Time relationships between oviposition,ovulation and egg formation in khaki campbell ducks

1. Ten‐month‐old Khaki Campbell ducks were killed between 5 min and 15 h after oviposition. Time of oviposition and interval between eggs were recorded prior to killing.

2. Oviposition generally occurred between 04.00 and 06.00 h, 7 to 9 h after the onset of the dark period the previous day. Ninety‐seven percent of eggs were laid by 07.00 h.

3. The mean ± SD time interval between consecutive ovipositions was 24.0 ± 0.3 h, with a range from 23.5 to 24.5 h.

4. It was estimated that ovulation occurred on average 10 min after oviposition, and the ovum spent 15 to 30 min in the infundibulum, 2.5 to 3 h in the magnum, 2 to 2.5 h in the isthmus and 18.6 h in the shell gland.     

Egg production and efficiency of food conversion of khaki campbell ducks under different management systems

1. Thirty‐two Khaki Campbell laying ducks were divided into two equal groups and housed either in floor pens or in cages in an environmentally controlled building. The food for two replicate groups of four birds each in each management system was rationed by weight and two other replicate groups were fed ad libitum. Housing and feeding treatment effects were assessed by measuring efficiency of food conversion into eggs and egg production.

2. Housing ducks in cages did not reduce egg production or efficiency of food conversion compared with the more conventional floor‐pen housing system. Egg production and egg size were adversely affected by the restricted feeding programme.

3. Caging in a controlled environment with unrestricted food appears to be a potentially feasible management system for laying ducks, comparable with such systems for laying fowls.     

Incidence and control of subclinical mastitis in intensively managed ewes

Ninety-three intensively managed, mature ewes were followed through three lactations to study effects and interrelationships of postweaning fast, prophylactic antibiotic injection, number of lactations and breed on subclinical mastitis, milk production and milk composition. Animals used in a 2 x 2 factorial design were allotted to treatment combinations of 1) postweaning 72 h fast or no fast, and 2) 1 x 10(6) units of procaine penicillin or sham i.m. injection at weaning. Treatments were implemented at weaning in yr 1; each ewe received the same treatment in each of the subsequent 2 yr of the study. Breeds included Finnish Landrace (F), Dorset (D), Rambouillet (R), Finnish Landrace x Dorset (FD) and Barbados Blackbelly x Dorset (BD). Milk production was greatest for D, followed by BD, FD, R and F during yr 1 (P less than .01) and overall (P less than .05). Milk production data were not collected in yr 2, but similar results were obtained in yr 3, except that the R and F exchanged rank positions. Milk composition was affected by breed. Breeds differed (P less than .05) in percentage lactose, fat and total nonfat solids in yr 1 and differed (P less than .01) in percentage lactose, fat, solids and protein across the 2 yr. A breed difference (P less than .05) was observed for incidence of mastitis at 3 wk postpartum and at weaning. Milk production was negatively correlated with incidence of mastitis (r = -.22, P less than .05). Milk production was improved (P less than .05) by a 72-h postweaning fast.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reproductive efficiency of intensively managed Thoroughbred mares in Newmarket

The findings of a retrospective survey of 1393 Thoroughbred mares visiting 22 studfarms in the Newmarket region of the UK during the 1998 mating season were compared with those of a similar study undertaken in 1983. The effects of mare age and status, stallion, month of mating, application of uterine treatments and other parameters on the rates of singleton and twin conception and subsequent pregnancy losses were analysed. Mare age and status significantly affected the per cycle pregnancy rate and the incidence of pregnancy loss. Overall, the mean number of matings per oestrus was 1.12 and the mean number of times a mare was mated until diagnosed pregnant at 15 days after ovulation was 1.88. An overall mean per cycle pregnancy rate of 59.9% at 15 days after ovulation resulted in 94.8% of the mated mares being pregnant at least once at 15 days after ovulation. This high initial pregnancy rate fell to 89.7% by Day 35 and 87.5% by the time of the October pregnancy test; 82.7% of the mares surveyed gave birth to a live foal at term, which compares favourably with the proportion of mares foaling in 1983 (77%). However, despite improvements in the foaling rates over the last 15 years, the overall rate of pregnancy failure remains high and represents a major loss to the Thoroughbred breeding industry.     

养鸭密集地区鸭病毒性肝炎防制技术

桐乡市处于气候温湿的水网地带，在乌镇镇、洲泉镇坝桥村等养鸭密集地区，常见数十、上百户养鸭专业户的鸭棚首尾相连，鸭棚密集，每个鸭棚饲养有数百至数千只鸭，且鸭多在同一河道放养。鸭病毒性肝炎自1995年开始在桐乡市零星散发，至1998年在全市范围内流行。据我市畜禽防检站统计，1998年冬全市发病率在20％以上，至少有10％雏鸭死于该病，当时该病已成为雏鸭死亡的主要原因。桐乡市自1999年开始在全市范围内进行大面积免疫防治研究，取得一定的成果。1 疫苗和卵黄抗体应用通过引进几种产地的弱毒疫苗，选择应用效果较理想的江苏农科院传…     

Descriptive epidemiology of postnatal bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in intensively managed dairy heifers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection between birth and 9 months of age for dairy replacement heifers raised under typical dry-lot management conditions. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. ANIMALS: 446 calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were randomly selected from 2 dairies that used killed and modified-live BVDV vaccines. Repeated serologic and BVDV polymerase chain reaction assays were used to estimate risk of BVDV infection in calves of various ages (1 to 60 days; 61 to 100 days; 101 days to 9 months) and to estimate overall infection rate by 9 months of age. RESULTS: Risk of BVDV infection increased with age (maximum risk, 150 to 260 days). Proportion of calves infected with BVDV by 9 months of age was higher for dairy A (0.665), compared with dairy B (0.357). Percentage infected with BVDV type I did not differ between dairy A (18.2%) and dairy B (15.2%), whereas percentage infected with BVDV type II for dairy A (50%) was twice that for dairy B (21%). Between 210 and 220 days of age, infection with BVDV regardless of type was > 1.3%/d on dairy A and 0.5%/d on dairy B. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Under dry-lot conditions, a considerable amount of BVDV infection may occur before 9 months of age. Risk of infection increases with age. Although dairies may appear to have similar management practices, there can be considerably different risks of BVDV infection among dairies.     

The effects of slaughter age on growth and carcass traits in an intensively managed crossbred beef herd

The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the effects of slaughter age (at constant weights) on pre- and post-weaning growth rate and carcass traits of unselected steer and heifer progeny from a crossbred beef herd. The data were obtained from 340 heifers and 377 steers weaned at 305 days of age and fed a high-energy post-weaning diet. Heifers and steers were slaughtered at individual unshrunk weights of 420 and 470 kg, respectively, and divided into slaughter age classes based on 25-day intervals. There were differences (P < 0.01) between slaughter age classes for all growth traits including 305-day (weaning) weight, post-weaning daily gain, days on feed, and weight/day. Mean 305-day weight of steers in the youngest slaughter age class (347.8 kg; 376–400 days of age) was 28% greater than the mean of steers in the oldest age class (272.2 kg;>501 days of age). The youngest steer class averaged 63% more for daily gain than the oldest steer class (1.462 vs. 0.894 kg); the corresponding value for heifers was 64%. Post-weaning time in the feedlot ranged from 84.7 days for the youngest steer to 215.6 for the oldest steer class. Calculations based on mean differences between age classes in 305-day weight, daily gain and days on feed indicated that variability in weaning weight and in daily gain were of similar importance in determining slaughter age. Marbling score was greater (P < 0.01) for older steer classes, but was not different in the heifer data. Fat thickness of the oldest steer class was 25% more than the youngest steer class (1.89 vs. 1.51 cm); the corresponding percent in heifers was 30%. With the exception of differences in untrimmed rib and chuck percents in steers (P < 0.05), and rib specific gravity in heifers (P < 0.05), carcass quantity traits were essentially unaffected by slaughter age class when marbling score and fat thickness were included as continuous independent variables. None of the organoleptic traits (tenderness, juiciness and flavour) were affected by slaughter age class.     

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.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. I. Pre-weaning diarrhoea

The study comprised 70,796 litters in 104 sow herds, observed from 1976 through 1982. Weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days during the observation period. Diseases and symptoms were recorded together with production parameters (feeding, barn construction, economic returns etc.). The mean incidence rate of pre-weaning diarrhoea was 6.8% of litters, with considerable inter-herd differences (incidence rates from 0 to approx. 50%). There was a slight increase in incidence during the autumn (August through October). Incidence rates increased with litter size, with a peak incidence in litters of 11-13 piglets, and decreased with increasing parity of the sow. There was a positive association between occurrence of arthritis and pre-weaning diarrhoea in the litters, and litters from sows with post parturient disease (MMA complex) had 1.8 times higher risk of getting diarrhoea than litters from healthy sows. No important differences among breeds were found. Small herds (less than 200 farrowings per year) had higher incidence rates than large herds (400-499 farrowings per year). Herds with a gilt proportion above 30% had an incidence rate of 12.3%, i.e. nearly twice as high as the overall mean (6.8%). There was a trend towards a higher incidence rate in litters kept in traditional pens (i.e. large pens with solid floor and loose sows) than in intensive pens (i.e. small pens with slatted flooring and tethered sows). The overall pre-weaning mortality rate was 16.2% of pigs born, half of which was due to stillbirths (6.3%) and overlaid piglets (2.2%). In litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea, the mortality rate was 19%, compared to 13% in litters without occurrence of diarrhoea. This difference accounts for an excess loss of 0.6 piglets from birth to weaning in diarrhoeic vs. non-diarrhoeic litters. Piglets from litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gain. Thus, on the average, they were 2.2 days older at 25 kg bodyweight and weighed 0.4 kg less at 30 days than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Also, litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea had a significantly increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The present information forms a basis for defining acceptable disease thresholds in suckling litters in intensively managed herds.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. III. Rotavirus infection

The prevalence of rotavirus infection was studied in 1090 litters from 26 sow herds. Samples of normal, semifluid and watery stools were examined for rotavirus by an ELISA-test on faeces. Rotavirus was detected in 77% of the herds and in 30.5% of the litters (prevalence rates). The highest prevalence rate was seen in piglets between 21 and 41 days of age. Gilts' litters had a very high prevalence during the first week of life. Apart from this, no difference was found between litters from gilts and older sows. Rotavirus was detected more frequently in semiliquid, loose stools than in normal or watery stools, and an association between virus detection and diarrhoea could not be demonstrated. However, litters which shedded rotavirus during the suckling period had lower weight gains and higher incidence rates of respiratory diseases than virus-free litters. Litters weaned at 2 weeks in battery cages had slightly increased risk of shedding rotavirus compared to litters weaned in more traditional systems. The study revealed that rotavirus is widespread in Danish swine herds. The findings give evidence to suggest that the type of mild diarrhoea in 3-week-old piglets known as steatorrhoea or "white scours" may be associated with rotavirus infection, possibly in combination with E. coli and other agents. The high prevalence in piglets weaned at 2 weeks plus the higher morbidity and mortality among such piglets sustain the conclusion that piglets should not be weaned before 3 weeks of age or below a body weight of 6-7 kg.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of orbifloxacin in healthy and Pasteurella multocida infected ducks

1. The pharmacokinetic aspects of orbifloxacin were studied in both healthy and naturally diseased ducks after a single intravenous and intramuscular dose of 5?mg?kg^?1 body weight. The serum concentrations of orbifloxacin following single intravenous and intramuscular injections were higher in diseased than in healthy ducks.

2. The disposition of orbifloxacin after a single intravenous injection was described by a two-compartment open model in both healthy and diseased ducks. Orbifloxacin was distributed and eliminated at a significantly slower rate in diseased than in healthy ducks. The total body clearance (Cl_B) was lower in diseased (0·131?l?kg^?1?h^?1) than healthy ducks (0·191?l?kg^?1?h^?1).

3. Following intramuscular administration of orbifloxacin, the peak serum concentration (C_max) was higher in diseased than in healthy ducks, and this was achieved at a maximum time (t_max) of 1·114 and 0·993?h, respectively. The drug was eliminated at a significant slower rate in diseased ducks (elimination half-life t _{0·5( el )?}=?5·07?h) than in healthy ducks (elimination half-life t _{0·5( el )?}=?4·18?h).

4. These results indicate that drug elimination patterns in healthy and diseased ducks are not the same. The pharmacokinetic profile of the drug is altered in diseased ducks due to the increased serum orbifloxacin concentrations compared with clinically healthy ducks. In conclusion, 5?mg?kg^?1 body weight of orbifloxacin administered as a single dose once daily could be useful in the treatment of disease caused by Pasteurella multocida pathogen in ducks.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. IV. Pathogenicity of porcine rotavirus

Colostrum-deprived piglets inoculated with rotavirus 24 h after birth developed a profuse diarrhoea that spread to non-inoculated, colostrum-deprived litter mates and, occassionally, to colostrum-fed piglets. Case fatality rates in these 3 categories of piglets were 63.2%, 35.7% and 8.3%, respectively. Surviving piglets recovered in 1-2 weeks, but shedded virus via the faeces for up to 3 weeks p.i. The D-xylose test revealed severe malabsorption, with extremely flat absorption curves for up to 3-4 weeks p.i. Malabsorption was more marked in piglets with a long-lasting faecal virus excretion than in piglets where virus disappeared from the faeces within 10 days p.i. Infected piglets (colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived) had decreased weight gains and were 5 days older at a bodyweight of 25 kg than non-inoculated controls. It is concluded that rotavirus is probably of significance in diarrhoeal syndromes in suckling piglets, alone or in combination with E. coli or other pathogens.     

植酸酶对肉鸭生产性能的影响

选用2880只樱桃谷M3肉鸭,分为6组(每组6个重复,每个重复80只肉鸭),对植酸酶在不同的营养浓度下对肉鸭饲料中的潜在营养价值(磷、钙、代谢能和氨基酸)进行生产应用评估。结果表明:①降低日粮中磷、钙、代谢能和氨基酸的量而不添加植酸酶,肉鸭的生长发育明显受阻,料重比升高,并伴有较严重的腿病发生;②降低日粮中磷、钙、代谢能和氨基酸后,添加植酸酶可显著改善料重比、提高体重和成活率、降低腿病率,各个生产指标达到了正对照组的水平,而经济效益高于正对照组。     

氯对生长期笼养蛋鸭生产性能的影响

文章旨在研究玉米-豆粕型日粮中不同氯水平对生长期笼养蛋鸭生产性能的影响。试验采用单因素随机区组设计,选用平均体重为(0.50±0.04)kg的28日龄蛋鸭300只,随机分为5个处理组,分别含氯0.06%、0.12%、0.18%、0.30%、0.60%,每个处理组设10个重复,每个重复6只蛋鸭。结果显示饲粮中含氯0.06%会显著降低蛋鸭的生产性能(P<0.05);氯水平为0.12%～0.60%时对蛋鸭的生产性能无显著影响(P>0.05),但是0.12%氯水平组的日增重、终重、饲料转化率等各项指标都优于0.18%～0.60%氯水平组。结果表明,当饲粮中含氯0.12%时可使笼养生长蛋鸭发挥最佳的生产性能。     

饲料中益生菌发酵复方中草药对肉鸭生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

为了研究饲料中添加益生菌发酵的复方中草药制剂对肉鸭生长性能及屠宰性能的影响。采用单因素设计试验,选择体重相近的21日龄天府肉鸭360只随机分成4组,每个组3个重复,每个重复30只,A组为对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验B、C、D组在基础日粮上分别添加0.5%、1.0%、1.5%的益生菌发酵的复方中药制剂,试验期为21 d。在试验期间测定天府肉鸭生长性能指标和屠宰性能指标。结果表明:(1)C组和D组的试验末重、平均日增重分别较对照组提高5.07%、4.70%、9.85%、9. 03%(P <0.05),C组和D组的料重比分别较对照组降低9.06%、3.40%(P <0.05),B、C组和D组的平均日采食量均高于A组(P> 0.05)。(2)B组、C组和D组的屠宰率、全净膛率、半净膛率、胸肌率均高于A组(P> 0.05);C组和D组的腿肌率、瘦肉率分别较对照组提高28.00%、24.60%、12.09%、10.12%(P <0.05); C组和D组的腹脂率分别较对照组降低12. 68%、9.86%(P <0.05)。综上,1.0%添加益生菌发酵复方中草药制剂可以提高肉鸭生长性能和屠宰性能。     

饲料中益生菌发酵复方中草药对肉鸭生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

为了研究饲料中添加益生菌发酵的复方中草药制剂对肉鸭生长性能及屠宰性能的影响。采用单因素设计试验,选择体重相近的21日龄天府肉鸭360只随机分成4组,每个组3个重复,每个重复30只,A组为对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验B、C、D组在基础日粮上分别添加0.5%、1.0%、1.5%的益生菌发酵的复方中药制剂,试验期为21 d。在试验期间测定天府肉鸭生长性能指标和屠宰性能指标。结果表明:(1)C组和D组的试验末重、平均日增重分别较对照组提高5.07%、4.70%、9.85%、9. 03%(P <0.05),C组和D组的料重比分别较对照组降低9.06%、3.40%(P <0.05),B、C组和D组的平均日采食量均高于A组(P> 0.05)。(2)B组、C组和D组的屠宰率、全净膛率、半净膛率、胸肌率均高于A组(P> 0.05);C组和D组的腿肌率、瘦肉率分别较对照组提高28.00%、24.60%、12.09%、10.12%(P <0.05); C组和D组的腹脂率分别较对照组降低12. 68%、9.86%(P <0.05)。综上,1.0%添加益生菌发酵复方中草药制剂可以提高肉鸭生长性能和屠宰性能。     

酵母铭可提高种蛋鸭生产性能

有机铬对种蛋鸭生产性能的影响尚未见报道,本试验旨在探讨酵母铬对种蛋鸭产蛋率、受精率、孵化率的影响,为种蛋鸭的营养研究提供基础数据.1材料与方法1.1供试种鸭由崇州市、温江县、大邑县等地12个种鸭场提供品种为花边、大白沙、奥白星、樱桃谷、天府等种鸭20000余只.1.2养殖方式分为流水养殖与圈养两种,雌雄比流水养殖为7:1,圈养为5:1.免疫及疾病防治按常规程序进行.1.3供试铬酵母和啤酒酵母由峨眉山大地生物工程有限公司提供.