Poultry Houses Research Articles

Short-Term Prediction Method for Gas Concentration in Poultry Houses Under Different Feeding Patterns

Ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are the main gases that affect indoor air quality and the health of the chicken flock. Currently, the environmental control strategy for poultry houses mainly relies on real-time temperature, resulting in lag and singleness. Indoor air quality can be improved by predicting the change in CO2 concentration and proposing an optimal control strategy. Combining the advantages of seasonal-trend decomposition using loess (STL), Granger causality (GC), long short-term memory (LSTM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), an ensemble method called the STL-GC-LSTM-XGBoost model is proposed. This model can set fast response prediction results at a lower cost and has strong generalization ability. The comparative analysis shows that the proposed STL-GC-LSTM-XGBoost model achieved high prediction accuracy, performance, and confidence in predicting CO2 levels under different environmental regulation modes and data volumes. However, its prediction accuracy for NH3 was slightly lower than that of the STL-GC-LSTM model. This may be due to the limited variability and regularity of the NH3 dataset, which likely increased model complexity and decreased predictive ability with the introduction of XGBoost. Nevertheless, in general, the proposed integrated model still provides a feasible approach for gas concentration prediction and health-related risk control in poultry houses.

Importance-Performance Analysis of Factors Affecting the Sustainability and Development of Poultry Farms (Evidence from Broiler Farms in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan)

Ensuring adequate food supplies has become a critical issue with a rapidly growing global population and increasing demand for protein-rich foods. In Baghlan province, Afghanistan, many poultry farms have been forced to cease operations due to insufficient infrastructure and resources, leaving a significant gap in meeting the region's growing demand for poultry products. This study aims to identify the key factors affecting the sustainability and development of broiler farms in Baghlan province as perceived by farm owners. The primary research tool was a researcher-developed questionnaire, whose validity and reliability were confirmed. The study population comprised all broiler farm owners in Baghlan Province, from which a sample of 91 was selected using the Morgan table and complete enumeration sampling method. The findings revealed that approximately 54% of respondents expressed moderate satisfaction with their farms. Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) was conducted to assess the relative importance and performance of various factors affecting the development and sustainability of the farms. The results indicated that having a qualified expert, the farmer's educational level, the poultry house ventilation system, and being a local resident were considered highly important factors for farm success but were underperforming. Based on limited existing research in the region, these findings provide valuable insights for enhancing poultry farm development and food security in Baghlan province and throughout Afghanistan. The study offers specific recommendations for addressing the identified challenges and improving the sustainability of poultry farming in the region.

Using plasma-activated water for decontamination of Salmonella spp. on common building surfaces in poultry houses

Plasma-activated water (PAW) has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, making it a promising tool for surface decontamination. This study evaluated the ability of PAW generated from high voltage atmospheric cold plasma to remove Salmonella from common surfaces (stainless steel (SS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), concrete, and wood) found in poultry houses. PAW was generated by exposing distilled water to atmospheric cold plasma in 80% humid air at 90 kV and 60 Hz for 30 min. The resulting PAW contained 1120 ppm of nitrate and 1370 ppm of hydrogen peroxide, with a pH of 1.83. PAW was then applied to coupons of SS, PVC, wood, and concrete surfaces inoculated with 7–8 log10 CFU of cocktail of Salmonella spp. (S. Typhimurium, S. Newport, S. Montevideo, and S. Enteritidis). PAW effectively reduced Salmonella levels on SS and PVC surfaces to below the detection limit within 30 s. On wood surfaces, a longer treatment time of 7.5 min was required to achieve a maximum reduction of 2.63 log10 CFU, likely due to the porosity of the wood limiting PAW contact with the bacteria. On concrete surfaces, the reduction in Salmonella levels was only 0.98 log10 CFU. This was likely due to the greater surface roughness and high alkalinity, which neutralized the PAW species.

CFD Simulation of Dynamic Temperature Variations Induced by Tunnel Ventilation in a Broiler House.

Maintaining the optimal microclimate in broiler houses is crucial for bird productivity, yet enabling efficient temperature control remains a significant challenge. This study developed and validated a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to predict temporal changes in indoor air temperature in response to variable ventilation operations in a commercial broiler house. The model accurately simulated air velocity and airflow distribution for different numbers of tunnel fans in operation, with air-velocity errors ranging from -0.22 to 0.32 m s-1. The predicted airflow rates through inlets and cooling pads showed good agreement with measured values with an accuracy of up to 108.1%. Additionally, the CFD model effectively predicted temperature dynamics, accounting for chicken heat production and ventilation effect. The model successfully predicted the longitudinal temperature gradients and their variations during ventilation cycles, validating its reliability through comparison with experimental data. This study also explored different variable inlet configurations to mitigate the temperature gradient. The variable inlet adjustment showed the potential to relieve the high temperatures but may reduce overall ventilation efficiency or intensify temperature gradients, which confirms the importance of optimising ventilation strategies. This CFD model provides a valuable tool for evaluating and improving ventilation systems and contributes to enhanced indoor microclimates and productivity in poultry houses.

Detection and characterization of Campylobacter in air samples from poultry houses using shot-gun metagenomics – a pilot study

BackgroundFoodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni are responsible for a large proportion of the gastrointestinal infections worldwide associated with poultry meat. Campylobacter spp. can be found in the chicken fecal microbiome and can contaminate poultry meat during the slaughter process. Commonly used sampling methods to detect Campylobacter spp. at poultry farms use fecal droppings or boot swabs in combination with conventional culture techniques or PCR. In this pilot study, we have used air filtering and filters spiked with mock communities in combination with shotgun metagenomics to detect Campylobacter and test the applicability of this approach for the detection and characterization of foodborne pathogens. To the best of our knowledge is this the first study that combines air filtering with shotgun metagenomic sequencing for detection and characterization of Campylobacter.ResultsAnalysis of air filters spiked with different levels of Campylobacter, into a background of mock or poultry house communities, indicated that we could detect as little as 200 colony forming units (CFU) Campylobacter per sample using our protocols. The results indicate that even with limited sequencing effort we could detect Campylobacter in the samples analysed in this study. We observed significant amounts of Campylobacter in real-life samples from poultry houses using both real-time PCR as well as shotgun metagenomics, suggesting that the flocks in both houses were infected with Campylobacter spp. Interestingly, in both houses we find diverse microbial communities present in the indoor air which reflect the fecal microbiome of poultry. Some of the identified genera such as Staphylococcus, Escherichia and Pseudomonas are known to contain opportunistic pathogenic species.ConclusionsThese results show that air sampling of poultry houses in combination with shotgun metagenomics can detect and identify Campylobacter spp. present at low levels. This is important since early detection of Campylobacter enables measures to be put in place to ensure the safety of broiler products, animal health and public health. This approach has the potential to detect any pathogen present in poultry house air.

Detection of airborne wild waterbird-derived DNA demonstrates potential for transmission of avian influenza virus via air inlets into poultry houses, the Netherlands, 2021 to 2022.

BackgroundOutbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on poultry farms and in wild birds worldwide persists despite intensified control measures. It causes unprecedented mortality in bird populations and is increasingly affecting mammalian species. Better understanding of HPAI introduction pathways into farms are needed for targeted disease prevention and control. The relevance of airborne transmission has been suggested but research involving air sampling is limited and unequivocal evidence on transmission routes is lacking.AimWe aimed to investigate whether HPAI virus from wild birds can enter poultry houses through air inlets by characterising host materials through eukaryote DNA sequencing.MethodsWe collected particulate matter samples in and around three HPAI-affected poultry farms which were cleared and decontaminated before sampling. Indoor measurements (n = 61) were taken directly in the airflow entering through air inlets, while outdoor air samples (n = 60) were collected around the poultry house. Positive controls were obtained from a bird rehabilitation shelter. We performed metabarcoding on environmental DNA by deep sequencing 18S rRNA gene amplicons.ResultsWe detected waterbird DNA in air inside all three, and outside of two, poultry farms. Sequences annotated at species level included swans and tufted ducks. Waterbird DNA was present in all indoor and outdoor air samples from the bird shelter.ConclusionAirborne matter derived from contaminated wild birds can potentially introduce HPAI virus to poultry houses through air inlets. The eDNA metabarcoding could assess breaches in biosecurity for HPAI virus and other pathogens potentially transmitted through air via detection of their hosts.

The effects of varying stocking densities during the first 10 days on the performance, welfare, slaughter and meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens in the subsequent period.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying stocking densities during the first 10 days on the performance, welfare, slaughter and meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens in the subsequent period (11-42 days). In the study, treatments representing 3 different stocking densities with the same group sizes were established and a total of 432 d-old chicks were used. In the first 10 days of the rearing period, treatments of 18 (SD18), 27 (SD27) and 36 (SD36) chicks per m2 were formed, and at 11 days of age, chicks in all treatments were reared at a density of 18 chicks/m2. Body weight differences in SD18, SD27 and SD36 treatments at 10 and 42 days of age were significant (P < 0.05), they were 252.6, 254.3 and 241.5g in SD18, SD27 and SD36 groups at 10 days and 2961.1, 2874.8 and 2842.7g at 42 days of age, respectively. In the first 10 days of growing period, SD36 showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from the other groups in feed intake and feed conversion ratio, but this was not significant at slaughter age. The livability at 10 and 42 days was not different among treatments and was between 98.6 and 99.3% and 93.5-93.8%, respectively. The uniformity at 10 days was significant among the stocking density groups (P < 0.05) and the best uniformity level was obtained in the SD36 group, the differences in CV values at 42 days were not significant among the treatments. EPEF (European production efficiency factor) values were not different between the groups, the highest numerical value was determined in the SD36 group. Foot pad dermatitis, hock burn and breast burn levels were significantly higher in SD18 chickens (P < 0.05), however incidence of finger crookedness and valgus-varus deformity did not differ between the treatments. The litter moisture contents were similar between treatments, and ranged from 25.6 to 32.6%. Different stocking density treatments during the first 10 days of the experiment had no significant effect on slaughter, abdominal fat, carcass parts, color and pH values in the breast and thigh meat. In conclusion, rearing broiler chickens by dividing the poultry house area by half during the first 10 days (36 birds/m2) could help to improve the overall productivity (EPEF) by providing ease of maintenance, efficient heating and better control.

Bacterial and fungal aerosols in poultry houses: PM2.5 metagenomics via single-molecule real-time sequencing

Microbial aerosol contamination is a common problem in poultry farms, posing potential health risks to poultry and their caretakers. Exploring the distribution and diversity of the microbial community in poultry farm aerosols is crucial for effective mitigation strategies. The composition of bacterial and fungal aerosols is poorly understood, particularly the prevalence of potential pathogenic microorganisms in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in various types of poultry houses. In this study, 27 PM2.5 samples were collected from 5 chicken houses and 4 duck houses in Shandong Province, China. Species-level diversity of bacterial and fungal components in PM2.5 samples was determined using advanced single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) technology, based on the 16S and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS) ribosomal genes. Microbial diversity and community composition varied significantly across the different poultry house. Notably, duck houses had higher concentrations (p < 0.01) of PM2.5 (92.8-143.1 μg/m3) than chicken houses (42.0-56.4 μg/m3). Furthermore, microbial variation in PM2.5 samples was associated with the type of poultry facility. The predominant pathogenic microorganisms included Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus insolitus, Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus pseudoglaucus, Cladosporium sp. C4092-2-PD1, and Colletotrichum sp., all of which were classified as second category of pathogens. Aspergillus sydowii and Penicillium sp. were the dominant species in chicken houses, while Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Aspergillus pseudoglaucus were the dominant species identified in duck houses. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate bacterial and fungal diversity in PM2.5 samples collected from various types of poultry houses. These findings advance our understanding of poultry environmental microbiology and have important implications for safeguarding the health of both poultry and their caretakers.

Effective measures to control eimeriosis in poultry in the Republic of Dagestan

The most common disease of young poultry in commercial farms of the Russian Caspian region is eimeriosis. In most cases, after convalescence from coccidiosis caused by one of Eimeria species poultry remains susceptible to other species. This parasite has a very short life cycle and immense reproductive capacity that is why it can cause large-scale outbreaks of the disease in commercial poultry houses. To control avian eimeriosis, various coccidiostats are used in combination with probiotics and vitamins. Frequent and long-term use of the same drugs against this infection can potentially result in the emergence of resistant Eimeria populations. This suggests that this coccidiosis control requires rotation of eimeriocidal drugs. Studies on eimeriosis prevalence were performed in the laboratory of the Caspian Regional Research Veterinary Institute and in different poultry farms of the Republic of Dagestan. Swabs of the floor, litter, equipment, droppings, feedstuffs, cecum smears from dead poultry were used for testing. High infection rate with eimerias was established in floor-housed poultry in the plain and piedmont zones of the Republic (Khasavyurtovsky and Karabudakhkentsky raions), where the infection rates were 81.6 and 82.4%, respectively. In batter-cage system poultry farms of the mountain and mountain valley zones (Khunzakhsky and Gergebilsky raions) the infection rates were significantly lower – 61.2 and 58.0%, respectively. The comparative efficacy study of two eimeriocidal drugs showed that “Robenidine”, used daily from the first day of life during the entire rearing period at a dose of 33 g per 1 ton of feedstuffs controls coccidiosis in poultry. At the same time, the survival rate of the experimental young poultry during the observation period was 98.0% compared with “Sarucoxum 12%” group (96.7%).

Effects of lycopene on the growth performance, meat quality, cecal metagenome, and hepatic untargeted metabolome in heat stressed broilers

The occurrence of heat stress in poultry houses is inevitable and leads to oxidative stress in the birds. Lycopene, a natural hydrocarbon carotenoid, possesses potent antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of lycopene on growth performance, meat quality, cecal microflora, and liver metabolome in broilers subjected to heat stress. A total of 480 yellow feather broilers were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups: birds fed standard diet (Con), birds fed standard diet and supplemented with lycopene (Lyc), birds fed standard diet and subjected to heat stress (Hs), and birds fed with lycopene and subjected to heat stress (Hs-Lyc). As compared with the normal temperature groups, Hs decreased the average daily gain (ADG) of birds during d 1 to 28, lowered the pH value either in breast meat or thigh meat, increased the L* value of breast meat, and decreased the a* value of thigh meat. In comparison with non-Lyc feeding birds, Lyc supplement elevated the ADG during d 1 to 56, increased the pH of breast meat, decrease the L* and b* values of thigh meat, simultaneously increase the a* value of thigh meat. The L* of breast meat and pH of thigh meat exhibited significant differences under Hs-Lyc treatment. Lyc-treated birds exhibited higher elasticity, gumminess, and resilience in breast meat than those in non-Lyc feeding birds. The cecal metagenome analysis indicated that Hs-Lyc treatment increased the abundance of Phocaeicola salanitronis and Prevotella sp.CAG:1058, Bacteroides sp.An269, and Bacteroides sp.An19 at the species level compared with other treatments. The hepatic untargeted metabolome analysis showed that administration of Lyc upregulated 20 metabolites and downregulated 60 metabolites compared to the Con birds. Futhermore, the Hs-Lyc treatment upregulated 34 metabolites and downregulated 45 metabolites compared to the Hs birds. The correlation between the metagenome and metabolome showed that Lyc supplementation induced significant alterations in the citrate cycle, metabolism of butanoate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate compared with standard supplement. In contrast, Hs-Lyc treatment induced alterations in the citrate cycle, metabolism of pyruvate, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, arginine, proline, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate compared with the standard supplement of heat-challenged broilers. In summary, dietary Lyc supplementation promoted the growth performance, changed the meat quality, modulated the cecal metagenome and hepatic metabolome in heat-stressed broilers.

Susceptibility of Synanthropic Rodents (Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) to H5N1 Subtype High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Viruses.

Synanthropic wild rodents associated with agricultural operations may represent a risk path for transmission of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) from wild birds to poultry birds. However, their susceptibility to HPAIVs remains unclear. In the present study, house mice (Mus musculus), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), and black rats (Rattus rattus) were experimentally exposed to H5N1 subtype HPAIVs to evaluate their vulnerability to infection. After intranasal inoculation with HA clade 2.2 and 2.3.2.1 H5N1 subtype HPAIVs, wild rodents did not show any clinical signs and survived for 10- and 12-day observation periods. Viruses were isolated from oral swabs for several days after inoculation, while little or no virus was detected in their feces or rectal swabs. In euthanized animals at 3 days post-inoculation, HPAIVs were primarily detected in respiratory tract tissues such as the nasal turbinates, trachea, and lungs. Serum HI antibodies were detected in HA clade 2.2 HPAIV-inoculated rodents. These results strongly suggest that synanthropic wild rodents are susceptible to infection of avian-origin H5N1 subtype HPAIVs and contribute to the virus ecosystem as replication-competent hosts. Detection of infectious viruses in oral swabs indicates that wild rodents exposed to HPAIVs could contaminate food, water, and the environment in poultry houses and play roles in the introduction and spread of HPAIVs in farms.

Способ улучшения зоогигиенических условий выращивания цыплят-бройлеров

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to study the effect of bedding material on the physiological parameters of broiler chickens. Since the most important condition for optimizing the microclimate in the poultry house is compliance with the physiological state of the livestock and maintaining its vital activity at an optimal level. Research methods. The experiment was carried out in the industrial conditions of a poultry farm on broiler stock of the Arbor Acres+ cross in the experimental workshop, where four sections were formed. The growth and development of broilers was monitored daily, livestock records were carried out, and a weekly veterinary report was compiled on the causes of mortality. Also, laboratory studies were carried out according to approved methods for the following indicators: ammonia content, sanitary and hygienic indicators of bedding material, volume, weight and moisture content of bedding material, as well as productivity and basic blood parameters of broiler chickens. Results. Trends in the positive effect of the sorbent in the form of modified diatomite on the productivity of broiler chickens due to the improvement of zoohygienic growing conditions have been identified. In particular, the content of the total number of microorganisms, mold spores and ammonia content in the production experimental workshop is examined in detail. During the work, the volume and weight of bedding material was calculated, including at the exit from the poultry house. We tried to pay special attention to blood biochemistry, which made it possible to assess the physiological state of broiler chickens and draw conclusions about the quality of feeding rations. At the same time, problematic issues associated with feeding poultry were identified, which affect the content of mineral elements in the blood. When determining the performance criterion, calculations were carried out using the EPEF index. Scientific novelty. For the first time, it was proven that the use of diatomite with a bulk layer height of 0.5–1 cm with a granule size of at least 5 mm as bedding material leads to improved zoohygienic conditions for raising broiler chickens without additional capital investments in the form of installation of expensive ventilation equipment or the use of additional technological operations. This replacement option has a positive effect on the health of young poultry.

Effects of Low-Pressure Systems on Temperature, Humidity, Egg Production, and Feed Utilization Efficiency in Large-Scale Poultry Houses during Summer.

Low-pressure systems (LPSs) are among the most critical weather systems, producing excessive precipitation that causes air temperatures to drop and rise considerably. Acute temperature changes directly affect poultry feed intake (FI) and laying performance. To explore the effects of LPSs on hens, the parameters of air temperature, relative humidity, egg production, and feed utilization efficiency were evaluated during different LPSs in three houses. Results indicated that about 2.8 ± 0.7 d, 2.4 ± 0.5 d, and 2.4 ± 0.5 d before the LPS landfall in houses 1, 2, and 3, respectively, the indoor air temperature started to decrease, with the average decreases being 1.7 °C ± 0.4 °C, 2.4 °C ± 0.6 °C, and 1.8 °C ± 0.4 °C, respectively. Significant differences were observed between different LPSs for reducing indoor air temperature (p < 0.05) in the three houses. In house 1, the egg production rates (EPRs) were decreased by 6.6% and 1.1% when LPSs 1 and 2 landed. The average egg weight (AEW) and FI during the LPS landfall were significantly higher than those before the LPS landfall (p < 0.01). Under successive LPSs landfall in the three houses, the EPRs initially reduced by 3.9%, 4.0%, and 0.5%, respectively, but the second LPS event increased the EPRs by 1.8%, 5.3%, and 1.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the LPS landfall increased the feed conversion ratio (FCRe) in the three houses, all above 2.00. In conclusion, LPSs can reduce heat stress, lower the EPRs, and lead to higher FI, FCRe, and AEW.

Monitoring activity index and behaviors of cage-free hens with advanced deep learning technologies

Chickens’ behaviors and activities are important information for managing animal health and welfare in commercial poultry houses. In this study, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) models were developed to monitor the chicken activity index. A dataset consisting of 1,500 top-view images was utilized to construct tracking models, with 900 images allocated for training, 300 for validation, and 300 for testing. Six different CNN models were developed, based on YOLOv5, YOLOv8, ByteTrack, DeepSORT, and StrongSORT. The final results demonstrated that the combination of YOLOv8 and DeepSORT exhibited the highest performance, achieving a Multi-Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) of 94%. Further application of the optimal model could facilitate the detection of abnormal behaviors such as smothering and piling, and enabled the quantification of flock activity into three levels (low, medium, and high) to evaluate footpad health states in the flock. This research underscores the application of deep learning in monitoring poultry activity index for assessing animal health and welfare.

Development of an Intelligent Service Platform for a Poultry House Facility Environment Based on the Internet of Things

Development of an Intelligent Service Platform for a Poultry House Facility Environment Based on the Internet of Things

Draft genome sequences of three poultry Salmonella Shamba isolates from South Africa.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica serovars are foodborne pathogens commonly transmitted through poultry products. Draft genome sequences of three Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Shamba isolates which were obtained from poultry house dust in South Africa are reported herein.

Evaluation of banana peel extract (Musa sapientum L.) as a natural antimicrobial for livestock farming

AbstractIntroductionOne of the primary objectives of managing microbial content in livestock farming is to control diseases in the respective animals. Nevertheless, the pervasive development of drug‐resistant bacteria is a consequence of the high levels of antibiotic use that are necessary to achieve this objective. This situation exacerbates animal disease and poses a threat to human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate alternative microbial control methods in livestock farming using banana peel extract.Materials &amp; MethodsThe antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of peel extracts from unripe and ripe cultivated bananas were examined and compared.ResultsThe results are notable because they show that the unripe banana peel extracts exhibited significantly better antioxidant activity than the ripe banana peel extracts in 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Furthermore, the unripe banana peels showed significant antimicrobial activity in vitro against four bacteria that are commonly found in swine and poultry houses, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Exiguobacterium indicum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus altitudinis, Pantoea ananatis, and Bacillus megaterium. This activity was probably due to their high levels of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Then, the spray formulation loaded with the concentrated unripe banana peel extract that was five times higher than the minimum bactericidal concentration was developed and tested. Ethanol, sodium benzoate, tween 80, and glycerine were applied as additives in the spray formulation to increase the extract's solubility and stability. It was found that the developed spray formulation effectively inhibited the growth of S. epidermidis.ConclusionThese research outcomes show that the possible application of banana peel extract is an excellent approach because it is an eco‐friendly alternative to control microorganisms undesired microbial growth in farm animals.

Air quality assessment of poultry and swine houses in Chonburi Province

ABSTRACT The increased consumption of animal products has led to a proliferation of animal husbandry operations, particularly in agricultural countries. Animal husbandry facilities or livestock farming directly impact the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the environment, giving rise to various issues such as odors, contamination of water and air sources with pathogens, and potential contamination of meat products originating from these facilities. This research aims to assess the impacts on the physical (temperature, relative humidity and air velocity), chemical (carbon dioxide, total volatile organic compounds and particulate matter), and biological air quality assessment (amount and type of bioaerosols) aspects resulting from pig and poultry farming. The findings will serve as valuable data for managing and addressing these aforementioned issues. It was found that both in poultry and swine houses generated total suspended particles (TSP) and PM10 (Particulate Matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less). Analysis of poultry house exhaust revealed elevated concentrations of TSP and PM10 exceeding established health benchmarks. Chickens tend to produce a higher concentration of VOCs (2.07 ± 0.57 ppm) compared to swine (0.82 ± 0.53 ppm). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant bacteria in both swine and poultry houses while Cladosporium sp was the most prevalent fungi in poultry houses. These results in this study are very useful for developing targeted mitigation strategies, products, devices to address specific pollutants produced by each type of livestock, reducing overall environmental impact and improving air quality within and around animal husbandry facilities. Implications: This research highlights how the growing demand for meat is affecting the environment, especially in farming areas. By studying the effects of pig and poultry farming on things like air and water quality, the study shows the challenges these farms pose, like bad smells and pollution. They found that both types of farms release a lot of tiny particles and smelly chemicals into the air, but there are differences between them. Understanding these findings can help us develop ways to reduce the pollution from these farms and make the air cleaner for everyone.

Characterization of aloe vera gel incorporated unsaturated polyester resin jute-cotton fabric composites for enhanced biodegradability, flexibility, and insulation properties

In this research, Aloe Vera Gel (AVG) was incorporated into Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) with jute-cotton union fabric to fabricate partially biodegradable composites. These composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up technique and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), thermal conductivity measurements, water absorption tests, degradation assessments, cracking tests, and Universal Testing Machine (UTM) analysis. The study found that increasing the percentage of AVG in the composites led to a decrease in thermal conductivity, indicating improved insulation properties. Samples reinforced with AVG showed enhanced resistance to damage from iron nails, with reduced scratching and fiber displacement observed. However, the addition of AVG resulted in decreased thermal, mechanical, and water resistance properties compared to composites without AVG. FTIR analysis demonstrated interactions between AVG and the matrix materials. In degradation tests, composites subjected to an alkali environment (PH = 11.96) showed the highest weight reduction (2.22 %) compared to those without AVG. Similarly, composites buried in soil exhibited greater weight loss (2.38 %) than their counterparts lacking AVG. Overall, the developed composite's reduced heat transfer rate suggests its potential application as an insulating material in environments such as rural poultry housing and the automotive industry.

Clinical and Serological Observation of the Newcastle Disease on Commercial Meat Chicken Flocks in Basrah Province, South of Iraq

The current study was conducting to observed Newcastle Disease (ND) in Basrah and evaluated the competence of vaccination schedules used in commercial meat chicken farms. Monitoring of ND was dependent on 20 poultry houses located in Al Zubair, Al Mudaina, Al Qurnah, Garmat Ali Safwan, and Aluhais. The Incidence was recorded based on the clinical history of the disease in the poultry house, clinical signs, and post-mortem findings. ELISA test was estimated to detect Ab titer against ND, including maternal immunity and immune state after vaccination. The results indicated that the Incidence of ND was 80%. ND was not recorded in 20% of poultry houses. Results of the ELISA test showed differences of Ab against ND at different ages of birds, especially at a late stage. Ab titers were very low. The mean of maternal-derived antibodies was 6000 in Belgian, 308 Rose and 2000 for Iranian 501 coop. On the other hand, ND vaccines, available in local markets, showed a good quality (Ma5 + Clone 30) compared with different types, especially ( lasota + IB) Henkar.