Search Results (98)

The deterioration of uterine calcium transport capacity induced by aging is a common problem for late-laying period hens, causing decline in eggshell quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects and possible regulatory mechanisms of dietary puerarin (PU) on calcium transport and eggshell quality in aged hens. Two hundred eighty-eight Hubbard Efficiency Plus broiler breeder hens (50-week-old) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments containing 0, 40, or 200 mg/kg puerarin (PU), with 8 replicates of 12 birds each, for an 8-week trial. The results demonstrated that dietary PU ameliorated the eggshell thickness and strength, which in turn reduced the broken egg rate (p < 0.05). Histological analysis showed that PU improved uterus morphology and increased epithelium height in the uterus (p < 0.05). Antioxidative capacity was significantly improved via upregulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX1 mRNA expression in the uterus (p < 0.05), along with enhanced total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity, and decreased levels of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, PU treatment reduced the apoptotic index of the uterus, followed by a significant decrease in expression of pro-apoptotic genes Caspase3 and BAX and the rate of BAX/BCL-2. Additionally, calcium content in serum and uterus, as well as the activity of Ca²⁺-ATPase in the duodenum and uterus, were increased by dietary PU (p < 0.05). The genes involved in calcium transport including ERα, KCNA1, CABP-28K, and OPN in the uterus were upregulated by PU supplementation (p < 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that dietary PU supplementation could reverse the age-related decline in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota within the uterus (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary PU can improve eggshell quality and calcium transport through enhanced antioxidative defenses and mitigation of age-related uterine degeneration. Full article

Biosecurity measures applied on poultry farms, with a recent history of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection, were monitored using 24 h/7 days-per-week video monitoring. Definition of biosecurity breaches were based on internationally acknowledged norms. Farms of four different production types (two broiler, two layer, two breeder broiler, and one duck farm) were selected. Observations of entry to and exit from the anteroom revealed a high degree of biosecurity breaches in six poultry farms and good biosecurity practices in one farm in strictly maintaining the separation between clean and potentially contaminated areas in the anteroom. Hand washing with soap and water and/or using disinfectant lotion was rarely observed at entry to the anteroom and was almost absent at exit. Egg transporters did not disinfect fork-lift wheels when entering the egg-storage room nor change or properly disinfect footwear. The egg-storage room was not cleaned and disinfected after egg transport by the farmer. Similarly, footwear and trolley wheels were not disinfected when introducing young broilers or ducklings to the poultry unit. Biosecurity breaches were observed when introducing bedding material in the duck farm. This study shows a need for an engaging awareness and training campaign for poultry farmers and their co-workers as well as for transporters to promote good biosecurity practices. Full article

Nowadays, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the husbandry conditions under which animals are raised, particularly broilers, since broilers are one of the species whose welfare is most impaired in intensive farming systems. One of the primary means of communicating husbandry practices to consumers is through product labelling. Thus, a rising number of animal welfare labelling schemes for broilers are being developed and used across Europe by initiatives of both public and private stakeholders, including NGOs that advocate for animal welfare. This review aims to identify, analyze, and compare these labelling schemes with a focus on the main animal welfare provisions included in them, which contribute to enhanced animal welfare. The schemes were identified through web searches, so that we could visit their official websites, access their standards and regulations and study them in detail. We included in our research only those schemes whose criteria were publicly available. In total, 16 schemes were selected and analyzed. Although these schemes vary in their criteria, they all enhance the welfare standards of broiler production, primarily through incorporating environmental enrichment and/or access to the outdoors. Most schemes define and specify in detail the required animal welfare provisions, setting a clear application frame for the raising period of the birds. However, the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter is often overlooked. Full article

Antibiotic-free (ABF) broiler production plays an important role in promoting sustainable and welfare-oriented poultry farming. However, this production system presents challenges, particularly an increased susceptibility to stress and mortality during transport. This study aimed to (i) analyze time series data on the monthly percentage of dead-on-arrival (%DOA) and (ii) compare the performance of various time series models. Data on %DOA from 127,578 broiler transport truckloads recorded between 2018 and 2024 were aggregated into monthly %DOA values. The data were then decomposed to identify trends and seasonal patterns. The time series models evaluated in this study included SARIMA, NNAR, TBATS, ETS, and XGBoost. These models were trained using data from January 2018 to December 2023, and their forecasting accuracy was evaluated on test data from January to December 2024. Model performance was assessed using multiple error metrics, including MAE, MAPE, MASE, and RMSE. The results revealed a distinct seasonal pattern in %DOA. Among the evaluated models, TBATS and ETS demonstrated the highest forecasting accuracy when applied to the test data, with MAPE values of 21.2% and 22.1%, respectively. These values were considerably lower than those of NNAR at 54.4% and XGBoost at 29.3%. Forecasts for %DOA in 2025 showed that SARIMA, TBATS, ETS, and XGBoost produced similar trends and patterns. This study demonstrated that time series forecasting can serve as a valuable decision-support tool in ABF broiler production. By facilitating proactive planning, these models can help reduce transport-related mortality, improve animal welfare, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Full article

The hypothalamus is the advanced center that regulates visceral activities under the cerebral cortex. It plays some key roles, such as regulating body temperature, assessing feed intake, and balancing blood glucose and endocrine gland activities. Heat stress is known to trigger a series of detrimental consequences, prominently featuring a reduction in feed intake, an elevation in body temperature, and other related phenomena. To understand the mechanisms of how heat stress affects the function of the hypothalamus, broilers were allocated to three groups: the normal control (NC) group, the heat-stress (HS) group, and the pair-fed (PF) group. The PF group was established with the aim of eliminating the confounding effect of reduced feed intake. The trial lasted for two weeks, from the age of 28 to 42 d. A total of 280 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (p_adj < 0.05, |log₂(FC)| ≥ 1) among three groups, including 3 up-regulated and 112 down-regulated genes in the HS group compared to the NC group, and 3 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated genes between the PF and NC groups. Compared with the HS group, a total of 149 genes were identified in the PF group, of which 125 genes were up-regulated and 24 genes were down-regulated. Gene Ontology enrichment indicated that a subset of DEGs was involved in brain development, the central nervous system (CNS), nerve signal transduction, and calcium homeostasis. The solute carrier family 1 member A6 and solute carrier family 6 member 13, identified as down-regulated genes (p_adj < 0.05) in the HS group, were considered as key genes in Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transportation, the normal expression of which ensures that extracellular GABA is maintained at a certain level and provides the amino acids needed for metabolism. Simultaneously, the solute carrier family 13 member 4 and solute carrier family 16 member 8 were also identified as down-regulated, which indicated that heat stress resulted in disorder and physiologic derangement in the hypothalamus. Meanwhile, the anorexigenic part of pro-opiomelanocortin genes was up-regulated significantly in the HS group. The transcriptome sequencing results can help us understand the regulatory mechanism of feed intake decline in broilers under heat stress at the genetic level. Full article

This study explores the effects of fermented bamboo powder (FBP) on the growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and expression of nutrient transporter genes in broiler chickens. Two groups were formed from 600 healthy 1-day-old chicks; each group included 30 chicks, repeated 10 times. The control group was fed a basal diet and supplemented the experimental group’s diet with 1.0 g/kg FBP during phase I (days 1–22) and 2.0 g/kg FBP during phase II (days 23–45). The findings revealed a significant enhancement in the growth performance for the group that received fermented bamboo powder in contrast to the control group (p < 0.05). The levels of triglycerides exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05), alongside a significant decrease in urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.05). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, exhibited a significant reduction in the FBP group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). It was found that the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) worked much better in the FBP group than in the control group (p < 0.01). On the other hand, fermented bamboo powder greatly increased the surface area that could absorb nutrients in the intestines (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) by increasing the villus height, intestinal lumen depth, and villus area (p < 0.01). Compared to the control, FBP increased the expression levels of genes involved in the transport of nutrients from the intestinal regions (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), including GLUT1, GLUT2, CAT1, CAT2, PEPT1, PEPT2, and LAT1. The upregulation of nutrient transporter genes further facilitated nutrient absorption, contributing to the observed improvements in growth and body weight. These findings endorse FBP as a viable feed additive in broiler diets to enhance health and performance. Full article

Upcycling brewers’ spent grain (BSG) into poultry feed needs to be optimized. Since broiler chickens inefficiently digest fiber, we created a water-soluble BSG extract (BSGE) to explore this fraction’s potential nutritional benefits. We utilized intra-amniotic administration (in ovo) to target the gastrointestinal tract of broiler embryos. BSGE increased villus surface area and goblet cell quantity and size, implying improved duodenal development. The extract also changed cecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium abundances. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy, along with zinc and iron transporter relative expression, did not reveal significant changes by BSGE. These findings highlight the potential for BSGE to be a functional feed component, underscoring the potential value of upcycling this byproduct. This pilot study supports future work exploring the impact of BSGE within feed and its effects over long-term consumption. Full article

Low-protein (LPRO) diets can effectively reduce feed costs and decrease environmental pollution, making them an important pathway to enhance the sustainability of livestock production. However, they may have adverse effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens, which has limited their widespread application. This study aims to explore the impact of adding protease (PRO) to LPRO diets on the growth performance of broiler chickens, especially under conditions with or without the presence of Bacillus coagulans (BC), in order to provide theoretical support for the scientific application and promotion of LPRO feeds. We selected 432 one-day-old broiler chickens and divided them into four treatment groups, which were fed with the control (CON) diet, the LPRO diet, the PRO diet (LPRO diet with added protease), and the PAB diet (PRO diet with added BC). The LPRO group demonstrated decreased growth performance while both PRO and PAB diets resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05). Both PRO and PAB diets significantly enhanced the expression of amino acid transport genes and tight junction genes (p < 0.05) and optimized the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Overall, LPRO diets have a detrimental effect on the growth of broiler chickens, while the PRO and PAB diets effectively counteract these negative effects by improving protein digestion, amino acid absorption, and intestinal health. Full article

Broiler breeder hens allowed ad libitum (Ad) feed intake developed obesity and cardiac pathogenesis and thereby were susceptible to sudden death. A supplement of 69 µg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3)/kg feed rescued the livability of feed-restricted (R) and Ad-hens (mortality; 6.7% vs. 8.9% and 31.1% vs. 48.9%). Necropsy with the surviving counterparts along the time course confirmed alleviation of myocardial remodeling and functional failure by 25-OH-D3, as shown by BNP and MHC-β expressions, pathological hypertrophy, and cardiorespiratory responses (p < 0.05). 25-OH-D3 mitigated cardiac deficient bioenergetics in Ad-hens by rescuing PGC-1α activation, mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and electron transport chain complex activities, and metabolic adaptions in glucose oxidation, pyruvate/lactate interconversion, TCA cycle, and β-oxidation, as well as in TG and ceramide accumulation to limit lipotoxic development (p < 0.05). Supplemental 25-OH-D3 also sustained Nrf2 activation and relieved MDA accumulation, protein carbonylation, and GSH depletion to potentiate cell survival in the failing heart (p < 0.05). Parts of the redox amendments were mediated via lessened blood hematocrit and heme metabolism, and improved iron status and related gene regulations (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 25-OH-D3 ameliorates cardiac pathological remodeling and functional compromise to rescue the livability of obese hens through metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial bioenergetics, and by operating at antioxidant defense, and heme and iron metabolism, to maintain redox homeostasis and sustain cell viability. Full article

The pre-transport phase induces stress, fear, and injury in poultry, but management choices greatly influence this. Pre-transport practices for spent hens and broilers in Flanders (Belgium) were studied. Poultry farmers (31 of 156 layers and 48 of 203 broiler farmers completed the survey) were surveyed on the selection of unfit chickens, catching and crating, and farmer opinion. A minority of farmers made a specific selection of chickens unfit for transport prior to catching (layers 25%: 5.1 ± 5.9 h, broilers 39%: 6.8 ± 7.0 h). More layer (69%) than broiler farmers (19%) withdrew feed too early (EU regulations stipulate max. 12 h before expected slaughter time). Layer farmers withdrew water earlier than broiler farmers (47.9 ± 51.1 min vs. 20.6 ± 23.3 min). More broiler than layer farmers believed that the container type affects the birds’ welfare (48% vs. 27%; p < 0.05). On broiler farms, mechanical catching was preferred for catchers’ well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, wings, or mechanically. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for additional selection before catching, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. Full article

Phosphorous is essential for many metabolic functions and the constitution of bones. Poultry have limited ability to use phosphorous from diets, which is mainly excreted and causes environmental concern. For this reason, diets are commonly supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and phytases. It has been suggested that chickens can adapt to an early nutrient restriction by increasing its efficiency of utilization, an adaptation that has been defined as nutritional conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate a strategy of phosphorous nutritional conditioning by feeding low phosphorous diets during the first week of life as a strategy to improve the efficiency of phosphorous utilization later in life. To test this, 600 male broiler chickens were fed either a standard (control group) or a phosphorous-deficient diet (conditioned group) during the first week of life. Later in life, the effect of conditioning was tested using standard or P-deficient diets during the finishing phase (21–43 d). Conditioning did not affect overall performance, despite finding evidence for reduced relative phosphorous excretion between days 19 to 21, increased duodenal gene expression for the phosphorous transporter SLC34A2 at day 30 (−6% and +17%, respectively), and tendencies for improved phosphorous digestibility (+7%) and tibia mineralization (+6%) at the end of the trial. It is concluded that phosphorous nutritional conditioning early in life can increase subsequent dietary phosphorous utilization and bone mineralization in poultry, although it may not be able to counteract severe phosphorous deficiencies. Further research is required to assess the extent to which phosphorous supplementation in post-conditioning diets may be reduced with this strategy without compromising performance. Full article

Background: There is a close relationship between breast muscle glucose metabolism, peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and myopathies in animals. Here, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different photoperiods on peripheral 5-HT metabolism, white striping (WS), and wooden breast (WB) in broilers. Methods: A total of 216 healthy 5-day-old (d) Arbor Acres (AA) male broilers were randomly assigned to 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D photoperiods for 4 weeks. Results: Compared with the 12L:12D photoperiod, we found the WB score in broilers was significantly increased in the 18L:6D and 24L:0D photoperiod at week 4 (p < 0.05). Muscle glycogen was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) and glycolysis was promoted in the breast muscles of broilers under the 18L:6D and 24L:0D photoperiods at week 2 and 4. Peripheral 5-HT concentrations, the mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and serotonin transporter (SERT) in the cecal mucosa, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (5-HTR_2A) mRNA expression in the breast muscle of broilers significantly up-regulated in the 18L:6D and 24L:0D photoperiod at week 2 and 4 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that extending the photoperiod improved the breast muscle growth rate, but up-regulated 5-HT synthesis and secretion to higher peripheral 5-HT, induced breast muscle glucose metabolism disorder, and increased WB incidence rates in broilers. Full article

Molecular differences exist between birds with high residual water intake (HRWI) compared to those with low residual water intake (LRWI). Residual water intake (RWI) is defined as the difference between the water intake of a bird and the expected water intake corrected for metabolic body weight, feed intake, and body weight gain. Tissue metabolomic analysis revealed significantly increased kidney glucose, fructose, and arabitol in the LRWI group compared to the HRWI group. mRNA expression analysis of apical sodium glucose cotransporters SGLT1, SGLT4, SGLT5, and SGLT6 showed decreased expression of SGLTs 1, 5, and 6 in LRWI birds (p < 0.05), whereas SGLT4 expression was increased compared with HRWI birds (p < 0.01). An analysis of basal glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5, and GLUT9 showed significantly increased GLUT2 expression in LRWI birds compared with HRWI birds (p < 0.01). We postulate that SGLT4 is the main apical transporter in chicken kidneys and that its increased expression reduces these birds’ need for water, resulting in less drinking. This is balanced by the increased expression of the basal transporter GLUT2, indicating better glucose retention, which may partly explain the physiological mechanism behind why these birds drink less water. Innately driven broiler water intake could therefore be influenced by the expression of kidney solute transporters. Full article

Poultry production faces significant challenges, including high feed prices, diseases, and thermal stress, which impact broiler welfare and productivity. Despite advances in cooling technologies and ventilation, preslaughter operations still lead to considerable losses. This review highlights the need for the improved management of thermal environments and animal logistics. Preslaughter operations typically involve fasting broilers for 8–12 h to reduce gastrointestinal contents and contamination. Following fasting, broilers are caught, crated, and transported. Stress levels vary based on distance and conditions, with manual catching often causing stress and injuries. Catching should occur during cooler periods to minimise these issues, and transport conditions must be carefully managed. Lairage, the waiting period after transport, should be kept short (1–2 h) in climate-controlled environments to avoid stress and deterioration. Proper handling and efficient unloading are essential to prevent injuries and reduce economic losses. Stunning methods, such as electronarcosis and a controlled atmosphere, aim to minimise suffering before slaughter, though practices vary culturally and religiously. Logistics and real-time monitoring technology are crucial for enhancing animal welfare during transportation. Effective planning and the optimisation of transport processes is vital for reducing stress and losses, especially with regard to rising global temperatures and production demands. Full article

Heat stress (HS) is a significant concern in broiler chickens, which is vital for global meat supply in the dynamic field of poultry farming. The impact of heat stress on the ileum and its influence on the redox homeostatic genes in chickens remains unclear. We hypothesized that adding zinc to the feed of heat-stressed broilers would improve their resilience to heat stress. However, this study aimed to explore the effects of organic zinc supplementation under HS conditions on broiler chickens’ intestinal histology and regulation of HS index genes. In this study, 512 Xueshan chickens were divided into four groups: vehicle, HS, 60 mg/kg zinc, and HS + 60 mg/kg zinc groups. Findings revealed that zinc supply positively increased the VH and VH: CD in the ileum of the broilers compared to the HS group, while CD and VW decreased in Zn and HS+Zn supplemented broilers. Zn administration significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and decreased the enzymatic activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the HS group. In addition, Zn administration significantly increased relative ATP, complex I, III, and V enzyme activity compared to the HS group. Furthermore, the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), lactate transporter 3 (LPCAT3), peroxiredoxin (PRX), and transferrin receptor (TFRC) in the protein levels was extremely downregulated in HS+Zn compared to the HS group. Zn supply significantly decreased the enrichment of RORγ, P300, and SRC1 at target loci of ACSL4, LPCAT3, and PRX compared to the HS group. The occupancies of histone active marks H3K9ac, H3K18ac, H3K27ac, H3K4me1, and H3K18bhb at the locus of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were significantly decreased in HS+Zn compared to the HS group. Moreover, H3K9la and H3K18la at the locus of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were significantly decreased in HS+Zn compared to the HS group. This study emphasizes that organic Zn is a potential strategy for modulating the oxidative genes ACSL4, LPCAT3, PRX, and TFRC in the ileum of chickens via nuclear receptor RORγ regulation and histone modifications. Full article