This study aims to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of different homoeopathic products on the diet of laying quails. We used 200 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of the adoption of four experimental diets, with eight replicates of five quails each. The treatments were control (without additives), calcium carbonate (vehicle used in the products), Fertsigo®, and Ovosigo®. We determined the performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical profile of quails. The data were submitted to Tukey test at 5% probability. There was a significant effect of the homeopathic products Fertsigo® and Ovosigo® on the variables egg weight, yolk, albumen, and shell percentage. It did not affect the performance and blood biochemical profile (p > 0.05). The addition of the homoeopathic product Ovosigo® and FertSigo® in diets of Japanese quails at the laying phase is recommended because they resulted in the better weight of the egg and its components. Thus, the application of homoeopathy in the production of quails is a viable practice, since it is easy to manage, has a reduced cost, and exerts positive effects on the performance of quails.

A produção e o consumo de carne de frango tem crescido muito durante os últimos anos. Com isso os consumidores e os produtores de frango passaram a se preocupar mais com cada processo produtivo da cadeia avícola, visando assim um produto final de boa qualidade. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o perfil dos produtores e consumidores de frangos tipo caipira da Região do Alto São Francisco – MG. A pesquisa foi realizada no município de Bambuí – MG, situado no centro oeste mineiro. Participaram do questionário 60 bambuienses abordados em diferentes supermercados da cidade, feiras-livres, e nas próprias residências, onde foram utilizados questionários já pré-definidos. A análise dos dados foi realizada com o auxílio de planilhas eletrônicas, sendo utilizado o Microsoft Office Excel® 2007. Os consumidores de carne de frango caipira estão interessados em saber a origem do produto, bem como a garantia de um produto saudável, com preço acessível, e de qualidade. O sabor do frango caipira ainda é o fator determinante pra quem procura esse tipo de alimento. Pode-se observar com a pesquisa que a produção de frango caipira é uma atividade com grande potencial de venda, mas ainda carece de ferramentas relacionadas a melhoria do processo produtivo, que impulsionem os criadores a trabalharem com mais qualidade. A produção de qualquer produto de origem animal precisa cada vez se adequar as normas de bem-estar, uma realidade que poucos produtores conhecem.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of homeopathic products in diets of quails in the egg quality when submitted to different storage periods. In the trial we used 200 Japanese quails in a completely randomized design with 4 diets: reference diet, vehicle used in homeopathic products and 2 homeopathic products - Fertsigo® and Ovosigo® with ten replicates of three eggs in each. Egg quality parameters were evaluated during 3 storage periods. Data were evaluated as repeated measures in time, the effects of the interactions between treatments and time as well as their isolated effects were verified. There was the interaction between homeopathic products and storage time in the parameters of albumen and yolk height, Haugh unit, and yolk index, in which a reduction was obtained over time. For egg weight, yolk, albumen and shell, percentage of albumen, and percentage of eggshell there was a significant effect only for homeopathy. The inclusion of homeopathic additives increased egg weight. It is indicated the addition of the product with homeopathic basis Ovosigo® and FertSigo® in diets of Japanese quails in the laying phase resulting in better egg and components but did not influence the quality maintenance of eggs of Japanese quails in the periods evaluated.

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Introduction: The purpose of this trial was to assess the influence of homeopathy products on the diet of quails based on egg quality when submitted to different storage periods. Methodology: Two hundred, 45 day old Japanese quails and 80% of production were used, in a completely randomized design comprised of a 4x3 factorial, and 4 diets (basal feed, inert vehicle and 2 homeopathic products: Fertsigo® (Sulphur 10 CH, Sepia 15CH )  and Ovosigo® (Belladonna 12CH,Silicea 12 CH, Natrum mur. 30CH, Calcarea phos. 30CH, Sulphur 12CH) and 3 storage periods (0 days, 7 days and 14 days) with ten repetitions of three eggs per treatment. The weight, percentages of yoke, albumen and shell, albumen height and yolk color, specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk index and shell thickness were evaluated. The data were submitted to variance analysis to verify whether there was a interaction effect between homeopathy factors and storage time, and when absent, the isolated effects. Results: An interaction between the homeopathic products and time was found for the parameters of albumen height and yolk, Haugh unit and yolk index, which reduced over time. For egg weight, yolk, albumen and shell, a significant effect (p<0.05) was found only in the case of homeopathy for the percentages of albumen and shell. For egg and albumen weights, yolk and albumen percentages, specific gravity and colorimetry there was an effect for time, however these parameters reduced over the storage time in days. The addition of the homeopathic based products Ovosigo® and FertSigo® are indicated for the diets of Japanese quail during the laying phase since it resulted in better weights for the egg and its components. Conclusion: The different homeopathic products did not have an influence on conserving the quality of the Japanese quail eggs during the periods evaluated.

This study considered the parameters of the Halal market to evaluate different protocols for broiler electronarcosis regarding time to return of consciousness, bleeding efficiency, and carcass and meat quality. Was performed an experiment in a broiler slaughterhouse. One hundred and eighty-four 43 days old male broilers of the Cobb® strain were used. The experimental design used was completely randomized with 46 broilers for each protocol. The protocols used: 80 v and 600 Hz; 50 v and 1,000 Hz; 60 v and 1,000 Hz; 70 v and 1,000 Hz. Time to return of consciousness, bleeding efficiency, bruising, presence of broken bones in pectoral muscle, and meat quality were evaluated. Birds subjected to stunning by the 50 v / 1,000 Hz protocol showed the shortest time to return of consciousness after electronarcosis, and high incidence of breast hemorrhage. Birds subjected to the 60 v / 1,000 Hz protocol had a higher percentage of broken bones in the Pectoralis minor. The 50 v and 1,000 Hz electronarcosis protocol fits better to the halal market due to the shorter time to return of consciousness and improved bleeding efficiency. This study suggests new proposals for stunning protocols to serve the halal market.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of two types of aviary litter with the inclusion of levels of grass hay in these materials on the quality of chicken breasts. The design was completely randomized bewith a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (three grass levels and two bed materials), with six replicates each, totaling 36 boxes, with 30 birds each. The treatments evaluated were: 100% wood shavings; 100% rice husk; 25% grass hay in wood shavings; 25% grass hay in rice husk; 50% grass hay in wood shavings; 50% grass hay in rice husk. At 42 days of age the chicken were slaughtered for extraction of the breast muscle. The means found of each of the treatments for the variables studied were compared by the Tukey test at the significance level of 5%. The inclusion of grass hay in wood shavings and rice husk litters changed  significantly the pH of chicken breasts , and the inclusion of 25% presented higher pH when compared to pure material. There was interference of the type of litter in relation to the shear force and the wood shavingsa material obtained lower shear force. Regarding the other variables there was no effect of the treatments. The wood shavings presented better results in relation to meat quality, when compared to rice husk, regardless of inclusion of grass hay levels.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of including levels of calcareous seaweed flour in replacement for calcite limestone on the diet under egg conservation at different storage periods. 140 Japanese quails were used in a completely randomized experiment consisting of a 4x4 factorial design. The factorial design was four inclusions of calcareous seaweed (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) and four storage periods (zero, seven, 14, and 21 days) with ten replications of three eggs each. The egg quality variables were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using Tukey test and polynomial regression at a 5% significance level. There was no interaction effect between the factor's storage time and inclusion of calcareous seaweed (p>0.05). There was an increasing linear effect on shell weight and thickness in relation to inclusion levels of calcareous seaweed. There was an individual effect of egg storage time (p>0.05) on egg weight, yolk color, albumen and yolk height, yolk weight and percentage, albumen, yolk index, yolk diameter, specific gravity, and Haugh unit. The inclusion of up to 30% of calcareous seaweed in replacement for calcite limestone in the diet of Japanese quails improves the weight and thickness of eggshells but does not influence the conservation of the eggs up to 21 days of storage.