The study involved 20 carcasses of 120-day-old ram lambs of Pomeranian coarse-haired sheep from a farm located in the alluvial land of the West Pomeranian Province and kept under an extensive feeding and management system. The study consisted in the determination of the slaughter value of carcasses and the quality of meat from shoulder, loin and leg through the determination of the chemical composition, physicochemical and sensory attributes. On the basis of the performed analysis it was found that the index of dressing percentage of the assessed lambs under an extensive feeding and management system amounted to about 41% and that meat was of good quality.

The kontent of selected metals in the liver, kidney and meat tissue of goats and lambs was inverstigated. The kids of white improved breed and ram of Polish lowland breed originated from Podlasie region. Samples of tissues were tested for the kontent of Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg, Cu, Zn and Pb using atomie absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Mean concentration of Mg in the muscles was significantly different depending on the animal breed. Similar results were obtained for kidney and liver. The mean concentration of the Zn and Fe (Zn – 59.90 mg · kg^–1 Fe – 28.27 mg · kg^–1) in tested muscle tissue of goats. Liver lambs contrained less Fe (48.70 mg · kg^–1). The kontent of chemical elements were included within the physiological limits and did not make any tonic threat.

A feeding experiment was conducted including 192 broiler chicken of the Ross 308 line. The kind of cereals used in mixtures and probiotic and prebiotic addition were experimental factors. The birds had been reared for 42 days. Broiler chickens were offered at libitum loose wheat-maize-soybean (PK) and wheat-triticale-soybean (PŻ) mixtures. The mixtures for expe rimental groups included a synbiotic containing Bacillus subtilis C-3102 bacteria and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at the ratio of 1:1. The influence of feeding on productive results and post-slaughter value were estimated. The research results indicated that addition of synbiotic significantly influenced on body weight. Chickens were fed PK mixtures weighed by 4.1% and PŻ by 2.1% more (P ≤ 0.05) in compare to birds were fed diets without synbiotic. Use in mixtures different of cereals influenced on feed conversion ratio, especially Starter mixtures. During whole experiment didn’t observe differences FCR between feeding groups. Chickens offered rations supplemented with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and yeast were characterised by higher dressing percentage although statistical differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found for the wheat-maize-soybean diet (75.7% vs 78.4%). An addition of the feed supplement by 6 and 16 % (diet 1 and 2, respectively) reduced the weight of chicken digestive tract and incresae (P ≤ 0.05) weight of edible offal by 5% and 13% respectively. On the basis of the results, the probiotic and prebiotic combination can be recognised as a good feed supplement which stimulates the bird growth and development when replacing feed antibiotics.

The study examined the content and distribution of fat in carcasses, joints and muscles of the Pietrain breed of porkers. The research covered 30 left half-carcasses of Pietrain gilts examined in Slaughter Quality Control Station (SKURTCh) in Chorzelów between 2004–2005. Thickness of back-fat was measured and the surface of fat above the eye of the loin was defined, following which, technological dissection and dissection of particular joints were performed. On the basis of the results of the dissection, weight and percentage of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat in half-carcasses and in the most valuable joints was defined. Percentage of intramuscular fat in loin (m. longissimus thoracis) and in ham (m. semimembranosus) was defined on the basis of extraction method. Average thickness of back-fat in the examined half-carcasses of the Pietrain breed, obtained on the basis of five measurements, was 1.53 cm, whereas the surface of fat above the eye of the loin was 12.27 cm². There was on average 6.58 kg of fat in the examined half-carcasses, which constituted 16.73% of the weight. The highest weight (4.98 kg) and content in half-carcass (13.36%) was stated for subcutaneous fat. Intermuscular fat weighed on average 0.83 kg and was located mainly in belly (0.21 kg), shoulder (0.15 kg), neck (0.11 kg) and in ham (0.17 kg). Intermuscular fat constituted 7.24%, 2.22%, 3.77% and 1.86% of the weight of these joints respectively. Total weight of the joints obtained during dissection (back-fat lobe, dewlap, groin, lard) amounted to 5.17kg. The dewlap (2.73 kg) and the back-fat lobe (1.90) had the highest weight. It was observed that the percentage of intramuscular fat in loin amounted on average to 1.32% and was 0.37% higher as compared with the percentage of fat in ham.

The aim of the study was to determine selenium concentration in the liver, kidneys and spleen of ranch mink (Mustela vison) (n = 25). Selenium concentration in samples was determined spectrofluorimetrically using 2,3-diaminonaphtalene (DAN). Concentration of Se in the liver, kidneys and spleen averaged 0.38 ± 0.09, 1.18 ± 0.21 and 0.30 ± 0.07 μg · g^–1 wet weight, respectively. Kidney Se concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in liver and spleen. In view of scarce literature data concerning selenium content in farmed mink organs and no reference values it is difficult to conclude whether the Se levels obtained fall within the optimum range for these animals. Higher Se concentration in kidney than liver may indicate selenium deficiency. It seems necessary to continue research in order to establish reference values for this species.

Eggs of pearl and white guinea fowl were analysed for quality at 51 weeks of birds’ age. Thirty eggs laid by each variety were evaluated. Analysis was made within 24 hours of egg collection. White guinea fowl laid eggs that were significant heavier (46.5 g), longer (51.3 mm) and wider (39.6 mm) compared to pearl grey guinea fowl (39.2 g, 49.4 mm and 37.5 mm, respectively). In addition, the eggs of pearl guinea fowl had lighter (6.2 g) and thinner shells (0.51 mm). Albumen percentage in the eggs of pearl guinea fowl (44.4%) was significantly lower than in white guinea fowl (51.2%). Egg yolk proportion was significantly higher in the eggs of pearl compared to white guinea fowl (39.9% vs. 33.4%). Haugh units were higher for the eggs of white compared to pearl birds. Yolk pH was significantly higher in the eggs of pearl guinea fowl (6.2).