Broiler Mortality Research Articles

Effect of non-pharmaceutical compounds on shedding and colonization of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg in broilers

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of four non-pharmaceutical compounds on performance, mortality of broilers and their ability to reduce colonization and fecal shedding of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) in broilers following SH challenge and feed withdrawal. Chicks were randomly assigned to water treatments containing organic acids (OA), essential oils (EO), lactic acid (LA), levulinic acid plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (L + SDS) or no added compounds (CON). Treatments were administered in drinking water on 0–7 and 35–42 days. One-half of the chicks were challenged with SH and placed in pens with unchallenged chicks on day one. Performance and mortality were determined during the 42-day study. Prevalence of SH was determined on drag swabs (0, 14 and 42 days) and in the ceca and crops (42 days). Broilers receiving EO had significantly (P < 0.05) greater weight gain and lower mortality than other treatments. Salmonella Heidelberg was absent from drag swabs on day 0, but present at 14 and 42 days. Challenged and unchallenged broilers receiving EO and LA had significantly (P < 0.05) lower SH in crops than other treatments. The essential oils and lactic acid used in the study may control SH contamination in crops of broilers when administered in drinking water.

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Recent Chicken Anemia Virus Isolate and Comparison with a Chicken Anemia Virus Isolate from Human Fecal Samples in China

A new isolate of chicken anemia virus (CAV) was designated GD-1-12. GD-1-12 was isolated from a 12-day-old commercial broiler in Guangdong province, China, in 2012. The GD-1-12 CAV caused high mortality, severe anemia, thymic atrophy, and subcutaneous hemorrhage in commercial broilers. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of GD-1-12 CAV and comparison with the complete genome sequence of another CAV that was isolated from human fecal samples in China (GenBank accession no. JQ690762). The genomes of the two CAV isolates shared high homology, although a deletion was identified by comparison. The findings from this study provide additional insights into the molecular characteristics of the CAV genomes and should advance knowledge for continuous monitoring and, perhaps, preventing the spread of the virus in chickens as well as in humans.

Early-age cold conditioning of broilers: effects of timing and temperature

1. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of early-age cold conditioning (CC) on performance, ascites mortality, thyroid hormones status and immune response (leucocytes count) of broiler chickens. 2. A total of 336 chicks at 2 and 3 d of age were exposed to 20 or 25°C (for 3 or 6 h) in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment, while a control group was kept under normal temperature conditions (30°C). Thereafter, both control and cold conditioned birds were reared under standard conditions until 42 d of age. 3. The results showed that performance (weight gain and feed efficiency) was improved by CC at the end of the rearing period. Carcase traits (breast, thigh and abdominal fat percentage) were not affected by different treatments. Heart weight was lower in cold conditioned birds accompanied with lower ascites mortality. Total leucocyte count was higher in CC birds. Higher concentrations of thyroxin (T4) were found in plasma of treated groups, while triiodothyronine (T3) to T4 ratio was decreased. 4. In conclusion, it seems that early age CC improves performance and reduces ascites mortality of broilers through altered thyroid hormones metabolism and leucocyte function. According to the results, the best timing for CC of broilers was 20°C for 6 h at the age of 2 d, and no significant benefit was observed by repeated CC.

Co-infection of broilers with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and H9N2 avian influenza virus

BackgroundSince 2008, a progressive pneumonia has become prevalent in broilers and laying hens. This disease occurrs the first day after hatching and lasts more than 30 days, resulting in approximately 70% morbidity and 30% mortality in broilers. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the pathogens that are responsible for the progressive pneumonia and establish an animal model for drug screening.Results193 serum samples were collected from 8 intensive farms from 5 provinces in China and analysed in the current research. Our clinical survey showed that 65.2% to 100% of breeding broilers, breeding layers, broilers and laying hens were seropositive for ORT antibodies. From 8 intensive farms, six ORT isolates were identified by PCR and biochemical assays, and two H9N2 viruses were isolated. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and Infectious BronchitisVirus (IBV) were excluded. Typical pneumonia and airsacculitis were observed both in broilers inoculated intraperitoneally with an ORT isolate alone and in those co-infected with ORT and H9N2 virus isolates. Specifically, the survival rate was 30%, 20%, 70%, 50% and 90% in birds inoculated with ORT+H9N2 virus, ORT followed by H9N2 virus, H9N2 virus followed by ORT, and ORT or H9N2 virus alone, respectively.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that ORT infections of domestic poultry have been occurring frequently in China. ORT infection can induce higher economic losses and mortality if H9N2 AIV is also present. Although the isolation of ORT and H9N2 virus has been reported previously, there have been no reported co-infections of poultry with these two pathogens. This is the first report of co-infection of broilers with ORT and H9N2 virus, and this co-infection is probably associated with the outbreak of broiler airsacculitis in China, which has caused extensive economic losses.

Effects of Chitosan and its Derivative added to Water on Immunological Enhancement and Disease Control

An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against diseases by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. Development of novel natural immune enhancers is an urgent issue. In experiment 1, Newcastle disease antibody titer, levels of IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and changes in CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were analyzed. In experiment 2, diarrhea, respiratory symptoms and mortality of broilers were measured. In experiment 1, the results showed that the immune response, such as Newcastle disease antibody and CD4(+) T cells, would be significantly activated by feeding with chitosan and its derivative during 27 days. In experiment 2, the results demonstrated that diarrhea, respiratory symptoms and the mortality of the commercial medicine treatment group were decreased, with infection days increased. However, the mortality of broilers was significantly decreased, while feed intake and weight gain of the birds were significantly increased in the group treated with chitosan and its derivative as compared with other groups. Chitosan and its derivative have strong potential in immune enhancement and disease control, and can be used as a feed additive.

Effect of Aflatoxin on Feed Conversion Ratio in Broilers: A Meta-analysis

Aflatoxins are natural contaminants of poultry feeds and feed ingredients and cause liver damage, immunosuppression, reduction in performance and mortality in broilers. A number of studies have been carried out to study the effects of aflatoxin on feed conversion ratio in broilers. The results on feed conversion ratio of 10 research articles in broilers fed with aflatoxin from first day of age to six weeks of age were compiled and were subjected to meta-analysis. Chi-square test and Tau 2 (heterogeneity co-efficient) were applied to test for significance of heterogeneity of studies. To integrate results, fixed effect model by Inverse Variance method (IV method) was used when heterogeneity was insignificant and otherwise random effect model by DerSimonian and Laird Method (DL method) was used. The results of meta-analysis showed that the adverse effect of aflatoxin on feed conversion ratio at the end of first week was negligible, second week was medium and third to six weeks was very large. (Key Words : Aflatoxin, Feed Conversion Ratio, Broilers, Meta-analysis)

Preslaughter mortality of broilers in relation to lairage and season in a subtropical climate

The preslaughter handling and transport of broilers are stressful operations that might affect welfare and meat quality and could increase numbers of deaths before slaughter. However, the influence of thermal factors during transportation and lairage at slaughterhouses is complex in subtropical regions, where increasing temperature and high RH are the major concerns regarding animal survival before slaughter. In this study we assessed the influence of a controlled lairage environment on preslaughter mortality rates of broiler chickens that were transported during different seasons of the year and had varying lairage times in the subtropical climate. Preslaughter data from 13,937 broiler flocks were recorded daily during 2006 in a commercial slaughterhouse in southeastern Brazil. The main factors that influenced daily mortality rate were mean dry bulb temperature and RH, lairage time, daily periods, density of broilers per crate, season of the year, stocking density per lorry, transport time, and distance between farms and slaughterhouse. A holding area at the slaughterhouse with environmental control was assessed. Using a double GLM for mean and dispersion modeling, the seasons were found to have significant effects (P < 0.05) on average mortality rates. The highest incidence was observed in summer (0.42%), followed by spring (0.39%), winter (0.28%), and autumn (0.23%). A decrease of preslaughter mortality of broilers during summer (P < 0.05) was observed when the lairage time was increased, mainly after 1 h of exposure to a controlled environment. Thus, lairage for 3 to 4 h in a controlled lairage environment during the summer and spring is necessary to reduce the thermal load of broiler chickens.

Thermal stress related with mortality rates on broilers' preslaughter operations: a lairage time effect study

Concerning the reduction of preslaughter death losses, high temperature and relative humidity in the tropics are the major concerns regarding broiler survival prior slaughtering. However, the relationship between different lairage times under controlled environment and the thermal condition outside the holding area is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare different intervals of lairage time with different environmental temperature and relationship with poultry mortality rates. A study was conducted in a commercial poultry abattoir in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the year of 2006. The historical data set from 13,937 trucks, about broiler mortality during preslaughter operations, was given by the abattoir. Factors that influence the welfare of birds were studied, such as lairage time in abattoir and hourly dry-bulb temperature. The statistical analysis was performed using the Double Generalized Linear Models. The lower incidence of death losses before arrival at the processing plant (approximately 13 dead birds per truck) was observed when the lairage time was between 1 to 3 hours, under high temperatures (above 22°C). This effect was more pronounced under critical (25-28°C) and lethal intervals (above 29°C) (12 and 13 dead birds per truck, respectively). In relation to lairage time, the reduction in mortality rates was more pronounced in the intervals up to 1 hour of lairage under climatized conditions, with a reduction of 3 dead birds per truck. It was concluded that thermal stress have negative influence for broilers welfare kept under preslaughter conditions and variations on mortality rate are strongly related with different lairage times.

Effects of feed intake restriction and micronutrients supplementation on ascites mortality and leg characteristics of broilers

The aim of the present study was to compare two feed restriction regimes with two levels of micronutrients on ascites and leg abnormalities in broilers. A complete randomised design within a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments examined the effects of feed restriction and micronutrients on ascites and leg abnormalities presentation. Twelve hundred day old Ross×Peterson chicks were assigned to the following treatments: Feed restriction time, FRT, (112 and 210 h) and micronutrient supplementation, MNS, (+ and −). Weight gain and feed conversion were not affected (P>0.05) by FRT or MNS. Total mortality, ascites mortality and leg abnormalities were modified (P<0.05) by both FRT and MNS, chickens with a feed restriction of 112 h had higher (P<0.05) mortalities (as total and as by ascites) and leg abnormalities than chickens with a feed restriction of 210 h. Also, chickens supplemented with micronutrients had lower (P<0.05) mortalities than chickens not supplemented. Tibia characteristics (weight, length, density and ash content) were not modified by FRT and MNS. Also, FRT did not affect (P >0.01) Ca and P concentrations, and the Ca:P ratio in tibia. However, both Ca and P, and Ca:P ratio were modified by MNS (P<0.001). Chickens supplemented with micronutrients had lower Ca concentrations and higher P concentrations in tibia than chickens not supplemented. Feed restriction for 210 h and micronutrient supplementation decrease ascites mortality.

Experimental Reproduction of Enterococcal Spondylitis in Male Broiler Breeder Chickens

There has been a recent emergence of epidemic spinal infections with necrosis causing lameness and mortality in male broilers and broiler breeders. Mortality in affected flocks may be as high as 15%. The disease has been called enterococcal spondylitis (ES), based on the frequent isolation of Enterococcus cecorum from the lesions and necrosis and inflammation observed in the free thoracic vertebrae (FTV) of affected birds. Male broiler breeders in an experimental setting were challenged with pure E. cecorum isolates obtained from ES-affected commercial flocks. Challenge routes included oral gavage (10(8)), intravenous (i.v.; 10(3)), and air sac (AS; 10(3)). Half the study birds in each group were chemically immunosuppressed with dexamethasone. Spinal lesions were observed grossly in birds challenged intravenously (2.9%) and birds challenged orally (6.1%). Microscopic spinal lesions consistent with ES were more frequently identified compared with gross lesions in the orally challenged group (30.3%). Chemical immunosuppression with dexamethasone was not associated with a greater incidence of ES in this study. By recreating the disease experimentally, the study design reported here may help in the further development of an experimental challenge model for future studies on risk factors, prevention, and therapeutic intervention of ES.

Effect of Phytase on the Sodium Requirement of Starting Broilers 1. Sodium Bicarbonate as Primary Sodium Source

Recent work has indicated that phytase enzymes may influence Sodium (Na) metabolism in the chick but to date no work has conclusively demonstrated that the Na requirement of the chick for live performance is influenced by phytase supplementation. In this study male broilers were fed diets with Na levels ranging from 0.10-0.28% using sodium bicarbonate as the primary source of supplemental Na. Diets were supplemented with no phytase, 500 FTU/kg (1x) or 2,000 FTU/kg (4x) of phytase. When phytase was added the dietary Ca and Nonphytate P (NPP) were adjusted in accordance with anticipated release of these minerals. For 1x phytase the Ca and NPP were reduced 0.10% each and for 4x phytase were reduced by 0.20% each. The combination of seven Na levels and three phytase treatments resulted in 21 dietary treatments, each of which was fed to six replicate pens of five male chicks housed in electrically heated battery brooders with wire floors. Experimental diets and tap water were provided for ad libitum consumption from day of hatch to 18 d. At 16 d of age excreta from each pen was collected and freeze dried to determine moisture content and the excreta analyzed to determine amounts of Ca, P and Na. There were no significant differences in Body Weight (BW), Feed Conversion (FCR), Feed Intake (FI), fecal moisture (FH2O), or mortality of broilers fed diets with different levels of phytase indicating that the dietary adjustment in NPP and Ca levels for the addition of the phytase did not adversely affect performance of the birds. The dietary Na leve l significantly affected BW, FCR, FI or FH2O. There were no significant interactions of dietary Na and level of phytase supplementation. Regression analysis showed an overall estimate of 0.18±0.01% Na for BW and 0.19±0.01% Na for FCR. There was little indication that the Na requirement was affected by phytase. The level of phytase and Na in the diet had significant effects on excreta levels of P, Ca and Na. The use of lower dietary levels of NPP and Ca in association with the addition of the phytase resulted in significant reduction in excreta levels of these minerals, but had no significant effect on levels of excreted Na. Increasing the dietary Na level significantly affected the levels of all three minerals in the excreta. Although the dietary Na level had significant effects on both excreta P and Ca, these followed no consistent trends with no significant difference in Ca or P excretion between chicks fed diets with the lowest and highest Na levels. There were significant interactions between dietary Na levels and levels of phytase supplementation for all three minerals in the excreta. However, these did not appear to follow any consistent pattern. While it is apparent that phytase influences the metabolism of Na within the body, the data from the present study suggests that this has little impact on the dietary need for Na.

Factors associated with mortality of broilers during transport to slaughterhouse

In recent years, broiler mortality during transport to the slaughterhouse has become a cause for concern because of animal welfare considerations and associated economic losses. A descriptive and analytical epidemiological study was carried out to estimate the extent of DoA in poultry broiler production in the main producing regions of France and to determine factors influencing the DoA rate. Data regarding animal characteristics and rearing, catching, transport and lairage conditions were collected on farm and at the slaughterhouse for 404 chicken broiler flocks processed during 2005. The average DoA rate was 0.18% (from 0% to 1.4%). Variables found to be associated (P < 0.05) with the DoA rate in a multivariable negative binomial model were flock cumulative mortality on farm, the catching system (mechanical being more at risk than manual), the density in crates (more space allowance being associated with less mortality) and climatic conditions (rain and wind being associated with more DoA). Mortality during transport is thus related to all production steps from the farm to the slaughterhouse. Efforts have therefore to be made by all professionals to contain mortality on farm and during catching and transportation.

Characterization of heat waves affecting mortality rates of broilers between 29 days and market age

Climate may affect broiler production, especially where there are heat waves, which may cause high mortality rates due to the heat stress. Heat wave prediction and characterization may allow early mitigation actions to be taken. Data Mining is one of the tools used for such a characterization, particularly when a large number of variables is involved. The objective of this study was to classify heat waves that promote broiler chicken mortality in poultry houses equipped with minimal environmental control. A single day of heat, a heat-shock day, is capable of producing high broiler mortality. In poultry houses equipped with fans and evaporative cooling, the characterization of heat waves affecting broiler mortality between 29 days of age and market age presented 89.34% Model Accuracy and 0.73 Class Precision for high mortality. There was no influence on high mortality (HM) of birds between 29 and 31 days of age. Maximum temperature humidity index (THI) above 30.6 ºC was the main characteristic of days when there was a heat wave, causing high mortality in broilers older than 31 days. The high mortality of broilers between 31 and 40 days of age occurred when maximum THI was above 30.6 ºC and maximum temperature of the day was above 34.4 ºC. There were two main causes of high mortality of broilers older than 40 days: 1) maximum THI above 30.6 ºC and minimum THI equal or lower than 15.5 ºC; 2) maximum THI above 30.6 ºC, minimum THI lower than 15.5 ºC, and the time of maximum temperature later than 15:00h. The heat wave influence on broiler mortality lasted an average of 2.7 days.

Productive losses on broiler preslaughter operations: effects of the distance from farms to abattoirs and of lairage time in a climatized holding area

This work aimed to assess the effects of preslaughter lairage time on the welfare and mortality of broilers transported in different farm-abattoir distances. It was evaluated 215 poultry transport trucks from a commercial poultry slaughterhouse from 2006 to 2007. Data were obtained from the holding area acclimatized through fans and water misting in the mornings, afternoons and at night. The thermal variables (temperature and relative humidity), distance, lairage time and density of birds per cage were considered in the analysis. The effects of distance and lairage time were important in the variation of rectal temperature of the animals and on the number of dead animals per truck. Two models were developed (mean and dispersion), for each response variable in function of the interaction between lairage time and distance. As the lairage time in the holding area increased, the rectal temperature of the birds was reduced for all the studied distances. In farm-abattoir distances higher than 25 km, mortality was low when lairage time was lower than 1 hour. However, for distances below 25 km, in the same time interval, the number of dead birds was two-fold higher than in the first situation. The adjustment of lairage time has to be done accordingly to the distance provided that the lairage environment is correctly climatized.

Poultry diseases in Iran: an epidemiological study on different causes of mortality in broilers

Understanding the distributions of poultry diseases will help planning for disease control and prevention more effectively. Studies on poultry diseases in Iran are scarce. We investigated the incidence of mortality in broiler chicken flocks in Iran as part of a national project. Specifically, documents from September 2004 to November 2005 related to the mortality of broilers that were covered by the national insurance scheme were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 439,188,406 broiler chickens that were covered by insurance services, 188,680,459 chickens were exposed to different diseases. The most common diseases (in descending order) were infectious bursal disease (IBD), infectious bronchitis (IB), chronic respiratory disease (CRD), colibacillosis and avian influenza (AI; subtype H9N2). The mean mortality rate in broilers was 7.89%. Mortality rates were higher during chicks between the third to sixth weeks of age. AI (H9N2) produced the highest mean mortality rate of 26.1%, followed by IB with a mean mortality rate of 22.1%. Most of the mortalities were recorded from the southern provinces of Iran. The distributions of diseases were differed in different regions which could be related to regional conditions and management parameters.

Impact of Escherichia coli vaccine on parent stock mortality, first week mortality of broilers and population diversity of E. coli in vaccinated flocks

In the present investigation 20,000 broiler parents were vaccinated during rearing with Nobilis Escherichia coli vaccine and were placed in two out of four identical houses, with the remaining two houses on the same farm accommodating 20,000 unvaccinated control birds. During the production period a total of 335 dead birds (including 171 vaccinated and 164 control birds) randomly selected from the four houses were subjected to post-mortem examination. Although the overall mortality between the vaccinated and control flocks did not differ, mortality due to E. coli infections made up only 8.2% in vaccinated birds compared with 24.6% in unvaccinated birds. All E. coli isolates recovered from internal organs were assigned to the same phylogenetic group (B2), but a major genetic diversity was outlined by multilocus sequence typing. Only a single isolate was demonstrated to harbour a gene encoding the P-fimbriae variant F11, a key component of the Nobilis vaccine. Significant differences in average first week mortality, calculated average weight at 38 days and food conversion rate among broiler flocks originating from vaccinated and control birds, respectively, were not found. Further investigations are needed to explain the protection observed and the impact on the genetic diversity of E. coli.

Dietary amino acid levels and feed restriction affect small intestinal development, mortality, and weight gain of male broilers

This study investigated the effect of 2 different dietary amino acid treatments and feed restriction in early life versus a control treatment on development of the small intestine segments (weights), mortality, and broiler performance. Each treatment was applied to 6 cages with Ross 308 male broilers and to 6 cages with Cobb 500 male broilers with 24 birds per cage. A control treatment (100% ideal protein) was compared with a treatment with 30% extra ideal protein, a treatment with daily adjustment of the dietary amino acid level and profile, and a feed restriction treatment. The protein treatments were applied from 0 to 14 d of age. The feed restriction was applied from 4 to 21 d of age. Restriction was 15% from d 4 to 14 of age and diminished with equal daily steps thereafter to 5% at 21 d of age. Birds were weighed and dissected for evaluation of small intestine weights at 6, 9, 14, and 36 d of age. Feed intake restriction reduced leg problems in Ross and Cobb broilers. Extra dietary protein reduced leg problems in Ross broilers only. The present experiment does not show that small intestinal weight development is related to mortality. Thirty percent extra dietary ideal protein increased duodenum weight between 6 and 9 d of age. This was not further increased by the daily optimization of the dietary amino acid level and profile. The increased duodenum weights coincided with an improved BW gain. This indicates that duodenum weight may be important in facilitating BW gain in young broilers. Thus, it may be worthwhile to pay more attention to the relation between nutrition and duodenum weight and duodenum function in further studies.

The effects of feed restriction and ambient temperature on growth and ascites mortality of broilers reared at high altitude

The development of ascites was investigated in broilers at low versus high altitudes, cold versus normal ambient temperatures (AT), and 3 feeding regimens. One-day-old chicks obtained at sea level were reared at high altitude (highA; 1,720 m; n = 576) with 2 AT treatments, low AT from 3 wk onward at highA (highA/cold) and normal AT from 3 wk onward at highA (highA/norm), or at sea level (normal AT from 3 wk onward at low altitude, lowA/norm; n = 540). Under highA/cold, AT ranged between 16 to 17 degrees C in the fourth week, 17 to 19 degrees C in the fifth week, and 19 to 21 degrees C thereafter. Under highA/norm and lowA/norm, AT was 24 degrees C in the fourth week and ranged between 22 to 24 degrees C thereafter. Broilers in each condition were divided into 3 groups: feed restriction (FR) from 7 to 14 d, FR from 7 to 21 d, and ad libitum (AL). Ascites mortality and related parameters were recorded. Low mortality (0.4%) occurred under lowA/norm conditions. Under highA/norm, mortality was lower in females (8.6%) than in males (13.8%) and was not affected by the feeding regimen. The highA/cold treatment resulted in higher mortality but only in males; it was 44.2% among highA/cold AL-fed males and only about 26% under the FR regimens, suggesting that FR helped some males to better acclimatize to the highA/cold environment and avoid ascites. However, mortality was only 13.3% in AL-fed males at highA/norm and FR did not further reduce the incidence of ascites under these conditions. Thus, avoiding low AT in the poultry house by slight heating was more effective than FR in reducing ascites mortality at highA. Compared with FR from 7 to 14 d, FR from 7 to 21 d did not further reduce mortality and reduced growth. At 47 d, the majority of surviving broilers at highA had high levels of hematocrit and right ventricle:total ventricle weight ratio (>0.29), but they were healthy and reached approximately the same BW as their counterparts at low altitude. This finding may suggest that in broilers reared at highA from day of hatch, the elevation in hematocrit and in right ventricle:total ventricle weight ratio happens gradually and therefore is not necessarily indicative of ascites development.

Effects of a combined hatching and brooding system on hatchability, chick weight, and mortality in broilers

Chicks hatch over a time window of approximately 36 to 48 h and are removed from the hatchers only when the majority of the chicks has hatched. Consequently, chicks are exposed to prolonged posthatch holding periods and delays in feed and water access, leading to dehydration and impaired posthatch performance. It is questionable whether the physiological requirements of the hatchlings can be met with current hatching systems. An alternative system that may better match the requirements of the hatchlings is a system that combines the hatching and brooding phase, so that feed and water can be provided immediately after hatch. Such a system, named Patio, was developed in the Netherlands and tested from 2006 to 2008, to evaluate effects on hatchability and early performance of broilers. This paper describes the Patio system and the results from these tests. A total of 21 broiler production trials (780,686 eggs) in the Patio system were evaluated at 3 locations and compared with control hatches of eggs of the same parental flock in the hatchery. Hatchability in the Patio was on average 1.45, 1.83, and 1.86% higher at location 1, 2, and 3, respectively. However, in the calculation of the hatchability in the Patio, possible second grade chicks were included, whereas these were excluded in the calculation of hatchability in the hatchery. Additionally, in the hatchery, the hatching process was interrupted earlier than in the Patio, meaning that possible late hatching chicks remained in the flock in the Patio, but not in the hatchery. In 3 trials, the Patio chicks were 11.6 to 16.3% heavier at d 0, when the hatchery chicks were placed in the broiler house. Mean cumulative 7-d mortality was only assessed in the Patio and was 1.27, 1.09, and 1.43% at location 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The Patio system appears to function as an alternative to current hatching and brooding systems. Further studies are required to determine to what extent the higher hatchability is due to second grade and to late hatching chicks.

Spraying hatching eggs with electrolyzed oxidizing water reduces eggshell microbial load without compromising broiler production parameters

An experiment was conducted to determine whether spraying hatching eggs with electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water would decrease eggshell microbial load and hence improve hatchability, chick quality, and broiler growth performance. Eggs were collected from a broiler breeder flock; half the eggs were sprayed with EO water and the other half were left untreated. Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic bacteria present on the eggshells of eggs from both treatments were enumerated. The eggs were incubated, and the broiler chicks were grown out to 39 d. Eggshell microbial load was significantly decreased by spraying the eggs with acidic EO water before incubation, with no effect on cuticle structure [as measured by egg weight (moisture) loss], normal embryonic development, and hatchability. Chick quality, as determined by visual assessment and BW at the time of hatch, was also not affected. However, broiler mortality during the first 2 wk of the production period was significantly reduced in the chicks that hatched from eggs sprayed with EO water compared with chicks hatching from control eggs. The ability of EO water to reduce eggshell microbial load without negatively affecting hatchability or chick quality may make it a useful product for hatching egg sanitation.