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The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs.eg.net

The aims of this study were twofold: to assess the welfare of two hybrids of laying hens in conventional cages and to investigate the effects of tier's level on the integument condition and fearfulness. Two commercial hybrids, white Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and brown Lohmann Traditional (LT) at about 18 weeks of age were used in the current study and were housed at three hens / cage. No birds were beak-trimmed. External appearance of the body (scoring of plumage condition and skin injuries at body parts and comb), heterophil-lymphocyte (H-L) ratios and duration of tonic immobility (TI) were used as indicators of well-being. LSL birds showed better plumage condition and low H-L ratios than LT birds while no significant difference was recorded in TI test between the two hybrids. Hens housed in the top tier showed worse feather condition and more wounds than birds in middle and bottom tiers whereas for fear levels, no significant difference was revealed for hens from different tiers of cages. These results suggest that the welfare of LSL birds was relatively good compared to LT. Therefore, conventional cages can be used by the hens to a large extent if birds are properly selected to be specifically adapted to cages.

This study was conducted to assess the influence of three calcium supplements on rabbit does maternal behaviour and productive performance. Twenty adult New Zealand white female rabbits 4-5 months of age were classified into four groups (A, B, C and D) according to the dose of calcium (control, 2.5, 5 and 10 g) added daily to the feeders and each group contains five females. Among four calcium supplementation groups, addition of 10 g calcium carbonate decrease the mean frequency of feeding, the mean does milk production (kg) and means of kits body weight (g) at birth, 21 days and 30 days of age but, increase the means of drinking frequency and duration (min). The higher significant (P ≤ 0.05) frequency of nursing behaviour was recorded in group B (2.5 g calcium). On the other hand, means of nursing duration (min.), mean body weight of the does (at kindling and at weaning of their litters), the mean litter size (at birth, born alive, still born, at days 21, 30 of age), the total pre-weaning mortality of kits and means of prolactin hormone level (ng/ml) did not significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different. In light of these results, we could conclude that calcium supplementations have a direct negative effect on ingestive behaviour, nursing behaviour and also, some productive traits of rabbit does.

This study was conducted to compare between three nest box designs and their influence on rabbit does maternal behaviour and production, fifteen adult White New Zealand female rabbits were classified into three groups according to nest box design (A, B and C) and each group contains five females. Among 3 nest box designs, the mean frequency of nursing events increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in group C nest box and flash movement duration (sec.) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) in group B nest box. The mean body weight (g) of kits at 30 days of age decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) in group A nest box. There was no significant difference between the three nest box designs in rabbit does nest quality traits scores before and after parturition and means of prolactin hormone level (ng/ml) at birth and 21 days of age. In light of these results, we could summarize that large or fully opened nest box had a positive effect on nursing events durations (min.), flash movement duration (sec.) and mean body weight (g) of kits at 30 days of age. However, such conditions do not affect other recorded parameters.