NE127: Biophysical Models for Poultry Production Systems

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[12/31/2000] [10/20/2002] [10/18/2004] [12/02/2005]

Date of Annual Report: 12/31/2000

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/27/2001 - 10/28/2001
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2000 - 12/01/2000

Participants

Connecticut: Michael J. Darre(*); Illinois: Paul C. Harrison(*), Ken W. Koelkebeck, Gerald L. Riskowski; Iowa: Hongwei Xin(*); Maryland: Lewis E. Carr(*), Inma Estevez; Michigan Allan P. Rahn(*), Kevin D. Roberson; Minnesota: Kevin A. Janni, Sally L. Noll(*); Nebraska: Mary M. Beck(*); Pennsylvania: William B. Roush(*), Paul H. Patterson, Eileen F. Wheeler; Texas: Ted W. Odom(*); Administrative Advisor: A. John Bramley, University of Vermont; and USDA CSREES Representatives: Larry R. Miller and Richard D. Reynnells. The voting member is indicated by a (*).

Brief Summary of Minutes

Steven R. Alm (stevealm@uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island;

Paul Backman (pbackman@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station;

Mark J. Carroll (mc92@umail.umd.edu) - University of Maryland;

J. Marshall Clark (jclark@ent.umass.edu) - University of Massachusetts;

Bruce B. Clarke (clarke@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;

Richard S. Cowles (rcowles@caes.state.ct.us) - Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station;

J. Scott Ebdon (sebdon@pssci.umass.edu) - University of Massachusetts;

Steven Fales;

Karl Guillard (karl.guillard@uconn.edu) - University of Connecticut;

Richard J. Hull (rhu6441@postoffice.uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island;

Noel Jackson;

Peter J. Landschoot (pj11@psu.edu) - The Pennsylvania State University;

Pim Larsson-Kovach (il11@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;

James Lin - USEPA;

Bill Meyer (wmeyer@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;

Kevin Morris - NTEP;

Bridget Ruemmele (bridgetr@uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island;

Mike Sullivan (senmike@uriacc.uri.edu) - University of Rhode Island;

Patricia Vittum (pvittum@ent.umass.edu) - University of Massachusetts

Accomplishments

Increased Comprehension and Quantification of Avian Behavior At MD a study explored broiler behavior relative to perch availability, stocking density, aggression and immune status. Frequency of perching increased with stocking density and aggression decreased with stocking density. The most aggressive behavior occurred in the treatment without perches and the least in a horizontal perch treatment. Aggression increased in angled perch treatments. Aggression and perching behavior increased with age until 3 to 4 weeks and decreased to low levels at the end of the flock. In a trial with and without horizontal perches, higher densities increased bursa weight and bursa/body weight ratios decreased significantly (P <0.05). Addition of perches to the pens also significantly decreased the bursa weights and bursa/body weight index (P<0.01) and the stimulation index (blastogenesis assay) from 4 weeks to 6 weeks of age dropped dramatically (P<0.01). Bursal weight was found to be the best indicator of stress related to housing density Mathematical Modeling Operations research methods for optimizing broiler production were investigaed at PA. It was found that a successful application systems analysis to optimize production and products was reported for the Brazilian company, Sadia Concordia SA ( Taube-Netto, 1996. INFORMS 26:38-53). This is a pioneering example that shows how the variability of production can be used to meet the weight ranges of poultry products. Other PA studies investigated the number of days of growth velocity needed to detect pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broilers, the use of multiple objective programming to meet the goals of feed formulation, and the prediction of metabolizable energy using linear regression and artificial neural networks. To further the establishment of databases useful in modeling activities, MI studied the use of a computerized weighing and recording system for obtaining live turkey bodyweights dynamically over an entire growout period. Relatively high precision bodyweight parameters were obtained without the labor intensive and arduous task or disruptive and bird injury problems that usually accompany manual bird handling weighing procedures. Nutritional Impacts on Turkey Growth and Carcass Yields A study to ascertain if turkey breast meat yields in male market turkeys could be enhanced by varying methionine (TSAA) levels and supplementing betaine under a !‘clean!( or !‘dirty!( barn environment was conducted at MN. No differences in body weights among diets were found at the end of the trial, but the percentage breast meat yield and amount of breast meat was affected by diet. Methionine additions tended to improve percentage breast meat yields, but betaine had an even greater effect, significantly improving yield at each tested methionine addition. In a second study, MN looked at the effect of corn fatty acids -- a high oleic acid corn and control corn variety-- on the carcass quality of market turkeys. Fatty acid content of the carcass fat pad, meat shelf-life and consumer preference were the specific carcass quality attributes evaluated. Inclusion of a high oleic acid corn in the diets was found to have a positive effect on organoleptic traits of breast meat and also delayed the development of rancidity in material stored cooked or uncooked. The high oleic acid corn was particularly effective in delaying development of rancidity in cooked and uncooked breast meat and in uncooked thigh meat. Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation, impacts of heat stress on thermoregulation and the development of techniques for minimizing the adverse aspects of heat stress Studies at IA, MD and NE were conducted in this subject matter focus area. In collaboration with KY and NE, IA led an effort to determine the cooling water needs of laying hens cooled by partial surface (head and appendages) wetting. A new, surgery-free telemetric system for body temperature measurement was explored in this study and positive results were revealed. This system provides an improved, non-invasive way to quantify physiological responses of poultry to thermal stressors. The expected outcome of this study includes a) quantification of cooling water application rate as a function of air temperature, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and air velocity that can be used for development of an intelligent controller; b) quantification of cooling efficacy of the partial surface wetting at various thermal conditions; and c) development of thermal discomfort index for laying hens that incorporate the effects of the aforementioned physical factors. In collaboration with KY, IA has developed and tested a unique measurement and control system for characterizing dynamic feeding and drinking behavior of individual poultry. Using this system, the effects of cool (18aC or 65aF) vs. warm (27aC or 80aF) drinking water on laying hens subjected to warm conditions (27 to 35 aC or 80 to 95aF; 45 to 60% RH) were quantified. The cooler drinking water was shown to be more conducive to the hen performance under the testing conditions. The result suggests a potential viable means for the egg industry to sustain bird well-being and production efficiency during the adverse weather periods. At MD, broiler chicks were exposed to three perch treatments to determine preferences for water-cooled over ambient temperature perches, and whether there were preferences for height, location and temperature section of the perch. The experimental treatments were: 1) three cool perches 15 cm above the floor (Cool 15), 2) three ambient perches 7.5 cm off the floor (Ambient 7.5), 3) three ambient perches 15 cm high (Ambient 15) and 4) control chambers with no perches. The total number of birds perching, their position, and temperature section within the perch were recorded. Results indicate a strong preference for high perches as birds grow (P<0.001). The cooler sections of the perch were utilized more than warmer sections within the cool treatments (P<0.05). Females showed a stronger tendency to use the perches than males, particularly within the cool treatment (P <0.0001). The higher perch use could be one of the reasons for the higher eviscerated body weight found in females with access to cool perches (P<0.05). Differences in mean body weight approached significance (P = 0.07), being higher for the birds with access to the cool perches suggesting that providing broiler chickens with access to cool perches can be a means of reducing heat stress and improving body weight during periods of high ambient temperature. Also, MD continues to collaborate with NE in developing temperature-humidity indexes for young meat chickens. Three studies conducted at NE focused on physiological mechanisms. The objective of the first study was to determine, in avian species (Gallus domesticus), whether a link exists between heat stress and progesterone (P4) via the induction of IL-1R. Controlled studies were then conducted to 1. determine the effects of in vitro incubations of granulosa cells from HS hens with IL-1R; and 2. ascertain the effect of HS and IL-1R on 3B-HSD (3B-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase), the enzyme responsible for converting pregnenolone to P4. It was found that both HS and incubation with IL-1R depress P4 production by GC of laying hens. In addition, activity of 3R-HSD was reduced by both treatments and the vacuolar appearance of cells in both culture environments is similar. Thus, it appears that IL-1R can mimic the effect of HS on in vitro P4 production, at least partially through disruption of steroidogenesis as suggested by the decreased activity of 3R-HSD, the enzyme that converts pregnenolone to P4. The second study was designed to test the hypothesis that HS-induced reduction in T3 in birds acts as a functional hypothyroidism with regard to the reproductive process and that at least part of this effect is caused, as it appears to be in mammals, by elevated VIP. In both Hy and HS brains, the numbers of VIP-ir cells were increased over the Co. Adding thiouracil to the diet reversed the effect of Hy, in that numbers of VIP-ir cells were not different from Co, but were clearly lower than either Hy or HS. These observations suggest that HS disrupts reproduction in the hen, al least in part, via thyroid action on VIP !V a mechanism similar to that indicated for mammals. The third study was conducted to determine, for the three commercial laying hen varieties, the production, hormonal or metabolic responses that occurred during heat stress (HS) using both production and calorimeter settings. The study, among other things, confirmed that total heat loads are more lethal to the bigger and heavier birds. This calorimeter study is the first to examine the heat production characteristics of different strains of hens in relation to their responses in production settings. Poultry Health Enhancement Studies were conducted at TX to develop a method of measuring thrombocyte aggregation and to use this technique to investigate the effects of incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in the broiler chicken. Broilers were reared either under hypobaric conditions (simulated altitude 2900 m) to induce PHS or under normobaric conditions (altitude 96.7 m) for a period of five weeks. Compared to normobaric broilers, hypobaric broilers had lower body weights, increased hematocrit levels, and greater right ventricular weight to total ventricular weight ratio as a hypertrophy index measurment and increased PHS mortality compared to the broilers reared in normobaric conditions. Also, compared to normobaric broilers, hypobaric broilers produced less nitric oxide in the right pulmonary artery, significant after four weeks of hypobaric exposure. The thrombocyte counts were reduced in the hypobaric broilers at four and five weeks of age. There were no consistent differences in whole blood or thrombocyte-rich plasma aggregation between the environment group. Finally, changes in the rate of thrombocyte aggregation do not seem to be correlated with these results nor with the development of PHS in the broiler chicken. A high passage attenuated R strain of M. gallisepticum is being tested as a modified live vaccine for the prevention of M. gallisepticum disease and as a vector for the delivery of genes encoding protective antigens from bacterial and viral avian pathogens at CT. Study results suggest that R-high and another strain (GT-5) are promising live attenuated strains of M. gallisepticum that may be appropriate as a vaccine strain. In addition, the R-high strain may be useful as an expression vector based upon the serological response of chickens immunized with a single close transform of the R-high strain. Poultry Housing Environments and Environmental Impacts A proposal for a pilot project to investigate the use of plastic optical fiber (POF) cables to illuminate poultry facilities has been initiated by CT and funded by the Connecticut Poultry Association. POF cables will be placed in individual cages and a single illuminating source will be utilized. This light source is rampable and filterable to deliver the exact level and frequency of illumination to the birds. The use of fiber optics may enhance egg production in cage layers by providing more precise and even lighting and enhance the energy efficiency of lighting caged laying hens. In collaboration with AR and KY, IA took the lead in updating the heat and moisture production rates (HP, MP) of poultry and their housing environment. A comprehensive review of the literature on poultry HP and MP for the past 50 years has been completed. Quantification of broiler HP and MP in modern commercial production settings has been performed. Measurement of pullet and laying hen HP and MP is currently in progress. The new data will lead to more efficient design and operation of the building ventilation system, thus improved indoor air quality and production efficiency. The data also represents the advancement in scientific knowledge. In a study to evaluate the efficacy of products to inhibit ammonia production, IL researchers compared ammonia generation rates from hen manure that received an ammonia production inhibitor that worked systemically (through the feed) to a topically applied compound. Mean overall mass generation rate of ammonia (mgNH3/hr/kg manure) for the two week period of manure collection was 58, 52, and 31 for the Control, Systemic, and Topical treatments, respectively. Ammonia generation rate from manure collection ages of day-1, week-1, and week-2 was lower for the Topical treatment. Treatments had no affect on fecal weight or moisture; However when ammonia generation rate was compared on a dry weight basis for the week-2 evaluation, the Systemic and Topical treatments were lower (17 and 26 %, respectively) than the Control. Another IL study was conducted to determine the degree of leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus, and permeability of soils from earthen floors within several turkey barns.The results indicated that significantly greater concentration of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) were present in the first 3 ft. of soil depth for the inside vs outside (control) samples for all farms. However, no differences in total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentration were found between inside and outside samples for the 4- and 5-ft. deep samples. For nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), concentrations were greater for inside vs outside samples at the first 3 ft. of depth, and 5 ft. depth for all farms. Total phosphorus (P2) concentrations were essentially the same between inside vs outside samples for depths 2-5 ft. This indicated that total phosphorus (P2) did not migrate in the soil. The soil permeability results indicated that lower permeability occurred for the inside vs outside samples at the 1-3" and 5-7" depths for all farms averaged together. This study suggests that even though some soil nutrients leached below the surface of the ground inside a turkey facility, leaching essentially stopped at the 4 to 5 ft. level. In addition, the degree of soil permeability may be lowered by the presence of turkeys grown inside a facility. Thus, it is highly unlikely that subsurface ground water would ever be contaminated by harmful soil nutrients. Work attempting to define the relationship between total litter moisture and litter water activity was continued in MD. Litter water activity and total litter moisture under field conditions from 216 litter samples were collected over a 12 month period. A scatter gram plot of total litter moisture vs. litter water activity shows a non-linear relationship. Another MD study was undertaken to better define the impact of litter/manure ventilation, water activity, and total litter moisture on Salmonella and E. coli loads on poultry farms. Results from 86 poultry production houses showed that airflow rates > 60 ft/min. may be important in maintaining drier litter/manure conditions and the drier conditions created an adverse environment for the growth and multiplication of the pathogenic organisms investigated. Revision and Development of Web Publication of the Handbook "Biomeasurements and Experimental Techniques for Avian Species" Further evolutionary progress was made !Vwith editorship spearheaded by members from Paul Harrison (IL) and Lewis Carr (MD) and web publishing activities by Michael Darre (CT)-- among participating stations and CSREES, to revise and publish on the world wide web the handbook !‘Biomeasurements and Experimental Techniques for Avian Species!( that was an initial publication hallmark of the original NE-127 Committee. With $3,500 of seed money support for web site development approved and allocated by the NE Multi-State Research Committee Directors, Michael Darre is in the process of hiring an individual possessing the appropriate skills. As soon as the web site construction is completed, the Universal Resource Locator (URL) will be widely disseminated.

Publications

CONNECTICUT <ul> <li>Bell, D.D., P. H. Patterson, K. W. Koelkebeck, K. E. Anderson, M. J. Darre, J. B. Carey and G. Zeidler. Egg Marketing in National Supermarkets: Egg Quality - Part 1. Part 1. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). <li>Patterson, P.H., K. W. Koelkebeck, D. D. Bell, J. B. Carey, K. E. Anderson and M. J. Darre. Egg Marketing in National Supermarkets: Speciality Eggs - Part 2. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). <li>Koelkebeck, K.W., D. D. Bell, J. B. Carey, K. E. Anderson and M. J. Darre. Egg Marketing in National Supermarkets: Products, Packaging, and Prices - Part 3. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). </ul> ILLINOIS<ul> <li>Bell, D. D., P. A. Patterson, K. W. Koelkebeck, K. E. Anderson, M. J. Darre, J. B. Carey, D. R. Kuney, and G. Zeidler, 2000. Egg marketing in national supermarkets: Egg quality - Part 1. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). <li>Boling, S. D., M. W. Douglas, M. L. Johnson, X. Wang, C. M. Parsons, K. W. Koelkebeck, and R. A. Zimmerman, 2000. The effects of dietary available phosphorus levels and phytase on performance of young and older laying hens. Poultry Sci. 79:224-230. <li>Boling, S. D., M. W. Douglas, R. B. Shirley, C. M. Parsons, and K. W. Koelkebeck, 2000. The effects of various dietary levels of phytase and available phosphorus on performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). <li>Koelkebeck, K. W., 2000. A study on the degree of permeability and leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in soils within turkey barns. Poultry Sci. 79(Suppl. 1):8. <li>Koelkebeck, K. W., D. D. Bell, J. B. Carey, K. E. Anderson, and M. J. Darre, 2000. Egg marketing in national supermarkets: Products, packaging, and prices - Part 3. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). <li>Koelkebeck, K. W., C. M. Parsons, M. Douglas, R. W. Leeper, S. Jin, X. Wang, Y. Zhang, and S. Fernandez, 2000. Early postmolt performance of lyaing hens fed a low-rpotein corn molt diet supplemented with spent hen meal. Poultry Science 79:(In press). <li>Makled, M. N., K. W. Koelkebeck, C. M. Parsons, and A. B. Corless, 2000. Effect of acute and cyclic heat stress on amino acid digestibility of four feedstuffs. 21st Worlds Poultry Congress. (In press.) <li>Patterson, P. H., K. W. Koelkebeck, D. D. Bell, M. J. Darre, J. B. Carey, and K. E. Anderson, 2000. Egg marketing in national supermarkets: Speciality eggs - Part 2. Poultry Sci. 79:(In press). </ul> IOWA <ul> <li>Chepete, H.J. and H. Xin. 2000. Alleviating heat stress of laying hens by intermittent partial surface cooling. Transactions of the ASAE 43(4): 965-971. <li>Chepete, H. J. and H. Xin. 2001. Heat and moisture production of poultry their housing systems Review of literature. Proc of the Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium, May 21-23, 2001, Louisville, KY. Published by ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. <li>Han, T. and H. Xin. 2000. Effects of intermittent lighting on limited-fed neonatal chicks. Transactions of the ASAE 43(6): <li>Ikeguchi, A. and H. Xin. 2000. Field evaluation of a sprinkling system for cooling commercial laying hens in the Midwestern U.S. region. Applied Engineering in Agriculture (In press). <li>Puma, M.C., H. Xin, R.S. Gates, and D. J. Burnham. 2000. An instrumentation system for measuring feeding and drinking behavior of poultry. Applied Engineering in Agriculture (In press). <li>Xin, H., I.L. Berry, and T.A. Costello. 2001. Heat and moisture production of broiler chickens in commercial housing. Proc of the Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium, May 21-23, 2001, Louisville, KY. Published by ASAE, St. Joseph, MI. <li>Yang, P., J.C. Lorimor, and H. Xin. 2000. Nitrogen loss from laying hen manure in high-rise layer houses. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 16(6): 1771-1780. </ul> MARYLAND <ul> <li>deGraft-Hanson, J. A., L. E. Carr and V. E. Byrd. 2000. Effect of Moisture and Water Activity on the Presence of Salmonella in Broiler Litter. Poultry Science (Supplement 1) - 91. <li>deRezende, C. L., E. T. Mallinson, N. L. Tablante, R. Morales, A. Park, L. E. Carr and S. W. Joseph. 2000. The Effect of Dry Litter and Airflow in Reducing Salmonella and E. coli Populations in the Broiler Production Environment. Applied Poultry Research (in press). <li>Estevez, I; N. Tablante, R. Pettit-Riley, and L. Carr, 2000. Use of cool perches by broiler chickens. Submitted to Poultry Science. <li>Estevez, I. and R. Pettit-Riley, 2000. Effects of density on the use of perches in broilers. Poultry Science, vol.79 (supplement 1): 36. <li>Hayes, J. R., L.E. Carr, E. T. Mallinson, L. W. Douglass and S. W. Joseph. 2000. Characterization of the Contribution of Water Activity and Moisture Content to the Population Distribution of Salmonella Spp. In Commercial Poultry Houses. Poultry Science 79: 1557-1561. <li>Heckert, R. A.; I. Estevez, E. Russek-Cohen and R. Pettit-Riley, 2000. Effects of density, heat stress and perch availability on the immune status of broilers. Submitted to Poultry Science. <li>Mallinson, E. T., C. E. deRezende, N. L. Tablante, L. E. Carr and S. W. Joseph. 2000. A Management Technique to Identify Prime Locations of Salmonella Contamination on Broiler and Layer Farms. Applied Poultry Research 9(3): 364-370. <li>Okelo, P. O. 1999. Effectiveness of Using a Cool Perch System or Cool and Carbonated Drinking Water to Relieve Heat Stress in Broilers. Unpublished MS Thesis, University of Maryland. <li>Pettit-Riley, R. and I. Estevez, 2000. Effects of density on perching behavior of broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. (In press). <li>Pettit-Riley, R., I. Estevez, , and E. Russek-Cohen, 2000. Effects of stocking density and access to perches on aggressive behaviour in broilers. Submitted to Applied Animal Behaviour Science. <li>Pettit, R. 2000. Effects of perch availability and stocking density on perching behavior and aggression in broiler chickens. Master Thesis, University of Maryland. </ul> MINNESOTA <ul> <li>Erf, G. F., S. Noll, T. K. Bersi, X. Wang, J. Kalbfleisch, and W. G. Bottje, 2000. Effects of dietary Vitamin E supplementation in young male turkey poults: 2. Tissue Levels of Vitamin E, proportions and concentrations of immune cells. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 117. <li>Ergul, T., S. L. Noll, J. Brannon and M. I. Endres, 2000. The effect of high oleic acid corn in turkey diets: 1. Turkey tom performance. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 30. <li>Ergul, T., P. B. Addis, S. L. Noll, and M. I. Endres, 2000. The effect of high oleic acid corn in turkey diets: 2. Meat sensor evaluation and rancidity development in thigh and breast muscle. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 26. <li>Halvorson, D., K. V. Nagaraja, , D. P. Shaw, M. K. Njenga, S. Goyal, and S. Noll, 2000. Control of Viral Respiratory Diseases of Turkeys. Gobbles 57 (8):6, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, St. Paul, MN. <li>Jirjis, F. F., S. L. Noll, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, E. L. Townsend, A. M. Sheikh, and D. P. Shaw, 2000. Avian Pneumovirus Infection in Minnesota Turkeys: Experimental Reproduction of the Disease. Avian Diseases 44:222-226. <li>Jirjis, F. F., S. L. Noll, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, and D. P. Shaw, 2000. Minimum Infectious Dose of Avian Pneumovirus in Turkeys. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 23. <li>Kalbfleisch, J., S. Noll, V. Stangeland, G. Speers, and J. Brannon, 2000. Amino acid and energy responses of male market turkeys: 2. Methionine and betaine responses by turkeys in clean or dirty environments. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 26. <li>Kalbfleisch, J., G. F. Erf, S. Noll, and J. Brannon, 2000. Effects of dietary Vitamin E supplementation in young male turkey poults: 1. Growth Performance and Lymphoid organ Characteristics. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 116. <li>Noll, S. L., 2000. Nutritional Influences on Meat Quality in Poultry. Proceedings "61st Minnesota Nutrition Conference", Pages 215-224. University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. <li>Noll, S. L., V. Stangeland, G. Speers, and J. Brannon, 2000. Amino acid and energy responses of male market turkeys: 1. Energy to amino acid ratio in mash and pelleted feed and influence of feed additives. Poultry Sci. 79 (Supplement 1): 55. <li>Shaw, D., S. Noll, F. Jirjis, D. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, S. Goyal, M. K. Njenga and K. A. Janni, 2000. Pathogenesis of Avian Pneumovirus Infection of Turkeys. Gobbles 57(8):22, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, St. Paul, MN. <li>Stangeland, V., S. Noll, J. Brannon, and J. Kalbfleisch, 2000. Methionine and Betaine in Diets for Market Toms. Gobbles 57(8):18, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, St. Paul, MN. <li>Waibel, P. E., C. W. Carlson, J. A. Brannon, and S. L. Noll, 2000. Limiting Amino Acids after Methionine and Lysine with Growing Turkeys Fed Low-Protein Diets. Poultry Sci. 78:1290-1298. <li>Waibel, P. E., C. W. Carlson, J. A. Brannon, and S. L. Noll, 2000. Identification of Limiting Amino Acids in Methionine- and Lysine-Supplemented Low-Protein Diets for Turkeys. Poultry Sci. 78:1299-1305. </ul> NEBRASKA <ul> <li>Alodan, M.A. and M.M. Beck, 2000. IL-1 suppresses progesterone production in vitro by granulosa cells of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 79(suppl):50. <li>Beck, M.M. and S.A. Elnagar, 2000. VIP-immunoreactive cells increase in hypothalamic nucleus of heat-stressed and hypothyroid hens. Poultry Sci. 79(suppl):78. <li>Bridger, J. L. Robeson, D. Franco, and M.Beck, 2000. Metabolic and production responses of three laying hen varieties to heat stress. Poultry Sci. 79(suppl):79. <li>Elnagar, S.A. Thyroid hormones and reproduction in the laying hen. PhD Dissertation, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt. <li>Elnagar, S.A. and M.M.Beck, 2000. Heat-induced hypothyroidism mediates changes in reproductive hormones in laying hens. Poultry Sci. 79 (suppl):99. <li>Elston, J.J., M.M.Beck, S.D.Kachman and S.E. Scheideler, 2000. Laying hen behavior 1. Effects of cage type and startle stimulus. Poultry Sci. 79:471-476. (ARD 12499) <li>Elston, J.J., M.M. Beck, M.A. Alodan, and V. Vega-Murillo, 2000 Laying hen behavior: 2. Cage type preference and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. Poultry Sci. 79:477-482. (ARD 12529) <li>Franzen, K.K., D. Clopton, and M.M. Beck, 2000. Endocrine reproductive properties in the laying hen change with age. Poultry Sci. 79(suppl):56. <li>Teruyama, R. and M.M. Beck, 2000. Changes in immunoreactivity to anti-cGnRH-I and II are associated with photostimulated sexual status in male quail. Cell and Tissue Res. 300:413-426.(ARD 12234). <li>Teruyama, R. and M.M. Beck, Double immunocytochemistry of VIP and cGnRH-I in quail brain: photoperiodic effects. (ARD 12414). Cell and Tissue Research.:(In press). </ul> PENNSYLVANIA <ul> <li>Kliger, C. A., A. S. Gehad, R. M. Hulet, W. B. Roush, H. S. Lillehoj, M. M. Mashaly, 2000. Photoperiod and melatonin and their effects on lymphocyte activities in male broiler chickens. Poultry Sci. 79:18-25. <li>Roush, W.B. and R.F. Wideman, Jr., 2000. Evaluation of broiler growth velocity and acceleration in relation to pulmonary hypertension syndrome. Poultry Science 79:180-191. </ul> TEXAS <ul> <li>Martinez-Lemus, L. A., Miller, M. W., Jeffrey, J. S., and Odom, T. W. Echocardiographic Monitoring in Heart Function in Broilers Exposed to Normobaric or Hypobaric Conditions. Avian Disease 44:74-84, 2000. </ul>

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 10/20/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/18/2002 - 10/19/2002
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2002 - 12/01/2002

Participants

Connecticut: Michael J. Darre(*); Illinois: Paul C. Harrison(*), Ken W. Koelkebeck; Iowa: Hongwei Xin(*); Maryland: Lewis E. Carr(*), Inma Estevez; Michigan: Allan P. Rahn(*); Kevin D. Roberson; Minnesota: Kevin A. Janni, Sally L. Noll(*); Nebraska: Mary M. Beck(*); Texas: Ted W. Odom(*); Administrative Advisor: William Vinson, University of West Virginia, and USDA CSREES Representatives: Larry R. Miller and Richard D. Reynnells. The voting member is indicated by a (*).

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

A.Poultry Housing Environments and Impacts 1.Ammonia Emissions Research at IL showed that application of liquid Al+Clearb at the rate of .033 pounds per square foot of hen manure, was effective in reducing mass ammonia generation rate. Mass generation rate of gaseous NH3 from laying hen manure was also reduced by liquid spray application of Al2SO4. Magnitude of NH3 emission reduction was less as time between spray application and emission analysis (lag time) increased. Manure pH was directly related to NH3 emission indicating that manure pH may be used to reduce gas production and increase the value of manure as a soil fertilizer. Further studies on ammonia release from broiler litter are underway at MD where different litter additives are being examined and measurements made to characterize ammonia release. IA, KY and PA are collaborating on a multi-disciplinary research project that aims to characterize and quantify aerial ammonia emissions from facilities with different housing and management schemes. A relatively low-cost, portable monitoring instrumentation system was developed and is being used for continuous measurement of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, in situ calibration of fan airflow capacity, and monitoring of fan operation time in poultry housing systems to quantify NH3 emission rates from the animal housing systems. Preliminary data indicate that ammonia concentrations in layer houses at bird level ranged from about 10 to 38 ppm and from 38 to 120 ppm in manure storage areas. Emission rates ranged from 3.1 to 20.1 mg/h-bird at bird level and 9.5 to 75.6 mg/h-bird from exhaust fans in the manure storage area. 2.Lighting CT and PA cooperated to determine the effect of red and white compact fluorescent lamps on production parameters. Hyline W-36 and Babcock B300 pullets were tested using 45 birds of each strain, 9 replicate cages in each of four environmental rooms, two with red lamps and two with white under 16:8 light:dark cycles. Initial results suggest that lamp color does not influence feed consumption, egg production or mortality in this small sample, however a significant increase in egg quality, as measured by Haugh units was found in eggs produced by birds reared under red lamps. 3.Thermal Environment Effects and Modeling IA quantified surface wetting efficacy and requirements to cool broiler chickens (Ross4 Ross male, 4613 d, 2.81 0.1 kg) under various thermally challenging conditions consisting of factorial combinations of dry-bulb temperature (tdb, 35, 38, & 41 oC), dew-point temperature (tdp, 19.4 & 26.1oC), and air velocity (V, 0.2, 0.7 & 1.2 mWs-1). Results showed surface wetting and adequate air movement is effective in relieving heat stress of the birds even under relatively humid conditions. The cooling water requirements, expressed as spray interval at a nominal spray dosage of 22 mlWbird-1 (SI22, min), and evaporation rate (ER, ml/minWkg0.67), were optimized by relating the SI22 or ER to the thermal conditions, having the form, SI22=70.5027.14*4.84*VPDair, and ER = -0.0471+0.1700*+0.0297*VPDair (where VPDair stands for vapor pressure deficit of the air that integrates the effect of air temperature and humidity). IA developed a temperature-humidity-velocity index (THVI) to delineate the synergistic effects of the thermal factors on the birds, of the form (where twb = wet-bulb temperature). State of homeostasis of the bird was classified as normal, alert, danger, or emergency that corresponds to a tb rise threshold of 1.0, 2.5, 4.0 or >4.0 oC. At MN four and nine-week old poults were inoculated with cell culture propagated avian pneumovirus (APV), followed by exposure to warm (21.7 C) and cool (18.9 C) environmental temperatures. In the 4-week old poults, exposure to cool temperatures resulted in slightly higher clinical scores and observations of greater depression in activity and huddling among the poults. For turkeys infected with avian pneumovirus, maintaining warm brooder conditions may be beneficial. Heat tolerance in three strains of laying hens was studied at NE. Short term and acute exposure to hot environments indicated that there were strain differences in susceptibility to heat but no differences in heat production or RQ between the strains. B.Physiological Measurements of Poultry 1.Calcium Metabolism Studies at NE resulted in the discovery of estrogen receptor sites in the chicken duodenum, which were shown to decline with age. Two strains were also compared regarding their productive characteristics and hormonal profile. Influence of body weight and HyD supplementation were examined. Preliminary information may indicate that BMC (bone mineral content) may not be the best assessment of bone strength and that the organic matrix may be what is causing bone fragility problems in layers. 2.Molting Results at IL indicate that feeding wheat middlings, wheat middlings and corn combination diets, or corn gluten feed molt diet to initiate a molt may be an effective alternative to traditional feed removal methods. Eggshell quality as measured by egg specific gravity in the latter stage of the postmolt egg production period was not affected. Heat and moisture production rates (HP, MP) of molting layer hens, pullets and laying hens were determined by researchers at IA for the purpose of developing an improved HP and MP database for design and operation of modern building ventilation systems. They found that total heat production was almost 2 W/kg higher in their studies compared to the reported literature from 1953 to 1990 and recent research from 1999. 3.Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome Results from research conducted at TX are consistent with the hypothesis that pulmonary hypertension in broilers exposed to cold temperatures is the result of an impaired respiratory capacity that may be alleviated by DETA/NO treatment. They proposed that broilers exposed to cold temperatures develop metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory respiratory acidosis resulting from an impaired pulmonary gas exchange. In this scenario, DETA/NO treatment may protect the lungs and the heart by virtue of increasing plasma levels of NO and preventing pulmonary hypertension and/or PHS in response to cold exposure. C.Nutritional Responses in Poultry 1.Distillers Byproducts Preliminary results from MN indicate that nutrient content (fat, protein, minerals) of DDGs (distillers dried grains) varies among sources but is relatively consistent within processing source. Results from two feeding trials indicate that DDG‘s could be safely used in turkey diets at levels averaging 10% when diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. 2.Protein / Amino Acid Content of Feeds Research at MN indicates that even though turkeys are reared in confined environ-mentally controlled buildings, seasonal influences on production still exist. Breast meat yield is especially depressed under summer conditions. Feeding diets varying in protein and methionine content showed the importance of feeding higher levels of dietary protein or diets supplemented with methionine. A greater response in breast meat yield was obtained with betaine supplementation. In comparison to the control, maximal breast meat yield was increased by .96 lbs (value of $1.15) when methionine and betaine were supplemented in the diet. D.Behavioral Responses 1.Beak Trimming and Feeding Behavior IA and KY collaborated in quantifying effects of beak trimming on feeding behavior of W-36 White Leghorn laying hens (77-80 weeks old). Feeding behavior was characterized using a newly developed measurement system and computational algorithm. Preliminary results show that compared with non-trimmed (NT) hens, beak trimmed (BT) hens have similar meal size, tend to spend more time at the feeder which coincides with their slower ingestion rate (0.9 vs. 1.3 g/min), and have shorter meal intervals (200 vs. 450 s). 2.Stocking Density and Broiler Behaviors Behavioral studies at MD determined the effects of stocking density on physical and social behavior of domestic fowl. Artificial chicken-sized models were added to pens with 30 and 60 birds to simulate the spatial availability of 90 birds while eliminating social factors related to large group sizes. Density/Group size treatments (DGT) groups differed significantly in the levels of aggression (P<0.05), with maximum aggression in the groups of 60 birds with or without models, while lowest aggression occurred in 90 birds /0 models. Disturbance frequency increased linearly with increasing group size and/or number of models and decreased with age. Although DGT did not impact resting or standing, age effects show that resting frequency increased to a maximum at wk 4 while resting duration increased overall to a maximum at wk 6. Standing frequency remained constant with age until decreasing at wk 4, while standing duration reached a maximum at wk 4 before decreasing. These results support the hypothesis of social tolerance, as aggression was lowest in the largest GS of 90. Levels of disturbance appeared to increase as the number of birds and/or obstacles increased, suggesting disturbance level within the pen is affected by social factors but more importantly determined by overall spatial availability. Although DGT did not impact walking, age effects indicated that walking duration increased to a maximum at week 2, while number of walking occurrences reached a maximum between weeks 2 and 3 before decreasing. Steps taken increased to a maximum at week 2 before decreasing to a minimum at week 6. Density significantly (P<.05) affected the level of tortuosity observed during movement (measured as the number of changes in the direction of the movement), with maximum percent steps forward / total steps taken occurring in the 90/0, 60/0, and 30/0 DGT. Contrarily changes in group size while maintaining density constant (90/0, 60/30, 30/60 (birds/models)) showed no significant differences in core area at all probability levels but core areas were significantly larger in these groups in comparison to the 30/0 and 60/0 groups. DGT significantly (P<.05) affected use of pen walls as birds in the 30/0 and 30/60 DGT were found near pen walls less than birds from the other experimental groups. These results support the hypothesis that restrictions to movement at increased stocking density are due to the physical barrier effect of other birds and not due to social factors. Birds in DGT with equal density but varying group size displayed patterns of movement and use of space (core area and step tortuosity) which appeared to be based on spatial availability within the pen. E.Economics and Policy Research at MI studied the possible economic impact of the United Egg Producers "Animal Husbandry Guidelines for commercial egg laying hens in the United States". The ultimate question was: As cage space per bird is increased, as the Guidelines specify, what additional receipts per dozen eggs i.e. price premiumis required to generate the same net receipts per 1,000 ft2 of cage space over time? The analysis concluded that for a producer to breakeven, or have the same net receipts per 1,000 ft 2 of cage space with 53, 56, 59, 61, 64 and 67 in2 per hen as with a 48 in2 per hen allowance under representative revenue and cost conditions, would require an egg price premium of 1.6, 2.6, 3.5, 4.1, 5.0 and 5.9 cents per dozen, respectively. F.Web Publication of NE-127 Reports and Research Materials CT developed a web site for NE-127 related materials at http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~mdarre/NE-127/ This was a cooperative effort by all stations, but Lew Carr at MD and Paul Harrison at IL edited the initial material. The NE Multi-State Research Committee Directors approved $3,500 in funding for this project. This is an ongoing project that will be updated regularly.

Publications

CT Paterson, P.H., and M. J. Darre. 2002. Light parameters and hen performance of commercial Leghorns illuminated with red and white fluorescent lamps. Poultry Sci. 80(supplement 1) 139. Abstract. Darre, M. J., 2002. NE-127 Web Publication. (http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~mdarre/NE-127/) IL Biggs, P.E., M.W. Douglas, K.W. Koelkebeck, and C.M. Parsons, 2001. Evaluation of non-feed removal versus feed removal methods for molting programs. Poultry Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):91. Biggs, P.E., M.E. Persia, K.W. Koelkebeck, and C.M. Parsons, 2002. Evaluation of several non-feed removal methods for molting programs. Poultry Sci. 81(Suppl. 1):22. Koelkebeck, K.W., and P.C. Harrison, 2002. Evaluation of aluminum sulfate manure treatment application on ammonia generation rate and manure properties of laying hen manure. Poultry Sci. 81(Suppl. 1):31. IA Chepete, H. J. and H. Xin. 2002. Heat and moisture production of poultry and their housing systems: Literature review. Transactions of the ASHRAE 108(2): 448-466. Chinkuyu, A.J., R.S. Kanwar, J.C. Lorimor, H. Xin, and T.B. Bailey. 2002. Effects of laying hen manure application rate on water quality. Transactions of the ASAE 45(2): 299-308. Tabler, G. T., I. L. Berry, and H. Xin. 2002. Spatial distribution of mortality in broiler flocks. Applied Poultry Res. (in press) Tao, X. and H. Xin. Surface wetting and its optimization to cool broiler chickens. 2002. Transactions of the ASAE (accepted for publication) Tao, X. and H. Xin. 2002. Acute, synergistic effects of air temperature, humidity and velocity on homeostasis of market-size broilers. Transactions of the ASAE (accepted for publication) Xin, H., Puma, M.C., R.S. Gates, and D. U. Ahn. 2002. Effects of drinking water temperature on laying hens subjected to warm cyclic environments. Poultry Science 81:608-617. Yanagi, Jr., T., H. Xin, and R. S. Gates. 2002. A research facility for studying poultry responses to heat stress and its relief. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 18(2): 255-260. Yanagi, Jr., T., H. Xin, and R. S. Gates. 2002. Optimization of partial surface wetting to cool caged laying hens. Transactions of the ASAE 45(4): 1091-1100. Conference Papers Casey, K. D., E. F. Wheeler, R. S. Gates, H. Xin, P. A. Topper, J. S. Zajaczkowski, Y. Liang, A. J. Heber, and L. D. Jacobson. 2002. Quality assured measurements of livestock building emissions: Part 4. Building ventilation rate. Proc of Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology held on November 13-15, 2002 at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, San Francisco, CA organized by Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA), Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA. Gates, R. S., J. D. Simmons, K. D. Casey, T. Greis, H. Xin, E. F. Wheeler, C. King, and J. Barnett. 2002. Fan assessment numeration system (FANS) design and calibration specifications. Technical paper No. 024124. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE Persyn K.E., H. Xin, A. Ikeguchi, and R.S. Gates. 2002. Feeding behaviors of laying hens with or without beak trimming. Technical paper No. 024070. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE Wheeler, E. F., R. S. Gates, H. Xin, J. Zajaczkowski, and K. D. Casey. 2002. Field estimation of ventilation capacity using FANS. Technical paper No. 024125. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE Xin, H., A. Tanaka, T. Wang, R.S. Gates, E. F. Wheeler, K. D. Casey, A. J. Heber, J. Ni, and T. Lim. 2002. A portable system for continuous ammonia measurement in the field. Technical paper No. 024168. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE Thesis: Chepete, H. J. 2002. Current state and updating of heat and moisture production of poultry and their housing systems. Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State University Parks Library, Ames, Iowa 50011. MD Estivez, I., Newberry, R. C. & Keeling, L. J. (2002). Dynamics of aggression in the domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 76:307-325. Estivez, I. (2002). Dealing with animal welfare issues: proactive strategies and voluntary regulations. Proceedings of the 49th Maryland Nutrition Conference, March 27-28, 2002, Timonium, MD. Edited by the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. pp: 3-19. Estivez, I. (2002). Poultry welfare issues; Implications for processing. Proceedings of the 37th National Meeting on Poultry Health and Processing. October 9-11, 2002, Ocean City, MD. Edited by the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. in cooperation with the University of Delaware, University of Maryland and Delaware State University. pp: 70-81. *Cornetto, T. L. & Estivez, I. (2001). Behavior of the domestic fowl in presence of vertical panels. Poultry Science, 80:1455-1462. *Cornetto, T. L., Estivez, I. & Douglass L. (2002). Using artificial cover to reduce aggression and disturbances in Domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 75:325-336. Heckert, R. A., Estivez, I., Russek-Cohen, E. & Pettit-Riley, R. (2002). Effects of density, heat stress and perch availability on the immune status of broilers. Poultry Science, 81:451-457. *Bizeray, D., Estivez, I., Leterrier, C. & Faure, J. M. (2002). Influence of increased environmental complexity on leg condition, performance and level of fearfulness in broilers. Poultry Science, 81:767-773. *Bizeray, D., Estivez, I., Leterrier, C. & Faure, J. M. (2002). Effects of increasing environmental complexity on the behavior of broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 79: 29-43. *Pettit-Riley, R., Estivez, I. & Russek-Cohen, E. (2002). Effects of stocking density and access to perches on aggressive behaviour in broilers. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 79: 13-27. Bakst, M. R., McGary, S., Estivez, I. & Knapp, T. (2002). Using non-settable eggs to evaluate hen fertility. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. (In Press). *McGary, S., Estivez, I. & Bakst, M. (2002). Potential relationships between physical traits and male broiler breeder fertility. Poultry Science. (In Press). Tablante, N., Estivez, I., & Russek-Cohen E. (2002) The effect of perches and stocking density on tibial dyschondroplasia and bone mineralization as measure by bone ash in broiler chickens. Submitted to the Journal of Applied Poultry Research. (In Press). MI Rahn, Allan P., 2002. An Economic Perspective on Caged Layer Well-Being Guidelines. 2002 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention Proceedings, pp158-171. March 21. Burrows, Spence A., Laura M Cheney and Allan P. Rahn. Sara Lee Foods Takes Flight: An Economic Impact Analysis of a Turkey Plant Closure. Journal of Agribusiness. In Press. MN Bennett, R. S., H. Lwamba, B. Velayudhan, K. V. Nagaraja, S. Noll, M. K. Njenga, and D. A. Halvorson, 2002. Establishment of an APV infection model. Gobbles 59 (8): 4-5. Jirjis, F.F., S. L. Noll, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, and D.P. Shaw, 2002. Pathogenesis of avian pneumovirus infection in turkeys. Vet Pathol. 39(3):300-10. Jirjis, F.F., S. L. Noll, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, E. L. Townsend, S. M. Goyal, and D. P. Shaw, 2002. Rapid detection of avian pneumovirus in tissue culture by microindirect immunofluorescence test. J Vet Diagn Invest. 14(2):172-5. Jirjis, F.F., S. L. Noll, F. Martin, D. A. Halvorson, K. V. Nagaraja, and D. P. Shaw, 2001. Vaccination of turkeys with an avian pneumovirus isolate from the United States. Avian Dis. 45(4):1006-13. Kalbfleisch, J.L., 2002. Lysine, threonine, and arginine supplementation and effects on performance and carcass yield of young tom turkeys raised in a summer environment. M.S. Thesis, University of Minnesota. Noll, S. L., 2002. Feeding for Live Performance and Breast Meat Yield. In Proceedings of the Multistate Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Conference. Universities of Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State Cooperating, Indianapolis, IN (http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/poultry/multistate/publication.htm) Noll, S. L., V. Stangeland, and J. Brannon, 2002. Performance response of market turkeys to methionine and betaine. Poultry Sci. 81(Supp. 1): 56. Noll, S. L, V. Stangeland, G. Speers, J. Brannon and J. Kalbfleisch, 2002. Betaine and Breast Meat Yield in Turkeys. In Proceedings of the Multistate Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Conference. Universities of Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State Cooperating, Indianapolis, IN (http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/poultry/multistate/publication.htm) Noll, S. L., V. Stangeland, G. Speers, J. Brannon, and C. Parsons, 2002. Utilization of corn dried distiller grains and threonine in market tom turkey diets impact on performance and carcass yield. Gobbles 59 (8): 20-21. Noll, S. L., V. Stangeland, G. Speers, C. Parsons, and J. Brannon, 2002. Utilization of canola meal and distiller grains with solubles in market turkey diets. Poultry Sci. 81(Supp. 1): 92. Noll, S. L, V. Stangeland, G. Speers J. Brannon, B. Walters, and J. Kalbfleisch, 2002. Improving Breast Meat Yield in Tom Turkeys with Betaine. In Proceedings of the Carolina Poultry Nutrition Conference, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Shin, H.J., F.F. Jirjis, M.C. Kumar, M. K. Njenga, D. P. Shaw, S. L. Noll, K. V. Nagaraja, and D. A. Halvorson, 2002. Neonatal avian pneumovirus infection in commercial turkeys. Avian Dis. 46(1):239-44. PA Zhang, F. and Roush, W. B. Multiple objective (goal) programming model for feed formulation: An example for reducing nutrient variation. Poultry Sci. 81:182-192, 2002. Koc, A. B., Heinemann, P. H., Ziegler, G. R. and Roush W. B. Fuzzy logic control of whole milk powder processing. Transactions of ASAE 45:153-163. Roush, W.B., Cravener, Stochastic true digestible amino acid values. Animal Feed Science and Technology 102:225-239, 2002. Vandegrift, K.J., Cravener, T.L., Hulet, R.M., Roush, W.B., An analysis of the nonlinear dynamics of daily broiler growth and feed intake. Submitted to Poultry Science, 2002 TX M.A. Thompson, K. P. Floren, G. A. Ramirez, L. A. Martinez-Lemus, N. Puebla-Osorio, J. S. Thomas, and T. W. Odom. Supplementation of DETA/NO attenuates cold exposure-induced pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broilers. Vol. 81, Supplement 1:79, Annual Poultry Science Meeting in Newark, Delaware 2002.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 10/18/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/17/2003 - 10/18/2003
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2003 - 12/01/2003

Participants

Darre, M.J. - Connecticut; Harrison, K.W.- Illinois; Koelkebeck, K.W. - Illinois; Xin, H. - Iowa; Carr, L.E. - Maryland; Estevez, I. - Maryland; Roberson, K.D. - Michigan; Noll, S.L. - Minnesota; Beck, M.M. - Nebraska; Wheeler, E. - Pennsylvania; Odom, T.W. - Texas; Roush, W.B. - Mississippi ARS; Vinson, W.E. - Administrative Advisor West Virginia; Miller, L.R. - CSREES; Reynnells, R.D. - CSREES

Brief Summary of Minutes

In attendance: Mike Darre, Lew Carr, Bill Roush, Paul Harrison, Bill Vinson, Kevin Roberson, Bill Saylor, Sally Noll, Mary Beck, Hongwei Xin, Ken Koelkebeck, Larry Miller.

Sally Noll started the meeting at 8:34 am. Some introductory comments were made followed by work on the project rewrite. Mike Darre as host made a brief welcome. A message from Ted Odom was communicated expressing his regrets for not being able to attend due to an illness. He will be missed. Bill Roush is part of the committee again. He is with ARS in Starkville, MS. Paul Patterson has declined to stay on the committee but Kevin Roberson will stay on the committee. Paul Aho declined participation on the project. Need to look for another economist and agricultural engineer. Possibly Glenn Carpenter with NRCS, Beltsville. Possibly Gary van Wicklen from DE. Rich Gates is very busy at this time. Talk to Bob Wideman from AR to join.

Eileen Wheeler was not able to attend and Ken Koelkebeck took her place as secretary. Paul Harrison, Lew Carr and Mary Beck volunteered to be the nominating committee.

Larry Miller gave the USDA-CSREES report. Some increases in 2002 budget. Handed out a budget sheet. Some differences between House and Senate version. Not much change from last year. Deadlines are changing for the National Research Initiative, not set yet. The NIMISS (National Information Management and Support System) is a good source of information (see www.lgu.umd.edu). Some vacancies within USDA-CSREES were announced.

New Email addresses to replace reeusda to csrees.usda.gov (e.g, lmiller@csrees.usda.gov)

For all of Animal Ag, 2000 budget was 1,008.6 to 1.100.3 in 2001 and $1.2 billion for 2003. In-house funding for USDA is up, also for University research. Adjusted for inflation it is relatively flat. Animal Health in Poultry funding is up a bit as a percentage of the total.

Bill Vinson discussed the rewrite schedule. A general call will be made for people who would like to participate will be made when the rewrite goes out. Schedule is driven by having it for February first week, with all peer reviews so NERA gets it for March 4. Need to get the rewrite done ASAP. Need to suggest five reviewers; three are picked for actual review. Any qualified person. Industry representatives are encouraged as reviewers. It was discussed if we can work into the rewrite the disallowance of antibiotics in feed and its implications on the production of the animals. The project should be more focused and the term Biophysical in the title was found to be confusing. Project will get a new number due to computer system changes.

The committee moved toward discussing the project rewrite. New proposed objectives were:

1. Characterize physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical environmental factors.
2. Optimize technical and economic aspects of sustainable poultry production systems and enhance poultry well-being using information from Objective 1.

Discussion continued on incorporating work into the project regarding antibiotic non-use in poultry diets. Several possible research approaches were discussed nutrition, environmental contamination, litter treatments, changes in gut microflora, pathogen resistance to antibiotics, food safety, antibiotic residues, welfare of the birds without antibiotics, antibiotics and growth, and residues in manure, litter; energetics of animal with or without antibiotics.

Areas were identified under each objective for study.
Objective 1 to include:
-Thermal Environment
-Aerial environment
-Physical Environment

Objective 2

Thermal Environment
Dietary phosphorus and heat stress (Saylor)
Broiler breeder male fertility and heat stress (Beck)
Cool water perches with breeder males (Beck)
Laying hen strains (Beck)
Turkey THI (Xin)
Bird density and animal welfare guidelines (Xin)

Aerial Environment
Harrison - chemical ammonia control in litter
Noll - oil for NH3 emissions., dietary control of ammonia
Others - mitigation of ammonia - litter additives, dietary, emission into air, etc. PM2.5
Other gasses being emitted. What is the interaction with well being.
Antibiotic residues in air, litter, etc. Look at enterococci

Physical Environment
Perches - design, activity, leg problems (Estevez) need to revisit this problem
Light Environment - cycling light programs, efficiency, quality and type aspect of lighting on molting management, lighting and cannibalism.
Pulmonary hypertension in birds. Ron Lacy work with Odom?
Genetics component of ascities - Bob Wideman?
Sound - Reception, production and Noise - anthropogenic and natural - effect on birds (Darre)
Stress vocalizations

Management Practices
Molting, Space utilization, beak trimming - and behavioral responses
Feeding systems and timing of phases of feeding.

Decision Analysis
THVI (temp, humidity, velocity index)
Ammonia - Carr and Xin
Economic and welfare assessment - implications (follow through on Rahns initial model on the different scenarios from McDonalds, etc)
Thermal models
Aerial responses
Lighting systems
Molting
Feeding systems and phases
Operations Research Models (decision making models)
decision analysis
thermal models
fuzzy logic controllers (work with Rich Gates?)
density studies in broilers (carcass quality and behavior)

Behavior and Animal Well-being
What are good measurements?

Nomination and Election Results.

Bill Saylor is elected at new Junior executive. The officers for next year are: Chair is Eileen Wheeler, Secretary is Ken Koelkebeck , Hongwei Xin is Senior Exec and Bill Saylor is Junior Exec.

Break out Discussions

Develop research questions
Develop approach methods for each research question
Identify Cooperative Aspect
Consider incorporation for Objective 2

1. Characterize physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical environmental factors.

2. Optimize technical and economic aspects of sustainable poultry production systems and enhance poultry well-being using information from Objective 1.

Assign each question to a specific person to Flesh out the questions and approaches and literature review and write up for final re-write document. Print up today and Email final to each person in project

Saturday, October 18, 2003
Started at 8:34 am
Introduced Peter Scheifele to the group. Discussed where to have the next meeting. Meeting will be at Madison, Wisconsin in 2004 (Mary Beck as host) tentative dates are Oct 1-2. and Starkville, MS for 2005 (Bill Roush).

New Possible Title: Biological and Physical Assessment for the Optimization of Poultry Production Systems

External project reviewers were discussed: Hank Engster, Don Foss, Gary Riskowski, Richard Gates, Mike Lacy, Brad Marks (Michigan State), Dave Calabotta

Suggested New Industry Advisors:
Hank Engster (Purdue)
Kenton Kreager (Hyline)

Station Reports:

Maryland: Lew Carr presented information on ammonia release from litter.

Iowa: Hongwei Xin presented data on laying hen house ammonia emissions, and beak trimming studies.

Illinois: Paul Harrison presented data on mass ammonia generation rate from laying manure. Ken Koelkebeck reported on non-feed withdrawal molting of layers.

Connecticut: Peter Scheifele reported on his work on the Lombard effect in mammals and whales. Do chickens have a Lombard response? Can use Auditory Brain Stem response.

Mississippi: Bill Roush reported on an analysis of the nonlinear dynamics of daily broiler growth and feed intake. Looking for alternative ways of getting this data. Daily growth rates fluctuate and needed to find a better way to do this. Started using the mixture design approach. Can go to Statease.com to get a mixture design program. Book resources - Cornell on Mixture Designs and a book by Piepel book. (Get free G-Power test, look for 80% or better) G-power helps to determine what differences you should expect.

Michigan: Kevin Roberson reported on exposing birds to UV light to determine effects on rickets, etc. Working on antibiotic-free diets and antibodies to certain digestive enzymes, etc. Raising broilers on turkey litter and feeding whole egg antibody. Working on distillers grains in poultry feed. Some pig farmers are using distillers grains and taking out Tylan. Looking at space requirements for white pheasants.

Delaware: Bill Saylor said his group is just starting work on phosphorus and phytase and looking at phytate phosphorus levels in diets.

Minnesota: Sally Noll reported work on distillers grains with Kevin and looking for funding for beak trimming in turkeys.

Need to see if USDA has our annual report and see what it takes to get our web site linked to their web site.

Adjourned at 12:20 pm

Accomplishments

I. Poultry House Environment PA worked jointly with KY and IA to complete on-farm data collection during all of 2003. Project scope included field evaluation of 8 poultry houses in PA (along with 12 other houses in KY and IA). During the research project, ammonia level was determined using an electrochemical sensor system; ventilation rate was estimated by monitoring runtime of the ventilation fans whose airflow rates were determined with a portable Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS). Ammonia emission rates ranged from 0 to 0.92 g NH3 bird-1 d-1 or, expressed in terms of 500 kg animal units (AU), 0 to 607 g NH3 AU-1 d-1. There was high variability for emission rates among similar houses, even when on the same farm. Day to day variability (consecutive days) was less than house-to-house variability for the same time period. A better interpretation of the wide range of emissions rates will be made once characteristics of the litter, flock, and house management are incorporated into data analysis. Published work also evolved from two previously completed research projects. The published work documents effective strategy for on-farm data collection with accurate data obtained in rugged poultry/livestock housing environments. IA found both diurnal and seasonal variations in ammonia emission from the layer houses. Ammonia concentrations and emission rates for the manure belt house are much lower than those for the high-rise houses. High-rise houses receiving low protein diet emitted less ammonia than those receiving standard diet. Diet manipulation showed promise as a means to reduce ammonia emission from commercial layer facilities. Instrumentation of six 500-bird independent chambers was completed for total N budget (MD). A winter and summer flock of broilers was grown to 42 days. NH3 emissions were measured by direct acid scrubber trapping. Three treatments were used: 1) control, 2) low acid litter treatment, and 3) high acid litter treatment (2X low acid). A rough preliminary review of the data suggests that the conventional-litter emissions are consistent with existing literature, with total NH3-N emissions of 10-20 g per broiler over the 42-day production period. Most of the NH3 emissions occurred during the last 10 days of the grow-out when feed consumption and excretions were the largest. The litter acidification treatments reduced emissions 20 to 50% with the greatest reductions occurring during the first half of the grow-out, and modest reductions during the second half. These data support litter acidification is an effective management practice for reducing ammonia emissions. IL determined that mass generation rate of gaseous NH3 from laying hen manure was reduced one hour from the liquid application of AL2SO4. The magnitude of NH3 emissions reduction was directly related to the spray concentration of AL2SO4. As time increased from application to NH3 emissions analysis the effect of emissions reduction was less. II. Behavioral Responses Feeding behaviors of W-36 White Leghorn laying hens (77-80 weeks old) as influenced by the management practice of beak trimming were quantified at IA. The feeding behavior was characterized using a newly developed measurement system and computational algorithm. Non-trimmed (NT) and beak trimmed (BT) hens showed similar daily feed intake and meal size. However, the BT hens tended to spend longer time feeding (3.3 vs. 2.0 hr/d, P<0.01), which coincided with their slower ingestion rate of 0.43 g/min-kg0.75 vs. 0.79 g/min-kg0.75 for the NT counterparts (P<0.05). The BT had shorter time intervals between meals (101 s vs. 151 s, P<0.01). Selective feeding, as demonstrated by larger feed particles apparent in the leftover feed, was noted for the BT hens. The leftover feed had a lower crude protein/adjusted crude protein content for the BT birds than that for the NT birds (16.7% vs. 18.7%, P<0.05). Also the leftover feed of the BT birds had lower contents in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc and manganese (P<0.05); although no significant differences were detected in calcium, sodium or metabolic energy content. At IL, the continuous feeding of a low energy wheat middlings molt diet versus a traditional fasting method did not compromise laying hen behavior. In addition, acceptable post-molt laying hen performance may be achieved by feeding an alternative molt diet that is high in wheat middlings, soybean hulls, alfalfa meal, or rice hulls compared to using a conventional fasting molting program. Low energy wheat middlings molt diet versus a traditional fasting method did not compromise laying hen behavior and also supported an acceptable post-molt laying hen performance. Behavior studies were designed to determine the effects of stocking density on physical and social behavior of domestic fowl (MD). Laying hens were reared from 1 d of age in four replicates each of four different group sizes: 15, 30, 60, and 120 birds. Stocking density was constant at 5 birds/m2. The allocation of feeder space, drinker nipples, and perch space was also constant per bird. Birds were individually weighed at 3, 7, 12, 15, and 18 wk of age, and comb length and height were measured with calipers. At 24 and 39 wk, a sample of 30 eggs from each pen was weighed to determine mean egg weight. Results show a significant effect of group size on BW, with birds in the groups of 30 and 120 being lighter than birds in groups of 15 and 60. Eggs from birds in groups of 30 were significantly smaller than those from birds in the other group sizes. Comb size was unaffected by group size. These results support the theory that the hierarchical social structure based on individual recognition in small groups breaks down in large groups as birds become less aggressive and more tolerant. The results suggest that this transition occurs at a group size of about 30 birds. Decreasing aggression with increasing groups size in domestic fowl was also determined. Focal observations of 12 birds per group were carried out from 3 to 18 weeks of age. In all group sizes aggressive pecking peaked between 6 and 12 weeks and then declined. Marked birds for identification may receive more aggressive pecking during this time. Analysis of movement and use of space by broilers in confinement were studied using simulation techniques from wildlife studies. Results indicated that long sampling intervals results in significantly shorter estimates of distance traveled, path of movement was significantly more linear, and the core areas that were significantly larger than the observed estimates from ad libitum sampling. Longer sampling duration had a positive effect on angular dispersion and core area estimates. Reduction in sample size did not change results regarding effects of sampling intensity and duration but affected the conclusions for group size effects. III. Physical Environment Responses CT, in a preliminary study, noise levels of six commercial laying houses were measured using a sound level meter. The houses were 56 ft x 560 ft high-rise cage layer facilities housing about 110,000 white egg layers. The buildings had sidewall adjustable vent air inlets with 26 48 inch fans in the sidewalls of the manure pit. The houses had six rows of 4 tier pyramid style cages with either chain or auger type automatic feeders. Sound level was measured at several locations near the top, middle and bottom cage rows along the walkways in each house obtaining the highest (when all the fans, feeders and egg belts are running) average sustained noise level. This noise level was recorded as about 92 dB SPL. The OSHA threshold for wearing hearing protection for humans is at 80 dB SPL for a minimum exposure of eight (8) hours. At 100 dB SPL humans are allowed only a 15 minute exposure without hearing protection. This indicates that chickens housed under these conditions may be exposed to potentially harmful noise levels on a regular basis, especially during the summer months when almost all fans are running and other mechanical equipment is also adding to the noise. Walking past the birds resulted in vocalizations, which also add to the total house noise, which could exceed the 92 dB SPL. IV. Nutritional Responses The use of ultraviolet light to provide cholecalciferol metabolite activity and improve phytate phosphorus utilization from broiler chicks was investigated to determine if fluorescent lights could be utilized as a means to reduce phosphorus excretion from poultry (MI). Improvements in phytate utilization were only observed when low levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3 were fed. Commercial strains of tom turkeys were tested using a similar diet to evaluate growth performance and carcass composition when grown in a very clean environment. Previous research at MSU had shown that although there were different growth pattern between strains, there were no significant differences in body weight, feed conversion, livability or breast yield of toms grown to 17 kg. A recently completed study showed that a new strain developed by British United Turkeys of America, T2, showed that this bird will have a higher body weight and breast yield than the conventional strain from that company (Big 6), and resulted in higher financial returns compared to commonly used commercial tom strains from other breeding companies. At MN, a study was designed to examine performance of market turkeys to dietary protein and threonine in two types of diets: a) corn-soy-poultry by product meal and b) with distiller dried grains with solubles (DDGs). At 8 wks of age, 960 male turkeys (Large White, Nicholas) were randomized into 96 pens. Each treatment was fed to 8 pens of turkeys. The factorial study consisted of diet protein (P) (100, 95 and 90% of NRC thr), supplemental thr (T) (none, 10% NRC thr), and diet series (D) (without and with DDGs). Ingredients were analyzed for nutrient content and digestible amino acids using cecectomized roosters prior to the start of the trial. Diet protein was set by formulating to the estimated digestible thr requirement without the use of supplemental thr. Supplements of lysine and methionine were used as needed to meet those requirements. BW was measured at 3-wk intervals corresponding to diet changes. Parts and breast meat yield was determined at 19wk-1d. BW to 17 wks, parts as % of carcass weight (breast meat, thigh, drumstick, skin) and amount of breast meat were affected by P (P with decreased weight and breast meat yield. The inclusion of DDGs resulted in similar performance to the corn-soy-poultry meal diet series. However, the response to supplemental thr was dependent on diet protein and composition. A 5% decrease in dietary protein was associated with a non-linear decrease in breast meat yield. The largest decrease amounted to a loss of .38 lbs of breast meat yield per bird or a loss of $.44/bird. The amino acid threonine was found to be limiting for breast meat yield in diets based on corn, soybean meal and poultry byproduct meal. V. Physiological Responses Studies were conducted with three strains of commercial laying hens at NE. 1. Heat shock protein (HSP): when hens were subjected to heat stress (HS; 35C) for 18h, hens that had not been exposed to a transient (1h)HS episode earlier had significantly more HSP in blood than those that had the earlier HS exposure. 2. When hens from 2 of the strains were placed in calorimeters for 2h at 38C, blood pH increased in both, but in W-36 more than in W98. Bicarbonate decreased approximately the same amount in both strains; PCO2 decreased more in W36 than in W98. The W36 hens had greater apparent alkalosis, based on these results, which could explain, at least in part, the ability of the W98 hens to maintain shell thickness and specific gravity of eggs laid during HS. From the data collected with the three strains of hens, particularly the two white strains (W36 and W98), progress has been made toward sorting out physiological basis for better performance of the W98 hen in hot conditions. TX found that in both the broiler and Leghorn line, adenosine treatment caused an early expansion of the pulmonary arterioles (PA) that was observed on day eighteen and exceeded that of the control and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treated embryos. This increase subsided by the time the embryos hatched, where the adenosine treated embryos were no different from controls. The effect was equal with both genetic lines and suggests that adenosine accelerates proliferation of the vascular smooth muscle cells of the PA causing early development. The bFGF administration in the PA resulted in a delayed increase for both the broiler and Leghorn genetic lines. In addition bFGF treated embryos followed a similar pattern as the controls until day twenty-one (hatch) where the PA was greater than control and adenosine treated embryos. This suggests that bFGF stimulates proliferation in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the PA that exceeds that of normal development. VI. Data Analyses and Design At MS (ARS), the nonlinear dynamics of daily broiler growth and feed intake were examined by measuring body weight and feed intake of male broiler chicks to 49 d of age. An oscillatory response was observed in velocity and acceleration calculations of body weight and feed intake. With some exceptions, the power of tests is rarely formally considered or mentioned in poultry research. Survey of the literature showed, in general, low power of statistical tests for feeding experiments involving either non-GM grains or when GM and non-GM grains were compared in poultry feeding experiments. A mixture experimental design was conducted to determine the proportion of time to feed broiler starter (23% protein), grower (20% protein) and finisher (18% protein) diets to optimize production and processing variables based on a total production time of 48 d. The results indicated that broilers fed a starter and finisher diet for 30 d and 18 d, respectively would meet the production and processing constraints. Production and processing variables were not very sensitive to the grower diet. The results of the mixture experiment concluded the grower diet was not needed for a 48 d production period.

Publications

CT 1. Patterson, P.H., K. W. Koelkebeck, K.E. Anderson, M. J. Darre, J. B. Carey, D. U. Ahn, R. A. Ernst, D. r. Kuney and D. R. Jones. 2003. National Egg Temperature Survey: 1. Production. Poultry Sci. 82(Supp. 1): 52. 2. Koelkebeck, K.W., Patterson, P.H., K.E. Anderson, M. J. Darre, J. B. Carey, D. U. Ahn, R. A. Ernst, D. r. Kuney and D. R. Jones. 2003. National Egg Temperature Survey: 2. Processing. Poultry Sci. 82(Supp. 1): 53. IA 1. Brown-Brandl, T.M., T. Yanagi, Jr., H. Xin, R.S. Gates, R. Bucklin, and G. Ross. 2003. A new telemetry system for measuring core body temperature in livestock and poultry. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 19(5):583-589. 2. Tao, X. and H. Xin. 2003. Surface wetting and its optimization to cool broiler chickens. Transactions of the ASAE 46(2):483-490. 3. Tao, X. and H. Xin. 2003. Acute, synergistic effects of air temperature, humidity and velocity on homeostasis of market-size broilers. Transactions of the ASAE 46(2):491-497. 4. Persyn, K.E., H. Xin, A. Ikeguchi, R.S. Gates and D. Nettleton. 2003. Feeding behaviors and pecking force of chicks with or without beak trimming. Technical Paper No. 034005. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE 5. Casey, K.D., R.S. Gates, E.F. Wheeler, H. Xin, J. Zajaczkowski, P. Topper and Y. Liang. 2003. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses in Kentucky during cold weather. In: Proc of the Gaseous and Odor Emissions from Animal Production Facilities, Scandic Hotel Bygholm Park, Horsens, Denmark, June 1-4, 2003. 6. Liang, Y., H. Xin, A. Tanaka, S. H. Lee, H. Li, E. F. Wheeler, R. S. Gates, J. S. Zajaczkowski, P. Topper and K. D. Casey. 2003. Ammonia emissions from layer houses in Iowa. In: Proc of the Gaseous and Odor Emissions from Animal Production Facilities, Scandic Hotel Bygholm Park, Horsens, Denmark, June 1-4, 2003. 7. Tao, X. and H. Xin. 2003. Temperature-Humidity-Velocity Index for market-size broilers. Technical Paper No. 034037. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE 8. Tao, X. and H. Xin. 2003. Optimization of surface wetting to cool broiler chickens. Technical Paper No. 034088. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE 9. Tinoco, I.F.F., R.S. Gates, A.L.A. Tinoco, F.C. Baeta, and H. Xin. 2003. Evaluation of broiler breeder housing in high temperature Brazilian conditions. Technical Paper No. 034038. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE 10. Wathes, C. M., T. G. M. Demmers, and H. Xin. 2003. Ammonia concentrations and emissions in livestock production facilities: Guidelines and limits in the USA and UK. Technical Paper No. 034112. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASAE 11. Wheeler, E. F., J. S. Zajaczkowski, P. A. Topper, R. S. Gates, H. Xin, K. D. Casey, and Y. Liang. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses in Pennsylvania during cold weather. In: Proc of the Gaseous and Odor Emissions from Animal Production Facilities, Scandic Hotel Bygholm Park, Horsens, Denmark, June 1-4, 2003. 12. Wheeler, E. F., K.D. Casey, J.S. Zajaczkowski, P.A. Topper, R.S. Gates, H. Xin, Y. Liang, and A. Tanaka. 2003. Ammonia Emissions from U.S. Poultry Houses: Part III Broiler Houses. In: Proc. Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Oct 12-13, 2003, Raleigh, NC. 13. Xin, H., Y. Liang, A. Tanaka, R.S. Gates, E.F. Wheeler, K.D. Casey, A.J. Heber, J. Ni and H. Li. 2003. Ammonia emissions from U.S. poultry houses: Part I Measurement system and techniques. In: Proc. Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Oct 12-13, 2003, Raleigh, NC. 14. Liang, Y., H. Xin, A. Tanaka, S. H. Lee, H. Li, E. F. Wheeler, R. S. Gates, J. S. Zajaczkowski, P. Topper and K. D. Casey. 2003. Ammonia Emissions from U.S. Poultry Houses: Part II Layer Houses. In: Proc. Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Oct 12-13, 2003, Raleigh, NC. 15. Lim, T. T., A.J. Heber, J. Q. Ni,J. X. Gallien, and H. Xin. 2003. Air quality measurement at laying hen house: Particulate matter concentrations and emissions. In Proc. Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Oct 12-13, 2003, Raleigh, NC. 16. Persyn, K. E. 2003. Feeding behavior of pullets and laying hens with or without beak trimming. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University Parks Library, Ames, Iowa 50011 IL 1. Biggs, P.E., Persia, M.E., Utterback, P.L., Koelkebeck, K.W. and Parsons, C.M. 2003. Evaluation of low energy molt diets for induced molting of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):50. MD 1. Keeling, L. J., Estevez, I., Newberry, R. C. and Correia, M. G. (2003). Production related traits of layers reared in different sized flocks: The concept of problematic "intermediate" group sizes. Poultry Science, 82:1393-1396. 3. Estevez, I., Keeling, L. J., and Newberry, R. C. (2003). Decreasing aggression with increasing groups size in young domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science (In press). 4. Estevez, I. and Christman, M. (2003). Analysis of the movement and use of space of animals in confinement. Submitted to Animal Behaviour. 5. Estevez, I. (2003) Poultry welfare: Proactive strategies and voluntary regulations. Roche Tech Symposium, Proceedings of the Multi-State Poultry Conference. May 20-21, Indianapolis, IN. 18 pp. 6. Estevez, I. (2003). Animal welfare in modern animal agriculture. Proceedings of the Meeting on "Future Trends in Animal Agriculture: The Science and Ethics Behind Animal Well-Being Assessment." USDA, Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building. May 28, Washington, D.C. (In Press). 7. Consortium (Estevez) (2002). A Report for the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA): Criteria for the Evaluation of Animal Care Guidelines. 2002, Consortium, Federation of Animal Sciences Societies, Savoy, IL. 8. Freed, M., and Estevez, I. (2003). Effects of stocking density on the behavior of domestic fowl; physical and social components. M.S. Thesis, University of Maryland. 9. Okelo, P.O., L. E. Carr, P. L. Harrison, L. W. Douglass, V. E. Byrd, C. W. Wabeck, P. D. Schreuders, F. W. Wheaton and N. Zimmermann. 2003. Effectiveness of Novel Methods to Reduce Heat Stress in Broilers: Chilled and Carbonated Drinking Water. TRANSACTIONS of the ASAE 46(2):453-460. 10. Okelo, P. O., L. E. Carr, P. L. Harrison, L. W. Douglass, V. E. Byrd, C. W. Wabeck, P. D. Schreduers, F. W. Wheaton and N. Zimmermann. 2003. Effectiveness of Novel Methods to Reduce Heat Stress in Broilers: Cool Roost. Transactions of the ASAE 46(6):1675-1683. 11. Hayes, J. R., L. L. English, L. E. Carr, D. D. Wagner and S. W. Joseph. 2003. A Description of Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Commercial Poultry Production Environments. App. Enviro. Microbiol (In Review) 12. Ramesh, N., S. W. Joseph, L. E. Carr, L. W. Douglass and F. W. Wheaton. 2003. Serial Disinfection with Heat and Chlorine to Reduce Microorganisms on Poultry Transport Containers. Journal of Food Protection 66(5):793-797. 13. Eriksson de Rezende, C. L., S. W. Joseph, E. Teicher, L. E. Carr, B. Tall, and R. M. Weiner. 2003. Calcofluor as a Fluorescent Probe to Detect Biofilms of Food-Borne Pathogens. Journal of Food Safety 23(1)25-34. MI 1. Ledwaba, M.F., Roberson, K.D. 2003. Effectiveness of twenty-five-hydroxycholecalciferol to prevent tibial dyschondroplasia in Ross cockerels depends upon dietary calcium level. Poultry Science 82:1769-1777. 2. Roberson, K.D., Rahn, A.P., Balander, R.J., Orth, M.W., Smith, D.M., Booren, B.L., Booren, A.M., Osburn, W.N. and Fulton, R.M. 2003. Evaluation of the growth potential, carcass components and meat quality characteristics of three commercial strains of tom turkeys. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 12:229-236. MN 1. Amezcus, C.M., Parsons, C.M. and Noll, S.L. 2003. Content and bioavailability in distillers dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):36. 2. Amezcus, C.M., Parsons, C.M. and Noll, S.L. 2003. Content and bioavailability in distillers dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. (Accepted for publication) 3. Ergul, T., Noll, S.L., Addis, P.B. and Reineccius, G.A. 2003. High oleic acid corn in turkey diets: carcass fatty acid composition. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):17. 4. Ergul, T., Amezcus, M.C., Parsons, C.M., Walters, B., Brannon, J. and Noll, S.L. 2003. Amino acid digestibility in corn distillers dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):70. 5. Johnson, L.J., Noll, S., Renteria, A. and Shurson, J. 2003. Feeding by-products high in concentration of fiber to nonruminants. Proceedings "Third National Alternative Feeds Symposium", November, 2003, Kansas City, MO. Pages 169-186. 6. Noll, S.L. 2003. Alternative Feed Ingredients for Poultry: Turkeys. Proceedings "50th Maryland Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers. March 2003. University of Maryland. Pages 71-79. 7. Noll, S.L., Abe, C. and Brannon, J. 2003. Nutrient composition of corn distiller dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):71. 8. Noll, S.L., Stangeland, V., Speers, G., Parsons, C.M. and Brannon, J. 2003. Market tom turkey response to protein and threonine. Poultry Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):73. 9. Velayudhan, B.T., Lopes, V.C., Noll, S.L., Halvorson, D.A. and Nagaraja, K.V. 2003. Avian pneumovirus and its survival in poultry litter. Avian Dis. 47(3):764-768. MS (ARS) 1. Roush, W.B., and T.L. Cravener, 2002. Stochastic true digestible amino acid values. Animal Feed Science and Technology 102: 225-239. 2. Roush, W.B. and P.R. Tozer, 2003. The power of tests for bioequivalence in feed experiments with poultry. J. Animal Sci. In Press. 3. Roush, W. B., D. Boykin, and S.L. Branton, 2003. Optimization of phase feeding of starter, grower, and finisher diets for broilers by mixture design: 48 day production period. Poultry Sci.: In review. 4. Vandegrift, K. J., T.L. Cravener, R.M. Hulet, and W.B. Roush, 2003. Analysis of the nonlinear dynamics of daily broiler growth and feed intake. Poultry Sci. 82:1091-1099. NE 1. Franco, DA, LG Robeson and MM Beck, 2003. Strain differences in endocrine responses to high temperatures: possible involvement of heat shock protein. Poultry Sci. 82(suppl):83. 2. Madison, FN, LG Robeson, CF Toombs, DF Franco, H Taira, M. Jalal and MM Beck, 2003. Productive characteristics of laying hens through 60 weeks of age as affected by strain and by body weight at age of puberty. Poultry Sci. 82(suppl):30. 3. Franco, D, L Robeson and M Beck, 2003. Changes in blood pH observed in two strains of laying hens after exposure to two different ambient temperatures. Poultry Sci. 82(suppl):123. PA 1. Wheeler, E. F., Zajaczkowski, J. L., and Sabeh, N. C. 2003. Field evaluation of temperature and velocity uniformity in tunnel and conventional ventilation broiler houses. Journal of Applied Engineering in Agriculture 19(3):367-377. 2. Wheeler, E.F., Zajaczkowski, J. L., and Graves, R. E. 2003. Effect of solar shielding on portable datalogger temperature readings. Journal of Applied Engineering in Agriculture 19(4):473-481. 3. Xin, H., Liang, Y., Tanaka, A., Gates, R. S., Wheeler, E. F., Casey, K.D., Heber, A. J., Ni, J. Q., and Li, H. 2003. Ammonia emissions from U.S. poultry houses: part I -- measurement system and techniques. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Raleigh, NC. October 12-15, 2003. Pgs. 106-115. 4. Liang Y., Xin, H., Tanaka, A., Lee, S. H., Li, H., Wheeler, E. F., Gates, R. S., Zajaczkowski, J. S., Topper, P., and Casey, K. D. 2003. Ammonia emissions from U.S. poultry houses: part II -- layer houses. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Raleigh, NC. October 12-15, 2003. Pgs. 147-158. 5. Wheeler, E. F., Casey, K. D, Zajaczkowski, J. S., Topper, P, Gates, R. S, Xin, H., Liang, Y., and Tanaka, A. 2003. Ammonia emissions from U.S. poultry houses: part III -- broiler houses. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations. Raleigh, NC. October 12-15, 2003. Pgs. 159-166. 6. Wheeler, E. F., Zajaczkowski, J. S., Topper, P. A., Gates, R. S., Xin, H., Casey, K.D., and Liang, Y. 2003. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses in Pennsylvania during cold weather. Proceedings International Symposium on Gaseous and Odour Emissions from Animal Production Facilities. Horsens, Denmark. pp. 221-228. 7. Liang, Y., H. Xin, A. Tanaka, S. H. Lee, H. Li, E. F. Wheeler, R. S. Gates, J. S. Zajaczkowski, P. Topper, K. D. Casey. June 2003. Ammonia emissions from layer houses in Iowa. Proceedings International Symposium on Gaseous and Odour Emissions from Animal Production Facilities. Horsens, Denmark. 10 pp. 8. Casey, K. D., R. S. Gates, E. F. Wheeler, J. S. Zajaczkowski, P. A. Topper, H. Xin, Y. Liang. June 2003. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses in Kentucky during winter. Proceedings International Symposium on Gaseous and Odour Emissions from Animal Production Facilities. Horsens, Denmark. 8 pp. TX 1. K. P. Floren, L. A. Martinez-Lemus, M.A. Thompson, G. A. Ramirez, J. S. Jeffrey, and T. W. Odom. Ultrastructural examination of pulmonary arteries and arterioles in two chicken lines following in ovo administration of angiogenic agents. Thesis, Texas A&M University. 2. Martinez-Lemus LA, Hester RK, Becker EJ, Ramirez GA, Odom TW, 2003. Pulmonary artery vasoactivity in broiler and Leghorn chickens: an age profile. Poult Sci. 82(12):1957-64.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 12/02/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/08/2004 - 10/09/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 12/01/2004

Participants

Darre, M.J. - Connecticut
Harrison, P.C. - Illinois
Xin, H. - Iowa
Carr, L.E. - Maryland
Estevez, I. - Maryland
Roberson, K.D. - Michigan
Noll, S.L. - Minnesota
Beck, M.M. - Nebraska
Wheeler, E. - Pennsylvania
Odom, T.W. - Texas
Roush, W.B. - USDA/ARS - Mississippi State
Vinson, W.E. - Administrative Advisor West Virginia
Miller, L.R. - CSREES
Reynnells, R.D. CSREES

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Accomplishments I. Poultry House Environment IA, KY and PA continued to collaborate on a multi-state, multi-disciplinary research project that aims to characterize and quantify aerial ammonia (NH3) emission rate (ER) from selected US poultry (broiler and laying hens) facilities with different housing and management schemes. Data collection, covering one-year period, was completed and manuscripts summarizing the research findings for journal publication have been prepared and/or accepted. Manure handling practices and dietary CP content affected NH3 ER. Specifically, NH3 ER during the 12-month monitoring period averaged 0.90 (±0.24) and 0.81 (±0.21) g d-1 hen-1 for the high-rise layer houses in IA with standard diet and reduced crude protein diet, respectively; 0.83 (±0.35) g d-1 hen-1 for the PA high-rise layer houses with standard diet; and 0.054 (±0.026) and 0.094 (±0.062) g d-1 hen-1 for the IA and PA belt houses with manure removed daily and twice a week, respectively. Results of the study contribute to the U.S. national inventory on NH3 emissions from animal feeding operations, and characterize dynamics and magnitude of NH3 emissions from U.S. layer houses as affected by housing type, manure management, diet manipulation and geographical location. IA, KY and PA compared building ventilation rates obtained by direct measurement and by a CO2 balance. The test was conducted at a commercial laying hen house that used a manure belt with daily manure removal. The results indicate that ventilation rates estimated by the indirect method were not significantly different (P>0.2) from those as determined by the direct measurement when the averaging or integration time interval was two hours or longer. Careful application of the indirect method could greatly improve the affordability and versatility of endeavors toward quantifying air emissions from confined animal housing. IA evaluated the operational performance of Single Point Monitors (SPMs) for measuring aerial ammonia (NH3, 0 to 30 ppm) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S, 0 to 90 ppb) under laboratory and field conditions. The SPMs were evaluated against a chemiluminescence NH3 analyzer or a pulsed-fluorescence H2S analyzer. SPM readings of H2S or NH3 gas concentrations increase with moisture content of sample air. Compensation for this moisture dependence can be made for H2S gas measurement with an overall correctional equation to generally achieve 90% to 107% agreement with readings measured by the pulsed-fluorescence analyzer. In comparison, such correctional compensation was not effective for NH3 measurement (59% to 90% agreement). Knowledge of moisture content in sample air is necessary to compensate for the moisture interference. The SPMs showed weak interchangeability, especially for NH3 measurement; however they showed a good stability over the 8-month testing period. IL has completed work on ammonia generation from layer hens. During the first two weeks of composting, laying hen manure generates gaseous ammonia at rates comparable to manure that is collected under cages. However, as composting time increases ammonia generation rate significantly decreases. These data will be used to establish the beneficial effects of composting for reducing total ammonia generated from laying hen production units. Economic value of composted manure can also be used in for inclusion into models that can be used for business decisions. II. Behavioral Responses IA quantified the effects of cage stocking density (348, 387, 426, and 465 cm2 per hen; 54, 60, 66, and 72 in2 per hen) on the feeding behavior of the W-36 White Leghorn laying hen. Feeding behaviors were characterized using a specialized instrumentation system and computational algorithm. No significant differences detected among the stocking densities under thermoneutral conditions with regard to daily feed intake, hen-hours spent feeding per cage, average feeding time per hen, number of meals ingested per day per cage, meal size in g/meal-hen, average meal duration in sec/meal, ingestion rate in g/min-hen, or average number of hens feeding per meal. Quantification of specific responses such as feeding behavior to potential stressors (i.e. cage stocking density) may yield better housing design and management decisions based upon scientific data to improve animal welfare. III. Physical Environment Responses An economic analysis at MI of the increase in cage space required for laying hens under new animal well-being guidelines approved by United Egg Producers. An increase in cage space from 48 in2 to 67 in2 will cost 5.9 cents/dozen in net receipts per 1000 ft2 of cage space. At an assumption of 80 cents for a dozen eggs, a 1% change in egg price will be offset by a change in the opposite direction of 4% in layer feed cost or 12% in pullet prices. IV. Nutritional Responses MN in cooperation with MI examined the influence of assigning different energy values to corn distillers dried grains with solubles in grow-finish turkey diets. Energy content as determined by the true metabolizable energy methodology overestimated the energy value especially when DDGs was included at 20% of the diet. However, the overestimation of energy while negatively affecting feed conversion tended to better support weight gains at the higher level of DDGs inclusion for turkeys fed under summer time conditions. MI evaluated the use of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in broiler starter diets can reduce the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia in Ross cockerels when dietary calcium is fed at 0.85% or less. The use of ultraviolet light to improve phytate phosphorus utilization in broilers is only useful when low levels of cholecalciferol, calcium and phosphorus are fed. Estimates of apparent metabolizable energy of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with laying hens and five-week-old turkey poults in a MI study showed that DDGS derived from new technology in the ethanol industry has about a 13% higher energy content (2750 kcal/kg) than the current National Research Council (NRC) estimate for poultry. Availability of phosphorus to turkey poults is also higher than 54% which is the assumption by NRC. IL studies indicated that feeding molt diets containing high trypsin inhibitor soy hulls did not negatively affect postmolt performance. In addition, feeding molt diets containing wheat middlings, rice hulls, or soy hulls combined with corn are effective non-feed removal methods for molting laying hens. V. Physiological Responses Tom strain trials at MI demonstrated differences in commercial turkey strains over time (1999 to 2003) and between breeder companies. The first study resulted in no significant differences between growth performance and carcass characteristics between B.U.T.A. Big 6, Hybrid Converter or Nicholas 700 toms. The 2003 study showed differences in slower overall growth and higher livability for Hybrid Converter toms compared to Nicholas 700 toms. A new strain, B.U.T.A. T2, grew to a larger market weight and had higher breast yield compared to the Hybrid and Nicholas strains. The use of a scale connected to the Command II computer system in one pen demonstrated that the computer measurements were a reliable estimate of actual bird weights. VI. Data Analyses and Design The accurate and precise fitting of observed growth data with growth models is necessary to gain a mathematical understanding of the biological relationship between animals and their physical environment. Researchers have shown that some of the commonly used growth models do not represent observed growth responses. The research at the USDA-ARS Poultry Research unit at Mississippi State, MS involved the examination of genetic algorithms (GA), a procedure from the artificial intelligence discipline, as a mathematical modeling approach to fitting nonlinear growth equations. The GA was chosen for its ability to model very complex data. The GA results were compared to those obtained with traditional nonlinear regression. The results showed that genetic algorithms fit the observed data equally as well as regression analysis. However, the oscillatory nature of the difference between the observed and predicted growth responses was still present. It was concluded that the fitting of the growth equations was not so much a problem with the fitting methodology as it is with the form of the equation. Thus the form of growth equations will have to augmented to more precisely account for the oscillatory nature of the difference between predicted and observed growth responses.

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