Chickens Of Different Ages Research Articles

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During the research aimed at reducing the cost price of poultry feed and increasing their productivity lysofort bio-emulator and L-carnitine supplement were used. 4 groups of ROSS-308 broilers were made (100 heads each). The control group received feed portion corresponding to the nutrition value of ROSS-308 cross boiler feed, containing defined content of exchange energy (in the initial phase-3050 kcal/kg, in the growth period-3100 kcal/kg, and in the final stage-3200 kcal/kg). In the experimental groups, the efficiency of the exchange energy was artificially reduced, mostly due to low content of vegetable oil. Feed conversion, head maintenance, live broiler chickens of different ages, growth dynamics, average daily weight growth, meat qualities of slaughtered poultry were studied in all groups. According to the research results, compared with the control group, the indicators of feed conversion and average daily weight growth of broiler chicken fed by portions containing bio-emulator and L-carnitine were improved, which testifies to the increase in the availability of energy. Due to the synergy of joint application of bio-emulators and L-carnitine, feed conversion is improved, production costs and cost price are reduced, the productivity of broilers is increased, as well as the profitability of poultry production (not at the cost of increasing the consumer prices) and meat quality is improved (as a result of increasing the amount of protein and reducing fat). As an efficient and safe means to increase the profitability of poultry production, the bio-emulators and L-carnitine can be used in the feed of meat poultry.

Histoarchitectonics of the Harderian gland of chickens in the post-vaccination period

Understanding the effect of vaccination on the body of chickens is impossible without exploring the morphology of the immune defence organs. The purpose of the study was to identify morphological changes in the Harderian gland of the Haysex Brown chickens aged 1, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 120 days under the influence of vaccination. The following methods were used in the study: anatomical, histological, light-optical, morphometric, and statistical. Histological preparations of the Harderian gland of chickens of different ages (1, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 120 days) of the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups were analysed. The features of the organ structure, its lymphoid structures and their types of forms were explored on histological preparations of the chicken Harderian gland. According to histological studies, it was established that this is a complex tubular lobular gland, which consists of secretory lobules with ducts. The interlobular connective tissue contains a significant number of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and other cells. In vaccinated chickens at 25 days of age, the presence of diffuse lymphoid tissue was noted, which was not observed in the control group, and at 50 days of age - the development of a nodular form of lymphoid tissue, the maximum number of which was observed at 100 days of age. In chickens of 75, 100, and 120 days of the age of the experimental group, the amount of lymphoid tissue in the Harderian gland increased, which was noted in the interlobular connective tissue and secretory lobules. It has been proven that the chicken gland, as a peripheral organ of immune defence, is developed at 50 days of age in both the control and vaccinated groups. The study of morphological changes in the Harderian gland of the poultry of different ages is an important tool for the development of preventive vaccination protocols in modern poultry farming. The results of the study should be considered when improving the technology of rearing and exploitation of chickens to ensure high vitality and, accordingly, productivity

An Advanced Chicken Face Detection Network Based on GAN and MAE.

Achieving high-accuracy chicken face detection is a significant breakthrough for smart poultry agriculture in large-scale farming and precision management. However, the current dataset of chicken faces based on accurate data is scarce, detection models possess low accuracy and slow speed, and the related detection algorithm is ineffective for small object detection. To tackle these problems, an object detection network based on GAN-MAE (generative adversarial network-masked autoencoders) data augmentation is proposed in this paper for detecting chickens of different ages. First, the images were generated using GAN and MAE to augment the dataset. Afterward, CSPDarknet53 was used as the backbone network to enhance the receptive field in the object detection network to detect different sizes of objects in the same image. The 128×128 feature map output was added to three feature map outputs of this paper, thus changing the feature map output of eightfold downsampling to fourfold downsampling, which provided smaller object features for subsequent feature fusion. Secondly, the feature fusion module was improved based on the idea of dense connection. Then the module achieved feature reuse so that the YOLO head classifier could combine features from different levels of feature layers to capture greater classification and detection results. Ultimately, the comparison experiments' outcomes showed that the mAP (mean average Precision) of the suggested method was up to 0.84, which was 29.2% higher than other networks', and the detection speed was the same, up to 37 frames per second. Better detection accuracy can be obtained while meeting the actual scenario detection requirements. Additionally, an end-to-end web system was designed to apply the algorithm to practical applications.

Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing KLH binding natural antibodies and specific antibody response to Newcastle disease in Kenyan chicken populations.

This study aimed at investigating the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on immune traits to inform on possibilities of genetic improvement of disease resistance traits in local chicken of Kenya. Immune traits such as natural and specific antibodies are considered suitable indicators of an individual's health status and consequently, used as indicator traits of disease resistance. In this study, natural antibodies binding to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH-NAbs) was used to measure general disease resistance. Specific antibodies binding to Newcastle disease virus (NDV-IgG) post vaccination was used to measure specific disease resistance. Titers of KLH-NAbs isotypes (KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG and KLH-IgA) and NDV-IgG were measured in 1,540 chickens of different ages ranging from 12 to 56 weeks. A general linear model was fitted to determine the effect of sex, generation, population type, phylogenetic cluster, line, genotype and age on the antibody traits. A multivariate animal mixed model was fitted to estimate heritability and genetic correlations among the antibody traits. The model constituted of non-genetic factors found to have a significant influence on the antibody traits as fixed effects, and animal and residual effects as random variables. Overall mean (±SE) concentration levels for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 10.33 ± 0.04, 9.08 ± 0.02, 6.00 ± 0.02 and 10.12 ± 0.03, respectively. Sex, generation and age (linear covariate) significantly (p < 0.05) influenced variation across all the antibody traits. Genotype effects (p < 0.05) were present in all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Interaction between generation and line was significant (p < 0.05) in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG while nesting phylogenetic cluster within population significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Heritability estimates for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 0.28 ± 0.08, 0.14 ± 0.06, 0.07 ± 0.04 and 0.31 ± 0.06, respectively. There were positive genetic correlations (0.40-0.61) among the KLH-NAbs while negative genetic correlations (-0.26 to -0.98) were observed between the KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG. Results from this study indicate that non-genetic effects due to biological and environmental factors influence natural and specific antibodies and should be accounted for to reduce bias and improve accuracy when evaluating the traits. Subsequently, the moderate heritability estimates in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG suggest selection possibilities for genetic improvement of general and specific immunity, respectively, and consequently disease resistance. However, the negative correlations between KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG indicate the need to consider a suitable approach that can optimally combine both traits in a multiple trait selection strategies.

Comparative Study of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Co-Transporters in Kidneys of Ostrich Chickens

In the changing internal and external conditions, maintenance of a constant internal environment – homeostasis – plays a significant role in the proper functioning of the organism. Kidneys play a key role in the homeostasis of glucose, in which the sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters contribute to renal glucose reabsorption. Although the localisation of Na+-glucose co-transporters has been extensively covered in animals’ kidneys, the localisation of the transporters in birds’ kidneys is still understudied. The purpose of this study was to immunolocalise the sodium-dependent co-transporters SGLT1 and SGLT2 in kidneys of ostrich chickens of different ages. In the study, kidney material derived from fifteen ostriches was divided equally into three age groups – 1-, 7-, and 14-days-old ostrich chickens. The polyclonal antibodies Rabbit antiSGLT1 and Rabbit anti-SGLT2 (Abcam, UK) served as primary antibodies and were used together with the IHC kit (Abcam, UK). With the AxioCam HRc camera (Germany) connected to the microscope Zeiss Axioplan-2 Imaging (Germany), the photos were taken and saved to the computer. As the result of the study on ostrich chickens of different ages, SGLT1 was noted to be localised in the renal straight proximal tubules and SGLT2 in the proximal convoluted tubules of nephron. The immunohistochemical locations of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters revealed to be similar in ostriches’ kidneys of all age groups. The staining for SGLT2 was noted to be more intensive compared to the staining for SGLT1. As avian kidneys have unique morphological and functional features compared to animals, it is recommended that further studies would be performed on the renal tissue of different avian species

Productivity of chicken broilers at different levels and ratios between arginine and lysine in compound feed

The article presents research to determine the optimal levels and ratios of arginine and lysine in complete feed for broiler chickens of different ages. The object of research was broiler chickens "Cobb-500". The experiments were performed by the group method. During the main period of 42 days, taking into account the age of the chickens, there were three subperiods: 1-10; 11–22; 23–42 days. 600 heads of 1-day-old broiler chickens were selected for the experiments, from which 6 groups of 100 heads each were formed on the principle of analogues. The age and live weight of chickens were taken into account when selecting analogues. Chickens were kept in one room on the floor at a planting density of 12 heads per 1 m2. The feeding front was 2.5 cm, the watering front was 1.5 cm. The air temperature and lighting of the premises corresponded to the sanitary norms adopted in poultry farming. The chickens were fed compound feed twice a day. The level of lysine and arginine in poultry diets was regulated by the introduction of synthetic preparations of these amino acids in the feed. According to the scheme of the experiment, broiler chickens were fed complete feed during the experiment, balanced in metabolic energy and all nutrients, in accordance with the standards recommended by Cobb. The set and quantity of the main ingredients in the feed were regulated depending on the period of growing chickens (1-10, 11-22 and 23-42 days) and the required content of lysine and arginine. As a result of the conducted researches it was established that the wide arginine-lysine ratio helped to increase the growth rate by reducing feed costs per 1 kg of growth in all periods of cultivation. A slight narrowing of the arginine-lysine ratio contributed to gains at the control level, or slightly higher. With a more significant increase in the share of lysine, the gains decreased incredibly, but more significantly, also increased feed costs.

Isolation and Identification of the Most Common Bacteria Isolated from Intestine of Broiler Chickens in Egypt

Bacteria are seriously affecting broiler chickens and the poultry industry in many countries, as well as in Egypt. Both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacterial species have been reported in broiler chickens. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the most common bacteria recovered from apparently healthy broiler chickens by conventional methods and the VITEK system. Samples were taken from 30 broiler chickens of different ages (3 – 5 weeks), from different retail markets in Cairo, during the period from January to August 2019. Bacteriological examination of the samples showed both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well. Lysinibacillus sphaericus (n=7), Escherichia coli (n = 5), Proteus species (n = 4), Bacillus cereus (n = 3), with isolation rates of 23.3 %, 16.6 %, 13.3 % and 10 %, were identified. In addition to its pathogenicity and hazardous action, some strains of Lysinibacillus sphaericus have a larvicide effect on some species of mosquitoes. So, further studies and investigations will be conducted to test Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Bacillus cereus isolates for their biological control activity and / or their potency to remove, control, or reduce petroleum hydrocarbon soil contaminants in different localities. It will be used as an alternative control agent for numerous synthetic commercial formulations.

Energetic values of animal by-products for broiler chickens of different ages

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and apparent metabolizable energy (AME), AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) and its respective metabolizable coefficients of animal byproducts for broiler chickens with different ages. Meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, tilapia processing residue and poultry fat were evaluated. A total of 760 male broiler chickens were used and evaluated and the phases: pre-starter (1 to 8 d of age); starter (11 to18 d); grower 1 (21 to 28 d); grower 2 (31 to 38 d), and finisher (41 to 48 d). Total excreta collection method was performed in five metabolism assays. The experimental design was completely randomized, and data were submitted to analysis of variance, posteriorly, the four feeds were compared by Tukey test and a regression analysis was performed with broiler chickens age. The significance was considered at 5% probability. The values of AME and AMEn were higher in older birds for all ingredients. The lesser CAME and CAMEn were obtained for meat and bone meal, for the regression analysis poultry by-product meal, tilapia processing residue and poultry fat had an increased linear effect with birds age and there was no adjust for meat and bone meal for regression analysis.

Molecular Characterization and Genetic Analysis of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Recovered from Broiler Chickens

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causes serious problems in broiler farms and this pathogen has an economical importance in broiler sector. A total of 200 broiler chickens of different ages [84 broiler chicks (1-7 days) and 116 broiler chickens (1-6 weeks)] were collected from different broilers farms for isolation and identification of P. aeruginosa. Different samples were taken from internal organs (liver, gall bladder, lung, heart blood, intestine, kidney, yolk sacs) as well as cloacal swabs. The samples were examined bacteriologically, 28 isolates (14%) of P. aeruginosa were isolated and identifiedby biochemical reactions as well as API 20E system. The yolk sac and cloacal swabs samples gave the highest recovery rates with percentages of 15.5% and 12.6%, respectively. PCR assay confirmed the existence of P. aeruginosa DNA in ten isolates by using 16S rRNA gene. Also,PCR assay was carried out to detect the presence of virulence genes as oprL, toxA and aprA. The oprL gene was present with a percentage of 100%, toxA was present with a percentage of 80%, and aprA gene with a percentage of 40%. Also, sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of P. aeruginosa was submitted to Gen Bank with accession number MW051028 which was 100% identical to P. aeruginosa strains.

Unconditional adoption rules out the need for parent–offspring recognition in a single‐brooded colonial seabird

AbstractParent–offspring recognition (POR) is fundamental in colonial birds when the potential intermingling of chicks is higher due to the large number and proximity of nests. In species with isolated nests, where chick presence in the nest is strong contextual evidence of kinship, there might be circumstances when the parent might doubt the identity of the chick, but not enough to reject it. Olfactory‐based recognition of conspecifics and nest sites in birds has gained strong evidence suggesting a potential role of olfaction in POR. Despite that, there are no studies testing it. We used Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) as model colonial single‐brooded species with a developed olfactory sense, usually breeding in well‐spaced nests with low probability of chicks mixing. We tested the parent's ability to selectively respond to their own chick as opposed to a simpler rule of feeding any chick found in the nest by means of chick‐fostering experiments. We designed two cross‐fostering experiments using chicks of different ages to test whether the ability of parents to recognize a related chick develops over time, possibly after acquiring an own distinctive odour. Finally, we also manipulated nests’ odour to disentangle the confounding effect of nest site recognition from POR when parents return at night. All experimental chicks were adopted by parents as the weight and bill growth of cross‐fostered chicks did not differ significantly from the control group. We recorded a small difference in weight when foster chicks were inside an odour‐manipulated nest; although we did not record weight loss in experimental chicks, only a steeper increase in weight was observed in control chicks. In conclusion, adoption in Scopoli's shearwater seems to follow the rule "if the young is in my nest, accept it" proposed by Beecher (1991) for species with spatially separated nests and low chick mobility.

The importance of marine resources in the diet of urban gulls

The availability of anthropogenic food subsidies has promoted an increase in generalist opportunistic gull species, which currently breed and forage on predictable anthropogenic resources (e.g. landfills). Here we investigated whether marine resources are still important to urban-dwelling gulls. We studied 4 natural and 2 urban yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis colonies and compared (1) diet composition (through pellet analysis) and (2) isotopic niches of adults and chicks, (3) diet delivered to chicks of different ages, and (4) fatty acid (FA) composition of fledglings, in order to assess diet composition, diversity and quality, and the relevance of marine prey for natural and urban gull populations. Adult urban gulls consumed considerably lower proportions of marine prey when compared to gulls from natural colonies; however, they fed their younger chicks (&lt;20 d old) mostly with fish, representing 61-80% of their chick food deliveries. Refuse items were mostly delivered to chicks older than 20 d. Overall, urban isotopic niches were not completely distinct from those of natural colonies, in some cases sharing ca. 50% of their niche space. Fledglings from the most urbanized colony presented overall higher FA concentrations and diversity, but they were lacking some omega-3 FAs relevant to their physiology. Our results highlight the importance of marine resources in the diet of urban gulls, particularly during early chick rearing, the relevance of food sources in the area around the breeding colonies and the fact that urban gulls benefit from year-round reliable anthropogenic food resources.

Runting and Stunting Syndrome in Broiler Chickens: Histopathology and Association With a Novel Picornavirus.

Runting stunting syndrome (RSS) in commercial chickens has been reported worldwide, and although several studies have attempted to clarify the cause and describe the lesions, there are gaps in knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and etiology. The study objective was to use commercial chicks naturally affected by RSS to describe the histologic changes of RSS in all segments of the small intestine in chicks of different ages and to identify viral gene sequences in affected chicks and their association with histologic lesions. Chicks lacking clinical signs but from the same houses and from unaffected houses were used as controls. The average weight of affected chicks was significantly lower than expected for their flocks. Macroscopically, the small intestines had paler serosa, with watery, mucoid, or foamy contents and poorly digested food. Histologic lesions were characterized by necrotic crypts, crypt dilation, and flattening of the crypt epithelium. Histomorphometry of the intestines revealed villous atrophy especially in the jejunum and ileum. Histologic changes in other organs were not observed. Random next-generation sequencing of total RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues detected avian nephritis virus, avian rotavirus, and picornavirus in jejunal segments from 7-day-old chicks. No viruses were detected in the jejunum of 1-day-old chicks. Detection of picornaviral reads was significantly associated (P < .05) with histologic lesions of RSS. Sequence analysis of the picornavirus revealed genetic similarity with the genus Gallivirus. Using in situ hybridization for galliviral nucleic acid sequences, the signal was associated with crypt lesion severity, although signal was detected both in chicks with and without RSS.

Comparison of microbiota in the cloaca, colon, and magnum of layer chicken.

Anatomically terminal parts of the urinary, reproductive, and digestive systems of birds all connect to the cloaca. As the feces drain through the cloaca in chickens, the cloacal bacteria were previously believed to represent those of the digestive system. To investigate similarities between the cloacal microbiota and the microbiota of the digestive and reproductive systems, microbiota inhabiting the colon, cloaca, and magnum, which is a portion of the chicken oviduct of 34-week-old, specific-pathogen-free hens were analyzed using a 16S rRNA metagenomic approach using the Ion torrent sequencer and the Qiime2 bioinformatics platform. Beta diversity via unweighted and weighted unifrac analyses revealed that the cloacal microbiota was significantly different from those in the colon and the magnum. Unweighted unifrac revealed that the cloacal microbiota was distal from the microbiota in the colon than from the microbiota in the magnum, whereas weighted unifrac revealed that the cloacal microbiota was located further away from the microbiota in the magnum than from the microbiota inhabiting the colon. Pseudomonas spp. were the most abundant in the cloaca, whereas Lactobacillus spp. and Flavobacterium spp. were the most abundant species in the colon and the magnum. The present results indicate that the cloaca contains a mixed population of bacteria, derived from the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems, particularly in egg-laying hens. Therefore, sampling cloaca to study bacterial populations that inhabit the digestive system of chickens requires caution especially when applied to egg-laying hens. To further understand the physiological role of the microbiota in chicken cloaca, exploratory studies of the chicken's cloacal microbiota should be performed using chickens of different ages and types.

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of Chicken Parvovirus (ChPV) in Specific Pathogen-Free Chicks Infected Experimentally.

Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) is an agent frequently associated with runting stunting syndrome (RSS). This syndrome has been reported in association with ChPV in many countries, including Brazil; however, studies characterizing the virus on a molecular level are scarce, and ChPV pathogenicity in day-old chicks remains unclear. The aim of the present work was to establish the molecular characteristics of ChPV, determine the pathogenicity of ChPV in SPF chicks and detect and quantify ChPV by qPCR in several tissues and chicks of different ages. The experimental challenge was performed at one day of age, and daily and weekly observations were performed and five birds from each experimental group (mock and infected birds) were euthanized to perform the different analysis. ChPV genome copies were detected and quantified by qPCR in gut, spleen, thymus, kidney, pancreas, proventriculus and bursa. Clinically, the infected group presented with diarrhea 24 h post-infection, which persisted until 42 days of age. The small intestine was distended, and its contents were aqueous and foamy. Enteritis and dilated crypts with cyst shapes were observed in intestinal segments. Acute pancreatitis associated with lymphocytic nodules, infiltrating lymphocytes and plasma cells between the pancreatic acinus was observed. Koch’s postulate was demonstrated and the genetic characterization of the VP1 gene showed that the Brazilian ChPV isolate belongs to the ChPV II group.

Prenatal Corticosterone Exposure Alters Glucocorticoid Metabolic Enzyme Eene mRNA Associated with Increased Aggressive Behaviors and Tonic Immobility in Chicken

Exposure to excess Glucocorticoids (GCs) during embryonic development influences offspring physiology and behaviors and induces change in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis genes expression and serotonergic system in mammals. Whether prenatal corticosterone (CORT) exposure induces similar effects in avian species remains unclear. In the present study, we injected low (0.2 μg) and high (1 μg) doses of CORT in ovo before incubation and detected changes in aggressive behavior, Tonic Immobility (TI), HPA axis and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT) system gene expression on post hatch chickens of different ages. High dose of CORT significantly (P<0.05) suppressed growth rate, increased the frequency of aggressive behaviors, which was associated with elevated plasma CORT concentration. Likewise, in ovo injection of CORT significantly (P<0.05) increased Tonic Immobility (TI) duration both in chickens from low and high doses of CORT treatments compared to control. In addition, administration of CORT significantly (P<0.05) up-regulated mRNA expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) whereas it down-regulated 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. No significant differences were seen in Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) and 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20-HSD) mRNA levels upon CORT treatment. Moreover, CORT exposure significantly (P<0.05) increased hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1A (5-HTR1A) mRNA expression, but not 5-HT receptor 1B (5-HTR1B). In ovo administration of CORT may programs the aggressive behaviors in the chicken through alterations of HPA axis and 5-HT system.

Establishment of Adequate Functional Cellular Immune Response in Chicks Is Age Dependent.

The development of immunocompetence in chicks after hatching is not fully understood. However, detailed knowledge of immunocompetence and maturation processes in day-old chicks (DOCs) and juvenile chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) is necessary to implement enhanced immunization strategies. For viral diseases, this especially includes the development of cellular immunity focusing on T-cell-dependent responses. In the current study, we investigated T-cell subsets in blood and lymphoid tissues of 1-to-21-day-old chickens concerning their cellular composition and localization. We detected an increase of T-cell frequencies in blood and spleen and a shift of the CD8α dimer expression toward a CD8αβ expression on the surface of T cells with increasing age. A relocalization of lymphocytes into antigen presentation structures within the spleen was affirmed. In addition, changes in basal messenger RNA (mRNA) level, with increasing IL2 and IFNγ mRNA levels at different ages were measured. These detected changes suggest an improved T-cell-dependent antiviral response with increasing age in chickens. To confirm this finding on a functional level, we conducted a transfer experiment: adult and, as a negative control, neonatal naïve lymphocytes were transferred into DOCs. Afterward, the protection induced by these transferred cells was verified by a sublethal infection by using a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus with neuraminidase deletion, H5Ndel. Previous experiments have shown that adult animals survive infection with this virus strain, while naïve DOCs show severe symptoms or even die. As a result, the transfer of adult, but not neonatal lymphocytes, confers protection to DOCs against the infection, demonstrating functional differences in lymphocytes from chicks of different ages. Collectively, these data reveal the inability of chicks to mount an effective, cellular antiviral response in the first 3 wk of life. Therefore, we propose that the observed maturation of both the innate and the adaptive arms of the immune system early in development is mandatory for controlling influenza infection in chickens, as well as for an effective vaccination with replication-competent viral vaccine strains.

Цестодози курей в умовах особистих селянських господарств південно-східного регіону України

The industrial poultry management system in enclosed spaces (in cages or on the floor), subject to veterinary and sanitary regulations, largely solves the problem of hens invasions. However, poultry farming on smallholder farms and private farms, with traditional day-care facilities, is often accompanied by a variety of invasive pathologies, including biohelminthoses such as rayetinosis. Object of research: chickens of different ages and breeds of private farms of the south-eastern region of Ukraine. Purpose of the work: to study the epizootic situation on intestinal cеstodoses of hens in the conditions of private farms of the East and South of Ukraine. Epizootic studies of the situation on cеstodoses were conducted in private farms of Kharkіv, Sumy, Donetsk, Dnіpropetrovsk and Kherson regions. Generally accepted epizootological, clinical and parasitological and special coproscopic methods of research were conducted. The material for the life-long study was selected by random sampling during defecation and from the floor. Feces (litter) was examined by helminthoovoscopy (by Fulleborn and Kotelnikov-Khrenov methods) to identify eggs of pathogens and by helminthoscopy to find the parts of the cеstodes in their natural deposition and after diagnostic deworming. Postmortem helminthic autopsy of hens intestines was performed according to K.I. Skryabin. As a result of researches it is established that rayetinosis is a widespread cestodosis invasion among hens of private farms of the south-east region of Ukraine. Depending on the territorial location and natural-climatic zone, rayetinosis is more often spread in southern regions. The intensity of invasion of hens in Dnepropetrovsk region was 16,3-18,9 %, in Kherson region – 11,6-13,0 %. The lowest level of hens invasions by the cestodes of the genus Raillietina was registered in the eastern and northern regions of Ukraine (Kharkiv – 7,3-11,1 % and Sumy – 6,4-8,0 %).

Colibacillosis in Chickens and Prophylaxis Methods

Corpses of chickens of different ages and different lines of productivity, both from private farms and from poultry farms have been pathologically studied. Bacteriological studies (morphological, tinctorial, biochemical, antigenic properties, sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics were studied), as well as mycotoxicological studies of grain and all-mash have been conducted. A retrospective analysis of laboratory studies in Ukraine regarding the incidence of colibacillosis in chickens has been carried out. During bacteriological study of pathological material from the corpses of chickens obtained from different farms, both from one, and from various bedding lots, E. coli cultures have been isolated, that belonged to different serovars according to their antigenic properties. Out of the 25 preparations, E. coli culture, isolated from the corpses of chickens from the instructional farm of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, was slightly susceptible to amoxicillin, and E. coli culture from Svitanok Agrarian Farm was susceptible to norflloxacin only. Materials of mycotoxicological studies of all-mash for chickens indicate that association of fungi with the degree of toxicity similar to grain samples was isolated from all samples. Summarizing the results of the study it can be concluded that fodder affected by toxicological fungi caused a decrease in the level of natural resistance-immunodeficiency in chickens, on the background of which the conditionally pathogenic E. coli developed, causing the disease in chickens related to colibacillosis. Taking into account the presence of more than 100 E. coli serovars, having their own antigenic properties, it should be emphasized that it is necessary to use vaccines made from local E. coli serovars in the farms, as well as to vaccinate paultry with this vaccine of the parent stock of the farms-suppliers of the hatchery eggs.

Genetic analysis of multidrug resistant Salmonella isolated from broiler chickens

> Salmonellosis is a major problem for the poultry industry, and this problem represents a critical food safety hazard. Resistance to antimicrobial agents within nontyphoidal Salmonellae is a serious problem. The present study aimed to analyze genetically some β-lactamase resistance genes and some virulence associated genes in Salmonella isolates from broiler chicken. Five hundred samples were collected from diseased broiler chickens of different ages (3-6 weeks) from different farms in Assiut Governorate in Egypt during the period from January 2015 to December 2015. Bacteriological examination showed that 26 Salmonella isolates were recovered with a prevalence rate of 5.2% Serotyping of Salmonella isolates showed that S. Enteritidis S. Typhimurium, and S. Kentuky were identified at rates of 50%, 30.8% and 19.2%, respectively. Results of antibiogram showed that 18 Salmonella isolates (92.3%) were multidrug resistant. All isolates werescreened for the presence of 2 β-lactamase resistance genes (blaCTX and blaCMY) as well as 3 virulence genes (stn, invA and hilA) using multiplex PCR. The overall prevalences were 53.9% for blaCTX and 34.6% for blaCMY. Meanwhile, stn, invA and hilA genes were found in 96.2%, 100% and 84.7% of isolates, respectively.

Profile of Serum Metabolites and Proteins of Broiler Breeders in Rearing Age

ABSTRACT The excellence of modern broiler production is based on the genetic improvement of broiler strains for high growth rate and high egg production, associated with technological developments in nutrition, management, and health. Over the last decades, the clinical biochemistry of broilers has been studied to determine serum biochemical component values; however, there are still many knowledge gaps on factors that determine changes in these values. In this study, the serum lipid and protein profiles of 4-week-old male and female Cobb broiler breeders were evaluated. Blood samples were collected on a commercial farm located in the city of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. The following parameters were evaluated: total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin to globulin ratio (A/V), uric acid, urea, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels using an automatic analyzer. The results showed sex-specific biochemical patterns for most blood parameters evaluated. Moreover, the obtained values were different from those obtained in many published studies with broilers and commercial layers, stressing the need to develop further studies with chickens of different ages.