EFFECT OF STRAINS AND SEXING ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF BROILERS

We carried out this study to evaluate the productive performance and carcass yield of different strains and sexing of broilers. We evaluated 576 birds of Cobb, Ross, and Hubbard strains, arranged in male, female or mixed sexing, slaughtered at 45 days of age. We used a completely randomized design (CRD), in a 3 X 3 factorial (strain X sex), with four replicates per treatment. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion showed significant differences in the course of the phases evaluated; however, they were similar at the end of the study period. Males showed superior results compared to females and mixed sexing. Carcass yield showed no significant differences among strains and sexing of birds; however, in some prime cuts, Cobb presented the best results. Keywords: consumer market; genetics; poultry; technology

EFEITO DA SEXAGEM E LINHAGENS SOBRE O DESEMPENHO E RENDIMENTO DE CARCAÇA DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

Realizou-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho produtivo e o rendimento de carcaça de diferentes linhagens e sexagens de frangos de corte. Foram avaliadas 576 aves das linhagens Cobb, Ross e Hubbard, dispostas nas sexagem macho, fêmea ou misto, abatidas aos 45 dias de idade. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), num bifatorial 3 x 3 (linhagens x sexagem), com quatro repetições e 16 aves em cada tratamento. O peso vivo, ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar apresentaram diferenças significativas no decorrer das fases avaliadas, porém, mostraram-se semelhantes ao final do período avaliado. O desempenho dos machos apresentou superioridade em comparação com as fêmeas e os mistos. No rendimento de carcaça, não foi possível observar diferenças significativas entre as linhagens e sexagens das aves; no entanto, em alguns cortes nobres a linhagens Cobb apresentou melhores resultados. Palavras-chave: avicultura; genética; mercado consumidor; tecnologia

Natural ventilation management effect in sow's nursing housing

Uma das variáveis climáticas que exerce forte influência no ambiente térmico (umidade relativa e temperatura), higiênico (gases, odores e renovação de oxigênio) e nas respostas fisiológicas e zootécnicas dos animais confinados em uma instalação é a ventilação. Assim, considerando a necessidade de proporcionar aos leitões e as matrizes um ambiente térmico adequado, o trabalho realizado teve como objetivo geral avaliar o efeito da ventilação natural no ambiente térmico de salas de maternidade para suínos, através de mudanças microclimáticas induzidas por diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar. E, como objetivos específicos: 1) Mapear as variáveis climáticas resultantes (temperatura, velocidade do ar e umidade relativa) de diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar em salas de maternidade para suínos; 2) Avaliar o efeito da ventilação natural em escamoteadores equipados por dois tipos de fontes de aquecimento: piso térmico e lâmpada incandescente; e 3) Mensurar a variação das temperaturas de pele de matrizes e leitões em função das diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na sala da maternidade da Granja Querência, propriedade cuja principal atividade é a produção industrial de suínos, localizada no município de Elias Fausto, SP. Estudaram-se e mensuraram-se alterações nas seguintes variáveis: umidade relativa, temperatura de bulbo seco e velocidade do ar no interior do galpão; temperatura de bulbo seco, umidade relativa e temperatura superficial do piso de escamoteadores equipados com diferentes fontes de aquecimento: lâmpadas incandescentes e pisos térmicos; e temperatura de pele das matrizes e leitões, sob três condições distintas de manejo da ventilação natural: cortina totalmente aberta (A), semi-aberta (AF) e totalmente fechada (F). Na análise da velocidade do vento no interior da sala de maternidade encontrou-se que a altura de 1,0 m acima do piso apresentou significativamente a menor média de velocidade do vento quando comparada com as alturas 2,0 e 3,0 m. Houve diferença significativa da velocidade do vento entre os manejos da cortina (A) e (AF) com o manejo (F) e, também, entre os pontos de coleta da velocidade do vento. A distribuição da temperatura ao longo dos pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por lâmpadas apresentou uma maior variação espacial do que para os pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por pisos térmicos e ambos sofreram influência significativa da temperatura ambiente. Analisando o efeito dos manejos da cortina na temperatura no interior da sala observou-se que o manejo (F) produziu as maiores médias de temperatura e as menores médias de umidade relativa. Quanto à temperatura de pele das matrizes observou-se que as condições de manejo da cortina (F) e (AF) provocaram as maiores médias de temperatura. Já para os leitões, observaram-se sempre maiores médias de temperatura de pele em comparação com as matrizes, porém sem sofrer influência significativa dos manejes da cortina. Concluiu-se que os diferentes manejos da cortina em salas de maternidade para produção intensiva de suínos influenciaram significativamente o ambiente térmico resultante, afetando a distribuição da temperatura, umidade relativa e velocidade do vento no interior da sala de maternidade, a distribuição da temperatura de superfície dos pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por pisos térmicos e lâmpadas incandescentes e a temperatura de pele das matrizes.One of the variables that have strong influence in the final thermal environment (relative humidity and ambient temperature); hygiene (gases, odors and oxygen renovation); and in the productive response of confined animal's is the ventilation. Considering the need to offer the piglets and female breeder adequate environment the research had the aim of evaluating the effect of natural ventilation in the thermal ambient of nursing sows room, through internal microclimate modifications induced by distinct air openings. The specific objectives are: 1) to map resulting climatic variables (temperature, wind speed and relative humidity) of distinct air openings inside nursing sows rooms; 2) to evaluate the effect of natural ventilation in creep zone using two distinct heat sources: heat mat and use of incandescent lamp; 3) to measure the sows and piglets skin temperature variation as function of the distinct openings. The research was developed in the sows nursing room of Querência farm which the main activity is swine industrial production, and is located at Elias Fausto County, São Paulo state. Inside environment variations (relative humidity, dry bulb temperature and wind speed inside the room; dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and creep floor surface temperature with distinct floor heat source: heat mat and incandescent lamp; and skin temperature of sows and piglets) were measured and their effect induced by distinct openings: totally open curtain (A); semi-open curtain (AF); and totally open (F) were studied. It was found that at a height of 1.0 m above the sows nursing room's floor the wind speed presented the smallest significant value when compared to 2.0m and 3.0m height. It was found that the wind speed values were significantly scattered distributed around the room. There was significant difference between the wind speed values related to managements A and AF, when compared to management F. Analyzing the creep floor temperature it was found significant difference between the managements used for the cooler days and the one used for the warmers days. The temperature distribution along the incandescent lamp heated creep floors presented higher spatial variation when compared to heat mat flooring. Analyzing the curtain management effect on the room temperature it was observed that the F management produced the highest average temperature as well the smallest relative humidity values. Regarding the sows skin temperature it was found that the curtain management F and AF led to highest average temperature values. For the piglets it was observed that higher skin temperature was found when comparing to the sows, however having direct influence of the curtain management. It was concluded that the curtain management in sows nursing room in industrial swine production influenced significantly the resulting thermal environment affecting the temperature distribution, as well as the relative humidity and wind speed. It also influenced the distribution of the heated creep floor surface temperature and the sows skin temperature

Natural ventilation management effect in sow's nursing housing

Uma das variáveis climáticas que exerce forte influência no ambiente térmico (umidade relativa e temperatura), higiênico (gases, odores e renovação de oxigênio) e nas respostas fisiológicas e zootécnicas dos animais confinados em uma instalação é a ventilação. Assim, considerando a necessidade de proporcionar aos leitões e as matrizes um ambiente térmico adequado, o trabalho realizado teve como objetivo geral avaliar o efeito da ventilação natural no ambiente térmico de salas de maternidade para suínos, através de mudanças microclimáticas induzidas por diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar. E, como objetivos específicos: 1) Mapear as variáveis climáticas resultantes (temperatura, velocidade do ar e umidade relativa) de diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar em salas de maternidade para suínos; 2) Avaliar o efeito da ventilação natural em escamoteadores equipados por dois tipos de fontes de aquecimento: piso térmico e lâmpada incandescente; e 3) Mensurar a variação das temperaturas de pele de matrizes e leitões em função das diferentes aberturas para entrada de ar. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na sala da maternidade da Granja Querência, propriedade cuja principal atividade é a produção industrial de suínos, localizada no município de Elias Fausto, SP. Estudaram-se e mensuraram-se alterações nas seguintes variáveis: umidade relativa, temperatura de bulbo seco e velocidade do ar no interior do galpão; temperatura de bulbo seco, umidade relativa e temperatura superficial do piso de escamoteadores equipados com diferentes fontes de aquecimento: lâmpadas incandescentes e pisos térmicos; e temperatura de pele das matrizes e leitões, sob três condições distintas de manejo da ventilação natural: cortina totalmente aberta (A), semi-aberta (AF) e totalmente fechada (F). Na análise da velocidade do vento no interior da sala de maternidade encontrou-se que a altura de 1,0 m acima do piso apresentou significativamente a menor média de velocidade do vento quando comparada com as alturas 2,0 e 3,0 m. Houve diferença significativa da velocidade do vento entre os manejos da cortina (A) e (AF) com o manejo (F) e, também, entre os pontos de coleta da velocidade do vento. A distribuição da temperatura ao longo dos pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por lâmpadas apresentou uma maior variação espacial do que para os pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por pisos térmicos e ambos sofreram influência significativa da temperatura ambiente. Analisando o efeito dos manejos da cortina na temperatura no interior da sala observou-se que o manejo (F) produziu as maiores médias de temperatura e as menores médias de umidade relativa. Quanto à temperatura de pele das matrizes observou-se que as condições de manejo da cortina (F) e (AF) provocaram as maiores médias de temperatura. Já para os leitões, observaram-se sempre maiores médias de temperatura de pele em comparação com as matrizes, porém sem sofrer influência significativa dos manejes da cortina. Concluiu-se que os diferentes manejos da cortina em salas de maternidade para produção intensiva de suínos influenciaram significativamente o ambiente térmico resultante, afetando a distribuição da temperatura, umidade relativa e velocidade do vento no interior da sala de maternidade, a distribuição da temperatura de superfície dos pisos dos escamoteadores aquecidos por pisos térmicos e lâmpadas incandescentes e a temperatura de pele das matrizes.One of the variables that have strong influence in the final thermal environment (relative humidity and ambient temperature); hygiene (gases, odors and oxygen renovation); and in the productive response of confined animal's is the ventilation. Considering the need to offer the piglets and female breeder adequate environment the research had the aim of evaluating the effect of natural ventilation in the thermal ambient of nursing sows room, through internal microclimate modifications induced by distinct air openings. The specific objectives are: 1) to map resulting climatic variables (temperature, wind speed and relative humidity) of distinct air openings inside nursing sows rooms; 2) to evaluate the effect of natural ventilation in creep zone using two distinct heat sources: heat mat and use of incandescent lamp; 3) to measure the sows and piglets skin temperature variation as function of the distinct openings. The research was developed in the sows nursing room of Querência farm which the main activity is swine industrial production, and is located at Elias Fausto County, São Paulo state. Inside environment variations (relative humidity, dry bulb temperature and wind speed inside the room; dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and creep floor surface temperature with distinct floor heat source: heat mat and incandescent lamp; and skin temperature of sows and piglets) were measured and their effect induced by distinct openings: totally open curtain (A); semi-open curtain (AF); and totally open (F) were studied. It was found that at a height of 1.0 m above the sows nursing room's floor the wind speed presented the smallest significant value when compared to 2.0m and 3.0m height. It was found that the wind speed values were significantly scattered distributed around the room. There was significant difference between the wind speed values related to managements A and AF, when compared to management F. Analyzing the creep floor temperature it was found significant difference between the managements used for the cooler days and the one used for the warmers days. The temperature distribution along the incandescent lamp heated creep floors presented higher spatial variation when compared to heat mat flooring. Analyzing the curtain management effect on the room temperature it was observed that the F management produced the highest average temperature as well the smallest relative humidity values. Regarding the sows skin temperature it was found that the curtain management F and AF led to highest average temperature values. For the piglets it was observed that higher skin temperature was found when comparing to the sows, however having direct influence of the curtain management. It was concluded that the curtain management in sows nursing room in industrial swine production influenced significantly the resulting thermal environment affecting the temperature distribution, as well as the relative humidity and wind speed. It also influenced the distribution of the heated creep floor surface temperature and the sows skin temperature

Use of an organic acid blend to control the spread of Salmonella Heidelberg and improve broiler performance

The objective was to evaluate an organic acid blend supplied via water and feed to control the spread of Salmonella Heidelberg in broilers from 1-31 days of age. The design was a complete randomized block with five treatments and five replicates, 25 experimental units (13 birds per unit, density of 13 birds/m2). 325 one day old female chicks were randomly arranged in five treatments: T1 - Negative Control (no acids + 0,5 ml of physiological solution in water); T2 - Positive control (no acids + 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206  CFU) in water); T3 - Via Acid water (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206 CFU) in water); T4 - Infeed Acid (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206 CFU) in feed); T5 - Acid via water and feed (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206   CFU)). The results were analyzed using Bayesian comparisons with 5% of significance and a priori beta distribution. Significant effects of treatments were found on feed conversion at 21, 28 and 31 days, treatment T3 had the best results. Regarding live weight, significant effects at 14, 21, 28 and 31 days were observed in T3, greater than others. The blend of organic acids has shown its numerical effectiveness in reducing the incidence of Salmonella Heidelberg among the treated groups in intestines pool at nine days, drag swab at 16 days and in wattle collection at 31 days. There were no significant differences between the treated groups and control groups.  The objective was to evaluate an organic acid blend supplied via water and feed to control the spread of Salmonella Heidelberg in broilers from 1–31 days of age, and improve growth performance in broilers. The design was a complete randomized block with five treatments and five replicates, 25 experimental units (13 birds per unit, density of 13 birds/m2). A total of 325 one day old female chicks were randomly arranged in five treatments: T1 – Negative control (no acid blend via water and feed + 0.5 mL of physiological solution in water); T2 – Positive control (no acid blend via water and feed + inoculation of 0.5 mL of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.2 x 106 CFU); T3 – Acid blend via water + inoculation of 0.5 mL of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.2 x 106 CFU); T4 – Acid blend via feed + inoculation of 0.5 mL of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.2 x 106 CFU); T5 – Acid blend both via water and feed + inoculation of 0.5 mL of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.2 x 106 CFU) in drinking water and feed. The results were analyzed using Bayesian comparisons with 5% significance and a priori beta distribution. Significant effects of treatments were found on feed conversion at 21, 28, and 31 days, where treatments T3 and T5 had the best results. Regarding live weight, no significant effects were observed between treatments. There was no significant effect of using a mixture of organic acids in reducing the incidence of Salmonella Heidelberg among the treated groups, in intestines at nine days, using drag swab at 16 days, and crop collection at 31 days. There were no significant differences between the test groups and control groups

Recipients and substrate for germination and growth of chrysanthemum and “Viola x wittrockiana” plants

The aim of this work was to evaluate the substrate effect and recipient size on the germination and initial growth of chrysanthemum and perfect-love ornamental plants. The works was carried out in the Horticulture Nursery from UTFPR - Campus Dois Vizinhos - Paraná State, Brazil. The experimental design was in blocks randomized, in factorial 3 x 4 (recipient size x substrate), with four replications, considering 4 recipients by plot. It was used as recipients, small, medium and king container and as substrate the Plantmax® and the mixture Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 1 (1:1:1 v/v), Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1 v/v) and Red Latosoil + Sand + Poultry Litter 1 + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1:1 v/v). The Poultry Litter 1 and 2 had wood shavings and sawdust as different ingredients, respectively. The germination (%), total lenght plants(cm), roots length(cm), height(cm), leaf number and plants dry mass matter(g), were evaluate 63 days after experiment installation. For germination and early development of perfect-love the best container was small with a mixture the red latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 1 + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1:1 v/v). For Chrysanthemum, besides to this container and mixing, the mixtures were also important Red Latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 1 (1:1:1 v/v) e Red Latosoil + sand + Poultry Litter 2 (1:1:1 v/v)

Thermal comfort on Subtropical and Mediterranean climate analyzing some physiological data through fuzzy theory

The objective of this study was to model and evaluate, through fuzzy logic, the level of thermal comfort experienced by housed animals as a function of their physiologic variables of rectal temperature (RT) and breath rate (BR), and setting their critical thresholds. The database was setup using two distinct environments: Subtropical climate (São Pedro area, Brazil) and mediterranean climate (Évora area, Portugal). Holstein cows temperature and breath rates were obtained in order to build a physiologic parameters database. meteorological data of environment temperature and air relative humidity were obtained for physical analysis during a 24 hours interval every 30 minutes. Data minning techniques were used for the initial data analysis aiming to build a decision making three and the further construction of rule database. For that, the computational program WEKA® was used. The results obtained were applied for the fuzzy logic application, using the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox do MATLAB® 6.1 software, according to AMENDOLA et al. (2005b). The use of this tool allowed the establishment of thermal comfort parameters for total confined Holsteins cows.Os objetivos deste estudo foram modelar e avaliar, pelo uso da lógica fuzzy, a sensação de conforto térmico de animais confinados em função das variáveis fisiológicas temperatura retal (TR) e frequência respiratória (FR), determinando os intervalos críticos dessas variáveis. O banco de dados foi formado em dois ambientes distintos: clima subtropical (Município de São Pedro, Brasil) e clima mediterrâneo (Município de Évora, Portugal). Para a formação do banco de dados fisiológicos, foram obtidos dados de TR e FR de vacas holandesas. Para a análise física do ambiente, foram utilizados dados de estações meteorológicas com leituras de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar realizadas a cada 30 min, ao longo de 24 horas. No processo inicial de análise dos dados, foi utilizada a técnica de Mineração de Dados com o objetivo de formar uma árvore de decisão para a indução de regras. Para isso, foi utilizado o programa computacional WEKA®. Os resultados obtidos foram posteriormente utilizados na aplicação da lógica fuzzy, em que foi utilizado o software Fuzzy Logic Toolbox do MATLAB® 6.1, seguindo as recomendações de AMENDOLA et al. (2005b). A utilização dessa ferramenta permitiu estabelecer alguns parâmetros ideais de conforto aos bovinos leiteiros da raça Holandesa em lactação manejados em condição de confinamento total.1492149

Use of organic acid blends to control spread of salmonella heidelberg in broilers

The objective was to evaluate an organic acid blend supplied via water and feed to control the spread of Salmonella Heidelberg in broilers from 1-31 days of age. The design was a complete randomized block with five treatments and five replicates, 25 experimental units (13 birds per unit, density of 13 birds/m2). 325 one day old female chicks were randomly arranged in five treatments: T1 - Negative Control (no acids + 0,5 ml of physiological solution in water); T2 - Positive control (no acids + 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206  CFU) in water); T3 - Via Acid water (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206 CFU) in water); T4 - Infeed Acid (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206 CFU) in feed); T5 - Acid via water and feed (inoculation of 0,5 ml of Salmonella Heidelberg (1.206   CFU)). The results were analyzed using Bayesian comparisons with 5% of significance and a priori beta distribution. Significant effects of treatments were found on feed conversion at 21, 28 and 31 days, treatment T3 had the best results. Regarding live weight, significant effects at 14, 21, 28 and 31 days were observed in T3, greater than others. The blend of organic acids has shown its numerical effectiveness in reducing the incidence of Salmonella Heidelberg among the treated groups in intestines pool at nine days, drag swab at 16 days and in wattle collection at 31 days. There were no significant differences between the treated groups and control groups.