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PubMed2002

Dried poultry waste for cows grazing low-quality winter forage.

Two trials conducted in 1996-97 measured BW and body condition score changes of cows fed different sources of degradable intake protein, including dried poultry waste and soybean meal, while grazing low-quality winter forages. In Trial 1, 60 spring-calving cows (5 yr; 555 kg) were used in an individual supplementation trial. Cows were gathered three times a week, sorted into individual pens, and fed their respective supplement. Cows grazed dormant native Sandhills winter range (common pasture) and were assigned to one of six supplemental treatments: 1) no supplement, 2) urea, 3) 22% dried poultry waste + urea, 4) soybean meal, 5) 22% dried poultry waste + soybean meal, or 6) 44% dried poultry waste. All supplements were based on wheat middlings and soybean hulls and were formulated to contain 44% CP. Thirty-six cows were selected randomly (six per treatment) for a 5-d measurement of forage intake from December 16 through December 20, 1996. Cows receiving supplements gained more weight (P < 0.001) and maintained greater body condition (P < 0.001) than unsupplemented cows. Cows receiving urea gained less (P < 0.10) than cows receiving a source of natural protein, but body condition remained similar. No differences were found in daily forage or total organic matter intake (P > 0.10). In Trial 2, cows grazed corn residues. Forty-eight spring-calving cows were group-fed supplements in one of six 4-ha paddocks. Cows received supplements containing either soybean meal or dried poultry waste that were the same as the soybean meal and 44% dried poultry waste supplements fed in Trial 1; gains were not different (P > 0.10). Under the economic conditions that existed at the time of these experiments, the supplement containing dried poultry waste resulted in a savings of $.04 per cow per day and a total savings of $3.20 per cow over an 80-d period. Feeding a supplement containing dried poultry waste resulted in performance similar to that when feeding a more conventional supplement containing soybean meal.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

[Specified pathogen-free poultry flocks: the current situation].

Before the implementation of strategies to establish specified pathogen-free commercial poultry flocks, the ultimate goals need to be identified: 1) consumer protection by minimizing the risk for zoonotic diseases and food-borne pathogens, and/or 2) animal health protection against primary and secondary pathogens. The success for the establishment of specific pathogen-free poultry flocks depends on the biological characteristics, the epidemiological distribution and the transmission route of each pathogen. For zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni or the high pathogenic avian influenza virus, eradication has to be ultimate goal. Despite tremendous control efforts in field, only partial control of these pathogens has been achieved so far. In the future it will be necessary to continue these eradication efforts by combining optimized hygiene programs at all production levels with intensive monitoring and immunoprophylaxis. For primary pathogens affecting the health condition of poultry without known zoonotic potential, such as Salmonella Gallinarum, avian Mycoplasma or leucosis virus, specified pathogen free flocks have been established on the parent and grandparent level. In order to achieve a status free of these pathogens, rigid hygiene control, especially on the hatchery level and monitoring programs combined with elimination of pathogen- and antibody-positive birds were implemented. Nevertheless, the economically most important diseases of modern poultry production are of multifactorial origin. Ubiquitous secondary pathogens in combination with insufficient management or immunosuppressive agents induce great economic losses for the poultry producers. These secondary pathogens can not be eliminated due to their ubiquitous distribution. In the future only a reduction of these factorial diseases will be possible combining hygiene management and optimization of poultry husbandry. For the establishment of specified pathogen free poultry flocks in the field, risk analysis is necessary and the structure of poultry production has to be considered before and eradication program can be carried out successfully.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2003

Field evaluation of capsaicin as a rodent aversion agent for poultry feed.

Developing additional techniques for reducing animal feed contamination by rodents and controlling rodent populations is critical to efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence of Salmonella spp infection on poultry farms. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers of the genus Capsicum, produces a burning sensation in the mouth of mammals and is used effectively as an animal deterrent for some pest species. Applied to poultry feed, capsaicin may be effective as an aversive agent to deter rodent feeding and enhance acceptability of rodenticide baits. We tested capsaicin-treated poultry diets (2000 and 3000 Scoville Heat Units, SHU) in no-choice feeding trials at four active New York farms in the winter of 1997-1998. At all farms, consumption of the 2000 SHU diet by rodents (Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berk), and house mice, Mus musculus L) was significantly less than consumption of a control diet. Consumption of the 3000 SHU diet by rodents was significantly less than consumption of a control diet at three of the four farms. Overall, consumption of treated diets was 58-97% and 55-98% less than consumption of the control diet, for the 2000 and 3000 SHU diets, respectively. These reductions appeared to be related closely to the availability of alternative feed sources at these farms. Two-choice feeding trials involving a rodenticide bait (0.05 g kg(-1) brodifacoum) and the 3000 SHU diet demonstrated that Norway rats preferred the rodenticide to the capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Overall, rodenticide bait acceptance was high (95.6%) when offered simultaneously with capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Although poultry managers must utilize several techniques to manage rodent pests, the use of capsaicin-treated diets to reduce feed losses and increase rodenticide bait acceptance appears promising. Use of capsaicin-treated feed on poultry farms may substantially reduce feed contamination by rodents and ultimately the incidence of Salmonella infection in poultry.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Effects of applying Safe2O poultry wash to broiler wings on shelf life, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonads, Staphylococcus species, and psychrotrophic bacteria levels after three, seven, and ten days of storage.

Bacterial contamination of raw processed poultry continues to be of concern to consumers as well as regulatory and health officials. For many years wings were considered a low-value product; therefore, shelf life of wings was not a major concern. Due to changes in consumer attitudes and increases in the fast-food market, wings are now a valuable commodity. Because wings have a shorter shelf life than most other raw poultry products, acceptable intervention to decrease the population of associated spoilage organisms and human enteropathogens are needed. Safe2O Poultry Wash was evaluated as a postchill treatment to reduce microbial contamination and increase shelf life. Ninety-six carcasses were obtained from a local processor prior to final wash. On arrival at the research facility all carcasses were inoculated with 1 mL of a culture with 10(3) cfu/mL Listeria monocytogenes. After a 30-min attachment time, carcasses were subjected to a 4-s in-out final wash, hung for 3 min, and chilled in ice-water for 45 min. After the chilling, wings were removed by hand with a knife, pooled together, and subjected to a hand spray (4 mL/wing) with deionized water or Safe2O Poultry Wash. Two wings were then placed in each of 96 ziplock type storage bags, and wings were held at 5 +/- 1 degrees C for 3, 7, 10, and 14 d. On the day of sample, weep was decanted, and 100 mL of Butterfield's phosphate buffer was added to each bag. Three sets of wings were shaken by hand for 1 min, and total aerobes, Pseudomonads, Staphylococcus sp., psychrotrophic bacteria, and L. monocytogenes in the rinsates were enumerated. By using 7 log10 recovery of total aerobes from rinsates as a spoilage baseline, all wings were spoiled by d 10, but the wings treated with water were approaching spoilage counts on d 7, (log10 6.8), whereas only log10 5.5 bacteria were recovered from the wings sprayed with Safe2O Poultry Wash. Fewer Pseudomonads, Staphylcoccus sp., L. monocytogenes, and psychrotrophic bacteria were recovered from wings treated with Safe2O Poultry Wash and stored for 10 d. Log10 counts for the organisms were Pseudomonas sp., 8.2 and 6.9; Staphylcoccus sp., 5.5 and 4.9; L. monocytogenes, 5.2 and 4.6; and psychrotrophs, 8.2 and 6.9 for the water and Safe2O Poultry Wash treatments, respectively. Use of the Safe2O Poultry Wash as a postchill treatment on wings could increase the shelf life of wings by up to 3 d.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Domestic poultry-raising practices in a Peruvian shantytown: implications for control of Campylobacter jejuni-associated diarrhea.

Raising poultry at home is common in many periurban communities in low-income countries. Studies demonstrate that free-range domestic poultry increase children's risk of infection with diarrhea-causing organisms such as Campylobacter jejuni. Corralling might reduce risk, but research on the socioeconomic acceptability of corralling is lacking. To explore this issue, we studied local knowledge and practices related to poultry-raising in a Peruvian shantytown. Our objectives were to understand: (1). motives for raising domestic poultry; (2). economic and cultural factors that affect the feasibility of corralling; and (3). local perceptions about the relationship between domestic poultry and disease. During 1999-2000, we met with community health volunteers and conducted ethnographic and structured interviews with residents about poultry-raising practices. We then enrolled 12 families in a 2-month trial of corral use during which field workers made biweekly surveillance visits to each family. Most participants reported that they raise birds because home-grown poultry and eggs taste better and are more nutritious and because they enjoy living around animals. Some want to teach their children about raising animals. To prevent theft, many residents shut their birds in provisional enclosures at night, but most stated that birds are healthier, happier, and produce better meat and eggs when let loose by day. Many view bird feces in the house and yard as dirty, but few see a connection to illness. Residents consider chicks and ducklings more innocuous than adult birds and are more likely to allow them inside the house and permit children to play with them. After extensive orientation and technical assistance, participants were willing to corral birds more often. But due to perceived disadvantages, many kept birds penned only intermittently. Additional food and water costs were a significant obstacle for some. Adequate space, bird care and corral hygiene would also need to be addressed to make this intervention viable. Developing a secure, acceptable and affordable corral remains a challenge in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Development of a new protocol for the isolation and quantification of Arcobacter species from poultry products.

None of the presently available selective supplements for the specific isolation of Arcobacter species allows the growth of Arcobacter butzleri, A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii and at the same time fully suppresses the accompanying flora present in poultry and poultry products. Furthermore, little is known about the contamination levels of poultry with Arcobacter species. In this study, a new selective supplement comprising amphotericin B (10 mg/l), cefoperazone (16 mg/l), 5-fluorouracil (100 mg/l), novobiocin (32 mg/l) and trimethoprim (64 mg/l) was developed. With a new isolation procedure, including enrichment in Arcobacter broth with the selective supplement, incubated for 24 to 48 h at 28 degrees C under microaerobic conditions, arcobacters were isolated from 100% (n = 34) of neck skin of laying hens and from 90% (n = 71) of similar samples from broilers. Of the broiler breast meat samples examined (n = 52), 65% were found to be contaminated with these bacteria. In 64% of the samples, A. butzleri was the only Arcobacter species isolated. In 9% of the samples, A. cryaerophilus was the only species present, while 11% of the samples were positive for both species simultaneously. Using direct isolation on the selective agar medium developed in this study, incubated for 24 to 48 h under microaerobic conditions at 28 degrees C. 32 out of 45 broiler carcasses and 6 out of 25 broiler breast meat samples carried a bacterial load of arcobacters of 10(2) to 10(3) cfu/g. The prevalence of Arcobacter in Belgian poultry was found higher than the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter species in each of the poultry categories examined. The enrichment procedure and the direct plating method were validated for the isolation of A. skirrowii. For this species, growth performance was less than the other two Arcobacter species and it was not isolated nor detected by m-PCR from the naturally contaminated poultry samples examined. This new protocol provides a fast and reliable method for the isolation of Arcobacter species from poultry and can contribute to more comprehensive epidemiological investigations.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Vaccination for control of Salmonella in poultry.

Salmonella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens causing localised or systemic infections, in addition to a chronic asymptomatic carrier state. They are of worldwide economic and public health significance. In poultry, which represent important sources of cheap protein throughout the world, fowl typhoid and pullorum disease continue to cause economic losses in those parts of the world where the poultry industries are continuing to intensify and where open sided housing is common. A number of serotypes that cause human gastro-enteritis are also increasing. The costs or impracticality of improvements in hygiene and management together with the increasing problems of antibiotic resistance suggest that vaccination in poultry will become more attractive as an adjunct to existing control measures. However, our understandings of the immunology of Salmonella infections in poultry is rudimentary and much poorer than that of equivalent infections in mice and live vaccine development for poultry has therefore been largely empirical. In addition to the killed Salmonella vaccines which have been used over the past few years with variable efficacy, a number of live vaccines have become available and some new vaccines will appear on the market over the next few years. These new vaccines should fulfil the criteria of efficacy, safety and compatibility with existing systems for monitoring infection before they are released on to a mass market. In this review we attempt to summarise the current understanding of Salmonella immunology in poultry together with the progress that has been made in poultry vaccine development.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Research and development in 2000: directions and priorities for the world's poultry science community.

The challenges and targets facing the world's poultry science community in the immediate future are reviewed in the context of meeting the dietary needs for animal protein of the world population. The prior need to provide for the increasing demand for cereals, oil seeds, and grain legumes for human consumption is assessed at having a reasonable chance of success. If this need is met, the requirement for extra feed resources for increased poultry production targets is also assessed as having a reasonable chance of success. A major component of this equation is the prediction of improved efficiency of poultry production of a similar order to that of the last 50 yr arising from 1) extension of the 20th century revolution in poultry technology to over 50% of the world population compared with the present 20 to 25%; 2) recent advances in genetics, nutrition, health, housing, and husbandry still awaiting application in industry; 3) future applications from current and future research in molecular biotechnology, nutrition, health, and reproduction; and 4) the development of efficient, small-scale, extensive poultry production systems especially in countries where over 25% of the world population will still not be able to afford the products of a modern, intensive poultry industry, even in 50 yr. These challenges, targets, and predictions simply cannot be met unless the world's poultry science community increases its own efficiency, its professional initiatives to deal with the real challenges, and its social initiatives to influence socio-economic decisions on national and world stages.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1972

Bruised poultry tissue as a possible source of staphylococcal infection.

Bacteriological analyses were made on 45 swab samples secured from hands of poultry workers on processing line, on 31 bruised and 15 normal poultry tissue samples, and on 15 swabs obtained from infected lacerations and exudates of abcesses on hands, arms, chest, and abdomen of poultry workers. A total of 170 Staphylococcus cultures were isolated from samples examined. These cultures were characterized morphologically and biochemically and then grouped into six distinct patterns. S. aureus was found in 86.6% of swab samples obtained from infected workers, in 40% of swabs from hands of workers who handle bruised birds, and in 38.7% of bruised tissues, and was absent from all samples obtained from hands of workers who do not handle bruised birds. All the coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates were bacteriophage-typed, and the results showed that the same phage-type S. aureus was found in many poultry bruises and in infected lesions of poultry workers as well as on hands of workers who handle bruised birds. These results indicate that poultry bruises are a source of staphylococcal infection encountered among poultry workers.

Abscess↗
PubMed2004

Sodium lactate addition on the quality and shelf life of refrigerated sliced poultry sausage packaged in air or nitrogen atmosphere.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium lactate addition on shelf-life extension of sliced poultry sausage packaged both in air and nitrogen atmospheres and stored in refrigerated conditions. Basic chemical composition, pH, and malonaldehyde content were assayed and color measurement using the reflection method was carried out. Microbiological examination consisted of determination of total number of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and number of lactic acid bacteria. Sensory evaluation of products was performed. Microbiological and sensory quality of sliced poultry meat sausage was dependent on the addition during production of sodium lactate and the composition of gases (air or nitrogen) used in packaging. Slices of poultry sausage with 1% as well as 2% of sodium lactate maintained their initial quality of evaluated sensory attributes longer, irrespective of the applied gases. Sodium lactate inhibited growth of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria during refrigerated storage. Sodium lactate also inhibited the formation of malonaldehyde in sliced poultry sausage during refrigerated storage. The effectiveness of this process depended on the concentration of sodium lactate addition. It was concluded that 1% as well as 2% addition of sodium lactate could extend the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage packaged in air atmosphere and stored at 5 to 7 degrees C by 3 or 4 times, respectively. Sliced poultry sausage treated with 2% sodium lactate packed in nitrogen had the longest (35-day) shelf life. This was a sevenfold increase in the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage compared with the control.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter jejuni in pig herds on farms with and without cattle or poultry.

The prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter jejuni was investigated in pig herds on farms with and without cattle or poultry production. A bacteriological screening of pig cecal samples from 247 finisher herds was carried out at the slaughter-house. Subsequently, a follow-up study was conducted in 24 herds (either with or without prior C. jejuni isolation from pigs) in which fecal samples were collected from pigs and, if present, cattle and poultry. Samples were analyzed for presence of Campylobacter, and subsequent analysis included species identification, serotyping, and, for selected strains, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing. In the slaughterhouse screening, C. jejuni was isolated from pigs in 21 (8.5%) herds, but no significant difference in prevalence was found between herd types (pigs, pigs and cattle, pigs and poultry). At the slaughterhouse, C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli prevalence in pigs was 2.3 and 90.1%, respectively. In the follow-up study, herd prevalence of C. jejuni was 8.3%, whereas C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated from 0.8 and 92.0% of pigs, respectively. In mixed production herds, C. jejuni predominated in cattle (42.7%) and poultry (31.6%), whereas C. jejuni was only isolated from 1.3 to 2.5% of pigs in these herds. There were no significant differences in C. jejuni or C. coli prevalence in pigs, cattle, and poultry between herds with and without prior C. jejuni isolation at the slaughterhouse. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing did not yield evidence of C. jejuni transmission between cattle or poultry and pigs in mixed production herds. In contrast, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis showed indistinguishable serotypes of C. coli in pigs and cattle in two herds. Verification of C. jejuni-positive pig samples showed that individual pigs can excrete high levels of C. jejuni and that mixed infection with C. jejuni and C. coli was common in C. jejuni-positive pigs. The results of our study suggest that transmission of C. jejuni between pigs and cattle or poultry in mixed production herds occurs infrequently. Detection of indistinguishable C. coli isolates in two herds, however, might indicate the existence of low-level transmission between pigs and cattle in herds of mixed production.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

[Avian influenza: eradication from commercial poultry is still not in sight].

Avian influenza viruses are highly infectious micro-organisms that primarily affect birds. Nevertheless, they have also been isolated from a number of mammals, including humans. Avian influenza virus can cause large economic losses to the poultry industry because of its high mortality. Although there are pathogenic variants with a low virulence and which generally cause only mild, if any, clinical symptoms, the subtypes H5 and H7 can mutate from a low to a highly virulent (pathogenic) virus and should be taken into consideration in eradication strategies. The primary source of infection for commercial poultry is direct and indirect contact with wild birds, with waterfowl forming a natural reservoir of the virus. Live-poultry markets, exotic birds, and ostriches also play a significant role in the epidemiology of avian influenza. The secondary transmission (i.e., between poultry farms) of avian influenza virus is attributed primarily to fomites and people. Airborne transmission is also important, and the virus can be spread by aerosol in humans. Diagnostic tests detect viral proteins and genes. Virus-specific antibodies can be traced by serological tests, with virus isolation and identification being complementary procedures. The number of outbreaks of avian influenza seems to be increasing - over the last 5 years outbreaks have been reported in Italy, Hong Kong, Chile, the Netherlands, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, China, Pakistan, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, and Malaysia. Moreover, a growing number of human cases of avian influenza, in some cases fatal, have paralleled the outbreaks in commercial poultry. There is great concern about the possibility that a new virus subtype with pandemic potential could emerge from these outbreaks. From the perspective of human health, it is essential to eradicate the virus from poultry; however, the large number of small-holdings with poultry, the lack of control experience and resources, and the international scale of transmission and infection make rapid control and long-term prevention of recurrence extremely difficult. In the Western world, the renewed interest in free-range housing carries a threat for future outbreaks. The growing ethical objections to the largescale culling of birds require a different approach to the eradication of avian influenza.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Structural changes in the poultry production industry and in the tasks of veterinarians].

The rapid expansion and improvement in poultry production began during the mid-1930s. These enhanced by innovation in technology, science and management on different levels such as on artificial incubation, genetics, breeding, rearing, nutrition, disease control and processing technology. During the past 30 years the total egg production as well as poultry meat production has increased tremendously. The modern poultry industry oriented for high production and better quality at low cost, together with increasing claim of consumers for poultry meat and products, demand continuous efficient and goal oriented veterinary care. For this purpose, in many countries poultry health services supervised by veterinarians in co-operation with a central veterinary diagnostic laboratory, are established. Today the main duties of the poultry veterinarians have changed from therapeutic to prevention objectives. The tasks of the modern veterinary poultry specialists are described.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2005

n-3 fatty acid enrichment of edible tissue of poultry: a review.

There is clear evidence of the nutritional benefits of consuming long-chain n-3 PUFA, which are found predominantly in oily fish. However, oily fish consumption, particularly in the United Kingdom, is declining, as is the consumption of all meats with the exception of poultry, which has increased in consumption by 73% in the last 30 yr. This pattern, if less marked, is reflected throughout Europe, and therefore one means of increasing long-chain n-3 PUFA consumption would be to increase the long-chain n-3 PUFA content in the edible tissues of poultry. This review considers the feasibility of doing this, concentrating particularly on chickens and turkeys. It begins by summarizing the benefits to human health of consuming greater quantities of n-3 FA and the sources of n-3 PUFA in the human diet. The literature on altering the FA composition of poultry meat is then reviewed, and the factors affecting the incorporation of n-3 PUFA into edible tissues of poultry are investigated. The concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the edible tissues of poultry is readily increased by increasing the concentration of ALA in the birds' diet (particularly meat with skin, and dark meat to a greater extent than white meat). The concentration of EPA in both white and dark meat is also increased when the birds' diet is supplemented with EPA, although supplementing the diet with the precursor (ALA) does not result in a noticeable increase in EPA content in the edible tissues. Although supplementing the birds' diets with relatively high concentrations of DHA does result in an increased concentration of DHA in the tissues, the relationship between dietary and tissue concentrations of DHA is much weaker than that observed with ALA and EPA. The impact that altering the FA composition of edible poultry tissue may have on the organoleptic and storage qualities of poultry products is also considered.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Effects of inclusion of poultry by-product meal and enzyme-prebiotic supplementation in grower diets on performance and feed digestibility of broilers.

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of level of inclusion of poultry by-product and enzyme-prebiotic supplementation on grower diet digestibility and the performance of broilers. 2. Six grower diets were formulated to provide a similar nutrient profile with the exception of using three graded levels of poultry by-product, namely 0, 25, 40 g/kg of the diet with and without supplementation of enzyme preparation at the rate of 1 kg per tonne of feed and prebiotic preparation at the rate of 2 kg per tonne of feed. The experimental diets were used from 3 to 6 weeks of age. 3. Body weights, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were not affected by poultry by-product; however, enzyme-prebiotic had a significant positive effect on feed conversion efficiency at 0 to 6 weeks in experiment 1. 4. Crude protein digestibility was decreased by feeding the diet containing poultry by-product while ether extract digestibility was increased by poultry by-product at the rate of 25 g per kg of feed only. Dry matter retention, crude fibre digestibility and organic matter retention were not affected by poultry by-product. Dry matter and organic matter retentions, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre digestibilities were not affected by enzyme-prebiotic. 5. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values were increased by poultry by-product at the rate of 40 g per kg of feed and addition of enzyme-prebiotic.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Preliminary economic analysis of poultry litter gasification option with a simple transportation model.

Several environmental issues are related to the disposal of poultry litter. In an effort to provide a more environmentally friendly alternative than landfill disposal or spreading as a soil amendment, work has been carried out previously at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI). This past UTSI work was concentrated on developing a catalytic steam gasification concept to produce energy from poultry litter. In the past UTSI studies, preliminary design and economics for a stationary, centralized gasification plant capable of processing approximately 100 ton/day of poultry litter were developed. However, in this preliminary design the economic impact of transporting litter to a centralized gasification plant location was not addressed. To determine the preliminary impact of transporting the poultry litter on the overall economics of this energy conversion plant design, a simple transportation model was developed. This model was used in conjunction with the earlier plant design prepared at UTSI to determine the economic feasibility of a centralized, stationary poultry litter gasification plant. To do so, major variables such as traveling distance, plant feed rate (or capacity), fluctuations in the sales price of the product gas (that means value of the energy), population density of poultry farms, impact of tipping fees, and cost of litter were varied. The study showed that for plant with a capacity of 1000 ton/day to be able to withstand several changes in economic conditions and sustain itself, the poultry farm density would need to be approximately 0.3 houses/mi2. Smaller plants would need either a higher energy price or some kind of subsidy to be economically feasible.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Total dust and endotoxin in poultry operations: comparison between cage and floor housing and respiratory effects in workers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess respiratory outcomes and environmental exposure levels of workers in cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations. METHODS: Poultry operations were evaluated for total dust, endotoxin, and ammonia, and respiratory symptoms and lung function tests of workers were conducted. RESULTS: Workers in floor-housed poultry operations had significantly greater exposures to total dust and ammonia, whereas workers from cage-housed poultry operations reported greater frequency of current and chronic symptoms overall and significantly greater current and chronic phlegm (39% vs 18% and 40% vs 11%, respectively). Endotoxin concentration (EU/mg) was a significant predictor (P = 0.05) of chronic phlegm for all poultry workers. CONCLUSIONS: Greater endotoxin concentration in the presence of significantly lower total dust, in conjunction with greater respiratory symptoms in workers from cage-housed poultry operations, as compared with workers from floor-housed poultry operations, appears to indicate that differences in environmental exposures may impact respiratory outcomes of workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of poultry waste feeding on intake, body weight and milk yield of Holstein cows.

Forty lactating Holstein cows were fed 0, 5.9, 11.7, or 17.4% processed poultry excreta in total mixed rations. The effect of treatment was evaluated on feed intake, BW, milk yield, and composition. Processes poultry excreta appeared to be well accepted by cows even when included in rations at 17.4% of total DM. Mean DM intake averaged 19.3, 19.7, 19.5, and 19.7 kg/d for cows fed 0, 5.9, 11.7, and 17.4% processed poultry excreta, respectively. Body weight change averaged 2.0, 1.7, -1.7, and 1.4 kg/wk from 90 to 180 d of lactation for cows fed from 0 to 17.4% processed poultry excreta, respectively. Fat-corrected milk (4%) yield was similar among treatment groups, averaging 24.2, 26.1, 24.6, and 25.1 kg/d for cows fed 0, 5.9, 11.7, and 17.4% processed poultry excreta. No differences were found for milk and fat yields of percentage fat among treatment means. No off flavors in milk could be attributed to processed poultry excreta added to feed. Processed poultry excreta fed up to 17.4% of total mixed rations supported both adequate feed intake and high milk yields of mid-lactation cows.

Animal Feed↗