The effect of genotype,choice feeding,and season on organically reared broilers fed diets devoid of synthetic methionine

In response to the impending ban on synthetic methionine in organic poultry diets, researchers have focused on finding alternative strategies to supply this amino acid. The objectives of this study were to assess performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed diets devoid of synthetic methionine by using 1) a slow-growing and a fast-growing genotype, 2) choice-feeding management (supplying grain and a complementary premix in 2 separate feeders), and 3) pasture access and seasonal variation. Inclusion of fish meal and high percentages of soybean meal enabled the specific genotype methionine requirement to be met. All diets were certified organic. The experiment was conducted during the grower and finisher phases in 4 different seasons: late fall, spring, summer, and early fall. Pasture access was assessed either by housing broilers on the West Virginia University Organic farm and giving them outdoor access, or by housing broilers on the West Virginia University Animal Sciences farm and giving them no outdoor access. Fast-growing genotypes were superior in performance and carcass characteristics compared with slow-growing genotypes, and choice-feeding management did not improve performance or carcass characteristics. Pasture access tended to have no effect on slow-growing broilers and decreased the performance of fast-growing broilers. Performance was decreased in late fall, likely because of cold ambient temperatures.     

Effect of season and dietary energy concentration on composition and strength of skin in naked neck fowl

1. Two experiments, in spring and summer, were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy concentration on the composition and strength of the skin of naked neck fowl. The heterozygous naked neck birds were also compared with their normally feathered sibs under summer temperatures. 2. The average temperatures were 21.2°C and 27.1°C in spring and summer experiments, respectively. Three concentrations of dietary energy were fed to the birds. The diets used were: a low energy diet of 12.12 MJ ME/kg; a medium energy diet of 12.96 MJ ME/kg; and a high energy diet of 13.79 MJ ME/kg. Two protein concentration per energy treatment, 230 and 200 g/kg, respectively were used from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks of age. 3. A significant season sex interaction showed that the skin of males had higher protein and collagen and lower dry matter and fat content than that of females, when grown under summer conditions. No sex differences were present under spring conditions. 4. The differences between sexes was not significant in spring but males had stronger skin than females in summer. Neither ambient temperature nor dietary energy concentration significantly affected skin displacement of naked neck birds. 5. In comparing the naked neck and their normally feathered sibs in the summer experiment, it was found that naked neck birds had lower skin fat content and higher skin protein content than normally feathered birds.     

Thermoregulation in naked neck chickens subjected to different ambient temperatures

1. Heterozygous (Na/na) naked neck chickens and their normally feathered (na/na) sibs, were exposed to constant ambient temperatures (Ta) ranging between 15 and 35C and 12h: 12h diurnal high:low temperatures of 15C:35C. 2. No significant effect of genotype was obtained in weight gain and food intake. However, the naked neck birds tended to gain somewhat more weight at high Ta and consume more food at low Ta. 3. At 35C Na birds showed better regulation of body temperature (Tb) and demonstrated considerably higher radiation from the neck. 4. The greater food intake of the naked neck chickens at 15C was associated with significantly higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, heart and liver size. These appear to involve both higher heat production and haemodynamic changes to accommodate the higher oxygen demands of the naked neck chickens at low Ta. 5. The results indicate the ability of the naked neck chickens, on the one hand to thermoregulate at low Tas and, on the other their slightly better capacity to maintain Tb at high Tas. However, no genotype advantage was obtained under diurnal cyclic temperature conditions.     

Effect of naked neck gene (NA) and frizzle gene (F) on immunocompetence in chickens

1. A total of 98 birds belonging to 4 genetic groups from two specialised populations--heterozygous naked neck (NA*NA/NA*N) and normally feathered (NA*N/NA*N) from one specialised population and heterozygous frizzle (F*F/F*N) and normally feathered (F*N/F*N) from another specialised population--were evaluated for general immunocompetence by assessing antibody response to SRBC, haemolytic complement level in the serum, in-vivo cell mediated immune (CMI) response to Concanavalin-A (Con-A) and a phagocytic index at 10-12 weeks of age. 2. The naked neck gene did not seem to influence the antibody response to SRBC, CMI to Con-A or the phagocytic index. However, significantly higher haemolytic complement level in serum was observed in birds carrying a copy of the NA mutation as compared to the normally feathered birds. 3. Similar trends were observed for the frizzle gene.     

Effect of the naked neck gene on carcase composition and immunocompetence in chicken

1. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of naked neck gene (Na) on carcase measurements and some immunological responses of chickens. 2. The presence of naked neck gene in a single or double state increased body weight. 3. The naked neck genotypes (NaNa or Nana) exhibited higher relative weight of dressed carcase, drumstick and breast muscles compared to normally feathered individuals (nana). The proportion of abdominal fat was decreased in both naked neck genotypes compared with normally feathered ones. 4. A higher (non-specific) cell-mediated immune response was evoked in Na gene bearing birds. 5. Higher concentrations of antibodies occurred after injection of sheep red blood cells into naked neck birds, particularly at 14 d post-secondary injection. 6. The NaNa birds had a higher heterophil/lymphocyte ratio than Nana and nana siblings.     

Growth performance of fast-growing broilers reared under different types of production systems with outdoor access: Implications for organic and alternative production systems

Outdoor access is an important part of organic and free-range poultry production, yet limited information exists on the effect of various housing and production systems on growth performance and colonization of food-borne pathogens. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to evaluate the influence of different housing systems, particularly fixed versus small, portable houses, with and without outdoor access to pasture, on seasonal growth performance, leg quality, and presence of bacterial food-borne pathogens. In the current study, we used fast-growing broilers, as many small producers use commercial broilers due to their carcass conformation and high breast yield compared with slow-growing hybrids or standard heritage breeds. Although interest in alternative genetics exists because they may be more adapted to outdoor production, they require longer growing periods, with accompanying labor and cost. A pasture containing a mixture of forages was used to simulate the conditions common for small farms in the local region. The experiment had 4 treatment groups: (1) small, portable hoop houses with access to pasture, (2) small, portable hoop houses without access to pasture, (3) a fixed house with access to the outdoors, and (4) a fixed house without access to the outdoors. The present study was repeated at different times of the year to determine if a seasonal effect on the consumption of pasture and carcass quality was present. Overall, raising birds in hoop houses resulted in a reduced growth rate compared with birds raised in the fixed house. None of the production systems altered bone strength or feed conversion. Food-borne pathogens commonly associated with poultry were not found in any of the environments tested. Seasonal production was an issue in the small hoop house birds, as extreme heat in the summer resulted in early termination of that trial. Expanding on forage choice in pastures and customizing hoop houses to deal with weather fluctuations, especially in regions where extreme heat may affect production, are important considerations for these systems.     

Effect of dietary methionine on performance, carcase characteristics and breast meat composition of heterozygous naked neck (Na/na+) birds under spring and summer conditions

1. Heterozygous naked neck (Na/na+) birds and their normally feathered counterparts (na+/na+) were fed from 0 to 7 weeks on 3 diets differing in methionine concentrations. From 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, respectively, the concentrations were: low containing 4.3 and 3.3 g/kg; optimum containing 5.0 and 3.8 g/kg and; high with 5.7 and 4.4 g/kg under spring (optimum ambient temperature) and summer conditions (high ambient temperature). Performance, carcase characteristics and breast meat chemical composition were determined. 2. Summer rearing resulted in a decrease in body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, and yields of carcase and breast. The summer temperature effect was more pronounced in males. Under summer temperatures, the protein content of the breast decreased while the fat content increased compared to birds reared in spring. 3. By 7 weeks of age, both genotypes reached similar body weights in the spring experiment while, in summer Na/na+ birds were 3.3% heavier and gained more in the period from 3 to 7 weeks than na+/na+ birds. Carcase and breast yields of Na/na+ birds were greater than in na+/na+ birds. 3. Second order polynomial coefficients of the dietary methionine effect were found to be significant for body weight at 3 and 7 weeks. Daily body weight gain between 3 and 7 weeks was linearly affected by the dietary methionine concentration. There was no interaction between genotype and methionine. 4. Methionine had no significant effect on carcase yield. Second order polynomial coefficients of the dietary methionine effect were found to be significant for breast yield while the methionine effect on abdominal fat was linear. Na/na+ females fed on the low methionine diet had lower protein content than the Na/na+ males. 5. It is concluded that the methionine requirement of Na/na+ birds did not differ from that of their normally feathered counterparts under either spring or summer ambient temperature conditions.     

小肽制品对黄羽肉鸡生长性能及血液生化指标的影响

为了研究小肽制品对黄羽肉鸡生长性能及血液生化指标的影响,选择健康1日龄快大型黄羽肉雏鸡64只,随机分成A和B组,每组4个重复,每重复8只,其中A组饲喂日粮Ⅰ（含5%鱼粉）,B组饲喂日粮Ⅱ（含2%鱼粉）,其中日粮Ⅱ添加0.5%小肽制品,试验期8周。试验结果表明,在黄羽肉鸡日粮中用少量的小肽制品取代一定量的鱼粉,降低日粮中蛋白质含量还能使黄羽肉鸡有较高的生长性能,并可显著提高2周龄时的血清总蛋白和白蛋白的含量和显著降低2周龄时的血清总胆固醇的含量（P<0.05）。     

Effect of high ambient temperature and naked neck genotype on performance of dwarf brown-egg layers selected for improved clutch length

1. Two experimental lines of dwarf brown-egg layers selected on clutch length were reciprocally crossed. In total, 288 hens, from three genotypes: L1, purebred normally feathered (121 hens), F1, crossbred and heterozygous for the NA mutation (99 hens) or L2, purebred homozygous for NA (68 hens) were housed in three climatic rooms at 22 degrees C and three climatic rooms at 32 degrees C. 2. Body weight, daily egg production records, feed intake and some anatomical and physiological traits were recorded. Canonical discriminant analysis was used to examine the relationships among all measured traits and to compare the experimental groups as defined by genotype and temperature. 3. Heterosis effects were observed on body weight, feed intake, egg mass and some anatomical traits at 22 degrees C, but were negligible for most of the traits measured at 32 degrees C except for body weight at 34 weeks, clutch length and some anatomical traits. 4. Genotype by temperature interactions were observed for egg production, egg mass and feed intake. The temperature stress was severe, with a marked decrease in egg production. The naked neck gene could limit the negative effect of long-term heat stress. Egg weight was increased by the NA gene, as usually observed in layers. 5. The first three canonical variates explained altogether 97.4% of the variance. The first canonical variate was associated almost exclusively with ambient temperature. The second was associated with genotype. The third was associated with heterozygous genotype for NA mutation and genotype by temperature interaction. Stepwise discriminant analysis indicated that 12 traits out of 20 were effective at detecting the differences among the genotype and temperature combinations.     

Effect of dietary protein content on live and carcase performance of heterozygous naked neck and normally feathered broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different dietary protein contents on the performance of naked neck (Na/na) and normally feathered (na/na) broilers.

2. Chicks from the two genotypes were reared in wire‐floored cages and divided at random into 3 groups. Birds were fed on high protein (HP, 12.99 MJ ME, 238 g crude protein/kg and 12.94 MJ ME, 216 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, respectively), medium protein (MP, 12.99 MJ ME, 219 g crude protein/kg and 12.87 MJ ME, 201 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks), and low protein (LP, 12.94 MJ ME, 205 g crude protein/kg and 12.75 MJ ME, 184 g protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks) diets.

3. The LP diets resulted in a significantly lower daily body weight gain of males from 0 to 3 weeks. Dietary protein content had no effect on body weight gain from 3 to 7 weeks, body weight at 7 weeks, and the food intake of birds. Carcase composition of birds from both genotypes was unaffected by dietary protein.

4. Naked neck birds had significandy higher body weights at 7 weeks. Yields of carcase and breast of Na/na males were significantly higher than those of na/na males. There were no significant differences between females from the two genotypes as regards carcase yield.

5. It was concluded that the dietary protein requirements of naked neck birds were similar to those for normally feathered birds.     

Growth performance of crossbred naked neck and normal feathered laying hens kept in tropical villages

1. Two experiments were conducted to develop naked neck (Na/na) and normal feathered (na/na) crossbreds and compare their growth performance, linear body measurements and carcass characteristics in the first and second filial generations.

2. In the first experiment, 4 indigenous naked neck males (Na/na) were mated to 36 Lohmann commercial females (na/na) in a ratio of 1:9. The two genotypes (Na/na, na/na) were allocated randomly according to batches of hatch, sire lines and sex to three different villages.

3. In the second experiment, 10 males and 100 females of F₁ Na/na birds were selected and mated inter se in a ratio of 1:10. The three genotypes (Na/Na, Na/na and na/na) were compared in a randomised complete block design experiment, with the three villages, hatch and sex as blocks and the three genotypes as treatments. F₁ Na/na birds had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight, body weight gain, linear body measurements, survivability and carcass yield than their na/na counterparts.

4. In the F₂ generation, Na/Na and Na/na birds had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight, body weight gain, linear body measurements, survivability and carcass yield compared to their na/na counterparts.

5. The birds showing the naked neck phenotype appeared to show superior performance compared to normal feathered birds and could be exploited for potential utilisation in local poultry production.     

Effect of incorporation of thermo-regulatory genes into exotic layers on egg production and quality under tropical environment

A breed development strategy aimed at making exotic layers (Lohmann Brown) more productive under tropical environment using thermo-regulatory genes is underway at Akate Farms in Kumasi, Ghana. The present experiment was carried out to find out the effect of the genes on egg production in hot and humid environments. Three genetic groups comprising naked-neck, frizzle and their normally feathered sibs were obtained after successive generations of crossing between naked-neck and frizzle cocks and Lohmann brown hens. A total of 270 18-week-old pullets, 90 each of the 3 groups, were selected randomly and assigned to a completely randomized design experiment with 3 replicates, with 30 birds in each replicate group and kept up to a period of 72 weeks. The birds were kept in a partitioned open-sided deep-litter house constructed with sandcrete blocks with 30 pullets in each compartment. They were fed ad libitum with layer diets containing 18 % crude protein and 2,800 kcal ME/kg. Results obtained showed that the crossbred naked-neck and frizzle phenotypes produced eggs at a significantly (P?<?0.05) higher rates than their normally feathered sibs and also out-performed their normally feathered sibs in other egg production parameters measured, even though they all segregated from similar parents. This is an indication of the favourable effect of the genes on egg production under hot and humid environments.     

Performance and carcass characteristics of Delaware chickens in comparison with broilers

The recent resurgence in the popularity of keeping small flocks of chickens has brought with it an interest in the production characteristics of heritage breeds of chicken. The Delaware breed was developed in the state of Delaware for meat production and is considered a heritage breed because it has long been passed over in favor of the Cornish cross. The definition of a heritage chicken breed is one that physically conforms to the standards of the American Poultry Association, mates naturally, has a long, productive outdoor lifespan, and a slow growth rate. Production information on raising meat Delawares is lacking, as recent research has focused on diet formulation and genetics for broiler production. This study was undertaken to determine the production efficiency of Delawares as compared with broilers in BW, feed intake, FCR, and carcass dressing percentage. Significant differences in BW were noted between broilers and Delawares throughout the study; this was evident even with chick weights. Delawares took 15 wk to reach the same live BW as that of a broiler at 6 wk. The feed intake was greater for the broilers over Delawares during their 6-wk grow-out. The Delawares required twice as much feed to reach the same BW as that of the broiler. Significant differences between the 2 breeds were observed with regard to FCR, the broilers being the more efficient breed. The Delawares had a significantly lower carcass dressing percentage, just under 65%, as compared with broilers, just over 68%. It is hoped that this information will aid producers of niche-market heritage chickens in their decision-making when considering this breed for meat production.     

The Effect of Chromium Propionate on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits in Broilers

Chromium has been considered by many nutritionists as an essential nutrient for animals and humans. Research on the use of Cr from organic sources in poultry is limited. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary addition of 0, 200, 400, or 800 ppb Cr as chromium propionate on growth performance and carcass traits in 0- to 42- or 0- to 49-d-old broilers. The results of these experiments indicate that Cr as chromium propionate improved feed efficiency in the later phases of growth and decreased mortality in one experiment but not another. Also, chromium propionate supplementation had no effect on carcass traits.     

肉鸡血浆激素含量在决定屠体性状中的作用

以AA肉用型鸡为材料进行血浆激素与屠体性状之间的通径分析表明,7周龄血浆生长激素(GH),3,5周龄血浆睾酮含量,5,7周龄肾上腺皮质醇和8周龄三碘甲腺原氨酸(T_3)等含量在决定屠体性状上具有重要的作用,有可能作为活体预测肉用型鸡屠宰特性的有效参数和综合选择指标评价屠体品质的重要依据。     

Research Progress of the Influence of Threonine on Poultry Nutrition

Threonine (Thr) is one of the four main limiting amino acids of poultry, and it plays a very important role in poultry's maintenance of normal growth, development and immune function. Although there have been very comprehensive studies on the mechanism of broilers and laying hens over the past ten years, there are still relatively fewer studies on ducks. This paper summarizes recent studies on Thr nutrition-physiological function in broilers, laying hens and ducks, including the influence of Thr on dietary amino acids balance, production performance, carcass quality, immune function and intestine health maintenance. At the same time, this paper also briefly analyzes the factors related to Thr requirement, including growth stage, crude protein level, energy concentration, other amino acids level in diet and raising environment. In brief, the review is respected to guide poultry production practices.     

苏氨酸在家禽营养中的研究进展

苏氨酸是家禽体内4种主要的必需氨基酸之一,对维持家禽正常的生长、发育及免疫具有十分重要的作用。尽管过去十多年来有关苏氨酸对肉鸡、蛋鸡的影响机理研究较为全面,但在肉鸭上的研究相对较少。作者总结了近年来苏氨酸在肉鸡、蛋鸡和肉鸭生物学和营养生理功能上的研究成果,主要包括苏氨酸在平衡日粮氨基酸、促进蛋白质合成、提高生产性能、提升胴体品质、增强免疫机能及维护肠道健康等方面的作用效果;同时也简要分析了家禽苏氨酸需要量的影响因素,包括家禽的生长阶段、日粮粗蛋白质水平、日粮能量浓度、日粮其他氨基酸含量及饲养环境等,以期为家禽的生产实践提供一定的指导。     

Use of Artemisia annua as a natural coccidiostat in free-range broilers and its effects on infection dynamics and performance

This work investigated the preventive effect of Artemisia annua L. dried leaves supplied as a botanical coccidiostat to two broiler genotypes reared in a Danish free-range system in a factorial experiment (two genotypes and ± supplement of dried A. annua leaves). The genotypes White Bresse L40, a pure slow-growing line, and Kosmos 8 Ross, a hybrid genotype with medium growing characteristics, were used. Broilers were raised indoor until 29-days-old and kept free of parasites. Twelve groups of 30 randomly selected broilers were placed in the range forming three replicates for each treatment combination. The paddocks were cultivated with a mix of grass and clover. A separate group of broilers was naturally infected with Eimeria spp. oocysts and five animals nominated as "seeders" were introduced to the above mentioned 12 groups, 10 days after its formation, with each group consisting of 35 animals per plot. This infection strategy was meant to imitate the transmission pathway observed at farm level. Ten individual birds from each of the 12 groups, in total 120 animals of mixed sex, were monitored twice weekly for 30 days for oocysts excretion. PCR of pooled faecal samples, oocyst morphology and localization upon necropsy were used to identify the Eimeria species involved in the infection. In general, broilers from both genotypes in the range coped well with a coccidia infection caused by Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima as no clinical symptoms, or deaths, were reported during the experiment. In general, broilers supplemented with A. annua dried leaves showed a significantly (p<0.05) reduced number of excreted oocysts during the infection with no interaction to genotype. Females generally had a significantly higher shedding of oocysts than males (p<0.05). The overall body weight gain and the daily weight gain when infection was subdued showed a three-way interaction among genotype, sex and treatment - accounted mainly for the fact that Kosmos females responded positively to the Artemisia treatment while Kosmos males responded negatively, and only minor differences were found between sexes for the White Bresse genotype. In conclusion, supply of A. annua dried leaves as a botanical coccidiostat significantly reduced oocyst output in free ranged broilers and thus may form part of a strategy to prevent commercial losses.     

Productive performance and carcass yield of egg type male chickens raised with outdoor access in the tropics

This study aimed to compare growth and slaughter performance of layer-type slow-growing Rhode Island Red male chickens grown with and without access to an area with vegetation in the tropics. Raised until 115 days of age, a total of 156, 1-day-old birds were randomly allocated to two treatments: total confinement (TC) and partial confinement (PC), with 6 replicates of 13 birds each. Birds grown under TC conditions reached a live weight of 2016.68 g while those raised with access to outdoors attained 1981.07 g, without statistical differences. Feed intake and daily feed intake were higher (P < 0.05) in birds farmed with TC management, during the last 17 days of the trial. Treatments did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect bird’s other productive parameters and carcass traits. Results from this study suggested that slow-growing Rhode Island Red males may be raised with access to outdoors without any adverse effect on productive performance and carcass quality in the Mexican Tropic. Based on the results of this study, a rearing period of 84 days of age is recommended for Rhode Island Red male chickens raised in both TC and PC production systems.

     

The use of neck skin for microbial process control of fresh poultry meat using the bioluminescence method

In this study comparative investigations of the total viable counts of bacteria and viable counts of Enterobacteriaceae with the ATP content were carried out on 70 poultry carcasses and neck skins thereof. The results revealed a correlation of total viable counts on the neck skin and on the carcass sample. Therefore the examination on total viable counts of neck skin is able to give results on the respective load of the carcass (coefficient of correlation (r) = 0.85 and coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.71). This only applies, however, to a slaughter technology at which the poultry hangs up site down with the neck skin to the bottom. The results of the ATP investigation expressed in Relative Light Units (RLU) in a bioluminescence method and total viable counts of neck skin samples are correlated (r = 0.85; R2 = 0.72). Lower values for r and R2 were estimated for RLU/Enterobacteriaceae on neck skin (r = 0.64; R2 = 0.41), for RLU/total viable counts on the carcass (r = 0.66; R2 = 0.46) and for RLU/Enterobacteriaceae on the carcass (r = 0.33; R2 = 0.11). To estimate the hygiene status in poultry slaughtery, sampling from the neck skin can replace the sampling on the whole carcass The bioluminescence method is suitable to replace the determination of total viable counts in the context of in-house hygiene supervision. However, this method seemed to be less reliable to predict the Enterobacteriaceae counts.