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Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Poultry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 24555

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jakub Biesek

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: poultry science; poultry production; poultry nutrition; broiler chickens; laying hens; waterfowl; meat quality; physicochemical traits; safe products; intestine features

Dr. Mirosław Banaszak

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: poultry science; poultry production; feed additives; bedding traits; broiler chickens; laying hens; biosecurity; meat quality; quality management; aluminosilicates

Prof. Dr. Marek Adamski

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: poultry science; nutrition; poultry production; waterfowl; breeding; laying hens; genotype; poultry management; meat quality; egg quality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The dynamic progress in poultry production aimed at acquiring meat and eggs has many challenges ahead. Recently, European policy has been setting trends in line with the Green Deal strategy. Intensive production must adapt its technology to new assumptions leading to the use of neutral, pro-environmental solutions. Simplicity and low cost for alternative additives to poultry feed and bedding is a priority for producers; however, they not only must be effective for production results, but should also support intestinal health, on which many aspects of the proper functioning of birds depend. From the consumers' point of view, the quality of the obtained products should meet the highest quality requirements.

The Special Issue “Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality” is aimed at publishing current achievements and scientific papers focused on, but not limited to, technological solutions for poultry production, including feed and litter additives, that have beneficial effects on production while maintaining bird health and resulting in good-quality products, through the use of simple, natural solutions that will reduce the environmental impact, with an explanation of the mechanisms.

We invite scientists to submit papers indicating scientific progress that meets the assumptions of sustainable poultry practice, having an impact on production efficiency, bird health and product quality, while taking into account the environment, including the reduction of synthetics and responsible use of natural resources, which can be an innovation in poultry production.

We therefore invite you to participate in this issue and submit research papers, reviews and case reports.

Dr. Jakub Biesek
Dr. Mirosław Banaszak
Prof. Dr. Marek Adamski
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

poultry
production efficiency
sustainable development
feed and litter additives
intestinal development
gut health
safe production
meat and egg quality
biosecurity
substitutes for synthetics

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Insights into the Effects of Microbial Muramidase Addition in the Diets of Broiler Chickens

by Shimaa A. Amer, Mahmoud Farahat, Ahmed Gouda, Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth, Abdel-Wahab A. Abdel-Warith, Elsayed M. Younis, Gehad Elsaid Elshopakey, Weam Mohamed Baher, Gehan K. Saleh, Simon J. Davies and Ghadeer A. Attia

Animals 2023, 13(8), 1356; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13081356 - 15 Apr 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1506

Abstract

The study aimed to explore how broiler chickens’ blood biochemistry, breast muscles’ fatty acid profile, growth, intestinal morphology, and immune status would be influenced by adding microbial muramidase (MUR) to the diet. Four hundred 3-day-old male broiler chickens were allocated to a completely randomized design consisting of four nutritional treatments (n = 100 per treatment, 10 chicks/replicate), each containing MUR at levels of 0 (control group), 200, 400, and 600 mg Kg⁻¹ diet, with enzyme activity 0, 12,000, 24,000, and 36,000 LSU(F)/kg diet, respectively. The 35-day experiment was completed. The findings showed that adding MUR to broiler meals in amounts of 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg had no impact on growth performance (p > 0.05) during the periods of 4–10, 11–23, and 24–35 days of age. MUR supplementation quadratically impacted the feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks at 11 and 23 days of age (p = 0.02). MUR addition to the diet significantly and level-dependently enhanced the percentage of n−3 and n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in breast muscles (p ≤ 0.01), with no alterations to the sensory characteristics of the breast muscles. Dietary MUR increased most of the morphometric dimensions of the small intestine, with the best results recorded at the 200 and 400 mg Kg⁻¹ levels. MUR supplementation at 200, 400, and 600 mg kg⁻¹ linearly lowered the total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p < 0.01). Still, it significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents compared with the unsupplemented group. Compared to controls, there was a substantial rise in the blood concentration of total protein, albumin, globulin, IL10, complement 3, and lysozyme activity as MUR levels increased (p < 0.01). Moreover, MUR addition significantly increased the immunoexpression of lymphocyte subpopulation biomarkers. We could conclude that MUR can be added to broiler chicken diets up to 600 mg kg ⁻¹ to improve broiler chickens’ fatty acid profile in breast muscles, immunity, and blood biochemistry. MUR addition had no positive influence on the bird’s growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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14 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Number of Crested Cushions in Runzhou White-Crested Ducks on Serum Biochemical Parameters

by Jiying Lou, Qixin Guo, Yong Jiang, Guohong Chen, Guobin Chang and Hao Bai

Animals 2023, 13(3), 466; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13030466 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1100

Abstract

We investigated the effects of crest cushions in Runzhou white-crested (RWC) ducks. A total of 322 duck eggs were collected for incubation; 286 eggs were fertilized, and 235 RCW ducks were hatched. All the RWC ducks were weighed after 100 days and counted, and the volume of the crest cushion was measured. The number of crest cushions was positively correlated with the body weight, volume of the crest cushion, and distance from the mouth (p < 0.05). The serum Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se contents in the multiple-crest-cushion group were significantly higher (p < 0.05), as were the levels of triglycerides, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin D (p < 0.01). The opposite results were seen for glycosylated low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01). Propionic acid and acetic acid contents differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05), as did butyric acid content (p < 0.01), being higher in the multiple-crest-cushion group. Thus, an increase in the number of crest cushions coincided with a change in various serum biochemical indicators. The number of crest cushions might be involved in regulating various mechanisms of RWC ducks and might have an immunoregulatory effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

12 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Rapeseed (Brassica napus), Hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Camelina (Camelina sativa) Seed Cakes Supplementation on Yolk and Albumen Colour and Nutritional Value of Yolk Lipids in Estonian Quail Eggs

by Violeta Razmaitė, Artūras Šiukščius and Raimondas Leikus

Animals 2022, 12(22), 3110; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12223110 - 10 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1538

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing commercial diets with rapeseed, hempseed and camelina seed cakes on the yolk and albumen colour and nutritional value of yolk lipids in Estonian quail eggs. A total of 585 eggs were used to evaluate egg weight, yolk and albumen pH and colour, proximate yolk composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid composition in the yolk lipids of three Estonian quail groups each fed a diet supplemented with 10% rapeseed, hemp or camelina seed cakes. The higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) lightness (L*) of the yolk was detected in the group of quail fed the diet supplemented with rapeseed and camelina cakes compared to the hempseed addition. Meanwhile, the albumen lightness in the rapeseed group was higher (p < 0.01) in comparison to the camelina group. A lower (p < 0.001) yolk negative a* value was estimated in the hemp group than in the groups fed rapeseed and camelina seed cake supplements, while the rapeseed group demonstrated lower (p < 0.001) albumen yellowness (b*) and colour saturation (C) in comparison to the other groups. The highest and lowest proportions of total saturated (SFAs)and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids, respectively, were found in the yolk lipids of quails fed a mixture supplemented by hemp cake. A higher (p < 0.05) proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was only found in the hemp group compared to the camelina group. The highest and lowest (p < 0.001) n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios were found in the yolk lipids of quail receiving mixtures supplemented with rapeseed and camelina cakes, respectively. The yolk of the quail from the rapeseed group showed more favourable lower and higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) atherogenic index (AI) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio compared to the hemp and camelina groups. The lower yolk cholesterol content was found in the eggs of the quail fed the diet supplemented with rapeseed cake compared to the eggs of the quail which were fed the diets containing more n-3 PUFAs from the addition of hemp and camelina cakes (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

18 pages, 2585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles and Mannan Oligosaccharide Supplementation on Growth Performance, Stress Indicators, and Intestinal Microarchitecture of Broilers Reared under High Stocking Density

by Hafiz Faseeh ur Rehman, Hafsa Zaneb, Saima Masood, Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf, Khizar Hayat, Khalid Abdul Majeed, Muhammad Zeeshan, Saima Ashraf, Imad Khan, Adnan Khan and Habib Rehman

Animals 2022, 12(21), 2910; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12212910 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1563

Abstract

The current study investigated the potential of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation in ameliorating high stocking density (HSD) stress in broilers. A total of 392 day-old male chicks were divided into seven groups with eight replicates (n = 7): NSD [basal diet (BD) + normal stocking density: 10 bird/m²], HSD [BD + high stocking density: 16 bird/m²], Se–HSD [BD + Selenium (Se) 0.15 mg/kg], MOS–HSD (BD + MOS 5 gm/kg), Se–MOS–HSD (BD + Se 0.15 mg/kg and MOS 5 gm/kg), SeNPs–HSD (BD + SeNPs 0.15 mg/kg) and SeNPs–MOS–HSD (BD + SeNPs 0.15 mg/kg and MOS-5 gm/kg). HSD stress decreased (p < 0.05) weekly body weight and body weight gain and increased (p < 0.05) FCR compared to the NSD group. Supplementation with SeNPs and the SeNPs–MOS combination improved (p < 0.05) the weekly body weight and FCR in HSD-stressed broilers during the 5th and 6th weeks. On day 21, HSD stress decreased (p < 0.05) duodenal villus height (VH) and villus surface area (VSA) and increased (p < 0.05) serum corticosterone and cholesterol compared to the NSD group. Supplementation with the SeNPs–MOS combination increased (p < 0.05) duodenal VH and VH:CD, and jejunal total goblet cell (TGC) density and decreased (p < 0.05) serum corticosterone and cholesterol and ileal intra-epithelial lymphocyte (IEL) density in HSD-stressed broilers. On day 42, HSD stress decreased (p < 0.05) duodenal and jejunal VH, VSA, VH:CD, PCNA positive cell density and TGC density, Ileal VSA and TGC density, and increased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol and ileal IEL density compared to the NSD group. Supplementation with the SeNPs–MOS combination increased (p < 0.05) spleen and bursa absolute weights, duodenal VH, VSA, VH:CD, PCNA positive cell density and jejunal VH, VH:CD, and decreased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol and ileal IEL density in HSD-stressed broilers. Our findings signify that HSD is stressful for broilers particularly during the finishing phase. Supplementation with the SeNPs–MOS combination mitigated HSD stress by partially improving the gut microarchitecture, gut barrier function and performance indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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16 pages, 948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Goose Embryonic Development, Glucose and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations, and Eggshell Features Depend on Female Age and Laying Period

by Joanna Kucharska-Gaca, Marek Adamski and Jakub Biesek

Animals 2022, 12(19), 2614; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12192614 - 29 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1317

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate embryonic development; analyze the glucose, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) concentrations in the blood of embryos and goslings; and assess the structure and temperature (EST) of the eggshell. The eggs that were analyzed were from four laying seasons of White Kołuda^® geese at three periods (90 eggs × 4 groups × 3 periods). The different embryo proportions, fetal membranes in the egg, and sizes of internal organs indicate a different growth rate and degree of embryo development depending on the laying age and laying period. The goose age influenced the hormone concentrations in the embryos’ blood on the 28th day of incubation, which supports a relationship between the females’ age and development. The eggshell thickness and density change depending on the laying age and the laying period. A decrease in eggshell thickness in the eggs up to the third season was found after the 16th day of incubation (simultaneously, the density showed an increasing trend). A lower EST distinguished the eggs from the oldest geese in the first half of the hatch. The formation of the chorioallantois membrane was associated with an increase in EST in the oldest geese. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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10 pages, 6384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

RNA Sequencing Reveals the Regulation of Betaine on Chicken Myogenesis

by Zhijun Wang, Danfeng Cai, Xing Ju, Kan Li, Sisi Liang, Meixia Fang and Qinghua Nie

Animals 2022, 12(19), 2508; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12192508 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1565

Abstract

Betaine is trimethylglycine and a universal methyl donor which could provide methyl and glycine for cells and animals. As a new star in epigenetics, N6-Methyladenosine has been reported to regulate multiple biological activities, but the regulatory mechanism of betaine on N6-Methyladenosine as well as myogenesis was little studied. In this study, we treated chicken primary myoblast cells with different concentrations of betaine (0, 10, 25, and 50 mmol/L) and found that myoblast cell proliferation was inhibited, although the cell cycle was promoted in the S phase by betaine, where the myotube area was increased as well as the differentiation marker genes MyoD, MyoG, MyHC, Myomarker, and Ckm. RNA sequencing obtained a total of 61 differentially expressed genes (DEGs); DEGs caused by 50 mmol/L betaine were mainly enriched in the regulation of skeletal muscle tissue regeneration and some amino acid metabolic processes. The gene expression pattern trends of all DEGs were mainly clustered into 2 profiles, with the increase in betaine concentration, the gene expression pattern either increased or decreased continuously. Overall, a low concentration betaine can increase the N6-Methyladenosine modification level and myotube area but depresses myoblast cell proliferation in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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11 pages, 611 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indigenous, Yellow-Feathered Chickens Body Measurements, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality Depending on Marketable Age

by Chunyou Yuan, Yong Jiang, Zhixiu Wang, Guohong Chen, Hao Bai and Guobin Chang

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2422; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12182422 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3129

Abstract

Given an increasing trend in slaughter and chilling for the sale of chickens in China, it is important to determine the marketable age of chickens for chilled sales. This study determined the effects of two marketable ages on the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality of yellow-feathered chickens. A total of 360 healthy one-day-old male Xueshan chickens were raised in six pens (straw-covered floor, numbered 1 to 6) and treated in the same manner (free access to food and water) until day 100. Sixty chickens from pens numbered 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 were selected to determine the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality at two slaughter ages (90 and 100 days), respectively. One hundred-day-old chickens had a higher body slope, cockscomb, keel, shank lengths, and higher live and dressed weights (p < 0.05). The abdomen skin follicle density, a*(redness) and b*(yellowness) values were higher in 100-day-old chickens (p < 0.05), whereas the 90-day-old chickens were characterized by better spotted skin. For the breast muscle, pH, shear force, a*, moisture, and protein and intramuscular fat contents were lower; moreover, L*(lightness) and b* were higher in 90-day-old chickens. In leg muscles, the pH, shear force, L*, b* and collagen content were lower; furthermore, the a* and moisture contents were higher in 90-day-old chickens (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that two marketable ages both have pros and cons, but 90 days chickens perform better on carcass appearance, and producers can adjust the marketable age to meet needs of different consumers. This study provides a unique idea and theoretical reference for breeding and marketing yellow-feathered chickens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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12 pages, 2995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tannic Acid Extracted from Galla chinensis Supplementation in the Diet Improves Intestinal Development through Suppressing Inflammatory Responses via Blockage of NF-κB in Broiler Chickens

by Changwei Jing, Jiaxing Niu, Yang Liu, Ning Jiao, Libo Huang, Shuzhen Jiang, Lei Yan, Weiren Yang and Yang Li

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2397; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12182397 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding tannic acid (TA) extracted from Galla chinensis to the diet of broiler chickens on intestinal development. A total of 324 healthy 1-day-old broilers were used in a 42 d study, and divided into two treatment groups at random (six replicates per group). Broilers were either received a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg microencapsulated TA extracted from Galla chinensis. The results showed that dietary supplemented with 300 mg/kg TA from Galla chinensis improved intestinal morphology, promoted intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, and elevated mucosal expressions of nutrients transporters and tight junction protein CLDN3 in broilers. Besides, 300 mg/kg TA from Galla chinensis supplementation decreased the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in serum and intestinal mucosa and reduced the mRNA expression of NF-κB in intestinal mucosa. Above all, supplementation of 300 mg/kg microencapsulated TA extracted from Galla chinensis showed beneficial effects in improving intestinal development, which might be attributed to the suppression of inflammatory responses via blockage of NF-κB in broiler chickens. These findings will support the use of TA sourced from Galla chinensis in poultry industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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14 pages, 2371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analyses of Production Performance, Meat Quality, and Gut Microbial Composition between Two Chinese Goose Breeds

by Hongyu Ni, Yonghong Zhang, Yuwei Yang, Yumei Li, Yijing Yin, Xueqi Sun, Hengli Xie, Jinlei Zheng, Liping Dong, Jizhe Diao, Hao Sun, Yan Zhang and Shuang Liang

Animals 2022, 12(14), 1815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12141815 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

Goose meat is consumed by consumers because it contains a relatively high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study was conducted to explore the main differences in production performance, breast meat quality traits, and cecal microbiota compositions between the Zi goose (ZG) and Xianghai flying goose (FG). The production performance and breast meat quality trait analyses showed that compared with the ZG, the FG had a higher right breast muscle index, ileum villi height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and cecum fermentation rate (higher short-chain fatty acid (SFCA) concentration); a lower abdominal fat index; a higher proportion of PUFAs; and a lower shear force. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the cecal microbiota composition and production performance indexes suggested that the genus Faecalibacterium was positively associated with production performance; in contrast, the genus Candidatus Saccharimonas was negatively correlated with production performance; moreover, the Ruminococcus torques group, Parasutterella, and Methanobrevibacter were negatively related to the VH/CD. Taken together, in this particular trial, FG had better production performance, healthier meat quality traits, and better intestinal digestion and absorption capacities than ZG. These results not only provide a useful data reference for the production of healthy geese for human consumption but can also help guide the utilization of goose breed resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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10 pages, 462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship among Sex, Skin Color, and Production Parameters of Broiler in Pectoral Myopathies

by Martín Novoa, Iván Francisco, Almudena Lage, José Luis Benedito, Lucio García, Luis Vázquez and Noemi Cobas

Animals 2022, 12(13), 1617; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12131617 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1399

Abstract

Breast anomalies in broilers, especially wooden breast (WB) and spaghetti meat (SM), cause high economic losses to the poultry meat sector. In order to identify the parameters that have a causal effect and to reduce the incidence of these myopathies, 141,792 broilers were analyzed in a total of 1477 batches using a visual grading system. The relationship among productive parameters such as the feed conversion ratio, live weight, growth rate, and mortality, was evaluated. Effects due to skin color (white vs. yellow), broiler sex (male, female, and mixed groups), feed presentation (grain vs. mash), and veterinary treatments (treated vs. untreated) were also included in the statistical study. Live weight was observed to have a significant effect (p < 0.001) on WB incidence, which increased by 1.11 for each 100 g of weight. Weight did not significantly affect the incidence of SM. Males had a higher incidence of WB and a lower incidence of SM than females. The incidence of both myopathies varied between samples that turned out to be significantly affected by some of the variables considered in the model, such as grain feeding and the feed conversion ratio. Controlling these factors in the broiler production could help to reduce the incidence of WB and SM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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9 pages, 601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Assessment of Day-Old Chickens on the Broiler Farms of Hong Kong

by Omid Nekouei, Denis Yau, Brett MacKinnon, Ioannis Magouras, Anne Conan, Ibrahim Elsohaby, Surya Paudel and Dirk U. Pfeiffer

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1520; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12121520 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the quality of newly hatched broiler chicks delivered to Hong Kong (imported or local), and to develop tailored recommendations to improve their management. During 2019–2021, 70 batches (34 imported from mainland China and 36 local) of one/three day old chicks on 11 broiler farms were studied. From each batch, 23 or 24 chicks (1647 in total) were assessed for abnormalities in appearance, navel, crop filling, dehydration, body weight, and length uniformity. Chicks were sacrificed, and yolk sac residues in three day old chicks were measured. Maternally derived antibody levels against Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), and avian reovirus (ARV) were measured in all chicks using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of abnormal navel in most batches is high (median: 59%), ranging between 0 and 100%. The average length of chicks within batches ranges between 16.3 and 20.7 cm, and their average weights are 31–38.5 g upon delivery to the farms. On average, imported batches have a higher body weight and length than their local counterparts. The average yolk-free weight varies between 45 and 55 g, which is significantly lower in local batches (33–43 g). The mean antibody titers against NDV and ARV are higher in imported batches than in the local ones. In contrast, the mean antibody titer against IBDV is significantly lower in the imported batches. Concerning the overall lower quality of local chicks compared to the imported batches, establishing a well-managed broiler breeder farm and a hatchery in Hong Kong is highly recommended to enhance the health and productivity of the local broiler chicken industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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Review

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14 pages, 2019 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biogenic Amines in Poultry Meat and Poultry Products: Formation, Appearance, and Methods of Reduction

by Wojciech Wójcik, Monika Łukasiewicz-Mierzejewska, Krzysztof Damaziak and Damian Bień

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1577; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12121577 - 18 Jun 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2562

Abstract

Poultry meat is a source of many important nutrients, micro- and macro-elements, and biologically active substances. During meat storage, many physicochemical changes take place, also affecting the content of biologically active substances, including biogenic amines.They are formed as a result of three processes: decarboxylation of amino acids by microorganisms, reductive amination, and transamination of aldehydes and ketones, and as a result of activity of body tissues. Excessive consumption of biogenic amines shows toxic properties. The increasing consumption of poultry meat and the lack of established limits for biogenic amine content is a major challenge for scientists, producers, and consumer organisations, which have not yet established limits for biogenic amine content in meat (including poultry meat). Analyses of biogenic amine content in meat account for less than 10% of scientific papers, which raises the scope of the problem of limiting biogenic amines in meat. Among the methods of amine reduction are methods of destroying or reducing microorganisms’ high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), ozonisation, radiation, or the use of essential oils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress in Poultry Production, Intestinal Health, and Product Quality)

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