Free-range System Research Articles

Crossbreed and feed allowance affect final meat and eating quality of pigs from a free-range system

This study compared the meat and eating quality from fattening pigs raised in a free-range system involving two cross-breeds: Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) (DYL); and Tamworth x (Landrace x Yorkshire) (TYL) and two feeding strategies (semi-ad libitum (NORM) or restrictive feeding of concentrate (80-50% of semi-ad libitum; RES)). Sixteen female pigs from each cross-breed were strip-grazing diverse pasture with a grass-clover mixture and forage herbs (338 m2/pig) and root chicory (34 m2/pig) from the age of 88 days and an average live weight of 32.2 kg (SD=1.9), and were allocated to either the NORM or RES feeding strategy after a three-week training and adaptation period. The NORM pigs were slaughtered after 68 days and RES pigs were slaughtered after 90 days of experimental feeding, in order to allow them to obtain the same slaughter weight as NORM within each cross-breed. Meat and eating quality was determined on the M. longissimus lumborum (LL) and the M. biceps femoris (BF) removed twenty-two hours post mortem. The DYL were superior to the TYL crossbreed when it came to carcass weight (84.6 vs. 70.3 kg) and lean percentage (63.6 vs. 54.5%) no matter the feeding strategy. The RES feeding strategy caused smaller carcasses (8.7%) with higher lean percentage (+1.5%). The BF was tenderer from the DYL crossbreed, whereas the LL from the TYL crossbreed had less acid and metal but sweeter flavor. The restricted feeding strategy had a negative impact on the texture of specifically the loin both measured as Warner Bratzler shear force (+8 N, 4 days post mortem) and as tenderness evaluated by a sensory panel, whereas the flavor of the meat was unaffected. The restricted feeding caused a change towards more poly-unsaturated fatty acids and n3 fatty acids and a lower ratio of n6/n3 fatty acids in the meat, which is favorable from a human nutrition point of view.

Fatty acid profiles and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis capacity of three dual purpose chicken breeds

Westernized societies ingest an unhealthy high dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 20:1 or even higher. Seafood is the primary source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) for humans, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are involved in a plethora of physiological and health-related processes. However, the production of marine organisms with aquafeed formulations based on marine ingredients leads to serious environmental impacts on global pelagic fish resources, resulting in an unsustainable activity. The present study aims to gain further insight into the metabolism of fatty acids in chicken as a potential supply for omega-3 LC-PUFA. To this purpose, lipid classes and fatty acid profiles of thighs and hepatocytes, and the modification of [1-14C]18:3n-3 by hepatocytes isolated from three dual-purpose chicken breeds adapted to free-range culture systems were determined. Arachidonic acid highly accumulated in thighs meat (7.16–8.79 %) despite being barely supplied in the diet, with DHA (1.22–1.71 %) and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3; 1.02–1.14 %) being also relevant. Our experimental design with radiolabeled fatty acids was validated for the first time in terrestrial vertebrates. Chicken hepatocytes incubated with [1-14C]18:3n-3 produced a wide variety of C18-C24 intermediates demonstrating that the set of fatty acyl desaturases and elongases enzymes necessary to metabolize dietary C18 precursors are active for the production of LC-PUFA, including EPA, n-3 DPA and DHA.

Assessment of Macro-, Micro-, Trace, and Ultratrace Element Concentration in Green-Legged Partridge Hens’ Eggs from a Free-Range System

The goal of this research was to determine the concentration of macro-, micro-, trace, and ultratrace elements in egg albumen and yolk of Green-Legged Partridge (GLP) hens (Polish native breed) maintained in a free-range system. The hens received two feed mixtures (FM), which differed in mineral content (Gr-1 and Gr-2). Analyses of 57 chemical elements were performed using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy by ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques. FM from Gr-2 were characterized by a significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) higher concentration of macro- and microelements (Al, Ba, Ca, K, P, S, Si) than that from Gr-1. Among the trace and ultratrace elements there were significantly higher levels of Co, Cr, Li, Nb, Ni, Pb, Ru, Sn, and Zr, and significantly lower levels of Cs, Pd, and Te in Gr-2 compared with Gr-1. Egg albumen from hens from the Gr-2 group contained a significantly higher Ba concentration. In the case of trace and ultratrace elements, significantly greater Au, Co, Cr, Mo, Nb, Ru, and Se, and less As were recorded in the albumen from Gr-2. No significant differences were observed in the concentrations of macro- and microelements in the egg yolk. Among the examined trace and ultratrace elements, substantial differences were observed in the level of Co, Cr, Ni, Se, Sn, and Y (more in Gr-2), and Au, Hf, Hg, Nb, Nd, and Rb (less in Gr-2). Only in the case of Co and Cr concentrations in the feed (Gr-2) was a significant increase found in the albumen and yolk. Gr-2 also showed a significantly greater concentration of Ba, Nb, and Ru in the albumen, and Ni and Sn in the yolk.

Comparison of Performance, Egg Quality, and Yolk Fatty Acid Profile in Two Turkish Genotypes (Atak-S and Atabey) in a Free-Range System.

Simple SummaryIn recent years, consumers have shown increased interest in healthy and safe food produced under improved animal welfare standards. Therefore, production systems proving outdoor access have gained popularity, increasing the need for knowledge on genotypes suitable for free-range systems. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of two Turkish layer genotypes, Atak-S (brown) and Atabey (white), in a free-range system. We evaluated laying performance, egg quality parameters, and yolk fatty acid profile. The egg production was higher in Atabey than Atak-S, whereas the eggs from Atak-S hens tended to be heavier and had a stronger shell structure than eggs from Atabey hens. Furthermore, eggs from Atabey hens had improved egg yolk and albumen content compared to eggs from Atak-S hens. The total saturated fatty acid content in yolk was higher in Atabey eggs than in Atak-S eggs at 56 weeks of age, whereas a higher yolk color score was observed in Atak-S eggs than in Atabey eggs. Our results could help free-range egg producers to improve production, as well as satisfy consumer demands regarding egg quality in organic production.Consumer interest in buying eggs from animal welfare-friendly systems with outdoor access is increasing, leading to an increase in the need for knowledge on genotypes suitable for free-range systems. Two Turkish laying hen genotypes, Atak-S (brown, n = 210) and Atabey (white, n = 210), were reared in a free-range system from 19–72 weeks of age, and their suitability for the system was assessed based on laying performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid profile. Mean hen-day and hen-housed egg production were found to be higher in Atabey than Atak-S (p < 0.01). The brown eggs from Atak-S hens tended to be heavier than the white eggs from Atabey hens (p < 0.01). Brown eggs obtained from Atak-S hens had a stronger shell structure (p < 0.01), while white eggs from Atabey hens had higher mean yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit than brown eggs (p < 0.05). At 56 weeks of age, total saturated fatty acid content in yolk was higher in white eggs than in brown eggs (p < 0.01). These findings related to genotype could help free-range egg producers in their choices for more profitable production and for meeting consumer demands on egg quality and egg yolk fatty acid levels.

Economic benefits of livestock management in Ghana

The traditional system of producing small ruminants (sheep and goats) contributes significantly to the socioeconomic wellbeing of farm households in northern Ghana. Besides serving as an important source of income, sheep and goats also offer important non-pecuniary benefits such as the provision of manure, savings, insurance, farm portfolio diversification, and strong social relations. However, technical evaluation of traditional small ruminant systems places much emphasis on financial gains to farmers and abstracts on the non-conventional utilities derived from the livestock system. The main purpose of this study, therefore, is to estimate the overall economic benefits associated with traditional small ruminant systems by accounting for both market and non-market values in two agro-ecological zones (Guinea and Sudan savannah) of northern Ghana. Using a multistage sampling technique, we collected cross-sectional data from 249 small ruminant farmers for empirical analysis. The results show that at least 60% of the net benefits from sheep and goat production in northern Ghana are in non-marketable (non-cash) forms. The study demonstrates that the traditional free-range system of managing sheep and goats is economically viable when the non-market value derived from the system is incorporated in the economic analysis. The findings have practical implications in improving the traditional small ruminant system for higher meat productivity and income generation in northern Ghana and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Longitudinal study on antibiotic susceptibility in commensal E. coli from geese raised in free-range production systems

The transmission of antimicrobial resistance bacteria from animals to humans has become an important concern. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) -AmpC- producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-AmpC EC) and quinolones resistant E. coli are of particular interest. The present study aimed to evaluate the load and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant commensal E. coli along the goose production cycle on 2 free-range farms in central Italy. On A farm, oxytetracycline was administered, while the B farm did not use antibiotics during the geese productive cycle. One hundred geese of 1-day-old from the same batch were divided into the two farms. At hatching, the animals showed an average of E. coli loads was 6.83 ± 0.48 log CFU/g, and 0.28 ± 0.28, 0, 5.12 ± 0.54 log CFU/g for E. coli resistant to nalidixic acid (E. colinal), to cefotaxime (E. colicef) and to tetracyclines (E. colitet), respectively. The loads of E. coli, E. colinal, E. colicef and E. colitet on 224 environmental faecal pools were determined at 8 time points. Antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characterization of E. colicef isolates were performed. The ANOVA was used to assess the difference in bacterial loads between the two farms. We described more than 50% of resistances for tetracyclines in both farms, and sulphonamides and cephazolin in the A farm. The loads of E. coli and E. colinal in faeces were estimated at approximately 6–7 log (CFU/g) and 5–6 log (CFU/g) in the two farms, respectively. The average load of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL EC) in goose faeces varied broadly along the production cycle: in the first weeks, a sharp increase was observed in both farms, while later on A farm, the burden of ESBL EC remained steady until the end of the production cycle and on B farm the load dramatically decreased from 6 wk of age onward. An increase in the proportion of E. colinal was observed on A farm shortly after the antibiotic administration. Our study shows that the dynamics of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in farmed geese are similar to the ones observed in broilers. However, the risk of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant commensal E. coli, might be mitigated by the adoption of good management practices, including prudent use of antibiotics.

Effect of Production System (Intensive and Free-Range), Slaughter Age and Gender on Nutrient and Fatty Acid Composition of Meat in Partridges (Alectoris chukar)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of production system, slaughter age, and gender on the nutrient composition, fatty acids profile, and index values of breast and thigh meat in Alectoris chukar partridges. Partridges were slaughtered at 14, 16, and 18 weeks of age and skinless breast and thigh meat of male and female were used in the study (a total of 96 samples in 2 replicates). The production system affected only the crude fat level of the thigh meat in terms of nutrient composition and it was found higher in the intensive system compared to the free-range system. Age and gender did not significantly affect the composition of breast and thigh meat. In terms of fatty acid profile, erucic acid (C22:1n9) level in breast meat was higher in intensive system, while it was higher in thigh meat in free-range. While the percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3) increased with age in breast meat, it decreased in thigh meat with age. While eicosenoic acid (C20:1) percentage was higher in breast meat of male birds compared to females, only stearic acid (C18:0) was found to be higher in thigh meat. Saturated fatty acids (SFA), linolenic acid (n3), thrombogenic index (TI) and atherogenic index (AI) values were higher in thigh meat produced in free-range system, while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), linoleic acid (n6) and hypocholesterolaemic / hypercholesterolaemic ratio (h/H) were significantly higher in intensive system. While SFA and TI levels in thigh meat decreased with age, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), UFA and oleic acid (n9) percentages increased. MUFA / SFA in thigh meat of females was higher than males, other indexes were found insignificant. The results shows that partridges had desirable fatty acid composition. Especially, the increase in MUFA and UFA values with age in thigh meat compared to breast indicates that thigh meat is enriched in terms of unsaturated fatty acids. However, the higher SFA and AI values obtained in the free-range system could be considered a negative outcome for alternative production systems that prioritize bird welfare and consumer demands.

English

Python meat is a traditional but small source of protein throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, but supply is exclusively from wild harvest. We build on recent evidence that supports snake farming as a viable and sustainable small-scale livestock system in Asia. We explore python farming as a strategy for enhanced food security in Zimbabwe. Our survey results highlight challenges, including drought and human-wildlife conflicts that face both traditional free-range livestock systems and food security, and reveal production prerequisites for complementary python farming. Preliminary findings suggest small-scale python farming could present a viable and sustainable complement to increasingly vulnerable traditional livestock systems. Key words: Adaptation, sustainable agriculture, python farming.

Behaviour, welfare, and tibia traits of fast- and slow-growing chickens reared in intensive and free range systems

The behaviour, welfare, and tibia characteristics of fast- and slow-growing chickens were evaluated in free-range and intensive production systems. A total of 720 birds of three strains were subjected to these systems after 21 days of rearing under the same intensive environment. Each treatment was replicated six times with 20 birds in each replicate. Data were collected for welfare aspects, including feather condition, footpad, hock joint and tonic immobility, behavioural features, especially feeding or foraging, sitting, walking, scratching, pecking and dust-bathing, and tibia characteristics, including weight, length, width, medullary canal diameter and robusticity index (4 - 8 weeks). Production system had significant effects on all welfare and behaviour aspects of the birds. However, tibia characteristics were not influenced by production system, except for medullary canal diameter. The strains differed significantly in welfare, tibia characteristics and behaviour. For example, the slow-growing strains had better feather condition, footpad and hock joint scores. Significant interactions of strain and production system were noted for all characteristics. It was recommended that Rhode Island Red chickens could be raised under either production system without compromising their welfare or causing adverse effects on leg health.

Mapping foodborne pathogen contamination throughout the conventional and alternative poultry supply chains

Recently, there has been a consumer push for natural and organic food products. This has caused alternative poultry production, such as organic, pasture, and free-range systems, to grow in popularity. Due to the stricter rearing practices of alternative poultry production systems, different types of levels of microbiological risks might be present for these systems when compared to conventional production systems. Both conventional and alternative production systems have complex supply chains that present many different opportunities for flocks of birds or poultry meat to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. As such, it is important to understand the risks involved during each step of production. The purpose of this review is to detail the potential routes of foodborne pathogen transmission throughout the conventional and alternative supply chains, with a special emphasis on the differences in risk between the two management systems, and to identify gaps in knowledge that could assist, if addressed, in poultry risk-based decision making.

Probiotics and potential applications for alternative poultry production systems

Concerns over animal welfare continue to be a critical component of law and policies associated with commercial food animal production. Social and market pressures are the driving forces behind the legislation and result in the change of poultry production management systems. As a result, the movement toward cage-free and aviary-based egg production systems has become standard practices. Cage-based systems being replaced by alternative methods that offer a suitable housing environment to meet or exceed poultry welfare needs and require different management, including the ban of antibiotics in poultry diets. For broiler production, pasture- raised and free-range management systems have become more popular. However, challenges remain from exposure to disease-causing organisms and foodborne pathogens in these environments. Consequently, probiotics can be supplemented in poultry diets as commercial feed additives. The present review discusses the impacts of these probiotics on the performance of alternative poultry production systems for improving food safety and poultry health by mitigating pathogenic organisms and improving egg and meat quality and production.

Chicken production, flock size, management systems, and challenges in the Dodoma region in Tanzania

Dodoma's population is growing rapidly creating a high demand for food security like chicken products. However, the distribution of chickens’ management systems, breed of chicken kept, and challenges facing chicken production in Dodoma are less documented. This study focused on finding out the productivity of chicken in terms of flock size and how it is affected by the management system, types/breed of chicken keeping, and evaluating the challenges facing chicken production in Dodoma. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from the two randomly selected districts namely, Kongwa and Dodoma Municipal. The results showed that the average flock size was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in Dodoma municipal (mean = 124.56 ± 35.08, n = 200) than in Kongwa district (mean = 42.55 ± 5.54, n = 200). Broiler and layers keeping under the intensive system were dominant in Dodoma municipal while local breed chicken under the free-range system was dominant in Kongwa district (P < 0.001). Diseases were the main challenge facing chicken production. It was eminent that, diseases and other challenges such as theft, predation, lack of experts, unavailable space and huts for keeping chicken, and insufficient feed staffs for chicken significantly lowered the chicken production in Dodoma (P < 0.05). It is conclusive that, the demand for chicken products in Dodoma is higher and will continue to increase. There is a need for chicken keepers to increase production to overcome the current deficit. The increases in production should go hand in hand with solving the challenges which face chicken production in Dodoma.

Claw disorders as iceberg indicators of cattle welfare: Evidence-based on production system, severity, and associations with final muscle pH

This study presents a novel approach to use claw disorders in cattle as a retrospective welfare indicator characterized at the abattoir. A total of 1040 cattle (2080 front and back left claws) were analyzed from 143 batches, originating from feedlots, free-range, and dairy systems. Our results indicate that abnormal claw shapes (>55%) and fissures of the claw wall (>25%) had the highest prevalence, regardless of the system of origin. For the seven types of lesions monitored, numerous associations were found between lesions in the front and rear limbs typical of each production system. Ultimate meat pH was higher in animals with white line disease and skin wounds in feedlot and free-range cattle. We conclude that claw disorders can be used as an iceberg indicator to provide valuable information about animal fitness, and the ability to cope with the husbandry and pre-slaughter environment. These indicators can be used to improve the level of welfare of the animals.

Exploratory Behaviours of Primitive Horses Based on Konik: A Preliminary Study.

Simple SummaryThe behaviour of horses has evolved to ensure survival in emergency situations. The specific behaviour of horses is mainly determined by their instincts as an internal pressure to satisfy a specific need. Instinctive behaviours can include avoidance or flight as well as curiosity and the urge to explore. Exploratory behaviours can provide information about food, shelter, a new escape route, or a convenient place to raise offspring. However, this may come at the cost of a possible predator attack, isolation from the group, or injury in an accident in unknown territory. Standard behavioural tests can describe the need for exploration in horses and the severity of exploratory behaviour in a variety of situations. The experiment was carried out in two groups of Konik horses kept in a stable group and in a free-range group. The tested horses can be regarded as exhibiting the urge to explore, although their behavioural responses are individual and stimulus dependent.This study aimed at assessing the behaviour of Konik geldings and mares, kept in a stable and in a free-range system, during behavioural tests regarded as a determinant of the exploration urge. A total of 19 Konik horses kept in individual stables and in a free-range system were included in the study. The experiment was conducted in five phases separated by five-day breaks. A one-stage passive human test was performed during the first phase, a three-stage active human test—2nd phase, a three-stage unknown object test—3rd phase, a two-stage unknown surface test—4th phase, and a one-stage test of social isolation—5th phase. Ten attributes were analysed, including the horse sex and the keeping system. The results were also correlated with one another. Konik horses were found to show the urge to explore, although their behavioural responses are individual and stimulus dependent. In many cases, the horse sex and the keeping system influence the exploratory behaviour, although it is manifested by a greater intensity in geldings than in mares, and in free-range horses than in those kept in a stable. The study is regarded as preliminary due to the small number of horses in the study groups.

Effects of Outdoor Stocking Density on Growth, Feather Damage and Behavior of Slow-Growing Free-Range Broilers.

Simple SummaryProviding meat-type chickens free access to pasture is intended to improve their wellbeing by allowing them opportunities to express their natural behaviors and mitigate discomfort associated with indoor housing. However, there is limited information on how much pasture space is needed to improve the quality of life for these chickens. In a controlled experiment, chickens with a larger amount of pasture space had reduced feather damage and showed less aggression towards other chickens. Depending on age, chickens with a smaller amount of pasture space did more stretching, panting and sunbathing, which might be indicative displays of discomfort from being too hot. Regardless of the amount of pasture space that chickens had, they expressed an array of natural behaviors signifying that the small amount of pasture space provided for chickens did not hinder their welfare. Results of this study suggest that providing extra pasture space to chickens may improve their wellbeing.Access to pasture is a main benefit of free-range broiler housing systems, yet the level of outdoor stocking density on broiler animal welfare remains unsettled. The growth, feather damage, pasture ranging and behaviors were assessed for 150 mixed-sex, slow-growing Freedom Rangers from 5 to 11 weeks of age of with free access to either a high outdoor stocking density pasture (0.5 m2 per bird) or a low outdoor stocking density pasture (2.5 m2 per bird). The probability (mean, 95% CI) of tail feather damage was greater for the high-density (23.1%, 16.3 to 31.7%) compared to the low-density group (11.9%, 7.1 to 19.3%). The percent of observations resulting in sunbathing and aggressive attacks (i.e., pecking and fighting behaviors) were greater for the high-density (1.0%, 0.6 to 1.8% and 0.5%, 0.2 to 1.3%, respectively) compared to the low-density group (0.3%, 0.1 to 0.7% and 0.1%, 0.0 to 0.4%, respectively). Furthermore, an interaction between treatment and age indicated that birds in the high-density group displayed greater stretching (during weeks 7 to 10) and panting (during weeks 6 and 9). Results of this study suggest that additional outdoor pasture space may be positively associated with broiler welfare.

Primary characterization of the immune responses in Tibetan pigs infected with Chinese Tibet isolate of Trichinella spiralis

BackgroundTrichinellosis, caused by Trichinella spiralis, is a serious foodborne parasitic zoonosis. Tibetan pig is an infrequent, endemic plateau pig species, mainly distributed in Tibet Plateau, China. Because of the free-range system, Tibetan pigs are at risk of infection with Trichinella. The present study aimed to primarily profile the characteristics of T. spiralis infection in Tibetan pigs, including IgG levels, larvae burdens, and cytokines.ResultsThe immune responses to Chinese Tibet T. spiralis isolate infection in Tibetan pigs with different doses were investigated in a tracking duration of 49 days. The muscle larvae per gram (lpg) were evaluated at 105 days post-infection (dpi). The results showed that the mean larval number of T. spiralis in Tibetan pigs increased with infective dose, with average lpg values of 3.5, 50.4 and 115.6 for Tibetan pigs infected with 200, 2,000, and 20,000 muscle larvae (ML) of T. spiralis. The anti-Trichinella IgG increased with inoculum dose and dpi, and peaked at 49 dpi. The kinetics of cytokines in the sera was detected by microarray, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-12, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The Th1/Th2 mixed cytokines were detectable in all samples. Interleukin-12 demonstrated the highest concentration compared to other cytokines and peaked at 42 dpi. Almost all cytokines were maintained at a high level at 42 dpi. Additionally, we also report a Trichinella seropositive rate of 43.9 % (18 out of 41) from field samples of Tibetan pigs.ConclusionsThe present study showed an increased Th1/Th2 mixed cytokines in Tibetan pigs elicited by T. spiralis. The high seroprevalence of Trichinella infection in field samples of Tibetan pigs further raises serious concern for the prevention and control of trichinellosis in this host for public health safety.

Behavioral traits of artificially and naturally hatched geese in intensive and free-range production systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of hatching type and production system on behavioral traits in geese. The animal subjects within the study consisted of 240 native Turkish goslings produced in artificial (120) or natural incubation (120) conditions. After completing hatching process, the goslings hatched by natural incubation remained with their mothers for 3 days, while the goslings produced by artificial incubation were immediately taken to the production house. The study was designed with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (hatching type × production system) with 4 pens per treatment combination and 15 geese per pen. For each behavior (accessing the outdoor area, fearfulness, foraging, feather pecking, preening, resting–standing, wing flapping–feather shaking, running), the percentage of geese performing specific behaviors to the total number of birds in the pen was determined. There was no difference between the levels of outdoor access between the geese hatched artificially and naturally: 84.5 % and 85.4 % of them accessed the outdoors, respectively. The interaction effect was found to be significant in fearfulness, feather pecking, foraging, resting–standing, wing flapping–feather shaking, and preening behaviors (p < 0.01). Naturally hatched geese reared in an intensive system showed less fearfulness than naturally hatched geese reared in the free-range system (p < 0.01). Artificial incubation increases the probability of fearfulness in geese 1.19 times compared to natural hatching (odds ratio = 1.187, p = 0.000), and the free-range production system was 2.69 times more likely to cause fearfulness than the intensive system (odds ratio = 2.686, p = 0.000). A 1-unit decrease in fearfulness resulted in increases of 3.5 % in the number of foraging geese (odds ratio = 1.035, p = 0.033), 56.1 % in feather pecking (odds ratio = 1.561, p = 0.000), 17.1 % in preening (odds ratio = 1.171, p = 0.000) and 10.3 % in wing flapping-feather shaking (odds ratio = 1.103, p = 0.000). More geese showed feather pecking, wing flapping-feather shaking and preening behaviors in the intensive system as compared to free-range (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both the hatching type and production system have significant effects on geese behaviors. Fearfulness caused by maternal deprivation in artificial hatching also affected the development of other behavioral traits in the post-hatch period. Geese behaved less fearful in the intensive system, where increased fearfulness in the free-range system is associated with a decrease in preening and wing flapping–feather shaking.

Characterization of Free-range Indigenous Chicken Production System in North-East India (Assam)

Characterization of Free-range Indigenous Chicken Production System in North-East India (Assam)

Comparison between cage and free-range egg production on microbial composition, diversity and the presence of Salmonella enterica

The microbial composition of the food production environment plays an important role in food safety and quality. This study employed both 16 S rRNA gene sequencing technology and culture-based techniques to investigate the bacterial microbiota of an egg production facility comprising of both free-range and conventional cage housing systems. The study also aimed to detect the presence of Salmonella enterica and determine whether its presence was positively or negatively associated with other taxa. Our findings revealed that microbiota profiles of free-range and cage houses differ considerably in relation to the relative abundance and diversity with a number of taxa unique to each system and to individual sampling sites within sheds. Core to each housing system were known inhabitants of the poultry gastrointestinal tracts, Romboutsia and Turicibacter, as well as common spoilage bacteria. Generally, free-range samples contained fewer taxa and were dominated by Staphylococcus equorum, differentiating them from the cage samples. Salmonella enterica was significantly associated with the presence of a taxa belonging to the Carnobacteriaceae family. The results of this study demonstrate that the diversity and composition of the microbiota is highly variable across egg layer housing systems, which could have implications for productivity, food safety and spoilage.

Antibiotic and medical zinc oxide usage in Danish conventional and welfare-label pig herds in 2016–2018

This register-based study compared the usage of antibiotics and medical zinc oxide (ZnOmed) in three different pig production systems: organic, conventional free-range and conventional indoor in 2016–2018. ZnOmed is used to prevent weaning diarrhoea with a dosage of max 2500 mg zinc/kg feed for 14 days post weaning. The treatment incidence (TI) of antibiotics (injectable and oral) and ZnOmed was calculated as the total number of animal daily doses (ADD) per 100 animals per day at herd level over a calendar year. Zero-inflated negative binomial models were used to compare the antibiotic and ZnOmed usage across the three production systems. The correlation between antibiotic and ZnOmed usage was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. In all age groups, the antibiotic TI was highest in the conventional indoor system, lower in the conventional free-range system and lowest in the organic system. In weaners, which is the age group with the highest antibiotic usage, conventional indoor, conventional free-range and organic herds had an average TI of 7.20, 3.37 and 0,48 ADD/100 animals/day, respectively. Another important finding in the study was that non-use of antibiotics is more common (>30% of herds) in welfare-label production systems (organic and conventional free-range) than in conventional indoor production (16% of herds). The overall differences in usage of ZnOmed between the three production systems were not statistically significant, but the probability of not using ZnOmed, was significantly higher for organic (36%) and conventional free-range herds (61%) compared to conventional indoor herds (19%). There was a weak to moderate positive correlation between antibiotic and ZnOmed usage at herd level with the weakest correlation in conventional indoor herds (0.31). The results indicate that ZnOmed does not appear to replace or prevent the use of antibiotics and suggest that ZnOmed is used differently in different systems. A weak correlation between the usage of antibiotics and ZnOmed in conventional indoor herds could reflect a frequent use of routine treatments within this system. The lower level of antibiotic usage in welfare-label systems indicates that a significant reduction in antibiotic use in pig production would require housing and management changes or regulatory changes in the conventional indoor system. The large variation in both antibiotic and ZnOmed usage between herds in similar production systems indicates that a further reduction in use of antibiotics and ZnOmed is achievable.