Annual/Termination Reports:

[12/21/2005] [08/21/2009] [08/26/2009] [08/28/2009] [12/10/2009]

Report Information

Participants

Mary Beck - Nebraska;
Mike Darre - Connecticut;
Inma Estevez - Maryland;
Paul Harrison - Illinois;
Ken Koelkebeck - Illinois;
Joy Mench - California;
Larry Miller - USDA/CSREES;
Sally Noll - Minnesota;
Ted Odom - Texas;
Richard Reynnells - USDA/CSREES;
Bill Roush - USDA-ARS Mississippi;
Bill Saylor - Delaware;
Bill Vinson, Administrative Advisor - West Virginia;
Eileen Wheeler - Pennsylvania;
Bob Wideman - Arkansas;
Hongwei Xin - Iowa;
Bob Buresh - Industry Advisor - Tyson Foods;
Jihad Douglas, Industry Advisor - Nicholas Turkeys;
Hank Engster - Industry Advisor - Perdue Farms;
Kevin Roberson - Industry Advisor - Michael Foods;
Henwei Cheng, Ad Hoc Rep - USDA/ARS

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

I. Poultry House Environment.<br /> <br /> Thermal. NE conducted a study to determine the mechanism(s) by which heat stress reduces egg production in laying hens and, further, to determine differences exist between strains of hens selected for slightly different production characteristics. Hens from three Hy-Line® strains, Brown, W36, and W98, were housed individually under 16L:8D and randomly assigned to one of three thermal treatments: thermoneutral (TN) 22C, 50% RH; acute heat stress (AHS, 24h) 36C, 50% RH; or chronic heat stress (CHS, 2wk) 36C, 50% RH. Follicles were removed and granulosa cells (GC) were isolated, incubated with one or a combination of hormones, stained for the steroidogenic enzyme 3²-HSD using nitroblue tetrazolium, and expressed as % active cells. The hormone incubation treatments were LH, FSH, LH+FSH, PRL, LH+PRL, FSH+PRL, FSH+LH+PRL, and the control cells were incubated without addition of hormones. In TN cells, enzyme activity, as % active cells, increased in response to LH; the increase was greater with LH+FSH. With FSH alone and PRL alone, % activity was suppressed. When LH was added to PRL, enzyme activity improved over PRL alone and LH+FSH added to PRL increased activity further; however, both treatments failed to bring activity to the level of activity in TN cells. When examined by strain, responses to hormone treatments under AHS followed responses at TN, with indications that strain differences may exist. These differences became marked under CHS, with W98 consistently above the other two strains in response of enzyme activity to hormone treatments. It is possible that this confers at least in part the advantage to this strain of hen with regard to its ability to sustain egg production during heat stress and that it in turn is the result of its ability to sustain acid base balance, as earlier studies have shown. Other conclusions from this study are that at least some level of LH is necessary for GC to sustain activity of 3²-HSD during HS but that FSH is necessary in combination with LH to achieve maximum activity.<br /> <br /> Aerial. IL determined that laying hen manure samples did not accurately reflect ammonia emissions from the source from which it was collected. Expression of ammonia emissions from samples can be different from the source, which is probably related to variety of factors such as: mass, environmentally exposed surface area, time of exposure, and mixing or disruption of the profile of the manure source. Units used to express ammonia emission rate from manure need to be related to environmental impact rather than just in arbitrary values and units.<br /> <br /> IA, in collaboration with KY and PA, measured and published the results of ammonia emissions from commercial layer houses, as affected by housing style (high-rise vs. manure-belt), manure management schemes (annual storage in the high-rise houses, daily removal or every 3-4 day removal from the manure-belt houses), and type of ration (standard vs. reduced crude protein diet). The findings also have been disseminated to the egg industry and allied industries through local, regional and national extension/education workshops. The data contribute to the much needed baseline emission information for animal feeding operations under U.S. production conditions. <br /> <br /> IA, in collaboration with KY, PA and IN, examined the suitability of using carbon dioxide (CO2) balance to indirectly determine building ventilation rate of manure-belt houses by comparing the indirectly determined ventilation rate with the directly measured ventilation rate. The results revealed the uncertainties of the indirect method associated with different integration time intervals. Ventilation rate is one of the two key factors for determining pollutant emissions from confinement buildings. Yet it is often a formidable task to accurately and economically quantify building ventilation rate. Alternative, cost-effective means to determine ventilation rate is thus of great importance to air emission studies. <br /> <br /> IA conducted a series of lab-scale studies to evaluate the efficacies of various pre- and post-excretion emission mitigation strategies for laying hens. The strategies include dietary manipulation, physical configuration of manure storage stacks, and topical application of mineral or chemical agents (i.e., zeolite, alum, etc.) at various dosages. Progress results were reported through conference or workshop papers/proceedings (ASABE, AWMA, Iowa Egg Industry Symposium). Practically feasible means to mitigate air emissions from animal feeding operations will ultimately help the animal production industry improve its environmental soundness and continue its ability to provide safe and affordable food supply to the population. <br /> <br /> IA, in collaboration with CA, developed a framework for process-based ammonia emission models for dairy, swine, and poultry. The model provides a comprehensive evaluation of production practices on ammonia emission. Once developed and validated, it is anticipated to be a powerful tool for estimating emission inventories and predict impacts of various best management practices on reduction of ammonia emissions.<br /> <br /> PA, along with KY and IA conducted research on ammonia emissions from eight commercial poultry houses in PA with some houses demonstrating emission-reduction strategies. This project is in its final stages and is part of a USDA IFAS funded project. Ammonia level was determined using an electrochemical sensor system developed by the project investigators. Ventilation rate was estimated by monitoring building static pressure difference and runtime of the ventilation fans whose airflow rates were determined in situ with a portable anemometer array. Similar emissions were seen from similar poultry housing situations across the states. More frequent manure removal resulted in lower house emissions (manure storage emissions would be impacted). Project website contains more information: www.bae.uky.edu/IFAFS. This project has resulted in the most comprehensive ammonia emissions baseline data available at this time in the USA for broiler chicken and laying hen facilities. Emissions from several types of poultry houses can be used on-farm for comparison among emissions abatement strategies. The published work presents effective strategy for on-farm data collection with accurate data obtained in rugged poultry/livestock housing environments. This multi-state, multi-disciplinary project has developed and published a comprehensive database of ammonia emissions. Three peer-reviewed journal articles are in print, with another four in-press.<br /> <br /> Visual Responses. CA did work with commercial broiler chickens and commented that they are often reared in near-continuous light, which has been reported to be associated with a higher incidence of leg problems and ascites. It has also been suggested, although with little evidence, that sleep patterns are disrupted in near-continuous lighting. We examined the effect of three lighting schedules on the behavior, weight gain, and leg condition of broilers. Broilers (194 Ross 308 and 96 Ross x Cobb) were housed in environmental chambers. During the first week, all treatments received a 23L: 1D regime (100 lux and 1 lux during the photophase and scotophase, respectively. On day 7, each chamber was assigned a lighting regime of either 23L: 1D, 20L: 4D, or 16L: 8D for weeks 2-5 (20 lux photophase and 1 lux scotophase). At day 35, all chambers were put on a 23L: 1D regime to stimulate compensatory growth. Behavior was observed continuously 2 days per week, and the broilers were gait scored using a 0-5 system at 42 days of age. Broilers showed few differences in their overall pattern of behavior regardless of photoperiod. However, birds given a longer dark period of 8 hours did sleep more than broilers given either 4 or 6 hours of darkness. There was no effect on production of providing a longer dark period. In contrast to previous studies, photoperiod length had no effect on gait score. However, a long light period was associated with more total external lesions and more leg bruising. These results suggest that a longer dark period can be beneficial in increasing sleep, with no negative effects on production, although further work in larger-scale trials is necessary to confirm this. <br /> <br /> Auditory Responses. CT determined that egg production and quality of life of poultry can be affected by noise levels in their environments. They may also demonstrate extreme behaviors in high transient noise situations. Vocalizations of chickens of various ages, breeds, sex and rearing conditions and ambient noise levels are being recorded for classification using a Hidden Markhov Model and for acoustic stress analysis. Results will be used to determine stress levels of chickens under various rearing conditions. <br /> <br /> Spatial Responses. IA studied feeding behavior of laying hens as affected by stocking density of 348, 387, 426, or 465 cm2 (54, 60, 66, or 72 in2) per hen. Results revealed no significant difference among the stocking densities under thermoneutral conditions with regard to daily feed intake (97-101 g/hen, p=0.37), hen-hours spent feeding per cage (17.8-24.0 hen-hours/day, p=0.32), average daily feeding time per hen (3.0-4.0 h/day, p=0.32), number of meals ingested per day per cage (117-181 meals/day, p=0.18), meal size (1.6-2.6 g/meal-hen, p=0.09), average meal duration (174-258 sec/meal, p=0.40), ingestion rate (0.47-0.77 g/min-hen, p=0.06), and number of hens feeding per meal (1.9-2.0 hens/meal, p=0.72).<br /> <br /> MD did work in space analysis and determined that increments in stocking density have been argued to restrict movement and use of space in broilers due to social factors (associated with concurrent increments in group size (GS)) and/or a reduction of space availability. The aim of this experiment was first, to quantify the effect of increasing stocking density on movement and use of space in broilers and second, to isolate the contribution of social factors from the impact of the reduction of space available. Artificial chicken-sized models, added to pens with 30 and 60 broilers, simulated the spatial availability of 90 birds while theoretically controlling for social factors associated with increasing GS. Model size was increased bi-weekly to mimic broiler growth. Group size/stocking density treatments (GSD) were as follows: 90/0, 60/0, 60/30, 30/0, 30/60 (# birds/# models). In the absence of social factors broilers in the 30/60, 60/30, and 90/0 GSD were predicted to show similar use of space patterns. Walking, steps taken, and path linearity (# of changes in direction of movement) were recorded. Core areas were calculated using spatial data obtained from focal birds. Data were analyzed by Mixed Model ANOVA with age as the repeated measure. Walking frequency and duration and number of steps taken were similar across all GSD (P>0.05). GSD groups differed in the level of path linearity (P<0.05), with trajectories being more linear in the 90/0, 60/0, and 30/0 GSD. GSD with equal density (90/0, 60/30, 30/60) had core areas of similar size (P>0.05), all of them surprisingly larger than those of 30/0 and 60/0 GSD (Fig. 1). Aggressive interactions were affected by GSD (P<0.05) with lowest levels of aggression observed in the 30/0 and 90/0 GSD. These results suggest that at relative low ranges of density, walking behavior and steps taken are not affected by density. In contrast, the analysis of core areas suggest that birds at higher densities use a wider range of space, possibly as result of the presence of other birds in their path of movement. In this study social factors associated with increments in density do not appear to have a relevant impact on the patterns of movement and use of space.<br /> <br /> MI conducted two experiments were conducted during a growout of male and female white pheasants to evaluate brooding space needed the first 6 wk and appropriate phase feeding strategies in the growing-finishing stages of growth. One-day-old chicks were placed into brooder pens with stocking rates of 150, 200 or 250 chicks/pen. Individual body weight and feed conversions for each pen were measured at 3 and 6 wk of age and litter moisture was measured at 3 wk. Birds were separated by gender at 6 wk and fed a common grower diet to 12 wk of age. At 12 wk, approximately half of the birds of each gender were fed either the grower diet or a finisher diet containing about 5 percentage units less crude protein than the grower diet. Body weight and feed conversion were measured on a pen basis at 12 wk for all birds, 17 wk for cockerels and 20 wk for hens. At market age, a sample of birds from each pen was selected to measure carcass yield and proximate analysis. There were no effects on body weight, coefficient of variation of body weight within pen, or feed conversion in the brooding period. High stocking density (350 chicks/pen) increased litter moisture at 3 wk. There were no dietary treatment effects on growth performance or carcass traits for either gender in the growing-finishing phases. The result showed that dietary protein could be reduced by 23% in a finisher diet fed after 12 wk of age to white pheasants.<br /> <br /> Social Stress. MD conducted a study examining the social needs of chickens. Social groups of chickens are unable to form stable hierarchies are common in poultry production. The long term effects of these environments on the birds behavior are unclear. To study this, we simulated the social conditions of production by exposing two lines, HGPS and LGPS, of male White Leghorns selected for high vs. low group productivity and survivability, to social stress involving recurrent regroupings with two-day intervals between 6 and 14.5 weeks of age. Agonistic interactions were observed in seven 15-bird groups/line, of which 4 belonged to social stress and 3 to control treatment, on the 2nd day after each regrouping. The treatment period was divided into three sub-periods of equal length. During the first period, HGPS birds showed both intensive (e.g. attacks) and mild (e.g. threats) agonistic acts more than LGPSs, the effect of line decreasing thereafter. In the second period, intensive agonistic activity was greater in HGPS controls than stressed HGPSs, a treatment effect lacking among LGPSs. In the last period, no line or treatment effects were present. After the regroupings, 16 birds/treatment and line were tested after four-day training in a long arena where 4 cages provided with strangers (except during training) were protruding in the corridor with a food source at the end of it. In this test, no line or treatment effects were found for a latency to reach the food source past the strangers, while in both lines the birds underwent the stress treatment passed by the strangers more frequently than the controls. Our results suggest that in the long term, birds living in unstable social environments may adopt alternative behavioral strategies/styles in order to avoid high energy consuming agonistic behavior. It also seems possible that the capacity of a bird to adapt to an unstable environment may be influenced by genetic selection.<br /> <br /> II. Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Management Practice<br /> <br /> Beak Trimming. MN conducted research on the practice of beak-trimming in turkeys and examined welfare concerns and cannabalism in cooperation with H. Xin and R. Cook (IA), I. Estevez (MD), and M. Beck (NE). Male turkey poults were either not trimmed or had the upper beak trimmed after hatching by electric arc, infrared, or hot blade methods. Poults were fed either mash or crumbles/pellets to 18 wks of age. Performance, feed intake, behavior, and histology of beaks was determined. Feed form had the greatest effect on performance with improved body weight and feed conversion for turkeys fed pelleted feed of 5.2 and 9.6%, respectively (P<.05). Higher mortality (P<.06) was observed for poults that were trimmed by hot blade in comparison to the control for the first 6 wks of the trial. An interaction of trim and feed form was noted for feed disappearance where feed disappearance was lower for the arc and infrared trimmed poults in comparison to the control or hot blade trimmed birds during 0-6 wks. Removal or culling of birds due to aggressive picking damage was greater for the untrimmed and hot blade trimmed turkeys in comparison to those trimmed by arc or infrared. Beak trimming had minimal effects on performance with the greatest control of aggression in turkeys beak trimmed by electric arc or infrared methods.<br /> <br /> Bill Trimming. CA conducted a study to determine the effects of a commercial bill-trimming method, cutting without cautery, on the behavior and bill morphopathology of ducks. Muscovy ducks were housed in 12 pens each containing 16 ducks (8 males and 8 females). Half of the ducks were trimmed (TRIM) using scissors at 20 days post-hatch, while the rest were sham-trimmed (NOTRIM). The behavior of all ducks was recorded until 12 weeks of age, at which time the bills of the male focal ducks were collected, sectioned, stained and subjected to histological analysis. TRIM showed transient decreases in bill-related behaviors, and increased resting, post-trim. There was also a transient check in weight gain. Behavioral and weight differences between TRIM and NOTRIM were no longer evident after the first week post-trim. The TRIM bills were scarred and lacked vascularization, but there were no neuromas. It is likely that the extensive scarring prevented nerve regrowth into the bill. These results are consistent with this bill-trimming method causing acute, but not chronic, pain in Muscovy ducks. <br /> <br /> Induced Molt. IL conducted a study where nonfeed withdrawal molt diets were restricted fed in a molting program. This study indicated that feeding a soybean hulls-corn diet ad libitum or restricted during the 28-day molt period is an effective non-feed removal molt program. In addition, restricted feeding of a wheat midds-corn diet had no negative effect on postmolt performance. Hens fed a wheat midds-corn molt diet ad libitum had lower egg production than any other treatment, presumably due to the higher ME content of this diet.<br /> <br /> Nutrition. MS conducted work on increasing amino acid density early in life and has shown to increase subsequent growth performance and breast meat yield. However, reducing nutrient density as birds reach market weight will decrease nitrogen content of excreta and may reduce ammonia production as well as allow for growth comparable to a higher CP regimen. This study examined growth performance, plasma metabolites, nitrogen excretion, and ammonia production of male broilers during a 35 d production period. Two-hundred and forty Ross x Ross 708 male broilers were randomly assigned into Petersime batteries having raised wire floors (5 birds/cage) at one d of age. Dietary treatments consisted of four feeding regimens formulated to moderate (M) or high (H) amino acid density based on an ideal amino acid pattern. Diets were fed from 1 to 7, 8 to 19, and 20 to 35 d. Feeding regimen treatments were 1) HHH; 2) HHM; 3) HMM; 4) MMM. Each treatment was represented by 12 replicate pens. At d 26, blood was collected from one bird/pen for the determination of plasma total protein and uric acid concentrations. A 48 h total excreta collection period (33 to 35 d) was conducted to assess nitrogen excretion and ammonia production. Broilers fed the HHH regimen had improved (P£0.03) cumulative BW gain and feed conversion, but feed consumption and mortality were unaffected. Feeding the H amino acid density diet until 19 d of age improved (P£0.02) BW gain. Plasma total protein and uric acid were similar among the treatments. From 33 to 35 d, increasing amino acid density increased (P£0.04) nitrogen excretion and ammonia production. We conclude that reducing amino acid density during the final phase of growth decreased nitrogen excretion and ammonia production but cumulative feed conversion was compromised. <br /> <br /> MS also found that providing broilers diets formulated to a high amino acid density early in development improves subsequent growth performance and breast meat yield. However, feeding broilers diets formulated to a high amino acid density from 5 to 8 wk of age may not be economically justified. This study examined growth responses and meat yield of broilers provided diets varying in amino acid density from 36 to 59 d of age. Two identical trials were conducted. In each trial, sixteen hundred and sixty-four Ross x Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 32 floor pens (26 males and 26 females; 0.08 m2/bird) at one-d of age. All birds were fed common  high amino acid density diets to 35 d of age. Broilers were provided diets characterized as being high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) in amino acid density from 36 to 47 and 48 to 59 d of age. The diets were formulated to contain: H (19.8%, CP, 0.83%, TSAA, and 1.05%, Lys), M (18.2%, CP, 0.80%, TSAA, and 0.95%, Lys) , and L (16.7%, CP, 0.75%, TSAA, and 0.85%, Lys) from 36 to 47 d and H (18.0%, CP, 0.78%, TSAA, and 1.00%, Lys), M (17.3%, CP, 0.75%, TSAA, and 0.91%, Lys) , and L (16.0%, CP, 0.70%, TSAA, and 0.82%, Lys) from 48 to 59 d. Dietary treatments were HHHH, HHHM, HHHL, HHMM, HHML, and HHLL from 36 to 59 d of age. Feeding the HHHH schedule improved (Pd.05) feed conversion by 3, 3, 4, 4, and 7 points compared with the HHHM, HHMM, HHHL, HHML, and HHLL, respectively. Dietary amino acid density did not affect growth rate, feed consumption, and the incidence of mortality. Decreasing amino acid density to HHLL feeding schedule increased (Pd0.05) abdominal fat yield compared with HHHH and HHHM dietary schedules and reduced (Pd0.05) total breast meat yield compared with HHHH, HHHM, HHMM, and HHML dietary schedules, respectively. As amino density decreased to the HHHM, HHMM, and HHML feeding schedules, breast meat yield of broilers was similar to birds fed the HHHH feeding schedule. Total breast meat yield was increased (Pd0.05) by 0.4, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.7% points as amino acid density was increased from HHLL to HHML, HHMM, HHHM, and HHHH feeding schedules, respectively. These results indicate that feeding low amino acid density diets to broilers from 2.0 to 3.9 kg adversely affects feed conversion and total white meat yield. <br /> <br /> MN in cooperation with K. Roberson and J. Kalbfleisch (MI), the feeding value of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was examined by determination of energy content and available phosphorus. A grow-finish trial was conducted with commercial tom turkeys to confirm the appropriate energy value of DDGs to use in diet formulation. Turkeys were fed diets varying in level of DDGs (10 or 20% DDGs) and formulated using different levels of MEn (E) assigned to the DDGs during 6 to 19 wks of age. The ME assignments were (kcal/kg): previously determined TMEn in young growing turkeys of 2980; previously determined AMEn with young turkey poults of 2760; and, the NRC (1994) book value of 2480. The basal diet was composed of primarily corn, soybean meal, poultry byproduct meal and .05% supplemental thr. Diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. A control diet with no DDGs was included. The higher inclusion level of 20% depressed body weight in comparison to the control (P < .01) at 11 (7.95 vs. 7.85 kg), 14 (11.99 vs. 11.80 kg), and 19 wks of age (17. 46 vs. 17.11 kg) while performance was similar for the control and 10% DDGs diet. The depression with a 20% inclusion level is in contrast to our previous data that showed that a level of 20% gave similar performance to that of the control diet series. A reduction in diet protein level through the use of supplemental thr may have negatively affected the performance response. Cumulative 6-19 wk feed efficiency (f/g) was poorer for turkeys fed 20% DDGs diets in comparison to 10% DDGs (2.552 vs. 2.522) but neither dietary treatment was different from the control (2.53). Diets varying in E did not affect turkey body weight. When the TMEn value was used in formulation, cumulative 6-19 wk f/g was poorer as compared to the NRC value (2.56 vs. 2.53) (P<.05). Determination of energy by TMEn resulted in an overestimation of the energy value of the DDGs when using feed efficiency as the response criteria. While there was no difference in response for the NRC or AMEn energy value, use of the lower NRC energy value could have a large effect on diet cost. Bioavailability of phosphorus was determined to be at least equivalent to dicalcium phosphate and was usually in excess of 100%.<br /> <br /> Data Analyses and Decision Analyses. MS has done work on neural networks which offers a alternative to regression analysis for biological growth modeling. There is very little research that has been conducted to model animal growth using artificial neural networks. Twenty-five male chicks (Ross x Ross 308) were raised in an environmental chamber. Body weights were determined on a daily basis. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The birds were fed a starter ration (23% protein 3200 kcal ME) from 0 to 21 d and a grower ration (20% protein and 3200 kcal ME) from 22 to 70 d. Dead and female birds were not included in the study. Average body weights of the remaining 18 birds were used as the data points for the growth curve to be modeled. Training data consisted of every other day weights starting with the first day. Validation data consisted of the remaining body weights. Comparison was made between the modeling by the Gompertz nonlinear regression equation and neural network modeling. Neural network models were developed with the Neuroshell Predictor. Developed neural networks were evaluated in an Excel spreadsheet using the Neuroshell runtime server program. The predictor model is based on one of two models called neural and genetic. The training procedure is based on the premise that the accuracy and precision of the model can be adjusted by inclusion or exclusion of the nodes in the hidden layer. The genetic approach was also evaluated. Quantitative examination of the fit of the predictive models was made using error measurement indices commonly used to evaluate forecasting models. Accuracy of the models were determined by Mean Absolute Deviation, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, Mean Square Error and Bias. The Gompertz equation was fit for the data. Forecasting error measurements based on the difference between the model and the observed values. For the training data, the lowest MSE, MAD, MAPE and bias were noted for the neural developed neural network. For the validation data, the lowest MSE, MAD, and MAPE were with the genetic algorithm developed neural network. Lowest bias was for the neural developed neural network. As measured by bias, the Gompertz equation under estimated the values while the neural and genetic developed neural networks produced little or no overestimation of the observed body weight responses. Past studies attempted to interpret the biological significance of the estimates of the parameters of an equation, it may be more practical to ignore the relevance of parameter estimates and focus on the ability to predict responses.<br /> <br /> MS also found that monitoring growth is important in assessing flock performance during growout. Weighing birds within a flock can be labor intensive; therefore, a non-contact method of weighing is desirable. This objective of this study was to determine if projected area of the bird is a viable method to estimate BW. One hundred Ross x Ross 708 chicks were placed into four environmental chambers at 1 d of age. Thirty five male birds were labeled with leg bands and weighed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 wks of age. A digital still camera was suspended on two tripods 86 cm above the floor and used to acquire images of each bird directly after weighing. The birds were individually placed on a matte-black backdrop for photography, and no attempts to correct posture or position were made. The height of the camera remained constant throughout the growing cycle to maintain the same image scale such that total image area would remain constant, and projected area could be directly compared. Images were edited to isolate the two-dimensional projection of the bird and stored as 8-bit binary images; projected pixel area was determined via histogram analysis. Regression analysis was performed on the BW as well as various combination of linear, logarithmic, and power transformations. Correlations between BW and projected area were observed (R2 e 0.92), regardless of posture or orientation and transform type. A natural log transform of both BW and projected area provided the best fit (R2 = 0.98), yielding the following relationship: BW = e[-18.109 + 1.388×ln(area)]. Eight birds from a separate ongoing trial were weighed and photographed for use as a validation set and the predicted BW was compared to actual BW using a paired t-test. Mean predicted BW was not significantly different from actual BW (P = 0.36). Results of this research suggest that estimating broiler weight through digital imaging may provide a non-contact method for assessing performance during growout.<br /> <br /> <br />

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Participants

Mary Beck - Nebraska; Mike Darre - Connecticut; Inma Estevez - Maryland; Paul Harrison - Illinois; Ken Koelkebeck - Illinois; Joy Mench - California; Larry Miller - USDA/CSREES; Sally Noll - Minnesota; Richard Reynnells - USDA/CSREES; Bill Roush - USDA-ARS Mississippi; Bill Saylor - Delaware; Bill Vinson, Administrative Advisor - West Virginia; Eileen Wheeler - Pennsylvania; Hongwei Xin - Iowa; Bob Buresh - Industry Advisor - Tyson Foods; Jihad Douglas, Industry Advisor - Nicholas Turkeys; Hank Engster - Industry Advisor - Perdue Farms; Kevin Roberson - Industry Advisor - Michael Foods; Henwei Cheng, Ad Hoc Rep - USDA

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

I. Poultry House Environment.<br /> <br /> <P>Aerial. IL conducted research to evaluate possible methods to reduce ammonia that was generated from an on farm composting system. Sodium bisulfate (PLT®) was tested at 100% of recommended application level (150 pounds per 1000 square feet of surface [T-1]) and 150% of recommended level (T-2). Composting laying hen manure was collected at a commercial laying hen farm that housed a total of approximately 1.2 million birds. Samples were collected into 18 new plastic 5-gallon containers (14 H x 11.5 D) and a sealed cover was placed over the containers for transport to the emissions calorimeters (EC), located in the Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL) at the University of Illinois. Six replicate samples were collected from each of three different areas of the composting process in which manure had been composting for approximately one day, one week, and three weeks. In each of the three composting areas approximately 55 grams of PLT® was evenly distributed over the surface of two of the samples (Treatment-1), another two samples were treated with 83 grams of PLT® (Treatment-2), and the remaining two served as untreated controls (zero). Ammonia emissions from all compost treatment samples were determined for a one-hour period in each of the three EC, over approximately five hours. <br /> <br /> <P>Mean AE was 5.02, 4.89, and 3.68 for the zero, T-1, and T-2 levels of PLT® treatments when evaluated over both one day and one week measurement periods after storage in the 5-gallon containers. There was not a difference between T-1 and T-2; however, when PLT® treatments (AE = 1.09) were compared to zero PLT® (AE = 2.10) the values were different. AE measurements after one week of storage at ERL were 3.24, 17.03 and 2.63 for the manure that had been composting on the farm for one day, one week, and three weeks, respectively. PLT® had no effects on AE at the one week of storage measurement period even when the one-week-old compost samples were dropped from the analysis. Moisture (30.0 plus-minus 1.0%) and temperature (38.2 plus-minus 0.63 C) were not influenced by PLT® treatment and both moisture and temperature were higher for the compost samples that had been composted for a week on the farm.<br /> <br /> <P>These data will be used to establish the beneficial effects of composting to reduce AE from laying hen manure. An obvious benefit from AE inhibiting treatments is demonstrated and an obvious need for more information in relation to application level and frequency of application is needed for proper management. Economic and environmental value of composted manure can also be used for inclusion into models that can be used for business decisions.<br /> <br /> <P>II. Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Management Practice<br /> <br /> <P>Beak Trimming. MN conducted research on the practice of beak-trimming in turkeys. The practice of beak-trimming in turkeys was examined relative to welfare concerns and cannibalism in cooperation with H. Xin and R. Cook (IA), I. Estevez and E. Hoerl (MD), and M. Beck (NE). The objectives of this study are to assess the method of beak trimming and feed form on turkey behavior. The hypothesis is that feed form and beak-trimming will modify feeding and aggression behavior. Male Large White commercial turkey poults were obtained from a hatchery following beak trimming by hot blade, electric arc, and infrared methods, along with a set of birds that were not beak-trimmed. The poults were randomly assigned to 16 replicate floor pens per beak treatment, with 8 pens each fed mash or crumbled pelleted feed to 18 weeks of age. Behavior observations were conducted using Observer software package (Noldus) and a time budget was created for each focal bird. Three focal birds per pen were observed, for a total of 24 replicate focal birds per feed/beak-trim type. Statistical analyses were conducted with SAS. Time budgets were primarily effected by period of observation (age) and feed form. As age of the turkey increased less time was spent feeding, drinking and resting. Time spent walking and standing increased most likely associated with sexual development of the toms. The form of the feed offered modified the time budget. Results indicate that poults fed the mashed feed spent a larger percentage of their time feeding than those fed pellets (9.3 vs. 2.9%), along with less time resting and standing. Beak-trim treatment did not affect the time budget, nor were there any interactions of beak trim treatment with feed form. <br /> <br /> <P>Bill Trimming. CA conducted a study to determine the effects of a commercial bill-trimming to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. Pekin ducks are often bill-trimmed to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism, but this practice has been criticized because of the resulting potential for acute and chronic pain. The goal of this experiment was to compare two different bill-trimming methods, hot blade trimming with cautery (TRIM) and cautery only (tip-searing; SEAR), on the behavior, bill morphology, and weight gain of Pekin ducks. Ducklings (N = 192, 96 per sex) were trimmed at the hatchery and assigned into 12 floor pens (3.66 m X 0.91 m) by treatment. Behavior was evaluated by scan sampling, and plumage condition scored using a 0 to 3 scoring system. Thirty-six ducks were randomly euthanized at 3 and 6 wk of age, and their bills collected for examination. Following fixation and decalcification, the bills were embedded in paraffin wax and sectioned longitudinally. Alternate sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Massons trichrome for the connective tissues; and Bielschowsky's silver impregnation, Bodian's, and Holmes' staining for the nerve fibers. Trimmed ducks performed fewer bill-related behaviors and rested more than untrimmed ducks (NOTRIM) during the first 2 weeks post-trim. SEAR and NOTRIM showed similar patterns of weight gain, but TRIM had a lower rate of gain than SEAR during the first week post-trim and than NOTRIM for 2 weeks post-trim. Feather scores of NOTRIM were significantly worse than those of TRIM or SEAR by 18 d, and continued to deteriorate at a greater rate than in trimmed ducks throughout the study. Both trimming methods caused connective tissue proliferation in the bill stumps, but TRIM caused thicker scar tissue than SEAR. No neuromas were found using either trimming method, but there were more nerve fibers in the SEAR than the TRIM bill stumps. These results suggest that there is acute pain associated with both trimming methods but that SEAR may be a preferable method, causing less check in weight gain and fewer bill morphological changes while still being effective in minimizing feather pecking damage. <br /> <br /> <P>Induced Molt. Induced molting. IL conducted a study which evaluated the effects of feeding molt diets for a varying number of days. Laying hens were fed several molt diets for < 28 days, = 28 days, or > 28 days and compared these to a 10-day feed withdrawal period to induce molting. For this study, 504 Hy-Line W-36 hens (69 weeks of age) were housed in a cage layer house of commercial design and allocated randomly to six replicate groups of 12 hens each (4 adjacent raised wire cages, 30 x 46 cm, containing 3 hens per cage, 72 square inches per hen) per treatment. The treatments were: 1) Fasted for 10 days, then fed a 16% protein molt diet for 18 days (10-day fast); 2) Fed a 94% corn ad libitum for 35 days (Corn 35); 3) Fed a 47% corn:47% soybean hulls diet ad libitum for 21 days (SH 21); 4) Fed a 47% corn:47% soybean hulls diet ad libitum for 28 days (SH 28); 5) Fed a 47% corn:47% soybean hulls diet ad libitum for 35 days (SH 35); 6) Fed a 71% wheat middlings:23% corn diet ad libitum for 21 days (WM 21); 7) Fed a 71% wheat middlings:23% corn diet ad libitum for 28 days (WM 28). The total length of the experiment lasted 44 weeks (4 weeks for the molt period and 40 weeks for the postmolt egg production period).<br /> <br /> <P>Body weight loss for hens on the feed withdrawal treatment was 25.2% on Day 10 of the molt period. On Day 21 of the molt period hens on the Corn:SH 21 and WM:Corn 21 treatments lost 13 and 2% of body weight, respectively. Hens on the Corn:SH 28 and WM:Corn 28 treatments lost 21 and 8% of body weight. And, the hens fed the Corn and Corn:SH 35 for 35 d lost 17 and 28% body weight, respectively. These results show that the hens fed the SH 21, 28, and 35 diets produced less eggs than those fed the WM 21 and 28 diets from Weeks 2 to 5. When considering the total experimental period of Weeks 1 to 44, the hens fed the SH 21, 28, 35, and WM 21 diets produced equally as well as those hens which were fasted for 10 days (10-day fast). In summary, feeding a soybean hulls-corn diet for 21, 28, or 35 days resulted in cumulative and postmolt egg production that was similar as the 10-day feed withdrawal. Feeding a wheat middlings-corn diet for 21 days also resulted in comparable egg production to the 10-day feed withdrawal treatment. Feeding a corn diet for 35 days yielded the lowest postmolt egg production.<br /> <br /> <P>Nutrition. MN in cooperation with IL studied the nutritional value of DDGS. The nutritional value of corn derived distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was examined by determining the amino acid digestibility in cooperation with IL as well as assessing its performance through feeding trials. It was hypothesized that variable solubles addition to the wet grains prior to drying could effect the nutrient composition of the dried product and perhaps change the dynamics of the drying process to effect product quality. Batches of corn distiller dried grains were produced with varying levels of solubles (syrup) added back to the wet grains (mash) and then dried. The batches produced contained syrup added at approximately 0, 30, 60, and 100% of the maximum possible addition of syrup to mash. Actual rates of syrup addition were 0, 12, 25, and 42 gal/minute. Dryer temperature decreased with the decrease in rate of solubles of addition. Samples of each lot of material were taken and were chemically analyzed. The results indicate that the level of solubles addition has most of its effect on particular particle size and color of the dried product. Particle size was greatly affected with larger and more variable particle size with the highest level of solubles addition. The larger particles (syrup balls) were readily apparent in the 100% batch. Content of fat and ash increased with solubles addition. The TMEn content increased with solubles addition. Mineral content, especially for magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, chloride, and sulfur increased as the level of solubles addition increased. Protein and amino acid content showed very little change in the various products. True amino acid digestibility coefficients of the essential amino acids tended to be negatively correlated with solubles addition. The results indicate that solubles addition has the largest effect on particle size, color, and; contents of fat (and thus TMEn) and minerals. <br /> <br /> <P>A feeding trial was conducted to examine different inclusion levels of poultry byproduct meal (PBM) and DDGS and their combined effect on market tom performance during 5-19 wks of age. Large White male turkey poults (Nicholas strain) were randomly assigned to pens (10/pen) at 5 wks age and fed one of the following diet treatments (T): 1. Corn and soybean meal control; 2. As T1 with PBM (8% ); 3. As T1 with PBM (12%); 4. As T1 with DDGS (10%); 5. As T1 with DDGS (20%); 6. As T 2 and T4; 7. As T2 and T5; 8. As T3 and T4; and, 9. As T3 and T5. Each diet was fed to 10 replicate pens. At 19 wks of age, dietary treatment significantly affected 19-wk body weight and feed efficiency (5-19 wks) (P<.001) (Table 2). The body weight of the corn-soy control diet (T1) averaged 20.18 kg. Diets containing PBM (8 or 12%) or DDGS (10 or 20%) were not significantly different from the control. BW of turkeys fed diets containing PBM (8 or 12%) in combination with 20% DDGS was less than that of the control by 3.3%. A significant interaction existed for inclusion of PBM and DDGS (P<.02) for feed efficiency. Feed/gain of turkeys fed diets containing PBM (8 or 12%) or DDGS (10 or 20%) were not significantly different from the control. However, the feed/gain increased for turkeys fed diets containing PBM (8 or 12%) in combination with 20% DDGS, which were significantly different from the control by 5 to 6 points. In summary, performance of turkeys fed 20% DDGS diets was not different from the control except when used in combination with high levels of PBM. <br />

Publications

Gustafson, L., H-W. Cheng, J.P. Garner, E.A. Pajor, and J.A. Mench. 2006. Effects of bill-trimming on the behavior, bill morphopathology, and weight gain of Muscovy ducks. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In press.<br /> <br /> Koelkebeck, K.W., C.M. Parsons, P. Biggs, and P. Utterback. 2006. Nonwithdrawal Molting Programs. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 15:483-491. <br /> <br /> Kassube, H., E. Hoerl Leone, I. Estevez, H. Xin, and S. Noll. 2006. Turkey beak trim and feed form. 2. Effect on turkey behavior. Poultry Sci. 85(Suppl 1):17.<br /> <br /> Noll, S. L., C. Parsons, and B. Walters. 2006. What's new since September 2005 in feeding distillers co-products to poultry. In Proceedings 67th Minnesota Nutrition Conference. University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.<br /> <br /> Noll, S. L., and J. Brannon. 2006. Inclusion levels of corn distillers grains with solubles and poultry byproduct meal in market turkey diets. Poultry Sci. 85(Suppl 1):106.<br /> <br /> Noll, S. L., and H. Xin. 2006. Turkey beak trim and feed form. 1. Effect on turkey performance. Poultry Sci. 85(Suppl 1):17.<br /> <br /> Rost, Kenneth F. 2005. Canola Meal in Turkey Diets, M.S. Thesis, University of Minnesota.<br /> <br />

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Mike Darre - Connecticut; Inma Estevez - Maryland; Paul Harrison - Illinois; Ken Koelkebeck - Illinois; Joy Mench - California; Sally Noll - Minnesota; Richard Reynnells - USDA/CSREES; Bill Roush - USDA-ARS Mississippi; Bill Saylor - Delaware; Bill Vinson, Administrative Advisor - West Virginia; Eileen Wheeler - Pennsylvania; Hongwei Xin - Iowa; Bob Buresh - Industry Advisor - Tyson Foods; Jihad Douglas, Industry Advisor - Nicholas Turkeys; Hank Engster - Industry Advisor - Perdue Farms; Kevin Roberson - Industry Advisor - Michael Foods; Henwei Cheng, Ad Hoc Rep - USDA/ARS

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Accomplishments

Aerial. IL conducted research to evaluate how soon after application of sodium bisulfate PLT® would ammonia emissions be affected from layer manure compost. PLT® was tested at 100% of recommended application level (150 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. of surface area). Composting laying hen manure was collected at a commercial laying hen farm that housed approximately 1.4 million birds. Samples were collected from the top 1-2 feet of the approximately three-four depth of compost. They were collected into 6 plastic 5-gallon buckets (14 H x 11.5 D), sealed, and transported to the Environmental Research Lab (ERL) at the University of Illinois. Two replicate samples were collected from each of three different areas of the composting process. Material was estimated to have been composting for approximately two days, and two separate areas that had been mixed and composted for about one week.<br /> <br /> <P>After being collected compost samples were maintained at 21°C for the remainder of the experiment. Ammonia emission levels were evaluated from a random sampling of compost from each treatment that was collected into pre weighed plastic tubs (5H x 7W x 11L). Ammonia emissions from all compost treatment samples were determined for a one-hour period in each of the two EC and prior to any PLT® application. Ammonia emissions were sampled six times each measurement period. The first ammonia samples were taken after the compost had been equilibrating in the EC for approximately one hour. We measured the AE from non-treated manure compost (control) and compost topically sprinkled with standard granular PLT® at a level representing 100% of recommended application level (150 pounds per 1000 square feet of surface). Topical sprinkling with standard granular PLT® without opening the EC was accomplished with a newly developed apparatus whereby the recommended level (36 g) of PLT® was distributed over the entire surface area of the compost sample. This allowed short interval measurement of AE over a time period before and after application of PLT®. On the initial AE measurement, the compost samples were placed into individual EC and following a 1-2 hour emission gas equilibrium period, AE were determined for both samples (treated and untreated). Following the initial measurements, one of the two samples (EC) was treated with PLT®. After the PLT® application, AE was measured at approximately 1, 5, and 30 minutes and one-hour post-treatment. Prior to the application of PLT® and after the initial measurements following EC equilibrium, a sham PLT® application was conducted. This allowed us to evaluate any emissions effects caused by PLT® application procedure.<br /> <br /> <P>Mean AE are reported as pounds of ammonia per day per ton of compost and expressed as AE throughout this report. Level of inference for difference between various treatments was set at P < 0.05. Prior to any PLT® application mean AE was greater for the two-day vs. one-week old compost (6.6 plus-minus 1.7 and 3.8 plus-minus 0.4, respectively). Mean moisture level was greater in samples from both one-week old locations than the two-day location (53, 56, and 44 %, respectively). This moisture difference may have been caused by the lack of straw (carbon source) degradation and mixing in the two-day old compost. Compost age and time after PLT® both affected AE but there was no compost age by PLT® or compost age by time after PLT® interactions. When the effect of time after application of PLT® is compared to compost that was top-dressed with PLT® there is a significant response within five minutes after PLT® application. There was no difference in AE during the entire experimental period when PLT® was not applied to the compost. We had an initial problem with remote topical distribution of PLT® on to compost samples in the EC that was caused by moisture accumulation on the surface of the application apparatus. The high level of solubility of the PLT® caused the applicator apertures to clog. Cleaning and drying the internal surfaces of the applicator surfaces with ethanol prior to use solved the clogging problem. The PLT® solubility may also be a potential problem during field application. <br /> <br /> <P>These data can be added to previously determined result that demonstrate how composting can be used to reduce AE from laying hen manure. An obvious benefit from AE inhibiting treatment is demonstrated and application immediately after compost mixing (a time when AE is greatest) is demonstrated. More information in relation to application level and frequency of application is obviously needed. When this research is finalized, economic and environmental value of composting manure can be used for inclusion into management decisions models.<br /> <br /> <P>Visual Responses. GA did work on broiler house lighting. In making broiler housing tighter for efficient heating and ventilation, it has resulted in the ability to control the amount of light provided to commercial broilers. The increased control over photoperiod and light intensity has many growers and companies searching for the lighting programs that will optimize broiler production. Another emerging issue is the influence that lighting has on broiler welfare. Very little information about lighting programs under commercial conditions on broiler welfare exists and a number of recommendations for lighting programs from various customer and animal welfare groups are being suggested to poultry companies. The need for science based recommendations is extremely important as lighting programs are an essential management tool to regulate broiler growth to lower the incidence of metabolic diseases. A two year research project has been completed where photoperiod and light intensity on broiler performance and welfare were evaluated. The birds are reared in pens at commercial density, provided standard diets and managed according to primary breeder recommendations. Light period and intensity are adjusted in each treatment and feed conversion, body weight and livability are monitored throughout the flock. The light intensity during the first week can influence 7 Day bird performance. Getting the birds off to a good start in the first week is crucial to obtain good market weights and feed conversion. In the current study light did not impact broiler performance beyond 21 days of age. It is important to remember that the environment the birds were exposes to was an ideal environment in terms of temperature, air quality and litter conditions. Under commercial conditions birds encounter several environmental challenges that can include elevated ammonia concentrations, temperature variations and poor litter quality. It is possible that lighting could play a larger role in improving bird performance under such conditions by encouraging birds to be more active resulting in finding out where feed and water sources are located. If other environmental conditions are maintained correctly, lighting is a good way to improve bodyweights and feed conversion in the first 7 to 10 days. Further work in this area is planned to identify the effects on bird stress. The bottom line would result in more pounds sold and more income for both the broiler company and grower.<br /> <br /> <P>Auditory Responses. CT did work on the effect of stress on the vocalization of captive poultry. Thirty six week old Single Comb White Leghorn chickens were divided into seven treatment groups of 25 birds each for a three month trial. Birds were housed in a litter floor pen at 252 sq in/bird. The treatments were: control, heat stressed (90 to 100°F), crowding (144 sq in/bird), human presence (walking around the pen), heat stress and human presence, heat stress and crowding and heat stress and handling (physically catching and holding a bird). During the application of the treatments, vocalizations of the birds were recoreded for an average of 45 minutes using a Sony PCM-M1 digital audio tape (DAT) recorder and a Shure prologue multidirectional microphone. The microphone was hung at 24 above the floor of the pen. Behavior of the birds during application of the treatments was recorded using a Cannon Optura digital video recorder. <br /> <br /> <P>The data is being analyzed using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) which is a statistical model in which the system being modeled is assumed to be a Markov process with unknown paramaters. The HMM is particularly suited for classifying time series data such as vocalization waveforms due to its ability to model non-linear temporal variations in the vocalizaitons. The HMM is initially trained using the Baum-Welch algorithm, which is an expectation maximizaiton algorithm. <br /> <br /> <P>The results indicate that the intensity of vocalizaitons of the chickens in our study increased compared to the control birds as a result of the application of an environmental stressor. The combination of heat and handling resulted in the highest intensity vocalizaitons.<br /> <br /> <P>The peak frequency of the vocalizations also increased due to exposure to the various environmental stressors compared to the control birds. The peak frequencies were not significantly different between the treatment groups, but were all significantly different from the control birds.<br /> <br /> <P>Spatial Responses. MD did work on space analysis and movement of poultry. Animal movement and space use plays an integral role in understanding the behaviour and habitat selection of free-ranging and captive animal populations. In captive animals, how individuals move and use the enclosed space can be severely restricted by factors such as the size of the enclosure, its design, and by the number of individuals housed together. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effects of group size (GS), and enclose size (ES) on the movement and use of space of captive animals by using the domestic fowl (<I>Gallus gallus domesticus</I> as our animal model. This investigation could lead to new considerations in facility design to better suit the biological needs of captive animals. Eight groups of 40 male chickens were used; each group was temporarily divided into three GS (5, 10 and 20 birds) and tested in three different ES (5, 10 and 20 m²). Locations of four focal birds were collected through instantaneous scan sampling and were directly recorded as (X, Y) coordinates with a Tablet PC and the Chickitaizer^© software. From these locations we calculated net and total distance moved, mean, maximum and minimum step-lengths, and angular dispersion of the path of movement. To calculate long-term space use, three replications for each of three experimental GS were placed in nine 10 m² enclosures for one week. Locations of focal birds in each group were collected by <I>ad libitum</I> scan sampling for one hour and data were used to calculate core areas by the Animal Movement Analyst Home Range Extension for the Arc-View (v3.3) GIS. Mixed Model ANOVA was used to determine the effects of GS and ES on movement, while one-way ANOVA was used for core areas. Birds in larger ES had longer net distances, total distances, mean and maximum step-lengths while individuals in larger GS had longer net distances. We show that ES and GS had an effect on short-term movement patterns.<br /> <br /> <P>II. Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Management Practice<br /> <br /> <P>Nutrition. MN A preliminary study was conducted with IL to determine the effect of diet on ammonia emissions from chicken broiler manure. Manure was collected from broilers fed different types of diets (corn-soybean meal with and without dried distillers grains with solubles). The manure was frozen and subsequently shipped to the University of Illinois for the determination of ammonia release after thawing the samples. It was determined that freezing of the manure depressed microbial activity resulting in little ammonia release indicating that fresh sample of manure are needed for analyses.<br /> <br /> <P>Utilization of distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS) was examined in diets containing a high inclusion level of poultry byproduct meal as well and fed to growing market tom turkeys. Amino acid digestibility was determined in cooperation with IL. The results indicated that digestible thr levels were critical to maintain optimal performance (body weight and feed conversion) during the growing period of 8-11 wks of age and as diet protein level decreased in diets containing large amounts of alternative protein sources which displace soybean meal.<br /> <br /> <P>Efficacy of avian pneumovirus vaccine (APV) was found to be dependent on method of administration. Protection after the first vaccination was obtained when administered via eye drop and spray cabinet. Sprayer application required two vaccinations to provide protection against APV. The results indicate that reports of vaccine failure in the field may be due to vaccination method and timing of disease exposure and not vaccine efficacy.<br /> <br /> <P>Data Analyses and Decision Analyses. MS did work on sensitivity analysis. Sensitivity analysis is a basic part of a mathematical programming solution and is helpful in making nutritional and economic decisions for a given feed formulation problem.. The terms shadow price and reduced cost are familiar linear program (LP) terms to feed formulators. Because of the nonlinear nature of stochastic programming (SP), a different approach is used to define shadow prices and reduced costs. The Lagrange multiplier is used instead of shadow price to describe marginal value of nutrients. Reduced Gradient is used instead of reduced cost to describe the price at which ingredients, not used in the formation, would enter the solution. A spreadsheet feed problem was setup with 11 ingredients and 11 constraints. LP and SP solutions were determined using the Excel Solver algorithm. Two problems compared LP and SP solutions at 50% and 69% probabilities for the protein constraint. All other constraints were held at a 50% probability. Results for the 50% probability comparison showed that the feed formulations, as expected, were exactly the same for both LP and SP. Wheat was not included in the solution. The LP reduced cost and the SP reduced gradient for unused wheat were equivalent. The LP Shadow prices and the SP Lagrange multipliers were the equivalent. Results for the 69% probability problem showed a difference in the formulated rations. The LP reduced cost was $34.25 and the SP reduced cost was $34.52 showing the respective amounts that the cost of wheat would have to be reduced to enter the solution. The shadow price and the Lagrange multiplier were $2.73 and $2.71 respectively for the amount of increase in ration cost that could be expected by a unit of change in the protein requirement. Some rounding error was noted with the results. <br />

Publications

IL<br /> <br /> <P>Harrison, P.C., and K.W. Koelkebeck. 2007. Reducing ammonia emissions from poultry manure and compost. Proc. of Midwest Poultry Federation Convention. St. Paul, MN. 7 pages.<br /> <br /> <P>Koelkebeck, K.W., and K.E. Anderson. 2007. Molting layers  alternative methods and their effectiveness. Poult. Sci 86:1260-1264.<br /> <br /> <P>MD<br /> <P>Leone, E.N.H., I. Estévez, and M. Christman. 2007. Environmental complexity and group size: Immediate effects on the use of space by domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102:39-52.<br /> <br /> <P>Estévez, I., I.L. Andersen, and E. Naevdal. 2007. Group size, density and social dynamics in farm animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 103:185-204. (Invited paper, ranked #10 in the Top 25 Hottest Articles for the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Sciences)<br /> <br /> <P>Estévez, I. 2007. Too many, too few: The effects of group size and density in captive animals. Preface, Special Issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 103:183-184. (Preface)<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.N.H. and I. Estévez. 2007. Patch discrimination as a function of handling time. Poultry Science 86:447-452.<br /> <br /> <P>Estévez, I. 2007. Density allowances for broilers: Where to set the limits? Poultry Science 86:1265-1272. (Poultry welfare symposium, Invited review paper)<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H. and I. Estévez. 2007. Space use according to the distribution of resources and level of competition. Poultry Science (in press). *Received the Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award.<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H. and I. Estévez. 2007. Economic and Welfare Benefits of Environmental Enrichment for Broiler Breeders. Poultry Science (in press).<br /> <br /> <P>Newberry, R.C., L.J. Keeling, I. Estévez, and B. Bilcik. 2007. Behaviour when young as a predictor of severe feather pecking in adult laying hens: the redirected foraging hypothesis revisited. Applied Animal Behavior Science (in press).<br /> <br /> <P>Estévez, I. 2007. Behavior and environmental enrichment in Broiler Breeders. In: Biology of Breeding Poultry. CAB (in press).<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H., and I. Estévez. 2007. Separating the effects of group size, stocking density and pen size in broilers. Poultry Science, Poscal 86 (supplement 1), pp: 126.<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H., and I. Estévez. 2007. Environmental enrichment improves broiler breeder welfare and reproductive performance. Proceedings of the 41st International Congress of the ISAE, Merida, July 30-August 3rd, 2007, pp 31.<br /> <br /> <P>Mallapur, A., I. Estévez, C. Miller, and M.C. Christman. 2007. Movement and use of the space in confinement: The effects of group size and pen size in broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus). Proceedings of the 41st International Congress of the ISAE, Merida, July 30-August 3rd, 2007, pp. 152.<br /> <br /> <P>MN<br /> <br /> <P>S. L. Noll and J. Brannon, 2007. Response of market turkey toms to dietary protein and threonine levels in diets containing corn distillers dried grains. Poult. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1):68.<br /> <br /> <P>S. L. Noll, J. Brannon, and C. Parsons, 2007. Nutritional value of corn distiller dried grains with solubles (DDGs): Influence of solubles addition. Poult. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1):68.<br /> <br /> <P>Ramakrishnan, M. A., B. T. Velayudhan, S. Anantharaman, S. L. Noll, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, and S. Goyal, 2007. Effects of temperature and stabilizer on the viability of a live attenuated avian metapneumovirus vaccine. Avian Diseases 51:979-981. <br /> <br /> <P>Velayudhan, B. T., S. L. Noll, A. J. Thachil, D. P. Shaw, S. M. Goyal, D. A. Halvorson, and K. V. Nagaraja, 2007. Development of a vaccine-challenge model for avian metapneumovirus subtype C in turkeys. Vaccine 25:1841-1847. <br /> <br /> <P>MS<br /> <br /> <P>Roush, W.B., J. Purswell, and S.L. Branton, 2008. An adjustable nutrient margin of safety comparison using linear and stochastic programming in and Excel spreadsheet. Journal of Applied Poultry Research: In press.<br /> <br /> <P>Roush, W.B., J. Purswell, S. Branton, 2008. An adjustable nutrient margin of safety comparison using linear and stochastic programming in an Excel spreadsheet. To be presented at the International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta Georgia. <br />

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Participants

Mike Darre - Connecticut; Inma Estevez - Maryland; Paul Harrison - Illinois; Ken Koelkebeck - Illinois; Angela Green - Illinois; Joy Mench - California; Sally Noll - Minnesota; Richard Reynnells - USDA/CSREES; Bill Roush - USDA-ARS Mississippi; Bill Saylor - Delaware; Bill Vinson, Administrative Advisor - West Virginia; Eileen Wheeler - Pennsylvania; Brian Fairchild - Georgia; Hongwei Xin - Iowa; Sheila Scheideler - Nebraska; Bob Buresh - Industry Advisor - Tyson Foods; Jihad Douglas, Industry Advisor - Nicholas Turkeys; Hank Engster - Industry Advisor - Perdue Farms; Kevin Roberson - Industry Advisor - Michael Foods; Henwei Cheng, Ad Hoc Rep - USDA/ARS

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

<P>I. Poultry House Environment<br /> <br /> <P>Aerial. GA conducted experiments to measure NH₃ concentrations at distances from the source of emissions (tunnel fans) on a commercial broiler farm during summertime conditions, to determine how NH₃ concentrations varied with distance from tunnel fans during periods of high air exchange rates typically encountered during hot weather with near-market age birds, and determine how meteorological variable influence NH₃ concentrations from a tunnel-ventilated broiler farm. In general, NH₃ concentrations were lower as distance from the houses increased with NH₃ levels at 100, 200, 300 and 500 ft being less than 1 ppm (5x lower than the NH₃ detectable odor threshold of 5 ppm) approximately 50, 75, 85 and 90% of the time, respectively. Ammonia concentrations approximately 100 ft from the houses were influenced by the tunnel fans themselves. Wind direction and wind speed significantly influenced downwind NH₃ concentrations beyond 100 ft. At no time were NH₃ levels measured that met or exceeded ammonia odor threshold values.<br /> <br /> <P>IA measured ammonia and particulate matters from Midwestern turkey barns. Considerable progress has been made toward collection of baseline data on air emissions from U.S. animal feeding operations. However, limited data exist in the literature regarding turkey air emissions. This study continuously monitors ammonia (NH₃) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from turkey production houses in Iowa and Minnesota for one year, with IA monitoring Hybrid tom turkeys and MN monitoring Hybrid hens. Mobile Air Emission Monitoring Units are used in the monitoring. Data collection and analysis has been ongoing since May 2, 2007 for the IA site and October 9, 2007 for the MN site. Based on one-year data at the IA site involving three flocks, air emissions, expressed in grams per bird marketed (grown to 20 wk of age) are 144 (plus-minus 12 S.D.) of NH₃ with a daily maximum of 3.5 g/bird; 29 (plus-minus 4) of PM₁₀ with a daily max of 0.7 g/bird; 3.7 (plus-minus 0.8) of PM_2.5 with a daily max of 0.11 g/bird. Data analysis at the MN site is continuing. For detailed description of the study, refer to the paper by Li et al. (2008).<br /> <br /> <P>IA quantified feeding, defecation and gaseous emission dynamics of laying hens. This study involved two experiments (Experiments 1 and 2) that characterize dynamic ammonia (NH₃) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with feeding and defecation activities of W-36 laying hens. The manure handling scheme used was reflective of commercial manure-belt (MB) housing operations. Four dynamic emission chambers and measurement systems were developed and used in the study, featuring continuous measurement of the following variables: (a) NH₃ and CO₂ concentrations of inlet and outlet air, (b) air temperature and relative humidity, (c) airflow rate through the chambers, (d) feeder weight and thus feeding activity, and (e) manure pan weight and thus defecation activity. Daily feed use of the hens averaged 102 g/hen-d and manure production averaged 117 g/hen-d (as-is). A regression equation was developed that relates manure projected surface area to manure weight. Ammonia emission rate (ER) ranged from 0.03 g/hen-d on the first day of manure accumulation to 0.23 g/hen-d after 6 d of manure accumulation of 0.37 g/hen-d after 8 d of manure accumulation. Ammonia emissions tend to be inversely related to defecation events as manure accumulates. Namely, higher manure production during light hours is associated with slower increase of NH₃ emission, and lower manure production during dark hours yields faster increase of NH₃ emissions. Ammonia emissions rate (ER, g/hen-d) shows an exponential relation with manure accumulation time (T, day), of the form, <I>ER NH₃</I> = 0.0027 x T² + 0.025 x T (R² = 0.998). CO₂ ER was relatively steady throughout the trial period, averaging 3.3 and 2.5 g/hen-hr, respectively, during light and dark hours of the day. Results from this study will contribute to development and validation of process-based farm emission models for predicting NH₃ emissions from laying-hen houses. The dynamic nature of NH₃ emissions vs. defecation can help guide application timing of manure treatment agents to mitigate NH₃ emissions from laying-hen houses. Refer to Ning (2008) for details of the studies.<br /> <br /> <P>IA assessed aversion responses of laying hens to ammonia by preference testing. An environmental preference test chamber (EPTC) was designed, constructed, and utilized in an initial test for response of laying hens to atmospheric ammonia. The EPTC featured four interconnected, individually ventilated clear acrylic compartments. Each compartment contained a wire-mesh cage that was divided into two sections, one section used for a test bird to navigate between the compartments and the other section used for three stimulus birds to reside in each compartment. The EPTC as designed to assess individual bird preference without isolation effects. The section dividers may be removed to assess group preference. An initial experiment was conducted with six test hens to assess bird aversion to atmospheric ammonia. Each hen was trained to navigate the inter-compartment door prior to the aversion test. Following one day of acclimation of the chamber, behavioral data of the hen was collected for 2 days at ambient conditions (baseline) and 3 days at ammonia level of 25 ppm vs. <10 ppm. Hen location (compartment) was documented and compared for baseline and treatment periods. All hens learned to navigate the chamber within 10 h; 4 of the 6 hens learned within 2 h. No preference for the level of ammonia condition was observed with regard to occupancy of the corresponding compartment or number of entries into each environment. Further investigation is warranted to determine if this finding is a lack of aversion or other phenomenon. The EPTC will also enable future users to examine preference responses of hens to other environmental conditions, such as thermal comfort vs. air quality.<br /> <br /> <P>IA evaluated dietary manipulation on ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions and production performance of laying hens in high-rise houses. A field demonstration of dietary manipulation to mitigate ammonia emissions from high-rise layer houses has been ongoing since December 2007. Results to date show appreciable reduction in NH₃ emission by the dietary regimens (DDGS and EcoCal), with the magnitude of reduction depending on season/weather. The elevated H₂S emission by the EcoCal diet seems a non-issue due to the small emission values. More data collection and analyses (including economic analysis) are continuing.<br /> <br /> <P>MN evaluated ammonia emissions from turkey hen flocks. In cooperation with Iowa State University, UM monitored air quality, thermal environment and performance in turkey hen flocks (four flocks total) over a one-year period reared in a naturally ventilated and a mechanically ventilated facility. Turkey hens were moved after 5 wks of age into each of two grow-finish turkey buildings and marketed at 12 wks of age. Each room was equipped to measure air quality, temperature and humidity, and in the case of the mechanically ventilated room, exhaust fan usage. Management tools used to maintain air quality were addition of litter additive, tilling of the litter, addition of fresh bedding, and ventilation adjustments. Four flocks were monitored. Production performance was obtained for body weight and feed conversion. Air quality data is undergoing analyses. No differences were observed for flock performance that could be attributed to ventilation system.<br /> <br /> <P>Visual Responses. CA studied lighting effects on broiler health and behavior. CA conducted two experiments to examine lighting effects on broiler health and behavior. In the first, broiler eggs were incubated under either complete darkness (0L:24D), complete light (24L:0D), or 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L:12D); chicks were then raised under a 12L:12D photoperiod. In the second experiment, chicks were raised under a 16L:8D photoperiod at one of three daytime illumination levels (dim to bright): 5 (typical commercial lighting), 50 or 200 lux. Treatment did not affect feed consumption, feed conversion, growth, mortality, or gait score. However, the eyes of 5 lux and 0L:24D/24L:0D broilers were significantly heavier. Activity rhythms were also affected: 24L:OD fed more during the 2 hours after the lights went on, and 5 lux were less active during the day. The 5 lux birds also had their resting bouts interrupted more frequently, since broilers in the flock under low illumination were less likely to synchronize their periods of rest and activity. Broilers incubated under 0L:24D, or reared under 200 lux, were more fearful, as indicated by more intense wing flapping after being caught and inverted. In addition, 0L:24D broilers had more composite physical asymmetry, as assessed by differences in length and width of their toes and metatarsi, which is an indicator of developmental stress. These results demonstrate that providing light during incubation or brighter intensity light during rearing can have positive effects on broiler welfare without negatively affecting productivity.<br /> <br /> <P>Auditory Responses. CT conducted bioacoustic analysis of habituation to stressors in chickens. CT found differences in vocal patterns between stressed and non-stressed chickens. It was also noted that habituation to the human presence stressor appeared to be occurring over time as evidenced by the waveform and spectral analysis of the vocalizations of the birds. Twenty five (25) White Leghorn hens were randomly selected from a flock of 450 for use in this experiment. The birds were housed in a floor pen. Two investigators (A and B) were involved in the study. Investigator A worked with the birds for the first two months. Investigator B worked with the birds for the last month of the study. Each investigator spent 30 min every other day disturbing the birds in the pen. This was accomplished by walking, waving arms, moving the feeder or water and making noise. Audio and video recordings were made simultaneously. The analysis of the recordings was performed using a Power Spectrum Analysis and Hidden Markov Model. Results indicated that habituation was occurring after 30 days of exposure to the same investigator. The fear response appeared to return when investigator B entered the pen. Results validated that vocalizations can be used as an indicator of strain by the birds in response to a stressor.<br /> <br /> <P>NE studied vocalizations as an indicator of distress in laying hens. A study was conducted to determine whether changes in call characteristics could be elicited by mildly stressful conditions in Leghorn laying hens. Sonograms were used to visually inspect and confirm call types. Of 1,177 calls, 1,034 could be reliably typed. Recordings were made on an Uher 4200 Report Monitor with a Sennheiser microphone 3m from the edge of each cage. A total of 28 recordings were analyzed (5 min recordings; 7 recordings per treatment). Treatments were control; mild hunger/frustration (FC: feed covered); mild thirst (WW: water removed 12 h); heat stress (HS: 36 C). All treatments except mild thirst were recorded 3s/d for 3 d from May to August. Birds in mild thirst were sampled after 12 h without water. Tapes were digitized and analyzed using Raven (Cornell University). Acoustic properties (max frequency, max power, notes/s, percent time calling, and call rate) were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Proc Mixed. Two observers were present during each taping session, taking notes and classifying calls to 4 call types: moan, squaak kluck, kluck kluck, and Kuk (Wood-Gush, 1971, Collias, 1987). In order for a call to be classified, both observers had to be in agreement. Across type, 3 properties were higher during heat stress: notes, maximum call power and maximum call frequency. Percent time calling was higher in birds submitted to heat stress or feed cover. Within call type, only the kuk call was consistent across acoustic properties; max power, max frequency and notes were higher in heat stress birds. Squaak kluck was higher in max power in heat stressed, feed cover and water withdrawal hens compared to the control treatment. Kuk may be more consistent stress call for signaling heat stress and max power (call intensity) may be a more general distress signal.<br /> <br /> <P>Spatial Responses. IA quantified stocking density and group size effects on bioenergetics and thermoregulation of laying hens under thermoneutral or heat-challenging conditions. Current and relevant information regarding heat and moisture production (HMP) of laying hens is important for design and operation of ventilation systems for commercial layer housing. Different stocking densities are being adopted by the cage layer industry, but there is a lack of information concerning the potential impacts of these changes on environmental control. A study was conducted with 24 groups of 48 hens (39 to 46 weeks old) to compare HMP, via indirect calorimetry, for four different stocking densities (348, 387, 465, or 581 cm²/bird; 54, 60, 72, or 90 in²/bird and two group sizes (8 or 16 birds/cage). Data were collected at thermoneutral (24°C or 76°F) and heat challenging conditions (32°C or 90°F and 35°C or 95°F). No notable differences in HMP were observed among the treatments under the experimental conditions (2.8 to 3.1, 3.5 to 3.7, and 6.4 to 6.6 W/kg 24-h time weighted mean room-level SHP, LHP or MP, and THP, respectively, under 24°C; 0.7 to 1.0, 4.9 to 5.2, and 5.6 to 6.1 W/kg under 32°C; and -1.0 to -0.4, 5.9 to 6.5, and 5.4 to 5.7 W/kg under 35°C). No differences in core body temperature (CBT) of the hens were observed among the treatment regimens at 24°C. In general, mean CTB increased with heat exposure duration (P<0.0001) but leveled off after the 32°C phase. At 32°C, CBT was higher for GS of 16 vs. 8 (42.3 vs 42.1°C, P = 0.05); higher for SD of 348 and 387 cm²/bird than for 465 or 581 cm²/bird (42.4 and 42.2°C vs. 41.9 and 42.1°C, respectively, P = 0.009). Bird body mass decreased as heat exposure duration increased (P<0.0001), but no differences were observed among the treatments. No moralities were observed during the thermoneutrality period, and the mortality rate increased with heat exposure duration. The results imply that for existing laying-hen houses, reducing stocking density and thus flock size may lead to difficulties maintaining desired temperatures without compromising air quality during cold weather, but may offer benefits for heat stress prevention and relief during hot weather. However, data in this study indicate that while CBT was lower for lower SD, the increased space did not seem sufficient to offer a clear benefit for coping with heat challenge of 32°C or 35°C. Refer to Green (2008) for details.<br /> <br /> <P>NE studied the effects of social and environmental enrichments on leg strength and welfare of the turkey. Mortality rates of tom turkey flocks average near 13%; of which 3% is due to early starve-outs (failure to consume feed and/or water). Savory, et al. reported that adding day-old broiler chicks as Feeding Companions to a turkey flock stimulated good feeding behavior of turkey poults. Five to 6% of a turkey flocks mortality is estimated to be due to culls, condemnations and mortalities due to leg disorders. Lack of exercise could be a factor in many leg disorders and other welfare issues. Poultry barns are typically devoid of stimulus. Increasing environmental complexity could increase activity and improve the welfare of tom turkeys. Research was conducted to determine the effects of broiler chick addition on the reduction of early poult mortality due to starve-outs and determine the effects of providing environmental complexity in the form of ramps, platforms and perches on leg strength of large tom turkeys. Data is undergoing analysis.<br /> <br /> <P>II. Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Management Practice<br /> <br /> <P>Molt. IL conducted a study which evaluated the effects of limit feeding of corn and DDGS molt diets at three different levels of intake on postmolt performance. Hy-Line W-36 hens (504) (69 weeks of age) were housed in a cage layer house of commercial design with water and feed provided for ad libitum consumption and exposed to a 17-hour daily photoperiod prior to the start of the experiment. Six replicate groups of 12 hens each (2 adjacent cages, containing 6 hens per cage, 92 square inches per hen) were randomly assigned to each treatment. The treatments were: Fed a 47% corn: 47% soy hulls diet ad libitum for 28 days. (C/SH); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 36.3 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 36); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 45.4 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 45); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 54.5 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 54); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 36.3 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 36); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 45.4 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 45); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 54.5 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 54). At the start of the experiment (Day 1), hens in all the seven treatments were fed their respective diets immediately. The intent was to feed the DDGS diets for 28 d; however, all hens on these diets stopped eating feed on Day 19 and were switched to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet. All other treatments were fed their respective molt diets for a 28 d period and then switched to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet.<br /> <br /> <P>On Day 19 of the molt period hens on the DDGS 36, DDGS 45 and DDGS 54 treatments lost 23.1, 22.7, and 22.8% body weight, respectively. Hens on the Corn 36, Corn 45 and Corn 54 treatments lost 22.2, 16.6, and 14.0% body weight, respectively, by Day 28. The hens on the C/SH treatment lost 20.6% body weight during the 28 d molt period. The DDGS 36, DDGS 45 and DDGS 54 reached a 0% egg production by week three. Also, the Corn 36 treatment reached a 0% egg production by week three. The Corn 45, Corn 54 and Corn/Soy Hulls treatments all reached 4% egg production or lower during the molt period. When considering the total experimental period of Weeks 1 to 43, the hens fed the Corn 36, Corn 45, Corn 54, DDGS 36, DDGS 45, and DDGS 54 diets produced equally as well as those hens which were on the Corn/Soy Hulls treatment. During the molt period, no differences were observed among treatments for mortality except for the DDGS 45 treatment. Throughout the postmolt period, no differences were observed among treatments for mortality except for the DDGS 36 and DDGS 54 treatments. During the postmolt period, the Corn 54 treatment produced the lowest egg weights, but no consistent differences were observed among all other treatments in comparison to the Corn/Soy Hulls treatment. In summary, hens totally ceased production when fed the Corn 36 and all the DDGS diets. Among the corn diets, the Corn 36 had the lowest egg production during the molt, but there were no differences in all corn diets in Weeks 5-43 and Weeks 1-43. Among, the DDGS diets, the DDGS 36 had the lowest egg production during the molt, but there were no differences in all DDGS diets in Weeks 5-43 and Weeks 1-43. When compared to the Corn/Soy Hulls diet no differences were observed for egg production among all the experimental treatments.<br /> <br /> <P>Water Quality. GA conducted a series of studies to investigate the impact that water quality, water quantity and drinker line management can have on broiler performance. Recently a water quality research project was completed investigating the influence of bacteria, pH, iron, manganese and nitrate on broiler production. Alone none of these contaminants, with the exception of bacteria, had a negative effect on broiler performance however when combined, a reduction in 7 day body weights was observed. In order to monitor bird water consumption, three commercial broiler houses on different farms have been equipped with as many as 12 water meters. Total, rear, and front of the houses as well as each water are monitored every 15 minutes. The objectives of this study are to determine the effects that water line management has on broiler performance and to examine bird drinking patterns within the house at different times of the day at different ages. The water quality studies indicated that in most cases where one single mineral, oxidative compounds or microbial contaminants is elevated then it is likely that it is not a direct problem for bird performance. However, the oxidative compounds can form a precipitant that can block filters and cause leaky drinkers. Microbial contaminants can produce biofilm that clog filters and drinkers restricting water flow. Both of these results would have negative impact on broiler performance. In the water consumption studies the relationship between feed and water has been shown to be a very effective way of monitoring bird performance. For every pound of feed consumed, broilers will drink approximately 1.6 pounds of water. Installing water meters in the front and rear of the houses provides growers a means of monitoring bird distribution and gives them an objective reading on when to put migration fences in place. Preliminary observations from this study have indicated that one of the most important water line management issues is water line height. Broilers will avoid lines that are too high.<br /> <br /> <P>Nutrition. CT investigated the prophylactic efficacy of feed supplemented with caprylic acid a natural, GRAS status, 8-carbon fatty acid present in breast milk and coconut oil, for reducing S. Enteritidis colonization in chicks, cloaca, crop, and liver. No <I>Salmonella</I> was detected from unchallenged control groups (negative and Caprylic Acid controls). SE counts in the cecum were reduced by ~2.5 log CFU/g compared to control by 10 d PI in 1% Caprylic Acid group. SE counts in the cloaca was reduced to 2 log CFU/g by 10 d PI in 1% Caprylic Acid  treated group. SE counts in the crop and intestinal samples were reduced to ~1.5 log CFU/g in both Caprylic Acid -treated groups. SE counts in the liver and spleen were reduced significantly on 7 and 10 d PI (P<0.05) in both Caprylic Acid groups. No apparent change was noticed for the cecal endogenous microflora counts (~7.5-8 log CFU/mL). No abnormalities were observed in the cecum and liver samples of Caprylic Acid -treated groups upon histologic examination. No significant difference was noticed for feed consumption or body weights among the five groups of birds. Caprylic Acid (0.7 and 1%) significantly reduced SE populations in 18-day old chicks. Therefore Caprylic acid could potentially be used commercially as an antimicrobial additive in feed to reduce <I>Salmonella</I> Enteritidis in chickens.<br /> <br /> <P> MN utilized crude glycerin in market turkey diets. Glycerin is produced as a co-product of the conversion of fats (triglycerides) into biodiesel. The product is referred to as crude glycerin and contains about 80-88% glycerol (Dozier et al., 2008a). The glycerin can be metabolized and utilized as a source of energy by poultry although its value as an energy source will be less than that of a fat source. The energy value of crude glycerin was estimated to be 1558 kcal/lb in broilers and 1726 kcal/lb in egg layers (Dozier et al., 2008b; Lammers et al., 2008). Cerrate et al. (2006) found that inclusion of 10% glycerin depressed growth possibly due to reduced feed flow rate while inclusion of 5% did not have any negative effects on broiler performance. The objective of this research was to examine glycerin as a source of energy in market turkey diets for heavy tom production in diets of low and high nutrient density (LND vs. HND). Glycerin was added at levels of 2, 4, 6, and 8% with concurrent adjustments in corn levels. As glycerin replaced corn, levels of lysine, methionine, and threonine were adjusted to the control diet for each nutrient density series. The base diet contained corn, soybean meal, poultry byproduct meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles (20%). There were 10 dietary treatments in total. Diets were fed as mash.<br /> <br /> <P>At 19 wks of age, LND decreased body weight by 2.9% (1.2 lbs). The LND regimen had the least effect during 8-11 wks and the most during 17-19 wks of age. Differences in gain between the HND and LND diet series paralleled that of body weight. Glycerin addition in the HND series had no affect on gain except during 17-19 wks where glycerin addition at all levels resulted in decreased ADG. For the LND series, glycerin addition at 4, 6, and 8% decreased gains during 17-19 wks of age and the 6 and 8% level of addition decreased cumulative gains significantly. Differences in feed/gain for the HND and LND diets were noted immediately during the first feeding period of 8-11 wks of age. Feed efficiency was increased by 6% during 8-11 wks of age and by 14% during 17-19 wks of age (LND vs. HND). Glycerin addition in the HND diet series had no effect through 14 wks of age. During 17-19 wks of age, feed efficiency was increased with glycerin addition. In the LND series, glycerin addition had no effect on feed efficiency with the exception of addition of 4 and 6% levels which increased feed efficiency during 17-19 wks. In summary, nutrient density had about a seven times greater effect on feed conversion as compared to body weight. Glycerin addition to 4% of the diet had no negative effect on performance but higher levels of 6 and 8% tended to be detrimental especially during 17-19 wks of age. Carcass and parts yield was not altered with addition of glycerin with the exception of yield of wings and abdominal fat. The results indicate that crude glycerin can be added to turkey diets up to a 4% level of inclusion. An economic analyses of varying feed ingredient prices and the value of crude glycerin indicated the following: a) Cost savings when using glycerin were greatest under conditions of high corn price and/or overall high ingredient costs; b) Cost savings under these conditions represented approximately .9 to 1.5% of the feed cost of producing a 42 lb tom; c) Actually feed cost savings will vary and will be dependent on the cost of other available ingredients as well as a consideration of the glycerol content (energy level) of the crude glycerin; d) Value of crude glycerin may increase as energy sources and supplies of energy such as corn and fat become limiting with diversion into biofuel production.<br /> <br /> <P>MN studied an avian pneumovirus  vaccination challenge model. An important tool in maintaining poultry health and subsequently their welfare is the use of vaccination for protection against specific diseases. Having an appropriate challenge model is important in testing vaccines for efficacy. Pathogenicity of two isolates of avian metapneumovirus subtype C were examined for their ability to infect turkeys. The more recent isolate resulted in development of more severe clinical signs and lesions in infected turkeys. Use of this isolate would be more appropriate than earlier isolates in development of a challenge model for use in testing vaccine efficacy.<br /> <br /> <P>MS studied risk constrained programming: A visual basic for applications (VBA) excel spreadsheet program with solver for diet formulation. A diet formulation program was written to take advantage of the advanced techniques available to developers of Excel spreadsheet programs and to encourage software developers to incorporate nonlinear programming in their mathematical programming packages. A menu driven program was developed in an Excel spreadsheet using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Solver served as the algorithm for linear program (LP) and stochastic program (SP) calculations. The menu consists of buttons for price, choosing ingredients, ingredient specifications, nutrient specifications, formulation, printing and exiting. <U>Prices Button</U> updates price information. <U>Choose Ingredients Button</U> produces a form from which ingredients can be chosen for the diet. Once the ingredients are highlighted, the choose ingredients button on the form is activated and the ingredients chosen with the accompanying information are transferred (by a transfer macro) to the LP and SP menus for formulation. <U>Ingredient Specifications Button</U> indicates restriction to be placed on ingredients. That is, definition of the chosen ingredient level as a minimum, maximum or equality. <U>Nutrient Specifications Button</U> shows the nutrients of interest, the requested requirement and the requested level of probability for meeting the requested requirement. The <U>Formulation Button</U> activates the Solver algorithm to calculate the LP and SP formulations. The screen is transferred to a summary window that simultaneously shows the results of the formulation. The <U>Print Button</U> sends the results to the printer. The <U>Exit Button</U> terminates the program. SP has been shown to improve the accuracy and precision of diet formulation with variable ingredients (e.g., Distillers Dried Grains). The menu driven Excel program with VBA allows the nutritionist to formulate and compare results of diets formulated with LP and SP in an atmosphere that does not resemble the traditional spreadsheet program.<br />

Publications

<P>CA<br /> <br /> <P>Mench, J.A., G.S. Archer, R.A. Blatchford, H.L. Shivaprasad, G.M. Fagerberg, and P.S. Wakenell. 2008. Lighting programs for broiler chickens: pre- and post-hatch effects on behavior, health, and productivity. In: Proceedings of the International Livestock Environment Symposium VIII of the American Society of Agricultural Engineering, Iguassu Falls City, Brazil.<br /> <br /> <P>CT<br /> <br /> <P>K.J. Anup, M.J. Darre, T.A. Hoagland, D.T. Schreiber, A.M. Donoghue, D.J. Donoghue, and K. Venkitanarayanan. 2008. Antibacterial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde on <I>Salmonella</I> Enteritidis and <I>Campylobacter jejuni</I> in chicken drinking water. J. Appl. Poultry Research (in press).<br /> <br /> <P>A.K. Johny, S.A. Baskaran, A.S. Charles, M.A.R. Amalaradjou, M.J. Darre, M.I. Khan, T.A. Hoagland, D.T. Schreiber, A.M. Donoghue, D.J. Donoghue, and K. Venkitanarayanan. Prophylactic supplementation of caprylic acid in feed reduces <I>Salmonella</I> Enteritidis colonization in commercial broiler chicks. J. Food Protection (accepted for publication).<br /> <br /> <P>GA<br /> <br /> <P>Webster, A.B., B.D. Fairchild, T.S. Cummings and P.A. Stayer. 2008. Validation of a three-point gait-scoring system for field assessment of walking ability of commercial broilers. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 17:529-539.<br /> <br /> <P>Benson, A.P., V.L. Christensen, B.D. Fairchild, and A.J. Davis. 2008. The mRNA for zona pellucida proteins B1, C and D in two genetic lines of turkey hens that differ in fertility. Animal Reproduction Science.<br /> <br /> <P>Roche, A.J., N.A. Cox, L.J. Richardson, R.J. Buhr, J.A. Cason, B.D. Fairchild, and N.C. Hinkle. 2009. Transmission of Salmonella to broilers by contaminated larval and adult lesser mealworms, alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Poult. Sci. 88:44-48.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M., and B.D. Fairchild. 2008. Housing for Improved Performance in Hot Climates. Poultry Production in Hot Climates 2nd ed. Editor N.J. Daghir. Publish CAB International.<br /> <br /> <P>Worley, J.W., M. Czarick, B.D. Fairchild, C.W. Ritz, L.A. Harper, B.D. Hale, and L.P. Naeher. 2008. Monitoring of Ammonia and Fine Particulates Downwind of Broiler Houses (ed.). St. Joseph, MI: ASABE. asabe.org.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. 2008. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 3.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. Bird Migration...a very costly hot weather issue. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 5.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. Thermostat/Sensors Do Not Measure Effective Temperature. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 8.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. Loose Fitting Curtains are Very Costly. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 10.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. Why Litter Treatments are a Good Investment. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 11.<br /> <br /> <P>B.D. Fairchild. 2008. Do you know your water quality? Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 12.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. Alternative Heating Systems...an Overview. Poultry Housing Tips. Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Engineering, UGA. Volume 20, No. 14.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. 2008. Water system check-up. The Communicator, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Spring.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. 2008. Water quality. The Communicator, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Summer.<br /> <br /> <P>Mauldin, J.M., S. Masoero, J. Santos, and B.D. Fairchild. 2008. Determining best hatch day length or weight. Poultry Times 55(15):1, 11.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. 2008. Utilizing the right lighting program for broilers. Poultry Times 55(17):3, 9.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. 2008. Basics of broiler housing environments. Poultry Times 55(17):5, 14.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. 2008. Better lighting with incandescent bulbs. Poultry Times 55(17):10, 13.<br /> <br /> <P>Czarick, M. and B.D. Fairchild. 2008. Guidelines for basic attic inlet operation. Poultry Times 55(21):3, 11.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. 2008. Migration fences needed in cold weather. Poultry Times 55(21):5, 9.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. Reducing Poultry House Heating Costs. Watt Poultry USA. October.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. Reducing Electricity Usage in Tunnel Houses. Watt Poultry USA. July.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. 2008. Loose fitting curtains are very costly. Poultry Times 55(21):16.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D., A.J. Roche, N.C. Hinkle, R.J. Buhr, N.A. Cox, L.J. Richardson, and J.A. Cason. 2008. Darkling Beetles as a Potential Transmission Source of Salmonella in Broiler Flocks. Feedinfo News Service Scientific Reviews. www.feedinfo.com<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. 2008. Going real-time on the farm. Poultry USA June p. 32.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. 2008. Check farm water systems on a regular basis. Poultry Times 55(6):24.<br /> <br /> <P>Fairchild, B.D. and M. Czarick. 2008. Keeping birds cool during hot weather. Poultry Times 55(7):8.<br /> <br /> <P>Cunningham, B.D. and D. Cunningham. 2008. Daily biosecurity basics for poultry growers. Poultry Time 55(23):2.<br /> <br /> IL<br /> <br /> <P>Mejia, L., P.L. Utterback, C.W. Utterback, C.M. Parsons, and K.W. Koelkebeck. 2008. Evaluation of limit feeding corn and DDGS in nonfeed withdrawal molt programs for laying hens. Poult. Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):27.<br /> <br /> IA<br /> <br /> <P>Casey, K.D., R.S. Gates, E.F. Wheeler, H. Xin, Y. Liang, A.J. Pescatore, and M.J. Ford. 2008. On-farm fan performance: implications for ventilation and operating cost. J. Appl. Poult. Res 17(2):283-295.<br /> <br /> <P>Gates, R.S. and H. Xin. 2008. Extracting poultry behavior from time-series weigh scale records. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 62(1):8-14.<br /> <br /> <P>Gates, R.S., K.D. Casey, E.F. Wheeler, X. Xin, and A.J. Pescatore. 2008. U.S. broiler ammonia emissions inventory model. Atmospheric Environment 42(14):3342-3350.<br /> <br /> <P>Green, A.R., C.W. Wathes, T.G.M. Demmers, J.M. Clark, and H. Xin. 2008. Development and application of a novel environmental preference test system for assessing responses of laboratory mice to atmospheric ammonia. J. American Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences 47(2):49-56.<br /> <br /> <P>Green, A.R., I. Wesley, D.W. Trampel, and H. Xin. 2008. Air quality and hen health status in three types of commercial laying hen houses. J. App. Poult. Res. (accepted).<br /> <br /> <P>Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, and Y. Liang. 2008. Reduction of ammonia emission from stored poultry manure using additives: Zeolite, Al+Clear, Ferix-3 and PLT. J. App. Poult. Res. 17(4):421-431.<br /> <br /> <P>Moody, L., H. Li, R.T. Burns, H. Xin, R.S. Gates, S.J. Hoff, and D.G. Overhults. 2008. Broiler gaseous and particulate matter emission monitoring quality assurance project plan. A Special Publication of ASABE. http://asae.frymulti0.com/aqap_handbook.asp?confid=aqap2008<br /> <br /> <P>Trabue, S.L., K.D. Scoggin, F. Mitloehner, H. Li, R.T. Burns, and H. Xin. 2008. Field sampling method for quantifying volatile sulfur compounds emitted from animal feeding operations. Atmospheric Environment 42:3332-3341.<br /> <br /> <P>Trabue, S.L., K.D. Scoggin, R.T. Burns, H. Xin, and H. Li. 2008. Field sampling method for quantifying odorants in humid environments. Environmental Science and Technology 42(10):3745-3750.<br /> <br /> <P>Topper, P.A., E.F. Wheeler, J.S. Zajaczkowski, R.S. Gates, H. Xin, Y. Liang, and K.D. Casey. 2008. Ammonia emissions from two empty broiler houses with built-up litter. Transactions of the ASAE 51(1):219-225.<br /> <br /> <P>Amaral, M.F.P., R.S. Gates, D.G. Overhults, I.F.F. Tinocol, H. Li, R.T. Burns, H. Xin, and J.W. Earnest. 2008. Analysis of different methods to compute ammonia concentration and emission rate. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environmental Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Burns, R.T., H. Li, L. Moody, H. Xin, R. Gates, D. Overhults, and J. Earnest. 2008. Quantification of particulate emissions from broiler houses in the southeastern United States. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Gates, R.S., K.D. Casey, H. Xin, R. Burns, and H. Li. 2008. Uncertainty analysis in animal building aerial emissions measurements. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Green, A.R. and H. Xin. 2008. Effects of stocking density and group size on thermoregulatory response of laying hens under heat challenging conditions. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Green, A.R. and H. Xin. 2008. Effects of stocking density and group size on heat and moisture production of laying hens under thermoneutral and heat challenging conditions. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.A. Roberts, and K. Bregendahl. 2008. Effects of dietary modification on laying hens in high-rise houses: Part I  Emissions of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, L.D. Jacobson, and S. Noll. 2008. Ammonia and PM emissions from a tom turkey barn in Iowa. ASABE Technical Paper #:08-4425. St. Joseph, MI:ASABE.<br /> <br /> <P>Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, L.D. Jacobson, and S. Noll. 2008. Effects of bird activity, ventilation rate and humidity on pm10 concentration and emission rate of a turkey barn. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, L.D. Jacobson, and S. Noll. 2008. Effect of sampling interval on ammonia and particulate matter emissions from turkey grow-out barns. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Roberts, S.A., H. Li, H. Xin, R.T. Burns, and K. Bregendahl. 2008. Effects of dietary modifications on laying hens in high-rise houses: part II  hen production performance. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Wheeler, E.F., K.D. Casey, R.S. Gates, H. Xin, P.A. Topper and Y. Liang. 2008. Ammonia emissions from USA broiler chicken barns managed with new bedding, built-up litter, or acid-treated litter. Proc. of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept. 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R. Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St. Joseph, MI:ASAE.<br /> <br /> <P>Green, A.R. 2008. A systematic evaluation of laying hen housing for improved hen welfare. A PhD dissertation, Iowa State University Parks Library, Ames, Iowa 50011.<br /> <br /> <P>Ning, X. 2008. Feeding, defecation and gaseous emission dynamics of W-36 laying hens. A M.S. thesis, Iowa State University Parks Library, Ames, Iowa 50011.<br /> <br /> MD<br /> <br /> <P>Estevez, I. 2008. Behavior and environmental enrichment in Broiler Breeders. In: Biology of Breeding Poultry. CAB. pp 261-283 (in press).<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H. and I. Estevez. 2008. Economic and welfare benefits of environmental enrichment for broiler breeders. Poultry Science 87:14-21.<br /> <br /> <P>Dennis, R.L., R.C. Newberry, H.W. Cheng, and I. Estevez. 2008. Appearance matters: Artificial marking alters aggression and stress. Poultry Science 87:1939-1946.<br /> <br /> <P>Leone, E.H. and I. Estevez. 2008. Use of space in the domestic fowl: Separating the effects of enclosure size, group size, and density. Animal Behaviour 76:1673-1682. Doi:10.10167j.anbehav.2008.08.004.<br /> <br /> <P>Mallapur, A., C. Miller, M.C. Christman, and I. Estevez. 2008. Short-term and long-term movement patterns in confined environments by domestic flow: Influence of group size and enclosure size. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, in press.<br /> <br /> MN<br /> <br /> <P>Velayudhan, B.T., S.L. Noll, A.J. Thachil, D.A. Halvorson, D.P. Shaw, S.M. Goyal, and K.V. Nagaraja. 2008. Comparative pathogenicity of early and recent isolates of avian metapneumovirus subtype C in turkeys. Can. J. Vet. Res. 72(4):371-375.<br /> <br /> <P>Jacob, J.P., S.L. Noll, and J.A. Brannon. 2008. Comparison of metabolic energy content of organic cereal grains for chickens and turkeys. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 17:540-544.<br /> <br /> <P>Noll, S.L. and J. Brannon. 2008. Response of market turkey toms to diets containing high levels of corn distillers dried grains with solubles. Poult. Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):100.<br /> <br /> MS<br /> <br /> <P>Roush, W.B., J. Purswell, and S.L. Branton. 2007. An adjustable nutrient margin of safety comparison using linear and stochastic programming in and Excel spreadsheet. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 16:514-520.<br /> <br /> <P>Roush, W.B., J. Purswell, and S.L. Branton. 2009. Microsoft Excel Sensitivity Analysis for Linear and Stochastic Program Feed Formulation. J. Appl. Poult. Res. (submitted).<br /> <br /> <P>Roush, W.B. .and S.L. Branton. 2009. Risk Constrained Programming: A Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Excel Spreadsheet Program with Solver for Diet Formulation (Abstract). To be presented at International Poultry Scientific Forum, January 26-27, 2009, Atlanta, GA.<br /> <br /> NE<br /> <br /> <P>Canterbury, J.L., F.J. Struwe, E. Blankenship, H. Taira, S. Scheideler, and M.M. Beck. 2008. Vocalizations as an indicator of distress in laying hens. Poultry Sci. Abstracts, p. 60.<br />

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Anderson, Ken (ken_anderson@ncsu.edu) - North Carolina State University; Angel, Rosalina (rangel@umd.edu) - University of Maryland; Buresh, Bob (bob.buresh@novusint.com - NOVUS International; Cheng, Henwei (hwcheng@purdue.edu) - USDA/ARS-Purdue University; Darre, Mike (Michael.Darre@uconn.edu) - University of Connecticut; Green, Angela (angelag@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Hart, Ian (ian.hart@uconn.edu) - University of Connecticut; Koelkebeck, Ken (kkoelkeb@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Noll, Sally (nollx001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Scheideler, Sheila (sscheideler1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Swanson, Janice (swansoj@anr.msu.edu) - Michigan State University; Reynnells, Richard (rreynnells@csrees.usda.gov) - USDA-CSREES, Washington, DC; Xin, Hongwei (hxin@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Objectives<br /> <br /> 1. Characterize physiological, behavioral, and performance responses of poultry to their physical and social environments and to various management practices, with the ultimate goal of enhancing animal welfare and ensuring environmental soundness while maintaining viable production profitability.<br /> <br /> Sub-objective 1. Characterize physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical elements of the physical environment (Thermal, Aerial, Visual, Auditory, Spatial, Multi-system)<br /> <br /> A. Thermal Environment<br /> <br /> NE conducted a study to determine the mechanism(s) by which heat stress reduces egg production in laying hens and, further, to determine differences exist between strains of hens selected for slightly different production characteristics. Hens from three Hy-Line® strains, Brown, W36, and W98, were housed individually under 16L:8D and randomly assigned to one of three thermal treatments: thermoneutral (TN) 22C, 50% RH; acute heat stress (AHS, 24h) 36C, 50% RH; or chronic heat stress (CHS, 2wk) 36C, 50% RH. Follicles were removed and granulosa cells (GC) were isolated, incubated with one or a combination of hormones, stained for the steroidogenic enzyme 3²-HSD using nitroblue tetrazolium, and expressed as % active cells. The hormone incubation treatments were LH, FSH, LH+FSH, PRL, LH+PRL, FSH+PRL, FSH+LH+PRL, and the control cells were incubated without addition of hormones. In TN cells, enzyme activity, as % active cells, increased in response to LH; the increase was greater with LH+FSH. With FSH alone and PRL alone, % activity was suppressed. When LH was added to PRL, enzyme activity improved over PRL alone and LH+FSH added to PRL increased activity further; however, both treatments failed to bring activity to the level of activity in TN cells.<br /> <br /> IA conducted a study on effects of stocking density and group size on heat and moisture production of laying hens under thermoneutral and heat challenging conditions. A study was conducted with 24 groups of 48 hens (39 to 46 weeks old) to compare heat and moisture production, via indirect calorimetry, for four different stocking densities (348, 387, 465, or 581 cm2/hen; 54, 60, 72, or 90 in2/hen) and two group sizes (8 or 16 hens/cage). Data were collected at thermoneutral (24°C or 76°F) and heat challenging conditions (32°C or 90°F and 35°C or 95°F). No notable differences in heat and moisture production were observed among the treatments under the experimental conditions. These results imply that for existing laying-hen houses, reducing stocking density, and thus flock size, will reduce the heat and moisture generated within houses. <br /> <br /> B. Aerial Environment<br /> <br /> PA, along with KY and IA conducted research on ammonia emissions from eight commercial poultry houses in PA with some houses demonstrating emission-reduction strategies. This project is in its final stages and is part of a USDA IFAS funded project. Ammonia level was determined using an electrochemical sensor system developed by the project investigators. Ventilation rate was estimated by monitoring building static pressure difference and runtime of the ventilation fans whose airflow rates were determined in situ with a portable anemometer array. Similar emissions were seen from similar poultry housing situations across the states. More frequent manure removal resulted in lower house emissions (manure storage emissions would be impacted). Emissions from several types of poultry houses can be used on-farm for comparison among emissions abatement strategies.<br /> <br /> IL conducted research to evaluate how soon after application of sodium bisulfate PLT® would ammonia emissions be affected from layer manure compost. PLT® was tested at 100% of recommended application level (150 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. of surface area). Composting laying hen manure was collected at a commercial laying hen farm that housed approximately 1.4 million birds. Samples were collected from the top 1-2 feet of the approximately three-four depth of compost. They were collected into 6 plastic 5-gallon buckets (14 H x 11.5 D), sealed, and transported to the Environmental Research Lab (ERL) at the University of Illinois. Two replicate samples were collected from each of three different areas of the composting process. Material was estimated to have been composting for approximately two days, and two separate areas that had been mixed and composted for about one week. These data can be added to previously determined result that demonstrate how composting can be used to reduce AE from laying hen manure. An obvious benefit from AE inhibiting treatment is demonstrated and application immediately after compost mixing (a time when AE is greatest) is demonstrated.<br /> <br /> GA conducted experiments to measure NH3 concentrations at distances from the source of emissions (tunnel fans) on a commercial broiler farm during summertime conditions, to determine how NH3 concentrations varied with distance from tunnel fans during periods of high air exchange rates typically encountered during hot weather with near-market age birds, and determine how meteorological variable influence NH3 concentrations from a tunnel-ventilated broiler farm. In general, NH3 concentrations were lower as distance from the houses increased with NH3 levels at 100, 200, 300 and 500 ft being less than 1 ppm (5x lower than the NH3 detectable odor threshold of 5 ppm) approximately 50, 75, 85 and 90% of the time, respectively. Ammonia concentrations approximately 100 ft from the houses were influenced by the tunnel fans themselves. Wind direction and wind speed significantly influenced downwind NH3 concentrations beyond 100 ft. At no time were NH3 levels measured that met or exceeded ammonia odor threshold values.<br /> <br /> IA measured ammonia and particulate matters from Midwestern turkey barns. Considerable progress has been made toward collection of baseline data on air emissions from U.S. animal feeding operations. However, limited data exist in the literature regarding turkey air emissions. This study continuously monitors ammonia (NH3) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from turkey production houses in Iowa and Minnesota for one year, with IA monitoring Hybrid tom turkeys and MN monitoring Hybrid hens. Mobile Air Emission Monitoring Units are used in the monitoring. Based on one-year data at the IA site involving three flocks, air emissions, expressed in grams per bird marketed (grown to 20 wk of age) are 144 (plus-minus 12 S.D.) of NH3 with a daily maximum of 3.5 g/bird; 29 (plus-minus 4) of PM10 with a daily max of 0.7 g/bird; 3.7 (plus-minus 0.8) of PM2.5 with a daily max of 0.11 g/bird. Data analysis at the MN site is continuing.<br /> <br /> MN evaluated ammonia emissions from turkey hen flocks. In cooperation with Iowa State University, UM monitored air quality, thermal environment and performance in turkey hen flocks (four flocks total) over a one-year period reared in a naturally ventilated and a mechanically ventilated facility. Turkey hens were moved after 5 wks of age into each of two grow-finish turkey buildings and marketed at 12 wks of age. Each room was equipped to measure air quality, temperature and humidity, and in the case of the mechanically ventilated room, exhaust fan usage. Management tools used to maintain air quality were addition of litter additive, tilling of the litter, addition of fresh bedding, and ventilation adjustments. No differences were observed for flock performance that could be attributed to ventilation system. <br /> <br /> IL built an environmental preference chamber (EPC) to assess the perceptions of poultry to environmental conditions via behavioral feedback response. The EPC is comprised of four interconnected stainless steel compartments capable of providing different temperatures, relative humidities, and air pollutant concentrations; adjustable for size and number of animals for experiments with either individuals or groups; and automated with video cameras for animal behavior monitoring, tracking system for animal position determination, and feedback control for temperature, relative humidity and air pollutant concentration. In the next year, the chamber will be applied in a study to test aversion to atmospheric ammonia.<br /> <br /> C. Visual Responses<br /> <br /> CA did work with commercial broiler chickens and commented that they are often reared in near-continuous light, which has been reported to be associated with a higher incidence of leg problems and ascites. It has also been suggested, although with little evidence, that sleep patterns are disrupted in near-continuous lighting. We examined the effect of three lighting schedules on the behavior, weight gain, and leg condition of broilers. Broilers (194 Ross 308 and 96 Ross x Cobb) were housed in environmental chambers. During the first week, all treatments received a 23L: 1D regime (100 lux and 1 lux during the photophase and scotophase, respectively. On day 7, each chamber was assigned a lighting regime of either 23L: 1D, 20L: 4D, or 16L: 8D for weeks 2-5 (20 lux photophase and 1 lux scotophase). At day 35, all chambers were put on a 23L: 1D regime to stimulate compensatory growth. Behavior was observed continuously 2 days per week, and the broilers were gait scored using a 0-5 system at 42 days of age. Broilers showed few differences in their overall pattern of behavior regardless of photoperiod. However, birds given a longer dark period of 8 hours did sleep more than broilers given either 4 or 6 hours of darkness. There was no effect on production of providing a longer dark period. These results suggest that a longer dark period can be beneficial in increasing sleep, with no negative effects on production, although further work in larger-scale trials is necessary to confirm this.<br /> <br /> GA did work on broiler house lighting. In making broiler housing tighter for efficient heating and ventilation, it has resulted in the ability to control the amount of light provided to commercial broilers. The increased control over photoperiod and light intensity has many growers and companies searching for the lighting programs that will optimize broiler production. Another emerging issue is the influence that lighting has on broiler welfare. A two year research project has been completed where photoperiod and light intensity on broiler performance and welfare were evaluated. The birds are reared in pens at commercial density, provided standard diets and managed according to primary breeder recommendations. Light period and intensity are adjusted in each treatment and feed conversion, body weight and livability are monitored throughout the flock. The light intensity during the first week can influence 7 Day bird performance. <br /> <br /> D. Auditory Responses<br /> <br /> CT did work on the effect of stress on the vocalization of captive poultry. Thirty six week old Single Comb White Leghorn chickens were divided into seven treatment groups of 25 birds each for a three month trial. Birds were housed in a litter floor pen at 252 sq in/bird. The treatments were: control, heat stressed (90 to 100°F), crowding (144 sq in/bird), human presence (walking around the pen), heat stress and human presence, heat stress and crowding and heat stress and handling (physically catching and holding a bird). During the application of the treatments, vocalizations of the birds were recoreded for an average of 45 minutes using a Sony PCM-M1 digital audio tape (DAT) recorder and a Shure prologue multidirectional microphone. The microphone was hung at 24 above the floor of the pen. Behavior of the birds during application of the treatments was recorded using a Cannon Optura digital video recorder. The results indicate that the intensity of vocalizaitons of the chickens in our study increased compared to the control birds as a result of the application of an environmental stressor. The combination of heat and handling resulted in the highest intensity vocalizaitons.<br /> <br /> NE studied vocalizations as an indicator of distress in laying hens. A study was conducted to determine whether changes in call characteristics could be elicited by mildly stressful conditions in Leghorn laying hens. Sonograms were used to visually inspect and confirm call types. Of 1,177 calls, 1,034 could be reliably typed. Recordings were made on an Uher 4200 Report Monitor with a Sennheiser microphone 3m from the edge of each cage. A total of 28 recordings were analyzed (5 min recordings; 7 recordings per treatment). Treatments were control; mild hunger/frustration (FC: feed covered); mild thirst (WW: water removed 12 h); heat stress (HS: 36 C). All treatments except mild thirst were recorded 3s/d for 3 d from May to August. Birds in mild thirst were sampled after 12 h without water. Tapes were digitized and analyzed using Raven (Cornell University). Acoustic properties (max frequency, max power, notes/s, percent time calling, and call rate) were measured. Across type, 3 properties were higher during heat stress: notes, maximum call power and maximum call frequency. Percent time calling was higher in birds submitted to heat stress or feed cover.<br /> <br /> E. Spatial Responses<br /> <br /> MD did work in space analysis and determined that increments in stocking density have been argued to restrict movement and use of space in broilers due to social factors (associated with concurrent increments in group size (GS)) and/or a reduction of space availability. Artificial chicken-sized models, added to pens with 30 and 60 broilers, simulated the spatial availability of 90 birds while theoretically controlling for social factors associated with increasing GS. Model size was increased bi-weekly to mimic broiler growth. Group size/stocking density treatments (GSD) were as follows: 90/0, 60/0, 60/30, 30/0, 30/60 (# birds/# models). In the absence of social factors broilers in the 30/60, 60/30, and 90/0 GSD were predicted to show similar use of space patterns. Walking, steps taken, and path linearity (# of changes in direction of movement) were recorded. Core areas were calculated using spatial data obtained from focal birds. Walking frequency and duration and number of steps taken were similar across all GSD (P>0.05). GSD groups differed in the level of path linearity (P<0.05), with trajectories being more linear in the 90/0, 60/0, and 30/0 GSD. GSD with equal density (90/0, 60/30, 30/60) had core areas of similar size (P>0.05), all of them surprisingly larger than those of 30/0 and 60/0 GSD. <br /> <br /> MI conducted two experiments during a growout of male and female white pheasants to evaluate brooding space needed the first 6 wk and appropriate phase feeding strategies in the growing-finishing stages of growth. One-day-old chicks were placed into brooder pens with stocking rates of 150, 200 or 250 chicks/pen. Individual body weight and feed conversions for each pen were measured at 3 and 6 wk of age and litter moisture was measured at 3 wk. Birds were separated by gender at 6 wk and fed a common grower diet to 12 wk of age. At 12 wk, approximately half of the birds of each gender were fed either the grower diet or a finisher diet containing about 5 percentage units less crude protein than the grower diet. Body weight and feed conversion were measured on a pen basis at 12 wk for all birds, 17 wk for cockerels and 20 wk for hens. At market age, a sample of birds from each pen was selected to measure carcass yield and proximate analysis. There were no effects on body weight, coefficient of variation of body weight within pen, or feed conversion in the brooding period. High stocking density (350 chicks/pen) increased litter moisture at 3 wk. There were no dietary treatment effects on growth performance or carcass traits for either gender in the growing-finishing phases. The result showed that dietary protein could be reduced by 23% in a finisher diet fed after 12 wk of age to white pheasants. <br /> <br /> IA quantified stocking density and group size effects on bioenergetics and thermoregulation of laying hens under thermoneutral or heat-challenging conditions. A study was conducted with 24 groups of 48 hens (39 to 46 weeks old) to compare HMP, via indirect calorimetry, for four different stocking densities (348, 387, 465, or 581 cm2/bird; 54, 60, 72, or 90 in2/bird and two group sizes (8 or 16 birds/cage). No differences in core body temperature (CBT) of the hens were observed among the treatment regimens at 24°C. In general, mean CTB increased with heat exposure duration (P<0.0001) but leveled off after the 32°C phase. At 32°C, CBT was higher for GS of 16 vs. 8 (42.3 vs 42.1°C, P = 0.05); higher for SD of 348 and 387 cm2/bird than for 465 or 581 cm2/bird (42.4 and 42.2°C vs. 41.9 and 42.1°C, respectively, P = 0.009). Bird body mass decreased as heat exposure duration increased (P<0.0001), but no differences were observed among the treatments. <br /> <br /> NE studied the effects of social and environmental enrichments on leg strength and welfare of the turkey. Mortality rates of tom turkey flocks average near 13%; of which 3% is due to early starve-outs (failure to consume feed and/or water). Five to 6% of a turkey flocks mortality is estimated to be due to culls, condemnations and mortalities due to leg disorders. Lack of exercise could be a factor in many leg disorders and other welfare issues. Research was conducted to determine the effects of broiler chick addition on the reduction of early poult mortality due to starve-outs and determine the effects of providing environmental complexity in the form of ramps, platforms and perches on leg strength of large tom turkeys. <br /> <br /> F. Social Stress<br /> <br /> MD conducted a study examining the social needs of chickens. To study this, we simulated the social conditions of production by exposing two lines, HGPS and LGPS, of male White Leghorns selected for high vs. low group productivity and survivability, to social stress involving recurrent regroupings with two-day intervals between 6 and 14.5 weeks of age. Agonistic interactions were observed in seven 15-bird groups/line, of which 4 belonged to social stress and 3 to control treatment, on the 2nd day after each regrouping. The treatment period was divided into three sub-periods of equal length. During the first period, HGPS birds showed both intensive (e.g. attacks) and mild (e.g. threats) agonistic acts more than LGPSs, the effect of line decreasing thereafter. In the second period, intensive agonistic activity was greater in HGPS controls than stressed HGPSs, a treatment effect lacking among LGPSs. In the last period, no line or treatment effects were present. After the regroupings, 16 birds/treatment and line were tested after four-day training in a long arena where 4 cages provided with strangers (except during training) were protruding in the corridor with a food source at the end of it. Our results suggest that in the long term, birds living in unstable social environments may adopt alternative behavioral strategies/styles in order to avoid high energy consuming agonistic behavior.<br /> <br /> NE conducted two Tom Turkey Trials (08-09) to investigate the benefits of: 1) Adding broiler chicks from day 1 to increase feeding activity and reduce early starve-outs, and 2) Enrichment of Turkey tom poults with broiler chicks (3 day old) to 14 days of age. The results showed that no effect on feed intake or mortality to 2 wks of age occurred. Body wwt. increased at 7 days of age, and there was no change in time spent eating, drinking or resting (Instantaneous time sampling on videos).<br /> <br /> Sub-objective 2. Characterize physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical management practices currently considered essential and beneficial to humane production (Beak trimming, Induced molt, Water quality, Phase feeding, Antibiotic use) <br /> <br /> A. Beak Trimming <br /> <br /> MN conducted research on the practice of beak-trimming in turkeys and examined welfare concerns and cannabalism in cooperation with H. Xin and R. Cook (IA), I. Estevez (MD), and M. Beck (NE). Male turkey poults were either not trimmed or had the upper beak trimmed after hatching by electric arc, infrared, or hot blade methods. Poults were fed either mash or crumbles/pellets to 18 wks of age. Performance, feed intake, behavior, and histology of beaks was determined. Feed form had the greatest effect on performance with improved body weight and feed conversion for turkeys fed pelleted feed of 5.2 and 9.6%, respectively (P<.05). Higher mortality (P<.06) was observed for poults that were trimmed by hot blade in comparison to the control for the first 6 wks of the trial. An interaction of trim and feed form was noted for feed disappearance where feed disappearance was lower for the arc and infrared trimmed poults in comparison to the control or hot blade trimmed birds during 0-6 wks. Removal or culling of birds due to aggressive picking damage was greater for the untrimmed and hot blade trimmed turkeys in comparison to those trimmed by arc or infrared. Beak trimming had minimal effects on performance with the greatest control of aggression in turkeys beak trimmed by electric arc or infrared methods.<br /> <br /> IN conducted experiments to examine the effects of infrared beak treatment (IR) in layer hens. In the laboratory studies, chicks were randomly assigned to hot-blade beak trimming (HB), IR or a control group at one-day-old. Chicks' behavior, beak images, and production indices were obtained post-treatment and at fixed intervals for 10 weeks. IR birds, compared to HB birds, had less abnormal upper-to-lower mandible length ratio. Behavioral responses to a warm water test (inducing pain test) were evident at 2 weeks following trimming and continued to be affected by trimming method for up to, and including, 9 weeks of age. Latency to drink was similar between the treatments, however, the number of drinking bouts tended to be greatest in HT birds. Furthermore, the number of head flicks and beak wipes, both potential pain-induced behaviors, were also elevated in the HB birds relative to the IR treated birds. The results may indicate that IR beak treatment may reduce the damage done by aggressive and feather pecking without the more painful procedure of the HB method.<br /> <br /> B. Bill Trimming<br /> <br /> CA conducted a study to determine the effects of a commercial bill-trimming to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. The goal of this experiment was to compare two different bill-trimming methods, hot blade trimming with cautery (TRIM) and cautery only (tip-searing; SEAR), on the behavior, bill morphology, and weight gain of Pekin ducks. Ducklings (N = 192, 96 per sex) were trimmed at the hatchery and assigned into 12 floor pens (3.66 m X 0.91 m) by treatment. Behavior was evaluated by scan sampling, and plumage condition scored using a 0 to 3 scoring system. Thirty-six ducks were randomly euthanized at 3 and 6 wk of age, and their bills collected for examination. Trimmed ducks performed fewer bill-related behaviors and rested more than untrimmed ducks (NOTRIM) during the first 2 weeks post-trim. SEAR and NOTRIM showed similar patterns of weight gain, but TRIM had a lower rate of gain than SEAR during the first week post-trim and than NOTRIM for 2 weeks post-trim. Feather scores of NOTRIM were significantly worse than those of TRIM or SEAR by 18 d, and continued to deteriorate at a greater rate than in trimmed ducks throughout the study. These results suggest that there is acute pain associated with both trimming methods but that SEAR may be a preferable method, causing less check in weight gain and fewer bill morphological changes while still being effective in minimizing feather pecking damage.<br /> <br /> Studies were also conducted in collaboration with IN on bill-trimming of ducks. Both Muscovy ducks and Pekin ducks showed behavioral and physical (a check in growth) evidence of short-term pain of 1-2 weeks duration after trimming, but there was no neuroma formation in the bill stump indicating that the procedure did not cause chronic pain. For Pekin ducks, there appeared to be less pain following a trim performed by simply searing the bill tip rather than one involving cutting and cautery. <br /> <br /> C. Induced Molt<br /> <br /> IL conducted a study which evaluated the effects of limit feeding of corn and DDGS molt diets at three different levels of intake on postmolt performance. Hy-Line W-36 hens (504) (69 weeks of age) were housed in a cage layer house of commercial design with water and feed provided for ad libitum consumption and exposed to a 17-hour daily photoperiod prior to the start of the experiment. Six replicate groups of 12 hens each (2 adjacent cages, containing 6 hens per cage, 92 square inches per hen) were randomly assigned to each treatment. The treatments were: Fed a 47% corn: 47% soy hulls diet ad libitum for 28 days. (C/SH); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 36.3 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 36); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 45.4 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 45); Fed a 94% corn diet at a rate of 54.5 g/hen/day for 28 days. (Corn 54); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 36.3 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 36); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 45.4 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 45); Fed a 94% DDGS diet at a rate of 54.5 g/hen/day for 28 days. (DDGS 54). At the start of the experiment (Day 1), hens in all the seven treatments were fed their respective diets immediately. In summary, hens totally ceased production when fed the Corn 36 and all the DDGS diets. Among the corn diets, the Corn 36 had the lowest egg production during the molt, but there were no differences in all corn diets in Weeks 5-43 and Weeks 1-43.<br /> <br /> D. Nutrition<br /> <br /> MN in cooperation with IL studied the nutritional value of DDGS. The nutritional value of corn derived distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was examined by determining the amino acid digestibility in cooperation with IL as well as assessing its performance through feeding trials. It was hypothesized that variable solubles addition to the wet grains prior to drying could effect the nutrient composition of the dried product and perhaps change the dynamics of the drying process to effect product quality. Batches of corn distiller dried grains were produced with varying levels of solubles (syrup) added back to the wet grains (mash) and then dried. The batches produced contained syrup added at approximately 0, 30, 60, and 100% of the maximum possible addition of syrup to mash. Actual rates of syrup addition were 0, 12, 25, and 42 gal/minute. Dryer temperature decreased with the decrease in rate of solubles of addition. Samples of each lot of material were taken and were chemically analyzed. The results indicate that the level of solubles addition has most of its effect on particular particle size and color of the dried product.<br /> <br /> CT investigated the prophylactic efficacy of feed supplemented with caprylic acid a natural, GRAS status, 8-carbon fatty acid present in breast milk and coconut oil, for reducing S. Enteritidis colonization in chicks, cloaca, crop, and liver. No Salmonella was detected from unchallenged control groups (negative and Caprylic Acid controls). SE counts in the cecum were reduced by ~2.5 log CFU/g compared to control by 10 d PI in 1% Caprylic Acid group. SE counts in the cloaca was reduced to 2 log CFU/g by 10 d PI in 1% Caprylic Acid treated group. SE counts in the crop and intestinal samples were reduced to ~1.5 log CFU/g in both Caprylic Acid -treated groups. SE counts in the liver and spleen were reduced significantly on 7 and 10 d PI (P<0.05) in both Caprylic Acid groups. No apparent change was noticed for the cecal endogenous microflora counts (~7.5-8 log CFU/mL). No abnormalities were observed in the cecum and liver samples of Caprylic Acid -treated groups upon histologic examination. No significant difference was noticed for feed consumption or body weights among the five groups of birds.<br /> <br /> In MN market turkey feeding trials were conducted to examine the utilization of co-products from the biofuels industry as feed ingredients for turkeys. It was found that crude glycerin could be added up to a level of 6% of the diet when replacing corn and fat on a weight equivalent basis in market turkey finisher diets. Crude glycerin improved pellet quality when included in turkey finisher diets. Inclusion of 20% distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) tended to reduce gain and feed intake of market tom turkeys in the 17-19 wk age period and suggests that a lower level of DDGS should be fed during the finishing phase. Addition of up to 14% of a high protein DDG appears possible in diets without DDGS but should be confirmed in future studies especially for feeding this high level near market age. <br /> <br /> Sub-objective 3: Develop a decision support system based on characterization of responses in Sub-objectives 1 and 2, to optimize production and economic outputs while enhancing welfare of commercial poultry.<br /> <br /> MS has done work on neural networks which offers a alternative to regression analysis for biological growth modeling. There is very little research that has been conducted to model animal growth using artificial neural networks. Twenty-five male chicks (Ross x Ross 308) were raised in an environmental chamber. Body weights were determined on a daily basis. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The birds were fed a starter ration (23% protein 3200 kcal ME) from 0 to 21 d and a grower ration (20% protein and 3200 kcal ME) from 22 to 70 d. Dead and female birds were not included in the study. Average body weights of the remaining 18 birds were used as the data points for the growth curve to be modeled. Training data consisted of every other day weights starting with the first day. Validation data consisted of the remaining body weights. Comparison was made between the modeling by the Gompertz nonlinear regression equation and neural network modeling. Neural network models were developed with the Neuroshell Predictor. Developed neural networks were evaluated in an Excel spreadsheet using the Neuroshell runtime server program. The predictor model is based on one of two models called neural and genetic. The training procedure is based on the premise that the accuracy and precision of the model can be adjusted by inclusion or exclusion of the nodes in the hidden layer. The genetic approach was also evaluated. Quantitative examination of the fit of the predictive models was made using error measurement indices commonly used to evaluate forecasting models.<br />

Publications

Anup Kollanoor Johny, Sangeetha Ananda Baskaran, Anu Susan Charles, Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou, Michael J. Darre Mazhar I. Khan, Thomas A. Hoagland, David T. Schreiber, Annie M. Donoghue, Dan J. Donoghue and Kumar Venkitanarayanan. 2009. Prophylactic supplementation of caprylic acid in feed reduces Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in commercial broiler chicks. J. of Food Protection. 72, #4:722-727.<br /> <br /> Johny, A. Kollanoor, M.J. Darre, T.A. Hoagland, D.T. Schreiber, A.M. Donoghue, D.J. Donoghue, and K. Venkitanarayanan. 2008. Antibacterial Effect of Trans-Cinnamaldehyde on Salmonella Enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni in Chicken Drinking Water. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 17:490-497.<br /> <br /> L. Mejia, E.T. Meyer, P.L. Utterback, C.W. Utterback, C.M. Parsons, and K. W. Koelkebeck. 2009. Evaluation of limit feeding corn and DDGS in nonfeed withdrawal molt programs for laying hens. Poult. Sci. 88 (in press).<br /> <br /> Burns, R.T., H. Li, L. Moody, H. Xin, R. Gates, D. Overhults, and J. Earnest. 2008. Quantification of particulate emissions from broiler houses in the southeastern United States. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Carvalho, V.F., T. Yanagi Jr., H. Xin, R.S. Gates, F. Damasceno, and S.R.P. Moraes. 2008. Mathematical model for thermal environment and broiler chickens performance prediction in acclimatized housing. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Gates, R. S., K.D. Casey, E.F. Wheeler, H. Xin and A.J. Pescatore. 2008. U.S. broiler ammonia emissions inventory model. Atmospheric Environment 42(14): 3342-3350.<br /> <br /> Gates, R.S., K.D. Casey, H. Xin, R. Burns, and H. Li. 2008. Uncertainty analysis in animal building aerial emissions measurements. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Gates, R.S. and H. Xin. 2008. Extracting poultry behavior from time-series weigh scale records. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 62(1): 8-14.<br /> <br /> Green, A.R., C.W. Wathes, T.G.M. Demmers, J.M., Clark, and H. Xin. 2008. Development and application of a novel environmental preference test system for assessing responses of laboratory mice to atmospheric ammonia. J. American Association for Lab oratory Animal Science 47(2):49-56.<br /> <br /> Green, A.R. and H. Xin. 2008. Effects of stocking density and group size on thermoregulatory response of laying hens under heat challenging conditions. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Green, A.R. and H. Xin. 2008. Effects of stocking density and group size on heat and moisture production of laying hens under thermoneutral and heat challenging conditions. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Li, H., H. Xin, Y. Liang, and R.T. Burns. 2008. Reduction of ammonia emission from stored poultry manure using additives: Zeolite, Al+Clear, Ferix-3 and PLT. J. App. Poult. Res. 17(4): 421-431.<br /> <br /> Li, H, H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.A. Roberts, and K. Bregendahl. 2008. Effects of dietary modification on laying hens in high-rise houses: Part I: Emissions of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, L.D. Jacobson, and S. Noll. 2008. Effects of bird activity, ventilation rate and humidity on pm10 concentration and emission rate of a turkey barn. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Li, H., H. Xin, R.T. Burns, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, L.D. Jacobson, and S. Noll. 2008. effect of sampling interval on ammonia and particulate matter emissions from turkey grow-out barns. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Moody, L., H. Li, R.T. Burns, H. Xin, and R.S. Gates, S.J. Hoff, and D.G. Overhults. 2008. Broiler gaseous and particulate matter emission monitoring quality assurance project plan. A Special Publication of ASABE: http://asae.frymulti.com/aqap_handbook.asp?confid=aqap2008.<br /> <br /> Roberts, S.A., H. Li, H. Xin, R. T. Burns, and K. Bregendahl. 2008. Effects of dietary modifications on laying hens in high-rise houses: Part II: Hen production performance. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Shao, B. and Xin, H. 2008. A real-time computer vision assessment and control of thermal comfort of group-housed pigs. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 62(1): 15-21.<br /> <br /> Topper, P.A., E.F. Wheeler, J.S. Zajaczkowski, R.S. Gates, H. Xin, Y. Liang, and K.D. Casey. 2008. Ammonia emissions from two empty broiler houses with built-up Litter. Transactions of the ASAE 51(1): 219-225.<br /> <br /> Wheeler, E.F., K.D. Casey, R.S. Gates, H. Xin, P.A. Topper, and Y. Liang. 2008. Ammonia emissions from usa broiler chicken barns managed with new bedding, built-up litter, or acid-treated litter. Proc of the 8th International Livestock Environment Symposium, Sept 1-3, 2008, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. (eds) R.R Stowell, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. St Joseph, MI: ASAE.<br /> <br /> Weber, P.A., S. Scheideler, and L. Robeson. 2009. The effects of social and environmental enrichments on leg strength and welfare of tom turkeys. Poultry Sci. 88:79 ( 254P) Suppl. 1.<br /> <br /> Masadeh, M.K., A.A. Aljamal, and S.E. Scheideler. 2009. High dietary inclusion of dried distillers grains with soluble in laying hen rations in combination with Allzyme® SSF enzyme.. Poultry Sci. 88:114 (372P).Suppl. 1.<br /> <br /> Masadeh, M.K. , A.A. Aljamal, P. Weber, L. Robeson, and S.E. Scheideler. 2009. Dried distillers grains with solubles in pullet rations. M. K. Poultry Sci. 88: International Poultry Scientific Forum p. 56.<br /> <br /> Noll, S.L., and J. Brannon. 2009. Utilization of corn co-products in diets for market tom turkeys. Poult. Sci. 88 (Suppl. 1):113.<br />

Impact Statements

1. Over the past 5 years, this multi-state poultry research has researched ways to improve the poultry house environment including the area of thermal, aerial, visual, auditory and multi-systems social stress responses of poultry. Work focused on studying the mechanisms by which heat stress reduces egg production in laying hens and elucidating the differences between strains in their response to heat stress.
2. In the area of aerial environment, a number of experiments were conducted. Aerial emissions from broiler, layer, and turkey houses were quantified, and modeling of gaseous emissions from manure storage was done. Techniques used to reduce air emissions (primarily ammonia) from layer operations and poultry manure compost facilities, including dietary manipulation and manure treatment were reported on. Work also included the exploration of different measurement techniques for quantifying air emissions from poultry facilities. The above work will supply poultry producers with the knowledge to improve facility and ventilation design.
3. In the area of visual responses of poultry to their environment work focused on determining the visual responses of broilers to different light intensities and day length. The results indicated that photoperiod length was closely related to behavioral responses.
4. Auditory and vocalization determinations of poultry to their environment were researched and could be quantified to determine if an environment was stressful or not.
5. Collaborative work on spatial responses focused on stocking densities and how this affected poultry behavior, growth, and physiological responses. This work showed that giving poultry more space seemed to be beneficial to poultry.
6. Collaborative work on characterizing physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical management practices focused on beak/bill trimming of poultry and chicks, induced molting, and nutritional modifications of diets to improve poultry performance. Work on beak and bill trimming demonstrated that the more sever trimming done the greater would be the pain response of poultry and ducks.
7. Induced molting work focused mainly on developing non-feed withdrawal methods of molting laying hens. Programs were developed that utilized combinations of soybean hulls, and wheat middlings with corn which yielded good success. The direct impact of this work resulted in the (80%) majority of the layer industry using a non-feed withdrawal program.
8. The impacts of the collaborative work done in the area of nutrition yielded research-based data that could be used by the poultry industry to validate the use of dried distillers grains with solubles for layers and turkeys.
9. Collaborative work on data analyses and decision analyzes focused on the use of neural networks to analyze data. This work was important in predicting growth responses of broiler to any given environmental situations.

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