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This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of environmental factors (ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, dust, temperature, relative humidity) on egg production feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. Lohman layers (n = 288, 24 wks of age) were blocked according to the location of cages. In the analysis made, it was observed that air of poultry house and productive performance were significantly affected from seasonal changes. In winter and spring months, the amount of feed consumed per kg egg production was found higher in terms of summer and autumn months. In addition, there was a negative and significant correlation between carbon dioxide and relative humidity and egg production. Also, in case of the existence of the increase in gases of poultry houses, it was determined that feed conversion ratio becomes worse.
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International Journal of Poultry Science 5 (1): 26-30, 2006
ISSN 1682-8356
© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2006
Corresponding Author: Bahar Kocaman, Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Atatürk
University, 25240, Erzurum-Turkey, Tel: +90 442-231 26 23, Fax: +90 442-236 09 58
26
Effect of Environmental Conditions in Poultry Houses on the
Performance of Laying Hens
Bahar Kocaman , Nurinisa Esenbuga , Ahmet Yildiz , Ekrem Laçin and Muhlis Macit
1 2 3 3 2
Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture,
1
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture,
2
Department of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine,
3
Atatürk University, 25240-Erzurum, Turkey
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of environmental factors (ammonia,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, dust, temperature, relative humidity) on egg production feed consumption
and feed conversion ratio. Lohman layers (n = 288, 24 wks of age) were blocked according to the location
of cages. In the analysis made, it was observed that air of poultry house and productive performance were
significantly affected from seasonal changes. In winter and spring months, the amount of feed consumed
per kg egg production was found higher in terms of summer and autumn months. In addition, there was a
negative and significant correlation between carbon dioxide and relative humidity and egg production. Also,
in case of the existence of the increase in gases of poultry houses, it was determined that feed conversion
ratio becomes worse.
Key words: Environmental condition, laying hens, performance
Introduction
As in other husbandry fields, the aim in chicken
production is to obtain the yield in a desirable level at the
lowest cost. As the chickens have spent their life in
poultry houses, in order for the chicken to be able to
perform their yield capacities entirely, they should be
kept in a good environment conditions with a good care
as well as genetic features. An adequate environment
within poultry houses is a very important requirement for
success in the poultry industry. In poultry houses
environmental conditions mean physical (heat, humidity
and air movement) and chemical factors (ammonia and
carbon dioxide in the compound of the air).
Chickens and their wastes in poultry houses generate
different forms of air pollution, including ammonia,
carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide and nitrous
oxide gases, as well as dust (Kocaman et al., 2005).
Gases such as carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane
may accumulate and reach toxic levels if adequate
ventilation is not maintained. These different air
pollutants may cause risk to the health of both chickens
and farm workers. Poor environments normally don’t
cause disease directly but they do reduce the chickens
defenses, making them more susceptible to existing
viruses and pathogens (Quarles and Kling, 1974).
Aerial ammonia in poultry facilities is usually found to be
the most abundant air contaminant. Ammonia
concentration varies depending upon several factors
including temperature, humidity, animal density and
Table 1: Ingredients of the experimental diets
Ingredient
Corn 46.00
Soybean meal (44% CP) 21.00
Wheat 7.00
Barley 3.00
Wheat bran 8.75
Molasses 2.00
Limestone 9.00
Dicalcium phosphate 2.00
1
Salt 0.40
Vitamin-mineral premix 0.40
2
Methionine 0.15
3
Lysine 0.15
4
Ethoxyquin 0.15
5
Each kilogram contained: Ca, 24% and P, 17.5%.
1
Each kilogram contained: Vitamin A, 15,000 IU;
2
cholecalciferol, 1,500 ICU; DL-"-tocopheryl acetate, 30 IU;
menadione, 5.0 mg; thiamine, 3.0 mg; riboflavin, 6.0 mg;
niacin, 20.0 mg; panthotenic acid, 8.0 mg; pyridoxine, 5.0 mg;
folic acid, 1.0 mg; vitamin B , 15 µg; Mn, 80.0 mg; Zn, 60.0
12
mg; Fe, 30.0 mg; Cu, 5.0 mg; I, 2.0 mg; and Se, 0.15 mg.
DL-methionine. L-lysine hydrochloride. An antioxidant.
3 4 5
ventilation rate of the facility. Chickens exposed to
ammonia showed reductions in feed consumption, feed
efficiency, live weight gain, carcass condemnation, and
egg production (Charles and Payne, 1966; Quarles and
Kling, 1974; Reece and Lott, 1980). Humidity and
temperature also have an impact on air quality.
Kocaman et al.: Effect of Environmental Conditions in Poultry Houses on the Performance of Laying Hens
27
Table 2: Means (±S.D.) of performance traits of laying hens and environmental parameter in poultry house
Winter Spring Summer Autumn P
Mean±S.D. Mean±S.D. Mean±S.D. Mean±S.D.
EP 81.51±5.72 92.84±2.83 90.37±1.79 87.28±3.58 ***
ca a b
FC 129.02±4.89 137.57±5.29 127.28±6.41 118.26±5.29 ***
b a a c
FCR 2.11±0.18 2.18±0.16 1.95±0.09 1.79±0.06 ***
a a b c
CO 2700.0±904.9 1623.1±1140.3 715.4±247.8 950.0±308.9 ***
2a b c c
NH 25.06±13.40 16.46±7.89 9.31±2.56 10.50±2.32 ***
3a b cbc
HS5.94±3.99 7.00±3.03 3.54±1.56 1.75±0.62 ***
2a a b b
Temp 17.67±2.09 18.38±2.18 22.38±2.87 19.92±2.64 ***
cbc a b
RH 72.22±6.65 67.00±6.75 60.46±8.29 66.58±8.77 **
a a b a
Dust 2.19±0.49 2.24±0.43 2.34±0.37 2.02±0.39 NS
EP = egg production (%); FC = feed consumption (g/d); FCR = feed conversion ratio (kg feed consumed per kg egg produced);
CO = carbon dioxide (ppm); NH = ammonia (ppm); H S = Hydrogen sulfide (ppm);
2 3 2
Temp = Temperature (°C); RH = relative humidity (%); Dust = dust (mg/m )
3
Table 3: Correlation coefficients (r) between performance traits and environmental parameters of poultry house
EP FC FCR CO NH H SDust Temp RH
2 3 2
EP 1
FC 0.1 1
FCR -0.02 0.66** 1
CO2 -0.36** 0.16 0.65** 1
NH3 -0.21 -0.01 0.59** 0.86** 1
H2S 0.11 0.31* 0.72** 0.69** 0.74** 1
Dust 0.28* 0.16 -0.01 -0.14 -0.16 -0.1 1
Temp 0.16 -0.28* -0.42** -0.45** -0.43** -0.29* 0.17 1
RH -0.36** 0.11 0.18 0.35** 0.28* 0.07 0.09 -0.36** 1*
* P< 0.05 **P<0.01. EP = egg production (%); FC = feed consumption (g/d); FCR = feed conversion ratio (kg feed consumed per kg
egg produced); CO = carbon dioxide (ppm); NH = ammonia (ppm); H S = Hydrogen sulfide (ppm); Temp = Temperature (°C);
2 3 2
RH= relative humidity (%); Dust= dust (mg/m )
3
Ventilation is an important consideration for controlling(Ozen 1986; Turkoglu et al., 1997).
heat, humidity and different gases. In the poultry houses This research was conducted to determine the effects of
of laying hen, optimal temperature is required up to 15-environmental factors (ammonia, carbon dioxide,
20 C. Environmental temperature was correlated withhydrogen sulfide, dust, temperature, relative humidity) on
o
many measures of performance including feed andegg production, feed consumption and feed conversion
water consumption, body weight, egg production, feedratio.
conversion, and egg weight (Sterling et al., 2003). The
reduction of egg production under heat stress may have
been related to the altered respiratory pattern (Xin et al.,
1987). In case of reduction of environmental
temperature, they consume much feed in order to
maintain their body heat (Turkoglu et al., 1997).
Studies on the effects of dust in animal housing
generally indicate potential for adverse effects on the
healthy, growth and development of animals (Janni et
al., 1985; Feddes et al., 1992). Respirable aerosol
particles within poultry housing have been shown to
decrease bird growth (Butler and Egan, 1974), increase
disease transfer within flocks, and increase
condemnation of meat at processing plants (Simensen
and Olson, 1980).
In poultry houses of laying hen, optimal relative humidity
should be between 60-70%. In case of low relative
humidity, dust has increased, and in addition to this, the
respiratory diseases in the chickens have been seen
Materials and Methods
In present study, 288 Lohman layers with uniformity of
94% were blocked according to the location of cages
(48x45x45 cm, widthxdepthxheight). Each treatment was
replicated in 6 cages. The hens were 26 wks of age at
the beginning of the experiment and the study was
conducted over a period of 60 wks. Standard feeder,
watered, lighting and densities were used throughout
the experiment. The diets offered ad libitum in the
experiment are described in Table 1.
Productive performance was evaluated by measuring
egg production, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio.
Feeding, egg collection, and recording were done once
daily, in the morning. Egg production was recorded daily.
Feed was weighed at feeding time, usually every day,
and than left in the feeder at the end of the week was
weighed and subtracted from that which was added
during the week. This gave the total feed intake for 1 wk,
0,00
0,50
1,00
1,50
2,00
2,50
3,00
18.12.02
18.01.03
18.02.03
18.03.03
18.04.03
18.05.03
18.06.03
18.07.03
18.08.03
18.09.03
18.10.03
18.11.03
18.12.03
18.01.04
Time (month)
Feed consumed:egg
production (kg:kg)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
CO2
(ppm)
FCR CO2
0
10
20
30
40
50
18.12.02
18.01.03
18.02.03
18.03.03
18.04.03
18.05.03
18.06.03
18.07.03
18.08.03
18.09.03
18.10.03
18.11.03
18.12.03
18.01.04
Time (month)
NH3 (ppm)
0,00
0,50
1,00
1,50
2,00
2,50
3,00
Feed consumed:egg
production (kg:kg)
NH3 FCR
Kocaman et al.: Effect of Environmental Conditions in Poultry Houses on the Performance of Laying Hens
28
Fig. 1: The effect of CO level on feed conversion ratio
2
Fig. 2: The effect of NH level on feed conversion ratio
3
and from this total the daily feed intake per hen wasconcentration was measured as mg/m by using a
calculated. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was expressedpersonal dust monitor model HD-1002 by SKCLtd., U.K.
as kilogram of feed consumed per kilogram of eggThe levels of the gases and dust were determined once
produced. in a week during the study. The data were analyzed
Temperature (C) and relative humidity (%) wereusing in SPSS 10.0 computer package program (SPSS,
o
recorded continuously by using a thermohygrograph. Air 1994).
flow velocity was measured by digital anemometers.
Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO , ppm), ammonia
2
(NH , ppm) and hydrogen sulfide (H S, ppm) were
3 2
determined by utilizing Multiple Gases Detection
Instrument manufactured in Drager, Germany. Total dust
3
Results and Discussion
Air for poultry buildings have less than 3000 ppm CO ,
2
15 ppm NH , 3 ppm H S and 2 mg/m dust at bird level.
3 23
Recommended temperature and relative humidity
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
18.12.02
18.01.03
18.02.03
18.03.03
18.04.03
18.05.03
18.06.03
18.07.03
18.08.03
18.09.03
18.10.03
18.11.03
18.12.03
18.01.04
Time (Month)
Temperature (°C)
0,00
0,50
1,00
1,50
2,00
2,50
3,00
Feed consumed:egg
production (kg:kg)
Temp FCR
Kocaman et al.: Effect of Environmental Conditions in Poultry Houses on the Performance of Laying Hens
29
Fig. 3: The effect of temperature on feed conversion ratio.
values for caged layer houses should be 15-20 C andIn colder climates as Erzurum province of Turkey, many
o
60-70% (Turkoglu et al., 1997; Ellen et al., 2000;poultry houses can not maintain proper ventilation rates.
Chastain, 2005; Kocaman et al., 2005). Gases produced in the manure build up rapidly, often
The values belonging to environment of poultry housereaching harmful levels. Good air quality management
and performance traits of laying hens were analyzed bypractices require heating and ventilating systems that
taking different seasons into consideration, andprovide a balanced environment. Poor environments
presented in Table 2. The amount of relative humidity,normally don’t cause disease directly but they do reduce
temperature, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and carbonthe chickens’ defenses and performance, making them
dioxide in winter and spring months indicatedmore susceptible to existing viruses and pathogens.
statistically significant in terms of the months of summer
and autumn.
It was observed that daily feed consumption and feed
conversion ratio in summer and autumn months were
lower than those of winter and spring months. Feed
consumed per kg egg production, the hens consumed
less was found to be in the months of spring and
summer than that of winter’s months. Correlation
coefficiencies among various parameters examined in
the present study were given in Table 3. It was
determined that there was very significant and negative
correlation between relative humidity, and egg
production and carbon dioxide. As the values of carbon
dioxide and relative humidity in the poultry houses
increased, egg production decreased. Also, depending
to the increase in the carbon dioxide, ammonia and
hydrogen sulfide in poultry houses, it was observed that
feed conversion ratio become worse. This relation can
be better observed from the graphics of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
A negative correlation between daily feed consumption
and temperature in poultry houses was detected. As the
temperature of poultry house increased, feed
consumption reduced. In addition to, feed conversion
ratio also decreased (Fig. 3). A negative correlation
between temperature and feed consumption was
reported by Xin et al. (1987) and Turkoglu et al. (1997)
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Abstract Introduction: Corona virus disease 2019 infection has now reached a pandemic state, affecting more than a million patients worldwide. Predictors of disease outcomes in these patients need to be urgently assessed to decrease morbidity and societal burden. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been associated with worse outcomes in patients with viral infections. We analyzed the difference of LDH levels in patients with Delta and Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods: Our study includes 60 adult patients, 20 females and 40 males with Covid 19 infection. They were hospitalized and treated in PHO Clinical Hospital Dr. Trifun Panovski Bitola, Macedonia in the period January 2021 to February 2022. We separated patients in two groups – 30 patients (7 females, 23 males) with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and 30 patients (13 females and 17 males) with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Patients with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 were at age 33 – 87 (66,4±14), and patients with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 were in age 17-88 (62,3 ±17,5). Results: We measured levels of LDH in patients with Delta and Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2with Abbot Architect CI4100 analyzer. Mean values of LDH was 309.5 ± 116 in patients with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and 320.41± 159.9 in patients with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 , p=0.763. Females with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 have mean values of LDH 327 ±129, and females with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 have mean values of LDH 314.15±195, p=0.87. Males with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 have mean values of LDH 303 ±111.9, and males with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 have mean values of LDH 319.17±126, p=0.67. Conclusion: We can conclude that patients with Omicron and Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 have increased values of LDH. We did not find the statistical significant differences of LDH in booth groups of patients with Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and patients with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, also we did not find difference between females and males with Delta and Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Keywords: LDH, Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 , Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 , Macedonia
Article
In commercial poultry farming, respiratory diseases cause high morbidities and mortalities, begetting colossal economic losses. Without empirical evidence, early observations led to the supposition that birds in general, and poultry in particular, have weak innate and adaptive pulmonary defences and are therefore highly susceptible to injury by pathogens. Recent findings have, however, shown that birds possess notably efficient pulmonary defences that include: (i) a structurally complex three-tiered airway arrangement with aerodynamically intricate air-flow dynamics that provide efficient filtration of inhaled air; (ii) a specialised airway mucosal lining that comprises air-filtering (ciliated) cells and various resident phagocytic cells such as surface and tissue macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphocytes; (iii) an exceptionally efficient mucociliary escalator system that efficiently removes trapped foreign agents; (iv) phagocytotic atrial and infundibular epithelial cells; (v) phagocytically competent surface macrophages that destroy pathogens and injurious particulates; (vi) pulmonary intravascular macrophages that protect the lung from the vascular side; and (vii) proficiently phagocytic pulmonary extravasated erythrocytes. Additionally, the avian respiratory system rapidly translocates phagocytic cells onto the respiratory surface, ostensibly from the subepithelial space and the circulatory system: the mobilised cells complement the surface macrophages in destroying foreign agents. Further studies are needed to determine whether the posited weak defence of the avian respiratory system is a global avian feature or is exclusive to poultry. This review argues that any inadequacies of pulmonary defences in poultry may have derived from exacting genetic manipulation(s) for traits such as rapid weight gain from efficient conversion of food into meat and eggs and the harsh environmental conditions and severe husbandry operations in modern poultry farming. To reduce pulmonary diseases and their severity, greater effort must be directed at establishment of optimal poultry housing conditions and use of more humane husbandry practices.
Chapter
In the past, chicken meat was very negatively viewed by people. Now, however, very highly nutritious chicken meat is consumed by people from all over the world. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and nutrition are very important in chicken growth, so society should grow and monitor this grass at good conditions. The automatic monitoring system is created to overcome several issues that may arise on the chicken farm. The low‐cost GSM technology is also used to monitor the system and communicate real‐time information back to the researcher. Changes in the environment affect the egg production and feed consumption of the bird. Thus, the PEST system's major function is to supervise and manage the environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, oxygen, methane, and water that exist on the poultry farm. If any changes have occurred in the poultry farms’ environmental condition, the system sends the relevant information to a mobile device like phones through telephone lines, which reduces the human effort and time required. The interactive device has been created using the Arduino Uno microcontroller and various sensors, such as temperature, humidity, gas, and water level sensors. As this system, the design takes on a very efficient way to farm poultry that will result in an increase in production and profit. It is high time to start thinking about solar technologies that can generate electricity. Although this technology is made for the household, this has been successfully used in commercial farms for the energy saving of batteries and the opportunity to sell the power back to the grid.
Book
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The Book is a Text Book for Agricultural Engineering Technology, deals with all aspect of animal production technology, calculations of, needed ventilation, environment, farmstead planning, poultry housing, Cattle barns, sheep, horses, and many more. also deals with storage buildings, silos, feed requirements, spillage , hay harvesting, eggs incubators and slaughtering houses for economical animals. last not least specifications of animal's requirement for good management and ECO systems.
Article
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SUMMARY The performance of 14.7 million commercial layers in 203 different flocks, located throughout the U.S. and representing 11 different White Leghorn strains was recorded and summarized. The records included weekly averages of hen day egg production, egg weight, feed and water consumption, dietary ME, BW, temperature, and mortality from 25 to 60 wk of age. These production characteristics were compared among age groups, strains, and strain groups in which each age group represented a 5-wk increment, and each strain group represented the light, medium, and heavy strains. The distribution of flock-weeks by age group and temperature revealed a similar curve for all age groups; however, in general the younger flocks were kept at lower temperatures. The overall average temperature was 24.3°C and ranged from 15 to 30°C for individual flock weeks. Weekly feed consumption varied from 50.9 to 145.7 g/d and was correlated with BW, which varied from 1.12 to 1.91 kg/bird. Weekly egg production varied from 60.7 to 97.7%, and egg weights varied from 49.8 to 68.1 g/egg. A 7% difference in BW and a 39% difference in BW gain were noted between the heavy and light strain groups. Mortality was highest for the medium weight strain group. Negative correlations were observed between temperature vs. ME intake, hen-day egg production, and BW gain. Similarly, egg weight was negatively correlated to hen-day egg production and BW gain. The data described herein gave an indication of normal performance of commercial laying hens in the U.S. for a 9-yr period, 1992 to 2000, and should prove useful in development and testing of deterministic simulation equations.
Article
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Kocaman, B., Yaganoglu, A.V. and Yanar, M. 2005. Combination of fan ventilation system and spraying of oil-water mixture on the levels of dust and gases in caged layer facilities in Eastern Turkey. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 27: 109–111.To reduce harmful gases such as CO2, NH3 and H2S and dust in caged layer houses in Eastern Turkey, spraying of sunflower oil-water mixture and fan Uentilation were investigated. It is demonstrated that these treatments together may improve air of the caged layer houses.
Article
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Broiler chickens were exposed to 3,000, 6,000 and 12,000 ppm of CO2 for the 4-week brooding period, and their performance was compared to that of controls brooded where the CO2 level did not exceed 1,000 ppm. Exposure to 3,000 and 6,000 ppm did not significantly affect body weights at 4 or 7 weeks, but exposure to 12,000 ppm of CO2 depressed body weight at 4 weeks by about 60 g; the deficiency in weight persisted until 7 weeks of age. Feed conversions were not affected.
Article
The isolators described were developed for rearing and breeding specified pathogen-free fowls on a laboratory scale and for producing controlled environments for experimental purposes. The basic design has proved to be versatile and similar isolators have been constructed for housing other laboratory animals and for use on a commercial scale. They depend for their efficiency on the characteristics of the ventilation system rather than on complete enclosure of the environment and consequently are easier to use and allow higher stocking densities than conventional isolators. Filtered air is blown horizontally and uniformly through the isolator at a velocity which is sufficient to hold any infective particles in suspension and remove them in a few seconds. The risk of infection is reduced further by maintaining a positive pressure in the isolator. Chickens show a markedly accelerated growth rate in these isolators which is due largely to an improvement in the efficiency of food conversion and is associated with a reduction in immunoglobulin synthesis.
Article
Eighty broiler chicks were randomly assigned to each of 12 chambers in a controlled environment building. Anhydrous ammonia gas was introduced into the test chambers from 4–8 weeks of age so treatments consisted of 0, 25 and 50 parts per million (p.p.m.) of NH3. Chicks were vaccinated at 5 weeks of age with a commercial strain of infectious bronchitis dust vaccine. Eight week body weights and feed efficiencies of broilers exposed to ammonia were significantly reduced. At 6 and 8 weeks of age a severe airsacculitis condition was observed in the ammoniated broilers. During the eight week period airborne bacteria were significantly greater in the 25 and 50 p.p.m. NH3 chambers. Ammonia and infectious bronchitis vaccination stress did not affect meat flavor, tenderness or juiciness, but significantly increased condemnations and undergrade carcasses.
Article
Studies have been carried out to ascertain the effects of ammonia on the performance of White Leghorn hens housed in various environments of defined temperature and humidity. At 18° C. and 67 per cent relative humidity, the use of atmospheres containing 105 p.p.m. of ammonia by volume, significantly reduced egg production after 10 weeks' exposure. No effects were observed on egg quality. However voluntary food intake was reduced in ammoniated atmospheres and live-weight gain was lower. No recovery in production occurred when the treated groups were maintained for a further 12 weeks in an atmosphere free of ammonia. When White Leghorn hens were housed at an environmental temperature of 28° C., body weight declined. The decrease in live-weight was greatest at the high ammonia concentration of 102 p.p.m., and was significant after only 1 week's exposure to ammonia. Food intake of the controls was approximately 25 per cent lower at 28° C. than at 18° C., whilst 100 p.p.m. of ammonia further reduced food intake by more than 10 per cent. In one experiment at 28° C., egg production was significantly reduced after 7 weeks' exposure to ammonia. In a subsequent trial, a high protein, vitamin and mineral diet prevented the onset of any deleterious effects of ammonia on egg production, even though food consumption fell to 75 g./bird/day at 290 C, 43 per cent relative humidity and 104 p.p.m. of ammonia. When a diet low in energy level was fed to hens subjected to high concentrations of ammonia, their voluntary food intake did not increase, and their production deteriorated rapidly.
Article
In three incidents, uninoculated turkeys separated from Pasteurella multocida-inoculated turkeys died of fowl cholera; it was inferred that the pathogen was transmitted by aerosol through the circulating air. Uninoculated and inoculated turkeys were separated by a solid partition and wire netting, and were handled separately. Turkeys were inoculated with a highly virulent strain of P. multocida, which induced the pulmonary form of fowl cholera. In four of the five uninoculated turkeys that died, pneumonia was the principal lesion. In two of these turkeys, which were bled one day before death while still alert, the plasma corticosterone concentration had increased markedly.
Article
This article summarizes information from the papers and posters presented at the international symposium on "Dust Control in Animal Production Facilities", held in Aarhus (Denmark) on 30 May-2 June 1999. Dust concentrations in poultry houses vary from 0.02 to 81.33 mg/m3 for inhalable dust and from 0.01 to 6.5 mg/m3 for respirable dust. Houses with caged laying hens showed the lowest dust concentrations, i.e., less than 2 mg/m3, while the dust concentrations in the other housing systems, e.g., perchery and aviary systems, were often four to five times higher. Other factors affecting the dust concentrations are animal category, animal activity, bedding materials and season. The most important sources of dust seem to be the animals and their excrements. Further studies on the effects of housing systems on dust sources and their compounds are desired for development of a healthier working environment in poultry production facilities. Adjustment of the relative humidity (RH) of the air in a broiler house to 75% will have an effect on inhalable dust, but not on respirable dust. A slight immediate effect on the respirable dust was observed after fogging with pure water or water with rapeseed oil. In an aviary system, a 50 to 65% reduction of the inhalable dust concentration was found after spraying water with 10% of oil and pure water, respectively. To obtain a higher dust reducing efficiency, improvement of techniques for application of droplets onto dust sources will be desired.
SPSS for Windows, release 10
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SPSS, 1994. SPSS for Windows, release 10.0, SPSS Inc., USA