Egg quality and blood parameters of “Bianca di Saluzzo” and Isa Brown hens kept under free range conditions

Egg quality traits and some blood parameters of Bianca di Saluzzo hen (BSh) were compared to Isa Brown hen (IBh). Birds were reared in free range conditions. Weightofthewholeegg Weight of the whole egg was higher (P≤0.01) for IBh, due to its higher amount of albumen (P≤0.01) whereas BSh egg showed the highest weight and relative percentage of yolk (PP≤0.01). IBh and BSh egg chemical composition was similar.Totalredcellsdidnotshowstatisticaldifferencesbetweengroups,whiletotalleucocytes Total red cells did not show statistical differences between groups, while total leucocytes were lower (P≤0.05) forBShhens. Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P for BSh hens. Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P . Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P Heterophyl/Lymphocyte (H/L) ratio of BSh was lower (P (PP≤0.01) than IBh(0.33 IBh (0.33 (0.33 vs. 0.82).IBh 0.82). IBh IBh α-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP)meanconcentrationswereaffectedbytime: (AGP) mean concentrations were affected by time: the values registered after 15 d (T1) and 2 months (T2) of observation were similar (345±132 and 279±58 μg/mlrespectively),whileAGPvalueregisteredafter4months(T3)weresignificantlyhigher μg/ml respectively),whileAGPvalueregisteredafter4months(T3)weresignificantlyhigher ), while AGP value registered after 4 months (T3) were significantly higher (700±487 μg/ml);BShdidnotdisplayanyAGPstatisticalvariationovertime.IBhalbuminmeancon- μg/ml); BShdidnotdisplayanyAGPstatisticalvariationovertime.IBhalbuminmeancon- BSh did not display any AGP statistical variation over time. IBh albumin mean con- centration (1.62 g/dL) was statistically lower than BSh values (1.89 g/dL); in both groups no effect of time of sampling was recorded. Acutephaseprotein(APP)valuesofBShsuggestedamoreadaptive Acute phase protein (APP)valuesofBShsuggestedamoreadaptive (APP) values of BSh suggested a more adaptive attitude to free range conditions and appeared more constant over time. The present findings suggest genetic or adaptive differences affecting egg quality, physiological and immunological parameters

Poultry biodiversity for alternative farming systems development

Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainable and low input farming systems. The EU and member states promote protection of livestock biodiversity and the development of alternative farming through funding projects such as “Local Chicken Breeds in Alternative Production Chain: Welfare, Quality and Sustainability” (funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and University). The aim of the present research was to identify among five different poultry genotypes Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), RM x Sasso (RMxS), BP x Sasso (BPxS) and a commercial hybrid (Ross 308) the best suitable breed in terms of productivity and welfare for alternative housing system. A total of 300 (60 x genotype), 21 days old male birds were randomly allotted in two housing systems: 1) standard intensive farming (controlled environment, 33 kg/m2 and standard diet) and 2) free-range (“natural” environmental conditions, 21 kg/m2, access to outdoor area and low-input diet). Slaughtering was performed at 81 days of age. During the trial, the productive performance and behaviour of the animals were evaluated. The housing system, the genotype and their interaction significantly affected many of the studied variables, showing broiler not the ideal genotype for extensive farming system, which is more suited for low/medium performance strains