Chopped palm leaves as an acceptable bedding material for broiler production

An experiment was conducted to examine the suitability of chopped palm leaves to utilize as a bedding material, compared to wood shavings or wheat straw, on growth performance, immune response, and air quality for broiler production. Three bedding materials were used: wood shavings, chopped palm leaves, and wheat straw. A total of 3,240 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) was randomly distributed into 3 litter groups (1,080 birds each). Each group had 6 replicate pens (180 birds/pen). All birds were kept under similar environmental conditions, except for bedding material. The obtained results revealed that the growth performance and total mortality rate were not significantly affected by bedding material type. However, using chopped palm leaves as bedding material significantly reduced (P < 0.05) ammonia emission compared to wood shavings and wheat straw (4.1, 7.3 and 8.4 ppm, respectively). A similar trend was observed for settled dust concentration (4.0, 10.3, and 5.9 g/m², respectively). Moreover, an improvement in cell-mediated immunity was observed in boilers kept on chopped palm leaves. Carcass characteristics were not significantly affected by bedding material. It was concluded that chopped palm leaves are a good alternative bedding material to wood shavings and wheat straw in commercial broiler production.     

Microflora of two different types of poultry litter

1. The microbiological composition of litter (straw and wood shavings) was sampled, prior to placing 1-d-old chicks, during housing of the birds and after depopulation. Two independent trials were conducted. 2. The total aerobic plate count (APC) was determined and the predominant microflora of the samples was identified using flow charts. 3. Before chick placement, the APC of wood shavings (about 4.0 log/g) was lower than the APC of straw (about log 7.5/g). With stocking, in both types of litter the APC increased to about log 9.76/g straw-litter and log 9.89/g wood shavings, respectively. After depopulation, the APC remained high (> log 9 in both types of litter) within the period of observation. 4. From both experiments, 1981 isolates were collected and identified, most of them were Gram-positive. During stocking the birds, the number of Gram-positive isolates (in particular Gram-positive irregular rods and Micrococcaceae) increased; after depopulation it stayed at that high value, whereas the number of Gram-negative isolates remained low. In both types of litter the isolates were obtained in a comparable proportion.     

Ammonia emissions from broiler litter: response to bedding materials and acidifiers

1. In a pen study, NH(3) flux estimates were performed when clean wheat straw or wood shavings were used as bedding materials in combination with two NH(3) control amendments: sodium bisulphate and a commercial premix of phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids. 2. Ammonia emissions from wood shavings were 19% greater than from wheat straw around waterers, but statistically similar around feeders. These results could be due to the greater caking observed when wheat straw was used. 3. Sodium bisulphate reduced NH(3) emissions significantly only in the first half of the rearing period; the loss of efficacy in the second half resulted in total NH(3) volatilisation not statistically different from the untreated control. The treatment containing phosphoric + hydrochloric + citric acids did not have a significant effect in decreasing NH(3) emissions. 4. Bird mortality was not affected by the treatments, but broiler weight gain when wheat straw was used was significantly lower than with wood shavings, which could have been caused by the greater caking observed with wheat straw.     

Pododermatitis in turkeys

Severe pododermatitis is a common lesion in turkeys, unlike in broiler chickens. Both dietary factors (soybean meal, biotin, methionine) and poor litter conditions (wet litter) are documented etiologies of footpad lesions. In the United States and United Kingdom both farm managers and processors monitor lesions. The United Kingdom reports an average footpad relative score higher than that of the United States. In both countries, incidence in toms is higher than in hens. There is no significant difference by country. Data support no consistent association with other lesions (i.e., breast blisters or condemnations), breed, or performance parameters (i.e., weight gain or age). The litter type used in the United Kingdom is either straw or wood shavings, whereas in the United States producers predominantly use wood shavings. In the United Kingdom, diets are formulated with a higher protein, which affects the excreta and subsequent litter conditions. British United Turkey is the predominate breed in the United Kingdom. In the United States, three breeds, British United Turkey of America, hybrid, and Nicholas, are common. Recent research has demonstrated the association between biotin levels and pododermatitis. Factors associated with pododermatitis (such as production systems, wet litter, and stocking density) are discussed. There are some indications that increased stocking density is associated with pododermatitis lesions. Further research is needed to identify what management factors are associated with pododermatitis.     

Effects of floor heating and litter quality on the development and severity of foot pad dermatitis in young turkeys

Actions concerning animal health in turkey production are coming more and more to the fore. Litter quality has a great impact on the bird's health and welfare. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of using floor heating, different litter materials, and exposure to litter with a "critical moisture content" of 35% for 16 or 24 hr/day on the severity of foot pad dermatitis (FPD), a widespread disease in fattening turkeys. Four groups of 2-wk-old female turkeys, with 20 birds in each, were reared during 3 wk. All turkeys were fed a commercial pellet diet ad libitum. The first two groups were kept on wood shavings (35% moisture) without and with floor heating. The other two groups were housed on lignocellulose (Soft Cell) of 35% moisture without and with floor heating. In each group, half of the birds were housed for 8 hr/day in adjacent separate boxes where the litter was kept clean and dry throughout the experimental period. Foot pads were assessed weekly for external and at day 35 for histopathologic scoring (scores: 0 = healthy; 7 = ulcer). At day 14 each bird had normal and healthy foot pads. The results indicate that using floor heating resulted in significantly lower FPD scores (0.8 +/- 0.2) compared to groups without floor heating (2.0 +/- 0.8). Using lignocellulose as a litter material resulted in significantly lower histopathologic FPD scores (1.4 +/- 0.7) compared with wood shavings (1.7 +/- 0.8). In all birds housed on dry litter for 8 hr/day, significantly lower FPD scores were found compared to birds housed on wet litter for 24 hr. In conclusion, using floor heating, even with wet litter (35% moisture), independent of the litter type, resulted in reduced severity of FPD compared to those birds housed in pens without using floor heating. Additionally, using lignocellulose as a litter material resulted in lower FPD compared with wood shavings. Keeping litter dry and "warm" could be achieved by using floor heating, which is considered a practical step to enhance animal health and welfare.     

Effects of litter quality (moisture, ammonia, uric acid) on development and severity of foot pad dermatitis in growing turkeys

High dietary protein is thought to increase the incidence of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) as a result of increased uric acid and secondary ammonia production in the excreta or litter. This study was conducted on female turkeys over a period of 3 wk to test the effects of water alone, and also of these end products of protein metabolism, independent of the presence of excreta, on the development and severity of FPD. The animals were allocated into four groups, with 20 birds in each, and housed in floor pens on dry, clean wood shavings (changed daily) throughout the experiment. The control group was housed continuously in its pen, whereas the other groups were additionally exposed daily (for 8 hr) to experimentally treated wood shavings, in adjacent separate boxes, enriched with water alone or water with NH4Cl or uric acid. NH4Cl and uric acid were added via water to the litter to achieve the concentrations of ammonia and uric acid in the litter as found in the excreta of turkeys (about 0.50 g ammonia and 20 g uric acid/kg). The wet litter was kept clean by removing the excreta twice daily and by changing the litter twice a week. The foot pads of all birds were examined on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 and scored externally (macroscopically). Three birds were selected from each group on days 0, 7, and 14, while the remaining 11 birds/group were sacrificed on day 21 for histopathologic assessment of foot pads. The severity of FPD was found to be markedly higher (about 3 times) on wet than on dry litter. There were no negative effects of ammonia and uric acid on foot pad lesions. The results indicate that high litter moisture is the most likely factor causing FPD in turkeys. A focus on nitrogenous irritants in the litter was not substantiated. Exposure of birds to wet litter (in the absence of excreta) for only 8 hr/day was sufficient to develop foot pad lesions. The present results suggest that a focus on the protein content of the diet as a cause of FPD may be misplaced, but all dietary factors which increase excreta or litter moisture, or both, should be considered. The prevalence and severity of FPD can be reduced by maintaining dry litter.     

Potential of hazelnut husks as a broiler litter material

1. Hazelnut husks and some other litter materials were compared for litter properties and their effects on broiler performance. 2. A total of 750 1-d-old broiler chicks were weighed and assigned at random to 1 of 5 treatments, with each treatment replicated 3 times. 3. The treatments were wood shavings (control), wheat stalks, rice hulls, hazelnut husks, and a mixture of 50% rice hulls and 50% hazelnut husks. 4. Although hazelnut husks were associated with lower body weights at 49 d of age, food efficiency mortality, carcase yield, breast blisters and production index were similar to birds on wood shavings. Hazelnut husks had the highest litter moisture. 5. The results show that hazelnut husks alone and when mixed with rice hulls are a potential alternative litter material for broiler production.     

Role of Insoluble Fiber on Gizzard Activity in Layers

Effect of access to wood shavings on gizzard activity was examined for birds fed pelleted wheat and oat diets with or without whole cereal inclusion. Layers on litter floor fed wheat diets with access to coarse wood shavings showed up to 60% higher weight of the gizzard and its content than caged layers fed the same diets without access to wood shavings. No such effect was found by feeding oat diets. Thus, a significant interaction was found, indicating that the appetite for wood shavings may be dependent of fiber level of the diet. Appetite for wood shavings and paper was examined for birds fed wheat and oat diets in 2 other experiments. The intake of wood shavings and paper by birds fed a wheat-based diet was numerically twice as high as in birds fed an oat-based diet. However, the individual variation was remarkably high. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the oat diet was up to twice (P < 0.05) the fiber concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the wheat diet. Passage of structural fibers through the gizzard and the appetite for feathers in the absence of structural fibers were also studied in an experiment using diets based on rice and casein. Coarse fiber structures were observed to accumulate in the gizzard. In the absence of fiber, birds ate feathers, indicating that birds may eat feathers to compensate for the lack of structural components in the feed.     

Alternative bedding materials and litter depth impact litter moisture and footpad dermatitis

A function of bedding material in poultry houses is to absorb and release moisture. New bedding is commonly placed at inadequate depths in houses. Pine shavings are the industry standard for bedding material in the majority of the United States, but can be hard to obtain or costly. Alternative materials were tested for moisture absorption and retention. Peat moss and chopped wheat straw were found to absorb nearly 8× and 7× their own weight in moisture, respectively. Peat moss was then used in a broiler study and compared to fresh and used pine shavings for 6 weeks. Body weight was lower at d 7 for the used litter and peat moss treatment compared to fresh shavings with no differences at d 42. No differences in ammonia generation or litter pH were observed. Litter moisture was higher for peat moss through d 14. Paws were better in the fresh shaving and peat moss pens than used shaving pens at both d 21 and 42. Next, different depths of used and fresh shavings on footpad dermatitis (FPD) were examined. Trials 1 and 2 compared 2.5, 7.6, and 12.7 cm of fresh shavings or used litter, respectively. In Trial 1, 2.5 cm had higher litter moisture than 7.6 and 12.7 cm at d 21, 28, and 35 (P < 0.05). The 12.7 cm had better paw scores than 2.5 cm at d 21 and 35 (P < 0.05). In Trial 2, 12.7 cm had lower litter moisture than 2.5 cm at d 28, 35, and 42 (P < 0.05). The paws in 12.7 cm were better than those in 2.5 cm at d 35 and 42 (P < 0.05). There was little difference in paw quality and litter moisture between 7.6 and 12.7 cm litter depth in both trials. Peat moss may be an acceptable alternative bedding material and should be evaluated on a commercial scale in areas where it can be obtained economically. These findings suggest that broiler houses should have at least 7.6 cm of litter to control litter moisture levels and reduce FPD.     

Practical assessment and management of foot pad dermatitis in commercial broiler chickens: A Field Study

Foot pad dermatitis (FPD) is a welfare concern in broiler chickens characterized by ulcerated lesions on the pad of the foot, which results from prolonged contact of foot pads with wet litter. During Canadian prairie winters, barn moisture levels tend to increase due to reduced ventilation as a means of conserving heat and minimizing costs. However, there are no published benchmarks regarding the prevalence of foot pad dermatitis in broilers reared in western Canadian provinces such as Alberta, Canada. As such the objectives of the current study were to evaluate practical means of assessing FPD in Alberta broilers as well as on-farm management practices which correlate with higher prevalence of foot pad dermatitis. A management-practices survey and 3 foot pad assessment methods were used to benchmark foot pad dermatitis in 32 broiler flocks throughout the province of Alberta. Four flocks per farm were sampled from a total of 8 commercial broiler farms. Per flock, 200 birds were assessed on-farm, 3 processor-line scores were taken at the processing plant, and 600 foot pad samples were assessed post-processing. The prevalence of foot pad dermatitis by assessment method was benchmarked on a per-flock basis at 28.65% on-farm, 26.17% on the processing line (processor-line), and 31.83% for samples taken off the processing line (processor-sampled). On-farm and processor-sampled assessment results were highly correlated (r = 0.90) compared with processor-line and on-farm (r = 0.77) and processor-line and processor-sampled results (r = 0.72; P < 0.001). Specifically, processor-line assessments were not found to be reliable when repeated (P > 0.10). On farm, wheat straw was used by the majority of Alberta’s producers (62.5%) and was associated with a higher prevalence of foot pad dermatitis per flock (40.6%). In contrast, pine shavings was associated with lower FPD prevalence (6.4%; P < 0.001), but was used by only 21.9% of producers in Alberta. Primary results from this field study support the use of on-farm FPD assessments rather than processor-line-based assessments, and a shift away from wheat straw as a broiler litter substrate.     

On-farm assessment of environmental enrichment for broiler breeders

1. A field experiment was conducted with commercial broiler breeder females to assess the hypothesis that the provision of bunches of string and bales of wood shavings would provide attractive environmental enrichment and improve welfare by decreasing aggression and feather damage. 2. The experiment was a randomised block factorial design conducted in a commercial flock of 21,600 female broiler breeders in 12 pens of 1800 chicks. Treatments were environmental enrichment (4 plastic coated bales of wood shavings and 50 bunches of string) from hatch (EE1) or 8 weeks of age (EE2) and a control treatment with no environmental enrichment. There were 4 replicates (rooms). 3. Bird activity was videotaped at 5, 10 and 16 weeks of age and subsequently scored for the number of birds using the perch or pecking at a bale, drinker, litter and section of the wall at 10-min intervals for 4 h throughout the photoperiod (24 times/d). Aggression was assessed by determining the number of aggressive acts in 2-min intervals during 8 periods of the day. The skin and feather condition of 25 birds in each pen were scored at 6, 12 and 18 weeks and the condition of the string bunches was scored at the end of the experiment. 4. The proportion of birds pecking the bales, wall and litter declined and the proportion pecking at the drinker and using the perch increased with age. The number of birds pecking at the bale was similar in EE1 and EE2 at 10 and 16 weeks of age. 5. The string bunches were not extensively used. The condition of the bunches of string in EE2 was worse than in EE1 at the end of the experiment. 6. The number of aggressive acts increased with age and there was no consistent difference between treatments. 7. There was an increase with age in the damage score for feathers over the back and wings and around the tail and vent but no differences between treatments.8. Provision of litter in the form of unopened bales of wood shavings was a commercially acceptable form of environmental enrichment, but there was no evidence that behavioural changes associated with feed restriction, including the prevalence of aggression, were improved.     

Influences of increased levels of biotin, zinc or mannan-oligosaccharides in the diet on foot pad dermatitis in growing turkeys housed on dry and wet litter

Foot pad dermatitis (FPD) is very common in turkeys and it is an animal health and welfare issue affecting not only performance and walking ability but also the carcass quality. Thus, there is a great need to find out the preventive measures against this problem. The potential roles of extra dietary biotin, Zn and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) in preventing the development of FPD were assessed in this study which was conducted on 2-week-old female turkeys over a period of 4 weeks. The birds were allotted to four groups, with 29 each, and housed on dry wood shavings in floor pens. The turkeys were fed a control (300 μg biotin and 50 mg Zn/kg), high biotin (2000 μg/kg), high Zn (150 mg/kg) or MOS (1%) diet. Half of the turkeys in each group were additionally exposed to wet litter (27% DM) for 8 h daily in adjacent separate boxes. Foot pads of the birds were examined on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and assessed macroscopically and histopathologically for foot pad lesions. High dietary levels of biotin or Zn significantly reduced the severity of FPD on dry litter (score 1 vs. 2 in control) but not on wet litter. However, MOS did not affect the severity of foot pad lesions either on dry or wet litter. In addition, the severity was overall substantially higher on wet (approximately three times) than on dry litter. The present results suggest that adding high levels of biotin or Zn to the diet could reduce the development and severity of FPD on dry litter but without having any preventive effects on wet litter. Finally, the high litter moisture appears to be the major factor resulting in FPD. Therefore, the litter should be maintained dry to minimize the prevalence and severity of FPD in turkeys.     

Effects of Enterococcus faecium supplementation and floor type on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

1. The experiment was to study the effects of floor type and probiotic supplementation (Enterococcus faecium) on performance, morphology of erythrocytes and intestinal microbiota of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. 2. The experimental design was a factorial 2 × 2 with 6 replicates. The factors were floor type (wire floor versus wood shaving litter) and the presence or absence of probiotic. 3. Birds housed on wood shavings exhibited significantly improved weight gain and food intake. 4. Addition of E. faecium led to significantly decreased food intake and gizzard weight. Supplementation with E. faecium positively influenced the ileal and caecal microbiota, with a significant decrease in the population of Escherichia coli. 5. Erythrocyte length decreased and erythrocyte width increased in the birds housed on wood shavings.     

Influence of stocking density on the performance, carcass characteristics and selected welfare indicators of broiler chickens

AIM: To compare the effects of four stocking densities (5, 10, 15 or 20 birds per m2) on the performance, carcass characteristics and selected welfare indicators of broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 756 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned as six replicates of 13, 25, 38 and 50 birds per pen, to stocking densities of 2,000, 1,000, 667 and 500 cm2 floor space per bird, respectively. The birds were housed in floor pens in an environmentally controlled room. Normal commercial diets were fed ad libitum and fresh water was freely available throughout the 5-week study period. Liveweights of birds and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. Data on carcass parameters and welfare indicators (moisture, gait scores, feather scores, breast and hip lesions, and foot pad and hock burns) were obtained on Day 35. Adrenal glands were removed at slaughter, weighed and examined histologically to determine the total proportion of cortical and medullary tissues. RESULTS: During the study, the birds at the lowest density grew faster (p<0.001-0.01) and consumed more (p<0.001- 0.01) feed than those at the other three stocking densities. The liveweight gains and feed intake of birds reared at densities of 10, 15 and 20 birds per m2 were similar (p=0.11-0.83 and p=0.17-0.57, respectively). Stocking density had no influence on the feed/weight gain, mortality or carcass characteristics. No breast or hip lesions were observed in carcasses from any of the groups. The weight and structure of the adrenal glands were similar across all groups although the staining of medullary tissue of birds was most intense in the highest stocking density group. As stocking density increased, so did moisture and gait score, hock and foot pad burn scores, and the feather score was adversely affected. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that the relationship between stocking density and productivity traits was not linear in nature, in accordance with other studies. Under the conditions of the current study, the performance, mortality and carcass characteristics of broilers grown at densities of 10, 15 and 20 birds per m2 were similar. There were some welfare implications at high population densities as indicated by adverse effects on litter quality, gait scores and the incidence of hock and foot pad burns.     

Evaluating the effects of bedding materials and elevated platforms on contact dermatitis and plumage cleanliness of commercial broilers and on litter condition in broiler houses

1. Experiment 1, comparing wood shavings and ground straw bedding with peat, was performed on 7 broiler farms over two consecutive batches during the winter season. Experiment 2, assessing the effect of elevated (30 cm) platforms, was conducted in three farms replicated with 6 consecutive batches.

2. Footpad lesions were inspected at slaughter following the Welfare Quality® (WQ) assessment and official programme. Hock lesions, plumage cleanliness and litter condition were assessed using the WQ assessment. Litter height, pH, moisture and ammonia were determined.

3. Footpad condition on wood shavings appeared to be worse compared with peat using both methods of assessment and was accompanied by inferior hock skin health. WQ assessment resulted in poorer footpad and hock skin condition on ground straw compared with peat. Farms differed in footpad and hock skin condition. Footpad and hock lesions were not affected by platform treatment. Peat appeared more friable than ground straw. The initial pH of wood shavings was higher and moisture was lower than in peat, but at the end of production period there were no differences. Ground straw exhibited higher initial and lower end pH, and was drier in the beginning than peat. Litter condition and quality were not affected by platform treatment.

4. This study provides new knowledge about the applicability of peat as broiler bedding and shows no negative effects of elevated platforms on litter condition or the occurrence of contact dermatitis in commercial environments. The results suggest a complicated relationship between litter condition, moisture and contact dermatitis. Furthermore, it is concluded that the farmer’s ability to manage litter conditions is important, regardless of the chosen litter material. Peat bedding was beneficial for footpad and hock skin health compared with wood shavings and ground straw.     

Inclusion of Dust Bathing Materials Affects Nutrient Digestion and Gut Physiology of Layers

Effect of access to wood shavings and processed paper in the litter bath of modified cages on performance, gizzard activity, plumage condition, and peck damages was studied for layers fed a wheat-based diet. Egg production was similar for all treatments, but birds with access to paper showed higher feed consumption than the control birds and birds with access to wood shavings. This resulted in a corresponding difference (P < 0.05) in feed utilization. A significantly higher AME_n was observed for birds with access to wood shavings than in the control. Consumption of wood shavings and paper from the litter bath was 4 and 11 g/hen per day, respectively. Weights of empty gizzard and gizzard contents were considerably higher for birds with access to wood shavings. The median particle size in the duodenum decreased with access to wood shavings. In contrast, birds with access to paper showed a higher mean particle size in the duodenum.     

The nutrition of poultry as a factor affecting litter quality and foot pad dermatitis – an updated review

Foot pad dermatitis (FPD), a condition of inflammation and necrotic lesions on the plantar surface of the footpads, is commonly observed in fast‐growing broiler chickens and turkeys. FPD negatively affects the welfare of birds, performance indices and the economic profit of poultry meat production. Nutrition is an important factor affecting water intake, excreta moisture and litter quality and, in this way, the occurrence and intensity of FPD in birds. This article reviews and discusses the recent results published in the literature on the effects of nutritional factors on litter quality and FPD severity in broiler chickens and turkeys. Literature data on the efficacy of nutritional methods on the litter quality and FPD occurrence are not consistent. However, the results of several experiments indicate that the optimal level of crude protein, biotin and electrolytes (Na, K) in the diet, as well as feed additives such as feed enzymes hydrolysating non‐starch polysaccharides and organic sources of microelements (zinc), may reduce the litter moisture as well as FPD incidence and severity in broiler chickens and turkey.     

Characteristics of Gas Generation (NH3, CH4, N2O, CO2, H2O) From Horse Manure Added to Different Bedding Materials Used in Deep Litter Bedding Systems

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of horse manure added to different bedding materials on the generation of gases (ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor) from deep litter bedding under standardized laboratory conditions. Two different types of straw (wheat and rye) and wood shavings were analyzed. The deep litter (substrate) was made of 25 kg of the respective bedding material, 60 kg horse feces, and 60 L ammonium chloride solution (urea), and spread out in identical chambers over 19 days (n = 3). On days 1, 8, 15, and 19, total nitrogen, total carbon, and dry matter content of the substrate, as well as the pH in 500-g samples, were measured along with. At the end of each test period, the nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen contents of the leachate were analyzed. The wheat straw substrate emitted the highest concentration of NH₃ (4.31 mg/m³; P < .0001) and the wood shavings substrate emitted the lowest (1.73 mg/m³; P < .0001); the rye straw substrate generated 3.05 mg/m³. In addition, significant differences occurred during days 1 to 3 with respect to the generation of the gases NH₃, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, and after the opening of the chamber on day 15. The nitrogen losses through the leachate occurred mainly in the form of nitrate, where the leachate from the wheat straw substrate had a significantly higher amount of nitrate nitrogen (44.56 mg) as compared with the leachates of the rye straw (14.49 mg; P ≤ .0001) and the wood shaving substrates (22.62 mg; P = .0010).     

Effect of Feeding Endophyte-Infected Feed and Bedding on the Performance of Broilers

Two varieties of chopped grass seed straw, tall fescue (Festuca arundinaces L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), were identified as alternative sources to wood sawdust or shavings as bedding for use by Pacific Northwest broiler producers. However, some broiler growers expressed concern that straw may be contaminated with endophytes, symbiotic fungi that are known to be toxic to livestock. The primary toxic compound of concern for livestock in endophyte infected grass straw is ergovaline.Two experiments were conducted to determine if broiler performance was affected by either the feeding of endophyte infected grass seed containing ergovaline, or rearing broilers on endophyte infected grass seed straw. The exposure of broilers to either endophyte-infected chopped straw as bedding and/or feeding endophyte infected ground grass seed in the diet with ergovaline levels as high as 423 ppb, did not significantly affect performance or the micro anatomy of kidney or liver tissues.     

Effects of oat hulls and wood shavings on digestion in broilers and layers fed diets based on whole or ground wheat

1. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of oat hulls in diets based on whole or ground wheat for broilers. Effects of wood shavings on layers were investigated in a further experiment. 2. Inclusion of oat hulls in wheat-based broiler diets did not affect weight gain. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE), corrected for insoluble fibre contents, was improved by oat hull inclusion. 3. Gizzard size increased with inclusion of oat hulls, whole wheat, wood shavings and grit. 4. Starch digestibility was significantly increased by inclusion of oat hulls for broilers, and by wood shavings for layers. 5. Wood shavings and whole wheat did not affect bile acid concentration of gizzard contents. However, the total amount of bile acids in gizzard increased with access to wood shavings due to an increase in the weight of gizzard contents, indicating an increased gastroduodenal reflux. 6. Fibre concentration was considerably higher in the gizzard contents than in the feed. 7. Duodenal particle size decreased with access to grit. No effect of hulls or whole wheat inclusion was found, indicating that all particles are ground to a certain critical size before leaving the gizzard.