Aysondu, Mehmet Hanifi; Ozbey, Orhan; Esen, Fikret

This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the effects of different breeding systems on the slaughter and carcass characteristics and taste criteria of pheasants bred under intensive conditions. With the comparison of the values concerning slaughter and carcass characteristics determined with the slaughter of 16 weeks old pheasants in terms of breeding systems and gender while significant differences were determined in favor of cage system in terms of carcass weights, weights of wings, breasts and edible internal organs and rates of wings and breasts (p<0.05) in terms of gender significant differences were determined in favor of male pheasants in terms of live weight, carcass weight and head, leg, internal organs, edible internal organs, wings and breast weights (p<0.05). Significant differences were also found in terms of taste and general level of liking between the meats of pheasants bred with free range and cage systems but cooked in the same way (p<0.05). In general, the meats of the pheasants bred with free range system were liked more than those of the pheasants bred with cage system.

Ozbey, Orhan; Esen, Fikret; Aysondu, Mehmet Hanifi

This study was conducted to determine essential criteria for the selection of hatch weight in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). The pheasants were divided into three groups in accordance with hatch weight (Group I<20.00 g, Group JJ 20.01-22.00 g and Group III>22.01 g) in this study. Hatch weight was found to have significant effect on the age and weight of sexual maturity in research groups (p<0.05). The differences between the values for egg production and egg weight in research groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). While the highest egg production was obtained in Group I which had the lowest hatch weight, the highest egg weight average was determined in group III which had the highest hatch weight. The differences between the groups in terms of values for some hatchability features (Hatchability performance, fertility rate and hatchability of fertile eggs) showed that hatch weight had significant effect on hatchability features (p<0.05). Among the egg quality features of the groups, the differences between the values for shape index, shell weight, shell thickness and haugh unit were found as significant and hatch weight was determined to have significant effect on these parameters (p<0.05). It was concluded that a selection program can be established in pheasants with the lowest hatch weight for the parameters of egg production, shell weight and shell thickness and in those with the highest hatch weight for the parameters of sexual maturity weight, egg weight, hatchability features, shape index and haugh unit.

Ozbey, Oman; Esen, Fbikret; Aysondu, Mehmet Haniii

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the age of the first egg laying on the egg production, hatchability and egg quality of pheasant. Seventy two female ring-necked pheasants of the same age and breed under identical circumstances were included in the study. The individual egg production was recorded daily until 53 weeks of age and four groups were formed using the age for the first egg-laying (<34, 35-36, 37-38, >39 weeks). The parameters investigated in this study included egg production, egg weight, hatchability of total eggs, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumen weight, yolk index, albumen index and the haugh unit of the groups. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production and egg weight (p<0.05). The difference between the groups for the hatchability of total eggs, fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs was also significant (p<0.05). In addition, the differences between the groups for shape index, shell weight and index, yolk weight and index, albumen weight and index and Haugh unit were significant (p<0.05). It was concluded that a selection program including those with earlier possible age for the first egg-laying in pheasants would be convenient for the egg production whereas a selection including the ones with older ages for the first egg-laying would be convenient for the egg weight, hatching and egg quality.

Zencir, O.; Fakioglu, O.; Demir, N.; Korkmaz, A.S.

The aim of this study was to determine the seasonal variation of phytoplankton in a connected river system, the Kirmir and its tributaries the Suveri and the Ilhan. The samples were collected from a total of ten selected stations on the main river and tributaries in November 2006, February, May and August 2007. A total of 57 phytoplankton species from Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Chrysophyta, Cryptophyta, Cyanobacteria, Euglenophyta and Pyrrophyta were identified. Bacillariophyta species were dominant in all stations during the research period. Caloneis bacillum, Cocconeis placentula, Cyclotetta meneghiniana, Diatoma vulgare, Gomphonema ventricosum, Nitzschia sigmoidea and Ulnaria ulna appeared at high densities in the samples. The maximum phytoplankton abundance was found in the Kirmir on all sampling dates. Furthermore, some species which are indicators of pollution were found in the Kirmir.

Yolcu, Halil; Tavlas, Ayten; Tan, Mustafa; Gunes, Adem

A field experiment was conducted in 2000-2001 at the Research Station of East Anatolia Agricultural Research Institute in Pasinler of Erzurum province in Turkey. In this study, 25 red clovers (Trifolium pratense L.) genotypes were evaluated in terms of chemical contents for animal feeding in the 2 years results. The red clover genotypes were sown in the spring of 2000. The experiment was designed a randomized complete block with replicated 4 times. The genotypes were harvested in 50% flowering once in 2000 and 3 times in 2001. There were significant differences in N (p<0.05), Mg (p<0.05), Zn (p<0.05), Fe (p<0.05), Mn (p<0.01) and Cu (p<0.01) contents but no in Na content among the red clover genotypes. According to 2 years results, especially L-818 line and Xiashao cultivar in N; L-1881 and L-812 line in Mg; Redwent cultivar, L-77, L-1922 lines and Lucrun cultivars in Zn; L-77 line, Redwent cultivar, L-812, L-1922 lines and Lucrun cultivar in Fe; L-79 line, Redwent cultivar and L-77 line in Mn; L-79 line, Redwent cultivar and L-77 line in Cu had higher chemical contents than the others for animal feeding. The genotypes rich in terms of chemical content can be successfully used to meet the requirement the forage quality of animal and to gain new quality red clover genotypes for animal nutrition.

Guler, Olcay; Yanar, Mete; Aydin, Recep; Bayram, Bahri; Dogru, Unsal; Kopuzlu, Sinan

The research was performed to determine the effect of non-genetic factors on milkability characteristics and to estimate genetic parameters and relationships among Milk Flow Rate (MFR), Milking Time (MT) and milk yields of Holstein Friesian cows reared in Eastern Region of Turkey. The data used in this study consisted of 1267 observations of MT and MFR on 177 lactations of 91 Holstein Friesian cows. The least squares means for MFR, MT and Total Test Day Milk Yield (TTDMY) were 1.049 kg min(-1), 5.83 min and 12.31 kg, respectively. Parity, stage of lactation and calving season affected (p<0.01) on the MFR, MT and TTDMY. Multiparous cows had higher MT and TTDMY (p<0.01) than primiparous cows. Calving season affected (p<0.01) on MT, MFR and TTDMY. The heritability coefficients for MFR, MT and TTDMY were 0.21, 0.23 and 0.23, respectively. The positive genetic correlations of MFR with TTDMY, actual milk yield and 305 days milk yield were 0.62, 0.49 and 0.48, respectively, while genetic correlations between MT and TTDMY, actual milk yield and 305 days milk yield were 0.20, 0.28, 0.34, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between MFR and MT were -0.49 and -0.63, respectively.

Bayram, Bahri; Yanar, Mete; Akbulut, Ömer

The study was aimed to describe changes caused by conversion to organic dairy farming in Turkey, focusing on reproductive and milk production traits. The data used in this research were obtained from reproductive and milk records of Holstein Friesian cows reared in a private organic dairy farm. The results revealed that cows under organic management had shorter days open and calving interval values compared with cows reared under pre-organic system. Actual and 305 days milk yields of cattle in organic system were greater than these of cows in pre-organic system. Lactation duration was also significantly influenced by farming system and calving season, but days dry was not affected by none the non-genetic factors.

Yolcu, Halil; Turan, Metin

The effects of various fertilization and seeding patterns on trace mineral contents of lucerne-smooth bromegrass mixture were evaluated for animal feeding. The lucerne and smooth bromegrass mixtures were established with different seeding pattern (mixed, alternative and cross-seeding), N fertilizer rates (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1) and P fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 P2O5 ha-1). Different seeding patterns, N and P fertilization affected the trace mineral contents of the lucerne-smooth bromegrass mixture under the intercropping system. Mn, Cu and Zn content of the mixture varied significantly depending on seeding patterns. However, the seeding patterns had no significant effect on the Fe contents of the mixture. N application decreased the content of Fe and increased the content of Cu, but had no effect on the Mn and Zn content; whereas, P application affected the Mn and Cu contents but had no effect on the contents of Fe and Zn.