Questionnaire study and postmortem findings in backyard chicken flocks in Finland

Background

Although modern commercial poultry production today is based on large farms and intensive husbandry, keeping backyard poultry has regained popularity in industrialized countries. However, the health status of backyard flocks is still relatively poorly documented. A questionnaire was sent to the owners of 376 backyard poultry flocks (<500 birds) in order to study health management procedures and characterize backyard poultry populations in Finland. Information was also collected on the postmortem findings from non-commercial flocks using necropsy data from the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira).

Results

Backyard flocks in Finland are small in size (<50 birds), comprising mainly chickens. Based on the results of the questionnaire, the health of such flocks is good, mortality low and vaccinations are not commonly used. Most of the flocks were registered in the national poultry register. The standard biosecurity practices are not generally applied and contact with wild birds, pets and farm animals is frequent, which can make the flocks more prone to infectious diseases. We conducted an 11-year retrospective study of the postmortem necropsy findings of the Evira in order to document the diseases, which caused mortality in backyard chickens in Finland. Necropsy was performed on a total of 132 non-commercial laying hens during 2000 – 2011. The most common postmortem findings were Marek’s disease (27%) and colibacillosis (17%).

Conclusions

This study is the first to report data on characteristics of and management practices for backyard chicken flocks in Finland. Close connections with commercial flocks are rare and farms are usually distantly located suggesting that the risk that these backyard flocks pose to commercial poultry is low.     

农业科研单位科研用房优化配置及管理初探——以中国热带农业科学院为例

农业科研单位的科研用房是农业科研单位开展科研活动的基础支撑和重要保障。文章以中国热带农业科学院为例,阐述了科研用房的现状,分析了在科研用房配置、管理过程中存在的问题,并从加大基础设施投入力度、建立健全管理机制、设置专职科研用房管理岗位等方面提出了加强农业科研单位科研用房优化配置及管理的对策。     

程海湖生态修复项目河门口治理工程设计

通过对程海湖生态修复项目(一期)工程入湖河道现场现状、洪水特性、地质等调查统计分析,对13条入湖河道河门口治理作出设计策略,根据调查统计分析及水力学计算结果,设计出堤防基础埋设深度、导流墙及固床坝等埋设深度、堤身结构等,成果经1a洪水冲刷无损毁,监测结果与设计理论相一致,具备设计要求的抗洪能力。     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of factors associated with anthelmintic resistance in sheep

Background

Anthelmintic drugs have been widely used in sheep as a cost-effective means for gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) control. However, growing anthelmintic resistance (AHR) has created a compelling need to identify evidence-based management recommendations that reduce the risk of further development and impact of AHR.

Objective

To identify, critically assess, and synthesize available data from primary research on factors associated with AHR in sheep.

Methods

Publications reporting original observational or experimental research on selected factors associated with AHR in sheep GINs and published after 1974, were identified through two processes. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Agricola, CAB) and Web of Science (a collection of databases) were searched for potentially relevant publications. Additional publications were identified through consultation with experts, manual search of references of included publications and conference proceedings, and information solicited from small ruminant practitioner list-serves. Two independent investigators screened abstracts for relevance. Relevant publications were assessed for risk of systematic bias. Where sufficient data were available, random-effects Meta-Analyses (MAs) were performed to estimate the pooled Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) of AHR for factors reported in ≥2 publications.

Results

Of the 1712 abstracts screened for eligibility, 131 were deemed relevant for full publication review. Thirty publications describing 25 individual studies (15 observational studies, 7 challenge trials, and 3 controlled trials) were included in the qualitative synthesis and assessed for systematic bias. Unclear (i.e. not reported, or unable to assess) or high risk of selection bias and confounding bias was found in 93% (14/15) and 60% (9/15) of the observational studies, respectively, while unclear risk of selection bias was identified in all of the trials. Ten independent studies were included in the quantitative synthesis, and MAs were performed for five factors. Only high frequency of treatment was a significant risk factor (OR = 4.39; 95% CI = 1.59, 12.14), while the remaining 4 variables were marginally significant: mixed-species grazing (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 0.66, 4.07); flock size (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.97, 1.07); use of long-acting drug formulations (OR = 2.85; 95% CI = 0.79, 10.24); and drench-and-shift pasture management (OR = 4.08; 95% CI = 0.75, 22.16).

Conclusions

While there is abundant literature on the topic of AHR in sheep GINs, few studies have explicitly investigated the association between putative risk or protective factors and AHR. Consequently, several of the current recommendations on parasite management are not evidence-based. Moreover, many of the studies included in this review had a high or unclear risk of systematic bias, highlighting the need to improve study design and/or reporting of future research carried out in this field.     

动物行为与动物园安全管理

野生动物的行为是动物与环境相互作用的结果,动物园中动物的行为也反映出动物与相应的由人为提供的环境之间的关系。本文分析了现阶段在动物园圈养人工控制的环境下,动物展现出的有关动物行为如领域行为、攻击行为、交配行为、学习行为、摄食行为、警戒行为和体温调节行为等,以及由这些行为导致的安全问题,并有针对性地提出了在动物管理中相应的防范措施与解决办法。在动物园日常管理工作中,工作人员要熟知动物行为的目的与意义,观察动物行为,及时发现动物的不适与异常,充分掌握与安全有关的动物行为并及时分析,找出可能存在的对动物造成伤害的安全隐患,避免安全事故,给动物提供更舒适安全符合动物生物学特性的环境,同时也是提高动物福利的重要环节。     

佛山市城市绿化建设存在的问题及对策

对佛山市城市绿化进行实地调查,分析当前城市园林绿化设计、施工与养护管理中存在的问题,提出了应树立正确的城市绿化建设观念、强化植物空间的设计、选用乡土树种为基调树种、彰显本地特色等建议,为佛山市乃至华南地区的城市绿化建设提供参考。     

An empirical bio-economic stocking model for floodplain beels in Bangladesh

While stocking floodplain depressions or beels with fingerlings is a common form of fisheries management in Bangladesh, bio‐economic guidance for improving the outcome of stocking strategies is sparse. The Community‐Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) Project, funded by the Ford Foundation and the UK Government's Department for International Development (DfID) promoted stocking practices in beels throughout the country as a means to improve fisher livelihoods. This paper describes an empirical bio‐economic model developed using data generated under the CBFM project. The model offers guidance on selecting stocking densities depending upon the available size (length) of fingerlings to maximize profit and return on investment while minimizing risk. Because large fingerlings are relatively inexpensive and have lower rates of natural mortality, the model predicts that it is more profitable to stock large fingerlings at low densities than small fingerlings at high densities. These general recommendations were found to be largely insensitive to the market price for harvested fish. To minimize credit burden and financial risk, minimum stocking densities should be selected according to the length of fish available that maximizes profit. Because of its empirical nature, the model recommendations may not be applicable beyond the project sites. Furthermore, it is recommended that attempts be made to field test the model predictions before widespread adoption or promotion.     

构建省级农业科研绩效评价体系的探讨

农业科研机构是国家科技创新体系的重要组成部分,开展科研绩效评价能够衡量创新能力和发展水平。为促进科技资源高效调配利用,提升农业科研绩效管理效率,探讨了省级农业科研绩效评价体系构建的原则及指标,提出了进一步完善科研绩效评价的建议。