• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 1989

Studies were conducted to compare the utilization of dietary calcium between brown laying Tsaiya duck and Leghorn hen. Birds were fed corn-soybean diets containing 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0% calcium, respectively, with five birds per treatment. The metabolizability of calcium was determined by the indicator method. Experiments were conducted three times each at the age of 27, 31 and 36 weeks. Results appeared that duck eggs were heavier with better shell quality in comparison with hen eggs. Ducks fed 1% calcium diet resulted in severely depressed egg production (19%), but not for hens which still had 56% egg production. The metabolizability of calcium for hens was significantly higher than that for ducks (P<0.05) when both were fed diets containing 1 or 2% calcium. As the dietary calcium level was increased to 3 to 5%, there was no significant difference in calcium metabolizability between ducks and hens. When the dietary calcium was between 2 to 5%, the ducks retained more calcium than did the hens. Plasma calcium content for both hens and ducks fed 1% calcium diet was about the same. When the amount of the dietary calcium was increased to 2-5%, the plasma calcium level of ducks was approximately 7-10 mg/dl higher than that of hens. The calcium content in the egg shell of duck was significantly higher than that of hens, too. As the dietary calcium level was increased, there was a decreased magnesium content in the eggshell of hens, but not for ducks. The magnesium level in the eggshell was higher in hens than that in ducks. It is concluded that ducks could retain significantly more calcium and maintain higher plasma calcium level which might be the reason for larger eggs with better shell quality by ducks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.461-464
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• 1992

A survey of the cholesterol content of eggs obtained from commercial sources in Korea was conducted. Eggs from 17 different strain birds were obtained from the Poultry Random Sample Test Station at Ansung, Kyonggi province. Yolk cholesterol contents, determined by the colorimetric procedure, were obtained from three consecutively laid eggs from birds of about 63 weeks of age. The overall mean of cholesterol value was 17.25 mg/g of wet yolk and ranged from 16.40 to 18.18 mg/g yolk. Analysis of t-test between white shell eggs and brown shell eggs showed no difference in cholesterol content: however, the white shell eggs were somewhat high in cholesterol (17.41 vs. 17.08 mg/g yolk). Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in yolk cholesterol contents among strains within the breed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.687-694
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the laying performance of six strains of Korean domestic chickens (KDC 1A, 2A, 3A, 1B, 2B and 3B). A total of 288 20-week-old KDC hens were allocated in a completely randomized design to give 12 replicates per each strain (4 chickens per pen). The chickens were fed commercial diets (i.e., week 20 - 32, crude protein [CP] 18.0% and metabolizable energy [ME] 2,850 kcal/kg; week 32 - 40, CP 17.0% and ME 2,800 kcal/kg) ad libitum together with fresh water during the 20-week experiment. Body weight, age of sexual maturity, egg weight, hen-day egg production (HDP) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured during the experiment period (week 20 - 40). Our results show that strain 3B had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared with the other strains on week 24 - 28. However, strain 3A had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared to the other strains on week 28 - 40. Similarly, strain 3A had a higher egg weight (p < 0.05) compared to the other strains on week 28, 32 and 40. In conclusion, the higher laying performance of strain 3A indicates its potential in the development of a KDC strain with improved commercial laying performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1256-1264
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• 2016

Adrenergic, alpha-1B-, receptor (ADRA1B) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 beta (PPARGC1B) genes are involved in regulation of hen ovarian development. In this study, these two genes were investigated as possible molecular markers associated with hen-housed egg production, egg weight (EW) and body weight in Chinese Dagu hens. Samples were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique, followed by sequencing analysis. Two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within the candidate genes. Among them, an A/G transition at base position 1915 in exon 2 of ADRA1B gene and a T/C mutation at base position 6146 in the 3'- untranslated region (UTR) of PPARGC1B gene were found to be polymorphic and named SNP A1915G and T6146C, respectively. The SNP A1915G (ADRA1B) leads to a non-synonymous substitution (aspartic acid 489-to-glycine). The 360 birds from the Dagu population were divided into genotypes AA and AG, allele A was found to be present at a higher frequency. Furthermore, the AG genotype correlated with significantly higher hen-housed egg production (HHEP) at 30, 43, 57, and 66 wks of age and with a higher EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). For the SNP T6146C (PPARGC1B), the hens were typed into TT and TC genotypes, with the T allele shown to be dominant. The TC genotype was also markedly correlated with higher HHEP at 57 and 66 wks of age and EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). Moreover, four haplotypes were reconstructed based on these two SNPs, with the AGTC haplotype found to be associated with the highest HHEP at 30 to 66 wks of age and with higher EW at 30 and 43 wks (p<0.05). Collectively, the two SNPs identified in this study might be used as potential genetic molecular markers favorable in the improvement of egg productivity in chicken breeding.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2012

Different housing systems have considerable influence on performance in poultry production. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of different housing systems on the performance, bone mineral density and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hen. Hy-line brown pullets (n=450) of 12 weeks age were randomly divided into 3 housing systems with 6 replicates of 25 birds in each room. A diet with 2,750 kcal/kg ME and 16.5% CP was assigned to all birds. The pullets provided free access to feed and water. Significantly (P<0.05) higher values for egg production, egg mass and feed conversion efficiency were found in battery cages, however egg weight, egg shell color and breaking strength was remarkably (P<0.05) higher in floor system. The albumin height and Haugh unit were significantly higher (P<0.05) in battery cages which was statistically similar to aviary housing system. The egg yolk fatty acids concentration of linoleic acid and linolenic acids were significantly higher in aviary and in floor system, respectively, however both values were lower in battery cages. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content (%) in egg yolk did not influence by any housing systems. Bone mineral density was significantly higher (P<0.05) in floor and aviary housing system than that of battery cage system. It was concluded that in battery cages the egg production and composition maximized, however higher bone mineral density and yolk fatty acids content can be improved in the laying hen reared on floor and aviary housing systems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1062-1068
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• 2019

Objective: For many generations, most species of farm animals have been subjected to intense and strictly targeted selection for improvement of their performance traits. This has led to substantial changes in animal anatomy and physiology, which resulted in considerable differences between the current animal breeds and their wild ancestors. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is breed-specific variability in behaviour as well as differences in emotional reactivity and preferences of laying hens. Methods: The investigations involved 50 Green-legged Partridge, 50 Polbar, and 50 Leghorn hens. All birds were kept in the same conditions, and the behavioural tests were carried out at 30 weeks of age. We used the tonic immobility test and a modified open-field test including such objects as water, commercial feed, feed enriched with cereal grains, finely cut straw, and insect larvae, a sandpit, a mirror, and a shelter imitating a hen nest. Results: The research results demonstrate that the birds of the analysed breeds differ not only in the excitability and emotional reactivity but, importantly, also in the preferences for environment-enriching elements. Ensuring hens' well-being should therefore be based on environmental modifications that will facilitate acquisition of essential elements of chickens' behaviour. The greatest emotional reactivity was found in the Leghorn breed, which may be a result of correlated selection aimed at an increase in chicken productivity. Conclusion: The differences in the behaviour of the birds from the analysed breeds indicate that laying hens cannot be regarded as one group of animals with the same environmental requirements.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.318-326
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• 1990

This experiment was conducted to determine the economic housing density levels on caged laying hens The experiment was carried out with 600 ISA Babcock strain of white coder and 450 ISA Brown strain of brown color for production period(21－72 weeks) from May 11. 1987 to June 27. 1988. The levels of housing density was employed 5 or 6 by hen's color from 272 to 920$\textrm{cm}^2$/per hen. The results obtained were summarzed as follows ： 1. Although there were not statistically significant among the housing density levels, The body weight gain for pullet period(14－20 weeks) were in case of white pullet the lowest at the group of high crowding density (272$\textrm{cm}^2$/per pullet) and in case of Brown pullet was the lowest at the group of high crowding density(306$\textrm{cm}^2$/per pullet). 2. Viabillity of pullet from 14 to 20 weeks were more 97% and there urere not statistically significant among the housing density. 3. Viabillity of laying hens was increased as increasing housing density through the etire product period(21－72 weeks) but 453$\textrm{cm}^2$/per hen group(in case of brown hen) showed a significant difference (P＜.05). 4. Rate of egg production through the etire production period(21－72 weeks) were significantly increased by increasing housing density (P＜.05 or .01). 5. Average egg weight through the entire production period(21－72 weeks) was not significantly different among housing density levels at all laying kent 6. In case of white strain, egg mass per hen among treatment during the age of 63－72 weeks were decreased by increasing housing density, meanwhile, in case of brown strain were increased by decreasing housing density during the whole period and there were significant different among the all treatment 7. There were no significant different in feed intake among the all treatment through the entire production period(21－72 weeks) at the white strain laying hens but in case of brown strains, Feed intake were increased by increasing housing density and feeding spece/per hen, and there were significant different among the all treatment 8. Feed requirements per egg at white strain was the highest when the 272$\textrm{cm}^2$/per hen levels and at the brown strains was the highest when the 306$\textrm{cm}^2$/per hen levels, however, among the other treatment were no significant.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.469-472
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• 2008

Necropsy was performed on a total of twenty three either white leghorn or ogol chickens which were more than 150 weeks of age. Among twenty three chickens examined, fifteen chickens were laying and the rest eight chickens were non-laying. On necropsy, neoplastic mass in the five chickens among non-laying chickens was found. These neoplastic masses were present mostly in the ovaries and one case in the liver and characterized by multifocal to coalescing 1 to 5 mm tan firm nodular formation. On histopathology, ovarian adenocarcinoma with widespread abdominal seeding and hepatic metastasis was diagnosed in the three chickens. Oviductal leiomyoma was also found in two chickens that had a focal well-demarcated nodules in the oviduct. Taken together, the number with ovarian adenocarcinoma among non-laying chickens over 150 week old was 37.5%. As most animal species do rarely develop ovarian tumors, the high rate of spontaneous ovarian adenocarcinoma in non-laying hen suggest that the hen is a proper model for human ovarian cancer study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.243-248
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• 1993

The effect of dietary lipid factors (plant and animal oil, cholesterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol) on the liver, serum, and egg yolk cholesterol levels of the laying hen was studied. Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens, at 28 weeks of age, were fed two basal diets containing 8.0% soybean oil or 8.0% fish oil, with or without supplemental cholesterol (1.0%), ${\beta}$-sitosterol (2.0%) or combinations of both. Restricting caloric intake resulted in significantly (p<.05) decreased egg production and the total amount of cholesterol excreted via the egg was significantly (p<.05) different among treatment groups. Cholesterol supplementation to the two basal diets resulted in a significant elevation of liver, serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels. The addition of ${\beta}$-sitosterol lowered the cholesterol levels in liver and serum, while increased in the egg yolk (SO + ST, FO + ST). The anticholesterogenic effect of dietary ${\beta}$-sitosterol was not clearly exhibited in this study.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.991-997
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the laying period performance of two crossbred Korean native chicken (KNC) grand parent stock (GPS) layer during 20 to 40 weeks. A total of 351 20-week-old KNC GPS were allocated in a completely randomized design to give 4 birds per each cage. The chickens were fed commercial diets [i.e., week 20 - 32, crude protein (CP) 18.0% and metabolizable energy (ME) 2,850 kcal/kg; week 32 - 40, CP 17.0% and ME 2,800 kcal/kg)] and fresh water during the whole experiment period ad libitum basis. Body weight, age of sexual maturity, egg weight, hen-day egg production (HDP) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured during the experiment period (week 20 - 40). The results show no significant difference in the Body weight, age of sexual maturity, egg weight, and hen-day egg production (HDP) except for egg weight. 1B had a higher egg weight on week 36 only. We expect that the reason why most factors showed no significant difference is the lack of nutrients caused by limited feeding which follows the standard feeding system for the grand-parent stock. These results provide basic information for laying data in 2-way crossbred Korean native chickens.