Poultry Houses Research Articles

Gene expression networks and functionally enriched pathways involved in the response of domestic chicken to acute heat stress.

Heat stress in poultry houses, especially in warm areas, is one of the main environmental factors that restrict the growth of broilers or laying performance of layers, suppresses the immune system, and deteriorates egg quality and feed conversion ratio. The molecular mechanisms underlying the response of chicken to acute heat stress (AHS) have not been comprehensively elucidated. Therefore, the main object of the current work was to investigate the liver gene expression profile of chickens under AHS in comparison with their corresponding control groups, using four RNA-seq datasets. The meta-analysis, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment, WGCNA, machine-learning, and eGWAS analyses were performed. The results revealed 77 meta-genes that were mainly related to protein biosynthesis, protein folding, and protein transport between cellular organelles. In other words, under AHS, the expression of genes involving in the structure of rough reticulum membrane and in the process of protein folding was adversely influenced. In addition, genes related to biological processes such as "response to unfolded proteins," "response to reticulum stress" and "ERAD pathway" were differentially regulated. We introduce here a couple of genes such as HSPA5, SSR1, SDF2L1, and SEC23B, as the most significantly differentiated under AHS, which could be used as bio-signatures of AHS. Besides the mentioned genes, the main findings of the current work may shed light to the identification of the effects of AHS on gene expression profiling of domestic chicken as well as the adaptive response of chicken to environmental stresses.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ВДОСКОНАЛЕНОЇ БОКОВОЇ СИСТЕМИ ВЕНТИЛЯЦІЇ В ПТАШНИКУ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ CFD

One of the main factors in the poultry house is maintaining a standardized microclimate. The quality of the product output in the final result depends precisely on the quality indicators of the air parameters. Poultry during its maintenance requires significant efforts and technological solutions. In this regard, authors improved microclimate system in air environment of the poultry house by installing exhaust fans on the side wall in a total number of 8 units. CFD modeling using ANSYS Fluent is a powerful tool for predicting the air flow scheme in a poultry house and is considered an alternative to experimental studies. Based on the obtained results of CFD modeling, it was established that the valves located at a height of 330 mm from the ceiling work most efficiently. Pressure drop for the inlet valves is 45.85 Pa. Air velocity at the inlet of the supply valves is equal to 9.17 m/s. Air velocity at a height of 0.7 m from the floor level varies within 0.57 m/s, the temperature is 9.91 °С.

LED Light Applied to the Feeder: Impact on Growth Performances of Chickens under Productive Conditions

This study assessed the use of feeders equipped with light-emitting diodes and their effects on the productivity of broiler chickens under productive conditions. A total of 87,200 ROSS 308 chickens, 1-day old, were housed in two poultry houses (CONTROL, F-LED). In CONTROL, 20,000 females (mean body weight 41.12 ± 3 g) and 25,000 males (mean body weight 41.56 ± 3 g) were housed, while 19,200 females and 23,000 males of the same genetic make-up and mean body weight were housed in F-LED under the same environmental conditions. In F-LED, to encourage chickens to feed and to redistribute more feed down the feeding line, a feeder equipped with a LED light has been installed at the end of each line. In CONTROL, no light was located on the feeders. At the end of the cycle, the average body weight never showed significant differences both for females (1345 g in CONTROL; 1359 g in F-LED) and for males (2771 g in CONTROL; 2793 g in F-LED). Uniformity improved in F-LED, at 75.2% in females and 54.1% in males, compared to CONTROL, at 65.7% and 48.5%, respectively, for females and males. The feed conversion ratio followed the same trend, being more favorable in chickens reared in F-LED (1.567) compared to those raised in CONTROL (1.608). The application of a single F-LED at the end of each feeding line demonstrated its utility in improving size uniformity and feed conversion.

Slaughter and meat quality of broiler turkeys using different light programmes during growing

The issue of selecting light programmes in poultry houses is of great importance in growing broiler turkeys, as neglecting it results in the deterioration of the movement of the bird. Such a factor leads to deterioration of general health and destabilises the proper functioning of body systems. The purpose of the research was to identify the effect of different lighting methods on the slaughter and meat qualities of broiler turkeys. The following methods were used in the research: histological, anatomical, morphometric, light-optical, statistical. The research was conducted in 2022 on two groups of Big-6 cross broiler turkeys in the poultry houses of the control group and two experimental production sites No. 7 poultry enterprises of Chernivtsi Oblast. The regulation of the light programs of each poultry house was implemented using fluorescent lamps of the PSP1V2-36 type, which provide warm white colour (colour temperature 2700 K) lighting. The research results established that the most developed muscle tissue was found in turkeys grown by the method using high intensity lighting. In addition, another experimental group demonstrated results higher than the control group. In addition, the quality of the meat of different groups had specific minor differences: in the pectoral muscles of the experimental groups, a slight increase in the content of dry matter (by 0.4-0.6%), protein (by 0.3-0.4%) and a decrease in fat content (by 0.3-0.4%). The caloric content has actually not changed. The experimental groups had an advantage in the chemical composition and energy value of the meat. The results of the conducted research can be used to improve the system of growing broiler turkeys, to explore in more detail the reaction of the bird to various conditions and the impact of these conditions on the body. It will allow obtaining high-quality products faster and reduce the cost of production

In Vitro: The Effects of the Anticoccidial Activities of Calotropis procera Leaf Extracts on Eimeria stiedae Oocysts Isolated from Rabbits.

Hepatic coccidiosis is an infectious and mortal disease that causes global economic losses in rabbits. The research aimed to assess the efficacy of Calotropis procure leaf extracts on the inhibition of Eimeria stiedae oocysts and to determine the optimal dosage for suppressing the parasite's infective phase. In this experiment, oocyst samples per milliliter were tested, and 6-well plates (2 mL) of 2.5% potassium dichromate solution containing 102 non-sporulated oocysts on Calotropis procera leaf extracts were exposed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and the treatments were as follows: a nontreated control, 25%, 50%, 100%, and 150% of C. procera for oocyst activities. In addition, amprolium was utilized as a reference drug. The Calotropis procera was analyzed by GC-Mass, and results showed that the botanical extract contained 9 chemical components that were able to inhibit the oocysts of E. stiedae at 100% and 150% concentrations by about 78% and 93%, respectively. In general, an increase in the incubation period and a greater dose resulted in a decrease in the inhibition rate. The results showed that C. procera has an effective ability, inhibitory potential, and protective effect on the coccidian oocyst sporulation of E. stiedae. It can be used in the disinfection and sterilization of poultry and rabbit houses to get rid of Eimeria oocysts.

Effect of Using Different Levels of Crude Protein and Adding some Amino Acids to the Diet on some Blood Biochemical, Histological and Nitrogen Excretion Characteristics of Laying Hens Lohmann Brown

This experiment was conducted at the poultry house of the Department of Animal Production - College of Agriculture - Tikrit University for the period between 13/2/2021 and 8/5/2021 and aimed to use different levels of crude protein and add some amino acids to the diet of laying hens of Lohmann Brown breed The experiment included 240 chickens at the age of (34) weeks and continued for three production periods, each 28 days long. The treatments were fed as follows: T1: the base diet without any addition (control treatment according to the breeding guide). the other five treatments T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, the base diet reduced the level of crude protein by 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5, respectively, and supported it with amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine) to be equal to what it is in the control diet. The results were a significant superiority of the control treatment compared to all treatments of the experiment except for the sixth treatment in total protein in the blood serum, as well as the control treatment was significantly superior to all other treatments of the experiment in the concentration of uric acid in the blood serum. The other experiment treatments, and there was no significant difference between the treatments in the depth of the crypts. As for the ratio between the depth of the crypts and the height of the villus, the fourth and fifth treatments increased significantly compared to the control treatment, and there was no significant difference between them and the rest of the experiment treatments, as well as a significant increase in nitrogen proposed for the sixth treatment. Compared with other experimental parameters.

Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) under semi intensive System in the Sudan

he objectives of this study were to determine the growthperformance and carcass traits of turkeys under semi intensive system in theSudan. Atotal of 100 unsexed turkey growers from the commercial breed(B.U.T. Big 6) were used during 7 th June to 6 th August, 2011. Birds were keptin an open sided deep litter poultry house at the University of Bahri Farmfrom 9 to 16 weeks of age and fed on turkey grower and finisher diets.Results of feed intake and body weight showed a consistent increase withincrease in age. Performance results showed that turkey had 2.42 kg, 6.64 kg,79.49 g, 1.5 kg/ bird/ day, 2.8 and 4%, starting weight, finishing weight,average daily gain, average feed intake; average feed conversion ratio (FCR)and total mortality, respectively. Results also showed that turkey had 6.91 kg,5.03 kg, 76.98%, 14.37%, 14.2% and 33.4% slaughter weight, carcassweight, dressing percentage and thigh, drumstick and breast weights aspercentage of carcass weight, respectively. Males obtained significantlyheavier slaughter, carcass, thigh, drumstick and breast weights than females.On the other hand PH, WHC and cooking loss were 5.63, 36.6 and 2.05,respectively. It can be concluded that, the rearing of B.U.T. Big 6commercial breed of turkey is possible under semi intensive system in theSudan. Further studies are needed to determine turkey performance andcarcass attributes under range and intensive systems of management using thesame breed or other turkey breeds.

Research-by-Design in Complex Systems: Reflections on Approaches Used to Reimagine Environmentally Sustainable, High-Welfare Poultry Housing Futures

Despite projected global rises in chicken consumption, growing environmental and welfare challenges threaten the future of commercial poultry production. Though some of these challenges, such as biosecurity, sourcing, pollution, and waste, have been thoroughly researched, the open-ended, complex, and interrelated nature of the sector means that it is difficult for poultry producers to know how to change. Design may offer a new way to analyse and reframe these challenges, to speculate on a range of different solutions for these complex systems of production. This paper reflects on the research-by-design methods applied to reimagine environmentally sustainable, high-welfare poultry housing futures. The paper is based on an eighteen-month long, multidisciplinary research project with a large U.K.-based poultry farming integrator, a poultry house ventilation and equipment supplier, and academic partners with expertise in research-by-design and bird welfare. After contextualising challenges faced by the poultry sector, the paper outlines a three-step, iterative approach within which design methods were applied, beginning with (1) a baseline analysis of farm inputs, outputs, actors, and networks, and then (2) a consolidation of themes and scenarios, leading to the development of (3) a compendium of ideas for the future of poultry farming. The Results section presents three design propositions, each imagining different futures by recreating the farm as a system of “closed-loop” flows, reframing the “chicken as client” and challenging current centralised models of production to connect consumers to food provenance and impact. These propositions function as vehicles to test design methods, such as designing for resource flows challenging actor hierarchies and hacking stakeholder networks. While some interesting ideas are presented, the paper highlights the complexity of the challenge and reflects on the value of design to reframe these challenges to collaboratively foster new perspectives and mindsets.

INDICATORS OF THE MICROBIOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF BROILER CHICKEN DROPPINGS WITH LITTER DURING DIFFERENT STORAGE TIMES

The increase in the population on the planet leads to an increase in the volume of food production. The high demand for poultry products leads to a rapid increase in the number of broiler chickens both in the world and in Ukraine, and at the same time to an increase in the volume of poultry waste, especially droppings and litter. Intensive and uncontrolled use of fresh broiler droppings as organic fertilizer for agricultural plants has a number of economic and ecological disadvantages. Therefore, there is a need to store (ferment) the broiler chickens droppings for a certain period of time (up to 20 months) in order to use it safely in crop production. Bacteria play an important role in the course of enzymatic processes in poultry droppings during its storage. It is of scientific interest to determine the number of bacteria in the droppings of broiler chickens with litter (cereal straw) stored for different times in the cold season. The content of microorganisms was determined in the droppings of broiler chickens. Samples were taken in January at an air temperature of 1.3 °C under the conditions of the experimental farm of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University from droppings 2 days after unloading from poultry houses, and which was stored for 4 and 9 months in barns. The content of CFU Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli was determined in the litter. The indicator of KMAFAnM in the droppings of broiler chickens unloaded from poultry houses was 3.5x108. Until the 4th month of storage of the droppings, the KMAFAnM indicator in it increased. For 9 months of storage, the index of KMAFAnM in the droppings of broiler chickens decreases by 58.7 times compared to the index obtained after 4 months of composting. A group of bacteria Bacillus spp. was represented by the following species: Bacillus subtilis (dominant), Bacillus mesentericus, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mycoides. Colonies of Bacillus spp. sown from droppings of different periods of storage were dry, with a wrinkled surface. They were colorless and light velvety in color. The edges of the colony of this bacterium were wavy. The lowest rate of CFU Bacillus spp. was found in the droppings unloaded from poultry houses. The number of CFU Bacillus spp. in droppings that was stored for 4 months was the largest. In broiler droppings that was stored for 9 months, the CFU indicator of Bacillus spp. was 10 times lower compared to droppings that was stored for 4 months. A group of bacteria Staphylococcus spp. was represented mainly by the following species: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. CFU index of Staphylococcus spp. in the droppings unloaded from the poultry houses was 4.6x107. The largest number of CFU Staphylococcus spp. was found in droppings that were stored for 4 months. In the droppings of broiler chickens after 4 months of storage, the CFU index of Streptococcus spp. was greater than at the beginning of storage by 28.8 times and by 53.1 times relative to the droppings stored for 9 months. Research on the detection of Escherichia coli bacteria in the droppings of broiler chickens had a negative result regardless of the time of storage of poultry droppings. CFU Escherichia coli were not detected.

Spatial distribution of airborne bacterial communities in caged poultry houses

ABSTRACT Microbial aerosols in intensive broiler houses whose species and concentrations are closely related to human health are ubiquitous. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the aim of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution and diversity of bacterial aerosols in the air of broiler houses. Significant spatial variations in airborne bacterial concentrations were observed inside the poultry farmhouse. The results indicated that bacteria in the air samples could be grouped into a total of 1,674 OTUs. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the diversity of the microbial community at the entry of the broiler house was higher than that at the middle or the rear (p < 0.01). The Sankey diagram illustrated species dynamic changes in Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria among the different locations. From the aspect of LEfSe (LDA Effect Size) analysis, we discovered that the abundance of Planctomycetes was significantly higher in the entry than in the rear and middle. This study shows the spatial distribution of the entire bacterial community in intensive broiler houses, which offers a new perspective for studying airborne total bacteria in those environments. Implications: The bacteria contained in air aerosols from poultry houses are closely connected to animal health and production. This study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution and diversity of bacterial aerosols in the air of broiler houses. The results observed that bacterial aerosol concentrations in the examined broilers house varied greatly at different positions, and a significantly higher exposure to bacterial aerosol was observed at the middle than at the other positions (p < 0.05). The alpha diversity analysis showed that the diversity of the microbial community at the entry of the broiler house was higher than that at the middle or the rear (P<0.01). Sankey diagram illustrated species dynamic changes of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria among the different locations. The microbial communities in genus level in the samples of entry and rear were closer, while the species diversity of middle and rear samples in chicken house was highly similar (P>0.05). Altogether, results revealed that the effects of spatial factors on the diversity and abundance of bacteria in the air of closed-cage broiler houses, which poses a potential threat to the health of animals and workers in those environments.

EXPERIENCE OF USING THE IMMUNE-COMPLEX VACCINE PULVAK MAGNIPLEX IN THE PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS BURSA DISEASE OF BROILERS

The article presents the results of serological control of the effectiveness of vaccination of broilers against infectious bursal disease (IBD) when the immune-complex vaccine Pulvak MagniPlex is used in the incubator.&#x0D; Immune-complex vaccines are vaccines of a new generation, the use of which completely eliminates post-vaccination complications in birds and interference phenomena. The vaccine includes a mixture of specific antibodies and the vaccine strain of the IBH virus. The main property of these vaccines is that when administered subcutaneously in day-old chicks or 18-day-old chicken embryos by the in ovo method, immunity is quickly created even in the presence of high maternal antibodies (MAB). Vaccination in the incubator using immune-complex vaccines is more accurate and provides protection to the whole bird, unlike live vaccines, the main method of which is administration with drinking water. Immuno-complex vaccines are effective even in the presence of high MAT in chickens. Due to this, they provide a much higher level of protection due to the high homogeneity of protective antibodies compared to live attenuated vaccines.&#x0D; We present the data of serological monitoring on the average titer of antibodies to the IBH virus in blood sera from 15 batches of broilers aged 45-50 days, which were immunized on the first day in the incubator with the immune-complex vaccine Pulvak MagniPlex. It was established that during a single vaccination in the incubator (15 batches), the Pulvak MagniPlex vaccine stimulates the formation of an active immune response to the IBH virus for the entire period of fattening of broilers. The average titers in the blood sera of broilers aged 45-50 days to the IBH virus ranged from 6,995 to 12,388 after a single vaccination in the incubator (15 batches). The percentage of protective antibodies to the IBH virus in 15 batches of broilers varied from 77.3 to 100, which indicates the intensity of immunity to IBH. A single application of the immune-complex vaccine Pulvak MagniPlex in the incubator stimulates the formation of an active immune response to the IBD virus for the entire period of broiler fattening and provides 100 % protection of 12 batches of broilers and 77.3 % of broilers of 3 batches to IBD. The use of Pulvak MagniPlex allows: to create stable immunity against IBD; to form immunity in each individual broiler, regardless of the level of maternal antibodies; to reduce the impact of stress (compared to mass vaccination in the poultry house by the drinking method. Constant control of the effectiveness of the Pulvak MagniPlex immune-complex vaccine by means of serological monitoring of blood sera in ELISA will allow, depending on the epizootic situation, to timely adjust the vaccination scheme of poultry against IBD.

Exploring Small-Scale Broiler Farming Practices and Vaccine Adherence: A Study in Aguata, Nigeria

The study ascertained the production practices of small-scale broiler farmers in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the random selection of 80 farmers using a structured interview schedule. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result reveals that 87.5% of the farmers adopted a deep litter housing system, and 98.75% ensured their poultry houses were sited in well-drained soil and properly ventilated pens. About 93% and 98% of the farmers had brooding and finishing houses separately on their farms and ensured adequate lighting and heat in their brooding houses, respectively. The result shows that 100% and 93.75% of the respondents administered antibiotics and multivitamins at the early stage of day-old chicks and adhered to the Gumboro and Lasota vaccine schedules, respectively, while only 1.25% of the farmers provided a footbath at the entry of their poultry house. All the farmers used broiler starters and finishers in feeding their birds, and the mean weekly duration of broiler starter and finisher feeding was 4.09 and 4.28 weeks, respectively, while 98.75% ensured to always provide water for their birds. The study concluded that the use of recommended production practices was high to some extent among farmers. Hence, the level of information on broiler production practices should be increased by the government extension service unit to enable farmers to keep abreast of current and necessary information on broiler production. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2023-05-01-03 Full Text: PDF

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from cleaned and disinfected poultry houses prior to day-old chick placement.

The control and elimination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli is an important challenge in the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MDR E. coli in cleaned and disinfected poultry houses before day-old chick placement to identify potential flock colonization sources. In this study, a total of 104 swab samples, collected from 104 cleaned and disinfected poultry houses, were analyzed for the presence of E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli isolates were determined using the disk diffusion method. Screening for extended-spectrum β-lactamases-encoding genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Out of the 104 samples analyzed, 92 (88.46%) were found to be colonized with E. coli. At least one poultry house per farm was found positive for the presence of E. coli, and one isolate per positive shed was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. All isolates displayed high resistance rates to most of the antimicrobial agents tested, including commonly used frontline antibiotics in Algeria. All E. coli isolates (100%) exhibited MDR profiles. A single house on four different broiler farms was found to be contaminated with CTX-M-1-producing E. coli. This study suggests the need for the adoption of strict biosecurity measures and the implementation of improved or novel disinfection procedures in all the poultry houses, in order to avoid cross-contamination of day-old chicks by MDR E. coli.

Tenebrio meal as a functional ingredient modulates immune response and improves growth performance of broiler chickens

Two experments were carried out to evaluate the use of full-fat tenebrio larvae meal (TM) in broilers diet. In experiment 1, 800 birds were assigned to 4 treatments in an open-sided poultry house, during 35 d, to evaluate performance and count of selected bacteria in ceca. Dietary treatments were as follows: negative control (NC); positive control (PC) – NC + 10 mg/kg enramycin and 66 mg/kg salinomycin; TM0.5 – NC + 0.5% TM; and TM2.0 – NC + 2.0% TM. In experiment 2, the same treatments were used; 192 birds were raised in battery cages for 21 d. At the end of the trial, birds were challenged with LPS and blood was sampled for innate immune response evaluation. PROC MIXED of SAS was used in statistical analyses and comparisons of means done using Tukey's test. In experiment 1, treatment TM2.0 resulted in increase in BWG and FI of 3.8% and 4.2% (P<0.05), and in experiment 2 the improvements were of 5.7% and 2.1% (P<0.05), compared to NC. TM2.0 improved FCR relative to NC in experiment 2 (P<0.05), but not in experiment 1. In both trials the supplementation with 0.5% TM did not improve performance. Birds non-challenged with LPS (NCLPS) and fed 2,0% TM had hemolytic activity of the alternative complement system (HACS) and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) increased compared to NC and even PC (P<0.05). The indication of TM as a functional ingredient is ascertained by the growth improvement and innate immune response modulation in chickens fed the diet containing 2.0% TM.

The effectiveness of the complex use of pharmacological agents to preserve the bioresource potential of broiler chickens in conditions of overcompacted planting aggravated by high ambient temperature

The aim of the work was to study the effectiveness of the use of pharmacological agents to preserve the bioresource potential of broiler chickens in conditions of overcrowded planting and high ambient temperature. The experimental bird of the Ross 308 cross was divided into 2 groups. The stocking density averaged 48.1 ± 1.8 kg/m2, the temperature in poultry houses was 27.1 ± 2.3 °C. Growing and fattening of poultry was carried out for 40 days. In the control group, broilers were not treated with pharmacological agents; in the experimental group, 6 days before slaughter, the method of pharmacological stress correction was used, which consisted of 3 successive stages: 1 preparatory stage - enrichment of the poultry diet with methionine by 10% compared to its initial content; potassium chloride at a dose of 0.3% and betaine at a dose of 10% of the total feed; stage 2 (increasing thermal stability) - 2 hours before the maximum recorded temperatures in the house with drinking water, broilers were given acetylsalicylic acid at a dose of 50-60 mg/kg of body weight; Stage 3 - compensatory, the implementation of which began in the evening, at the time of the temperature drop in the poultry house to the optimum, and consisting in drinking a water-soluble complex, at the rate of 195 mg per 1 kg of body weight. When applying this scheme, a decrease in the mortality of poultry during transportation by 31.5%, an increase in safety to 94.4%, and an increase in the proportion of carcasses of the 1st grade by 7.6% were noted. In the blood serum of broiler chickens of the experimental group, there was a significant increase in total protein by 17.1%, cholesterol by 13.8%, beta-lipoproteins by 23.8% and calcium by 12.3%. The meat of broiler chickens of the experimental group exceeded the control in protein content by 1.08%, tyrosine by 6.9%, threonine by 9.5, phenylalanine by 15.0, leucine and isoleucine by 13.7 and histidine by 34.5%.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the sources of Salmonella in poultry production (pre-harvest) and their relative contributions to the microbial risk of poultry meat

Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen associated with poultry and poultry products and a leading cause for human salmonellosis. Salmonella is known to transmit in poultry flocks both vertically and horizontally. However, there is a lack of knowledge on relative contribution of the factors on Salmonella prevalence in poultry live production system including hatchery, feed, water, environment-interior, and -exterior. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the potential sources of Salmonella during preharvest and their relative contributions to the microbial risk of poultry meat. A total of 16,800 studies identified from Google Scholar and 37 relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis for relative contributions to Salmonella positivity on broilers after applying exclusion criteria. A generalized linear mixed model approach combined with logit transformation was used in the current study to stabilize the variance. The analysis revealed that the hatchery is the most significant contributor of Salmonella with a prevalence of 48.5%. Litter, feces, and poultry house internal environment were the other 3 major contributing factors with a prevalence of 25.4, 16.3, and 7.9%, respectively. Moreover, poultry house external environment (4.7%), feed (4.8%), chicks (4.7%), and drinker water also contributed to the Salmonella positivity. Results from this meta-analysis informed the urgent need for controls in live production to further reduce Salmonella in fresh, processed poultry. The control strategies can include eliminating the sources of Salmonella and incorporating interventions in live production to reduce Salmonella concentrations in broilers.

Multi-country metabolic signature discovery for chicken health classification

IntroductionTo decrease antibiotic resistance, their use as growth promoters in the agricultural sector has been largely abandoned. This may lead to decreased health due to infectious disease or microbiome changes leading to gut inflammation.ObjectivesWe aimed to generate a m/z signature classifying chicken health in blood, and obtain biological insights from the resulting m/z signature.MethodsWe used direct infusion mass-spectrometry to determine a machine-learned metabolomics signature that classifies chicken health from a blood sample. We then challenged the resulting models by investigating the classification capability of the signature on novel data obtained at poultry houses in previously unseen countries using a Leave-One-Country-Out (LOCO) cross-validation strategy. Additionally, we optimised the number of mass/charge (m/z) values required to maximise the classification capability of Random Forest models, by developing a novel ranking system based on combined univariate t-test and fold-change analyses and building models based on this ranking through forward and reverse feature selection.ResultsThe multi-country and LOCO models could classify chicken health. Both resulting 25-m/z and 3784-m/z signatures reliably classified chicken health in multiple countries. Through mummichog enrichment analysis on the large m/z signature, we found changes in amino acid metabolism, including branched chain amino acids and polyamines.ConclusionWe reliably classified chicken health from blood, independent of genetic-, farm-, feed- and country-specific confounding factors. The 25-m/z signature can be used to aid development of a per-metabolite panel. The extended 3784-m/z version can be used to gain a deeper understanding of the metabolic causes and consequences of low chicken health. Together, they may facilitate future treatment, prevention and intervention.

Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Levels in Outdoor Runs in Organic Laying Farms.

To evaluate the nutrient load due to the grazing of laying hens in outdoor runs, monitoring of soil characteristics was conducted in three Italian organic farms. For each farm, soil samples were taken from three increasing distances from the hen house and two depths, and different chemical parameters were evaluated. The comparison among the results from the different distances shows that N-NO3 and Olsen P are the most affected parameters by hen feces: both present high values with a statistically significant difference in the area close to the poultry house and for the most superficial layer. Even TKN and TOC show significant differences between the concentrations of the first layer (more concentrated) and those of the second layer (less concentrated). In general, the surface soil layer closest to the chicken house is the portion of the outdoor run most affected by chicken droppings and represents the most critical point in terms of potential environmental impact. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the management of the outdoor run with tools that can facilitate the grazing of animals and with vegetation that can absorb nutrients by limiting leaching and runoff.

Evaluation and Demonstration of Dual-purpose “Koekoek Potchefstroom” Chickens in Pastoral areas of Hammer woreda, South Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to evaluate and demonstrate the production performance of “Koekoek Potchefstroom” chickens in pastoral areas of Hammer woreda. Twenty women pastorals from rural areas were purposely selected based on their interest to construct chicken shelters or who had house access, interest to rear exotic chickens, well-managing ability and up-come all related challenges, enough time for chickens, cover the required inputs costs and ability to recording production data. Training on poultry housing construction, poultry health, feeds and feeding, watering and important data recording system were given. Quantitative data like body weight, egg weight and first egg laying date were taken. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v-21). Results revealed that the mortality of chicks from 45 to 60 days was 5%. The overall mortality from 60 days to 90 days was 8.75%. About 83.5% of the chicken survived until the laying age. The overall mean body weights were 0.96, 1.91, 2.14 and 2.12 kg at 3, 5, 7 and 9th month’s age, respectively. Body weight at different ages was significantly different between the sexes. The average weight of eggs at 24, 28, 34 and 38 weeks of age were 47.3±0.9, 47.3±1.1, and 48.2±0.9 and 46.9±1.3 g, respectively. Age at first egg laying was recorded as 167.4 days. The major causes of death were diseases (Coccidiosis) and poor management practices like lack of follow-up, letting them go out of their home and allowing them to scavenge and poor nutrition. In a conclusion, this breed has been familiarized with scavenging and partial-scavenging production areas of the existing pastoral system with appropriate housing, feeding and good health service provision. Verification in large-scale pastoral areas with different breeds should also be seen to look at its full potential as compared to agrarian areas. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 1-6, December 2022

Pengaruh Pemberian Fitobiotik dari Ekstrak Kulit Jengkol dan Probiotik Bacillus cereus terhadap Profil Imun Darah Itik Magelang Jantan

Improving the body immune of male magelang ducks can be done through the administration of a combination of phytobiotics and probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of phytobiotics from jengkol peel extract with the probiotic Bacillus cereus on the immune profile of male magelang ducks. This research was carried out for 8 weeks of rearing which was carried out in the poultry house of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tidar University and analysis of blood profile was carried out at the Laboratory of the Prof. Soeparwi Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University. The research used 100 male Magelang ducks DOD grouped into 5 treatments, namely (P0) control water without the addition of probiotics and extracts; (P1) water with the addition of 0.5% probiotics and 0.2% jengkol peel extract; (P2) water with the addition of 1% probiotics and 0.4% jengkol peel extract; (P3) water with the addition of 1.5% probiotics and 0.6% jengkol peel extract; (P4) water with the addition of 2% probiotics and 0.8% jengkol peel extract. The data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23 software using a completely randomized design (CRD) with a unidirectional pattern, then continued with the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the combination of phytobiotics from jengkol peel extract with Bacillus cereus no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the hemoglobin, eritrocyte count and leukocyte level of male Magelang ducks. The conclusion of this study was the combination of phytobiotics from jengkol peel extract with probiotic Bacillus cereus did not affect the hemoglobin, eritrocytes count and leukocytes level in male Magelang ducks.