Photoperiodic effects on performance and leg abnormalities in broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to examine the impact of changing photoperiod length on the performance of chicken broilers. Effect of long, constant (23-h) photoperiod length (23H) was compared with treatments where photoperiod increased from 6 to 23 h abruptly after 21 days (6H) or gradually during the experiment (INC). The 6H program was used in all three experiments, whereas the INC treatment was included only in Experiment 3. Differences between total body weight gains of birds in the 6H and 23H treatments were inconsistent and small in the three experiments. In Experiment 3, there were no differences between total body weight gains for INC, 6H, and 23H treatments. Feed-to-gain ratios for 6H broilers were significantly superior to those for birds on the 23H treatment for Days 0 to 21 (all experiments), Days 21 to 42 and Days 0 to 42 (Experiment 2), and inferior for Days 21 to 42 (Experiment 3). The INC treatment was significantly superior to the 23H program for all time periods and to 6H birds for Days 21 to 42 and Days 0 to 42. The 6H treatment significantly reduced the incidence of leg abnormalities in comparison with the 23H program in all experiments; the INC and 6H treatments were equal in incidence in Experiment 3. When data from the three experiments were combined, mortality due to sudden death syndrome and other causes for the 6H treatment was significantly lower than that of the 23H program; values for the 6H and INC treatments were not different in Experiment 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epizootiology and pathology of avian tuberculosis in chickens in Saskatchewan

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Cecal and hepatic granulomas in chickens associated with Heterakis gallinarum infection

Heterakis gallinarum infection was detected in the ceca of chickens with cecal and hepatic granulomas found at slaughter. The chickens were diagnostic submissions from four small backyard flocks in Saskatchewan. Detailed dissection of some cecal granulomas in one flock and pepsin digestion of cecal granulomas in the three other flocks demonstrated the presence of the parasite within granulomas in three of the flocks. A possible causal relationship between Heterakis gallinarum and the cecal and hepatic granulomas is discussed.

A study of breeder vaccination programs and problems in the broiler progeny in Saskatchewan utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

A survey of antibodies against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and reovirus (RV) was conducted in broiler-breeder flocks and selected progeny broiler flocks utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Marked differences in antibody titers between different breeder flocks were related to differences in vaccination programs. Poor performance in some progeny broiler flocks was related to low antibody titers against IBDV in the source breeder flocks. Progeny broiler flocks in which there was a high incidence of condemnations for airsacculitis had elevated antibody titers against IBV. A few progeny broiler flocks that experienced high mortality due to gangrenous dermatitis had no antibody titers against IBDV at processing. Antibody titers against RV were very variable and could not be related to any production problems.

The influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus on tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens

The incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens were increased by feeding rations containing high levels of phosphorus relative to the level of calcium. Tibial dyschondroplasia was not eliminated by feeding a ration containing 1.5% calcium and 0.5% available phosphorus. Before typical dyschondroplasia developed, chickens fed a high level of phosphorus had uniformly thickened growth plates at 2 weeks of age. The majority of this thickening was due to an increase in the zone of proliferation, identical to that which occurs in calcium-deficiency rickets.

A papova-like virus infection of splendid parakeets (Neophema splendida)

The lesions associated with a papova-like virus infection in two splendid parakeets (Neophema splendida) are described. The most obvious microscopic lesion in both birds was enlargement of renal medullary collecting-duct epithelial cells. The nuclei of these cells were also enlarged, pleomorphic, and often bizarre, and intranuclear and intracytoplasmic virus-like particles (48 nm in diameter) were demonstrated within them. One bird also had a hepatopathy characterized by hepatocyte enlargement and nuclear pleomorphism.

Chronic rhinitis and sinusitis in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

The microscopic lesions in the nasal cavity, nasal bones, and infraorbital sinuses of five budgerigars with chronic upper respiratory tract infection are described. All five had chronic inflammation of the lining of the air spaces within the bones surrounding the nares and infraorbital sinuses.

Intranuclear inclusion bodies in finches

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Cryptosporidiosis in the respiratory tract of turkeys in Saskatchewan

Developmental stages of Cryptosporidium sp. (Protozoa: Cryptosporiidae) were observed in tracheal epithelium of two groups of turkey poults from a farm in central Saskatchewan. Lesions associated with the parasite included excess mucus, epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia and necrosis, and macrophage and heterophil infiltration in thickened lamina propria. Infection with the parasite was confirmed by histologic and ultrastructural examination of tracheal tissues.

A study of cartilaginous nodules in the lungs of domestic poultry

A high incidence of cartilaginous nodules was found in the lungs of broiler chickens. The incidence was higher in broilers fed ad libitum than in broilers fed a restricted amount of food. A much lower incidence of nodules was found in leghorn-type chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. It was theorized that the nodules may develop from embolic chondrocytes arising from abnormal cartilage, but no correlation could be found between lesions in the cartilage of the broilers and the presence of nodules in their lungs.

An epizootiological study of acute death syndrome and leg weakness in broiler chickens in western Canada

In a survey of 51 broiler chicken flocks, the incidence of chickens dying from acute death syndrome and of those with skeletal deformities varied from 0.71 to 4.07% and from 0.46 to 4.08% among the flocks, respectively. The average incidence of those with skeletal deformities was 1.72%; 1.10% were culled in the field, and 0.62% were condemned or downgraded as carcasses. The major types of skeletal deformities were valgus deformation of the intertarsal joint (70%), varus deformation of the intertarsal joint (9%), tibial rotation (7%), and spondylolisthesis (14%). The strain and source of chickens and the management and nutritional practices were recorded for each flock. Statistical analyses were conducted in an attempt to identify factors that might correlate with the incidence of either chickens dying from acute death syndrome or those with skeletal deformities. Results of these analyses are discussed.

Infectious stunting and pancreatic fibrosis in broiler chickens in Saskatchewan

Two broiler flocks contained 0.5 and 3% small chickens. The small chickens were approximately one-third the size of their penmates, were very active, and retained much of their chick down. They had distended abdomens with full intestinal tracts, often containing undigested feed. In many, the pancreases were thin, white, and firm because of loss of exocrine tissue and replacement by fibrous tissue. Many had skeletal changes suggestive of rickets. In a survey of 48 broiler flocks for small birds and pancreatic lesions, five flocks had a noticeable incidence of small chickens, varying from less than 1% to a maximum of 2%. In 33 of the flocks surveyed, a low incidence of pancreatic lesions was found in birds at the processing plant. No correlation was found between a noticeable number of small birds at the farm and pancreatic lesions found at processing.

Viral hepatitis in domestic geese in Saskatchewan

Up to 25% mortality occurred in goslings between 8 and 28 days of age in three sequential hatches from a closed breeder flock on a single farm. The birds died suddenly with minor ascites, subcutaneous and myocardial hemorrhages, and pale, mottled livers with petechial hemorrhages. Liver necrosis associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies was seen on histology. Virus particles were found on examination of the inclusion bodies with an electron microscope. Liver homogenates caused variable mortality 7 to 17 days postinoculation in goose embryos, some of which had hepatic necrosis and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Experimental goslings inoculated with material from these infected embryos died from hepatitis.

Toxicity of dimetridazole in waterfowl

Dimetridazole at a concentration of 1.0 g/l in drinking water caused mortality in both ducklings and goslings. When given to goslings at a concentration of 0.5 g/l, the drug caused growth depression and nervous signs characterized by excess activity, abnormal head attitudes, and ataxia.

Dietary level of fat, calcium, and vitamins A and D3 as contributory factors to rickets in poults

Two experiments were conducted on dietary predisposition to rickets in poults. The first experiment compared fat type (corn oil or tallow), level of added fat (3.5 or 7%), vitamin D3 (900 or 2,400 IU/kg feed), and total calcium (.6, 1.2, or 3%) inclusion in the diet. Poults fed diets supplemented with corn oil had higher percentage tibia ash than poults fed tallow-supplemented diets. Vitamin D3 included at 2,400 IU/kg feed increased body weights significantly by 2 and 4 weeks of age and lowered plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) at 2 and 4 weeks compared with diets containing 900 IU/kg feed. Tibia ash was significantly greater with the higher vitamin D3 supplementation at 2 weeks. At 2 weeks of age both low (.6%) and high (3%) levels of dietary calcium increased plasma AP, decreased tibia ash, and decreased body weight compared with diets containing 1.2% calcium. By 4 weeks of age, diets containing 1.2 and 3% calcium had no significant effects on body weight and plasma AP; however, tibia ash was significantly greater with these levels than with the .6% calcium diets. The second experiment compared level of dietary tallow inclusion (2.5 or 7%) and supplementary vitamin A (4,000, 16,000, or 44,000 IU/kg feed). The high tallow diets decreased tibia ash at 3 weeks, and the maximum supplementation of vitamin A significantly depressed body weight. Clinical rickets were first noted at 18 days of age. By 26 days of age the higher level of dietary fat and the highest level of vitamin A caused a significant increase in severity of rickets. The results suggested that rickets can be induced by high dietary levels of tallow and vitamin A.