Intensive genetic selection and meat quality concerns in the modern broiler industry

The genetic selection toward bigger broilers provoked the development of muscular myopathies and abnormalities. Since the affected meat is downgraded and often inadequate for further processing, economic losses to the broiler industry are inevitable. In addition, not only the nutritional value of the meat has been decreased, but also sensory properties and technological traits seem to concern consumers more. This can have a very negative attitude toward poultry meat as consumers connect these traits with poor animal welfare. To avoid these problems in the future, new studies must be focused on identifying markers in live birds for newly developed myopathies. Also, better strategies for determining genetic factors, nutritional and slaughter conditions, and hence meat quality, are a complex concept, and all factors together have an impact on parameters of meat quality.

​Modelling the Evolution of Serum Cholesterol Level of Broiler Chickens

Background: With the demand of the growing population, the broiler industry has grown up rapidly over the last few decades and it plays as an affordable source of good quality nutritious animal protein. This broiler industry focuses mainly on optimizing the profit through improving body weight and feed efficiency but the health issues of consumers are not taken into consideration seriously. It is important to know the changing pattern of concentration level of the biochemical parameter (total cholesterol) due to different feeds as well as different ages of chicken. Methods: This experimental study through longitudinal data was conducted using repeated measurements from each of seventy randomly selected broilers, partitioned into two groups according to two types of feed, at four-time points. Since measurements from the same subject were taken at four time periods, traditional approach of analysis may not be appropriate as it ignore the correlation between repeated measurements. Therefore, linear mixed model was adopted for the analysis of our obtained dataset. Result: Linear mixed effect model did not reveal any significant difference of standard and hatcher’s supplied feeds over time on the evolution of total cholesterol level. This might be due to little difference in different compositions of both feeds. However, both exploratory data analysis and modelling confirmed that irrespective of the available feed types, total cholesterol level of broiler serum increased significantly over time (age) which leads to a recommendation for the consumers to eat younger age (lower weight) broiler chicken.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens: Challenges in No Antibiotics Ever Broiler Production and Potential Solutions

United States is the largest producer and the second largest exporter of broiler meat in the world. In the US, broiler production is largely converting to antibiotic-free programs which has caused an increase in morbidity and mortality within broiler farms. Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens are two important pathogenic bacteria readily found in the broiler environment and result in annual billion-dollar losses from colibacillosis, gangrenous dermatitis, and necrotic enteritis. The broiler industry is in search of non-antibiotic alternatives including novel vaccines, prebiotics, probiotics, and housing management strategies to mitigate production losses due to these diseases. This review provides an overview of the broiler industry and antibiotic free production, current challenges, and emerging research on antibiotic alternatives to reduce pathogenic microbial presence and improve bird health.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens: Challenges in ‘No Antibiotics Ever’ Broiler Production and Potential Solutions

United States is the largest producer and the second largest exporter of broiler meat in the world. In the U.S, broiler production is largely converting to antibiotic-free programs which has caused an increase in morbidity and mortality within broiler farms. Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens are two important pathogenic bacteria readily found in the broiler environment and result in annual billion-dollar losses from colibacillosis, gangrenous dermatitis, and necrotic enteritis. Broiler industry is in search of non-antibiotic alternatives including novel vaccines, prebiotics, probiotics, and housing management strategies to mitigate production losses due to these diseases. This review provides an overview of the broiler industry and antibiotic free production, current challenges, and emerging research on antibiotic alternatives to reduce pathogenic microbial presence and improve bird health.