Poultry Shed Research Articles

Screening of agroresidues for economical and sustainable Phytase Production by Bacteria

Phytase, a phytate hydrolysing enzyme has substantial application in food, feed and agriculture sector for improvising the availability of phosphorus and reduces the environmental pollution. The present study emphasizes on cost effective production of bacterial phytase. Total 25 agroresidues were screened for economic production of phytase using bacteria. A total of 30 bacterial isolates were obtained from poultry and goat shed soil and litter sample showing highest phytase activity. The efficient isolates SP-46 and SP-52 were screened for selection of efficient combination bacterial isolate and agroresidues for cost-effective production of phytase. The results showed that utilization of agroresidues not only serve as efficient substrate but also contribute to sustainable agro-waste valorisation and reduces need of expensive synthetic media for phytase production.

Artificial neural networks for predicting the performance of heat pumps with horizontal ground heat exchangers

A Ground Coupled Heat Pump (GCHP) is a highly energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that utilises the ground as the heat source when heating and as the heat sink when cooling. This paper investigates GCHP systems with horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers (GHEs) in the rural industry, exemplifying the technology for poultry (chicken) sheds in Australia. This investigation aims to provide an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model that can be used for GCHP design at various locations with different climates. To this extent, a Transient System Simulation Tool (TRNSYS) model for a typical horizontal GHE applied in a rural farm was first verified. Using this model, over 700,000 hourly performance data items were obtained, covering over 80 different yearly loading patterns under three different climate conditions. The simulated performance data was then used to train the ANN. As a result, the trained ANN can predict the performance of GCHP systems with identical (multiple) GHEs even under climatic conditions (and locations) that have not been specifically trained for. Unlike other works, the newly introduced ANN model is accurate even with limited types of input data, with high accuracy (less than 5% error in most cases tested). This ANN model is 100 times computationally faster than TRNSYS simulations and 10,000 times faster than finite element models.

Dust sprinkling as an effective method for infecting layer chickens with wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium and changes in host gut microbiota.

Role of dust in Salmonella transmission on chicken farms is not well characterised. Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) infection of commercial layer chickens was investigated using a novel sprinkling method of chicken dust spiked with ST and the uptake compared to a conventional oral infection. While both inoculation methods resulted in colonisation of the intestines, the Salmonella load in liver samples was significantly higher at 7 dpi after exposing chicks to sprinkled dust compared to the oral infection group. Infection of chickens using the sprinkling method at a range of doses showed a threshold for colonisation of the gut and organs as low as 1000 CFU/g of dust. Caecal content microbiota analysis post-challenge showed that the profiles of chickens infected by the sprinkling and oral routes were not significantly different; however, both challenges induced differences when compared to the uninfected negative controls. Overall, the study showed that dust sprinkling was an effective way to experimentally colonise chickens with Salmonella and alter the gut microbiota than oral gavage at levels as low as 1000 CFU/g dust. This infection model mimics the field scenario of Salmonella infection in poultry sheds. The model can be used for future challenge studies for effective Salmonella control.

Financial impacts of a housing order on commercial free range egg layers in response to highly pathogenic avian influenza

Recent annual outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have led to mandatory housing orders on commercial free-range flocks. Indefinite periods of housing, after poultry have had access to range, could have production and financial consequences for free range egg producers. The impact of these housing orders on the performance of commercial flocks is seldom explored at a business level, predominantly due to the paucity of commercially sensitive data. The aim of this paper is to assess the financial and production impacts of a housing order on commercial free-range egg layers. We use a unique data set showing week by week performance of layers gathered from 9 UK based farms over the period 2020–2022. These data cover an average of 100,000 laying hens and include two imposed housing orders, in 2020/2021 and in 2021/22. We applied a random intercept linear regression to assess impacts on physical outputs and inputs, bird mortality and the impacts on revenue, feed costs and margin over feed cost. Feed use and feed costs per bird increased during the housing order which is a consequence of increased control over diet intake in housed compared to ranged birds. An increase in revenue was also found, ostensibly due to a higher proportion of large eggs produced, leading to a higher margin over feed cost. Overall, these large commercial poultry sheds were able to mitigate some of the potential adverse economic effects of housing orders. Potential negative impacts may occur dependant on the duration of the housing order and those farms with less control over their input costs.

Supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase in White Leghorn layer diets

ABSTRACT 1. A study was conducted to assess the possibility of totally replacing supplemental phosphorus sources in White Leghorn (WL) layer diets (aged 28 to 45 weeks of age) with microbial phytase supplementation. One thousand commercial layers (HyLine White) of 28 weeks of age were housed in California cages fitted in open-sided poultry shed at the rate of 20 layers in each replicate. Ten replicates were randomly allotted to each treatment, and the respective diet was fed from 28 to 45 weeks of age. 2. A control diet (CD) containing the recommended levels of non-phytate phosphorus (3.6 g/kg NPP) and four other test diets (2–5) having sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2.0, 1.6 and 1.2 g/kg), but with supplemental microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) were prepared and fed for the trial duration. 3. The layers fed with lower levels of NPP with phytase had the same laying performance as the group fed the CD. Egg production, feed efficiency, egg mass, shell defects, egg density, shell weight, shell thickness, ash content and breaking strength of the tibia and sternum were not affected by feeding the lowest concentration of NPP (1.2 g/kg) plus microbial phytase. 4. Phytase supplementation in diets with sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2 and 1.6 g/kg) significantly improved the Haugh unit score compared to those fed the CD. 5. It was concluded that supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) in a diet without affecting egg production, shell quality or bone mineral variables in WL layers (28 to 45 weeks).

Effectiveness of physical barriers to prevent rodent presence in poultry farms on Argentina

The rodent commensal species are abundant on Argentinian poultry farms, causing economic losses and disease transmission. Preventing rodent colonization through the construction of poultry sheds with specific barriers against the entry of rodents is an alternative to the application of rodenticides. This work aimed to assess the effect of physical barriers to prevent rodent presence in experimental poultry sheds. New experimental sheds with and without physical barriers were constructed on two poultry farms. The footprint index (FI) was used as an estimator of rodent abundance. Rodent footprints were never observed inside the Experimental-barrier sheds but they were observed outside. In Experimental-without barrier sheds, rodent footprints were recorded inside and outside. In both farms there were significant differences according to the treatment in FI inside sheds, while no significant differences were found between treatments in the mean FI outside sheds. Our results suggest that physical barriers successfully prevented the colonization of rodents inside the Experimental-barrier during the studied period of 21 months. The installation of physical barriers during poultry shed construction is recommended to prevent rodent colonization and minimize the use of anticoagulant rodenticides for rodent control.

Control of Escherichia coli in Poultry Using the In Ovo Injection Technique.

Pathogens, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), have been identified as significant causes of poultry mortality. Poultry can serve as potential sources of E. coli transmission, even when asymptomatic, posing a substantial threat to food safety and human health. The in ovo administration of antimicrobials is crucial for preventing and/or effectively combating acute and chronic infections caused by poultry pathogens. To achieve this goal, it is critical that antimicrobials are properly injected into embryonic fluids, such as the amnion, to reach target tissues and trigger robust antimicrobial responses. Several protocols based on antimicrobials were evaluated to meet these requirements. This review analyzed the impacts of antimicrobial substances injected in ovo on the control of E. coli in poultry. The reduction in infection rates, resulting from the implementation of in ovo antimicrobials, combined with efforts aimed at hygienic-sanitary action plans in poultry sheds, reinforces confidence that E. coli can be contained before causing large scale damage. For example, antimicrobial peptides and probiotics have shown potential to provide protection to poultry against infections caused by E. coli. Issues related to the toxicity and bacterial resistance of many synthetic chemical compounds represent challenges that need to be overcome before the commercial application of in ovo injection protocols focused on microbiological control.

Farm biosecurity practices affecting avian influenza virus circulation in commercial chicken farms in Bangladesh.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is of major concern to livestock, wildlife, and human health. In many countries in the world, including Bangladesh, AIV is endemic in poultry, requiring improving biosecurity. In Bangladesh, we investigated how variation in biosecurity practices in commercial chicken farms affected their AIV infection status to help guide AIV mitigation strategies. We collected pooled fecal swabs from 225 farms and tested the samples for the AIV matrix gene followed by H5, H7, and H9 subtyping using rRT-PCR. We found that 39.6% of chicken farms were AIV positive, with 13% and 14% being positive for subtypes H5 and H9, respectively. Using a generalized linear mixed effects model, we identified as many as 12 significant AIV risk factors. Two major factors promoting AIV risk that cannot be easily addressed in the short term were farm size and the proximity of the farm to a live bird market. However, the other ten significant determinants of AIV risk can be more readily addressed, of which the most important ones were limiting access by visitors (reducing predicted AIV risk from 42 to 6%), isolation and treatment of sick birds (42 to 7%), prohibiting access of vehicles to poultry sheds (38 to 8%), improving hand hygiene (from 42 to 9%), not sharing farm workers across farms (37 to 8%), and limiting access by wild birds to poultry sheds (37 to 8%). Our findings can be applied to developing practical and cost-effective measures that significantly decrease the prevalence of AIV in chicken farms. Notably, in settings with limited resources, such as Bangladesh, these measures can help governments strengthen biosecurity practices in their poultry industry to limit and possibly prevent the spread of AIV.

Forest Birds on Pasture: Meddling Marketing and Conflicting Cultures

Chickens are problematically embedded in the West and Global North as farm animals. Structures built for containing chickens including henhouses, industrial poultry sheds, shading devices and mobile poultry sheds, place chickens – naturally forest birds – into pastoral farming settings that are at odds with natural chicken familial structures and behaviours. I assert that structures built for containing chickens influence human–chicken labour. I support this claim through an investigation of chicken labour at poultry farms. I advance the concept of labour in human–animal studies by looking at labour culture from sociology and labour history scholarship centred around humans. How humans labour with animals contributes to the continuation of animal farming. The long history of chicken farming impacts cultural ideas about small-scale chicken keeping which have led to large-scale agribusinesses using marketing and promotional material in a way that masks more prevalent industrial practices. The structures built for the poultry industry are designed to further the status quo of industry even when working to reimagine that same industry. A critical analysis of how poultry husbandry structures are used in marketing reveals how human labour culture ultimately forces forest dwelling chickens into pastoral farming.

Empowering Women Agripreneurs through Government Livelihood Initiatives: A Case Study of Jharkhand, India

The study evaluates the impacts of targeted interventions implemented by the Central and state government in Jharkhand, India. Being a part of Ph.D. thesis, 260 beneficiaries from 13 blocks in three districts of Jharkhand were selected, and data was conducted during the year 2023-24. Conclusions were derived using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research revealed that all respondents were beneficiaries of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), followed by Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) (92.7%) and Jharkhand Horticulture Intensification by Micro Drip Irrigation (JHIMDI) (14.2%). The investigation also identified a substantial increase in the ownership of assets such as poly houses, poultry sheds, and micro drip systems. Income, expenditure, and savings in these areas demonstrated statistical significance after association with the programs. Income in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and agribusiness improved significantly after receiving benefits. Principal component analysis identified three principal components with Eigen values > 1.0, with a cumulative variance of 71.03. Four entrepreneurial behavior traits-Innovativeness, Risk-bearing ability, Self-confidence, and Planning Orientation-were highly influenced by Principal Component 1, explaining 29.6 per cent of the total variance.

Iceberg lettuce cultivated in different systems of planting and sources of fertilizer.

Organic fertilization is a cheaper and highly effective option for profitability and consequent improvement of the soil's physical, chemical, and biological structure. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate different types of fertilization: organic (poultry shed litter), mineral, and leaf path on yield parameters of lettuce grown in various types of planting. The treatments consisted of using two planting systems (P1 - Line and P2 - quincunxes) and mineral and organic fertilizers (A1 - mineral fertilization; A2 - mineral fertilization + leaf fertilization; A3 - organic fertilization with poultry shed litter and A4 - fertilization organic + mineral). The experimental units consisted of 36 and 52 plants, respectively, for treatments P1 and P2, and all central plants of the experimental unit were evaluated. Heart height, fresh mass, and leaf number were observed. The mineral and mineral + leaf treatments did not differentiate, either in line or in quincunxes. The treatment that stood out about the analyzed variables was the organic fertilization and quincunxes planting system, reflecting a more significant number of lettuce plants and better use of the area.

Association between antimicrobial usage and resistance on commercial broiler and layer farms in Bangladesh.

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a significant health problem worldwide, including in Bangladesh, where chickens are an important protein source for human nutrition. One of the factors accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance is the inappropriate use of antimicrobials on commercial chicken farms. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 140 commercial chicken farms in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh to investigate the association between antimicrobial use and resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. cultured from cloacal swabs of chickens and from the poultry shed environment. All E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to multiple antimicrobial classes, including those categorized as "Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials" for human medicine. Notably, resistance was observed in E. coli isolates from farms that did not use these antimicrobial classes in the current production cycle. For example, although quinolones were not used on 43.9% of E. coli positive farms, 95.7% of these farms had quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates. The results of the path analysis revealed that there was a "direct effect" of the frequency of antimicrobial usage on "high" resistance, with resistance increasing when antimicrobials were administered more frequently (β = 0.28, p = 0.002). There was a "direct effect" of the purpose of antimicrobial use on "low" resistance, with resistance marginally decreasing when antimicrobials were administered solely for therapeutic use (β = -0.17, p = 0.062), but increasing when they were used prophylactically. Overall, the study results could be used to educate farmers on better practices for antimicrobial administration, and to guide government agencies to update policies on antimicrobial use and resistance surveillance in the poultry sector of Bangladesh.

Rapid detection of Salmonella enterica in primary production samples by eliminating DNA amplification inhibitors using an improved sample pre-treatment method.

Sensitive detection of pathogens in livestock farms is an integral part of the One Health Action Plan of the European Union (EU). Ensuring this requires on-site testing devices that are compatible with complex matrices such as primary production samples. Among all, faeces are considered the most challenging matrix type that makes it difficult to identify pathogens because of complexity in sample preparation for molecular testing. We have developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based veterinary point-of-care (POC) device (VETPOD) and adapted it to detect Salmonella enterica in primary production samples. Three different sampling methods (semi-wet chicken faeces, boot socks collection and dust samples from poultry shed) were iteratively tested to assess their nature of complexity and possibility for adapting them as suitable sampling methods for on-site testing. During the study, the sample preparation method that included a two-step centrifugation combined with washing of the enriched Salmonella cells was found crucial in eliminating amplification inhibitors originating from the faecal matrices. A total of 90 samples were tested that included 60 samples for sensitivity study and 30 samples for relative level of detection (RLOD, a level of detection in comparison to ISO 6579:1 reference method). Overall, the VETPOD had a sensitivity of 90%, 84.62% and 81.82% for boot sock, faecal and dust samples, respectively. The RLOD was 2.23 CFU/25 g which was found to be 1.33 times higher than the ISO 6579:1. Performing with an excellent agreement with ISO 6579:1, the VETPOD proved as a promising alternative to detect Salmonella spp. in primary production and animal husbandry samples.

Energy and Stochastic Economic Assessments of Photovoltaic Systems in the East Midlands

This study implements techno-economic evaluations of different photovoltaic (PV) systems in the East Midlands of the UK. Three application case studies, including an office building, a domestic building, and a poultry shed, are achieved. The building electricity consumption is obtained according to hourly automatic meter readings, and the PV electricity production is predicted based on the Engineering Equation Solver 8.4 software. Meanwhile, the 25-years’ complete economic profitability investigations of the three PV systems are conducted on the basis of the Monte Carlo method; the sensitivity analyses of payback period and net present value are also carried out by using the @RISK 8 software. Furthermore, the payback period and yearly savings are investigated and compared between the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and feed-in tariff (FiT) schemes. Technical investigation outcomes conclude that the three PV systems are able to satisfy electrical energy requirements in summer, and the additional electricity could be exported to the grid in this period. In winter, however, the systems have less electricity output resulting in power shortage and input from the grid. Economic study results exhibit that the net present values of the office building, domestic building, and poultry shed are £9108.4, £1717.91, and £7275.86, respectively, corresponding to the payback periods of 6.15 years, 9.12 years, and 9.41 years. This implies that there is an acceptable payback period (<10 years) for the PV system installation; meanwhile, the FiT scheme has the shorter payback period compared with the SGE scheme.

KADAKNATH POULTRY FARMING – UPLIFT YOUR ECONOMY

Poultry farming is a profit earning business with less expenses. Mainly the chickens are reared for meat and eggs. Kadaknath is a dual purpose breed used for meat and eggs. The kadaknath is resistant to many diseases and well adaptable to any environmental conditions. It is a black flesh fowl. The varieties of kadaknath are jet black, Pencilled and golden black kadaknath. The poultry shed for kadaknath can be established in minimum area of 2000 square feet. The poultry shed should be kept clean and disinfectant must be sprayed twice a month to prevent disease attack. Grinded rava, pre- starter, starter and vegetable wastes are fed to kadaknath chickens. After six months kadaknath hens starts laying eggs and lay 100-120 eggs per annum per hen. The eggs are incubated in automatic incubator upto 17 days and after the embryo developed eggs are then incubated in manual incubator. On 18 -19th day the eggs are hatched out. F1 OR B1, IBD, lazota and fowl pox vaccine are vaccinated to kadaknath chickens. Kadaknath meat and eggs contains vitamins, minerals, protein and amino acids and it has great importance in curing various medical problems like head ache, post-delivery problems, nervous disorder and asthma.

Trematode larval infections in snails collected from aquaculture ponds in Ha Noi and Yen Bai, Vietnam

The hot-spots of transmission of food-borne zoonotic trematodes in northern Vietnam have been known as the integrated fish-livestock (VAC- Garden, Fish pond, Poultry shed) ponds. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ha Noi capital and Yen Bai province to investigate the trematode larval infections (cercariae) in freshwater snails in these areas. Snails were collected from 35 VAC ponds, including 25 grow-out and 10 nursery ponds. A total of 13,895 specimens of 12 snail species were examined for cercariae shedding. Six of 12 snail species including Melanoides tuberculata, Tarebia granifera, Radix auriculata, Gyraulus convexiusculus, Bithynia fuchsiana and Parafosarulus manchouricus, shed cercariae. Seven cercarial types were detected. The amount of snails and the prevalent infection in nursery ponds were 1.14 and 1.3 times higher than in grow-out ponds, respectively. Thus, VAC ponds in northern Vietnam are still the hot-spot for trematode larval infection.

Development of Poultry Shed Ventilation System: A Prototype Approach

The current study is on poultry shed prototype ventilation system model. 60% of India's population eats meat and this is growing. The poultry business grows 8-10% a year. Ambient conditions, notably high temperature and relative humidity in poultry sheds, cause heat stress in chickens, reducing production and increased mortality. India is mostly tropical, therefore summer midday temperatures approach 45°C in several regions. The capital and operating costs of traditional evaporative air-cooling systems are considerable compared to Indian poultry management investment norms. Poultry barns are usually in rural locations where power outages are common. Generator-powered cooling & ventilation costs 3 to 5 times more. The majority of poultry businesses don't employ suitable cooling systems, which affects production costs and earnings. The current study develops a low-cost cooling effect by operating a solar-powered Low-Cost Cooling System for Poultry Shed. It uses temperature & humidity control methods, battery storage systems, solar PV systems, structure, and exhaust air management to reduce heat stress in poultry birds. This technique minimizes mortality, enhances productivity, and boosts agricultural profits.

Adoption Level of Scientific Poultry Rearing in Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya

To study the relationship between socio economic status and adoption level of scientifi c poultry rearing in Meghalaya exploratory research was conducted in Bhoirymbong and Umsning block, where a total of 100 farmers has been considered for the study. A pre-tested interview schedule was developed and data were collected through interview technique. The results showed that the relationship of adoption level by the poultry farmers with their socio-economic status, correlation coeffi cients were calculated which indicated that in the pooled sample adoption level exhibited positively and highly signifi cant relationship with education (r=0.333**, P<0.01) and extension contact (r=0.258**, P<0.01) whereas mass media exposure (r=0.224*, P<0.05) and farm size (r=0.202*, P<0.05) exhibited positively signifi cant relationship with adoption level. Annual income from other source (r = -0.409**, P<0.01) showed negatively and highly signifi cant relationship with adoption level. Family size (r = -0.218*, P<0.05) exhibited negatively signifi cant relationship with adoption level. Majority (94.00 %) of the respondents adopted intensive system with total confi nement in the poultry shed followed by (6.00 %) semi-intensive system.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF SOLAR ELECTRICITY ADOPTION IN POULTRY INDUSTRY OF PAKISTAN

This study was undertaken up to help farmers in the enhanced applications of solar energy at their poultry farms. As irregular supply of electricity and its high cost in the form of electricity bills and surcharge, is subjecting irreparable losses to poultry business. Solar energy with meager investment would help poultry business to flourish constantly by reducing one prime input factor. Each segment of poultry system whether it is heating, ventilation, humidity control or mechanized feeding, all require regular supply of power which could only be attained through solar energy that is available at the doorstep of the farmer for most part of the year. To tap this resource reliable and effective energy use system at poultry farms, especially of medium and small sizes. It seems easily manageable with the solar based energy. A comparison between both types for the benefit of our farmers an attempt is being made to come up with of poultry sheds i.e. conventional electricity and solar electricity based poultry shed is being made and payback period (26 – 27 years) and cost of one Solar based poultry shed (2.232 m2) for 32 birds is obtained (Rs. 108500). Energy requirement for one laying hen is 4.85 kW-hr/year.

Atividade da Metilxantina em pó aplicada na cama de frango sobre adultos de Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract One of the pests that most affect and compromise poultry production worldwide is the insect Alphitobius diaperinus, known as the lesser mealworm. This insect is a vector of diseases that compromise not only chicken production but also human health. This study proposes to examine the efficacy and determine the appropriate rate of methylxanthine (MTX), a natural insecticide extracted from cafeine, for the control of an adult population of lesser mealworms in poultry litter. A total of 2,500 adult mealworms were distributed into five treatments in a completely randomized design using 10 replications with 50 insects per replication. The treatments consisted of a control group and four concentrations of MTX (14, 16, 18, and 20 g/m2) spread in plastic boxes containing reused poultry litter and feed, allocated in a broiler shed, to simulate the farm condition. The experimental period was 18 days, and five readings were performed on days 2, 4, 6, 10, and 18. Methylxanthine affected (P<0.05) the mealworms’ cumulative mortality rate, with the groups of insects housed in boxes treated with 16 g /m2 MTX showing the highest cumulative mortality (86.6%) at the end of the experimental period. In conclusion, MTX has insecticidal action on adults of lesser mealworm and can be used on chicken litter to control the population of this insect in poultry sheds. The MTX concentration of 16 g/m2 showed the greatest effectiveness.