The influence of dietary palm olein, in comparison to fish oil and lard, on lipid levels in egg yolk and blood plasma, the fatty acid composition of egg yolk, and various production parameters were studied. Brown Lohman laying hens (n=45) were randomly assigned into three groups of 15 birds, and treated with experimental diets with either 3% palm olein (PO), fish oil (FO) or lard (L) for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, feed consumption was significantly lower for hens fed the PO diet, except week 6 of the experiment. The concentration of plasma triglycerides was increased by all experimental diets, whereas there were no significant increases of plasma total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations only in the PO group. For yolk lipids a decrease in triglycerides in the FO and L groups was observed, while total cholesterol and total lipid were significantly decreased in the PO group. Feeding with the PO diet resulted in the lowest concentrations of palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid, as well as in the highest concentration of monounsaturated oleic acid in the yolk total lipid. It was concluded that the composition of yolk lipids did not closely match the concentrations of lipids observed in experimental diets or plasma. Based on the current work it seems that the PO diet modulates egg yolk lipid content best.

In this experiment the influence of stocking density on the body conformation of broiler carcasses was investigated. One hundred and twenty broiler chickens were divided into three groups; each group comprised 40 chickens. At the end of the first week of the fattening period 20 chickens in each group were marked by random sampling. The first testing group (P1) represented the one with a lower stocking density (12 chickens per square meter); the second one (P2) with a higher stocking density (18 chickens per square meter), while the control group (K) was set in accordance with the technological recommendations (15 chickens per square meter). Breast circumference, drumstick circumference, keel length (crista sterni), breast depth and breast angle were monitored and measured on a weekly basis. Body conformation measures were determined on the carcasses in a horizontal position with their backs placed on the table. The appropriate instruments such as millimetre tape, caliper and ZP-3 protractor were used. In addition, a weekly live weight and feed consumption were measured. Production results (live weight, gain, feed-to-gain ratio and European Production Index (EPI) were calculated. Carcass grades were calculated based on the mass ratio of the cooled carcass and the live body weight before slaughtering. The research findings have confirmed that overcrowding in production facilities is always risky in regard to the expected production results. In contrast, by fully conforming to the production technology requirements, it is possible to achieve better production results.

In the article are presented the results of our research on chlamydophilosis in parrots, free-living and breeding pigeons, and intensive breeding chickens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For detection of the antigen two immunoenzyme tests for the detection of antibodies against Chlamydophila psittaci and a complement fixation test by a Kolmer and indirect immunofluorescence method (BioMerieux, France) were used. From a total of 275 samples of cloacal swabs the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci antigen was detected by ELISA (DAKO Ltd., United Kingdom) in 34.9% birds: 45.5% in intensive breeding chickens, 12.1% in free-living pigeons and 8.0% in parrots. By the same method the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci antigen in breeding pigeons was not detected. Sixty cloacal swabs from intensive breeding chickens and pigeons were tested by immunoenzyme test (Unipath Limited, England) and the presence of the pathogen was found in 6.7% cases. Fifty-eight sera from free-living pigeons and intensive breeding chickens were tested for the presence of specific antibodies to Chlamydophila psittaci by indirect immunofluorescence method and were found in 42.1% examined sera of pigeons, and in 27.6% pigeons from the total number of examined birds. The presence of specific antibodies was not found in sera of intensive breeding chickens. Using a complement fixation test, antibodies were not detected in the examined sera in pigeons nor in intensive breeding chickens. The results of this study show that the presence of antigens and antibodies for Chlamydophila psittaci is obvious in tested sera samples, but the clinical disease was not found in any of the examined birds.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility to modification the total lipid and cholesterol level, as well as fatty acid composition of egg yolks, by supplementing diets of laying hens with different fats. The trial was conducted in two six week experiments. Experiment I was conducted on 180 Isa Brown hens assigned to two age categories: 36 months - old (O), and 27 weeks of age - young (Y) hens. Both ago categories were divided into three groups: control groups fed a diet I with no supplemented fat (OC and YC) experimental groups fed a diet II supplemented with 3.2% of palm oil (OP and YP) and experimental groups fed a diet III supplemented with 2.5% of lard (OL and YL). In Experiment II 45 Lohman Brown hens of 56 weeks of age were randomly assigned into three groups of 15 birds each and were fed with three experimental diets supplemented with either 3% fish oil (group FO), 3% palm olein (group PO) or with 3% lard (group L). The results of our trial support the thesis of constant cholesterol content in egg yolk, that was accepted by the majority of researchers, although it was possible to affect the levels only in some conditions, as for example by the age of hens in Experiment I or by feeding Lohman Brown hens with 3% of supplemented lard in Experiment II. However, the experiment proved the possibility of altering egg yolk fatty acid composition, this being a trend in actual investigations of egg yolk cholesterogenic modification.

cattle drinking water QUality-welfare indicator sUmmary The paper describes the importance of hygienic quality of drinking water and its influence on health, productivity and welfare of cattle. Quality of water from four different sources was determined in a laboratory by testing the organoleptic, physico-chemical and bacteriologic parameters. Samples that were not in compliance with the requirements of the Croatian standards for drinking water were disinfected, in vitro, with chlorine and hydrogen per-oxide based disinfectants. In a field study such disinfected water was offered to cattle. The study results, obtained by monitoring the drinking behaviour of cattle, have shown no preferences of non-disinfected over disinfected water with possible changed taste or odour.