The Effect of Different Rearing Systems on Yield Characteristics, Quality Criteria and Egg Shell Microbial Load of Atak-S Chickens

Abstract

This research was carried out to examine the effects of different rearing systems on yield characteristics, egg internal and external quality criteria and egg shell microbiological load in domestic layer Atak-S hybrids. Three different rearing systems were applied in the experiment: cage, ground (with deep litter) and free-range. 1350 domestic layer Atak-S hybrids aged 60 weeks were used as animal material and the experiment continued for 10 weeks. In the research, egg production, egg weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg mass, egg internal and external quality characteristics and microorganism density in the egg shell were investigated. The highest average egg production was obtained from the cage system with 51,20%, and the average egg weight was obtained from the ground system with 63,04 g (P<0,05). The highest daily average feed consumption was 115,9 g, and the best feed conversion rate from the cage system was obtained from this group with 3,74 (P<0,05). The difference between the groups in terms of egg shape index, shell thickness, breaking resistance, white index, yolk index, haugh unit and L value was statistically insignificant (P>0,05). On the other hand, it was observed that there was a difference between the groups in terms of egg white pH and color parameters a (redness), b (yellowness) and E values ​​(P<0,05). Total mesophilic aerobic microorganism (TMAB) and Staphylococcus ssp. contamination in eggs were found to be at least in the free-range system with 5,55 and 4,49 cob cfu/mL, respectively, while E.coli, Enterococcus spp. and Coliform contamination were 3,27, 3,45 and 3,61 cob cfu, respectively (P<0,05). It was determined that it was at least in the cage system. In terms of egg production and egg mass values, better results were obtained from the cage breeding system; In terms of egg weight and daily and average feed consumption values, it was observed that better results were obtained from the ground rearing system.