The present experiment was conducted to test the effect of a 4% defatted silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae meal (SWM) incorporation into chickens’ diets at different growth phases on meat quality characteristics and sensory traits. Ninety ROSS 308 day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 3 dietary groups, with 5 replicated pens/diet: the first group received a control (C) diet throughout the growing period of 42 d, the second group received a diet with 4% SWM (SWM1) during the starter phase (1–10 d) and the C diet up to slaughter, whereas the third group was fed the C diet during the starter phase and 4% SWM during the grower and finisher phases (SWM2). Diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergy, and birds had free access to feed and water throughout the experimental trial. At 42 d of age, 15 chickens/treatment were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) profiles and contents of meat, as well as its oxidative status, were determined in both breast and leg meat cuts. Also, a descriptive sensory analysis was performed on breast meat by trained panelists. Results highlighted that the SWM2 treatment increased the n-3 proportion and content in both breast and leg meat, thereby improving the omega-6/omega-3 (n-6/n-3) ratio in both cuts (P < 0.001). However, the dietary treatment had no significant effect on the oxidative status of either breast or leg meat (P > 0.05). The SWM had a limited impact on overall sensory traits of breast meat, but it contributed to improve meat tenderness in SWM-fed chickens (P < 0.01). Furthermore, SWM1 meat exhibited higher juiciness (P < 0.05) and off flavor intensity (P < 0.05) compared to the control meat. Overall, the present experiment indicated that defatted SWM holds promise as an alternative ingredient in chicken rations, ensuring satisfactory meat quality. Furthermore, administering SWM during the grower-finisher phase demonstrated beneficial effects on meat healthiness, ultimately enhancing n-3 fatty acids content and reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio.

One aim of this study was to investigate a crossbred laying hen line (400 hens) in two alternative housing systems in two replicates between 20-72 weeks of age. One rearing system was deep litter (D) with artificial light. Hens from Group R were housed in a poultry house with windows on deep litter and access to a runway without artificial light. Birds were fed ad libitum with a concentrate layer feed (18.0 % protein, 11.6 MJ). The egg production was influenced by the housing system. Lower average egg weight was observed in Group R. The feed consumption was also lower here, but the FCR was better compared to D. Floor egg did not cause any problem in the examined systems. The shell strength decreased with age in both systems. However, the rate was higher in Group D. The albumen height and HU value were higher in Group R at the end of the experiment (72^nd week of age). Some differences were found in the fatty acid profile between the two housing systems. Another goal of the study was to observe the behaviour patterns of animals kept under different conditions. Behavioural traits were monitored for 100 hens in total on the two farms that applied different housing technologies (50-50 birds with or without outdoor access). Birds with outdoor access showed 0.23±0.81 aggression-related traits per hour, whereas chickens without outdoor access produced 0.15±0.76 of the same traits (p>0.05). Hens with outdoor access showed 2.30±4.65 activity-related traits, whereas, for hens without outdoor access, 0.72±1.83 observations were recorded per hour (p<0.05). Comfort behaviour was similar (p>0.05) in the two groups. In conclusion, the housing system has a complex effect on the assessed crossbred laying hen line.

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of a 4% defatted silkworm (SWM-DEF) meal dietary incorporation into chickens’ diet at different growth stages on growth performances, carcass, and meat quality traits. A total of 90 Ross 308 one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 3 dietary groups of 5 replicated pens/diet (6 chickens/pen). One group was fed a standard soybean-based diet (C); group SWM1 consumed a starter diet (1–10 days of age) including 4% SWM-DEF and then the C diet up to slaughter (11–42 days of age); group SWM2 was fed with the C diet in the starter phase and the 4% SWM-DEF diet up to slaughter. Individual live weight and pen feed intake were determined at the end of each feeding phase: starter, grower, and finisher. Weight gain and FCR were then calculated. At 42 days of age, chickens were slaughtered and carcass traits determined. Leg and breast physico-chemical meat quality was also evaluated. Results confirmed that SWM-DEF could be a possible alternative feed source for chickens since growth performance, carcass, and meat physical traits were overall comparable in the three treatment groups. The feeding stage seemed to play a relevant impact on the sole meat protein content (SWM1 < SMW2 and C; p < 0.001). Concluding, the results available to date indicate that 4% SWM-DEF can be provided to chickens in different growth phases, and the choice of the inclusion period is more an industrial cost-benefit evaluation. From the scientific point of view, however, an administration in the grower-finisher phase rather than in the starter one provided the best meat nutritional quality. Further investigations should focus on the impact on meat fatty acids profile and sensory traits, which are of utmost importance for consumers.

Background: Cage-free egg production methods are advancing in the European Union due to stringent housing regulations, animal welfare and consumer pressure. A changing production environment requests novel adaptation strategies of which the development of specific layer hybrids or strains is notably promising. Cage-free housing systems allow for a rather complete expression of social behaviour in laying hen populations; however, increasing stress, aggression and feather pecking are considered as major consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to detect a recently described SORCS2 polymorphism in newly developed Hungarian laying hen populations and observe potential associations with behavioural traits. Cage-free housing technologies with or without outdoor acces were also compared. Materials and Methods: Occurrence of behavioural traits were individually recorded for 119 hens. A novel PCR-RFLP method was developed and applied for SORCS2 genotyping with Rsal endonuclase. Results and Discussion: The SORCS2 polymorphism was present In the Hungarian populations, Callele frequencies varied between 75.1-85.5%. Homozygous TT genotype was the least prevalent across the three experimental populations with frequencies 2.2-4.2%. The experimental hybrid populations demonstrated different (p < 0.05) levels of aggression and activity related behavioural patterns. Homozygous CC animals showed more cases of aggressive behaviour compared to other genotypes. Feather pecking was more common In populations with outdoor access compared to the closed barn system (p < 0.05). The social behaviour of laying hens Is affected by many factors in an Immensely complex system. Selection efficiency on behaviour can be improved with a more profound knowledge on Its genetics.

Objective: Effects of linseed oil (LO) supplementation on the fat content and fatty acid profile of breast meat, and the expression of three genes in the liver, breast muscle and fat tissues of commercial 154-day-old hybrid male turkeys were investigated. Methods: The animals in the control group were fed a commercially available feed and received no LO supplementation (n = 70), whereas animals in the LO group (n = 70) were fed the same basic diet supplemented with LO (day 15 to 21, 0.5%; day 22 to 112, 1%). The effect of dietary LO supplementation on fatty acid composition of breast muscle was examined by gas chromatography, and the expression of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) genes was analysed by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The LO supplementation affected the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. Hepatic FADS2 levels were considerably lower (p<0.001), while adipose tissue expression was higher (p<0.05) in the control compared to the LO group. The PPARγ expression was lower (p<0.05), whereas IGF1 was higher (p<0.05) in the fat of control animals. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in FADS2, PPARγ, and IGF1 gene expressions of breast muscle; however, omega-6/omega-3 ratio of breast muscle substantially decreased (p<0.001) in the LO group compared to control. Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of breast meat was positively influenced by LO supplementation without deterioration of fattening parameters. Remarkably, increased FADS2 expression in the liver of LO supplemented animals was associated with a significantly decreased omega-6/omega-3 ratio, providing a potentially healthier meat product for human consumption. Increased PPARγ expression in fat tissue of the LO group was not associated with fat content of muscle, whereas a decreased IGF1 expression in fat tissue was associated with a trend of decreasing fat content in muscle of the experimental LO group.