Effects of access to feed, water, and a competitive exclusion product in the hatcher on some immune traits and gut development in broiler chickens.

1. This study evaluated the effect of access to feed, water, and the competitive exclusion (CE) product Broilact®, administered in the hatcher, on broiler performance, caecal microbiota development, organ development, intestinal morphology, serum levels of IgY and vaccine-induced antibody responses.2.

Age-related changes in the shell gland and duodenum in relation to shell quality and bone strength in commercial laying hen hybrids.

Background: During the production period of laying hens, the number of cracked eggshells increases and the skeleton becomes brittle. Both these problems are related to ageing of the hen and cause economic problems for egg producers and impaired animal welfare. This study investigated key factors in the shell gland and duodenum related to eggshell quality and bone strength in laying hens during the production period.

Significant variations in the seroprevalence of C6 ELISA antibodies in a highly endemic area for Lyme borreliosis: evaluation of age, sex and seasonal differences.

The purpose of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of C6 ELISA antibodies in healthy blood donors in Kalmar County, Sweden, in relation to age, sex and time of year (peak season vs off season). In addition, we wanted to assess serological status over time in a group of C6 ELISA seropositive blood donors. Sera were collected from 273 (131 women, 142 men) blood donors in autumn 2011 and 300 (144 women, 156 men) in winter 2014.

Exogenous estradiol improves shell strength in laying hens at the end of the laying period.

Background: Cracked shells, due to age related reduction of shell quality, are a costly problem for the industry. Parallel to reduced shell quality the skeleton becomes brittle resulting in bone fractures. Calcium, a main prerequisite for both eggshell and bone, is regulated by estrogen in a complex manner.