White Chickens Research Articles

Determination and comparison of growth performance parameters between two crossbred strains of Korean native chickens with a white semi broiler chicken for 84 days post-hatch

Determination and comparison of growth performance parameters between two crossbred strains of Korean native chickens with a white semi broiler chicken for 84 days post-hatch

Biorremediación de metales pesados por plumas melanizadas y no melanizadas y bacterias degradantes de plumas, resistentes a metales pesados

Heavy metals are toxic and detrimental water pollutants. The continuous discharge of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) containing effluents from industries within and around residential areas is worrisome since they do not only affects human beings, but also beneficial microbes, animals andvegetation due to their mobility in aqueous ecosystem, toxicity and non-biodegradability. The aim of this study is to compare the ability of black and white feathers to adsorb Cd and Pbin two aqueous media and to isolate Cd and Pb tolerant feather-degrading bacteria that will degrade the Cd and Pb polluted feather generated. Black and white chicken feathers were used as bio-adsorbent material in two Cd and Pb containing aqueous solutions (distilled water (DW)and feather meal broth(FMB)). The sorption capacity of the feathers was obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry andgravitational methods. Cd and Pb tolerant bacterium identified Bacillus sp. was isolated from the manure of local chick and used to degrade Cd and Pb polluted feathers. Result shows that black feathers possessed higher uptake capacity of Cd and Pb in FMB and DW, suggesting the high bio-absorption capacity of feathers in FMB that than in DW. A Cd and Pb resistant feather-degrading bacteria isolated from chicken manure were able to degrade about 40% Cd polluted feathers and 30% Pb polluted white feathers in 7 days. Even though the bacterium grew faster in FMB containing Cd polluted feathers, the degradation of Cd polluted white feathers was faster than black. Hydrolysates produced after complete degradation of polluted feathers contained low concentration of heavy metals. Bioremediation of heavy metals and recalcitrant chicken feather wastes can be achieved by melanised and un-melanised feathers and metal resistant feather-degrading bacteria.

Red Meat Consumption and Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Population with Low Red Meat Consumption

Abstract Objectives Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as the most common liver disease, can range from simple steatosis, i.e., non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), to hepatocellular fibrosis (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH). We evaluated the association between meat consumption and the risk of NAFLD in the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS). Methods The GCS enrolled 50,045 participants, aged 40 to 75 years, in Golestan Province, Iran. Dietary information was collected using a 116-item semi-quantitative FFQ at baseline (2004–2008). A random sample of 1612 participants participated in a liver study after a median of 5 years. NAFL were ascertained via ultrasound. We defined NASH as NAFL plus elevated alanine transaminase levels above 45 and 30 IU/L for men and women, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meat consumption was categorized into quartiles based on the GCS population, with the first quartile as the referent group. Results The median intakes of red and white meat were 17 and 53 grams/day, respectively. During follow-up, 505 individuals (37.7%) were diagnosed with NAFL, and 124 (9.2%) with NASH. High total red meat consumption was associated with higher risk for NAFL (ORQ4 vs Q1 = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.38, p trend = 0.03). The highest quartile of unprocessed meat consumption (OR Q4 vs Q1 = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.13 to 2.66, p trend = 0.16) and organ meat consumption were associated with NAFL (OR Q4 vs Q1 = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.44, p trend = 0.003). High total red meat consumption showed a non-significant association with NASH, but this association was statistically significant for the highest quantile of unprocessed red meat intake (ORQ4 vs Q1 = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.09 to 4.80). Processed meat, total white meat, chicken and fish consumption were not significantly associated with NAFLD. Conclusions This is a population with relatively low consumption of red meat, even so, red meat intake was associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. Furthermore, this is the first study to show a dose-response association between organ meat consumption and NAFL. Funding Sources The Intramural Program of the US National Cancer Institute (NIH), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Cancer Research UK, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Transesterification of different vegetable oils using eggshells from various sources as catalyst

In the present study, different sources of eggshell were used as catalysts in the transesterification reaction for biodiesel production using different vegetable oils (soybean, canola, corn, and sunflower). Eggshells samples were calcinated at 800 ºC and characterized by XRD, SEM, and CO2-TPD. Transesterification reactions were performed at 65 °C for 4 h in a batch reactor with alcohol:oil molar ratio 9:1 and catalyst:oil ratio of 3% (wt.). Product analysis was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Samples showed biodiesel yields above 85 %. The best results were obtained using soybean and sunflower oils, and white chicken eggshell and quail eggshell as catalysts. These results are related to a higher percentage of palmitic acid and stearic acid in these oils, and to the strength of the basic sites of these catalysts.

ARCHETYPAL CHARACTERS IN BEAUTIFUL BOXER AND WHITE CHICKS FILMS

The concern of this study was about the archetypal characters of men characters who transformed into women as portrayed by Toom of Beautiful Boxer and Kevin & Marcus of White Chicks films. This study used Jung’s four major archetypes to find out the types of archetype portrayed by the three men characters and their similarities and differences toward each other. Qualitative research was the research design of this study. The data used in this study were words (narrations and dialogues) related to Toom character taken from the English Subtitle of Beautiful Boxer film and Kevin & Marcus characters of White Chicks film script. This study found the archetypes portrayed by Toom of Beautiful Boxer film were persona, shadow, and anima. Meanwhile, the archetypes of persona and anima were portrayed by Kevin and Marcus of White Chicks film. The similarity of archetype portrayed by Toom, Kevin, and Marcus was that their anima archetype existing from another archetype which led to the difference among the three of them. Toom’s anima was the result of his growing shadow containing his oppressed desire of becoming a real woman, while Kevin and Marcus’ anima came from their persona archetype related to their mission of pretending as women. Based on these findings, this study concluded that shadow archetype affected Toom’s decision of transforming into woman, while persona affected Kevin and Marcus’.

Effects of Dietary Quebracho Tannin on Performance Traits and Parasite Load in an Italian Slow-Growing Chicken (White Livorno Breed).

Simple SummaryAcknowledging that excessive use of chemical synthesis products in all animal fields is damaging for live beings and the environment, there is a need to propose natural elements as substitutes. Quebracho tannin may act against microbes, parasites, viruses and fungi, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There are few studies on dietary use of condensed tannins in poultry. In this study, dietary Quebracho tannin was tested in growing laying hens of a local pure breed reared under free-range conditions. We found that 2% dietary Quebracho tannin is the maximum inclusion level, and beyond this level becomes detrimental for a growing hen’s health. Quebracho tannin reduced fecal outputs of Nematodes and Coccidia, and this attribute could be helpful for the maintenance of a better litter quality by making birds produce highly dry droppings.Tannins have shown numerous biological activities and are very appreciated in food animal production, especially for their antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antivirus effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two levels of dietary Quebracho tannin (QT) on growth and performance traits, and possible effects on intestinal parasite load in Italian White Livorno pullets. A 140-day trial was carried out on 180 35-day-old females, fed on two levels of dietary QT inclusion: 0%, 1% and 2%. Birds were reared under free-range conditions. Dietary Quebracho tannin may be used up to 1% in growing female White Livorno chickens without any adverse effects. The results observed in this study on the use of dietary QT at 2% might have not reflected the real effect on performance traits due to the initial inclusion of dietary QT at 3%. Nevertheless, by reducing QT to 2%, a progressive normalization of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed, resulting in compensatory growth. QT was demonstrated to drastically reduce fecal outputs of Nematodes eggs (Ascaridia spp. and Heterakis spp.) and Coccidia oocytes (Eimeria spp.). The inclusion of 2% produced highly dry droppings.

Micro-RNA expression profile of chicken small intestines during Eimeria necatrix infection

Eimeria necatrix is a high pathogenic pathogen second to Eimeria tenella causing chicken coccidiosis. However, the precise underlying molecular mechanisms of interaction between E. necatrix and chickens are not fully understood. Accumulating evidences suggest that micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal regulatory roles in various diseases, including parasitic diseases. In the present study, the expression profile of miRNAs in Hy-line variety white chicken small intestines infected with E. necatrix was studied by using deep sequencing. A total of 35 miRNAs (including 16 significantly upregulated and 19 significantly downregulated miRNAs) were significantly differentially expressed (DE) in infected tissues at 108 h post-infection (pi). Real-time polymerase chain of 10 miRNAs (including 5 upregulated and 5 downregulated) randomly selected successfully confirmed the effectiveness of deep sequencing. Target prediction showed that 4,568 mRNAs could be regulated by 21 (including 12 upregulated and 9 downregulated) of 35 differentially expressed miRNAs. Functional analysis indicated that target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs would be involved in pathways related to infection of E. necatrix, including cell differentiation, adhesion, proliferation, and apoptosis (e.g., MAPK signaling pathway and PPAR signaling pathway). To our best knowledge, this is the first study on the miRNA expression profile of small intestines during E. necatrix infection, and the findings in the present study suggested that these DE miRNAs would play important regulatory role in the interaction between E. necatrix and chicken intestines.

A Cross Sectional Survey of Chicken Astroviruses Antibody in Broiler and Sonali (Cross-Bred) Chickens in Selected Areas in Bangladesh

Abstract Chicken astroviruses (CAstV) are enteric viruses of poultry causing gastroenteritis, malabsorption, gout and white chick disease commonly known as runting-stunting syndrome (RSS). It can affect the wide range of poultry birds, especially chicken, turkey and duck worldwide. To our best knowledge there is no published report on presence of antibodies against CAstV in Bangladesh. Therefore, the study aimed to detect the presence of CAstV antibodies in broilers and sonali chickens (a cross-bread) in Bangladesh through a cross-sectional survey. A total of 454 blood samples from 66 flocks of broiler (n=343) and sonali chickens (n=111) of different ages were obtained during 2017 from four districts. The birds were healthy but were not vaccinated against CAstV. The samples were tested for specific antibodies against CAstV Group B by using commercially available ELISA kit. Overall, 16.74% (76/454) samples and 34.84% (23/66) flocks were positive for CAstV antibodies. The seroprevalence of CAstV was significantly (p=0.001) higher in sonali chickens (36.96%) than broiler (10.20%), while it was significantly higher (p=0.001) in birds of Bogura district (36.94%) than the other three districts. Regarding the age groups, seroprevalence was insignificantly (p=0.192) higher in sonali chicken before laying age (45%) than during laying age (27.45%). Regarding the seasons, CAstV infection was prevalent significantly (p=0.001) higher in winter season. Thus, the present study indicated the presence of CAstV in poultry in Bangladesh, so further studies are required to find out the magnitude of the problem in the country.

GENETIC AND NON GENETIC PARAMETERS FOR BODY WEIGHTS OF TWO IRAQI LOCAL CHICKNS

This study aimed to investigate the genetic parameters for body weights of White and Black local chickens. The experiment conducted at College of Agric., Salahaddien Univ. during the period from Sept. 2016 until April 2018. 520 fertile eggs were taken from Agri. Res. Center, Ministry of Agric., Baghdad. Hatched chicks considered as parents (G0), and distributed randomly in to ten families. Resulted eggs from each family were collected during the peak of production for each generation to produce chicks of the next generation (G1 and G2). Body weights of resulted chicks were recorded at 1-day old and weekly till maturity. SAS program used to analyze the body weights (BW) and body weight gains (BWG) at different ages. The model includes genetic groups and generations for traits before sexing and the effect of sex added for the traits after sexing. Variance component of random effects estimated by REML and tested for positive definiteness to develop reliable estimates. Repeatability for body weights estimated. BW of chicks at 1 day, 4, 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 week were 31.02, 292.47, 679.29, 794.58, 892.82, 1362.53 and 1252.17 g, and BWG at (1-4, 4-8, 9-10 and10-16) weeks were 261.45, 386.82, 98.24, and 469.51 g, respectively. The chicks of black group significantly excelled the white group in their weight at 1 day, 4, 8, 16 and 17, as well at ages 1-4 and 10-16 weeks. The effect of generation on BW of chicks at all ages and BWG at 1-4, 4-8 weeks was highly significant and (P<0.05) during 9-10 and 10-16 weeks. Males surpassed females significantly (p<0.01) in their BW at 9, 10 and 16 weeks and in their BWG during 9-10 and 10-16 weeks. Estimates of heritability were 0.42, 0.61, 0.76, 0.71, 0.43, 0.51, and 0.70 and of repeatability were 0.29, 0.26, 0.22, 0.38, 0.41, 0.74, and 0.78 for BW at 1 day, 4, 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 weeks respectively. Higher (0.78) and lower (0.14) genetic correlations were recorded between BW at 8 weeks with each of BW at 10 and 17 weeks respectively. While the phenotypic correlations ranged between 0.04 (among BW at 1 day with weight at 9 weeks) and 0.58 (among BW 16 with 17 weeks).

Evaluation of 3-week-old layer chicks intratracheally challenged with Salmonella isolates from serogroup c1 (O:6,7) and Salmonella Enteritidis

ABSTRACTWith the exception to Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis (serogroups B [O:4] and D [O:9], respectively), there have been very few studies conducted on the respiratory tract as route of infection in chickens with salmonellas from serogroup C1 (O:6,7). Therefore, the purpose of this present study was to determine the potential organ invasion by Salmonella enterica serotype Potsdam (SP), S. Mbandaka (SM), and S. Infantis (SI) from serogroup C1 (O:6,7) and compare their characteristics with those of S. Enteritidis (SE) on intratracheally (IT) challenged 3-week-old layer chicks. A total of 360 one-day-old White Leghorn layer chicks were acquired from a commercial hatchery and randomly assigned into four treatment groups (SP, SM, SI, and SE, respectively), consisting of three independent trials. Chicks were grown up to 21 days (3 weeks) and IT-challenged thereafter with 106 CFU of respective salmonella organisms per group (n = 30). Chicks (n = 5) were humanely sacrificed every 24 h for 6 days post-IT infection and organs such as lung, heart, liver, spleen, kidney and caecal content were cultured for salmonella. All treatment groups exhibited colonization of lungs and caecal contents at 1 d (P = 0.475) and 4 d (P = 0.696) post-IT infection, respectively. There was no isolation of SP, SM, and SI in heart, liver, spleen, and kidney. In contrast, SE was obtained from heart, liver, and spleen of IT-infected chicks. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the importance of the respiratory route in salmonella infection in poultry.

Nondestructive sex-specific monitoring of early embryonic development rate in white layer chicken eggs using visible light transmission

ABSTRACT1. Sex-specific variations in early embryonic development rates may pre-empt later variations in embryonic development through to pipping and hatching. Given that erythropoiesis (blood production) can be equated with early embryonic growth rate, it was hypothesised that blood pigment haemoglobin can act as a specific spectral fingerprint for changes in growth rate. Moreover, by measuring longitudinal, rather than lateral, spectral transmission through the egg, a more consistent spectrum with a higher signal-to-noise ratio could be captured.2. Longitudinal visible transmission (T575/T598 ratio), which is sensitive to haemoglobin, was used to monitor sex-specific early embryonic development rate in white layer chicken eggs from d 0 to 8 of incubation. The sex of these eggs was subsequently confirmed two days after hatching.3. Embryonic development was detectable from d 3 (72 h) of incubation, 36 h earlier than previously reported lateral spectral measurements, supporting the greater sensitivity of longitudinal measurements.4. At d 3, the mean T575/T598 ratio for male embryos was significantly lower (P < 0.001) (i.e. higher absorbance of haemoglobin) than for female embryos, which was thought to be due to sex-differences in early embryogenesis. On the other hand, female embryos had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) mean T575/T598 ratio than male embryos at d 7 of incubation, presumably due to the combined effects of oestrogen synthesis receptors and enzymes on erythropoiesis in female embryos at this time.5. In conclusion, the proposed methodology has the sensitivity to differentiate sex-specific embryonic development rates during early incubation and the potentiality to advance precision incubation management and poultry research.

Chemical composition, nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy of germinated paddy rice

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) was examined for its potential as a feed ingredient in comparison with paddy rice (PR) without germination. The attributes related to the chemical composition, phytochemicals, thermal property, nutrient digestibility and ME value were evaluated. It was found that GPR samples contained 7.48% CP, 1.96% EE, 67.58% NFE and 12.55% crude fibre on an air-dry basis. The gross energy, 3.77 kcal/g, was found to be close to that of corn. Germinated paddy rice showed slightly lower ash, NFE and GE but higher CP, EE and CF than those of PR. The GPR exhibited high content of phytonutrients especially gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and this enhanced its antioxidant activities. Germination was found to alter gelatinization temperature as evidenced by the thermal property. The true digestibility and ME values were evaluated using eight 1-year old male White Tail Yellow chickens housed in individual cages. The results revealed the true digestibility values of CP, EE and CF as 35.41, 61.35 and 46.26 per cent, respectively. Apparent ME (AME) and true ME values were 3.20 and 3.28 kcal/g on an air-dry basis, respectively. It is concluded that GPR could be a good alternative source of feed ingredient for poultry.

Immunopathological Effects of Nano Alumina on Humoral Immune Response in White Leghorns Chickens

Immunopathological Effects of Nano Alumina on Humoral Immune Response in White Leghorns Chickens

Ketamine Hydrochloride as a General Anesthetic for Domestic Fowl Chicks: Onset and Recovery from Anesthesia

The domestic fowl, as a species, is considered a unique experimental model in immunological research where the humoral and cellular components of the immune response can be delineated by selective surgical bursectomy of newly hatched chicks combined with sublethal whole-body X-irradiation. Search for an effective, safe, and a short-acting general anesthetic for application in such young birds is, therefore, essential. Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative with analgesic and anesthetic properties in both mammalian and avian species. Studies on its efficacy on young or naturally small birds, however, are apparently lacking. Our previous studies indicated that dose levels as high as 51 mg/kg and 37.2 mg/kg are not lethal to 2-day- and 6-day-old Hisex White domestic fowl chicks when given intramuscularly, respectively. Results of the present study show that the onset of ketamine anesthesia varied between 40 - 98 seconds in 2-day-old chicks of this breed depending upon dose level. The dose and response are inversely related (y = -19.3x + 107.5) where “y” is the time for onset of anesthesia in seconds and “x” is the dose as mg/bird. The time for recovery from anesthesia also varied (6.6 - 74.7 min) depending upon dose level. The dose and response, however, are positively correlated (y = 20.92x - 21.15). Doses ranging between 43.77 to 47.74 mg/kg are considered optimum to produce anesthesia with onset in 74 - 77 sec and recovery within 12 - 15 min. It is concluded that Ketamine has the potential for application as a general anesthetic for domestic fowl chicks for bursectomy. Critical clinical tests are necessary to evaluate further the performance of this drug when administered to young chicks.

Enriching ISA brown and Shaver white breeder diets with sources of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased embryonic utilization of docosahexaenoic acid

There is limited information on feeding egg-type chick breeders n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and its impact on hatching egg quality and embryonic fatty acid (FA) utilization. We investigated the effects of feeding brown and white egg-type chick breeders diets containing sources of n−3 PUFA on egg composition, apparent embryonic FA utilization, and intestinal FA transporter in hatchlings. Twenty-six-week-old ISA brown and Shaver white breeders were fed either 1) control (CON); 2) CON + 1% of microalgae (DMA, Aurantiochytrium limacinum) fermentation product, as a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); or 3) CON + 2.60% of coextruded full-fat flaxseed and pulse mixture (FFF, 1:1 wt/wt) as a source of α-linolenic acid (ALA). Test diets had similar total n−3 and n−6:n−3 ratio. Eggs were hatched, and residual yolk (RY) samples taken for FA analyses. Apparent embryonic FA utilization was calculated by subtracting concentration of FA in RY from concentration of FA in yolk before incubation. There was an interaction between strains and diets (P < 0.05) on DHA in phospholipid and triglyceride fractions of yolk. Both n−3 PUFA sources increased DHA to a greater extent in Shaver white than in ISA brown. The interactive effect of strains and diets (P = 0.019) on embryonic utilization of ALA was such that DMA and FFF reduced ALA utilization, and this pattern was more prevalent in Shaver white birds than in ISA brown birds. There was no interaction between strains and diets on DHA utilization (P > 0.05). Embryos from hens fed n−3 PUFA sources used less total FA in phospholipid fraction (P < 0.001), and they preferentially used more DHA than CON embryos. Shaver white embryos used more (P < 0.05) ALA and DHA than ISA brown embryos. Although data suggested Shaver white had higher propensity of depositing DHA than ISA brown, irrespective of strain, feeding n−3 PUFA modified embryonic pattern of FA utilization toward utilization of DHA.

PSVIII-15 Polymorhpism of dysferlin gene in chickens

Abstract Dysferlin is associated with the formation of the muscle membrane, is involved in the repair of the muscle membrane and the regulation of myoblast fusion. In humans, mutations in the dysferlin gene lead to various types of muscle pathologies. The effect of dysferlin on the formation of muscle structures was detected in the early stages of embryonic development. We have suggested that mutations in the dysferlin gene in chickens can have a negative effect on the formation of muscle mass and meat traits of chickens. SNP rs16455118 was studied on chickens of different breeds and hybrids of broilers and layers. Body weight was controlled in 7, 49 and 330 days. Layers were used as a contrast. Standard indicators of egg traits (age of the first egg laying, egg production for 6 months, egg weight) were studied. SNP rs16455118 leads to the replacement of adenine by cytosine in the intron of the dysferlin gene. The GWAS method was used. As a result, the association of SNP in the dysferlin gene with meat traits in chickens was not found. But a statistically significant association of certain genotypes with egg trait in Russian white chickens was determined. Chickens with the AA and AC genotypes had more eggs compared to their peers with the SS genotype during the reference period. The difference was 10 eggs an average of (P ≤ 0.05). Project number: AAAA-A18-118021590138-1

Positive Effects of Resveratrol on Egg-Laying Ability, Egg Quality, and Antioxidant Activity in Hens

SUMMARY Resveratrol is a polyphenol known to have many beneficial biological activities. In our study, we investigated the effect of supplementing chicken feed with different concentrations of resveratrol. A total of 2,160 Jingfen white egg chickens in their 210-d old were selected for this study. They were randomly distributed into 4 diet groups with 6 replicates each. Each replicate group contained 90 chickens. Diets were supplemented with 1 of 4 doses of resveratrol: 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. Relative to that in controls, the egg production rate and mean daily food intake significantly increased upon 200 mg/kg resveratrol treatment (P

Evaluation of the Safety and Protection Efficacy of spiC and nmpC or rfaL Deletion Mutants of Salmonella Enteritidis as Live Vaccine Candidates for Poultry Non-Typhoidal Salmonellosis.

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is a host-ranged pathogen that can infect both animals and humans. Poultry and poultry products are the main carriers of S. Enteritidis, which can be transmitted to humans through the food chain. To eradicate the prevalence of S. Enteritidis in poultry farms, it is necessary to develop novel vaccines against the pathogen. In this study, we constructed two vaccine candidates, CZ14-1∆spiC∆nmpC and CZ14-1∆spiC∆rfaL, and evaluated their protective efficacy. Both mutant strains were much less virulent than the parental strain, as determined by the 50% lethal dose (LD50) for three-day-old specific-pathogen free (SPF) White Leghorns and Hyline White chickens. Immunization with the mutant candidates induced highly specific humoral immune responses and expression of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, the mutant strains were found to be persistent for almost three weeks post-infection. The survival percentages of chickens immunized with CZ14-1∆spiC∆nmpC and CZ14-1∆spiC∆rfaL reached 80% and 75%, respectively, after challenge with the parental strain. Overall, these results demonstrate that the two mutant strains can be developed as live attenuated vaccines.

Quality, composition, and consumer evaluation of meat from slow-growing broilers relative to commercial broilers

During the last few years, slow-growing broiler market share is steadily increasing. Hence, new strains of slow-growing broilers are being introduced to meet the demand. Indbro broiler is such one strain developed to cater the demand for slow-growing broiler meat. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the meat quality of this new variety of slow-growing broiler meat. In this context, the present study was undertaken to compare the meat quality, composition, and consumer preference of slow-growing and commercial white broiler chicken meats. Commercial white broilers (vencobb strain) used in this study weighed approximately 2.0 kg and are 36 days old. The slow-growing birds were from Indbro strain which is multicolored and costing about 30 to 50% higher price in local markets. The dressing percentage, breast meat yield, meat bone ratio, and muscle fiber diameter were higher (P < 0.05) in commercial broilers. However, the cooking yield of drumstick and breast meat did not differ significantly between 2 genotypes. Shear force value and protein content of thigh meat were higher (P < 0.05) in slow-growing broiler as compared to the commercial broiler. Slow-growing boiler breast meat contains significantly (P < 0.05) lower total fatty acid and saturated fatty acid content. A significant (P < 0.05) percentage (67%) of consumers preferred the meat and meat products prepared from slow-growing broiler meat. During "paired comparison" test the semi-trained panelists could able to differentiate between slow-growing and fast-growing broiler meat. All the sensory attributes of meat and meat products from slow-growing broilers were similar to commercial broiler. Therefore, slow-growing broiler chicken has the potential to provide the tasty and alternate poultry meat to consumers.

Ibis and spoonbill chick growth and energy requirements: implications for wetland and water management

Colonial-nesting waterbirds such as ibis and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) can account for a significant proportion of energy flow through wetlands, particularly during large breeding events. However when food availability is reduced, chicks may starve and adults may abandon nests. If the energy required to rear chicks could be calculated, data quantifying prey energy value and availability could be used to develop landscape scale management targets to ensure that food requirements are met to support chicks until they attain independence, thereby maximising recruitment. We calculated ibis and spoonbill chick biometrics and energy requirements through (a) an international literature review, extracting and synthesising the best available growth and energy data; (b) new measurements of ibis and spoonbill chick biometrics for selected species; and (c) analysis of the resulting databases to construct growth curves and predict energy requirements for selected species. Here we present the first models of Royal Spoonbill growth and of Royal Spoonbill and Australian White Ibis chick energy requirements. The total energy estimated to raise a single Royal Spoonbill chick from hatching to independence was 71,290 kJ and for an Australian White Ibis chick was 67,160 kJ. Using prey energy values from the literature, extrapolations indicate that for either species, a nesting event of 1000 nests producing three chicks per nest would require an estimated ten tonnes of freshwater crayfish (Cherax destructor) or eight tonnes of invasive juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio) to support chicks from hatching to independence. Effective water and wetland management is critical to optimise both energy availability in foraging sites and breeding success.