RNA-seq and differential expression analysis of the duck transcriptome: The effect of short-term cage-rearing

Ducks are an important source of meat and egg products for human beings. In China, duck breeding has gradually changed from the traditional floor-water combination system to multilayer cage breeding. Therefore, the present study collected the hypothalamus and pituitary of 113-day-old ducks after being caged for 3 days, in order to investigate the effect of cage-rearing on the birds. In addition, the same tissues (hypothalamus and pituitary) were collected from ducks raised in the floor-water combination system, for comparison. Thereafter, the transcriptomes were sequenced and the expression level of genes were compared. The results of sequencing analysis showed that a total of 506 and 342 genes were differentially expressed in the hy-po-thalamus and pituitary, respectively. Additionally, the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in signaling pathways involved in processing environmental information, including ECM-receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and focal adhesion. The findings also showed that there was a change in the alternative splicing of genes when ducks were transferred into the cage rearing system. However, there was no difference in the expression of some genes although there was a change in the expression of the isoforms of these genes. The findings herein can therefore help in understanding the mechanisms underlying the effect of caging on waterfowl. The results also highlight the gene regulatory networks involved in animal responses to acute stress.

EVALUATION OF THE GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix conturnix japonica) IN NIGERIA

Two experiments were designed to study the growth and carcass characteristics and the effects of system of management on the Japanese quail. In the first experiment, 138 birds raised to 8 weeks of are were used to study the growth and carcass characteristics of quails. Day old weight averaged 8.67±0.75y while body weights at 4 and 8 weeks of age were 130.38±21.81g and 175.08±21.23g respectively. Feed conversion rate to 8 weeks was 6.42 with each bird consuming 1067.68g feed. No significant sex differences (P>0.05) were observed in the average yield of parts although the males had slightly higher dressed and eviscerated weights and percent wing, back and neck than females. Dressed weight was 93.55% on the average while eviscerated weight was 68.61%. the carcass contained 74.20% moisture, 69.63%CP and 26.5% fat. In the second experiment, 120 birds were used to test the effect of management system (floor vs. cage) on growth and carcass characteristic of the quail. Although floor rearing had a slight advantage over cage rearing in terms of weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield, the differences were not significant (P>0.05).

EVALUATION OF THE GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix conturnix japonica) IN NIGERIA

Two experiments were designed to study the growth and carcass characteristics and the effects of system of management on the Japanese quail. In the first experiment, 138 birds raised to 8 weeks of were used to study the growth and carcass characteristics of quails. Day old weight averaged 8.67 -0.75y while body weights at 4 and 8 weeks of age were 130.38-21.81g and 175.08€ 21.23g respectively. Feed conversion rate to 8 weeks was 6.42 with each bird consuming 1067.68g feed. No significant sex differences (P>0.05) were observed in the average yield of parts although the males had slightly higher dressed and eviscerated weights and percent wing, back and neck than females. Dressed weight was 93.55% on the average while eviscerated weight was 68.61%. The carcass contained 74.20% moisture, 69.63%CP and 26.5% fat. In the second experiment, 120 birds were used to test the effect of management system (floor vs. cage) on growth and carcass characteristic of the quail. Although floor rearing had a slight advantage over cage rearing in terms of weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield, the differences were not significant (P>0.05).

Effects of rearing system and narasin on growth performance, gastro-intestinal development and gut microbiota of broilers

BackgroundThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three rearing systems (FL: flooring litter rearing, MC: multilayer cage rearing, PN: plastic net rearing) and narasin inclusion or not on growth performance, gastro-intestine development and health of broilers. A total of 2400 one-day-old Ross 308 mixed-sex broilers (1:1 ratio of males and females) were used in a completely randomized design utilizing a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with 12 replicates per treatment. In each replicate for FL, MC and PN consisted of: 34 birds per pen, 30 birds per cage, and 36 birds per pen, respectively, ensuring that the density of each rearing system was the same (12 birds/m2).ResultsLower ADG (average daily gain), ADFI (average daily feed intake) and FCR (feed conversation ratio) observed in MC group than those of the other two systems from 1 to 36 days of age (P < 0.05). Narasin inclusion in diets decreased ADFI and FCR significantly (P < 0.05). MC and PN rearing systems reduced the relative weight of the gizzard significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with FL rearing, MC reduced the relative weight of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of the ileal IL-1β and IFN-γ in FL was higher than those in PN and MC groups (P < 0.05). Narasin decreased the mRNA expressions of TNF-α in the ileum (P < 0.05). Different rearing systems changed the ileal microflora structure of broilers. The FL system increased ileal microbial diversity of broilers and relative abundance of Actinobacteria. Narasin combined with MC increased the relative abundance Proteobacteria of broilers. Conclusionbirds reared in PN had higher body weight. MC birds had poorer intestinal development and health condition, higher abundance of Proteobacteria, but better FCR. FL rearing appeared to be propitious for gastro-intestinal development and health. Narasin inclusion in diets improved FCR and changed the relative abundance Proteobacteria of broilers.

IMPLEMENTASI SISTEM KELISTRIKAN HIBRIDA UNTUK KANDANG AYAM TERPADU DI NAGARI SALAREH AIA

Sistem kelistrikan sangat berperan penting pada peternakan ayam, terutama untuk pembibitan anak ayam yang menggunakan mesin tetas telur dan untuk pemanasan dan penerangan pada kandang day old chicken (DOC). Dalam program pengabdian masyarakat ini diusulkan sistem kelistrikan hibrida untuk kandang terpadu di sentra peternakan ayam kampung di Nagari Salareh Aia. Kandang terpadu ini terdiri dari kandang DOC, kandang indukan, kandang pembesaran dan tempat mesin tetas telur untuk pembibitan DOC. Sistem kelistrikan hibrida yang diusulkan ini terdiri dari pembangkit listrik tenaga surya (PLTS) 400 WP, baterai 200 Ah dan sumber listrik dari PLN. Sistem kelistrikan hibrida ini dirancang untuk menjaga kontiniutas penyediaan daya listrik pada kandang terpadu, karena ada beberapa peralatan yang tidak boleh terputus penyediaan listriknya, seperti untuk mesin tetas telur pada waktu penetasan, pemanasan dan penerangan untuk kandang DOC dan sebagainya. Hasil eksperimen di lokasi pengabdian masyarakat menunjukan bahwa sistem kelistrikan hibrida yang diusulkan telah sukses menjaga kontiniutas penyediaan daya listrik untuk kandang ayam terpadu, sehingga mesin tetas telur dapat bekerja dengan baik selama penetasan. Begitu juga temperatur kandang DOC dapat dipertahankan konstan sesuai dengan standar temperatur kandang DOC. Kata kunci : Kelistrikan Hibrida, Kandang Ayam, PLTS, Baterai, Mesin Tetas ABSTRACT The electrical system plays an important role in chicken farming, especially for breeding chicks that use egg incubators and for heating and lighting in the cages of the day old chicken (DOC). In this community service program, a hybrid electricity system for integrated cages at the center of a chicken farm in Nagari Salareh Aia is proposed. This integrated cage consists of a DOC cage, breeding cage, rearing cage and an egg hatching machine for DOC breeding. The proposed hybrid electricity system consists of a 400 WP solar power plant, 200 Ah battery and a power source from PLN. This hybrid electrical system is designed to maintain the continuity of electricity supply in integrated cages, because there are some equipment that should not be interrupted, such as for hatching machines during hatching, heating and lighting for DOC cages and so on. The results of experiments at community service locations show that the proposed hybrid electrical system has been successful in maintaining continuity of electricity supply for integrated chicken coops, so that the egg hatching machine can work well during hatching. Likewise, DOC cage temperature can be kept constant according to DOC cage temperature standards. Keywords: Hybrid Electrical System, Chicken Cage, PLTS, Battery, Egg Incubator

Performance and well-being of laying hens subjected to various beak trimming methods and rearing systems

The aim to evaluate whether different beak trimming methods affected the performance and well-being of laying hens raised in cage and floor systems. During the starter phase, we used a completely randomized design, with three treatments (hot blade beak trimming, infrared beak trimming, and no beak trimming (control)), with four repetitions and in the grower and production phase, we used a factorial arrangement scheme involving two production systems (cage or floor) and three beak management methods (as above). We reared the birds in starter, grower and production phases over a course of 30 weeks. We evaluated productivity, egg quality, behavioral parameters and biochemical variables. In the starter phase, control birds showed higher blood glucose levels (p=0.043). In the grower phase, birds subjected to hot blade beak trimming and control birds showed lower feed intake and better feed conversion. Triglyceride levels were higher in the cage rearing system (p<0.05). In the production phase, the cage rearing system showed higher productivity (p<0.05), mean egg weight (p<0.01), cholesterol levels (p<0.05) and oxygen reactive species levels (p<0.05). In the production phase, the floor system gave rise to a higher frequency of comfort movement behaviors (p<0.01). Hens in cage had improved their performance and had greater egg production efficiency. The choice of the beak method depends on the breeding system.