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Dominguez D, Hofstetter D, Buiatte V, Paret M, Dunn P, Lorenzoni AG. Effect of Hardwood Dust and Ammonia Gas on the Respiratory Integrity of Broiler Chickens. Avian Dis 2023; 67:237-244. [PMID: 39126410 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-22-00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Dust and ammonia gas (NH3) are two of the most abundant pollutants suspended in the air of poultry houses. Chronic inhalation of poultry dust and NH3 causes damage to the airways and reduces performance in broilers. Poultry dust is a mixture of organic and inorganic matter from feed, bedding material, manure, feathers, skin debris, and microorganisms. Thus, the composition and concentration of poultry dust vary among farms. This study proposes a model to assess the individual effect of a defined fraction of poultry dust derived from bedding material (wood dust) and its effects, alone or combined with NH3, on the performance and respiratory integrity of broilers. Ninety-six, 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into groups of 24 and placed into four controlled environment chambers to continuously receive one of four treatments: 1) negative control; 2) exposure to airborne red oak wood dust at a concentration of 7.5 × 106 particles/m3 (particulate matter5.0); 3) exposure to 50 parts per million (ppm) of NH3; and 4) exposure to airborne red oak wood dust and 50 ppm of NH3. On day 43, all birds were weighed and euthanized. Performance data were recorded. Tissue samples were collected from six birds per treatment. Histologic evaluations of the nasal turbinates, trachea, and lungs were conducted. Histologic lesion scores (0 to 3) were assigned, and tracheal mucosal thickness was measured. No significant differences among treatments were found in body weight (P = 0.066), tracheal mucosal thickness (P = 0.593), or tracheal lesion score (P = 0.07). The average nasal turbinate lesion scores were higher in the wood and wood + ammonia treatments compared with the control (P = 0.015). The lung lesion scores were higher (P = 0.004) in all treatment groups compared with the control. In conclusion, chronic exposure to red oak wood dust, alone or in combination with NH3, induced important inflammatory damage to portions of the respiratory system of broilers; however, no significant effects on performance were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Dominguez
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Richmond, VA 23219
| | - Daniel Hofstetter
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Vinicius Buiatte
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Michelle Paret
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Patricia Dunn
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Alberto Gino Lorenzoni
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802,
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Automatically Controlled Dust Generation System Using Arduino. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22124574. [PMID: 35746354 PMCID: PMC9230089 DOI: 10.3390/s22124574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A dust generator was developed to disperse and maintain a desired concentration of airborne dust in a controlled environment chamber to study poultry physiological response to sustained elevated levels of particulate matter. The goal was to maintain an indicated PM10 concentration of 50 µg/m3 of airborne dust in a 3.7 m × 4.3 m × 2.4 m (12 ft × 14 ft × 8 ft) controlled environment chamber. The chamber had a 1.5 m3/s (3200 cfm) filtered recirculation air handling system that regulated indoor temperature levels and a 0.06 m3/s (130 cfm) exhaust fan that exchanged indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Dry powdered red oak wood dust that passed through an 80-mesh screen cloth was used for the experiment. The dust generator metered dust from a rectangular feed hopper with a flat bottom belt to a 0.02 m3/s (46 cfm) centrifugal blower. A vibratory motor attached to the hopper ran only when the belt was operated to prevent bridging of powdered materials and to provide an even material feed rate. A laser particle counter was used to measure the concentration of airborne dust and provided feedback to an Arduino-based control system that operated the dust generator. The dust generator was operated using a duty cycle of one second on for every five seconds off to allow time for dispersed dust to mix with chamber air and reach the laser particle counter. The control system maintained an airborne PM10 dust concentration of 54.92 ± 6.42 µg/m3 in the controlled environment chamber during six weeks of continuous operation using red oak wood dust. An advantage of the automatically controlled dust generator was that it continued to operate to reach the setpoint concentration in response to changes in material flow due to humidity, partial blockages, and non-uniform composition of the material being dispersed. Challenges included dust being trapped by the recirculation filter and the exhaust fan removing airborne dust from the environmental chamber.
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Homidan AA, Robertson J, Petchey A. Review of the effect of ammonia and dust concentrations on broiler performance. WORLD POULTRY SCI J 2019. [DOI: 10.1079/wps20030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Al Homidan
- College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production and Breeding, King Saud University, Buriedah PO Box 1482, Saudi Arabia
| | - J.F. Robertson
- School of Biological Science, University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Building, Aberdeen AB24 5UA
| | - A.M. Petchey
- Engineering and Mechanisation Unit, SAC, Craibstone, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Liebers CJ, Schwarzer A, Erhard M, Schmidt P, Louton H. The influence of environmental enrichment and stocking density on the plumage and health conditions of laying hen pullets. Poult Sci 2019; 98:2474-2488. [PMID: 30715510 PMCID: PMC6527515 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the effects of environmental enrichment, stocking density, and microclimate on feather condition, skin injuries, and other health parameters were investigated. During 2 rearing periods (RP), non-beak-trimmed Lohmann Brown hybrid pullets were housed in an aviary system for rearing with cages and from week 5 of age onwards with access to a litter area. All pullets were reared in the same barn and under practical conditions. In total, 9,187 (RP 1) and 9,090 (RP 2) pullets were distributed in 9 units, and each unit was assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups (EG). In the control group (EG 1), the pullets were kept without environmental enrichment and at a commonly used stocking density (22 to 23 pullets per m²). Each unit of the 2 treatment groups was provided with 3 types of environmental enrichment simultaneously (pecking stones, pecking blocks, and lucerne bales), and the pullets were kept at a lower than usual (18 pullets per m²) (EG 2) or commonly used stocking density (EG 3). In each RP, the plumage condition, injuries and health of the pullets, and the microclimate of the housing system were examined 5 times. The statistical relationships of enrichment, stocking density, and microclimate with animal health were estimated via regression models. We found that the provision of environmental enrichment had a significant increasing effect on the plumage quality in week 17. Furthermore, significant relationships were found between several predictors (temperature in the housing system, dust concentration, and age of the pullets) and response variables (plumage condition, body injuries, head injuries, bodyweight, difference to the target weight and uniformity). The results of this study showed that increasing temperature in the housing system and increasing age of the pullets are significantly associated with the occurrence of feather damage and skin injuries during rearing. With stocking densities as high as we used (all > 17 pullets per m²), no significant positive effect of a reduced stocking density could be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Liebers
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Schwarzer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Erhard
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Schmidt
- Statistical Consulting for Science and Research, Zimmerstr. 10, 76327 Pfinztal, Germany
| | - Helen Louton
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstrasse 13/R, 80539 Munich, Germany
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Al-Homidan I, Fathi M, Al-Shumaymiri A. Chopped palm leaves as an acceptable bedding material for broiler production. J APPL POULTRY RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3382/japr/pfx040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Torok VA, Hughes RJ, Ophel-Keller K, Ali M, Macalpine R. Influence of different litter materials on cecal microbiota colonization in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 2010; 88:2474-81. [PMID: 19903943 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2008-00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A chicken growth study was conducted to determine if litter type influenced gut microbiota and performance in broilers. Seven bedding materials were investigated and included soft and hardwood sawdust, softwood shavings, shredded paper, chopped straw, rice hulls, and reused softwood shavings. Microbial profiling was done to investigate changes in cecal bacterial communities associated with litter material and age. Cecal microbiota were investigated at 14 and 28 d of age (n = 12 birds/litter material). At both ages, the cecal microbiota of chickens raised on reused litter was significantly (P < 0.05) different from that of chickens raised on any of the other litter materials, except softwood shavings at d 28. Cecal microbiota was also significantly different between birds raised on shredded paper and rice hulls at both ages. Age had a significant influence on cecal microbiota composition regardless of litter material. Similarity in cecal microbial communities among birds raised on the same litter treatment was greater at 28 d of age (29 to 40%) than at 14 d of age (25 to 32%). Bird performance on the different litter materials was measured by feed conversion ratio, live weight, and feed intake. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were detected in live weight at 14 d of age and feed intake at 14 and 28 d of age among birds (n = 160/treatment) raised on some of the different litter materials. However, no significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in feed conversion ratio among birds raised on any of the 7 different litter materials at either 14 or 28 d of age. The type of litter material can influence colonization and development of cecal microbiota in chickens. Litter-induced changes in the gut microbiota may be partially responsible for some of the significant differences observed in early rates of growth; therefore, litter choice may have an important role in poultry gut health particularly in the absence of in-feed antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Torok
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Plant and Soil Health, Urrbrae 5064, South Australia, Australia.
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Cambra-López M, Aarnink AJA, Zhao Y, Calvet S, Torres AG. Airborne particulate matter from livestock production systems: a review of an air pollution problem. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2010; 158:1-17. [PMID: 19656601 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Revised: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/12/2009] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Livestock housing is an important source of emissions of particulate matter (PM). High concentrations of PM can threaten the environment, as well as the health and welfare of humans and animals. Particulate matter in livestock houses is mainly coarse, primary in origin, and organic; it can adsorb and contain gases, odorous compounds, and micro-organisms, which can enhance its biological effect. Levels of PM in livestock houses are high, influenced by kind of housing and feeding, animal type, and environmental factors. Improved knowledge on particle morphology, primarily size, composition, levels, and the factors influencing these can be useful to identify and quantify sources of PM more accurately, to evaluate their effects, and to propose adequate abatement strategies in livestock houses. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of PM in and from livestock production systems. Future research to characterize and control PM in livestock houses is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cambra-López
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s.n., 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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Carey J, Lacey R, Mukhtar S. A Review of Literature Concerning Odors, Ammonia, and Dust from Broiler Production Facilities: 2. Flock and House Management Factors. J APPL POULTRY RES 2004. [DOI: 10.1093/japr/13.3.509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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