Cage Density Research Articles

Lymphocystis viral disease impacts the diversity and functional profiles of the skin microbiome in gilthead seabream.

Lymphocystis viral disease (LVD) is a highly transmissible disease known to affect multiple fishes worldwide. Although this disease is usually benign, mortalities can occur in cases where infection is severe or secondary infection with bacterial pathogens and parasites occur. However, little is known about the bacterial dynamics of fish with LVD or what bacterial pathogens may be responsible for secondary infections. Here we assessed the effects of LVD on the skin microbiome of gilthead seabream by comparing 30 symptomatic, asymptomatic and recovered (three weeks after infection) fish using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Our results show that LVD is associated with significant changes in microbiome structure and function. Importantly, fish pathogens like Tenacibaculum maritimum and some Vibrio species increased their abundance. Moreover, microbial metabolic activities of the commensal microbiota that may confer some protection to fish were suppressed in diseased fish. After reducing fish cage density to treat symptoms and three weeks of recovery, the abundance of pathogens was significantly reduced and microbiome functionality was recovered, although community structure remained significantly different. These results show that LVD can severely disrupt the bacterial communities of the skin of the gilthead seabream, leading to an increase in bacterial pathogens responsible for relevant diseases in gilthead seabream farms.

Analysis of the Broiler Chicken Dead-on-Arrival (DOA) Rate in Relation to Normal Transport Conditions in Practice in Germany.

In total, around 631 million broilers were slaughtered in Germany in 2022. This evaluation included data of approx. 198 million broilers of different ages and breeds that were transported in Germany in 2022 (31% of all cases of broiler chicken transport in 2022). The aim of this study was to analyze German broiler chicken transport (n = 14,054) to the slaughterhouse between January 2022 and May 2023 with regard to the dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate and the possible influencing factors. Therefore, the relation between the total amount of animals per transport, the duration and distance of the transport, the planned stocking density in the transport cages, the average daily temperature and time of day and season of the transport as well as the DOA rate were statistically evaluated. The results showed a mean DOA rate of 0.09% (SD 0.09). Transport conducted at midday (11:00 to 17:00) showed higher DOA rates (p < 0.05) than transport at other times (day split into 6 h intervals). The highest mean DOA rate (0.10%) was found in the fall, followed by the winter, while transport in the spring and summer resulted in the lowest DOA rate (p < 0.05). All in all, the relatively low DOA rate (%) in Germany indicates the good standard of their broiler transport compared to available data from research in other European countries.

THE EFFECT OF CAGE DENSITY ON SEVERAL HEALTH VARIABLES OF ETAWAH CROSSBREDS IN PEMPATAN VILLAGE KARANGASEM REGENCY BALI

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Cage density, sanitation frequency, and cage type affect on animal wellbeing and cage environment thus the he- alth of goats. However, its benefits on animal’s health have not been well applied by farmers in Bali. This study was conducted from March until July 2021 to observe the effect of cage density on health variables of PE goats reared by farmers in Pempatan Village. A Compare Means T-test research design with two comparisons of 3 and 2.1 m2/ goat cage density with three replications using 90 goats used in this study. Parameters observed were FAMACHA© score, body weight, ADGW, endo-parasite, level of red and white blood cells of goats. Results showed the cage den- sities had significant differences only for Paramphistomum sp.; goats in cage density 3 m2/goat were not infected by, whereas goats in cage density 2.1 m2/goat got infected by 1.11 ± 0.76 EPG. Ostertagia sp., and Haemoncus contortus sp. infected goats in both densities, but were categorized as mild. The cage density 3 and 2.1 m2/goat had ADGW of 81.74 ± 32.01 g and 48.29 ± 25.51 g, respectively. Goats in this study had standard of healthy goats. In summary, goats in cage density 3 m2/goat tended having better health statuses.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Parede celular de levedura em dieta para codornas japonesas na fase de postura em diferentes densidades de criação

Abstract The objective of this study was to measure the zootechnical performance and egg quality of Japanese quails housed at different densities and fed diets containing yeast cell walls (YCWs). Five hundred and seventy-six quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were distributed at 43 weeks of age, and 76% were laid, with an initial weight of 158.50 ± 5.41 g, in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three YCW levels: 0, 500, and 750 g.ton−1 and two housing densities: 81.5 and 92.4 cm2/quail), with six replicates of 17 and 15 quail per experimental unit, respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: feed intake, egg production/bird/day, egg production/housed quail, marketable egg production, egg mass, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg mass and viability, egg weight, specific egg weight, percentage of yolk, albumen and shell, and shell thickness. The means of the three cycles of 21 days were subjected to analysis of variance using the statistical software Sisvar. There was no significant interaction effect between YCW inclusion level and cage density on zootechnical performance parameters or egg quality, except for egg weight, which suggested that YCW addition, regardless of cage density, did not affect the results. It was observed that the eggs of quails housed in cages with 92.4 cm2/bird feed and 500 g.ton1 YCW had greater egg weights. Shell thickness was independently influenced by cage density, and the lowest density (92.4 cm2/bird) promoted greater shell thickness. The inclusion of 500 g.ton1 of yeast cell wall material in the diet of Japanese quails housed at a density of 92.4 cm2/bird improved egg weight and shell thickness without negatively affecting the other parameters of egg quality or zootechnical performance.

The Effect of Different Cage Densities on Laying Performance and Egg Quality in Brown and White Laying Hens

The Effect of Different Cage Densities on Laying Performance and Egg Quality in Brown and White Laying Hens

Effect of Different Cage Densities and Age on Keel Bone Damage and Some Hormones in Laying Hens

Effect of Different Cage Densities and Age on Keel Bone Damage and Some Hormones in Laying Hens

Dietary Effects of Some Plant Extracts on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Some Blood Parameters in Laying Hens at Different Cage Densities.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of cage density and anise extract (AE), thyme extract (TE), and black cumin extract (BCE) supplementation in the diet of laying hens on laying performance, egg quality, and some blood parameters. A total of 288 Lohman White commercial hens were blocked according to the location of their cages. The four dietary treatments included a control, basal diet + 250 mg/kg of AE, basal diet + 250 mg/kg of BCE, and basal diet + 250 mg/kg of TE for 12 weeks. The cage density affected egg production (p < 0.05), feed consumption (p < 0.01), and cracked eggs (p < 0.05). Increasing the cage density caused a linear decrease in egg production and feed consumption. Compared to the control, there was a decrease in feed consumption (p < 0.01) in the plant extract groups, and in parallel, egg production decreased. An increased cage density did not affect the egg quality traits except the shell strength. The shell strength, yolk color, yolk index, albumen index, and Haught unit were significantly affected by the plant extracts. The cage density and plant extracts had a significant effect on the serum corticosterone and glucose (p < 0.01). The highest values of corticosterone and glucose were recorded for dietary TE with a cage density of 4 birds/cm2. On the other hand, the lowest values of these parameters were recorded for AE addition with a cage density of 3 birds/cm2. As a result, an increased cage density was associated with stress and depression in the feed consumption and metabolic profiles. Supplemental AE, BCE, and TE improved the laying performance and metabolic profiles.

Increased depression-like behaviors with altered brain dopamine metabolisms in male mice housed in large cages are alleviated by bupropion

Psycho-environmental stress-based animal models of anxiety and depression are useful for investigating pathological mechanisms and drug development. Although several rodent-based studies have reported the beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on brain plasticity and anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, other studies have reported inverse effects. Here, we found that housing male mice in EE involving large cages and other EE materials increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in open field and tail suspension tests (TST). We further confirmed that housing in large cages was sufficient to induce increased depression-like behaviors in the TST and reduce the saccharine preference percentage, a sign of anhedonia, in male mice. In these experiments, the number of animals per cage was equivalent to that in standard cage housing, suggesting that low density in large cages may be a determining factor for behavioral alteration. In mice housed in large cages, sex-specific dysregulation of brain monoamine systems was observed; dopamine turnover to homovanillic acid or norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex was elevated in males, while serotonin turnover to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the amygdala was increased in females. Finally, we demonstrated that daily intraperitoneal injections of bupropion, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, counteracted large-cage housing-induced changes in depression- and anhedonia-like behaviors in male mice. Our results suggest that housing in large cages with a low density of mice is a novel paradigm to clarify the mechanisms of environmental stress-induced emotional dysregulation and to identify drugs or food factors to alleviate the dysregulation.

The Effect of Closed House Density Near the Outlet on the Production of Carcass, Non-carcass, and Abdominal Fat of Finisher Broilers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the closed-house cage density near the outlet that affected the production of carcass, non-carcass, and abdominal fat of finisher phase broilers and to ascertain the number of closed-house cage density that could produce the ideal amount of carcass, non-carcass, and low abdominal fat. The experiment employed a completely randomized design with four treatments: T0 (10 birds per square meter), T1 (12 birds per square meter), T2 (14 birds per square meter), and T3 (16 birds per square meter). It was replicated five times using different numbers of broilers in each replication depending on the cage density. The observed variables were live weight, carcass weight, percentage of carcass, percentage of non-carcass, and percentage of abdominal fat. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and further tested with Duncan's multiple-range test. The study was carried out for 35 days at Farm H. Noto Miharjo in Adiwarno Village, Buayan District, Kebumen Regency, Central Java. The research results showed that the live weight, carcass weight, and carcass percentage were significantly impacted by closed-house cage density at the area near the outlet, although non-carcass percentage and abdominal fat were not significantly impacted. A closed house cage density of 12 birds per square meter at the area near the outlet can provide an optimal production of carcass, non-carcass, and abdominal fat.

Haematological parameters of laying hens under different group size.

The relevance of this study lies in its potential implications for poultry farming practices and animal welfare. Understanding the impact of group size on the blood parameters of hens can provide valuable insights for optimising their health and well-being in farming environments. The aim of the study was an analysis of haematological parameters of laying hens under the influence group size with the same stoking density in analogous cages by design. Hens were kept for 34 weeks in cages of multilevel batteries at different group sizes: I group-93 birds, II group-52 birds, III group-17 birds and IV group-9 birds. The study analysed blood samples from laying hens at 18 and 52 weeks of age. Results showed that reducing the group size from 93 to 52 birds led to a haematological status within the physiological norm, characterized by increased heterophils and decreased monocyte levels. Whereas, the decrease in group size to 17 birds was accompanied by a decrease in the hens' blood content of thrombocytes, an increase of heterophile, a decrease of monocytes and lymphocytes within the physiological norm, as well as an increase in the heterophiles to lymphocytes ratio.

Effects of litter size and caging on physical and mental development in rats

As a multidisciplinary field, laboratory animal science promotes or accelerates the emergence of innovative ideas and products. As research has increased, so has the demand for laboratory animals with reliable, standardized characteristics. Thus, the breeding, reproduction, and welfare of laboratory animals are now animals reliable and more. The aim of this study to investigate whether different litter sizes of mothers and different husbandry methods affect the physical and mental development of pups. 30 adults female Wistar Hanover albino rats weighing 200–250 g were used for the study. The weight of the pups was measured once a week from birth until the end of the study, and their physical development was observed. After the pups were weaned, they were randomly divided into cages by sex. The 45 male and 45 female pups were housed in groups of three, five, and seven per cage. When the pups were 12 weeks old, open field test, elevated plus-maze test and Morris water maze behavioral tests were performed every other day, and then plasma corticosterone levels were measured. When the male and female pups in the groups were 14 weeks old, six females were taken from each housing group and mated, and the conception rates and maternal behavior of the pups were observed. During lactation, physical developmental parameters and the body weight of the rats were affected by litter size. Among the post-weaning housing groups, cage density was found to affect weight gain and body weight between groups. It was found that only the sex factor caused significant differences in the behavior of the animals. Females housed with seven rats per cage had higher corticosteroid levels than other females. As a result, it was observed that cages with seven female rats were more physically and psychologically affected than those with three and five rats.

Effects of Housing Density on Reproductive Performance, Intracage Ammonia, and Welfare of Mice Continuously Housed as Breeders in Standard Mouse and Rat Caging.

Maintaining compliance with cage density recommendations in The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals precludes continuous trio breeding in standard-sized mouse cages. This study evaluated and compared several parameters of reproductive performance, intracage ammonia concentration, and fecal corticosterone levels in 2 strains of mice, C57BL/6J (B6) and B6.129S(Cg)-Stat1tm1Dlv/J (STAT1-/-), housed as continuous breeding pairs or trios in standard-sized mouse cages, and continuous breeding trios in standard-sized rat cages. Reproductive performance data indicated that STAT1-/- trios raised in rat cages weaned significantly more pups per litter than did STAT1-/- trios raised in mouse cages, and B6 mice had higher pup survival rates at weaning than did STAT1-/- mice in mouse cages housing continuous breeding trios. In addition, the Production Index was significantly higher for B6 breeding trios in rat cages than for B6 trios in mouse cages. Intracage ammonia concentration increased with cage density, with significantly higher ammonia concentrations in mouse cages housing trios compared with rat cages housing trios. However, fecal corticosterone levels did not differ significantly regardless of genotype, breeding configuration, or cage size, and daily health checks revealed no clinical abnormalities under any of the conditions evaluated. These results suggest that, although continuous trio breeding in standard-sized mouse cages does not seem to compromise mouse welfare, it offers no advantage in reproductive performance compared with pair breeding, and in some cases, it might be disadvantageous in this regard. Further, high intracage ammonia in mouse cages containing breeding trios might necessitate more frequent cage changes.

Influence of Cage Density and Hen Age on Performance and Egg Quality in Traditional Systems

Influence of Cage Density and Hen Age on Performance and Egg Quality in Traditional Systems

Assessment of the feather score and health score in laying hens reared at different cage densities

This study aimed to investigate plumage conditions, injuries in the comb, cloaca, and feet at the end of the laying period (73 weeks of age) in native Atak‐S (A‐S) and foreign Isa Brown (IB) and Novogen White (NW) genotypes reared at two different cage densities. A total of 480 hens, including 160 of each hybrid, were used in the present study. Each hybrid group was divided into subgroups containing eight (468.75 cm2/hen) and 12 animals (312.50 cm2/hen) each with eight replications. The feathering status in six different regions of the body (neck, breast, back, wing, tail, and cloaca) was assessed byscoring these regions both separately and as a whole. To detect injuries in the body, the comb, cloaca, and foot regions were examined. In the study, the effect of genotype on the feather score was found to be significant in all body regions except for the tail region (P&amp;lt;0.05). In all hybrids, the highest plumage loss was in the tail region, while the lowest was in the cloaca region in IB and the neck and wing regions in NW and A‐S. The best results were obtained from the IB hybrid in terms of the total plumage condition. Genotype had a significant effect on the health scores in all body regions except for the comb (P&amp;lt;0.05). In terms of the feather score, the effect of cage density was determined to be significant in all body regions (P&amp;lt;0.01). It was observed that plumage loss increased as the cage density increased.

Comparative effect of stocking density and flock size on performance and egg quality of laying hens in conventional and furnished California cages

Two experiments were carried out with an objective to test the comparative performance of laying hens reared in conventional California cages vs furnished California cages with regards to production performance, egg quality parameters and immune status. Experiments were conducted at Poultry Research and Training Centre, Department of Poultry Science, Nagpur Veterinary College during 2019-21. Commercial White Leghorn (BV300) hens (n =72) in each experiment were assigned into two treatments with six replicates in conventional and furnished California cages, and reared for a 20 week period. The furnished cages (FC) are provided with perches, nesting area and scratch pad to meet the natural behaviour of the birds. There were two different treatments viz. 548 cm2/b×6 birds and 645cm2/b×6 birds to see the effect of different stocking density in cages. The performance of the laying hens reared in furnished cages were recorded and compared with findings of birds reared in conventional California cages (CC). The results showed that body weight, weight gain, hen day egg production percentages, feed : egg ratio, egg weight and proportion of broken eggs and dirty eggs were not significantly affected by cage types. However, Haugh unit and albumen height of the eggs from furnished cages hens were significantly higher than those from the conventional California cage hens. While H/L ratio and corticosterone values were significantly lowest in furnished cage system birds. It can be concluded from study that the layer birds can be reared in stress free condition in furnished cage system.

Response of broiler chickens to different levels of Kepok banana weevil flour as partial mixture for basal commercial feed

&lt;p class="Default"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;: The aim of the study was to determine the response of broilers to the use of Kepok banana hump flour as a partial substitute for commercial feed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="Default"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt;: This study used 256 broiler chickens, with four feed treatments, namely: T&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt; = 0; T&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt; = 10; T&lt;sub&gt;2 &lt;/sub&gt;= 30 and T&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; = 50% Kepok banana hump flour. The experimental cages in the form of boxes consisted of 32 units of cage plots, with a cage density of 8 birds/cage plot. Research variables: feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass percentage, abdominal fat percentage, digestive tract weight, heart weight, liver weight, ventriculus weight, ammonia excreta and income over feed cost. The data obtained were analyzed according to the design used, namely: Completely Randomized Design, if the treatment was very significantly different, followed by the smallest real-test.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="Default"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;: The results showed that the use of Kepok banana hump flour in commercial feed was very significant (P&amp;lt;0.01) on feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass percentage, abdominal fat percentage, digestive tract weight, heart, liver, ventriculus, content of ammonia excreta and income over feed cost.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="Default"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: Kepok banana weevil flour as a partial substitute for commercial basalt feed can be used up to 30% in broilers with the highest Income Over Feed Cost produced by feed containing 10% Kepok banana weevil flour, the addition of Kepok banana weevil flour as a partial substitute for commercial feed can reduce the ammonia excreta of broiler chickens.&lt;/p&gt;

Pengaruh Kepadatan Kandang dan Kebersihan terhadap Tingkat Infeksi Koksidiosis Kelinci di Kecamatan Kembaran Kabupaten Banyumas

The study aims to determine the effect of cage density and cleanliness on the incidence of coccidiosis as well as to determine the level of coccidiosis infection in Kembaran District, Banyumas Regency. The targets of the research were rabbits raised by rabbit breeders in Kembaran District, Banyumas Regency. Rabbits used consisted of various species and ages by taking into account several criteria of cage density and cleanliness. The research method used was direct observation (survey) with a purposive sampling technique. Samples as many as 90 samples were taken, with each sample consisted of 3 grams of feces. The analysis used is descriptive analysis and Chi Square. The results of the analysis showed that there was an influence between cage density variables on coccidiosis (P&lt;0.05) with X2count&gt;X2table (7.57&gt;3.841) and the influence between cleanliness variables on coccidiosis (P&lt;0.05) with X2count&gt;X2table (35.73&gt;5.991). The total infection rate of rabbit coccidiosis in Kembaran District was 90 %. The rate of coccidiosis infection is non-pathogenic at 46.67 % and pathogenic at 53.33 %. The highest rate of coccidiosis infection was in Karang Tengah Village (40 %), while the lowest coccidiosis infection rate was in Sambeng Kulon Village (16.67 %).

Reduced housing density improves statistical power of murine gut microbiota studies.

SUMMARYThe gut microbiome of humans and animals is critical to host health. Mice are used to investigate the microbiome and its influences; however, the predictive value of such studies is hindered by cage effects due to coprophagy. Our objectives were to evaluate the influence of cage density on the statistical power to detect treatment-dependent effects of a selective pressure on microbiome composition. C57BL/6 mice were separated into groups of 2 or 4 mice per cage and then assigned to groups receiving enrofloxacin, broad-spectrum antibiotics, or control. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 0, 1, and 4, along with contents of the jejunum and cecum. Bacterial DNA analysis examined microbiome richness, diversity, and variability within and between cages. Statistical analyses reveal that reduced housing density consistently results in comparable susceptibility to antibiotics, reduced cage effects, and increased statistical power to detect treatment-associated effects, justifying the practice of reduced housing density.

The Effect of Differences in Closed House Density on the Outlet Near Zone on the Finisher Phase Broiler Performance

Research on the Effect of Differences in Density of Closed House Cages in the Zone Near Outlet on Broiler Performance in the Finisher Phase, has been carried out for 40 days, from May 25, 2021 to July 3, 2021. The study was conducted at Farm H. Noto Miharjo Adiwarno Village, Buayan District, Kebumen Regency, Central Java. This study aims to determine the effect of differences in cage density in the zone near the outlet in the closed house cage on the performance of the finisher phase broiler chickens and to find out how much the density of the cage in the zone near the outlet in the closed house cage is capable of producing optimal finisher phase broiler performance. This research was conducted using the Experimental Method. The design used was a completely randomized design (CRD), which consisted of 4 treatments, namely P0 (cage density 10 birds/meter2), P1 (cage density 12 birds/meter2), P2 (cage density 14 birds/meter2), and P3 (cage density 14 birds/meter2). cage 16 tails/meter2). Each treatment was repeated 5 times, and each replication consisted of a different number of boilers according to the density of the cage used. The observed variables were feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion. The data obtained were analyzed using variance, if there was an effect of treatment followed by Duncan's multiple area test. The conclusion of this study was the difference in density of closed house cages in the zone near the outlet had a significant effect on daily body weight gain, but had no significant effect on ration consumption and feed conversion. The cage density of 12 birds/meter2 can produce optimal body weight gain.Keywords: Closed house, outlet, broiler, feed consumption, body weight gain, feed conversion.

Standardization of stocking density on genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) Oreochromis niloticus in pond cage aquaculture system

Aim: To standardize the stocking density of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to optimize survival, growth, biomass production and maximum economic gain in pond cage culture system. Methodology: Study was conducted in triplicate for 180 days in fish cages installed in cemented pond of 726 m-2 area and depth of 2.0 m. Stocking density of GIFT Tilapia was maintained @ 40 m-3 (C1), 50 m-3 (C2), 60 m-3 (C3), 70 m-3 (C4), 80 m-3 (C5) and 90 m-3 (C6), respectively. Water quality and growth parameters were studied at fortnight basis. Supplementary diet (D1) (30.0 % crude protein on dry weight basis) was provided @ 2% body weight. Survival rate, average growth rate, biomass production, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), length-weight relationship, condition factor, economics and benefit cost ratio were evaluated. Results: All water quality parameters were within the limit suggested for aquaculture. Maximum survival was achieved in C1 (96.25%) and survival rate reduced with increasing stocking density in cages. Decrease in SGR was observed with increasing stocking density. The average growth rate was highest in C1 (112.20 g) and lowest in C6 ( 61.80 g) whereas the maximum biomass (23.136 kg) was harvested from C4 with stocking density of 70 m-3 with best FCR (1.32). Benefit cost ratio was evaluated best in C4 (0.39). Interpretation: Pond cage aquaculture with improved stocking condition is suitable for GIFT tilapia growth, biomass production and maximum economic gain.