Poultry Systems Research Articles

New insights on efficiency and productivity analysis: Evidence from vegetable-poultry integration in rural Tanzania

Abstract Despite its dependence on agriculture, food production does not seem to match the population increase in Tanzania. Exacerbating the situation, poverty in the light of per capita income keeps increasing making it one of the poorest economies in the world. Recent policy debates have been geared at probing into the situation and seeking ways of reversing this troublesome and disturbing trend. Increasing productivity and improving production efficiency are steps in the right direction of augmenting food production. We collected data from 250 vegetable farmers in the Babati district of Tanzania and assessed the efficiency and productivity level of the integration of poultry systems into their vegetable activity. Specifying the Cobb-Douglas functional form in the stochastic production frontier, we find evidence of the direct impact of farm size, fertilizer quantity, labour cost and seed cost on productivity. While younger farmers are observed with the greatest level of efficiency, male farmers are more technically efficient than their female counterparts. Though surprising (because of the historical attribution of women to vegetables), this is somewhat expected as males are better connected in society and have higher access to improved and novel farming technologies and techniques which are relevant in increasing efficiency. The mean technical efficiency of this production system is 0.44 which is sharply below most studies on vegetables. This re-affirms and re-echoes to policy the need for effective policy developments that underscore the use of improved farm technologies.

Estimating sensible heat loss in laying hens through thermal imaging

The thermal challenge caused by high temperatures is a barrier to efficient poultry production. As a non-invasive method, infrared thermography can be valuable in the routine of a poultry system. To this end, the sensible heat loss (SHL) was estimated in sixty naked-neck laying hens (heterozygous) using biophysical equations and thermal imaging. The temperature during this study ranged from 24.0 °C to 31.0 °C and we divided it into three classes: 24.0–26.0 °C, 26.1–29.0 °C, and 29.1–31.0 °C. To assess the effect of air temperature on the SHL and its potential differences between body regions, an ANOVA using a general linear model was performed, which included all two-way interactions. Significant effects of air temperature class, body region and their interaction on the SHL (P < 0.05) were observed. The results showed that SHL in the body trunk (area covered by feathers) was considered incipient. The neck and face had the highest SHL values. We highlight that the mapping of body surface temperature using infrared thermography proved to be efficient in the estimative of the SHL because provides more accurate thermal imaging than thermocouple measurements.

Development of Automatic Poultry System (Quails) using Arduino Microcontroller

The main purpose of the development of automatic poultry system (quails) using Arduino microcontroller. Quail farmers face problem to maintain or increase their livestock due to high mortality rates during the changes of quail growth phase. The mortality rates mainly affected by uncontrolled climate change of the environment. Therefore, this project is developed to helps broiler quail farmers to maintain their livestock with less supervision from them. At the same time, ensuring stable growth rates and reducing the mortality rates affected from uncontrolled climate/environment factor which is temperature, surround air quality, and intensity of lights is the main focus of this project. In controlling the temperature, air quality, and intensity of light, the DHT11 humidity and temperature sensor, MQ135 air quality sensor, and TSL 2561 digital luminosity (lux) sensor used in this project along with Arduino microcontroller to maintain and control those climate/environment factor at specific range of parameters so that it satisfies with quail growing phases. As the result, it shows that by implement this project can increase performance growth and reduce the mortality rates of the quail compare to conventional method. The retrieved data from the project prototype system and actual experiment is then been analyze, evaluate and kept for further improvements.

Pastured Poultry Production in the United States: Strategies to Balance System Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Nutrient and pathogen pollution are the leading causes of water quality impairment in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in the United States. Dissemination of these contaminants can result in eutrophication of freshwater resources and pose a risk to public health through recreational contact and degradation of waters used as drinking water sources. Agricultural production practices, both crop and animal, have been identified as sources of excess nutrients and microbial pathogens contributing to freshwater pollution. In the U.S., commercial meat poultry production has been targeted as a source of both excess nutrients, especially phosphorus, and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in regional watersheds. Recently, there has been an increase in pastured poultry operations where chickens have access to fresh pasture on a daily basis. However, few studies have explored the environmental sustainability of these types of poultry production systems. In the case of pastured poultry systems in close proximity to watersheds, there is a need to better understand potential environmental impacts in order to implement sustainable and cost-effective practices. The identification of such environmental and economic benefits would complement the mission and objectives of farmers using pastured poultry production systems and may add more value to their product. This review will focus on potential mitigation strategies to enhance environmental sustainability and provide economic benefit to small scale pastured poultry operations.

Net energy in poultry: Its merits and limits

SUMMARY Development of a net energy (NE) system in poultry has been a topic of research for many decades, following its successful implementation in pigs. However, up to now, no such system for poultry is in use, as the added value of a NE system in poultry over the current AME system(s) has not yet been demonstrated. In this paper, the merits and limits of a NE system in poultry are discussed for fast-growing broilers.

Antioxidant Defence Systems and Oxidative Stress in Poultry Biology: An Update

Poultry in commercial settings are exposed to a range of stressors. A growing body of information clearly indicates that excess ROS/RNS production and oxidative stress are major detrimental consequences of the most common commercial stressors in poultry production. During evolution, antioxidant defence systems were developed in poultry to survive in an oxygenated atmosphere. They include a complex network of internally synthesised (e.g., antioxidant enzymes, (glutathione) GSH, (coenzyme Q) CoQ) and externally supplied (vitamin E, carotenoids, etc.) antioxidants. In fact, all antioxidants in the body work cooperatively as a team to maintain optimal redox balance in the cell/body. This balance is a key element in providing the necessary conditions for cell signalling, a vital process for regulation of the expression of various genes, stress adaptation and homeostasis maintenance in the body. Since ROS/RNS are considered to be important signalling molecules, their concentration is strictly regulated by the antioxidant defence network in conjunction with various transcription factors and vitagenes. In fact, activation of vitagenes via such transcription factors as Nrf2 leads to an additional synthesis of an array of protective molecules which can deal with increased ROS/RNS production. Therefore, it is a challenging task to develop a system of optimal antioxidant supplementation to help growing/productive birds maintain effective antioxidant defences and redox balance in the body. On the one hand, antioxidants, such as vitamin E, or minerals (e.g., Se, Mn, Cu and Zn) are a compulsory part of the commercial pre-mixes for poultry, and, in most cases, are adequate to meet the physiological requirements in these elements. On the other hand, due to the aforementioned commercially relevant stressors, there is a need for additional support for the antioxidant system in poultry. This new direction in improving antioxidant defences for poultry in stress conditions is related to an opportunity to activate a range of vitagenes (via Nrf2-related mechanisms: superoxide dismutase, SOD; heme oxygenase-1, HO-1; GSH and thioredoxin, or other mechanisms: Heat shock protein (HSP)/heat shock factor (HSP), sirtuins, etc.) to maximise internal AO protection and redox balance maintenance. Therefore, the development of vitagene-regulating nutritional supplements is on the agenda of many commercial companies worldwide.

Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. from the farm-to-fork continuum in intensive poultry production in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The poultry industry is among the main protein suppliers worldwide. Thus, this study determined the antibiotic resistance and virulence profiles of Enterococcus spp. along the farm-to-fork production chain of an intensive poultry system in the uMgungundlovu District, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Overall, 162 samples along the continuum (growth phase, transport and post-slaughter) were evaluated for the presence of Enterococcus spp. using selective media, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Resistance profiles were assessed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following the WHO-AGISAR recommended antibiotics panel for Enterococcus spp. Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes were detected using real-time PCR. Clonal relatedness was evaluated by REP-PCR. Overall, 131 isolates were recovered across the continuum, (34% E. faecalis, 32% E. faecium, 2% E. gallinarum and 32% other Enterococcus spp.). Resistance to tetracycline (79%), erythromycin (70%), nitrofurantoin (18%), ampicillin (15%), streptomycin (15%), chloramphenicol (10%), ciprofloxacin (4%), tigecycline (4%), gentamicin (4%), teicoplanin (3%) was observed among all Enterococcus spp.; no vancomycin resistance (0%) was recorded. Also, 24% of E. faecium were resistant to quinupristin-dalfopristin. Twenty-four multidrug resistance (MDR) antibiograms were observed across all species; E. faecium (43%) showed the highest frequency of MDR. The most frequently observed antibiotic resistomes were tetM (76%) and ermB (66%) while smaller percentages were noted for aph(3')-IIIa (12%) and vanC1 (1%). Virulence genes efaAFs (100%), cpd (96%) and gelE (80%) were more prevalent in E. faecalis. Clonality revealed that isolates along the continuum were highly diverse with major REP-types consisting of isolates from the same sampling point. This study highlights the diversity of MDR Enterococcus in the food chain with isolates harbouring resistance and virulence genes. These could be reservoirs for the potential transfer of pathogenic enterococci carrying these genes from poultry to humans through the food chain continuum, thus, underscoring the need for routine antibiotic resistance surveillance in food animals.

Nigerian Fulani ecotype chickens - II – Estimation of growth curve parameters

In the study, growth curves of Nigerian Fulani ecotype chickens (NFEC) were modelled under two production systems with four non-linear growth functions with a view to establishing growth descriptors for NFEC. Two hundred, day-old chicks of NFEC were obtained from an established population of NFEC. The chickens were separated randomly to intensive and pastured poultry production systems at 12 weeks of age. Data on body weight were taken weekly over a period of 20 weeks. Four non-linear growth functions including Gompertz, Logistic, Bertalanffy and Richard's models were fitted using the NLIN procedure of SAS while the best fit model was selected using the goodness-of-fit tests. For all the models, parameter (A), the asymptotic weight, ranged between 1800g and 2417g for male and 1208g and 1550g for female chickens respectively. Parameter (B), the scaling parameter ranged from 0.77 and 19.79. Parameter K, which is the maturity index, ranged between 0.16 and 3.97 for both sexes. The R values ranged between 0.9689 and 0.9987 for all the models fitted. Gompertz and Bertalanffy models emerged as the best fit functions. Age and body weight at inflection of NFEC were also predicted by the study. Growth curve parameters of NFEC in the pastured poultry system were not significantly different from those in the intensive system. The growth curve parameters estimated indicates that NFEC growth performance can be improved through effective breeding strategies and improved management practices.

Presence and diversity of Salmonella isolated from layer farms in central Ecuador.

Background: Given the considerable role played by Salmonella in the incidence of food contamination, around the world, surveillance of this infection is prioritized by both food producers and health care authorities. Data remains insufficient concerning the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry systems in Ecuador and in Latin America in general. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the presence and diversity of Salmonella serovars in samples taken from 21 layer farms and backyard layers in central Ecuador during August-November 2017. Salmonella was isolated following standardized methods (ISO 6579) and the serovar determination was carried out by PCR. Results:A significant presence of Salmonella was detected in the 21 farms evaluated, with a frequency of 76% (95% confidence interval (CI): 53-92) in environmental surfaces, 33% (95%CI: 15-57) in pooled cloacal swabs from layer hens, 33% (95% CI: 13-59) on feed samples, and 10% (95%CI: 1-30) in backyard layer feces from traditional local markets. The dominant serovars detected were S. Infantis and S. Typhimurium. Conclusions: This study forms a basis for further surveillance of Salmonella serovars in layer farms in central Ecuador.

APPLICATION OF PROPOLIS TINCTURE TO PREVENT INFECTIONS OF BROILERS

Scientific and industrial experiment was carried out at the poultry farming on Ross308 broilers. The authors explored various schemes of application of propolis tincture for pre venting respiratory infection of poultry of bacterial etiology. The researchers arranged a control group and two experimental groups according to the principle of analogues. The groups were placed in separate isolated poultry houses. Chickens of the control group were fed with antibiotic Tilmipool (0.3 ml/l of water) aged 1-3; 14-16; 25-27 days; their poultry house was sprayed with Ecocide C (0.5%, 1 l/100 m3, exposure 60 min) on 1, 7, 14, 21-22, 28-29, 35-36 days of their life. In the 1st group the antibiotic was applied as it was in the control group; aerosol treatment was conducted with propolis tincture (dilution 1:20, 0.5 l/100 m3, exposure 60 min) during the same age periods. In the 2nd group, propolis tincture (1 ml/l of water) was applied for broilers aged 1-5; 14-18; 25-30 days combined with aerosol treatment of propolis tincture air (dilution 1:20, 0.5 l/ 100 m3, exposure 60 min) for 1, 7, 14, 21-22, 28-29, 35-36 days of their life. The most effective way to prevent respiratory diseases of poultry is seen in application of propolis tincture according to the scheme used in the experiment with the 2nd group. The scheme reduces the number of pathogenic, relatively pathogenic microorganisms in the scrapes from the laryngeal mucous membrane and in the air of the poultry house, activates the immune system and metabolism of poultry, increases livability on 3.0% and live weight on 342.7 g, which eliminates application of antibiotics for preventive measures, providing environmentally safe products of poultry farming.

Harmful Effects and Control Strategies of Aflatoxin B₁ Produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus Strains on Poultry: Review.

The presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in poultry diets decreases the hatchability, hatchling weight, growth rate, meat and egg production, meat and egg quality, vaccination efficiency, as well as impairing the feed conversion ratio and increasing the susceptibility of birds to disease and mortality. AFB1 is transferred from poultry feed to eggs, meat, and other edible parts, representing a threat to the health of consumers because AFB1 is carcinogenic and implicated in human liver cancer. This review considers how AFB1 produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus strains can affect the immune system, antioxidant defense system, digestive system, and reproductive system in poultry, as well as its effects on productivity and reproductive performance. Nutritional factors can offset the effects of AFB1 in poultry and, thus, it is necessary to identify and select suitable additives to address the problems caused by AFB1 in poultry.

Presence and diversity of Salmonella isolated from layer farms in central Ecuador

Background: Given the considerable role played by Salmonella in the incidence of food contamination, around the world, surveillance of this infection is prioritized by both food producers and health care authorities. Data remains insufficient concerning the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry systems in Ecuador and in Latin America in general. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the presence and diversity of Salmonella serovars in samples taken from 21 layer farms and backyard layers in central Ecuador during August-November 2017. Salmonella was isolated following standardized methods (ISO 6579) and the serovar determination was carried out by PCR. Results: A significant presence of Salmonella was detected in the 21 farms evaluated, with a frequency of 76% (95% confidence interval (CI): 53-92) in environmental surfaces, 33% (95%CI: 15-57) in pooled cloacal swabs from layer hens, 33% (95% CI: 13–59) on feed samples, and 10% (95%CI: 1-30) in backyard layer feces from traditional local markets. The dominant serovars detected were S. Infantis and S. Typhimurium. Conclusions: This study forms a basis for further surveillance of Salmonella serovars in layer farms in central Ecuador.

Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Microgrid for the Energy Management in a Small Poultry

The Development of an Energy Management System for a Small Poultry is another solution to help the poultry raisers/farmers obtain a reasonable and renewable source of energy. A microgrid can be characterized by its integration of distributed energy resources and controllable loads. Such integration brings unique challenges to the microgrid management and control which can be significantly different from conventional power systems. The developed device is composed of the following major components: brooder, where the chicks are placed, and the electronic devices are installed; a relay which monitors and controls the power supply of the system; a solar panel and battery that captures and saves the energy from the sun; and an inverter that converts direct current to alternating current. The total power of the poultry is 33W and used 560W per day of the power source from the battery. Test results showed that the contribution of saving power consumption reached 83% and losses are 35.75%. The voltage of the battery in 100% reached to 12.4V down to 2% has 10.45V. The actual testing for amperes of the bulb is 2.5A, the counter has 0.6A, and the temperature has 0.25A. The actual wattage of bulb is 30W, and temperature has 3W. The performance of the prototype was evaluated by twenty (20) panel of evaluators composed of electronic technicians and engineers, agriculturists, and poultry farmers using the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Evaluation Instrument for Prototype Developed. The prototype got a grand mean of 4.72 with a descriptive rating of “Excellent” which proves that the project reduces the consumption of electricity from the commercial power distribution.

Prevalence and diversity of Salmonella isolated from layer farms in central Ecuador

Background: Given the considerable role played by Salmonella in the incidence of food poisoning around the world, surveillance of this infection is prioritized by both food producers and health care authorities. Data remains insufficient concerning the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry systems in Ecuador and in Latin America in general. Methods: In this study we evaluated the prevalence and diversity of Salmonella serovars in samples taken from 21 layer farms and backyard layers in central Ecuador during August-November 2017. Salmonella was isolated following standardized methods (ISO 6579) and the serovar determination was carried out by PCR. Results: A significant presence of Salmonella was detected, with an incidence of 76% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58–94) in farms, 33% (95%CI: 13–53) in pooled cloacal swabs from layer hens, 33% (95%CI: 12–55) on feed samples, and 10% (95%CI: 0–22) in backyard layer feces from traditional local markets. The dominant serovars detected were S. Infantis and S. Typhimurium. Conclusions: This study forms a basis for further surveillance of Salmonella serovars in layer farms in central Ecuador.

Synanthropic diptera affecting layer poultry farms: a review

ABSTRACT: The poultry farm of posture is an economic activity of great relevance to Brazil. Health aspects of flocks of laying chickens, such as the occurrence of infestations by parasites and poultry pests, influence significantly the productivity indicators. In this context, the control of synanthropic diptera is one of the challenges of the poultry farmers and professionals of this area. In Brazil, the control of flies in poultry environments is based mainly on the use of pesticides, while other alternatives are less frequent. Among the flies’ species most regularly found in poultry farms are the Musca domestica, Chrysomya spp., Fannia spp., and others. This review aims at compiling the literature on the occurrence, impact on poultry systems, biology, epidemiology and control of the species of synanthropic flies considered important for the Brazilian poultry industry.

Kanatlı Hayvanlarda Solunum Sistemi Anatomisi

Solunum, metabolizmanın devamlılığı için hayati öneme sahip olan fonksiyonlardan birisidir. Bir canlının metabolik faaliyet düzeyi dokularına oksijen taşınmasına ve birikmiş karbondioksitin toplanmasına aracılık eden solunum sistemine bağlıdır. Bir kuşta solunum yolunu naris, cavitas nasalis, larynx, trachea, syrinx, primer bronchi (mesobronchi), sekonder bronchi, tersiyer bronchi (parabronchi), air capillaries, pulmo, air sacs ve pneumatik kemikler oluşturur. İnspiration’da alınan havanın yarısı caudal hava keselerine, diğer yarısı ise akciğer üzerinden (oksijeni bırakıp karbondioksit yüklenerek) cranial hava keselerine gider. Ekspiration’da caudal keselerdeki hava akciğer üzerinden (oksijeni bırakıp karbondioksit yüklenerek)trachea’ya geçerken, cranial keselerdeki hava da trachea’ya geçer.

A review of the financial impact of production diseases in poultry production systems

While the academic literature widely asserts that production diseases have a significant financial impact on poultry production, these claims are rarely supported by empirical evidence. There is a risk, therefore, that the information needs of poultry producers regarding the costs associated with particular diseases are not being adequately met. A systematic literature review of poultry production diseases was undertaken, first, to scope the availability of studies that estimate the financial impacts of production diseases on poultry systems and, second, on the basis of these studies, estimates were generated of the magnitude of these impacts. Nine production diseases, selected by a panel of stakeholders as being economically important in the EU, were examined. The review found that the poultry disease literature has primarily an epidemiological focus, with very few publications providing estimates of the financial impacts of diseases. However, some publications have quantified the physical impacts of production diseases and control interventions, for example, using measures such as output volumes, mortality rates and bacterial counts. Using these data in standard financial models, partial financial analyses were possible for some poultry production diseases. Coccidiosis and clostridiosis were found to be the most common production diseases in broiler flocks, with salpingoperitonitis being the most common in layers. While the financial impact of untreated diseases varied, most uncontrolled diseases were estimated to make flocks loss-making. However, in all cases, interventions were available that signficantly reduced these losses. The review reinforces the concern that the available academic literature is not providing sufficient information for poultry producers to decide on financially optimal disease-prevention and treatment measures.

Implementing small-scale poultry-for-nutrition projects: Successes and lessons learned.

This paper examines Helen Keller International's model for nutrition-sensitive poultry production using a programme implemented in four diverse African contexts-three rural and one urban. Consecutive cross-sectional surveys conducted every 5months among ~15% of participating households show that despite project-provided training and inputs, there was only limited uptake of many "best practices." Few households constructed improved henhouses; vaccination rates varied and were highest when support was provided. Poultry mortality was high. Egg productivity remained average for village poultry systems, and egg consumption remained low (two to six eggs consumed per household per fortnight). However, children whose mothers were exposed to project messages on nutrition were more likely to eat eggs, and consumption was consistently higher among households with chickens. Women's involvement in chicken rearing was widespread, but their control over revenues from the sale of poultry products was limited. Key lessons learned from implementation were as follows: (a) strong behaviour change communication is needed to encourage egg consumption, (b) nutrition-sensitive village poultry programmes should often focus more on improved practices than improved breeds, (c) supporting women's chicken production is not a route to empowerment without complementary activities that directly support women's ownership and decision making. There is also a need for rigorous research on the role of village poultry in livelihoods, food systems, and consumption as well as the structure of poultry and egg markets in low-resource areas.

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Mycoplasma spp. From Pigeons in the North-East of Iran

Background: Mycoplasma is one of the most important pathogens of respiratory system in poultry. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to identify Mycoplasma spp. isolated from pigeons. METHODS: Sixteen pooled samples were provided and cultured on PPLO medium and finally the DNA was extracted from the resulting single colonies. RESULTS: Through 16S rRNA gene amplification Mycoplasma genus has been detected. Overall, 31% (5 out of 16) of pooled samples were positive which were identified as Mycoplasma cloumborale and Mycoplasma gallinaceum. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of large numbers of pigeons for known poultry pathogenic mycoplasmas will be required to establish the role of pigeons in the spread and maintenance of these organisms in the environment.

Framework for life cycle assessment of livestock production systems to account for the nutritional quality of final products.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely regarded as a useful tool for comparing the environmental impacts of multiple livestock production systems. While LCA results are typically communicated in the form of environmental burdens per mass unit of the end product, it is increasingly becoming recognized that the product quality also needs to be accounted for to truly understand the value of a farming system to society. To date, a number of studies have examined environmental consequences of different food consumption patterns at the diet level; however, few have addressed nutritional variations of a single commodity attributable to production systems, leaving limited insight into how on‐farm practices can be improved to better balance environment and human nutrition. Using data from seven livestock production systems encompassing cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, this paper proposes a novel framework to incorporate nutritional value of meat products into livestock LCA. The results of quantitative case studies demonstrate that relative emissions intensities associated with different systems can be dramatically altered when the nutrient content of meat replaces the mass of meat as the functional unit, with cattle systems outperforming pig and poultry systems in some cases. This finding suggests that the performance of livestock systems should be evaluated under a whole supply chain approach, whereby end products originating from different farm management strategies are treated as competing but separate commodities.