Impacts of various storage periods on egg quality, hatchability, post-hatching performance, and economic benefit analysis of two breeds of quail

The effect of storage period on hatching and post-hatching performance of two quail breeds (brown Japanese quail (BJQ) and French white quail (FWQ)) was investigated using 940 eggs from each breed. Eggs were divided into four equal groups (235 eggs each), in each group. A total number of 210 eggs were used for incubation (with three replicates, 70 eggs each) and additional 25 eggs served as samples for egg quality parameters, each group was kept for special storage period. The first group was incubated on the same day of collection (zero day storage). Whereas the second, third, and fourth groups were stored for 4, 7, and 10 d, respectively. Increasing the storage period more than 4 d significantly decreased the relative albumen weight, yolk index, total hatchability, and fertile eggs but significantly increased the relative yolk/albumen ratio, absolute and relative egg weight loss. Moreover, FWQ eggs exhibited higher (P < 0.05) hatchability compared to BJQ eggs after 10 d of storage and yielded heavier chicks (P < 0.05) after all storage periods. The economic analysis indicated that the storage costs for FWQ eggs were significantly greater than those of BJQ at a 0 d of storage (2.42 vs. 4.81 US cent (¢); P < 0.05). Furthermore, the total costs for BJQ eggs were significantly lower than the total costs for FWQ eggs (3.0 vs. 7.0 ¢; P < 0.05). With respect to profitability, the total return represented by selling the chicks was calculated at 5.43 ¢ for BJQ and 9.01 ¢ for FWQ. The net return estimated for FWQ was significantly greater than that of BJQ (3.0 vs. 2.0 ¢; P < 0.05). However, the hatchability loss for FWQ was significantly greater than that of BJQ over different storage periods.

Epidemiology of bovine fascioliasis in the Nile Delta region of Egypt: Its prevalence, evaluation of risk factors, and its economic significance

Aim

This study focuses on the risk factors associated with the prevalence of Fasciola affecting cattle population in three provinces belonging to the Nile Delta of Egypt and to estimate the economic losses as a result of fascioliasis.

Materials and Methods

From January 2015 to end of December 2015, records of 21 farms (4976 cattle) were analyzed to screen the prevalence of fascioliasis among cattle farms, to identify its associated risk factors and its economic impacts on Nile Delta region of Egypt.

Results

The overall prevalence of fascioliasis in the Nile Delta region of Egypt was 9.77%. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be statistically significantly associated with age, sex, breed, and type of farms. The highest prevalence was observed in <2 age group (10.91%), and the lowest was >3 age groups (8.35%). In terms of body condition scores, cattle with medium and poor conditions were associated with fascioliasis more than those with good body condition. Besides, cattle raised in organic farms were associated with lower risk of fascioliasis than those in conventional farms. The prevalence of fascioliasis was noted more prominent in districts with moderate temperatures and with relative humidity (>60%). The annual overall costs for fascioliasis were estimated to be 221.2 USD/cow due to the significant reduction in body weight, reduction in milk production, and the treatment costs for fascioliasis.

Conclusion

The results provided could be helpful for improving the control and preventive strategies.

An evaluation of biosecurity compliance levels and assessment of associated risk factors for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection of live-bird-markets, Nigeria and Egypt

Live bird market (LBM) is integral component in the perpetuation of HPAI H5N1, while biosecurity is crucial and key to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Biosecurity compliance level and risk factor assessments in 155LBMs was evaluated in Nigeria and Egypt through the administration of a 68-item biosecurity checklist, scored based on the modifications of previous qualitative data, and analysed for degree of compliance. LBMs were scored as "complied with a biosecurity item" if they had good-very good scores (4). All scores were coded and analysed using descriptive statistics and risk or protective factors were determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression at p≤0.05. Trading of wild birds and other animal in the LBMs (Odd Ratio (OR)=34.90; p=0.01) and claims of hand disinfection after slaughter (OR=31.16; p=0.03) were significant risk factors while mandatory routine disinfection of markets (OR=0.13; p≤0.00), fencing and gates for live bird market (OR=0.02; p≤0.01) and hand washing after slaughter (OR=0.41; p≤0.05) were protective factors for and against the infection of Nigerian and Egyptian LBMs with the HPAI H5N1 virus. Almost all the LBMs complied poorly with most of the variables in the checklist (p≤0.05), but pathways to improved biosecurity in the LBMs existed. We concluded that the LBM operators play a critical role in the disruption of transmission of H5N1 virus infection through improved biosecurity and participatory epidemiology and multidisciplinary approach is needed.