Productivity of laying hens and morphological parameters of eggs under the influence of astaxanthin and lycopene

The introduction of feed for poultry carotenoids that are not transformed in the body, including lycopene and astaxanthin, causes an attractive commercial appearance of chicken egg yolks. The production of high-quality and safe table eggs involves limiting the use of synthetic yolk dyes and switching to natural dyes, including tomato and seaweed products. The aim of this study was to determine the egg productivity of poultry, morphological composition of eggs, as well as feed and water intake with the addition of oil extracts of lycopene (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg or feed) or astaxanthin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of feed) to the diet. laying hens. The experiment was performed on 45 chickens of the High Line W36 cross at the age of 24 weeks. Each additive was fed to laying hens for 30 days in increasing concentrations. The use of lycopene or astaxanthin in different doses to laying hens did not have a negative impact on the clinical condition of the bird and behavior, did not cause death of birds of the experimental groups throughout the experiment. The condition of feathers and visible mucous membranes in chickens during the use of experimental diets was characteristic of clinically healthy birds. It was found that the addition of lycopene at doses of 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg and astaxanthin at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of compound feed for 30 days did not significantly affect feed consumption and egg productivity. Increasing the content of astaxanthin to 20 and 30 mg/kg of compound feed, as well as lycopene to 60 mg/kg of compound feed resulted in a slight decrease in water consumption by laying hens. Feeding laying hens supplements of astaxanthin oil extract at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg or lycopene at doses of 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg of compound feed for 90 days did not significantly affect the weight of eggs, as well as the weight of protein, yolk and shell. Additions of lycopene and astaxanthin oil extracts to the diet of laying hens may be promising for use in correcting the color of egg yolks.

ELISA test metapneumoviral infection of bird: methodology of development and use in veterinary practice

In the absence of diagnostic kits for the detection of antibodies to metapneumovirus infection (MPVI) epizootological monitoring in Ukrainian farms is practically not carried out, imported test systems have a "sky-high" price, so there is a need for domestic methods of diagnosing this disease. The most accurate, easy-to-use method is ELISA-based test systems (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A diagnostic ELISA test system for the detection of antibodies to MPVI has been developed and it has been established that this diagnosticum should be used in the practice of veterinary medicine for serological control of metaviral virus infection. The optimal ratios of components for the manufacture of ELISA test system have been worked out. The form of calculation of antibody titers in blood sera of chickens when testing them in one dilution is calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test system were determined (comparative analysis of serum testing results in ELISA, RNGA and RN). Scientific documentation has been developed – instructions for the manufacture and control of ELISA test systems for the detection of antibodies to metapneumovirus infection in the serum of chickens and instructions for its use. Indication and identification of the obtained virus isolate was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequencing. Based on the studies carried out in the suspension of the internal organs of turkeys (trachea, lungs), a virus belonging to subtype B of the genus Metapneumovirus, subfamily Pneumovirinae, family Paramyxoviridae of the order Mononegavirales was revealed. By comparing the nucleotide sequence of the G gene fragment of the PVT-09/B strain with the sequences of strains and isolates of the avian metapneumovirus subtype B published in the GenBank database, it was found that the metapneumovirus isolated from sick turkeys is phylogenetically close to the Brazilian strains 27A-07 2007 and MPV/B/Brazil-07/USP-08 G

Productivity of quails at different levels of glycine in feed

It is established that the growth of young quails depends on the optimal glycine content in the feed. The article presents data on the use of compound feed with different levels of glycine in the feeding of young quails of meat productivity. The research was conducted in the vivarium of the Department of Animal Feeding and Feed Technology. PD Wheat on quail breed Pharaoh. 300 day-old quails were selected for the experiment and three groups were formed. The level of glycine in feed for experimental animals was regulated by the introduction into its composition of a synthetic preparation of this amino acid by weight dosing and stepwise mixing. It was found that the live weight of quails depended on the glycine content in their diet. Thus, from the age of 14 days, the quails of the second and third groups had a live weight higher by 1.2% and 1%, respectively, compared to the control. At 21 days of age, the live weight of quails of the second group, which was fed feed containing 1.50% glycine, was 0.9% higher than in the control group, and the third group, with the level of glycine 1.60% – 1% lower. When feeding quail feed with a content of 1.50% glycine, their live weight at 28 days of age was 1.5% (P<0.01) greater than the control, and the live weight of birds of the third group was 1.5% (P <0.01) less. At the age of 35 days, the quails of the second group had the largest live weight, which is 0.9% more than the birds of the control group. During the first week of life, quails of the second group had an average daily gain less than analogues from the control group by 1.9%; and a week later, this figure increased by 2.6% compared to control. The highest average daily gain for the entire period of the experiment was in poultry of the second group – 8.72 g, which is 0.9% higher than in the control. Thus, it was found that feeding quails compound feed with a glycine content of 1.50% contributes to an increase in their live weight by 0.94%, average daily gains – by 0.9%, and reducing feed costs per 1 kg of growth by 1.4%.

Biosafety analysis in incubators of industrial poultry enterprises

The movement to ensure Ukraine's integration into the EU is a modern direction of the current state reform. A positive reflection of this process is the official adoption of a number of legislative documents in accordance with international requirements, the standards of which regulate the production of safe and quality products, including poultry. Thus, the implementation of the necessary HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) requirements for product safety and quality at the level of European standards was able to introduce in the country only a small number of large enterprises in the poultry industry. Most medium and small poultry farms in Ukraine have not implemented the requirements of the HACCP standard and international ISO quality standards, which limited their ability to control product safety in accordance with international requirements and became an obstacle to selling their products in foreign markets. A positive and necessary point of implementation of the European biosafety requirements of the HACCP principles is the expanded possibility in carrying out effective and detailed control of safety and quality indicators of food products in the poultry industry. This control should be established by clearly defined components that are interconnected in interconnected technological processes. Such components in poultry hatcheries are: a detailed analysis of critical control points of hazards of each stage of the production process; use of components and raw materials in general; application of timely monitoring, preventive anti-epizootic and corrective measures to prevent danger at all production sites of poultry hatcheries. Thanks to the constant control of all critical control points of dangers in poultry hatcheries, it is possible to achieve the production of safe and high-quality products obtained from healthy poultry in the poultry industry.

Metapneumovirus infection of poultry: development of sovereign method of diagnosis and epizootological monitoring in poultry farms of Ukraine

The main biological (cultural) properties of field isolates of metapneumovirus (MPV) were studied, normal and hyperimmune sera to metapneumovirus for IHR-diagnosticum (erythrocyte diagnosticum based on indirect hemagglutination reaction) were obtained, and a set of M-component components was developed. A diagnostic system of IHR (indirect hemagglutination reaction) was developed, with the help of which epizootological monitoring was carried out in poultry farms and the spread of a new infectious disease of poultry (metapneumovirus infection) among turkeys and chickens in poultry farms of Ukraine was studied. The purpose of the research is to develop a domestic diagnostic test system (erythrocyte diagnosticum for IHR) for metapneumovirus infection (MPVI) or infectious avian rhinotracheitis (IRT). As a result of the conducted researches metapneumovirus infection or infectious rhinotracheitis was established in poultry farms of 4 regions of Ukraine. The pathogen was isolated, its molecular-biological properties were studied by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and it was established that it belongs to the genus Metapneumovirus (MPV), subtype B. The results of the epidemiological monitoring indicate that the developed erythrocyte MPV (IRT) antigen based on IHR is sensitive and specific and can be used to control the spread of metapneumovirus infection and the intensity of immunity in birds vaccinated against this disease. The production inspection in poultry farms in the western regions of Ukraine established the possibility of using IHR-diagnosticum for control of MPVI. As a result of the performed work the new domestic method of diagnostics, forecasting and protection of poultry against a metapneumovirus infection is offered. Prospects for further research are to use this erythrocyte diagnosticum based on the indirect hemagglutination reaction to monitor metapneumovirus infection of birds in poultry farms in Ukraine and determine the epizootic situation for this disease.

Requirements for the arrangement of poultry houses for keeping guinea fowl

This article discloses the requirements for the installation of poultry houses and indoor equipment for keeping guinea fowl. In the construction of poultry houses it is necessary to take into account the behavioral and physiological characteristics of guinea fowl on which their growth and development, productivity, feed consumption and disease resistance. For construction of a poultry house choose the elevated site or with a small slope that thaws and rain waters did not collect and did not stagnate. The size of the poultry house depends on the number of livestock in it, so it is recommended to place up to 5 heads per 1 m2 of floor area. The roof of the poultry house is made sloping. Litter is used in the premises for keeping guinea fowl: peat, straw, sawdust, litter thickness –10-15 cm. During the whole winter period the litter is not removed, only fresh is added regularly. If the litter is heavily soiled, the contaminated part is removed and a clean one is added. For winter keeping of guinea fowl the room is well warmed, without allowing in it humidity and formation of a mold. When keeping guinea fowl in the summer, it is recommended to equip them with a walking yard, fenced with wire mesh, around which bushes and trees are planted or canopies are made to protect the bird from direct sunlight. In winter, an artificial heat source is installed in the poultry house, for example, electric brooders, electric lamps with a metal shade-reflector located at a height of 15-20 cm from the floor. Seats for guinea fowl are made of chipped bars with rounded upper edges, which are installed on the opposite side of the windows in a horizontal form. Nests are set in the henhouse long before the laying hens begin to lay eggs, so that the guinea fowl have time to get used to them and lay eggs in the nests. Feeders are made like troughs, which prevents contamination and scattering of food. A turntable is mounted on the brackets on top of the feeder, it rotates around its axis and also prevents the feed from scattering. At the height of the feeder is made so that the edges of the sides were at the level of the back of the bird. It is better to use vacuum or nipple drinkers to water the guinea fowl, which provide them with fresh running water.

Clinical condition and productivity of gonadoectomized roosters of Adler silver breed

The effect of gonadoectomy (removal of the testicles) in Adler's silver roosters on the clinical condition, live weight, slaughter rates and chemical composition of the pectoral muscle was studied. The experiment was performed on 40 roosters of 6-weeks, which according to the principle of analogues were divided into two groups: control and experimental 20 heads each. It was found that in the preparatory period, which lasted 10 days indicators of the clinical condition – body temperature, pulse and respiration, as well as live weight of the roosters of the experimental group did not differ from the control. Gonadoectomy of roosters of the experimental group, conducted at the age of 45 days by a specially developed method, increased the body temperature of the poultry on the second day after surgical intervention by 1.03°C, and on the third – by 1.15°, while other indicators of clinical condition – pulse, number respiratory movements and live weight did not change compared to control. The duration of the postoperative period in the roosters of the experimental group was 3-4 days and ended with the healing of the wound on the skin. Subsequently, body temperature, pulse and the number of respiratory movements in gonadoectomized roosters corresponded to similar indicators of poultry in the control group. The live weight of gonadoectomized roosters in the rearing process, which was monitored decadelly from the 65th to the 95th day compared to the control did not change, on 105th and 115th day had a tendency to increase, and 125th day increased by 4.8 %. Slaughter rates of gonadoectomized roosters corresponded to similar indicators of poultry of the control group. The weight of the gutted carcass was higher by 5.2% and that of the muscular stomach by 7.8%. Differences in the chemical composition of the pectoral muscle of gonadoectomized roosters compared with control, namely: on the content of dry matter, moisture, fat, protein and ash were not found. Thus, gonadoectomy of roosters of the Adler's silver meat-egg breed does not affect their clinical condition, the chemical composition of the pectoral muscles, but increases the live weight of the bird on the 125th day of rearing

The working conditions and analysis of occupational hazards in workers of poultry industry

It is noted that there are many serious risks to the safety and health of workers at poultry farms in Ukraine. These hazards include exposure to high levels of noise, dust, hazardous equipment, slippery floors, musculoskeletal disorders, hazardous chemicals and biological hazards. Studies show that prolonged exposure to high noise levels leads to noise hearing loss in workers of all ages. When performing work on catching, transplanting, transporting poultry, taking blood for chemical and serological tests, the noise level in the poultry house reaches 8690 dB. It is noted that during the repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment there is a risk of injury due to heat, electric shock, burns, cuts, tears, amputation or fractures of body parts. Poultry workers are the most vulnerable occupational group in terms of the risk of developing respiratory diseases. It has been established that 8-hour inhalation of dust in a concentration exceeding 4 mg/m3 is especially dangerous. The highest level of respiratory diseases was in 45-55-year-old workers. It is noted that poultry workers are exposed to ergonomic risks, which can cause injuries to the musculoskeletal system. The researchers found that 81% of poultry processing jobs have an increased level of repetitive hand movements and exertion. Workers complained of pain, numbness, burning, tingling in the hands or wrists. It is noted that new technologies will be able to reduce some types of ergonomic injuries. A significant danger for poultry workers is the risk of catching avian influenza. It is noted that workers have the right to healthy and safe working conditions, the development of special programs to protect them from industrial hazards. To protect workers, it is necessary to implement engineering and control measures and provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

Genotypical structure of egg hens by DNA microsatellites

The character of genotypic polymorphism of five industrial egg crosses of hens for five microsatellite DNA loci was analyzed. For the studied loci, 157 different genotypic variants were identified. Industrial crosses of domestic chicken Gallus domesticus significantly differed in the distribution of genotypes for all studied microsatellite loci (P <0.001). The largest number of genotypes was found in brown crosses. For loci ADL268 and LEI094, individuals of the Hisex Brown cross were the most polymorphic, while for others, Lohmann Brown. The most common among the studied birds is the genotype MCW0248213/213 (found in 129 individuals). The same genotype is most often found in the Lohmann White cross (77 individuals). In the bird of the Lohmann Brown and Hi-Line W-98 crosses, the MCW0248213/217 allele is most represented (23 and 10 individuals, respectively), in the Hisex White - MCW0248215/219 (42 individuals). Hisex Brown has the most represented genotypes MCW0248215/221 and MCW0248221/221 (in 13 individuals each). Rare genotypes were found in all of the studied crosses, with the exception of genotypes, which occurred only once (Ng1) in the Hisex white cross. Out of 136 such genotypes, 73 occurred only once, and 63 met 2 times. The largest number of rare genotypes was recorded in brown crosses at the LEI094 and MCW0248 loci. In general, 92 unique genotypes were identified in the studied crosses. Of these, 5 were registered at the ADL268 locus only in the Hisex Brown cross. At the locus MCW0216, 14 unique genotypes were identified: among hens of the Hisex brown cross – 7, Lohmann brown – 5, Lohmann white and Hy-Line W-98 – one such genotype, among individuals of the Hisex cross white - not detected. Unique genotypes for the LEI094 locus were identified 31 times. Among the individuals of the Lohmann brown and Hisex brown crosses, 12 such genotypes were recorded, and among the hens of the Lohmann white cross – 4. The Lohmann White cross showed a high level of consolidation for certain genotypes for each of the studied microsatellite loci. Thus, the ADL0278108/114 genotype was found in 40% of cases, ADL0268108/110 – 50%, LEI094259/259 – 58%, MCW248213/213 – 77% and MCW216137/137 – 84%. Moreover, the last 3 are homozygous.

Biological features of guests and requirements for their containment

This article reveals the biological features of guinea fowl and methods of keeping them. Guinea fowl are raised and bred to produce dietary meat, high-quality eggs, and to control pests of crops: snails, insects, including the Colorado potato beetle. The main direction of growing guinea fowl is meat, in terms of meat yield guinea fowl are not inferior to chickens. The taste of guinea fowl resembles game, but it is more tender, juicy and not fibrous. Guinea fowl have a horizontally placed oval body, short neck, large head with a strong growth in the crest, short, lowered tail. Guinea fowl are unpretentious, easily acclimatized to any natural and climatic conditions. The disadvantages of this species of bird include a poorly developed hatching instinct and aggression during capture. With age, the aggression of guinea fowl increases. This bird is also known to make unpleasant shrill sounds, which is why they are sometimes refused to breed. When keeping guinea fowl, it should be borne in mind that domestic guinea fowl inherited from the wild the ability to fly well. They are mobile, timid, reluctant to go to the nest and often lay eggs in hidden, cozy places. After isolating males from the herd, females are able to lay fertilized eggs for more than 10 days. This species of birds is quite well acclimatized and shows a fairly high egg productivity in different methods of cultivation. There are several ways to keep guinea fowl. The most common walking method, which involves keeping guinea fowl during the day on pasture, and at night — indoors. Keeping on the floor (on deep litter) is used when it is not possible to give the bird exercise. The cage method allows to increase the efficiency of production area, reduce feed costs by 15%, to mechanize the care and maintenance of poultry houses.