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Evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative methods for controlling coccidiosis in broiler chickens: a field trial
Abstract Currently, coccidiostats are the primary and standard method of combating coccidiosis in poultry farms. However, consumer organizations still point to the need to phase out all chemotherapeutic substances from animal nutrition to protect human health. The research material consisted of 720 cocks of the Cobb 500 hybrid, which were divided into three groups (C – coccidiostat/control, V – vaccine, and H – herbals). The following parameters were analyzed: body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, foot pad dermatitis (FPD), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and the number of oocysts per 1g of feces (OPG). On day 42, the BW of the C group was higher compared with the V and H groups. The C group was also characterized by the best FCR and the highest EPEF. In the V group, oocysts were noted in feces from the 14th day of rearing, and the highest oocysts content was observed on the 21st day of life. In the C and H groups, the highest number of oocysts was recorded in the feces on the 28th day. The investigated alternative methods to coccidiostats showed good antiparasitic potential. Therefore, combining a couple of anticoccidiosis methods in preventive programs may be the best solution in broiler chickens production.
Applying Bipartite Network Analysis and Ordination Technique to Evaluate Long-Term Data from Veterinary–Sanitary Examination of Slaughtered Pigs
Animal and meat inspections in abattoirs are important in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases. Veterinary inspections in abattoirs can provide useful data for the management of health and welfare issues of humans and animals. Using the network analysis and ordination technique, in this study, we analyzed the data from 11 years of veterinary inspections in pig slaughterhouses from 16 regions in Poland. Based on the huge data set of 80,187,639 cases of diseases and welfare issues of pigs, the most frequent livestock diseases were identified to be abscesses, soiling, faecal or other contaminations, and congestions, which together accounted for 77.6% of the total condemnations. Spatial and temporal differences in swine diseases between the Polish regions were recognized using the above-mentioned statistical approaches. Moreover, with the use of a quite novel method, not used yet in preventive veterinary medicine, called a heatmap, the most problematic disease and welfare issues in each region in Poland were identified. The use of statistical approaches such as network analysis and ordination technique allow for identification of the health and welfare issues in slaughterhouses when dealing with long-term inspection data based on a very large number of cases, and then have to be adopted in current veterinary medicine.
Physical and biochemical characteristics of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs based on shell color
Abstract Ten percent of the world’s total edible eggs come from Japanese quail. The popularity of quail eggs is attributed to their high yolk content and hypoallergenic properties. This study aimed to analyze the physical characteristics and selected biochemical parameters of Japanese quail eggs based on shell color (dotted - D group, spotted - S group, and hazy - H group). The heaviest and most elongated eggs were found in the group H. The yolk index was significantly higher in dotted eggs, which also exhibited the highest lysozyme content and activity. The thickest shell (p≤0.05) with the lowest elasticity was observed in hazy eggs. However, no differences were found between eggshell colors concerning their breaking strength. The highest Ca content in the shell was found in the spotted group (S), while hazy eggs exhibited the lowest (p≤0.05) Ca and Mg content, despite having the thickest shells. Hazy eggs were also characterized by the highest crude protein content and the smallest proportion of crude fat and ash. The dotted eggs had the highest (p≤0.05) proportions of C16:1 and C18:2 fatty acids and a higher PUFA content (p≤0.05). Nutritionally, the dotted eggs performed best in terms of fatty acid profile and were also characterized by higher Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn, K, and Na content compared to the other groups. In summary, dotted eggs may be more appealing to consumers due to their advantageous physical and biochemical characteristics.
Prevalence and characterisation of antimicrobial resistance genes and class 1 and 2 integrons in multiresistant Escherichia coli isolated from poultry production
AbstractA global increase in the populations of drug resistant bacteria exerts negative effects on animal production and human health. Our study has been focused on the assessment of resistance determinants in relation to phenotypic resistance of the 74 commensal E. coli isolates present in different ecological environments. The samples were collected from poultry litter, feces, and neck skin. Among the microorganisms isolated from the poultry litter (group A), the highest resistance was noted against AMP and DOX (100%). In the E. coli extracts from the cloacal swabs (group B), the highest resistance was observed against AMP (100%) and CIP (92%). The meat samples (group C) were characterized by resistance to AMP (100%) and STX (94.7%). Genes encoding resistance to β-lactams (blaTEM, blaCTX-M), fluoroquinolones (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS), aminoglycosides (strA-strB, aphA1, aac(3)-II), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2, sul3), trimethoprim (dfr1, dfr5, dfr7/17) and tetracyclines (tetA, tetB) were detected in the studied bacterial isolates. The presence of class 1 and 2 integrons was confirmed in 75% of the MDR E. coli isolates (plasmid DNA), of which 60% contained class 1 integrons, 15% contained class 2 integrons, and 11.7% carried integrons of both classes. Thus, it may be concluded that integrons are the common mediators of antimicrobial resistance among commensal multidrug resistant Escherichia coli at important stages of poultry production.
Effect of prudent use of antimicrobials in the early phase of infection in pigs on the performance and meat quality of fattening pigs
Effects of hygiene methods on the microbiome and resistome of poultry litter
Abstract The inappropriate use of antibiotics in poultry farming and the presence of antibiotic residues in the environment significantly impact the development of resistance among microorganisms present in the production ecosystem. The environment of the henhouse, including chicken manure, creates excellent conditions for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs). The presence of ARBs in the litter often leads to the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Considering the risks associated with the agricultural use of manure, all sanitation treatments applied to poultry litter before its agricultural use should effectively eliminate physicochemical (antibiotic residues, heavy metals) and microbiological (ARBs, ARGs) hazards. This review aims to analyse the current practices in rational manure management, aligned with bio-economy principles, and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance and pathogens in the poultry production ecosystem. This review considered biological, chemical and physical processes for poultry litter treatment applicable in livestock settings, including the use of biopreparations, humic substances, and aluminosilicates during chicken rearing. Post-rearing methods such as the application of organic additives, minerals (calcium compounds), and silver-based nano preparations are also discussed, along with biological and physical methods such as storage, anaerobic digestion, composting and pasteurisation.
Effect of weight and storage time of broiler breeders’ eggs on morphology and biochemical features of eggs, embryogenesis, hatchability, and chick quality
Impact of packaging system on the microbial quality of chilled rabbit meat over 21 days of storage
AbstractThe pace of life is accelerating, so we are seeking ways to optimize the shelf life of products. To achieve this goal, the microbiological quality of rabbit meat was assessed at 7, 14, and 21 days under refrigerated conditions, utilizing two storage methods, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum packaging (VAC). Maintaining high levels of hygiene is critical not only during slaughter but also during subsequent technological processes and meat storage. The research concluded that the MAP method was more effective at extending the shelf‐life of fresh rabbit meat than the VAC method. Additionally, increasing the CO2 concentrations in meat significantly decreased the Pseudomonas bacteria population (after 14 and 21 days of storage). Conversely, the gaseous mixture containing 70% O2 significantly decreased the Enterobacteriaceae population in the sample after 21 days of storage. Moreover, the MAP storage method considerably impeded microbial growth, particularly the total yeast and mold count, lactic acid bacteria count, and Pseudomonas spp. count. This study's findings demonstrate that rabbit meat can be stored for 21 days in a modified atmosphere containing appropriate concentrations of gases such as gaseous carbon dioxide and oxygen.