Pet poultry training for veterinary practitioners

Keeping backyard poultry in urban areas is a burgeoning trend in the United States. As such, we believe urban pet poultry owners are increasingly likely to seek veterinary services from urban companion-animal practitioners. Traditionally, poultry species have been classified as production animals. Most small-animal practitioners have limited experience or knowledge of these species and hesitate to accept these animals at their practices. We developed a one-day course to train veterinarians in pet poultry (as opposed to commercial poultry) medicine. The course covers poultry examination, diseases, and treatments and provides an introduction to poultry breeds and behavior and the basics of nutrition and husbandry. We believe this type of continuing education program is important for veterinarians because they are often on the front line of human public health issues. In addition, courses of this type increase the number of veterinarians trained to spot serious avian diseases, including foreign diseases and diseases with zoonotic potential. Most important, veterinarians with this training develop the knowledge to contribute to the health and well-being of pet poultry along with their clients' other companion animals.     

National Animal Identification System: Fancier Perspective

With respect to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), poultry science professors are key players in resolving the concerns of fanciers in every state, because they have been and will be involved in developing the plans to implement the NAIS in their state. Highly restrictive, financially prohibitive regulations that ignore the needs of standard-bred exhibition poultry will cripple and then destroy an important part of our nation's poultry industry. This applies not only to NAIS but also to other regulations that affect the testing and movement of poultry. For example, poultry from other states entered in any fair or club poultry show in Texas must have been tested for avian influenza within 30 d of the entry date. This has eliminated entries from outside Texas, because there are very few veterinarians in Texas and other states that are qualified to test and retest the birds and provide the necessary health papers. We cannot host an American Poultry Association (APA) district meet in our 5-state district number 7 much less be considered for an APA national show. We recommend that any flock participating in the National Poultry Improvement Plan program should be considered adequately monitored and should be allowed into any state that is not under quarantine. Even if the recommendation stated above is adopted, it will not help producers in a state such as Texas, which does not allow fanciers to become part of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Texas fanciers go to Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for exhibitions, but exhibitors from those states have been effectively eliminated from Texas shows. Anything that poultry science specialists can do to help prevent or change regulations detrimental to exhibition poultry is greatly needed and appreciated. The leadership of the APA and the American Bantam Association agrees with the NAIS and are actively involved in defining a plan that accomplishes program goals but does not cripple or end their contribution to the poultry industry. Furthermore, we urge our members to comply with the laws and regulations affecting poultry. There is no reason that commercial poultry and standard-bred exhibition poultry cannot exist side by side if both groups, in conjunction with the proper authorities, work together for their mutual benefit. These organizations are committed to that goal!     

The role of rodents in avian influenza outbreaks in poultry farms: a review

Wild migratory birds are associated with global avian influenza virus (AIV) spread. Although direct contact with wild birds and contaminated fomites is unlikely in modern non-free range poultry farms applying biosecurity measures, AIV outbreaks still occur. This suggests involvement of other intermediate factors for virus transmission between wild birds and poultry. This review describes current evidence of the potential role of rodents in AIV transmission from wild birds to poultry and between poultry houses. Rodents can be abundant around poultry houses, share their habitat with waterfowl and can readily enter poultry houses. Survival of AIV from waterfowl in poultry house surroundings and on the coat of rodents suggests that rodents are likely to act as mechanical vector. AIVs can replicate in rodents without adaptation, resulting in high viral titres in lungs and nasal turbinates, virus presence in nasal washes and saliva, and transmission to naïve contact animals. Therefore, active AIV shedding by infected rodents may play a role in transmission to poultry. Further field and experimental studies are needed to provide evidence for a role of rodents in AIV epidemiology. Making poultry houses rodent-proof and the immediate surroundings unattractive for rodents are recommended as preventive measures against possible AIV introduction.     

Summary of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emission Factors for Poultry Operations

Limited data on pollutant emissions from poultry operations are available to assess the effect of these operations on the environment and to put their contribution in perspective with other sources of pollutants. To alleviate this problem, numerous studies at various poultry facilities have been undertaken to improve the knowledge base in quantifying emissions of NH₃ and size-fractionated particulate matter (PM). For these emission data to be of practical use for government agencies and policy makers, the emission rates must be reported as an emission factor with a production unit that enables the emissions from one poultry operation to be correlated to another poultry operation. This paper presents a compilation of NH₃ and PM emission data from several studies in the form of emission factor on a per-500 kg of live weight or animal unit basis. In addition, best management practices that lower pollutant emissions from poultry operations have been reported along with their effectiveness at reducing NH₃ and PM. Unfortunately, the compiled data were insufficient to characterize the variability in emissions caused by differences in house design, suggesting that more studies are needed to complete a comprehensive emission inventory. Once complete, this inventory will enable poultry producers to estimate emissions from their facilities and, if necessary, select management practice(s) to lessen their emissions of NH₃, PM, or both.     

益生元在家禽生产中的应用潜力

益生元是以天然来源的碳水化合物为基础的聚合物,可以被胃肠道中的一些细菌利用,但不被宿主动物消化。益生元作为家禽饲料添加剂,可促进养分消化、吸收,因为它们选择有益的微生物,这些微生物被认为可以促进禽类营养,并可能限制食源性病原体的形成。已经有大量研究来评估其对人类、动物的影响,但只有有限的研究是在非常规生产条件下进行的,同时关于它们对宿主和胃肠道菌群影响的具体机制仍有很多未知。随着对非常规生产系统进行的更详细和精确的研究,结构不同的益生元可能不仅会对胃肠道微生物群产生影响,而且可能以不同的模式与禽类宿主直接或间接地产生相互作用。     

Strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota and their effects on nutrient utilization,performance, and health of poultry

Poultry is widely produced and consumed meat global y. Its demand is expected to continue increasing to meet the animal protein requirement for ever-increasing human population. Thus, the chal enge that poultry scientists and industry face are to produce sufficient amount of poultry meat in the most efficient way. In the past, using antibiotics to promote the growth of poultry and manage gut microbiota was a norm. However, due to concerns over potential fatalistic impacts on food animals and indirectly to humans, their use as feed additives are banned or regulated in several jurisdictions. In this changed context, several alternative strategies have been proposed with some success that mimics the functions of antibiotics as growth promoters and modulate gut microbiota for their beneficial roles. These include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and exogenous enzyme, among others. Gut microbiota and their metabolic products improve nutrient digestion, absorption, metabolism, and overal health and growth performance of poultry. This paper reviews the available information on the effect of feed additives used to modulate intestinal microbiota of poultry and their effects on overal health and growth performance. Understanding these functions and interactions wil help to develop new dietary and managerial strategies that wil ultimately lead to enhanced feed utilization and improved growth performance of poultry. This review wil help future researchers and industry to identify alternative feed ingredients having properties like prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids, and exogenous enzymes.     

Explosive increase in Salmonella java in poultry. Consequences for public health

In the Netherlands S. Paratyphi B variation Java increased in poultry from less than 2% of all isolates before 1996 up to 40% in 2001. This development in poultry runs in parallel with that in Germany and appears not to occur in other European countries. A German study shows that in the late nineties it concerns isolates of only one multi-resistant clone of Java (in Holland as well) whilst isolates before the middle nineties were genetically much more heterogeneous and sensitive to antibiotics. Although the exposition of humans to contaminated poultry meat is relatively high, human patients with a Java infection are rare. Treatment of poultry flocks with quinolones was about 13% in 2000-2001. Resistance to flumequin of Java increased from 3% between 1996-1999 to 20% between 2000-2002 whilst that of other serotypes in poultry remained about 7%. Java is also fast becoming less sensitive to ciprofloxacin which is the antibiotic of first choice in serious cases of salmonellosis. The ministries of public health, agriculture and the production boards, with their research institutes, together with the poultry meat production chain integrations have recently decided to work together in order to determine the public health importance of the Java epidemic in poultry and finding measures for effective control in the poultry industry.     

畜禽维生素需要量的影响因素

畜禽维生素需要量是指畜禽维持正常生命活动、生长发育和繁殖活动所需的维生素。但随着畜牧场的规模化和集约化发展,饲料供应商或畜禽生产者对畜禽维生素的供给可能不适应实际畜禽对维生素的需要量。本文综述了影响畜禽维生素需要量的因素,即畜禽体因素、药物与饲料中的成分和维生素的稳定性,为畜禽的维生素供给提供参考。     

Campylobacter in poultry: filling an ecological niche

Epidemiological studies indicate that Campylobacter species may be responsible for the majority of cases of sporadic gastroenteritis in humans. These studies also suggest that poultry may be one of the most common sources of the bacteria for humans. Campylobacter and related genera in the family Campylobacteraceae are oral and intestinal commensals of vertebrates and some nonvertebrates, a characteristic that complicates rational approaches to controlling Campylobacter contamination of poultry. This review will discuss the phylogeny, genomics, and physiology of campylobacters with the intention of revealing how these organisms have evolved to fill their intestinal ecological niche in poultry and how their physiology must be understood in order to enact effective control strategies.     

Muscle Growth and Meat Quality

Although poultry products are diverse, the general trend is for portioned and further-processed products to increase their market share. In this context, technological quality of poultry meat is an important aspect. It is largely determined by the acidification process of the meat postmortem. Defects in meat acidification have been described in poultry, and the purpose of this report was to evaluate whether they are linked to growth rate or stress susceptibility and whether they are under genetic control.     

Assessment of the risks of communicable disease transmission through the movement of poultry exhibited at agricultural shows in New South Wales

Objective To assess biosecurity practices in the fancy poultry show sector that would influence the establishment and spread of exotic diseases in poultry in New South Wales. Design A cross-sectional survey of 105 fancy poultry exhibitors at seven agricultural shows. Procedure Exhibitors were interviewed about biosecurity practices on their farms and their knowledge of exotic diseases. Poultry stewards at 18 shows were interviewed about biosecurity practices at their shows. Results Although many exhibitors travelled only short distances to attend shows, some exhibitors attended up to 30 shows per year and travelled interstate to exhibit poultry. A network diagram revealed extensive connections and interactions of poultry throughout the eastern half of NSW. Five of 18 shows included cash sales without any record of purchasers; 46% of exhibitors reintroduced exhibited birds back into their flocks without a quarantine period; and 16% failed to wash cages used to transport the birds. There was a general awareness that exhibition of birds posed a risk to flock health, but knowledge of avian influenza and practices that could be adopted to minimise the risk of disease introduction was limited. Conclusions The factors that could assist the establishment and spread of exotic diseases in poultry in NSW include the mixing of birds at shows, inadequate recording of exhibitor details at shows, inadequate biosecurity practices when reintroducing exhibited poultry back into flocks, cash sales associated with shows that did not include the collection of purchaser details, and inadequate identification of birds.     

中草药添加剂在畜禽生产中的应用

抗生素的使用和滥用造成了畜禽体内药物残留和耐药菌株产生.因此,开发抗生素的替代物具有重要意义.中草药具有提高生产性能以及增强机体免疫力等功能,在动物体内药物残留少,不会产生耐药菌株.文章综述了中草药饲料添加剂的活性成分及其在畜禽生产中的应用,旨在为中草药添加剂在畜禽饲料中的合理应用提供参考.     

Phenolic compounds as natural feed additives in poultry and swine diets: a review

Due to ban on using antibiotics in feed industry, awareness of using natural feed additives have led to a great demand. The interest of plants phenolic compounds as a potential natural antioxidant source has been considered in research community due to their predictable potential role as feed additives in poultry and swine production.However, the mode of action for their functional role and dosage recommendation in animal diets are still remain indistinct. Taking into account, the present review study highlights an outline about the mode of action of phenolic compound and their experimental uses in poultry and swine focusing on the growth performance, antioxidant function, immune function, antimicrobial role and overall health status, justified with the past findings till to date.Finally, the present review study concluded that supplementation of phenolic compounds as natural feed additives may have a role on the antioxidant, immunity, antimicrobial and overall production performance in poultry and swine.     

Impact of inland waters on highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in neighboring poultry farms in South Korea

BackgroundSince 2003, the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype has caused massive economic losses in the poultry industry in South Korea. The role of inland water bodies in avian influenza (AI) outbreaks has not been investigated. Identifying water bodies that facilitate risk pathways leading to the incursion of the HPAI virus (HPAIV) into poultry farms is essential for implementing specific precautionary measures to prevent viral transmission.ObjectivesThis matched case-control study (1:4) examined whether inland waters were associated with a higher risk of AI outbreaks in the neighboring poultry farms.MethodsRivers, irrigation canals, lakes, and ponds were considered inland water bodies. The cases and controls were chosen based on the matching criteria. The nearest possible farms located within a radius of 3 km of the case farms were chosen as the control farms. The poultry farms were selected randomly, and two HPAI epidemics (H5N8 [2014–2016] and H5N6 [2016–2017]) were studied. Conditional logistic regression analysis was applied.ResultsStatistical analysis revealed that inland waters near poultry farms were significant risk factors for AI outbreaks. The study speculated that freely wandering wild waterfowl and small animals contaminate areas surrounding poultry farms.ConclusionsPet birds and animals raised alongside poultry birds on farm premises may wander easily to nearby waters, potentially increasing the risk of AI infection in poultry farms. Mechanical transmission of the AI virus occurs when poultry farm workers or visitors come into contact with infected water bodies or their surroundings. To prevent AI outbreaks in the future, poultry farms should adopt strict precautions to avoid contact with nearby water bodies and their surroundings.     

Assessing biosecurity practices, movements and densities of poultry sites across Belgium, resulting in different farm risk-groups for infectious disease introduction and spread

The existing diversity within poultry systems affects the potential risk of infectious disease introduction and spread. Population data on the level of biosecurity and between-farm contacts is scarce, despite its importance for identifying possible routes of disease transmission. A study was carried out in Belgium to investigate and differentiate professional and hobby poultry sites based on their biosecurity levels and farm movements. Questionnaire data from a total of 37 professional poultry farms, 19 hatcheries and 286 hobby poultry sites were analyzed using a combination of a linear scoring system, a Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) and a Two-Step cluster analysis (TSCA). In general, the level of biosecurity was lower in hobby poultry flocks, mainly due to the poor confinement against the outdoor environment and the poor infrastructural hygiene. Most Belgian professional poultry farms and hatcheries had an acceptable level of adoption of standard biosecurity practices, however less attention was given to the way transportation vehicles and employers were brought onto farms and professional visitors welcomed. Considerable variation in the movements and in the structure of the networks arising from these movements was found. Movement frequencies were higher at professional farms compared to hobby farms. Results showed that multiple category farming systems had the highest total movement frequencies. Monthly frequencies of professional visits often exceeded those of poultry and egg movements. Professional and hobby poultry sites were also connected, but movements of poultry and eggs were found only to occur from professional to hobby sites. However, hobby poultry keepers were personally purchasing the poultry and eggs on the professional poultry sites. Six groups of poultry sites were differentiated, which are interpreted as very low to very high risk groups, based on the potential of infectious disease introduction and spread.     

热应激畜禽的营养调控

夏季高温环境下,畜禽极易发生热应激。畜禽发生热应激后其生产性能降低,严重影响养殖效益。营养调控措施是根据畜禽的发育规律,通过调配适宜的营养成分和含量,降低热应激对畜禽的生长过程的影响,使畜禽养殖朝着健康、绿色、持续、高效的方向发展。从调节电解质、矿物质、维生素等营养调控的角度综述了热应激防控的最新研究进展,以期为防控热应激和寻找新的措施、最大限度地降低畜牧业生产损失提供有益的思路。     

畜禽氧化应激与炎症及多酚的干预作用

氧化应激是畜禽体内活性氧产生与保护机制消除的失衡,可导致组织产生氧化损伤,最终诱发炎性疾病。氧化应激可激活多种转录因子,导致炎症途径相关基因的差异表达,由氧化应激引起的炎症是许多慢性疾病的病因。多酚作为植物次生代谢产物,被认为是有效的辅助治疗佐剂,在人和动物中发挥潜在的抗氧化和抗炎作用。多酚也被认为是具有应用潜力的畜禽饲料添加剂。综述了畜禽氧化应激与炎症的关系及机制、多酚对畜禽的抗氧化和抗炎作用及机制,以期为动物疾病抗氧化疗法的应用和新型抗炎药物的开发提供参考。     

Large-scale management systems and parasite populations prevalence and resistance of parasitic agents in animal effluents and their potential hygienic hazard

Keeping large numbers of animals in large-scale, pseudo-industrial units poses similar problems to the overstocking of small farms within any one area, as far as the disposal of animal effluents is concerned. The prevalence of parasites in pigs, poultry and cattle on large-scale farms is listed, and examples of the resistance of their exogenic stages are given. The possibilities of transmission to individuals of the same species or to other species including man are evaluated. Guidelines for safe or restricted disposal of the effluents as fertilizers for different plant crops are given. On recycling effluents as animal food, no problems should arise from the parasitologist's point of view if poultry manure is fed to pigs or cattle or if swine or cattle effluents are fed to poultry. Other combinations are hazardous.     

家禽科学用药八原则

家禽用药必须根据其生理代谢特点、药物作用特点和禽病发生类型,做到科学用药,才能保证及时准确、安全有效。结合家禽疾病防治经验,总结出了家禽科学用药的八大原则,供广大养禽生产者参考。     

Efficacy of feed enzymes in pig and poultry diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles: a review

Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a coproduct of the ethanol industry, are often used as feed material in livestock and poultry nutrition. Results of many experiments have indicated, however, that a high dietary level of DDGS can negatively affect the digestibility of nutrients and the performance of monogastric animals due to their high content of non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP). Nevertheless, using high levels of DDGS as a protein source in livestock diets can be still economically justifiable in view of the rising prices of soya bean meal and other protein sources. The aim of some recent experiments with poultry and pigs was to improve the nutritional efficacy of high‐NSP diets through the addition of feed enzymes. As presented and discussed in this review article, the efficacy of feed enzymes added to poultry and pig diets containing DDGS is not consistent and depends on many factors. However, NSP‐hydrolysing enzymes generally seemed to be more efficient than phytases in terms of the digestibility of nutrients and the growth performance of poultry and pigs fed high‐DDGS diets. For this reason, supplementation with NSP‐hydrolysing enzymes could be an efficient way to enable the use of increased levels of DDGS in poultry and pig diets.