Abstracts of Papers to be Presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Inc

Abstracts of Papers to be Presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Inc. (Listed alphabetically according to the surname of the senior author or the chairman or moderator of a symposium i panel discussion) EFFECT OF VITAMIN D 3 AND SOME VITAMIN D 3 METABOLITES ON EGG PRODUCTION, HATCHABILITY OF EGGS AND VITAMIN D ACTIVITY CARRY-OVER IN CHICKS Shakib Abdul-Rahim, M. B. Patel and James McGinnis, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164

A STUDY OF BROILER CARCASS YIELDS FROM FIVE COMMERCIAL STRAINS Julian L. Abram and T. L. Goodwin, Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 Sixty broiler carcasses from each of five strains were used in this study. Carcass and parts yields were evaluated as a function of sex and strain. Shank length, shank wkh'., and keel length were also evaluated among strains and between sexes. These linear carcass measurements were correlated with carcass yields. Each carcass was cut into the following parts; breast, back, legs and wings. Weights of meat, bone and skin from the breast and legs were compared between strains and sexes. Shanks were visually evaluated and scored for pigmentation. Significant differences in live weight and warm eviscerated weight existed among the five strains. Breast, back, wing, and leg weights varied significantly among the strains. Amounts of meat, bone and skin differed significantly among the strains. Keel lengths

PROPERTIES OF POULTRY MEAT LOAVES AFFECTED BY SKIN CONTENT J. C. Acton and R. L. Dick, Department of Food Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Poultry loaves were prepared with turkey thigh meat and proportions of skin ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent of formulation. Raw mixes were prepared for extrusion forces using the FTC back extrusion cell. After cooking to 78° C. internally, loaves were evaluated for Gardner color values, cooking losses, shear forces and composition of the meat and drip. Extrusion forces were approximately 9.92 kg. for loaves prepared with up to 30 percent skin and then decreased slightly as the skin content increased to 50 percent. Cooking losses significantly increased as the skin content of loaves increased, primarily due to the shift in the moisture and fat ratios of the mixes. Shear forces were similar for all treatments, averaging 0.112 kg. force/gm.-cm.2 of sample. Gardner L and bL values were not affected by skin content. The ai^ (redness) values decreased as skin levels increased during early storage, but had become nearly equal by 8 days of storage in closed containers. The fluid drip (excluding fat) had a nitrogen content of 0.6% with 0.5% present as nonprotein nitrogen. EFFECTS OF SEVERAL CAGE ENVIRONMENTS ON PERFORMANCE OF TWO STRAINS OF EGG-TYPE CHICKEN BREEDERS A. W. Adams, J. V. Craig and A. L. Bhagwat, Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 Because of the interest of housing breeders in cages, we compared the effects of the following on fertility, feathering, and production of 2 exp. strains of naturally mated White Leghorn chickens: housing at 12 vs. 20 wk. of age, single cage (ld;109's) vs. double cage, (2d's:20V's), restricted vs. nonrestricted movement of males, and inexperienced vs. experienced males.

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An experiment was conducted with White Leghorn pullets using vitamin D 3 , 1,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol, 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol, and la-hydroxy cholecalciferol as supplements to the diet. The experiment was started when the pullets were 21 weeks of age and conducted for a period of 13 weeks. Each experimental diet was fed to 4 replicates of 10 pullets per group. The levels of supplementation ranged from 3-18 ug./kg. of diet. The results obtained showed that vitamin D 3 supported excellent egg production, hatchability of eggs and provided vitamin D carry-over in the chick. 1, 25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol supported excellent egg production, but hatchability of eggs and carry-over of vitamin D activity was no better than on the unsupplemented control. The lowest level of la-hydroxy cholecalciferol was less effective in supporting hatchability of eggs than vitamin D 3 of the 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol. The highest level of la-hydroxy cholecalciferol used was intermediate in its effect on egg production and carry-over of vitamin D activity. 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol was equal to vitamin D 3 in supporting egg production, hatchability, and vitamin D activity carry-over. These results indicate that some of the vitamin D 3 metabolites are not deposited in the egg yolk or, if so, only at very low levels.

and shank lengths were significantly higher in birds with heavier live weights. Eviscerated yields also differed significantly among the strains. Heavier birds did not necessarily have larger carcass yields. Some strains yielded significantly higher proportions of their carcasses as legs and breast than other strains. Eviscerated weights, part weights, and linear measurements were significantly higher in males than females among all strains. Leg yields, expressed as a percentage of carcass weight, were significantly larger in males than in females. In breast yields the females had the larger percentages. Females had a significantly larger percentage of edible breast and legs than the males.

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EFFECTS OF FEEDING DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF FAT TO TURKEYS R. L. Adams', W. L. Stadelman' and D. E. Pratt 2 , Departments of Animal Sciences1 and Foods and Nutrition 2 , Purudue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Large White turkeys were fed diets similar to those found in the field a) formulated from concentrate and grain, b) purchased as a complete feed and c) formulated from a concentrate and grain and supplemental fat. Growing and finishing diets for these feeds contained added fat levels of 2.6, 6.3, 10.0 and 1.6, 5.8 and 10.0%, respectively. With diets b and c, for each 1% increase in fat, a 0.25% increase in concentrate and a 1.25% decrease in corn was made. A fourth diet (d) was fed to toms only with 10.0% added fat replacing 10% corn only. Eighteen week weights and conversions for hens were a) 713 5, 2.60; b) 7094, 2.60; c) 7262, 2.57. Twenty week weights and conversions for toms were a) 11726, 2.71; b) 11848, 2.75; c) 12134, 2.78; d) 11716, 2.77. Feed costs per pound of meat increased as fat levels were increased for both sexes. Mortality was high (6.5%) for toms: over half of this was due to leg problems. Fleshing and finish were good for birds on all treatments. Organoleptic tests with less than 30 days frozen storage time found no differences between treatments for either sex. EFFECT OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF ADULT WHITE LEGHORN MALE CHICKENS1 T. Ahmed*, G. H. Arscott* and I. J. Tinsley**, Departments of Poultry Science* and Agricultural Chemistry**, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 Two experiments, of 20 and 40 weeks duration, were conducted to determine the effects of feeding dieldrin or PCB (Aroclor 1254) on the reproductive performance of males. Dieldrin at the levels used (0, 25 and 50 p.p.m.) produced no significant changes in semen volume, semen concentration, fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs. Mortality increased with

increased levels of dieldrin and appeared related to duration of exposure to the pesticide. No significant differences in body weights or feed consumption were observed except shortly before death, when a marked reduction in feed consumption and a loss of body weight were noted. PCB at levels used (0, 10, 20 and 40 p.p.m.) produced no differences in semen concentration, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, body weights, feed consumption and mortality. However, over a period of 40 weeks PCB significantly (P<.05) reduced semen volume. In summary males appear quite resistant to dietary exposure to dieldrin or PCB. 1 Supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant ES00040, Pilot Project Grant ESOO210-O9 and the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.

A DIALLEL ANALYSIS OF EGGYOLKAND BLOOD SERUM CHOLESTEROL INHERITANCE Nahil M. Ali, W. F. Krueger, R. C. Fanguy and J. W. Bradley, Department of Poultry Science, The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 A closed population of White Leghorns was used to evaluate the importance of additive and nonadditive genetic variance in the inheritance of egg yolk and blood serum cholesterol. A double male shift diallel mating system was designed so that in shift one diallel sets 1 through 5 were matings of low and medium egg yolk cholesterol classified dams mated with low classified males; and sets 6 through 10 were matings of high and medium egg yolk cholesterol classified dams mated with high classified males. In shift two the high cholesterol classified males were switched to sets 1 through 5, and the low males to sets 6 through 10. Nonadditive gene effects were important in the inheritance of egg yolk and blood serum cholesterol in this population. A total of 12.47% and 16.01% of the phenotypic variance in egg yolk and blood serum cholesterol, respectively, originated from the sire by dam interaction variance. Egg yolk cholesterol also was influenced significantly by sire effects (16.82%) suggesting additive genetic and sex-linked effects. Sire and dam sources of variation contributed only 6.17% and 1.92%, respectively, to the phenotypic variance in blood serum cholesterol. Egg yolk and blood serum cholesterol levels were negatively and significantly correlated genetically. ANTIBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS AND HIGH-LEVEL COPPER IN TURKEY DIETS S. S. Al-Zubaidy and T. W. Sullivan, Department of Poultry and Wildlife Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NB 68583 One experiment of 20 weeks and four experiments of four weeks duration were conducted with Large White female turkeys of the Nicholas strain. Dietary treatments in the 20 weeks experiment were as follows: control, 125 p.p.m. Cu from cupric sulfate, 125 p.p.m. Cu from cupric hydroxide, Zn-bacitracin and probiotics. Four groups of 30 female poults were randomly assigned to each treatment at day-old. Average 16 week body weights for treatments were,

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Flock size had a significant effect on fertility. Average percentages of fertility for the period of 20-44 wk. were 39.4% for Id : 109's and 55.0% for 20d's :209's. Fertility in individual cages varied from 0% to 100%. Neither restricted movement of males to half of the cage by a partition nor age at housing had significant effects on fertility. After replacement of all males at 36 wk., fertility was lower, but not significantly, in flocks containing replacement males maintained with 1-29's from 20-36 wk. (experienced) than in flocks with replacement males maintained alone from20-36wk.(inexperienced); 49.9%vs. 57.0%, respectively. Early housing, double cages, and presence of partitions increased feather damage. Birds with the most feather damage were observed to be the most fearful. Hens in the single cages laid better than those in double cages.

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EFFECTS OF RED AND WHITE LIGHTONGROWTH OF CHICKS Mahmoud Amin, Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran An experiment involving 490 unsexed Nicholis Lohman hybrid broiler chicks divided randomly into two groups was conducted to study the effects of red and white light on their growth. One group was kept under a red light and the other under a white light. Records were kept weekly on body weight, feed consumption, and mortality up to 8 weeks of age. At the end of the experiment all chicks were individually weighed and sexed and feed consumption was calculated. The results indicated that the chicks kept under the white light were significantly heavier at 8 weeks than the chicks kept under the red light. There was also a significant difference in 8 week body weight between the sexes. EQUATIONS RELATING CHICKEN OR TURKEY PERFORMANCE TO DIET PROTEIN AND ENERGY LEVELS Jay O. Anderson and N. Nakhata, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322 Diets with as many as 70 different energy-protein level combinations were fed to young chickens and turkeys. Mathematical equations were then found that expressed performance as continuous functions of dietary energy and protein levels. Equations for feed, energy or protein consumption per unit of gain accounted for a higher fraction of the variance noted than did the equation for weight gain. These equations, and dollar values for protein and energy, were used to calculate what dietary energy and protein levels would result in the lowest feed cost per unit of gain. Under the different price situations that have existed in the United States since 1973, the dietary protein levels resulting in least cost of gain differed by as much as 4%. The energyprotein ratio resulting in least cost of gain increased as diet protein level increased except when energy was extremely costly. In some cases, the protein level resulting in the least cost of gain was too low to allow a near maxi-

mum rate of gain. The equations also can be used to calculate the increase in feed cost associated with a given increase in diet protein level. MAKING POULTRY FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP A SPECTATOR SPORT Daniel K. Andrews, Cooperative Extension Service — Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371 Changes have been made in the Washington State Junior Poultry Exposition, Poultry Fitting and Showmanship Contest, to increase spectator interest and education. Formerly the contest consisted of each individual being interviewed by the judge beside the bird's cage, hidden in a narrow aisle. Today the poultry fitting and showmanship contest is one of group participation in an arena before judges and spectators. Two procedures, (both mini and maxi) have been worked out, depending on the number of judges, contestants, and facilities available. Judges' scoresheets and description of proper positions and poses have been determined. These procedures require that 7 to 10 youth and their birds line up behind a table facing the judge. At the judge's command the youth, individually or collectively, pose, hold, display, or cage their birds. Top contestants of each lot are advanced for final playoff. Conclusion: Poultry fitting and showmanship conducted in this open competitive atmosphere generates enthusiasm, action, and interest for the participants, and a stimulating suspense-filled show.

OBSERVATION ON PHOSPHORUS MENTS OF LAYING PULLETS

REQUIRE-

D. K. Andrews and L. R. Berg, Department of Animal Sciences — Cooperative Extension and Research, Washington State University, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371 This experiment was started with 525 individually caged 24-week old White Leghorn pullets and ran for 40 weeks. Five groups of 15 birds each were placed on 7 nearly identical diets calculated to 15.5% protein and 3.28% calcium. Phosphorus levels were increased in .05% increments from 0.4% through 0.7%. Egg production was recorded daily. Feed consumption, body weight, egg weight, shell quality and specific gravity were determined at 28-day intervals. Visual inspection of 10 shell characteristics were made during 4 of the periods. The characteristics identified were equatorial bands, planes, vertical and horizontal ridges, calcium deposits, egg size, shape, checks, thin shells, and shell color. At the conclusion of the test, two birds from each group of 10 birds per treatment were sacrificed. It was concluded that White Leghorn pullets performed as well on diets containing only 0.4% total phosphorus as did those fed higher levels of phosphorus. Rate of lay, feed consumption, egg weight and shell characteristics, bone ash and mortality were not affected. Body weight was lowest at 0.4% phosphorus. Plasma phosphorus was lower in the 3 lowest levels

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respectively: 5.76, 5.74, 5.78, 5.83 and 5.80 kg. In the early weeks (4, 8 and 12) of the experiment, antibiotic and probiotic supplements significantly increased gains. Both copper supplements significantly increased body weight at 20 weeks. The probiotic evaluated was a live culture of lactic acid bacteria. A significant interaction occurred between probiotic and antibiotic supplements in one experiment of four weeks duration. Body weight gain was significantly greater with the combination of probiotic and either Zn-bacitracin or penicillin-streptomycin (1:3), than with any of the three supplements alone. Cupric sulfate and cupric hydroxide had similar effects on growth and feed efficiency. Weight gains and feed efficiency were improved in some instances with 125 p.p.m. Cu from each compound. However, 500 p.p.m. Cu for either compound significantly depressed gains.

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of phosphorus. Individual variations render the differences nonsignificant.

FERTILITY OF BROILER MALES IN RELATION TO BODY WEIGHT, STRAIN OF FEMALE AND AGE

RESTRICTED FEEDING REGIMES AND SUBSEQUENT REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN CAGE AND FLOOR HOUSED TURKEY HENS

G. A. Ansah, 1 , R. B. Buckland, 1 D. C. Crober,2 A. E. Sefton 2 and B. W. Kennedy 1 , Department of Animal Science 1 , Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que. Canada HOA ICO, and Department of Animal Science 2 , Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2M 5E3

L. D. Andrews, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

A TECHNIQUE OF MEASURING THE VOLUME OF CHICKEN PARTS S. A. Angalet, Food Products, General Foods Corporation, P. O. Box 600, Dover, DE 19901 The volume of chicken parts, raw and cooked, was measured using rape seed displacement. A pan (8 X 8 X 2 inches) of known weight was placed under a funnel and rape seeds (density 0.649 gm./cc.) were poured through until pan was peaked full. It was then leveled without tapping and weighed to determine volume. Three ice-chilled, ready-to-cook whole broilers were disjointed yielding drumsticks, thighs, and breast halves (without keel bone). The parts from one side were used in this experiment. The weight of three breast halves, three drumsticks, and three thighs was measured (0.1 gm.). Each lot of three pieces was placed carefully so the pieces did not touch into the pan of known volume atop a layer of rape seeds. The pan was again placed under a funnel and rape seeds were poured through until pan was peaked full. It was then leveled and weighed. The volume of meat was a measure of the rape seeds displaced. The nine chicken pieces were washed free of rape seed and baked at 204° C. for 45 minutes. The cooked weight and volume of the pieces were measured using rape seed displacement fifteen minutes after removal from the oven. The process of weighing and measuring the volume of chicken parts was replicated seven times. The average percent yield was 65.3% and volume retention was 72.1%. The correlation (r = 0.76) for yield and volume retention was significant at the 95% confidence level.

Studies were conducted to examine the relationships between: (1) male juvenile body weight and fertility; (2) initial and subsequent fertility of males and (3) to determine if the fertility ranking of males changed when mated with three different female lines. Forty-seven commercial meat-type males, two dwarf female strains and a White Rock strain of commercial broiler breeder females were caged individualBody weights of the males were measured individually at 6 (1,144 g.), 8 (1,729 g.), 10 (2,228 g.) and 12 (2,666 g.) weeks of age. In 6 periods, undiluted semen (0.1 ml.) from each male was inseminated to females of each strain over 6 months. Percent fertility (0-7 days) was estimated for each period and the means were: 95.7, 93.8, 91.4, 89.5, 83.3 and 81.1, respectively. Phenotypic correlations of 6, 8, 10 and 12-week body weights with initial fertility were 0.27, 0.24, 0.21, 0.10 and, with average fertility over 6 periods, they were 0.28, 0.32, 0.20 and 0.12, respectively (r = 0.32, P = 0.05). For percent fertility the male by female line interaction was not significant (P>0.05) but male by period interaction was significant (P<0.01). These results suggest that juvenile body weight and fertility are not negatively associated phenotypically and that ranking of males with respect to fertility is not affected by strain of female line but may change over the breeding season. SCALDING TIME AND TEMPERATURE FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL A. S. Arafa, H. R. Wilson, D. M. Janky and J. L. Oblinger, Poultry Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Two scalding times (30 & 60 seconds) and four scalding temperatures (51.7°, 54.4°, 57.2° and 60°C.) were used in a 2 X 4 factorial experimental design to determine the best temperature and time combination for scalding Bobwhite quail. Equal numbers of male and female quail were sacrificed at 16 weeks of age and the effects of the different temp and time combinations on picking, carcass appearance, total microbial count, yield and organoleptic characteristics were determined. The numbers of microorganisms in the scalding water and on the carcasses surface decreased as scalding temp, increased; however, this reduction in microbial count was not statistically significant. Picking was easier as scalding temperature was increased, but birds scalded at 60°C. for 30 or 60 seconds had a mottled appearance with considerable abrasion. Higher scalding temperature and longer immersion time (57.2°C./60 sec. and 60°C./30 & 60 sec.) significantly decreased cooking yield and produced tough

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One hundred turkey hens in floor pens and 108 turkey hens in cages were used to compare four feeding regimes: (1) full-fed during rearing and laying; (2) full-fed during rearing and restricted during laying; (3) restricted during rearing and full-fed during laying; and (4) restricted during rearing and laying. The restricted hens were fed 80% of the feed consumed by the full-fed group the previous week in all cases. Egg production was higher (P<0.05) in cages than in floor pens with 52.27 and 41.12 percent egg production, respectively. Caged hens also had less cracked eggs than the floor hens. The group of floor housed hens that were full-fed during rearing and laying produced more eggs (P<0.05) than any of the other three groups. Also, caged hens produced more eggs in the full-fed group during rearing and laying than any of the other three groups but was not different (P<0.05) from the group restricted during rearing and full-fed during laying. Caged hens were more persistent in egg production for the six 28-day periods and had less feed consumed per egg produced than the floor hens.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS meat with a low flavor score. Birds scalded at 51.7°C. had good appearance but required considerable hand picking. Based on the data obtained from this study, scalding at 57.2°C./30 sec. could be recommended for Bobwhite quail. At this temperature/time combination, carcasses received high picking and appearance scores, had a cooked yield of 78.9% and were more tender than those scalded at either 57.2°C. for 60 seconds or 60° C. for 30 and 60 seconds. EFFECT OF DIETARY CHANGES UPON BONE STRENGTH OF CAGE LAYERS

Five experiments were conducted with dietary variables used to improve bone strength of spent cage layers. All layers had been in production at least 12 months. The left tibia was used in all experiments and the left radius was used in two experiments. Percent ash and breaking strength, as determined by the Instron, were used as the evaluating criteria. The tibiae in experiment 3 were x-rayed and the bone density was reported in mm. of aluminum equivalent. Feeding corn with no supplemental calcium had a significant detrimental effect on bone ash. The addition of vitamins A, D 3 , C and manganese to a diet containing 6.07% Ca, .80% Av. P did not have any effect on bone quality. High levels of Ca (8%) and Av. P (1.65%) produced tibiae with bone ash significantly higher than those of hens receiving diets with lower calcium or wider Ca/P ratios. In a following experiment a similar diet with 8% Ca and 1.42% Av. P failed to duplicate those results, however the addition of zinc (100 p.p.m.) produced significantly higher breaking strength values. The addition of fluorine (500 p.p.m.) negated the Zn benefit. The addition of fluorine (333, 666, 1000 p.p.m.) to a 3.1% Ca - .55% Av. P diet did not have any effect upon the parameters evaluated. A highly significant correlation was found to exist between breaking strength, ash percentage and x-ray values. The fat content of the bone showed significant negative correlation with the ash percentage and breaking strength in two experiments.

YOLK CHOLESTEROL IN VARIOUS AVIAN SPECIES C. W. Bair, W. W. Marion and R. J. Hasiak, Department of Food Technology, 102 Dairy Industry Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 Three studies were conducted to investigate the differences in yolk cholesterol concentrations among various avian species. The procedure used to determine yolk cholesterol was a modification of the colorimetric procedure by Pearson et al. (1953). Cholesterol concentrations per gram of yolk for eight specie when arranged in order of increasing levels were as follows: guinea fowl, chicken, pheasant, quail, turkey, duck, goose and dove, with an overall range of 12.77 to 21.99 mg. of cholesterol per gram of yolk. Significant differences in cholesterol concentrations were

also found between domestic and wild genetic groups within the turkey and duck species. In a second study, eggs were selected from 7 inbred lines of chickens. There were significant differences in yolk cholesterol among the lines. The same general result was found in an analysis of eggs from 17 commercial test strains of chickens at two different ages. Yolk cholesterol tended to decrease as age of hen increased. These results confirm the possibility of genetically selecting for decreased yolk cholesterol if economic or other conditions warrant. ORGANOLEPTIC AND OBJECTIVE COMPARISONS OF FRESH VS. FROZEN POULTRY R. C. Baker and J. M. Darfler, Department of Poultry Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 In order to determine whether any organoleptic or objective differences exist between fresh and frozen poultry, broilers, roasters, turkeys and ducks were split (2-3 days post mortem) then stored frozen or iced. Two days later, the thawed frozen and the iced halves were baked and organoleptically evaluated by a trained taste panel, using the triangle test and objectively by obtaining shear values and expressible fluid values. Results showed that, in all cases, the number of "correct" decisions as to which was the different sample was not significant. However, preferences for those judgments which were "correct", were always greater for fresh than for frozen poultry. Shear and expressible fluid values also showed no significant differences between fresh and frozen chicken, turkey or duck.

AROMATIZATION OF ANDROGENIC STEROIDS IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL R. B. Balander, H. P. Van Krey and P. B. Siegel Poultry Science Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060 The aromatization of androgenic steroids to estrogenic compounds is necessary for the stimulation of sexual behavior in some species of mammals. Caponized adult males from two lines of chickens, bidirectionally selected for high and low mating activity, were used to determine if aromatization is also prerequisite for stimulating sexual behavior in the domestic fowl. The hormones utilized were estradiol benzoate, testosterone propionate, and dihydrotestosterone. Individuals receiving either the estradiol benzoate or the aromatizable androgen, testosterone propionate, exhibited copulatory frequencies characteristic of their respective lines. While the estrogen precipitated copulatory behavior in the caponized males did not provoke any form of agressive behavior. Further, it produced high levels of bisexual behavior in the capons. The estrogen primed capons ardently exhibited both male and female sexual behavior. Birds that have received the non-aromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone, exhibited but very low levels of mating activity. Thus, it would appear

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V. Arvat, J. M. Vandepopuliere and H. V. Walton, Poultry Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering Departments, University of Missouri — Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201

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that aromatization of androgenic steroids is necessary to stimulate normal levels of mating activity in the domestic fowl. Supported in part by N.S.F. Grant BN573-00711A01.

ALTERATION OF CERTAIN BLOOD PARAMETERS UPON PROTEIN RESTRICTION AND RECOVERY

version 2.08). Treatment 3, 4 and 1 followed in descending order (2442, 2412, 2395 with feed conversions of 2.08, 2.04 and 2.18, respectively). Of the full-fed females, those in continuous light had the smallest body weights, averaging 1866 g. compared to 1908, 1910 and 1913 g. for treatments 4, 2 and 3, respectively. Broilers subjected to the restricted feed treatment exhibited considerable compensatory growth, however, 8 week weights were significantly reduced. RESPONSE OF CAGE-REARED FEMALE BROILER CHICKS TO VARYING PROGRAM AND ENERGY LEVELS

Eight hundred and ten roaster chicks were placed on experiment to determine the effects of diets absent or low in protein upon early growth and subsequent recovery. Diets consisting of 0% and 8% protein were fed for four different time intervals starting from day of hatch and lasting either 4, 8, 12 or 16 days. At the end of each protein restriction period, the chicks were placed on the control diet of 23% protein until the chicks were 12 weeks of age. Through the course of the experiment, certain blood chemistry measurements were closely monitored. During the restriction periods, the chicks fed 0% protein experienced a gradual reduction in both percent Hemoglobin and albumin, and an increase in total globulins. The chicks fed 8% protein showed no significant differences in percent Hemoglobin, percent albumin and total globulins. Upon refeeding, each treatment responded immediately with the only significant differences being body weights. The results of this study suggest that a diet void of protein when fed during the first two weeks of growth has potential but short term deleterious effects upon the health of the chick. Recovery in all observations was immediate and complete with the exception of body weights by the end of the experiment.

K. K. Bhargava, Research Department, Crawfords Foods Ltd., Wynyard, Sask, Canada SOA 4TO, and J. B. O'Neil, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask, Canada S7N OWO

LIGHT CONTROL AND RESTRICTED FEEDING OF BROILERS W. L. Beane, J. A. Cherry and W. D. Weaver. Jr., Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060 A light control study in conjunction with feed restriction was conducted with 1600 meat-type chickens housed in 32 pens with sexes separate. All groups received continuous light of five footcandles for the first seven days. Light intensity was reduced at weekly intervals down to 0.3 foot-candles at four weeks of age which was maintained to eight weeks. Light treatments (hours Light:Dark) were: 1) continuous 2) 1L:2D 3) 1/4L:1 3/4D 4) decreasing L:D (8-24 days, 2L:1D; 15-21 days, 1 1/2L:1 1/2D; 22-28 days, 1L:2D; 29-42 days, 1/2L:2 1/2D; 43-56 days, 1/4L:1 3/4D). Feed treatments were full-fed vs. restricted (85 percent of full-fed from 15 to 42 days of age). Light treatment 2, full-fed males, obtained the heaviest 8 week body weights (av. 2500 g., feed con-

Six experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of protein and energy levels on growth and carcass value of broiler chicks. Chicks fed mash diets containing 3200 M.E. kcal. /kg. (experiments 1 and 2) and 20.7% protein performed as well as those receiving 23% protein to 4 weeks. A 10% reduction in energy (experiment 1) at either protein level adversely affected growth and feed efficiency. Growth, eviscerated meat ratio and carcass grade of chicks (experiment 3) fed 20.718.6% protein did not differ from those receiving 2320% protein in starter and grower finisher diets (3200 M.E. kcal./kg)., respectively. In experiment 4 crumbilized diets (3200 M.E. kcal./kg.) containing four levels of protein showed no difference in performance to 4 weeks when compared to the same diets in mash form. Crumbilizing produced a significant growth response at 18.7% protein. Crumbilized diets (experiment 5) containing 20.7% protein resulted in a significant depression in performance at 4 weeks when compared to chicks receiving 23% protein. The difference in body weight was not observed at 60 days. Chicks reared to 4 weeks (experiment 6) on 20% protein crumbles (3200 M.E. kcal./kg.) were fed either 18 or 20% grower diets to 8 weeks. Within each protein level M.E. content was either 3200 or 3040 kcal./kg. There were no differences in growth and carcass grades. Feed efficiency was adversely affected on 18% protein (3040 M.E. kcal./kg.) diet.

THE EFFECT OF A LOW PHOSPHORUS DIET ON THE PRODUCTION TRAITS OF FIVE STRAINS OF LAYERS J. K. Bletner, H. Najib and G. C. McGhee, Animal Science Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916 Two experiments were conducted to determine differences in strain responses to a diet containing 0.4% total P In Trial 1, the four strains of S.C. White Leghorn layers used were the same as those studied by Ingram et al. (Poultry Sci. 55:2047) but were from January rather than June hatched chicks. In Trial 2, the response of a brown egg strain was compared

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B. A. Barnes and B. F. Miller, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS with that of a S.C. White Leghorn strain. These were from June hatched chicks. Experimental diets contained a total of 0.4% or 0.6% P. They were fed for eleven 28-day periods. Each strain-diet combination involved four replicate lots of 30 birds each in Trial 1, and 6 replicate lots of 18 birds each in Trial 2. Contrary to the results of Ingram et al. (Poultry Sci. 55:2047), diets had no effect on the production traits of any of the four Leghorn strains in Trial 1 suggesting the possibility of an effect of time of hatch on the minimum P requirement of certain strains of layers. Similar results were obtained in Trial 2. Feeding the 0.4% P diet resulted in improved egg specific gravity, lower body weight gains and lower feed intake in Trial 1 but not in Trial 2.

R. L. Boyd, G. R. McDaniel and C. H. Clark, Poultry Science Department, Auburn Univeristy, Auburn, AL 36830 Single Comb White Leghorn chickens were acutely and chronically exposed to conditions of normoxia (21% 0 2 ) and hypoxia (10% O a ). Respiratory gases and blood were sampled at the chronic exposure treatment conditions, and under acute exposure to opposite conditions. Caudal and cranial air sac gases, representative of initial and end parabronchial gases, respectively, were sampled. Right ventricular venous and sciatic arterial blood samples were drawn from indwelling canulae. Blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, pH, P ^ o a nd Po were measured. The blood and respiratory gas concentrations ( C e o a n ^ Co ) were measured by gas chromatography. Respiratory and cardiac frequencies, and venous and arterial blood pressures were recorded. These physiological variables were generally slightly lower than reported values for mature normal chickens. However, on a per body weight basis, estimates of overall gas exchange corresponded well with the literature. Oxygen dissociation curves were determined for each treatment by analysis of serial samples drawn from blood being tonometered between fully oxygenated and deoxygenated states. The interrelationships of the physiological variables and oxygen dissociation curve were incorporated into ventilation-perfusion distribution curves for each treatment-exposure group. The distribution curves reflected the adjustment of ventilation-perfusion relationships during acute exposure to hypoxia, and the adaptation of the relationships to chronic hypoxia.

THE HUSBANDRY OF BACK YARD CHICKEN FLOCKS Francine A. Bradley, A. E. Woodard and F. X. Ogasawara, Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 Increasing interest in at-home food production, the back-to-nature movement, and a new case of "hen fever" associated with poultry shows, have resulted in many suburbanites raising chickens in their back yards. Understandably, these "back yarders" have numerous problems and questions concerning

the management of chickens on a small scale. Books and brochures have been written in an attempt to provide the needed answers and short courses have been offered, including one at the University of California at Davis. The course is taught on two consecutive Saturdays. The instructors are professors, specialists, and graduate students from the Department of Avian Sciences. Topics covered include breeds, brooding, housing, nutrition, health, management, egg formation, care of eggs, and egg and poultry meat cookery. The material is presented on a non-technical level, due to the type of audience. A text, written especially for the class, hand-outs, slides, and demonstrations are used as instructional aids. Although problems have been encountered, these adjunct students have responded favorably to the course. Their comments and suggestions have influenced the development and remodeling of the course. NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FEED WHEAT SCREENINGS IN BROILER DIETS D. B. Bragg and J. Biely, Department of Poultry Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1W5 Three experiments using 2,576 commercial broiler chicks were designed to determine the variation in nutritive value among five samples of feed wheat screenings. Number one feed wheat screenings is defined by the Canada Feed Act as containing no less than 3 5% broken wheat, no more than 7% fibre and 8% weed seeds. Experiment 1 and 2 were carried out in battery brooders during a four week period. Experiment 3 was a floor trial of seven weeks duration. Experiment 1 compared wheat to wheat screenings in which wheat screenings were completely substituted for wheat in the control diet. Experiment 2 was similar except fat from all dietary sources was adjusted to the same level. Experiment 3 was a comparison of wheat to wheat screening in a U.B.C. and two commercial formulations. Botanical composition of five screenings showed; wheat 59-76%, buckwheat 4-12%, barley 2-5%, rapeseed 5-11%, weed seeds 1-5%, and small amounts of contaminants. Chemical variation was; protein 13.5% - 14.6%, fat 3.17 - 6.60%, and fibre 3.63-4.18%. Results of Experiment 1, 2, and 3 showed no significant variation in body weight, F.C.R. or mortality between chicks fed wheat and screenings diets. Therefore, nutritive value of screenings was comparable to that of wheat for broiler performance. Comparison of chemical components indicated a compensating effect (eg. fat increases with higher fibre in screenings). Based on the results, it is suggested that wheat screenings may be substituted in part or as a complete replacement for cereal grain in balanced broiler diets.

CHANGES IN SPECIFIC ORGANS OF LAYING HENS DURING A FORCED MOLT J. Brake, P. Thaxton, Samuel L. Pardue and G. W. Morgan, Department of Poultry Science, North

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VENTILATION-PERFUSION RELATIONSHIPS IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL

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Carolina State University, Box 5307, Raleigh, NC 27607

A GENERATION STUDY ON FEEDING PROTEIN FROM YEAST GROWN ON PETROLEUM TO JAPANESE QUAIL George Brant and S. L. Balloun, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 Coturnix quail were fed a typical corn-soybean meal diet or a diet in which 10 percent single cell protein from yeast was substituted for an equivalent amount of soybean meal. These diets were fed continuously for four generations. No statistically significant differences were observed in rate of growth or egg production. Fertility and hatchability were not affected. It was concluded that there are no toxic effects of long term feeding of moderate amounts of yeast protein. DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE AND POULTRY COMMODITY RESEARCH AT STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS D. J. Bray and G. J. Mountney, Cooperative State Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250 The 1975 poultry commodity research (PCR) program at 20 State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES) with Poultry Departments (PD) was compared to that of the 30 SAES with no departments (ND). Only two SAES reported no scientist year (SY) or money inputs into PCR to the Current Research Information Service (CRIS) maintained by the USDA. Poultry income was 9.86% and 5.00% of total farm income in PD and ND states, respectively. Respective SY inputs averaged 7.71 and 3.21 and PCR funds as a % of producer income were .28% and .36%. Poultry protection and product technology research received greater emphasis at PD, while production oriented research received greater inputs at ND. Other research goals received minor emphasis at both PD and ND SAES. SY inputs into the science field of nutrition and metabolism were 22.2 and 28.1% of the total at PD

ERYTHROCYTE ALLOAMTIGENS IN REGIONAL CORNELL RANDOMBRED STOCK* W. E. Briles and R. W. Briles, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, W. H. McGibbon, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, and V. A. Garwood and P.C. Lowe, North Central Regional Poultry Breeding Laboratory, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., West Lafayette, IN 47907 Erythrocyte samples from representative matings within the Regional Cornell Randombred stock were tested for hemagglutination with selected alloimmune reagents, each specific for alloantigens of one of the twelve known systems—A, E, B, C, D, H, I, J, K, L, P and R. For the past five years each new generation of over 100 pedigreed birds were typed to the extent possible with available reagents. These classifications formed the basis for alloimmunizations within the Regional Cornell Randombred stock, resulting in reagents with improved specificity. Data to date suggest that current alloantigen classifications are sufficiently definitive to indicate the genetic complexity existing in the stock. At the H, J, K, L and R loci we have identified two alleles each. There are three alleles at the D and P loci, and four alleles at C and /. At the A and E loci, which are linked by one half crossover unit, there are four and five alleles, respectively; these exist currently in eight A-E combinations. The most polymorphic locus is B, where there exist four moderately frequent (.14 to .30) and four relatively infrequent (.01 to .08) alleles. ' The capability of typing the erythrocyte alloantigens of this stock and lines extracted from it should prove useful in routine surveillance for genetic purity as well as possibly disclosing physiological effects of alloantigen loci in lines selected on the basis of specific criteria. 'Supported by Grant No. CA 12796 of the National Cancer Institute, D.H.E.W. EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN ON VITAMIN D METABOLISM IN CHICKS W. M. Britton and R. D. Wyatt, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Male broiler one day old chicks were fed a control diet or this diet containing 2.5 p.p.m. aflatoxin for 4 weeks. A group of 8 birds fed the control diet was injected intravenously with radioactive vitamin D 3 (D 3 ) and a second group with radioactive 25-hydroxy vitamin D 3 (25-OH D 3 ). Two groups of toxin fed chicks were also dosed with the radioactive vitamin D compounds. Plasma was obtained 24 hrs. after

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The effects of force molting on the liver, ovary, oviduct, right and left adrenal, and spleen were studied. White Leghorn hens, reared under commercial conditions, were force molted in environmentally modified facilities by reducing daylength as well as withdrawing feed and water. Four trials were conducted. In trial 1 the hens were sampled at weekly intervals for nine weeks beginning at the time feed was removed. In trials 2, 3 and 4 the hens were sampled either daily or on alternate days for three weeks beginning with feed removal. The relative weights of the liver, ovary, and oviduct were decreased significantly in all trials. Changes in the adrenals and spleen were indicative of physiological stress only during the early phases of starvation. Histological evaluation revealed hemorrhages in the left adrenal in some instances. Preliminary evaluations of lymphoid function were conducted.

and ND, respectively. Respective money inputs were 25.2 and 31.5% of total PCR moneys. Other SY inputs for major science areas were 11.2 and 10.8 for physiology, 10.5 and 9.8 for environmental biology, 8.6 and 11.2 for genetics, and 8.4 and 8.0 for biochemistry and biophysics expressed as a % of total SY's for PD and ND SAES, respectively.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

STRUCTURE AND RELATIONSHIP OF THE MAMMILLARY CORE TO MEMBRANE FIBERS AND INITIAL CALCIFICATION OF THE AVIAN EGG SHELL M. J. Bunk* and S. L. Balloun, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010 The interior of the mammillary knob is composed of: (1) outer shell membrane fibers that penetrate the basal portion of the knob and become associated with (2) the mammillary core, and (3) the bulk calcification of the main knob. The mammillary knob consists of radial crystals arranged in a hemisphere on the outer shell membrane fibers. Radial crystals of the core are composed of: (1) a central zone of homogeneous solid crystalline nature, and (2) an outer heterogeneous vesiculated zone. The walls of the mammillary knob are continuous with the base and sides of the mammillary core radial crystals, while the dorsocentral zone of the core crystals is exposed to a cavity which communicates with the upper zones of the mammillary knob and palisade layer via the central channel. The dorsal surface of the core cavity is formed by a layer of unorganized crystals of the mammillary knob proper. Initial calcification of the knob begins at the base and sides of the mammillary core, and expands over the organic core surface as the walls of the knob thicken during subsequent calcification. Incomplete fusion of the central expansions from peripheral knob areas results in the central channel. •Present address: Department of Poultry Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853. ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE MAMMILLARY REGION OF POOR QUALITY AVIAN EGG SHELLS M. J. Bunk and S. L. Balloun, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010 The mammillary region of "poor quality" avian egg shells, puncture-tested for shell quality according to the method of Munro (1966), displayed widespread anatomical disorganization and numerous aberrant structures. Structural aberrations of poor quality shells were classified into three general categories: (1) Mammillary layers consisting of numerous rounded calcified (membranous) bodies attached to shell membrane fibers, either singular or partly fused to larger mam-

millary knob formations: (2) mammillary regions consisting of disorganized, multinucleated mammillae originating from waves or bulges in the nucleation plane of the shell; (3) large rounded mammillae possessing basal caverns or cavities without the extensive mammillary core formations observed in higher quality egg shells. These findings suggest that the initial calcified layer of the egg shell contributes to the strength or ultimate organization of the main palisade crystal columns which underly egg shell quality. Membrane body, nucleation plane and basal cavity are defined as follows: Membrane body: small rounded calcified bodies situated upon outer shell membrane fibers; Nucleation plane: plane parallel to the outer shell membrane fibers to which are attached the intial calcium salts; Basal cavity: holes or caverns existing at the tip of egg shell mammillae between shell fibers and upper or basal regions of the mammillary knob.

BIOACCUMULATION OF TOXAPHENE IN BROILER CHICKS FED LOW LEVELS OF TOXAPHENE Parshall B. Bush, Michael Tanner, Robert K. Page and Nicholas H. Booth, Extension Poultry Science Department and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Low levels of toxaphene (0.2, 0.4, 2.6, and 3.8 p.p.m.) were added to a basal diet (0 p.p.m.) and fed to broiler chicks (Hubbard-Hubbard) from one-day of age. Each treatment consisted of 90 randomly selected birds (30 birds in each of three replicates). On weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, three birds from each of the replicates were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and tissues (liver, kidney, heart, gizzard, skeletal muscle, and fat) were collected for residue analysis. At the end of six weeks, 15 birds from each of the replicates were placed in floor pens and returned to the basal diet feed to monitor the depletion rate of toxaphene during a 10 week withdrawal period. Birds were sacrificed at biweekly intervals and fat and skeletal muscle tissues were collected. Tissue samples were quick frozen and stored for pesticide residue analysis. The bioaccumulation of toxaphene in the various tissues was best described by the linear equation y=a+bx. The equations for the bioaccumulation in the various tissues at 8 weeks were: adipose tissue, y=0.796 + 4.081x; leg muscle, y=0.024 + 0.1307x; breast muscle, y=0.002 + 0.047x; liver, y=0.062 + 0.03 5x; heart, y=0.056 + 0.166x; gizzard, y=0.014 + 0.159x and kidney, y=0.040 + 0.094x. The dissipation of toxaphene from birds fed 3.8 p.p.m. toxaphene is characterized by the equation y=e — 0-227x + 2.299p Based on these data, toxaphene does not appear to accumulate to the extent reported for PCB, HCB, or dieldrin.

EGG SHELL QUALITY FOR CHICKENS IN SELECTED LINES, F t 'S AND F 2 'S E. G. Buss, R. M. Leach, Jr. and J. T. Stout, Department of Poultry Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 Ten sire families in a 1970 population of year-old S.C.W. Leghorn chickens were ranked for specific

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dosing with D 3 and 6 hrs. after dosing with 25-OH D 3 . The vitamin D metabolites were extracted from the plasma, chromatographed on Sephadex LH-20, and four peaks in order of elution of radioactivity corresponding to D 3 , 25-OH D 3 , 24, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (24, 25-(OH) 2 D 3 ) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (l,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ) were separated. The following percentages were obtained; (1) control given D 3 -6.55, 64.30, 5.94 and 4.04; (2) toxin group given D 3 -10.05, 56.96, 8.95 and 4.68; (3) control given 25OH D 3 -2.16, 85.80, 4.11 and 2.04 ; and (4) toxin group given 25-OH D 3 -1.53, 79.84, 5.56 and 2.14. The only significant differences between the control and toxin groups were in D 3 and 24,25-(OH) 2 D 3 in chicks given D 3 and these were small suggesting little effect of 2,5 p.p.m. aflatoxin on vitamin D metabolism.

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FEED EFFICIENCY OF EGG PRODUCTION T. C. Byerly, R. M. Gous, O. P. Thomas and J. W. Kessler, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Five lots of 40 pullets each were individually fed a diet containing 2895 Kcal.M.E./kg. and 16% protein for ten 28-day periods. After 4 periods, Lot 1, Oregon State University Small Leghorns (SL) reached a weight of about 1450 g.; Lot 2, Dekalb white egg hybrid (WL) about 1850 g.; Lot 3, 2650 g. Harco brown egg sex linked (BL); Lot 4, Hubbard broiler (B) about 4300 g.; Lot 5, Hubbard broiler breeder (BB) about 43 50g. Data were analyzed according to the general equationY=aw±bAw+cE Y=daily feed; w=body weight; Aw=change in body weight; E=egg mass in grams. Analyses were made for w, w ( >53 j a n ( j w .75 w ith and without an intercept constant. For the first 4 periods, feed consumption estimates using w°5i are insignificantly closer to observed values than for w 7 ^ for SL, WL and BL but substantially lower for B and BB. Preliminary estimates indicate fair approximation of average observed values for all lots with Y=.25w- 7 5±1.6Aw+.8E. Calculated feed requirement values for gain for the B pullets were higher than for the other lots during the first four observation periods, perhaps reflecting fat deposition.

PROFILE OF TWO PROGESTOGENS IN LAYING COTURNIX J. R. Cain, J. L. Fleeger and D. L. Thompson, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 The pattern of two progestogens in the plasma of laying coturnix hens was determined by radioim-

munoassay. Frequent blood samples were taken from hens throughout the ovulatory cycle and estimations of the plasma levels of progesterone and 5 a-pregnane3,20-dione were made. The sensitivities of both assays were 25 pg. which allowed progestogen determinations in 100^1. of plasma. Progesterone levels began to rise four to six hours prior to ovipositions and reached mean peak levels of 11.6 ± 1.2 ng./ml. at two hours prior to oviposition. Increases in plasma levels of 5 a-pregnane-3, 20-dione began about one hour prior to progesterone levels and a peak mean of 20.8 ± 4.7 ng./ml. occurred at three hours prior to oviposition. Elevated levels of both progestogens represent increases of three to five times the base line levels which occur throughout most of the ovulatory cycle. Both hormones returned to these base line levels within one hour following oviposition. Additionally, elevated levels of both progestogens were absent on days preceding a pause in egg production. The observed time lag between oviposition and a subsequent ovulation was established to be approximately one hour in this line of coturnix. While peak levels of 5 a-pregnane-3,20-dione slightly preceded peak levels of progesterone, a causitive relationship has not been established. Peak progesterone levels in coturnix appeared to occur slightly closer to ovulation than values reported for chickens.

A COLLABORATIVE EVALUATION OF VARIABILITY IN ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY USED IN DETERMINING METABOLIZABLE ENERGY L. B. Carew, Jr., D. E. Bee and D. C. Foss, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Vermont, Bioresearch Center, 655 Spear St. South Burlington, VT 05401 and H. R. Halloran, Halloran Research Farms, Inc., Modesto, CA 95351 Fourteen laboratories participated in this study. Samples of feed and dried feces containing chromic oxide were taken from single homogeneous mixes and sent to each laboratory. The methods used were those currently employed by the individual laboratories. The analyses for chromic oxide employed either perchloric and nitric or sulfuric acids, or a mixture of phosphoric acid, manganese sulfate and potassium bromate for the digestion. Analyses between laboratories gave the following results (Mean ± S.D., followed by the coefficient of variation in parenthesis): heat of combustion in kcal./gm., diet 4.57 ± .24 (5%), feces 3.60 + .18 (5%); % chromic oxide, diet .272 ± .084 (31%), feces .848 ± .203 (24%); % nitrogen, diet 4.52 ± .50(11%), feces 8.41 ± .88 (11%). Calculation of the diet-excreta ratios for chromic oxide, which is the pertinent chromic oxide value used in the calculation of metabolizable energy, gave a result of .317 ± .024 (7.5%). The nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy of the original sample was calculated using the analytical data from each laboratory. The range in values was 3.144 - 3,409 kcal./gm. diet with a mean of 3.292 + .089 (2.7%). It is concluded that improved accuracy between laboratories in the measurement of metabolizable energy would result from greater standardization of methodology especially that for chromic oxide.

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gravity of the eggs produced by daughters. Seven females were selected for mating to each of three males to produce the good-shell and, likewise, to produce the poor-shell line. Females were selected from six sire families for each line; males were selected from six different families. In the respective years of 1971 through 1976, the numbers of dams and sires used in matings to continue the lines were: 26 and 4; 40 and 20; 48 and 16: 24 and 11; 10 and 6; 20 and 5. For each of the years, chicks were obtained from eggs produced during a 6-week period. At 7 and 17 months of age for July 1975 chicks, the average percent shell for the good, poor, and F, 's was 10.7, 7.5, and 9.5, and 9.8, 6.8, and 8.6, respectively. At 7 months of age for July 1976 chicks, the average percent shell for the good, poor, F , 's, and F 2 's was 10.7, 8.0, 10.2, and 9.7, respectively. Selection was effective in producing discreet lines for egg shell quality. Changes in quality during the year were similar for different populations.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS YOUTH BROILER SHOWS AS COMMUNITY PROJECTS William O. Cawley, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

THE EFFECT OF AUS WITHDRAWAL ON MAREK'S DISEASE INFECTED CHICKS* T. S. Chang and Diane Ploeger, Department of Poultry Science, 210 Anthony Hall, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824 Studies conducted by Chang (1973) and Eidson et al. (1974) on the effect of AUS in Marek's disease (MD) showed decreased mortality although lesions were still present in the surviving chickens. This experiment was designed to study the effect of AUS withdrawal from the feed. All chicks were given 5000 PFU MD virus intraperitoneally at dayold except that of the uninfected controls. AUS was mixed in the feed at two levels (0.005% and 0.01%) and given to birds of the designated groups. AUS was withdrawn from one of the two groups of each level at six weeks of age. Then, AUS was withdrawn from the other groups at 12 weeks of age. The results showed that AUS prevented mortality due to MD infection. Mortality dramatically increased when AUS was withdrawn from the feed at six weeks of age as compared to the AUS continued group. The morbidity rate doubled at 15 weeks of age when AUS was withdrawn at 12 weeks of age. * Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7997.

THE EFFECT OF ANAPHAGE AND BACITRACIN ON THE GROWTH OF PEKIN DUCKS

Timothy S. Chang, Department of Poultry Science, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824, and Terry Wing, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010 Approximately 100 million ducks are raised in the world, principally in the southeast Asia. Any new feed ingredient would be beneficial to the duck producing industry. Anaphage has been used in the feed of laying hens without adverse effects. This experiment was designed to study the effect of anaphage (substituted for corn) and bacitracin on the growth of White Pekin ducks. Experimental treatments included; (1) control, (2) 10% anaphage, (3) 30% anaphage, (4) bacitracin, or (5) 30% anaphage + bacitracin. Eleven female and nine male day-old ducklings were randomly assigned to each treatment. A duck starter ration was used during the first three weeks of age and a duck grower ration was used for the final five weeks of the experiment. The body weights at eight weeks of age did not show significant difference between treatments. However, the addition of bacitracin improved the feed efficiency. Anaphage replacing corn at 10% and 30% resulted in poor feed efficiency. At three weeks of age, treatment groups with 30% anaphage showed significantly (P<0.01) lower growth rate as compared to other groups. However, no significant difference in feed efficiency was noted in this first three week period. THE VITAMIN K ACTIVITY (VKA) OF VARIOUS SOURCES OF MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE (MSB) AND MENADIONE SODIUM BISULFITE COMPLEX (MSBC) O. W. Charles, Extension Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Samples of MSB and MSBC, each manufactured by similar processes but by different companies, were compared. Techniques designed to compare biological efficacy, physical, chemical and/or molecular structure were used. Biological efficacy was determined using chick bioassay techniques developed for these studies. An MSB source was selected at random and the biological efficacy of all sources was compared to this source. The ratio of activity for MSB sources ranged from 1:0,45 to 1:0.85. The range of efficacy for the MSBC sources was from 1:0.54 to 1:0.76. While the ultraviolet spectra indicated similar peaks for all samples, different intensities were found in the case of two MSB and two MSBC samples. Infrared spectra indicated a number of poorly defined peaks. However, there was no correlation between this parameter and the biological efficacy found. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance suggested a consistent structure for four MSB materials while the spectra for six additional materials indicated the absence of a proton on the ring next to the sodium bisulfite groups. While structural differences can be identified, these studies suggest that biological efficacy can most accurately be determined by chick bioassay techniques. These studies further suggest that VKA materials manufactured by different processes may contain isomers which alter their biological activity.

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For more than 25 years the Cameron (Milam County), Texas Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a broiler show for the youth of the communityFifty sponsors donate less than $20 each to the broiler fund. This money is used to purchase baby chicks, trophies and other awards, and a banquet ticket for each grower and sponsor. A lottery is used in assigning 4-H and F.F.A. members to sponsors. Each grower is given 50 dayold broiler chicks of the same breeding and hatch so that the only variation will be due to feeding and management differences. Projects are conducted under the supervision of county Extension agents or local vocational agriculture teachers. Growers agree to exhibit their five best birds at a local broiler show. These exhibits are classified by a competent judge and appropriate awards are given the top ten entries. During the nine-week growing period, many sponsors visit their grower's project and the youth make weekly reports to their sponsors. A recognition banquet is held following the judging where the top growers and their sponsors are honored. Following the show, growers return five dressed broilers to their sponsors with a note of thanks.

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SPECIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ASSAY OF VITAMIN K ACTIVE MATERIALS

INITIAL MATE PREFERENCE GAME FARM MALLARDS

O. W. Charles, Steve Duke and Jan Fortune, Extension Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

K. M. Cheng, R. N. Shoffner and R. E. Phillips, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

A series of twelve experiments was conducted involving two sources of menadione sodium bisulfite and two sources of menadione sodium bisulfite complex. Using materials of low and high Vitamin K activity (VKA), three factors, anti-coagulant, design and procedure were evaluated. Anticoagulant: Test rations using either the anticoagulant, pivalyl (.11 mg./kg.) or a vitamin K deficient basal were compared. When assaying VKA materials of a low efficacy, feeding the vitamin K deficient basal without the anticoagulant gave more consistent results than did the diets containing pivalyl. Experimental Design: When comparing the VKA of multiple vitamin. K sources, a factorial arrangement with a common standard curve group, conducted simultaneously with all test groups was superior to single product comparison. Using nine birds per treatment group and bleeding three birds from each treatment group daily so that all birds of each treatment group are considered gave graded response to graded levels. Experimental Procedure: Using low efficacy VKA materials and no anticoagulant, birds may be started at day one on test and bled on days 12, 13 and 14. This procedure was superior to a seven day equilibration period in which the chicks were fed the vitamin K deficient basal only and then placed on test.

Wild and game farm mallards raised in pure strain and mixed groups were tested for initial mate preference in a 45 minutes choice test using live models. Female mallards did not show significant preference for males of either strain, but males of both strains raised with females of their own strain had a significant preference for female models of their own strain. Males raised with females of the opposite strain merely showed attenuation of preference for female models of their own strain, and did not show preference for female models of the strain with which they were raised. Game farm mallards approached models significantly sooner than wild mallards and there was a significant sex X mate interaction.

T. C. Chen and A. S. Arafa, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Some biophysical and organoleptical characteristics of immersion chilled and hot-packaged (chilled without slush-ice) broiler carcasses as obtained from a commercial processing plant were studied. Hot-packaging of broilers greatly reduced drip formation upon refrigerated storage. Higher drip formations were observed for cut-up parts than the whole carcass in both treatments. These increases in drip formation were found to be proportional to the number of parts which each carcass was cut into. Hot-packaging of broiler carcasses resulted in lower cooking losses (16.15%) as compared to immersion chilled carcasses (23.79%). Higher Warner-Bratzler readings and shorter sarcomere lengths were observed for the hot-packaged as compared to immersion chilled samples. Taste panel evaluation, however, did not yield any significant differences in tenderness, flavor, juiciness, and overall satisfaction between both treatments. Significant correlation between Warner-Bratzler readings and percentage cooking losses were found. In addition, significant correlation was observed between Warner-Bratzler readings and sarcomere lengths. No significant regression coefficient was found for the variabilities in the carcass weights on percent cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler readings, sarcomere lengths and organoleptic scores.

PAIRING BEHAVIOR OF WILD AND GAME FARM MALLARDS K. M. Cheng, R. N. Shoffner and R. E. Phillips, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, and F. B. Lee, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401 Wild and game farm mallards raised in both pure strain and mixed groups were tested for mate preference during pair formation under (1) a competitive situation, (4d<5 & 19) and 2) a less competitive situation (466 & 499). Male-female distances and frequencies of courtship displays indicated that male mallards of either strain raised with females of their own strain courted females of their own strain more frequently and were successful in pairing only with females of their own strain. Males raised with females of the other strain were successful with females of either strain. Rearing with mates of the other strain seemed to modify male mate preference but had little effect of female mate preference. Frequency of raping in each experimental pen increased sharply during the day the first egg was laid in the pen.

TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION OF RADIOACTIVITY FROM 3 H-T-2 TOXIN IN CHICKS M. S. Chi 1 , T. S. Robison 2 , S. P. Swanson2 and C. J. Mirocha 2 , Departments of Animal Science1 and Plant Pathology 2 , University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 The excretion and distribution of radioactivity in 6-week-old broiler chicks intubated with single dose of 3-C-[3H]-T-2 toxin were investigated during the 48-hour period after dosing. The average recovery of administered radioactivity was 102 ± 8% for 32 chicks. Chicks excreted 6.7, 20.7, 42.1, 60.5 and 81.6% of the recovered radioactivity at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after dosing, respectively. The gastro-intestinal (G.I.) tract contained 88.8, 74.0, 63.3, 38.0, 26.9 and 10.4% of the recovered radioactivity at 0.5, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after

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SOME BIOPHYSICAL AND ORGANOLEPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HOT-PACKAGED AND IMMERSION CHILLED CUT-UP BROILER MEAT

IN WILD AND

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dosing, respectively. Abdominal fat and heart contained insignificant portion of recovered radioactivity during the 48-hour period. Radioactivity derived from 3H-T-2 toxin reached a maximum level 4 hours after dosing in most organs and tissues except for the muscle, skin, bile; in the latter, maximum radioactivity was reached at 12 hours after dosing. The specific radioactivity of blood, muscle, skin and heart was similar throughout the 48hour period. The bile and gall bladder had the highest specific radioactivity among organs and tissues (except G.I. tract) during the 48-hour period. The patterns of distribution and excretion suggest that the liver may be a major organ for metabolsim and excretion of the toxin.

year. The difference among strains appeared to be constant regardless of housing environment. However, caged birds in general consumed considerably more limestone than did those on the floor. No treatment difference in production and feed efficiency values were noted. Specific gravity tended to be slightly higher with those birds receiving free choice limestone.

BLOOD PHOSPHORUS LEVELS OF COMMERCIAL EGG PRODUCTION-TYPE HENS AT VARIOUS TIME INTERVALS AFTER DOSING WITH PHOSPHORIC ACID

Stout and Buss (Poultry Science 55:2097) reported data on percent shell in lines of chickens selected for thick and thin shell weights. We have followed the Ca++ distribution in blood plasma and excreta of laying and non-laying members and rates of Ca++ deposition in the shell in relation to feed consumption. Birds were fed a diet of pelleted laying mash which contained 3.7% Ca++. Composit excreta samples were collected for 7 days from the individual birds, dried, ashed and analyzed. Excreta Ca++ levels were: non-laying birds of both genotypes 8.1%, thin-shell layers (Thn) 7.7%; and thick-shell layers (Thk) 5.6%. Blood plasma Ca++ levels in non-laying birds was 22.8 mg%. In laying birds with a soft shelled egg in the uterus, Thk values were 28.2 ± 1.1, and Thn, 19.8 ± 1.9 mg.%. No differences in Ca++ levels were found in membrane-free shells from Thk and Thn. In another series of experiments feed consumption, excreta, and plasma Ca++ were followed at 5-hour intervals through one egg cycle with members of both genotypes. Plasma Ca++ levels agree with the above findings, and the changes in plasma level decrease is parallel during the shell forming period in both Thn and Thk lines. Differences in rate of shell accretion are evident between Thk and Thh lines by four hours after the egg enters the uterus.

In two experiments, commercial egg productiontype hens were fed a corn-soy diet without supplemental phosphorus. On day 5 of Experiment 1 each hen was dosed with 10 ml. of a phosphoric acid solution (10 mg.P/ml.) between 8 and 9 a.m. Blood samples were collected via anterior heart puncture immediately following oviposition and serum phosphorus level determined. In Experiment 2, the method of dosing was the same as in experiment 1, except that hens were dosed immediately following oviposition. Blood samples were then collected from different hens at different time intervals following oviposition; 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. In both experiments the serum phosphorus level of undosed hens was 2.5 mg./lOO ml. at oviposition. Following dosing serum phosphorus level increased sharply and reached a peak between 30 and 60 minutes. The serum phosphorus level then decreased during the next 2 hours and remained fairly constant for 2 hours thereafter.

THE EFFECT OF PULLET-SIZE FREE-CHOICE LIMESTONE ON PERFORMANCE OF TWELVE STRAINS OF WHITE LEGHORN HENS R. B. Christmas, C. R. Douglas, L. W. Kalch and R. H. Harms, Poultry Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Twelve strains of White Leghorn hens were grown on the floor and were placed in either a floor or cage type laying house at 150 days of age. All birds were fed a commercial type all mash laying diet which contained 16.9% protein, 3.00% calcium and 0.75% phosphorus. One-half of the birds in each housing environment was offered free choice supplemental pullet size limestone in addition to that in the standard diet for the entire 336 day laying period. This study was repeated once. Considerable strain difference was observed in the consumption of pullet size calcium during the trial

C. O. Clagett*, E. G. Buss**, and Y. Tamaki**, Departments of Biochemistry & Biophysics*, and Poultry Science**, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802

DIABETES INSIPIDUS IN CHICKENS: INTERACTION OF 17-/3-ESTRADIOL AND AVT IN CONTROL OF WATER CONSUMPTION C. O. Clagett*, R. B. Guyer**, and E. G. Buss**, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics*, and Department of Poultry Science**, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 Excess water consumed by birds with hereditary diabetes insipidus (di) is secreted via the kidneys. Polydipsia in di birds can be controlled by subcutaneous injections of 1 unit of arginine vasotosin (AVT) at 2-hr. intervals. Oxytocin and vasopressin are not effective in controlling the excessive drinking. Intramuscular injection of di males with 1 ml. of corn oil containing 10 mg. 17-/3-estradiol increases the water consumption to 180% of the non-estrogenized males. Water consumption in the estrogenized di males can be reduced to the consumption level of DI males by injections of AVT at intervals of two hours or for a period of 7 days by subcutaneous placement of osmotic pumps (Alza, Palo Alto, CA) delivering

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J. H. Choi, R. D. Miles and R. H. Harms, Poultry Science Department, 2500 SW Archer Rd., University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

EGG- SHELL QUALITY: CALCIUM METABOLISM IN THICK AND THIN SHELL GENOTYPES

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1/2 unit of AVT per hour. Subcutaneous AVT ( ' 2 5 I 2 labeled) reaches a peak concentration in the blood of about 2% of the injected dose in 50 min., then declines gradually for 120 minutes after which time the level falls rather rapidly. 12s I, labeled AVT in the blood has a half-life of 2-3 minutes. No differences in absorption or rate of destruction were observed between Dl and di genotypes.

AUTOANTIGENICITY OF CHICKEN SPERM Henry L. Classen and J. Robert Smyth, Jr., Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SELECTED BY PINEALECTOMIZED COCKERELS DURING THEIR LIGHT-DARK CYCLE L. A. Cogburn and P. C. Harrison, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 Day-old S.C.W.L. cockerels were distributed in an unheated battery-brooder and maintained in a controlled environment chamber on a 12L:12D photoperiod. Chicks were started at an ambient temperature of 35CC. with two subsequent decreases of 2.8° C. at weekly intervals. Pinealectomy (PX) and shamoperations (PN) were performed at eight and nine days of age. An additional group of birds served as unoperated controls (C). Nine days following surgery cockerels were individually exposed to a linear thermal gradient (20° C. to 34°C.) for a two-hour period in a randomized complete block experiment. During six days of continuous observation, 12 birds from each surgical

EVALUATION OF A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE HOUSE FLY, MUSCA DOMESTICA, IN ENCLOSED CAGED LAYER HOUSING Charles L. Cole and Fredrick D. Thornberry, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 An automatic insecticide spray system installed in an enclosed caged layer house was evaluated to determine its effectiveness in controlling house flies. Spray nozzles were placed throughout the building in a manner designed to provide thorough coverage. A pyrethrin-based insecticide was applied automatically through the system at predetermined intervals. A timer was used to control a hydraulic pump providing a spray emission time of 40 seconds at each activation. Dosage and time interval between emissions were varied periodically. Treatment effectiveness was determined by recording the control of flies caged at three locations in the house. Flies were placed in the house each time the dosage or frequency of emission changed. Mortality was recorded 24 hours later. Control was attained at each insecticide dosage tested from 0.050 to 0.025 percent, and at each time interval tested. However, the 0.025 percent dosage rate applied in 40 second emissions at three hour intervals approached the lower limits of effectiveness. Less than 100 percent mortality was observed after two emissions while 100 percent mortality was observed after one emission of higher dosages. Examination of manure pits throughout the test period showed that the control of adults eliminated larval development.

INFLUENCE OF ETHOXYQUIN ON THE UTILIZATION OF SELENIUM BY THE CHICK G. F. Combs, Jr., Department of Poultry Science & Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Experiments were conducted to determine whether utilization of dietary Se by the chick is influenced by antioxidants other than tocopherol. Day-old S.C.W.L. chicks severely depleted in Se and vitamin E were fed a vit. E-free, low-Se (<0.02 p.p.m.) semipurified diet supplemented with Naj Se0 3 , ethoxyquin (EQ) or vitamin E(VE). In Exp. 1, a factorial design including 0 to 200 p.p.m. EQ, 0 or 0.20 p.p.m. Se and 0.

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In order to study the autoantigenicity of chicken sperm, 18 mature males were randomly divided into the following treatment groups: (1) twice weekly injection of sperm (I.V.), (2) biweekly intramuscular injection of sperm with Freud's incomplete adjuvant (I.M.), and uninjected control. Antispermatozoal titers, determined by passive hemagglutination, were found in the serum of the majority of sperm-immunized males. In addition, immunoglobulins, determined by immunofluorescent histology, were present in the vasa deferentia lumina of I.V. males, and to a lesser extent, I.M. males. Control males showed little or no immunoglobulin in their vasa lumina. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed a large number of leukocytes in the vasa lumina of I.V. and I.M. males. Cells present included monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells and granular leukocytes. In two I.V. males and one I.M. male, leukocytes and spermatozoa were clumped together. Some of the cells appeared to be phagocytizing spermatozoa. Supporting evidence for sperm autoantigenicity was provided by suggestive, but statistically nonsignificant, decreases in fertility estimates, reduced semen quality measurements and smaller testis size for the I.V. group. Additional support was provided by the demonstration of serum antispermatozoal titers in bilaterally vasectomized cocks.

treatment were exposed to the thermal gradient. Photophase and scotophase were subdivided into three four-hour periods designated early (E), middle (M) and late (L). The average ambient temperature (Ta) selected by each bird was determined from 10 observations made at 10 minute intervals during exposure. The PN and C birds selected an average Ta of 22.6° C. and 25.4°C. for photophase and scotophase, respectively, and the PX birds had a Ta preference 4°C. warmer P<.01) for both phases. There was an interaction (P<.05) between pinealectomy and Ta selection during E and L photophase. These findings indicate that the pineal gland constitutes an important physiological component of thermoregulatory behavior, particularly during scotophase.

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METABOLIZABLE ENERGY OF MOLDED CORN IN CHICK DIETS G. F. Combs, Jr., Department of Poultry Science & Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Experiments were conducted to determine the influences of selected fungi on the metabolizable energy (M.E.) of corn in diets of chicks. In Exp. 1, corn was monocultured with F. roseum, P. citreoviridae, P. islandicum, P. citrinum, A. parasiticus or A. sydowi. After 2-3 wks., molded corn was reautoclaved, dried and reground. Untreated, twice autoclaved or molded corn was used in modifications of the E-16 reference diet in which 40% cerelose was replaced by a test ingredient on a dry matter basis (after 4 days of feeding). Metabolizable energy of corn samples was determined by the total fecal collection method in 2 wk. old chicks. Corn M.E. was reduced by autoclaving alone and also by mold infestation. P. citrinum did not reduce corn M.E. below that of the autoclaved sample; A. parasiticus resulted in a 23.4% depression and other molds depressed M.E. 4.9-14.3%. In Exp. 2, corn was molded with F. roseum as above, but with minimal autoclaving, showed a 24.8% decrease in M.E. and a 10% decrease in gross energy. Feed consumption was increased but growth was not impaired. Chicks fed Fusaria corn showed increased intestinal protease activity but no changes in lipase or amylase extractable from the GI tract and no changes in localization of these enzymes. Results indicate that mold infestation can significantly reduce the M.E. of corn in chick diets and that this effect may result in increased feed consumption and decreased efficiency of feed utilization. Decrease in M.E. may be related to altered activities of digestive enzymes in the gut. POTENTIATION OF SELENIUM DEFICIENCY BY CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS IN THE VITAMIN E-DEFICIENT CHICK

G. F. Combs, Jr. and A. H. Parsons, Department of Poultry Science & Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Experiments were conducted to investigate the potentiation of SE deficiency in the vitamin E-deficient chick fed chlorinated hydrocarbons. Chicks severely depleted of Se and vitamin E were fed a vit. E-free, low-Se (<0.02 p.p.m.) semipurified basal diet supplemented with N a j S e 0 3 . In Exp. 1, Se deficiency as measured by incidence of exudative diathesis was significantly increased at marginal levels of dietary Se when chicks were fed 50 p.p.m. dieldrin. In Exp. 2, polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1254, 50 p.p.m.) significantly increased the dietary requirement for Se; this effect was reduced by the addition of ethoxyquin to the diets. In Exp. 3 depleted chicks were fed basal diet containing 0 or 0.2 p.p.m. Se to 10 days of age, at which time both diets were supplemented with 20 p.p.m. Aroclor 1254. The activities of two drugmetabolizing enzymes, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase, were determined in fresh, washed hepatic microsomes prepared before exposure to PCBs and after 1, 2 and 5 days of exposure. Results showed that microsomal enzyme induction by PCBs was significantly retarded in chicks fed the Se-deficient diet. It is concluded that structurally dissimilar chlorinated hydrocarbons can potentiate Se deficiency in the chick and that Se may be required for optimal induction of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes of liver. It is therefore possible that microsomal enzyme induction in response to dietary chlorinated hydrocarbons increases the intracellular demand for selenium, the net result of which is an increase in the dietary requirement of the chick for this mineral.

THE FILLING AND EMPTYING OF UTEROVAGINAL SPERM HOST GLANDS IN THE DOMESTIC HEN M. M. Compton, H. P. Van Krey and P. B. Siegel, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060 The filling and emptying of uterovaginal sperm host glands in the domestic hen were studied. Genetically labelled spermatozoa, normal (DwDw) and dwarf (dwdw), were used. Dwarf hens (dw-) were artificially inseminated, first with the semen of one genotype and then reinseminated several hours later with semen of the other genotype. Heterozygous semen (Dwdw) served as a control. Eggs were collected for a two week period after insemination. Eggs were set weekly, the chicks were pedigree hatched, and were wing-banded for purposes of identification. Genotypic determinations of the progeny were made at twelve weeks of age. The temporal hatching sequence indicated that there was a predominance of eggs fertilized by spermatozoa from the last insemination irrespective of the genotype of the spermatozoa. Furthermore, the predilection of progeny from the latter of the sequential inseminations, as opposed to a complete randomization of genotypes, sheds light on the mechanism of sperm release from the host gland. The data would

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or 35 I.U./kg.VE in variable proportions of tocopherol: tocopheryl acetate showed that the utilization of Se for growth and protection from exudative diathesis (ED) was significantly increased by EQ or VE. Plasma glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased by supplemental Se and VE; plasma VE was greater in chicks fed tocopherol and was decreased by EQ. In Exp. 2, graded levels of EQ were fed ± VE (35 I.U./kg.) in diets containing 0.04 p.p.m. Se. In the absence of VE, 200 p.p.m. EQ effectively prevented ED. An inverse relationship between dietary EQ and Se requirement of the VE-deficient chick (log Se req'tpn.m. = - 0 . 0 0 1 1 EQ p p m - 0.7741) was shown in Exp. 3. Exp. 4 showed that chicks fed graded levels of Se (no EQ) for 7 days followed by 0 or 400 p.p.m. EQ (no Se), 7-14 days, showed protection from ED when Se and EQ were fed sequentially. Exp. 5 showed that sparing of Se by EQ was less effective when chicks were fed 0 or 400 p.p.m. EQ (no Se) for 7 days followed by graded levels of Se (no EQ) at 7-14 days. It was concluded that EQ can enhance utilization of dietary Se for prevention of ED in VEdeficient chick, thereby sparing the requirement for Se in the diet.

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tend to support the concept of a sequential release of spermatozoa from these glands rather than the randomized evacuation of sperm host glands in toto. EFFECTS OF "MEAL-EATING" ON BROILER GROWTH AND FEED CONVERSION Bonnie E. Conard and Wayne J. Kuenzel, Poultry Science Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

NAKED NECK TRANSMISSION RATIOS AND EMBRYO SURVIVAL IN DOMESTIC FOWL R. D. Crawford, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask. Canada. S7N OWO

DIETARY ZINC AS AN EFFECTIVE AGENT FOR THE LAYING HEN

RESTING

C. R. Creger, Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 and J. T. Scott, Nutrition & Animal Health, Diamond Shamrock Chemical Company, 1100 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114 Two experiments were conducted with White Leghorn laying hens to compare a conventional molt procedure with the use of zinc as an effective resting agent. In experiment one a molting and resting method was compared. Method one was a conventional molt procedure which employed no artificial light for ten days, no water for 24 hours, and feed was removed for ten days. Method two was a resting procedure which consisted of adding 20,000 p.p.m. of zinc (as zinc oxide) to the laying hen diet, employing no artificial light for ten days, and water was supplied ad libitum. Egg production ceased within five days for the zinc fed birds, while requiring seven days for the conventional molt procedure to cease egg production. A smaller decline in percent shell and specific gravity was noted during this period for the eggs laid by the zinc treatments when compared to the conventional molt .procedure. Feeding the zinc diet for sixteen consecutive days resulted in inferior egg production. Feeding the zinc diets for less than 12 days resulted in a significant increase in egg production when compared to the conventional molt procedure. THE OVULATION-INDUCING PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS ANDROGENS IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL F. Croze and R. J. Etches, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada NIG 2W1

Testosterone, 5a-dihydrotestosterone, A4-androstenedione and 5a-androstane-3a,170-diol were injectFive of nine possible matings involving alleles at ed into Single Comb White Leghorn hens at doses the naked neck locus in domestic fowl have been between 16 mg./hen and 62.5 Mg./hen. The steroids examined regarding transmission ratio, progeny sex were dissolved in 0.2 mis of ethanol and injected subratio, and embryo survival. Matings and numbers of cutaneously adjacent to the femoral vein. Either 5 progeny observed are: NaNa <$ X nana 9 (739),nana or 10 hens were injected with each dose of each 6 X Nana 9 (948), Nana 6 X nana 9 (3599), nana steroid. All injections were given 12 to 14 h before 6 X Nana 9 (74), nana 6 X Nana 9 (675). Data have the expected time of ovulation of the first egg of the been accumulated from five generations of the test sequence. The birds were maintained on a lighting population, and considerably extend observations regime of 14L:10D (lights on from 2200 to 1200 h.) reported earlier (Crawford, 1975). and all injections were given between 0830 and 0900. In four of the matings there was a small but con- The occurence of ovulation was determined during an sistent deficiency of heterozygous daughters. Part autopsy performed 10 h. after the injection. but not all of the deficiency could be attributed to The minimum dose of testosterone which induced prehatching mortality in one of the matings. In the ovulation prematurely was 125 jug- and the maximum fifth mating (nana 6 X Nana 9) a significant defi- dose which was used (16 mg.) induced ovulation in ciency of wild-type sons occurred, as reported pre100% of the hens. Probit analysis revealed that the viously, and this could not be explained by prehatch- median effective dose (ED 5 0 ) for testosterone was ing mortality. 966 Mg./hen. While injections of 5a-dihydrotestosterone One mating (Nana 6 X Nana 9) which produces induced ovulation prematurely, this steroid was not

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Experiments were conducted to compare the effects of "meal-eating" versus "nibbling" on body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion. Male Arbor Acre broilers were raised from hatch to 4-weeks of age. The metabolizable energy (M.E.) of the diet was 3190 kcal./kg. Data showed that 1meal, 2-meals and 3-meals/day (meal = lW-or 2-hour unlimited access to feed) resulted in depressed body weight compared to controls fed ad libitum. No differences were found in weight gain or feed conversion between 4-meal, 5-meal and control groups. An experiment was conducted with treatment groups allowed 3-meals, 4-meals, 5-meals/day or continued access to food (controls). M.E. of the diet was increased to 3460 kcal./kg. Meal-feeding began when chicks were 2-weeks old and was terminated at 7-weeks. All birds were maintained under a photoperiod of LD 16:8. The 5-meal group was heavier, displayed a significantly greater rate of gain and a significantly lower feed conversion (P<0.05) compared to controls. Neither body composition nor total feed consumption differed between the two groups. An analysis of feed consumed/meal indicated that in all treatments, chicks consumed the greatest quantity during the last meal of the day (light period). It is hypothesized that a photoperiod coupled with mealfeeding entrains endogenous metabolic rhythms which may account for the greater feed efficiency of mealfed broilers.

homozygous mutant progeny has been studied. Segregation and sex ratios among all individuals classified were normal except for a slight deficiency of heterozygous females. However, prehatching mortality of homozygous mutants greatly exceeded expectation, especially among females.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS as effective as testosterone. Neither A4-androstenedione nor 5a-androstane-3a,17(3-diol were effective ovulation-inducing agents.

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foaming capacity and produced poor angel cakes. COMPOSITION OF DRAINAGE FROM THAWED POULTRY CARCASSES

COMPOSITION AND KEEPING QUALITY OF RAW AND COOKED CHICKEN PATTIES F. E. Cunningham, Dairy and Poultry Science Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

COMPOSITION OF ALBUMEN FROM EGGS HAVING MOTTLED YOLKS F. E. Cunningham, Dairy and Poultry Science Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 Albumen from normal eggs and from eggs having mottled yolks was examined for composition and for functional capacity. Yolk mottling was induced by including 0.02% Nicarbazin in the hens's ration. Albumen from eggs having mottled yolks was quite different in composition from albumen collected from normal eggs. Moisture was lower, but percentage of protein, fat, ash, and mineral content was higher in albumen from mottled eggs than from normal albumen. Fat content was significantly greater in albumen from eggs having mottled yolks, indicating that lipid material had passed from mottled, through the vitelline membrane, into the albumen. Electrophoretic analysis indicated very little difference in protein composition between the two albumen samples; however, there were indications of lipid contamination in the albumen sample from eggs with mottled yolks. There was considerable difference in the functional performance of albumen from eggs with mottled yolks and albumen from eggs having normal yolks. Albumen from eggs with mottled yolks had impaired

Frozen turkeys, baking hens, broilers, and Rock Cornish hens processed and frozen commercially were purchased from a local wholesaler. The turkey hens were 24 weeks old, the baking hens were 21 months, the broilers 8 weeks, and the Rock Cornish Game hens 5 weeks. The frozen carcasses were thawed overnight at room temperature and the drainge collected, weighed, and analyzed. Both the birds and containers were well covered with aluminum foil to minimize evaporation. The total fluid lost from the thawed birds ranged from 3.1% of the carcass weight of baking hens to over 7.5% of the total weight of Rock Cornish Game hens. Drainage from various species contained from 4.0% up to 6.6% solids. The amount of protein in the drip ranged from 3.6% to 5.2%. Fat content in the drained fluids was highest (0.14%) from turkey hens and lowest (0.1%) from baking hens. Ash content in the drainage was highest from the youngest birds (the Cornish hens) and lowest from turkey hens. Amino acid analysis of the protein from baking hens and broilers revealed a greater loss of essential amino acids with decreasing age. Percentagewise, alanine represented the greatest amino acid loss in baking hens and broilers with 15.14% and 25.06%, respectively. The least percentage loss was 0.46% tryptophan in baking hens and 0.07% tyrosine in broilers.

PANTOTHENIC ACID REQUIREMENT OF JAPANESE QUAIL FOR GROWTH AND PRODUCTION B. A. Cutler and Pran Vohra, Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 The pantothenic acid requirements of Japanese quail were determined for growth and reproduction using purified diets composed of isolated soybean protein, corn starch, minerals and vitamins. All birds were provided with feed and water, ad libitum. In the four growth experiments, day-old quail chicks were fed diets containing 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg. supplementary calcium pantothenate/kg. diet, up to five weeks of age. The dietary level of Ca pantothenate (mg./kg.) required to prevent mortality was about 7.5, for optimal growth about,7.5, and for normal feathering between 10-30. Adult quail (8 weeks old) in maximum production were fed calciunu pantothenate supplemented diets for five weeks. Calcium pantothenate was supplemented at levels of 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 40.0 mg. per kg. diet. Results indicate that about 15.0 mg. supplementary calcium pantothenate per kg. diet was necessary for optimum fertility and hatchability. Incubated eggs from calcium pantothenate deficient hens were characterized by embryonic mortality late in incubation period, hemmorhagic embryos, edema and embryos with crooked legs.

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White Leghorn hens were slaughtered, eviscerated, chilled overnight in slush ice, hung on shackles to drain, and hand deboned. The fowl meat was ground with a heavy duty Hobart meat grinder. Patties were prepared from chicken meat or from meat containing 10%, 20%, or 30% or a specially processed flaked textured vegetable protein (FTVP) Samples were collected for compositional analysis; the remainder was weighed, formed in a HoUymatic patty maker, individually wrapped in Cry-O-Vac D-601 polyolefin film, heat sealed, and frozen at -20° C. Compositions of raw patties varied with increasing FTVP. Protein was slightly increased; however, fat and ash contents were significantly changed by FTVP additions. Raw chicken patties containing 0%, 12%, 20%, or 30% FTVP can be stored for six months at -20° C. without appreciable loss of eating quality. Patties cooked by microwave from the frozen state did not differ in flavor, but flavors of those thawed before cooking differed. Patties with higher FTVP were rated less tender. Flavor of pan-fried patties did not differ by treatment regardless of cooking technique. When patties were cooked from the frozen state, those with higher FTVP contents were rated less tender but not objectionably so.

F. E. Cunningham, D. R. Suderman and M. H. Wu, Dairy and Poultry Sciences Department, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

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EFFECT OF HEAT INCREMENT OF THE DIET ON GROWTH OF BROILER CHICKS UNDER HEAT STRESS N. M. Dale and H. L. Fuller, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

FLOXAID AND AFLATOXICOSIS OF BOBWHITE QUAIL CHICKS B. L. Damron, J. G. Manley, H. R. Wilson and R. H. Harms, Poultry Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Day-old Bobwhite quail chicks were housed in electrically heated Petersime battery brooders for two experiments designed to measure the interaction of graded levels of B i aflatoxins and Floxaid. In each experiment, thirty chicks of mixed sex were assigned to each of eight replicate pens allocated to a dietary treatment. In experiment one, aflatoxin levels of 0, 0.4 and 0.8 p.p.m. were added to a commercial-type basal diet. Treatments of experiment two were identical to the former with the substitution of a 1.2 p.p.m. aflatoxin level for the 0.4 p.p.m. addition. One-half of the birds in each experiment received Floxaid (3.12 cl./L.) and the water supply of all birds was replenished every 24 hours. Experiments one and two were terminated at four and one-half and four weeks of age, respectively. Chick body weights were consistently decreased as the aflatoxin level was increased. Treatment with Floxaid resulted in improved body weights, with the greatest effect noted in the presence of aflatoxins. Reduced mortality was also associated with Floxaid in the presence or absence of added aflatoxins. CALORIC VALUE OF CARDIAC RESPONSES OF CHICKENS TO HOT ENVIRONMENTS M. J. Darre and P. C. Harrison, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 The caloric value of maintaining a stable or su-

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NUMBERS OF SPERM CELLS INSEMINATED AND ROUTE OF INSEMINATION ON FERTILITY IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL R. J. DeMeritt and B. J. Marquez, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 An important aspect of fertility involves the movement of spermatozoa into and out of the uterovaginal and infundibular spermatozoa storage glands. The relationship between number of cells inseminated and fertility is also critical. To study the effects of sperm cell number on level and duration of fertility, 160 S.C.W.L. laying hens were divided into 20 groups containing 8 birds/group. Ten groups were inseminated intravaginally (I.V.) and 10 intramagnally (I.M.) using semen from S.C.W.L. males or B.P.R. males. Five treatments encompassing different volumes were used equivalent to the following number of viable sperm cells: 1) 100 million, 2) 100 million diluted 1:1, 3) 50 million diluted 1:1, 4) 25 million diluted 1:1, 5) 12.5 million diluted 1:1. Beltsville extender was used as the diluent. Spermatozoa numbers were determined from pooled semen by packed cell volume and optical density. Duration of fertility after I.M. insemination with

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An attempt was made to reduce the effects of heat stress on broiler chicks by reducing the heat increment of the diet. This was accomplished by replacing carbohydrate calories with fat calories and by reducing total protein levels while maintaining adequate essential amino acid levels. Total formula weight was allowed to float downward, increasing diet density. In one treatment the effect of caloric and nutrient density was separated from that of "percent fat calories" by the use of a non-nutrient filler. Experimental diets were fed to male broiler chicks from 4-7 weeks of age in hot vs. cool rooms. In all trials M.E. intake was increased where fat calories replaced carbohydrate calories resulting in significantly increased body weight gains. The increase was similar, however, in both hot and cool environments. A part of the improvement in M.E. intake and weight gains resulting from increased ratio of fat to non-fat calories was retained when diet density was equalized. Heat production measured by energy balance studies was lower in chicks fed diets with the higher ratio of fat to non-fat calories.

pressed heart rate during heat stress was the purpose of this experiment. Oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate, surface and rectal temperatures were simultaneously recorded from 18-week-old White Leghorn cockerels in an environmental chamber maintained at either 21° or 35°C. Fifteen minutes after being placed in the 21° or 35°C. chamber, the birds received sequential injections of saline and atropine. Injections were into the pectoral muscle through an indwelling catheter with an extension tube leading outside the chamber. A minimum of 15 minutes was allowed prior to and after the saline and atropine injections, during which recordings of the physiological parameters were made. Mean surface temperature over all periods in the 35°C. environment was significantly (p<.05) higher than the 21°C. treatment and was not affected by atropine. In the 35°C. environment mean rectal temperature was 0.4°C. higher before atropine, and 0.6° C. higher after atropine. The respiratory rate did not differ between the 21° and 35°C. treatments, however the respiratory rate at 35°C. increased significantly (p<.05) after atropine injection. Atropine injection increased heart rate 19.5% in the 21°C. environment and 31% in the 35°C. environment. Mean oxygen consumption for all periods prior to atropine injection did not differ between the 21° and 35°C. treatments. After the atropine injection there was a 0.111 ml.min."ll00g.~l increase for the 35°C. treatment. The heart rate and oxygen consumption showed the greatest response to atropine in the 35°C. treatment. The significant rise in heart rate and oxygen consumption after atropine injection indicate that maintaining a decreased heart rate in a hot environment is a definite benefit in reducing the animals' heat production while faced with an added heat load.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS all treatments from both lines was greater than with I.V. insemination. Percent fertility was higher in the second and third week from both male lines using I.M. inseminations. Percent fertility utilizing I.M. insemination with Single Comb White Leghorns was higher compared to the third week using B.P.R. males. The Beltsville extender did not affect the fertility when 100 million sperm cells diluted 1:1 were inseminated as compared to the 100 million undiluted. Stress created during the I.M. insemination delayed egg laying up to fifteen days but did not decrease the duration or level of fertility.

D. Michael Denbow and W. J. Kuenzel, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Resting metabolic rate (R.M.R.) and existence energy rate (E.E.R.) were measured in male White Leghorn (DeKalb 231) and broiler (Ross X Arbor Acre or Perdue) type chicks 0-8 weeks of age. R.M.R. was measured in a modified Haldane apparatus where animal chambers consisted of air tight desiccators which were of a size small enough to restrict movement. E.E.R. was measured in an open circuit calorimeter utilizing an infra-red analyzer and a paramagnetic analyzer to measure percent C 0 2 and 0 2 , respectively. All chicks were fed a broiler starter diet containing either 22 percent protein and 3224 kcal. /kg. metabolizable energy or 23 percent protein and 3300 kcal./kg. metabolizable energy. Feed and water were available ad libitum and lighting was continuous. Metabolic rate (kcal./bird-day) was plotted against body weight for the entire 8-week period. Results were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Broilers and Leghorns were found to have the same R.M.R. The average metabolic body size was equal to W - " (W equals body weight in kg.) for fully fed inactive chicks, however, there is an early growth stage where b is approximately unity. Broilers were found to have higher E.E.R. than Leghorns. The metabolic body size through the first 6 weeks was equal to W-?" for fully-fed, active chicks.

LAYING MASHES CONTAINING RICE BRAN AS PRINCIPAL INGREDIENT Muhammad G. Din, M. L. Sunde and H. R. Bird, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 Pullets raised on by-product diets were fed the following 4 diets from 44-64 weeks of age: (1) Rice bran 75, alfalfa meal 15, fish meal 3, minerals and vitamins 7; (2) same as (1), pelleted; (3) same as (1) with 10% corn replacing rice bran; (4) same as (1) with 20% corn replacing rice bran. The average hen-day egg production figures during the experimental period were 36, 46, 40 and 40 percent, respectively. In Experiment 2, pullets raised on by-product diets were fed the following 5 diets from 26-28 weeks of age: (1) Rice bran 74, alfalfa 15, fish meal 3, minerals and vitamins 8; (2) same as (1) plus .05%

enzyme; (3) same as (1) with 25% corn replacing rice bran; (4) same as (1) but rice bran was autoclaved (15 lbs., 1/2 hr.); (5) same as (1) with 50% corn at the expense of rice bran. The average egg production figures during the experimental period were 49.0, 48.0, 64.0, 55.0 and 71.0, respectively. EFFECT OF VEGETATIVE GROUND COVER ON BREAST BLISTERS AND PERFORMANCE OF HEAVY TYPE MALE TURKEYS Donald C. Dobson, Gordon A. Van Epps and Robert E. Warnick, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84332 Studies have been conducted for the past three years on the influence of two types of grasses for the prevention of breast blisters and the over-all performance of heavy type male turkeys. Turkeys were range reared from 8 weeks to approximately 27 weeks of age on: (1) Alta Fescue, a bunch grass, (2) Dwarf Intermediate Wheatgrass, a spread or sod forming grass, and (3) bare ground. Each group of turkeys was rotated at regular intervals between pens in order to maintain the grasses. Turkeys reared and rotated on bare ground pens were lighter than those reared on grass treatments. The growth differential of the bare ground treatment was overcome in the 1976 studies by not rotating the birds. There was a marked improvement in the feed utilization of turkeys reared on grass covered pens. The incidence of breast blisters was significantly reduced on turkeys reared on grass covered pens. There was a difference in the incidence of breast blisters between the two grass treatments. The turkeys reared on Dwarf Intermediate Wheatgrass had a lower incidence of blisters than those reared on Alta Fescue. It has been concluded that where water and ground is available that production efficiencies can be gained by rearing turkeys on grass. The spreading or sod forming type of grass appears to be more effective in reducing the incidence of breast blisters.

AN AFLATOXIN-SENSITIVE INTRINSIC BLOOD COAGULATION FUNCTION OF CHICKENS J. A. Doerr and P. B. Hamilton, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 Current literature favors the idea that avians depend entirely upon an extrinsic blood clotting mechanism and that intrinsic activity, if present, is negligible despite isolated reports of intrinsic thromboplastin generation, formation of thrombocytic plugs, and enhanced clotting on "contact" surfaces. An apparent "contact" enhancement noted in clotting studies during aflatoxicosis in chickens prompted our investigation of intrinsic coagulation and its status in aflatoxicosis. Contact activation was studied with glass, celite, and kaolin which are widely used in mammalian studies. Whole blood clotting times, plasma recalcification times, and partial prothrombin times (PPT) of blood and plasma from normal chickens were increased sig-

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GASEOUS METABOLISM OF BROILERS AND WHITE LEGHORNS DURING EARLY GROWTH

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

nificantly (P<0.05). In the PPT assay system, the contact effect was lost in plasma from birds fed 1.25 p.p.m. or above of dietary aflatoxin. PPT of uncontacted plasma was prolonged only if the donor birds were fed 5 p.p.m. or higher dietary aflatoxin. These data reveal the sensitivity to aflatoxin of both a contact phenomenon and a clotting function measurable by a standard intrinsic test. Further, the data suggest that a mechanism for intrinsic coagulation is operative in the chicken.

dominal muscles caused a depression of motility. In both intact and chronically decerebrate turkeys laparotomy (after local anesthetic in intact birds) and a neuromuscular blocking agent (gallaminetriethiodide) also depressed gastric motility. Motility was slightly reduced by artificial respiration and exposure of the serosal surface of the stomach and intestines to air via an abdominal fistula. Essentially, none of the methods tested in these studies were found to be practical for establishing and maintaining an in situ preparation for studies of gastroduodenal regulation.

FOOD INTAKE AND GROWTH IN INTACT AND CECECTOMIZED 8-17 WEEK OLD TURKEYS EATING CONTROL AND HIGH-FIBER DIETS

BIOACCUMULATION POULTRY

G. E. Duke, R. D. Barnes, M. S. Chi, S. Z. Sudo and J. E. Miller, Departments of Animal Science and Veterinary Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

Jim Dunn, D. Reed, N. H. Booth and P. B. Bush, College of Veterinary Medicine and Extension Poultry Science Department, Univeristy of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

These studies were performed to determine relative cecal influence on a high-fiber (8.95%) diet (HFD) and on a control (2.80% fiber) diet (CD) used in our studies of cecal function, and to determine the influence of the diet on gross and microscopic anatomy of the ceca. Two groups of 8 turkeys each were each fed one of the 2 diets beginning at 8 weeks of age. After 3 weeks, four birds in each group were cecectomized. Body weights and food consumption were determined daily. All birds were sacrificed at 6.5 weeks after surgery at which time ceca from birds on the CD were compared to those from birds on the HFD both grossly and by scanning electron microscopy. Ceca from birds on the HFD were slightly larger than those of birds on the CD but little difference between the ceca from birds on the 2 diets was apparent microscopically after 9.5 weeks on the 2 diets. After recovery from surgery the intact birds in both diet groups ate relatively fewer calories than their cecectomized counterparts (10.1% less for the CD group and 13.9% less for those birds eating the HFD). Caloric intake by intact birds was about the same regardless of diet as was that of the cecectomized birds. The rate of body weight gain was similar for all birds except for the period immediately after surgery. Cecal influence was, therefore, significant on both diets, being more significant on the diet with the most crude fiber.

White Leghorn chicks were fed diets containing 0, 10, 50, 100, and 1000 p.p.m. of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) for 8 weeks. In similar studies, broilers (Hubbard-Hubbard) were fed 0, 0.1, 1, 5, 20 p.p.m. PCNB. The agricultural grade PCNB contained a trace contaminant (0.6%) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Tissue samples were collected at 8 weeks and pesticide residues were determined by GLC. The bioaccumulation of PCNB in adipose tissue was best described by the linear equation y=0.001x0.006 (r 2 =0.80). Only traces (<0.10 p.p.m.) of PCNB and metabolites (pentachloroanaline and pentachloromethylsulfide) were found in the other tissues examined. In broiler feeding trials, no PCNB was found in adipose tissues and only traces were found in the other tissues. The bioaccumulation of HCB in adipose tissue of Leghorns is best described by the linear equation y=15.0x (r 2 =0.93) in broilers by the curvilinear equation in y=-ln 3.85 + 0.45 In x (r 2 =0.996). HCB accumulation in the other Leghorns are described as follows: liver, y=0.83x (r 2 =0.73); breast muscle, y=0.66x (r 2 =0.65); gizzard, y=1.00x (r 2 =0.80; heart, y=6.6x (r 2 =0.82) kidney, y=1.166x (r 2 =0.82); and leg muscle y=1.66x (r 2 =0.66). Based on these experiments, Leghorns and broilers continuously fed 0.03 p.p.m. HCB in the diet through 8 weeks of age will contain violative levels (i.e., 0.5 p.p.m.). A PCNB concentration of 500 p.p.m. in the feed is required to obtain a violative level (i.e., 0.5 p.p.m.) in adipose tissue.

G. E. Duke and H. E. Dziuk, Department of Veterinary Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 The normal gastroduodenal contraction cycle of turkeys is believed to be controlled and coordinated by the nerves of the myenteric plexus which lie just under the serosa of the muscular stomach. Studies of methods for directly applying chemical and physical stimuli to these gastric nerves were completed in intact and decerebrate turkeys using both radiographic and direct observations to monitor cyclic contractions. In intact turkeys, general anesthetics (sodium pentobarbital, halothane, and ketamine hydrochloride) inhibited gastric motility. A local anesthetic (lidocaine hydrochloride) injected into the skin and ab-

ACTH-INDUCED RESISTANCE TO HEAT STRESS IN BROILER COCKERELS Frank W. Edens, Department of Poultry Science, Box 5307, Scott Hall, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 The results of previous studies suggest that acute adrenal cortical insufficiency develops in chickens exposed to temperatures above 40°C. Other investigators have reported improved heat tolerance in chickens given ACTH or adrenal cortical hormones. The objective of the present study was to determine differences in blood chemistries of ACTH-treated and control chickens after a 90 min. exposure to a 43°C. en-

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METHODS FOR DIRECT OBSERVATION OF GASTRIC MOTILITY OF TURKEYS, IN SITU

OF PCNB AND HCB IN

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

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M. M. El-Begearmi1, H. E. Ganther 2 and M. L. Sunde 1 , Poultry Science Department ' and Department of Nutritional Sciences 2 , University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706

EFFECTS OF AN ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID DEFICIENCY AND PAIR-FEEDING ON GROWTH HORMONE METABOLISM IN THE CHICK

Vitamin E protects against methylmercury toxicity, but nothing has been reported regarding the effect of E on inorganic mercury toxicity. One hundred and fifty or 450 p.p.m. Hg as HgCl2 and 10 p.p.m. Hg as CH3HgCl were fed to one-day-old Japanese quail (40 birds/diet), with or without 500 mg./kg.d-alphatocopherol. Four hundred fifty p.p.m. Hg depressed weight gains to 60-70% of the control and caused mortality in the first 3 weeks. However, 10 p.p.m. Hg as CH 3 HgCl did not. Percentages of mortality at 5 weeks are shown in parenthesis after each group: Control (0%), 150 HgCl2 (0%), 450 HgCl2 (39%), 10 CH 3 Hg (18%), 150 HgCl2 + 500E (0%), 450 HgCl2 + 500E (13%) and 10 CH 3 Hg + 500E (0%). This suggests that vitamin E is not effective in counteracting the adverse effect of inorganic mercury on growth but is effective in reducing mortality. Incidence of death among the 450 HgCl2 group was minimal beyond 5 weeks but increased in the 10 CH 3 Hg group. The corresponding percentages of mortality at 10 weeks were 0%, 0%, 53%, 90%, 2%, 13% and 8%, respectively. This confirms our previous results of the protective effect of E against CH 3 Hg and also shows protection against inorganic mercury.

INFLUENCE OF SORGHUM GRAIN TANNINS ON METHIONINE UTILIZATION IN CHICKS R. G. Elkin, J. C. Rogler and W. R. Featherston, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding high tannin (HT) and low tannin (LT) sorghums in sorghum-soybean meal diets first limiting in methionine (Met) and in sorghum-soybean mealsafflower meal diets first limiting in lysine (Lys) and second limiting in Met. With the diets first limiting in Met, HT sorghum drastically reduced growth as compared to LT sorghum; and this reduction could

H. M. Engster, L. B. Carew, Jr. and D. C. Foss, Department of Animal Science, University of Vermont, Bioresearch Center, 655 Spear Street, South Burlington, VT 05401 S.C.W.L. cockerels were fed a purified essential fatty acid (EFA)— deficient basal diet (5% hydrogenated coconut fat, 0.03% linoleic acid) ad libitum for one week. They were then allotted to four treatments with three replicate pens of 12 chicks each: 1) basal diet ad libitum; 2) basal + 4% corn oil pair-fed to 1; 3) basal + 4% corn oil ad libitum or 4) practical diet. Chicks were weighed weekly and pen food consumption calculated daily until the birds reached eight weeks of age. EFA deficiency criteria were: marked reductions in weight gain, feed efficiency, comb and testes size, and increases in liver size and tissue eicosatrienoic acid. Significant depressions in weight gain, tibial length, epiphyseal plate width and a trend for reduced nitrogen retention in the EFA-deficient chicks at eight weeks indicated reduced growth hormone (GH) metabolism. Results with pair-fed chicks suggest that these reductions were a consequence of reduced appetite and caloric intake rather than EFA per se. However, weight gains prior to eight weeks suggest that EFA themselves are responsible for the lower nitrogen retention. A significant depression in pituitary GH activity (measured by bioassay) was shown with EFAdeficient chicks but not with those pair-fed the corn oil diet. Thus, the reduction in this parameter with the deficiency can not be attributed solely to energy or food restriction.

INTERMITTENT LIGHTING, FEEDING AND WATERING IMPROVES BROILER AND TURKEY PERFORMANCE Howard L. Enos, Animal Sciences Department, Colo-

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PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E AGAINST INORGANIC MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY TOXICITY

be completely overcome by Met supplementation. In contrast, with diets first limiting in Lys, HT sorghum did not depress growth rate. Results of Lys and Met supplementation of LT sorghum diets corresponded to expected responses to first and second limiting amino acid addition whereas neither Lys nor Met alone significantly influenced growth in HT sorghum diets, but supplementation with both amino acids elicited a response. It would appear that HT sorghum preferentially influenced Met utilization to a point where Met and Lys became equally limiting in the HT sorghum-soybean meal-safflower meal diet. In further studies on the Met-tannin interrelationships, chicks fed HT and LT sorghum soybean meal diets were dosed orally with either ' 4 CH3 or ' 4 C-3 labelled Met. Over a 24-hr. collection period, 15 times more radioactivity was recovered in the excreta of chicks fed HT sorghum than in those fed LT sorghum regardless of the position of the label. These results suggest that the Met-condensed tannin interrelationship does not involve methylation as has been reported for hydroly zable tannins such as tannic acid.

vironment and during a 180 min. recovery period in a 25°C. environment. ACTH (8/1//100 gm. in 10% gelatin) and the gelatin vehicle were given i.m. 12 hr. before heating. Plasma glucose was maintained at an elevated level in ACTH-treated chickens during the experimental period. ACTH treatment did not allow a significant decline in total Ca, but P 0 4 was further depressed by ACTH. The Na/K ratio of ACTH-treated chickens was not depressed by heating. Heat caused a significant elevation in corticosteroid levels and these levels dropped during the first 90 min. of the recovery period. During the second 90 min. of the recovery period, corticosteroid levels rose again in ACTHtreated chickens but not in control chickens. These results suggest that the adrenal may become refractory to ACTH stimulation during heat stress and that the pituitary may be depleted of ACTH.

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rado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, and Roger L. Fleshman, Loveland, CO 80537

EFFECT OF DIETARY SODIUM BICARBONATE ON EGG SHELL QUALITY Ralph A. Ernst, Cooperative Extension, Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 and R. D. Hendershott, Nulaid Foods, Inc., P.O. Box 5318, San Leandro, CA 94577 This field experiment was conducted during August and September of 1975. A commercial 17% protein laying ration (control diet) was compared with a similar ration which was adjusted by reducing the salt to 0.25% and adding 1.25% NaHC0 3 . The bicarbonate diet was formulated to provide a calculated Na:Cl ratio of 2.5:1. The experiment was conducted using 8 rows of approximately 800 hens each in a large commercial laying house. Four rows were randomly assigned to each dietary treatment. The experiment continued for 9 weeks. Weekly egg samples, consisting of 120 eggs from each replicate, were collected for determination of specific gravity by flotation. Yolk color was determined on a subsample of 20 eggs per replicate by comparison with a Roche color fan. The expected heat stress did not occur due to an unusually cool summer. During the second week of the test, the specific gravity of the eggs from hens on the control diet declined significantly (P<0.05) below those on the bicarbonate diet. No significant differences were observed in shell quality during the balance of the experiment. No significant differences in the yolk color were found between the two dietary treatments.

R. J. Etches 1 , A. S. McNeilly2, and C. Duke 1 , Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada N1G2W1, and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man., Canada R3E OW3 Plasma prolactin was measured in plasma samples taken at weekly intervals throughout the reproductive cycle of Nicholas Large White turkey hens. These hens were obtained when they were 32 weeks of age and immediately transferred to a photoperiod of 14L: 10D. Each hen was trap-nested daily to obtain egg production records. Plasma prolactin was measured using a double-antibody heterologous radioimmunoassay which was developed recently by A.S. McNeilly and R.J. Etches (unpublished). A large peak of more than 100 ng. of prolactin per ml. of blood plasma was usually observed during the first week after the photoperiod was extended to 14 hours. This peak was followed by a two week period of low (less than 5 ng./ml.) concentrations. Plasma prolactin thereafter rose steadily in all hens as laying commenced. After the first week of lay, prolactin levels fluctuated between 40 and 100 ng./ml. In those hens which ceased to lay for periods of more than four days, plasma prolactin usually dropped to less than 10 ng./ml. before another series of eggs were laid. From these data, it could be suggested that prolactin is involved in the control of egg laying in the turkey hen. More specifically, it would appear that rising concentrations of prolactin facilitate egg production whereas declining or low concentrations of prolactin inhibit egg laying.

SIX-MERCAPTOPURINE: ITS IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECT ON THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY LOCUS B R. C. Fanguy and L. K. Misra, Poultry Science Department, and R. W. Lewis, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Treatment of chicks with a palladium complex of the immunosuppressant 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP-Pd) prior to grafting resulted in survival of allografts incompatible at the major histocompatibility locus B. Sixteen percent of the incompatible grafts survived through 24 weeks postgrafting and exhibited profuse graft feather growth. No form of postgraft treatment was given. Within 4 weeks postgrafting, all nontreated hosts had sloughed their incompatible allografts without evidenced of graft feather growth. Treatment with 6-MP-Pd, however, did not significantly enhance acceptance of B-system compatible grafts which differed at minor histocompatibility loci. Rate of feather growth among successful B-system compatible grafts was accelerated significantly by 6-MP-Pd treatment. Hemagglutination titers following graft host challenge with turkey erythrocytes show no evidence of the drug affecting the humoral immune system.

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An automated cage rearing system has been invented which reduces labor requirements and investment costs per unit of capacity. Growth rates among broilers have been improved by 4.3 percent for studies with only male birds and 7.2 percent for mixed sex studies to eight weeks of age. Concurrently, feed consumption was lower in the restricted and automated environment with an average improvement of 8.2 percent for feed efficiency among broilers and 12.1 percent for turkeys. In addition, there was a marked improvement in uniformity of sizes of the birds reared by the "Poultry Ahead" system as compared to controls raised under floor management regimes. Some of the intermittent lighting schedules studied were: (1) 12 alternating intervals, each providing 24 min. light (L) and 96 min. dark (D); (2) 24 intervals providing 12 min. L and 48 min. D; and, (3) 36 intervals each with 12 min. L and 28 min. D per day from one day to eight weeks. These workable restrictions in the automated cage system (not adaptable to loose housing concepts) lowered the electrical energy requirement for lights by 80 percent. While several biological performance parameters were improved, the poultry caging concept reduces manure cleaning frequency because of a new collection system. This new method also encourages greater ventilation efficiencies for high density poultry environments while lowering the investment costs.

PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF PROLACTIN DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE TURKEY HEN

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS EFFECT OF SEX AND TIME OF HATCH RELATIVE TO TIME OF POULT PLACEMENT ON EARLY MORTALITY R. C. Fanguy, L. K. Misra, R. J. Terry and W. F. Krueger, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS OF DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS AND COMMERCIAL BROILER STRAINS ON LIVE BIRD, DRY CARCASS, AND ABDOMINAL FAT WEIGHTS A. J. Farr, J. A. Hebert and W. A. Johnson, Department of Poultry Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of seven commercial broiler strains and three dietary energy levels (3080, 3190 and 3300 Kcal. M.E./kg.) on live weight, dry carcass weight (including giblets) and abdominal fat deposition. Treatments were factorially arranged and replicated four times with samples of 4 male and 4 female birds randomly selected from each pen and individually identified. Birds were slaughtered at 56 days of age after being off feed and water for 10 hours. Significant ration effect (P<.05) for means of live weight, dry carcass weight and abdominal fat weight were obtained in both studies for the 3080 and 3300 Kcal diets. The differences in the ration means of each study for the respective weights were: 65-108 g.; 51-75 g.; and 11.4-11.7 g. Strain differences were also observed (P<.05) in the three weight categories. For experiments one and two respectively, mean weight differences were: 95-124 g.; dry carcass weight 87-86 g. and abdominal fat 15.3 and 15.6 g. Dietary energy level appears to be linear in relationship to live weight; dry carcass weight and abdominal fat deposition. Strain had significant differences which were independent of ration influence.

STUDIES OF A POSSIBLE CYSTINE-METHIONINE

ANTAGONISM IN CHICKS W. R. Featherston, J. C. Rogler and R. G. Elkin, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Three experiments were conducted with day-old broiler chicks to compare the efficacy of additional levels of either cystine (Cys) or methionine (Met) as a source of sulfur amino acids in diets containing limited amounts of these two amino acids. In Experiments 1 and 2, a crystalline amino acid basal diet containing 0.2% DL-Met and 0.2% L-Cys was used. The addition of 0.2 and 0.4% L-Cys resulted in decreased weight gains at 14 days of 29.5 and 39.6%, respectively, whereas the addition of 0.2 and 0.4% DL-Met resulted in increased weight gains of 100.4 and 106.4%, respectively. A 3 X 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 0, 0.2 and 0.4% supplemental levels of Cys and Met was used in Experiment 2. Adding 0.2 and 0.4% supplemental L-Cys to the basal diet resulted in decreased weight gains of 23.0 and 29.5%, respectively. Adding the same amounts of L-Cys to diets containing either 0.2 or 0.4% supplemental DL-Met had no effect on weight gain or feed efficiency. Methionine supplementation resulted in similar responses as observed in Experiment 1. A wheat-peanut meal diet containing 0.20% Met and 0.26% Cys was used in Experiment 3. The addition of 0.2 and 0.4% L-Cys resulted in decreased weight gains of 16.1 and 15.4%, respectively, whereas the addition of 0.2 and 0.4% DL-Met resulted in increased weight gains of 36.9 and 37.2%, respectively. These results demonstrate a detrimental effect from supplemental dietary cystine when added to chick diets containing limited amounts of methionine.

FLYING ABILITY OF RINGNECKED PHEASANTS C. J. Flegal 1 , D. Smith 2 , M. Pollok2 and C. C. Sheppard 1 , Poultry Science Department 1 , Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, and Department of Natural Resources 2 , State of Michigan, Lansing, MI 48926 During the past few years it has been observed that pheasants released in the Michigan "Put-Take" Pheasant Program have had a highly variable ability to fly when hunted. This difference in flying ability was not consistent with pheasants which could fly very well when initially released on the hunting sites. In the autumn of 1975 and 1976, 18 week-old pheasants (mixed sex) were used in these trials. The birds were released on a measured area. The initial flying distance and landing location of each bird were recorded. The birds were flushed by the use of dogs at various intervals; immediately, one hour, two hours and four hours after release. Upon release, the average flight distance in the second year of the study was 100-130 meters. The average flight at first flush was approximately 100 meters for the birds flushed immediately after release and about 140 meters for those birds flushed after a one hour or longer resting period after the initial release. Total flying distance was greater for those birds that had two or four hours of resting time after the initial release.

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A total of 188 commercial turkey poults were identified in the incubator by time of hatch and then distributed among five groups with each successive group being one day older at the time of its placement on litter. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and mortality recorded daily by groups. Postmortem examinations were made to determine sex, ventriculus content and bursa size. At two weeks of age all surviving birds were sacrificed and the same data recorded. Hatching began on the 25th day of incubation and was 64% complete by the end of the 26th day with the percentage of males being somewhat higher than that of females in the first half of the hatch (55%). Post-mortem data showed that all birds dieing during the first two weeks had either an empty digestive tract or a ventriculus packed with litter. Mortality for poults placed on litter within 72 hours after hatch was 6.14% as compared with 35.14% for those placed on litter between 72 and 121 hours posthatch. Groups 96 to 121 hours old at time of placement had a mortality of 59%. These groups also were found to have reduced bursa and body weights.

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A MODEL SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING EGG YOLK COLOR USING BETA-APO-8' CAROTENAL AND CANTHAXANTHIN D. L. Fletcher, F. H. Harms and D. M. Janky, Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

JOB LIMITATION STUDY J. D. Ford and S. W. Hinners, Department of Animal Industries, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901 A study was done to determine the possibilities of a person confined to a wheelchair to work successfully on a poultry farm. Limitations and restrictions were observed and many were successfully eliminated. Different methods were studied to find ways of removing obstacles which would hinder performance by a handicapped individual. All tasks were done by a handicapped person after inexpensive modifications were completed. Able-bodied people and a paraplegic were observed performing several basic tasks. An analysis of the amount of time required by each representative group to perform those tasks was made. It was concluded that a handicapped person can perform efficiently many routine jobs on a poultry farm, and do these tasks successfully.

EFFECT OF LIGHT-DARK CYCLES AND SYMPATHETIC DENERVATION ON PINEAL CYCLIC AMP IN CHICKENS D. C. Foss, S. Bellomo and L. B. Carew, Jr., Department of Animal Sciences, University of Vermont, Bioresearch Center, 655 Spear St., South Burlington, VT 05401 At 2 weeks of age, 48 broiler cockerels were allotted between 3 chambers adapted for controlled lighting. The chicks were exposed to 12L:12D photoperiod for 2 weeks. Equal numbers of chicks were

LOWER DIETARY PROTEIN FOR GROWTH AND EGG PRODUCTION OF BROWN-EGG CAGED CHICKENS D. C. Foss, L. B. Carew, Jr. and L. S. Mercia, Department of Animal Sciences, Bioresearch Center, 655 Spear Street, University of Vermont, South Burlington, VT 05401 The effect of low dietary protein on growth and subsequent egg production was determined in replicate studies. Protein levels during the 20 week growth period were: T-l 20%, 0-8; and 16%, 9-20 weeks; T-2 18%, 0-6, 14%, 7-12 and 12% protein, 13-20 weeks. Final body weights were 1888 gm. for T-l and 1897 gm. for T-2. Cumulative feed consumption was nearly equal (8.8 kg./bird). However, protein consumption was 1.5 and 1.2 kg./bird for T-l and T-2, respectively. Mortality was 1.5% for T-l, and 2.3% for T-2. Replicate hen trials were conducted with pullets housed 3 per cage. Protein levels during the 12 28-day periods were: T-l, 14% throughout; T-2, 15% throughout; T-3, 18% throughout; and T-4, 18% to 65% egg production followed by 15%. Dietary protein had little effect on egg production. Feed consumption was similar (2.36 kg./dozen). Therfore, hens fed the low protein diets used protein more efficiently. Body weight, egg weight, and mortality were not significantly different. Pullets grown on lower protein diets may require less protein in the layer ration. This work shows that brown-egg, caged chickens will grow and achieve maximum production on 2-3% less protein than customarily used.

POULTRY AID FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES D. W. Francis, Poultry Science Department, New Mexico State University, P. O. Box 3P, Las Cruces, NM 88003 Aid to developing countries through the A.I.D., Peace Corps, and V.I.T.A. programs has met with success yet there are areas where failures have also been noted. The successful programs have come about in countries where over-all technological developments, raw materials are available and a thriving economy is evident.

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The egg yolk pigmenting ability of beta-apo-8 carotenal and canthaxanthin, was evaluated using reflectance colorimetry. Laying hens, previously depleated of xanthophylls, were fed diets containing 0, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8 and 17.6 mg./kg., of each of the two xanthophylls, in a 5 X 5 factorial treatment design. The yolk color was evaluated, undiluted and diluted with a white diluent (50:50) for each treatment, for the YCIE values of dominant wavelength (DWL), excitation purity (EP) and luminosity (Lum) using the IDL Color-Eye. Selected treatment combinations of egg yolks were blended and also evaluated undiluted and diluted. Results obtained were used to formulate a model by which egg yolk color could be predicted from the feed concentrations of these two xanthophylls. Egg yolks of a desired color could be obtained by using the model to predict either the feed concentration of the two test xanthophylls required in the diet or by blending yolks produced from feeds with known xanthophyll concentration. It is felt that this model system could be expanded to predict yolk colors from natural feed ingredients.

decapitated during the last 2 hours of light or dark periods. Pineal glands were removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen at intervals of 1/2, 1, 2, and 4 minutes following decapitation and assayed for cyclic AMP. No differences existed between daytime and nightime levels of pineal cyclic AMP. There was a slight rise in cyclic AMP level, over time, after killing. In 3 replicate studies using 90 broiler cockerels the effect of bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy on cyclic AMP under white light and in darkness was investigated. The same experimental procedures were followed except all pineals were frozen within 30 seconds. The data suggest that neither environmental lighting nor ganglionectomy influence pineal cyclic AMP levels. Obvious ptosis (eye height: length ratios<0.6) is a reliable indicator of sympathetic denervation of the pineal. The success of bilateral ganglionectomy was confirmed using a formaldehydeinduced fluorescence mehod.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

HEN-DAY PRODUCTION OF EGG SOLIDS IN SELECTED AND CONTROL STRAINS OF LEGHORNS G. W. Friars 1 , J. S. Gavora 2 , R. W. Fairfull1 and H. L. Orr', Department of Animal and Poultry Science 1 , University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont. Canada NIG 2W1, and Animal Research Institute 2 , Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Canada K1A OC6 Eggs were sampled every four weeks between 34 and 54 weeks of age from two Leghorn strains selected for high egg production, egg weight and related traits and from two corresponding unselected control strains. The selected strains showed an increase in percent hen-day egg production of 7.8 and 9.7 over the controls as well as a 4.7 and 3.2 gm. advantage in egg weight. The mean egg production rate of all four strains declined between 34 and 54 weeks of age from 84.2% to 65.5%, while mean egg weight increased from 54.0 to 59.7 gms. The increase in egg size in the selected versus the control strains was realized primarily only through a 2% increase in yolk as a proportion of egg weight. Consequently, where hen-day yield of solids increased 1.5 and 1.6 gms. in the selected versus control strains, a decrease of 1.0 gm. of solids per hen-day was observed between 34 and 54 weeks of age.

HEN-DAY PRODUCTION OF EGG SOLIDS IN CROSSES OF COMMERCIAL SIRE AND DAM LINES G. W. Friars, F. M. Miller, C. Y. Lin, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada NIG 2W1, and H. L. French and A. W. Kulenkamp, Shaver Poultry Breeding Farm Ltd., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada N1R5V9 Four commercial sire lines (A, B, C and D) and three commercial dam lines (HG, GH and G) were mated in a factorial arrangement to produce 12 line

crosses. Eighty to 149 eggs from 62 or more birds per cross were randomly sampled for egg quality analysis over a 5-day period at 57 weeks of age. Hen-day yield of solids (excluding the yolk membrane and chalazae) was consistently higher in crosses sired by line A regardless of the dam line to which it was mated. This difference was realized primarily through higher yolk solids per hen-day which in turn, was due mainly to higher hen-day egg production. Sire lines were found to have significant effects on egg weight, yolk and albumen weight, yolk and albumen total solids per egg and albumen percent solids, whereas dam lines had significant influence on albumen percent solids only. In general, sire lines appeared to influence egg composition traits more than dam lines, possibly because the sire lines were genetically less related than the dam lines.

CONTINUOUS COBAN® PROGRAMS VS SHUTTLE PROGRAMS FOR BROILERS D. I. Gard, B. F. Schlegel, E. S. Garcia, C. N. Murphy and L. V. Tonkinson, Animal Science Field Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, P. O. Box 708, Greenfield, IN 46140 The growth performance of broilers on continuous Coban® programs (monensin 100 or 120 p.p.m.) was compared to the growth performance of broilers on Nicarb -* Coban, Coban ->• Zoamix and Coban -» Coyden shuttle programs in a series of nine experiments involving about 32,780 birds reared in 275 pens. Broilers on the continuous Coban regimens had significantly (P<.05) improved feed conversion when compared to any of those on the shuttle programs. Birds on the continuous Coban regimens had significantly (P<.05) heavier final weights when compared to either of the two Nicarb -> Coban shuttle programs or those maintained as nonmedicated controls. Birds fed the Coban programs (monensin 100 or 120 p.p.m.) or Nicarb had significantly lower lesion scores than the nonmedicated controls at 24—28 days of age. At 3 3 - 3 8 days of age the birds continued on Coban had significantly (P<.05) lower lesion scores than those switched to Coyden, Zoamix or maintained as nonmedicated controls.

EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE ENVIRONMENTS ON THE SHELF LIFE OF BROILER CARCASSES Fred A. Gardner, J. H. Denton and Sandra E. Hatley, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Eighty chicken broilers obtained from a commercial poultry processing plant were placed into one of four packaging treatments to evaluate the effects of gaseous carbon dioxide levels in the packaging environment on shelf life. Broiler carcasses were (1) ice packed, or packaged in sealed bags containing (2) 0% C 0 2 , (3) 50% C 0 2 , or (4) 80% C 0 2 . The ice pack carcasses were held under ice in a 2.5 C. cooler and the remaining treatment groups held at 1.5°C. Psychrophilic counts on the breast surface of the ice-packed carcasses had reached spoilage levels (10 6 /cm. 2 of surface)

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Generally speaking, the attempts to transform the backyard poultry operation to a highly mechanized poultry industry may have had successful starts but the rapid change has been plagued with failures due to the lack of knowledge concerning such problems as transportation, availability of feed supplements and feed ingredients, lack of repair parts and trained mechanics, dependency on other countries for breeding stock, and vaccines, the local currency situation and customs by the technical people sent from the United States to aid the under-developed countries. Success in the future with current programs or the Title XII Program will come through the application of basic poultry husbandry practices and a slow transition from the backyard flock to larger profitable flocks. People who have a knowledge of poultry production as practiced in the early thirties should be the ideal groups to start this transition. There is no place for the highly trained poultry specialist as often he is far above the level of the programs in these countries. Backyard flock management is of primary importance.

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PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY AND HEAT STRESS J. D. Garlich, F. W. Edens, C. R. Parkhurst and C. C. McCormick, Poultry Science Department, Box 5307, Scott Hall, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 A flock of laying hens fed experimental low phosphorus diets exhibited increased mortality due to heat prostration when the environmental temperature exceeded 33°C. The control flock did not. The objectives of subsequent experiments were to determine whether a dietary deficiency of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) or calcium (Ca) altered the survival time (ST) of chicks subjected to acute heat stress. Five experiments were conducted with 3 week old chicks fed diets deficient or adequate in Ca or Pi and subjected to heat stress at 40 ± 0.5°C. for 4 hours. Mean ST was 138 and 158 min (P<0.025) for chicks fed diets containing, respectively 0.4% vs. 0.5% Pi while serum Pi values prior to heat stress were 6.5 vs. 7.5 mg./dl., respectively. Ca deficient chicks, prior to heat stress, had significantly higher serum Pi and lower serum Ca. Ca deficient chicks had a longer ST than Ca plus Pi adequate chicks, 172 vs. 141 min. (P<0.01). During heat stress Ca deficient chicks maintained higher serum glucose and Pi than Pi deficient chicks and higher serum Pi than chicks fed diets adequate in Ca plus Pi. It is concluded that the ST of chicks subjected to acute heat stress is related to their ability to maintain an adequate plasma inorganic phosphorus concentration.

VIABILITY OF CHICKENS HATCHED FROM SPECIFIC PATHOGEN-FREE OR CONVENTIONALLY HOUSED DAMS J. S. Gavora, Animal Research Institute, and J. L. Spencer, A. Robertson and G. W. Speckmann, Animal Diseases Research Institute (E), Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ont. Canada K1A OC6 Commercial chickens may be produced from specific pathogen free (SPF) flocks or flocks that have been exposed to disease. This study investigated the relative viability of chickens derived from these two sources. From common grandparent stock of 5 Leghorn and 1 New Hampshire experimental strains, two parental flocks were produced. One flock was isolated and was considered SPF as it received no vaccines and tested negative for Marek's disease, adenoviruses and

Mycoplasma gallisepticum, while the other was conventionally housed (CH) and was adventitiously infected with these agents. Subsequently, progeny of the SPF dams were divided and housed under SPF and CH conditions. Simultaneously hatched progeny of the CH dams were similarly divided and housed. In these four progeny groups, a total of 4034 chicks were brooded and 1764 pullets were housed. Mortality of the progeny to 21 days was lower in males than in females in both the CH facility (.8 and 4.3%) and the SPF facility (.4 and 4.8%) and was not affected by the SPF or CH status of dams. Mortality to 504 days was 15.8% in the SPF-housed and 25.1% in the CH pullets. Strains also differed in mortality. With one exception, the lifetime mortality of pullets in either the SPF or the CH facility was not significantly affected by the status of dams. The exception was in the CH New Hampshires: mortality of the daughters of SPF dams was 39.7% compared to 18.2% in those from CH dams. However, the adventitious exposure may have been insufficient to demonstrate more differences due to the SPF or CH status of dams.

COLOR SEXING DOWN

ON BLUE-SPLASHED WHITE

Mark F. Gawron and J. Robert Smyth, Jr., Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 Homozygosity for the autosomal blue (Bl) mutation in combination with certain genotypes results in near-white plumage. The main effect of Bl is to alter eumelanin with Bl/bl + resulting in the blue phenotype. Homozygous Bl further modifies black to bluesplashed white (BSW) and changes down eumelanin to light blue. Since BSW represents an alternative type of white plumage, a study was undertaken to see if sex determination could be accomplished using sexlinked alleles at the silver (S, s + ) and barring (B, b + ) loci. Silver and gold were readily identifiable with Bl/ Bl in the presence of e + /e + (wild type), and to a lesser degree, with e"/eb (brown). Sexing was not possible with either E/— or eWh/eWh (dominant wheaten). The addition of Co (Columbian) enhanced the visual differentiation of silver and gold on all but the E/— background. As it does in the presence of dominant white, Co resulted in a marked increase in red pigmentation in subsequent plumages. The use of barring (B) was also an effective means for sexing chicks on a Bl/Bl, E/— background. The amount of red pigment in the broiler and adult plumage of the sex-linked offspring from this cross was further reduced by incorporating silver (S).

EVALUATION OF INCREASED NUTRIENT LEVELS FOR RAPIDLY GROWING BROILER MALES M. H. Gehle, S. B. Smith, N. S. Cowen, R. A. Jarvi and G. H. Porter, Research and Development, Agway Inc., Box 1333, Syracuse, NY 13201 Three 35-day battery experiments were conducted to determine if the present broiler chick, which has

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after 14 days of storage. Carcasses sealed in bags containing 0% CO, reached spoilage levels after 14 to 20 days of storage. Carcasses stored in either 50% or 80% C 0 2 were still acceptable after 23 days of storage. No significant treatment effects were observed in the moisture content of breast, thigh, or skin samples through 14 days of storage. Analysis of data from the organoleptic evaluation of test carcasses after 12 days of storage indicated that the panel consistently ranked carcasses which had been packed in 0% C 0 2 superior to the icepacked carcasses for overall acceptability, juiciness, flavor and tenderness. Only minor organoleptic differences were obtained among carcasses stored in different C 0 2 environments.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

MAINTAINING BROKEN-OUT EGG QUALITY AND APPEARANCE DURING EGG JUDGING CONTESTS G. S. Geiger, Department of Poultry Husbandry, University of Missouri, T-14, Columbia, MO 65201 One problem relating to poultry and egg judging contests is that of maintaining, for the duration of the event, the initial broken-out egg quality and appearance. This study was undertaken to identify a simple method for preventing quality loss and appearance change. In three trials eggs were broken-out on plastic plates and held at room temperature of 25.9 to 27.1° C. (78.6 to 80.7° F.) for three hours. The relative humidity in the room ranged from 44.4 to 51.7%. Three ungraded fresh eggs per treatment per trial were used. The treatments: 1) Mist-spray, water; 2) Mist-spray — egg oil (liquid paraffin with silicon); 3) Mist spray — "Pam" (vegetable oil coating for cookware); 4) Egg plate on crushed ice bed; 5) Treatments 1 and 4 combined; 6) Treatments 3 and 4 combined; 7) Control. In trial 1 the spray treatments were applied only at the beginning of the test period. In trials 2 and 3 they were applied at the beginning and at each 30 minute interval. The best results were gained from combining the water mist treatment with the ice bed for the egg plate. With 30 minute interval misting only a minor decline in albumen height was measurable at the end of the three hour period. No noticeable change in appearance was observed when this method of treatment was used. The yolk surface remained normal and no noticeable drying of the thin albumen occurred.

Rouge, LA 70803 A sequence of experiments has been conducted to determine if sighted and blind male Coturnix cotumix japonica elicit comparable testicular recrudescence after treatment with long daily photoperiods of low intensity red light. Sixty eleven-week old quail exhibiting testicular regression were used for experimental treatment. Half of the birds sustained blinding by sectioning of the optic tract, oculomotor nerve and the ophthalmic nerve. One of three light intensities, 0.7 lux, 1.4 lux and 2.8 lux red light, was applied to each of the sighted and blind birds during a 16 hours of light: 8 hours of dark photoperiodic regime over a 2 week period. The data collected included left testis weight, vent widths and cloacal gland protrusion dimensions. Analysis of the data revealed that greater left testis weights were found in birds under greater light intensities. Blind birds seemed to elicit greater left testis weights than sighted birds. Vent widths were significantly greater in blind birds. Cloacal gland protrusion dimensions did not differ among light intensity treatments or between blind and sighted birds. In conclusion, a definite threshold of intensity of red light necessary to elicit testicular recrudescence over a 2 week interval of photoperiodic stimulation in blind or in sighted quail was not found.

JOB SATISFACTION OF BROILER PROCESSING WORKERS J. W. Goble, Animal Products Marketing Laboratory, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705 Labor continues to be a major component of increasing broiler processing costs. Contributing causes are relatively high absentee and turnover rates that suggest the existence of job dissatisfaction. Job satisfaction of production workers in a broiler processing plant was measured with the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) which considers the aspects of work, pay, opportunities for promotion, co-workers and supervision. Demographic data were collected by questionnaires. Data from 45 male and 158 female respondents were compared to JDI normative satisfaction scores at the probability level P<.20. Workers in the lowest satisfaction group outnumbered those in the highest group for all the aspects. Workers 24 years of age and under were less satisfied with the job, promotional opportunities and supervision than older ones. No differences were found for attitudes to co-workers and pay. Females seemed less satisfied with work and pay than their male counterparts but no significant differences existed for other aspects. Education was not significantly related to job satisfaction. It was concluded that the findings, although limited to one plant, provide an insight to factors that may underlie industry wide problems of worker productivity, absenteeism and turnover.

EFFECTS OF LOW INTENSITY RED LIGHT ON TESTICULAR RECRUDESCENCE IN SIGHTED AND BLIND COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA R. P. Gildersleeve and W. A. Johnson, Department of Poultry Science, Louisiana State University, Baton

LITTER REUSE EFFECTS ON SELECTED TURKEY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS

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a very rapid growth rate (comparable to the turkey during the first six weeks), has special nutritional requirements. Protein level, vitamin fortification and phosphorus levels were evaluated in the trials. Oneday-old male chicks were used in each 35-day trial. In the first trial, performance was compared when fed either a broiler starter or a turkey starter ration. In this test those consuming the broiler starter gained more and were more efficient converters of feed to gain than those fed the turkey starter ration. In the second trial, when a turkey vitamin premix replaced the broiler vitamin premix in a broiler starter ration, no difference was observed in weight gain or feed conversion. Another treatment group which had added folic acid, biotin and higher levels of vitamin K and vitamin D 3 did not show improved performance over that of the group fed the broiler starter ration with the regular broiler vitamin premix. In the third trial, neither increasing the potassium level in the broiler starter ration 0.10% through the use of potassium sulfate nor decreasing the available phosphorus level to 0.37% from 0.41% resulted in weight gain or feed conversion responses.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS ENDOGENOUS CORTICOSTEROID BINDING TO CYTOPLASM AND NUCLEI OF BURSAL LYMPHOID CELLS

As a result of the economic potential involved in using litter more than once, combined with the need for more information concerning the microbiological concepts of litter reuse, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station working with a Texas turkey producer initiated a cooperative research program. Specific objectives of the program were: (1) characterize litter and air environment of the turkey, (2) evaluate turkey litter reuse and develop quality control concepts, (3) develop management recognition of microbiological parameters. Data from the microbiological samples revealed that mesophilic bacterial concentrations were maintained at a level of 1 billion bacteria/gram after 2 weeks in both new and recycled brooder house litter. A maximum of 1 million coliform per gram of litter is present in new or recycled brooder house litter after 2 weeks. The brooder house air environments contained approximately 1000 airborne mesophilic bacteria per cubic foot of air after 2 weeks of age, and 100 airborne mold and yeast per cubic foot of air. A significant correlation exists between mesophilic bacteria in the brooder litter and brooder airborne mesophilic bacteria.

N. R. Gould and H. S. Siegel, U.S.D.A.- Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, 934 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605 Bursal lymphoid cell total, cytoplasmic-bound and nuclear-bound corticosteroid measurements were made after I.V. injection of ACTH. Similar measurements were made after injection of killed Newcastle disease virus. Treatment-group means were elevated for all fractions at one hour post-ACTH compared to either saline injected or zero-time controls. At four hours these values had dropped to less than salineinjected controls, though only the nuclear fraction was significantly lower. Viral antigen did not produce any significant effects. Though group means of serum and cellular corticosteroid followed similar patterns with respect to time and treatment, correlation on an individual bird basis was not significant. Adrenal cholesterol levels remained unchanged for all treatments, whereas adrenal corticosteroid was increased 2 to 3 fold one hour after ACTH injection. THE EFFECT OF FEEDING STEROIDS TO CHICKENS W. B. Gross, Department of Veterinary Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061

A TECHNIQUE FOR STUDYING THE UTEROVAGINAL SPERM STORAGE TUBULES* M. Goodrich-Smith and B. J. Marquez, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 One way to evaluate turkey fertility patterns is to study the oviducal storage of sperm cells. The purpose of this study was to establish reproducible techniques to evaluate the sperm storage capacity of uterovaginal junction (UVJ) sperm storage tubules. Oviducal tissue was removed from inseminated birds and submerged in either 10% buffered formalin or 7% glutaraldehyde immediately. Prior to fixation, the shell gland was incised to allow rapid flow of fixative into the lumen and contact with the UVJ. The UVJ folds were examined and counted in situ by using jewelers eyeglasses. A representative fold was then removed from the tissue and spread open under a dissecting microscope for photographing. The morphology of the fold and the number of host glands present were determined from the photograph. The tissues were sectioned and stained with H&E for microscopic examination. The glutaraldehyde fixed tissues were freeze-fractured and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine spermatozoan numbers and the relationship between the sperm cell and tubule. Formalin fixation used for SEM can create artifacts in the cytoplasm. Glutaraldehyde fixation leads to intense, uncharacteristic staining with H&E. •Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7994.

Chickens were fed feed containing graded doses of corticosterone or deoxycorticosterone. As compared to untreated birds increasing doses of corticosterone resulted in increased feed consumption, increased body fat, increased liver size, increased blood protein and globulins; but decreased weight gain and decreased lymphoid mass with decreased ability to produce antibody. Resistance to the northern feather mite was increased. As compared to untreated birds, increased doses of deoxycorticosterone resulted in increased growth rate, increased lymphoid mass with increased ability to produce antibody. Some doses of deoxycorticosterone resulted in increased susceptibility to the northern feather mite. Very narrow dose ranges of both drugs resulted in greatly increased defense against bacterial diseases. Supraoptimal doses of corticosterone resulted in greatly increased susceptibility to Escherichia coli infection. Optimal doses of deoxycorticosterone tended to preserve growth rate during E. coli challenge.

CAGE MANAGEMENT OF RINGNECKED PHEASANT BREEDERS J. R. Gudelman, J. M. Weber, T. A. Lockamy and J. R. Cain, Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Current commercial management practices for pheasant breeders generally entails low bird densities in large outdoor range pens. These colony mating pens are inefficient and do not permit individual egg records. Cage confinement of ringnecked pheasant breeders was accessed in this study as an alternative produc-

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F. A. Golan and F. A. Gardner, Department of Poultry Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

THE MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF A DUCK PROCESSING PLANT Michelle A. Hall and Arthur J. Maurer, Department of Poultry Science, 1675 Observatory Drive, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706 A study was conducted to determine the number of bacteria growing in each specific area of a duck processing plant. The equipment, environment and ducks were all tested by the "rinse-swab" method and the air was tested by the "exposure plate" method. Each designated station in the processing plant was tested once a week for 15 weeks. The highest bacterial counts came from areas where the ducks were still alive. The counts decreased on through the plant and were almost negligible by the end of the processing procedure. In general, bacterial numbers on ducks were lower than results reported in other research for chickens and turkeys. Fecal matter on feathers and feet of the live duck was the major source of microorganisms in the duck processing plant. The sanitation employed in the plant, however, provided a high quality marketable carcass for the consumer.

INTERACTION OF DIETARY MERCURY AND BIOTIN-DEFICIENCY ON HEPATIC LIPOGENESIS IN CHICKS J. Craig Hamilton and W. E. Donaldson, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 Broilers were fed control or biotin-deficient diets based upon glucose and casein starting at day-old. At 7 days, one-half the chicks fed the biotin-deficient diet were administered 200 p.pjn. Hg (as HgCl 2 ) continuously in the drinking water, while the remaining biotin-deficient chicks and the control chicks continued to receive tap water. At 4 weeks, hepatic fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) activities and in vivo lipogenesis from 1 4 C-acetate were measured in randomly selected chicks from each

of the 3 treatments. Specific activity of FAS was stimulated slightly by biotin-deficiency but Hg reduced activity to control values in deficient chicks. Specific activity of ACC was reduced to one-half of control values by biotin deficiency and Hg had no further effect. Incorporation of ' 4 C-acetate into hepatic fatty acids was reduced markedly by biotin-deficiency but Hg returned incorporation to control values in deficient chicks. ACC is presumably the rate-limiting enzyme for lipogenesis. Therefore, the data suggest that Hg somehow stimulates the in vivo activity of this enzyme in biotin-deficient chicks.

FIELD EPISODES POULTRY

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P. B. Hamilton, W. E. Huff and J. R. Harris, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 It has been known for some time that ochratoxin intrinsically is the most potent mycotoxin yet studied in poultry; however, three cases of ochratoxicosis in about 360,000 turkeys found during a field survey represent the first documented outbreaks in the U.S.A. of the disease under natural conditions. This conclusion was based on finding up to 16 p.p.m. ochratoxin A (confirmed by 4 independent laboratories) in suspect feed and corn. Smaller amounts of ochratoxin B were found also. The main symptoms were mortality (up to 55% in a flock), nephrotoxicity (pale, swollen kidneys), and decreased consumption of feed. Suspect feed containing 1 p.p.m. ochratoxin A when fed to poults in the laboratory caused high serum uric acid and low serum carotenoids as expected. Each outbreak was traced to a single supply of corn. Four outbreaks in about 6,000,000 chickens were characterized by poor growth and feed conversions and increased condemnations and were traced to corn or corn gluten meal containing ochratoxin A (up to 2 p.p.m.).

RELATIVE VIRULENCE OF CANDIDA

ALBICANS

P. B. Hamilton, R. D. Wyatt, J. A. Doerr and B. A. Weeks, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 Because Candida albicans is primarily an opportunistic pathogen in compromised hosts, it is difficult to compare the virulence of different isolates and hence difficult to assess the factors determining pathogenesis. Objective assessment in chickens was attempted by determining crop weights, crop counts, and excreta counts following oral inoculation as a measure of mucocutaneous virulence and by determining body weights, mortality, and neural disturbances following intravenous inoculation as a measure of systemic virulence. Each parameter was given equal weight in a rank ordering system and correlation analyses were done with factors thought to be involved in virulence. There was a negative correlation between systemic virulence and blastospore chemotaxis while mycelial chemotaxis was not correlated significantly (P<0.05). Colony myceliation was negatively correlated with systemic virulence while per cent myceliation in liquid Chattaway's medium and germ tube formation in serum were positively correlated with mucocutaneous

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tion method to colony pens. During 20 weeks of lay, significant differences in total eggs per hen favored the cage management systems. Pair caged hens averaged 64.1 eggs, single caged hens averaged 54.3 eggs and floor pen hens averaged 43.8 eggs per hen. Mortality was approximately 4% in all treatments. The age at which pheasant breeders were brought into production did not greatly affect the number of eggs laid per hen. Mean HDP ranged from 37.2% to 51.4% for seven age groups from 30 to 53 weeks of age. Those given a stimulatory photoperiod at 32 weeks laid best with 68.1 eggs per hen. Artificial insemination of pheasant hens with pooled cock semen gave acceptable fertility rates. Pheasant semen was diluted with commercial turkey dilutent and weekly doses of 1 to 2 million sperm were given to each hen intravaginally. Mean fertility from artificially inseminated hens (81.0%) was only slightly less than from pair caged hens (85.4%). Fertility duration following a single insemination averaged 12 days.

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virulence. These results suggest that a statistical approach to the assessment of virulence is valid and that there are some easily measured determinants of virulence in C. albicans.

A SYSTEM FOR HOUSING CATHETERIZED LAYING HENS WITHOUT RESTRAINT R. M. G. Hamilton, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Animal Research Institute, Nutrition Building, C.E.F., Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A OC6

CHICKENS AT A 4-H MARKET LIVESTOCK SHOW M. L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 Minnesota has had a 4-H market livestock show for beef, sheep, and swine projects for many years. For the past three years the poultry project has been included as a very successful part of the show. An entry is two meat-type chickens to be judged for meat quality on a live basis. After entries are judged they are killed, scalded, and picked at the meat laboratory on the University campus. Each entrant then eviscerates his own birds and selects the best carcass for judging based on meat characteristics and proper processing techniques. This competition has added an additional activity to measure member achievement and has been highly rated by members, parents, and extension workers.

YOLK COLOR CHARACTERISTICS AND XANTHOPHYLL AVAILABILITY FROM BETA-APO8' CAROTENAL AND CANTHAXANTHIN

Beta-apo-8' carotenal and canthaxanthin were compared for their relative pigmentating capability for egg yolks. Also, the color characteristics [dominant wavelength (DWL) and excitation purity (EP)] of these pigments were determined by use of the IDL Color-Eye. Each compound was fed at levels of 0, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8 and 17.6 mg./kg. and in combinations at levels of 4.4, 8.8, 17.6 and 35.2 mg./kg. DWL increased linearly from 572.75 nm. for the 0 level to 577.85 and 591.0 nm. for the 17.6 mg. levels of beta-apo-8' and canthaxanthin, respectively. Where equal amounts of the two compounds were fed the DWL was approximately 25% greater than the average of the DWL of the two compounds. The addition of beta-apo-8' to the diets containing 2.2 or 4.4 mg. of canthaxanthin linearly decreased DWL; however, these additions did not affect DWL at 8.8 and 17.6 mg./kg. level of canthaxanthin. The beta-apo-8' was approximately 87% as available as canthaxanthin when fed at the two highest levels. The response curve at the two lower levels was not linear; therefore, availability could not be determined. Most of the mixtures had availability greater than the beta-apo-8' but less than canthaxanthin.

EFFECTS OF VENTILATION ON LITTER CONDITION AND PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS BROODED AT HIGH DENSITY TO 4 WEEKS OF AGE G. C. Harris, Jr. 1 , G. S. Nelson 2 , T. A. Cole 1 , K. R. Shelby 2 , J. A. Benson1 and D. R. Ingram 1 , Department of Animal Sciences1 and Department of Agricultural Engineering 2 , University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 Two experiments were conducted in chambers to determine effects of ventilation on litter conditions and performance of broilers grown to 4 weeks of age at a floor space of 0.037 sqm. per bird. Two trials were completed for each experiment with either 2 or 3 replicate chambers of 160 chicks per trial. In experiment 1, 4 ventilation (c. f. m. per bird for weeks 1 to 4) treatments studied were: 1) 0.1 constant; 2) 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.3; 3) 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.5; and 4) 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, 0.7. Humidity of intake air varied with building temperature and moisture content of outside air. Four week litter moisture and temperature decreased as ventilation increased. Four week body weight gain was significantly higher for treatment 4 as compared to treatments 1, 2 and 3. Significant differences in body weight gain between treatments were not observed until 4th week. Cumulative feed consumed per bird was significantly increased by each increase in ventilation. In experiment 2 ventilation (c.f.m. per bird for weeks 1 to 4) treatments studied were: 4) 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, 0.7; 5) 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0; 6) 0.1, 0.6, 0.9, 1.3; and7) 0.1, 0.7, 1.0, 1.6. No additional improvements in litter conditions or performance were observed. Moisture on and 2.54 cm. below surface of litter varied from 23 to 27% and 38 to 43%, respectively. AN EVALUATION

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A system has been developed that allows laying hens to be housed in regular wire cages (20.3 X 40.6 cm.) after catheterization of blood vessels. With this system each bird is fitted, several days before catheterization, with a belt (42 X 11 cm.) made from light cotton material containing openings for both the legs and wings. The belt is fastened together with strips of Velcro® (5 X 11 cm.) sewn on each end of the belt and the size is adjusted by a draw-string sewn into the front edge. Also sewn to belt, at the mid-point between the wings, is a plastic tube connector to which is attached a sheath consisting of 80—100 cm. of rubber tubing (3.5 i.d. X 6.5 o.d., mm.). This sheath passes through the top of the cage, over a small plastic pulley (5 cm. diam.) that is attached to a support above the cages and is counter-weighed with 42 gm. of lead. The basilic vein and/or brachial artery are catheterized with polyethylene tubing (0.76 i.d. X 1.22 o.d., mm.) as described by Thomas (Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochem. Biophys. 10:93, 1970), except that a polyethylene tube (1.6 i.d. X 2.4 o.d., mm.) is placed under the skin of the back between the wing and the mid-point between the wings where it passes through the skin and into the sheath (5—8 cm.). The catheter (200 cm. long) is passed through this tube into and through the sheath and is attached to either an infusion pump or syringe. This system has been used to infuse hens, either continuously or intermittently, with Ringer's solution, physiological saline or calcium solutions for 28 days and up to 72 days.

R. H. Harms, D. L. Fletcher and D. M. Janky, Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS VARIABLES ON INCIDENCE OF MEAT SPOTLIKE INCLUSIONS IN BROWN EGG STRAINS P. C. Harris, R. W. Gerry and F. V. Muir, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Hitchner Hall, University of Maine at Orono, Orono, ME 04473

THE EFFECT OF IMMERSING SHELL EGGS IN DILUTE ACETIC ACID J. L. Heath and J. Wallace, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Research was conducted to determine the effect of immersing eggs in dilute acetic acid solutions on quality, shell thickness, microbiological population of the shell, organoleptic and functional properties. Treatments of this type have been used to clean and destain eggs. Egg shell thickness was decreased and a more rapid decline in interior quality was found to occur when eggs were immersed in solutions ranging from 4-13%. Oiling and refrigeration (7°C.) of the treated eggs maintained AA quality for 21 days. Acid treated eggs had more shell removed than commercially washed eggs. If the acid solution was agitated, a more rapid removal of shell occurred. When eggs were exposed for differing lengths of time to the acid, no difference in amount of shell removed was found. Organoleptic evaluation of albumen from treated eggs indicated no differences when compared to fresh albumen. Microbial evaluation of the shell showed a decrease in the number of organisms attributable to the acid treatment. Organisms on treated and untreated shells tended to decrease over the 21-day storage period. Functional property evaluation showed no significant differences in spongecake heightor foam stability after eggs were treated with dilute acetic acid.

THE SEPARATION OF GAMETOCYTES OF LEUCOCYTOZOON SMITHI FROM WHOLE PERIPHERAL TURKEY BLOOD C. W. Henry and J. W. Dick, Poultry Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 A refined Ficoll separation technique superior to one previously described was used to extract elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon smithi from whole peripheral adult turkey blood. Five ml. of sodium EDTA anticoagulated whole blood was layered over 10 ml. of 35% Ficoll using a syringe and 15 ga. canula. The tube was centrifuged at 1000 g. for 30 min at 25°C. The majority of leucocytes and gametocytes were found at the plasma-Ficoll interphase after centrifugation. Extraction of this layer was accomplished using a blunt 15 cm., 20 ga. needle and a peristaltic pump. Extracted cells were suspended in sterile Seligmann's Balanced Salt Solution (SBSS), centrifuged at 1000 g. for 10 min. and then resuspended in 5 ml. of fresh SBSS. The suspension was then layered over a 16 ml. continuous Ficoll gradient of 12% to 35% in concentration. The tube was centrifuged for 5 min. at 50 g. and 10 min. at 300 g. Five distinct layers resulted and were extracted in the same manner previously described. Layer one contained thrombocytes, layer two — elongate gametocytes, layer three — lymphocytes and a few erythrocytes, layer four — diffuse monocytes and layer five — heterophils. Thrombocytes and a few gametocytes were present in all layers. The extracted layer of gametocytes was washed and resuspended in sterile SBSS and stored at 4°C. Subsequent examination showed that the gametocytes maintained their cellular and morphological integrity up to 4 weeks. As a result of this technique a 39% recovery of elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon smitbi was obtained using a standard hemocytometer counting technique.

EVALUATION OF DIETARY ZINC, CADMIUM, TIN, LEAD, BISMUTH AND ARSENIC TOXICITY IN HENS K. L. Hermayer, P. E. Stake and R. L. Shippe, Nutritional Sciences Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268 Groups of four, individually caged Single Comb White Leghorn hens, 22 weeks of age, were fed a practical corn-soy laying mash supplemented with 4 increasing levels of either zinc acetate, cadmium acetate, stannous oxide, lead oxide, bismuth trioxide or arsenic pentoxide for 8 weeks. Egg production was recorded daily, individual feed intake weekly, body weight bi-weekly, and each bird was artificially inseminated twice weekly. The supplemental dietary levels fed were Zn and Sn: 1, 100, 1000 and 10000 p.p.m.; and Cd, Pb, Bi and As: 1, 10, 100 and 1000 p.p.m. Broken-line regression analysis indicated that feed intake, egg production and body weight were reduced when the supplemental concentration of the trace elements exceeded the following levels — Zn: 794, 2512, and 1585 p.p.m.; Cd: 40, 8, and 32 p.p.m.; and As: 50, 40, and 40 p.p.m., respectively. Considerable variation was noted in responses to supplemental Sn, Pb, and Bi. Dietary Pb greater than 630 p.p.m. sharply reduced egg production, but the responses in feed in-

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The incidence of meat spot-like inclusions approximately 3mm. or greater in size was recorded from nine different factorial type experiments conducted during the last 6 years on brown shell laying hens in cage facilities. With but few exceptions, 10-egg samples per replicate were randomly selected and examined for egg quality at approximate 4 week intervals during each experiment. A total of approximately 55,000 eggs were examined. Bird age at egg sampling interval, a variable common to each study, was found to significantly influence egg inclusion incidence in all experiments. In general, the incidence would vary during the early weeks of lay, reach a peak between 48 and 60 weeks of age and decline slightly during last weeks of lay. In one study, the incidence during the second year of lay was significantly less than during weeks 50 through 76. Pullet rearing environment (wire vs. floor) in one study and a comparison of 2 breeds in another study both affected egg inclusion incidence significantly. Management and dietary factors including age at housing, force molting, cage size and arrangement, water restriction, feed restriction (except in 1 of 6 studies) and calcium source were all observed to be without significant effect on inclusion incidence.

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take and body weight were inconsistent. No significant differences in either feed intake, egg production or body weight change were noted in birds receiving supplemental Sn or Bi. Analysis of incubated eggs indicated that 100 p.p.m. dietary Cd significantly increased the incidence of infertile eggs and decreased hatachability. The data demonstrate that accurate screening of trace element toxicity is dependent upon the physiological response measured and is subject to considerable variation both between and within specific elements. (Supported in part by U.S.D.A. Regional Research Project NE-83).

Patricia Y. Hester*, Paul Thaxton**, G. W. Morgan** and John Brake**, 'Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, and "Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, P. O. Box 5307, Raleigh, NC 27607 Preparations of specific immunoglobulin were separated from anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immune sera (IS) and hyperimmune sera (HIS) using Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the immune responsiveness of four week old cockerels given passive transfers of these preparations 24 hours prior to SRBC challenge. In Trial 1, four groups of birds were given nonimmune sera (NIS), HIS, IgY fractionated from HIS, and an additional group served as controls. Circulating levels of anti-SRBC antibodies were determined at 0, 2, and 4 days after antigenic challenge. The number of splenic plaque forming cells was determined at 4 days following antigen. In Trial 2, six groups of birds were given NIS, HIS, IgY and IgM fractionated from HIS, IgY fractionated from IS, and the last group served as controls. A serological evaluation of specific agglutinins, as well as MEresistant and ME-sensitive antibody titers against SRBC was made throughout the primary immune response. All preparations of specific immunoglobulin as well as HIS, when passively transferred at the doses employed in this study, resulted in suppression of the primary hemagglutinin response as indicated by a reduction in splenic plaque forming cells, anti-SRBC antibody levels, ME-sensitive, and ME-resistant antibody titers. CAGE DEPTH EFFECTS ON LAYER PERFORMANCE A. T. Hill and J. R. Hunt, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, P. O. Box 1000, Agassiz, B.C., Canada VOM 1AO Three populations of 3, 6 and 12 birds each with 310, 387 and 464 cm. 2 /bird were tested in cages with depths of 30.5-45.7 cm. (deep) and 20.3-30.5 cm. (shallow). Feed trough space was 10.2 and 15.2 cm. for deep and shallow cages respectively. Single birds at 619 cm. 2 /bird with depths of 30.5 and 20.3 cm. acted

THE EFFECT OF ENERGY AND DENSITY LEVELS UPON PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS S. W. Hinners, J. D. Ford and J. T. Gholson, Animal Industries Department, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901 Ready to lay, twenty weeks old, commercially produced pullets were randomly assigned to cages in a 2 X 6 factorial. Two levels of bird density (4 and 5 birds per 16" X 16" cage) and six levels of energy concentration ?3000, 2925, 2850, 2775 and 2625 kilocalories of metabolizable energy) were provided with six triple cage replications for each treatment. The experiment was conducted for twelve 28 day periods. As density increased, mortality was increased, but percent hen day production, hen housed production, feed consumed per hen day, feed consumed per dozen of eggs, and kilocalories of metabolizable energy per dozen eggs were decreased. Percent hen day egg production (77.7) was the highest and percent mortality (9.12), feed consumed per dozen eggs (1.79 kg.) and kilocalories of metabolizable energy (414) per egg were the lowest at the 2775 kcal. level. Feed consumed (112.8 g.) per hen day was the lowest at the highest energy level, but kilocalories (311.3) consumed per hen day was the lowest at the lowest energy level. Statistically significant interactions for energy X density were also obtained for these parameters. The highest percentage (80) hen day production was observed with 4 birds per pen at 2775 kcal./kg., whereas for the 5 birds per pen the highest (76.2) was at 3000 kcal./kg. MECHANICAL ROTAVATION OF POULTRY MANURE AS A METHOD OF FLY CONTROL C. F. Hinton, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Extension, University of Florida, 5339 State Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 The Tampa Bay's annual production of poultry manure exceeds a quarter of a million tons. Florida's warm weather, horizontal summer rains and open

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SUPPRESSION OF THE PRIMARY HEMAGGLUTININ RESPONSE OF CHICKENS BY THE PASSIVE TRANSFER OF PREPARATIONS OF SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULINS

as controls. Measurements were taken for productivity, egg quality, profitability, feathering and nervousness. A total of 3840 birds grown on two levels of protein, and consisting of two intermingled commercial strains of W.L., were tested for 15—28 day periods in two tests each with 2 replications. Annual average egg weight, body weight, feed per bird, dry shell thickness, cracked, soft shelled and broken eggs, blood spots and end of year back feathering were significantly (P<0.01) greater for the shallow cages. Conversely, feed conversion, percent Grade A eggs and net egg income were significantly (P<0.01) superior for the deep cages. Mortality, eggs per bird, specific gravity, Haugh units, nervousness and neck, wing, tail and underside feathering were unaffected. Interactions between the main effects were rare. It was concluded that birds in populations of 3, 6 and 12 and densities of 310, 387 and 464 cm. 2 /bird, and single birds at 619 cm. 2 /bird, had superior feed conversion and were more profitable in deep cages.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

UTILIZING YOUTHS IN CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE EGG CONSUMPTION C. F. Hinton, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Extension, University of Florida, 5339 State Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 Florida's Tampa Bay area is home for over two million people . . . and three times that many laying hens. Cholesterol-conscious retirees comprise a disproportionate percentage of the people on Florida's "Sun Coast." It's ironic that while Tampa Bay hens produce over two percent of the nation's eggs, the area's per capita consumption of eggs is alarmingly low. This may help to explain why Florida ranks forty-fifth in the nation for prices received for its eggs. Quite understandedly, the area's Extension Poultry Advisory Committees are in agreement that a consumer education program geared to improve egg consumption should be an Extension priority area. The resulting program is multi-pronged, but one of the most rewarding facets is the concerted involvement of youth as teachers. Youngsters are recruited through the 4-H program into "Omelet Brigades" and are trained to demonstrate how to prepare eggs. Both the consuming public and the poultry industry are responding favorably . . . and the 4-H'ers are loving it! As a result, youngsters are becoming involved in a meaningful project, and both the poultry industry and the community-at-large are benefiting. THE EFFECT OF DIETARY CALCIUM AND MANGANESE LEVELS ON EGG SHELL QUALITY D. P. Holder, Department of Poultry Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Three levels of added manganese (0, 55, or 275

mg./kg.) as MnS0 4 were fed in combination with three levels of calcium (2.2, 3.6 or 5.0%). Each diet was fed to four groups of five hens for 12 periods of 28 days. At the end of each period shell quality data were taken. The addition of high levels of manganese to 3.6 or 5.0% calcium diets reduced shell thickness and specific gravity. However, when high levels of manganese (275 mg./kg.) were added to low calcium (2.2%) diets specific gravity of eggs was improved almost to the same level as the eggs from hens fed 3.6% calcium. This was especially true in latter periods. There was a singificant interaction between calcium and manganese when the number of cracked eggs was counted. On low calcium, the percent cracked eggs was reduced from 14 to 4 with the addition of Mn. However, with 3.6 or 5% dietary calcium, the addition of Mn tended to increase the number of cracked eggs. Bone ash data showed similar trends.

EFFECTS OF ENERGY DENSITY, BIRD DENSITY AND CONTROL FEEDING ON BROILER PERFORMANCE D. P. Holder, J. E. Jones and K. K. Hale, Poultry Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Two trials were conducted to study the economics of broiler ration formulation, bird density and feed management. In trial one, higher energy levels and lower bird densities produced heavier birds. Energy levels (of finisher diets) of 3210, 3300, 3390 and 3480 Kcal. M.E./kg. produced 49 day bird weights of 1811, 1816, 1875 and 1902 grams, respectively. Floor space of 0.084, 0.074 and 0.064 sq. meters/bird resulted in weights of 1870, 1861 and 1821 grams. The higher energy levels significantly improved feed efficiency and dressing percentage; however, the lower energy diets produced more economical gains. In a second trial that included three dietary levels (finisher diets contained 3260, 3370 or 3480 Kcal. M.E./kg.) and two feeding regimes (ad libitum and controlled feeding), the higher energy diets again improved body weight and feed efficiency. Control feeding by feed removal for 2 hours twice daily after 4 weeks of age did not significantly affect growth or feed efficiency. Processing yield data were collected at 6, 7 and 8 weeks of age on randomly selected broilers from all treatments in trial two.

EGGONOMICS - A NEW YOUTH PROGRAM K. A. Holleman and D. P. Holder, Poultry Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, and W. D. Carter, South Carolina Egg Board, Box 13555, Columbia, SC 29201 Eggonomics is a term coined to refer to the economy and nutrition related to the use of eggs in the diet. It is also used as the name of a new program in which youth learn about the egg through demonstrations, lectures, slides and recipe preparation. Competitions are held in schools, on a county-wide basis, in districts and ultimately at the state level, where a state champion is named. The bases for competition are nutrition (at least one egg per serving), original-

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poultry houses allow for wet manure and its resultant flies and odors. This problem is accentuated by high land costs which do not allow producers to adequately buffer themselves for the vast number of urban-oriented retirees who want to settle next to a farm without the annoying by-products of agricultural production. Producers are also faced with rising insecticide costs and their reduced effectiveness as larval resistance to pesticides increases. Many have turned to biological control. However, under Florida conditions, biological control often allows a rapid buildup of soldier flies. These wasp-like insects are beneficial, but their larval stage mechanically breaks down coned manure. This reduces air exposure, raises moisture and promotes an aerobic bacterial action. Over the years, producers have found that mechanically rotavating manure reduces its moisture content and breaks the fly cycle. An added fringe benefit is that the resultant manure is a more valuable and versatile product. Currently almost half of Tampa Bay's nearly two hundred producers are utilizing mechanical rotavation in lieu of insecticides as a means of controlling fly larval development.

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ity, flavor and appearance. Sponsorship is provided by the S. C. Egg Board, S. C. Poultry Improvement Association and Clemson's Poultry Science Department. County Extension workers coordinate county competition and state specialists and the Egg Board coordinate district and state competition. During the first year, this activity was conducted in 8 counties. County home economists, home economics teachers, industry leaders and youth all endorsed this program as being very educational and worthwhile. As many as 15 counties with up to 50 schools are expected to participate this year.

those held at —23 C. indicating lower acceptability. Bacterial counts after 6 months storage were lower for those eggs held at - 2 3 than at -12°C. Antioxidant and packaging treatments had only minor effects on egg quality, presumably due to the low level of changes found in TBA, sensory scores and microbial counts.

AFLATOXICOSIS IN CHICKENS FED DIETS VARYING IN CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS W. E. Huff, Chao-Fu Chang, J. D. Garlich and P. B. Hamilton, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607

D. M. Hooge, L. O. Rowland, Jr. and J. W. Bradley, The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Two experiments were conducted with pullets fed a typical layer diet diluted with graded levels of builders sand. In experiment 1, 480 pullets were fed diets diluted with either 0, 5, 10, or 15% sand for 11, four week periods. Egg production was: 57.8, 55.3, 56.7 and 58.6%, respectively; egg weights for all groups remained equal; and feed consumption was 95.5, 98.4, 94.0 and 99.1 g./bird/day. Total calories of M.E. required to produce a gram of egg were: 7.20, 7.30, 6.92 and 6.29. In experiment 2, 380 pullets were fed either 0, 5, 10, or 15% sand diluted diets for 6 four week periods. In addition a diet containing 10% sand was formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with the basal undiluted diet. Egg production was 87.3, 87.6, 88.0, 86.8 and 87.5% with egg weights of 57.8, 58.1, 58.3, 58.4 and 59.9 g. Feed consumption was 131, 134, 143, 147 and 138 g./bird/day, which resulted in 6.73, 6.46, 6.51, 6.38, and 6.44 Kcal. M.E. required per gram of egg. These data indicate that the addition of sand decreases the calories of M.E. required/g. of egg, increases feed consumption, and has no adverse effect on egg production or egg weight when 15% or less is added.

LIPID STABILITY OF COOKED, DICED AND FROZEN EGGS P. Hoojjat and L. E. Dawson, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Eggs were cooked, peeled, diced and quick frozen (C0 2 ) under commercial conditions. Before freezing, one-half of the product was treated with an antioxidant. Control and treated eggs were packaged in air and under partial vacuum and stored at —23 and —12°C. for 6 months. Other samples were held at 5°C. for 15 days. Composition, lipid oxidation (TBA), total plate counts and sensory scores were obtained from appropriate samples. TBA values were relatively low in all samples throughout storage indicating that rancidity was not a problem. Flavor scores of samples held at —12°C. differed more from a reference than

Aflatoxicosis causes increased bone fragility and interacts with vitamin D deficiencies. These effects suggested that the availability of dietary calcium and phosphorus during aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens be investigated. The effect on serum calcium and phosphorus growth inhibitory concentration (5 p.p.m.) of aflatoxin in diets varying in calcium (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0%) and phosphorus (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5%) was determined. Aflatoxin caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in both serum calcium and phosphorus at all levels of dietary calcium. Similarly, aflatoxin decreased (P<0.05) the serum calcium at all levels of dietary phosphorus; however, serum phosphorus did not display such a decrease. These data can be explained by assuming that aflatoxin inhibits calcium absorption independently of calcium/phosphorus ratio while the effect of aflatoxin on phosphorus absorption is more specific. Poor mineral absorption could in turn account for poor bone strength during aflatoxicosis.

DECREASED BONE STRENGTH DURING OCHRATOXICOSIS AND AFLATOXICOSIS W. E. Huff, J. A. Doerr and P. B. Hamilton, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 Increased bone breakage and rubbery bones are two common poultry problems which some observers have associated empirically with mycotoxicoses. Experiments with bones from young chickens fed graded levels of dietary ochratoxin and aflatoxin revealed that the tibial diameter relative to body weight was increased by both toxins. Tibial strength was determined by exerting a force perpendicular to the center of the long axis and measuring the resistance. The force required to break the bones decreased while the displacement at failure increased for both toxicoses. Size differences in bones caused by the toxins were corrected by mathematical modeling and by selecting bones of equal diameter. These data indicate that both aflatoxin and ochratoxin can induce decrease bone strength in chickens and suggest yet another way by which mycotoxins can cause economic loss.

PRODUCTION TRAITS INFLUENCING THE INDIVIDUAL FEED CONVERSION RATIO J. F. Hurnik, J. D. Summers, J. P. Walker and W. Szkotnicki, Department of Animal and Poultry Sci-

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THE INFLUENCE OF DIETARY SAND ON ENERGY METABOLISM BY LAYING HENS

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS ence, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada NIG 2W1

METABOLISM OF INOSITOL PENTAPHOSPHATE IN CHICK ERYTHROCYTES R. E. Isaacks and D. R. Harkness, Research Laboratories, Veterans Administration Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125 The synthesis of myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphate (IPP) in the avian erythrocyte has been studied by incubating either ' 4 C-myo-inositol, '* C-glucose, or 3 2 P-phosphoric acid with whole blood (WB) from 4—5 day chicks. After 12—16 hours incubation at 39°C. in an atmosphere of oxygen and with constant shaking, the aqueous-soluble phosphates were extracted from washed erythrocytes (WE) with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and fractionated on anion exchange columns using a linear ammonium formate gradient (5.0 M). It was shown that "C-myo-inositol and 3 2 Pphosphoric acid were taken up by the cell and incorporated into a compound corresponding in elution position to IPP. ' " C-glucose is not transported into the erythrocyte and therefore is not the immediate precursor in the synthesis of IPP. Degradation of IPP was studied by incubating WB from chicks or mature birds at 39°C. with aeration and constant shaking for as long as 96 hours. Aliquots of the WB were taken serially at 0, 2 4 , 4 8 , 72, and 96 hours of incubation. Packed cell volume (PCV) and WB oxygen affinity were determined at each time period. TCA extracts of WE from each time period of incubation were analyzed for changes in organic phosphates. There was a slight decrease in PCV and WB oxygen affinity with incubation. Adenosine triphosphate decreased substantially with incubation whereas IPP concentration in the erythrocytes remained constant.

BRINE CHILLING VERSUS CONVENTIONAL CHILLING AND HOT PACKAGING OF BROILERS D. M. Janky 1 , A. S. Arafa 1 , J. A. Koburger2 and J. L. Oblinger 2 , ' Department of Poultry Science and

2

Department of Food Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Percent water uptake, thawing and cooking loss were determined on broiler carcasses which had been conventionally chilled (ice slush 1°C. overnight), brine chilled (5% NaCl overnight) and hot packaged (no chill). After cooking, the meat samples were evaluated for flavor, tenderness and juiciness by a taste panel. Shear force and percent moisture analyses were also conducted. Flavor was evaluated by taste panel only. Carcasses and chill water were tested for microbial population throughout the experiment. Brine chilled carcasses had significantly higher water uptake, lower thawing and cooking losses than conventionally chilled carcasses. While all samples were scored favorably for flavor, tenderness and juiciness, brine chilled samples received higher scores than conventionally chilled or hot packaged samples. Meat from brine chilled carcasses had a significantly higher moisture content and lower shear force values (more tender) than meat from conventionally chilled or hot packaged carcasses. Total plate counts, coliform counts and coagulase positive Staphylococcus counts were lower for both brine chilled and conventionally chilled carcasses than hot packaged carcasses. Adding salt had little effect on the microbial population in the chill tanks during the chilling period.

SENSITIVITY OF RECENT FIELD ISOLATES OF COCCIDIA TO MONENSIN T. K. Jeffers, Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Greenfield, IN 46140 The monensin sensitivity of coccidia propagated from litter samples obtained from monensin-medicated broiler flocks during 1975 and 1976 was evaluated to determine if monensin resistance developed following long-term drug exposure. The predominant pathogenic species recovered were Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella. Two to five replicates of five 8-day-old broilers/ replicate were fed nonmedicated or 100 p.p.m. monensin-medicated rations beginning 48 hrs. prior to inoculation with oocysts of the respective isolate. The severity of infection was measured by intestinal and cecal lesion scores on day 6 or 7 postinoculation. Although some cultures contained two or more species, the severity of infection due to E. tenella was differentiated from that due to the intestinal species (£. acervulina and/or E. maxima) by observing the characteristic lesions. The criterion of resistance was that the average lesion score of the medicated group be >50% of that of the respective nonmedicated infected control. No monensin-resistant isolates were found among 53 E. tenella and 58 E. acervulina and/or E. maxima isolates tested. Against each isolate, monensin effected a statistically significant reduction in the average lesion score when compared to the respective nonmedicated infected control. These findings support previous suggestions that coccidia do not readily develop monensin resistance following long-term drug exposure in broiler production flocks.

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Production data from 270 laying hens were collected for a period of 48 weeks. Individual daily feed consumption was measured for two consecutive days each week. The distribution of individual feed conversion ratios (amount of feed consumed per unit of egg mass produced) significantly deviated from normality. The variation in feed conversion was most influenced by the number of eggs laid (51%), followed by feed consumption (31%) and egg weight (18%). Meaningful quadratic contributions were detected for the number of eggs laid and feed consumption. When feed conversion was eliminated from the set of available traits used for the estimation of feed conversion ratios, it was not fully substituted by the incorporation of correlated variables. Individual body weights at the beginning and end of the experiment only compensated for one third of the decline in accuracy of the feed conversion estimates.

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EFFECT OF DIETARY COPPER ON CECAL CONTENTS OF BROILERS L. S. Jensen and D. V. Maurice, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN BROILER BREEDER HENS L. S. Jensen, R. K. Page, S. P. Wilson and T. M. Huston, Departments of Poultry Science and Avian Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Several cases of muscular dystrophy particularity of the deep pectoral muscle, have been diagnosed in commercial broiler breeder flocks of different strains in Georgia. Recently high mortality was observed in broiler breeder hens involved in environmental studies at U.G.A. Mortality was highest in hens kept in a hot environment ( 2 4 - 3 5°C.) and several survivors exhibited an inability to walk. Severe myopathy of leg and cardiac muscle as well as superficial and deep pectoral muscles was observed. Practical rations supplemented with 11 I.U. of vitamin E and 0.5 g. DL methionine per kg. (but not selenium) had been fed ad libitum during both the rearing and laying phases. One half of surviving hens in each temperature environment (2—13, 13—24, and 24-35°C.) was continued on the same layer ration and the other half was fed the ration supplemented with 0.5 mg Se., 55 I.U. vitamin E and 1 g. methionine per kg. After eight weeks mortality for control hens was 0, 17 and 71%, respectively, for the three temperature ranges and for treated hens 4, 7 and 32%. Plasma glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity was elevated at all temperatures initially but lowered in both the treated and control groups after eight weeks. Plasma glutathione peroxi-

ANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND ITS RELATION TO VARYING LEVELS OF LYSINE IN A CHICK DIET M. S. John and B. F. Miller, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 Three hundred and sixty broiler chicks, fed varying levels of lysine, a limiting amino acid for chick growth, were challenged with a particulate antigen, Brucella abortus. This antigen, when injected into the jugular vein at two weeks of age, caused the production of antibodies specific to itself. To check the antibody production with respect to lysine, varying levels of lysine in the diet were tested. There were five dietary treatment levels of lysine: 40%, 70%, 100%, 150% and 200% (N.R.C.). Each treatment had six replications of 12 birds per replicate. After the initial injection of Brucella abortus at two weeks of age, blood chemistry measurements were closely monitored from and including weeks three through six. The results suggest that the birds on the high and low lysine treatments took longer to reach maximum antibody production than those birds on or near the recommended level of this amino acid. Data was also taken on feed efficiency, body weight gains, mortality, total protein (blood), albumin and globulin ratios and packed cell volume. SOME KINETICS OF ESTRADIOL-17(3' METABOLISM IN THE LAYING HEN A. L. Johnson and A. van Tienhoven, Department of Poultry Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Metabolic clearance rate (MCR), production rate (PR) and half-life (T'/2) of estradiol-170 (E 2 ) were determined by monitoring the disappearance of the H3 -labelled steroid from the peripheral plasma after a single i.v. bolus of 2.3 to 3.2 nC (6.7 to 9.3 ng.). Blood was collected at various intervals following injection via a cannula chronically implanted in the brachial vein. E2 and its metabolites were separated from a diethyl ether extract of plasma by a combination of column and thin-layer chromatography. From the E 2 decay curve, coefficients for the equation y = a e b x W ere obtained for each compartment by a curve peeling computer program. Standard equations for calculating the forementioned parameters were used (see E. Gurpide, 1975, Tracer Methods in Hormone Research). Preliminary results indicate that the metabolism of E, in the laying hen best fits a two compartment model with MCR varying from 64.5 to 106.3 ml. min."1 kg.-1 and PR 5.5 to 9.3 ng. min. - 1 . TVS was found to equal 0.5 to 1.6 min. and 8.2 to 22.1 min. in the distribution phase and storage, metabolism and

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Ceca from broilers fed a commercial ration were distended and contained blackish, pasty contents while those from broilers fed U.G.A. starter appeared normal. The latter diet contained neither a high level of copper nor an anticoccidial drug. Adding 120 or 240 p.p.m. copper (as sulfate) to the U.G.A. diet changed the appearance of the cecal contents although the blackishness did not reach the intensity observed with the commercial diet. Neither monensin nor gentian violet affected cecal appearance. Copper in the dry cecal contents was 83 p.p.m. for chicks fed the control ration and 4845 for those fed the diet with 240 p.p.m. copper. Nitrogen of cecal dry matter was not significantly affected. Combining 100 p.p.m. iron (as FeSO„ -7H 2 0) with 120 p.p.m. copper significantly changed cecal appearance in comparison to copper alone but not when added with 240 p.p.m. copper. Copper chloride and sulfate significantly affected cecal contents but the oxide did not. Excreta from chicks fed 120 or 240 p.p.m. copper were also darker in appearance and feathers of chicks in battery brooders were sometimes noticeably contaminated with cecal contents when fed copper. Contamination of carcasses with dark pasty cecal contents resulting in economic losses has been reported by processors of commercial broilers.

dase levels were relatively high in all groups initially but averaged higher for treated groups after eight weeks. Gross lesion scores for myopathy of two hens sampled from each treatment at the end of the experiment were higher on control hens and increased as temperature increased. Although the dietary supplements ameliorated the effects of the disease, the etiology of the myopathy is unknown.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS excretory phase, respectively. It is suggested that the major source of variation for these parameters involves the dynamic fluctuations and interactions of both steroids and gonadotropins, which are characteristic of the hen's ovulatory cycle. 1

Estra-l,3,5(10)-triene-3,17/3-diol.

IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ZINC BIOAVAILABILITY FROM PROTEIN FOODS

An in vitro dialysis test for measuring Zn binding to proteins was developed for predicting Zn bioavailability. Conditions for assessing strength of Zn binding to soy protein fractions (i.e., flour, concentrate, and isolate), casein and egg white included 24 hr. dialysis against the following media at pH 7.4: (1) 0.05 M Tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), (2) Tris buffer plus 0.01 M L-Histidine-HCl (TrisHis) and (3) Tris buffer plus 0.01 M Na,EDTA (TrisEDTA). The proteins were labeled extrinsically with 6 5 ZnCl2 prior to dialysis. After dialysis residual 65 Zn was measured; this theoretically represents the bound Zn. Tris-EDTA had the greatest ability to extract 6 s Zn from all proteins. Tris alone had the least affinity. The dialysis data suggest the following decreasing order of 6 s Z n bioavailability: casein>egg white>soy protein fractions. These results agree with bioassay data obtained in our laboratory. The bioavailability of residual 6 s Zn in casein and soy flour dialyzed against each medium was determined from single doses of the protein foods given to young Japanese quail (Fed. Proc. 35:658, 1976). For all dialysis treatments with casein and soy flour, the in vitro residual 6 5 Zn and in vivo whole body retention of 6 5 Zn were directly related. The Zn most firmly bound (e.g., that left by Tris-EDTA) to either casein or soy flour had almost no retention in vivo. The data to date suggest that this in vitro test will be useful in assessing bioavailability of zinc in protein foods. EFFECTS OF THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA VACCINE ON REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS IN TURKEY HENS J. E. Jones, W. T. Derieux, J. W. Dickand B. L. Hughes, Poultry Science Department, 129 P&AS Building, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Turkeys were vaccinated at 12 weeks of age with a commercial fowl cholera bacterin. At the time of housing (32 weeks) they were divided into three treatment groups. One group was vaccinated orally with a 16 to 18 hour brain-heart infusion broth (BHI) culture of the Clemson University (C.U.) strain of Pasteurella multocida. The other two groups received BHI broth and water alone, respectively. No vaccine associated mortality was observed. Vaccination at time of housing had no adverse effects on reproductive performance in that no significant differences were observed among treatments in the percent hen-housed or hen-day egg produc-

tion, egg weight, percent of fertile eggs or percent hatch of fertile eggs, mean hen body weight and mean daily feed consumption. However, hens given the C.U. vaccine and those given water alone had significantly less hatch of total eggs set than those given BHI broth alone. After 28 weeks of production hens from each treatment group were orally challenged with virulent P-1059 strain of P. multocida. The survival rate of hens after challenge was significantly higher in the C.U. vaccinated group (75%) when compared with either of the other groups given BHI broth (18%) or water (12%). These results suggest that even a single vaccination of adult turkey hens with the C.U. vaccine may afford significant protection from fowl cholera for as long as 28 weeks after vaccination without adverse effects on reproductive parameters.

EFFECT OF RIGOR STATE, PHOSPHATE ADDITION AND AGING ON QUALITY OF TURKEY ROLLS M. Bassila Kardouche and W. J. Stadelman, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 47907 Light and dark turkey rolls were made with preand post-rigor meat that was mixed for variable lengths of time (10 and 30 minutes), with 2 levels of phosphate (0 and 0.45%), stuffed into casings and frozen immediately. Rolls were thawed for 12 hours at room temperature and steam cooked to an internal temperature of 76° C. Quality was evaluated by an 8 member semitrained panel and shear values using the Kramer shear press attached to an Instron. Mixing for 30 minutes, phosphate addition improved cooking yields and sensory panel scores. Postrigor meat had lower shear values than pre-rigor meat but mixing lowered the shear values, such that prerigor meat that was mixed for 30 minutes had shear values not significantly different from post-rigor meat mixed for 10 minutes. The panel could not detect any differences between the pre and post rigor samples. In the second study, rolls were made from conventionally chilled meat, pre-rigor deboned meat chilled for 1, 2, or 3 days, and from pre-rigor meat with prepared rolls being aged for 1, 2, or 3 days in a cooler at2.3°C. Rolls made from pre-rigor deboned aged for 3 days had the highest cooking yields and lowest shear values. The degree of tenderness of rolls made from conventionally chilled carcasses was comparable to that of the 3 day aging period. The sensory panel could not detect any differences due to treatments.

IMMUNITY AGAINST COCCIDIOSIS IN BIRDS FED VARIOUS ANTICOCCIDIALS Thorsteinn Karlsson and W. M. Reid, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Broiler-type males (Cobb) given 15 daily immunizing doses of Eimeria tenetta oocysts failed to develop immunity while being medicated with monensin (120 p.p.m.), but developed partial immunity if medicated with robenidine (33 p.p.m.) or zoalene (125 p.p.m.).

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A. O. L. Jones and M. R. S. Fox, Division of Nutrition, HFF-268, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C St., S. W., Washington, D.C. 20204

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This immunity developed with robenidine with no oocysts being produced during immunization and with only a few oocysts being produced on zoalene. With monensin many oocysts (about 7% as many as with unmedicated controls) were produced while being immunized with dosages of 5,000 oocysts per day. Immunity was tested by challenge with 200,000 oocysts and the degree of immunity was determined by lesion scoring. Average lesion scores (10 birds) were as follows in birds immunized with 50 oocysts/ day: unmedicated, 2.8; monensin, 3.1; robenidine, 3.1, and zoalene, 3.0. Birds immunized with 500 oocysts showed, respectively, 1.7, 3.1, 2.1, 1.3 and with 5,000 oocysts 0.5, 2.7, 0.7 and 0.7. Susceptible controls had a lesion score of 3.4.

A. B. Kashani and C. W. Carlson, Animal Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006 Studies at the South Dakota Experiment Station have shown that low protein corn-soy diets are deficient in methionine, lysine and tryptophan. Recent data showed that the amino acid requirements of the laying hen are affected by the genetic make up of the bird. Furthermore, addition of valine appeared to correct amino acid imbalances resulting from supplementation of tryptophan for one strain and isoleucine for the other two strains studied. The current study was designed to investigate the interrelationships between DL-isoleucine (0.2%) and DL-valine (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4%) supplements with two strains of laying hens. The basal was a 10% protein corn-soy diet containing supplements of 0.22% DLmethionine, 0.15% L-lysine and 0.10% DL-tryptophan. DL-threonine (0.2%) and DL-arginine (0.3%) were also included as cumulative supplements, respectively. Unsupplemented 16 and 12% protein cornsoy diets were fed as control diets. Each treatment consisted of 18 birds of each strain using 9 replicates of 2 birds per experimental unit, initially. A comparison of performance of the birds on the basal and control diets revealed that the 10% protein basal diet reduced hen-day egg production (five 28day periods) more severely for one strain than for the other. Addition of 0.2% DL-valine (higher levels were of no benefit) and 0.2% DL-isoleucine improved performance of both strains over that of the basal diet. Addition of threonine appeared to cause an imbalance in the diet of one strain which was corrected by arginine supplementation.

THE EFFECTS OF DIETARY MERCURY AND SELENIUM ON THE TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF MERCURY AND SELENIUM AND GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY Linda J. Kling and Joseph H. Soares, Jr., Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Coturnix quail were fed isolated soybean protein diets with methylmercuric chloride (CH3 HgCl) or mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) given with or without added selenium (Se) for seven days. Brains, blood, livers and kidneys were analyzed for total Hg and Se via atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood and liver were also analyzed for glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Selenium addition had no effect on the Hg concentration in kidney, brain or blood but did increase the concentration of Hg in the liver of CH 3 HgCl-treated birds. Selenium addition increased the Se concentration of liver and kidney but had little effect on the Se concentration of brain or blood. CH3 HgCl increased Se concentration in the blood of the Se-supplemented group. All other tissues were unaffected by the Hg addition. Selenium administration increased blood GSH-Px. Neither Hg nor Se affected liver GSH-Px. HgCl2 decreased blood GSH-Px in the Se-supplemented group; CH3 HgCl had no effect. Since CH3 HgCl increased blood Se, it appeared that the redistributed Se was not incorporated into GSH-Px. It appears that Hg may decrease Se bioavailability by some as yet unknown mechanisms.

EGG WEIGHT, BODY WEIGHT AND ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY OF EGG PRODUCTION

EFFECT OF POLYPHOSPHATE-SALT ADDITION BEFORE AND AFTER COOKING ON QUALITY OF FREEZE-DRIED CHICKEN

J. W. Kessler, T. C. Byerly, R. M. Gous and O. P. Thomas, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

A. A. Klose, B. G. Lyon and W. D. Day, Animal Products Laboratory, Russell Research Center, P.O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30604

Egg weight is proportional to metabolic body weight (W n ) among birds generally and among gallinaceous species. Within and among chicken populations selected for body weight and for egg weight, change in W n is accompanied by less than proportional

Broiler breasts, cut from eviscerated carcasses held 3 hours in ice, were soaked either in water or 3% Kena-4% sodium chloride at 2°C. for 3 hours, water cooked, divided into 4 sublots each of which was either chilled in 2°C. air or soaked in 3% Kena-4%

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RESPONSES OF TWO STRAINS TO AMINO ACIDS IN A 10% PROTEIN LAYER DIET

change in egg weight. Since maintenance requirement is proportional to W n , and both the ability of the birds to lay only one egg per day and egg weight limit egg mass produced, maximum feed efficiency of egg production becomes asymptotic. Observed average body and egg weights for five populations of pullets in their fourth month of egg production were: (1) 1428 and 57.2 g.; (2) 1802 and 61.9g.; (3) 2550 and 63.3g.; (4) 4151 and 66.4g.; and (5) 4243 and 62.6g. Egg weight is thus 4% of body weight for the small pullet but only 1.48% for the large pullet. The small pullet at 100% production would convert M.E. feed to E egg with about 28% gross efficiency, the larger one with about 24%. The Lot 4 pullets, body weight 4243 and average egg weight of 62.6g. would have only about 18% efficiency at 100% production while the 1428g. pullets in Lot 1, with 57.2g. egg weight would have an efficiency of about 40% with 100% production.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

Disclaimer: Mention of commercial products does not imply recommendation over others not named. RESTRICTED FEEDING OF TURKEY BREEDER CANDIDATES K. K. Krueger, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, and T. M. Ferguson, J. A. Owen and C. E. Krueger, Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Winter hatched, individually caged, turkey breeder candidates were either full-fed or restricted-fed a 16% protein turkey grower diet from 22 to 30 weeks of age on a restricted day length of 8 hours of light per day (8L/16D). At lighting (30 weeks of age) full-fed and restricted-fed hens were randomly divided and full-fed either a 14% or 18% breeder ration through 20 weeks of egg production. Restricted-fed hens averaged 7.31 kg. at lighting (30 weeks of age) and were significantly lighter (P<0.05) than full-fed hens averaging 9.32 kg. Number of days to first egg was significantly (P<0.05) increased and total egg production significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the previously restricted-fed hens. No significant differences in fertility, hatchability or egg weight were evident between previously restricted-fed and full-fed hens. Full feeding either a 14% or 18% protein breeder diet from lighting through 20 weeks of egg production had no significant effect on days to first egg, total egg production, egg weight or hatchability in either previously full-fed or restricted-fed turkey breeder hens.

THE INTERACTION OF GENTIAN VIOLET AND LACTOBACILLUS ORGANISMS IN THE DIET OF LEGHORN HENS W. F. Krueger, J. W. Bradley and R. H. Patterson, Poultry Science Department, The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Gentian violet, a mold inhibitor, was fed to young Leghorn hens in combination with a lactobacillus complex, thought to advantageously change the microflora of the gut. The gentian violet and lactobacillus complex were added to the laying ration individually

and in combination at the rates of 454 gm. and 2.27 kg. respectively per ton of feed, fed continuously. Treatments were triplicated using litter floor pens. Initially, 26 young females and two yearling males were housed in each pen. Egg production and hatch data were collected for 140 days. The addition of gentian violet or the lactobacillus complex to the ration increased egg production 3.07 and 3.03%, respectively, over the controls. Feed efficiency improvements noted were 3.46 and 7.41%, respectively, over the controls. When gentian violet and the lactobacillus complex were fed in combination, a 9.02% improvement in production and a 10.51% improvement in feed efficiency over the controls was obtained. Gentian violet fed alone appeared to depress egg size by 1.03 to 1.47 gms. Fertility and hatchability were highest when gentian violet and lactobacillus were added to the diet separately; however, all treated groups equalled the controls. It appears that gentian violet and the lactobacillus complex can be fed in combination without affecting fecundity.

EFFECT OF AGE AND ACTH ON REMOVAL FROM CIRCULATION OF INJECTED 3 H-CORTICOSTERONE J. W. Latimer and H. S. Siegel, U.S.D.A.-Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, 934 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605 Three experiments were conducted to determine the rate of removal of exogenous corticosterone from circulating blood of growing White Rock chickens. Blood samples were taken through cannulae inserted in the birds'brachial wing vein at intervals of 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. after I.V. injection of 3 H-corticosterone. Aliquots of plasma were counted for radioactivity and data for each bird were fitted to the equation y = ax** by the method of least squares. Experiments 1 and 2 were designed to determine whether there is a change in the half-life (T-l/2) of corticosterone in birds at ages 1, 2, 4, 8 and 19 weeks (1st egg) of age. T-l/2 declined significantly (P<0.05) between 4 and 8 weeks (42.7 nun. vs. 35.8 min.) and remained at the lower level until the end of the experiment. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference between sexes. Experiment 3 monitored the T-l/2 of corticosterone following I.V. injection of ACTH (2 I.U./lOOgm. body weight). Over the 3 hour period, ACTH did not produce a significant (P<0.05) effect on T-l/2 when compared to saline injected controls. Nagra (1965) determined a similar value (32 min.) for 8-week-old White Leghorn castrated males. However, Bayle (1971) found a much lower T-l/2 of 11 min. for adult male Pekin ducks. TOXIC LEVELS OF SELENIUM FROM SODIUM SELENITE IN LAYING DIETS J. D. Latshaw and J. F. Ort, Department of Poultry Science, The Ohio State University, 674 W. Lane

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sodium chloride at 2°C. for 3 hours, diced, and freezedried. Evaluations included phosphorus and chloride content, water retention, rehydration capacity, and sensory quality by taste panel. Based on raw weight, water uptake was 11.4% for Kena-salt and 3.5% for water. This was reflected in 87% and 74% cooked yield, respectively. For rehydrated products, water-air control yielded 67%, Kena-salt soak before and after cooking yielded 76%, while lots treated with Kena-salt before or after cooking yielded 73%. Compared to water-air, repeated Kena-salt increased phosphorus 0.17% and sodium chloride 0.5%. The lot soaked with Kena-salt both before and after cooking was significantly most juicy, tender, and salty; water control the least; lots treated either before or after cooking were intermediate. Polyphosphate-salt treatment improved quality of freeze-dried cooked chicken.

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Ave., Columbus, OH 43210

State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, and B. L. Goodman, Animal Industries Department, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901

A MODEL FOR CAREER DECISION-MAKING FOR WOMEN STUDENTS IN AVIAN SCIENCE

Six treatments, each with four replications of 28 pullets, were used to determine the influence of pre-lay rations on early performance. The rations, which were fed to the pullets from 14 to 20 weeks of age included: 1) control; 2) 0.05% calcium and 0.05% sodium; 3) 0.05% calcium; 4) 0.05% sodium; 5) 0.05% nicarbazin from 14 to 17 weeks and control from 17 to 20 weeks; and 6) control from 14 to 17 weeks and 0.0375% nicarbazin from 17 to 20 weeks. All groups were placed on the same laying ration from 20 to 32 weeks of age. Differences (P<0.05) in body weight at 20 weeks were observed with the smallest and largest weights in treatments 5 and 3, respectively. Pullets in treatment 6 were older (P<0.05) at 10% production but generally required fewer days to increase from 10 to 50% production. Hen-day production was generally lower in the control group. Small, but significant, differences in egg weight and Haugh units were observed. Differences among treatments for shell thickness, body weight at 32 weeks and mortality from 20 to 32 weeks of age were not significant.

G. R. J. Law 1 , K. J. Wedge 2 , S. A. Clayton 2 , C. W. Basham 1 , W. K. Hamilton 3 , and L. E. Thomas 3 , College of Agricultural Sciences 1 , Office of Student Relations 2 , and University Counseling Center 3 , Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

EFFECT OF LIGHT ENVIRONMENT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MALE AND FEMALE TURKEYS

A project under way at Colorado State University includes a unique course designed to assist women students in agriculture to make career choices. Two facets of this course facilitate the decision-making process. First, employed women serving as role models, were invited to discuss their personal career development from both the point of view of academic preparation and of personal goals or "lifestyle." These role models described how their chosen careers and lifestyles interact positively and negatively in their professions. From these discussions, students became aware of advantages and potential difficulties of specific career-lifestyle combinations. The second facet of this course involved programs of personal development, communication skills, assertiveness, goal setting and time management as related to professional positions in agriculture. Participating students reported that they were more able to evaluate potential careers in keeping with their academic and personal goals. Serving as a model, this course is adaptable to concerns of women students in avian science. By choosing for the first facet of the course, professionally employed women from the poultry industry, research organizations, poultry science departments and governmental agencies students would be better prepared to select poultry-related careers.

INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM AND SODIUM RESTRICTION AND HIGH LEVELS OF NICARBAZIN IN PRE-LAY RATIONS ON EARLY PERFORMANCE OF LAYERS Yen-Pai Lee, Department of Dairy and Poultry, Kansas

C* K. Levenick and A. T. Leighton, Jr., Poultry Science Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060 In each of two experiments, Large and Medium White male and female turkeys were exposed to white, red (650 nm.) or blue (450 nm.) filtered light under an intermittent (2L:2D) or diurnal (12L:12D) light regimen in a factorial arrangement of treatments. A biphasic growth response was observed with respect to colored light environments. Growth through 16 weeks of age was favored by the blue light environment while white or red light promoted maximum body weight gains between 16 and 24 weeks of age in botli sexes. Body weight gains were greater under intermittent light than under the diurnal light regimen. Feed efficiency was unaffected by either light color or light regimen. Live market quality was also unaffected by either light color or light regimen. However, feather scores were significantly lower in turkeys reared under the diurnal-white light regimen. Histological and physiological parameters were not significantly affected by light color or regimen. However, those parameters related to sexual development were generally lower under blue light at 18 and 24 weeks of age than under red or white light.

STIMULATION OF FEEDING IN NEONATAL TURKEY POULTS Nora J. Lewis, J. F. Hurnik and J. P. Walker, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada, NIG 2W1

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A previous experiment showed that 5 mg. of selenium (Se) from sodium selenite per kg of laying diet did not significantly affect the hen. In this experiment 0, 5, 7, or 9 mg. Se per kg. were added to a practical diet and fed. Over the four months of the experiment egg production was decreased only by the 9 mg./kg. diet. Egg weight was significantly decreased by 7 and 9 mg./kg. Hatchability of fertile eggs was also decreased by 7 and 9 mg. Se per kg. Feeding increasing levels of selenite results in more Se in eggs and tissues. The following amounts of Se (mg./kg.) were found in samples at the end of four months: egg white, 1.73; egg yolk, 3.62; breast, 0.20; kidney, 2.73; liver, 3.03. Removing selenite from the diet results in a rapid decrease in Se in eggs and tissues. Hens which had been fed 9 mg. Se per kg. for four months and then were fed no added selenite for an additional month had the following Se (mg./kg.) levels: egg white, 0.09; egg yolk, 0.36; breast, 0.15; kidney, 0.83 diver, 0.60.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

EFFECT OF STORAGE ON LIPID COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF DRIED EGG PRODUCTS Eng.-Hwa Lieu and G. W. Froning, Department of Poultry and Wildlife Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583 Functional properties and lipid composition of whole egg solids, egg yolk solids and free flowing egg yolk solids were measured after storage at 1.7, 12.8, 23.9 and 35°C. for 3 to 6 months. In general, storage of dried egg products at 23.9°C. for 6 months or at 35°C. for 3 months resulted in a decrease of pH, emulsion stability (mayonnaise test), and cephalin content. These elevated temperatures also markedly increased the viscosity and induced browning, as measured by Gardner L , ai and bL values. The increased viscosity, inferior emulsion stability and browning produced by higher storage temperatures appeared to be related to the decrease in cephalin content and pH. Cephalin loss at elevated temperatures was observed to be higher in whole egg solids than that noted from egg yolk solids. No noticeable changes in pH, viscosity, emulsion stability, color and cephalin content occurred in those dried egg products held at 1.7 and 12.8°C. for 6 and 3 months, respectively. Total lipid, lecithin and fatty acid composition were not affected by any of the storage variables used in this study. THE COMPARATIVE METABOLISM OF TIBIAL DYSCHONDROPLASIA M. S. Lilburn and R. M. Leach, Jr., Department of Poultry Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 Several studies were conducted, examining the metabolism of abnormal cartilage obtained from 4—6 week old chicks suffering from tibial dyschondroplasia. The parameters investigated were glucose up-

take and utilization as measured by C 0 2 production, copper status with regard to circulating levels and tissue concentration, and mitochondrial activity. The abnormal cartilage showed a significant decrease (P>.01) in glucose utilization when compared with either normal epiphyseal cartilage or hypertrophic cartilage from the embryonic cone of day old chicks. A similar decrease in glucose uptake was observed in the abnormal cartilage taken from birds fed a copper deficient diet. This tissue is similar histologically to the cartilage associated with tibial dyschondroplasia but the chicks suffering the anomaly have normal levels of ceruloplasmin and copper concentration within the cartilage. This would rule out impaired copper metabolism as the underlying cause of tibial dyschondroplasia. Mitochondrial activity, taken from citrate synthase and cytochrome oxidase assays, was also found to be significantly decreased (P>.05) in the abnormal tissue. It was concluded that the cartilage cells associated with tibial dyschondroplasia show a reduction in oxidative metabolism capability. This could be due to either a decreased number of mitochondria or an ultrastructural defect resulting in impaired mitochondrial function.

INFLUENCE OF DRINKING WATER NITRATE ON HEMATOCRIT, THYROID SIZE, SERUM XANTHOPHYLL, AND PIGMENTATION L. H. Littlefield and C. W. Coursey, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A. Poultry Research Laboratory, RD 2, Box 600, Georgetown, DE 19947 Recent studies have reported drinking water nitrate-N levels several times the 45 p.p.m. set by many health departments as the "maximum safe level". These experiments were designed to determine the effect of nitrates above this level on the broiler chick. Two experiments were conducted with 3 replications per treatment and 10 chicks per replication. Treatments consisted of drinking water nitrate-N levels of 0, 117, 466, or 933 p.p.m. in the drinking water supplied ad libitum from one day of age to 4 weeks of age. Chicks were housed in electrically heated batteries. Hematocrit was increased at the 933 p.p.m. level when compared to the control (0 p.p.m.), and there were numerical, but nonsignificant, increases in hematocrit in chicks receiving 117 or 466 p.p.m. nitrate-N. Thyroid size was numerically smaller for all treatments when compared to the controls but was not significantly different. Serum xanthophyll levels were not affected at these treatment levels. However, at the highest level (933 p.p.m.), there was a significant decrease in the Roche color fan score of the foot pad in one experiment. Water consumption increased with each increase in nitrate. There was no effect at any treatment level on performance as measured by weight gain and feed efficiency. NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT CLASSES AND VARIETIES OF WHEATS GROWN IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS Tomas Mac-Auliffe, S. J. Reddy and James McGinnis, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State

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The objective of this study was to stimulate the initiation and the frequency of feeding responses and to reduce the early mortality caused by starvation. A total of 1,100 commercial Large White turkey poults were used. The stimulus consisted of four randomly flashing colored lights attached to the feed troughs. The lights were operative for twenty consecutive minutes in each hour during the first six days post hatch. Blue, green, yellow and red lights were used in a multichoice apparatus to determine the most effective color. The stimulated poults required a shorter period to approach the feeder, and to initiate feeding, than the control birds and generally spent more time in the vicinity of the feeder. The effect of the stimulus on the average feed consumption was highest in the first day. Thereafter, the contrast between the treatments and control declined. The stimulation increased the early weight gains and reduced the mortality in the first 12 days of life. The green lights were found to be the most effective stimulus followed, respectively, by blue, yellow and red.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

University, Pullman, WA 99164

EFFECT OF THE STARTING FEEDING REGIME ON THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE LAYING FLOCK N. D. Magruder, Cargill Research Farm, 10383 165th Ave. N.W., Elk River, MI 55330 After housing in a layer unit, 2500 S.C.W.L. pullets in two separate experiments were fed the following programs from 21—25 weeks of age: (1) A typical 16% protein layer diet containing 3.65% calcium; (2) a pre-lay diet consisting of 16% protein and 1.75% calcium; and (3) a 15.5% pullet grower containing 1.75% calcium. In Experiment 1 from 21—25 weeks of age the percent hen-day egg production and feed efficiencies (kg./dozen) for the separate programs were: (1) 30.7, 2.85; (2) 29.8, 3.10; and (3) 25.4, 3.63. Experiment 2 results from 21—25 weeks using the same respective parameters were: (1) 30.7, 2.68; (2) 32.7, 2.66; and (3) 24.4, 3.46. During the next 28-day period of lay (25—29 weeks) all pullets were switched to the 16% protein layer diet (as in Program 1) at 25 weeks. The results of egg production and feed efficiencies, respectively, were as follows; Experiment 1: (1) 82.0, 1.24; (2) 83.4, 1.26; and (3) 78.9, 1.34. Experiment 2: (1) 83.1,1.24; (2) 83.7, 1.24; and (3) 78.9, 1.31. The experiments ended at 69 weeks of age. At this time (21 —69 weeks) there were no significant differences in egg production or in feed efficiencies. Although the layers fed the 15.5% pullet grower (from 21—25 weeks) were slower to respond to 50% production, the time delay was only 5 days.

THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND INTERMITTENT LIGHT ON BROILER PERFORMANCE George W. Malone and George W. Chaloupka, University of Delaware, Substation Division, Georgetown,

DE 19947, Ernest W. Walpole, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, and Lloyd H. Littlefield, U.S.D.A. Poultry Research Laboratory, Georgetown, DE 19947 Broiler chicks were reared in two lighting regimes and fed diets calculated to contain 3086, 3197 and 3307 Kcal./kg. to determine the effect of dietary energy level and intermittent lighting (IL) on broiler performance. Fifteen minutes of light followed by 45 minutes darkness starting at ten days of age was compared to the continuous lighting control. The experiment consisted of three feeding trials totaling 18,000 chicks. Birds on IL were significantly lighter than controls at both four and eight weeks of age with decreases of 8.2 and 23.6 grams, respectively. The greatest reduction in weight occurred with birds fed the 3307 Kcal./kg. diet. Intermittent light resulted in a significant improvement in feed efficiency at both four and eight weeks. A comparison of light regimes during the first four weeks of age, with respect to feed utilization, suggests the low energy diet responds best to intermittent lighting. However, by eight weeks, an opposite trend was observed with the higher energy ration having superior response to IL. No differences in mortality, disease condemnations or downgrades were noted. Regardless of sex and ration, all birds grown on IL had significantly less abdominal fat.

THE INFLUENCE OF DISTILLER'S DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES (DDGS) IN THE DIET OF TURKEY BREEDER HENS J. M. Manley, R. A. Voitle and R. H. Harms, Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Three experiments were conducted with Large White turkey hens to study the effect of adding DDGS to a corn-soy diet. In experiment 1 the addition of 3% DDGS to the diet of hens that had been in production for 14 weeks resulted in increasing egg production from 7.3 to 12.1 during a 56-day trial. Fertility and hatchability of eggs were not influenced. In experiment 2 the addition of DDGS to the diet of turkey hens, that had been in production for 15 weeks, resulted in increasing egg production from 15.2 to 28.2% during a 28-day laying period. Fertility and hatchability of eggs were not influenced. In experiment 3 the addition of DDGS to the diet of turkey hens resulted in significantly increasing rate of egg production (42.53 vs. 45.70) and significantly increased hatchability (41.57 vs. 46.50) during a 112day laying period. The DDGS was fed with diets containing three levels of phosphorus (0.32, 0.42, 0.52) and two levels of calcium (2.5 and 3.5%) A significant interaction was found between DDGS and phosphorus as measured by hatchability, and between DDGS and calcium as measured by egg production.

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SUNCURED ALFALFA ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WHITE LEGHORN HENS Bruce Manning and James McGinnis, Department of

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Two experiments are reported in which wheat varieties of a different class and origin were nutritionally evaluated by using a chick bioassay. Three replicates of ten birds each were assigned at random to each treatment in battery brooders from hatching to two weeks of age. The test materials (wheats and soybean meal control) supplied 5.62% protein in a 14% protein diet and 8.38% was supplied by a premix containing meat and bone meal (9.64%), soybean meal (2.77%), dehydrated alfalfa (2.05%), yellow corn (17.25%), minerals, vitamins and methionine. In experiment 1, when the basal premix was supplemented with L-lysine andDL-threonine, one soft white winter wheat (Yamhill, Eastern Oregon, 1974) gave significantly better chick growth than the other wheats, and even better than soybeam meal. In experiment 2, wheats grown in the International Winter Wheat Nursery planted in Pullman and wheat varieties, Cerco and Yamhill (Western Oregon, 1976) were nutritionally evaluated with lysine and lysine + threonine supplementation. Again, Yamhill wheat was found to be superior to other wheats in nutritional value and this was evident with lysine supplementation only.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS Animal Sciences, Washington Pullman, WA 99164

State University,

before, 10 minutes after, or at time of artificial insemination. Hens were inseminated with 0.05 ml. of neat semen during the afternoon after most of the eggs had been oviposited. There was no statistical effect of time of injection with any PG on fertility. There was a significant effect due to type of PG and dose given and an interaction between the two. First week fertility was highest from hens treated with PGA, at 10 ug. (95.7) and the lowest (48.2) in the PGE 2 group at the 10 jug- level. Duration of fertility was similarly affected as the level of fertility, i.e., the PGA, treated hens had a longer duration (16.5 days) and PGE2 treated birds the shortest duration (7.5 days). Percent and duration of fertility in the control birds was 82.6% and 13 days, respectively. *Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7993.

PROCEDURES USEFUL IN REDUCING DISEASE AT POULTRY EXHIBITIONS DIVERGENT SELECTION FOR PLASMA CHOLESTEROL FOLLOWING ACTH INJECTION IN JAPANESE QUAIL

G. A. Marsh, Department of Poultry Science, 674 W. Lane Ave., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

H. L. Marks and H. S. Siegel, U.S.D.A., A.R.S., Southern Regional Poultry Breeding Project, c/o University of Georgia, 107 Livestock-Poultry Building, Athens, GA 30602

Poultry shows, by assembling birds from many locations, have become notorious as a means of disseminating disease. This disease must be considered a hazard to commercial flocks. Many exhibitors demonstrate concern over the hazards faced by the birds they show. Manager of poultry exhibitions have done very little to reduce the risk of disease. The poultry show at the Ohio State Fair has provided an unique opportunity to evaluate disease control practices. The show is one of the longest in the country with the birds held in contact for thirteen days. Exhibitors are drawn from a wide area and the entries run between 2300 and 2800 birds with all poultry represented. A management program has been developed that has significantly reduced losses from disease during the period of the last four years. Elements of the program are: complete control of the birds by show personnel, the sanitary provision of feed and water, the use of nutritionally balanced rations, prophylactic medication in the feed; a twice daily inspection of all birds, and the isolation of clinically diseased specimens.

Divergent selection was initiated in a randombred Japanese quail (Cotumix cotumix japonica) population for plasma cholesterol level following three daily ACTH injections (2 I.U./100 g. body weight/day) in gelatin. Pre-injection plasma cholesterol values were obtained prior to the first ACTH injection (31 days of age) and post-injection plasma cholesterol values were obtained one day following the last injection. High and low lines were reproduced with 30 selected pairs/line and consisted of approximately 200 birds/ line in two hatches each generation. Non-selected control quail were reared intermingled with high and low line birds each generation. Following four generations of selection post-injection cholesterol values of the high line were 16% above the control, while low line values were 11% below the control line. Heritability estimates obtained from regression of progeny on mid-partent were approximately 0.20 for pre-injection plasma cholesterol values. Estimates for post-injection plasma cholesterol were approximately 0.20 and 0.10 in the high and low lines, respectively. Realized heritabilities (h 2 = R/S) were similar to regression estimates.

THE EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS PROSTAGLANDINS ON FERTILITY IN DOMESTIC FOWL* B. J. Marquez, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Prostaglandins (PG) E 2 , A , , or F 2 a in amounts of 0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 Mg./hen were tested (in 125 S.C.W.L. hens) to note their effect on fertility. The prostaglandins were injected IM in the breast, either 10 minutes

USE OF A RYE-SOYBEAN RATION TO EVALUATE GROWTH PROMOTANTS IN CHICKENS W. L. Marusich, E. Ogrinz, N. Camerlengo, and M. Mitrovic, Animal Health Research Department, Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., Kingsland Road, Nutley, NJ 07110 A rye-soybean ration was used to measure the growth and feed conversion responses of day-old chicks to 17 antibacterial growth promotants and 3 hormonal anabolic agents. Each compound was fed to 3 to 4 replicates of 6 battery reared birds in one of 4 trials and the weight gain and feed intake recorded through 14 days.

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Two experiments were conducted with White Leghorn pullets where five varieties of suncured alfalfa were fed at levels of 10 and 30%. The varieties were Anchor, Saranac, Thor, Vernal and Washoe. In the first experiment the diets were prepared in mash form. After 24 weeks egg production of hens receiving the 30% levels was substantially reduced for all varieties except Anchor. The 10% level of all varieties had essentially no effect on egg production. Consumption of the 30% alfalfa diets was substantially lower than that reported previously for similar diets. Egg weight, shell thickness, and Haugh units were not affected by the addition of alfalfa to the layer diets. In the second experiment, Anchor and Saranac, were used at levels of 10 and 30% but the diets were prepared in crumbled form. Preliminary results after 8 weeks indicate that the egg production was similar on all diets. Consumption of the 30% alfalfa diets was increased substantially over that observed in the previous experiment where the feed was in mash form.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS HALF-LIFE OF PLASMA PROGESTERONE TURKEY LAYERS AND NON-LAYERS

IN

M. M. Mashaly, Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, and B. C. Wentworth, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI53706 Large White turkey layers and non-layers were used in this study. One single intravenous injection of unlabeled progesterone was used as a method for determining the half-life of plasma progesterone. Blood samples were collected every ten minutes for a period of 2 hours after hormone injection. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure progesterone in all plasma samples. Half-life of progesterone was determined using only the linear portion of the regression line. The half-life of plasma progesterone in layers (63.7 ± 3 . 3 min.) was significantly lower than in non-layers (91.8 ± 6.0 min.). Our results indicated that progesterone production rate in turkey layers is much higher than non-layers. This would also suggest that the uptake of progesterone by receptors in target tissues is much greater in layers which have shorter half-life than non-layers.

COMPARATIVE LYSINE REQUIREMENT OF ANCONAS AT VARIOUS DIETARY LEVELS OF ARGININE SELECTED FOR NEEDING HIGH DIETARY ZINC K. Maruyama and M. L. Sunde, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 Experiments were conducted to compare the lysine requirements of Ancona and N.H. X S.C.W.L. chicks. The Ancona breeders have been selected for high zinc requirements. When chicks of the two types were intermingled and fed a practical diet (39 p.p.m. Zn) for three weeks, higher incidence of zinc fraying and lower body weights of the Ancona strain were observed. Zinc supplementation (40 p.p.m.) to an isolated soybean protein diet increased the body weights and reduced the fraying frequency of the Anconas. When intermingled, the Ancona strain showed only a very limited response to arginine supplementation (0—1.2%) in a casein diet. A more typical growth response was obtained with the N.H. X S.C.W.L. When a corn-sesame diet (1.8% Arg) was fed, the lysine requirements of the Ancona and N.H. X S.C.W.L. chicks were found to be about 1.45% and 1.05%, respectively. As the level of arginine was decreased to 1.55% in a corn-sesame diet, lysine requirement for the Anconas was substantially reduced. The requirement for the Anconas and N.H. X S.C.W.L. by regression analysis based on weight gains was 1.3% and 1.0%. With suboptimal amounts of arginine (0.92%) in a corn-corn gluten-casein diet, 1.05% lysine appeared sufficient for the Anconas. Growth depression was observed when lysine levels exceeded 1.85% and 1.45%, respectively, for the Ancona and N.H. X S.C.W.L. A feather abnormality due to arginine deficiency was increased by lysine supplementation in both strains, but the N.H. X S.C.W.L. were affected much more than the Ancona strain.

FEARFULNESS AND PRODUCTION IN THREE POPULATIONS OF CHICKENS MAINTAINED IN CAGES J. M. Mauldin and P. B. Siegel, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 This experiment was designed to further elucidate the interrelationships of behavior with growth and reproductive traits in diverse populations of chickens maintained in individual wire cages. The populations consisted of the Athens-Canadian Randombreds (AC) and the S t 8 generation of White Plymouth Rocks selected for high (HWS) and low (LWS) body weight at 8 weeks of age. All chicks were hatched the same day (March 4, 1975) and reared as floor flocks until 119 days of age when they were placed singly in 46 X 30 X 38 cm. cages. Room temperature in the cage room ranged from 18 to 21° C. and the photoperiod was 14 hours of light from 0700 to 2100 hr. Fear was measured between 294 and 298 days of age as the response of each pullet to a novel stimulus (Sefton, Poultry Sci. 55:1922), and highly significant differences were found among lines. Means were 12.2, 14.0, and 15.5 for the AC, HWS, and LWS populations, respectively. Differences among lines were also highly significant for % hen-housed egg production through 302 days of age, age at first egg, and body weight at 56, 168, and 266 days of age. Within line correlations between fear and these production traits were consistently of a low magnitude with none being significant. These data indicate that, although differences in fear responses exist among populations widely diverse for production traits, there is no evidence, under the conditions of this experiment, to suggest a within line phenotypic relationship between modest fearfulness and certain production traits.

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Statistically significant (P<0.05) increased growth and improved feed conversion were obtained with all 17 antibacterial growth promotants at the levels tested: 5 and 50 p.p.m. of aurodox and penicillin; 50 p.p.m., of bacitracin methylene disalicylate, chlortetracycline, commermycin, nitrovin, novobiocin, vancomycin, and zinc bacitracin; 38.5 p.p.m. neomycin;20 p.p.m. erythromycin; 10 p.p.m. bambermycin, carbadox and thiopeptin and 4.4 p.p.m. lincomycin. The feeding of the 3 hormonal anabolic agents, diethylstilbestrol or zeranol at 10 p.p.m. or melengestrol acetate at 1 p.p.m. was ineffective in improving rate of weight gain or feed efficiency. The rye-soybean ration is responsive to compounds possessing widely different spectra of antibacterial activity but not to those with estrogenic activity. The data obtained are consistent, reproducible and of sufficient magnitude to be statistically significant with only limited replication. The results are also in agreement with those obtained utilizing a typical corn-soybean broiler starter ration but with a far greater magnitude of response being elicited.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DUCK ROLL Arthur J. Maurer and Farouk H. Ashoor, Department of Poultry Science, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, WI 53706

used at the University of Georgia. The response was not due to differences in vitamin and mineral premix or level of energy and protein in the diets. Inclusion of 5% alfalfa to a low protein (13.5%) diet with energy and amino acid profile similar to diet CS significantly reduced liver lipid. Comparison of diet CS to isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with 20% of brewers dried grains, soybean millfeed or wheat bran showed that layers fed diets with these supplements had significantly lower liver and plasma lipids. In all experiments a higher incidence of liver hemorrhage was associated with feeding the experimental diets CS and CSW. The incidence of liver hemorrhage within each treatment showed no consistent relationship to increased liverweight or lipid content. There were no significant differences in performance due to dietary treatment in the experiments. The results of the experiments show that birds with equivalent M.E. intake and egg output exhibit differences in liver and plasma lipids due to diet composition. The data suggest that mill and fermentation by-products contain an essential factor for control of lipid metabolism in cage layers.

THE EFFECT OF EGG BREAKOUT TEMPERATURE ON RESIDUAL ALBUMEN IN THE SHELL AND ON THE YOLK Arthur J. Maurer and Gerald D. Wisniewski, Department of Poultry Science, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, WI 53706 Small and large shell eggs were refrigerated at 4° or 13°C. for 2, 7 or 14 days prior to being broken out at temperatures of 4, 13 or 22° C. Measurements obtained at respective breakout times included egg weight, albumen weight, residual albumen in the shell and on the yolk, weight of the yolk, weight of the shell and Haugh units. Eggs refrigerated for 14 days contained more residual albumen in the shell than that found in shells of eggs refrigerated for shorter periods of time. A larger percentage of albumen adhered to the shells and yolks in smaller eggs than in larger eggs. More albumen adhered to the yolk at lower breakout temperatures than at higher temperatures. Residual albumen in the shell was slightly higher at lower breakout temperatures, but the differences in residual albumen among breakout temperatures were very small.

INFLUENCE OF DIET COMPOSITION ON LIVER AND PLASMA LIPIDS AND THE INCIDENCE OF LIVER HEMORRHAGES IN CAGED LAYERS D. V. Maurice and L. S. Jensen, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Four experiments were conducted with commercial strains of White Leghorns. Experimental cornsoy diets with (CSW) and without (CS) minor feed ingredients significantly elevated liver and plasma lipids when compared to a standard layer mash (U.G.A.)

EFFECT OF FEED WITHDRAWAL ON SERUM TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T, ) CONCENTRATION J. D. May, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Day-old commercial broiler chicks were placed in metal batteries in an environmental chamber. Chamber

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Fresh-frozen hand deboned duck meat and skin were analyzed for their chemical composition for subsequent formulation into a duck roll product. Various levels of skin and fat as well as other flavor ingredients such as concentrated orange juice were incorporated into the rolls to determine their effect on product quality. Objective and subjective measurements were used to evaluate the treatments. A duck roll formulation containing a 9:1 ratio of meatrskin has resulted in a very acceptable product consisting of about 8% fat; doubling the level of skin with adhering fat caused excessive cooking loss. Other levels of skin and fat in the formula up to natural proportions have been calculated to give various analyses in the finished product. Inclusion of approximately 3% frozen concentrated orange juice in the formulation imparted a very delicate orange flavor to the duck rolls; however, the typical duck meat flavor was masked.

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THE EFFECT OF AGING ON IMMUNE COMPETENCE IN THE CHICKEN F. McCorkle, R. Stinson, M. Mashaly and B. Glick, Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Box 5188, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Graft-!>ers«s-host assay (a T-cell function) and plaque-forming assay (a B-cell function) were used to determine the effect of aging on the immune response of 6, 12, and 18 month-old New Hampshire chickens. When 17 day-old embryo hosts were challenged with splenic lymphocytes from adult birds of the three age groups, a 1.5 fold splenomegaly was observed. The average splenomegaly being 4.95, 5.42, and 5.33 mg. per 10 g. body weight for the 6, 12, and 18 month-old birds, respectively, compared to the control value of 3.65 mg./lO g. body weight. Using sheep red blood cells as the antigenic stimulus, the plaque-forming cells were 351, 540, and 511/10 6 lymphocytes for the 3 age groups. Therefore, using these two test parameters, all 3 age groups demonstrated a similar immune competence.

INCIDENCE OF SOFT-SHELLED EGGS FROM BIRDS IN CAGES AND FLOOR PENS W. H. McGibbon, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 Pullets often lay eggs, usually at night, with little or no shell mineralization. These soft shelled eggs are readily observed when birds are confined to individual laying cages. However, in floor pens with litter, such eggs are rarely seen unless roosts with wire over enclosed pits are used. Records of this atypical laying habit have been taken daily each morning involving a number of different genetic stocks in cages over a several generation interval. Analyses of these data reveal differences between stocks as well as between generations. Other stocks, maintained in floor pens with shavings as litter, produced fewer eggs with these

shell defects. Estimates of the frequency of these eggs from birds in floor pens were obtained by recording the number each morning following pit cleaning with a mechanical barn cleaner (usually once a week). To determine whether or not the greater incidence of these defective eggs noted from caged hens was associated with housing arrangement, hatch mates of 16 different genetic egg-type stocks, 14 of which were inbred lines, were housed in cages and in floor pens. The incidence of these eggs was recorded for the laying test period of 8—11 months (September or November through July). For all stocks, nearly a 2-fold greater incidence of defective eggs was observed from the caged birds over their floor pen sibs. This interaction may, in fact, account for the slightly lower production commonly noted for birds housed in laying cages.

THE FREQUENCY OF BLOOD TYPE ALLELES IN SEVERAL STOCKS OF CORNELL RANDOMBRED ORIGIN* W. H. McGibbon, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, and W. E. Briles, Department of Biological Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115 An experiment using Cornell Randombred Leghorns was started in 1960. The study concerns the effectiveness of selection for rate of lay with and without inbreeding (full-sibbing). Six stocks comprising the current generation (16th) have been blood typed. One of these, CC-B, has been maintained by minimal inbreeding. In each generation the upper 25% of the pullets with the highest egg production records during the first three months of lay are selected as breeders. Another group, CC-C40, has been bred annually by full-sibbing with pullet breeders chosen at random (no selection for rate). Four other sublines (CC-D's) have also been reproduced by full-sib matings using pullets selected (within each family) having the highest egg production records. The birds have been blood typed for 11 systems— A, E, B, C, D, H, I, J, K, L and P. The number of alleles present at any one locus varies from 2 to 5. The B group displays heterozygosity at 10 loci with 29 alleles represented in varying frequencies. The C group still segregates at 7 loci with 18 alleles present. Three of the D sublines have 5 or 6 loci fixed with 17 alleles still segregating. The 4th D line, actually an outcross 6 generations back to CC-B and subsequently inbred, has only 2 loci fixed and 23 alleles are still displaying segregation. Two alleles are present in these lines not identified in the current generation of the foundation stock. On the other hand, 9 alleles are present in the randombred foundation stock but not present in the descendants described here. •Determination of alio antigens was supported in part by Grant No. CA-12796 from N.C.I. D.H.E.W. to W. E. Briles. ENERGY LEVEL, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM AND SULFATE INTERACTION IN BROILER DIETS James J. McGillivray and Murray J. Smidt, Animal

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temperature was set initially at 32.2°C. and reduced 2.8°C. per week until 21.1°C. was reached. The chambers were continuously lighted and feed and water were always available for the chicks except as noted due to treatment. The objective of two experiments was to determine the effect of feed withdrawal on serum T 3 concentration. Each experiment involved two treatment groups: (1) control and (2) feed withdrawn group. In the first experiment, 23-day-old chicks from each treatment were bled at 1 1/2, 3 1/2, 5 1/2 and 7 1II hours after the time of feed withdrawal. Serum T 3 concentration was not significantly affected by time of bleeding for the controls, but feed withdrawal resulted in progressively lower serum T 3 concentration with increasing time. The treatment effect was statistically significant for the 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 hour bleedings. A second experiment involved 38-day-old chicks. Feed was withdrawn at 4 p.m. and chicks from each treatment were bled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon and 2 p.m. the following day. At each bleeding, the chicks without feed had significantly reduced T 3 concentration.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS Health & Nutrition Division, International Minerals & Chemical Corporation, IMC Plaza, Libertyville, IL 60048

IRON AND COPPER REQUIREMENTS OF BROILER CHICKS J. L. McNaughton, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, and E. J. Day, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 A total of 1240 broiler cockerels was used in four experiments to determine iron and copper requirements of 3-week-old broiler chicks. A starch-skim milk basal diet was fed in each experiment using chicks maintained in battery brooders beginning at one day of age. Dietary iron levels of either 20, 40, 60 or 80 parts per million (p.p.m.) were fed with an iron to copper ratio of 10:1 in Experiment 1 and either 5:1, 10:1, 15:1 or 20:1 in Experiments 2 and 3. In Experiment 4, dietary iron levels of either 40 or 80 p.p.m. were fed with either 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 p.p.m. dietary copper. Maximum 3-week hemoglobin and hematocrit values were found by feeding 80 parts per million (p.p.m.) dietary iron and 8 p.p.m. dietary copper from one day to 3 weeks of age. The heaviest 3-week chick weights were found by feeding 80 p.p.m. dietary iron and 12 p.p.m. dietary copper.

experiments to determine the effect of breeder age and hatching egg weight on early chick mortality. Eggs averaged weighing either 50 grams or 60 grams from 29-week-old breeders and weighing either 60 grams or 70 grams from 58-week-old breeders. In each experiment, 925 chicks from each group were toe clipped at one day of age and 3700 chicks were housed under a partial-house brooding system. Mortality was checked daily. Approximately 53% of total mortality occurred the first week, 20% occurred the second week, and 27% occurred the last six weeks. Average mortality from chicks hatched from 58-week-old breeder eggs during the first 2-week growing period was 1.84% for chicks hatched from 60 gram eggs and 2.00% for chicks hatched from 70 gram eggs. Chicks hatched from 29-week-old breeder eggs averaged 5.61% mortality from 50 gram eggs and 3.90% mortality from 60 gram eggs. Body fat (wet weight basis) of one-day-old chicks averaged 3.56% for chicks hatched from young breeders and 5.48% for chicks hatched from old breeders.

THE EFFECT OF DIETARY ENERGY LEVEL AND WITHDRAWAL TIME ON DRESSING PERCENTAGE IN BROILERS D. B. Mellor 1 ' 2 , J. C. Fowler 2 Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, and T. M. Taylor, Pilgrim Industries, P. O. Box 93, Pittsburgh, TX 75686 Three groups of 300 commercial broilers were fed diets with one of three average energy levels (3470, 3270, and 3110 Kcal. of metabolizable energy per kilogram of diet). The level of critical nutrients were maintained on a constant ratio with the energy level. The broilers were slaughtered in a commercial broiler plant following a feed and water withdrawal period of either 8 or 14 hours. Only grade A shells were used in the analysis of the data. Birds grown on the low energy diet had significantly more shrink and significantly less carcass yield than birds on either the medium or high energy diets. There was no statistically significant difference between the medium and high energy diets in either shrink or yield. Birds held for 14 hours without feed or water had significantly higher shrink and significantly less dressed yield than those slaughtered 8 hours after being removed from feed and water. 1

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. 'Texas Agricultural Extension Service. EGG PURCHASE AND USE SURVEY

EFFECT OF BREEDER AGE AND HATCHING EGG WEIGHT ON EARLY CHICK MORTALITY J. L. McNaughton, J. W. Deaton and F. N. Reece, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, MS 39762, and R. L. Haynes, Poultry Science Extension, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 A total of 7400 mixed-sex broilers was used in two

D. B. Mellor 2 ' 3 and F. A. Gardner 1 ' 3 , Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 A survey of 120 consumers in six Central Texas supermarkets revealed that most people still like and use eggs regularly. Questions ranged from number of eggs purchased weekly to questions on egg consumption and human health. As expected, most people said they consumed

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Corn, soybean meal, corn oil diets supplemented with vitamins and minerals were formulated with a low energy (L.E.) level, 2800, or a high energy (H.E.) level, 3200 kilocalories of metabolizable energy per kg. of diet. When a commercial source (0.5% of the diet) of the double sulfate (K2 —MgS04) of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) or equivalent amounts of K or Mg singly were added to the L.E. diet for either starting (0 to 3 weeks of age) or finishing (3.5 to 7 weeks) broilers, performance was not altered compared with feeding the control diet. Adding methionine did not change the performance of starting chicks. However, weight gains of starting chicks fed the H.E. diet were significantly (P<0.05) improved with added K2 —MgS04 or Mg and highly significantly (P<0.01) improved with added K o r methionine. Only methionine improved (P<0.05) the efficiency of feed utilization. With finishing birds fed the H.E. diet, non-significant improvements in weight gains resulted with the addition of K2—MgS04 and K. Methionine was not added to the finishing diet. Within each age group of birds, increasing the metabolizable energy value of the diet improved (P<0.01) performance.

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Texas A&M University. Texas Agri. Extension Service. 3 Texas Agri. Experiment Station. 2

ment of treatments consisted of three levels of calcium (1.16, 2.25, and 3.34%) and three levels of vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) at 900, 6,900, and 12,900 International units per kg. of diet. Increasing dietary calcium to 2.25% significantly improved body weight, egg production and feed efficiency (feed/kg. eggs). The 3.34% level of calcium stimulated an increase in percentage hatchability of fertile eggs and produced the lowest percentage of 28-day embryonic mortalities. Dietary vitamin D 3 in excess of established requirements (900 I.U.) had no statistically significant effects on any of the parameters studied. Positive correlations were noted between beta-backscatter counts, shell weight, shell thickness and percentage calcium content of the egg. Percentage hatchability of fertile eggs was negatively associated with percentage moisture loss during the first seven days of incubation. The results of this study showed no beneficial action in the turkey hen from vitamin D 3 fed in excess of recommendations, but dietary calcium in excess (3.34%) promoted an increase in hatchability and a decrease in embryonic mortality.

POULTRY

FRESH EVISCERATED YIELDS OF FIVE COMMERCIAL BROILER STRAINS

D. B. Mellor 2 , 3 and F. A. Gardner 1 ' 3 , Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

J. W. Merkley 1 , L. H. Littlefield 1 , G. W. Malone2 and G. W. Chaloupka 2 , ' U.S.D.A. Poultry Research Laboratory, RD 2, Box 600, and 2 University of Delaware, RD 2, Box 47, Georgetown, DE 19947

REDUCING WASTE LOADS PROCESSING EFFLUENT

FROM

Through an analysis of the various parts of a broiler plant, it was determined that primary feather screens and primary offal screens were not effective in removing pollutants from the water. By lowering screens so that screening was done prior to pumping, a dramatic change was noted in characteristics of final plant effluent. In the last official sampling prior to relocation of the screen, the plant's final effluent had a BOD of 880 mg./l. and a TSS of 1050 mg./l. After moving the screens, the next official sample revealed a BOD of 680 mg./l. and a TSS of 270 mg./l. These decreases resulted in a monthly surcharge saving to the firm of approximately $3,500.00. In addition, the change in effluent quality was noted by the city. It was reported that the city sewage treatment plant personnel noticed a visual change immediately after the change in screening procedure was made. 1

Texas A&M University. Texas Agri. Extension Service. 3 Texas Agri. Experiment Station.

2

EFFECT OF VITAMIN D 3 AND CALCIUM ON THE REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TURKEY HEN

Five commercial broiler strains resulting from two male and four female lines were used in comparing the influence of various carcass characteristics upon processed yields. Birds were started in January, April, July and October. They were reared sex separate in floor pens of 175 birds each until eight weeks of age. Eleven birds were taken from triplicate pens to obtain a total of 3 3 observations in each group of experimental data per trial. Live weights were recorded prior to feed withdrawal and immediately prior to processing and shrinkage calculated. The weight of the non-eviscerated, picked carcass with head and feet removed was recorded. The fresh eviscerated carcass weight and the neck, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, and heart weights were obtained. Most of the data was analyzed as the percent of the live weight. The eight week live weights within the same strain and sex varied significantly between trials. Differences in the modified New York dressed and fresh eviscerated yields between strains were significant in only one trial. When data for the abdominal fat, liver, heart and gizzard was analyzed, significant differences were found in three of four trials.

H. Menge, P. E. James and L. T. Frobish, Department of Agriculture, Rm. 220, Bldg. 200, BARC East, Beltsville, MD 20705

THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRIENT RESTRICTION DURING THE PREBREEDER PERIOD ON SUBSEQUENT REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BREEDER TURKEYS 1. GROWTH, FEED CONSUMPTION AND EGG PRODUCTION

Nine groups of twelve Small-type White turkey hens each were used to study dietary vitamin D 3 and calcium and their effect on egg production, egg shell quality, and hatchability. The 3 X 3 factorial arrange-

G. B. Meyer, C. F. Props, T. Leighton, Jr. and H. P. Van Krey, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061

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most of their eggs at breakfast. The larger families tended to use more eggs than smaller ones, on a per capita basis, and nonwhites purchased more eggs than whites. The consumers were asked if they had heard anything relating egg consumption to human health. Fifteen people had not heard anything good or bad about eggs and human health. Eight of the remaining 105 said what they heard was favorable to eggs (high in protein, etc.). That left 97 who had heard something unfavorable about eggs and human health. Seventeen of these people had changed their egg purchasing habits because of this, but 80 had not. Fifteen percent of the respondents in this survey indicated they had decreased egg consumption because of health reasons. If this trend exists across Texas and the rest of the country, it probably explains most of the drop in per capita egg consumption.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

EFFICACY OF DOXYCYCLINE AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL COMPLICATED CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPARED WITH COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WATER MEDICANTS IN BROILERS T. T. Migaki and W. E. Babcock, Animal Health Department, Animal Health Research Department, Pfizer Inc., Terre Haute, IN 47808 Seven battery trials were conducted to compare the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of doxycycline (Vibravet*) with commercially available water medicants against complicated chronic respiratory disease in broilers. Virulent cultures of E. coli and M. gallisepticum were simultaneously inoculated into two- to three-week-old broilers to produce the experimental disease. Doxycycline at 50 p.p.m. was administered in the water for three or five days. The commercial drugs, sulfachloropyridazine, chlortetracycline, tylosin, neomycin-oxytetracycline and lincomycin-spectinomycin were administered as recommended by their manufacturers. Doxycycline was highly efficacious and statistically superior to all other drugs based upon mortality, incidence of lesions and weight gain. 'Trademark of Pfizer Inc. BLOOD PHOSPHORUS LEVELS BEFORE AND AFTER OVIPOSITION OF HENS FED DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS IN THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON R. D. Miles, J. H. Choi and R. H. Harms, Department of Poultry Science, 2500 SW Archer Rd., University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Previous work at the Florida station has shown

that the daily laying cycle of the hen, in terms of phosphorus, is composed of two phases. One phase lasting 18 hrs. and the second lasting 6 hrs. During the 18 hr. plase serum phosphorus levels increased until a peak is reached and the phosphorus level drops to the lowest level for the day during the 6 hr. phase. Since these changes have been related to changes in shell calcification, bone resorption and remineralization an experiment was conducted to determine what effect feeding different phosphorus levels at various times of the day would have on serum phosphorus and egg shell quality. The following diets were fed, (1) a control diet containing 0.75% P; (2) a diet containing 1.40% P from 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m., and 0.29% from 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; (3) a diet containing 0.29% P from 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and 1.40% from 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. All diets contained 3.5% calcium and were fed for 3 weeks. Specific gravity of eggs was 1.080, 1.079 and 1.077 for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Serum P levels on day 15 were 6.83, 5.25 and 6.02 mg./lOO ml. between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and 3.86, 3.42 and 3.13 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

STUDY OF THE DIETARY VITAMIN D 3 REQUIREMENT OF RINGNECKED PHEASANT CHICKS R. I. Millar, L. T. Smith and J. H. Wood, Animal Science Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 Nine hundred-sixty Ringnecked (Phasianas colchicus) chicks were fed four rations; no added vitamin D 3 , 2,200 I.U., 6,600 I.U., and 11,000 I.U. of added vitamin D 3 per kilogram from one day to three weeks of age. Pheasant chicks fed 2,200 I.U. of vitamin D 3 demonstrated superior weight gains, and had the best feed conversion. The pheasant chicks with the least mortality were the birds on 6,600 I.U. and 11,000 I.U. vitamin D 3 rations. Chicks without vitamin D 3 added to their diets developed rickets starting the fifth day. The data in this study indicates that the pheasant chicks' requirement for vitamin D 3 is in the range of 2,200 I.U. per kilogram. There was also evidence that the chicks on 6,600 and 11,000 I.U. of vitamin D 3 had retarded weight gains.

SKIN ALLOGRAFT REACTIONS IN ROUS SARCOMA SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT LINES L. K. ' Misra and R. C. Fanguy, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Three genetic lines showing varying degrees of resistance to Rous sarcoma were made available by the University of Arkansas for this study. These three lines are designated as susceptible line (WL), resistant line (JF) and regression line (RR). The RR line has been selected for tumor regression for over 13 years. At 5 days of age 101 WL, 62 JF and 94 RR chicks received skin allografts with donor-host combinations being selected at random within each line. All grafts

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An experiment was conducted utilizing 480 Large White female turkeys and 250 males to determine the effects of protein restriction during the prebreeder period on growth and subsequent reproduction. From 12 through 32 weeks of age 3/7 of the females were fed diets containing 10, 12, 14 or 17% protein. At 20 weeks of age, three additional groups were placed on the lower protein diets. At 32 weeks of age all hens were placed on a 17% protein breeder diet. The males were divided into two groups and fed either a 12 or 17% protein diet throughout the experimental period. Females receiving the 10% and 12% protein diets showed reduced body weights and feed consumption at 20, 32 and 56 weeks of age. Prebreeder protein had no effect on female mortality. Egg production was reduced significantly in the lower protein groups during the latter phases of the egg production cycle. Male body weights were significantly reduced at 20 and 32 weeks of age for the males receiving 12% protein. Feed consumption was also significantly reduced in the 12% protein group. Mortality from 12—56 weeks of age was significantly higher for the males receiving the 17% protein (62.7%) than for those receiving 12% protein (28.0%). Growth performance and feed efficiency of progeny were unaffected by female prebreeder dietary treatment.

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were examined at 4 days post grafting to identify any mechanical loss. Surviving grafts were then examined twice each week through 10 wks. post grafting and scored for graft acceptance and degree of graft feather growth. Rejection time was recorded when graft tissue sloughed completely. Distinct differences in allograft reactions were evident between lines. The greatest graft acceptance rate (17.8%) was found in WL birds and the least (6.4%) in RR birds. The acceptance rate in JF line was 8.0%. These data suggest a relationship between transplantation and tumor immunity. It also suggests that skin grafting may be a useful tool in genetic selection for disease resistance.

challenge. Since birds in this group received no NDV, their HI titers also served as a control for groups 1 and 2. Mortality and tumor scores were recorded daily and weekly, respectively. Mean HI titers for the treatment groups were as follows: Group 1, 970.5;Group 2, 1375 and Group 3, 10.27. Treatment 1 showed no significant effect on percent mortality in WL (68.0) or RR (44.0) lines when compared with their respective controls (WL: 64 and RR: 53). While treatment 2 had no effect on mortality in WL line (56%), it did considerably reduce mortality in RR line (28%).

L. K. Misra and R. C. Fanguy, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

E. T. Moran, Jr., Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont. Canada NIG 2W1

A total of 144 S.C.W.L. cockerels 8 weeks of age were inoculated in the wing web with Rous sarcoma virus and then randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) radiation of inoculated wing (3600R.) prior to tumor emergence; (2) whole body radiation (600R.) prior to tumor emergence; (3) radiation of inoculated wing (3600R.) when moderate tumor present; (4) whole body radiation (600R.) when moderate tumor present; (5) non-irradiated controls. All x-ray was administered at the rate of 20R./minute utilizing 180 KV. and 13 MA. with a filter system of 1/2 mm. Cu + 1 mm A l . Mortality was recorded daily and tumor size scored weekly through 12 weeks post-inoculation. Radiation of the inoculated wing reduced subsequent mortality from Rous sarcoma and also increased mean survival period. This effect was greatest in birds radiated prior to tumor emergence. Whole body irradiation showed no signifiant effect on subsequent mortality from sarcoma. Final mortality was 53.4%, 83.0%, 74.1%, 83.3% and 90.0% for treatments groups 1—5, respectively.

Commercial source medium-type torn poults were offered practical corn-soybean meal starting rations (0—2 weeks of age) based on a normal (28% protein and 2850 Kcal.M.E./kg) or high (30% and 3040 Kcal.) nutrient density either immediate to hatch and transportation (ca. 6 hours) or after additional 24 hour fasting period. Each of the 4 treatments involved 6 replicate floor pens of 60 birds. All groups received the same growing, developing and finishing rations. Fasting resulted in poult weight loss which was still apparent by slaughter at 14 weeks of age. Birds having access to high nutrient density feed performed better than those receiving the normal ration. Early deaths were highest with those groups fasted and receiving the ration having the high nutrient density. No differences in mortality were apparent with any of the other 3 treatments. Carcass grading for conformation, fleshing and finished revealed a reduction in fleshing with an extended post-hatch fast. The composite of data indicates that delays in poult placement and nutrient density of starting ration can influence the subsequent live performance and carcass quality of early marketed medium turkeys.

EFFECT OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS ON IMMUNE RESPONSE OF ROUS SARCOMA SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT LINES L. K. Misra, R. C. Fanguy, Poultry Science Department, and B. Panigrahy, Veterinary Microbiology Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 A total of 75 tumor susceptible (WL) line birds and 75 tumor resistant (RR) line birds were equally distributed among three treatment groups. All birds were challenged with Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) via wing web at 13 weeks of age. Birds of group 1 received an intraoccular inoculation of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) at 11 days and again at 7 days prior to RSV challenge. Also, just prior to RSV challenge an HI titer was taken from 5 birds of each genetic line. Group 2 was inoculated with NDV in a similar manner one week after RSV challenge and, after another week, HI titers were taken. Birds of group 3 had HI titers taken at the time of RSV challenge and again at 14 days post

THE EFFECT OF ADRENAL GLANDS ON OVULATION IN CORTURNIX G. R. Moreng, J. R. Cain and R. L. Warner*, Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, and "Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX 77025 Adrenal involvement in ovulation has been demonstrated for several mammalian species and has recently come under scrutiny in birds. Complete adrenalectomy causes severe systemic imbalances so it was decided to evaluate the effect of unilateral adrenalectomy on ovulation in corturnix. Since no mortality occurred among 59 hens recovering from anesthesia following hemi-adrenalectomy, systemic imbalances appeared to be minimal. Hen-day egg production of adrenalectomized hens was significantly (P<0.005) lower than that of sham operated and unoperated controls. Adrenalectomized

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EFFECT OF X-IRRADIATION ON REGRESSION OF ROUS SARCOMA

EFFECT OF DELAY IN POULT PLACEMENT AND STARTING RATION NUTRIENT DENSITY ON LIVE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS QUALITY

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO SOLUBLE AND PARTICULATE ANTIGENS BY THE JAPANESE QUAIL G. W. Morgan and E. H. Benton, Department of Poultry Science, Box 5307, Scott Hall, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 The poor antibody responses of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to SRBC and BSA, conventionally used particulate and soluble antigens, respectively, have been reported previously. These low responses pose a disadvantage when attempting to establish the effects of various experimental treatments on the immune responsiveness of this animal. The objective of this study was to determine if higher antibody levels could be elicited in Japanese quail by other particulate or soluble antigens. Quail were immunized with erythrocytes from sheep, turkeys, pheasant or Chukars and subsequent primary and secondary antibody titers were monitered. In addition, 2-ME sensitive and 2-ME resistant antibody titers were determined on primary antisera. Quail were also immunized with serum proteins from various sources and antibody production was monitored. It is concluded from this study that Japanese quail are not always hyporesponsive to antigenic challenge. When Japanese quail are immunized with Chukar erythrocytes they respond with antibody titers comparable in serological magnitude to those seen in SRBC immunized chickens. CHOLESTEROLEMIA IN SUSCEPTIBLE QUAIL

ATHEROSCLEROSIS-

R. B. Morrissey and W. E. Donaldson, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 In one experiment, 22-week old male Japanese quail were fed either a corn-soya or glucose-soya-fat diet, each with or without 1% added cholesterol, for 12 weeks. Serum cholesterol values were markedly elevated in cholesterol-fed quail irrespective of diet. The elevated values returned to normal when cholesterol was eliminated from the diets for the next 12 weeks. In a second experiment, graded levels (0, 0.25,

0.5 and 1%) of cholesterol were fed with the glucosesoya-fat diet for 12 weeks beginning at 5 weeks of age to male quail. One-half of the quail fed each cholesterol level received in addition 30 I.U. vitamin E, 1 g. vitamin C and 5.5 g. choline chloride/kg. of diet. Serum cholesterol values rose in a log-dose related manner in quail receiving no added vitamins. A log-dose response was also obtained in the quail that received the added vitamins however the values were higher than those in the no vitamin groups. Upon withdrawal of dietary cholesterol for an additional 12 weeks (vitamin supplementation continued) serum cholesterol returned to values approximating the starting values, but the values of the vitamin supplemented groups were consistently lower than in the no vitamin groups.

ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION OF BROILER RATIONS B. R. Moss, A. F. Beeckler, C. W. Newman and A. M. El-Negoumy, Animal and Range Sciences Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59715 One hundred and eighty H & N Meat Nick broiler chicks were in each of two trials to compare control rations with rations treated with enzyme supplementation when (1) corn, (2) Hiproly barley, or (3) Hiproly normal barley were the major ingredients. Enzyme treated rations contained a food-grade diatase, characterized by its alpha-amylase activity, at the rate of 2 grams per kg. of feed. Rations were made isonitrogenous and calculated to be essentially isocaloric by varying the amount of soybean meal and fat additions. In trial 1, group feed efficiency (kg. feed/kg. gain) and 8-wk. body weights (kg.) were (1) 2.29, 1.91 a , (2) 2.40, 1.90 a , and (3) 2.64, 1.51 b in rations without supplementation and (1) 2.36, 1.91 a , (2) 2.47, 1.95 a , and (3) 2.21, 1.97 a in rations with enzyme supplementation. Corresponding values for trial 2 were (1) 2.14, 2 . 1 1 a b , (2) 2.42, 2.01 b , and (3) 2.40, 1.86 c without supplementation and (1) 2.17, 2.06 a b , (2) 2.33, 2.13 a , and (3) 2.25, 2.07 a b with supplementation. One trial with 180 chicks of the same breeding have been used to compare rations with major ingredients of (1) wheat, (2) Wapana barley, and (3) Washonupana barley with or without enzyme supplementation. Wapana is a high-amylopectin barley variety. Washonupana is a new, self-liquefying waxy barley. Supplementation was as in trials 1 and 2. Rations were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Group feed efficiency and 8-wk. body weights were (1) 2.22, 2.05 a , (2) 2.43, 1.88 b , and (3) 2.38, 1.93 c without and (1) 2.18, 2.21 d , (2) 2.28, 2.13 e , and (3) 2.28, 2.13 e with enzyme supplementation.

EFFECT OF RESTRICTED FEEDING AND WATERING ON RED X ROCK SEX-LINKED FEMALES F. V. Muir and R. W. Gerry, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473 A trial was conducted to study the limiting of feed and water on the performance of Red X Rock sex-linked females. Water was limited to nine, seven,

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birds exhibited their lowest rate of lay (18.7%) on the second day following treatment. The amount of time that hemi-adrenalectomy preceded oviposition on the day of treatment influenced the occurrence of an ovulation. When adrenalectomy occurred 5 to 7 1/2 hours prior to oviposition, 86.7% of the birds failed to ovulate that day. Among controls, only 27.8% failed to ovulate that day which was, by comparison, highly significant. When adrenalectomy occurred less than 2 1/2 hours prior to oviposition, 92.3% of the birds ovulated but failed to ovulate on the next day. Subsequent to the period of adrenal insufficiency, hens resumed normal egg production. It was concluded that the adrenals directly influence ovulation in coturnix, possibly exerting an effect on hormonal events prior to ovulation.

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B R O I L E R BREEDER-HATCHERY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH EXTENSION OVERVIEWS Harry D. Muller, Extension Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

with either 16% protein or 12% protein plus .15% DL-methionine and .20% L-Lysine. The previous grower diets were a mostly oats-corn-soybean basal containing 12% protein. Addition of .13% DL-methionine produced diet 2 and an additional .27% L-Lysine represented diet 3. In the fourth grower diet, dehulled oats replaced the normal oats with no amino acid additions being used. Following nine months of production, hen-day production (70.8 ox. 66.0%), feed efficiency (1.60 vs. 1.75 kg. of feed/doz. eggs), and average egg weight (61.6 vs. 60.8 gms.) were significantly improved (.01 level) for hens on 16% protein. However, these trends had reversed themselves by the 8th month of production. Several strain differences were noted with Strain 2 being significantly higher in egg production and feed efficiency. Previous grower diets had no effects on subsequent reproduction for all parameters measured. It was concluded that 12% protein grower diets can support normal subsequent egg production and that further amino acid supplements were of no value. Although performance was reduced as compared to that on 16% protein layer diet, 12% protein layer diets may support more profitable production when the price of soybean meal is high relative to that of corn.

Since modern broiler production is a minimum cost system, modern idealized production systems and materials are usually not practicable. Frequently the segments of the continuum of production—breeder flock to hatchery to growout to processing become fragmented, causing reduction in overall efficiencies. An Extension overview program; providing management—production overviews both within and between various segments of broiler production, has been developed at the University of Georgia. The overview program involves, (1) Discussions of current production and performance levels with management and service personnel; (2) Comparison of these criteria with current industry levels and idealized goals; (3) On site inspections observing, measuring and quantifying physical facilities, equipment, procedures and schedules of the client; (4) A post overview discussion period; (5) Preparation of a written report for the client, prescribing specific adjustments in management, procedure or scheduling which will enhance production performance. Recommendations may involve all or part of pullet rearing, breeder flock management, egg care, hatchery operation and management, chick processing, vaccination-debeaking procedures, chick delivery and brooder house care and management to 10 days of age. Follow-up within company workshops are provided to improve pullet rearing, breeder flock, egg care, hatchery operation and chick handling performance levels. Cooperative efforts between client and Extension Service have developed into annual overviews for several production complexes.

Trials were conducted to determine if the degree of bleed-out by a chicken was a function of the rate of hemorrhage. In conscious 8 wk. old broiler cockerels, cannulae were placed for blood pressure, heart rate, total blood volume by Evans blue, hematocrit and hemoglobin determinations. After control values were established, 6 birds were hemorrhaged at either 5.5, 11, or 22 ml.min." 1 , until circulatory failure when it was no longer possible to withdraw blood. Blood pressure fell linearly with blood loss from an initial mean of 152.8 ± 6.1 mm. Hg (X ± SEM), while heart rate remained unchanged except for the birds bled at the 22 ml.min." 1 rate which developed bradycardia toward the end of the trials. Initial blood volumes averaged 65.6 ± 2.0mUkg.- 1 for these 18 birds. Total blood loss was 42.3 to 53.7 ml.bird - 1 , or 20.3 to 25.3 ml-kg." 1 body weight, which represents 30.6 to 37.9% of initial blood volume. Differences between groups were not significant. These data are similar to published reports of bleed-out in uncontrolled hemorrhage. The data indicate that during controlled hemorrhage, the rate of blood loss does not affect the extent of bleed-out in the conscious chicken.

LOW PROTEIN DIETS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

INFLUENCE OF SELECTION FOR BODY SIZE ON CONFORMATION IN LAYER-TYPE CHICKENS

R. A. Nelson and C. W. Carlson, Animal Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006

A. W. Nordskog, Department of Animal Science (Poultry Section), Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

Three commercial strains of pullets from 4 experimental grower diets were fed corn-soybean layer diets

That selection for extremes in body size changes body conformation is axiomatic in the science of

RATE OF HEMORRHAGE AND TOTAL BLOOD LOSS IN BROILER COCKERELS T. E. Nightingale and J. C. Richardi, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A. Poultry Research Laboratory, RD 2, Box 600, Georgetown, DE 19947

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five or three time periods per day from 10 to 22 weeks and twelve, nine, six or three time periods per day from 22 to 72 weeks of age. Water was available for 15 minutes during each watering period. From 10 to 22 weeks of age one-half the birds were restricted to 90% of the quantity of feed eaten by full fed controls. During the laying period half the layers served as controls and the other layers were restricted to 93% of the quantity of feed consumed by the control group. Average egg production and feed efficiency were reduced by limiting water to three periods per day compared to the other watering treatments. The egg production of restricted or full fed layers which had been subjected to a restricted level of feed during the growing period was higher than similarly fed layers which had been full fed from 10—22 weeks of age. Restricted feeding during the laying period resulted in reduced body weights.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

THE EFFECT OF SALT CONCENTRATION AND BRINING TIME ON ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SMOKED BROILER BREEDER HENS J. L. Oblinger 1 , J. A. Koburger1 and D. M. Janky 2 , 1 Department of Food Science and 2 Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 In each of two trials, 84 Cobb color-sexed broiler breeder hens were slaughtered at 52 weeks of age using standard techniques except for subscald and overnight chilling (1°C). After four weeks frozen storage, 12 birds were randomly assigned to each of seven treatments; a control, and a 2 X 3 factorial arrangement of two brining times (16 and 32 hrs.) and three brine concentrations (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% N a d ) . The treated birds were slow-cooked with smoke. Both light and dark meat samples were evaluated for flavor, juiciness and texture by a taste panel. In addition, these samples were subjected to shear force analysis. As the salt concentration was increased, the taste panelists scored dark meat significantly higher for flavor, regardless of brining time. Light meat which had been brined for 16 hrs. was also scored significantly more juicy as the salt concentration increased. There were no significant differences observed for texture, juiciness or flavor for any other combinations of taste panel scores. It appeared, however, that increasing the salt concentration did improve scores numerically. The shear force analysis indicated that meat from birds brined at a 7.5% salt concentration for 16 or 32 hrs. and 5.0% salt concentration for 32 hrs. was significantly more tender than the meat from unbrined birds. Generally, all treatments appeared to increase tenderness of the meat. HERITABILITY OF FERTILITY FOR FRESH AND

FROZEN TURKEY SEMEN CHANGE WITH FREEZING

AND OF

THE

A. H. F. Oderkirk, R. B. Buckland and B. W. Kennedy, Department of Animal Science, Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., Canada HOA ICO Two ejaculates of semen from 106 pedigree males of a broiler turkey line were frozen in a diluent (1.3805 g. sodium glutamate, 0.15 g. glucose, 0.0244 g. magnesium chloride, 1.0 g. polyvinylpyrolidone, 11.0 g. lactose, 10 ml. 'Penstrep,' 3.3 ml. N, N dimethylacetamide, 1.7 ml. glycerol). After thawing, 0.05 ml. of diluted semen was inseminated into 4 hens per ejaculate. Fertility of fresh semen was tested with one ejaculate per male. The mean values for fresh and frozen semen respectively, were: percent fertility for week 1 (71.2, 12.4), week 2 (58.9, 9.4), week 3 (46.5, 13.1), week 4 (36.4, 14.6), week 5 (38.5, 11.9), duration of fertility in days (26.7, 26.2), percent fertility during duration (65.4, 20.2), embryo viability to 7 days incubation for first 2 weeks after A.I. (56.7, 84.8) and percent hatch of fertile eggs (28.6, 3.2). Heritability was determined for each trait for: (1) fresh semen, (2) frozen semen and (3) the change with freezing. Many heritability estimates were either negative or zero and only those which were positive are reported. The heritabilities of percent fertility for frozen semen for week one and three were 0.03 and 0.001, respectively. For fresh semen, the heritabilities for percent fertility for weeks one, three and four, embryo viability, hatchability and percent fertility over duration were 0.15, 0.12, 0.06, 0.07, 0.11 and 0.04, respectively. The heritability of change in fertility with freezing for percent fertility for weeks 1 and 5, embryo viability, percent fertility during duration and duration of fertility were 0.30, 0.001, 0.20, 0.04 and 0.004, respectively.

QUANTITATION OF THE NUMBER OF THE BURSAL FOLLICLES IN THE CHICKEN I. Olah and B. Glick, Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Box 5188, Mississippi State, MS 39762 It is known, that the bursal folds are covered by two types of epithelial cells. These are different in both structure and function. The epithelium above the follicles, having absorptive capability, has been called follicular epithelium (FE) by Holbrook et al. (Res. 16:300, 1974). In a four-week-old chicken 0.1 ml. carbon solution (64 mg./ml.) was dropped on the vent and two hours later the chicken was fixed by perfusion of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. After fixation the lumen of the bursa was rinsed and the folds were viewed with a stereomicroscope. The FE absorbing the carbon particles appeared as black dots on each of the two surfaces of the folds. There were 400 black dots per fold side or an average of 800 follicles per fold. Assuming ten-twelve folds per bursa we estimate 8,000-10,000 follicles per bursa of Fabricius. The counted number of follicles is in good correlation with a volumetric mathematical analysis of the follicles and folds.

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allometry. Conformation may influence performance. Jaap (1938) proposed the ratio of shank length (SL) to the cube root of body weight (BW) as an index of conformation. Data on 7 lines of Leghorns and 3 of Fayoumi were examined to see whether conformation has changed as a result of intensive selection for high and/or low body weight, egg weight and rate of production for a period of 8—11 years. Jaap's index was compared with the simple ratio, SL/BW. In either case a high ratio (or index) means a more rangy bird and a low ratio a more compact bird. Line differences in the simple ratio were statistically different but not for the Jaap index. The pooled intra-line heritability (full-sib) of the Jaap index was 8% ± 6% compared with 39% ± 3% for the simple ratio. The interline correlation between the index and ratio was —0.23 (not significant) although the correlation between shank length and body weight was 0.97. The results lead to the conclusion that the extent to which selection influences conformation depends on how conformation is defined. If it is simply defined as SL/BW, selection for large size produces greater compactness and for small size greater ranginess. On the other hand, basing conformation on Jaap's index leads to the conclusion that selection for extremes in body size influences conformation only slightly.

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OBSERVATIONS ON LAYING AND BROODY BEHAVIOR IN CAGED TURKEY HENS H. Opel, Avian Physiology Laboratory, A.P.G.I., U.S. Department of Agriculture, A.R.S., Bldg. 262, Beltsville, MD 20705

THE EFFECT OF INTERMEDIATE LEVELS OF SELENIUM IN THE DIETS OF S.C.W.L. LAYING HENS

J. G. Osol, D. C. Foss and L. B. Carew, Jr., Department of Animal Sciences, University of Vermont, Bioresearch Center, 655 Spear Street, South Burlington, VT 05401 Four replicate experiments were conducted to determine the effects of pinealectomy and environmental lighting on selected physiological parameters in the broiler cockerel. Birds were housed in brooder batteries under a 14L:10D white light for two weeks and then allotted to light controlled chambers. Surgery was performed when the chicks were three to five days old. The light treatments were: 14L:10D cool white, 14L:10D green (narrow band, 545 nm. peak), and constant dark. At the end of the thirty day experimental period weight gain, comb, testes, thyroid and pituitary weights were measured, plasma T 3 and T 4 levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and pituitary gonadotropin by P 3 2 uptake. Pinealectomy significantly depressed weight gain, comb and testes weight. Intact chicks grown under white light had the highest pituitary gonadotropin content. However, P 3 2 uptake for pinealectomized chicks was similar regardless of light treatment. Surgery had no effect on circulating levels of T 3 and T 4 although thyroid weight was reduced (P<.08). Birds grown under green light were significantly heavier than those under white, but only slightly heavier than dark treatment chicks. Green light was also found to elevate T 4 and depress T 3 levels in plasma. Darkness significantly depressed comb and testes weight.

J. F. Ort and J. D. Latshaw, Department of Poultry Science, The Ohio State University, 674 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43210

HEMATOLOGIC VALUES OF BROAD BREASTED WHITE TURKEYS IN RELATION TO FEED, LIGHT AND AGE

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of intermediate levels of sodium selenite supplementation (1.0 mg./kg., 3.0 mg./kg., and 5.0 mg./kg. Na 2 Se0 3 ) to treatment groups of 20 Single Comb White Leghorn hens fed low selenium corntorula yeast basal diets. Important production factors were examined and selenium distributions in egg components and tissue samples were analyzed for accumulation of this element over a 196-day treatment period. Egg production, egg weights, hen weights and feed consumption were not significantly affected by selenium levels of 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg./kg. selenium supplemented to the basal diet. However, these three treatment diets appeared to slightly increase egg production and hen weights in comparison to the basal diet. Embryo studies showed that 5.0 mg./kg. Se in the diet had an adverse effect on hatchability, but not on infertility or early-deads. Feeding sodium selenite resulted in more selenium in egg yolk than in egg white. Incorporation of this element in yolk and white was proportional to dietary selenium, however, the increase in selenium content in these two components was not linear. Breast muscle accumulated the least amount of selenium, while whole blood and other tissues accumulated greater amounts of this element.

J. A. Owen, K. K. Krueger and T. M. Ferguson, Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Hematologic values were determined for male and female Broad Breasted White turkeys at intervals from 6 weeks through 52 weeks of age. Males were full-fed and subjected to different light treatments from 19 weeks of age (8, 12 or 15 hours light/day) or restricted in feed and given 15 hours light/day. Females were restricted in feed or full-fed from 18 to 30 weeks of age, and fed diets thereafter consisting of 14 or 18% protein through a 20-week production period. Average values for erythrocytes (millions/ecu. mm.), packed cell volume %, hemoglobin (g./lOO ml.) and leucocytes (100/cu. mm.) for males, 6—22 weeks of age and 26— 52 weeks of age, respectively, were as follows: 2.7, 2.9; 36.2, 43.6; 10.94, 13.07; and 2.9, 2.1. For females, corresponding values, 6—52 weeks of age, were as follows: 2.51; 35.4; 10.5; and 2.8. Treatments described above in regard to feed restriction, light or protein level, within the respective male or female groups, did not result in statistically significant differences of the blood values. EFFECT OF DIETARY FATS AND OILS ON BROILER PERFORMANCE AND ABDOMINAL

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The objective of this work was to determine if changes in the laying behavior or general activity of individually caged turkey hens could be used to predict the onset of broodiness (incubation behavior). A scanning observational technique was used in 2 groups of 20 hens to analyze 3 easily quantified components of laying behavior (prelay pacing, oviposition stance and time taken to lay) and 6 easily quantified components of general activity (preening, feeding, resting, pacing, body movement and feather ruffing). Criteria used to identify full broodiness were persistent sitting, hissing, elevation of the head to the attack position when provoked and a 10—15% elevation of the hematocrit. Changes in prelay pacing, resting, pacing, feeding and body movement were observed during the transition from egg production to broodiness. An index based on changes in these behavioral components could be used to predict the onset of broodiness with an accuracy of 70—80%. Although not completely accurate in the prediction of broodiness, this behavioral analysis technique, when coupled with sampling of peripheral blood from a caged but otherwise unrestrained hen, would seem to be a useful means to investigate hormonal changes leading to broodiness.

EFFECTS OF PINEALECTOMY AND LIGHT ENVIRONMENT ON GROWTH, REPRODUCTION AND THYROID FUNCTION

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS FAT COMPOSITION Peter R. Pan, Ben C. Dilworth, Elbert J. Day and T. C. Chen, Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, M.A.F.E.S., P.O. Box 5188, Mississippi State, MS 39762

PROLONGATION OF SKIN ALLOGRAFT SURVIVAL IN CHICKENS WITH INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE B. Panigrahy, L. K. Misra, S. A. Nagi and C. F. Hall, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Day-old male chicks were randomly distributed into two groups. One group of 65 chicks was inoculated orally with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Another group of 60 chicks served as noninoculated controls. At 5 days of age 55 inoculated and 50 control birds received skin allografts. The donors and the recepients were selected at random. Remaining chicks in each group were given autografts to evaluate the grafting technique. Grafts were examined for feather growth and survival twice weekly for a period of 10 weeks. Formation of a scab followed by sloughing off of skin was considered as the end point of graft rejection. All autografts in the IBDV-inoculated group and 80% of autografts in the non-inoculated group survived with normal growth of feathers. Twenty eight of 55 (51%) in the inoculated and 19 of 50 (38%) in the control groups accepted the allografts. All accepted grafts had normal feather development. This difference was not statistically significant. However, the mean graft survival time was significantly longer (P«0.05) in the IBDV-inoculated group (48.07 days) than in the control group (36.26 days). It was concluded that the cell-mediated immune response is apparently suppressed in birds with infectious bursal disease.

TEACHING THE INTRODUCTORY POULTRY SCIENCE COURSE BY CORRESPONDENCE Carmen R. Parkhurst, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 North Carolina State University has offered the Introductory Poultry Science course by correspondence for a number of years both for college credit and personal improvement. Recently all schools in the North Carolina system have consolidated the correspondence offerings into the North Carolina Division of Independent Study by Extension. This consolidation has given all correspondence courses very wide exposure at the state as well as national level. This presentation will show the material offerings and procedures utilized to develop a poultry correspondence course. Additional information will be given showing the profile of students taking the course as well as their geographic location. The concept of continuing education by correspondence for advanced course work also needs consideration. DDE AND AVIAN EGG SHELL THINNING: ULTRASTRUCTURAL EVIDENCE OF DECREASED PARATHYROID ACTIVITY A. H. Parsons and T. J. Peterle, Department of Zoology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210 The ultrastructure of parathyroid glands of control and DDE-fed female White King pigeons (Columba livia), a species that exhibits pesticide-induced egg shell thinning, was investigated to determine the relationship between parathyroid activity and egg shell thickness. Mating pairs of pigeons were fed commercial turkey pellets ad libitum supplemented with 0 or 10 p.p.m. p,p'-DDE. Birds were maintained until each pair had produced 10 clutches. A 9-6% thinning of egg shells occurred in the DDE-treated group. Females were killed while the second egg of the clutch was active calcifying 36 hr. following oviposition of the first egg. Parathyroid tissue was prepared for electron microscopy. Thick sections (1 ju.) from each gland were made for light microscopy and a cell hypertrophy index was calculated. Thin sections (250-400 A.) were cut and observed electron-microscopically. Electron micrographs of each parathyroid gland were randomly selected and the frequency of cells in the different phases of the secretory cycle was recorded. An analysis of phase frequency distributions of cells in the glands from control and treated animals showed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in parathyroid activity in the treated group. In the inactive phase, 15.6% more cells were found. This decrease in activity was corroborated by the cell hypertrophy index. The preceding evidence indicates that DDE may affect avian egg shell thickness by limiting parathyroid hormone production and/or secretion.

RELATIVE LYSINE POTENCIES OF EIGHT COMPOUNDS IN DIETS OF YOUNG TURKEYS C. M. Parsons, L. M. Potter and J. R. Shelton, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Poly-

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Two experiments using broiler strain males and females reared separately to eight weeks of age were conducted using commercial blended fats, soy oil, palm oil, coconut oil, tallow and yellow grease (pork and beef fat) as the dietary fat variables. Using added fat levels of 7.72% ( 0 - 4 weeks) and 7.86% ( 4 - 8 weeks) in Experiment 1, growth rate was significantly increased using either soy oil plus palm oil (50—50) or palm oil, as compared to results obtained with a blended fat. Intermediate weight gains were obtained using soy oil, coconut oil or soy plus coconut (SOSO). Feed efficiency was significantly reduced by feeding palm oil with the best feed utilization achieved with coconut oil. In the second experiment, using similar dietary levels, soy oil and soy oil plus tallow combinations were compared to blended fats and yellow grease. Male growth rate and feed utilization were significantly increased using soy oil alone with less effect noted for the females. Percentage abdominal fat was greater for the females with significantly increased abdominal fat in birds fed diets containing tallow or the blended fats as compared to soy oil. Fatty acid analysis of abdominal fat indicated a significant decrease in oleic and palmitic acid and significant increase in linoleic acid of fat from birds fed soy oil as compared to tallow, blended fat or yellow grease.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY IN CHICKENS

Three experiments were conducted to determine the biological potencies of eight compounds as substitutes for lysine in diets of young turkeys. Each experiment contained 192 male poults assigned according to weight to 24 pens. Within each experiment, diets varied in content of added L-lysine HC1 or test compound at three or more levels. All diets were composed of 38% corn gluten meal (60% protein), 48% ground yellow corn, 5% menhaden fish meal, 2% stabilized fat, 0.5% L-arginine, 0.06% L-tryptophan, and added minerals and vitamins. These diets were fed to medium-size strain turkeys from 9 to 21 or 23 days of age. From the results of the first two experiments, 6 -N, N-dimethylamino-2-hydroxyhexan-N,N-dimethylamide, 6-N-acetylamino-2-hydroxyhexanamide, N-propionyl-6-amino-2-hydroxyhexanamide, N-butyl-6amino-2-hydroxyhexanamide, and 6-methylamino-2hydroxyhexan-methylamide were found to have lysine activities which were not significantly different from 0%. From the last experiment, the average body weight gains in grams per 1.0% added lysine, a-keto-eacetyl-caprioc acid, mono-hydroxymethyl-lysine calcium, and bis-hydroxymethyl-lysine-calcium were 166.8 ± 9.2, - 1 . 2 ± 11.1, 80.2 ± 11.1 and 58.1 ± 11.1, respectively. The biological potencies of the latter two compounds as substitutes for lysine were 48.1 and 34.8% on a weight basis and 64.6 and 53.9% on a molar basis, respectively.

L. T. Patterson and C. S. House, Departjnent of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

INFLUENCE OF PROTEIN LEVEL, PROPIONIC ACID, ADDED FAT AND VITAMIN Bl2 ON EGG PRODUCTION, EGG WEIGHT, AND HATCHABILITY OF EGGS M. B. Patel and James McGinnis, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 An experiment was conducted with laying hens using three replicate groups of ten hens and during a period of eight months to study the effects of the addition of protein, propionic acid, fat and vitamin B, 2 on production parameters, hatchability of eggs and chick growth. Levels of 16 and 32% protein were used and propionic acid and fat were added at levels of 1 and 5%, respectively. Fat was added to the 32% protein diet. Vitamin B1 2 was added at 5 Mg-/kg. of diet. The results showed that increasing the protein level did not affect egg production and hatchability but reduced egg weight. Adding propionic acid to the 16% protein diet significantly depressed egg production, egg weight and hatchability. Addition of vitamin B, 2 improved hatchability significantly regardless of diet composition and counteracted the effects of propionic acid. Addition of fat to the 32% protein diet significantly improved hatchability. Growth of chicks hatched from hens on the different experimental diets showed that vitamin B, 2 addition to the hen diets or to the chick diets significantly improved chick growth when added in combination with all of the other dietary variables. Growth of chicks hatched from hens fed B, 2 deficient diets was similar.

Studies of several factors involved in control of the immune response are being investigated. This includes the effect of age on several expressions of immunity. This report is concerned with the effects of age on delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin. Chicks were obtained from a local hatchery at hatching at weekly intervals for 9 weeks, providing chickens that were 1 day, 1 week to 8 weeks of age. At that time they were injected with Mycobacterium bovis, BCG strain, in Freund's adjuvant. Ten days later they were challenged with Tuberculin (0.1 cc.) in the left wattle and saline in the right. The wattles were examined at two hours after injection for evidence of immediate hypersensitivity and none was noted. Wattle thickness was measured with a caliper at 24 and 48 hours after injection and the tuberculin-injected wattle was compared to the control. Reactivity was minimal until 4 weeks and increased until the seventh week. The data indicates that immunological maturity as expressed by the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction is relatively slow in developing. This is in marked contrast to the response to fowl pox immunization, another cell-mediated response, which is mature at hatching. It appears that a number of immune responses of both humoral and cellular types mature at different rates and, therefore, are controlled by different factors or are differentially dependent on physiological maturity.

SPERM STORAGE TUBULE DEVELOPMENT IN IMMATURE TURKEYS INJECTED WITH FEMALE SEX STEROIDS* A. J. Pescatore and B. J. Marquez, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Studies were conducted to determine the effects of 17 /3-estradiol and 17 (J-estradiol in combination with progesterone on the development of the sperm storage tubule in immature turkeys. Birds at three different ages (1, 6 and 8 weeks) were treated with; a) 17 (3-estradiol for 17 days, b) 17 (J-estradiol for 17 days plus progesterone for the last three days, c) sham (corn oil) and d) control. The injections were administered daily intramuscularly in the breast using the steroids at 8 mg/kg. body weight. Physiological parameters measured included body weight, oviduct weights and hematocrits. The steroidtreated birds showed an increase in body weight, an increase in oviduct weight and a decrease in hematocrits as compared to the sham and control birds. The oviducts were fixed using 10% buffered formalin. Histological sections of the uterovaginal junction were cut at 7 n. and stained using hematoxylin and eosin. Microscopic examination of the utero-vaginal junction revealed increased development of the sperm storage tubules in the steroid-treated birds. This development was not evident in the control birds. Increase vasculari-

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technic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS zation of the uterovaginal junction was evident in the steroid-treated birds. No difference in tissue development was apparent between age groups. 'Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7995.

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significant differences in shell quality due to calcium intakes when hens were housed at 23.9°. The highest intake level at 23.9° resulted in a slightly but non-significant lower value than obtained for the lowest calcium intake at 15.5°.

THE USE OF FLY ASH IN BROILER DIETS Cynthia Pharr and L. D. Andrews, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

A. J. Pescatore and B. J. Marquez, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Two experiments were conducted to compare limestone to fly ash from a coal-fired generator station as a calcium source for broilers. In Experiment 1, no significant difference was found for 8-week body weight between two diets where the added calcium was from limestone and fly ash. In Experiment 2, diets were fed with limestone as the added calcium source to caged broilers (Group 1) and floor broilers (Group 2). Also, fly ash was the added calcium in caged broilers equal to groups 1 and 2 (Group 3) and two groups of caged broilers had increasing levels of fly ash above that in group 3 (Groups 4 and 5). Wing bone breaking strength as measured by the Alio Kramer Shear Press was significantly higher in floor broilers than in cages broilers. No significant difference was found between cage group 4 and 5 in wing bone breaking strength but both of these groups had significantly higher shear valves than cage groups 1 and 3. The breaking strength of the tibia was significantly higher for group 5 than the other 4 groups. There was no significant difference in tibia breaking strength between groups 2 and 4 but these two groups were significantly higher in shear valves than group 1 and 3.

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of 17 (3-estradiol and 17 0-estradiol in combination with progesterone on testicular development and strutting behavior of immature turkeys. Birds at three different ages (1, 6 and 8 weeks) were treated with; a) 17 (3-estradiol for 17 days, b) 17 /3-estradiol for 17 days plus progesterone for the last 3 days, c) sham (corn oil), and d) control. Daily injections were administered intramuscularly in the breast using the steroids at 8 mg./kg. body weight. Physiological parameters measured included body weight, gonadal weight and hematocrits. The steroidtreated birds showed an increase in body weight and a decrease in hematocrits. Microscopic examination of histological sections of testes revealed degeneration of testicular glandular tissue in the estradiol-treated birds. Following 5 days of administration of 17 /3-estradiol, secondary male sex characteristics were observed in the 1- and 6-week old birds e.g., strutting, caruncle development and snood growth. •Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7996. INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE UPON EGG SHELL QUALITY RESPONSE TO INCREASED CALCIUM INTAKE C. F. Petersen, E. A. Sauter, E. E. Steele and J. F. Parkinson, Animal Industries Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843 An experiment was designed to determine if laying hens would respond equally to increased calcium intake when housed at either 15.5 or 23.9°C. Four replicates of 10 White Leghorn pullets each were fed corn-soybean meal based rations with the following calcium levels at each temperature: 2.75, 3.10, 3.40 and 3.75%. The experiment was initiated when the pullets were 26 weeks of age and continued for a 44 week period. Data collected included % egg production, egg weight, feed intake and egg shell quality determined by specific gravity. The class intervals of the salt solutions were 0.002 of a specific gravity unit. Neither calcium intake level nor temperature influenced egg production or egg weight. The higher temperature resulted in a 5.3% reduction in feed intake. Hens housed at 15.5° responded significantly in egg shell quality to increasing levels of dietary calcium from 2.75 to 3.75%. In contrast, there were no

METABOLIZABLE ENERGY CONTENT OF SOME INDONESIAN FEEDSTUFFS W. SG. Piliang and H. R. Bird, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 The feedstuffs tested were raw soybean, peanut meal, coconut meal and fish meal. Chicks (N.H. X S.C.W.L.) were fed the pre-experimental diet from one day to two weeks of age. Then to four weeks of age they were fed either 0, 40% or 50% of a test ingredient. From the 11th to the 14th day of age total excreta were collected, dried, ground and used for protein and energy determination. The metabolizable energy (M.E.) value was computed in the usual way, making corrections for nitrogen retention. M.E. in raw soybean was 1.3728 Kcal./gram, in peanut meal 2.2885 Kcal./gram, in coconut meal 2.1197 Kcal./gram and in fish meal 2.8736 Kcal./ gram. The M.E. in peanut meal and fish meal were similar to tabulated values for U.S. feed ingredients but the M.E. in Indonesian coconut meal was higher. The N.R.C. reports 1.764 Kcal./gram for mechanically extracted coconut meal. There appeared to be no published value for raw soybean for chicks.

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TESTES DEVELOPMENT AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF IMMATURE TURKEYS INJECTED WITH FEMALE SEX STEROIDS*

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

CLASSROOM PLANNING OF FARM PRISES WITH THE COMPUTER

ENTER-

Phillip E. Plumart, Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006

D. Polin, R. K. Ringer and F. R. Frank, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, and The Upjohn Company, 7000 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Corn-soy diets with added phosphorus to be none, 0.28, 0.42, or 0.56% were fed to 315 S.C.W.L. adult chickens. Diets contained either no vitamin D, 25 ng. of cholecalciferol (D 3 ) or 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25-OH-D 3 ). Some hens were started on diets soon after egg production started, while others were started on diets after peak production had occurred. Diets with no D-forms and/or added phosphorus were fed 12 or 24 weeks and then replaced with control diets. The other diets were continued through 52 weeks on experiment. Egg production was significantly higher for chickens fed 25-OH-D3 during weeks 1—5, and tended to be higher (P = .07) during weeks 24 to 52. The addition of either D-form to the basal improved egg production. Egg production was comparable for chickens given 0.28 or 0.56% added phosphorus. Where phosphorus was not added, or 0.28% added, then egg production was higher with 25-OH-D3 in diet than with D 3 . Shell quality, as mg. Ca/mm. 1 , was better during weeks 1—24 for chickens fed 25-OH-D3 than D 3 , at 3 of the 4 phosphate levels. During weeks 36 to 52 when both aging and hot weather had an adverse effect on shell quality, the impact of these criteria was comparable despite the D-form used, or level of phosphorus added. •Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7988.

EFFECT OF DIETARY SILICON ON BONE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHICKS J. E. Plyler and L. O. Rowland, Jr., The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Eight hundred and thirty-two S.C.W.L. cockerels were fed corn-soy chick starter diets at two calcium levels, 0.42% and 1.00%. Each level was supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 p.p.m. silicon in the form of sodium meta-silicate from one day to four weeks of age. In addition 400, 800 and 1600 p.p.m. silicone supplemented diets were fed at the 0.42% calcium level. A second study utilized 384 day-old S.C.W.L. cockerels which were fed diets containing 0.42% calcium and either 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 p.p.m. additional silicon for either three or four weeks. The addition of silicon to the basal diet produced no significant differences in body weights except at the 800 and 1600 p.p.m. levels, which depressed growth. However, the addition of 0.58% calcium with either, 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 p.p.m. silicon increased tibia breaking strength and bone ash with no significant effect on body weights. These data indicate that silicon may be involved in early bone calcification of growing chicks.

PROTEIN, METHIONINE AND ANTICOCCIDIAL AGENTS IN DIETS OF FEMALE LARGE WHITE TURKEYS L. M. Potter and J. R. Shelton, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 A 3 X 2 X 6 factorial experiment was conducted with 1,322 Large White female turkeys divided into 36 pens of 36 or 37 birds per pen to determine the effects of varying protein and methionine levels and of adding anticoccidial agents in their diets to 16 weeks of age. The three protein treatments were 90, 100 and 110% of standard. The standard levels were 30, 26, 22 and 18% protein for the 0 to 4, 4 to 8, 8 to 12, and 12 to 16-week periods. The two methionine treatments were 0.145 and 0.290% added methionine hydroxy analogue. The six anticoccidial agent treatments were (1) 375 p.p.m. Butynorate from 0 to 8 weeks, (2) 175 p.p.m. Sulfaquinoxaline (S) from 0 to 4 weeks and 125 p.p.m. Amprolium (A) from 4 to 8 weeks, (3) S from 0 to 4 weeks and A from 4 to 12 weeks, (4) A from 0 to 12 weeks, and (5 & 6) two control treatments. Analysis of the results indicate that protein and

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South Dakota State University has developed a computer program called "South Dakota Alternative Planning" (SODAP) to help students, extension specialists, and farmers to plan a farm business. The S.O.D.A.P. program allows the student or extension specialist to prepare up to eight alternative farm plans varying the kind and/or size of crop and livestock enterprises. These can be done via a remote computer hard copy terminal on the Conversational Remote Job Entry System in about the same time formerly used to do one plan plus one alternative using a calculator. Input values include those for land, buildings, machinery, equipment, operating capital requirements, liabilities, depreciation, interest and family expenses needed. For each livestock and crop enterprise involved, inputs include direct costs, interest, labor and income. The output for each alternative farm plan includes projected profitability, projected debt service both on a payback and amortized basis, income tax and social security tax data and a financial summary including net worth change per year. The use of the program for 50 actual situations revealed alternative farm plans that average an increase of $9,987 in annual farm income. Students can use such a program for both real and simulated situations in learning the applications of both computerology and economics in performing assignments both inside and outside of the classroom.

EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS, CHOLECALCIFEROL AND 25-HYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL ON S.C.W.L. LAYING CHICKENS*

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

THE UNIDENTIFIED GROWTH FACTOR IN MENHADEN FISH MEAL L. M. Potter, J. R. Shelton and C. M. Parsons, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Four experiments were conducted to determine if the increased growth from menhaden fish meal when added to turkey starter diets composed primarily of ground yellow corn and dehulled soybean meal was due to its vitamin, trace mineral or selenium content. The dietary variables in the 2 X 2 X 2 X 3 factorial designed experiments were 0 and 5% menhaden fish meal, the regular and twice the regular amount of vitamin fortification, the regular and twice the regular amount of trace mineral fortification (except for selenium), and 0, 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m. selenium from sodium selenite. Each of the 24 diets was fed to one pen of males and one pen of female medium size turkeys from one day to eight weeks of age in each experiment. Body weights of the turkeys at eight weeks of age were increased 66 grams or 3.3% from 5% menhaden fish meal, —2 grams or —0.1% from doubling the vitamin fortification, 27 grams or 1.3% from doubling the trace mineral fortification, and 44 and 58 grams or 2.2 and 2.9% from adding 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m. selenium to the diets. When diets contained 0, 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m. added selenium, 5% added menhaden fish meal increased body weights 6.7, 3.0 and 0.4%, respectively. With 5% menhaden fish meal in the diets, body weights were essentially unchanged by varying the added selenium content or 2,048, 2,057 and 2,035 grams for diets containing 0, 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m. added selenium, respectively. The majority of the increase in growth obtained from adding 5% menhaden fish meal to the basal ration used in this study appears to be directly associated with its selenium content.

INTERACTION OF RICE BRAN AND PROTEIN SOURCES FOR LAYERS S. Prawirokusumo, E. W. Kienholz and D. J. Bray, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 Egg-type pullets (age 32 wks.) were fed 12%

protein corn-based unpelleted diets substituted with 0, 30, and 60% rice bran (RB) and either soybean meal (S), fish meal (F), peanut meal (P), SF, SP, FP or SFP as supplemental proteins in a factorial type experiment. Each of the 21 diets was fed to two lots of 24 pullets housed four birds per cage, i.e. in six 25.4 X 40.6 cm. cages, for eight weeks. Egg yields (EY) were 35.2, 40.3 and 39.7 g./h./d. at 0, 30, and 60% RB, respectively. EY for S, F, P, SF, SP, FP, and SFP were 38.5, 40.5, 32.2, 40.2, 36.9, 41.0, and 39.6 g./hen/ day, respectively. Feed intake (g./h./d.) was 98.1, 107.9, and 113.4 for respective levels and 108, 108, 97, 108, 105, 110, and 109 g. for protein sources. Respective volume intakes (cc./h./d.) were 139, 173, and 204 for RB levels and 174, 173, 160, 175, 170, 176, and 173 for protein sources. EY from F exceeded those from S and S exceeded P at all levels of RB. FP supported superior EY to SP at all levels of RB, although the difference decreased with increasing RB levels. The data suggest that protein (amino acid) intake was the factor that limited performance at 0% RB, while energy intake may have been more limiting than amino acids from 60% RB. It was concluded that rice bran is a valuable foodstuff in diets for hens. THE LIMITING AMINO ACIDS FOR CHICKS IN A RICE BRAN DIET S. Prawirokusumo, E. W. Kienholz and D. J. Bray, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 When graded levels of rice bran (RB) were fed to chicks in a 15% protein corn-soya diet from 8—22 days of age, 60% RB slightly depressed gains. When the 60% RB diet was supplemented with 4% corn oil (CO), . 1 % L-lysine HCL (L) and 4% cellulose (Ce), CO tended to reduce gains and both L and Ce tended to increase gains. Combinations of CO, L, and Ce gave results which indicated that another indispensable amino acid was deficient in the 15% protein diet. The 60% RB basal diet was supplemented with . 1 % of each L-lysine HCL (L), DL-methionine (M) and L-threonine (T) in a factorial design. Gains and G/F for the basal and basal plus, L, M, T, LM, LT, MT, and LMT were 12.89, .422; 13.49, .437; 13.23, .439; 13.01, .450; 13.32, .446; and 14.41, .468, respectively. The results indicated that L was only slightly more limiting than M in a 15% protein corn-soya diet containing 60% RB and that T was the next limiting amino acid.

THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRIENT RESTRICTION DURING THE PREBREEDER PERIOD ON SUBSEQUENT REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BREEDER TURKEYS. 2. REPRODUCTION C. F. Props, G. B. Meyer, A. T. Leighton, Jr. and H. P. Van Krey, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060 This study was designed to determine the influence of 10, 12, 14 and 17 percent protein from 12 to 32 weeks and from 20 to 32 weeks of age on subsequent

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sulfur amino acid requirements of Large White female turkeys appear to decrease 1.0% and 0.05% per week starting with 32.0% and 1.25%, respectively, during the first week of life. Body weights from anticoccidial treatments were not significantly different at 16 weeks of age; 6.28, 6.33, 6.44, 6.40 and 6.34 kg. for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 & 6, respectively. However, Butynorate increased body weight gains 137 g. or 21.0% (P<0.001) between 0 and 4 weeks and 312 g. or 12.4% (P<0.001) between 0 and 8 weeks of age. After Butynorate was removed from the diet, these turkeys gained 113, 126 and 82 g. less than controls (P<0.05) between 8 & 10, 10 & 12, and 12 & 14 weeks of age, respectively. Amprolium increased body weight gain 36 grams or 5.5% (P<0.05) between 0 and 4 weeks of age.

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DIFFERENCES IN MEAN SERUM CHOLESTEROL VALUES BETWEEN STOCKS SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT TO ROUS SARCOMA Eleana M. Pryde, L. K. Misra and R. C. Fanguy, Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Serum cholesterol values were determined, in duplicate, for birds of three genetic lines using the direct determination method of Zlatkis, Zak and Boyle. The three lines exhibit; (1) high degree of tumor susceptibility (SS); (2) an intermediate degree of tumor susceptibility (JF) and (3) a high degree of resistance (RR). A total of 13, 20 and 18 adult males were used for JF, SS and RR lines, respectively. Considerable within line variation was noted for all groups in the study. The range of values were 176-321 mg.%, 3 0 5 ^ - 1 0 mg.%, and 203-365 mg.% for RR, JF and SS lines, respectively. The mean serum cholesterol values for the same three lines were 241 mg.%, 339 mg.% and 281 mg.%, with coefficients of variation of 10.46%, 14.59% and 16.61%. RESOURCE RETURN POTENTIALS FOR CONTRACT BROILER GROWERS WITH FULL-TIME POWER VENTILATED VERSUS CONVENTIONAL AUTOMATIC CURTAIN SIDED HOUSING IN NORTH GEORGIA Allan P. Rahn and Randall A. Bruce, Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 A discounted cash flow budgeting procedure was utilized to evaluate the capital, labor and management returns which would accrue to contract broiler growers with fully insulated, windowless, and full-time power ventilated (power ventilated) or roof insulated and automatic curtained sided (conventional) housing types. The conventional house was assumed to be 12,600 ft.2 and the power ventilated 14,000 ft. 2 . Five batches of birds were grown to a 1.75 kg. target weight each year. The placement density was assumed to be .6 ft.2 per bird in the power ventilated and .75 ft.2 per bird in the conventional house. Current estimates of fixed asset investment requirements were obtained and representative financial arrangements and working capital requirements were postulated. Then, anticipated annual operating receipt

and expenditure estimates were combined with asset depletion, debt retirement and income tax considerations to generate net after-tax cash flows over a 10-year planning horizon. Inputed labor and management resource returns were then derived, given a 6 percent per annum rate of return on invested equity capital. Under the representative conditions budgeted, contract broiler growers with power ventilated houses in North Georgia would receive lower labor/mgt. returns than those with conventional houses given equal contract payment rates. However, if the contractor were willing to share part of the gains anticipated from this housing transition with the contractee, both parties could benefit from a shift to power ventilated houses.

USE OF SOLAR ENERGY FOR BROODING BROILERS DURING THE WINTER OF 1 9 7 6 - 7 7 F. N. Reece, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Solar energy was used to supplement conventional energy sources for the brooding of broiler chickens during two trials conducted during the severe winter of 1976—77. Trials were conducted in a well-insulated, windowless house of typical configuration; 3,600 chickens were used in each trial. Limited-area brooding was used; floor space allowed was 186, 372 and 743 cm. 2 /chicken for the first 2 weeks, second 2 weeks and 4- to 8-week period, respectively. All solar energy was applied through the ventilation air; 37.2 cm. 2 /chicken of flat-plate solar collectors for heating air were used for providing heat during sunlight hours, and 23.2 cm. 2 /chicken of collectors for heating water were used for heat to be stored in water, with 0.58 liters/chicken of water storage provided in insulated steel tanks. Average outside temperature during the 4-week brooding period was 11.3°C. during the first experiment and 1.1°C. in the second. Conventional energy required to supplement the solar energy was 23.9 kcal./chicken in the first experiment and 220 kcal./ chicken in the second. Ventilation rates used during the two experiments were 1700, 3115, 6230 and 11,330 cm.Vmin. (chicken) for the first, second, third and fourth weeks, respectively.

EFFECT OF PRE-INCUBATION HOLDING CONDITIONS ON HATCHABILITY OF BOBWHITE AND COTURNIX QUAIL EGGS* R. D. Reynnells, T. Schuhknecht, B. F. Grala and T. H. Coleman, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Four experiments with Bobwhite and six with Coturnix eggs were conducted to determine the effect of length of holding time and environmental temperature on their hatchability and apparent fertility. Each day settable eggs were allocated to room temperature (25.5-27.8°C.) or cooler (15-16°C.) treatments. Eggs were stored in egg cases. Opposite ends of the cases were elevated on alternate days. At the end of 29 days of storage, eggs were placed in a Jamesway 252 single

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reproduction of Large White female turkeys. At 32 weeks of age all females were placed on a standard 17% turkey breeder diet throughout the breeding season. Males were restricted to either 12 or 17 percent protein throughout the experimental period. Day to first egg, egg weight, egg shell thickness and fertility were unaffected by the female prebreeder dietary treatments. Average number of eggs laid decreased and hatchability of fertile eggs declined significantly during the latter part of the production year for females on the lower protein diets. Male dietary protein had no effect upon fertility, hatchability or on percentage normal, abnormal or dead spermatozoa. A significant difference between dietary treatments was obtained for semen volume and concentration during the first observation period only. No significant differences occurred thereafter.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

'Journal Article No. 7990 from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. EVALUATION OF THE CHICK BIO-ASSAY FOR ESTIMATING SULFUR AMINO ACID, LYSINE AND TRYPTOPHAN AVAILABILITY IN SOYBEAN MEAL Edward J. Robel and Lowell T. Frobish, Department of Agriculture, Rm. 205, Bldg. 200, B.A.R.C. East, Beltsville, MD 20705 Chick growth assays based on 9 to 13 day, 9 to 15 day and 9 to 17 day posthatching weight gains were used to determine the effect of the bio-assay time periods, using the slope-ratio technique, on the relative availability of sulfur amino acids, lysine, and tryptophan in soybean meal. Eight day bio-assays produced the highest availability estimates. Availability estimates for sulfur amino acids, lysine, and tryptophan in soybean meal were 88.46% (8 daybioassay) vs. 74.41% (4 day-bioassay), 83.23% (8 day-bioassay) vs. 77.42% (6 day-bioassay) and 90.02% (8 day-bioassay) vs. 86.66% (6 day-bioassay), respectively. By measuring growth response of chicks fed reference standard diets as compared with that of chicks fed control diets containing equivalent levels of amino acids determined in soybean meal, the effect of excess amino acids in soybean meal on the sulfur amino acid availability estimated for soybean meal was determined. Excess amino acids did not influence the availability estimate for sulfur amino acids in soybean meal. The relative sulfur amino acid availability estimates of chicks fed excess crystalline amino acids which simulated the amino acid composition of soybean meal was 100.96%, as compared with 88.46% for the relative sulfur amino acid availability estimate for soybean, as determined by the slope-ratio technique.

CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS AND SILICATE LEVELS

IN LAYING CHICKENS R. H. Roberson, Department of Poultry Science, Box 3P, New Mexico State University, University Park, NM 88003 Two levels of calcium (2.00 and 3.00%), two levels of available phosphorus (.25 and .55%) and three levels of silicate (0, 400 and 800 p.p.m.) in a 2 X 2 X 3 factorial arrangement of twelve treatments were used to study the effect of these minerals on the performance of laying chickens. Each dietary treatment was fed to three replicates of twelve pullets arranged in four cages of three pullets each in a light controlled evaporative cooled house. Increasing the calcium level of the diet from 2.00 to 3.00 percent increased shell thickness of the eggs. Increasing the available phosphorus level of the diet from .25 to .55 percent increased hen house egg production. The addition of silicate at levels of 400 and 800 p.p.m. did not affect any of the egg parameters. Egg size increased while Haugh score and egg shell thickness decreased with advancing age of the layers. MISSHAPEN, PIMPLED AND BODY-CHECKED EGGS AS INFLUENCED BY FORCE MOLTING D. A. Roland, Sr. and R. D. Bushong, Poultry Science Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830 Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of force molting on pimpled, misshapen and body-checked eggs. Approximately 15,000 Babcock (Exp. 1) and 15,000 Honegger (Exp. 2) hens, 16 months of age, were force molted using conventional methods. At least 1000 eggs were collected just prior to force molting and at 8, 13 and 24 weeks post-molt. The eggs were collected at 6 p.m. and at 2-hour intervals from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the following day and scored for pimpling, body-checks and misshapeness. Force molting significantly reduced the degree of egg shell pimpling in both experiments. Although the degree of egg shell pimpling increased during the post-molt period, it was still significantly less at the 24-week post-molt period than during the pre-molt period. The Honegger hens had significantly less pimpling during the pre-molt and the 24-week postmolt periods than the Babcock hens. Most of the misshapen and body-checked eggs were laid between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. with very few being laid after 10 a.m. Force-molting did not prevent or eliminate the misshapen and body-checked eggs. In summary, forcemolting significantly reduced the severity of egg shell pimpling but appeared to have little influence on misshapen and body-checked eggs.

THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON ABILITY OF HENS TO MAINTAIN EGG SHELL CALCIFICATION WHEN STRESSED WITH INADEQUATE DIETARY CALCIUM D. A. Roland, Sr., C. E. Putman and R. L. Hilburn, Poultry Science Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830 Two experiments were conducted comparing the

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stage incubator. Dry bulb temperature was approximately 37.5 and 37.2°C. and wet bulb was approximately 30.0 and 31.7°C. for incubation and hatching, respectively. Unhatched eggs were broken out and the contents macroscopically observed. The eggs were classified as apparently infertile, pipped, hatched, or by the approximate time of death. Data were evaluated using the paired t-test. There were significant differences (P<.001) between treatment effects on hatchability but not fertility for both species. Eggs stored at room temperature for >14 or >25 days (Coturnix and Bobwhite, respectively) did not hatch. Some eggs stored in the cooler hatched through day 27 for Coturnix and day 29 for Bobwhite eggs. Normal hatchability range was 70—80% for both species. Apparent fertility based on macroscopic observation declined with increased storage, with no significant differences between the temperature treatments for both species. The data indicated that (1) species differences exist for hatchability and fertility, and (2) the effect of storage on these parameters appears first and most severely in Coturnix eggs.

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EVALUATION OF TILAPIA MEAL AS A PROTEIN SOURCE FOR BROILERS L. O. Rowland, Jr., D. M. Hooge and R. E. Stickney, Department of Poultry Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Two Tilapia aurea fish meals were evaluated in broiler diets. The first source contained 61.0% protein, 6.34% fat, 5.7% calcium, and 2.6% phosphous while the second analyzed 57.7% protein, 26.75% fat, 3.9% calcium, and 2.4% phosphorus. Comparison diets contained either soybean or anchovy meal. In experiment 1, 210 day-old broiler chicks were fed isocaloric, isonitrogenous, 23% protein starter diets containing either 0, 3.15%, 6.28%, or 12.56% anchovy fish meal or 3.5, 7.0 or 14.0% Tilapia meal produced from adult fish obtained from a local reservoir. Twenty-one day body weights were 503, 514, 531, 521, 552, 542 and 534 g., respectively, with feed conversions of 1.61, 1.62, 1.68, 1.57, 1.73, 1.55 and 1.63. In the second experiment 440 sexed day-old broiler chicks were fed diets containing 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20% anchovy meal, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Tilapie meal from young fish produced in experimental lagoons. Twenty-one day body weights were 558, 594, 563, 547, 568, 537, 571, 583, 569, 577, and 558 gIt was concluded that tilapia meal is an excellent protein source which compares favorably with anchovy or soybean meal.

THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF YEAST SINGLE-

CELL PROTEIN (SCP) FOR CHICKS R. D. Rowland and D. H. Baker, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 Four assays with Columbian X New Hampshire crossbred male chicks were conducted using a purified diet to evaluate three different' sources of Candida utilis. Petroleum hydrocarbons, ethanol or wood sugars provided the energy for growing yeasts A, B and C, respectively. Diets were formulated to contain exactly 10% protein (N X 6.25) from the SCP sources. Growth rate of chicks fed SCP was less than 50% of that observed for those fed arginine-fortified casein. Methionine was found to be first limiting and arginine second limiting in all three of the SCP sources. A third-limiting amino acid was not apparent. Supplementation with methionine and arginine resulted in chick performance similar to that occurring with the arginine-fortified casein control. SCP fortified with both methionine and arginine was found superior to unsupplemented soybean meal but inferior to soybean meal properly fortified with methionine. Male Hubbard broilers were used in an eight-week study designed to establish the degree to which hydrocarbon-grown SCP could substitute for soybean meal in a typical corn-soybean meal ration. Replacement of one-half of the soybean meal (protein basis) resulted in satisfactory performance when diets were fed in pelleted form but not when fed in meal form.

INFLUENCE OF SHORT-DAY INTERMITTENT PHOTO PERIODS ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER BREEDERS R. D. Rowland and P. C. Harrison, Department of Animal Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 Commercial Hubbard broiler breeders and Columbian breeders were maintained under controlled light conditions. Photoperiod was reduced from 15 to 10 hours between 1 and 20 weeks of age. At 28 weeks, two pens of each breed were subjected to different light treatments. Light treatments were: A. 1 hr. light and 3.75 hr. dark four times per day and 1 hr. light and 4 hr. dark (5L/19D); B. 2 hr. light and 4 hr. dark four times per day (8L/16D); and C. 14 hr. light and 10 hr. dark one time per day (14L/10D). Feed was equally restricted to all birds after 12 weeks of age. All breeders on the 14 L/D10 treatments exceeded 50% hen-day production (HDP) at 29 weeks of age. Age at 50% HDP was 30 and 29 weeks for the Hubbards and 31 and 30 weeks for the Columbians on 5L/19D and 8L/16D, respectively. Mean peak HDP was 17% higher for the 14L/10D treatment than the mean peak HDP for the intermittent photoperiods. However, with severe feed restriction, HDP decreased 42% between 35 and 49 weeks of age for the Hubbards. During the same period, the Columbians on the same photoperiod decreased 17% in HDP. Average HDP between 29 and 49 weeks of age was 48, 48, and 45 for the Hubbards and 47, 53, and 64 for the Columbians on the 5L/19D, 8L/16D, and 14L/10D, respectively. There was no significant difference in fertility or hatchability due to photoperiod treatment. Floor eggs were a problem with Hubbards on short-

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ability of young and old hens to maintain egg shell calcification when stressed with inadequate dietary calcium. In Experiment 1, 90 hens (33 weeks old) and 90 hens (63 weeks old) were divided into three equal groups and fed a diet containing 3.00%, 1.75% or 1.00% calcium. Egg weight, specific gravity and shell weight were determined on all eggs laid during the first 4-days of the experiment. Feed consumption and serum calcium were also determined for each treatment. Experiment 2 was conducted similar to Experiment 1, except eggs were collected for 5-days. Samples of feces and bones were obtained on the fifth day and analyzed for minerals. The results of both experiments indicated that the old hens were able to maintain egg specific gravity, egg shell weight, egg weight, egg production and serum calcium as well or better than young hens when both were stressed for short periods with diets containing inadequate dietary calcium. Feed consumption was not significantly reduced by dietary calcium deficiency during this short experimental period. Percent calcium, sodium, magnesium and manganese in the feces were significantly reduced in hens (young and old) when fed diets containing 1.75 or 1.00% calcium with the amount of reduction being similar in young and old hens. In summary, the results indicated that old hens have the ability to adjust to short periods of dietary calcium deficiency as well or better than young hens.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS day intermittent photoperiod treatments.

RAPID METHOD FOR ESTIMATING XANTHOPHYLL IN CORN AT THE GRAIN ELEVATOR Max Rubin 1 and Karl H. Norris 2 , ' Poultry Science Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, and 2Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705

THE EFFECTS OF METHIONINE HYDROXY ANALOGUE AND NATURALLY OCCURRING MINERAL SALTS (K 2 -MgS0 4 ) ON BROILER PERFORMANCE Tom D. Runnels, Department of Animal Science and Agricultural Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, George W. Malone, University of Delaware, Substation Division, Georgetown, DE 19947, and John W. Merkley and Lloyd H. Littlefield, U.S.D.A. Poultry Research Laboratory, Georgetown, DE 19947 A broiler experiment of five feeding trials was conducted to determine the influence of methionine hydroxy analogue (100 mg./kg. of diet) and a mixture of naturally occurring mineral salts (K 2 -MgS0 4 —100 mg./kg. of diet) on broiler performance (growth and feed efficiency). Each trial consisted of 5,400 chicks kept in floor pens and fed practical diets without supplemental methionine other than the experimental variable. At 4 weeks of age the addition of either methionine hydroxy analogue or K 2 -MgS0 4 had significantly (P<.01) improved both growth and feed

efficiency but the effects of combining both variables in one diet was not additive. At 8 weeks the performance trends were similar to those at 4 weeks of age. Either dietary methionine hydroxy analogue or K2-MgSO„ improved growth and feed efficiency significantly (P<.01). However, again when both were used together the results were not additive. A comparison of broiler performance at 8 weeks for the 5 experiments revealed that those receiving methionine hydroxy analogue averaged 2060 grams in body weight and required 2.034 units of feed per unit of live weight. Those receiving K 2 -MgS0 4 averaged 2051 grams and required 2.032 units of feed per unit of live weight. Neither of these differences approached significance. These results suggest that under the conditions of these feeding trials that 1000 mg. of K 2 -MgS0 4 may be used to replace 1000 mg. of methionine hydroxy analogue per kg. of diet, thereby reducing feed cost without significantly affecting broiler performance.

SALE OF FRESH DRESSED TURKEYS AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND A MONEYMAKING CLUB ACTIVITY W. D. Russell and J. M. Vandepopuliere, Department of Poultry Husbandry, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65201 Many people prefer fresh dressed turkeys for their holiday fare and are willing to pay a premium for them. Poultry Science Club members at the University of Missouri took advantage of this knowledge during the Thanksgiving holiday season and received an outstanding learning experience in advertising, marketing and public relations. In addition, they netted $700 for their club treasury. Arrangements were made with a local processor to obtain deep chilled, U.S.D.A. Grade " A " turkeys at wholesale price of 50 cents per pound. Birds were packaged and weighed at the plant. Orders were tkaen by phone following advertising through newspaper ads and special mailing to local residents. Customers were given a choice of ordering from two weight classes—10 to 14 pounds and 16 to 20 pounds. Price for both weight classes was set at 65 cents per pound. A specific date and place was designated where customers could pick up their birds. Club members discovered that a minimum of work and expense was involved in carrying out the activity. The social contact and fellowship with customers at time of pick-up was very rewarding and gave members an opportunity to acquaint the public with their club activities.

MINI-MEETINGS AND WORKS HOPS-EXTENSION TRAINING MOVED TO WHERE THE ACTION IS Paul L. Ruszler, Poultry Science Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Demands on today's poultryman makes it difficult to develop day-long seminar type meetings that are worthy of his time. Attendance at seminars has

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Various segments of the Delmarva broiler industry would like to encourage the production of corn containing a high content of xanthophyll by paying a premium to cash corn crop producers at the time of delivery to the grain elevator. However, this would require the capability of estimating the xanthophyll in corn that would take minutes to complete. Modifications of existing wet chemistry methods were tried but were still too time consuming; therefore, physical methods were then attempted. The dried corn samples were ground to pass through a 20 mesh screen in a Wiley mill. The three methods tested were visible light transmittance, visible light reflectance and infrared light reflectance. The tests were run on 18 samples of corn for which xanthophyll values had been determined by the C.I.R.F. method. They ranged, on a dry weight basis, from a high of 52.6 mg./kg. to a low of 17.8 mg./kg. The best method was visible light transmittance. The standard error was found to be 1.83 mg./kg. of corn. Thus, the error was 4.2% if the sample contained 44.1 mg./kg.; however, a 22.0 mg./kg. corn sample would have 8.3% error by the visible light transmittance method. Since a premium would be paid only in the range around 44.1 mg./kg. or better for the xanthophyll in a load of corn, for all practical purposes, the standard error is approximately 5 percent. Visible light reflectance was slightly less useful (5.0% S.E.) and infrared light reflectance was considerably less useful (13.0% S.E.) for the estimation of xanthophyll in corn.

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EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLANDIN E ^ E 2 AND INDOMETHACIN ON OVULATION IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL M. Samsonovitch and P. C. Lague, Department of Animal Science, Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., Canada HOA ICO Studies were undertaken to elucidate whether prostaglandins are involved in the ovulatory cycle of the White Leghorn by looking at their effect on the largest follicle. PGE, (50-200 Mg-) and PGE 2 (100-300 Mg.) were administered intrafollicularly 10 hours and 6, 10 and 14 hours, respectively, before the expected time of ovulation. Both PGE, and PGE2 did not cause premature ovum discharge (as determined by laparotomy two hours after injection). Intrafollicular injection of indomethacin (2000 Mg-) immediately after oviposition did not block ovulation. Control follicles injected with the phosphate buffer vehicle underwent normal ovulation. Indomethacin given intramuscularly (25-50 mg.) or intravenously (25 mg.) following oviposition did not block ovulation nor subsequent oviposition as determined by rectal palpation. These results strongly suggest PGE, and PGE2 are not involved in ovulation in chickens although further studies are needed to substantiate such a conclusion.

INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF ZINC ON PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

supplemented with 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 2 lb. of zinc sulfate per ton of complete feed. Criteria used for evaluating this research included % egg production, egg weight, specific gravity, egg shell thickness, albumen height, Haugh units, feed required per dozen eggs produced and % mortality. The addition of zinc sulfate slightly depressed egg size. The zinc sulfate supplementation resulted in improved albumen height, Haugh units, specific gravity and shell thickness. Based on this research it appears that hens receiving the basal diet supplemented with 227 grams i}h lb.) of zinc sulfate per ton of feed resulted in the most favorable level as measured by the response in improving shell thickness of egg shells. There was little adverse influence on egg weight, and improvements were observed in albumen height, Haugh units, feed utilization and livability of the birds involved in the research.

ZINC-METHIONINE POULTRY

SUPPLEMENTATION

FOR

Paul E. Sanford and K. S. Reddy, Department of Dairy-Poultry Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 Egg-strain birds (1600) were used in each of 2 experiments to evaluate performance of layers fed 2 levels of prot. (13% & 17%) with or without supplement. In Expt. 1, 5 diets were used, each being repl. 4 times (80 birds/repl.). In Expt. 2, 6 diets were used, so pens were unequally distributed. Four repl. were used *for diets 1 —4 & 2 repl. for diets 5 & 6. Daily egg prod. & mortality records were maintained & feed consumption data were collected every 56 days. Egg wt. & sp. gr. data were collected for a 3-day period every 28 days. In Expt. 2, eggs were randomly selected & broken out to observe alb. ht. so Haugh units could be determined, & shell thickness measured. All data were analyzed statistically. In Expt. 1, birds receiving the 17% prot. diet + 460 g./T of DL-meth. prod, significantly (P<.05) more eggs. Nonsignificant differences in egg prod, were observed between the above group of birds & those that were fed the 13% prot. diet + 150 g./T of zinc-meth. (Zinpro-240®). In Expt. 2, the same observation was made except that birds fed the 13% prot. diet & zinc-meth. prod, significantly fewer eggs than those fed the 17% prot. diet. The 13% prot. diet + 150 g./T of zinc-meth. performed equally to that of the higher prot. diets with or without one of the supplements. No significant differences were observed with egg wt., shell quality or interior quality of eggs prod. Feed utilization data for Expt. 1 revealed a significant (P<.05) difference due to diets fed, & a highly significant (P<.01) difference in Expt. 2.

EFFECT OF pH ON EGG SHELL PENETRATION BY SALMONELLAE

Paul E. Sanford, Department of Dairy-Poultry Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

E. A. Sauter, C. F. Petersen, J. F. Parkinson and E. E. Steele, Animal Industries Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843

Commercial egg-strain caged laying hens have been fed a 17% protein basal diet and the same basal diet

Experiments were conducted to study effects of pH on penetration of eggs by three species of

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become mostly middle and upper management personnel plus feed, drug and pullet salesman. A more effective method is needed to "bring the mountain to Mohammed". Two methods have proven successful in presenting effective extension programs directly to individual pullet and egg producers. To help integrated operations, workshops consisting of 2 or 3 intensive subjects were presented to producers of each integrated company during evening meetings. The integrator usually furnished the evening meal. Material presented was compatible with sound management practices and the company's program. Five companies have requested this service to date with 2 or 3 meetings per company. Assistance for independent producers was offered by applying workshop principles to daytime "minimeetings" of 4—5 hrs. duration (with lunch provided). Meetings were localized in areas where these producers could observe particular types of equipment and receive expert training in its operation. After lunch, the "mini-meetings" covered 1 or 2 subjects with time for discussion. Attendance at the evening workshops have ranged from 40 to 70 and the "mini-meetings" from 35 to 50 people. Requests for these meetings continue; with their success apparently due to versatility, availability and subject material covered.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

THE EFFECTS OF SURGICAL BURSECTOMY, THYMECTOMY AND CHEMICAL BURSECTOMY ON THE ABILITY OF S.C.W.L. CHICKS TO REGRESS RSV-A WING WEB TUMORS T. F. Savage and J. H. Smith, Department of Research and Development, Hubbard Farms, Inc., Walpole, NH 03608 The effects of surgical and chemical treatments to dissociate the immune mechanisms of the chicken that control the ability to regress RSV-A wing web tumors were studied. S.C.W.L. chicks selected for RSV-A wing web tumor regression after 28 day old virus challenge were used for this study. Surgical bursectomy (SB) of generation 6 selected chicks showed a slight negative difference in regression ability from the intact controls. Chemical bursectomy (CB), using testosterone propionate in ovo at 12 days of incubation has shown that chicks that hatched were depleted of IgG as measured using radial immunodiffusion and were unable to regress RSV-A tumors. The inability to regress RSV-A tumors was also observed in cyclophosphamide treated chicks where a 50% greater tumor regression was observed in controls as compared with treated. Surgical thymectomy resulted in a small reduction in tumor regression. Neonatal surgical thymectomy and subsequent treatment with chicken anti-thymic sera resulted in a further reduction in tumor regression with concomitant reductions in circulating IgG levels. Neonatal surgical thymectomy and bursectomy in the same chicks resulted in depressions in the RSV-A tumor regression incidence greater than either treatment independently. It was concluded that IgG production of the humoral component of the immune system is a necessary component for the regression of RSV-A wing web tumors.

BRAIN CATECHOLAMINE LEVELS IN SEIZURE-

PRONE CHICKS, GALLUS

DOMESTICUS

Mary Schaefer and Wayne ] . Kuenzel, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 The mutant sex-lined px (paroxysm) gene expressed in female White Leghorn chicks (Callus domesticus), causes seizures beginning on approximately day 9 after hatching. In an attempt to determine possible central nervous system involvement in the seizures, brain levels of the putative transmitters noradrenaline and dopamine were assayed. Brains of px chicks and controls (normal female siblings) were removed at 7, 14, and 21 days, weighed, and frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen for later analysis by the alumina-trihydroxyindoleamine method. Noradrenaline was assayed in whole brain and in 4 brain parts: cerebral hemispheres, optic lobes, cerebellum, and brain stem; dopamine was assayed in whole brain only. No differences between px and controls were found in whole brain levels of noradrenaline or dopamine, or in noradrenaline levels of the optic lobes. Brain stem levels of noradrenaline increased significantly (P<0.05) with time in both groups. Px chicks at 21 days of age had significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of noradrenaline in the cerebral hemispheres, while cerebellar noradrenaline levels were significantly lower at the same age. THREE GENERATIONS OF SELECTION FOR FERTILITY OF FROZEN CHICKEN SEMEN T. Scott, A. H. F. Oderkirk, R. B. Buckland and B. W. Kennedy, Department of Animal Science, Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., Canada HOA ICO Five fertility parameters and two semen quality traits were measured for frozen semen of 114 males of generation 3 of a broiler line selected for duration of fertility of frozen semen and 44 males of a random bred control line. One ejaculate per male was frozen at an average rate of 6°C./min. in a diluent containing 13.64% glycerol. After thawing and deglycerization 0.07 ml. of semen was inseminated into each of 6 Leghorn females. Eggs were saved for 15 days after insemination to determine for the selected and control populations respectively: 1) percent fertility to day 8, 11.44 ± 1.10% and 5.47 ± 0.99% (P<0.01); 2) duration of fertility in days, 2.03 ± 0.17 and 1.19 ± 0.21 (P<0.05); 3) mean fertility during duration, 19.21 ± 1.63% and 11.38 ± 1.77% (P<0.05); 4) percent hens fertile, 34.25 ± 2.40% and 21.75 ± 3.27% (P<0.05); 5) hatchability of fertile eggs, 73.19 ± 3.60 and 60.93 ± 7.13 (P>0.05). , Respective semen quality measurements for selected and control males were: 0.44 ± 0.01 ml and 0.49 ± 0.02 ml (P<0.05) for ejaculate volume and 2.79 ± 0.09 and 2.55 ± 0.14 (P>0.05) for sperm motility after freezing. Positive correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.70 to 0.89 (P<0.01), were found between all pairs of the five fertility traits. All fertility traits were positively correlated with motility, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.21 and 0.25 (P<0.05). Number of spermatozoa inseminated was not correlated (P>0.05) with any fertility trait.

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Salmonella. Eggs having an average specific gravity of 1.078 were subjected to challenge by either S. tryphimurium, S. st paul or S. derby. Challenge solutions ranged from pH 5.0 to 9.5 in 0.5 pH increments and contained an average of 7.5 X 10 3 Salmonella/ml. Egg temperature was 22° C. and solution temperature 4.4° C. when challenged. Tartaric acid (10%) or 1 N NaOH were used to adjust solution pH prior to adding challenge organisms. Eggs were challenged for 3 minutes then allowed to dry and held at 22° C. for 24 hrs, after which they were opened aseptically. Salmonella penetration was determined by swabbing the inner shell membrane and incubating in selenite cystene enrichment broth for 24 hrs. followed by plating on MacConkey Agar. Maximum penetration rates were 42% at pH 7.5, 22% at pH 8.5 and 34% at pH 7.0 for S. typhimurium, S. st paul and S. derby, respectively. In no case was penetration at pH 9.0 significantly different from pH at maximum penetration. Penetration by S. st paul at pH 9.5 was significantly less (P<.05) than at pH 7.0. Penetration at pH 5.5 was significantly (P<.05) less than at pH of maximum penetration.

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PROBLEMS WITH RELEASE OF CO a BY BLOOD DURING RENDERING G. K. Searcy and Douglas Hamm, Animal Products Laboratory, U.S.D.A., A.R.S., Russell Research Center, P.O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30604

TOE CLIPPING CAGED LAYERS A. E. Sefton, Livestock Services Branch, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing, and D. C. Crober, Animal Science Department, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 5EN Pullets from nine experimental matings of egg production type stock, half of which had the terminal phalanx removed at day-old, were floor brooded and reared intermingled to 20 wk. of age. Forty-eight pullets of each toe treatment-mating subclass were assigned 3 per cage to cages of size 1 (36 X 46 cm.), 20 pullets of each toe treatment-mating subclass were assigned 2 per cage to cages of size 2 (30 X 46 cm.), and 24 pullets of each toe treatment-mating subclass were assigned 2 per cage to cages of size 3 (24 X 46 cm.). Age at 50% production was significantly affected by mating (range 162 to 174 days), but not by any of the other main effects or first order interactions. Similarly, hen housed egg production was significantly affected only by mating (range 48 to 71%). Egg size distribution was significantly affected by mating, toe treatment, and cage size. Mating contributed significantly to variation in numbers of eggs in all egg size classes. Toe clipped pullets layed fewer extra large eggs (>64 g.) than controls (16.4 and 19.9%, respectively) and more medium size eggs (50 to 57 g.) than controls (29.3 and 25.2%, respectively). Cage size contributed significantly to the variation in numbers of eggs weighing <50 g. (small and pee-wee size eggs).

DIETARY PHOSPHORUS LEVELS FOR LAYING HENS J. L. Sell, W. J. Owingsand S. L. Balloun, Department of Animal Science (Poultry Section), Iowa State

1 Experiment 1 was conducted at North Dakota State University. Experiments 2 and 3 were done at Iowa State University.

HIGH DIETARY ZINC AND MAGNESIUM INDUCTION OF FORCED-REST IN LAYING HENS R. L. Shippee, P. E. Stake and R. W. Simmons, Nutritional Sciences Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268 Previous studies indicated that 10,000 p.p.m. dietary zinc resulted in a rapid and complete cessation of egg production without loss of feathers. Similar results were obtained by feeding 20,000 p.p.m. dietary magnesium. To evaluate these dietary treatments as methods of force-resting laying hens, 90 caged S.C.W.L. hens, 11 months into production, were randomly assigned to 5 groups and either control molted (water withheld for 48 hr. and feed witheld 9 days followed by 21 days feeding of grower ration) or force-rested by feeding 10,000 p.p.m. supplemental Zn from zinc acetate (ZnAc) or zinc oxide (ZnO) or 20,000 p.p.m. supplemental Mg from magnesium acetate (MgAc) or magnesium oxide (MgO) for 14 days. Complete cessation of egg production occurred within 6 days for the control molted group and within 5 days for those receiving ZnAc and ZnO, respectively. Response to MgAc or MgO was incomplete with production decreasing to only 15.1 and 42.3%, respectively, during the 14 day high-Mg feeding period. Egg production resumed within 12 and 11 days post high-Zn feeding for the ZnAc and ZnO groups, respectively. Hen-day production during the 6-24 week period following initiation of molt or forced-rest was: control, 59.7; ZnAc, 56.0; ZnO, 55.1; MgAc, 55.3; and MgO, 50.3%. Both control molting and forced-resting with high-Zn resulted in substantial

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Batch type rendering operations that heat coagulate blood prior to dewatering often experience problems with a rapid release of gasses from within the heating blood mass. This rapid release often expels product from the heating tank into the exhaust system (blow-by) and ultimately into the waste water system, not only resulting in product loss, but increasing waste water pollution. Our studies have shown that gas release may be as great as 140 volumes percent as the product approaches 95° C. and that depending on physical state of the product this release may be almost instantaneous. Almost all the gas released is C 0 2 . Freshly collected blood was found to contain not more than 40 volumes percent CO,. Vigorous stirring during heating will greatly reduce the violence of the gas release. Also, if blood is pressure cooked at 105°C. for 5 minutes, the CO, will be released from the liquid and move into the head space. The gas can then be cautiously released without problem.

University, Ames, 1A 50011 Two experiments were conducted with commercial strain, White Leghorn laying hens to determine the effect of low dietary phosphorus (P) levels on production characteristics. In experiment 1 ' , three levels of total P (TP) were used; 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8%. Corresponding inorganic P (IP) levels for these treatments were 0.27, 0.37 and 0.47%. All levels of P supported a high rate of egg production through the 336 day experiment, and no treatment effects on hen-day feed consumption, feed required per dozen eggs or mortality were observed. In experiment 2, rations containing 0.09% IP (0.42% TP), 0.18% IP (0.51% TP) or 0.27% IP (0.60% TP) were fed for 140 days. Again, rate of egg production, feed efficiency and mortality were not affected by P level of the ration. The results of a third experiment showed that hens required some dietary IP in order to maintain a high rate of egg production. Egg production by 47-weekold hens fed a ration containing 0.30% TP, but devoid of IP, decreased from about 76% to 44% within three weeks after start of the trial. Hens fed a ration with 0.09% or more IP continued egg production at satisfactory rates. The data of the three experiments indicate that the laying hen's P requirement is between 0.1 and 0.2% IP in rations which contain 0.4 to 0.5% TP.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

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improvements in Haugh score, shell thickness and specific gravity, whereas high-Mg treatments resulted in much lower egg quality improvements. Therefore, 10,000 p.p.m. dietary Zn for 14 days can effectively induce forced-resting and improve egg quality.

The precision of T.M.E. measurements is increased with the level of feed input providing that there is no regurgitation. Similarly, precision is increased with the level of dietary inclusion but sensitivity to interactions with other dietary components may be lost.

FEED INGREDIENT VARIATION AMONG SUPPLIERS

PLASMA CORTICOSTEROID, GLUCOSE, AND BODY WEIGHTS IN JAPANESE QUAIL DIVERGENTLY SELECTED FOR PLASMA CHOLESTEROL RESPONSE TO ACTH

J. V. Shutze, D. M. Thomason and J. T. Kiker*, Extension Poultry Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, and * Central Soya, Barber Street, Athens, GA 30601

EFFECT OF LEVELS OF INPUT AND OF DIETARY INCLUSION ON T.M.E. VALUES I. R. Sibbald, Animal Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0C6 The true metabolizable energy (T.M.E.) value of a pelleted diet was measured with adult, S.C.W.L. roosters at levels of input ranging, by 10 g. increments, from 10 to 100 g. per bird; there were 8 replications. At input levels above 4 0 g. there was regurgitation which increased in incidence and severity with the level of input. The standard errors of mean T.M. E. values decreased as input increased but at input levels above 60 g. the trend was reversed because of regurgiation. The optimum level of feed input was 40 g. per bird. In experiments designed to measure the T.M.E. values of tallow and soybean oil the variability of the mean values decreased as the levels of dietary inclusion of the fats increased. However, high levels of inclusion masked possible interactions between the fats and other dietary components. A sample of tallow fed in conjunction with a high calcium diet at levels of inclusion of 5, 15 and 30% had T.M.E. values of 10.38 + 0.60, 7.87 ± 0.21 and 7.83 ± 0.15 kcal./g., respectively.

Three variables considered as possible correlated responses to the selected trait—response of plasma cholesterol to ACTH (2 I.U./lOOg. body wt./day, I.M. for 3 days)—were measured in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonka) during 4 generations of selection. Plasma corticosteroid was depressed in both lines in all generations after 3 days of treatment. Although there was a significant depression in glucose after treatment in both lines in the F t , the effect was not consistent in following generations. Four-week body weights of the low response line were consistently lower than those of the high response line, but the difference was not significant until the 4th generation.

THE PHOTOSEXUAL RESPONSE AND EGG PRODUCTION OF MATED AND UNMATED CORTURNIX QUAIL Thomas D. Siopes and Wilbor O. Wilson, Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 Three tests were conducted with Coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to determine the effect of the male's presence on both egg production and the photosexual response of females. In the first test, addition of males to previously unmated females significantly decreased egg production. This male induced depression of egg production was shown to persist for more than 8 weeks following the removal of the male. In the second and third tests egg production was again shown to be significantly decreased by the presence of a male. In addition, the effect of the male on the cessation of egg production followed short day (8L:16D) exposure and the resumption of egg production following long day (16L:8D) exposure was determined. In each case the mated birds regressed sooner and recrudesced later than unmated birds. It was concluded that the presence of males adversely affected both egg production and the photosexual response of female Coturnix quail.

THE EFFECT OF PROTEIN LEVEL UPON SEMEN QUALITY PARAMETERS D. R. Sloan, J. E. Jones, B. L. Hughes and K. A. Wall, Department of Poultry Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631

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The control of quality and variation in nutrient composition of feed ingredients is costly but a necessary part of feed manufacturing. Results obtained from laboratory analyses reports submitted to the University of Georgia Extension Poultry Science Department indicate averages may be very close to book values but variation among suppliers causes concern. Using meat and bone meal and poultry by-product meal and determining the coefficient of variation (C.V.) as a measure of variability, protein is the least variable of all nutrients tested. With 1852 pooled samples of meat and bone meal the C.V. was 4.6%. Selecting the three major suppliers the C.V. was 3.7, 4.1 and 4.3% for suppliers with 465, 724 and 293 samples, respectively. The C.V. for phosphorus was 21.4, 13.2, 16.6 and 17.5% for 671, 173, 309 and 79 samples, respectively. The most variable nutrients based on their C.V. were fiber 32.8%, ash 36.4%, and moisture 24.9%. For poultry by-product meal the most variable nutrient was fiber, 77.7% for pooled samples and 18.6% and 33.1% for two major suppliers. The percentage moisture was highly variable, i.e. C.V. for three suppliers was 23.2%, 41.3% and 30.9%.

H. S. Siegel, H. L. Marks, and J. W. Latimer, U.S.D.A.-Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, 934 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605

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A STUDY OF THE NAKED NECK GENE OF THE FOWL L. T. Smith and R. Lee, Department of Animal Science, 215 Woodward Hall, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 The dominant mutant, naked neck, was maintained in a segregating inbred line and the groups being compared were those homozygous for the normal allele and individuals heterozygous for the mutant allele. The groups were compared on the basis of; fertility, egg production, weight, and quality, sexual maturity, hematocrit, body temperature and heat tolerance. Naked neck males produced 87.8% fertile eggs compared to that of normal male fertility of 79.7%. Although in favor of naked neck males it was not significant. Other measures that influence fertility; semen concentration and mating numbers were not different. No differences were found between the two groups in egg production, weight or quality. Also no differences were found for the measures of adult body temperature, sexual maturity and hematocrit. Naked neck chicks did consistently have a greater survival rate to heat stress. The average rate over several trials was 51.4% for naked neck chicks while only 38.8% of the normal chicks survived this stress.

males to two unrelated females that showed the amelanotic phenotype. Results from Fl and F 2 mating indicate the inheritance of the amelanosis to be either autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance or due to multiple recessive genes. The incidence of amelanosis in the F 2 population was only 5%. After two additional generations of DAM X DAM matings the incidence of amelanosis was 85.6%, an increase of 20.1% over the F 3 generation. In addition, 39.6% of the amelanotics were blind, a trait that has never been observed in the pigmented birds from this line. An occasional amelanotic adult (2 of 91 in the F 3 generation) regained at least temporarily the ability to melanize feathers.

OVULATION CYCLE EFFECTS ON THE AVIAN OVIDUCT RESPONSE TO AUTONOMIC DRUGS Karam F. A. Soliman, School of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307 In vitro studies on the effect of epinephrine (EP), norepinephrine (NEP), 5-hydroxytryptamine( 5-HT), phenoxybenzamine, isopreternol, propranolol, acetylcholine and atropine on the infundibulum, isthmus and uterus of Gallus domesticus were conducted. The results of this experiment indicated that the ovulation cycle change the oviduct tissue reactivity to adrenergic drugs. Around ovulation time, NEP stimulated both force and frequency of contractions in all parts except for the uterus and epinephrine cause relaxation of all tissue studied. When the egg was in the magnum, NEP caused relaxation of all tissue except for the infundibulum. Similar results when tthe egg was in the isthmus. Egg entrance to the uterus caused increase in the rhythmic contraction frequency with decline in amplitude in all oviduct segments studied when NEP was added to the media. 5-HT produced an increase in frequency and force of contractions for all segments tested at all times during the ovulation cycle except for the uterus which was found to inhibit the uterine motility when the egg was not in the uterus. Cholinergic and adrenergic (a and 0) activities were blocked by atropine, phenoxybenzamine and propranolol respectively with no effect on 5-HT activity. It was concluded from this study that hormonal balance and egg position modulate the receptors activity of the oviduct tissues.

AN INHERITED DELAYED AMELANOSIS WITH ASSOCIATED BLINDNESS IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL

THE MANY FACES OF MO

J. Robert Smyth, Jr., Raymond E. Boissy and Mark F. Gawron, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003

By means of F, crosses, the autosomal recessive mottling gene, mo, which produces white mottles on black plumaged birds, has been shown to be the same gene that produces the various color varieties known as speckle, spangled, mille fleur and porcelain in the plumage of non-black birds. The type of secondary plumage pattern that is produced by the mo mo genotype is modified by the e allele and possible dilution genes carried by the bird. In the down plumage the mo gene expresses itself only on EE backgrounds, while in adults it expresses itself on all color producing backgrounds. Although mo's mode of action is the same on all background

A line of chickens (DAM line) has been developed that is characterized by a high incidence of a delayedappearing feather amelanosis and a related visual defect leading to blindness. The onset of the amelanosis is variable with the earliest appearance in the juvenile plumage. Varying degrees of amelanosis are observed in early plumage, however, eventually there is a complete loss of feather eumelanin and pheomelanin. The line originated from matings of normal

Ralph G. Somes, Jr., Nutritional Sciences Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268

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An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary protein level upon semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm per ejaculate in large Broad Breasted White turkeys. A total of 30 mature birds (30 weeks of age) was randomly assigned to replicated pens of 10, 13 or 16 percent protein for the five 28-day periods. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) noted on any of the parameters tested. Treatment averages for the 10, 13 and 16 percent protein diets, respectively, were: semen volume 0.32 ml., 0.33 ml. and 0.28 ml.; semen concentration 7.84 mil./mm. 3 , 7.48 mil./mm. and 8.50 mil./mm. 3 ; sperm per ejaculate 2.51 bil., 2.47 bil. and 2.38 bil. Under the conditions of this study, 10 percent protein was sufficient to maintain semen quality in toms dietary unrestricted during the growing period.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS colors, the phenotypes resulting from its action are of two basic types. The initial gene action is to inhibit all pigmentation of the newly developing feather tip. This action is followed by one of eumelanin production in which a black band is produced. The action of the mo gene then stops, and the remainder of the feather is pigmented according to the rest of the genome. Thus a black feather has a white tip and a phaeomelaninized feather is tri-color, white, black and phaeomelanin shade. A new color variety, called the silver mille fleur, has been produced by applying this theory of gene action to silver columbian-type plumage color background.

J. F. Stephens, Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Columbus, OH 43210 A series of trials were conducted to study the effects of the sex-linked dwarfing gene (dw) on resistance to Newcastle disease. In two trials, broilertype dwarf (D-2) and normal-sized (AG) chicks were vaccinated intranasally with Roakin strain N. D. vaccine at one week of age. At 2-3 weeks post-vaccination the average HI titer of the AG strain chicks exceeded that of the D-2 strain by about 1 Log t 0 in one trial in which HI tests were conducted. However, 31 and 22% of the vaccinated AG strain chicks died during the 3 week post-vaccination period in trial 1 and 2, respectively, while only 4% of the D-2 strain chicks died in each trial. In a trial in which one-week-old male chicks of genotypes DwDw, Dwdw, and dwdw were vaccinated intranasally with double strength LaSota strain N. D. vaccine, no mortality occurred and differences in average HI titers between groups were not great. Two trials were conducted in which males of each genotype were challenged with the Gilbert-Boney strain of N. D. virus at 10-12 days of age. The same total mortality (11 of 24) occurred in each of the 3 groups. Results of these trials suggest that the sex-linked dwarfing might be more resistant to the Roakin vaccine strain, but not to the LaSota vaccine or GB strain of N. D. virus, than its normal sized counterpart.

ing a major, including O. S. U., included: Introductory Poultry Science—13 departments, Nutrition—16, Physiology/Biology—13, Diseases—12, Incubation/ Brooding—5, Genetics/Breeding-13, Products Technology—11, Production/Management—14, Judging—7, Work Experience—9. The number of credits in each area varied considerably between departments. About one-third of the credits in nutrition and genetics/ breeding were reported to be interdepartmental offerings. Among the 10 responding departments not offering a major in poultry science, 6 offered an introductory poultry course, 3 a poultry nutrition course and 3 offered a production/management course. The total number of students majoring in poultry science (Spring, 1976) reported by the 17 departments was 576—364 undergraduates, 121 in M. S. programs, and 91 in Ph.D. programs.

T H E EFFECT OF DIURNAL RHYTHM ON LYMPHOCYTE MIGRATION IN THE CHICKEN R. Stinson, M. Mashaly, F. McCorkle and B. Glick, Department of Poultry Science, Box 5188, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Lymphocytes were collected from the peripheral blood, thymus, and spleen of 6-week-old New Hampshire chickens. The cells were collected every 6 hours for a 24 hour period. Cell suspensions were purified by Ficoll-Paque density centrifugation and adjusted to 1.5 X 10 8 cells/ml. Capillary tubes were filled, placed in Sykes-Moore chambers, and the cells allowed to migrate at 37°C, for up to 24 hours. In general it has been observed that peripheral blood and thymus-derived (T-cell) lymphocytes migrate more rapidly than do either bursal (B-cell) or splenic lymphocytes. T-cells collected at 8:00 a.m. consistently began migration at 4 hours and reached a maximum migration area at 18 hours. However, if T-cells are collected at either 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., the migration occurred as early as 1 hour, but reached a maximum migration area at 18 and 15 hours, respectively. Peripheral blood lymphocytes began migration as early as 1 hour, but sampling times appeared to have no significant effect on their overall migration. Therefore, there appears to be diurnal rhythm influence on T-cell migration but not other lymphocyte populations. Supported, in part, by PHS Grant AI 11894-03 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

A COMPARISON OF UNDERGRADUATE POULTRY SCIENCE CURRICULA J. F. Stephens and E. C. Naber, Department of Poultry Science, The Ohio State University, 674 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 In preparation for a review of the undergraduate poultry Science curriculum at The Ohio State University, information was requested from 31 departments relative to their programs. Twenty-six responses were received—16 from departments offering a major in poultry science. The number of credits in poultry science indicated as being required for a major ranged from 13.5 t o 51 quarter-hours equivalent. Coursework required or "taken by most" undergraduate poultry science students at universities offer-

IDENTIFICATION OF A 17-DAY LETHAL FACTOR IN A CHONDRODYSTROPHIC STOCK OF TURKEYS J. T. Stout and E. G. Buss, Department of Poultry Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 Chondrodystrophy in turkeys is a lethal condition produced by an autosomal allele, ch. Mutants are characterized by very short and thick legs, shortened wings, globular head with parrot beak, and a protruding abdomen. Classification of ch/ch embryos may be accurately made at twelve days incubation, prior to which limited appendicular development precludes

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SEX-LINKED DWARFISM AND RESISTANCE TO NEWCASTLE DISEASE

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS 0.20%; B, 0.52 to 0.30%; and C, 0.62 to 0.40%. All of the inorganic phosphorus, from either defluorinated or dicalcium phosphate, and 30% of plant source P were considered "available". Body weight and percent bone ash differences among "available" P levels were significant (P<0.05 and/or 0.01) in both sexes. Average 16 weeks, female body weights were: 5.70, 5.95 and 6.13 kg., respectively, for A, B and C regimes of "available" P. Average 20 weeks, male body weights were: 10.68, 11.13 and 11.43 kg., respectively, for the A, B and C regimes. Body weight differences between supplemental P sources, defluorinated and dicalcium phosphates, were small and inconsistent. Results of this study support the use of dietary phosphorus levels equal to or slightly higher than current N.R.C. recommendations.

ADHESION AND UNIFORMITY OF COATING OF A COMMERCIAL BREADING MIX IN RELATION TO SKIN ULLTRASTRUCTURE

A HOIST ARRANGEMENT ON A SMALL HORIZONTAL TWIN RIBBON FEED MIXER

D. R. Suderman and F. E. Cunningham, Department of Dairy and Poultry Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 Commercially processed and frozen baking hens and broilers were purchased from a local wholesaler. The frozen carcasses were thawed overnight at room temperature prior to baking. The carcasses were separated into 5 parts and baked with a commercial breading mix for 50 minutes at 400° F. Uniformity of coating and adhesion of the breading mix to poultry skin were evaluated. The commercial coating mix adhered to poultry skin better than exposed muscle tissue. Adhesion improved when parts were baked on a rack instead of a flat pan surface. Precooking the chicken prior to breading decreased adhesion. Uniformity of coating was better on fresh parts than on frozen-thawed parts. Adhesion and uniformity were progressively less with precoating dips of milk, water and no dip in that order. Skin ultrastructure (with and without coating) was studied with a scanning electron microscope. Photos were also taken of raw and baked poultry skin. The photographs revealed severe surface deterioration of poultry skin due to baking. Cross section pictures also showed moderate cell distortion.

DIETARY PHOSPHORUS LEVELS FOR LARGE WHITE TURKEYS TO 20 AND 24 WEEKS OF AGE T. W. Sullivan and Ayhan Aksoy, Department of Poultry and Wildlife Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NB 68583 Three phosphorus regimes in practical, corn-soybean meal diets were fed to female turkeys from day-old to 20 weeks. A similar experiment was conducted concurrently with male turkeys to 24 weeks of age. Phosphorus regimes consisted of three levels or planes of "available" phosphorus, each decreasing at four-week intervals as the experiment progressed. Starting and finishing levels of "available" phosphorus in each regime were as follows: A, 0.42 to

M. L. Sunde and M. J. Wineland, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI53706 Nutrition or management classes using demonstrations or laboratory exercises sometimes need diets of 20—40 kgs. Feed mixers of the right capacity are usually unavailable. Vertical screw mixers have too much capacity. Horizontal mixers may handle smaller amounts and are adaptable to semi-liquid diets; however, horizontal mixers either need to be filled with an elevator, or a ramp must be constructed from which to hand-add the amounts of corn or other major components of the diet. The elevator multiplies problems with contaimination and clean-up. The ramp required a lot of muscular effort. These problems have been lessened considerably by the installation of a lifting device for the mixer. The lift (including the hydraulic pump, hoses, supply tank, and control lever) from a fork lift truck of the type used in warehouses has been bolted to the feed mixing room wall. An electric motor (3/4 H.P.-1100 R.P.M.) is used to drive the hydraulic pump. A angle iron frame is welded to the lift assembly and the small mixer bolted to the frame. The twin ribbon horizontal mixer can now be lowered so the bottom of the mixer is only a few inches from the floor. After or during the mixing of the feed, the unit can be elevated high enough so a 30-gallon garbage can or a feed sack can be placed under the discharge gate. Because the entire unit is wall-mounted, the area under the mixer can be swept clean. A simple safety device has been installed to prevent problems with over-extending the lift device.

LAYER PERFORMANCE IN REVERSE VS. CONVENTIONAL CAGES M. H. Swanson and D. D. Bell, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 A commercial strain of White Leghorn pullets was maintained at two densities (3 and 4 birds per cage) in cages of three different shapes. Two were conventional (30.5 cm. wide X 40.6 cm. deep and 30.5 cm. wide X 45.7 cm. deep) and one was a "reverse" or shallow-

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distinction from normal or heterozygous birds. Death caused by the mutant allele occurs between 24 to 28 days; some embryos are alive but unpipped at time of hatch. Analysis of the pattern of embryonic mortality for the stock carrying the ch allele revealed a 17-day lethal factor which appears to be independent of chondrodystrophy. Of 55 females mated to +/ch males, 41 were determined to be +/ch; 32 of these +/ch females exhibited only a typical embryonic mortality pattern during the last four days of incubation. Nine hens, in addition to being +/ch, displayed a significant increase for embryonic death between 15 to 19 days, peaking sharply at 17 days. Of the 14 females determined to be +/+ for chondrodystrophy, five showed the same 15 to 19 day pattern of mortality observed for the nine +/ch females.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS type cage (45.7 cm. wide and 30.5 cm. deep). Records were started at 20 weeks of age and continued to 76 weeks. The trend was toward improved performance in the reverse cage, although differences were not always statistically significant. The more pronounced advantages were in hen-housed production, feed efficiency and egg income over feed cost. At the higher bird density, these same performance factors were depressed for all cage shapes. There was little or no effect of either cage shape or bird density on egg size, shell quality, and Haugh unit values.

Daniel W. Talmadge and John W. Riesen, Poultry Science Section, Animal Industries Department, U-40, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268 The incubation and embryology project is a very popular project at all school levels, club activities and poultry shows. Personnel involved in this project usually know the basic methods involved in hatching the eggs but would like to be able to demonstrate what is going on during the incubation period. Fertile eggs in several stages of development, infertile eggs and dead germs are shown. Three methods of observing development changes in the chick embryo are: The Candler Method, The Shell Window Method, and The Petri Dish Method. This tape should give teachers, leaders and students an appreciation of the development that is occurring during the incubation period. An understanding of these methods should encourage new experiments involving the developing embryo. BATTERY AND FLOOR-PEN COCCIDIOSIS STUDIES: SERIAL EXPOSURES TO MK-3021 T. Tamas, G. Olson, E. C. McManus and B. M. Miller, Poultry Parasitology & Nutrition, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065 In a series of battery tests against Eimeria tenella, 9- [ 2-chloro-6-fiuorophenylmethyl] -9H-purin-6-amine (MK-302) was compared to six marketed coccidiostats. A gradient inoculation system which is designed to measure several clinical coccidiosis parameters at various oocyst inocula levels was used as the criterion of measurement. These battery trials exhibited a pattern of oocyst output for MK-302 similar to those observed in products having histories of high market penetration and long field usage. A series of eight-week floor-pen trials have been conducted in which the birds in the initial trial were artificially infected with a five-species mixture of oocysts via the feed (avg. 25,000 oocysts of each species per bird). Succeeding trials were conducted with the same treatment in the same pens utilizing the old litter as the infective material. After seven trials on the same litter, no adverse effects due to coccidiosis were observed as measured by weight gain or feed efficiency at dietary levels of 0.005% or 0.0075%

MK-302. MK-302 administered in the feed at levels of 0.005%, 0.006% or 0.0075% showed no cross resistance with currently marketed coccidiostats in battery trials with five individual species of coccidia. 1

Arpocox

CAGE BROODING FOLLOWED BY FLOOR GROW OUT AS A POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE FOR BROILERS Paul Thaxton, G. Wallace Morgan and John Brake, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 Commercial broilers were reared in non-heated metal batteries for the first three weeks, then transferred to floor pens in conventional houses for a five week grow out period. The metal cages were located in environmentally modified rooms which provided a constant ambient temperature of 29 ± 2°C. Controls were reared continuously until marketing age in floor pens in the conventional house. Equal numbers of both sexes were maintained in the battery-brooded, as well as the control groups. All birds received a commercial diet ad libitum. Spring and winter trials were conducted. At three weeks of age the birds reared in the conventional manner weighed significantly more than battery-brooded birds in both trials. However, the feed conversions of the battery brooded birds were significantly (P<0.01) lower than those of the birds reared in floor pens in both trials. Upon moving the battery-brooded birds to floor pens, visual inspection revealed no discernible incidences of breast blisters or leg abnormalities. Following five weeks of grow out, the conventionally reared birds maintained their significant growth advantage; however, the battery-brooded birds maintained their highly significant advantage in feed conversion. A significant difference in livability between the two groups was not found. At processing carcass evaluation indicated no treatment differences in general conformation, breast blisters, or leg abnormalities. MODIFICATION OF LIVER PLASMA LIPID LEVELS IN LAYING HENS BY DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH TALLOW, CORN OIL, AND LECITHIN R. H. Thayer, Animal Science Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, J. L. Kelley and P. Alaupovic, Lipoprotein Laboratory, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, E. C. Nelson, Department of Biochemistry, and R. D. Morrison, Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074 The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of tallow, corn oil, and lecithin in two types of layer rations (corn-soybean meal, and starch-soybean meal) on liver and plasma lipid levels in caged laying hens. Plasma and

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A TV TAPE DEMONSTRATING METHODS OF OBSERVING THE DEVELOPING EMBRYO

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COST CONTROL OF FEED INGREDIENT ANALYSES D. M. Thomason, J. V. Shutze and J. T. Kiker*, Extension Poultry Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 and *Central Soya, Barber Street, Athens, GA 30601 Analyses of feed ingredients are an integral part of feed quality assurance. Routine analyses are necessary to provide current nutrient values for ration formulation and to insure the quality of the ingredients being received. How can one keep laboratory costs to a minimum? A program established in Georgia has provided the initial structure to provide accurate information and lowering costs. The Georgia industry was organized to send laboratory reports on feed ingredient analyses to the Extension Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, who compile the nutrient information by ingredients and suppliers. Companies using the same suppliers could alternate testing for a given ingredient thus reducing costs in proportion to participating companies. Information gathered from this program shows marked variation among suppliers and variation among nutrients within ingredients among suppliers. Utilizing this information costs could be reduced further by analyzing the ingredient only for those nutrients which are most variable among suppliers. One could also reduce costs by spot checking the consistent suppliers and routinely examine only the most variable of suppliers. For example, the coefficient of variation among three suppliers for fat in soybean meal was 31, 45 and 52%. Thus, checking the two most variable suppliers routinely would reduce costs. It has been indicated that most feed ingredient quality control programs pay for themselves in the adjustments received from suppliers. Long run returns are realized in better feed formulation resulting in a better product at a reduced cost.

AN EVALUATION OF FIELD STUDIES ON CON-

TROLLING THE HOUSE FLY, MUSCA MES TICA

DO-

Fredrick D. Thornberry and Charles L. Cole, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Increasing environmental awareness dictates that a continuous search for more effective fly control methods for caged layer operations be maintained. Results of Extension field studies in Texas have proven beneficial in developing more effective control programs. Basic studies have shown larvae hatch counts exceeding 450 day-old larvae per eight cubic inches of manure from untreated manure pits. Fly development exceeding 350 flies per week per square foot of untreated manure were measured in pits beneath cages. A series of trials in which the juvenile hormone Altosid was fed on a continuous basis to more than 300,000 caged layers showed the compound had no detectable detrimental effect on fly development when used under field conditions. Results have also shown that conventional sugar baits are relatively ineffective in attracting flies, especially when compared to a sugar bait containing the attractant Muscamone. In laying house tests the attractant bait attracted flies within 10 minutes of application. Wetted attractant bait after 24 hours appeared to be four to five times more effective than dry and 15 to 20 times more so than conventional sugar baits. Soured feed or eggs were much less attractive to common and little house flies than the Muscamone bait.

THE EFFECTS OF DISODIUM OCTABORATE TETRAHYDRATE ON BERMUDA GRASS SOD Fredrick D. Thornberry, Billy L. Harris, Charles D. Welch and Carl Gray, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Polybor 3) is the larvicide of choice for fly control for many Texas egg producers. Treated manures are normally applied at relatively high levels to common and Coastal Bermuda pastures without apparent boron toxicity problems. A field study to determine the effect of high levels of boron on improved common bermuda sod was conducted by Extension specialists. Experimental plots of highly fertilized Bermuda received single applications of the compound to provide 11.1, 22.5, 44.9, 89.8 or 224.5 kilograms of boron per hectare. Soil type was Lufkin series Vertic Albaqualfs. Forage yields were measured as were boron concentrations in soil samples. Within one month, a partial grass kill was apparent in the 89.8 and 224.5 kilogram plots. Some leaf tip damage appeared in the 22.5 and 44.9 kilogram plots. Yield data indicated recovery on all plots within one year. However, seed head formation was delayed in the 224.5 kilogram plot. Data indicate a boron deficiency existed in the soil. Apparently the deficiency was corrected by the addition of 11.1 kilograms or more of boron. There appeared to be no additional response when additional increments of

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liver lipid levels were measured when the hens were 34 weeks of age, and had been in egg production and on the experimental rations for 9 weeks. Corn oil feeding caused decreased plasma total cholesterol, free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, and triglycerides. Plasma phospholipids and inorganic phosphorous were decreased on the starch-soybean meal ration (P<0.01). Plasma apolipoprotein B levels remained unchanged on the different rations. Total liver lipid was lower (P<0.05) when corn oil was supplemented to the rations. This decrease was due primarily to changes in triglycerides (P<0.05). Liver cholesterol was decreased when corn oil was added to the starch-soybean meal ration (P<0.05). Liver phospholipid was lower on the starch-soybean meal ration. These results show that dietary corn oil decreases the deposition of lipids in the livers of laying hens. There is a good indication that the starch-soybean meal type ration, irrespective of fat source, will also lower liver and plasma lipid levels.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS boron were added. DETECTION OF B BLOOD GROUP ALLELES COMMON TO DIFFERENT INBRED LINES Carolyn L. Trowbridge and A. W. Nordskog, Department of Animal Science (Poultry), 201 Kildee Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, and W. E. Briles, Department of Biological Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115

FIVE PLUMAGE COLOR MUTANTS IN JAPANESE QUAIL R. E. Truax and W. A. Johnson, Poultry Science Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Five plumage color mutants plus the wildtype were evaluated as to mode of inheritance and possible linkage. Brown (B) was found to be incompletely dominant to its wildtype allele (b + ) and epistatic to yellow (Y). The phenotypic expression was a brown bird with tan shafts. There was heavier shafting on the heads of the brown/yellow birds. White (w) is recessive to its wildtype allele (W + ) and complementary to brown (B). The so called tuxedo results when at least one B and one w gene are present together. Yellow (Y) is dominant to its wildtype allele (y + ) and is lethal in the homozygous condition. Sex-linked albino (al), sex-linked dilute (al^) and their wildtype allele (Al) form a triple allelic series. The heterozygote al/al D tend to be lighter than the

homozygotes al^/alD or al^/O. The sex-linked albinos had heavy mortality and eye problems under fluorescent lights, but few problems were experienced when red acetate paper was used as a filter. Studies so far have indicated the above genes are independent. THE EFFECT OF TWO METHODS OF INSEMINATION ON SPERM TRANSPORT AND FERTILIZATION IN THE HEN'S OVIDUCT J. H. Tsai and F. X. Ogasawara, Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 S.C.W.L. hens with a hard-shelled egg in their uteri were inseminated with Black Australorp semen by the intramagnal (I.M.) route, followed within 5 minutes by intravaginal (I.V.) insemination with S.C.W.L. semen. Eggs were collected for a week and set in a forced-draft incubator. Fertility, duration of fertility, early-dead mortality, and hatchability were recorded over a 4-week period. The color of feather plumage was verified for 4 weeks subsequent to hatching. A critical factor relative to the data was the time interval between I.V. insemination and oviposition. If the eggs were laid before 2 hours had elapsed, only black chicks were hatched. However, if 2 to 3 hours, or more, had elapsed, then a few white-feathered chicks hatched in addition to black-feathered chicks. It is postulated that spermatozoa inseminated by the I.M. route are transported directly to the infundibular storage glands. With a hard-shelled egg in the uterus, more than 2 hours are required for sufficient spermatozoa to reach and enter the uterovaginal storage glands following I.V. insemination. These sperm numbers are quantitatively essential to effectively compete with those spermatozoa resident in the infundibular sperm storage glands in the fertilization process.

COCCIDIOSIS AND IRON ABSORPTION D. E. Turk, Food Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Four week old straight run S.C.W.L. chicks were infected with either 1,000,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, or 40,000 oocysts of E. necatrix, or 50,000 oocysts of E. brunetti, or 45,000 oocysts of E. tenella, or left uninfected. After 1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 21, 28 or 3 5 days post infection, an oral dose of 5 ' Fe was administered and the appearance of the radio-tracer in the bloodstream measured. E. acervulina infection resulted in an iron absorption approximately 3 to 9% of that found in uninfected birds six days after the start of the infection. E. necatrix infections decreased iron absorption to 16 t o 36% of that found in uninfected birds on the sixth day. In one trial, £. brunetti infections reduced iron absorption and in the other it did not. E. tenella infections had little effect on iron absorption. E. acervulina, E. necatrix and E. brunetti infections resulted in increased iron absorption during the recovery period as compared with uninfected birds. The data indicate that the duodenal area of the intestine is the primary area for iron absorption, but that substantial iron absorption also occurs in the jejunum.

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The broad question is: Are particular B blood group alleles unique to specific populations arising from mutations or are many, if not most, B alleles widely spread throughout the world of Gallus domesticus? Recent evidence suggests that many B antigens are, indeed, widely spread. Practical significance arises from the fact that the B locus is the major histocompatibility complex in chickens, is related to Marek's disease, and perhaps is related to disease resistance in general. As a cooperative effort, we are attempting to identify B alleles unique or common to 6 inbred lines under development in Iowa. Most of our identification efforts have been, so far, based on reaction patterns to special batteries of typing antisera. As an aid for producing noncross-reactive antisera, we have introduced the B 1 allele into each line to be followed by a program of backcrossing to the original line. We now have reached the 3rd backcross generation. Five of the lines are of Leghorn origin and one is a Spanish. Inbreeding coefficients in the lines range from 65% to 97%. In spite of the high inbreeding coefficients, our antisera tests indicate at least 4 alleles in each of 3 white-plumaged Leghorn lines but only single alleles in 3 lines with colored-plumage patterns. Thus, the multiple alleles in the white lines are probably the result of pedigree errors. Certain of these alleles give similar reaction patterns. In these 6 lines we have evidence for the segregation of at least 8 alleles in addition to the B 1 introduced. To confirm the identity of B alleles in different lines, skin grafting and CAM tests are underway.

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INSEMINATION FREQUENCY, SEMEN DOSAGE, AND FERTILITY IN TURKEYS H. P. Van Krey, G. B. Meyer, A. T. Leighton, Jr. and C. F. Props, Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061

LAMB PERFORMANCE ON CAGE HEN MANURE ENSILED WITH CORRUGATED CARDBOARD J. M. Vandepopuliere, J. J. Lyons and D. P. Hutcheson, Poultry Husbandry and Animal Husbandry Departments, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201 Four silage diets were prepared using 23% of two types of fresh cage hen manure and 16% of two types of ensiling ingredients, ground hay and corrugated cardboard, in a 2 X 2 factorial design. One type manure was produced by hens on a corn-soybean meal diet and the other on a grain by-product diet. Ground corn (16%) and water (45%) were added to each mixture prior to ensiling. Corn silage supplemented with soybean meal was fed as the positive control. All diets were supplemented with minerals as they were fed. Lambs were fed the diets in a 5 X 5 Latin Square design. Growth and feed conversion were evaluated during the 50 day study. The average daily performance on corn silage was 0.13 kg. gain and 8.6 kg. feed/kg. gain. Daily gain and feed conversion on corn-soy-manure silage was 0.06 and 17.0 compared with grain by-product-manure silage of 0.25 and 4.2. Daily gain was 0.17 and 0.14 and feed conversion 9.1 and 12.0, respectively, on grass hay and corrugated cardboard.

PROCESSING OF EGG BREAKING PLANT WASTE

A triple pass rotary dehydrator (Heil SD45-12) was purchased and installed in a commercial egg breaking plant. The equipment consists of a gas modulated burner, triple pass rotary drum, fan and cyclone collector. A dump truck was used for collection, storage and delivery of the dry meal. The initial run was designed to dehydrate the total waste from the breaking plant. Shells with adhering albumen plus the liquid from the leakers were augered directly into the dehydrator with an exhaust temperature of 82° to 93° C. Some of the liquid entering the dehydrator with this procedure congealed and adhered to the rotary drum. This led to partial clogging of the inner pass and complete clogging of the turn between the inner pass and the intermediate pass. Thus, this loading procedure was abandoned. Special equipment was developed to assure acceptable input to the dehydrator. A basket screener and an egg shell spin (Seymour 86) were placed in line to remove the liquid egg. An auger was installed to mix dry egg shell meal with the spun meal and deliver the blended material to the dehydrator. This procedure removed maximum liquid and assured satisfactory dehydrator performance. Utility requirements per 1000—30 doz. cases were 43 K.W.H. electricity, 104 M 3 natural gas and production yield was 1772 kg. egg shell meal.

STUDIES ON MYCOPLASMA SYNOVIAE POSITIVE BROILER BREEDER FARM FLOCKS SHOWING MYCOPLASMA ISOLATIONS AND SEROLOGICAL RESULTS T. H. Vardaman and J. H. Drott, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service, P. O. Box 5367, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Six broiler breeder farm flocks, recently found to be infected with Mycoplasma synoviae (Ms.), were selected for field studies. The flocks ranged from 26 to 42 weeks of age. Five live birds and 20 to 30 serum samples from each flock were brought to the laboratory three different times. The interval between tests varied since the last test was made before the flocks were disposed of at 60 to 65 weeks of age. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg.) and Ms. plate agglutination tests were conducted on the serums from the 5 birds and the 20 or 30 serums from the field. Ms. and Mg. hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests were conducted on the serums from the 5 birds plus 7 serums from each field flock for a total of 12. If a serum reacted to Ms. and Mg. serum plate test it was selected as one of the 7 for the HI test, otherwise the 7 serums were selected at random. Using two Mycoplasma mediums, one with 0.1 gm. B-diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN) and one with 0.01 gm. DPN per liter, attempts were made to isolate Ms. from the trachea, sinus, turbinates, air sacs and lungs from each bird. The mean Ms. serum plate titer did not vary much from one bleeding to the next. Five of the 6 flocks

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Four-hundred-twenty Large White female turkeys were reared under standard management practices until 32 weeks of age, at which time they were randomized into pens of ten females and exposed to a stimulatory lighting program of 16 hours of light per day. At 34 weeks of age, the hens were divided into three groups of one-hundred-forty hens each and inseminated according to one of the following artificial insemination schedules: (1) .025 ml. of semen weekly, (2) .050 ml. of semen bi-weekly, or (3) .025 ml. of semen bi-weekly. Eggs were gathered several times daily, sanitized, dipped in an antibiotic solution and set bi-weekly. True fertility was determined by breakout and a macroscopic examination of all eggs removed by candling on the 25th day of incubation. Average fertility for a 22 week production period was 90.2, 87.0 and 84.6% for the .025 ml. weekly, .050 ml. bi-weekly and .025 bi-weekly insemination schedules, respectively. Each of these values was significantly different from each other at the 5% level. Hatchability was unaffected by insemination treatment. The average egg production was 55.7 and 62.4 for the hens inseminated weekly and bi-weekly, respectively. This difference of 6.7 eggs per hen was statistically significant at the 5% level.

J. M. Vandepopuliere, H. V. Walton, W. Jaynes and O. J. Cotterill, Department of Poultry Husbandry, Agricultural Engineering, Extension, and Food Science Nutrition, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65201

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS had significantly higher geometric mean HI titers than on the first test. Ms. isolations were made consistently from 5 of the 6 flocks. Most of the Ms. isolations were from the trachea, sinuses and turbinates. A larger number of Ms. isolates were made from the Mycoplasma medium with 0.1 gm. DPN per liter. FAIR JUDGING CAN BE LIKE KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

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bird in a previously prepared container to erect the bird as desired. The bird will be preserved in a few hours. At Michigan State University chicken and quail have been preserved for demonstration purposes by the above technique. *Journal Article No. 7982 from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. THE EFFECT OF FEEDING SOME UNUSUAL FEEDS TO YOUNG COTURNIX*

In Michigan, youth in the area of poultry and rabbits anxiously look forward to the county fairs. It is often a difficult task for county fair boards to obtain qualified judges. Most of the counties cannot afford to hire a judge for chickens, one for waterfowl and another for pigeons or rabbits. Thus, the county fair board often approaches the Youth Activities Specialist in poultry to act as a judge for the 4-H exhibits. During 1976, this specialist judged 4-H exhibits in 20 counties. The 4-H members were required to be present at the time of juding. The judging became a tremendous learning opportunity for the 4-H member. In several counties a workshop was conducted prior to the judging by the specialist. Such a visit also provided an opportunity for the specialist to promote new ideas or projects, to visit local leaders, and to aid board officials in classifying poultry, recommending proper size of cages needed for exhibition, etc. In addition to the above advantages, honorariums were received for judging fairs. Honorariums received were donated to the Zindel Youth Activity Fund for promoting further youth activities in poultry in Michigan. In summary, the fair judging event provided the specialist with a tremendous opportunity to carry out several extension activities to help and promote 4-H poultry and rabbit projects.

S. K. Varghese, C. J. Flegal and C. C. Sheppard, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

A METHOD FOR PRESERVING POULTRY FOR WORKSHOP DEMONSTRATIONS* Sam K. Varghese, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Live birds have traditionally been used in Youth Activities workshop demonstrations. Using live birds extensively for demonstration purposes in workshops has several apparent limitations. A bird selected for demonstration purposes can be administered a method of euthanasia and preserved instantly by a chemical method. The materials needed are a syringe, a small gauge hypodermic needle, an anesthetic and formaldehyde solution. In order to make sure that the birds are killed in a humane manner, it is necessary to anesthetize prior to injecting formaldehyde. After anesthetization, lay the bird on its back and inject a small quantity of formaldehyde solution into a blood vessel slowly. The bird will die in a matter of seconds. In a matter of a few minutes to an hour after such a treatment the specimen will become rigid. In the case of small birds where one finds it difficult to inject into the blood vessel, the chemical can be injected into the heart or body cavity. Place the

Many Coturnix are raised in schools or as 4-H projects in Michigan. A commercial Coturnix ration is not available. An experiment was carried out to determine whether Corturnix can be raised on some locally available feeds. Six treatment groups, each consisting of eight one-day-old Coturnix were fed turkey starter (control—treatment 1), chick starter (treatment 2), puppy food (treatment 3), dog food (treatment 4), cat food (treatment 5) and a mixture of a hamburger diet (treatment 6) for a period of five weeks. Rate of gain and mortality were the criteria used for evaluation. The rate of gain of Coturnix for a five week period was 84.8, 74.8, 90.4, 68.5 and 89.7 grams, respectively, for treatments 1 through 5. All birds in treatment 6 died during the first two weeks of the experiment. A second experiment was later conducted with five treatments. There were eight day-old birds per group and three replications per treatment. Coturnix were fed turkey starter (control—treatment 1), chick starter (treatment 2), dog food (treatment 3), cat food (treatment 4) and hamburger mixture (treatment 5). Rate gain for a three week period were 57.3, 31.9, 30.4, 57.6, and 5.4 grams, respectively, for treatments 1 through 5. High mortality occurred in treatment 5. Coturnix fed cat food grew similar to birds fed the control diet. •Journal Article No. 7981 from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.

4-H EXPLORATION DAYS AND SALUTE '76 S. K. Varghese, C. C. Sheppard, R. J. Aulerich and C. J. Flegal, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Approximately 5,000 4-H members attended the various options offered for the 4-H Exploration Days at Michigan State University on June 24—25, 1976. In the area of poultry, 4-H members were taught how to "fit and show" poultry, to judge poultry for egg production, to determine egg quality and to judge ready-to-cook poultry. New members learned about different breeds of pigeons and how to raise them as a 4-H project. The 4-H members visited area pigeon lofts. Under the rabbit option, 4-H members learned to judge rabbits for their fur and meat quality, to kill and dress rabbits, to judge rabbit carcasses and to barbecue

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Sam K. Varghese, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE ON STARTING, GROWING AND LAYING CHICKENS K. V. Vo and M. A. Boone, Department of Poultry Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Two trials each involving 48 male and 48 female S. C. White Leghorn chicks were raised under temperatures of 21.1, 29.4 and 35.0°C., from 2 weeks until 33 and 31 weeks of age in trials 1 and 2 respectively. Body weight, feed consumption, water consumption, red blood cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, Pco2 Po, and pH were recorded weekly. Highly significant differences (P<.01) were found for all attributes in both trials, due to temperature. Highly significant differences due to sex were found for all of the above attributes except feed consumption, Pco2 and pH in trial 1 and water consumption and pH in trial 2. All values, except water consumption and pH, decreased as the temperature was increased. Ave final body weights (combined sexes) were 1967, 1709 and 1429 gms. in trial 1 and 1934, 1700 and 1389 gms. in trial 2 for 21.1, 29.4 and 35°C, respectively. The highly significant decreases in RBC count, hemoglobin and hematocrit indicated a high degree of hemodilution at 3 5°C. ELECTROLYTES IN BLOOD PLASMA AND BONE IN CHICKENS UNDER TEMPERATURE STRESS K. V. Vo, M. A. Boone and A. K. Torrence, Department of Poultry Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Two trials each involving 48 males and 48 females from 2 weeks of age grown under 21.1°, 29.6° and 35.0°C. Duration of the experiment was 33 and 31 weeks for trials 1 and 2, respectively. Ten ml. blood samples were obtained in both trials prior to sacrifice. The left tibia was analyzed in trial 2 only. The blood plasma electrolyte composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, CI, P) was in close agreement in both trials although significant differences due to temperature were found for K, Na and Mg in trial 1 but not in trial 2. Ca, in both trials, and Mg, in trial 1, were found to be significantly different due to ambient temperature. Both plasma Ca and Mg appeared to be related to egg

production. They were the only two elements that consistently had high positive correlations (P<.01). In the bone analysis, there was a highly significant difference (P<.01) due to sex for all elements (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Cw, Zn, Fe, Mn) except Cu. Environmental temperature appeared to affect only Ca and P in the males and Fe, Mn and % ash in females.

INTERRELATIONSHIP OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS FOR THE TURKEY BREEDER HEN R. A. Voitle, J. M. Manley and R. H. Harms, Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Two experiments were conducted with Large White turkey hens. Experiment 1 was begun on February 5 and continued for 84 days. The second experiment was begun on February 17 and continued for 112 days. The basal corn-soy diet contained sand as a filler. Portions of the sand was replaced with either dicalcium phosphate or ground limestone to obtain desired levels of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium levels of 2.5 and 3.5% were fed with phosphorus levels of 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50% in experiment 1 and 0.32, 0.42 and 0.52% in experiment 2. The calcium X phosphorus interaction was not significant for egg production or hatchability. Egg production was not improved by the addition of supplemental phosphorus; however, each increase in supplemental phosphorus resulted in improving hatch of fertile eggs. A significant improvement in hatch of fertile eggs was obtained by increasing the level of calcium from 2.5 to 3.5%; however, only a small numerical increase was obtained in egg production.

INFLUENCE OF RYE AND PECTIN ON THE INTESTINAL FLORA OF CHICKS D. D. Wagner and O. P. Thomas, Department of Poultry Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Using a modified roll tube procedure, chicks fed rye or corn + 4.5% pectin always had intestinal counts two to three log cycles greater than chicks fed corn. Typical counts per centimeter of small intestine of chicks fed rye, corn + 4.5% pectin or corn diets were (7.5 X 1 0 » , 4 . 5 X 1 0 9 , 4 . 0 X 10 6 ), respectively, for 4 day old chicks and (1.9 X 1 0 1 0 , 1.1 X 1 0 1 0 , 1.4 X 10 7 ), respectively, for 14 day old chicks. Penicillin addition to the diets did not change the total counts. Using chromatographic analysis of fermentation products, marked shifts within the intestinal population due to diet were detected. When rye or corn + 4.5% pectin were fed, the intestinal population always contained a major butyric acid and gas producing component. Typical butyric acid concentrations produced by the flora from chicks fed rye, corn + 4.5% pectin or corn diets were (2.1 mM, 5.5 mM, 0.2 mM), respectively, for 4 day old chicks and (3.0 mM, 3.1 mM, 0.06 mM), respectively, for 14 day old chicks. Addition of penicillin to the diets always removed the butyric acid producing component and greatly reduced gas production. It is concluded that a penicillin sensitive, fermentative organism that produces gas and butyric acid

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rabbits. The 4-H members learned these activities by doing them during the option. Salute '76 at Michigan State University was celebrated on June 26, 1976 as a part of the 4-H Exploration Days. 4-H members, 4-H leaders, county staff and university staff all put their year long efforts into this event. Approximately twenty-two thousand people attended this bicentennial celebration of our country. The 4-H members and leaders in poultry exhibited a pet zoo which consisted of egg hatching units and different breeds of rabbits, poultry and pigeons. Racing pigeons from various parts of Michigan were released to fly home. Also, Tippler pigeons, with a banner proclaiming "Happy Birthday America", were released. As a result of these activities additional enrolment of youth in 4-H poultry and rabbit projects has been reported.

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depresses the growth of chicks fed rye or pectin. It is probable that the organism belongs to the genus Clostridium.

efficiency improvement from the addition of the spent clay.

CALCULATION OF DAILY CLAORIE AND AMINO ACID ALLOWANCES OF EGG-TYPE HENS WITH THE USE OF PREDICTION EQUATIONS

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Park W. Waldroup, Zelpha B. Johnson and Amelia B. Cobb, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701

POULTRY

SERVICEMAN'S

W. S. Walker, Poultry Science Department and W. T. Derieux and T. H. Eleazer, Livestock-Poultry Health Department, Clemson University, Box 218, Elgin, SC 29045 As the result of industry requests, a poultry serviceman's school was conducted. A questionnaire revealed initial interest from about 20 people. The course was planned on a 10 week period, offering three hours of instruction one evening each week at the Sandhill Experiment Station, located centrally in the State. Clemson university Poultry Science, Entomology and Agricultural Economics staff members were utilized as instructors along with others from various state, federal and industry groups. Topics covered were bacterial and viral diseases, basic management, nutritional diseases, parasites, mycotoxins, waste management and utilization, fly control, hatchery and breeder flock management, litter and post mortem procedures. Handouts covering the course content and supplemental information were given to each student in handbook form. Laboratory sessions on post mortem procedures and laboratory observations were conducted as time permitted. A total of 58 registered for the course, with 54 successfully completing it and receiving certificates. The servicemen felt it was an excellent program that should be repeated periodically as a refresher course and for new or potential servicemen.

SPENT FILTER CLAY AS A POTENTIAL FEED INGREDIENT FOR BROILER DIETS Park W. Waldroup and Danny R. Ragland, Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 During the processing of vegetable oils for human consumption the oil is bleached by passing it through a clay filter bed. This filter clay is periodically removed and replenished. The spent clay may contain 25—30% ether-extractable material which has a composition similar to that of the original vegetable oil. Considerable tonnages of this product are produced and its disposal is sometimes difficult. Studies were conducted to determine the potential value of this material as an ingredient in broiler diets. Three feeding trials were conducted in which the spent clay was incorporated into broiler diets at levels up to 25%. Based on the ether extract value the material was assigned an estimated metabolizable energy value of 2750 kcal./kg. The diets were formulated using linear programming techniques and were calculated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The results of these studies indicate that levels of spent clay of up to 10% may be used as a feed ingredient in broiler diets without any apparent detrimental effects. Because of its residual lipid content it may provide energy to the chick. In contrast to previous reports with bentonite and kaolin clays there was no apparent beneficial response in feed

THE EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF TURKEY SPERM K. A. Wall and J. E. Jones, Poultry Science Department, 129 P&AS Building, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631 Experiments were conducted to test the effects of progesterone on oxygen consumption of turkey sperm. Immediately following the determination of oxygen consumption with a Biological Oxygen Monitor, 125 Mg. of progesterone dissolved in 1,2-propandiol were added to the metabolism medium of the control semen samples. Average oxygen consumption of 28 samples was 4.78 ul. O 2 /hr./10 8 sperm, and following the addition of progesterone oxygen consumtpion was decreased to 2.53 ul. O 2 /hr./10 8 sperm. Addition of propandiol alone to the medium had no effect on oxygen consumption. Paired comparison analysis of the 28 samples showed that progesterone significantly (P<.01) depressed oxygen consumption of turkey sperm. A subsequent study was conducted to test the effects of ten different amounts of progesterone varying from 0.0625 Mg- to 125 Mg. No decrease in oxygen consumption was observed between 0.0625 Mg. and 125 ug. A linear decrease in oxygen consumption was obtained by increasing the progesterone from 12.5 to 125 Mg-

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Management guidelines from major breeders of egg production type hens were examined to obtain suggested performance standards for body weight, egg production, and egg weight. Guidelines which did not supply data for these three factors were eliminated. Average daily gain and daily egg mass were derived from the above data. A total of six strains of hens were evaluated. The data from the six strains were inserted into a computer program which incorporates an estimation of the daily energy needs based on the equations of Combs (1968) and an estimation of the daily amino acid needs based on a modification of the equation of Hurwitz and Bornstein (1973). Amino acid needs were calculated both as absolute milligrams required per day and as percent per megacalorie per kilogram at different environmental temperatures. The calculations for absolute daily requirement agree reasonably well with published values. Expressing amino acid needs of laying hens in relation to calorie requirements at different environmental temperatures appears to be a reasonable approach to feed formulation for laying hens.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

BREWER'S DRIED GRAINS IN THE DIET OF BROILER BREEDER HENS J. B. Ward, Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607

THE VALUE OF "LATE HATCH" POULTS Robert E. Warnick and Donald C. Dobson, Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science Department, Utah State University, Snow Field Station, Ephraim, UT 84627 A "late hatch" poult is one that is broken out of a pipped shell at normal hatching time. Different types and sexes of "late hatch" poults were brooded and reared both separately and mixed with normal poults. The purpose of the experiment was to determine: (1) if the "late hatch" poults had similar growth rate and feed conversion in comparison with normal poults, and (2) any possible disease or pathogenic transfer from "late hatch" to regular poults. The "late hatch" poults had a higher mortality rate than the regular ones. This was primarily during the first two weeks. The presence of "late hatch" poults with normal ones had no effect on the mortality rate of the normal poults. Growth rate and feed efficiency of "late hatch" poults was similar to that obtained with normal poults. It was concluded that "late hatch" poults may be reared with normal poults without any adverse effects. The "late hatch" poults would have a higher early mortality rate.

EFFECTS OF FERMENTED AND NON-FERMENTED POULTRY MANURE SILAGE ON BROILER CHICK GROWTH B. A. Watkins, B. F. Miller and E. W. Kienholz, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 In an attempt to determine if chick growth was affected by adding fermented vs. non-fermented poultry manure silage (PMS) to the diet, a total of 120 commercial-type broiler chicks were divided into four

EVALUATION OF TWO METHODS OF ADDING MOISTURE TO THE BROILER HOUSE W. D. Weaver, Jr. and H. A. Hughes, Departments of Poultry Science and Agricultural Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Centrifugal humidifiers and air inlet fogging nozzles were evaluated as a means of adding moisture to the broiler house environment. A centrifugal humidifier capable of evaporating up to 45 1. of water an hour was placed in each of two replicate pens. The humidifier was mounted in the front corner of the pen and allowed to blow moist air at a right angle to the incoming air. Hollow cone nozzles, each having a volume of 2.79 l.p.h., were placed in two similar pens. One nozzle was located near the end of each of six intermittent air inlets in each pen, and pointed at an angle across the air stream to maximize exposure of the water to the incoming air. A humidistat controlled the system in each pen by switching " o n " or "off" a booster pump in the water line that provided a pressure of 1103 kPa. (160 p.s.i.), and electrical solenoids located at each nozzle. Two pens were operated as controls with no humidifying equipment. Each pen measured 8.23 m. X 17.98 m., and contained 2200 broilers. All pens were operated under a negative pressure capable of providing an air inlet velocity of approximately 275 m.p.m. Average outside temperature (21° C.) and relative humidity (80%) were abnormally high during the experimental period, allowing only small amounts of moisture to be added to the environment by the humidifying equipment. Both humidifying systems injected and distributed the moisture satisfactorily as needed to maintain the desired humidity level.

EFFECTS OF FEEDING TYLOSIN TO LAYERS EXPOSED TO MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM R. H. Wellenreiter and E. E. Ose, Animal Science Division, Lilly Research Laboratories, Division of Eli Lilly and Company, P.O. Box 708, Greenfield, IN 46140 Development of the caged layer industry has focused attention on several disease and non-disease

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Brewer's dried grains (BDG) were fed at 7% and 14% of the total diet to broiler breeder hens during production. Twelve hundred hens were involved in the experiment, with five treatments and four replicates of 60 hens each for each treatment. Fish meal at 2.50% of the diet and selenium at 0.1 p.p.m. were also compared with the BDG. Egg production was significantly lower for the birds fed 14% BDG and significantly higher for the birds fed added selenium. There was no effect from including fish meal or 7% BDG, in the diet. Hen day production averaged 53.7%, 53.4%, 54.1%, 49.6% and 60.8% for the control, fish meal, 7% BDG, 14% BDG and added selenium, respectively. There was no significant effect on hatchability from any of the treatments. It was concluded that BDG could be included in the diet of breeder hens up to 7% of the diet with no adverse effects.

groups, with three groups being fed diets containing PMS and one group fed a control diet. Two diets containing fermented and one diet containing nonfermented PMS, all at a level of 30%, were compared to the control diet. Three replications of ten birds each were used for each of the three PMS diets and the control diet. Data were obtained for cumulative weight gains and feed consumption for the determination of feed efficiency. Results from a statistical analysis of the data indicated that no differences occurred among mean pen weights and feed efficiencies for the PMS diets and the control diet. Therefore, there were no apparent differences between treatments and replications for this experiment. These results were based on a four-week body weight response to the diets.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

THE EFFECT OF METERED CHILLER INPUT VOLUME ON POULTRY CARCASS QUALITY R. Lewis Wesley, Department of Food Sciences and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Three levels, 100%, 75% and 50%, of U.S.D.A.required metered chiller input were evaluated for their effects on carcass quality and shelf life of broilers, Rock Cornish and turkeys. Test periods consisted of 10 consecutive days of operation at each level of metered chiller input at three different processing plants near Harrisonburg, Virginia. Parameters measured were: (1) bacterial counts of chiller water, (2) total solids content of chiller water and carcass rinse water, (3) pH of chiller water, (4) turbidity of the chiller water, and (5) shelf life, as measured by the development of odors when the carcasses were held at 1°C. Chillers and carcasses were sampled daily at 9 A.M., 10 A.M., 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. Processing data gathered during the research period included (1) kill method, (2) stunning procedure, (3) bleed time to scalder, (4) time from kill to chiller, (5) class of poultry, (6) total tonnage through chiller, (7) total head count, and (8) average carcass weight. A U.S.D.A. inspector served as an official observer during the entire period. Samples representing 1.4 million broilers, 1.8 million Rock Cornish, and 1.2 million turkeys were involved in the study. Mean bacterial counts in the chiller water ranged from a low of 3710/ml. to a high of 2943 5/ml. Total solids ranged from 0.88 mg./ml. to 4.06 mg./ml. Mean bacterial counts ranged from 781/ml. to 4073/ml. in the carcass rinse water. Mean values for shelf life ranged from 13 to 22 days. While these differences seem rather large, they were not significantly different due to the amount of chiller water used. It was concluded that chiller input volume could be reduced to 50% of present U.S.D.A. requirement with no detrimental effects on the quality of the chiller water or the poultry carcasses. This reduction can result in a very substantial savings to the processor—about $150,000 annually in Virginia. EFFECT OF DECREASES IN GLYCEROL CONCENT R A T I O N ON GLUTAMIC OXALACETIC

TRANSAMINASE RELEASED FROM CHICKEN SPERMATOZOA F. D. Westfall and B. Howarth, Jr., Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 Chicken spermatozoa lose fertilizing capacity when a cryoprotective amount of glycerol is added to the diluent. To determine whether glycerol removal damages sperm membranes, glycerol was added to washed chicken spermatozoa. Glycerol was removed by dilution, centrifugation and resuspension in fresh diluent, or dialysis for 2 hours at 25°C. Spermatozoa were separated from the diluent by centrifugation through a raffinose-dextran gradient. Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) in the supernatant was determined spectrophotometrically. The addition of glycerol as part of the diluent did not alter GOT release, but the direct addition of glycerol to diluted sperm increased GOT release. GOT was released when glycerol-treated spermatozoa were diluted with non-glycerolized diluent or centrifuged and resuspended in non-glycerolized diluent. GOT was not released when glycerol was removed by dialysis. The release of GOT upon glycerol removal seemed to be related to the rate of change in molarity of glycerol. EFFECT OF REGRESSOR LINE SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS ON THE GROWTH OF PROGRESSING ROUS SARCOMAS IN CHICKENS C. E. Whitfill, N. R. Gyles and L. T. Patterson, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 Regressor chickens from the Arkansas Station Regressor Line were challenged with Bryan strain Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) by wing-web inoculation. Those chickens that regressed tumors were re-inoculated with RSV, and whole blood was obtained by heart puncture about 5 days afterwards. The blood was allowed to clot and serum pooled. The immunoglobulins together with other serum proteins were partially purified by N a 2 S 0 4 precipitation. This procedure eventually yielded IgG, IgM, and a2 macroglobulin. Further purification by G-200 Sephadex chromatography gave a pure IgG fraction and a second fraction containing both IgM and a 2 macroglobulin. Biological tests with growing Rous sarcomas in Arkansas Station Progressor Line chickens were undertaken using various concentrations and purifications of the whole serum fractions of IgG, IgM, a2 macroglobulins, B globulins and albumins. It was found that the higher concentrations of purified immunoglobulins gave the strongest indication of ability to retard tumor growth.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING PRODUCTION FACILITIES FOR COMMERCIAL EGG PRODUCTION H. E. Wildey, Extension Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 A 1976 survey report of commercial egg produc-

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related problems that affect economic return to the producer. The loss in economic return can be measured in terms of lost production and increased feed per dozen eggs. Recent reports have indicated Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection as a major cause of losses in egg production in multi-cage laying units. This report describes the effects observed on egg production and feed efficiency in two experiments when tylosin was continuously fed at 0, 22, 38.5 or 55 p.p.m. to caged layers exposed to MG. Egg production, feed consumption and MG cultural and serological data were collected. Egg production of birds fed tylosin peaked at 3—6 percent higher than that of control birds. This difference was maintained or increased beyond peak production. Feed efficiency was improved by tylosin. Tylosin slowed the rate of spread of MG infection as measured serologically and culturally.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

GEESE AS A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WATER HYACINTHS H. R. Wilson, W. G. Nesbeth, B. L. Damron, R. H. Harms, A. S. Arafa and D. M. Janky, Poultry Science Department, University of Florida,' Gainesville, FL 32611 The potential use of geese for the biological control and utilization of water hyacinths was tested. A small pond, entirely covered with water hyacinths, was divided by a fence to form two enclosures of approximately 186 m. 2 water area and 186 m. 2 land area each. Twenty White Chinese goslings, 5 weeks of age, were placed in one enclosure with free access to the pond. Another 20 goslings were maintained in houses without access to the pond or hyacinths. Both groups were fed the following diets ad lib: chicken starter (21.5% protein) to 9 weeks of age; chicken grower (14.0% protein) 9 to 26 weeks of age; and low protein production (8.3% protein and 2.6% Ca) 26 to 34 weeks of age. The goslings ate a combination of hyacinths and feed throughout the experiment. Approximately onethird of the pond had been cleared of hyacinths after 8 weeks and the entire enclosure had been cleared by the end of the experiment. Growth rate was greater and feed consumption lower for birds consuming hyacinths. There was no mortality or health problem in either group of birds. Differences were noted in processing characteristics between control and treated birds.

THE EFFECTS OF LOW BROODING TEMPERATURES ON WEIGHT GAIN AND FEED EFFICIENCY OF POULTS RAISED TO MARKET AGE Michael J. Wineland, Poultry Science Department, 260 Animal Science Bldg., University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, WI 53706 Besides partial room brooding of poults, the use of

lower brooding temperatures would help reduce energy use. While much work has been done with broilers, little has been done to see how lower brooding temperatures will affect weight gain and feed conversion of turkey poults to market age. In two experiments, poults were brooded under gas brooders set at 30, 32 and 3 5°C. The poults were raised in confinement until eleven weeks of age and then 30 males from each group were placed out on range until shipped to market at 23 weeks of age. The turkeys were weighed and feed consumption measured at regular periods throughout the growing period. There were initial differences in weights and feed conversions, but by 23 weeks of age there were no differences in weight gain or feed conversion. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PHEASANT BREEDERS*

OF

RINGNECK

T. L. Wing, R. M. Hulet, B. J. Marquez and C. J. Flegal, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 From 1973 through 1976 floor-housed male (FHM) Ringneck pheasants were mated to cage-housed female (CHF) Ringneck pheasants to produce pedigreed progeny for study in egg production trials. At predetermined intervals, three of the females were dropped on the floor for natural mating. Because of low fertility in the first few hatches during the 1976 breeding season, selected female breeders were artifically inseminated (A.I.). The Ringneck pheasant females had been in production for about 70 days at the time of the first insemination. Each female was inseminated on a weekly basis with pooled semen from male breeders. Fertility increased from 30.5% using FHM X CHF to 60.8% fertility for the first week following the first insemination. When totally infertile females were excluded fertility was 79.8%. Duration of fertility following the last insemination for several females was 19 days. In addition, several males that were utilized for the FHM X CHF matings produced no semen. It is, therefore, suggested that further experimentation with artificial insemination of Ringneck pheasant breeders be conducted. * Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7991.

EGG PRODUCTION OF RINGNECK PHEASANTS* T. Wing, C. C. Sheppard and C. J. Flegal, Poultry Science Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 A four year study designed to measure egg production capabilities of Ringneck pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) was conducted. Ringneck pheasant pullets ranging in age from 24—32 weeks of age (36—40 weeks in 1974) were housed in individual cages (.178 X .356 X .305 m.) and fed a specially formulated pheasant breeder ration. A lighting regime of 14L:10D was provided during the first three months of each production period and was increased to 16L:8D during the fourth month of each trial.

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tion and housing systems in Georgia revealed a total of 18 varied housing, equipment and management systems. The poultry Extension specialist with the experience gained in observation of the performance achieved by contract producers with various housing and equipment combinations can play an effective role in advising producers and farm credit agencies on the economic aspects of financing new facilities. The contracting firm seeks to assure production efficiency through contract specifications relating to equipment and housing needs. For example, various levels of environmental control in layer houses can save from 0.25 to 0.4 pounds of feed per dozen eggs produced during the winter months of the year. However, the increased fixed and operating costs to the contract producer associated with such facilities in Georgia take up more of the return leaving less for labor and return on investment. Standard farm management procedures for estimating costs and returns are useful provided return estimates take into account losses due to reduced egg quality, i.e., three to five percent more cracked and loss eggs with some systems.

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS Ringneck pheasant pullets reached peak production during the second month of lay except in 1974 when peak production was reached during the first month of lay. Hen-housed percent egg production for the first 90 days of each trial for 1973—6 was 45.4%, 51.3%, 52.9% and 54.0%, respectively. Hen housed percent egg production for a 120 day production period in 1 9 7 4 - 6 was 46.4%, 50.2% and 52.7%. Initial attempts at improving egg production by using mass selection were ineffective. *Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 7999.

R. W. Winterfield, A. M. Fadly and F. J. Hoerr, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Chickens were vaccinated with monovalent and polyvalent adenovirus isolants using three different serotypes, types 1, 2 and 3. No cross-protection was elicited by heterologous adenovirus serotypes but protection from lesions and from shedding of the challenge viruses was induced by the homologous serotypes in the monovalent and polyvalent vaccines. The virus neutralizing (VN) titers were occasionally lower where the polyvalent vaccines were used when compared to those titers from chickens administered the monovalent vaccines. These results suggested possible interference had taken place even though protection did exist against the appearance of lesions. Where chickens were vaccinated an an early age, and in the presence of congenital homologous VN antibodies, protection against the effects of infection was satisfactory whereas the VN antibody titers were low or insignificant, by the embryo assay methods employed. The vaccine virus was not shed beyond 28 days after vaccination. No physical effects of vaccination were noted in any of the chickens during the postvaccination period. In field trials, over 20,000,000 pullets were vaccinated with a monovalent, serotype 1, vaccine preparation where egg production problems were experienced previously.

INFLUENCE OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE ON IMMUNITY TO INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS R. W. Winterfield, F. J. Hoerr and A. M. Fadly, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Chickens which were exposed to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) early in life, and prior to vaccination with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), were significantly more susceptible to infection of the respiratory tract from challenge with IBV 4 weeks postvaccination. Chickens that were hatched from dams susceptible to IBD were less responsive to successful IBV immunization attempts, if exposed to IBDV, than were those individuals hatched from IBD immune dams. Never-the-less, even chickens from IBD immume dams were more susceptible to IBV infection when they had been exposed to IBDV prior to vaccination and when compared to unexposed birds.

The inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on the bursa of Fabricius also had an immunosuppressive action on IBV immunity which was similar to the results from IBDV exposure. The data engendered may explain the unsatisfactory immunity sometimes observed under field conditions where broilers and replacement pullets are vaccinated at an early age. THE EFFECTS OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF FREEZEDRIED EGGS Gerald D. Wisniewski and Arthur J. Maurer, Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 Liquid whole egg was pasteurized, freeze-dried and stored at either 4, 22 or 37° C. under vacuum, carbon dioxide or oxygen atmospheres for 3 months prior to evaluation. Various objective and subjective analyses were performed on the freeze-dried egg powder and on reconstituted egg in liquid and scrambled egg forms. Deterioration of the functional properties was more dependent on the temperature at which the egg powder was maintained than on the storage atmosphere; warmer storage conditions accelerated quality decline. After 3 months of storage as freeze-dried eggs, the powder maintained at 4°C. compared favorably with unstored freeze-dried eggs when served in scrambled form. The carbon dioxide storage atmosphere generally provided better reconstituted egg products than those obtained from the other storage atmospheres.

EFFECT OF INCREASING LIGHT AND VARIABLE DAY-LENGTH ON EGG PRODUCTION O. E. Yassin and H. V. Biellier, Department of Poultry Husbandry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201 Individual bird data on egg number, shell quality, internal quality and percent abnormal eggs were collected on 180 Leghorn hens kept for 207 days in an environmental house divided into six light and temperature-controlled rooms. Three lighting regimens consisting of 14 hours, 14 hours with uniformly spaced 15-minute increases to 16 hours, and 14 hours with uniformly spaced 15-minute increases to 18 hours were applied with both 24 and 23-hr light-dark cycles. Hens that received the 23-hour light-dark cycle produced a higher total number of eggs than those that received the 24-hour light-dark cycle. Increasing light treatments from 14 hours to either 16 or 18 hours resulted in a greater number of ovipositions but also a greater number of abnormal eggs than the 14-hour light treatment. No uniform superiority was shown by any treatment on shell quality or internal egg quality.

USE OF ANIMAL PROTEIN ISOLATES IN MEAT SYSTEMS Louis L. Young, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, U.S.D.A., A.R.S., P.O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30601

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ADENOVIRUS INFECTION AND IMMUNITY

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An animal protein isolate (API) prepared from mechanically deboned poultry parts has been evaluated in a meat system. The API was added in varying amounts and under varying conditions to mechanically deboned poultry meat products (MDPM). The mixture was cooked and the quality of the meat products was then observed. As the amount of added API was increased, the amount of aqueous and fatty exudate which was lost in cooking decreased. In addition, it was observed that the API significantly improved the texture of the cooked MDPM. It was concluded that the quality of MDPM might be improved with API.

REQUIREMENT

OF

TURKEY

Douglas Zaviezo, Tomas Mac-Auliffe and James McGinnis, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 Day-old Large White turkey poults were used in experiments to determine the choline requirement during the first 28 days. A preliminary study indicated that the choline requirement using a practical diet appears to be lower than the currently recommended level of 1900 mg./kg. diet (N.R.C.). In another trial where isolated soybean protein (ISP) was included in the basal diet, the requirement of choline as affected by supplementary fat was studied. The results indicated that the choline requirement of turkey poults is more than 1500 mg./kg. of diet, but not greater than 1700 mg./kg. and is independent of dietary fat. In the last experiment, practical diets were compared with the semipurified diet used in the previous experiment. It was concluded that under conditions of this trial the

ANTITESTOSTERONE KEYS

PRODUCTION

than 1600 growth and tendon, rolegs). Using requirement

IN

TUR-

N. G. Zimmermann and B. C. Wentworth, Poultry Science Department, 260 Animal Science Bldg., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 Five turkeys were given several injections of 4-androsten-ll-alpha, 17-beta diol-3-one-l 1-hemisuccinate:BSA in an attempt to produce antitestosterone sera suitable for use in a testosterone radioimmunoassay (RIA). One mg. of this hapten suspended in Freund's adjuvant was injected into multiple subcutaneous sites along the breast and back of each turkey at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks. Four of the turkeys were approximately 20 weeks old when first injected. Two of these were intact males, one was a castrate male and one was a female. A fifth turkey was a normal male approximately 7 weeks of age. Following the second injection, the turkeys were bled weekly and serum tested for ability to bind tritium labeled testosterone. Within six months, three of the turkeys had produced antitestosterone with a sufficient titer to be useful in RIA procedures. These turkeys were the castrate, one older male and the younger male. The best antitestosterone serum could be used at a 1:1000 dilution, within three months of the first antigen injection. Dihydrotestosterone cross-reacted to all antisera produced.

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THE CHOLINE POULTS

requirement of choline was not more mg./kg. in practical diets for maximum complete prevention of perosis (slipped tated metatarsus, bowed and shortened the diet containing ISP (11%), the choline was not more than 1700 mg./kg. of diet.