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Biomedical subjects

B D Lott

Publications and source records attributed to B D Lott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of air velocity on broiler performance and feed and water consumption.

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of air velocity on feed and water consumption at a constant temperature of 27 C and a daily cyclic temperature of 22-32-22 C. Air velocity over the broilers was <15 or 120 m/min. These temperature and air velocity treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design in eight environmental chambers, with two replications of each treatment. The air velocity treatments were applied, and total feed and water consumption and daily patterns of consumption were determined for broilers from 21 to 49 d of age. Broilers exposed to the high air velocity consumed less water and more feed, gained more weight, and had an improved feed:gain ratio. The high air velocity had little effect on daily patterns of feed and water consumption. Both feed and water consumption were depressed during the peak of the daily cyclic temperature.

Aging↗

The effect of environmental temperature on growth and feed conversion of broilers to 21 days of age.

Temperature during rearing is a major factor in production efficiency for broilers. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of five temperature regimens on the growth, feed conversion, and mortality of broilers to 21 d of age. This information is needed to select the most profitable conditions for broiler production. Three trials were conducted in 10 environmental chambers; five chambers were stocked with males, and five were stocked with females. The chambers were initially set at 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 C followed by daily reductions of 0.3 C for each beginning temperature. The dewpoint was set at 15.7 C throughout the experiments. Lighting was continuous, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. Weight gain and feed conversion were determined at 7, 14, and 21 d, and mortality was recorded as it occurred. Temperature did not affect weight gain or feed conversion for any period, but males were superior to females for these parameters for the 7- to 14-d and 14- to 21-d periods. Temperature affected mortality; most of the deaths occurred during the 0- to 7-d period and at the lowest temperature treatment. These results suggest that mortality is the best indicator of the effect of rearing temperature on performance.

Animal Feed↗

Air velocity and high temperature effects on broiler performance.

Three trials, using a total of 1,320 male broilers, were conducted to study the effect of air velocity at 125 m/min on body weight gain and feed: gain. The broilers were placed on litter in pens in a wind tunnel or on litter in floor pens with conventional cross ventilation when 4 wk old. Except for air velocity, the conditions in the floor pens and the tunnel were the same. In Trials 1 and 2, only nipple waterers were used. In Trial 3, one-half of the pens on the floor and one-half of the pens in the tunnel were equipped with trough waterers; the remaining pens were equipped with nipple waterers. When compared with conventional ventilation, tunnel rearing improved body weight gain and feed:gain in all three trials. In Trial 3, waterer type did not significantly affect body weight gain or feed:gain in the tunnel. However, body weight gain and feed:gain were reduced in floor-reared birds using nipple waterers as compared with birds using trough waterers. The increased panting of the conventionally ventilated birds, as compared with the tunnel-ventilated birds, may have contributed to their decreased body weight gain and improved feed:gain. The lower body weights may occur because of the difficulty the birds experience when drinking from nipples while panting.

Animals↗

The effect of environmental temperature and body weight on growth rate and feed:gain of male broilers.

High environmental temperatures are detrimental to the growth and feed:gain of broilers. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of incremental differences in environmental temperature on growth and feed:gain. The data are needed for decisions about the profitability of energy inputs when managing the housing environment. In Trial 1, broiler chicks were reared as a group to 21 d on litter with constant lighting and with water and feed available for ad libitum consumption. They were then moved to 10 environmental chambers. Each chamber was set at a different temperature ranging from 21.1 C to 31.1 C in 1.11 C increments. Weight gain and feed:gain were determined when the broilers were 28, 35, and 42 d old. In Trials 2 and 3, broilers were placed in the environmental chambers, and weight gain and feed:gain were determined for the 42 to 49 d period. The data were analyzed statistically, and regression equations were obtained for growth and feed:gain. Equations were based on body weight and temperature, and the body weight equation was plotted as grams gain per bird per day. Feed:gain was plotted for that body weight and temperature. Body weight gain per day increased to a maximum with increasing weight and then declined. The body weight at the maximum rate of gain was inversely related to temperature. Feed:gain increased as body weight increased. Feed:gain was directly related to temperature at weights above 800 g and the effect of temperature increased as body weight increased. The data will be useful for the evaluation of various management scenarios to determine the inputs that are profitable.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The effect of added complex carbohydrates or added dietary fiber on necrotic enteritis lesions in broiler chickens.

Two trials utilizing two corn diets and four wheat diets were conducted. In Trial 2, all chicks were crop-infused at 9 d of age with Eimeria acervulina. In both trials, a broth culture of Clostridium perfringens was mixed with the diets for 3 consecutive d. Necrotic enteritis lesion scores were lowest in chickens consuming the corn diet with no C. perfringens and highest in chickens fed the wheat diets with C. perfringens. Chickens consuming a wheat diet with no added complex carbohydrates or added fiber exhibited the highest lesion score. Chickens on wheat diets with 4% new, ground, pine shavings had intestinal lesion scores intermediate to those of chickens that consumed the wheat or corn diets. Chickens consuming corn diets yielded the lowest lesion scores. Chickens provided diets containing either guar gum or pectin were not fully consumed and thus probably reduced the number of challenge organisms ingested.

Animals↗

Water consumption by broilers in high cyclic temperatures: bell versus nipple waterers.

Broilers were maintained on litter in environmental chambers to study water consumption from bell and nipple waterers. The chambers were set at high cyclic temperatures of either 24-35-24 C or 24-32-24 C daily cycles in three trials. Water consumption was recorded by computer each 30 min and calculated as a percentage of body weight. Daily water consumption from nipples was always less than from bell waterers. Water consumption by quarter-day revealed that consumption from nipples was often similar to that from bell waterers during the lowest temperatures but was less during the periods of highest temperatures. Further study revealed that water consumption from nipple waterers was related to the height of the nipples such that consumption was greater for lower nipples. The results suggest that panting broilers have difficulty drinking from high nipple waterers.

Analysis of Variance↗

The effects of nonautoclaved and autoclaved water-soluble wheat extracts on the growth of Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of necrotic enteritis, a commonly diagnosed disease in chickens that is also observed in turkeys and geese. Two trials were conducted to determine the in vitro effect of filter-sterilized, water-soluble wheat extracts on the growth of C. perfringens. The extracts were either nonautoclaved or autoclaved at 121 C for 40 min and were used to reconstitute thioglycolate broth media. Results of this study suggest that growth of C. perfringens is suppressed in vitro by inclusion of either extract. Glycosyl composition analysis revealed no significant differences in arabinose, xylose, or mannose content between the nonautoclaved and autoclaved extracts. Galactose, glucose, and total glycosyl content were significantly higher in the nonautoclaved extract.

Animals↗

The effect of brooding temperature on broiler performance.

In response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, this laboratory recommended that initial brooding temperatures for broilers be reduced to 29.4 C from 32.2 or 35 C. Because environmental temperature has been implicated in the ascites syndrome, this work was conducted to see whether the recommended brooding temperature of 29.4 C the 1st wk, 26.7 C the 2nd wk, and 23.9 C the 3rd wk would be satisfactory for broiler production when compared with higher brooding temperature regimens starting at 32.2 or 35 C. Brooding chicks at a temperature of 29.4 C the 1st wk, 26.7 C the 2nd wk, and 23.9 C the 3rd wk did not adversely affect broiler performance at 6 wk of age, when compared with higher brooding temperature regimens. Under the conditions of this experiment, brooding chicks at a temperature of 29.4 C the 1st wk, 26.7 C the 2nd wk, and 23.9 C the 3rd wk was satisfactory when compared with the higher temperature brooding regimens. Mortality due to ascites and total mortality significantly increased for broilers brooded in the negative control temperature regimen of 26.7 C the 1st wk, 23.9 C the 2nd wk, and 21.1 C when compared with some or all of the higher brooding temperature regimens. Heat loss calculations based on a commercial setting show an 18% savings in liquified petroleum (LP) gas usage for chicks brooded at 29.4 vs 35 C and a savings of 10% in LP gas usage for chicks brooded at 29.4 vs 32.2 C on a winter day.

Aging↗

Acute heat acclimation and kidney function in broilers.

Broilers previously exposed to high environmental temperatures (heat-acclimated) are more resistant to heat stress and consume more water during heat stress than nonacclimated controls. Two experiments were conducted to determine whether heat-acclimated broilers conserve body water by reducing urine and solute (Na) excretion. In the first experiment, renal function studies were conducted at an ambient temperature (Ta) of approximately 21 C using anesthetized 7-wk-old male broilers. Control birds reared at a constant Ta of 24 C (Group N: noncycled Ta) were compared with birds that had been heat-acclimated by exposure for 3 to 6 d to a daily sinusoidal cycle of 24 to 35 to 24 C (Group C: cycled Ta). In the second experiment, renal function studies were conducted on anesthetized 5-wk-old control and heat-acclimated male broilers while they were exposed to a Ta of 21 C (Ambient Ta: Groups NA, CA), or to a Ta of 32 C (High Ta: Groups NH, CH). When high intravenous infusion rates (.37 mL/kg body mass per min) were used to simulate the volume expansion caused by thermogenic polydipsia, urine flow rates were significantly lower in Groups C and CA than in Groups N and NA, osmolal clearances were lower in Groups CA and CH than in Groups NA and NH, and all heat-acclimated groups in both experiments (Groups C, CA, CH) had significantly lower glomerular filtration rates (GFR), filtered loads of Na, and tubular Na reabsorption rates than the respective control groups (Groups N, NA, NH). These changes in kidney function potentially would minimize urinary fluid and solute loss when heat-acclimated broilers consume large quantities of water to support evaporative cooling. Reductions in GFR, filtered loads of Na, and tubular Na reabsorption rates also may help heat-acclimated broilers reduce the metabolic heat load associated with active (energy requiring) recovery of solute (Na) from the glomerular ultrafiltrate.

Acclimatization↗

Effects of light and temperature on anticipatory feeding by broilers.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of daily cycles of light intensity and temperature on anticipatory feeding by broilers. Broilers were maintained on litter in environmental chambers with feed provided for 12 h/d. Feed consumption was recorded by computer every 30 min and summarized for 2- and 24-h periods. In Trial 1, lighting was at 16 lx for 12 h and at 94 lx for 12 h each day. Feed was provided either during the 16- or 94-lx period. Broilers consumed more feed at the onset of feeding and at the end of the feeding period than at other times in both treatments. In Trials 2 and 3, the chamber temperature was cycled such that a 12-h feeding period was provided at either 32 or 16 C. Broilers consumed more feed at the onset of feeding than at other times but did not increase consumption at the end of the feeding period. The results indicate anticipatory feeding is enabled by cyclic lighting intensity but not by cyclic temperature. In Trial 4, the light intensity and temperature were cyclic. Feed was provided during high light intensity and at maximum temperatures. Feed consumption increased when temperature was declining, indicating broilers responded to the reduced temperature. The results show that a period of darkness is not required for anticipatory feeding and that environmental temperatures and lighting typical of curtain-sided broiler houses alter feed consumption patterns.

Animals↗

Feed and water consumption patterns of broilers at high environmental temperatures.

Broilers were reared on litter to determine the effect of cyclic environmental temperatures on feed and water consumption patterns. The temperatures were constant at 24 C for several days before cyclic temperatures were started. Control broilers continued at 24 C but the treatment was a daily 24-35-24 C cycle for 3 days. Broilers that were 5, 6, or 7 wk old consumed as much feed or water the 1st day of the cycle as on the succeeding days. Feed and water consumption were determined for 6-h periods each day beginning at minimum temperature with two periods during rising temperature and two periods during declining temperature. Feed consumption was depressed when the temperatures were declining. Water consumption increased during the 12 h when the temperature was maximum. At 7 wk, water consumption was greater for broilers on the cyclic temperature for each 6-h period except for the period of temperature decline immediately preceding the minimum temperature. Broilers exposed to the 3 days of cyclic temperatures consumed more water than controls during a subsequent exposure to temperatures up to 40.8 C. The data show that the increased water consumption and decreased feed consumption observed due to high, cyclic temperatures arise from changes that occur during some times of the day and no changes occur during other times. The increase in water consumption precedes the reduction in feed consumption.

Animals↗

The effect of temperature, dietary energy level, and corn particle size on broiler performance.

Experiments were conducted to study the effect on broiler performance of grinding corn with different hammer mill screen openings (HMSO). Corn for Trials 1 and 2 was ground through HMSO of 3.18 or 9.59 mm and broilers were grown at 15.5 and 26.6 C in Trial 1 and at 26.6 C in Trial 2. Dietary energy levels used from 22 to 42 days were 3,050 and 3,230 kcal ME/kg for Trial 1 and 3,230 and 3,330 kcal ME/kg in Trial 2. In all starter and finisher diets, lysine and sulphur amino acid concentrations were similar on a megacalorie basis. In Trials 3 and 4, HMSO were 3.18, 4.76, 6.35, and 7.94 mm. Corn ground through a HMSO of 9.59 mm significantly reduced body weight and feed:gain ratio in Trials 1 and 2 at 21 days as compared with corn ground through an HMSO of 3.18 mm. At 42 days, body weights were reduced when corn was ground through 9.59- and 3.18-mm HMSO for the starter and finisher diets, respectively, as compared with those fed with the corn ground through a 3.18-mm HMSO in the starter diet. In Trials 3 and 4, significant differences in body weight and feed:gain ratios at 21 days were not noted for feed containing corn ground through an HMSO of 3.18, 4.76, 6.35, or 7.94 mm.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of periodic feeding and photoperiod on anticipation of feed withdrawal.

Broiler chicks obtained from a commercial hatchery were reared on litter in environmental chambers. The rearing temperature was 32 C initially, and reduced 2,8 C/wk until 24 C was reached. Water was available for ad libitum intake. The treatments began at 7 days in Trial 1 and at 8 days in Trial 2, during which feed and water consumption were recorded by computer every 30 min and summarized for 2- and 24-h periods until each trial was completed. In Trial 1, the treatments were: 1) continuous light with feed available 12 h/day; and 2) 12 h light (L):12 h dark (D) with feed available for ad libitum consumption for 1 wk and unavailable thereafter during darkness. In Trial 2, the treatments were 1) 14L:10D; 2) 10L:14D; and 3) continuous light. During the treatments, no feed was provided during darkness and only for 12 h/day during continuous light. At 29 days, feeding and lighting were again continuously provided until the trial ended at 33 days. Broilers were able to anticipate the period of feed unavailability when it coincided with darkness. They were unable to anticipate the period when feed was unavailable if they were in continuous light. Continuously lighted broilers consumed more feed at the onset of the feeding period than did the broilers in light:dark cycles. Periodically lighted broilers consumed more feed at the end than at the onset of the feeding period. Resumption of continuous feeding occurred more quickly for continuously lighted broilers than for those previously on light:dark cycles. The data indicate that the internal clock that permits broilers to anticipate recurring periods of feed unavailability depends on a daily period of darkness.

Animals↗

The effect of feed intake on body temperature and water consumption of male broilers during heat exposure.

Two trials were conducted to study the effect of feed intake on rectal temperature and water consumption of acclimated and unacclimated broilers during heat exposure. Male broiler chicks, 100 per trial, were raised as one group to 29 days for Trial 1 and 36 days for Trial 2. The birds were moved to environmental chambers and 50 per trial were acclimated by being subjected to 3 consecutive days of 24 C, 35 C, 24 C cyclic temperature. After acclimation, the birds were exposed to a linear change in temperature from 24 to 41 C over 3 h with a constant 10 C dewpoint, starting at 0800 h on Day 34 for Trial 1 and on Day 41 for Trial 2. The feeding schedule for the day of the heat exposure was as follows. For the feed group, feed was removed from the birds at 0400 h and placed back at 0700 h. For the no feed group, feed was removed at 0700 h. At 0800 h, feed was removed from all birds but water was accessible throughout the heat exposure. Acclimated and unacclimated birds given access to feed for 1 h before a heat exposure consumed 60 and 50 mL of water per broiler, respectively, during the heat exposure. However, for broilers not receiving feed, the water consumption was 58 and 30 mL per broiler, respectively. Acclimated and unacclimated broilers given access to feed had similar body temperatures, but the acclimated broilers not receiving feed had a significantly lower ending rectal temperature than the unacclimated group.

Animals↗

The effect of light and environmental temperature on broiler digestive tract contents after feed withdrawal.

Contamination from the digestive tract is a persistent problem in broiler processing. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of lighting and environmental temperature on quantity of crop, gizzard, and small intestine contents during feed withdrawal. Broilers were on litter with a feeding regimen of 1.5 h on feed and 4.5 h off feed for 1 or 2 days. The withdrawal period began at the end of a 1.5-h feeding period. In the first experiment, broilers were cooped or left on the floor with and without lights. Crop contents of lighted broilers at 21 C were reduced 2 h after feed withdrawal for broilers on litter and in coops. In another experiment, broilers on litter were maintained at 18 and 27 C in light or in darkness. Lighting reduced crop contents 4 h after feed withdrawal but increased the contents of the small intestine 2 h after feed withdrawal at both temperatures. These results indicate that crop clearance is improved by lighting both before and after cooping.

Animals↗

Weight gain of summer-reared egg-type pullets fed pellets versus mash.

In an attempt to increase weight gain of egg-type pullets reared under high summer temperatures, pullets were fed feed in either pellet or mash form. Under high temperature rearing conditions, pelleting the diet did not significantly increase 12 to 20-wk body weight gain when compared to effects of the diet fed in mash form. Under a moderate temperature regimen (21 C), pelleting the diet did significantly increase 12 to 20-wk body weight gain in contrast to the effects of the diet fed in mash form.

Animal Feed↗

Position of Meckel's diverticulum in broiler-type chickens.

In each of three trials broiler-type chickens were used to determine whether Meckel's diverticulum resides in a constant position along the intestinal tract. Chickens were provided a basal diet ad libitum through 49 (Trials 2 and 3) or 52 days of age (Trial 1). Body weight and total intestine length as well as the lengths of the intestine from the gizzard to Meckel's diverticulum (GMD) and from Meckel's diverticulum (MD) to the cecal openings (MDC) were then recorded. When intestine length was expressed as a percentage of body weight, significant differences were noted between sexes. However, no significant differences were observed between sexes for either GMD or MDC relative to total intestinal length. Results of this study indicate that MD resides in a constant position along the length of the intestinal tract. This constancy of position supports the use of MD as a boundary point of the intestine.

Animals↗

Effect of beak trimming on body weight and feed intake of egg-type pullets fed pellets or mash.

Pelleted and mash feed were provided in each of two trials. In the first trial, it was noted that the pullets did not eat the feed that was offered in pellet form. Type of beak trimming appeared to be involved in lowering feed intake. The second trial demonstrated that pullets with either the top beak or both beaks trimmed (block cut) approximately 2 mm from the nostril when offered pellets or mash did not eat feed in pellet form as readily as that in mash form.

Animal Feed↗