scholarly journals Effects of nest boxes in natural mating colony cages on fear, stress, and feather damage for layer breeders123

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 4464-4474
Author(s):  
Haipeng Shi ◽  
Qin Tong ◽  
Weichao Zheng ◽  
Jiang Tu ◽  
Baoming Li
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Corticosterone Secretion ◽  
Natural Mating ◽  
Copulation Behavior

Abstract Colony cages are commonly used in China for the natural mating of layer breeders. However, feather pecking (FP) is a major problem in this system, and feather damage mainly due to FP needs to be alleviated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nest boxes provided in colony cages. Each colony cage confined 10 roosters and 90 laying hens. The use of nest boxes as it relates to age, feather damage, sexual behavior, fertility, and fearfulness was evaluated. Thyroid hormones, which are considered to be physiological indicators of various forms of stress in poultry and may be correlated with the quality of feather coverage, were also tested. The control group and the nest box group each had 12 replicates, totaling 24 identical cages. Analyses were conducted using the linear mixed models procedure of SPSS Statistics 22.0. The results showed that the control group had a significantly higher proportion of hens with feather damage to 4 specific body regions (back, rump, tail, and belly) compared to the nest box group (P < 0.05). Increasing the use of the nest boxes took place from weeks 41 to 47 and at 53 wk of age, as seen by the percentage of eggs and number of sitting events in the nests, number of hens using the nests, and frequency of visits. There were no significant differences in fertility, the occurrence of mounting, or full copulation behavior between the 2 groups. Hens in the control group showed a significantly longer duration of tonic immobility at 43, 49, and 55 wk of age (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups for the concentration of triiodothyronine or thyroxine, but a significantly higher concentration of corticosterone was measured in the control group than in the nest box group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hens with access to nest boxes during the laying period had a decreased FP frequency, fewer damaged feathers, lower plasma corticosterone secretion, and were less fearful. This information contributes to the understanding of the FP behavior and stress sensitivity of layer breeders, which will provide a basis for the development and optimization of the colony cage equipment.

Corticosterone secretion after inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin

1981 ◽  
Vol 240 (2) ◽  
pp. E131-E135
Author(s):  
M. E. Thompson ◽  
G. A. Hedge
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Metabolic Clearance ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Corticosterone Secretion ◽  
Basal Plasma ◽  
Prostaglandin F ◽  
Acth Concentration ◽  
Inhibition Of Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
Sites Of Action

Systemic indomethacin (Ind) administration decreased prostaglandin F (PGF) content of the rat adrenal to less than 1.4 pg/mg. This was less than 5% of the adrenal PGF content in the gelatin-treated (Gel) control group (34 pg/mg). Basal plasma corticosterone levels were increased by the Ind treatment. Since the calculated metabolic clearance rate for corticosterone was unchanged, this increase was attributed to an enhanced adrenal secretion rate that was secondary to elevated plasma ACTH concentration. Ether exposure in the presence of Ind did not stimulate a normal rise in plasma corticosterone or adrenal corticosteroidogenesis. Adrenal responsiveness to exogenous ACTH was reduced after Ind treatment. There was a normal rise in plasma ACTH levels following ether exposure confirming the adrenal as the site of inhibition. Systemic Ind treatment thus appears to have two sites of action in altering plasma corticosterone levels: 1) a direct effect on the adrenal, inhibiting normal secretion in response to acute elevations of plasma ACTH, and 2) an action at the pituitary or hypothalamic level, eliciting an increase in basal ACTH secretion.

The importance of pre-laying behaviour and nest boxes for laying hen welfare: a review

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg M. Cronin ◽  
the late John L. Barnett ◽  
Paul H. Hemsworth
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Physiological Stress Response

The housing of commercial laying hens in conventional cages is one of the most contentious animal welfare issues in animal production in Australia and other developed countries. The main issues are restriction of space and opportunity to perform ‘natural’ behaviours such as pre-laying behaviour, dust bathing and roosting. The provision of a nest box is argued by some to be essential for laying hen welfare. While the majority of hens (at least 70%) will lay in a nest box if provided, neither the lack of a nest box nor the sudden denial of access to a nest box, result in adverse welfare based on physiological stress response measured via corticosterone concentrations in either plasma or egg albumen. However, recent research suggests that hens that spent more time sitting during the 2 h before egg laying had lower plasma corticosterone concentrations, when sampled ~4–5 h post-egg laying. On the other hand, hens that displayed more bouts of sitting before egg laying, perhaps suggesting they were more frequently disturbed and thus less settled, had higher corticosterone concentrations. One function of nest boxes might be to provide those hens that choose to lay there with a location where they are less disturbed before egg laying. Further research on the effects of pre-laying behaviour and nest site selection on physiological stress in laying hens may provide important information regarding how to house commercial laying hens for good welfare.

Effectiveness the use of additive MEGA-VIT in the ration of mares of Shetland pony breed

2020 ◽  
pp. 60-67
Author(s):  
G. Uskov ◽  
A. Tsopanova ◽  
T. Perezhogina
Keyword(s):  
Physiological State ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Mineral Additive ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Young Horses ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Experimental Group

Complete feeding of ponies is provided on the basis of data on their nutritional needs depending on age, sex, physiological state and level of productivity (the amount of milk produced and the intensity of growth of young animals). Ponies are sensitive to a lack of vitamins and mineral elements in the feed. When there is a sufficient amount of organic and mineral substances, but a lack or absence of vitamins, horses and ponies have impaired metabolism. The purpose of this work is to study the effectiveness of the use of vitamin and mineral additive MEGA-VIT in the rations of pregnant and lactating mares of Shetland pony breed. It has been found during of the researches that the vitamin and mineral additive MEGA-VIT had a positive influence on the productive and physiological indicators of animals. The cost of spent feed for the entire period of experiment in the control group was 50,6 thousand rubles, and in the experimental group it was 11,8 thousand rubles more or 23,5 %. Revenue from the sale of young horses of the control group amounted to 400 thousand rubles, and experimental group – 440 thousand rubles, this is by 40 thousand rubles more than in control group. This led to the increase in profit in the experimental group of mares by 28,1 thousand rubles and accordingly the level of profitability by 3,2 %. It has been recommended on the results have been obtained on the base of researches to include 30 g/head/day in the rations of mares of Shetland pony breed during pregnancy, and 50 g/head/day during lactation.

Bacopa monnieri alleviates aluminium chloride-induced anxiety by regulating plasma corticosterone level in Wistar rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Senthil Murugan Murugaiyan ◽  
Rajesh Bhargavan
Keyword(s):  
Oral Administration ◽  
Corticosterone Level ◽  
Tween 80 ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Bacopa Monnieri ◽  
Aluminium Chloride ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone Level ◽  
Protective Groups

AbstractObjectivesAluminium is present in food preparations, antacids and many medications. It causes neurodegeneration thereby resulting in a spectrum of neurological disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and anxiety. Bacopa monnieri (BM) is widely used in ayurvedic medicine to improve memory functions. Its anxiolytic property was investigated in this study by using elevated plus maze (EPM) and plasma corticosterone level.MethodsThirty rats were assigned into five groups. Control group received distilled water, and 0.5% tween 80, AlCl3 group received Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3), Protective groups (BM100 + AlCl3 group and BM200 + AlCl3 group) received AlCl3 and BM at two different doses, and the BM200 group received BM. The EPM experiment was performed at the end of the 4th week of oral administration of BM and AlCl3 followed by the measurement of plasma corticosterone.ResultsOral administration of AlCl3 to rats increases the levels of anxiety as seen in a decrease in the percentage of entries into the open arms of EPM, an increase in grooming frequency and defecation index. However, the rats in the protective groups shown an increase in the percentage of open arm entries and rearing frequency, and decreased grooming frequency and defecation index. AlCl3 alone treated group showed a significant increase in the plasma corticosterone levels compared to the control group. Whereas the protective groups have shown a significant decrease in the plasma corticosterone levels than the AlCl3 alone treated group.ConclusionsHence the BM has potential role in reverting the anxiogenic effect of AlCl3 in the amygdala as it is evident from the plasma corticosterone levels and the EPM parameters of different groups under study.

Response of Interspecific Hybrid Species of Manchurian Ash to MJ and NO Signals and Preliminary Study on the Formation Mechanism of Drought Resistance Advantage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Cao ◽  
fei song ◽  
Xingtang Zhao ◽  
Liming He ◽  
Yaguang Zhan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Interspecific Hybrid ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Manchurian Ash ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Set Up

Abstract Background: In this study, sodium nitrate (SNP, a donor of nitric oxide) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) were used as exogenous hormones. The experiment was conducted with the offspring (interspecific hybrid) D110 of ash and ash, and their respective parents (non-interspecific hybrid) D113 and 4-3 as experimental materials. The experiment set up three experimental groups of drought stress, exogenous hormone SNP and MJ, and a control group under normal growth (non-drought stress), to study the physiological indicators and gene expression of manchurian ash. Result: The results showed that under drought stress and exogenous application of hormone SNP or MJ, there were significant differences between hybrids and parents in plant growth, photosynthesis, defense enzyme activity, hormone content and gene expression.Conclusions: This experiment provides a new theoretical support for the existing hormone breeding methods of manchurian ash, which can improve the drought resistance of manchurian ash and increase its survival rate in the wild. Increasing the growth rate and breeding efficiency of manchurian ash brings new ideas.

scholarly journals Keeping Africanized Honey Bees Out of Wildlife Nest Boxes

EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Kern, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Africanized Honey Bees ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Africanized Honey Bee ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Nest Boxes

ENY-838, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by William H. Kern, Jr., provides useful information for keeping pests out of bird and mammal nest boxes, especially the Africanized honey bee, which has become established in Florida, and sets up colonies in smaller and lower locations which may displace wildlife that uses these locations as dens. Includes recommendations, what to do if bees have invaded your nest box, and references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2007. ENY-838/IN682: Keeping Africanized Honey Bees Out of Wildlife Nest Boxes (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals Efficiency Of Using Domestic Feed Additive On Biological And Physiological Indicators Of Rabbits

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (04) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
K. I. Khidirov ◽  
◽  
G. J. Kutlieva ◽  
B. I. Turaeva ◽  
N. A. Elova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
High Level ◽  
Experimental Group

Research has been carried out to study the influence of "ProBioKorm Uz", a biologically active feed additive, on the development and physiological characteristics of rabbits of ‘New Zealand’ breed. During the experiment, 2 experimental and a control groups were formed. Adding "ProBioKorm Uz" to the main feed at the rate of 1% and 2% had an increase in experimental group rabbits’ live weight. Average live weight of them was higher by 5,7 %-3.8% than in the control group. Feed units composed 1.59%, dry matter 0.56 kg (3.61%) and crude protein 0.11 kg (3.59%) compared with the control group. Rabbits of experimental groups had higher indicators of erythrocytes concentration by 0.34-1.00 1012/l (10.34-19.53%), leukocytes - by 0.370-0.46 109/l (5.66-8, 06%), as well as a high level of hemoglobin by 7.42-11.08 g/l (6.81-10.08%) and total protein - by 2.40-4.48 (3.64-6, 42%).

Nest box contentions: Are nest boxes used by the species they target?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
David Rohweder ◽  
Brendan D. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes

scholarly journals Sex-Related Natal Dispersal of Pied Flycatchers: How Far Away From Home?

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-717
Author(s):  
Nikita Chernetsov ◽  
Leonid V. Sokolov ◽  
Vladislav Kosarev ◽  
Dmitry Leoke ◽  
Mikhail Markovets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Ficedula Hypoleuca ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Baltic Coast ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Dispersal Distances

Abstract Over four years, nestling Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) were banded and recaptured in nest boxes at a 44 km long and 1–1.5 km wide study area along the Courish Spit on the southeast Baltic coast. The return rate for males was nearly twice as high as for females. Males settled significantly closer to their natal sites than predicted by the null model, which assumed that any nest box in the study area was selected at random. For females, the frequency distribution of natal dispersal distances was not significantly different from that predicted by the null model. The difference in average dispersal distance between the sexes was highly significant. Although some individuals settled within tens of kilometers, most male Pied Flycatchers settled within several kilometers of their natal sites. We suggest that even if females settle on average farther from their natal sites than males do, both sexes imprint on a relatively small (several kilometers in diameter) area during postfledging exploration, to which they return each spring.

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