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Mattioli S, Angelucci E, Castellini C, Cartoni Mancinelli A, Chenggang W, Di Federico F, Chiattelli D, Dal Bosco A. Effect of genotype and outdoor enrichment on productive performance and meat quality of slow growing chickens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104131. [PMID: 39111239 PMCID: PMC11350495 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The optimization of animal welfare, meat quality, environmental impact, and economic sustainability in alternative poultry farming can be achieved by modulating several productive factors and improving the synergy between the chicken genotype and the outdoor environment. The objective of the study was to characterize 4 slow-growing chicken genotypes reared in free range conditions. Eight hundred chickens (SGs; 25 chickens/replicates/genotype/enrichment) belonging to the following genotypes, Red JA57 (RJ), Naked Neck (NN), Lohmann Dual meat-type (LD), and an Italian crossbreed (Robusta Maculata x Sasso, CB). were utilised and slaughtered at 81 d: The grazing areas were alternatively provided with enrichment constituted by strips of sorghum plants (ENR) or only grass (NO ENR). Productive performance (daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, live weight) were recorded weekly. Behaviour observations (walking and grass pecking), carcass and meat quality of breast and drumstick were also assessed in 15 chickens/replicate/genotypes/enrichment. Results demonstrated that both LD and CB showed the highest walking activity, but the different strains were differently capable of using the foraging resources (eating grass). The better productive performance was recorded in RJ followed by NN, CB and LD. In LD and CB, the different walking activities also affected the physico-chemical profiles (lower pHu, WHC, and lipids) of the breast and drumstick. The oxidative status was worse in CB than in the other groups (lower tocols, higher carbonyls), in both meat cuts. Fatty acid profile was also related to the genetic strain: a higher amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was recorded both in the breast and drumstick of RJ and NN. The Healthy Fatty Index resulted excellent in all the chicken genotypes. In conclusion, the environment/animal interaction resulted as an important factor affecting the adaptability of genotypes to an extensive rearing system. All four genotypes, to different extents, showed good adaptability and production performance, with the exception of LD and CB, which were too light for the commercial supply chain requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Mattioli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy.
| | - Elisa Angelucci
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Cesare Castellini
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Wei Chenggang
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Federico
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Diletta Chiattelli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dal Bosco
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia 06124, Italy
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Fu Y, Cheng HW. The Influence of Cecal Microbiota Transplantation on Chicken Injurious Behavior: Perspective in Human Neuropsychiatric Research. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1017. [PMID: 39199404 PMCID: PMC11352350 DOI: 10.3390/biom14081017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have evidenced that neuropsychiatric disorders (mental illness and emotional disturbances) with aggression (or violence) pose a significant challenge to public health and contribute to a substantial economic burden worldwide. Especially, social disorganization (or social inequality) associated with childhood adversity has long-lasting effects on mental health, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. Intestinal bacteria, functionally as an endocrine organ and a second brain, release various immunomodulators and bioactive compounds directly or indirectly regulating a host's physiological and behavioral homeostasis. Under various social challenges, stress-induced dysbiosis increases gut permeability causes serial reactions: releasing neurotoxic compounds, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal injury, and eventually neuropsychiatric disorders associated with aggressive, violent, or impulsive behavior in humans and various animals via a complex bidirectional communication of the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. The dysregulation of the MGB axis has also been recognized as one of the reasons for the prevalence of social stress-induced injurious behaviors (feather pecking, aggression, and cannibalistic pecking) in chickens. However, existing knowledge of preventing and treating these disorders in both humans and chickens is not well understood. In previous studies, we developed a non-mammal model in an abnormal behavioral investigation by rationalizing the effects of gut microbiota on injurious behaviors in chickens. Based on our earlier success, the perspective article outlines the possibility of reducing stress-induced injurious behaviors in chickens through modifying gut microbiota via cecal microbiota transplantation, with the potential for providing a biotherapeutic rationale for preventing injurious behaviors among individuals with mental disorders via restoring gut microbiota diversity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechi Fu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Heng-Wei Cheng
- Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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3
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Stępień-Pyśniak D, Dec M, Hauschild T, Kursa O, Marek A, Wilczyński J, Brzeski M. Case reports involving coinfection with Avibacterium paragallinarum and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in broiler chickens and Avibacterium endocarditis in broiler breeding hens in Poland. Avian Pathol 2024; 53:291-302. [PMID: 38385975 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2323029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe study describes three clinical cases of infection with Avibacterium spp.. In case no. 1, respiratory clinical signs and high mortality (0.7-4.2% daily; total 21.2%) in Ross 308 broiler chickens were shown to be caused by coinfection with sequence type 9 of O. rhinotracheale presumptive serotype A and A. paragallinarum presumptive serotype B. The identical (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) restriction pattern (pulsotype) of seven A. paragallinarum isolates indicated that infectious coryza in broilers was caused by the same clone. In cases 2 and 3, sudden increased deaths in Ross 308 broiler breeders (especially males) with lesions in the endocardium (valvular or mural endocarditis) were shown to be caused by A. endocarditis. Among nine antibiotics tested, florfenicol was the only antibiotic to which all A. paragallinarum and O. rhinotracheale isolates were susceptible. Out of the eight antibiotics tested, 11 A. endocarditis isolates from both clinical cases of infective endocarditis were susceptible to penicillin, amoxicillin, doxycycline and florfenicol. The A. endocarditis isolates tested in both clinical cases had different PFGE patterns (pulsotypes), but identical within a case. The causes of infectious coryza and infective endocarditis in the cases presented have not been determined. In the prevention of infectious diseases in large-scale livestock farming, it is very important to follow the rules of biosecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Stępień-Pyśniak
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Dec
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Hauschild
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Olimpia Kursa
- Department of Poultry Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Marek
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Michał Brzeski
- Veterinary Cabinet - Brzeski and Partners, Giżycko, Poland
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Oke OE, Onagbesan OM. Impacts of access to legume- or grass-based pasture on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load of laying hens. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34780. [PMID: 39149081 PMCID: PMC11324940 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the plethora of studies on the impacts of access to runs on chickens, there is a paucity of information on the welfare and behavioural repertoire of hens raised in the deep litter houses with or without access to legume- or grass-based pasture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of access to grass or legume pastures by laying hens on behaviour, physiological responses and bacterial load. The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of exposure of egg-type chickens to runs on grass or legume pastures on their welfare and behaviours. The study involved the use of 240 ISA brown pullets from 12 weeks of age and and lasted for 48 weeks. The treatments were deep litter housing with grass-based pasture run (PG), deep litter housing with legume-based pasture run (PL) and deep litter housing without runs (LD) having 80 pullets with four replicates of twenty birds each. Behavioural observations of the hens in each pen were made at 52 weeks of age and tonic immobility was assessed by making the birds lie on their back with their head resting in a U-shaped wooden cradle. The measurements of the respiratory rate and rectal temperature of the hens were assessed at 1:00 p.m. at different laying phases. The gastrointestinal and egg bacterial counts were conducted at 60 weeks of age. Results revealed that the proportion of time spent eating was highest (p < 0.05) in the deep litter housing system, while the legume and grass pasture were similar. The hens spent most of their time standing and eating in the three treatments. However, the time spent standing in PL and PG was similar but significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in LD. Results on tonic immobility duration showed that the time spent by the hens in LD during the reaction was significantly longer than those of the PL and PG in the first, second and third phases of the experiments. However, the time spent by the hens in PL and PG was similar. The rectal temperatures of PL and PG birds were comparable and higher than those of LD during the second phase. On the other hand, there was no difference in the respiratory rate. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) of the hens did not follow a consistent pattern. The bacterial count in the large intestine in LD and PL was similar but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the PG. It was concluded that access to pasture influenced the behaviours of hens and that tonic immobility duration was shorter in the hens on the pasture, suggesting that access to pasture favoured hens' welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- O E Oke
- Animal Physiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Centre of Excellence in Avian Sciences, University of Lome, Togo
| | - O M Onagbesan
- Animal Physiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
- Centre of Excellence in Avian Sciences, University of Lome, Togo
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Ferreira VHB, Seressia J, Même N, Bernard J, Pinard-van der Laan MH, Calenge F, Lecoeur A, Hedlund L, Jensen P, Guesdon V, Calandreau L. Early and late cognitive and behavioral aspects associated with range use in free-range laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Poult Sci 2024; 103:103813. [PMID: 38759569 PMCID: PMC11107457 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Individual differences in free-range chicken systems are important factors influencing how birds use the range (or not), even if individuals are reared in the same environmental conditions. Here, we investigated how various aspects of the birds' behavioral and cognitive tendencies, including their optimism/pessimism, cognitive flexibility, sociability, and exploration levels, are associated with range use and how they may change over time (before and after range access). To achieve this, 100 White Leghorn laying hen chicks underwent three distinct behavioral/cognitive tests-the cognitive bias test, the detour test, and the multivariate test-prior to gaining access to the range, between 9 and 39 days of age. After range access was allowed (from day 71), birds' range use was evaluated over 7 nonconsecutive days (from 74-91 days of age). Subsequently, a subset of birds, classified as high rangers (n = 15) and low rangers (n = 15) based on their range use, underwent retesting on the same three previous tests between 94 and 108 days of age. Our results unveiled a negative correlation trend between birds' evaluation of the ambiguous cue and their subsequent range use (rho = -0.19, p = 0.07). Furthermore, low rangers were faster to learn the detour task (χ2 = 7.34, df = 1, p = 0.006), coupled with increased sociability during the multivariate test (rho = -0.23, p = 0.02), contrasting with their high-ranging counterparts, who displayed more exploratory behaviors (F[1,27] = 3.64, p = 0.06). These behavioral patterns fluctuated over time (before and after range access); however, conclusively attributing these changes to birds' aging and development or the access to the range remains challenging. Overall, our results corroborate that behavioral and cognitive individual differences may be linked to range use and offer novel perspectives on the early behavioral and cognitive traits that may be linked to range use. These findings may serve as a foundation for adapting environments to meet individual needs and improve animal welfare in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeanne Seressia
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, UMR PRC, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | | | - Fanny Calenge
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR GABI, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Alexandre Lecoeur
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR GABI, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Louise Hedlund
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping Universtiy, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Jensen
- IFM Biology, AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping Universtiy, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Vanessa Guesdon
- JUNIA, Comportement Animal et Systèmes d'Elevage, Lille, France
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Bernardi O, Fréville M, Ramé C, Reverchon M, Dupont J. Chemerin concentration in egg white in layer and broiler hens during the laying period for 2 successive generations. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103342. [PMID: 38141273 PMCID: PMC10784314 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic selection progress in layers and broilers makes poultry production one of the fastest growing industries. Objectives of the breeding companies are the stability or the increase in the laying rate and the production of viable chicks. New biomarkers are necessary to improve reproductive and egg performances. Chemerin (Chem) produced by oviduct accumulates in egg white (EW). Here, we hypothesized that EW Chem concentration was dependent on the stage of laying and on the breed (layer vs. broiler). In addition, they could be associated to laying performance and fertility parameters. In breeding companies, we collected during 2 successive generations (G0 (mother) and G1 (daughter)) eggs from 100 layers and 100 broilers hens during 5 d at 3 stages: before, after laying peak and at the end of laying period. For each egg, the EW was sampled to measure Chem concentration by ELISA assay. In each generation at the end of laying period, magnums from oviduct, where the EG is formed, were collected in layers and broilers in order to investigate Chem differential expression by RT-qPCR between both breeds. Chem concentration in EW was dependent on the time of laying period and its profile was differently regulated in layers and broilers. Indeed, it increased at the end of laying in layers whereas it decreased after the laying peak in broilers. At the end of laying period, Chem concentration in EW was almost 2-fold higher in layers than in broilers and this was confirmed in both G0 and G1 generations at the Chem mRNA and protein levels in the magnum. For the 2 successive generations, Chem concentration in EW was negatively correlated with the laying rate and the fertility parameter in broiler hens whereas it was negatively correlated with the egg quality (weight of whole egg and weight of albumen) and positively with the fertility rate at some time of laying in layer hens. Taken together, the Chem concentration in EW could be a potential predictive tool for reproductive parameters in genetic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Bernardi
- French Poultry and Aquaculture Breeders Technical Center, Centre INRAE Val de Loire, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; National Centre for Scientific Research, French Institute of Horse and Riding, Research for Agriculture Food and Environment, Tours University, Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviors, UMR85, F-37280 Nouzilly, France
| | - Mathias Fréville
- National Centre for Scientific Research, French Institute of Horse and Riding, Research for Agriculture Food and Environment, Tours University, Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviors, UMR85, F-37280 Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Ramé
- National Centre for Scientific Research, French Institute of Horse and Riding, Research for Agriculture Food and Environment, Tours University, Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviors, UMR85, F-37280 Nouzilly, France
| | - Maxime Reverchon
- French Poultry and Aquaculture Breeders Technical Center, Centre INRAE Val de Loire, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Joëlle Dupont
- National Centre for Scientific Research, French Institute of Horse and Riding, Research for Agriculture Food and Environment, Tours University, Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviors, UMR85, F-37280 Nouzilly, France.
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Băieş MH, Cotuţiu VD, Spînu M, Mathe A, Cozma-Petruț A, Bocǎneţ VI, Cozma V. Satureja hortensis L. and Calendula officinalis L., Two Romanian Plants, with In Vivo Antiparasitic Potential against Digestive Parasites of Swine. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2980. [PMID: 38138124 PMCID: PMC10746069 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Internal parasitic diseases of swine constitute a major welfare and health concern in low-input livestock farming. Due to an increase in chemical resistance, phytotherapeutic remedies have become an alternative for the prophylaxis and therapy of digestive parasitosis, albeit few remedies have been subjected to scientific validation. Low-input swine farming in Romania has adopted the traditional use of phytotherapy for controlling pathogens in livestock. The current study aimed to assess the antiparasitic potential of Calendula officinalis and Satureja hortensis against digestive parasites of swine in two low-input farms. The fecal samples were collected from sows, fatteners, and weaners, and were tested using the following coproparasitological methods: centrifugal sedimentation, flotation (Willis, McMaster egg counting technique), Ziehl-Neelsen stain modified by Henricksen, modified Blagg method, and in vitro nematode larvae/protozoan oocyst cultures. Six species of digestive parasites were diagnosed, namely Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Oesophagostomum spp., Balantioides coli, Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., in various combinations, dependent on the swine category. A dose of 140 mg/kg bw/day of C. officinalis and 100 mg/kg bw/day of S. hortensis powders administered for 10 consecutive days revealed a strong antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity on the aforementioned parasites. The curative efficacy can be attributed to the presence of polyphenols, sterols, tocopherols, and methoxylated flavones. In conclusion, our results indicate that S. hortensis and C. officinalis are promising alternatives to the commercially available antiparasitics, enabling their use as natural antiparasitic products against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai-Horia Băieş
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mǎnǎştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-H.B.); (V.-D.C.); (V.C.)
| | - Vlad-Dan Cotuţiu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mǎnǎştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-H.B.); (V.-D.C.); (V.C.)
| | - Marina Spînu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mǎnǎştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Attila Mathe
- Agricultural Research and Development Station of Turda, Agriculturii Street, 27, 401100 Turda, Romania;
| | - Anamaria Cozma-Petruț
- Department of Bromatology, Hygiene, Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad I. Bocǎneţ
- Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Production Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Vasile Cozma
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mǎnǎştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-H.B.); (V.-D.C.); (V.C.)
- Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences Gheorghe Ionescu-Siseşti (A.S.A.S.), Mărăști Boulevard, 61, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
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Gao YK, Singh M, Muir WI, Kotiw M, Groves PJ. Identification of epidemiological risk factors for spotty liver disease in cage-free layer flocks in houses with fully slatted flooring in Australia. Poult Sci 2023; 102:103139. [PMID: 37972438 PMCID: PMC10685297 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Spotty liver disease (SLD) is recognized to be caused by infection with Campylobacter hepaticus in adult layer hens farmed in cage-free environments. SLD is an emerging disease as cage-free egg production increases in popularity in response to desires for improved welfare of poultry. Outbreaks of SLD are frequently experienced around peak egg production in flocks, commonly between 25 and 40 wk of age. The disease becomes manifest with increased exposure and access of the birds to the feces of the flock. This study follows from a previous epidemiological survey of free-range and barn flocks in Australia which identified the presence of a scratch area within the laying house as a major risk factor for the occurrence of SLD. However, that survey also observed SLD occurrence in 45% of houses with a fully slatted floor (no scratch area). The present study describes a further analytical survey aimed at identification of risk factors for SLD in houses with fully slatted flooring. A comprehensive questionnaire was completed for 49 cage-free flocks from point of lay until 40 wk of age across Australia, retrieving information on house design, bird breed, flock size, stocking densities, bird growth, and performance and the occurrence of SLD. Multiple logistic regression model building was used to separate factors and identify important management factors that may be amenable to modify the occurrence of SLD in egg layers. Key determinants of SLD identified from the analyses were that houses with mechanical ventilation (such as tunnel ventilation) have some protection from SLD and an increase of an extra 1 bird/m2 of nest space increased odds of occurrence of SLD by 1.172 times. A recommendation to not exceed 112 brown egg layer hens/m2 of nest space in naturally ventilated houses with a full slat floor was suggested. A delay in birds reaching 60% hen day production (HD) by 1 wk is suggested as a possible predictor for a subsequent outbreak of SLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshuo K Gao
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mini Singh
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wendy I Muir
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Kotiw
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Peter J Groves
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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9
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Solís D, Cordero N, Quezada-Reyes M, Escobar-Astete C, Toro M, Navarrete P, Reyes-Jara A. Prevalence of Salmonella in Eggs from Conventional and Cage-Free Egg Production Systems and the Role of Consumers in Reducing Household Contamination. Foods 2023; 12:4300. [PMID: 38231772 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne disease worldwide, usually related to contaminated poultry or poultry products, such as eggs. Since egg contamination with Salmonella depends on multiple factors that make it challenging to control, consumers' knowledge about food safety and the proper handling of eggs is crucial. The aims of the study were (1) to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in eggs from conventional and alternative production systems, (2) to characterize the Salmonella isolates according to phenotypic-genotypic and antimicrobial-resistant traits, and (3) to understand how consumers manage the hazards related to egg contamination in the household. A total of 426 egg samples were analyzed (conventional systems = 240; alternative systems = 186). Culture-based and molecular microbiological methods were used to identify Salmonella and bioinformatics analysis of whole genome sequences was used to determine the serotype and antimicrobial-resistant genes. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was detected only in eggs from alternative systems (1.1%, 2/186). Isolates showed resistance to nalidixic acid (100%, 2/2), and the aac(6')-Iaa gene and a mutation in the gyrA gene were identified in both isolates. Overall, consumers demonstrated knowledge regarding food safety; however, many still engage in practices that pose a risk of acquiring foodborne illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doina Solís
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Ninoska Cordero
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Maritza Quezada-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Carla Escobar-Astete
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Magaly Toro
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Paola Navarrete
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Angélica Reyes-Jara
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Probióticos, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
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Werner D, Bussemas R, Baldinger L. Crossing the Old Local Breed Deutsches Lachshuhn with the Layer Breed White Rock: Effects on Laying Performance of the Females and Fattening Performance of the Males. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2999. [PMID: 37835605 PMCID: PMC10571803 DOI: 10.3390/ani13192999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested the novel cross of the old local breed Deutsches Lachshuhn and the layer breed White Rock, as well as purebred Deutsches Lachshuhn, for their suitability as dual-purpose chickens under 100% organic husbandry conditions, and compared their performance and welfare with the two dual-purpose crosses New Hampshire × Bresse and Bresse × White Rock, which are already established in Germany. Chicks were reared in mixed-sex groups until slaughter of the males at 15 or 18 weeks of life. Data on laying performance and animal welfare were recorded until the hens' 72nd week of life. Laying performance of Deutsches Lachshuhn × White Rock was almost twice as high as that in purebred hens, while fattening performance of the males did not differ. Deutsches Lachshuhn × White Rock, New Hampshire × Bresse and Bresse × White Rock realized a balanced performance profile of 242-250 eggs per hen alive and a final live weight of the males of 2924-3105 g after 18 weeks of rearing. The efficiency of a pair of chickens (one male and one female) was very similar for the crosses (3.69-3.77 kg feed kg-1 marketable product), while purebred Deutsches Lachshuhn was less efficient (6.35 kg feed kg-1 marketable product). Crossing the breed Deutsches Lachshuhn with a layer breed therefore improved laying performance and overall efficiency of the birds compared to purebred Deutsches Lachshuhn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Werner
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany
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