• 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.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1418-1427
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Bacillus-based probiotics supplemented at two different levels to modulate the productive performance, egg quality, tibia traits, and specific cecal bacteria counts of Hy-Line Brown layers from 25 to 37 weeks of age. Methods: A total of 216 twenty-five-week-old hens were randomly distributed into 3 experimental diets with 12 replicates of 6 birds per cage. Diets included basal diet supplemented with 0 (CON), 3×10⁸ (PRO1), or 3×10⁹ (PRO2) colony-forming unit (CFU) of the test probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 per kilogram of feed. Results: Improved egg weights and mass at 29 weeks; and feed intake at 31 weeks (p<0.10) were noticed with the probiotic-supplemented PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Considering egg quality, the shell thickness, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was lowered (p<0.05) with PRO1 and PRO2 diets at 29 weeks. At both 33 and 37 weeks, the egg-breaking strength, shell color and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was similarly lowered (p<0.05) with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia Ca, ash, weights, and density; and raised cecal counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli (p<0.05) were noticed with PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia P but reduced Clostridia counts (p<0.10) were also observed with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 at 3×10⁸ CFU/kg of feed is adequate to significantly improve egg quality, lower yolk cholesterol, enhance several tibia traits, and raise the populations of beneficial cecal bacteria. Modest improvements in several productive parameters and tibia P but reduced Clostridia were also observed; and could warrant further investigation of probiotic effects beyond the current test period.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2020

This study presents the production characteristics and physiological characteristics of five Korean native chicken (KNC) breeds consisting of Hwanggalsaek Jaeraejong (HJ), Korean Rhode Island Red (KR), Korean White Leghorn (KL), Korean Brown Cornish (KC), and Korean Ogye (KO). We investigated their production performances, vitalities, and stress responses. We measured the survival rate, body weight, age at first egg-laying, hen-day egg production, egg weight, amount of telomeric DNA, heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), and heat shock protein (HSP)-70, HSP-90α and HSP-90β gene expression levels for 493 KNCs. The survival rate was highest in KR, and lowest in KO. Body weights were steadily high in the order of KC, KR, HJ, KO and KL. Average hen-day egg production was highest in KL, and lowest in KC. While the amount of telomeric DNA was highest in KR, and lowest in KC. Furthermore, both the H/L ratio and the HSP-90β gene expression level were highest in KC, and lowest in KR. These results indicated that the KR breed was highly resistant to stress, whereas KC was more susceptible to stress. Taken together, it is considered that with improvements the KC breed would be more suited to be used as a Korean broiler breed while KL would be more appropriately used as a Korean layer breed. In addition, it is considered that the KR breed is appropriate to be used as a maternal chicken breeder based on good production capacity and excellent robustness, while the HJ breed is desirable to be improved as a high-quality Korean meat breed based on its excellent meat quality.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of ascidian tunic shell the effects of its dietary supplementation on laying performance, egg-yolk pigmentation, egg-shell strength and egg taurine content. A total of 168 brown layers at the age of 29wks in commercial cage were fed for 4 wks with 7 different diets containing ascidian tunic shel1(AST) at varying levels of 0$\sim$5% Dm or 0% AST with 100ppm carophyll red. No differences were found in egg production and weight among the treatments indicating that ascidian tunic shell did not adversely affect the laying performances. Adding the ascidian tunic shell to the diets increased egg-yolk pigmentation compared to the control and resulted in simillar or better effect on egg-yolk pigmentation compared to 100ppm carophyll red. The data suggest that ascidian tunic shell may be used as feed ingredients in layer diet enrichment of egg-yolk pigmentation in the place of carophyll red(chemical pigment). Specific gravity and breaking strength of egg shell were significantly increased by the adding ascidian tunic shell to the diet, suggesting that ascidian tunic shell may be used as feed ingredients for increasing egg shell strength. Also taurine content of egg was significantly increased with increasing supplementation of ascidian tunic shell to the diet(p<0.05). Therefore, ascidian tunic shell may be used as feed ingredients in laying hen diet to improve egg quality such as egg-yolk pigmentation, egg-shell strength and egg taurine enrichment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1993

This study carried out to build up new synthetic egg production lines which had sex-linked gene for feather color sexing and also superior combining ability for producing the best commercial chicks. The closed flock breeding method was utilized to improve the general performances in the first experiment and combining ability for heterosis was tested for new synthetic line in the second experimental year. In order to test for the egg production ability in cross breeds synthetic lines, the crossing of B$\times$4 B$\times$C, two imported strains and two domestic strains as controls were compared for the general performances. There was on difference in mortality, body weight to 56 weeks of age. Sexual maturity was delayed about 10 days by comparing with other reports, except 153 days of the Manina White, but no difference among mating systems in this experiment. The hen housed egg production in B$\times$A, B$\times$C was 186.3, 191.3 respectively and it was better than the other controls, except ISA imported lines. The hen-day egg production of B$\times$A, B$\times$C was better than other controls, with 75.7%, 76.8% respectively. In the average egg weight, the B$\times$C cross breed was highest with 64.5g. As the sex of hatching chicks was identified by difference of feather color, the genetic composition of synthetic lines must be homogenized. The feather color of female chicks was brown and that of male was silver (99%), In conclusion, the egg production ability of B$\times$A, B$\times$C cross breeds was superior to the imported and domestic lines. Therefore, it suggest that the synthetic lines with sex-linked gene might be utilized for improving egg production performances.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2017

The purpose of this survey was to collect basic data on breeding systems of animal welfare-approved laying hen farms in Korea. Questionnaires were mailed to 64 animal welfare-approved farms, and 20 questionnaires (31.3%) were returned. The housing systems were fabric coverlet (4 farms, representing 20%), naturally farmed (Yamagisi, 7 farms, 35%), and steel panel-framed housing (9 farms, 45%). The 20 farms had stocking densities of $2{\sim}3birds/m^2$ (2 farms; 10%), $4{\sim}5birds/m^2$ (10 farms; 50%), and $6{\sim}7birds/m^2$ (8 farms; 40%). Breeding methods were floor-housed (14 farms; 70%), free-range (3 farms; 15%), and floor plus free-range (3 farms; 15%). Stocking density was $4{\sim}6birds/m^2$ at most of the farms with fabric coverlet and naturally farmed housing and $6{\sim}7birds/m^2$ at seven farms (of 9 farms) with a steel panel-framed housing. The daily feed intake of 11 farms (55%) was between 120 and 130 g, which included 3 farms (15%) with fabric coverlet, 3 farms (15%) with naturally farmed housing, and 5 farms (25%) with steel panel-framed housing. The age of peak production was 24~28 weeks overall 20 farms. Over 80% of production on fabric coverlet, naturally farmed, and steel panel-framed house farms was on 3, 4 and 6 farms, respectively. Respiratory disease on the 20 farms represented 55% of total disease incidence, and of each housing type represented 75% (fabric coverlet), 70% (naturally farmed) and 33% (steel panel-framed). E. coli disease was only found in the steel panel-framed housing. Most of the animal welfare-approved eggs were sold at large markets or a real sale markets. Egg price was 200~250 won per egg. These results indicate the current situation of animal welfare-approved farms and could be caused that windowless poultry house was applied to animal welfare approved farms.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate animal welfare approved farms in three housing systems (open, windowless, and free-range). The survey was conducted in 25 animal welfare approved farms, and 10 farms were surveyed for distribution status. The main breed in all animal welfare approved farms of laying hens was Hy-Line Brown variety. In the case of open house, laying hens were bred in traditional and panel houses simultaneously; however, the ratio of panel house was 58.3%, which was higher than that of the traditional house. All the windowless houses were made of panels and more than 15,000 laying hens were housed in a single windowless house. In the case of free-range house, it was maintained on a small scale of less than 12,000 birds. Fifty-six percent of the surveyed farms were breeding at $7{\sim}8birds/m^2$. In terms of male and female ratios, most farms maintained 1 male:15 females, but there was a farmhouse that switched 17 or 20 females to 1 male. The daily dietary allowance was 110~170 g, and 32% of the surveyed farms provided feed of more than 150 g/day, which showed that forage feed was important. The age of at the first egg was 123 days, 122 days, and 120 days, and the peak percent was 91.8%, 94.9%, and 86.5% in open, windowless and free-range houses, respectively. The average egg production rate was 74.0%, 84.6%, and 72.7% in open, windowless, and free-range houses respectively, thus, there was no correlation between feed intake and hen-housed eggs. Distribution of welfare certified eggs was mainly a direct deal with the consumer or through contract production. The ratio of direct transactions between large-scale marts and eco-friendly specialty stores of welfare approved eggs was higher than that of conventional eggs. The rate of contract sales of eggs in both the barn and free-range systems was high, and the percentage of courier sales farms was also high. Excluding courier services, price of eggs in the barn system rose to more than 30 won/egg in the second half of 2017 (after AI). Price of eggs in the free-range system rose to more than 50 won/egg in the second half of 2017 (after AI). In the case of courier sales, the same price of 500 won was maintained before and after AI. In conclusion, the results of this study can be used as basic data for improving the animal welfare certification system for laying hens in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-31
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary methionine and lysine levels on laying hen performance. The level of protein was fixed 15% during whole experiment period, but the levels of methionine and lysine were 0.30% and 0.58% (Low), 0.32% and 0.64% (Medium), 0.35% and 0 70% (High), respectively. Total 288 laying pullets of 22 weeks age were reared from January 28, 1989 to March 23, 1990 for 60weeks. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. The e99 Productions were highest in medium treatment in phase I (22~42weeks of age), phase II (42~62 weeks of age) and phase III (62~82weeks of age) and especially, there was significant difference among treatments during phase II (P＜0.05). 2. Egg weight was significantly increased as the levels of methionine and lysine were increased up to methionine and lysine were 0.32% and 0.64%, respectively(P＜0.01). 3. Daily egg mass was highest when the levels of methionine and lysine were 0.32% and 0.64%, respectively and there were significant differences among treatments during phase I and phase II (P＜0.01) 4. Daily feed intake was increased as the levels of methionine and lysine were increased, and there was significant difference among treatments during phase III (P＜0.05). 5. Feed efficiency was best in medium treatment in phase I and phase II (P＜0.01) 6, Viability was highest in medium treatment, but there was no significant difference among treatments. 7. Nutrient utilizability of experimental diets was not significantly different among treatments. 8. Eviscerated yield was highest and abdominal fat accumulation was lowest in medium treatment, but there was no significant difference among treatments. 9. Egg shell quality and chemical composition of egg content were not different among treatments. 10. The feed cost per kg egg mass was lowest in medium treatment and there were significant differences among treatments in phase I, phase II and whole egg laying period(P＜0.05)

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.169-175
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• 1998

A feeding trial was carried out to evaluate optimum feeding system to Korean Native Chicken (KNC) with various feeding programs for 64 weeks. Eight hundreds and ten KNC＇one day birds were assigned to three feeding systems, NRC(T1), Japanese Feeding Standard(T2), Korean Feeding Standard(T3). Each treatment had three replicates of 90 birds a replicate. Data were obtained growing performance to 20 week of age and laying performance from twenty one to sixty four week. Viability to 20 week of age was similar to treatments. Growth characteristics by feeding systems were not significantly difference on body weight, feed intake and 50％ egg production days. However, body weight was less about 100g in T2. There were no different on egg production, egg weight, and egg mass during laying period. Feed intake of T1 was 104g daily and showed lower than other treatments, but was not different significantly. Feed conversion was significantly improved in T2(P <0.05) compared to other treatments(P<0.05). Egg production of all treatments was the highest between 27 to 30 week of age. ME intake of T1 was significantly maximized, whereas CP intake was the lowest of all treatments(P < 0.05). Nutrient requirements for egg mass tended to depend on nutrients intake. Interior egg and eggshell characteristics were not different among treatments except yolk color. Fertility and hatchability were similar to treatments, and the results at 39 week of age were higher than at 62 week in all treatments. In conclusion, treatments fed three or four phase feeding would be superior to other treatments during the growing period and suggest 2,800 ㎉/kg ME, 15％ CP for Korean native laying hen.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 1993

Acute and chronic effects of ethanol (EOH) administration on the cardiovascular and hormonal responses to repeated hemorrhage were investigated in conscious normotensive Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The chronic EOH treated group received 5% EOH (vol/vol) ad libitum in the drinking water far the first week,10% for the last 2 weeks, and 20% for the last 5 weeks from the age of 6 weeks. The EOH free group received tap water. Chronic EOH and EOH free groups were randomly subdivided into acute EOH infusion and control groups. Under ether anesthesia, catheters were inserted into the femoral vein and both femoral arteries. After rats regained consciousness and their blood pressure was stabilized, responses to quick hemorrhage (5 ml/kg BW) were tested. In the acute EOH infusion group, hemorrhage was induced 20 min after EOH infusion (1.0 g/kg BW), Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was assessed by the ratio of changes in hen.1 rate and mean arterial pressure (${\Delta}HR/{\Delta}MAP$) immediately after the hemorrhage. Chronic EOH administration elevated MAP in Wistar rats. During acute EOH infusion, MAP do- creased and HR increased in all groups. In comparison to EOH free control rats, acute or chronic EOH treated rats showed a greater reduction in MAP and a smaller elevation in heart rate in response to a hemorrhage. The degree of MAP reduction was significantly greater in SHR than in Wistar rats. Both the acute and chronic EOH administration attenuated the baroreceptor reflex and retarded MAP recovery, again the trend being much more prominent in SHR. The increase in plasma vasopressin and lenin concentrations after hemorrhage were intensified by the chronic EOH administration. SHR showed a greater vasopressin response but a smaller lenin response than Wistar rats. These results indicate that the EOH treated rats, particularly SHB, are prone to shock by a hemorrhage, which may be partly attributed to an impaired baroreceptor reflex function.