In vitro evaluation of the response of Dermanyssus gallinae to products in aqueous suspension

The hematophagous mite Dermanyssus gallinae poses a serious sanitary problem in the Brazilian laying poultry industry. Its control is typically performed with acaricides, either in powder or liquid form. However, the intensive use of these products has caused populations of this species to develop tolerance and even resistance. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the response of eggs and adults of D. gallinae to products in aqueous suspension according to commercial indication and as per the recommendations of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The study used four acaricide products (product 1: cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and piperonyl butoxide; product 2: alkyl-benzyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride, glutaraldehyde, deltamethrin; product 3: dichlorvos; product 4: fluralaner) tested in vitro using the contact method. Distilled water was used in the control group. The effectiveness of each of the products differed significantly between eggs and adults. Products 2, 3, and 4 caused 100% of adult mortality up to day 5 after start of treatment, product 1 97.5%. The corrected mortality (non-viability) of eggs was 21.4% (product 1) 39.4% (product 2), 47.8% (product 3), and 14.4% (product 4). Although the products evaluated were effective against adults of D. gallinae, their effectiveness against eggs was lower under the same conditions. This finding might be directly related to frequent D. gallinae reinfestations in poultry houses.

Managing the Health of Captive Flocks of Birds

There are many intersecting aspects to the avicultural management of a captive flock. Extensive knowledge of the natural history of the species kept is key to fulfilling the environmental, social, nutritional, and behavioral requirements of the birds, whether in a mixed- or sole-species aviary. Species compatibility with the environment, climate, and other co-occupants plays a role as well, as does hygiene, good avicultural management, and veterinary involvement and consultation. In understanding and meeting these requirements, optimal health can be maintained through the reduction or elimination of stressors and the maintenance of normal physiologic function.

Biogas from poultry waste-production and energy potential

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on poultry litter with different levels of reutilisation for potential generation of biogas in experimental biodigesters. Chicken litter used was obtained from two small-scale poultry houses where 14 birds m^-2 were housed for a period of 42 days per cycle. Litter from aviary 1 received no heat treatment while each batch of litter produced from aviary 2 underwent a fermentation process. For each batch taken, two biodigesters were set for each aviary, with hydraulic retention time of 35 days. The efficiency of the biodigestion process was evaluated by biogas production in relation to total solids (TS) added, as well as the potential for power generation. Quantified volumes ranged from 8.9 to 41.1 L of biogas for aviary 1, and 6.7 to 33.9 L of biogas for aviary 2, with the sixth bed reused from both aviaries registering the largest biogas potential. Average potential biogas in m³ kg^-1 of TS added were 0.022 to 0.034 for aviary 1 and 0.015 to 0.022 for aviary 2. Energy values ​​of biogas produced were calculated based on calorific value and ranged from 0.06 to 0.33 kWh for chicken litter without fermentation and from 0.05 to 0.27 kWh for chicken litter with fermentation. It was concluded that the re-use of poultry litter resulted in an increase in biogas production, and the use of fermentation in the microbiological treatment of poultry litter seems to have negatively influenced production of biogas.

Veterinary Aspects of Bird of Prey Reproduction

Captive breeding has contributed to successful restoration of many species of birds of prey. Avicultural techniques pioneered by raptor breeders include double clutching, direct fostering, cross-fostering, hatch and switch, hacking, imprinting male and female falcons for semen collection, and artificial insemination techniques. However, reproductive failure occurs related to management problems, including hygiene measures, food quality issues, breeding flock structure, or individual health issues of breeding birds. These may result in non-egg laying females, low-quality eggs, or infertile eggs caused by male infertility. Veterinary care of breeding collections is extremely important. This article provides an overview of veterinary involvement in raptor breeding projects.