Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Fecal Bacterial Population of Laying Ducks Fed Ration Supplemented by Bamboo Vinegar

With the ban on the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, it is required to produce alternative substances to maintain poultry health and performance. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation at various levels of bamboo vinegar (BV) on performance, egg quality, and fecal bacterial population of laying ducks. One hundred and five 50-week-old crossbred laying ducks (Khaki Campbell × Native) were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each with seven replicates of three ducks. The experimental ducks were fed a basal diet (antibiotic-free diet) supplemented with BV at the levels of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, or 0.8% of diet until 62 weeks of age. For the overall period (from 50 to 62 weeks of age), the dietary supplementation of BV at the levels of 0.4% and 0.6% of diet increased egg production and egg mass, and improved feed efficiency of laying ducks (p<0.01). Supplementation of BV at the level of 0.8% in the diet decreased feed intake (p<0.01). Egg quality parameters were not significantly affected by supplementation of BV (p>0.05). The population of fecal Escherichia coli was significantly decreased in the experimental ducks fed diet supplemented with BV at the levels of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% compared to the control group (p<0.01), while the population of Lactobacillus spp. remained unchanged. The present results indicate that a level of 0.4% BV supplementation in laying duck diet is sufficient for reducing fecal E. coli and improves productive performance of egg laying ducks

Infection, colonization and shedding of Campylobacter and Salmonella in animals and their contribution to human disease: A review

Livestock meat and offal contribute significantly to human nutrition as sources of high‐quality protein and micronutrients. Livestock products are increasingly in demand, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income settings where economies are growing and meat is increasingly seen as an affordable and desirable food item. Demand is also driving intensification of livestock keeping and processing. An unintended consequence of intensification is increased exposure to zoonotic agents, and a contemporary emerging problem is infection with Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. from livestock (avian and mammalian), which can lead to disease, malabsorption and undernutrition through acute and chronic diarrhoea. This can occur at the farm, in households or through the food chain. Direct infection occurs when handling livestock and through bacteria shed into the environment, on food preparation surfaces or around the house and surroundings. This manuscript critically reviews Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in animals, examines the factors affecting colonization and faecal shedding of bacteria of these two genera as well as risk factors for human acquisition of the infection from infected animals or environment and analyses priority areas for preventive actions with a focus on resource‐poor settings