ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. P.

UDK 636.1.082

IMPROVEMENT OF EVALUATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL AND FARMING QUALITIES OF THE ŽEMAITUKAI HORSE BREED

Valė Macijauskienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Objective evaluation of inborn biological and farming qualities of the horse takes a very important place in the selection system of the horse.
Evaluation analysis of the biological and farming qualities of Žemaitukai horses from 1928 till 2006 indicated that the methods for evaluation of the working abilities of the Žemaitukai horse should be further improved, especially having in mind the experience of the neighbouring European countries in this area. The contemporary evaluation system for the Žemaitukai horse is efficient in selection of horses by their parentage, type, body conformation and constitution, body measurements, disposition and movements, yet it loses its effectiveness and objectiveness at evaluation of the inborn working abilities of young horses. The results of the competitions in the years 2001-2004 were highly influenced by the skills of riders and external conditions. Prior to entering stud books at the age of 3-3.5 years, young Žemaitukai stallions and mares should be evaluated according to the complex of traita as usual and have initial simple yet compulsory evaluation to determine their working abilities.
Stud horses of 4 or over 4 years of age should be tested in at least two (out of four) events: jump show, flat race, figure riding or long distance race for endurance evaluation.
It is expected that the improved system in evaluation of the biological and farming qualities of the Žemaitukai horse would be beneficial to horse raising and training, presentation and development of the unique traits of the horse, objective horse selection and efficient data processing.

Keywords: Žemaitukai breed, evaluation methods, working abilities, selection

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. P.

UDK 636.3.082

THE EFFECT OF RAMS ON EWE REPRODUCTION AND PROGENY WEIGHT

Birutė Zapasnikienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Reproduction data from the years 2002-2006 of indigenous Lithuanian coarsewooled sheep kept at the LVA Institute of Animal Science were used in the study. Sheep were pure bred by circular mating scheme. Ewes were allotted into 4 groups of 8 to 9 ewes each and every group was serviced by a non-related ram. Ewes were mated once a year in October. In all groups ewes dropped around 2 lambs each. However, barrenness of ewes mated to Redis accounted for 22%, and 20.7% of lambs were stillborn. The highest growth rate was noted for the progeny of Rabekis and ewes mated to Banrokas were most fertile. Meanwhile, the litter size of the first lambing had no influence on further fertility of ewes. Besides, the number of ram's siblings and weight also had no significant effect on ewe reproduction and progeny weight. The most intensive growth was determined for the lambs of Būgis and Rabekis. Significant weight differences at 20, 60, 135 days and 12 months of age between contemporaries of different groups were from 0.93 to 6.40 kg.

Keywords: rams, ewes, reproduction, fertility, growth rate

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. p.

UDK 636.2.082

THE EFFECTS OF DILUTION TEMPERATURES ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF BOVINE SEMEN

Vidmantas Pileckas, Jonas Kutra, Rasa Nainienė, Artūras Šiukščius, Algirdas Urbšys

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Bovine semen with the spermatozoa motility not lower than 7 points and concentration no less than 0.8 milliards / cm3 was used in the study. Stable temperature of -150±50C was maintained at freezing and controlled by electronic thermometers TE-200M and ST-200. After semen collecting and evaluating, one part of it was diluted with 32±10C extender to have no less than 15 milliard motile spermatozoa after freezing-thawing. Another part was diluted at a rate of 1:1 at 32±10C and, right afterwards it was diluted with 19±10C extender to the final sperm concentration. Extenders of 27±10C, 25±10C and 20±10C were also used for semen dilution at a rate of 1:1 and for the second dilution 19±10C extender were used. Repeated semen dilution resulted in by 45.5% (P < 0.001) higher post-thaw motility of spermatozoa, 2.5 times higher motility after 5 h exposure at 32±10C, 81.2% (P < 0.001) higher absolute survival rate, and 18.9% (P < 0.001) higher survival in comparison with single dilution. It has been found that the first semen dilution with 32±10C extender and the second with 19±10C extender had 70.6±1.1% spermatozoa with damaged membranes. When dilution was carried out with 27±10C, 25±10C and 20±10C extenders, the corresponding figures were, respectively, 77.6±0.5, 69.8±2.5 and 64.8±0.9%. Starting from semen collection, cooling and equilibrium for 4 hours, the percentage of spermatozoa with intact membranes has increased by 20, 12.6, 14.4 and 27.4% when semen was diluted with, respectively, 32±10C, 27±10C, 25±10C and 20±10C extenders compared with the membrane integrity after semen collection (86.2±0.9%).

Keywords: semen, dilution, temperature, bulls, motility

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry. Scientific Articles, 2006, 48, p.

UDK 636.5.082

THE STUDY OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF CHICKENS AND TURKEYS BY USING GALLINACEAE SPECIFIC MICROSATELLITE

Robertas Juodka¹⁾, Audronė Benediktavičiūtė-Kiškienė¹⁾,
Dalius Butkauskas²⁾ and Aniolas Sruoga^2,3)

1Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania
2Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University
3Vytautas Magnus University

Summary

Five pairs of microsatellite primers (GUJ0017, GUJ0023, GUJ0063, GUJ0084, GUJ0086) specific to gallinaceae were used to investigate the genetic diversity of four initial lines of laying hens and two crosses of large type turkeys.
The pair of microsatellite primers GUJ0023 was noted as inter specific. In all chicken lines and in turkeys, DNA fractions amplified with this primer were monomorphic and, respectively, of 500 and 700 base pair size. The microsatellite primer GUJ0017 was found suitable for the studies of interspecific and intraspecific genetic diversity. Two and one DNA fractions (100 and 130, and 120 base pairs) were amplified in, respectively, male (A and B lines) and female (C and D lines) line chickens. Two DNA fractions of 120 and 140, and 110 and 130 base pair size were amplified in, respectively, turkeys BIG-6 and BUT-9. The microsatellite primer GUJ0084 was found suitable for the investigation of intraspecific genetic diversity between chicken line B and the remaining lines, and also for the studies of intraspecific diversity between turkey crosses and studies of interspecific genetic diversity.

Key words: chickens, turkeys, specific microsatellite primers

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. P.

UDK 636.4.083

EFFICIENCY OF PIG FATTENING IN ENCLOSURES WITH SOLID GROUND

Remigijus Juška, Violeta Juškienė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

The purpose of the study was to investigate the growth of pigs in a pigsty with a regulated microenvironment and in outdoor enclosures with the solid ground. 140 Lithuanian White, German Landrace and Pietrain [(LW x GL) x P] as well as Lithuanian White, German Landrace and Duroc [(LW x GL) x D] crossbred pigs were used in the study. Two feeding trials were carried out in May-July and August-October by allotment of pigs into two (control and experimental) groups. Control pigs were raised in 18 m2 area pens in the pigsty. Experimental pigs were raised in 23 m2 area outdoors enclosures and fitted 13.7 m2 area shades. The study indicated that air temperature was a factor of importance when raising pigs outdoors. In Trial 1, when the air temperature outdoors was high, pigs gained 17.5% less weight and at the end of the trial the average pig weight was 7,18 kg (P = 0.014) lower than that of pigs raised indoors. In Trial 2 when the air temperature outdoors was close to optimum, pigs gained 17.2% more weight and at the end of the trial the average pig weight was 4.79 kg (P = 0.086) higher than that of pigs raised indoors. Microbiological analysis of the air indicated that the highest count of microorganisms was determined in the pigsty in both trials. It was by 1.7 (P = 0.0032) – 2.1 (P = 0.0003) times higher than that outdoors. Total E. coli bacteria count in the pigsty was also 1.7 (P = 0.077) - 2.1 (P = 0.021) times higher than that outdoors.

Keywords: pigs, climate, open premises, enclosures with solid ground

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. p.

UDK 636.5.083

WELFARE OF BROILER CHICKENS IN LITHUANIA

Vytautas Ribikauskas, Ina Skurdenienė, Audronė Benediktavičiūtė-Kiškienė,
Gediminas Vaičionis

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

Welfare in poultry on farms in regulated by EC Regulations 1274/91 and 788/95 and EC Directive 199/74. Welfare of broilers chickens on farms was estimated by 110 direct and indirect indexes of importance. On the tested farms litter housing of broilers was applied 50% of broiler chickens in daytime were inspected no less than 2 times, in all the remaining cases – at least twice daily. The minimum 10 lux artificial lighting required for the staff to evaluate the state of birds at any time of the day was registered in 66.7% of all the tested farm. 16.7% of farms have no artificial lighting or it is insufficient. "All in – all out" technique is applied in all poultry farms owned by agricultural or individual enterprises. However, small poultry farms have no possibilities to apply this technique. Mechanical ventilation capacities are sufficient to meet hygiene requirements for air changes or microenvironmental parameters in 90% of the poultry farms owned by agricultural or individual enterprises. Relative air humidity in autumn months was from 79.0 to 87.7% in 54% of the tested farms and exceeded the optimum (60-70%) standards. Dust concentration was from 0.03 to 16.4 mg/m3 in the premises for broiler chickens and replacement pullets. Ammonia concentration exceeded 40 ppm limit in 16.7% of all tested poultry houses, 20 ppm in 33.3% of farms and did not reach the level of 10 ppm in all the remaining cases. All the tested farms carry out disinfection and deratization every year. Attention should be paid to the feet problems of young birds, ascites, sudden death syndrome and monotonous feeding.

Key words: poultry breeding, welfare, broiler chickens, techniques

ISSN 1392-6144
Animal Husbandry: Scientific Articles. 2006. 48. P.

UDK 636.9.083

EVALUATION OF THE MICROCLIMATE IN ORGANIC RABBITRY

Vytautas Ribikauskas , Daiva Ribikauskienė, Birutė Božytė

Institute of Animal Science of LVA,
R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis distr., Lithuania

Summary

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the microclimate in the rabbitry and investigate the dependencies between some microclimatic indices. It was determined that air quality in the rabbitry was optimal. The data from the trials indicated that concentration of dust particles in outdoor area of rabbitry was 12.72 mg/m3 (79.7 % of concentration inside); total bacterial count was 1.39 thous. CFU m-3 (3.5 %); E. colli count 44.23 CFU m-3 (16.9 %); mould count 1.15 thous. CFU m-3(16.9 %). The study showed that there were different levels of microbial pollution and other microclimatic indices during the period of twenty four hours. The highest values were found at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and the lowest in 9 p.m.
The concentration of moulds in the air of the animal house was related with the air temperature and humidity.

Keywords: rabbit husbandry, rabbitry, microclimate, indoor bioaerosols, ammonia, carbon dioxide, airborne microorganisms