Abstract
Simple SummaryThe high dropping moisture content of chicken feces can impose a serious burden on poultry production costs and the environment. In the first part of this study, we investigated the correlations among chicken dropping moisture content, environmental factors, and production performance. In the second part, we explored whether the addition of three types of additives added individually could reduce the dropping moisture content. The results showed that the dropping moisture level was not associated with production performance or any environmental factors at different locations at the same henhouse height. The probiotic additive (active yeast) significantly reduced the dropping moisture rate. These findings can improve strategies for dealing with high dropping moisture levels and contribute to the enhancement of chicken production.Dropping moisture (DM) refers to the water content in feces. High DM negatively affects poultry production, environment, production costs, and animal health. Heredity, nutrition, environment, and disease may affect DM level. DM has medium inheritability and is related to cage height in henhouses. We examined the relationship among DM level, production performance, and environmental factors at different locations at the same henhouse height and effects of three types of additives. We measured the correlation between environmental factors including temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, absolute pressure, and DM levels and laying performance of 934 Rhode Island Red hens. DM level was not significantly associated with environmental factors or production performance. We divided 64 persistently high DM hens into control and treatment groups supplied with different additives (probiotics, anisodamine, and antibiotics). DM levels, laying performance, egg quality, and serum biochemical indices were determined. Compared with the control and antibiotics, probiotics significantly reduced DM levels and eggshell strength while improving yolk color but did not significantly affect production performance. The additives reduced the b value of eggshell color; compared with probiotics, anisodamine decreased serum globulin levels. Exogenous active yeast supplementation can significantly reduce DM levels.
Highlights
Dropping moisture (DM) commonly refers to the water content in feces, and DM content is generally higher in poultry than in other animals because of their short digestive tract and the mixture of feces and urine excreted through the cloaca [1]
To exclude high DM content caused by common infections due to Salmonella Pullorum (SP) and avian leukosis virus (ALV), SP antibody and ALV p27 antigen titers were obtained to ensure that the hens were free of infection by these pathogens
In the process of analyzing the environmental indicators at different henhouse locations at the same cage height, we found no significant correlation between DM level and environmental indicators
Summary
Dropping moisture (DM) commonly refers to the water content in feces, and DM content is generally higher in poultry than in other animals because of their short digestive tract and the mixture of feces and urine excreted through the cloaca [1]. Anisodamine is a non-specific cholinergic antagonist that inhibits gland secretion It can effectively relieve pain and vasospasm, improve blood circulation, and block the M receptor, suppressing the movement of gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles; this prolongs the residence time of chyme in the intestinal tract and improves water reabsorption efficiency [14]. It has been well documented to have bacteriostatic activities against some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria [15] as well as antioxidant properties [16]. Owing to their characteristics, these additives can be beneficial in promoting production performance and animal health [17,18]
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