A major outbreak of botulism in cattle being fed ensiled poultry litter

Eighty of a group of 150 housed beef cattle showed classical signs of botulism after eating a batch of ensiled poultry litter. Sixty-eight of the animals died and Clostridium botulinum type C toxin was detected in 18 of 22 sera examined. C botulinum organisms were isolated from the ensiled litter and type C toxin was demonstrated in samples of decomposed poultry carcases present in the litter. This outbreak of bovine botulism was the most serious to have been recorded in Europe and was the first associated with feeding ensiled poultry litter.     

Factors contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Japanese Fasciola sp.

Attempts were made to clarify the factors contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Japanese Fasciola sp. Infection was not successfully established in chickens by oral inoculation of metacercariae, nor by inoculation of excysted juvenile flukes into the body cavity or to the liver surface. Many metacercarial cysts were detected within two days in the feces of orally inoculated chickens. In the in vitro excystation test with chicken bile at 42 degrees C, metacercariae emerged successfully. These results indicate that the major resistant factors may not act during the migration from the mouth to the liver. Histopathological examination of the liver of experimental chickens could not prove the effect of a resistant factor. Excysted flukes were cultivated at 37-42 degrees C in RPMI1640 supplemented with calf serum, with the result that the survival rate of flukes fell with higher temperatures. When chicken serum was used instead of calf serum, flukes survived for a long period of time at 37 degrees C, while all died within four days at 42 degrees C. The higher body temperature of chickens than that of other mammalian hosts is considered to be the major factor contributing to the resistance of chickens to infection with Fasciola sp.     

Seroprevalence of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae serotype-1 infection in swine herds in Quebec

Seroprevalence of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae serotype-1 infection was evaluated in pigs on 7 farms in Quebec. Commercial cross-bred herds A to G, ranging from 110 to 235 sows and infected with A pleuropneumoniae serotype-1 were selected. Five pigs/litter were selected at random and were identified (group 1). Blood samples were obtained from group-1 pigs at 2 to 4, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days of age. Blood also was obtained from group-1 pigs remaining in the postweaning unit at 70 days of age, and from 20 to 40 sows 1 to 3 times. To determine prevalence of seropositive pigs in all age groups for the entire study period in herds C to G, blood samples were obtained from 20 pigs/age group (group 2) selected at random at 28, 42, and 56 days of age at each visit. Group-1 pigs were included when they reached 28, 42, and 56 days of age. Pigs were serologically monitored in herds A and B for 3 months and in herds C to G for 5 to 6 months. Serologic status of pigs at 2 to 4 days of age was not statistically associated with status at 42 days (P = 0.6293) and at 56 days (P = 0.3098) of age for the same pigs. Therefore, seronegative pigs 2 to 4 days old did not seroconvert earlier than did those with detectable maternal antibodies at 2 to 4 days old. Only about 50% of the 70-day-old pigs were seropositive at 56 days. Seemingly, pigs seroconverted late in the postweaning period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feeding poultry litter to grazing Boran Zebu bulls and Ogaden sheep in Ethiopia

The objective of these studies were to investigate the digestibility of poultry litter of layers and to add poultry litter to grazing Boran Zebu bulls and Ogaden sheep in East Ethiopia. Two feeding experiments (132 and 102 days) with Boran Zebu bulls (10 and 16 bulls per trial) and one feeding experiment with female Ogaden sheep (30 ewes) were carried out. All animals were grazing all day long. During the night the animals of all trials were divided into two groups each. The animals of one group of each experiment obtained poultry litter ad libitum without any other feedstuffs. Apart from feeding trials digestion experiments were carried out in order to determine the digestibility of poultry litter in 4 Ogaden sheep. The apparent digestibility of organic matter and crude protein of poultry litter amounted to 69.8 and 82.8%, the net energy content was indicated with 474 EFUc per kg of dry matter. The daily weight gain of Boran Zebu bulls fed on poultry litter was by 40 and 91 g (6.5 and 13.6% in exp. 1 and 2) higher than that of control groups. Especially during the dry season (Feb./March 1982) bulls supplemented with poultry litter were highly superior in daily weight gain (84 and 310 g per day more in exp. 1 and 2) to unsupplemented groups. The daily weight gain of Ogaden sheep fed on poultry litter in a short-term experiment (56 days) under improved grazing conditions (April-June 1982) was by 13 g per day higher than that of control animals (weight gain: 18 and 31 g per animal and day).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outer membrane proteins for serologic detection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in turkeys

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is a bacterium responsible for a respiratory disease in turkeys and chickens and has been identified as one of the emerging respiratory bacterial pathogens. The clinical signs and lesions caused by ORT are very similar to those caused by other respiratory infectious agents; therefore, an accurate diagnostic test is necessary to identify the infection. In this study, we have investigated the use of outer membrane proteins of ORT in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the exposure to ORT infection. Outer membrane proteins of ORT were extracted and used as an antigen in ELISA to detect infection in turkeys exposed to different serotypes of ORT. The ELISA results were compared with the conventional serum plate agglutination test. The agglutination test detected specific antibodies for ORT in 65% of experimentally infected turkeys during the first 2 wk of infection. The ELISA detected up to 100% of infected birds for 8 wk postinfection. The results suggest that ELISA is able to detect the exposure to ORT in later stages of the infection and this assay can be used in serologic surveillance of ORT infection for poultry in the field.     

鼻气管鸟疫杆菌中国株的鉴定

通过形态特征检验、常规生长实验、API-20NE生化试剂盒检验、PCR检验和血清学检验从疑似副鸡嗜血杆菌的野外分离株中鉴定出2株鼻气管鸟疫杆菌。     

Effect of density and season on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens

1. We examined the effect of density (5, 7, 9 and 11 birds/m2) and season (summerand winter; different hens each season) on stress and behaviour in two flocks of 64 broiler breeder females divided among 8 pens. 2. The hens, approximately the same age and body mass in each season, were maintained on hard-packed ground, without litter, in an open-sided chicken house and were offered the same amount of food each season. 3. Mean house max/min temperatures varied between 18 and 33 degrees C in summer and 7 and 17 degrees C in winter. Mean relative humidity in summer varied between 68% at 08:00 h and 42% at 14:00 h and in winter was 64% at 08:00 h and 47% at 14:00 h. 4. No difference was found in heterophil:lymphocyte ratios among densities and between seasons; however, basophil numbers were higher in winter than in summer indicating prolonged stress in winter. 5. Stereotyped pecking increased with an increase in density and was higher in winter than in summer. Pecking on the ground was higher in winter, but was not affected by density. 6. In summer the hens spent more time lying and eating than in winter, whereas in winter the hens spent more time walking, preening and drinking than in summer. They spent the same amount of time standing in both seasons. None of these behaviours was density dependent. 7. We conclude that season had more of an effect than density on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens under the conditions of our study.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. II. Post-weaning diarrhoea

This study comprised 48,931 litters in 89 sow herds. During the study (1976-82) weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days. The mean incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea was 6.0% of litters weaned, with little variation by year but with considerable variation among herds. Within the individual herd increased incidence occurred over limited periods, probably associated with specific infections. Litters with diarrhoea during the suckling period had increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea increased with litter size at weaning. Thus, a litter of 11-12 piglets at weaning had 1.2 times higher risk than litters with 8-10 piglets. In contrast to pre-weaning diarrhoea, there was no association between parity of the sow and diarrhoea in the litter after weaning. Litters weaned below 2 weeks of age had a 2-fold risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 2.4-fold higher mortality rate than did litters weaned at 6-7 weeks. Similarly, litters weaned at an individual piglet weight below 3 kg bodyweight had a 3-fold higher risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 5-fold higher mortality rate than did pigs from litters weaned at a bodyweight of 7-8 kg. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea decreased with increasing herd size. Piglets from litters with post-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gains after weaning and were 2.3 days older at 25 kg bodyweight than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Likewise, diarrhoea after weaning was associated with an increased incidence of diseases of the skin and respiratory tract. Thus the risk of contracting respiratory disease was 4 times greater in diarrhoeic litters.     

Effects of an Aluminum Sulfate and Ferric Chloride Blend on Poultry Litter Characteristics in Vitro

Previous studies have applied various concentrations of aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride separately to poultry litter to reduce environmental pollution and increase chicken productivity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of using a blend of these 2 chemicals under 5 different treatments: control (no addition), 50 + 50, 25 + 50, 50 + 25, and 25 + 25 g/kg of litter, which consisted of fresh chicken manure (1 kg) and sawdust (4 kg) thoroughly mixed in a 70 × 47 × 43 cm box. NH₃ and CO₂ volatilizations, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and moisture content of the poultry litter were assessed weekly up to 6 wk and in the case of total and water-soluble nutrients they were assessed after 1 and 42 d. The control treatment had higher NH₃ and CO₂ volatilizations than the treated litter throughout the experiment. EC and pH showed an inverse relationship, whereby the control treatment had high pH and low EC values and the treated litter had low pH and high EC values. After 42 d, nitrogen levels were significantly reduced in the control treatment, whereas the 50 + 50 g/kg treatment had the highest content. Conversely, water-soluble phosphorus levels were much lower in the treated poultry litter after 1 and 42 d. A higher ferric chloride concentration (25 + 50 g/kg) in the blend was more effective than a higher aluminum sulfate concentration (50 + 25 g/kg). These findings demonstrate that a combination of aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride may be a useful amendment for reducing NH₃ and CO₂ volatilizations, pH, and moisture content of poultry litter, which will help in improving poultry productivity, pollution control, and poultry litter fertilizer usage.     

The pattern of endemic parvovirus infection in four pig herds

Serological surveys were conducted on the gilts and adult sows in 4 herds endemically infected with porcine parvovirus. The study assessed the influence of the type of management of breeders on the spread of virus infection and the influence of endemic parvovirus infection on reproductive parameters of the herd. The practice of holding gilts and sows in groups did not reliably promote infection or maintain a 100% level of active immunity amongst adult sows in 2 of 3 group husbandry herds. In the 4 herds, the prevalence of adult sows (greater than 12 months) with active immune haemagglutination inhibition titres (greater than or equal to 256) ranged between 44% and 100%, while between 0% and 100% of gilts (6 to 12 months of age) had active immune titres. Fully susceptible gilts older than 9 months of age held in groups, failed to become infected by 12 months of age on farms endemically infected with PPV. In 2 herds a continued low infection rate of gilts resulted in increasing the potential of breeding animals becoming susceptible to parvovirus infection as infected sows were replaced by noninfected gilts. In both herds, epidemics of parvovirus infection followed, which were characterised by an increase in reproductive failure. Parvovirus infection during the first 70 days of pregnancy reduced the average number of piglets born alive per litter by 1.6 piglets (p less than 0.05). This was due to the combined effect of more piglets being born dead per litter and an overall reduction in litter size.     

Key role of Chlamydophila psittaci on Belgian turkey farms in association with other respiratory pathogens

Two hundred turkey sera from eight Belgian and two French farms were tested for the presence of antibodies against avian pneumovirus (APV), Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Chlamydophila psittaci. At slaughter, C. psittaci, APV and ORT antibodies were detected in 94, 34 and 6.5% of the turkeys, respectively. No antibodies against M. gallisepticum or M. meleagridis were present. Additionally, turkeys on three Belgian farms were examined from production onset until slaughter using both serology and antigen or gene detection. All farms experienced two C. psittaci infection waves, at 3-6 and 8-12 weeks of age. Each first infection wave was closely followed by an ORT infection starting at the age of 6-8 weeks, which was still detectable when the second C. psittaci infection waves started. Animals on farm A were not vaccinated against APV leading to an APV subtype B outbreak accompanying the first C. psittaci infection wave. Despite subtype A APV vaccination on farms B and C, the second C. psittaci infection waves were accompanied (farm B) or followed (farm C) by a subtype B APV infection. On all farms respiratory signs always appeared together with a proven C. psittaci, APV and/or ORT infection. This study suggests an association between C. psittaci, APV and ORT, and indicates the multi-factorial aetiology of respiratory infections in commercial turkeys. All three pathogens should be considered when developing prevention strategies for respiratory disease.     

Enhanced inactivation of avian influenza virus at ?20°C by disinfectants supplemented with calcium chloride or other antifreeze agents

Avian influenza outbreaks have occurred during winter months, and effective disinfection of poultry premises at freezing temperatures is needed. The commercial disinfectants Virkon and Accel, supplemented with an antifreeze agent [propylene glycol (PG), methanol (MeOH), or calcium chloride (CaCl₂)], were evaluated for their effectiveness in killing avian influenza virus (AIV) at −20°C or 21°C. An AIV suspension was applied to stainless steel disks, air-dried, and covered with a disinfectant or antifreeze agent for 5 to 30 min. Virkon (2%) and Accel (6.25%) with 30% PG, 20% MeOH, or 20% CaCl₂ inactivated 6 log₁₀ AIV within 5 min at −20°C and 21°C. At these temperatures PG and MeOH alone did not kill AIV, but the 20% CaCl₂ solution alone inactivated 5 log₁₀ AIV within 10 min. The results suggested that CaCl₂ is potentially useful to enhance the effectiveness of disinfection of poultry facilities after outbreaks of AIV infection in warm and cold seasons.     

A reduction in litter size on an ontario Swine farm

In a 200 sow herd, the litter size fell from an average of 10.5 pigs born alive per litter from January to June, to an average of 9.2 for the remainder of the year. Management changes during the first part of the year resulted in half the sows weaning litters at three weeks of age and half the sows weaning at four weeks of age instead of at six weeks as was previously done. The subsequent litter size was 9.3 pigs born alive per litter for three-week weaned sows compared to 10.0 for four-week weaning. The management of gilt breeding was also altered by the necessity to breed groups of 12 gilts in one-week periods of time and therefore a higher proportion of gilts may have been mated on their first estrus instead of their second or third estrus as had been the case. The difference in litter size of first parity sows between the first six months and the second six months was 1.1 pigs. Parvovirus infection may have been a factor contributing to the reduction in litter size amongst first parity sows; two groups of first parity sows experienced an increase in mummified piglets, a reduced far rowing rate, and smaller litter size. However, no attempt was made at diagnosing an infectious agent. Parity distribution remained relatively unchanged during the year and was not associated with the drop in litter size.     

Survival of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in poultry manure and manure slurry at sublethal temperatures

Exponential inactivation was observed for Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in poultry manure with decimal reduction times ranging from half a day at 37 C to 1-2 wk at 4 C. There was no material difference in inactivation rates between S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. Inactivation was slower in slurries made by mixing two parts of water with one part of manure; decimal reduction times (time required for 90% destruction) ranged from 1-2 days at 37 C to 6-22 wk at 4 C. Escherichia coli O157:H7 consistently exhibited slightly slower inactivation than S. typhimurium. Log decimal reduction time for both strains was a linear function of storage temperature for manure and slurries. Chemical analysis indicated that accumulation of free ammonia in poultry manure was an important factor in inactivation of the pathogens. This finding was experimentally confirmed for S. typhimurium by adding ammonia directly to peptone water or to bovine manure, which was naturally low in ammonia, and adjusting pH to achieve predetermined levels of free ammonia.     

Patterns and determinants of rectal prolapse in a herd of pigs

A prospective cohort study was designed to describe the patterns and to determine the factors associated with the risk of rectal prolapse in a commercial swine herd in California, USA. Thirty (1.0 per cent) of 2862 pigs prolapsed between 12 and 28 weeks of age with the peak incidence occurring in 14- to 16-week-old pigs. The overall prolapse rate was 9.1 cases per 100,000 days at risk. Prolapse rates were highest during the winter and autumn months. Other factors associated with an increased risk of prolapse were maleness (relative risk 2.3) birthweight less than 1000 g (relative risk 3.4) Yorkshire boar A (relative risk 2.8) and dams of litter number 1 (relative risk 14.9), 2 (relative risk 8.2) and 3 (relative risk 9.8). No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that diarrhoea and coughing are factors associated with a risk of prolapse.     

Feasibility and production costs of composting breeder and pullet litter with eggshell waste

Phosphorus runoff from the land application of poultry litter has become a concern in watersheds in the Ozark Plateau region, prompting local growers to use alternative litter management practices. One option is the export of excess poultry litter from producers in nutrient-surplus watersheds to users located in areas where nutrient loads are not problematic. In 2006, nearly 100,000 tons of broiler and turkey litter was exported by BMPs Inc., a nonprofit corporation providing litter management services. However, breeder hen litter and pullet litter are rarely exported because there are limited outlets for these lower nutrient value litters. Another poultry industry by-product is eggshell waste from egg-breaking operations, most of which is currently landfilled at a cost of $25/ton. Composting was examined as an alternative method to convert litter and eggshell wastes into a marketable soil amendment, making use of the beneficial soil nutrients available in both; 4 blends and 2 production systems were analyzed. Process results indicated that during composting, the observed temperatures of each of the 4 blends were different, but all followed a similar trend throughout the production cycle. Functional group inventory and diversity analysis indicated that all blends fell within optimal ranges of microbial species, except for the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic bacteria; only blend 4 was within the optimal value for this parameter. Diversity values for each blend fell within the moderate diversity range (3 < d < 6.5). Maturity analysis results indicated that no blends were mature at 11 wk (index <50%) and could not safely be used in horticultural applications but could safely be used in field applications. Break-even analyses indicated that compost could be produced at an average cost (across the 4 blends) of $17.48 to $20.09/ton for systems 1 (small-scale) and 2 (large-scale), respectively.     

Effect of prolonged heat stress in single-comb white leghorn hens on progeny resistance to Salmonella enteritidis organ invasion.

In our laboratory, we have often had difficulty infecting neonatal chickens with invasive salmonellae when ambient temperatures exceed 30 C. We hypothesized that this increased resistance in chicks during warmer months may be associated with heat stress-associated maternal factors. Presently, single-comb white leghorn hens were separated into a non-heat-stressed group, reared under temperatures from approximately 10 to 24 C, and a heat-stressed group, in which environmental temperature was incrementally elevated to near 37 C and maintained for the duration of the 13-wk study. For Expt. 1, eggs from heat-stressed or control hens, collected on days 8-14 of the study, were pooled respective to treatment and incubated. At the time of egg collection, mean hen-day egg production was 51.83% or 65% for heat-stressed or control hens, respectively. On day of hatch, progeny from hens in each group were orally challenged with 0.9 x 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU) Salmonella enteritidis (SE). Rates of SE organ invasion of 97.3% or 94.4% were obtained in progeny from heat-stressed or control hens, respectively. In Expt. 2, eggs from heat-stressed or control hens from days 30-42 of the study were collected and pooled by treatment for incubation. Mean hen-day egg production was 46.5% or 72.85% for heat-stressed or control hens, respectively. On day of hatch, progeny were orally challenged with either 2.2 x 10(3) or 2.2 x 10(4) CFU SE. A 100% incidence in SE organ invasion was observed in all groups. In Expt. 3, eggs were collected from days 43 through 56 of the study. Mean hen-day egg production was 19.8% or 76.8% for heat-stressed or control hens, respectively. On day of hatch, progeny were orally challenged with 2 x 10(3) CFU SE. Rates of SE organ invasion of 95.8% or 95.6% were obtained in progeny from heat-stressed or control hens, respectively. These data suggest that factors other than elevated temperature may be responsible for seasonal resistance to invasive salmonellae infection in neonatal chickens observed in our laboratory during warmer months in Texas.     

Environmental factors associated with rodent infestations in Argentine poultry farms

1. Seasonal variations in rodent infestations were studied at poultry farms in central Argentina as well as the environmental factors associated with rodent infestations at poultry farms. 2. During the summer and winter of 1998 rodent infestation was monitored at 10 poultry farms by means of tracking stations, and 21 environmental variables were selected that a priori could be related with the extent of rodent infestation. 3. There was a higher rodent infestation in winter than in summer. 4. Species detected by rodent sightings at the poultry farms included Akodon azarae, Calomys spp. (C. laucha and possibly C. musculinus) and Mus musculus. 5. In summer, rodent infestation was positively associated with the perimeter of the farm, whereas there was an inverse relationship with the maintenance conditions of the sheds. In winter, rodent infestation was positively associated with the percentage of the borders of the farm covered with vegetation, and with the amount of plant cover, especially the amount of plant cover which was above 20 cm in height. 6. There was no significant relationship between rodent infestation and the time lag since the last application of rodenticide (first-generation anticoagulant) at the farms. 7. These results suggest that strategies for controlling rodents based solely on chemical methods may not be good enough for efficient rodent control. Farms which are properly managed, with a better control of vegetation growth at both the perimeter and within the internal area, in addition to a higher maintenance of sheds have appreciably lower rodent infestations.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for sow productivity

Data from 609 purebred Yorkshire, Hampshire and Duroc litters were utilized to obtain genetic and environmental parameter estimates for litter number and weight traits at birth, 21 d (first creep) and 42 d (weaning) considered as traits of the sow. Differences among paternal half-sib sets of sows were analyzed. Heritability estimates from this study were .26 +/- .12, .28 +/- .12 and .30 +/- .12 for litter size at birth, 21 and 42 d and .54 +/- .13, .17 +/- .11 and .15 +/- .11 for litter weights at those times, respectively. These estimates indicated that the dam's genetic contribution to litter weight was higher for prenatal growth than during nursing. The heritabilities for litter size were encouraging for within breed selection. Genetic correlations among litter sizes and genetic correlations among litter weights at birth, 21 and 42 d were large and positive. Large, positive genetic correlations also were found between litter size and weight at each of the three times. Negative correlations between litter size and average pig weight at both birth and 21 d and between litter size at birth and average pig weight at 21 d indicated that larger litters were associated genetically with smaller pigs. Phenotypic and environmental correlations generally indicated the same associations.