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Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 26156

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Dr. Stefano Paolo Marelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
Interests: small species genetic resources conservation; behavior and welfare; egg and meat quality; antioxidants and probiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alice Cartoni Mancinelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Interests: low-input diets; adaptability; behavior; alternative rearing systems; local chicken breeds; meat and egg quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The poultry and rabbit meat production sectors face substantial challenges as they attempt to address the demand for animal protein, while ensuring animal health, welfare, and sustainable production systems. Public concern regarding the environmental impact of animal production and animal welfare is critical for poultry and rabbit farming. Animal health, welfare, and production quality are strictly related to production systems, for which genetic and nutritional factors must be considered as well as adaptability to housing conditions and management (alternative, free range, organic, agroforestry, biodynamic, outdoor space allowance, extensive). Furthermore, the development of appropriate production strategies for marginal areas and extreme climatic conditions could have important repercussions in the improvement of the interaction between animals, the environment, and human beings. This Special Issue aims to publish research papers and reviews concerning the genetic selection, reproduction, welfare, health, nutrition (diet formulation, ingredient sources, low input, foraging) and management (alternative, free range, organic, biodynamic, outdoor space allowance, extensive) of poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, quails, pigeons, game birds) and rabbit meat, as well as product quality in sustainable and alternative production systems.

Dr. Stefano Paolo Marelli
Dr. Alice Cartoni Mancinelli
Guest Editors

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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.

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Keywords

poultry
rabbit
chickens
turkeys
ducks
geese
sustainable farming
alternative production
free range
organic

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 1743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploratory Study on Individual Locomotor Activity in Local Dual-Purpose and Commercial Breeder Pullets

by Pia Schürmann, Senta Becker, E. Tobias Krause, Sonja Hillemacher, Wolfgang Büscher and Inga Tiemann

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182879 - 10 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1760

Abstract

Improving animal welfare is a prerequisite for the societal acceptance of poultry production. Support for improvements requires practical tools to quantify animal welfare and identify predispositions at the individual level, where possible. In this study, the activities and behavior of dual-purpose chickens (N = 245) and commercial breeders (N = 224) were analyzed. The general locomotor activity (GLA) data were collected using an RFID system over five days with 9-to-14-week-old animals. The results show that the animals of comparable age and stocking density differed from each other in their activity (p ≤ 0.001) according to breed, but no sex differences were observed (p = 0.159). No correlations were found between GLA and plumage condition (p > 0.05). The individual variations within the breeds are presented and discussed on an animal-by-animal level, providing new insights into the individual behavioral variability of chickens. The RFID systems can reliably generate GLA data that help to understand the potential interplay between behavior and animal welfare. The technology is also suitable for creating individual (personality) profiles that can be used for breeding. With a better understanding of the role of activity, husbandry and management practices can be adapted to improve animal welfare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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13 pages, 2402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Genotype and Housing System on Rabbit Does’ Aggressive Behaviors and Injuries in Smallholding Conditions

by Ondřej Krunt, Lukáš Zita, Adam Kraus, Ágnes Moravcsíková, Martina Frühauf Kolářová and Luděk Bartoš

Animals 2023, 13(8), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081357 - 15 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2208

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of housing (deep litter + concrete floor vs. deep litter + ground soil with the possibility to dig burrows), and genotype (Mecklenburg or Hyplus) on aggressive behaviour, social contacts, does’ and kits’ injuries, and progeny mortality. Twelve groups of six rabbit does (n = 72) were assigned to four treatments (two housing systems and two genotypes). Aggressive behaviour of does, number of injuries on does and kits, and postnatal kit mortality were recorded. The effects of housing and genotype were tested using multivariate GLMM Models. We found that the housing treatment in interaction with the genotype had a significant effect on aggressive behaviours in group housed does (F_3,12 = 14.34, p = 0.0003), where the lowest incidence of aggression was in Mecklenburg does housed on ground soil. Reduced aggression was reflected in a lower number of injuries in does (F_3,68 = 10.51, p < 0.0001), number of injuries in kits, and kit mortality (F_3,1 = 4.59, p < 0.0001, F_3,54 = 43.94, p < 0.0001). The results indicate that the proper combination of genotype and housing should be carefully considered for breeding to reduce aggression and injury in group housed does. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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17 pages, 1437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Egg Quality of Italian Local Chicken Breeds: I. Yield Performance and Physical Characteristics

by Chiara Rizzi, Filippo Cendron, Mauro Penasa and Martino Cassandro

Animals 2023, 13(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010148 - 30 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2484

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare yield performance (from 39 to 50 weeks of age) and egg physical characteristics (at 50 weeks of age) of eight autochthonous chicken breeds of the Veneto region (Italy). Four white eggshell breeds, namely Padovana Camosciata (PA-C, chamois plumage), Padovana Dorata (PA-G, golden plumage), Polverara Bianca (PO-W, white plumage), and Polverara Nera (PO-B, black plumage), and four tinted eggshell breeds, namely Pepoi (PP), Ermellinata di Rovigo (ER), Robusta Maculata (RM), and Robusta Lionata (RL) from a conservation centre were considered in the trial. Significant differences (p < 0.05) among breeds were observed for yield performance and egg quality. From 39 to 50 weeks of age, the hen-day egg production was higher in PA-C and RM than in RL, and PO-W and ER were intermediate; PA-G, PO-B, and PP were the lowest. The hen-day egg production changed according to the age of the hens. From 39 to 42 weeks of age, ER showed the highest hen-day egg production and PA-G the lowest; from 47 to 50 weeks, PA-C, PO-W, and RM were the highest and PP the lowest. The tinted eggshell breeds, with the exception of PP, had higher egg weights than white eggshell breeds. PP egg weight was similar to PO-B. As regards the tinted eggshell breeds, RM eggs had the highest eggshell a* and b*, and PP the lowest. PA-C had the most spherical eggs, and PO-B and ER had the most ovoid eggs. PO-W and RM had the highest eggshell thickness and ER had the lowest. The highest eggshell ratio was observed for PO-W and PO-B, and the lowest for ER. The yolk-to-albumen ratio was higher in the white eggshell breeds than in PP, ER, and RL. ER had the highest Haugh units and PA-G the lowest. PO-W, PO-B, PA-C, PA-G, and ER had the lowest egg inclusions, and RL and RM the highest. Tinted eggshell eggs differed from white eggshell eggs by having higher meat spots. Results indicated that the eggs produced by the eight local chicken breeds differed according to the laying rate and a wide range of physical external and internal characteristics which allow the consumer to distinguish them for their genetic origin by the eggshell shape and colour, and to use them for different purposes to valorise poultry biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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12 pages, 1464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Egg Quality of Italian Local Chicken Breeds: II. Composition and Predictive Ability of VIS-Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy

by Filippo Cendron, Sarah Currò, Chiara Rizzi, Mauro Penasa and Martino Cassandro

Animals 2023, 13(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010077 - 25 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5542

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to characterize egg composition and develop VIS-Near-infrared spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) models for its predictions in Italian local chicken breeds, namely Padovana Camosciata, Padovana Dorata, Polverara Bianca, Polverara Nera, Pepoi, Ermellinata di Rovigo, Robusta Maculata and Robusta Lionata. Hens were reared in a single conservation center under the same environmental and management conditions. A total of 200 samples (25 samples per breed, two eggs/sample) were analyzed for the composition of albumen and yolk. Prediction models for these traits were developed on both fresh and freeze-dried samples. Eggs of Polverara Nera and Polverara Bianca differed from eggs of the other breeds (p < 0.05) in terms of the greatest moisture content (90.06 ± 1.23% and 89.57 ± 1.31%, respectively) and the lowest protein content (8.34 ± 1.27% and 8.81 ± 1.27%) in the albumen on wet basis. As regards the yolk, Robusta Maculata and Robusta Lionata differed (p < 0.05) from the other breeds, having lower protein content (15.62 ± 1.13% and 15.21 ± 0.63%, respectively) and greater lipid content (34.11 ± 1.12% and 35.30 ± 0.98%) on wet basis. Eggs of Pepoi had greater cholesterol content (1406.39 ± 82.34 mg/100 g) on wet basis compared with Padovana Camosciata, Polverara Bianca and Robusta Maculata (p < 0.05). Spectral data were collected in reflectance mode in the VIS-NIR range (400 to 2500 nm) using DS2500 (Foss, Hillerød, Denmark) on fresh and freeze-dried samples. Models were developed through partial least-squares regression on untreated and pre-treated spectra independently for yolk and albumen, and using several combinations of scattering corrections and mathematical treatments. The predictive ability of the models developed for each compound was evaluated through the coefficient of determination (R²cv), standard error of prediction (SEcv) and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPDcv) in cross-validation. Prediction models performed better for freeze-dried than fresh albumen and yolk. In particular, for the albumen the performance of models using freeze-dried eggs was excellent (R²cv ≥ 0.91), and for yolk it was suitable for the prediction of protein content and dry matter. Good performances of prediction were observed in yolk for dry matter (R²cv = 0.85), lipids and cholesterol (R²cv = 0.74). Overall, the results support the potential of infrared technology to predict the composition of eggs from local hens. Prediction models for proteins, dry matter and lipids of freeze-dried yolk could be used for labelling purposes to promote local breeds through the valorization of nutritional aspects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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11 pages, 6182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring Comfort Behaviours in Laying Hens Using Deep-Learning Tools

by Marco Sozzi, Giulio Pillan, Claudia Ciarelli, Francesco Marinello, Fabrizio Pirrone, Francesco Bordignon, Alessandro Bordignon, Gerolamo Xiccato and Angela Trocino

Animals 2023, 13(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010033 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3435

Abstract

Image analysis using machine learning (ML) algorithms could provide a measure of animal welfare by measuring comfort behaviours and undesired behaviours. Using a PLF technique based on images, the present study aimed to test a machine learning tool for measuring the number of hens on the ground and identifying the number of dust-bathing hens in an experimental aviary. In addition, two YOLO (You Only Look Once) models were compared. YOLOv4-tiny needed about 4.26 h to train for 6000 epochs, compared to about 23.2 h for the full models of YOLOv4. In validation, the performance of the two models in terms of precision, recall, harmonic mean of precision and recall, and mean average precision (mAP) did not differ, while the value of frame per second was lower in YOLOv4 compared to the tiny version (31.35 vs. 208.5). The mAP stands at about 94% for the classification of hens on the floor, while the classification of dust-bathing hens was poor (28.2% in the YOLOv4-tiny compared to 31.6% in YOLOv4). In conclusion, ML successfully identified laying hens on the floor, whereas other PLF tools must be tested for the classification of dust-bathing hens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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15 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Housing System, Season and the Linseed Oil Ethyl Esters Additive on Selected Blood Parameters in Rabbits

by Katarzyna Roman, Martyna Wilk, Piotr Książek, Katarzyna Czyż and Adam Roman

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202773 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

The composition of the diet, including the amount and type of lipid supplements, influences the products formed in the digestive tract, their levels in the blood and their deposition in the tissues. One example of a plant rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids is flax (Linum usitatissimum). The aim of the presented work was to evaluate the effect of the linseed oil ethyl esters additive and environmental conditions on the selected rabbit blood parameters. The study included two types of animal maintenance (laboratory conditions and external conditions) and two seasons (summer and winter), a total of four study stages. At each stage, a control group and an experimental group were specified. The feed supplement in the form of esterified linseed oil was administered to the experimental animals for two months. The blood samples were collected at the beginning of the experiment, as well as at the end of treatment. Moreover, blood samples were collected also after two months from the end of the experiment. During the experiment, morphological and biochemical parameters of the rabbits’ blood were examined. The results of the content of fatty acids were determined in the erythrocytes and serum blood samples and grouped into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In an internal study, the influence of housing conditions and season on selected morphological and biochemical parameters of rabbit blood was confirmed. Furthermore, expected beneficial changes in the fatty acid profile in erythrocytes and blood serum were observed as a result of supplementation. A significant increase in omega-3 fatty acids was noted as well as a substantial decrease in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (p < 0.01). Most importantly, the linseed oil ethyl ester supplement used did not adversely affect the health of the rabbits, as evidenced by biochemical and blood morphological indices remaining within, known so far, reference limits or showing only slight fluctuations (p > 0.05). However, the obtained results extend the database of hematological blood parameters in rabbits, thus, contributing to improvements in laboratory diagnostics for fur animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

21 pages, 1996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Data Mining as a Tool to Infer Chicken Carcass and Meat Cut Quality from Autochthonous Genotypes

by Antonio González Ariza, Francisco Javier Navas González, José Manuel León Jurado, Ander Arando Arbulu, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo and María Esperanza Camacho Vallejo

Animals 2022, 12(19), 2702; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192702 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2370

Abstract

The present research aims to develop a carcass quality characterization methodology for minority chicken populations. The clustering patterns described across local chicken genotypes by the meat cuts from the carcass were evaluated via a comprehensive meta-analysis of ninety-one research documents published over the last 20 years. These documents characterized the meat quality of native chicken breeds. After the evaluation of their contents, thirty-nine variables were identified. Variables were sorted into eight clusters as follows; weight-related traits, water-holding capacity, colour-related traits, histological properties, texture-related traits, pH, content of flavour-related nucleotides, and gross nutrients. Multicollinearity analyses (VIF ≤ 5) were run to discard redundancies. Chicken sex, firmness, chewiness, L* meat 72 h post-mortem, a* meat 72 h post-mortem, b* meat 72 h post-mortem, and pH 72 h post-mortem were deemed redundant and discarded from the study. Data-mining chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID)-based algorithms were used to develop a decision-tree-validated tool. Certain variables such as carcass/cut weight, pH, carcass yield, slaughter age, protein, cold weight, and L* meat reported a high explanatory potential. These outcomes act as a reference guide to be followed when designing studies of carcass quality-related traits in local native breeds and market commercialization strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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16 pages, 2380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Macleaya cordata Extract on Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal Microbiota of Yellow-Feathered Broilers Subjected to Chronic Heat Stress

by Mingcan Wang, Junkai Zhang, Xiuqiong Huang, Yisong Liu and Jianguo Zeng

Animals 2022, 12(17), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172197 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2880

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of dietary Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) supplementation on the growth performance, serum parameters, and intestinal microbiota of yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. A total of 216 yellow-feather broilers (28-days-old) were randomly allotted into three groups. A control group (CON) (24 ± 2 °C) and heat stress group (HS) (35 ± 2 °C) received a basal diet, and heat-stressed plus MCE groups (HS-MCE) (35 ± 2 °C) were fed the basal diet with 1000 mg/kg MCE for 14 consecutive days. The results revealed that MCE supplementation improved the final body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and spleen index when compared with the HS group (p < 0.05). In addition, MCE supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine, and increased (p < 0.05) the glucose level and alkaline phosphatase activity in heat-stressed yellow-feathered broilers. Moreover, MCE treatment alleviated heat-stress-induced intestinal flora disturbances, decreased the Bacteroidota and Bacteroides relative abundances, and increased Firmicutes. A linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis found five differentially abundant taxa in the HS-MCE group, including Alistipes, Rikenellaceae, Mogibacterium, Butyrivibrio, and Lachnospira. These results suggest that MCE can alleviate HS-induced decline in growth performance by modulating blood biochemical markers and cecal flora composition in broilers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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Review

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12 pages, 10442 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bee Products for Poultry and Rabbits: Current Challenges and Perspectives

by Ayman Abd El-Aziz, Mahmoud Abo Ghanima, Daniel Mota-Rojas, Anjum Sherasiya, Francesca Ciani and Karim El-Sabrout

Animals 2023, 13(22), 3517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223517 - 14 Nov 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3023

Abstract

Poultry and rabbit production are important and rapidly growing agricultural subsectors, particularly in several developing countries. To ensure the sustainability of poultry and rabbit production, realistic poultry and rabbit farming practices must be improved. Apitherapy is a traditional alternative medicine that involves the prevention and treatment of some diseases with several bee products including propolis, royal jelly, pollen, and venom. More feeding investigations on the numerous benefits of bee products for poultry and rabbits are crucial to be addressed. Poultry and rabbit production has recently experienced numerous challenges, including climate change, disease spread, and antibiotic misuse. Improving animal welfare, health, and production is a top priority for all livestock farms, as is supplying consumers with safe and healthy products. Therefore, this review aims to collect and investigate recent relevant literature on the use of bee products, as feed additives, drinking water supplements, and injections, for poultry and rabbits to improve animal health and production. From the current findings, bee products can improve the growth and immunological performance of small-livestock animals, such as poultry and rabbits, by activating digestive enzymes, maintaining microbial balance, and promoting vitamin synthesis. Therefore, bee products could be a promising natural alternative to growth promoters, reproductive stimulants, and immunological enhancers in poultry and rabbit farms to provide safe and healthy products for humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Biodiversity and Welfare of Poultry and Rabbit in Alternative Productions)

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