scholarly journals Perches as Cooling Devices for Reducing Heat Stress in Caged Laying Hens: A Review

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3026
Author(s):  
Jiaying Hu ◽  
Yijie Xiong ◽  
Richard S. Gates ◽  
Heng-Wei Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Sweat Glands ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
Cooling Devices

Heat stress is one of the most detrimental environmental challenges affecting the biological process and the related production performance of farm animals, especially in poultry. Commercial laying hens have been bred (selected) for high egg production, resulting in increased sensitivity to heat stress due to breeding-linked metabolic heat production. In addition, laying hens are prone to heat stress due to their inadequate species-specific cooling mechanisms resulting in low heat tolerance. In addition, hens have no sweat glands and feathering covers almost their entire body to minimize body heat loss. The poultry industry and scientists are developing cooling methods to prevent or reduce heat stress-caused damage to chicken health, welfare, and economic losses. We have designed and tested a cooling system using perches, in which chilled water (10 °C) circulates through a conventional perch passing through the layer cages to offer the cooling potential to improve hen health, welfare, and performance during acute and chronic periods of heat stress (35 °C). This review summarizes the outcomes of a multi-year study using the designed cooled perch system. The results indicate that conducting heat from perching hens directly onto the cooled perch system efficiently reduces heat stress and related damage in laying hens. It provides a novel strategy: perches, one key furnishment in cage-free and enriched colony facilities, could be modified as cooling devices to improve thermal comfort for hens during hot seasons, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions.

scholarly journals Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Production Performance, Bone Physiological Property, and Hematology Indexes in Laying Hens

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2041
Author(s):  
Xinyu Zou ◽  
Sha Jiang ◽  
Mi Zhang ◽  
Haiqiang Hu ◽  
Xiaoling Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Physiological Property ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Basic Diet ◽  
Bone Damage ◽  
Diet Control

This study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance and bone pathophysiological characteristics of layers. Twenty-four 48-week-old Lohmann Pink-shell laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a basic diet (control) and the basic diet mixed with Bacillus subtilis (0.5 g/kg) for a 60-day trial. Statistically, independent-sample t-test was used to assess the treatment differences. The results showed that Bacillus subtilis supplementation improved the percent of marketable eggs (p < 0.05) with reduced numbers of broken and soft-shelled eggs but had no effects on egg weight, height of albumen, yolk color, and Haugh unit (p > 0.05). Bacillus subtilis supplement also elevated maximum load (p = 0.06), maximum stress (p = 0.01), stiffness (p < 0.01), and Young’s modulus (p < 0.01) but suppressed maximum strain (p = 0.06) in the femur. In addition, compared with control birds, phosphorous concentration (p < 0.01) was reduced in serum at day 61 but increased in the femur (p < 0.05) in Bacillus subtilis fed birds. Bacillus subtilis fed birds also had lower magnesium concentrations in both femur (p = 0.04) and feces (p = 0.09). Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis increased plasma estrogen concentration (p = 0.01) and femur TNF receptor superfamily member 11b (OPG) expression (p < 0.05) but reduced plasma IL-1 (p < 0.01) and TNF-α (p < 0.01) concentrations. These results indicate that Bacillus subtilis could be used as a health promotor to reduce overproduction-induced inflammation and associated bone damage and to increase marketable egg production. The data provide evidence for developing a management strategy to use Bacillus subtilis as a feed additive to improve marketable egg production and health and welfare status of laying hens.

scholarly journals Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Veerasamy Sejian ◽  
Mullakkalparambil V. Silpa ◽  
Mini R. Reshma Nair ◽  
Chinnasamy Devaraj ◽  
Govindan Krishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Tropical Climates

This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats’ welfare under extensive conditions and transportation. Although considered extremely adapted to tropical climates, their production can be compromised to cope with heat stress. Therefore, information on goat adaptation and production performance during heat exposure could help assess their welfare. Such information would be valuable as the farming communities are often struggling in their efforts to assess animal welfare, especially in tropical regions. Broadly three aspects must be considered to ensure appropriate welfare in goats, and these include (i) housing and environment; (ii) breeding and genetics and (iii) handling and transport. Apart from these, there are a few other negative welfare factors in goat rearing, which differ across the production system being followed. Such negative practices are predominant in extensive systems and include nutritional stress, limited supply of good quality water, climatic extremes, parasitic infestation and lameness, culminating in low production, reproduction and high mortality rates. Broadly two types of methodologies are available to assess welfare in goats in these systems: (i) animal-based measures include behavioral measurements, health and production records and disease symptoms; (ii) resources based and management-based measures include stocking density, manpower, housing conditions and health plans. Goat welfare could be assessed based on several indicators covering behavioral, physical, physiological and productive responses. The important indicators of goat welfare include agonistic behavior, vocalization, skin temperature, body condition score (BCS), hair coat conditions, rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, sweating, reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. There are also different approaches available by which the welfare of goats could be assessed, such as naturalistic, functional and subjective approaches. Thus, assessing welfare in goats at every production stage is a prerequisite for ensuring appropriate production in this all-important species to guarantee optimum returns to the marginal and subsistence farmers.

scholarly journals Dietary Germinated Paddy Rice and Stocking Density Affect Egg Performance, Serum Biochemical Properties, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Response of Laying Hens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Proteomes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Tossaporn Incharoen ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
Wirot Likittrakulwong
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Protein Profile ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transcriptomic Response

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m2/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m2/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers.

scholarly journals Effects on egg production and quality of supplementing drinking water with calcium and magnesium

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-476
Author(s):  
X.J. Yi ◽  
A. Rehman ◽  
R.W. Akhtar ◽  
A. Abbas ◽  
K. Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Eggshell Colour ◽  
Haugh Unit

This study was conducted to appraise the effects on egg quality and production performance of laying hens when drinking water was supplemented with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). A total of 384 (64-week-old) Hy-line Brown laying hens were assigned at random to four treatments, which consisted of CON: unsupplemented drinking water; T1: drinking water + 2 mg/L Ca + 250 mg/L Mg; T2: drinking water + 4 mg/L Ca + 510 mg/L Mg /10 L; and T3: drinking water + 5 mg/L Ca and 760 mg/L Mg. The experiment lasted six weeks. Water intake increased linearly in week 1 with the rising levels of Ca and Mg in the drinking water. Increasing the Ca and Mg levels improved eggshell strength (week 2 (P =0.01), week 5 (P =0.01), and week 6 (P = 0.03), and eggshell thickness (week 6) (P =0.02) and reduced the rate at which eggs were broken (week 4) (P =0.01). The supplemental Ca and Mg did not affect egg production, egg weight, Haugh unit, albumen height, eggshell colour, and yolk colour compared with CON. Nor did they influence the Haugh unit and albumen height after storing for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days. In conclusion, adding Ca and Mg to the drinking water increased the thickness and strength of the eggshells.

scholarly journals Fermentation of Carrot Juice Waste (Daucus carota L) with Probiotics and Utilization in Races of Chicken Layers on Egg Production and Quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Endang Sukarini
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Carrot Juice ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Basal Ration ◽  
Haugh Unit

The aim of this study was to test the use of carrot juice fermentation with probiotics in rations with different levels on the production performance and quality of egg-laying hens. The material used was Lohman Brown strain of laying hens, 27 weeks old with an average initial body weight of 1.69 kg, as many as 45 birds. The research was conducted with experimental methods and used a Complete Design Acal (CRD). The treatment tested was the use of Carrot Extract Fermentation (FLSW) with probiotic SOC in the feed consisting of T1 = 100% basal ration, T2 = basal ration (97.5%) + FLSW (2.5%): T3 = basal ration ( 95%) + FLSW (5%); T4 = basal ration (92.5%) + FLSW (7.5%); T5 = basal ration (90%) + FLSW (10%). The variables observed were production performance (consumption, egg production (HDA / Hen Day Average), egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and income over feed cost) and egg quality variables (albumin index, yolk index, Haugh Unit (HU), yolk color, albumin pH, yolk pH). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the use of carrot extract fermentation (FLSW) with different levels had a significant effect on feed consumption (Sig.115) and HDA (Sig.063), yolk index value (Sig.087) and yolk color (Sig. 000). , and not significantly different on feed conversion (Sig. 403), albumin index value (Sig. 522), and Haugh Unit (Sig. 259). The conclusion of the research showed that the use of fermented carrot juice waste (FLSW) in the feed of laying hens had an effect on feed consumption, egg production (Hen Day Averag / HDA), yolk index and yolk brightness (yolk color), but had no effect on conversion. feed, Haugh unit and albumin index value. Key words : probiotics, fermentation, carrot juice waste, production performance, egg quality 

scholarly journals A simple way to reduce heat stress in laying hens as judged by egg laying, body weight gain and biochemical parameters

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Şahin ◽  
O. Küçük
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase ◽  
Feed Withdrawal

This study was designed to test the effects of feed withdrawal and darkening on the performance, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and some blood serum metabolite and mineral concentrations of laying hens reared at high ambient temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 °C. Ninety, 16-week-old hens (Ross Brown) were divided into 3 groups, 30 hens each. The first group was used as control. Hens in the second group (feed withdrawal) were subjected to feed removal from 14:00 to 18:00, and hens in the third group (darkening) were subjected to light restriction from 14:00 to 18:00 using black curtains. Liveweight, feed intake, and egg production were higher (P < 0.01) in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups, particularly in the darkening group, than in the control. Water intake was higher in the control group compared with the feed withdrawal and darkening groups (P < 0.01). T3, T4, and TSH concentrations in the serum were higher (P < 0.01), whereas ACTH serum concentration was lower (P < 0.01) in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups compared with the control. The haematocrit was higher in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups compared with the control (P < 0.01). Darkening and feed withdrawal treatments increased serum glucose, urea-N, uric acid, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, Ca, P, Na, and K concentrations, also the activities of amylase and alkaline phosphatase, but did not influence the activities of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). The present study found that feed withdrawal and darkening, particularly darkening, at high temperatures during the summer months offer a good management practice to reduce heat stress related depression in feed intake and egg production in laying hens.

Effect of perches and solid sides on production, plumage and foot condition of laying hens housed in conventional cages in a naturally ventilated shed

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Glatz ◽  
JL Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Hot Weather

The effect of modified cages on production, shell quality, feather cover and foot condition was measured in 2 Australian commercial laying strains housed in a naturally ventilated laying shed from 18 to82 weeks of age. Two cage modifications were investigated. Firstly , the inclusion of a perch within the cage, and secondly, the installation of solid sides. Compared with normal cages, installation of a perch in a cage reduced food intake (5.3%) and liveweight (4.5% at 82 weeks) and improved feather cover around the vent (feather score of 2.15 to 2.66). This was offset by a decrease in egg production (2.4%), shell weight (1.5%) and thickness (11%), an increase in cracked (53.8%) and dirty eggs (28.9%), and an increase in claw length (9.2%). Relative to control cages, the provision of solid sides in cages improved overall feather cover of hens (feather score of 2.46 to 2.67), but there was a 54.5% increase in hen mortality during a period of hot weather. Additional modifications to the cage are required to optimise the benefit of perches. Similarly, improvement in ventilation and cooling in naturally ventilated sheds are required to maximise the benefits of solid-sided cages for hens and avoid heat stress.

scholarly journals Peneguhan diagnosis Avian Influenza pada Ayam Petelur yang Mengalami Gejala Penurunan Produksi

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rina Isnawati ◽  
Hastari Wuryastuti ◽  
R Wasito
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Type A ◽  
Culture Technique ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Chicken Eggs

Decreasing egg production is an initial symptom of various diseases that infect commercial layer chickens. Diagnosis of diseases causing the decrease in egg production without high mortality rate is often thought to be caused by other poultry diseases because of the many similarities in manifestation between one disease and another. Avian influenza is a zoonotic infectious disease in poultry that can lead to high economic losses. This study aims to determine the contribution of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection to commercial laying hens showing symptoms of decreased production. The samples were oropharyngeal swabs of commercial laying hens which had symptoms of decreased production at productive age. Laboratory tests were carried out by histopathological examination, detection and identification of AIV with real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and isolation with the viral culture technique on fertile chicken eggs. The results showed that there was type A AIV infection based on the qRT-PCR (matrix) test, but the subtypes were not identified (H5, H7, H9). The results of the isolation of the virus in the fertile chicken eggs showed embryonic death in which all embryonic organs show hemorrhages. Allantoic fluid does not agglutinate chicken red blood cells. Histopathological features of the pathognomonic lesions in lungs infected with AIV were severe congestion and hemorrhages. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that there was a contribution of type A AIV infection. Early diagnosis of AIV could determine more appropriate actions, including control, prevention and eradication.

scholarly journals Respon Pemberian Tepung Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera) pada Pakan Ayam Petelur terhadap Penampilan Produksi dan Kualitas Telur

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edi Wahyu Satria ◽  
Osfar Sjofjan ◽  
Irfan Hadji Djunaidi
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Leaf Powder ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Range Test

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Moringa leaf meal (Moringa oleifera) in feed on production performance and egg quality of laying hens. The materials used 120 laying hens of Isa Brown breed in 38 to 42 weeks age. The method used an experimental trial by Moringa oleifera addition in the basal feed. The experiment were devided into four groups i.e. without Moringa oleifera as control (P0), with Moringa oleifera 0.5% (P1), 1% (P2), 1.5% (P3) and 2% (P4). Variables observed were the appearance of egg production and quality. The data was analyzed by Completely Randomized one way design. The mean differences were calculated by the Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that administration of Moringa leaf powder can increase the production and quality of eggs in laying hens. Addition of 2% Moringa leaf powder in the feed gives the best effect on the appearance and quality of production and egg. This research suggested the addition of 2% Moringa leaf powder was recommended in order to obtain the finest appearance and quality of production.

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