Thysanoptera infestation on skin and periorbital cellulitis in ostriches (Struthio camelus) aged 14 months

AIM: To report the infestation of Thysanoptera (Limothrips denticornis) on ostriches (Struthio camelus) and to determine their relative density. METHODS: A farm in Poland was studied on which ostriches aged 14 months were severely infested with L. denticornis (thrips). Thrips were collected and their density on the neck, torso and legs (10 cm2) of 85 ostriches determined at 0600, 1200 and 1800 h, respectively, over 7 days. At the same times, apparent densities of thrips/m2 were determined in adjacent grassy areas (120 m2) on a muslin cloth impregnated with permethrin. Thrips were mounted onto slides in Hoyer's medium, for identification. RESULTS: The apparent density of thrips was greatest at 1200 h, and was greater on the neck than the torso and legs (p=0.03). In adjacent surroundings, densities were also highest at 1200 h (mean 199 (SE 9.3) thrips/m2) and were similar to the maximum densities recorded on the necks of ostriches at that time (mean 205 (SE 6.4) thrips/m2). Ostriches engaged in excessive preening and attempted to scratch their head/neck with their feet. Numerous small, pale red papules were observed on the skin. Observations of periorbital cellulitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, watery discharge, inflammation, and sclerotic discolouration were noted in 65 ostriches. CONCLUSION: Observations were commensurate with L. denticornis infestation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Infestation may exacerbate stress levels and subsequently lead to a reduction in feed intake and performance. The infestation and subsequent irritation from thrips impacts negatively on the general health of ostriches by damaging skin and irritating eyes.     

Carcase and component yields of rheas

1. Three Greater Rheas (Rhea americana) and 5 Lesser Rheas (Pterocnemia pennata) were slaughtered, using the procedures conventional for ostriches in Soudi Africa, in order to determine the expected yield of by‐products and saleable lean meat, fat and bone of rheas.

2. Differences (P< 0.05) between species were found in the proportional weight of the wings, feet, skin and liver. The wings, feet and head of rheas form a higher proportion of the carcase than in ostriches, whereas the skin of the former represents a lower percentage of body weight.

3. Lean meat production from rheas (64% on a carcase weight basis) is in the same order as for ostriches, broilers, turkeys and beef.     

Fin Condition of Atlantic Salmon Reared at High Densities in Heated Water

Abstract

We assessed the condition of dorsal and pectoral fins of parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar that were reared for 70 d at 17.5°C to final densities of 14–55 kg/M² (rearing-unit bottom area) or 80–310 kg/m³ (rearing-unit volume). Pectoral fins were not significantly affected by rearing density, but dorsal fins were more eroded in fish reared at the highest density than in fish checked before the rearing experiments or in those reared at lower densities. Densities as great as 41 kg/m² (229 kg/m³) did not affect fin quality of Atlantic salmon reared at 17.5°C.     

Performance and welfare of broilers as affected by stocking density and zinc bacitracin supplementation

The influence of stocking density (16, 20 and 24 birds/m²) and zinc bacitracin (0 or 100 mg/kg) on the performance, carcass characteristics and some indirect welfare indicators of broilers were examined in a 35‐day trial. The weight gain, feed intake, liveability and carcass characteristics of broilers grown at densities of 16, 20 and 24 birds per m² were similar (P > 0.05). Over the whole trial period, however, feed per gain of birds at the highest density (24 birds/m²) was higher (P < 0.05) than those at the other two densities. Litter quality was poorer at high population densities, but there were no welfare implications as indicated by the lack of effect of density on gait scores and the incidence of hock and fat pad burns. Inclusion of zinc bacitracin improved weight gains and feed intake of broilers over the 35‐day trial period at all three stocking densities tested. Zinc bacitracin supplementation had no influence on the feed per gain of birds reared at densities of 16 and 20 birds/m², but improvements were observed at a density of 24 birds/m². The relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) were lowered (P < 0.05) with increasing density, suggesting a greater degree of stress on the birds. Zinc bacitracin supplementation had no influence on bursa weights of birds reared at densities of 16 and 20 birds/m², but increased the bursa weights of birds reared at a density of 24 birds/m². Overall, these data indicate that, with the removal of in‐feed antibiotics in the future, care should be taken when considering population densities of greater than 20 birds/m².     

不同密度短星翅蝗危害后羊草的高光谱变化及对产草量的影响

为建立羊草草地高光谱植被指数(NDVI)与短星翅蝗危害密度之间的关系模型,估计短星翅蝗危害造成的牧草损失,使用短星翅蝗按5,10,20,40和60头/m²5个密度梯度在羊草草地进行田间取食危害试验,测定不同危害时长后的NDVI值,最后根据NDVI和生物量的对应关系计算蝗虫危害后的牧草损失量。结果发现短星翅蝗危害羊草草地后,随短星翅蝗密度增加,NDVI值呈现逐渐降低的趋势,但是在密度为10头/m²时,归一化植被指数NDVI值略有上升。模拟短星翅蝗危害不同时间后NDVI与密度之间的关系方程为:Y=0.5932+0.0014x-6.93×10^-5x²(5 d),Y=0.5950-4.8500×10^-4x-4.01×10^-5x²(10 d),Y=0.5848-0.0024x-1.61×10^-5x²(15 d),Y=0.6422-0.0031x-2.12×10^-5x²(20 d)。其中, y为植被指数NDVI,x为蝗虫密度。同时研究发现,低密度情况下(不大于20头/m²),随危害时间延长短星翅蝗取食对NDVI校正值无显著影响;高密度情况下(大于20头/m²),随时间延长NDVI校正值迅速降低,不同密度间的差异显著。根据草地生物量与NDVI的回归方程(y=614.15x-119.28)将NDVI值转换成牧草损失量,发现随虫口密度增加,牧草损失量呈增加趋势。低密度短星翅蝗(5,10头/m²)危害情况下,羊草草地有超补偿作用,当蝗虫密度超过40头/m²时,生物量降低趋势非常明显。研究结果表明,归一化植被指数NDVI变化与蝗虫危害密度相关关系显著,随着蝗虫密度的增大,NDVI的值先增长后降低。根据蝗虫危害造成的光谱变化,可以估计蝗虫危害密度及造成的损失。本研究为进一步开展蝗灾的大区域遥感监测奠定了基础。     

Relative population levels of citrus thrips Scirtothrips aurantii on commercial citrus and adjacent bush

Citrus thrips Scirtothrips aurantii Faure is a serious economic pest in southern Africa. It is indigenous, breeding on many wild hosts as well as on citrus. In this northern Transvaal lowveld study, bush containing known host plants of S. aurantii was not the source of early infestation of a navel orange orchard by adult citrus thrips during September and October. Early-season damage therefore resulted from the activities of citrus thrips which had overwintered in the orchard. In contrast, S. aurantii populations on wild hosts could possibly boost orchard populations later in the season and contribute to late damage on the fruit. This is because, in one of the years, adult thrips numbers were higher in the bush than in the orchard during November and December.     

Evaluation of Emamectin Benzoate for the Control of Experimentally Induced Infestations of Argulus sp. in Goldfish and Koi Carp

Abstract

The effect of 0.2% emamectin benzoate (SLICE; Intervet/ Schering-Plough Animal Health, Roseland, New Jersey) administered in top-dressed, pelleted commercial fish feed was evaluated for control of freshwater Argulus sp. in goldfish Carassius auratus and koi carp, a variant of common carp Cyprinus carpio, in freshwater aquaria at 24–25°C. Sixteen individually housed goldfish were each exposed to 37 Argulus. The number of fish lice attached to each fish at the start of the experiment was not determined; however, the total number of motile fish lice in each aquarium (on fish and in the water) was determined at the start and end of each experiment. Eight goldfish were fed the control diet (0 μg · kg fish biomass^?1 · d^?1) and eight were fed the medicated diet (50 μg · kg fish biomass^?1 · d^?1) for seven consecutive days. After treatment, fish louse infestation in controls was 20.5 ± 1.5 (mean ± SE) lice per fish. No Argulus were found on fish in the treated group. In a separate experiment, 10 individually housed koi were each exposed to 128 Argulus. Five koi were fed the control diet and five were fed a low-dose medicated diet (5 μg · kg fish biomass^?1 · d^?1) for 7 d. After treatment, fish louse infestation among the controls was 14.6 ± 3.8 lice per koi. No Argulus were found on koi in the treated group. Hence, a 7-d regimen of oral emamectin benzoate controlled experimental infestation of Argulus when administered to goldfish at 50 μg · kg fish biomass^?1 · d^?1 and to koi at 5 μg · kg fish biomass^?1 · d^?1.

Received March 24, 2010; accepted January 17, 2011     

Effects of the naked‐neck gene on traits associated with egg laying in a dwarf stock at two temperatures

1. Naked‐neck (NaNa and Nana⁺ ) and normal hens, all dwarf (dw), were compared for laying performance in two groups at 15 to 20 or 30 °C.

2. Naked‐neck hens, especially homozygotes, weighed less only at the cooler temperature. Body fatness was not different.

3. Normal, but not naked‐neck birds, showed a depression in food intake and egg output at 30 °C. In the hot environment mean egg weight and egg mass output were highest for naked‐neck homozygotes. At the cooler temperature mean egg weight was also higher for this genotype, at fixed body weight.

4. The decline in egg mass with time seemed greater for fully‐feathered layers at high temperature.

5. At moderate temperature residual food intake was slightly increased by the naked‐neck gene, but owing to the reduced body weight, food utilisation was not poorer for the NaNa or Nana ⁺ genotypes. At higher temperature Nana ⁺ and especially NaNa hens utilised food more efficiently.

6. An increase in wattle size and a slight decrease in body temperature were associated with the Na allele.

     

Influence of grazing frequency and intensity on aerial and reproductive tillering in Lolium perenne L. under subtropical conditions

Abstract

Reproductive and aerial tillering dynamics in Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) was monitored for two years under grazing. Reproductive tillers were observed from winter (June) to midsummer (February) with the main period of initiation occurring in spring to early summer (August to October). For infrequent lenient grazing, reproductive tiller densities ranged from 102 (July 1993) to 1 900 (September 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 29 (June 1994) to 980 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. By contrast, simulated continuous grazing (CG) resulted in reproductive tiller densities ranging from 13 (August 1993) to 100 (October 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 25 (July 1994) to 46 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. Aerial tillers were initiated mainly during spring, and to a lesser extent autumn and winter, with no appreciable number being recorded during summer. For infrequent lenient grazing, aerial tiller densities ranged from 25 (February 1993) to 1 620 (September 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 362 (August 1994) to 1 524 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. By contrast, CG resulted in aerial tiller densities ranging from 123 (May 1993) to 14 (June 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 5 (July 1994) to 29 (May 1994) tillers m^?2. There was no indication that reproductive or aerial tillers contribute to the persistence of perennial ryegrass under the grazing frequencies and intensities tested.     

The use of air‐coolers in broiler houses under subtropical conditions in Iraq

1. Under summer conditions in north Iraq, 2 000 chicks were reared for 56 d in two broiler houses. One house was provided with two air‐coolers. The birds were housed at densities of eight to 16 birds/m².

2. Differences in weight gain between birds in cooled and uncooled houses ranged from 101.5 g at eight birds/m² to 385 g at 16 birds/m². Food consumption increased gradually with increasing bird density. Food conversion efficiency, meat yield and carcass conformation were much better in the cooled house than under conventional conditions.

3. The financial return/m² ranged from 2.30 to 4.51 ID¹ in the cooled house, compared with 2.01 to 2.77 ID in the uncooled house at different floor densities.     

Endotoxin concentration in poultry houses for laying hens kept in cages or in alternative housing systems

1. Endotoxins as components of organic dust may have adverse effects on the respiratory health of workers in poultry buildings. The move towards more welfare-friendly housing systems for layers may increase worker exposure to air contaminants due to the use of litter.

2. The endotoxin concentrations in the inhalable fraction of airborne dust (below 100?µm) from cage and alternative system houses (on-floor, free range and aviaries) were compared under both experimental and commercial conditions.

3. The endotoxin concentration was higher in experimental aviaries (median: 565?EU/m³, range: 362-1491?EU/m³) than in cage housing (98?EU/m³ (51-470)).

4. In field conditions, the endotoxin concentration in the air of 13 alternative houses was higher (35 to 3156?EU/m³) than in cage system buildings (n?=?8, 78-576?EU/m³). It was correlated to the respirable dust concentration (fraction below 5?µm) and to the temperature inside the hen house but no seasonal variation was observed.

5. The present study emphasises that considerable worker exposure to endotoxins may occur in laying houses, especially in alternative systems.     

A comparative study between mature ostriches (Struthio camelus) and adult cockerels with respect to true and apparent metabolisable energy values for maize,barley, oats and triticale

1. In three successive trials with cockerels and mature ostrich males the apparent and true metabolisable energy values, corrected for nitrogen retention (AME_n and TME_n) were determined by a balance method for malting barley, oats, triticale and yellow maize. All these ingredients were used as sole dietary components with the exception of triticale for ostriches which was diluted with 440 g/kg lucerne meal. The balance trial lasted for 5 d after an adaption period of 7 d for ostriches, and 3 d after an adaption period of one day for cockerels.

2. AME_n values for cockerels of malting barley, oats, triticale and maize were 11.6, 10.48, 11.44 and 14.42 MJ/kg respectively. Significantly higher values of 14.21, 12.65, 12.60 and 14.89 MJ/kg were determined for malting barley, oats, triticale and maize for ostriches.

3. TME_n values determined by regression yielded values in ostriches of 13.92, 12.27, 13.21 and 15.22 MJ/kg for malting barley, oats, triticale and maize respectively. The corresponding TME_n values in cockerels were 11.33, 10.63, 11.82 and 14.07 MJ/kg.

4. The ostrich is capable of utilising fibre more efficiently than poultry. The higher energy values observed for the various ingredients also indicated that the non‐starch polysaccharides such as ß‐glucans and arabinoxylans in the more fibrous energy sources had little if any effect on the available energy of these ingredients as found with poultry.

5. The potential of ostriches to utilise the more fibrous energy sources like barley, oats and triticale allows for their economical use in diet formulation. This possibility may result in markedly lower food costs for ostriches.     

Bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections in the ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

The ostrich is susceptible to microorganisms of bacterial, fungal and parasitic origin. Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is dangerous to other livestock and humans. Salmonella is transmitted from rodents or wild bird reservoirs. Pausterellosis caused by Pasteurella multocida results in air sac infections in ostriches. Colibacillosis is caused by Escherichia coli. Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium avium, is very rare in ostriches. Aspergillosis principally afflicts chicks. Zygomycosis, a secondary fungal infection of the upper gastrointestinal tract, is caused by Basidia, Mucor and Rhizopus. Leucocytozoon struthionis and Plasmodium spp. are harmless protozoa transmitted from flying arthropods. The tapeworm, Houttuynia struthionis, is dangerous in young ostriches. The adult ratite fluke (Philophthalmus gralli) is transmitted to ostriches following ingestion of infected freshwater crustaceans. Tick infestations of ostrich skin in Africa include Amblyomma spp., Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus turanicus and Argus spp. The ostrich quillmite (Pterolichus bicaudatus) and louse (Struthioliperus struthionus) may lower skin and leather quality via pruritis and/or excessive preening and feather loss. Nemododa infections are rare.     

蓟马取食对苜蓿氨基酸组成及含量的影响

为了探究蓟马取食对苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)氨基酸组成及含量的影响,本研究以'草原2号'(Medicago varia Martin.'Caoyuan No.2')感蓟马品种和'草原4号'(Medicago sativa L.'Caoyuan No.4')抗蓟马品种为材料,分别进行牛角花齿蓟马(Odo...     

Prevalence,pathology and risk factors for coccidiosis in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in selected regions in Kenya

Background: The potential for rabbit production in Kenya is high. However, high morbidity and mortality of domestic rabbits were reported.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the pathology, prevalence and the predisposing factors to coccidiosis in domestic rabbits in selected regions in Kenya.

Animals and methods: A total of 61 farms keeping rabbits in six different counties were visited in the survey. A total of 2680 live rabbits were examined and 61 rabbits and 302 fecal samples were randomly collected from the farms and examined for coccidian oocysts by ante-mortem and post-mortem methods. The predisposing factors to coccidiosis were assessed through questionnaires and direct observation. Chi square (χ²) statistics was used with P values < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 302 fecal samples, 85% (P < 0.001) contained coccidian oocysts and 2% harbored nematode eggs (Passalurus ambiguous). The overall prevalence of Eimeria spp. infestation was 85.1% in the study area and 90.2% in the individual rabbits, while prevalence of intestinal coccidiosis and hepatic coccidiosis was 29.5% and 11.5%, respectively. Higher counts of coccidian oocysts per gram of feces were recovered in weaners than in growers and adults rabbits (P < 0.001), rabbits that were kept in high density group housing (P < 0.05) and housing with more than two tiers.

Conclusion: This study identified group housing of rabbits of different ages and inadequate control of concurrent infections as the major risk factors associated with coccidiosis in domestic rabbits in Kenya.     

Effects of different stocking densities on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of finishing broilers

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of broilers. One thousand four hundred and forty 22‐day‐old Lingnan Yellow broilers were randomly allotted to five different stocking density groups (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds per m²). Each group consisted of three replicates. The results showed that 8 and 10 birds/m² groups had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) than the others (p < 0.05). Heat shock protein 70 (HSP₇₀) in the group of 16 birds/m² had the highest levels (p < 0.05). The group of 16 birds/m² had the lowest total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activities in blood serum (p < 0.05), and significantly increased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) concentration compared to the groups of 8 and 10 birds/m² (p < 0.05). In liver, the group of eight birds/m² had higher T‐AOC levels than that of 12, 14, and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05) and also higher catalase (CAT) activities than that of 14 and 16 birds/m² (p < 0.05); the group of 10 birds/m² had the highest T‐SOD activities among all groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the above results suggest that stocking density of broilers up to 8 or 10 birds/m² can prevent the negative effects on growth performance and welfare parameters in broilers.     

Hepatic expression of FTO and fatty acid metabolic genes changes in response to lipopolysaccharide with alterations in m6A modification of relevant mRNAs in the chicken

1. The fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene, which encodes a demethylase of m⁶A, has been reported to respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to serve as a link between inflammation and metabolic responses. The objective of this study was to determine whether LPS-induced changes in the expression of FTO and metabolic genes are associated with alterations of m⁶A in relevant mRNAs.

2. LPS challenge significantly decreased hepatic mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and CPT2, which coincided with a tendency of higher triglyceride accumulation in the liver.

3. LPS significantly down-regulated the full length cFTO1, yet up-regulated the truncated cFTO4 protein in the liver nuclear extracts.

4. Nuclear protein content of cFTO4 in the liver was negatively correlated with the mRNA abundances of CPT1 (r = 0.629) and CPT2 (r = 0.622).

5. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that the m⁶A level around the translation start site of CPT1 was markably decreased in the liver of LPS-treated chickens.

6. These results indicate that LPS-induced changes in FTO protein expression are associated with alteration of mRNA m⁶A modification in chicken liver.

     

Blood acid-base and plasma electrolyte values in healthy ostriches: The effect of age and sex

The effect of age and sex on blood acid-base and plasma electrolyte values was determined in venous blood samples from 45 clinically healthy ostriches (Struthio camelus) from 26 days to 6 years of age. Animals were divided by age into four groups and the group of adults was divided by sex into two subgroups. Blood samples were collected without sedation. There was a significant (P < 0.05) age difference in blood values of base excess (BE), plasma , total CO₂ (TCO₂), Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻ and anion gap (AG). The highest plasma concentrations of Na⁺, Cl⁻ and value of AG were found in adult ostriches with a steady decrease to chicks. A significant (P < 0.05) sex difference in adult animals with higher blood pH, lower blood values of pCO₂, BE, plasma concentrations of , TCO₂ and K⁺ was found in females. We concluded that blood acid-base values and plasma electrolyte concentrations in ostriches are affected by age and sex.     

Responses of male broiler chickens from two genetic groups to different stocking densities in a semi-arid subtropical environment

The effects of stocking densities of 30, 35, 40 and 45 kg body weight (BW)/m² on the growth performance of Ross 308 and Hubbard broiler chickens were studied in a 49-day production period. Ross 308 was superior to Hubbard in weight gain and market weight and consumed more feed (p < 0.05) but the strains did not differ significantly in feed efficiency, mortality rate and abdominal fatness. Overall, birds raised at stocking densities of 30, 35 and 40 kg BW/m² performed equally well in weight gain, feed consumption and 49-day live weight and outperformed those raised at 45 kg BW/m² (p < 0.05). It is suggested that for profitable broiler production under tropical conditions Ross 308 and stocking density of 40 kg BW/m² be considered.     

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) ejaculate--effects of the method of collection, male age, month of the season, and daily frequency

1. Over three breeding seasons on a farm in Poland, semen was collected from 11 ostriches using the dummy and the teaser method to study the effects of the method of collection, male age, month in the breeding season, and daily collection frequency on ejaculate characteristics.

2. A total of 259 ejaculates were collected, with an average volume of 1·28?±?0·6 (±SEM) ml. Sperm concentration was 3·34?±?0·08?×?10⁹/ml, the total number of spermatozoa 4·32?±?0·22?×?10⁹, and motility 4·56?±?0·04.

3. There was no difference in ejaculates collected by the dummy and teaser methods, but the between-individual variation was considerable. Ejaculate characteristics increased with male age and varied between months, with little evidence for seasonal decline. Daily collections for 10 days did not affect sperm output.

4. The results open up avenues for further research on development of a viable protocol for artificial insemination in ostriches and efficient semen storage.

5. The between-male variation suggests that the ejaculate output could be maximized through selection.