Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel

Abstract: Lighting system is a stimulant for reproduction in some species (Horses) and an inhibitor for others (Sheep). This study started on September 1st and planned to study the effects of different lighting regimes and melatonin treatment on the receptivity and performance of 78 (60-does and 18-bucks) New Zealand White rabbits, which were reared in a private Rabbitary in Menuofia Governorate, Egypt. These rabbits were randomly assigned to six treatment groups of 10 does and three bucks for each (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours light (HL) and melatonin- treated). Ejaculate traits, sexual activity of bucks, sexual receptivity and reproductive performance of does were recorded. Results revealed that exposure of rabbits to long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin improved the quantity and quality of ejaculate traits and buck sexual activity. Moreover, does sexual receptivity, feed intake, litter size and weight at birth and weaning were increased by long photoperiods (14 and 16HL) or treatment with melatonin. On the other hand, gestation period and pre-weaning mortality rate were decreased. It can be concluded that application of long photoperiods is beneficial to rabbit producers and 14HL:10 hours dark is optimal for satisfying the biological requirements of the rabbits. Finally, the light schedules can be used for biostimulation instead of melatonin.

Abstract: The effect of cage versus pens and six stocking densities on behavior and performance was evaluated in 76 Weanling does New Zealand White rabbits. In one test, 10 does were reared in a straw bedded pen and 10 in a cage using the same floor space (2 m2 for all animals/group). In another test six groups of 6 does each were stocked 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 rabbits/m2, respectively, in cages. All rabbits were fed a commercial pellet diet of 16.5% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat and 14% fibers given twice daily at 9am and 5pm and water ad libitum. Rabbits were acclimatized for one week before experiments were started. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and behavior parameters such as maintenance, locomotory, investigatory, agonistic, comfortable and stereotypic, were recorded daily. Results revealed that weanling rabbits reared in a cage system with 10 or higher high stocking density had lower growth rates and higher mortality.

Abstract: This work was conducted to study the effect of different types of litter material on the productive performance and some behaviours of commercial broiler chickens.In this study, 250 – day-old broiler (Lohman strain) chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery and divided into five nearly equal weights groups (50 each). The chicks were conventionally brooded for 7 weeks in environmental controlled rooms (0.14 m2/ bird). Each of five cement-floored rooms was bedded using deep litter system with 8 cm of litter material {chopped wheat straw (WS), chopped rice straw (RS), 70% chopped rice straw mixed with 30% wood shaving (RSws), wood shaving (WSh) and sand (S)}. Suitable commercial diet and drinking water were provided adlibitum using commercially available plastic circular feeders and drinkers along the experiment. There were no significant differences in feed consumption, body gain and feed conversion between broilers reared on different types of litter materials. While the highest litter pH and moisture were recorded in wood shaving and the lowest ones were recorded in sand when used as litter material. Total bacterial count, total fungal count and coccideal oocyst were higher in wood shaving litter material than those in chopped wheat straw, chopped rice straw, 70% chopped rice straw mixed with 30% wood shaving, and sand. No cases of blindness, ocular discharge and cannibalism were observed in birds of all groups while leg and feet disorders were recorded only in birds kept on wheat straw and wood shaving. But, breast blisters were observed in birds reared on rice straw and wheat straw (8 and 10 cases, respectively). The highest mortality percent was recorded among birds reared on wood shaving followed by sand, rice straw, rice straw mixed with wood shaving and wheat straw. Rest and dust bathing behaviours were increased in birds kept on rice straw and sand while, ground pecking was increased in birds reared on sand and wood shaving. In conclusion, pure wood shaving, rice straw and sand shouldn’t use as litter materials while rice straw mixed with wood shaving can be used as a substitution litter material to chopped wheat straw for rearing broilers to achieve better performance and comfortable conditions.

Abstract: Ten Arabian foals aged 3-8 months, at private farm in Sharkia Province were used in this study, which continued from 1st of December 2003 till the end of June 2004. The foals were divided into two equal groups of five foals each. The animals in the first group were weaned at 3 months of age while those in the second group were weaned normally at 5 months of age. The first group foals spent less time in eating (43.32±5.22 vs 45.52±6.22% of their time), in standing rest and lying than the 2nd group foals, but spent more time in standing alert (4.55±1.32 vs 4.12±1.53% of their time). The foals of first group had a lower body weight gain during the period of study than that normally weaned foals. The foals which were weaned early at 3 months had engaged in stereotypies behaviour such as steps, head threat, bite threat, bite, kick threat and kick more than that foals which were weaned normally at 5 months, there was a significant difference in the level of cortisol hormone post-weaning between early weaned foals and normally weaned foals. In conclusion weaning of foals at 5 months of age was less stressful, more comfort and achieve good welfare for foals than early weaning.

Abstract: This work was carried out on a number of 800 broiler breeder fertile eggs from a commercial broiler strain (Lohmann) which reared on a deep litter system at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. This experiment was begun in September 1, 2003. All selectable eggs were divided into 20 groups (40 each). The first nine groups were stored for different periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 days). The groups from 10 to 13 were stored for 6 days and differ only in the number of egg turning during the storage (0, 3, 6 and 12 times / day) period. The groups 14, 15 and 16 were selected on the basis of egg weight (35 to 45, 46 to 55 and 56 to 65g). While, the groups from 17 to 20 were selected from different flock ages 34, 44, 54 and 64 weeks. This work was conducted to study the effect of flock age, egg weight, duration of egg storage and number of egg turning during pre-incubation storage on fertility, hatchability, incubation period, post-hatching chick weight and chick weight at 7 days old in addition, egg weight loss during different storage periods. Egg weight loss increased with each three days increasing in the storage period. The incubation period, post – hatching weight and chick weight after 7 days old were increased by increasing the flock age and egg weight while, the fertility percent and hatchability of fertile eggs were decreased. Also, the fertility percent, hatchability of fertile eggs, post- hatching weight and chick weight after 7 days old were decreased by increasing the duration of storage but, the incubation period was increased. Increasing the number of eggs turning during pre- incubation storage led to decrease in the hatching time and increase in the fertility percent, hatchability of fertile eggs, post- hatching weight and chick weight after 7 days old. From this work, we conclude that, the hatchability of fertile eggs and chicks weight can be improved by good selection of broiler hatching eggs on the bases of; flock age ranging from34 to 44 weeks, their eggs weight ranging from 46 to 55 g, pre-incubation storage not more than 9 days and egg turning during pre-incubation storage not less than three times daily.

Abstract: The present work was carried out in a private rabbitry in Meinoufia Governorate, Egypt. A number of 43 New Zealand White rabbit (40-does with an average age 9 months and 3- bucks; their age ranged from 4 to 8 months) were used in this work to study the effect of age of buck at first mating, number of services and post partum remating intervals on their productivity. These animals were divided randomly into three groups. The first group contained 12 – doe rabbits and divided into three equal subgroups to investigate the effect of number of services (one and two services from one or two different bucks) on their productivity. The second group contained 12- does and 3 bucks (the bucks average ages are 4 , 6 and 8 months) and divided into three equal subgroups (each subgroup contained 4 does and one buck) to study the effect of age of buck at first mating on their productivity. While, the third group contained 16 doe rabbits and divided into four equal subgroups to study the effect of post-partum remating intervals (1, 5, 10 and 15 days post-partum intervals ) on their productivity. The conception rate, litter size and litter weight at birth and weaning were increased when used an adult buck rabbits whose ages 6 months or more and their does mated by two services from one or two different bucks with remating intervals 10 and 15 days post-partum and decreased when used a young buck rabbit less than 6 months of age and their does mated by one services with remating intervals 1 and 5 days post-partum. The gestation period showed insignificant differences among different ages of bucks, number of services and post-partum remating intervals. While, the pre-weaning mortality percentages were decreased by using bucks whose ages 6 months or more and the does mated by two services from one or different two bucks, with remating intervals 10 and 15 days post-partum. From this study, we conclude that the productivity of rabbits can be improved by some managemental aspects especially under intensive productive program as; good selection of the suitable age of buck at first mating ( not less than 6 months ) , making double mating from different two bucks and the remating interval post parturition not less than 10 days.

Abstract: This work was carried out for 10 weeks in a private rabbitry in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt; during summer season to study the effect of heat stress on rabbits’ behaviour and performance using 30 New Zealand White female rabbits with an average age 9 months. These animals were divided randomly into five groups(6 each) and reared in rooms under natural conditions with an ambient temperature ranged from 33 to 35 oC except the first group and subjected to some specific managemental treatments . The first group was reared in air conditioned room with air temperature (18-20 oC). The animals in the second group were treated by adding vitamin C in the drinking water (50 mg/head/day) at 11 a.m. But the animals in the third group were clipped at the beginning of this study. While, the fourth one was treated by placing of glass bottles filled with cold water in the cage and the fifth group was taken as a control. The rabbits which reared in air conditioned room and those which treated by adding vitamin C in the drinking water, clipping and placing of glass bottles filled with cold water in the cage had low rectal temperature, respiratory rate, water intake and rest period with high feed intake in compared with control group. The gestation period was shorter in control group than others. The litter size (number of kits) was more in the treated groups as well as the kits weight at birth and weaning was higher in the treated groups than control one. But, the mortality percentage from birth to weaning was lower in the treated groups than control one. From this work, it could be concluded that the productivity of rabbits during summer season can be improved by applying the modern husbandry; using air conditioned farm , adding vitamin C in the drinking water, clipping the fur and placing of glass bottles filled with cold water in the cage.

Abstract: This work was carried out on 90 adult Rahmani ewes (Their age varied from 1 to 4 years and their body weight ranged from 30 to 50 Kg ) and three adult Rahmani rams (Their average age and body weight were 4 years and 60 kg , respectively ). These animals were raised at Mehallet- Mousa , Animal Production Research Station , Kafr El-Sheikh Province , Egypt .The animals were divided into four groups (Time of feed supplementation during gestation , age of dams at first use , body weight of dams at first use and stocking density groups ) to investigate the effect of these managemental aspects on their lamb crops . The ewes supplemented at the late stage of pregnancy had a higher conception rate as well as high lamb crops with markedly improvement in body weight and low lamb mortalities than those supplemented at the early or mid pregnancy. The ewes which mated at an average body weight 40 kg and those of an average age of 18 months had high conception rate with high lamb crops and low mortalities. Also, the ewes reared in stocking density with an average floor space 2 m2 / head had higher conception rate and lamb crops with higher lambs body weight at birth and weaning. From this work, we concluded that it is possible to save more than 50% of lamb mortalities and improved their body weights by applying modern methods of husbandry such as feed supplementation of pregnant ewes at late stage of gestation, good selection of ewes before breeding for higher body weight at mating (not less than 40 kg) with age not less than 18 months and the stocking density of the pregnant ewes must be with an average floor space of 2 m2 / head.

Abstract: This study was carried out on 36 apparently healthy Rahmani recently weaned ewe-lambs and two adult rams. These animals were raised at Mehallet – Mousa, Animal Production Research Station, Kafr EL-Sheikh Province, Egypt .The animals were divided into four groups (Sex associated , light and melatonin treated groups and Control one ) to investigate the effect of these managemental aspects on their puberty age and weight .The ewe lambs reared by sex associated , light and melatonin attained their puberty at an earlier age ( 6.9 , 6.1 and 5.8 months, respectively) and lower body weight ( 30 , 29.22 and 28.15 Kg , respectively) than those which untreated ( 7.4 months and 32.6 Kg , respectively) . As well as, the progesterone concentrations showed significant difference between treated groups and control one. There is no difference in behavioral signs of oestrus among different treatments but the conception rate showed variations by treatments as it decreased by treatments in compared with control group. From this study, we concluded that the application of such managements; sex association, light and melatonin treatment pre- pubertal were beneficial to decrease the puberty age but melatonin administration has low conception rate.

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate lamb mortalities relating to ewes' breed and some managemental factors on 250 pregnant ewes (190-Rahmani, 30-Ossimi and 30-Romanov) at Mehallet Mousa, Animal Production Research Station, Kafr El- Sheikh Province, Egypt. These animals divided into five groups according to the managemental factors used. The results revealed that the lamb mortality was higher in Ossimi breed and lower in Romanov one. In addition, the highest lamb mortality occurred among lambs for unsupplemented ewes, for those had body condition score two and for lambs which born outdoor. Moreover, the lamb survivability was increased by the parity of ewes. From this study it can be concluded that the lamb mortality depends on ewes' body condition score, parity, lambing system (indoor or outdoor), nutrition during pregnancy period and selected breed. In addition, the most important period for lamb survival is the first week of age.

Abstract: The effect of shearing date on behaviors and performances of 20 pregnant Rahmani ewes was evaluated in four groups (5each). Ewes were shorn at 70, 100 and 130 days of pregnancy in the first three groups respectively, while the fourth group was maintained unshorn as a control. Some behavioral and physiological data related to ewes in addition, blood cortisol level were recorded. Results revealed a significant increase in the frequencies of comfort and eating behaviors, respiratory rate, pulse rate, lamb birth weight and blood cortisol level in early and mid pregnancy shorn ewes. Also, a slight increase in pregnancy period was observed for those ewes. On the other hand, social behaviors, and core temperature were not affected by shearing. These results conclude that prenatal shearing (early and mid-pregnancy) of ewes increases the frequencies of comfort and eating behaviors, and improves the survival rates of lambs by increasing their birth weights.

Abstract: This work was carried out to study the effect of two housing systems and stocking density on White New Zealand rabbit welfare and productivity. In this study we used 62 recently weaned does of average body weight (600) grams. Those rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to stocking density ( 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20). Each group was divided into two equal subgroups; the first subgroup was reared in pen and the second one was reared in cage. They fed a commercial pelleted diet of 16.5% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat and 14% fibers. The diet was offered twice daily at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. with adlibitum amount and provided with the drinking water. All rabbits were allowed one week to become accustomed to their new cages. The individual body weight at the beginning and end of experiment and amount of food and water were recorded daily. As well as, feed conversion ratio and some behaviours (maintenance, locomotor, agonistic, comfortable and stereotypic). The observed data revealed that in most cases caged and penned rabbits showed different average percentages of behaviours. Also, different stocking densities revealed variable percentage of recorded behaviours. It can be concluded that the rearing rabbits in pen more welfarable than cage and it’s better from behavioural view to use stocking density under six rabbits in one place with each other.

Abstract: This study was carried out on 24 adult Rahmani rams . These animals were raised at Mehallet-Mousa , Animal Production Reasearch Station Kafr El-Sheikh Province, Egypt. The animals were divided into four groups to study the effect of flushing, light and melatonin treatments on their sexual behaviour and performance during summer season. The best semen quality and quantity was obtained from the rams which treated by melatonin as their semen showed high sperm concentration , live spermatozoa percent and motility percent and low abnormality percent followed by flushing and finally by light treatment. This result was confirmed by an increase in the testosterone concentrations in their serum. Moreover, the libido of these rams was increased after treatments as the reaction time (time elapsed from exposure to an oestrous ewe till ejaculation) was decreased after application of such managements. Lastly the ram sexual behaviour (courtship) became stronger by these treatments. From this work, we concluded that the ram fertility during summer season can be improved by application of flushing as that done for ewes. In addition to use light regime or melatonin administration.