulatory treatments on the superovulatory responses and rate of pregnancy in repeat breeder for embryo transfer. Thirty eight eggs were obtained from 6 donors by flushing the uterine horns and 33 embryos were transfered to 33 recipients. (29 holstein heifers, 3 holstein cows and 1 Korean native heifer). From this study, the following results could be obtained: 1. It seemed that spring (Feb.-Apr.) was the better season than any others to produce good embryos. Rate of pregnancy decreased significantly after August because of low heating rate. 2. Rate of pregnancy in the cows with normal reproductive tract showed much better superovulatory responses (80%) than the cows with abnormal reproductive tract (33%), as expected. 3. 8 years old cows produced higher rater of pregnancy than 4 years old cow (79.3 vs 50), and also in superovulatory responses, 8 years old cows showed slightly better results than 4 years old cow. 4. The number of ovulated eggs and rate of pregnancy in the repeated superovulatory treatment more than once were 41 eggs and 85.7%, and those of the donors treated the first superovulatory treatment were 32 eggs and 68.4%, respectively. 5. These results are showing the possibility that utilizing the repeat breeders as donors in embryo transfer could be able to elevate their economic values.