• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2004

In order to investigate the effect of floor condition on the fattening performance of cattle, sixteen finishing Hanwoo steers of weighting 570kg were fed for 16 weeks to slaughter on two types of sawdust bedding pen oriented to the south(SP) and the north(NP) then obtained following results. The floor condition of SP roofed by transparent material was dry and flat during overall experimental period, whereas, that of NP roofed by solid slate was muddy and rough even in summer and fall, and then frozen in winter period resulted in interfering with the locomotion and resting behavior of steers. Average daily dry matter intake of steers was not different between tow treatments, however, the average daily gain of steers in NP and SP was 0.64kg and 0.75kg, respectively, meaning that gained 14.3% less for the NP group(p<0.05), accordingly, feed requirement(feed/gain) and TDN/gain increased by 15.9% and 15.5%, respectively. No significant differences were found in slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat yield index and meat quality traits between two treatments. In conclusion, this study revealed that poor floor condition of feeding pen could decrease weight gain and feed efficiency of cattle by increasing energy consumption for locomotion and conductive energy loss while resting on the floor surface. These results indicates that housing orientation of cattle shed and the selection of roof material are important factors in beef cattle production.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 1995

This study was conducted to determine the effects of non-climatic environmental factors on performances and behavioural patterns of growing pigs. Two hundred and seventy growing pigs were confined and administered with three levels of spaces per pig(0.33, 0.44 and 0.66$m^2$) and three different numbers of pigs per pen(12, 15 and 18 pigs) from 30kg to 60kg body weight. This study was designed by using 3 $\times$ 3 factorial arrangement(three levels of spaces $\times$ three different numbers of pigs) and investigated the effects of main factors and the relationship between each factors. The result of this study were summarized as follows; 1. The 0.44$m^2$ of floor space per pig improved(p<0.01) the weight gain and the feed/gain during the growing phase. 2. The 15 pigs per pen showed the faster gain and improved feed/gain than the 12 or 18 pigs per pen during the growing phase(p<0.05). 3. The reduction of floor space of growing pigs caused the reduction of resting, non-aggressive social behaviour but eating, aggressive behaviour was increased(p<0.01). 4. Group size affected the behavioural patterns significantly(p<0.01) of growing pigs. The aggressive and eating behaviour increased but resting behaviour decreased by crowding in the growing pigs. 5. Therefore we concluded that growing pigs need 0.44$m^2$ per pig and 15 pigs per pen for the better raising condition.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 1995

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of non-climatic environmental factors on growth performances and behavioural patterns of weanling pigs. Three hundred and sixty weanling pigs were contained and carried out with three levels of spaces per pig(0.18, 0.23 and 0.30$m^2$) and three different numbers of pigs per pen(15, 20 and 25 pigs) up to 30kg body weight. Designed by using a 3 $\times$ 3 factorial arrangement(three levels of spaces $\times$ three different numbers of pigs). This experiment investigated the effects of main factors and the relationship between each factors. The result of this experiment were summarized as follows ; 1. The reduction of floor space caused the reduction of feed/gain in the weanling pigs. Pigs responded with the increased feed intake(p<0.01) and with no change in body weight gain. 2. There were no significant differences in the body weight gain and feed/gain in weanling pigs by changing group sizes, but group size affected the feed intake significantly(p<0.01). 3. Space allowance affected the behavioural patterns significantly(p<0.01) of weanling pigs. The reduction of floor space caused the increment of aggressive behaviour and weanling pigs responded with the decreased resting, non aggressive social and play behaviour. 4. There were no significant differences in the resting, eating, aggressive and non aggressive social behaviour in weanling pigs by changing group sizes, but the large group size caused the reduction of play behaviour in the weanling pigs(p<0.01). 5. Therefore we concluded that weanling pigs require 0.23$m^2$ per pig and 20~25 pigs per pen for the better environment condition.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.553-564
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• 2021

This study analyzed the the risk of halogen lamp for pigsty heating and its fire prevention. Halogen lamps are used for keeping warm in pen because of their excellent economy and convenience. However, there is a high risk of fire due to poor safety management and exposure to animal movements. In fact, after exploring old pigsty and cattle shed, it was easy to confirm that they were exposed to fire risks. We noted this point and studied the possibility of fire by experiment due to combustible contact with halogen lamp and carelessness in use. The experiment was conducted under conditions similar to the actual use environment. After installing halogen lamps to the height used in actual pen, the temperature change was observed with infrared camera with straw, sawdust and rice husks on the floor. And assuming abnormal conditions, the experiment was also conducted under conditions the lamp dropped on the floor or combustible material came into contact with the glass tube inside the lamp. If halogen lamps were used in normal condition, there was no risk of fire. However, in abnormal use environments, smoke comes out or even ignited. Even if it is convenient for use or highly utilized, high risk of fire will require setting up fire prevention measures or regulation of use. Through in-depth fire investigation and research, we should promote the risk of fire and make efforts to prevent fire to minimize human life and property damage.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.253-262
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• 2013

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of floor type and heating system on performance, housing environment and health status of ducks reared in three types of duck house (OD : Open floor house-Direct heating system, OF : Open floor house-Floor heating system and LD : Loft type house-Direct heating system). In OF treatment, PVC pipes were installed for heating under concrete floor and covered with litter. In LD treatment, plastic mesh was installed 50 cm above the floor so that duck's droppings can pass through it. Each treatment had four replicates of 25 birds (Cherry Valley duck breed) per pen. There were no significant differences in weight gain and feed intake of ducks for 6 weeks among all treatments. However, feed conversion ratio in LD was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in OF. No differences were found in carcass charac- teristics, with the exception of abdominal fat weight where OF were higher than the others. Concentrations of $CO_2$ and $NH_3$ gas in OD were higher than those of OF and LD at 3, 4 and 5 weeks. Moisture content in litter of OF was lower than that of OD. In contrast, the amount of dust in the air was higher in OF than in OD. The amount of fuel used for 6 weeks in LD was lower about 21% than that in OD. Some of unusual symptoms were observed in open floor house and loft type house, such as lying, spraddle legged, twisted ankle and legs, wounded sole, or etc. No components of leukocyte and erythrocyte of blood were significantly different among all treatments. The results of this experiment showed that OF and LD systems had no positive effects on performance of meat type commercial duck. However, there were some positive effects of certain house type for the improvement of environmental condition in duck house for hygienic production. In the future, more research on the effect of various facilities and systems for duck house is needed.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.684-692
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• 2011

The quality attributes of thigh meat from a certified meat-type commercial Korean native chicken (WoorimatdagTM, WM) and a commercial broiler (Ross, CB) raised under the same environmental conditions, were compared. One-d-old, mixedsex WM (200), and 200 broilers (Ross, CB) each were randomly assigned to floor pens (20 chickens per pen). The production stages (I, II, and III) were selected based on similar live weight. The crude fat contents of WM thigh meat were lower than those of CB. WM thigh meat contained higher stearic and arachidonic acid contents but lower palmitoleic and oleic acid contents compared to those of CB. The thigh meat color CIE $L^*$- and CIE $b^*$-values of WM were lower, but inosine-5'-monophosphate content was higher in WM than CB in whole production stages. WM thigh meat showed higher collagen content, hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness than CB. In sensory evaluation, odor, taste, and overall acceptance were higher while color was lower in WM. Based on these results, it can be concluded that even if commercial broilers are raised under the same environmental conditions as WM, the unique quality attributes of WM thigh meat are distinctively unique.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.815-826
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• 2021

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of stocking density (SD) and dietary supplementation of vitamin C on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal permeability, and stress indicators in broiler chickens. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of 2 different SD and 2 supplemental levels of dietary vitamin C. A total of 1,368 Ross 308 broiler chickens of 21 days of age with similar body weights (BW) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 6 replicates each. Different numbers of birds per identical floor pen (2.0 m × 2.4 m) were used to create 2 different SD levels of low SD (9 birds/m²) and high SD (18 birds/m²). The basal diet was formulated with no supplemental vitamin C to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations of the Ross 308 manual. The other diet was prepared by supplementing 200 mg/kg vitamin C in the basal diet. The study lasted for 14 days. At the end of the study, 3 male birds per replicate were selected to analyze meat quality, intestinal permeability, and stress indicators such as blood heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) and feather corticosterone (CORT) concentrations. Results indicated that there were no interactions between different SD and dietary supplementation of vitamin C for all measurements. For the main effects of SD, birds raised at high SD had less (p < 0.01) BW, BW gain, and feed intake with increasing stress responses including greater blood H:L and feather CORT concentrations (p < 0.01) than those raised at low SD. Transepithelial electrical resistance in the jejunal mucosa was decreased (p < 0.05) at high SD, indicating an increase in intestinal permeability. However, the main effects of dietary supplementation of 200 mg/kg vitamin C were insignificant for all measurements. In conclusion, high SD of broiler chickens impairs growth performance and intestinal barrier function with increasing stress responses. However, dietary supplementation of vitamin C may have little beneficial effects on broiler chickens raised at the high SD condition used in the present study.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.985-996
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of light intensity on growth performance, blood components, eye condition, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Three hundred and fifty-two 1-day-old male chicks were assigned to one of four treatments (four repetitions per treatment, 22 birds per repetition) and reared in a floor pen for 5 weeks. From the second week, chicks were reared under four different levels of light intensity (5, 20, 35, and 50 lx) and the lighting duration was maintained at 18-hours light : 6-hours dark (18L : 6D). The feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At 35 days of age, 12 birds per treatment were randomly selected for blood sampling, eye measurement, and carcass analysis. There were no significant differences in body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio among treatments. Triglyceride levels in the serum were significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment, and creatinine was significantly lower in the 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05). The heterophil : lymphocyte ratios decreased significantly as light intensity increased (p < 0.05); however, other blood cell compositions were not affected by light intensity. Interleukin-6 content was significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment than in other treatments (p < 0.05), but the content of tumor necrosis factor-α was not significantly different among treatments. Serum corticosterone concentration was significantly higher at 5 lx than at 20, 35, and 50 lx (p < 0.05). The corneal diameter was the highest in 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05), and tended to increase as the light intensity decreased. Other eye parameters were not significantly different among treatments, but displayed a tendency to increase as the light intensity decreased. Carcass yield and part yields were not affected by light intensity. Meat quality parameters (pH, color, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity) did not show significant difference among the treatments. The results indicate that a light intensity of 5 lx may increase physiological stress or have a negative effect on broiler welfare, even if the performance and carcass characteristics are not affected. Therefore, a light intensity of 20 lx or above is recommended considering both the growth performance and welfare of broilers.