Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Objectives 1. Investigation and development of poultry production systems to improve energy and resource use efficiency. This will include collaborative efforts on feed energy sources for poultry by geographical region, ventilation systems, lighting systems, animal welfare and modeling energy use in poultry systems. 2. Alternative systems and profitability. This collaborative research will encompass characterization and mitigation of air emissions, manure nutrient management, animal welfare (including health), and economic evaluation of alternative poultry production systems. Methods Objective 1. Investigation and development of poultry production systems to improve energy and resource use efficiency. This will include collaborative efforts on feed energy sources for poultry by geographical region, ventilation systems, lighting systems, animal welfare and modeling energy use in poultry systems. Methods Lighting Manipulations. CT conducted a pilot study to determine the effect of providing illumination within each cage of caged laying hens vs. the traditional lighting method of a ceiling lamp in the aisle between cage rows. A total of 44 Bovan SCWL hens, 30 wks old were divided into 22 birds per treatment at two birds per cage in a light controlled room. Cages were 12 w x 18 d x 16.25 to 18 h (Sloping wire floor) providing 108 sq in/bird. There was one nipple waterer per cage. Illumination was provided by 3- 13 watt, 2700K Philips Alto quad CFL lamps on the ceiling at a maximum distance of 78 from feeder (39 watts total) for the CFL lit birds and with 1- 17 watt 3200K LED Philips Lumiled string lamps (30 lamps) on top of cage row. Illuminance was measured with a Gossen Mavolux 5032C meter and spectral analysis of the lamps was accomplished using an Instrumentation Specialties Model SR Spectroradiometer. Light intensity, feed consumption, feed to egg mass, feed to egg production and body weights were measured throughout a six month trial. No significant differences in production parameters between CFL and LED illuminated hens was found, however overall kg feed/dozen eggs was 1.83 for the CFL birds vs 1.80 for the LED birds. Grams of feed per gram of egg for the CFL and LED birds, respectively was 2.275 and 2.263. Overall hen day production was 87.8% for the CFL lit birds and 88.1 % for the LED lit birds. So there was a trend toward better production for birds lit with LED lamps placed directly over individual cages. From this study we conclude that LED lamps may be useful in newer stacked multi-deck enriched cage systems and that LED lamps may reduce total electrical use and cost of illumination. Dietary Manipulations. IL conducted a study to evaluate different sources and dietary inclusion levels of DDGS in non-feed-withdrawal molt diets fed ad libitum. All animal care procedures were approved by the university institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC). An experiment was conducted using 588 Hy-Line W-36 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (68 wk of age). The hens were housed in a caged layer house of commercial design with water and feed provided for ad libitum consumption and exposed to a 17-h daily photoperiod prior to the start of the experiment. Six replicate groups of 14 hens each (2 adjacent cages containing 7 hens per cage, 60.9 x 58.4 cm) were allotted to seven dietary treatments in a completely randomized design so that mean body weight was similar for each treatment. The molt treatments consisted of a 47% corn: 47% soy hulls diet (C:SH) fed ad libitum for 28 d; a 94% DDGS diet from three DDGS sources fed for 28 d (94% DDGS 1, 94% DDGS 2, 94% DDGS 3 ; a 32% corn: 42% soyhulls: 20% DDGS diet from three DDGS sources fed for 28 d (C:SH:DDGS 1, C:SH:DDGS 2, C:SH:DDGS 3). The 20% DDGS level was used because it is a typical upper level used in many commercial molt diets; these diets were formulated to have the same metabolizable energy as the C:SH diet. At the onset of the trial (d1), hens were fed their respective diet for the 28 day molt period. On day 29, all hens were switched to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet (Table 1). The layer diet was fed throughout the 37 wk post-molt period. The chronology of this trial consisted of a 4 wk molt period (68-71 wk of age) followed by a 37 wk post-molt period (72- 108 wk of age). Two days after the initiation of the molt period (d3), the daily photoperiod was decreased from 17 h to 10 h. On day 21 and 28, the daily photoperiod was increased to 12 and 13 h/d, respectively. Then, the photoperiod was increased 30 min/wk until a 17 h photoperiod was established. Egg production performance was measured for 41 weeks after the onset of feeding the molt diets. Mortality and egg production were recorded daily during the 41 week trial period. Egg weight and mass (calculated using hen-day egg production and mean egg weight) were measured on all eggs produced in a 48 hour period every week during weeks 9 to 12, and every 4 weeks from wk 16 to 40. Feed consumption was measured weekly from wk 1 to 12. Body weights of all hens were measured 2 d before the start of the experiment and at the end of the molt period (d 28). Hens fed the C:SH diet lost 25.8% of their initial body weight (BW) at the end of the 28-d molt period. By d 28 of the molt period, hens fed the C:SH:DDGS 1, C:SH:DDGS 2, and C:SH:DDGS 3 diets lost 11.5, 11.3, and13.9%, of initial BW, respectively. Hens fed the 94% DDGS 2 and 94% DDGS 3 lost 4.3 and 5.7%, respectively, of initial BW by d 28; however, hens fed the 94% DDGS 1 diet gained 3.0% BW by d 28. Egg production for hens fed the C:SH diet was reduced to an average of 2% by week 2 of the molt period and decreased to 1% by week 3. Hens fed the 94% DDGS and C:SH:DDGS diets did not experience a decrease in egg production equal to that of the C:SH diet; however, hens fed the C:SH:DDGS diets generally had lower hen-day egg production than those fed the 94% DDGS diets. For the entire 28-d molt period, hens fed the 94% DDGS 1 diets produced significantly (P< 0.05) more eggs than the hens on the other six treatments. Post-molt (wk 5- 41) hen-day egg production was numerically higher for hens fed the C:SH diet, but did not differ significantly (P> 0.05) among treatments. Egg weight did not differ significantly among treatments; however it was reduced for hens fed the 94% DDGS diets. Egg mass was significantly lower for hens fed the 94% DDGS treatments than for the C:SH diet. The C:SH:DDGS diets generally had a higher egg mass than the 94% DDGS diets. NE conducted a study on the efficiency of feed low oil DDGS to laying hens. Results of studies on Low oil DDGS indicated less M.E. in diets containing low oil DDGS but minimal intake and production response to the lower M.E. Gut Health. CT conducted studies on the effect of plant-derived microbials on salmonella control. Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is a major foodborne pathogen in the United States, largely transmitted to humans by consumption of contaminated eggs. The pathogen colonizes chicken intestinal tract, and migrates to reproductive organs via systemic route, or invades the oviduct epithelial cells via ascending infection from the cloaca. Since adhesion to- and invasion of chicken oviduct epithelial cells (COEC) are critical steps in SE colonization of chicken reproductive tract and subsequent yolk contamination, reducing these virulence attributes could potentially decrease egg-borne transmission of the pathogen. Oviduct epithelium collected from laying hens was cultured, and COEC isolated. Ten different isolates of SE were examined for their adhesive and invasive abilities on COEC. The efficacy of sub-inhibitory concentrations (concentrations below MIC that do not inhibit SE growth) of four plant-derived antimicrobials (PDAs), namely trans-cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, thymol and eugenol in reducing SE adhesion to and invasion of COEC, and its survival in chicken macrophages was investigated. In addition, the effect of PDAs on major SE genes critical for oviduct colonization and macrophage survival was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). All PDAs significantly reduced SE adhesion to and invasion of COEC (P < 0.05). The PDAs, except thymol consistently decreased SE survival in macrophages (P < 0.05). RT-qPCR results revealed down-regulation of critical genes involved in SE colonization of chicken oviduct (P < 0.05). The PDAs could potentially be used as feed additives to attenuate SE virulence and decrease its colonization in chicken reproductive tract. In vivo studies validating these results are underway in our laboratory. MN conducted studies on control of Light Turkey Syndrome (LTS) is characterized by lower than expected body weights of tom turkey flocks at market and results in substantial loss of revenue to the producer. The syndrome is an emerging production issue and appears during early rearing with loss of weight potential. The hypothesis for the field study was that poults from two weight groups (heavy and light) in the same flock would have differences in gut characteristics relative to histopathology, pathogens and xylose absorption. The inoculation trial determined if poults inoculated with gut contents collected from the field study and raised in a research setting would exhibit similar attributes as the poults from the field study. In both studies, gut contents were collected for analysis by multiplex RT-PCR for enteric virus and by culture for Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. Intestinal and immune tissue was collected and scored. Xylose absorption was measured in plasma 60 minutes post gavage of a xylose. For both studies more differences were seen among flocks than between weight group. Salmonella and astrovirus were found in all flocks in the field study. In the field study, light weight poults had an increased acute immune response. In both studies, lymphocytic necrosis and atrophy of the bursa were present in more light weight poults than heavy weight poults. In the inoculation trial, non-inoculated poults had the best weight gain and feed conversion compared to inoculated poults. Light turkey syndrome cannot be defined by a specific pathogen though different pathogens may likely play a role in the reduced weight gain seen in LTS. The gut and immune tissue indicate active immune responses that are decreasing the amount of nutrients available for growth of the bird. Nutrient absorption appears to be negatively affected if the poult is actively showing signs of disease. Objective 2. Alternative systems. This collaborative research will encompass characterization and mitigation of air emissions, manure nutrient management, animal welfare, and economic evaluation of alternative poultry production systems. IN conducted work on osteoporosis. This is a progressive decrease in mineralized structural bone, causes 20 to 35% of all mortalities in caged White Leghorn hens. A major skeletal problem of conventionally caged hens is increased susceptibility to osteoporosis mainly due to lack of exercise. Osteoporosis is characterized by a progressive decrease in mineralized structural bone. While considerable attention has been given to enriching laying cages, little research has been conducted on providing caged pullets with furnishments, in particular perches. The objective of the current study was to determine if metal perches during all or part of the life cycle of White Leghorns affected hen musculoskeletal health, especially at end of lay. Treatments during the pullet phase (hatch to 16.9 wk) entailed cages with and without perches. Four treatments were used during the laying phase (17 to 71 wk of age). Treatment 1 chickens never had access to perches at any point during their life cycle, typical of current egg industry practices in the United States for the conventional cage production system. Treatment 2 chickens had access to perches only during the egg laying phase of the life cycle which was from 17 to 71 wk of age. Treatment 3 chickens had access to perches only during the pullet phase (0 to 16.9 wk of age). The chickens of treatment 4 had perch access throughout their entire life cycle (0 to 71 wk of age). Musculoskeletal health was accessed by measuring bone mineralization, muscle weights, bone fracture incidence, and keel bone deviations. Though muscle deposition of 71-wk-old hens increased if given access to pullet perches and the bone mineralization of 71-wk-old hens also increased if given perch access as adults. Without the adult perch did not cause a higher incidence of keel deviations and fractures at end of lay. The increase in bone mineralization of the keel bone as a result of perch access during the pullet and laying phases was not great enough to prevent a higher incidence of keel bone fractures at end of lay. Perch re-design and placement of perches within the cages to minimize keel fractures and deviations are possible solutions. IA conducted studies on comprehensive assessment of aviary laying-hen housing systems in the Midwest. They looked at indoor air quality, arial emissions, heat and moisture production, electric and full energy use, hen production performance, production economics, and hen behavior and welfare. A summary of the results of this comprehensive study is listed below " Indoor ammonia levels may exceed 25 ppm in wintertime (11-24 days in this case). " Ammonia emissions are lower than high-rise but higher than manure-belt houses. " PM10 emissions of the aviary houses are higher than reported values for cage layer barns. " Ammonia is the primary trigger for potential reporting requirement. " New heat production data for aviary housing are now available for more efficient design and operation of the barn ventilation system. " Very small amount of supplemental heat was used, mostly in spring as opposed to coldest period. " Energy use in these barns is driven mainly by ventilation fans in warm/hot weather, but by the manure belt blowers in winter. " Compared to Hy-Line brown standards, hens in the aviary houses showed:  higher mortality (6.0 v. 9.5)  lower HDEP (83.9 v. 76.9)  lower eggs per hen housed (32 eggs over 60 wks)  slightly higher case weight (49.5 vs. 50.5)  better feed conversion (2.08 v. 1.97) " Feed cost accounts for about 45% of the total egg production cost (vs. typical 60%) due to higher fixed [housing & equipment] costs. " Some welfare parameters changed over time,  i.e., keel bone deformities and plumage " Litter was a valuable resource for these hens that accessed the litter area more than once daily. NE conducted studies on the effects of alternative systems on nesting behavior and effects of alternative systems on egg quality and bone health in laying hens. Results of studies conducted towards objective one showed a higher rate of severe keel bone deformities in hens housed in floor pens vs. traditional cages. Caged hens also laid eggs with heavier yolks and less albumen. The nest preference test in floor pen hens showed a preference for brown vs. yellow color nest boxes and a preference to lay eggs in next boxes closer to the floor in height. NC conducted the 38th NCLP&MT: the 38th test has been completed and published on the internet at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_info.html#layer The purpose of the test is to provide strain evaluations and management under common husbandry and environmental conditions to the producers in North Carolina. This is the only test of this experimental design, type and size remaining in the world with international distribution. This extension project has expanded over the 54 years of its existence to develop and to provide scientific answers to issues relating to hen welfare, behavior, molting practices, egg processing, and beak trimming practices facing the egg industry. Much of the behavioral research in this program has centered on the practice of molting, which is widely used in the egg industry, and in turn has helped industry organizations establish applicable animal care guidelines. A change in focus has come with the development of a cage free and range production component which is integrated into the next layer test. The new component of the layer test focuses in on alternative production practices. This was initiated in the 37th NCLP&MT Report Vol.37 No.4 with the presentation of the range production environment. In the 38th NCLP&MT this was expanded to include Cage Free production along with the Range production. This was designed so that strains could be compared within all 3 environments. This program deals with egg production type chickens in production environments used by the industry and to provide insight as to the well-being of the laying hens under different cage populations, and configurations, range, and cage free production management and molting practices. Non-Anorexic Molting programs are now the industry standard but better understanding and refinements to these alternative molting programs are needed to enhance their effectiveness as related to the previous industry standard program of fasting. In the past these experiments have included a survey of the microbial shedding and egg quality from laying hens subjected to alternative molting programs. With the onset of alternative housing their impact on egg production may also impact egg solids, for the breaking industry, along with functionality and egg safety. The NCLP&MT reports are sent to all the producers in North Carolina and an additional 230 reports are sent to producers and industry representatives throughout the US and 22 different countries. The primary breeders, egg producers, and egg breaking companies are utilizing the test in increasing intensity to compare and evaluate the impact of strain, environment, and management have on the egg solids, functionality, and safety. This can lead to a shift in layer strain purchases on the part of the breaking companies to enhance their product properties thereby enhancing sales to egg product purchasers. The breeders have increased their support to cover some cost of the research, and all publication, and postage. There is a web site where the reports can be accessed electronically.

CT Darre, M.J., and A. Ritchie. 2012. LED versus CFL lamps on egg production parameters of SCWL laying hens. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):35 (Abstr.) Kollanoor-Johny, A., T. Mattson, S.A. Baskaran, M.A. Amalaradjou, S. Babapoor, B. March, S. Valipe, M. Darre, T. Hoagland, D. Schreiber, M.I. Khan, A. Donoghue, D. Donoghue, and K. Venkitanarayanan. 2012. Reduction of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis colonization in 20-day-old broiler chickens by the plant-derived compounds trans-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 8:2981-2987. Kollanoor-Johny, A., I. Upadhyaya, S.A. Baskaran, S. Moyoottu, M.J. Darre, M.I. Khan, A.M. Donoghue, D.J. Donoghue, and K. Venkitanarayanan. 2012. Effect of therapeutic cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on Salmonella Enteritidis in market age broiler chicken. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 21:816-822. IL Bland, K.A., C.M. Parsons, and K.W. Koelkebeck. 2012. Evaluation of feeding different levels of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean hulls in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs for laying hens. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):142 (Abstr.) IN Dennis, R.L., and H.W. Cheng. 2012. Effects on selective serotonin antagonism on central neurotransmission. Poult Sci. 91:817-22. Dennis, R.L., and H.W. Cheng. 2012. Effects of different infrared beak treatment protocols on chicken welfare and physiology. Poult. Sci. 91:1499-505. Felver-Gant, J.N., L.A. Mack, R.L. Dennis, S.D. Eicher, and H.W. Cheng. 2012. Genetic variations alter physiological responses following heat stress in two laying hen strains. Poult. Sci. 91:1542-51. Mack, L.A., J.N. Felver-Gant, R.L. Dennis, and H.W. Cheng. 2013. Genetic variations alter production and behavioral responses following heat stress in two strains of laying hens. Poult. Sci. (in press). Enneking, S.A., H.W. Cheng, K.Y. Jefferson-Moore, M.E. Einstein, and P.Y. Hester. 2013. Pre-pubertal exposure to mechanical loading in White Leghorn pullets. Poult Sci. (in press). Hester, P.Y., S.A. Enneking, K.Y. Jefferson-Moore, M.E. Einstein, H.W. Cheng, and D.A. Rubin. 2013. The effect of perches in cages during pullet rearing and egg laying on White Leghorn hen performance, foot health, and plumage. Poult. Sci. (in press). Dennis, R.L., A.G. Fahey, and H.W. Cheng. 2013. Alterations to embryonic serotonin change aggression and fearfulness. Aggressive Behavior (in press). MN Calvert, A.J. Light Turkey Syndrome: Field Study and Inoculation Trial. Thesis. NE Purdum, S.E., and B. Kreifels. 2012. Feeding low oil DDGS to layers. Egg Industry, 117: Vol. 7. p. 4-6. Purdum, S.E. 2012. Hen-pecking behavior in alternative environments. Egg Industry, 117: Vol. 11, p. 6-7. Purdum, S.E., and D. Hahn, 2012. Fats and Fatty Acids in Laying Hens, in Fats and Fatty Acids In Poultry Nutrition and Health, G. Cherian and R. Poulrslami, Context Products Limited, Leicestershire, UK. Eusebio-Balcazar, P.E., D. Didde, and S. Purdum. 2012. Nest box color and height preference of White Leghorn laying hens raised in floor pens. Proceedings of the 46th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, p. 164. Purdum, S.E. 2012. Getting more value from poultry feed ingredients. Feed Management, March/April, p. 16-19. Purdum, S.E. 2012. Starting Spring Chicks. The Nebline, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lancaster Co. Extension., p. 1 Purdum, S.E., and B. Kreifels. 2012. Low Oil DDGS in Poultry Feeds. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Distillers Grains Symposium, St. Louis, MO. May 16-17, 2012. Esusebio-Balcazar, P.E., and S. Purdum. 2012. Effects of cage-free housing system on performance, egg quality, and bone health in White Leghorn laying hens. International Poultry Scientific Forum Abstracts, Atlanta, Georgia, p. 66. Masa'deh, M.K., S.E. Purdum, and K.J. Hanford. 2012. Distillers dried grains with solubles in pullet diets. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 21:531-539. Purdum, S.E. 2012. Examining the impact of low oil DDGS in feed. Feed Management, July/August, p. 16-17. NC Jones, D.R., K.E. Anderson, and J.Y. Guard. 2013. Prevalence of coliforms, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter associated with eggs and the environment of conventional cage and free-range egg production. Poult. Sci. 91:(in press). Anderson, K.E., and D.R. Jones. 2012. Effect of genetic selection on growth parameters and tonic immobility in Leghorn pullets. Poult. Sci. 91:765-770. Golden, J.B., D.V. Arbona, and K.E. Anderson. 2012. A Comparative Examination of Rearing Parameters and Layer Production Performance for Brown Egg-Type Pullets Grown for Either Free-Range or Cage Production. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 21:95-102. Anderson, K.E. 2012. The ever changing landscape of animal production practices. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):4 (Abstr.) Anderson, K.E. 2012. Effect of range, cage-free, and cage environments on man-hours committed to bird care in brown egg layer strains. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):34 (Abstr.) Broomhead, J.N., W. Michael, and K. Anderson. 2012. Performance of layers fed original XPC® during increased environmental temperatures. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):69 (Abstr.) Anderson K.E., and M.M. Evans. 2012. Effects of strain and molt method on physiological organ weight changes in commercial layer hens. Poult. Sci. 91(Suppl. 1):34 (Abstr.) Anderson, K.E. 2012. Final Report of the Thirty Eighth North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test. Vol. 38, No.5.April 2012. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_info.html#layer Anderson, K.E. 2011. Single Production Cycle Report of the Thirty eighth North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test. Vol. 38, No.4. November 2011. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_info.html#layer Anderson, K.E. 2012. New Results of North Carolina State University Cage vs. Non-Cage Egg Production Research. Fourth Egg Industry Center Issues Forum, April 10-11, 2012, Holiday Inn Denver East-Stapleton, Denver, Colorado. Anderson, K.E. 2012. Update on Range vs. Conventional Cage vs. Cage-free Egg Production: A Comparison and Contrast. 2012 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, Touchstone Energy®Place at River Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, March 14-15, 2012, CD proceeding. Anderson, K.E. 2011. Genetic Stock Evaluation During Laying Period. XXII Congreso Latinoameicano De Avicultura 2011, La Rural Predio Ferial De Buenos Aries, Argentina, September 6-9, 2011, www.avicultura2011.com ANIMAL WELFARE IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE; Husbandry and Stewardship in Animal Production, Editors: Wilson G. Pond, Fuller W. Bazer and Bernard E Rollin; Chapter 7, Animal Welfare: Synthesizing Contemporary Animal Agriculture/Engineering and Animal Comfort and Social Responsibility. Chapter editor Bernard E. Rollin, Co-Authors: John McGlone (Swine), Judith Capper (Dairy Cattle), Kenneth Anderson (Poultry), and Terry Engle (Beef Cattle). pp 147-184. Taylor & Francis Group, 6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, Florida 33487.