• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a probiotic mixture on egg production and quality, blood parameters, and stress levels (corticosterone) in Hy-Line parent stock during summer in Korea. A total of 105 Hy-Line parent stock aged 24 weeks were randomly divided into three groups, each containing thirty-five birds: control, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and probiotics (1 × 10⁸/g Bacillus licheniformis, 1 × 10⁷/g Lactobacillus plantarum, and 1 × 10⁷/g Corynebacterium butyricum). The hens were fed a diet containing 50 ppm GABA or 0.1% probiotics for 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, the hen-day egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio over the total period were significantly higher in the probiotic group (P<0.05). In contrast no significant differences were detected among groups with respect to egg weight, albumen height, Haugh units, yolk color, shell thickness or shell strength. Similarly, no significant difference were observed among groups with regards to biochemical profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, and inorganic phosphorus). However, compared with the control group, we did detect significant reductions in corticosterone levels in the GABA and probiotics groups (P<0.05). On the basis of our findings in this study, it would appear that dietary GABA and probiotics can alleviate heat stress in Hy-Line parent stock, with probiotics in particular being found to promote significant improvements in the hen-day egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion of laying hens during the summer season in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2021

We conducted a 4 × 4 diallel cross-mating test using 934 chickens from four grandparent stock lines to develop a new synthetic breed of Korean native chicken. The mean values, combining ability, and reciprocal effects on survival rate, body weight, and hen-day egg production were analyzed. In phenotypes, most chickens have yellowish-brown, reddish-brown and mixed color feathers. The average survival rate was 86.8±12.3%, with the highest in YH combination. Specific combining ability (SCA) had a greater effect on survival rate than general combining ability (GCA), and the SCA of HY combination was the highest. The 16 cross-combinations were distinctly divided into three weight groups according to their genetic characteristics. At 12 weeks of age, GCA showed a greater effect on weight than SCA, and the SCA of FH combination was the highest. The age at first egg laying was 157 days, and the crosses reached sexual maturity faster than the pure lines. The egg production rate was highest in SY at 79.5±2.1%. The GCA and SCA for hen-day egg production were similar, and the SCA was highest in the HS and FY combinations. The reciprocal effect showed that the offspring's egg production rate was high when S and Y were maternal parents in almost all combinations. In conclusion, FH and HF combinations, which have excellent growth performance, are the most desirable paternal parent stock strains, and FY, FS, HY, and SY combinations, which have excellent laying performance with moderate weight, are the preferred maternal strains.