B. M. Rathgeber

Cardiac index, oxygen delivery, and tissue oxygen extraction in slow and fast growing chickens, and in chickens with heart failure and ascites: A comparative study.

The present study examines the differences in blood gas parameters, cardiac output, cardiac index, oxygen delivery and tissue oxygen extraction in slow growing chickens (leghorn and feed restricted broilers), fast growing chickens (broilers fed ad libitum) and chickens with fulminant heart failure and ascites. In comparison to leghorns, broiler chickens had lower pO2 and O2 saturation levels in venous blood (P < 0.001). At the age of 35 days, broilers had arterial and venous pO2 significantly lower than 7-day-old broilers (P < 0.05). Overall, blood pO2 and O2 saturation tended to decline, and CO2 content tended to increase with age. Chickens developing ascites had lower blood pO2 and O2 saturation levels, and higher blood CO2 content in comparison to normal chickens (P < 0.05). In comparison to other chickens, ascitic chickens had the lowest pO2 and O2 saturation, and highest CO2 content in both venous and arterial blood (all P < 0.001). Broilers at 35 days of age had higher arterial O2 content than leghorn chicks, and there were only minor differences between normal and ascitic chickens. However, ascitic chickens had the lowest venous O2 content (P < 0.001), but the highest tissue O2 extraction index (P < 0.001). Cardiac index was higher in leghorn chicks than in broilers (P 0.001). Ascitic birds had the lowest cardiac index (P < 0.001). Oxygen delivery was higher in leghorns than in broilers (P < 0.001). Ascitic birds had the lowest oxygen delivery index. The present study has identified significant differences in previously unexamined performance indicators of the cardiovascular system between slow growing chickens, fast growing chickens and chickens with heart failure. Low cardiac index in broiler chickens appears to be the key haemodynamic problem leading to hypoxaemia and ultimately cardiovascular failure in fast growing broilers.

Absorption and tissue distribution of dietary quercetin and quercetin glycosides of apple skin in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND Apple skins are a rich source of flavonols, in particular quercetin (Q) glycosides. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of Q metabolites in plasma, various tissues, and excreta when the commercial broiler chickens diet was supplemented with Q (0, 50, 150, 300, or 600 mg kg(-1) body weight per day), an apple skin extract (ASE; 50, 150 mg total phenolics kg(-1) body weight per day), or a dried apple skin powder (ASP; 50 mg total phenolics kg(-1) body weight per day). RESULTS When Q was supplemented for 3 days, Q sulfate, Q glucuronide, Q glucoside glucuronide, Q glucoside sulfate, and isorhamnetin glucoside were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the liver and duodenum. Deconjugated Q was also detected in the breast and thigh tissues of ASE- and ASP-supplemented broilers. Regardless of the source or concentration of Q, the antioxidant capacity measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay in the plasma and tissues of the broilers did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS As far as is known, this is the first report to demonstrate that Q and its glycosides can be absorbed and metabolized by broiler chickens.

Antibacterial activity of a sodium acid pyrophosphate product in chiller water against selected bacteria on broiler carcasses

Bactericidal activity of Brifisol K™ (a commercial blend of sodium acid pyrophosphate and orthophosphoric acid) (BK Ladenburg, Ladenburg, Germany) was evaluated during chilling of broiler carcasses. Brifisol K™ (1.5% at 1°C for 60 min) significantly reduced Escherichia coli , coliforms and aerobic plate counts (APC) on postchill broilers and increased shelflife by 1 to 2 days when stored at 4.4°C. Reductions in incidence and levels of Salmonella were directly related to successful neutralization of the carcass rinse solutions. Effective neutralization of all phosphate applications, whether the treatment is alkaline or acidic based, is extremely important for accurate quantification of bactericidal efficacy.

Lesions of the pericardium and their significance in the aetiology of heart failure in broiler chickens.

The present study focuses on lesions of the pericardium commonly observed in fast growing broilers. These lesions are examined in the context of electrophysiological and functional changes associated with cardiac performance and patho-physiology in broilers succumbing to acute or chronic heart failure. Typical lesions involving the pericardium in fast growing broiler chickens included: (1) excessive pericardial effusion, (2) locally extensive or focal adhesions between parietal and visceral components of the pericardium, (3) fibrous deposits on visceral pericardium, and (4) thickened pericardium. Echocardiographic evidence indicated that severe pericardial effusion and/or adhesions may have a restrictive effect on heart pump function, where both diastolic and systolic function of the heart may be affected. Electrocardiographic data showed a strong trend indicating that pericardial adhesions may be associated with ventricular arrhythmia and increased risk of sudden death in fast growing broilers. Relatively high levels of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 activity have been found in pericardial effusions from affected chickens, suggesting a possible involvement of this enzyme in the aetiology of pericardial lesions. The present results indicate that pericardial lesions may be associated with biochemical, morphological, electrophysiological, and functional changes occurring in the hearts of broilers succumbing to acute or chronic heart failure and ascites.

Growth performance and spleen and bursa weight of broilers fed yeast beta-glucan

This study evaluated the efficacy of a yeast beta-glucan product (YBG) as a growth-promoting feed ingredient for broilers. Two trials were conducted with day-old chicks assigned to 24 pens (38 birds/pen) and one of three diets: no growth promotant, virginiamycin, or YBG. On days 14 and 38, two birds per pen were euthanized and the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were removed. In the first trial, body weights of birds from each treatment were the same until 38 d, when control birds were smaller (P < 0.05). In the second trial, 38-d body weights were the same for all treatments. A third trial was conducted with half the number of pens per treatment. In the third trial, controls were smaller than YBG at 38 d, but not smaller than virginiamycin. Feed conversion was not affected by diet in trials 2 and 3 but for trial 1 the control birds had poorer conversion than virginiamycin (P < 0.05), but not worse than YBG. Spleen weights were not different between treatment groups. Bursa weights decreased with age for all...

Salmonella penetration through eggshells of chickens of different genetic backgrounds

Eggs have been identified as a source of salmonellosis, making the transmission of Salmonella to eggs of great concern to the poultry industry. The goal of this experiment was to determine the ability of Salmonella to penetrate the eggshell of 5 different breeds of noncommercial chicken, Barred Plymouth Rock, White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn, Fayoumi, and Light Sussex, and 1 commercial Lohmann LSL-Lite. Egg weight, breaking force, shell weight, and shell thickness measurements were taken for 30 eggs per breed. A 1 cm in diameter hole was cut out from the narrow end of 30 additional eggs per breed. The shells were filled with plate count agar containing tetracycline and 0.1% 2,3,5-triphenyl terazolium chloride and sealed with paraffin wax. Agar-filled eggs were submerged for 1 min in an overnight culture of tetracycline-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg and incubated at 37°C for 40 h. Eggs were candled and visual colonies were counted and reported as cfu per egg and cfu per gram of shell. The SAS mixed model was used to evaluate differences between breeds for egg quality characteristics and the number of cfu per egg and per gram of shell. Commercial layers (62.6 g) and Barred Plymouth Rock (61.5 g) produced the largest eggs, whereas Fayoumi (47.1 g) produced the smallest (P < 0.05). Force to break the shell was lowest (P < 0.05) for Barred Plymouth Rock (3.6 kg) and greatest for the commercial (4.4 kg), White Leghorn (4.4 kg), and Fayoumi (4.2 kg). Bacteria penetrating the shell was lowest (P < 0.05) for Barred Plymouth Rock (10.7 cfu/g) and highest for Light Sussex (27.7 cfu/g) and Brown Leghorn (27.2 cfu/g), with other breeds intermediate. These results indicate that there are breed-specific influences on the ability of an egg to resist Salmonella, which cannot be explained by shell quality measurements. Further investigations are warranted to determine the contributing factors to shell penetration by bacteria. This study highlights the value in maintaining heritage chicken breeds as a genetic resource for the future.

Uterine fluid proteins and egg quality characteristics for 2 commercial and 2 heritage laying hen lines in response to manipulation of dietary calcium and vitamin D3

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of eggs from 2 selected commercial strains of laying hens and 2 unselected lines of chickens fed diets with different combinations of Ca and vitamin D and relate it to the profile of uterine proteins and ultrastructure of the shell. A group of 4 chickens was housed in each of 24 cages. The group consisted of one representative from each of the following breeds: Lohmann LSL- Lite, Lohmann Classic-Brown, Fayoumi, and Light Sussex. Six dietary combinations of Ca and vitamin D(3) (3.35%, 2,500 IU; 4.10%, 2,500 IU (control); 4.85%, 2,500 IU; 3.35%, 200 IU; 4.10%, 200 IU; and 4.85%, 200 IU) were randomly assigned to 4 replicate cages for 2 treatment periods (26-29 and 56-59 wk of age). Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with cage as the main plot and hen as the subplot. Egg quality traits were different (P < 0.0001) between commercial and heritage breeds. Lohmann Brown had stronger shells with higher specific gravity compared with other breeds. Both commercial and heritage birds responded to a drop in vitamin D3 level by marked reduction in shell thickness. The SDS-PAGE profiles of uterine fluid samples revealed a decrease (P < 0.05) in 200-, 150-, 116-, and ≤6.5-kDa proteins, whereas proteins with molecular weight (MW) of 80, 55, 52, 45, 42, and 28 kDa increased with bird age. A 36- and 52-kDa protein band was most intense for Fayoumi compared with other breeds. Ultrastructural characteristics showed flattened and deeply etched mammillary caps for Lohmann Brown and the presence of type A and type B bodies between mammillary cones in eggshells from Fayoumi and Lohmann Lite. The negative correlation between ultrastructural characteristics, which decrease with bird age, and the 116-kDa uterine protein band could provide insight into reduced eggshell quality as hens age.

The Stress and Fear Levels of Microwave Toe-Treated Broiler Chickens Grown with Two Photoperiod Programs

The current study was conducted to investigate the influence of microwave toe treatment and an increasing photoperiod on stress and fear levels in broiler chickens. Upon delivery from the hatchery, the toe tips of 364 male and 364 female broilers were exposed to microwave energy to restrict claw growth, whereas the same numbers of birds retained intact toes. Birds from each sex and toe treatment were grown under 23 h of light or increasing photoperiods, with 4 replicates of each treatment combination. Elevated activity of plasma creatine kinase (CK) and increased heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratios were employed as indicators of stress. Tonic immobility (TI) was conducted on d 10, 22, and 36 and used as an index of fear response. Males had lower plasma CK activity and H/L ratios (P < 0.05). Birds on 23 h of light had a higher activity of plasma CK (P < 0.05) but similar H/L ratios compared with birds on the increasing photoperiod. Microwave toe treatment did not affect the activity of plasma CK or H/L ratios. Photoperiod, microwave toe treatment, or sex did not affect the number of attempts required to induce TI. The increasing lighting program decreased the duration of TI on d 10 (P < 0.05), had no effect on d 22, and increased duration of TI on d 36 (P < 0.05). There was no microwave toe treatment or sex effect on the duration of TI at any ages tested.

Color and fatty acid profile of abdominal fat pads from broiler chickens fed lobster meal

Consumer demands for food products enriched with healthful n-3 fatty acids are steadily increasing. Feeding marine byproducts may provide an economical means of increasing the long-chain n-3 content of broiler tissues. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary lobster meal (LM) on the color and fatty acid profile of broiler chicken fatty tissue. Broilers were fed increasing levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) of LM for 35 d. Fat pad samples were collected at slaughter and color and fatty acid concentrations were determined. A linear effect was found of LM on red coloration (P < 0.05) as dietary LM increased. Fat pad eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels also increased (P < 0.0001) in a linear fashion. The essential long-chain fatty acids were lower for the 10% LM diet (0.37 mg of EPA/g; 0.16 mg of DHA/g) compared with the 8% LM diet (0.51 mg of EPA/g; 0.27 mg of DHA/g). Using lobster meal as a feed ingredient resulted in broiler abdominal fat pads with a favorable increase in n-3 fatty acids.

Reduction in phosphorus availability in poultry and diary manure by mineral amendments

Abstract Phosphorus (P) loading of soils from the repeated application of manure and the associated loss of P to water systems is a serious and increasing problem in todays agricultural landscape. The hypothesis of this study was that the application of mineral amendments to manure might reduce P availability in manure and soil without affecting crop productivity. An incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride or calcium hydroxide at 100 and 200 g kg−1 of manure to reduce phytoavailable (Mehlich-3 extractable) P in liquid dairy, laying hen and broiler chicken manure. Mehlich-3 extractable P was reduced from 59 to 97% in all manure treated with aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride. The calcium hydroxide treatment resulted in a Mehlich-3 extractable P reduction ranging from −17 to 51%. A container experiment was then carried out to examine the effect of soil with pre-treated manure on timothy (Phelum pretense L.) growth and soil P levels. Timothy yields in all dairy manure treatments were 45–57% lower compared to an N–P–K control, but were not lower compared to the untreated manure control. Dairy manure + aluminum sulfate (200 g kg−1) reduced water-extractable P by 82% relative to the N–P–K control. All other manure and amendment treatment combinations were not statistically different from the N–P–K or the untreated soil controls in terms of water-extractable P, Mehlich-3 extractable P or grass yield. Significant reductions in Mehlich-3 extractable P were observed with the aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride amendments, while varied results were observed with the calcium hydroxide amendment. Results suggest that the use of manure amended with aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride has little effect on growth or P accumulation by timothy. Overall, this study demonstrated that mineral pre-treatment of manure can reduce the extractable P content of the manure and soil without negative effects on plant growth.