Effects of the Administration of L-ascorbic Acid on the Performance and Incidence of Corneal Erosion in Ross 708 Broilers Subjected to Elevated Levels of Atmospheric Ammonia.

Effects of the injection of various levels of L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) on the performance and corneal erosion incidence in Ross 708 broilers exposed to 50 parts per million (ppm) of atmospheric ammonia (NH) after hatch were determined. A total of 1440 Ross 708 broiler embryos were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: non-injected (control), 0.85% sterile saline-injected (control), or saline containing 12 or 25 mg of L-AA.

Research Note: Age-related effects of feeder space availability on welfare of broilers reared to 56 days of age Part 2: Blood physiological variables.

Consumption of poultry meat has increased dramatically due to the relative price-competitiveness as compared to other meat products. The rapid growth and increased production efficiency of modern genetic strains is perceived to negatively impact the welfare of the animal. Hematological analyses such as acid-base balance provide a thorough evaluation of the welfare in both animals and humans.

Effects of dietary Original XPC on selected blood variables in layer pullets challenged with Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Effects of dietary Original XPC (XPC) on 17 selected blood variables in commercial layer pullets challenged with the virulent, low-passage R strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (RMG) were investigated. Hy-Line W-36 pullets sourced from M. gallisepticum-clean layer breeders were fed a basal diet with XPC (1.

Growth and humoral immune effects of dietary Original XPC in layer pullets challenged with Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Effects of dietary Original XPC (XPC) in commercial layer pullets challenged with the virulent, low passage R strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (R MG) were investigated. Hy-Line W-36 pullets sourced from MG-clean breeders were fed a basal diet with or without (CON) XPC (1.25 kg/metric ton) from hatch until 12 wk of age (woa).

Interactive effects of light-sources, photoperiod, and strains on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and health indices of broilers grown to heavy weights1.

Effects of light sources, photoperiods, and strains on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and health indices of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3 kg) were evaluated. The experimental design was a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial treatments consisting of 4 light sources [incandescent (ICD, standard), compact fluorescent light, neutral light emitting diode (Neutral-LED), and cool poultry specific LED (Cool-poultry specific (PS)-LED)], 2 photoperiods (regular/intermittent [2L:2D], and short [8L:16D]), and 2 strains (A, B). In each trial, chicks of 2 different strains from different commercial hatcheries were equally and randomly distributed into 16 environmentally controlled rooms at 1 D of age.

Effects of light-sources and photoperiod on hemato-physiological indices of broilers grown to heavy weights.

We evaluated the influence of light sources and photoperiod on blood physiological variables in four trials. In each trial, 720 1-d-old Ross × Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 12 environmentally controlled rooms (30 males/30 females/room). The experimental design was a 4 × 3 factorial treatments consisting of four light sources [incandescent (ICD, standard), compact fluorescent, neutral light emitting diode, and cool poultry-specific-filtered LED] and three photoperiods [long/continuous (23L:1D), regular/intermittent (2L:2D), and short/non-intermittent (8L:16D)] from d8-d56 at 50% relative humidity.

Effect of light intensity adjusted for species-specific spectral sensitivity on blood physiological variables of male broiler chickens1.

Replacing outdated incandescent light sources provides the opportunity to modify lighting systems according to the needs of different species and according to their spectral sensitivity. Providing a lighting environment geared towards poultry vision may improve bird welfare and blood physiological homeostasis. The influence of two LED light sources (red-supplemented vs.

Influence of light sources and photoperiod on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and health indices of broilers grown to heavy weights.

Effects of light sources and photoperiod on growth performance, carcass characteristics and health indices of broilers were investigated in 4 trials. In each trial, 720 1-day-old Ross × Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 12 environmentally controlled rooms (30 males/30 females/room). The experimental design was a 4 × 3 factorial treatments consisted of 4 light sources [incandescent (ICD, standard), compact fluorescent (CFL), neutral light-emitting diode (Neutral-LED), and cool poultry-specific filtered LED (Cool-PSF-LED)] and 3 photoperiods [long/continuous (23L:1D), regular/intermittent (2L:2D), and short/non-intermittent (8L:16D)] from d8-d56.

Effects of light sources and intensity on broilers grown to heavy weights. Part 1: Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and welfare indices.

This study investigated the effects of light sources and light intensity on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and welfare indices of heavy broilers (>3.0 kg) in 4 trials with 2 replications per trial. A total of 960 one-day-old Ross×Ross 708 chicks (30 males/30 females/room) were randomly distributed into 16 environmentally controlled rooms at 50% RH.

Effects of color temperatures (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights.

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is being used in the poultry industry to reduce energy usage in broiler production facilities. However, limited data are available comparing efficacy of different spectral distribution of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3 kg). The present study evaluated the effects of color temperature (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of heavy broilers in 2 trials with 4 replicates/trial.

Effects of color temperatures (kelvin) of LED bulbs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and ocular development indices of broilers grown to heavy weights.

Limited data are available for comparing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs that are currently available in commercial broiler production facilities. We evaluated the effects of color temperatures (kelvin) of LED bulbs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and ocular development indices of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3.0 kg).

Effects of strain and light intensity on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers grown to heavy weights.

Effects of genetic strain and light intensity on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers grown to heavy weights were investigated. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. Treatment structure was a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with the main factors being strain (Ross × Ross 308, Ross × Ross 708) and light intensity (25, 10, 5, 2.

Effects of genetic strain and light intensity on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights.

The effects of genetic strain, light intensity, and their interaction were examined on blood physiological variables of broilers maintained in environmentally controlled rooms in each of 5 trials. The study consisted of a 2 × 5 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments of 2 strains (Ross × Ross 308 and 708) and exposure to 5 light intensities (25, 10, 5, 2.5, and 0.

Growth performance and meat yields of broiler chickens fed diets containing low and ultra-low oligosaccharide soybean meals during a 6-week production period.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of diets containing low oligosaccharide soybean meals (SBM) on growth performance, meat yields, and physiological variables of broilers during a 6-wk production period. In experiment 1, six hundred Ross × Ross 708 male chicks were randomly distributed to 24 floor pens (25 birds per pen; 0.09 m(2) per bird at 1 d of age).

Interactive effects of photoperiod and light intensity on blood physiological and biochemical reactions of broilers grown to heavy weights.

The effects of photoperiod, light intensity, and their interaction on blood acid-base balance, metabolites, and electrolytes in broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions were examined in 2 trials. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design was used in this study. In each trial, all treatment groups were provided 23L:1D with 20 lx of intensity from placement to 7 d, and then subjected to the treatments.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum transmission: comparison of commercial F-strain vaccine versus layer complex-derived field strains in a tunnel ventilated house.

Two simultaneous trials were conducted using a commercially available, live, F strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) vaccine (trial 1) or 2 inocula of layer complex-derived MG strains (LCD-MG; trial 2). In each of the 2 trials, 4 commercial turkeys were housed in each of 2 adjoining pens immediately adjacent to air inlets. The turkeys (8/trial) were inoculated in the right eye with either a 1× dose of FMG (trial 1) or with 0.

Apparent metabolizable energy needs of male and female broilers from 36 to 47 days of age.

Two experiments were conducted to examine AME(n) responses of Ross × Ross 708 male and female broilers from 36 to 47 d of age. In each experiment, 1,440 male and female broilers were randomly distributed into 96 floor pens (15 birds/pen; 8 replicate pens/treatment) sexed separately and were fed 6 levels of AME(n) ranging from 3,140 to 3,240 kcal/kg in increments of 20 kcal of AME(n)/kg, resulting in a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, AME(n) intake, AME(n) intake per BW gain, plasma 5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, mortality, and meat yields were evaluated during experimentation.

Effects of single and combined Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccinations on blood electrolytes and acid-base balance in commercial egg-laying hens.

A previous study from our laboratory on F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum-inoculated layers showed a significant increase in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)), which is generally associated with an oxygen-dependent improvement in tissue oxygenation. The aim of this study was to determine whether a killed (bacterin) and live TS-11-strain M. gallisepticum (TS-11-MG) vaccine treatment combination could further enhance the arterial pO(2) levels in layer chickens.

Effect of ambient temperature and light intensity on physiological reactions of heavy broiler chickens.

The effects of ambient temperature, light intensity, and their interaction on blood acid-base balance, metabolites, and electrolytes in broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions were examined in 2 trials. The experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. The 9 treatments consisted of 3 levels of temperatures (low = 15.

A chronicle of serologic response in commercial layer chickens to vaccination with commercial F strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine.

Vaccination of multi-age layer operations, wherein one million plus commercial layer chickens are housed, has been spurious until the development of a self-propelled, constant-speed spray vaccinator. Still, even with its use, live Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) vaccinations have been questionable in terms of seroconversion. Using the vaccinator as a research tool over the past 5 yr, factors have been elucidated which impact seroconversion to one live MG vaccine in particular, the F strain of MG (FMG).

Effect of selected water temperatures used in Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine reconstitution on titer at selected time intervals.

Numerous methods are currently used throughout the poultry industry for the administration of vaccines. Each utilizes water for vaccine reconstitution and/or administration, including two of the three commercially available live Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) vaccines. Selected water temperatures were used to reconstitute and/or dilute the three commercially available live MG vaccines.

Interactive effects of ammonia and light intensity on hematochemical variables in broiler chickens.

This study examined the influence of early atmospheric ammonia exposure, light intensity throughout rearing, and their interaction on blood gases, electrolytes, and acid-base balance in broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions. The experiment consisted of a 3 x 3 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design, with trials being replicated over time. The 9 treatments consisted of 3 levels (0, 25, and 50 ppm) of ammonia concentrations for 14 d and levels (0.

Electrolyte diets, stress, and acid-base balance in broiler chickens.

We compared the acid-base balance in broiler chickens provided diets containing 2 dietary electrolyte balances (DEB), and administered with either adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or saline solution. Diets were moderate (174 mEq/kg) or high (241 mEq/kg) DEB formulated by altering Na-K-Cl based on actual analysis. The experiment was designed as a split plot, with the main unit consisting of 4 treatments and the factorial treatment structure arranged in a completely randomized design.

Stress and acid-base balance in chickens.

Two trials were conducted to study the effects of continuous infusion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on acid-base balance in broiler chickens. Osmotic pumps delivered 8 IU of ACTH in saline/kg of BW/d for 7 d or the same saline volume as used in ACTH at 1 microL/h for 7 d. Blood samples were taken on d 0 (baseline values) and on d 4, 7, and 14 after onset of the infusions.

Stocking density effects on male broilers grown to 1.8 kilograms of body weight.

This study examined the effects of stocking density on live performance, physiological stress level indicators, and processing yields of male broilers grown to 1.8 kg. A total of 3,120 Ross x Ross 708 male chicks was placed into 32 floor pens (5.