scholarly journals The importance of nutrition in alleviating high stocking density stress in poultry

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra Tuğçe Gül ◽  
Alpönder Yildiz ◽  
Osman Olgun

Abstract In recent decades, the number of birds reared per unit area has dramatically spiked to increase profitability in egg and meat production. However, nowadays, the increase in sensitivity to animal welfare and consumer demands brings along with it a raised interest in stocking density. Stocking density is defined either as the number of animals or body weight per unit area or as the area per animal. High stocking density, which is a stress factor, can be defined as an increase in the number of animals per unit area or a decrease in the area per animal. Stress caused by high stocking density negatively affects the bird’s physiology and performance as well as the quality of the product obtained. The ideal stocking density should be 9 laying hens, 35 kilogrammes for broilers, and 45 quails per square metre. Otherwise, one will observe stress indicators in birds reared in more than the recommended stocking density per unit area and, consequently, a decrease in bird growth, egg production, feed efficiency, and egg or meat quality. Apart from increasing the concentrations of amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan and arginine, minerals such as selenium and chromium, and vitamins such as C and E in the diet, the addition of additives such as probiotics, humates, phytophenol compounds, and propolis is also effective in reducing or eliminating these negative effects caused by high stocking density. As a result, regulations in the nutrition of animals are effective in reducing/preventing such negative effects, thus improving animal welfare and ensuring the maintenance of optimum yield.

Author(s):  
Serpil Gençoğlan ◽  
Cafer Gençoğlan

The aim of this study is to review the quality and types of the litter material and its effect on the welfare and performance of the broiler chickens. Since the most suitable broiler rearing system is on the littered floor, the litter material is of great importance. Demand for litter material is also increasing, depending on the development in broiler production. Straws, wood shavings, and sawdust are widely used as litters material. Beside these, materials such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, sunflower, rice, hazelnut, maize, soya, peanut, cotton and sugarcane are used purely or mixed as a litters material. The quality of the litter is determined with the litter moisture, pH, ammonium nitrate content, caking level and water holding capacity. The ideal litter material should have a moisture content of 20-25%, a pH of 8-10, and ammonia content should not exceed 25 ppm. The thickness of the litter changes between 2 and 10 cm according to the type of the litter, and size of it should not exceed 0.6 cm. Increase in the litter moisture increases pH, NH3 concentration and caking. The type of litter material effects on the performance, welfare, health, behavior and product quality of broiler chickens. In addition, there are negative effects of litter materials on carcass defects, foot-leg problems, breast blisters or bruises, decrease in living power, and increase of microorganism development due to litter moisture, increase of gas and dust formation in poultry. These adverse effects cause large economic losses in intensive enterprises. For this reason, the quality and type of litter material is very important in broiler rearing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-885
Author(s):  
Joanna Składanowska-Baryza ◽  
Marek Stanisz

AbstractProcedures that result in poor welfare of animals are unacceptable to many people. Consumers have become demanding about the quality of meat, but are also concerned about animal welfare during the production, transport, and slaughter stages. There is a well-known, clear relationship between animal welfare and the quality of animal products. Improper handling of farmed animals contributes to low meat quality. This rule refers to all animals raised for meat, including rabbits. Fasting, loading for transport, long distance transport in difficult environmental conditions, improper stocking density, lying down during transport, lairage, and stunning methods may negatively affect the quality of rabbit meat. A general conclusion from reviewed scientific articles is that many pre-slaughter factors influence the physiological and productive measurements of rabbits, through the effect on their welfare. Because of the complexity of the rabbit meat production chain, the possibility of excluding all the defined stressors is limited.


2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sarica ◽  
S. Boga ◽  
U.S. Yamak

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for <I>ad libitum</I>. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm<sup>2</sup> and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen compared to the other densities (<I>P</I> < 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> and 1 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 37677
Author(s):  
Daniel Araujo Netto ◽  
Héder José D'Ávila Lima ◽  
Julia Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Bianca Corrêa de Morais ◽  
Mauricio Silva Rosa ◽  
...  

 The environment is very important for the performance of laying hens; thus, techniques are required to improve production systems, providing better welfare for poultry and consequent increase in the quality of the final product, the egg. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rearing system, on the floor and in cage, on the performance and egg internal and external quality of laying hens. A total of 320 Hysex Brown laying hens, with 34-43 weeks days of age, was distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments, floor and cage, with 10 replicates each. The parameters evaluated were: individual feed intake, egg production per replicate, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg weight; weight and percentage participation of shell, albumen and yolk, specific gravity, body weight variation and viability of birds. The results show that the birds raised on the floor showed best results as to egg production, besides the best internal and external quality, with greater weight of egg, yolk, albumen, shell and with lower losses of eggs. Because of the negative effects of the cage system, in general, hens presented lower results when compared to results of those raised on the floor. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 769-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Calik

Abstract Over the last decade, there has been an increased consumer interest in niche food products with special aroma and flavour, and rich in nutrients. Poland has a large (19 lines) and valuable collection of laying hens enrolled in the genetic resources conservation programme. Research to date has shown these hen breeds to vary in phenotype, productivity, and biological quality of hatching eggs and meat. A significant problem in using hens for both egg and meat production is that the number of unwanted cockerels increases with increasing intensity of egg production. This problem can be overcome by castration of cockerels. Roosters were sterilized long before Christ, first as a religious ritual and then to increase the body weight of birds. The qualities of capon meat were noticed much later when it turned out to be more delicate, juicy and tender compared to rooster meat. The aim of this paper was to review the literature on capon production, including the effects of castration on the bird’s body and on the quality of meat obtained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3-6) ◽  
pp. 505-529
Author(s):  
Cynthia I. Escobedo del Bosque ◽  
Gesa Busch ◽  
Achim Spiller ◽  
Antje Risius

AbstractThe use of traditional chicken breeds with a dual purpose (egg and meat production) has become a relevant topic in Germany mainly due to animal welfare concerns and the importance of conserving genetic variability in poultry farming. However, consumers have little knowledge about the different chicken breeds used in the industry; making it challenging to communicate traditional breeds and their advantages to consumers. Hence, this study takes the approach to look at consumers’ perceptions of different breeds. We analyze consumers’ evaluations of pictures showing four dual-purpose chicken breeds. First, an eye-tracking study (n = 24) and think-aloud protocols (n = 28) were used to obtain open associations consumers make with each breed. Based on the results, an online survey was conducted (n = 933) to quantify consumers associations with different breeds and consumers’ interest in meat products with animal pictures on the packaging. Results show that consumers’ attention to pictures of chickens is mostly focused on their body and head, particularly with the Vorwerkhuhn. Consumers associate white breeds to white egg and meat production, while brown breeds are associated to brown egg production. Only a smaller segment of consumers (32%; n = 292), who are more engaged to animal welfare, accept pictures of animals on meat packages. We conclude that the marketing of meat products of traditional chicken breeds by using pictures is not a useful approach for the mass market. However, within smaller market concepts, such pictures can be used to communicate an alternative chicken meat production system that may lead to purchases of traditional dual-purpose breeds.


2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Chousalkar ◽  
J. R. Roberts

The effects of two Australian strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV-T and N1/88) on the internal and external quality of eggs were studied in unvaccinated Isa Brown hens in full lay. Overall, there was no decline in egg production in either of the infected groups. However, there were some long-lasting negative effects on the egg internal quality of T-infected hens. Negative effects on internal quality in the N1/88-infected group were relatively short term. Yolk colour score was lower only in T-infected hens. Egg shell quality was affected only in terms of loss of egg shell colour. IBV infection resulted in paler egg shells in both the infected groups. Paler egg shells may not be regarded well by consumers. The egg shape index was lower in both infected groups.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193672442110147
Author(s):  
Pawel Ziemianski

This article investigates the possible negative effects of power in organizations. It demonstrates how holding power may affect an individual’s perception of others, actions, and cognition. Ways in which power may have a detrimental effect on different aspects of a manager’s functioning within an organization, including building relationships, communication, and performance are analyzed. It is argued that individuals are unaware of these effects, and thus it is necessary to introduce methods of their diagnosis and countermeasures on the organizational level. In addition, negative phenomena associated with the power’s distribution among organizations’ units and its structural aspects are analyzed. A set of questions is proposed, which can be used by individuals and organizations to reveal the extent to which adverse effects of power are present in an organization. These inquiries can be used to design and introduce specific countermeasures and improve communications and the quality of interactions within organizations. Selected countermeasures are also proposed in the article.


Author(s):  
Zeynep Yardım ◽  
Mustafa Akşit

This study was carried out to determine the effects of two different cage systems (enriched and conventional) and low and high stocking densities on performance, egg quality and egg shell microorganisms. In study, two different genotypes were used to native (Atak-S) and foreign (Lohmann) hens occurred of 864 hens used. As the cage system, the battery type was used in the conventional system and the enriched cage type was used in the alternative system. The results indicated that genotype and cage system significantly affected egg production and egg mass in the laying period (18-76 weeks). It was determined that Lohmann genotype and conventional cages had significantly higher egg production and egg mass in this period. It was seen that hens consumed significantly higher feed in enriched cages than in conventional cages, and were significantly better feed conversion ratio in low stocking density compared to high stocking density. The effects of genotype and cages system on the quality characteristics of eggs were found to be significant, and it was determined quality characteristics of Lohmann eggs were better (especially eggshell quality. In addition, it was understood that the internal quality of the eggs in the conventional cages and the external quality characteristics of the eggs in the enriched system were positively affected. The total numbers of microorganisms were determined to be higher on shell of eggs from enriched cages than conventional cages. The total numbers of microorganisms were higher in enriched cage eggs compared to conventional cage eggs. However, stocking density was not a significant effect on the microbial load of the eggshell.


Author(s):  
Catia Helena de Almeida Lima Massari ◽  
Nadini Oliveira Martins ◽  
Angela Faustino Jozala ◽  
Denise Grotto ◽  
Marli Gerenutti

Reproductive and developmental toxicology has focused on the need to approach the effects of organism exposure to various drugs during pregnancy after the mid-50’s, when the thalidomide tragedy stroke humanity. In recent decades, this area of study has developed a lot due to animal testing, raising awareness on the need to improve the quality of life of such animals. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate how the science of animal welfare can improve scientific research as a whole, including the reproductive and developmental toxicology fields, by emphasizing environmental enrichment in animal facilities. To do so, we conducted an integrative literature review on several quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches that are applicable to toxicology studies. Here, we present evidence that environmental enrichment improves animal welfare and prevents or reduces the negative effects of captive housing, which must be a principle of toxicological research for ethical, legal and scientific reasons.


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