Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

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.

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.