Colony Cages Research Articles

Colonization of internal organs by Salmonella Enteritidis in experimentally infected laying hens housed in conventional or enriched cages

More human illnesses caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis throughout the world have been linked to the consumption of contaminated eggs than to any other food vehicle. Deposition of this pathogen in the edible contents of eggs occurs when systemic infections of laying hens involve colonization of reproductive organs. In recent years, the consequences of different housing systems for laying flocks have become the focus of international attention from both animal welfare and public health perspectives. Nevertheless, many questions remain unresolved regarding the food safety implications of various laying hen production systems. The present study assessed the effects of 2 different housing types (conventional cages and colony cages enriched with perching, nesting, and scratching areas) on the invasion of internal organs by Salmonella Enteritidis in experimentally infected laying hens. In 2 trials, groups of laying hens housed in each cage system were orally inoculated with doses of 1.0 × 10(7) cfu of Salmonella Enteritidis. At 5 to 6 d postinoculation, hens were euthanized and samples of internal organs were removed for bacteriologic culturing. For both trials combined, Salmonella Enteritidis was recovered from 95.3% of cecal samples, with no significant differences observed between housing systems. However, Salmonella Enteritidis was detected at significantly (P < 0.05) higher frequencies from hens in conventional cages than from hens in enriched cages for samples of livers (96.9 vs. 75.0%), spleens (93.8 vs. 53.1%), ovaries (25.0 vs. 10.4%), and oviducts (19.8 vs. 2.1%). These results demonstrate that differences in housing systems for egg-laying flocks can affect the susceptibility of hens to colonization of internal organs by Salmonella Enteritidis.

Influence of different concentrations of metabolisable energy at constant ratio to dietary protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and phosphorus on the performance of White Leghorn layers in the tropics

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient density on the performance (21–72 weeks of age) of White Leghorn layers reared in an open-sided poultry house in the tropics. Six diets with graded levels (9.62–11.72 MJ/kg) of metabolisable energy (ME) with an increment of 0.42 MJ were formulated. Concentrations of crude protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and non-phytate phosphorus were kept constant to ME in all diets (15.9, 0.73, 0.35, 3.19 and 0.31 g/MJ ME, respectively). At 21 weeks of age, a total of 5280 birds was distributed randomly in 4-bird colony cages and 22 such cages in a row constituted one replicate. Each diet was fed ad libitum to 10 replicates from 21 to 72 weeks of age and performance parameters were recorded at 28-day intervals (period, 1–13). Egg production (EP) increased (P &lt; 0.05) with increasing dietary ME and maximum response in EP was observed when dietary ME levels ranged between 10.93 and 11.69 MJ/kg during the majority of periods, while in periods 6, 7 and 8 (summer, 28−37°C), maximum EP was observed at higher ME levels in diet (11.64–11.69 MJ/kg diet). Feed intake (P &lt; 0.01) decreased, feed efficiency (P &lt; 0.01), egg mass (P &lt; 0.01) and weight gain (P &lt; 0.05) improved quadratically with increase in dietary ME concentration. Maximum feed efficiency was observed at 11.36 MJ ME/kg diet during 21–72 weeks of age. Egg shell defects were not influenced (P &gt; 0.05) by dietary nutrient density. Mortality reduced quadratically with increase in dietary ME concentration and mortality was minimum at 11.64 MJ ME/kg diet. Based on results from the experiment it was concluded that White Leghorn layers (21–72 weeks of age) require 11.36 MJ ME/kg diet for maximum egg production, feed efficiency and egg mass with better liveability. The calculated intake of metabolisable energy, crude protein, lysine, methionine, calcium and non-phytate phosphorus in layers fed 11.30 MJ ME/kg diet was 1.157 MJ, 18.42 g, 865 mg, 409 mg, 3.68 g and 358 mg per bird per day, respectively.

Naked mole-rats: Behavioural phenotyping and comparison with C57BL/6 mice

Naked mole-rats (NMR) live underground in large eusocial colonies in East Africa. They are extremely long-lived, some individuals having a lifespan of over 30 years. This has attracted research into longevity and possibly neurodegenerative disorders. However, very little is known about their basic behaviour, particularly in tests commonly used to characterise the behaviour of the laboratory rat and mouse, for which there is an enormous database. Recently the authors carried out comprehensive behavioural phenotyping on NMRs, comparing them on most tasks directly with C57BL/6 mice, the strain for which there is the largest behavioural database.The NMR colony had been obtained from the wild originally, but housed in an animal facility for about two years. Large inter-species differences in behaviour were seen between the mice and the NMRs. The latter had generally poor sensorimotor function, including cutaneous sensation, strength and even grasp reflexes. They were often reluctant to enter or head-dip into small holes that mice readily entered. Their vision (generally considered to be very poor) was sufficient to distinguish the two zones of a light–dark box. Although, as expected, the NMRs were capable of burrowing and digging, when individually housed they did not shred cotton material to make nests. Shredding was seen in a colony cage containing a queen, but no nests were made there even when a nesting box was provided. In cognitive testing, although, unlike mice and rats, they did not spontaneously alternate in a T-maze, they learnt rewarded alternation and a cued position task well. This study demonstrates how behaviour uniquely reflects the natural environment in which these unusual animals have evolved and live, and provides baseline data for future work.

Evaluation of Artificial Larval Rearing Media Waste as Oviposition Attractant for New World Screwworms (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The waste artificial larval rearing media of New World screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) were evaluated to determine their effectiveness as oviposition attractants. Various concentrations of waste larval media resulting from rearing screwworm larvae in gel and cellulose fiber-based artificial diets tested over a 4-wk period attracted varying number of gravid screwworm flies to oviposit. Three-day-old waste medium with concentrations of 10 and 25% were most attractive to gravid female flies for oviposition and resulted in the most oviposition. One and 7-d-old wastes at all concentrations were less attractive for oviposition than the 3d-old media. The fresh (0-d-old), 14-d- and 28-d-old waste media were the least attractive substrates for oviposition. The waste from the cellulose fiber-based diet resulted in significantly more oviposition compared with waste from the gel-based diet. Microorganisms growing in the waste media probably produce metabolites that attract gravid screwworm flies to oviposit. Use of the waste products of appropriate age and dilution as oviposition substrates would enhance oviposition in mass production colony cages.

Minimally-Invasive Assessments of the Behavioural and Physiological Effects of Enriched Colony Cages on Laying Hens

The well-being of laying hens in cages of 5, 10, 20 and 40-birds/cage, and enrichment with perches, nest boxes and scratch pads, was assessed using behavioral and physiological parameters. Laying hens were Lohmann Brown (n = 360) and White Leghorns (n = 360), housed from 17 to 65 weeks of age. Behavioral parameters were; the percentage of birds per cage roosting on perches, claw length (n = 288), and the percentage of eggs laid within nest boxes. Physiological parameters were; the assessment of feather cover from measurements of radiated temperatures by infrared thermography (IRT), bone mineral content of the humerus and femur by quantitative computer tomography (QCT) scans, and adrenocor- tical function as a marker of chronic stress by measurements of corticosterone concentrations in egg yolk and albumin. The majority of eggs (72.7 %) in furnished cages were laid in nest boxes. Nest use was highest in Brown hens (P 80 %, but significantly less in the 10-bird cages (P < 0.0012) due to a shorter perch length. Claws were shorter on birds in cages with scratch pads (P < 0.0001). Feather insulation declined from 35 to 60 weeks of age for breast and back areas (P < 0.0001). White birds exhibited superior breast feather insulation compared to Brown birds. Egg albu- min corticosterone levels declined between 35 and 60 weeks of age (P < 0.011). There were no indications of an affect of colony size or cage enrichment on measurements of bone mineral content. The findings indicated a preference for the use of nest boxes, perches and scratch pads. Significant losses in feather insulation occur with time. A reduction in egg albu- min corticosterone levels over time may be a marker of chronic stress in caged laying hens.

Minimally-Invasive Assessments of the Behavioural and Physiological Effects of Enriched Colony Cages on Laying Hens

The well-being of laying hens in cages of 5, 10, 20 and 40-birds/cage, and enrichment with perches, nest boxes and scratch pads, was assessed using behavioral and physiological parameters. Laying hens were Lohmann Brown (n = 360) and White Leghorns (n = 360), housed from 17 to 65 weeks of age. Behavioral parameters were; the percentage of birds per cage roosting on perches, claw length (n = 288), and the percentage of eggs laid within nest boxes. Physiological parameters were; the assessment of feather cover from measurements of radiated temperatures by infrared thermography (IRT), bone mineral content of the humerus and femur by quantitative computer tomography (QCT) scans, and adrenocor- tical function as a marker of chronic stress by measurements of corticosterone concentrations in egg yolk and albumin. The majority of eggs (72.7 %) in furnished cages were laid in nest boxes. Nest use was highest in Brown hens (P 80 %, but significantly less in the 10-bird cages (P < 0.0012) due to a shorter perch length. Claws were shorter on birds in cages with scratch pads (P < 0.0001). Feather insulation declined from 35 to 60 weeks of age for breast and back areas (P < 0.0001). White birds exhibited superior breast feather insulation compared to Brown birds. Egg albu- min corticosterone levels declined between 35 and 60 weeks of age (P < 0.011). There were no indications of an affect of colony size or cage enrichment on measurements of bone mineral content. The findings indicated a preference for the use of nest boxes, perches and scratch pads. Significant losses in feather insulation occur with time. A reduction in egg albu- min corticosterone levels over time may be a marker of chronic stress in caged laying hens.

Survey of egg producers on the introduction of alternative housing systems for laying hens in Flanders, Belgium

In the context of the European Union ban on battery cages by 2012, a survey was conducted among Flemish egg producers (60% response rate, 140 completed questionnaires) about the introduction and opinion of alternative housing systems. Belgium appears to be among the countries in the European Union that are slower to adopt alternative housing. Belgium's egg industry is thus likely to undergo drastic changes to comply with the 2012 deadline. As of 2010, the battery cage was the dominant housing system (56% housing units, 67% hens), followed by floor housing (33% housing units, 15% hens) and aviary (10% housing units, 15% hens), whereas colony cages and furnished cages were extremely rare. Future- and market-oriented production was the most important reason for choosing a certain type of alternative system, although the importance of hen performance and amount of labor seemed to increase. A quarter of the producers with battery cages had detailed plans to convert to an alternative system (most planned to install aviaries, followed by colony cages, furnished cages, and floor housing) by 2012. Many older farmers indicated that they would stop farming, whereas others found it more profitable to delay the conversion as long as possible. Apart from hen welfare, producers expressed a negative opinion (relative to battery cages) about noncage systems and, to a lesser extent, furnished cages. However, users of alternative systems reported being quite satisfied, except for the amount of labor and hen health. The housing system had several effects on user satisfaction: positive effect of flock size, negative effect of experience with battery cages, and negative effect of outdoor area on hen health. Although not all opinions were supported by evidence, such surveys provide feedback about the success of alternative systems in practice. This information is valuable to further improve these systems and to producers who have yet to convert. Moreover, producer attitude may determine the extent to which legally imposed changes in husbandry environment result in the desired improvement of hen welfare in practice.

Quantitative role of LAL, NPC2, and NPC1 in lysosomal cholesterol processing defined by genetic and pharmacological manipulations

Lipoprotein cholesterol taken up by cells is processed in the endosomal/lysosomal (E/L) compartment by the sequential action of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), Niemann-Pick C2 (NPC2), and Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). Inactivation of NPC2 in mouse caused sequestration of unesterified cholesterol (UC) and expanded the whole animal sterol pool from 2,305 to 4,337 mg/kg. However, this pool increased to 5,408 and 9,480 mg/kg, respectively, when NPC1 or LAL function was absent. The transport defect in mutants lacking NPC2 or NPC1, but not in those lacking LAL, was reversed by cyclodextrin (CD), and the ED₅₀ values for this reversal varied from ~40 mg/kg in kidney to >20,000 mg/kg in brain in both groups. This reversal occurred only with a CD that could interact with UC. Further, a CD that could interact with, but not solubilize, UC still overcame the transport defect. These studies showed that processing and export of sterol from the late E/L compartment was quantitatively different in mice lacking LAL, NPC2, or NPC1 function. In both npc2(-/-) and npc1(-/-) mice, the transport defect was reversed by a CD that interacted with UC, likely at the membrane/bulk-water interface, allowing sterol to move rapidly to the export site of the E/L compartment.

Effect of environmental enrichment on productive performance and welfare aspects in fattening rabbits

Fattening rabbits are conventionally housed in 2 animals per cages, according to the local tradition. Presently in Europe no EU Directive exists on cage dimensions for these animals, while in some Countries local Codes (i.e.Ministry of Agriculture, U.K., 1987) indicate the housing dimensions for fattening rabbits (rabbits between 5 and 12 weeks of age: 0.07m2 pro capite; rabbits above 12 weeks of age: 0.18m2 pro capite in individual cages and rabbit between 5 and 12 weeks of age: 0.09m2 in colony cages). The conventional housing system may negatively affect animals' welfare, both for breeding and for fattening rabbits (Verga, 2000). No abnormal behaviours have been shown in group-housed females (Gunn, 1994) while they have been found in males, because they may become more aggressive when reaching sexual maturity (Hackness and Wagner, 1989)...

Pengaruh Penggunaan Tepung Buah Mengkudu terhadap Bobot Organ Pencernaan Ayam Pedaging

Effect of noni fruit powder on digestive organs weight of broiler chickensABSTRACT. The experiment aimed to determine the effect of using Noni fruit powder (NFP) up to 10 percent in the ration on digestive organs weight of male broiler chickens fed commercial feed. A hundred day old male broiler chickens were used in this experiment. Chickens were divided into five treatment groups; R0 (control, chickens fed commercial feed without offering NFP), R1 (the ration contained 2.5 % of NFP), R2 (the ration contained 5 % of NFP), R3 (the ration contained 7.5 % of NFP) and R4 (the ration contained 10 % of NFP). Each treatment group was replicated 4 times. Chickens were housed in the colony cages where 5 chickens each. The ration and drinking water were offered ad libitum. Parameters measured were feed intake, slaughter weight, gizzard weight, liver weight, small intestine weight and length. The results showed that using Noni fruit powder in the ration up to 10 percent caused no significant different effect on all parameters. It concluded that Noni fruit powder can be mixed into the ration up to 10 percent without any adverse effect on the digestive organs.

Influence of open-air rearing on fatty acid composition and sensory properties of rabbit meat.

A study was conducted to evaluate the fatty acid (FA) composition and sensory properties of meat from rabbits housed in the open-air in movable colony cages on pasture during the fattening period. A total of 60 rabbits were reared using conventional husbandry practises and subsequently divided into two groups at a live weight of about 2.0 kg and at 62 days old. The indoor group was kept in conventional bi-cellular cages (2 animals per cage, 0.07 m2 per rabbit), while the open-air group was reared in movable colony cages (6 animals per cage, 0.17 m2 per rabbit) on a polyphyta natural pasture. The grass was cut on the pasture prior to moving the cages so that the rabbits would not be able to eat the grass. Both groups were fed ad libitum a commercial diet for fattening rabbits. The rabbits were slaughtered when 13 weeks old. Fourteen carcasses from each experimental group were randomly collected and hind leg and loin meat were used to determine the intramuscular lipid content, FA composition and sensory attributes. Rabbits housed open-air in movable cages exhibited lower carcass weight (1110 vs 1243 g; P

Adipocytokine Orosomucoid Integrates Inflammatory and Metabolic Signals to Preserve Energy Homeostasis by Resolving Immoderate Inflammation

Orosomucoid (ORM), also called alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, is an abundant plasma protein that is an immunomodulator induced by stressful conditions such as infections. In this study, we reveal that Orm is induced selectively in the adipose tissue of obese mice to suppress excess inflammation that otherwise disturbs energy homeostasis. Adipose Orm levels were elevated by metabolic signals, including insulin, high glucose, and free fatty acid, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which is found in increased levels in the adipose tissue of morbid obese subjects. In both adipocytes and macrophages, ORM suppressed proinflammatory gene expression and pathways such as NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalings and reactive oxygen species generation. Concomitantly, ORM relieved hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated lipolysis in adipocytes. Accordingly, ORM improved glucose and insulin tolerance in obese and diabetic db/db mice. Taken together, our results suggest that ORM integrates inflammatory and metabolic signals to modulate immune responses to protect adipose tissue from excessive inflammation and thereby from metabolic dysfunction.

Cyclodextrin overcomes the transport defect in nearly every organ of NPC1 mice leading to excretion of sequestered cholesterol as bile acid

A mutation in NPC1 leads to sequestration of unesterified cholesterol in the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment of every cell culminating in the development of pulmonary, hepatic, and neurodegenerative disease. Acute administration of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CYCLO) rapidly overcomes this transport defect in both the 7-day-old pup and 49-day-old mature npc1(-/-) mouse, even though this compound is cleared from the body and plasma six times faster in the mature mouse than in the neonatal animal. The liberated cholesterol flows into the cytosolic ester pool, suppresses sterol synthesis, down-regulates SREBP2 and its target genes, and reduces expression of macrophage-associated inflammatory genes. These effects are seen in the liver and brain, as well as in peripheral organs like the spleen and kidney. Only the lung appears to be resistant to these effects. Forty-eight h after CYCLO administration to the 49-day-old animals, fecal acidic, but not neutral, sterol output increases, whole-animal cholesterol burden is reduced, and the hepatic and neurological inflammation is ameliorated. However, lifespan is extended only when the CYCLO is administered to the 7-day-old animals. These studies demonstrate that CYCLO administration acutely reverses the cholesterol transport defect seen in the NPC1 mouse at any age, and this reversal allows the sequestered sterol to be excreted from the body as bile acid.

A Sequence Variation (I148M) in PNPLA3 Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Disrupts Triglyceride Hydrolysis

Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with deposition of triglycerides in tissues other than adipose tissue. Previously, we showed that a missense mutation (I148M) in PNPLA3 (patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 protein) is associated with increased hepatic triglyceride content in humans. Here we examined the effect of the I148M substitution on the enzymatic activity and cellular location of PNPLA3. Structural modeling predicted that the substitution of methionine for isoleucine at residue 148 would restrict access of substrate to the catalytic serine at residue 47. In vitro assays using recombinant PNPLA3 partially purified from Sf9 cells confirmed that the wild type enzyme hydrolyzes emulsified triglyceride and that the I148M substitution abolishes this activity. Expression of PNPLA3-I148M, but not wild type PNPLA3, in cultured hepatocytes or in the livers of mice increased cellular triglyceride content. Cell fractionation studies revealed that ∼90% of wild type PNPLA3 partitioned between membranes and lipid droplets; substitution of isoleucine for methionine at position 148 did not alter the subcellular distribution of the protein. These data are consistent with PNPLA3-I148M promoting triglyceride accumulation by limiting triglyceride hydrolysis.

Campylobacter species occurrence within internal organs and tissues of commercial caged Leghorn laying hens

Campylobacter spp. are frequently present in the intestinal tract and internal tissues of broiler breeder and broiler chickens. Campylobacter spp. ecology in commercial Leghorn laying hens has not been extensively studied. The objectives of the current study were to determine 1) Campylobacter spp. presence in the reproductive tract, lymphoid organs, liver-gallbladder, and ceca of commercial Leghorn laying hens; 2) species of Campylobacter present; and 3) antimicrobial resistance pattern of Campylobacter isolates. In study 1, three flocks ranging from 94 to 105 wk of age were sampled from a commercial laying complex. In study 2, two flocks, 82 and 84 wk of age, were sampled from a separate complex. Hens were killed, defeathered, aseptically necropsied, and the spleen, liver-gallbladder, ovarian follicles, and upper (infundibulum, magnum, and isthmus) and lower (shell gland and vagina) reproductive tracts were aseptically removed before the ceca. Samples were packed on ice and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. For speciation, a standard BAX real-time PCR method was used while susceptibility testing was performed using US National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) standards and recommended quality control organisms. Isolates were examined for susceptibility using a semi-automated testing system (Sensititer) to the following 9 antimicrobials: azithromycin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, florfenicol, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, telithromycin, and tetracycline. In study 1, the isolation rate was 13, 67, 53, 3, 13, and 57% from the ovarian follicles, lower reproductive tract, upper reproductive tract, spleen, liver-gallbladder, and ceca, respectively. In study 2, the isolation rate was 17, 43, 33, 20, 17, and 73% from the ovarian follicles, lower reproductive tract, upper reproductive tract, spleen, liver-gallbladder, and ceca, respectively. Overall, 50% of isolates were Campylobacter jejuni, 49% Campylobacter coli, and 1% Campylobacter lari. In study 1, all of the isolates were pan-susceptible. In study 2, thirty-seven percent of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline. Commercial table egg laying hens housed in colony cages on wire floors had diverse Campylobacter spp. recovered from different tissues and these isolates were not resistant to a broad range of antimicrobials.

Accelerated Fatty Acid Oxidation in Muscle Averts Fasting-induced Hepatic Steatosis in SJL/J Mice

The accumulation of triglycerides (TG) in the liver, designated hepatic steatosis, is characteristically associated with obesity and insulin resistance, but it can also develop after fasting. Here, we show that fasting-induced hepatic steatosis is under genetic control in inbred mice. After a 24-h fast, C57BL/6J mice and SJL/J mice both lost more than 20% of body weight and approximately 60% of total body TG. In C57BL/6J mice, TG accumulated in liver, producing frank steatosis. In striking contrast, SJL/J mice failed to accumulate any hepatic TG even though they lost nearly as much adipose tissue mass as the C57BL/6J mice. Mice from five other inbred strains developed fasting-induced steatosis like the C57BL/6J mice. Measurements of the uptake of free fatty acids (FA) in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that SJL/J mice were protected from steatosis because their heart and skeletal muscle took up and oxidized twice as much FA as compared with C57BL/6J mice. As a result of this muscle diversion, serum-free FA and ketone bodies rose much less after fasting in SJL/J mice as compared with C57BL/6J mice. When livers of SJL/J and C57BL/6J mice were perfused with similar concentrations of FA, the livers took up and esterified similar amounts. We conclude that SJL/J mice express one or more variant genes that lead to enhanced FA uptake and oxidation in muscle, thereby sparing the liver from FA overload in the fasting state.

Effect of different rearing systems and pre-kindling handling on behaviour and performance of rabbit does

The aim of this study was to ascertain how collective cage and pre-kindling handling (training does to go into their own nest) practices, in comparison to standard housing (single cage rearing), modify the behaviour and the performance of rabbit does. To this aim, 40 nulliparous New Zealand White does were artificially inseminated, where the pregnant ones were assigned to three groups with the following treatments: eight does, kept in single standard cages (group S); eight does kept in two colony cages and trained to recognise their own nest (group TC); eight does kept in two colony cages, but not trained to recognise their own nest (group UC). Performance and behaviour, with particular attention to the social relationships of animals, were evaluated for one year. The housing system and training practice affected the behaviour of animals. Does kept in colony cages showed a wider behavioural repertoire, as well as fewer stereotyped and social behaviours. However, the interactions between animals were not always friendly; in particular, the UC group showed the highest incidence of aggressiveness: attack (26.61% vs. 13.55%) and dominance (12.98% vs. 8.81%) and lower allo-grooming (4.16% vs. 19.56%) in comparison to TC does. Negative correlation values between feeding and moving behaviours were obtained (−0.37 and −0.28) for TC and UC does, respectively. UC does showed significant correlation coefficients between stereotyped, moving and static behaviours (0.50 and −0.61, respectively). Different correlation values between moving and social interactions were shown for TC (−0.44) and UC does (0.48). In UC does, stereotypies were also correlated with social relationships (0.40) and, in particular, with attack (0.57; data not shown). Smelling one other was one of the major social activities, but while animals in the UC group exhibited a stable trend in the days close to kindling, in the TC group, the values increased from 20% (3 days before partum ) to 75% (3 days after partum ). Dominant and submissive features in TC does showed the same trends and decreased to about 0% after kindling; in contrast, in the UC group, dominant behaviours were performed even after kindling (4.8%) and submissiveness reached values similar to that of the first day of observation (about 35%). Reproductive performance and productivity of colony does were lower than S does. This reduction was lessened if does were trained to recognise their own nest. In the UC group, does had very low sexual receptivity (49.8%) and fertility rates (40.8%), a higher annual replacement of does (83.3%) and low rabbits sold/year/doe (17.7), probably due to the higher social pressure and aggressiveness, as confirmed by the percentage of does replaced due to severe injury (8.3%). In conclusion, breeding does in a colony cage, without the training to recognise their own nest, renders the animals disagreeable to social encounters, does not assure adequate welfare or a productive performance and increases the possibility of suffering from injuries caused by attacks from other does.

Different Behavioral and Physiological Responses in Two Genetic Lines of Laying Hens After Transportation

Physiological and behavioral responses to transportation stress were examined in a chicken strain selected for high group productivity and survivability (HGPS) resulting from reduced cannibalism and flightiness in colony cages and in chickens from Dekalb XL (DXL) commercial strain. At 13 wk of age, 96 pullets per strain were randomly assigned to 4-bird cages within the same strain. At 17 wk of age, half of the cages of each strain (n = 12) were randomly used as experimental group. The birds of the experimental group were crated by line, with a caution to ensure all the birds in the same cage were unfamiliar to each other, and then transported for 2 h on a country road. After transportation, the birds were recaged in groups of 4 within the same line. Behavioral data were collected immediately after the recaging of the birds. Physical parameters (BW and organ weight), plasma corticosterone levels, blood and brain serotonin (5-HT) concentrations, and 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expressions were measured at 1 d posttransportation. Results showed that, compared with the control birds of each strain, transportation stress-induced behavioral changes in eating, drinking, and preening were found in the birds from both strains, but the HGPS birds showed a greater increase in drinking and preening (P < 0.01). In addition, after transportation stress, the HGPS birds had heavier adrenal glands (P < 0.01) with higher concentrations of plasma corticosterone (P < 0.01) and a trend to higher central 5-HT levels (P = 0.09) with a downregulated 5-HT1A receptor gene expression (P < 0.05), whereas the DXL birds had a higher H:L ratio (P < 0.05). The data indicate that there are a genetic basis of variations in chickens in response to transportation stress. The HGPS birds may have a better coping capability to transportation stress than DXL birds.

Bone Mineral Density and Breaking Strength of White Leghorns Housed in Conventional, Modified, and Commercially Available Colony Battery Cages

Limited opportunity for movement and load-bearing exercise for conventionally caged laying hens leads to bone loss and increased susceptibility to osteoporosis, bone fractures, and cage layer fatigue, all of which compromise hen welfare and have negative consequences for production. The objective of this study was to compare bone mineral density (BMD) and strength measures of White Leghorns housed in conventional battery cages (CONV), cages modified to incorporate a nest box and perch (MOD), and commercially available, furnished colony cages with (CWDB) or without (CWODB) a raised dust bath. Hens reared on floor litter were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 cage systems at 19 wk of age. Hen-day production and egg quality were measured between 20 and 64 wk. At 65 wk, hens were killed, and right femur, tibia, and humerus were excised. Bone mineral density was assessed using quantitative computed tomography, and breaking strength was measured with an Instron Materials Tester. In the femur and tibia, CONV hens exhibited lower total BMD, bone mass, cortical bone area, cortical bone mass, and bone-breaking strength than CWDB, CWODB, and MOD hens. Density and cross-sectional area of bone in the trabecular space was highest in CONV. In the humerus, total and cortical BMD and mass and breaking strength values were higher for colony-housed birds than hens in CONV and MOD. The MOD birds did not exhibit increased humeral BMD or strength measures over CONV hens. These findings provide evidence that hens housed in modified and colony cages, furnished systems that promote load-bearing movement, are better able to preserve cortical structural bone than conventionally caged hens and simultaneously have stronger bones. Furthermore, inclusion of raised amenities that encourage wing loading is necessary to reduce humeral cortical bone loss. The overall absence of correlation between egg production or quality and bone quality measures also suggests that improved bone quality in CWDB, CWODB, and MOD furnished cages is not the result of lowered egg production or quality.

Pengaruh Pemberian Jus Buah Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) dalam Air Minum Terhadap Penampilan Ayam Broiler Jantan

Effect of noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit juice in drinking water on male broiler chicken performanceABSTRACT. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit juice in drinking water on male broiler chicken performance. The study used 100 male broiler chicken at 3 days of age strain Platinum MB 202 produced by PT. Multi Breeder Adhirama Indonesia (Grup PT Jafpa Comfeed Indonesia) Bandar Lampung. The study was assigned into The Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Chicken were housed in 20 unit colony cages in size 100 x 50 x 50 cm each. The treatments were level of noni fruit juice in drinking water; R0 (control, chicken were not drunk noni fruit juice), R1 (chicken drank water contained 2,5% noni fruit juice), R2 (chicken drank water contained 5% noni fruit juice), R3 (chicken drank water contained 7,5% noni fruit juice) and R4 (chicken drank water contained 10% noni fruit juice). Chicken fed similar ration containing 23.58% crude protein and 3943 kkal/kg gross energy. The selected noni fruit were mature fruit or has color white yellowish. Ration and drinking water were offered ad libitum. During the experiment, chicken were vaccinated only by Vaccine ND on 4 days of age. Chicken were kept for 4 weeks. Parameters measured were feed consumption, drinking water consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Collected data were analyzed by analysis of variance and significant effect on the parameters were tested by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Result of this study showed that there was not significant (P0,05) effect noni fruit juice in drinking water on feed consumption, drinking water consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. It is concluded that noni fruit juice could be mixed into the drinking water of broiler chicken up to 10%.