| 1. |
- Alm, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Corticosterone metabolites in laying hen droppings-Effects of fiber enrichment, genotype, and daily variations
- 2014
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 93, s. 2615-2621
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is growing interest and concern for animal welfare in commercial poultry production. To evaluate stress and welfare in an objective and noninvasive way, fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in droppings can be analyzed. However, the influence of diet, genotype, and daily variations in FCM and production of droppings in laying hens has been poorly investigated. This study examined the effect of insoluble fiber by adding 3% ground straw pellets to the feed to Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and Lohmann Brown (LB) hens housed in furnished cages between 20 and 40 wk of age. In total, 960 hens were included in the study. Droppings were collected 4 times per day for 3 consecutive days and analyzed by corticosterone immunoassay. Biological validation confirmed the ability of the assay to detect changes in FCM levels. Inclusion of straw pellets in the feed increased FCM concentration in both hen genotypes and increased excretion rate of FCM in LB hens. The LB hens also produced greater amounts of droppings than LSL hens. Both FCM levels and production of droppings varied during the day, although no distinct diurnal rhythm was found. These findings demonstrate that when using FCM to evaluate stress and welfare in laying hens, many factors (e.g., diet, genotype used, and so on) need to be taken into account to allow accurate interpretation of the results. In addition, under certain conditions, excretion rate of FCM might be more appropriate to use compared with FCM concentration.
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| 2. |
- Alm, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Mussel shells as an environment enrichment and calcium source for floor-housed laying hens
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Poultry Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1056-6171 .- 1537-0437. ; 26, s. 159-167
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Feather pecking is still a behavioral problem in laying hen flocks, resulting in impaired welfare and economic losses. Environment enrichment, e.g., providing access to litter, to increase foraging behavior in laying hens has been shown to decrease feather pecking. This study investigated the effect of spreading crushed mussel shells (particle size 10 to 20 mm) in the litter area as an environment enrichment and source of calcium for layers receiving a commercial feed and for layers given a feed with 40% less calcium. These treatments were compared with a control involving hens given the commercial feed, but no mussel shells in the litter. The study included 900 Dekalb White layers housed in a single-tier floor system during a production cycle (20 to 72 wk of age). The mussel shells were consumed to a lower extent than predicted, resulting in calcium deficiency in hens fed the low-calcium diet. This in turn was evident as increased degree of keel bone deviations and lower eggshell breaking strength. Daily addition of crushed mussel shells to the litter for laying hens on a balanced or calcium-deficient diets did not generate any positive effects on bird feather cover, eggshell quality, production performance, or fearfulness. Hence, with the particle size of mussel shells used in this study, there was no indication of improved welfare due to environment enrichment.
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| 3. |
- Alm, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Short term deprivation of the litter area after transfer to the layer facility - effects on welfare and production in pullets
- 2013
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Ingår i: World's Poultry Science Journal. - 0043-9339. ; , s. 38-38
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In order to enable hens to find feed and water and to reduce the number of floor-laid eggs in floor systems, producers sometimes exclude pullets from the litter area for some time when they are moved into the production system. This could have negative consequences since litter is an important resource for layers and the procedure is not allowed in Sweden. The aim of the present study was to investigate how bird welfare and production are affected by deprivation of access to litter and space at introduction of pullets to the laying facility. The study comprised 600 floor reared Bovans Robust layers obtained at 16 weeks of age (wks) and housed in 6 groups of 100 in a single-tier floor laying system. Three groups had full access to the litter area during the whole study (OPEN) and three groups were excluded from the litter during the first two weeks (CLOSED) and then received full access throughout the rest of the study. The experiment will run a full production cycle (75 wks) and figures presented below show the results obtained until 51 wks as it is still in progress. Feather cover (6-24 points), pecking wounds, cleanliness, foot condition and keel bone deviations (all 1-4 points) were assessed by integument scoring at 40 wks. Fearfulness was assessed by testing novel object (NO) and tonic immobility (TI). Based on group means, the data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the MIXED procedure of the statistical system (SAS 9.2). The feather cover score was higher in treatment CLOSED (17.9 points) compared to OPEN (12.3 points) (P=0.019). No difference was found between treatments in any of the other integument score parameters. Fearfulness was higher in groups in the OPEN treatment as compared to CLOSED, indicated by less approaches in the NO test (21.5 vs 48.0) (P<0.001) and longer duration of TI (11.3 min vs 6.4 min) (P=0.018). Rate of lay, number of mislaid eggs, proportion of cracked or dirty eggs and mortality were recorded regularly but no significant differences between treatments were shown. Thus, excluding hens from the litter area during the first two weeks in this type of production system did not decrease the number of floor laid eggs, but had a positive impact on feather cover and resulted in less fearful birds. Additional welfare parameters will be analyzed later on which may explain these results further.
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| 4. |
- Alm, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Welfare and performance in layers following temporary exclusion from the litter area on introduction to the layer facility
- 2015
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 94, s. 565-573
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- When introduced to the laying facility, pullets are sometimes temporarily excluded from the litter area in order to help them locate food and water, and to prevent floor-laid eggs. This procedure is not permitted in Sweden, because it involves denying access to both litter and space, which may have a negative effect on bird welfare. The present study investigated how the welfare and performance of layers were affected by this temporary exclusion on introduction of hens to the laying facility. The study included 600 floor-reared Dekalb White layers obtained at 16wk age and housed in 6 groups of 100 in a conventional single-tier floor-laying system. Birds were either given full access to the litter area during the whole study or were excluded from the litter area during the first 2 wk after transfer to the laying facility. From 18 to 72 wk age, birds in both treatments had full access to the litter area. Excluding birds from the litter area for 2wk resulted in better feather cover and reduced fearfulness, according to novel object and tonic immobility tests. Furthermore, birds initially excluded from the litter area produced eggs with a lower proportion of shell irregularities than birds with full access to the litter area throughout. No difference was found in corticosterone metabolites in droppings rate of lay, mortality, or proportion of floor-laid eggs. In conclusion, none of the parameters studied indicated that the welfare of laying hens was compromised by temporary exclusion from the litter area on introduction to the laying facility. In fact, some of the data suggested that bird welfare had improved.
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| 5. |
- Alm, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Welfare indicators in laying hens in relation to nest exclusion
- 2016
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 95, s. 1238-1247
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Consumer concerns about the welfare of laying hens are increasing, leading to increased interest in identifying reliable ways to assess welfare. The present study evaluated invasive and non-invasive welfare indicators in relation to a stressful challenge. The study included 126 Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens housed in furnished cages. Welfare indicators were measured between 61 and 70 wk of age in birds excluded from their nests for 5 consecutive d and control birds that had continuous access to nests. Baseline recordings were carried out in both groups prior to and post exclusion period. The assessed indicators were: corticosterone metabolites in droppings (FCM), corticosterone concentration in yolk, corticosterone concentration in plasma, irregularities of eggshells, heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, tonic immobility duration, and feather cover. Behavioral observations showed that the birds had a clear preference for using the secluded nest sites, confirming that they were likely to perceive nest exclusion as an undesirable experience. Further, elevated levels of FCM in droppings, yolk corticosterone concentrations, H:L ratios and irregular eggshells were detected in both nest deprived and control birds during the exclusion. This suggests that these indicators were able to detect an increased stress response arising from nest deprivation, and it is hypothesized that the stress spread to birds in adjacent cages with access to nests. There was a positive and consistent correlation between FCM in droppings and eggshell irregularities, also supporting the use of eggshell irregularities as a potential non-invasive welfare indicator. However, the pattern of the stress response varied between indicators and correlations were generally few and inconsistent, highlighting the complexity of the relationship among welfare indicators.
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| 6. |
- Elwinger, Klas, et al.
(författare)
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Low methionine diets is a potential health risk in organic egg production
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Low-methionine diets is a potential health risk in organic egg production ELWINGER K. and TAUSON R. Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, SLU, SE 75323 Uppsala, Sweden Three trials were conducted to assess the possibility to supply laying hens with 100 % organically approved diets. Twelve pens were used, each comprising 100 hens in an aviary system and each with access to an out-door area. Each trial included a whole laying period, and diets differing in methionine content (range 2.2 to 3.8 g/kg) were fed to two genotypes in each trial: I LSL, SH (experimental); II Hyline, SH; III LSL, Lohmann Silver(LS). I and II are reported by Elwinger et al. (2008). Data from these trials and a third, not published, trial were recalculated using the GLM procedure in the SAS (2004). Models describing relationships between bird performance traits and the diets methionine (g/kg) content were fitted. Feed intake was also related to the birds feather cover (%). The best fits (all parameters p<0.01) are shown in the table and will be presented in figures in the poster. Trait Model Mean CV, % 1 Feather cover, % m m2 m*G(T) m2*G(T) 66 9.4 2 Feed intake, g/day m m*G(T) 117 4.6 3 Feed intake, g/day f*G(T) G(T) 117 3.5 4 Egg weight, g m m2 G(T) 61 1.4 m=met (g/kg), f=feather cover, G=genotype, T=trial 1. Feather cover ranged from 20-80 % between trials (p<0.001) and there was a significant curve linear effect of methionine (p<0.01), the less methionine the worse feathering, which differed between genotypes within trials (p<0.002). Feather cover peaked at about 3.6 g methionine per kg. 2. Feed intake decreased linearly (p<0.001) and differently (p<0.001) within genotypes in trials. 3. It appeared that differences noticed in 2 were related to feather cover. Thus feed intake increased linearly (p<0.001) as feather cover deteriorated. There was a difference of about 30 g feed per hen and day between a naked and a well feathered hen. 4. Egg weight differed between genotypes within trials (p<0.001) but increased (p<0.001) curve linearly and similarly with a maximum at about 3.5 g methionine per kg. 5. Number of eggs per hen per day (eph) differed between trials (p<0.001) but there was no significant effect related to methionine level. Conclusions. Methionine shortage, which is a potential risk in organic egg production impairs plumage condition and decreases egg weight whereas eph appears unaffected
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| 7. |
- Ivarsson, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Slutrapport: ökat utnyttjande av raps och åkerböna i slaktkycklingfoder
- 2014
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Sojaanvändningen inom animalieproduktionen är kraftigt ifrågasatt, och att ersätta sojan med inhemska proteinfodermedel är en av de viktigaste förändringar för att minska miljöpåverkan och stärka svensk kycklings varumärke. Raps och åkerbönor är två av de proteingrödor som är odlingsbara i Sverige och det finns stora möjlighetet att öka användningen av dessa i kycklingfoder. Ett litet gissel med i stort sett alla inhemska proteingrödor är att de innehåller en del ämnen s.k. antinutritionella substanser (ANS) som kan störa näringsupptaget hos fjäderfän. I raps är det framförallt glukosinolater och dess nedbrytningsprodukter som utgör ett problem. Nedbrytning av glukosinolater aktiveras av enzymet myrosinas. Begränsningen hos åkerböna är för växande djur framförallt tanniner och trypsininhibitorer, där vitblommiga åkerbönorna är i princip fria från tanniner. Såväl myrosinas som trypsininhibitorer är värmeinstabila och det finns därmed möjligheter att genom förbehandling med värme, förstöra dessa oönskade substanser i råvaran innan den blandas in i fodret. Dock saknas information om optimal tid och temperatur på värmebehandlingen och hur denna påverkar möjlig inblandningsnivå i slaktkycklingfoder. Risken med en för kraftig värmebehandling är att proteinkvaliteten blir negativt påverkad. För att undersöka detta genomfördes fyra delförsök, ett labförsök och ett slaktkycklingförsök med rapsfrö och ett labförsök och ett slaktkycklingförsök med vitblommig åkerböna. Labförsöken utfördes på Kungsängens forskningscentrum, SLU och raps respektive åkerböna torr-rostades i ugn i olika tider och temperaturer. För raps var enzymet myrosinas helt inaktiverat vid rostning 120 °C, 15 min samtidigt som proteinets kvalité var bibehållen. För åkerböna sågs en sänkning av trypsininhibitoraktivitet och bibehållen proteinkvalitet vid rostning 140 °C, 5,5 min, och dessa temperaturer bedöms som optimala vid torr- rostning. Slaktkycklingförsöken utfödes på Lövsta forskningscentrum, och i rapsförsöket testades 4 inblandningsnivåer, 0, 8, 16, 24 % raps, samt effekt av värmebehandling i form av ångpelletering. För de pelleterade fodren var 16 % inblandning möjlig utan att påverka foderintag, tillväxt eller foderomvandlingsförmåga (FCR) negativt. För de icke-pelleterade - müslifodern var FCR bibehållen vid 8 % inblandning, men vikt och foderintag var sämre än kontrollfodret och sänktes sedan linjärt med ökad inblandningsnivå. I slaktkycklingförsöket med åkerböna testades också 4 inblandningsnivåer, 0, 10, 20 och 30 %, dessa foder ångpelleterades. För nivån 20 % åkerböna testades även effekten av värmebehandling och foderstruktur genom att två müslifoder tillverkades, i det ena var åkerbönorna förrostade i 140 °C, 5,5 min i det andra var de obehandlade. Resultaten visade att foderintag, vikt och FCR var bibehållen vid 20 % inblandning, vid 30 % inblandning var FCR bibehållen, men foderintag och vikt var sänkta. I båda müslifodern sågs ett väldigt lågt foderintag och därmed låga vikter, men bibehållen FCR. Som slutsats konsterades att värmebehandling i form av pelletering möjliggör inblandning av 16 % rapsfrö och 20 % vitblommig åkerböna i slaktkycklingfoder.
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| 8. |
- Jönsson, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Production and egg quality in layers fed organic diets with mussel meal
- 2011
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Ingår i: Animal. - 1751-7311 .- 1751-732X. ; 5, s. 387-393
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The first limiting nutrients in typical laying hen diets are the sulphur-containing amino acids and, in particular, methionine. To fulfil the birds' recommended requirement, conventional diets are supplemented with synthetic methionine. As this is not allowed in organic production it becomes very important to have access to alternative high-quality protein feed ingredients. An experiment was performed to evaluate the possibility to compose a diet with 100% organically approved feed ingredients using mussel meal as a major source of methionine. The experiment included 678 Lohman Selected Leghorn (LSL) and 678 Hyline White, W-98, layers during 20 to 72 weeks of age. There were 12 aviary pens with 113 birds in each. The birds were fed one of the two experimental diets containing either 3.5% or 7% dried mussel meat meal or a commercial organic diet from a Swedish feed manufacturer for comparison. Production and mortality were recorded daily per group, and egg weight was recorded once weekly. At 33, 55 and 70 weeks, 10 eggs from each treatment group were collected and analysed for internal egg quality. Diets had no significant effect on laying percentage, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality, bird live weight or proportion misplaced, cracked or dirty eggs. Egg quality, that is, shell deformation, shell breaking strength, albumen height, shell percentage and proportion of blood and meat spots were also unaffected. There was a significant difference in egg yolk pigmentation, that is, the egg yolk was more coloured when feeding 7% mussel meal compared with the other diets. Hyline hens had lower feed intake and laying percentage, and higher egg weight, but lower egg mass production than LSL birds. The age of the birds influenced all egg quality traits except for meat and blood spots. The dry matter of the excreta was significantly lower for both genotypes fed the 7% mussel meal diet. These results indicate that mussels may be a high-quality protein source and may replace fishmeal in organic diets for layers.
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| 9. |
- Kalmendal, Robin, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of high-fibre sunflower cake on productivity and gut health in broiler chickens
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cold-pressed sunflower cake (SFC) is an alternative feedstuff distinguished by high methionine content; making it interesting in e.g. organic feed formulations. However, there are large variations in crude fibre contents due to differences in cultivars and processing techniques used. Recently the effects of fibrous feeds on poultry gut health and productivity have gained much attention. 120 mixed sex broilers were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with 5 replicates per treatment and 8 birds per replicate. The broilers were fed pelletted maize-based diets with 0%, 20% and 30% of undecorticated high fibre SFC (resulting in crude fibre contents of 2.9, 9.8 and 13.3%, respectively) between 15 and 31 days of age. Feeds were iso-nitrogenous and formulated with fixed AME:methionine and AME:lysine ratios. All recordings were pooled within replicates and standard production parameters, volatile fatty acids and log-transformed bacterial counts in the ileal lumen were subjected to ANOVA. Effects of differences in male:female ratios between replicates were never significant (p>0.2) but the effect of live weight at day 15 was significant (p<0.2) and was used as a co-variate in the statistical analyses of final weight, Clostridia counts and acetic acid concentration of ileal lumen. Chickens were heavier when fed 20% (1985 ± 20 g) and 30% (1991 ± 23 g) compared to 0% SFC (1869 ± 20 g) at day 31 (p<0.01). 30% SFC treatment resulted in impaired feed conversion ratio (1.78 ± 0.05) compared to 0% (1.72 ± 0.02) and 20% (1.70 ± 0.04) SFC (p<0.05) but no significant difference was seen between the latter two treatments. Feed intake was different between all treatments (p<0.05) and increased with SFC inclusion. However, consumed amounts of AME, methionine and lysine did not differ between treatments. Dry matter weight of digesta in the distal end of the small intestine increased with SFC inclusion (p<0.01), explaining some of the differences in final weight. Clostridia counts were reduced in ileum with 20% and 30% SFC vs 0% SFC (p<0.05). No effects on coliform bacteria counts were seen. Counts of lactobacilli were reduced with 30% SFC compared to 0% and 20% SFC (p<0.05). Concentration of acetic acid in ileal lumen decreased with increasing SFC level (p<0.05) and propionic acid was reduced in 20% and 30% SFC treatments (p<0.05). Lactic acid concentrations were distinguished by very large variances but there was a tendency of lower lactic acid concentration in 30% vs 20% SFC (p=0.076). No effects on the concentrations of butyric or iso-butyric acid were noted. pH of ileal lumen remained unchanged, irrespective of treatment. No effects on litter quality or foot health were observed in any treatment. The results of this study suggest that 20% inclusion of high fibre SFC in broiler diets does not exert negative effects on production performance and that Clostridia counts in ileal lumen are suppressed
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| 10. |
- Kalmendal, Robin, et al.
(författare)
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High-fibre sunflower cake affects small intestinal digestion and health in broiler chickens
- 2011
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Ingår i: British Poultry Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0007-1668 .- 1466-1799. ; 52, s. 86-96
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate high-fibre sunflower cake (HF-SFC); a feed ingredient distinguished by large amounts of crude fibre and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (i-NSP). 2. Broiler chickens (n = 160) were fed on pelleted maize-based diets free from coccidiostats and antibiotic growth promoters between 15 and 31 d of age. Diets included 0, 10, 20 or 30% HF-SFC. Performance and small intestinal health were assessed. 3. In general, HF-SFC inclusion mediated significant linear increases in ileal digestibility of fat and protein and significant linear decreases in ileal digestibility of dry matter, ash and energy. 4. Weight gain increased linearly with HF-SFC inclusion. Feed conversion was negatively affected by 30% HF-SFC but not by 20% HF-SFC. 5. In the jejunal lumen, inclusion of HF-SFC was associated with significant decreases in colony counts of Clostridium spp. 6. HF-SFC inclusion resulted in significant linear reductions of villus height, thickness of muscularis mucosa, and the circular and longitudinal layers of muscularis in the jejunum. Crypt depth and submucosal thickness were not affected. 7. The data indicate that broiler chickens may thrive on feeds with insoluble fibre contents far exceeding those used in practice, and that HF-SFC exerts some positive effects on digestion and small intestinal health.
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| 11. |
- Lisney, Thomas J., et al.
(författare)
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Using electroretinograms to assess flicker fusion frequency in domestic hens Gallus gallus domesticus
- 2012
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Ingår i: Vision Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0042-6989 .- 1878-5646. ; 62, s. 125-133
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The assessment of flicker fusion frequency (FFF), the stimulus frequency at which a flickering light stimulus can no longer be resolved and appears continuous, and critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF; the highest frequency at any light intensity that an observer can resolve flicker) are useful methods for comparing temporal resolution capabilities between animals. Behavioural experiments have found that average CFFs in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are in the range of ca. 75-87 Hz, measured in response to full spectrum (i.e. white light plus UV) stimuli. In order to examine whether the chicken retina is able to detect flicker at higher frequencies, we used electroretinograms (ERGs) to assess FFF/CFF in adult hens from two commercial genotypes, Lohmann Selected Leghorns (LSLs) and Lohmann Browns (LBs). ERGs were recorded in response to flickering light at ten full spectrum light intensities ranging from 0.7 to 2740 cd m(-2). Two methods were used to determine FFF/CFF from the ERG recordings and these methods yielded very similar results, with average FFF ranging from ca. 20 Hz at 0.7 cd m(-2) to an average CFF of ca. 105 Hz at 2740 cd m(-2). In some individuals, CFFs of 118-119 Hz were recorded. The Intensity/FFF (I/FFF) curves are double-branched with a break point representing the rod-cone transition occurring between 2.5 and 5.9 cd m(-2). No significant differences in the I/FFF curves were found between the two genotypes. At stimulus light intensities >250 cd m(-2), the ERG-derived FFF and CFF values are all higher than those from behavioural studies using the same stimuli. Although hens do not appear to be able to consciously perceive flicker above approximately 90 Hz, the finding that the ERG responses are able to remain in phase with light flickering at frequencies >100 Hz means that the retinae of domestic poultry housed in artificial light conditions may be able to resolve flicker from fluorescent lamps. As range of detrimental effects have been reported in humans as a result of exposure to such "invisible flicker", the possibility exists that flicker from fluorescent lamps also acts as stressor in domesticated birds.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Rubene, Diana, et al.
(författare)
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The presence of UV wavelengths improves the temporal resolution of the avian visual system
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Experimental Biology. - : The Company of Biologists. - 0022-0949 .- 1477-9145. ; 213:19, s. 3357-3363
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ability to perceive rapid movement is an essential adaptation in birds, which are involved in rapid flight, pursuing prey and escaping predators. Nevertheless, the temporal resolution of the avian visual systems has been less well explored than spectral sensitivity. There are indications that birds are superior to humans in their ability to detect movement, as suggested by higher critical flicker frequencies (CFFs). It has also been implied, but not properly tested, that properties of CFF, as a function of light intensity, are affected by the spectral composition of light. This study measured CFF in the chicken, Gallus gallus L., using four different light stimuli - white, full-spectrum (white with addition of UV), yellow (590 nm) and UV (400 nm) - and four light intensity levels, adjusted to relative cone sensitivity. The results showed significantly higher CFF values for full-spectrum compared with white light, as well as a steeper rate of increase with intensity. The presence of UV wavelengths, previously demonstrated to affect mate choice and foraging, appears to be important also for detection of rapid movement. The yellow and UV light stimuli yielded rather similar CFFs, indicating no special role for the double cone in flicker detection.
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| 14. |
- Tauson, Ragnar, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of a xylanase and protease, individually or in combination, and an ionophore coccidiostat on performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens fed a wheat-soybean meal-based diet
- 2012
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 91, s. 1387-1393
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effects of 2 single exogenous and monocomponent feed enzymes, and their combination, and an ionophore coccidiostat on production performance, feed AME(n), nutrient utilization, and intestinal morphology were studied in broiler chickens. One-day-old unvaccinated and unsexed Ross 308 birds (n = 320) were kept in groups of 8 on wood shavings in pens raised from the floor and fed one of 5 experimental diets, replicated 8 times, for 36 d. Treatments were 1) a wheat-soybean meal-based feed with no added coccidiostats or exogenous enzymes (CON), 2) CON + ionophore coccidiostat (Narasin), 3) CON + xylanase (Ronozyme WX CT; XYL), 4) CON + serine protease (Ronozyme Pro Act CT; PRO), or 5) CON + xylanase + serine protease (XYL+PRO). Enzymes were added on top in the feed formulation. Diets contained 0.5% TiO2 to facilitate estimations of total tract apparent nutrient utilization. Treatments had no effect on BW gain or feed intake, but feed conversion, apparent digestibility of starch and fat, and feed AME(n) were improved with all enzyme treatments. The relative length of the ileum was reduced with XYL+PRO. For all parameters measured, the effects of XYL+PRO were similar to when XYL and PRO were fed individually. Narasin had no effect on production performance or nutrient utilization but reduced the relative lengths of jejunum and ileum. Relative lengths and weights of duodenum and cecum were unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, the improved feed conversion with both a xylanase and a protease was reflected in increased nutrient utilization, but their combination was not superior to when supplied separately. Narasin did not affect performance or nutrient utilization but reduced the relative lengths of the jejunum and ileum.
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| 15. |
- Tauson, Ragnar
(författare)
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Effects of housing conditions during the rearing and laying period on adrenal reactivity, immune response and heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratios in laying hens
- 2010
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Ingår i: Animal. - 1751-7311 .- 1751-732X. ; 4, s. 1709-1715
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early rearing conditions on physiological, haematological and immunological responses relevant to adaptation and long-term stress in white Leghorn hens with intact beaks housed in furnished cages (FC) or conventional cages (CC) during the laying period. Pullets were cage reared (CR) or litter floor reared (FR). From 16 to 76 weeks of age, hens were housed in FC (eight hens per cage) or in CC (three hens per cage). As measures of long-term stress at the end of the laying period, adrenal reactivity was quantified by assessing corticosterone responses to adrenocorticotropin challenge, and immune response was assessed by measuring antibody responses after immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio was employed as an indicator of stress. Rearing conditions significantly affected anti-SRBC titres (P < 0.0001) and tended to affect H/L ratios (P = 0.07), with the highest values found in FR hens. Layer housing affected H/L ratio (P < 0.01); the highest ratio was found in FR birds housed in FC during the laying period. This study shows that early rearing environment affects immunological indicators that are widely used to assess stress in laying hens. However, while results on H/L ratio indicated that FR birds experienced more stress particularly when they were housed in FC during the laying period, the immune responses to SRBC in FR hens was improved, indicating the opposite. This contradiction suggests that the effects on immune response may have been associated with pathogenic load due to environmental complexity in FR and FC hens rather than stress due to rearing system or housing system per se.
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| 16. |
- Tauson, Ragnar
(författare)
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Furnished cages for laying hens
- 2012
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Ingår i: Alternative systems for poultry. - 9781845938246 ; :30, s. 190-209
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
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| 17. |
- Tauson, Ragnar
(författare)
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Poultry welfare and management: WPSA Working Group Nine
- 2012
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Ingår i: World's Poultry Science Journal. - 0043-9339. ; 68, s. 768-775
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The introduction of the UK Protection of Animals Act 1911 demonstrates that animal welfare has been of concern for at least a century. The matter came to the fore about 50 years ago, when the welfare of hens in battery cages became an issue. Since then poultry welfare research and the development of superior management and housing systems for poultry have been stimulated by the lobbying of animal welfare organisations along with subsequent policy decisions and legislation. WPSA WG9 was formed in 1972 to encourage scientific studies to inform the poultry welfare debate; its members have positively influenced research and development of welfare-friendly housing systems and husbandry throughout Europe. They have also been active in EU projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of poultry e.g. LayWel, EFSA Opinions and Welfare Quality (R). Information derived from such projects has influenced EU Directives and national legislation on the protection and welfare of laying hens and broilers, in particular.
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| 18. |
- Tauson, Ragnar
(författare)
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Reducing stress during welfare inspection: validation of a non-intrusive version of the LayWel plumage scoring system for laying hens
- 2011
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Ingår i: British Poultry Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0007-1668 .- 1466-1799. ; 52, s. 149-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. The objectives of the present study were to validate a reduced, non-intrusive version (RLS) of the LayWel plumage scoring system in domestic laying hens with reference to complete, intrusive scoring (CLS) and to investigate the effect of these two scoring methods on corticosterone metabolite concentrations. 2. A total of 312 medium-heavy laying hens from 4 commercial hybrids kept in 24 floor pens were scored by two experienced teams. Another 150 hens from two hybrids kept in 6 pens were used for estimating scoring treatment effects on corticosterone metabolites in droppings. 3. Plumage scores were in general higher using the RLS method compared to the CLS method. The agreement between teams for plumage scores (CLS) were on a high (total score) to an excellent (single body part except breast and cloaca) level. 4. Birds subjected to CLS tended to have higher concentrations of corticosterone metabolites in droppings 2 h after scoring compared with birds in the control treatment (not scored). Birds subjected to RLS had intermediate concentrations. 5. It was concluded that a reduced version of the LayWel scoring system is a valid and reliable scoring method which tends to induce less stress to the subjects than the original procedure.
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| 19. |
- Tauson, Ragnar
(författare)
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The effects of a perch, dust bath, and nest box, either alone or in combination as used in furnished cages, on the welfare of laying hens
- 2009
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Ingår i: Poultry Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-5791 .- 1525-3171. ; 88, s. 456-470
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This experiment examined the welfare-related effects of individual furniture items alone or in combination in a factorial experiment using Hy-Line Brown hens housed in 8-bird furnished cages. Welfare was assessed during two 8-wk sampling periods commencing at 29 and 59 wk of age. Measurement of stress, immunology, feather, foot and claw condition, and behavior were taken, and bone strength was measured at the end of the experiment. With the exception of the positive effects of a perch on bone strength, any effects of furniture items were relatively small, even though the furniture was extensively used. Although there were changes in behavior and small changes in feather, foot, and claw condition, it is unclear whether these changes have any meaningful implications for welfare. In this experiment there were 2 additional external control treatments for a small study that examined the effects of increasing space per bird (8 birds in single and double-width cages) and the effects of group size (8 and 16 birds in double-width cages); using similar methodologies, these treatments showed differences in egg corticosterone concentrations and evidence of immunosuppression. Together, these data suggest that although furniture when present was well-used, any effects of furniture on hen welfare measured by physical and physiological traits, other than the benefit of a perch on bone strength, were smaller than effects of group size and space allowance.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Wall, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Nest lining in small-group furnished cages for laying hens
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Poultry Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1056-6171 .- 1537-0437. ; 22, s. 474-484
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In small-group furnished cages with nests lined with artificial turf, a high use of nest and acceptable egg quality are generally achieved. However, artificial turf has drawbacks, such as not letting manure through and not being cleanable in position. Therefore, a more perforated nest-lining material would be preferable given that nest acceptance and egg quality are not impaired. The main aim of the present study, comprising 2 trials, was to evaluate layers' use of nests, egg quality, and bird exterior appearance in furnished cages with nests lined with artificial turf, plastic netting, or with the cage floor left bare. The furnished cages used in this study housed 8 or 10 layers; the hybrids included were Hy-line White and Hy-line Brown in trial 1 and lohmann selected Leghorn and lohmann Brown in trial 2. In this study, plastic netting was as good as the artificial turf for all the aspects compared, whereas the bare cage floor as a nest bottom resulted in lower use of the nest and tendencies for inferior egg quality. Hybrid differences were found in most of the traits studied.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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