Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Objective 1. Integrating technological advances into poultry systems. This will include collaborative research on incorporating engineering and technology to enhance system efficiency and sustainability through infrastructure development of block chain production.

1a. Engineering and Technology

University of Arkansas – Weimer

Activities and Projects

As a result of lack of technology and insufficient understanding of the effects of selection for water efficiency, it has yet to be implanted into a primary breeder’s selection program. The Orlowski lab has been working on the development of an industry relevant low flow water monitoring system in collaboration with Alternative Design. The developed equipment is capable of measuring water intake on either a pen or individual bird level. This equipment was utilized to select broilers for water conversion ratio to fully understand the impact of selection for another efficiency related trait.

Significant Findings and Impact

The low flow water monitoring system has been tested and is functional. After 4 generations of selection for water conversion ratio (WCR) utilizing the low flow water monitoring system, WCR appears to be positively correlated with FCR and has not yet had any negatively impact on growth rate or final body weight showing promise for being implemented into a selection index.

University of Georgia - Chai

Activities:

Innovated deep learning-based methods for monitoring poultry welfare indicators.

Funded projects:

[1] 2022-2023: Imaging systems for tracking individual poultry and welfare evaluation. Georgia Research Alliance (PI).

[2] 2021-2022: Precision Poultry Farming and Data Management: Oracle Research Award, Oracle America (PI).

[3] 2021-2022: An Intelligent Imaging System for Animal Data Collection and Welfare Evaluation in Poultry Houses. UGA CAES Dean’s Research Grant (PI).

Significant Findings and Impact

We are the first team to optimize and apply the BP and YOLOv5 network models for poultry floor distribution monitoring and pecking behavior analysis. The new method will promote the animal welfare evaluation with artificial intelligence technologies by providing a new solution.

Dr. Regmi has been working on multiple projects, including a useful trend egg project where they validated RFID-based tracking technology for laying hens.  An experimental trial was also recently completed that looked at the effect of different growth rates on lameness and lameness-related behaviors. He will also be collaborating with Purdue University to investigate turkey lameness. Other projects include looking at environmental enrichment strategies for birds that are feed restricted. 

1b. Environmental Control and Management

Michigan State University – Siegford, Swanson, Morris

Activities and Projects

PI Siegford and collaborators from University of Bern have examined the impact of providing ramps to pullets in rearing aviaries on their use of space.

Ramps were provided in two styles of commercial aviaries and bird distribution among levels, transitions between levels, and methods of transitions were compared.

PIs Siegford and Morris are using computer vision to detect laying hens and performance problematic behaviors on litter in cage free systems such as egg laying and piling.

We finished a year of research involving mostly undergraduates, using seed funding from the Michigan Animal Agriculture Alliance to my colleague Daniel Morris. This has been bit of a steep learning curve for them as we were looking at brown birds on brownish litter and Daniel and his team were new to work with laying hens.

Currently work on this project is focused on developing a computer vision approach to detecting eggs (both brown and white) in the litter. We are also working on an automated approach to detecting hens and labeling body parts.

PI Siegford and PhD student Tessa Grebey have developed a methodology for using a depth camera system to better characterize vertical space used by hens when wing flapping.

A preliminary study using a small group white hens has recently been concluded that will relate measures obtained from the depth camera with physical measurements of hens’ wings and bodies.

Significant Findings and Impact

Progress has been made in using computer vision to detect brown and white eggs against concrete, clean wood shavings, shredded cardboard, and dirty litter.

Labeling of hen body parts, wings in particular, has proven to be challenging given how greatly the shape of a bird visually alters as it folds and extends its wings.

Identifying brown hens against a brown litter background when housed at high density is also challenging under light levels typically used in laying hen housing.

Pullets provided with ramps during rearing use higher levels in the rearing aviary earlier and in greater numbers than pullets without ramps. Pullets with ramps make the majority of their transitions with ramps rather than via flight or jumping.

Objective 2. Establishing and adopting husbandry practices to a changing industry landscape. This collaborative research will encompass a multi-disciplinary approach to create a resilient poultry production system through optimal management of inputs and outputs in an ethically responsible manner.

2a. Nutritional Strategies and Feed Manufacture

            Alternative Ingredients and Feedstuffs.

University of Connecticut – Amalaradjou, I. Upadhyaya, A. Upadhyaya, Venkitanarayanan

Research initiatives

Dr. Amalaradjou’s lab is focused on developing a probiotic and postbiotic based approach to i) promote performance in broilers and layer and ii) reduce Salmonella on table and fertile eggs. Multiple trials were conducted in the last year that demonstrated that early and sustained supplementation of probiotics significantly improved hatchability, hatchling quality and overall performance in broilers. Similarly, washing table eggs with wash solution containing different lactic cultures as a spray application was found to be as effective as dip washing. Further, these treatments did not affect the keeping quality of eggs following refrigerated storage for 21 days. Results of these studies were presented to the poultry community at the 2022 PSA annual meeting.

University of Minnesota – Johny

Activities and Projects

My research explores the potential of strain-level probiotics, essential oils, and vaccination strategies against Salmonella in turkeys and broilers. We run eight active externally funded projects on several potential antibiotic alternatives applicable to broilers and turkeys. My group members are Grace Dewi, Claire Peichel, Shijinaraj (all doctoral students), Dhananjai Prabhakaran (MS student), Luna Akhtar (my research associate), and six undergraduate students.

We focused on developing plant-based antimicrobial approaches for poultry processing in the past year. We published two manuscripts in this regard. The first research focused on developing caprylic acid, a medium chain fatty acid derived from coconut, as a scalding antimicrobial against Salmonella Heidelberg. The second project investigated the efficacy of several plant-derived antimicrobials against drug-resistant Salmonella. The third project examined the effectiveness of two essential oils, pimenta, and lemongrass, against the emerging drug-resistant Salmonella Reading in ground turkey.

Significant Findings and Impact

1) Caprylic acid could be a scalding antimicrobial with the potential to inactivate drug-resistant Salmonella on broiler carcasses.

2) Pimenta and lemongrass essential oil could inactivate emerging Salmonella Reading in ground turkey

3) trans-cinnamaldehyde, lemongrass essential oil, and citral have high efficacy against Salmonella Heidelberg in comminuted turkey products.

Through these projects, we evaluate several plant-derived antimicrobial options for their potential against multiple Salmonella serotypes in processed poultry products.

Mississippi State University – Adhikari

Study 1: Salmonella model establishment in vaccinated and unvaccinated laying hens

Activities and Projects

Previous research in laying hens model did not necessarily talk about the vaccination history of hens. In our recent study, we tested both vaccinated and unvaccinated hens and compared the efficacy of Salmonella Enteritidis in these models.

Significant Findings and Impact

We found out that the higher amount of SE would be necessarily to infect vaccinated hens compared to unvaccinated. The results are reported in the World Poultry Congress, 2022.

Study 2: Limestone ratios and phytase super dosing in laying hens

Activities and Projects

Previous study in our lab found that the higher ratio of limestone (85 coarse and 15 fine) will produce a stronger eggshell. To further see the effect of this particular level with inclusion of phytase, layer feed were formulated wither with a standard or superdosing levels of phytase. The study competed in Summer 2022.

Significant Findings and Impact

Data are being analyzed and a MS student is working on their thesis. The results will be reported in 2023.

Study 3: Supplementation of exogenous enzymes to improve the feeding value of almond hulls in pullets

Activities and Projects

The study has investigated the effect of prime type of almond hulls (California grown) in both pullets and layers.

Significant Findings and Impact

The study is on-going. The complete report will be presented in 2023.

Mississippi State University - Wamsley

Activities and Projects

Finishing the scope of work establishing the optimal dIle:dLys ratio for Ross 708 x Ross YP male broilers in the last stage of growth (e.g., withdraw – 42-56 d).

Significant Findings and Impact

Previous research from our lab has established the optimal dIle:dLys ratio for all feeding phases except the withdrawal period.  Optimal dIle:dLys ratios were estimated using multiple regression methods and metrics and ranged from 65-78%. However, it is important to note that these results may have been influenced by nutrient levels and other BCAA ratios fed in previous feeding phases and future research should consider this.

2b. Disease Control and Microbiology

            Bacterial Infections of Poultry During Processing.

Auburn University – Bourassa

Activities and Projects

1. Survey of Salmonella and Campylobacter present in poultry processing wastewater and solids.
2. Analyses of photoactive antimicrobials as alternative antimicrobials for use in poultry processing.
3. Synergystic effects of organic acids and surfactants against Salmonella.
4. Impact of broiler stunning systems on subsequent carcass and meat quality.

Significant Findings and Impact

1. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter can be detected in post-DAF poultry processing wastewater and DAF solids. The use of poultry processing wastewater and solids as sources of nutrients for plant growth in agricultural production processes presents a degree of risk. The level of risk and tools for risk mitigation need to be determined
2. The photoactive antimicrobials evaluated (curcumin and chlorophyllin) did not demonstrate antimicrobial activity against Salmonella or Campylobacter when exposed to activating light for 5 minutes. Longer exposure times, not practical for use in a production setting may be required for efficacy.
3. An emulsion of pelargonic acid and saponin was able to reduce the level of Salmonella Infantis to below the level of detection in an in vitro assay while pelargonic acid and saponin alone did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity.
4. Controlled atmosphere stunning resulted in an increase in the percentage of wing damage, a decrease in 2-hour breast fillet pH, and lighter fillets when compared to electrical stunning.

Bacterial Infections of Poultry and Control.

Auburn University - Macklin

Activities and Projects

1. Role of litter management to control Campylobacter transmission in poultry.
2. Insects as possible disease vectors
3. Salmonella colonization in the broiler chicken

Significant Findings and Impact

1. Campylobacter transmission may be influenced by litter management practices; however, due to an extended downtime this hypothesis wasn’t properly tested. We plan on repeating this experiment with a reduced downtime.
2. Insects, namely litter beetles, had been shown to carry the parasitic eggs from Heterakis and This knowledge is useful in trying to prevent infection with these parasites in broilers by having in place a good insect control program.
3. Several studies were conducted to examine the effects of site of colonization and where the bacteria eventually colonize with two serovars of The results show that regardless of route, birds are easily colonized. Certain routes yielded higher colonization rates those being if this bacterium is inhaled, ingested, placed in the eye or near the cloaca. The site of colonization was high in all the tissue types sampled with the highest incidence being in the ceca and bursa. These results show that Salmonella once introduced into the bird can colonize throughout the animal, making control of these bacteria on the farm that more crucial.

University of California – Davis – Blatchford, Makagon, Yang

Determine the bacterial load and characterize the AMR patterns of bacterial isolates from a small-scale poultry facility (ZY).

Although the avian facility did not use any antibiotics on chicken, antimicrobial resistant E. coli were still detected in certain environmental samples, indicating that the transmission of AMR is a complicated process. Additionally, the presence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in the front door swabs samples suggested that the facility may need to clean or sanitize the doors of the pen/chicken houses more frequently to minimize the spread of these bacteria to the environment and employees via direct contact to the doors.

University of Connecticut – Amalaradjou, I. Upadhyaya, A. Upadhyaya, Venkitanarayanan

Dr. Upadhyay’s lab investigated the potential of phytochemical nano emulsions for controlling foodborne pathogens in poultry and on poultry products. Their initial results demonstrate that incorporation of trans-cinnamaldehyde nano emulsions significantly reduced Salmonella populations and biofilms in poultry drinking water. Further, it was also effective in reducing Salmonella survival and trans-cell migrations on eggs without any negative impacts to egg color or embryo development.

Extension/Outreach Activities (Dr. Upadhyaya):

Outreach provided to poultry producers in New England to establish current practices on broiler and egg safety.

Stakeholder discussion on alternative methods to improve broiler and layer production, including use of fish meal, natural antimicrobials.

Cooperative Extension activities with large- and small-scale poultry farmers.

Training poultry processors in meat and poultry HACCP providing both virtual and in person trainings with certification, which will then help the poultry processors get a USDA certification.

Outreach for enhancing the safety of eggs by ultra-fine bubble technology

University of Georgia - Thippareddi

Dr. Harshavardhan Thippareddi has been working primarily on Clostridium, necrotic enteritis, and coccidiosis. In addition, his focus is on food safety and product production. He is currently working on a large project on using virtual simulation tools to look at heat stress in broilers during transportation to the slaughterhouses.

Mississippi State University - Adhikari

Study 4: Evaluation of gut health product on cocci challenge in pullets

Activities and Projects

The study has been evaluating a gut health replacer product in order to compare the performance variables of pullets when challenged with cocci vaccine.

Significant Findings and Impact

The study is on-going. This involves pullet phase feeding and application of coccidiosis vaccine as a trickle dose in feed.

Study 5: The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes in agreement with antibiotic susceptibility among extra-intestinal Escherichia coli isolated from colibacillosis infected and asymptomatic layer hens

Activities and Projects

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a wide range of diseases broadly termed as colibacillosis. One of the main challenges in controlling APEC is their unpredictable antibiotic resistance pattern which also poses a severe public health concern. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the prevalence of 11 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in extra-intestinal E. coli and correlate them to antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) towards 10 common antibiotics.

Significant Findings and Impact

These results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility and AMR gene profile of APEC isolates are comparable to that of ordinary layer isolates. AMR genes like tetB, tetA, aadA and aaph(3)-Ia are highly associated with tetracycline and aminoglycoside resistance.

2c. Physiological Responses to Environment and Welfare

            Management of Cage-Free Aviaries.

University of California – Davis – Blatchford, Makagon, Yang

Completed study evaluating the impacts of rearing on aviary use, and the prevalence of floor eggs and keel bone fractures in laying hens (RB & MM).

Rearing pullets with opportunities to use height facilitates the transition into aviary environments and is associated with increased use of higher tiers and a lower prevalence of floor eggs. More height (past 2 feet) does not yield further improvement to the transitions. Observed differences in aviary use are likely driven by differences in motivation or physical abilities rather than spatial abilities (e.g. ability to perceive depth).

            Role of Space in Cage-Free Aviaries on Behavior.

Michigan State University – Siegford, Swanson, Morris

Activities and Projects

PhD student Grebey and PIs Siegford and Swanson with help from Rob Tempelman (MSU) and Tina Widowski (Guelph) are concluding a series of projects related to strain differences in the behavior of hens housed in aviary systems.

We are detailing the occupancy of the litter area and dust bathing of hens as they acclimate following periods of full and partial restriction from the litter.

A complementary project is examining the frequency and synchronization of wing flapping behavior in the litter area of aviaries. Wing flapping is the most space consuming dynamic behavior that hens perform, involving hens fully extending their wings vertically and horizontally while the birds either stand at their full height, jump between areas of the system or use wings to provide additional propulsion as they walk or run.

Significant Findings and Impact

Understanding the frequency, synchronicity and patterns of dynamic behaviors that require substantial amounts of space are key to determining whether the vertical and horizontal spaces provided to hens in cage free systems comply with standards and legislation that are based on hens being able to fully extend limbs without touching housing or other hens.

White hens occupy litter areas in greater numbers and display greater synchrony in dust bathing. Experimental studies are needed to determine whether this is a result of greater motivation to dust bath and wing flap by white hens, reduced mobility or activity by brown hens, or cognitive differences in spatial navigation abilities.

Broiler Enrichment.

University of Arkansas – Weimer

Activities and Projects

The Weimer lab has transitioned from the University of Maryland to the University of Arkansas. Video has been recorded from two broiler experiments at the University of Arkansas and bird behavior is currently being analyzed in the lab. Results will be reported next year. One project, in collaboration with Tom Porter and Billy Hargis, seeks to evaluate the effect of thermal conditioning as a mitigation strategy to reduce body weight gain loss under cyclic heat stress conditions. The second project is in collaboration with Sara Orlowski. Video was recorded of drinking and feeding behaviors of broiler lines divergently selected for water conversion ratio. The aim of this study is to understand the effect of selection for WCR on drinking behavior, frequency, and group drinking.

Significant Findings and Impact

Video is currently being analyzed for both projects and significant findings and impacts will be reported next year.

University of California – Davis – Blatchford, Makagon, Yang

Published study examining the efficacy of scatter feeding varying food items as a form of enrichment for broiler chickens (RB & MM).

Although welfare certification companies frequently recommend scatter feeding as a form of enrichment, little is known about what food items broiler chickens are willing to engage in, and whether the scattering will stimulate activity, specifically foraging behavior. Our results show that broilers do engage with mealworms (dried) more than other common food items, but that the engagement is short lived, with no lasting impact.

2d. Housing Systems and Economics

University of Arkansas – Liang, Costello

Activities and Projects

Case Study of Renewable Generation on Electricity Consumption of two Arkansas Poultry Farms

The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of solar photovoltaics (PV) technology on fossil fuel electricity consumption on two commercial poultry farms. We used System Advisor Model (SAM) model to simulate the annual electricity production of the PV systems. We used a broiler house environment model to simulate the electricity consumption of a broiler and a turkey farm in different seasons. We compare how the hourly output of solar PV matches the electric energy load profile of typical broiler or turkey buildings and calculated the self-consumption ratios of the farms with two PV systems sized to displace 50% or 100% of annual electricity consumption. We analyzed the economic benefits of install solar systems under existing net metering and a hypothetical net billing future scenario. It was found that the net energy metering policy with guaranteed full retail-rate as kWh credits on the customer's bill is not only much more beneficial than any other variations such as feed-in tariffs for net excess generation, but also critical in adopting solar technology by poultry farmers.

In response to increasing energy consumption and the declining solar project costs and favorable net metering policy in the state, row crop and poultry farmers have been adopting photovoltaics to displace fossil fuel electricity consumption. We have developed web contents explaining photovoltaic system cost trend, the significance of state net metering policy, the importance of individual utility analysis to determine the value of an on-site solar electricity production, and a simple Excel financial calculator. An educational video was produced showcasing two growers adopting solar PV technology on their farms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uomvm2q4hAk). We organized a Solar for Poultry workshop in July 2022 attracting more than 30 participants, debuting a comprehensive solar decision tool developed by agricultural economy faculty that includes not only electricity generation potential of a PV system, but also financing terms and how fast tax benefits can be recouped. The information is reported in press stories by Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and Watt Poultry International, etc.

Significant Findings and Impact

The educational video has garnered more than 400 views during the four months since release, and participants of the workshop reported increased knowledge. Results of the case study will provide information to poultry farmers who consider investment in solar renewables with potential financial benefits for their farming operations.

University of California – Davis – Blatchford, Makagon, Yang

Activities and Projects

Completed a research project, which compared the implications of two common duckling rearing strategies on the development of reproductive behaviors of drakes and flock fertility (MM).

Significant Findings and Impact

Commercial Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) raised for egg production are often reared by sex to support sex specific grown curves, but a few females may be placed into male groups with the goal of increasing flock fertility. We tested whether this assumed relationship held true, and potential proximate mechanisms. Rearing ducklings in same-sex groups was deemed sufficient for promoting good hatchability in the tested strain of Pekin ducks as demonstrated by high fertility levels observed for all pens across the flock, and a lack of significant differences in testosterone or mounting behavior.

University of Georgia - Chai

Activities:

Investigated sensing system and advanced sensors for enhancing indoor air quality and animal welfare in broiler and cage-free layer houses.

Funded projects:

[1] 2022-2024: A novel lightweight ammonia sensor. USDA-NIFA (Co-PI).

[2] 2020-2022: An Integrated Method for Improving Air Quality in Cage-Free Henhouses. Egg Industry Center. (PI).

[3] 2020-2021: Air Quality in Antibiotic-Free Broiler Production Environment. USDA ARS Contract to UGA. (PI).

Significant Findings and Impact

A new method was developed for monitoring airborne E. coli concentration and a new low-cost sensor is under innovation for monitoring ammonia.

The optimal mitigation strategies will be identified to enhance air quality and animal health/welfare in confined poultry facilities such as layer and broiler houses. Meanwhile, we aim to mitigate greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from poultry houses to environment and ecosystem.

University of Minnesota – Noll

Activities and Projects

The partial slotted flooring system (PSFS) was investigated as a means to reduce the need for litter maintenance and reduce diseases that are often transferred through coprophagy when turkeys are kept on bedding. In pilot studies, pens were modified where a portion of the floor surface area (25 to 30%) was constructed with raised slotted flooring for purposes of collection of spilled feed/water and excreta under the flooring, while the remaining floor surface was covered with wood shavings.  Feeders and drinkers were located above the slotted flooring area to optimize collection of excreta. The next set of trials involved incorporation of the PSFS in a commercial turkey grower facility. All comparisons were made to conventional bedded system with turkeys at the same stocking density. Red Rooster plastic flooring was used and the manure removal system was a shallow pit with a scraper system. Two flocks were reared in the commercial turkey facility.

Significant Findings and Impact

Consistent study findings in pens indicated the PSFS tended to improve body weight at market and certainly was not detrimental. Gait issues were not increased. Characteristics of the litter showed lowered moisture and nitrogen content from the PSF system as compared to conventional bedded system. A potentially more valuable product was produced in the manure collected under the slotted flooring with the higher concentration of nitrogen. Study-to-study variation was noted in frequency of carcass defects and footpad dermatitis severity.

In the commercial flock setting, similar findings were observed for bird performance. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions at the processing plant, we were unable to document carcass quality.  Other findings were that litter maintenance in the PSF was not much different as compared to the conventional system.  Initially, the use of tilling to maintain litter condition was less in the PSF system but then the bedded surface needed to be tilled as frequently as the conventional system as the birds grew.

All together, the results indicate that performance is improved in the PSF system through potentially healthier turkeys, and that litter moisture is reduced in the bedded portion.  However, the ratio of flooring to bedded space or its configuration may need to be adjusted to minimize carcass defects and footpad dermatitis condition.

North Carolina State University – Vukina

Activities and Projects

Launched a study looking at the economic welfare implications (industry costs and profits and wholesale prices to consumers) of the merger between two large poultry companies: Sanderson Farm and Wayne Poultry.