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Spatial variability of ammonium and nitrate in soils near a poultry farm.

This paper assesses the distribution of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) nitrogen deposition in native bushland soil adjacent to an open ventilated poultry farm. The farm is located in Thirlmere 150 km south west of Sydney, Australia. A total of 104 geographically referenced soil cores were obtained from the study area. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), NH4(+) - and NO3(-)-nitrogen concentrations were analysed for variable trends at three depths, i.e. 0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm. Significantly higher concentrations of the two nitrogen forms and EC were observed nearer to the farm in the surface soil samples (0-30 cm). The distribution of NH4+, NO3- and EC were all correlated in surface samples throughout the study area. There was no indication of NH4+ and NO3- leaching within soil profile sampled and it appears that weeds and native vegetation had utilised the accumulated nitrogen. The level of N deposition adjacent to the poultry farm decreased downwind due to dispersion of plume and to the buffering effects from the bushland.

Animal Husbandry↗

New insights into the mechanism and actions of growth hormone (GH) in poultry.

Despite well documented anabolic effects of GH in mammals, a clear demonstration of such responses in domestic poultry is lacking. Recently, comprehensive dose-response studies of GH have been conducted in broilers during late post-hatch development (8 to 9 weeks of age). GH reduced feed intake (FI) and body weight gain in a dose-dependent manner, whereas birds pair-fed to the level of voluntary FI of GH-infused birds did not differ from controls. The reduction in voluntary FI may involve centrally mediated mechanisms, as hypothalamic neuropeptide Y protein and mRNA were reduced with GH, coincident with the maximal depression in FI. Growth of breast muscle was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Circulating IGF-I was not enhanced by GH, despite evidence that early events in the GH signaling pathway were intact. A GH dose-dependent increase in circulating 3,3',5-triiodothyronine(T3) paralleled decreases in hepatic 5D-III monodeiodinase activity, whereas 5'D-I activity was not altered. This confirms that a marked hyperthyroid response to GH occurs in late posthatch chickens, resulting from a decrease in the degradative pathway of T3 metabolism. This secondary hyperthyroidism would account for the decreased skeletal muscle mass (52) and lack of enhanced IGF-I (53) in GH-treated birds. Based upon these studies, it is now evident that GH does in fact have significant effects in poultry, but metabolic responses may confound the anabolic potential of the hormone.

Animals↗

Plasmid analysis of Salmonella enteritidis isolated from human gastroenteritis cases and from epidemiologically associated poultry flocks.

Plasmid analysis of Salmonella enteritidis isolates from human gastroenteritis cases and from two commercial egg-producing poultry flocks was performed to determine if the poultry flocks were the source of the human infections. The plasmid profile and restriction fragment pattern (fingerprint) of five S. enteritidis isolates from human cases matched those of nine isolates from internal organs of egg-laying hens in one flock which was the source of eggs consumed by the cases. Another commercial flock was epidemiologically associated as the source of eggs consumed by affected persons in four separate gastroenteritis outbreaks from which S. enteritidis isolates were available. Five S. enteritidis isolates from human cases in these four outbreaks had the same profile and fingerprint, and they all matched those of the 24 isolates from hens in this flock. These results provide further documentation of egg-borne transmission of S. enteritidis to humans.

Animals↗

Costing of a hospital-based outbreak of poultry-borne salmonellosis.

Poultry-borne salmonellosis is the most common form of foodborne infection in Scotland for which the vehicle can be identified, yet little is known about the costs imposed on society by this disease, or the costs of preventing it. The present study identifies and values the costs of a hospital based outbreak of poultry-borne salmonellosis. Account is taken of costs falling on individuals, the health services and society as a whole. Depending on assumptions made about the value of 'intangibles', the cost of the outbreak is estimated to be between pounds 200,000 and pounds 900,000.

Animals↗

Campylobacter spp. in Icelandic poultry operations and human disease.

We describe the observed relationship of campylobacter in poultry operations to human cases in a closed environment. During 1999 in Iceland, domestic cases of campylobacteriosis reached peak levels at 116/100,000 and in 2000 dropped to 33/100,000. Approximately 62% of broiler carcass rinses were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. in 1999. During 2000, only 15% of the broiler flocks tested Campylobacter spp. positive. In 2000, carcasses from flocks which tested positive on the farms at 4 weeks of age were subsequently frozen prior to distribution. We suggest that public education, enhanced on-farm biological security measures, carcass freezing and other unidentified factors, such as variations in weather, contributed to the large reduction in poultry-borne campylobacteriosis. There is no immediate basis for assigning credit to any specific intervention. We continue to seek additional information to understand the decline in campylobacteriosis and to create a risk assessment model for Campylobacter spp. transmission through this well defined system.

Abattoirs↗

Detection of residues of the coccidiostat diclazuril in poultry tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after withdrawal of medicated feed.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of diclazuril in poultry tissues and feed is presented. A simple clean up with an organic solvent was carried out. A reversed-phase C(18) column was used for the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate the analyte with a gradient of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase. The precursor ions produced by electrospray negative ionization were selected for collisional dissociation. Validation of the methods was performed based on Commission Decision 2002/657/EC (Off. J. Eur. Communities 2002, L221, 8-36). For the detection of diclazuril in poultry meat, the decision limit was found to be 0.5 microg/kg. An animal experiment was set up in which 70 chickens were held for 6 weeks. From day 22 until day 32, they were fed feed containing 730 microg/kg diclazuril. From day 33 until day 42, every day six chickens were slaughtered, and breast, thigh, and liver were analyzed. Average steady-state concentrations of 94, 135, and 722 microg/kg in breast, thigh, and liver were obtained, respectively. Nine days after withdrawal of the medicated feed, diclazuril was still present in the different sample types.

Animal Feed↗

Impact of some ecological factors on the occurrence of poultry soil-inhabiting keratinophiles.

Investigations were conducted to assess the ecological factors governing distribution and survival of keratinophilic fungi in poultry farm soils. All the poultry farm soils were rich in humus and the keratinophilic fungi were generally found to be proportional to the soil organic matter. These soils were nearly neutral to weakly alkaline and organically rich with a high content of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.

Animal Husbandry↗

Monitoring and dispersion modelling of emissions from the fluidised bed combustion of poultry litter.

Gaseous emissions from the fluidised bed combustion of chicken litter were monitored and recorded. Emission data was used to create a dispersion model for a proposed site on a poultry farm in Limerick, Ireland. Variables within the combustion unit not only influenced combustion but also emission levels of pollutants such as SO2 and NOx. CO emissions decreased with use of the correct ratio between fluidising and secondary air, the staging of secondary air and the degree of turbulence with which the secondary air is introduced. Dispersion modelling of actual combustion at a proposed poultry unit predicted that ground level concentrations for the set of emissions data would be below the limits and guidelines set by air quality standards. This was true for both and line source. Line source concentration levels were less than those for point source.

Air Pollutants↗

A new and rapid method for the determination of nicarbazin residues in poultry feed, eggs and muscle tissue using supercritical fluid extraction and high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and rapid method, using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with off-line high-performance liquid chromatography for the isolation and determination of nicarbazin, a popular broad-spectrum coccidiostatic drug used principally in poultry, is described. Results show good repeatability with a minimum quantification level of 0.4 microgram g-1 and mean 'spiked' recoveries of 98%, 100% and 99% using poultry feeds (n = 18), eggs (n = 28) and chicken tissue (n = 20), respectively. SFE using carbon dioxide is proposed as an alternative isolation method to the current Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) procedure which involves the use of large volumes of a harmful solvent (dimethylformamide) and requires a long tedious separation and clean-up regime (6 h) prior to its determination.

Animal Feed↗

Simultaneous determination of absorption of selenium from poultry meat and selenite in young men: application of a triple stable-isotope method.

A triple stable-isotope method was used to estimate simultaneously selenium absorption from poultry meat intrinsically labelled with 74Se and from an extrinsic tracer of 76SeO3(2-) in four young adult men. The subjects received an experimental diet based on chicken meat as the source of protein. Two diet periods, lasting from 5 to 10 d, depending on the frequency of stool output for each subject, were conducted to allow duplicate determinations within each subject of Se absorption from both sources. Absorption of Se was determined by the faecal isotope balance procedure through monitoring the stable isotopes 74Se, 76Se and 80Se by means of radiochemical neutron activation analysis. For the separate periods, mean (with SEM) absorption of 74Se from the intrinsically-labelled poultry meat was 70.9 (1.5)% and 72.0 (2.5)%. The absorption of Se from 76SeO3(2-) was 34.7 (5.5)% and 37.6 (3.2)% during the same periods. From these results it is concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, the intrinsic and extrinsic Se isotopes did not form a common pool before absorption. Possible reasons for this are discussed.

Adult↗

Vitamin E supplementation, cereal feed type and consumer sensory perceptions of poultry meat quality.

Lipid oxidation leads to meat spoilage and has been reported to cause adverse changes in the flavour and texture of poultry meat. Vitamin E has been found to be effective in delaying lipid oxidation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the vitamin E supplementation of chicken feed influences the consumers' perception of the quality of chicken meat under normal display and storage conditions. Untrained consumers (n 32) evaluated cooked breast meat from chickens (both corn fed and wheat fed) supplemented with 75,250 or 500 mg/kg vitamin E and after storage at 4 degrees C for 4 and 7 d. Factorial analysis found an interaction between vitamin E treatment and storage day upon the perceived juiciness (P=0.023) and tenderness (P=0.041) of the chicken meat. Perceptions of quality relative to vitamin E level were more evident on day 4 than day 7. When the two cereal types were compared, the time-related sub-group effects were observed only in meat from corn-fed chickens supplemented with either 75 or 250 mg/kg, which was perceived to be juicier (P=0.018) and more tender (P=0.020) than that supplemented at the 500 mg/kg level. These results imply that the two lower concentrations of vitamin E have some advantages over 500 mg/kg, but for optimal consumer acceptance of corn-fed chicken meat, we suggest that 250 mg/kg vitamin E should be added to corn-fed poultry feed. There was no evidence to suggest any advantages in changing the current amount of vitamin E (75 mg/kg) used to rear wheat-fed birds.

Adult↗

Investigation of hygiene aspects during air chilling of poultry carcases using a model rig.

1. An experimental rig, designed and built to simulate conditions found in commercial poultry chilling systems, was used to investigate the effects of varying air temperature and chilling duration, and the effect of chlorinated water sprays, on the microbial load present on the skin and in the body cavity of freshly eviscerated poultry carcases; deep muscle and skin temperatures were monitored during chilling at three different temperatures. 2. During dry chilling for 2 h, total viable microbe counts (TVC) and counts of coliforms and pseudomonads from the body cavity fell by between half and one log unit; smaller reductions were observed in samples from the breast skin. 3. The situation changed when chlorinated water sprays (50, 100 or 250 ppm available chlorine) were applied for the first hour of chilling; spraying carcases enhanced the reduction in numbers on the skin; the effect was most pronounced with 250 ppm chlorine; conversely in the body cavity, the general effects of sprays was to increase contamination by up to one log unit. 4. There was no evidence that sprays increased the rate of chilling. 5. When carcases were held overnight in the rig at 11 degrees C after chilling, microbe counts on dry-chilled carcases remained stable, but increased on carcases that had been sprayed with chlorinated water.

Animals↗

Occupational exposure of poultry stockmen in current barn systems for egg production in the United Kingdom.

1. The occupational exposure to inhalable dust and ammonia of 12 stockmen working in barn systems conforming to the UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Freedom Foods requirements was measured and compared with established limits for occupational exposure. The influence of the type of task upon the daily exposure was assessed and comparisons of daily exposure were made with that of battery cage system stockmen. 2. The mean inhalable dust exposures experienced by poultry stockmen working in barn systems was 10.8 mg/m3 (9.5 mg/m3, time-weighted average), for a complete working day. This was greater (P < 0.01) than the mean dust exposure measured in current cage systems of 4.8 mg/m3 (4.4 mg/m3, time-weighted average). The individual values of dust exposure for 4 of the 12 barn stockmen exceeded the occupational exposure standard (OES) of 10.0 mg/m3 for inhalable dust, whereas that of all of the individual cage stockmen taking part in this study did not. 3. The mean ammonia exposure experienced by poultry stockmen working in barn systems was 14 ppm (11 ppm, time-weighted average), for a complete working day. This also was greater (P < 0.01) than the mean ammonia exposure measured in current cage systems of 8 ppm (7 ppm, time-weighted average). None of the individual values of ammonia exposures for both barn and cage system stockmen taking part in this study exceeded the OESs of 25 ppm, although the short-term limit of 35 ppm for 15 min was exceeded on a number of occasions. 4. Current methods for assessing the combined effects of dust and ammonia indicated that 8 of the 12 barn stockmen were at risk compared with 1 of the 8 cage system stockmen. 5. The average dust burden in daily common tasks such as maintenance and collecting floor eggs ranged from 5 to 15 mg/m3, while intermittent common tasks such as nest box checks and litter spreading ranged from 13 to 35 mg/m3. Tasks that had the highest exposure values included sweeping and partition removal, ranging from 63.3 to 70.7 mg/m3. 6. Designs of the typical barn systems investigated offer little scope for reducing airborne dust for common daily tasks. Personal respiratory protection while carrying out tasks that result in high dust concentrations in barns is advisable.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Assessment of factor V, VII and X activities, the key coagulant proteins of the tissue factor pathway in poultry plasma.

1. Assay methods were developed for key components of the tissue factor pathway of blood coagulation, namely Factor V, Factor VII and Factor X. Using these assays, plasma from healthy laying hens, cockerels and broilers was shown to contain functional and equivalent amounts of each of these clotting factors. 2. The plasma activities for Factor V, Factor VII and Factor X can only be accurately determined when chicken tissue factor is used to initiate the coagulation mechanism in poultry plasma. Neither human tissue factor nor rabbit tissue factor forms a fully functional enzyme reactive complex with chicken Factor VII. 3. The overall tissue factor pathway coagulation mechanism was evaluated in plasma from laying hens, cockerels and broilers using the one-stage prothrombin time assay. As long as sufficient tissue factor was used, the overall clotting time results obtained with human recombinant tissue factor were not significantly different from those obtained with chicken tissue factor. 4. We conclude that poultry plasma does possess a fully functional tissue factor coagulation mechanism, but homologous chicken tissue factor must be used for in vitro assays of the components of this pathway.

Animals↗

Relationship between serotypes of Salmonellae from hatcheries and rearing farms and those from processed poultry carcases.

The influence of the hatchery and the poultry farm on the contamination of poultry carcases by Salmonella species has been studied by examining samples from different stages of production. The incidence of Salmonella serotypes in the hatchery varied considerably in different broiler flocks and decreased from the beginning to the end of the rearing period. Serotypes originating in the hatchery were less important in the final product than those present in the house, or those introduced into the house by vectors during rearing.

Abattoirs↗

Artificial lighting in poultry houses: do hens perceive the modulation of fluorescent lamps as flicker?

1. Many poultry houses are illuminated by fluorescent lamps which produce discontinuous illumination with a frequency of either 100 or 120 Hz. 2. This study investigated whether domestic fowls perceive this discontinuity as flicker by training two Leghorn hens to choose between a continuous and a discontinuous light, all other variables being identical. 3. The light-stimulus was either monochromatic with 100% sinusoidal modulation or a fluorescent lamp whose modulation frequency could be electrically adjusted. 4. Each (correct) choice for the discontinuous light was followed by a 5 Hz higher frequency, whereas an incorrect choice was followed by a 10 Hz lower frequency. 5. On the basis of this principle the animals themselves established the highest perceivable frequency of the discontinuous light, called the Critical Fusion Frequency (CFF), that they could discriminate from continuous light. 6. These frequencies typically depend on the stimulus intensity increasing with increasing intensities, until a maximum value is reached. 7. Two factors limited the magnitudes of the CFF's that were recorded: the maximum stimulus intensities produced and variability in the chicken's response ("behavioural noise"). In spite of these constraints 105 Hz was established as the maximum CFF. 8. On the basis of extrapolation it is concluded that the direct light from fluorescent lamps driven by 50 Hz alternating current is seen by the chicken as flickering. 9. The results justify large-scale comparison of behaviour and production in poultry houses that are illuminated either by low-frequency or by high-frequency fluorescent lamps.

Animals↗

Composition of vitamin supplements in Spanish poultry diets.

1. The composition of 106 vitamin supplements used in about 85% of the Spanish poultry production diets were studied. Vitamin supplements were grouped by production classes and, for broilers and pullets, also by feeding periods. 2. Four vitamins (niacin, alpha-tocopherol, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin) comprised over 87% of the vitamin supplements by weight (choline excluded), whereas alpha-tocopherol and retinol represented from 51% to 60% of the total vitamin cost. 3. The highest and lowest vitamin supplementation rates were for broilers in the starter and withdrawal periods (106 and 44 mg/kg, respectively) and the mean values for breeders, pullets and layers were 104, 58, and 48 mg/kg, respectively. 4. Supplements with higher vitamin contents showed less variability in their composition. Retinol, cholecalciferol, riboflavin and pantothenic acid showed the lowest variability within supplements (6% to 36% CV), whereas alpha-tocopherol, menadione, thiamin and biotin showed the highest (40% to 224% CV). 5. Vitamin supplementation rates were compared with requirements, taking into account the dietary contribution. In general, vitamin fortification exceeded the NRC recommendations, using a high safety margin for some vitamins such as vitamin A (from 2.6 to 7.8) and for some poultry classes such as breeders (3.2).

Animal Feed↗

Comparison of metabolisable energy values of different foodstuffs determined in ostriches and poultry.

Apparent (AMEn) and true (TMEn) metabolisable energy values, corrected for nitrogen retention, of wheat bran, saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), common reed (Phragmites australis), lupins, soyabean oil cake meal (SBOCM), sunflower oil cake meal (SFOCM) and fishmeal were compared in 7 successive trials using 12 mature South African Black ostriches and 10 adult Australorp cockerels per ingredient. TMEn values of 11.91, 7.09, 8.67, 14.61, 13.44, 10.79 and 15.13 MJ/kg for wheat bran, saltbush, common reed, lupins, SBOCM, SFOCM and fishmeal, respectively, were found for ostriches in comparison to lower (P<0.05) values of 8.55, 4.50, 2.79, 9.40, 9.04, 8.89 and 13.95 MJ/kg for cockerels. The higher (P<0.05) ME values for ostriches confirm that the ostrich is capable of digesting foodstuffs, especially those with high fibre concentrations such as drought-resistant fodders, more effectively than poultry. Plant protein sources could make a considerable energy contribution to diets for ostriches. It is concluded that it is essential to use energy values of foodstuffs determined using ostriches and not extrapolated values derived from poultry in diet formulation for ostriches.

Animal Feed↗