Effects of rearing system and body weight of Redbro broilers on the frequency and severity of footpad dermatitis

High market demand for high-quality chicken paws, as well as their role in the assessment of the welfare of broiler chickens are the main reasons for the research in this area. In order to determine the effects of rearing system and the body weight of moderate growing broilers on the frequency and severity of incidence of footpad dermatitis, experimental research was conducted on a total of 300 Redbro chickens reared in free range and floor system in the production facility until the age of 84 days. Based on an individual weighing of broilers and visual evaluation of the incidence and severity of footpad lesions at the end of the experiment, the frequency of the individual scores for footpad dermatitis was determined, as well as the average score in each of the five weight groups. The effect of body weight on the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis was not statistically confirmed, but the absence of the most difficult forms of footpad dermatitis in broiler group with the lowest body weight was recorded. Rearing broiler chickens in free range system manifested a positive effect in terms of increased frequency of broilers without lesions and less frequency of moderate and severe lesions in relation to rearing system in the production facility. Also, the effect of rearing system on the frequency of the most severe degree of dermatitis in broilers Redbro was statistically confirmed

Efekat upotrebe sirove soje u smešama za ishranu kokoši nosilja na proizvodne rezultate i relativnu masu pankreasa

The study was conducted on Isa Brown hybrid hens at the age of 49-57 weeks. The effect of using different levels of share of raw soybean of two varieties in mixtures for feeding hens on egg production, body weight, food consumption, the occurrence of defective eggs, mortality and the relative weight of the pancreas was studied. The possibility of replacing the heat-treated soybean grains, varieties Lana, with reduced trypsin inhibitor (TI) and Lydia with a standard level of TI, with raw soybean grains was examined. The research was conducted on the principle of two factorial experiment 2 x 4 (2 varieties x 4 levels of share of raw grain in the mixture) with a total of 8 diet treatments and 4 replicates per each treatment. In the first 5 weeks of the study, the differences in the number of eggs produced under the influence of tested factors were not significant. Under the influence of soybean varieties, the level of share of raw soybean and interaction of the studied factors showed significant differences (p lt 0.01) after 53 week of age. The use of soy with lower TI in the diet for laying hens resulted in a significantly greater capacity compared to standard variety. The share of raw soybean grains of 8 % in the mixtures significantly reduced the number of eggs laid. The differences in body weights, food consumption, occurrence of defective eggs and the relative weight of the pancreas were not significantly influenced by the studied factors or by their interaction effect.Cilj ovih istraživanja je bio da se ispitaju mogućnosti zamene termički obrađenog sojinog zrna, sorte Lana sa smanjenim sadržajem tripsin inhibitora (TI) i sorte Lidija sa standardnim nivoom TI, sirovim zrnom. Ispitan je efekat korišćenja različitog nivoa učešća sirove soje obe sorte u smešama za ishranu kokoši nosilja hibrida Isa Brown na proizvodnju jaja, telesne mase, konzumaciju hrane, pojavu defektnih jaja, mortalitet i relativnu masu pankreasa. Istraživanje je izvedeno po principu dvofaktorijalnog ogleda 2 x 4 (2 sorte soje x 4 nivoa učešća sirovog zrna u smeši) sa ukupno 8 tretmana ishrane i 4 ponavljanja po tretmanu. U prvih 5 nedelja ispitivanja razlike u broju ukupno snešenih jaja pod uticajem ispitivanih faktora nisu bile značajne. Pod uticajem sorte soje, nivoa učešća sirovog sojinog zrna i interakcije ispitivanih faktora utvrđene su značajne razlike (p lt 0,01) nakon 53. nedelje uzrasta. Korišćenje soje sa nižim nivoom TI u ishrani nosilja uticalo je na značajno bolju nosivost u odnosu na standardnu sortu soje. Sa učešćem sirovog sojinog zrna od 8 % u smešama značajno se smanjio broj ukupno snešenih jaja. Razlike u ostvarenim telesnim masama, konzumaciji hrane, pojavi defektnih jaja i relativnoj masi pankreasa koje su se javile nisu bile pod značajnim uticajem ispitivanih faktora kao ni pod uticajem njihovog interakcijskog dejstva

Fungal contamination and natural occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in poultry feed

Total fungal count, the presence of potentially toxigenic fungi and natural occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) were studied in 30 poultry feed samples (14 samples of feed for chickens and 16 samples of feed for laying hens), which were collected from different farms in Serbia at the beginning of year 2014. The total number of fungi was determined by the method of dilution and OTA was detected using the imunoadsorption enzymatic assay (ELISA). In most of the samples of chickens feed (50%) the total number of fungi was 1 - 3 x 102 CFU g-1, and in feed for laying hens the highest number of samples (37.50%) had the total fungal count from 1.4 to 4.8 x 104 CFU g -1. The species of genera Aspergillus and Pénicillium were identified as producers of OTA in 21.43% and 42.86% of chickens feed samples and in 68.75% and 25% of samples of feed for laying hens. The presence of OTA was detected in 100% of samples of feed for chickens and laying hens, with average concentrations of 34.40 μg kg-1 (feed for chickens) and 43.89 μg kg-1 (feed for laying hens). The total fungal count and content of OTA were not above the maximum allowed quantities, even though the presence of Aspergillus and Penicillium species was found in a large number of samples (up to 68.75%). These results indicate that the tested samples of poultry feed were mycologically and mycotoxicologically correct

Carcass quality of chickens of different conformation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of conformation of chickens of different genotype on the yield of breast meat. As a typical example of the chickens of very poor conformation pure breed Naked neck chickens were taken, fattened 8 and 10 weeks (groups K8 and K10). As an example of good conformation, an imported hybrid of chickens was taken, known for its broiler qualities and as medium growing hybrid, Red Bro (R). The second experiment included commercial hybrids of fast growth (Ross, Cobb and Hubbard) reared according to all technological standards of intensive fattening until the age of 42 days. The results obtained were contrary to the conclusion obtained a few decades ago, at the beginning of the study the conformation of chicken, by Scots and Darrow (1953), according to which the selection of chickens of heavy type, despite the fact that, to some extent, it had improved meat yield of the breast, did not significantly improve slaughter traits of fattening chickens, confirming that better conformation and higher body weight had a positive impact on improving relative share of breast, i.e. white meat. The results regarding the slaughter traits of chicken genotypes of different conformation suggest that breeding - selection work to improve the conformation of broilers significantly improved slaughter yields and breast meat yield. In this sense, the conformation can be treated as an indicator of the slaughter value of carcasses, rather than an aesthetic category

DIFFERENT SOURCES AND LEVELS OF VEGETABLE OILS IN BROILER CHICKEN NUTRITION

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soybean, flax and rapeseed oil on productive performance and carcass quality of broilers chickens. At the beginning of the experiment six groups of 40 one day-old chicks, hybrid line Cobb 500 was formed, with five replications. For nutrition two feed mixtures were used. During the first two weeks, in preparation period, chickens were fed with starter mixture, and then with grower mixture until the end of the experiment. Control group was fed with mixture of standard composition and quality based on corn and soybean meal with the addition of 4% and 8% soybean oil, while the experimental group included 4% and 8% flaxseed oil and 4% and 8% rapeseed oil. The experiment lasted 35 days. During the experimental period, chickens were fed and watered ad libitum and microclimatic conditions were constantly monitored. Control of body weight and feed consumption was carried out every seven days. At the end of the experiment 10 chickens from each group were sacrificed for the purpose of testing the carcass quality. Upon completion of the experiment, control group achieved weight of 2122g and 2053g, and the experimental group with flax oil 2164g and 2094g, and the group with rapeseed oil weighs of 2121g and 2081g. Chickens on treatment with 4% flax oil in the diet achieved significantly higher body mass (P<0.05) at the end of the experiment compared with the groups who were on treatment with 8% rapeseed and soybean oil. Soybean oil at a rate of 4% showed significantly (P<0.05) increased final body weight compared to body mass of chicks in a group with the addition of 8% soybean oil. Feed conversion ratio was lowest in the group with the addition of 4% flax oil and rapeseed oil, and the highest in the group with the addition of 8% flax oil. The differences found in the carcass quality between the control and experimental groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The largest amount of abdominal fat (18.9 g) was in the group with the addition of 4% rapeseed oil and V.Ž. Stanaćev et al. 322 lowest in the group with the addition of 8% soybean oil (12.6 g). Based on these results it can be concluded that the addition of 4% oil showed better productive results, but had no effect on carcass quality of chickens

Biochemical characteristics of Streptococcus suis strains isolated from healthy and deceased pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical properties of Streptococcus suis strains isolated from healthy and deceased pigs. For this research we tested 34 S. suis strains isolated from deceased pigs that had clinical signs of septicemia and meningitis, as well as from clinically healthy pigs. The strains that have been already confirmed with specific antisera were tested using commercial battery of biochemical tests (API 20 Strep and ID 32 Strep) to determine the dominant biochemical characteristics that can be used in diagnosis of bacterial infection if specific S. suis antisera are not available. The main results showed that all S. suis strains were postive in esculine, trehalose, glycogen, lactose, sacharose, starch, leucine aminopeptidase, alanine-phenyl-alanine-proline arylamidase tests, while negative in Voges-Proskauer, hipurate, ribose, arabinose and sorbitol tests. S. suis strains were in high percentage positive in arginine dihydrolase, β-glucoronidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, methyl-β-d- glucopyranoside, glycyl-tryptophan arylamidase and inulin tests. Athough S. suis is in highly positive in some tests, it can be concluded that Voges-Proskauer, hipurate, trehalose, esculine tests, along with β-glucoronidase (βGUR) and α-galactosidase (αGAL), were significant in differentiation of this bacteria from other similar streptococci, along with some other crucial features (a hemolysis on blood sheep agar, absence of growth in 6,5% NaCl broth)

Comparison of multianalyte proficiency test results by sum of ranking differences, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis

Sum of ranking differences (SRD) was applied for comparing multianalyte results obtained by several analytical methods used in one or in different laboratories, i.e., for ranking the overall performances of the methods (or laboratories) in simultaneous determination of the same set of analytes. The data sets for testing of the SRD applicability contained the results reported during one of the proficiency tests (PTs) organized by EU Reference Laboratory for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (EU-RL-PAH). In this way, the SRD was also tested as a discriminant method alternative to existing average performance scores used to compare mutlianalyte PT results. SRD should be used along with the z scores-the most commonly used PT performance statistics. SRD was further developed to handle the same rankings (ties) among laboratories. Two benchmark concentration series were selected as reference: (a) the assigned PAH concentrations (determined precisely beforehand by the EU-RL-PAH) and (b) the averages of all individual PAH concentrations determined by each laboratory. Ranking relative to the assigned values and also to the average (or median) values pointed to the laboratories with the most extreme results, as well as revealed groups of laboratories with similar overall performances. SRD reveals differences between methods or laboratories even if classical test(s) cannot. The ranking was validated using comparison of ranks by random numbers (a randomization test) and using seven folds cross-validation, which highlighted the similarities among the (methods used in) laboratories. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis justified the findings based on SRD ranking/grouping. If the PAH-concentrations are row-scaled, (i.e., z scores are analyzed as input for ranking) SRD can still be used for checking the normality of errors. Moreover, cross-validation of SRD on z scores groups the laboratories similarly. The SRD technique is general in nature, i.e., it can be applied to any experimental problem in which multianalyte results obtained either by several analytical procedures, analysts, instruments, or laboratories need to be compared. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Simultaneous determination of Deoxynivalenol, Deoxynivalenol-3-Glucoside and Nivalenol in wheat grains by HPLC-PDA with immunoaffinity column cleanup

Deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G) is a modified mycotoxin formed by the metabolism of plants through the conjugation of deoxynivalenol (DON) with glucose. Toxicology studies of D3G for human and animal health are still under investigation, and the development of practical and reliable methods for its direct determination, especially in cereal matrices, is of great importance. In the present study, a methodology for simultaneous determination of D3G, DON, and nivalenol (NIV) in wheat grains, using immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup, separation by C18 column and detection by ultraviolet (UV) absorption, was optimized and in-house validated. The results demonstrated adequate values of D3G recovery from IAC and spiked samples. Intraday precision, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantification (LOQ) were also adequate for the determination of these mycotoxins. Range of applicability varied from 47.1 to 1000 g/kg for D3G and from 31.3 to 1000 g/kg for DON and NIV, with recovery ranging from 84.7±7.2 % to 112.3±8.1Felipe Trombete is grateful for a doctoral fellowship provided by the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES)