Birdcage Research Articles

“Just like Back Home—Only Different!”: Plantation Exploitation in 1970s Women-in-Prison Movies Filmed in the Philippines

Producer Roger Corman's women-in-prison exploitation movies filmed in the Philippines during the early 1970s have received little academic attention, despite renewed audience interest in recent years. Furthermore, studies that do focus on these films usually only mention the settings in Philippine prisons and the Filipinos who populate the sets. To correct these omissions, this essay calls attention to how three of these films—Women in Cages (1971), Big Doll House (1971), and The Big Bird Cage (1972)—depict Philippine prisons as plantations, spaces where women provide cheap, expendable labor and suffer bodily from the norms of plantation slavery, such as torture and rape. However, these plantations are not merely "just like back home," an oft-quoted line delivered by Pam Grier's matron character in Women in Cages; this essay argues that the imprisoned American women are punished by Philippine "difference" in these films. The essay mainly examines the ways in which these films' mises-en-scène exploit Filipino people—a byproduct not just of the low cost and lax regulations of filming in the region, but also of imperialist notions about how to use Filipinos in American film plots. These films exploit images of Filipinos as "the subaltern" in the context of US imperialism, which is essential to the films' strategies to export "deviant" US women for punishment in the Philippine prison-plantation system.

Rapid loss of antipredatory behaviour in captive-bred birds is linked to current avian invasions.

Despite the importance of behaviour in conservation biology, there have been few studies that address behaviour in areas such as invasion ecology. There is an urgent need to identify specific traits that facilitate the establishment and spread of alien species to prevent biological invasions and their impact on biodiversity. Changes in antipredatory behaviour in captivity have been proposed to explain the higher invasiveness of wild-caught exotic species. We experimentally tested this hypothesis by assessing the response of wild-caught and captive-bred cage birds facing an approaching predator and their ability to escape from human capture, using species available in the Spanish pet market. Results showed the loss of antipredatory responses and escape abilities in captive-bred birds compared with wild-caught ones. An intraspecific comparison between wild-caught and the first generation of captive-bred birds pointed to a rapid behavioural loss in captivity (individual lifetime) rather than to differences among species (evolutionary exposure). In the context of current avian invasions, the proportion of individuals showing antipredatory responses within a species was positively related to the likelihood of the species being found escaped and breeding in the wild. These results offer a link between behaviour, fitness, and the invasion syndrome in birds.

The wildlife pet trade as a driver of introduction and establishment in alien birds in Taiwan

The global trade in alien cage birds is flourishing and is considered to be one of the major routes by which species are entrained into the human-mediated invasion pathway. Here, we explore the likely influence of the wild bird trade on alien bird invasions in Taiwan. Specifically, we analyse the characteristics of alien bird species that have been successfully introduced and established at large in the wild. We use phylogenetic regression models to compare the traits of alien species recorded in the cage bird trade in Taiwan that have (or have not) subsequently been recorded at large in the wild, and the traits of species recorded in the wild that have (or have not) established (species identified in the Breeding Bird Survey in Taiwan). Alien species were more likely to be recorded as successfully introduced if they were commonly for sale in the Taiwanese pet bird trade, and possessed songs considered to be more attractive to people. Species that have been sold in the pet market for a longer period were also more likely to have been recorded in the wild. Establishment success was more likely for large-bodied bird species, but not strongly related to other predicted determinants of success, including proxies for propagule pressure and climate matching. We conclude that the pet trade influences bird invasions in Taiwan by determining which species are exposed to novel environments there, but which of those introduced species goes on to establish may depend more on their intrinsic life histories.

Illegal trade pushing the Critically Endangered Black-winged MynaAcridotheres melanopterustowards imminent extinction

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Black-winged MynaAcridotheres melanopterusis being pushed towards the brink of extinction in Indonesia due to continued demand for it as a cage bird and the lack of enforcement of national laws set in place to protect it. The trade in this species is largely to supply domestic demand, although an unknown level of international demand also persists. We conducted five surveys of three of Indonesia’s largest open bird markets (Pramuka, Barito and Jatinegara), all of which are located in the capital Jakarta, between July 2010 and July 2014. No Black-winged Mynas were observed in Jatinegara, singles or pairs were observed during every survey in Barito, whereas up to 14 birds at a time were present at Pramuka. The average number of birds observed per survey is about a quarter of what it was in the 1990s when, on average, some 30 Black-winged Mynas were present at Pramuka and Barito markets. Current asking prices in Jakarta are high, with unbartered quotes averaging USD 220 per bird. Our surveys of the markets in Jakarta illustrate an ongoing and open trade. Dealers blatantly ignore national legislation and are fearless of enforcement actions. Commercial captive breeding is unlikely to remove pressure from remaining wild populations of Black-winged Mynas. Efforts to end the illegal trade in this species and to allow wild populations to recover are urgently needed. We also recommend the immediate inclusion of Black-winged Mynas in Appendix III of CITES to allow for international support to Indonesia in clamping down on international trade of the species.

Investigation of the B1 field distribution and RF power deposition in a birdcage coil as functions of the number of coil legs at 4.7 T, 7.0 T, and 11.7 T

The proper design of birdcage (BC) coils plays a very important role in the acquisition of highresolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small animals such as rodents. In this context, we investigate multiple-leg (8-, 16-, 32-, 64-, and 128-leg) BC coils operating at ultra-high fields (UHF) of 7.0 T and 11.7 T and a high-field (HF) of 4.7 T for rodent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Primarily, Our study comparatively examines the parameters of the radiofrequency (RF) transmission (|B1 +|)-field, the magnetic flux (|B1|)-field, and RF power deposition (RF-PD) as functions of the number of BC-coil legs via finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations under realistic loading conditions with a biological phantom. In particular, the specific ratio |E/B1 +| is defined for predicting RF-PD values in different coil structures. Our results indicate that the optimal number of legs of the BC coil can be chosen for different resonance frequencies of 200 MHz, 300 MHz, and 500 MHz and that this choice can be lead to superior |B1 +|-field intensity and |B1|-field homogeneity and decreased RF-PD. We believe that our approach to determining the optimal number of legs for a BC coil can contribute to rodent MR imaging.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle (review)

Reviewed by: Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle Elizabeth Bush Engle, Margarita Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music; illus. by Rafael López. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 42p ISBN 978-0-544-10229-3 $16.99 R 4-8 yrs “On an island of music/ in a city of drumbeats/ the drum dream girl/ dreamed.” The unnamed island is Cuba, and the unnamed girl, as explained in an historical note, is real-life musician Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. The dream is her desire to play the conga drums, bongo drums, and “moon bright timbales,” a privilege reserved for boys and men in 1920s Cuba. Her older sisters form an all-girl dance band and invite her to play, but her father forbids it. He does, however, agree to put the final decision in the hands of a percussion teacher, who recognizes the girl’s talent and guides her to public performance. Engle’s free-verse poem leaves Millo playing bongos for moonlit dancers, with the somewhat didactic commentary that “girls should always/ be allowed to play/ drums/ and both girls and boys/ should feel free/ to dream.” (A closing note adds that Millo eventually performed for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1932.) López’s acrylic paintings, with textured, knife-edged shapes layered onto dappled backdrops reminiscent of murals, are vivid and lush, offering symbolic imagery that is challenging yet accessible to children who are just beginning to figure out visual language. Even without the specifics offered in the closing note, young viewers will be able to reflect on the meaning of the winged drum in a bird cage, the father lassoing his girl down from the clouds with slender ribbons, the identity of the straw-hatted man who sits with his sketchpad on a cloud, observing Millo play her bongos. With its emphasis on artistry and visual metaphor, this title bears a strong kinship with Yuyi Morales’ Viva Frida (BCCB 12/14), but it also brings an accessibility that young viewers (and teachers) will appreciate. [End Page 444] Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Finger-position optimization by using caging qualities

Caging aims at constraining objects like a bird cage. It does not need force closure and contacts, and therefore is robust to perception noises. This paper considers these merits of caging and proposes an efficient approach to find the optimized finger positions for robust grasping under perception noises by measuring the quality of caging. It initially uses two quality models (the quality model of translational constraint and the quality model of rotational constraint) to combinatorically represent the quality of caging and finds the optimized finger positions (finger positions that have large robustness to perception noises) by maximizing the margins to caging breaking. Meanwhile, it employs Genetic Algorithm (GA) to accelerate the combinatorial optimization of the two quality models. The encoding rules, the initial procedure, and the stopping criterion of the GA are designed carefully towards the quality models to improve its computational efficiency. Experiments with various object shapes show that with the help of multi-model optimization and GA acceleration, the proposed approach is not only robustness to perception noises but also efficient in computation.

“I Know What the Caged Bird Feels, Alas!”: Reflections on Mentoring and Scholarship in the Academy

“I Know What the Caged Bird Feels, Alas!”: Reflections on Mentoring and Scholarship in the Academy

House X Sex Interaction Effects on Body Weight and Linear Measurements of Coturnix Quails

A total number of two hundred day-old quails of mixed sexes were assessed for body weight, wing length, thigh length and breast girth from third week to the tenth week of age. Analyzed data showed that there was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on live body weight. This means that body weight is house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight to those on deep litter. Generally, the rate of growth from third to seventh week was higher across both housing systems and sexes, but decreased after seventh week of age. In the same vein, There was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on wing length, thigh length and breast girth of quail birds. It infers that these growth traits are house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight and other growth traits to those on deep litter. Since cage birds were restricted, they were able to utilize feeds given optimally leading to increase in muscle cells and body size. In essence, cage system of rearing produced more quail meat than deep litter, and should be considered for increased productivity and animal proteins supply.

The Development of the Values Education in Vocational High School in Indonesia

Writing this paper aims to discuss the values of vocational education the right was developed in vocational high school. So that vocational high school have character innovative, creative, productive, competitively, and grow a sustainable future front as well as the principles, policies, strategies and challenges development of the values education in vocational high schools. Development of the value education in vocational high schools are required to build professional values education continuing vocational future. The value education of vocational build independence rational learners to find maximum benefit, the vocational high schools can learn from global values to develop local values and support the development of locally in the context of globalization. In doing uptake of global value, vocational high schools are advised to use the three theories, namely: (1) the theory of trees, (2) the theory of crystal, (3) the theory of the bird cage.

Evidence of competition for nest sites by laying hens in large furnished cages

Furnished cages are designed to accommodate behaviour considered important to laying hens, particularly nesting behaviour. Few researchers have studied the degree of competition for nest sites or the extent to which the amount of nest space affects nesting behaviour in large furnished cages. We explored the effect of floor (low 520cm2/bird, high 750cm2/bird)/nest space allowance (low 70cm2/bird, high 100cm2/bird) and overall cage/nest size (small 20,880/2816cm2; large 41,296/5664cm2) on the nesting behaviour of hens in furnished cages. There were six replicates per size×space allowance combination and four resultant group sizes of 28, 40, 55, and 80. Each cage was equipped with a nest located at one end that was fitted with plastic curtains and plastic mesh floors; a smooth plastic mat intended as a scratch area was located on the opposite cage wall. The location of each egg laid within the cage, oviposition times, pre-laying sitting and agonistic behaviours were recorded at various times during the production year. More eggs were laid in the nest area in small cages (91.7±0.2%) than large (77.2±0.5%; P<0.001), with no significant effect of space allowance (P=0.46). Most of the remaining eggs were laid in the scratch area in all treatments. The average peak oviposition time was from 08:00 to 09:00h (lights on 05:00h), but the distribution of eggs laid over time differed with nest location (P=0.02) and cage/nest size (P=0.02). There were more aggressive pecks (0.087±0.010 vs. 0.045±0.005; P=0.004) and threats (0.032±0.005 vs. 0.014±0.002; P=0.02) per bird per 30-min observation in small than large cages with no effect of space allowance (P=0.236; P=0.15). More pecks and threats occurred between 08:00 and 08:30h than the other three time periods, which coincided with the peak oviposition time. Hens in small cages, with low floor and nest space allowance per bird, showed the highest average frequency of agonistic behaviour per bird compared to the other three treatment groups (P=0.04). Nesting behaviour was mainly affected by cage/nest size but not floor/nest space allowance. Differences in cage design or group size may be factors influencing increased competition for nest space. The birds in the smaller cages appeared to be more willing to aggressively compete to lay their eggs in the curtained nest area while more birds in larger cages chose to lay their eggs in an alternative location. Further behavioural research will be able to determine how best to satisfy nesting motivation of hens housed in large furnished cages.

Does rearing laying hens in aviaries adversely affect long-term welfare following transfer to furnished cages?

This study tests the hypothesis that hens that are reared in aviaries but produce in furnished cages experience poorer welfare in production than hens reared in caged systems. This hypothesis is based on the suggestion that the spatial restriction associated with the transfer from aviaries to cages results in frustration or stress for the aviary reared birds. To assess the difference in welfare between aviary and cage reared hens in production, non-beak trimmed white leghorn birds from both rearing backgrounds were filmed at a commercial farm that used furnished cage housing. The videos were taken at 19 and 21 weeks of age, following the birds' transition to the production environment at 16 weeks. Videos were analysed in terms of the performance of aversion-related behaviour in undisturbed birds, comfort behaviour in undisturbed birds, and alert behaviour directed to a novel object in the home cage. A decrease in the performance of the former behaviour and increase in the performance of the latter two behaviours indicates improved welfare. The results showed that aviary reared birds performed more alert behaviour near to the object than did cage reared birds at 19 but not at 21 weeks of age (P = 0.03). Blood glucose concentrations did not differ between the treatments (P>0.10). There was a significant difference in mortality between treatments (P = 0.000), with more death in aviary reared birds (5.52%) compared to cage birds (2.48%). The higher mortality of aviary-reared birds indicates a negative effect of aviary rearing on bird welfare, whereas the higher duration of alert behavior suggests a positive effect of aviary rearing.

Effects of different inoculation routes on the parasitic sites of Cryptosporidium baileyi infection in chickens

Cryptosporidiosis is prevalent in domesticated, caged, and wild birds. Cryptosporidium baileyi, an ascendant species of avian Cryptosporidium, is an important pathogen. It causes respiratory disease in chickens, especially chickens younger than 50days. In this study, SEM, histological, semi-quantitative PCR, and nested PCR techniques were used to explore the impact of different inoculation routes on sites of C. baileyi infection in chickens. Results showed that inoculation with sporozoites or oocysts via the rectum was an effective means of causing infection. This may provide an important reference for the development of the transfection system of C. baileyi in chickens. Numerous endogenous stages of C. baileyi were observed in the bursas of Fabricius (BF) and cloacas of chickens inoculated with sporozoites or oocysts via the rectum, but no parasite was seen in the tracheas of any of these chickens. In chickens infected with oocysts via the crop, the number of parasites in the BF was approximately 23-fold more than in the trachea. All blood samples collected after inoculation were negative for C. baileyi. These data show that C. baileyi was not transferred by blood circulation between the BF and respiratory tract. Different routes of inoculation were here found to distinctly affect sites of parasitism in chickens. These findings may facilitate further understanding of the biology of C. baileyi and efforts to control avian cryptosporidiosis.

Magnetic orientation of garden warblers (Sylvia borin) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field.

We report on the experiments on orientation of a migratory songbird, the garden warbler (Sylvia borin), during the autumn migration period on the Courish Spit, Eastern Baltics. Birds in experimental cages, deprived of visual information, showed the seasonally appropriate direction of intended flight with respect to the magnetic meridian. Weak radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field (190 nT at 1.4 MHz) disrupted this orientation ability. These results may be considered as an independent replication of earlier experiments, performed by the group of R. and W. Wiltschko with European robins (Erithacus rubecula). Confirmed outstanding sensitivity of the birds' magnetic compass to RF fields in the lower megahertz range demands for a revision of one of the mainstream theories of magnetoreception, the radical-pair model of birds' magnetic compass.

Founder populations and the current status of exotic parrots in South Africa

Parrots (families Psittacidae and Cacatuidae) are one of the most threatened taxa of birds, with a combination of threats to wild populations, including capture for the cage bird market, habitat modification and destruction, persecution, disease, and threats from introduced species. As a result of the group's popularity as a cage bird, and the transport of vast numbers of individuals across the globe (both legally and illegally), the establishment of populations beyond their natural ranges has likely been enhanced. This review reports on c. 30 parrot species that have been observed outside of their natural ranges in South Africa, most likely derived, and supplemented, from both intentional and unintentional releases. Of these, the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and at least one Agapornis species have become established as breeding wild populations. Like other invasive species they may pose threats to local biodiversity; however, all are strongly associated with major urban centres where significant changes to natural biota have already occurred.

Composição físico-química e valores energéticos de farinhas de silagem de peixe para frangos de corte

Objetivou-se determinar a composição físico-química, os valores energéticos e os coeficientes de digestibilidade de quatro farinhas de silagem de peixe para frangos de corte. Foram produzidas quatro farinhas de silagem de peixe, utilizando-se o resíduo da filetagem de tilápias ensilado com diferentes fontes de carboidratos fermentáveis. Analisou-se a composição físico-química das silagens, e, em seguida, um ensaio de metabolismo com 180 pintos machos da linhagem Cobb de 14 a 25 dias de idade. Também foram avaliados o tempo de trânsito gastrintestinal das rações e o desempenho das aves nas gaiolas. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e seis aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta referência e de quatro dietas teste compostas de 60% da ração referência e 40% do resíduo da filetagem de tilápia ensilado com diferentes fontes de carboidratos, sendo a farinha de silagem de peixe com o farelo de algaroba (SFA), com a farinha de varredura de mandioca (SFVM), com o farelo de milho (SFM) e com a casca da mandioca (SCM). A SFM obteve o maior teor de PB, 22,38%, de EE, 27,35%, e o maior tempo de trânsito, com 195,0min; a SCM apresentou o maior valor de MM, 11,12%. Os valores de EMA e EMAn das farinhas de silagem de peixe não diferiram significativamente entre eles. O maior GP e a melhor CA foram apresentados pelos animais do tratamento SFM, e os piores GP e CA pelos frangos de corte alimentados com dietas contendo a SFVM. Com base na composição obtida, estas silagens de peixe têm potencialidade para serem utilizadas em dietas para frangos de corte.

Tolerance of annual canarygrass (Phalaris canariensis L.) to combinations of MCPA, clopyralid, fluroxypyr and florasulam

May, W. E., Johnson, E. N., Sapsford, K. L., Stevenson, F. C., Lafond, G. P., Holzapfel, C. B. and Holm, F. A. 2014. Tolerance of annual canarygrass (Phalaris canariensis L.) to combinations of MCPA, clopyralid, fluroxypyr and florasulam. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 701–708. Annual canarygrass (Phalaris canariensis L.) is a cereal crop that is primarily grown on the Canadian prairies as feed for caged birds. To widen the spectrum of herbicide options for producers, two experiments were conducted with the following nine herbicide treatments (application rates in parentheses expressed as g a.i. ha−1): weed-free control; single and double applications of MCPA (560)+clopyralid (100) (Curtail M); MCPA (562)+fluroxypyr (108) (Trophy); and MCPA (560)+clopyralid (100)+fluroxypyr (144) (Prestige); florasulam (5)+MCPA (420) (Frontline); difenzoquat (700)+MCPA (560)+clopyralid (100) (Avenge+Curtail M); and a single application of difenzoquat (700). Experiment 2 included the same herbicide treatments in factorial combinations with two application times; crop growth stages of two to three leaf (2–3 lf) and four to five leaf (4–5 lf). Experiments were conducted at Indian Head, Scott, and Saskatoon, SK, in 2001 to 2003. In exp. 1, difenzoquat caused up to 30% crop injury when combined with MCPA+clopyralid at the 2× rate, but improved crop yield relative to other herbicides because it reduced yield interference from wild oat infestations at Indian Head in 2002. In exp. 2, the 2× rate of florasulam+MCPA resulted in the greatest visual injury, with higher levels recorded at the 2–3 lf; however, seed yield reduction was greater when applied at the 4–5 lf. In summary, annual canarygrass was tolerant to combinations of MCPA, clopyralid, and fluroxypyr, herbicides which control important weed species in prairie fields.

Lung cancer with chest wall invasion: retrospective analysis comparing en-bloc resection and ‘resection in bird cage’

BackgroundInvasion of the chest wall per se is not a contraindication for tumor resection in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), provided there is no mediastinal lymph node or vital structure involvement. Although widely known to Brazilian surgeons, the ‘resection in bird cage’ technique has never been widely studied in terms of patient survival. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative consequences and overall survival of extra-musculoperiosteal resection compared with en-bloc resection in NSCLC patients with invasion of the endothoracic fascia.MethodsBetween January 1990 and December 2009, 33 NSCLC patients with invasion of the thoracic wall who underwent pulmonary resection were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 33 patients evaluated, 20 patients underwent en-bloc resection and 13 underwent ‘resection in bird cage.’ For each patient, a retrospective case note review was made.ResultsThe median age at surgery, gender, indication, rate of comorbidities, tumor size and the degree of uptake in the costal margin were similar for both groups. The rate of postoperative complications and the duration of hospitalization did not differ between the groups. Regarding the outcome variables, the disease-free interval, rate of local recurrence, metastasis-free time after surgery, overall mortality rate, mortality rate related to metastatic disease, duration following surgery in which deaths occurred, and overall survival were also similar between groups. The cumulative survival curves between the ‘resection in bird cage’ and en-bloc resection and between stages Ia + Ib and IIb + IIIa + IV were not significantly different (p = 0.68 and p = 0.64, respectively). The cumulative metastasis-free survival curves were not significantly different between the two types of surgery (p = 0.38).ConclusionsIn NSCLC patients with invasion of the endothoracic fascia, ‘resection in bird cage’ is a less aggressive procedure that yields similar results in terms of morbidity and mortality compared with en-bloc resection. Thus, ‘resection in bird cage’ meets the oncologic principles of resection and does not adversely affect the patients in terms of cure.

Tyree Guyton’s Caged Brain: Detroit Institute of the Arts

Tyree Guyton’s Caged BrainDetroit Institute of the Arts Jamaal May (bio) A bird cage that is barely large enough for a bird,not round around the sides like I recall from cartoons,but flat in front and round up top, so it resemblesa door. The door centered between the narrowbars, obscured by rope spilling out, dangling.Follow the path of cords through the mouth of thiscage and watch the rope, stained in placeswith red, loop around itself and becomea sinuous clot. It’s as if serpents were trappedand died while mating inside the frame—rusted spokes and mesh on a rusted base.There are secrets here. A drawer on the left sidewith a small knob so brittled by decay it would snapoff if I tried to pull it away from its catch. [End Page 888] Jamaal May Jamaal May, the founding editor of Organic Weapon Arts Chapbook and Video Series, is author of Hum, which was published in 2013 by Alice James Books and winner of its Beatrice Hawley Award. Copyright © 2014 The Johns Hopkins University Press

Effect of Different Probiotics on Breast Quality Characteristics of Broilers Under Salmonella Challenge

The current study was performed to investigate the influence of probiotics or antibiotic on breast quality characteristics of broiler chickens that were subjected to Salmonella challenge. Two hundred, one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were allocated in five experimental treatments for 42 d. Ten cages of birds received one of the following treatments: T1=positive control (+CONT), unsupplemented, unchallenged; T2=negative control (-CONT), unsupplemented, challenged; T3=supplemented with antibiotic neoxyval (NEOX), challenged; T4=supplemented with probiotic Toyocerin (TOYO), challenged; and T5=supplemented with probiotic CloSTAT™ (CLOS), challenged. Birds in treatments T2 to T5 were challenged with 3x109 CFU/mL of Salmonella enterica subsp. typhimurium on day 16. Nine birds per treatment were sampled at the end of the trial for breast characteristics. Overall, pH and temperature values of the breast muscle were similar among all groups tested. Cooking loss results indicated that breasts from T3 birds had the highest degree of shrinkage upon cooking while those of the probiotic group had similar control values (P<0.0001). Probiotic supplementation reduced the extent of destruction of myofibrils caused by homogenisation (P<0.0001). Warner-Bratzler shear test and texture profile analysis showed that neither treatments nor Salmonella challenge had any negative impact on texture or sensory attributes of chicken breast. In conclusion, results show that breast characteristics were better when probiotics were supplemented in the diets.