Prebiotics reduce feather pecking behavior, and improve trace element profile and redox balance in Mule ducks

Refining dietary metabolisable energy and crude protein levels in relation to duck performance and behaviour

1. The study evaluated the effect of dietary metabolisable energy (ME) content and crude protein (CP) level on the growth performance and behaviour of ducks.2. A total of 720, Cherry Valley ducks were allocated to 36 pens in groups of 20 birds. For the initial period, from 1 to 21 d age, six diets, containing a standard (SME), low (LME) and high (HME) ME of 12.14, 11.93 and 12.35 MJ/kg, and standard (SCP) or high (HCP) CP contents of 210 or 220 g/kg diet, respectively, were mixed. For the period from 22 to 42 d age, the diets contained ME of 12.98 (SME), 12.77 (LME), 13.19 (HME) MJ/kg and the levels of CP were 170 (SCP) or 180 (HCP) g/kg, respectively.3. An ME by CP interaction was seen from 1 to 21 d age in ducks fed HME + HCP diet, which had greater weight gain than those fed LME + SCP (P < 0.05). Compared to LME + SCP, dietary HME decrease feeding but increased walking behaviour compared to LME + SCP and SME + SCP (P < 0.05). High CP in LME and SME diets increased drinking behaviour (P < 0.05), but there was no change in HME diet. Compared to LME, feeding HME reduced ground pecking (P < 0.05). Feeding HME reduced feeding behaviour (P < 0.05) from 22 to 42 d age. During the same period, standing behaviour was reduced in HCP + LME (P < 0.05). Drinking was reduced in LME + SCP compared to SME + HCP and HME + HCP (P < 0.05).4. A diet formulated with HME and HCP is effective for enhancing growth performance of ducks aged 1-21 d and saving time for feeding or ground pecking, which may induce spending more time on other activities.

Welfare of ducks, geese and quail on farm

This Scientific Opinion concerns the welfare of Domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) and their hybrids (Mule ducks), Domestic geese (Anser anser f. domesticus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) in relation to the rearing of breeders, birds for meat, Muscovy and Mule ducks and Domestic geese for foie gras and layer Japanese quail for egg production. The most common husbandry systems (HSs) in the European Union are described for each animal species and category. The following welfare consequences are described and assessed for each species: restriction of movement, injuries (bone lesions including fractures and dislocations, soft tissue lesions and integument damage and locomotory disorders including lameness), group stress, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour and inability to express maternal behaviour (related to prelaying and nesting behaviours). Animal-based measures relevant for the assessment of these welfare consequences were identified and described. The relevant hazards leading to the welfare consequences in the different HSs were identified. Specific factors such as space allowance (including minimum enclosure area and height) per bird, group size, floor quality, characteristics of nesting facilities and enrichment provided (including access to water to fulfil biological needs) were assessed in relation to the welfare consequences and, recommendations on how to prevent the welfare consequences were provided in a quantitative or qualitative way.

Effects of dietary fiber on intestinal iron absorption, and physiological status: a systematic review of in vivo and clinical studies

The benefits of dietary fiber on intestinal health have been well established. However, there is no consensus on the dietary fiber effects on mineral absorption. The objective of this systematic review is to discuss the evidence on the dietary fiber effects on iron absorption and iron status-related biomarkers. A comprehensive search of 3 databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was carried out. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and a total of 32 studies were included with 9 of them clinical studies and 23 in vivo. The studies included assessment of dietary fiber in the form of fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, inulin, pectin, guar gum, oligofructose, xylo-oligosaccharides, and mannan-oligosaccharide. Hemoglobin (n = 21) and fractional iron absorption (n = 6) were the most frequently reported outcomes. The results showed no significant correlations between consumption of dietary fiber to iron absorption/status-related biomarkers. However, the current evidence may not be substantial to invalidate the recommendation of dietary fiber as an agent to improve dietary iron bioavailability, and absorption. In conclusion, there is a need to conduct further clinical trials with long dietary fiber intervention focusing on population at high risk for iron deficiency.