Effects of Fermented Puffed Feather Meal on Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Indices,Meat Quality,and Intestinal Microbiota in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented puffed feather meal(FPFM)on growth performance,serum biochemical indices,meat quality,and intestinal microbiota in Arbor Acres(AA)broilers.A single-factor design was adopted,and four treatments were administered with five replicates to 240 one-day-old AA broilers.The control group(group A)received a basal diet,while the experimental groups received a basal diet plus 33%(group B),67%(group C)and 100%(group D)FPFM,respectively.Compared with group A,(1)the average daily gain(ADG)in group C decreased(P<0.05),and the feed conversion ratio(FCR)in group D increased(P<0.05);(2)the level of serum urea nitrogen in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of triglyceride,high density lipoprotein,low density lipoprotein,cholesterol,and glucose contents in group D increased(P<0.05)at day 21;(3)the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group B and the immunoglobulin A in group C increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group D decreased(P<0.05)at day 42;(4)the share force of breast muscle and thigh muscle in group D increased(P<0.05);(5)the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum of group B increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the villus height in group C and D increased(P<0.05)at day 42;(6)the proteobacteria counts in the cecum digesta in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05)at day 21.The basal diet supplemented with 33%FPFM promoted protein metabolism,enhanced immunity and improved meat quality,promoted the digestion and absorption of nutrients,increased intestinal microbial diversity,and improved the content of beneficial bacteria without affecting the growth performance,it was possible to be used as a good substitute for fish meal.

Preliminary Study on Inheritance Pattern of Feather Color in Hybrid Offspring of Texan Pigeon and American Silver King Pigeon

[Objective]This study aimed to explore the inheritance pattem of feather color in hybrid offspring of Texan pigeon and American Silver King pigeon, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of feather color auto-sexing strains. [Method]The segregation situation of feather color in the male and female offspring of Texan pigeon （♂）×American Silver King pigeon （♀）（TKYW） and American Silver King pigeon （♂） ×Texan pigeon （♀） （YWTK） was analyzed. [Result]The feather color of TKYW offspring was all slate gray. Among the offspring of YWTK, the feather color of the males was all slate gray, while the feather color of the females was all silver gray; and the ratio between different colors was 1：1 （P 〉 0.05）. The F1 generation of YWTK was subjected to selfing, and the feather color of the male and female F2 generation was analyzed. It was found that the ratio of silver gray （male） to slate gray （male） to silver gray （female） to slate gray （female） was 1：1：1：1 （P 〉 0.05）. On the basis of the above results, it could be preliminarily predicated that the feather color control genes of Texan pigeon are Z^BZB and Z^BW and those of American Silver King pigeon are Z^bZ^b and Z^bW. There is a cumulative effect on B which is dominant for b. [Conclusion] This study will better solve the problem of male and female identification of pigeon in the early period.

A combined airfoil with secondary feather inspired by the golden eagle and its influences on the aerodynamics

Bird flight is a remarkable adaption that has allowed thousands of species to colonize all terrestrial habitats. A golden eagle has impressive flying abilities, such as hovering, perching, preying and attacking. To reveal the flying abilities, avian geometry of a golden eagle was extracted based on noncontact surface measurements using a ROMBER three-dimensional laser scanner. Distributions of a camber line, thickness and a secondary feather line of the extracted point cloud were fitted using convenient analytical expressions. A traditional airfoil was established with the camber line and thickness, then a combined airfoil was constructed by combining the traditional airfoil with a secondary feather. Oscillations of an airfoil as well as rapid pitch up were simplified as a sine wave around the quarter chord axis. Thereafter, both steady and unsteady aerodynamic performances of the airfoil are computed, the influences of the secondary feather on the steady and unsteady aerodynamics were further studied.

Observation on Ultra-micro Structure of Eggshell and Analysis of Composition of Eggshell and Feather in Great Bustard

Ultra-micro structure of eggshell was observed and compositions of eggshell and feather were analyzed. The results showed that the structure of eggshell has special characters besides common structure. The content of poisonous elements in wild great bustard(Otis talda) eggshell and feather is significant lower than that in eggshell of crested foes(Nipponis nippon) and in feather of red crown crane(Grus japonesis) because of less disturbance by people. The contents of 14 elements of female’s feather all are higher than those of male’s.

The structure,tensile properties and water resistance of hydrolyzed feather keratin-based bioplastics

Feather, as a by-product of the poultry industry, has long been treated as a solid waste, which causes environ- mental and economic problems. In this work, the hydrolyzed feather keratin （HFK） was extracted from the chicken feather using a cost-effective method of alkali-extraction and acid-precipitation by applying urea and sodium sulfide. The aim was development and characterization of the eco-friendly films based on the HFK with variable glycerol contents by a thermoplastic process. The thermal analysis showed that high temperature and high pres- sure improved the compatibility between the glycerol and the HFI（ molecules. Also it was shown that the addi- tion of water is necessary in the hot-pressing process of films, The FT-IR analysis indicated that the formation of the new hydrogen bonds between HFK and glycerol. By increasing the glycerol content, the film tensile strength （orb ） decreases from 10,5 MPa to 5.7 MPa and the solubility increases from 15.3% to 20.9%, while the elongation at break （εb） achieves the maximum value of 63,8% for the film with 35% glycerol. The swelling was just below 16.9% at 25 ℃ for 24 h, suggesting a good stability of the films in water. The water vapor permeability （WVP） varied between 3.02 x 10 ^10g. m 2. s-1 . pa-1 and 4.11 x 10-10g · m-2 · s-1 · Pa-1 for the films with 20%and 40% glycerol, respectively. The HFK film was uniform, translucent and tough, which could be used in packaging and agricultural field.

Age and Gender Dependent Amino Acid Concentrations in the Feather, Feather-Free and Whole Empty Body Protein of Fast Growing Meat-Type Chickens

Two consecutive growth experiments with meat-type chickens (Ross 308) were conducted in order to quantify the age-dependent amino acid (AA) content in the whole body protein of male and female birds based on experimental data of the feather and feather-free body protein fractions. Birds were reared under uniform housing and feeding conditions (floor pens, 15 pens per gender, 5 birds per pen) during the starter (day 1 to 22) and grower period (day 22 to 36). Both the starter and grower diet based on corn, wheat, soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate and feed amino acids was formulated to ensure an equal feed protein quality close to the ideal amino acid ratio by adjusting a constant mixture of the feed proteins. At start of the experiment and further on weekly up to the end of the 5th week, 15 birds per gender (each 3 pens of 5 birds) were selected and fasted for 24 h, to emptying of gastro-intestinal tract, respectively. Subsequently, birds were euthanized and the feathers were manually removed. Nitrogen (N) and AA content were determined both in the feather and feather-free body fraction. The concentration of individual AAs in both of body protein fraction is varying considerably. Explicitly higher Cys, Ser and Pro but importantly lower Met, Lys and His concentrations were found in the feather protein. Furthermore, significant differences (p for nearly all AAs of the studied body protein fractions and the whole empty body protein dependent on age of birds were observed. Especially high deviations were obtained during the first week of age and at the end of the experiment. According to this observed variation of AA concentrations must be concluded that the body AA composition of meat-type chickens during growth is not constant. The detected gender-specific differences for several AAs in the feather and body protein of male and female birds were rather low and with very low variation.

Age and Gender Dependent Nutrient Composition of Feather and Feather-Free Body Fractions in Meat-Type Chickens

The objective of this research was to update current results about the nutrient composition of broiler chickens during the growth period up to market age. Two growth experiments were conducted for assessing the nutrient content of feathers and feather-free body of meat-type chickens (Ross 308). Both male and female birds were reared under uniform management conditions (floor pens;15 pens per gender;5 birds per pen). Experimental diets both for the starter (day 1 to 22) and the grower period (day 22 to 36) were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate and well balanced with feed amino acids. The feed protein quality was adapted to the ideal amino acid ratio and equated within both of the feeding periods by adjusting a constant mixture of the feed proteins. Each 15 birds per gender (3 pens of 5 birds) were selected and subsequently fasted for 24 h before quantitative de-feathering both at start of the experiment and further on weekly up to the end of the 5th week. Nutrient content was determined in representative samples of the feather and feather-free body fraction. In the feather dry matter (DM) very high crude protein (CP) concentrations (>96%) with low age-dependent and insignificant gender-specific differences were observed. In spite, a relatively high variation of CP content in the DM of feather-free body was found. Depending on age, the body CP significantly decreased with increasing age, but male birds yielded higher (p < 0.001) CP content. The crude lipid content of the feather-free and whole empty body significantly increased with age and was higher in female as compared to male birds (p < 0.001). Depending on age and gender, the crude ash content both in feathers and feather-free body of modern fast-growing chickens was rather low and with very low variation.

Selection Progress of Wannan Native Chicken's Fast and Slow Feathering Lines

[Objective]This experiment aimed to establish fast and slow feathering lines from purified and rejuvenated core breeding flock. [Method] Individual and family selection were used for continuous selection from zero to the second generation. [Result]The results showed that in the fast feathering line,the average weight gain was improved by 108. 34 g per generation in roosters at the age of 20 weeks while a 54. 5 g increase was got per generation in hens. Hen housed egg production was increased from 150 to 170 at the age of 66 weeks,and the healthy rate of chicken flock was raised by 0. 7 percent. In the slow feathering line,the average weight gain was increased by 156. 6g per generation in roosters while a 38. 9 g increase was got per generation in hens,and the hen housed egg production was increased from 158 to 179 at the age of 66 weeks. [Conclusion] This research had a great significance in increasing native chicken＇s production performance and developing its market competitiveness.

Physical and Morphological Structure of Chicken Feathers (Keratin Biofiber) in Natural, Chemically and Thermally Modified Forms

Because of the constant challenge to preserve the environment and the search for new materials, a comparative study was carried out using keratin fiber, a fibrous protein, found in the chicken feathers. Five different samples of the feather were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). First in their natural form Keratin Fiber (KF);the second treated with sodium hydroxide (KFNaOH);the third and fourth samples were semi carbonized at 220℃ in an oven without atmospheric control for 24 hours (samples obtained: Clear brown (SCFC) and Dark brown (SCFD));and the fifth sample was carbonized by pyrolysis Carbonized Feathers (CF). The SEM result shows that the KF has a hollow structure, with knots and hooks. The KFNaOH structure presented rougher than that of the KF, but lost their hooks. The SCFC and SCFD presented brittle structures, but preserved the hollow structure of KF;however, it was only noticeable to a magnification of 3000 times. On the other hand, the CF, was shiny, black, and showed a higher amount of porosity with open micro-pores and micro-tubes, preserved the hollow structure of KF than any other samples studied, and also presented well-defined closed micro-tubes. From the XRD analysis of the KF, CF, KFNaOH, SCFC and SCFD, presented semi-crystalline structures, with the following indices of crystallinity, 20.09%, 18.93%, 17.97%, 15.02% and 14.31%, respectively. The CF presented smaller size crystallites, in between the micro- particulates, around 27 nm and the KFNaOH with larger size around 74 nm. From this study it was concluded that micro-porous carbon material from chicken feathers (KF) could be efficiently obtained through pyrolysis.

Leakage of an eagle flight feather and its influence on the aerodynamics

We investigate how the barb of bird feathers is changed along both the rachis and barb.To investigate the microstructures and the mechanical behaviors of barbs,a series of barbs are manually cut from an eagle’s primary feather to observe the cross sections.Aλ-like cross section with a tiny hook is observed at the right feet at each section.Afterwards,a measurement of the setup system is developed to evaluate the leakage ratio of a feather followed by a numerical predicting approach based on the CFD method.It is found that the air leakage increases linearly against the pressure,and the predicted results coincide well with the experimental results.Finally,the influences of leakage of the flight feather on both steady and unsteady aerodynamics are studied.

Effects of rearing system(floor vs.cage)and sex on performance,meat quality and enteric microorganism of yellow feather broilers

This study investigated the effects of floor and cage rearing systems on performance,meat quality,and enteric microorganisms of male and female yellow feather broilers.Two hundred Xueshan chickens(42 days old;100 of each sex)were divided into four groups,according to sex and rearing system(stainless-steel cage or litter floor).Male and cage-reared broilers exhibited better(P<0.001)performance and higher(P≤0.001)eviscerated percentage than female and floor-reared broilers.The interaction between rearing system and sex had an effect(P<0.05)on the percentage of breast and thigh muscles.Female floor-reared broilers presented the highest(P<0.02)percentage of breast and thigh muscles among all the groups.In both sexes,the abdominal fat content in cage-reared broilers was higher(P<0.01)than that in floor-reared broilers.Female cage-reared broilers exhibited better(P<0.05)meat quality of breast muscle than other groups.An analysis of welfare observations indicated that the feather quality of floor-reared broilers was better(P<0.01)than that of cage-reared broilers,whereas the gait scores were not significantly affected(P>0.05)by rearing system.The enteric microbiota assessment by 16 S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing showed that Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,and Bacteroidetes were the most prevalent phyla in both rearing systems,and that the cecum was relatively stable in terms of microbiome composition.Floor-reared broilers exhibited a richer diversity of bacteria in the intestinal tract than cage-reared broilers,while alpha diversity was not significantly different(P>0.05)among the groups.The ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and the abundance of Helicobacter and Romboutsia could potentially affect the production of broilers.These findings indicate that cage rearing improved the production of male Xueshan broilers,which may be due to the difference in enteric microbiota between cage and floor rearing systems.

Micro Hierarchical Structure and Mechanical Property of Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) Feather Shaf

In this study,the real 3D model of the feather shaft that is composed of medulla and cortex is characterized by X-ray computer tomography,and the structural features are quantitatively analyzed.Compression and tensile tests are conducted to evaluate the mechanical performance of the feather shaft and cortex at different regions.The analysis of the 3D model shows that the medulla accounts for∼70%of the shaft volume and exhibits a closed-cell foam-like structure,with a porosity of 59%.The cells in the medulla show dodecahedron and decahedron morphology and have an equivalent diameter of∼30μm.In axial compression,the presence of medulla enhances the shaft stability.Especially,the combined effect of the medulla and cortex increases the buckling strength of the middle and distal shaft by 77%and 141%,respectively,compared to the calculated value of the shaft using linear mixed rule.The tensile properties of the cortex along the shaft axis are anisotropic because of the different fiber structures.As the fiber orientation gradually becomes uniform in the axial direction,the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the cortex on the dorsal gradually increase from calamus to the distal shaft,and the fracture mode changes from tortuous fracture to V-shaped fracture.The cortex on the lateral shows the opposite trend,that is the distal shaft becomes weaker due to fiber tangles.

Measuring the flexibility matrix of an eagle’s flight feather and a method to estimate the stiffness distribution

Flight feathers stand out with extraordinary mechanical properties for flight because they are lightweight but stiff enough.Their elasticity has great effects on the aerodynamics, resulting in aeroelasticity.Our primary task is to figure out the stiffness distribution of the feather to study the aeroelastic effects.The feather shaft is simplified as a beam, and the flexibility matrix of an eagle flight feather is tested.A numerical method is proposed to estimate the stiffness distributions along the shaft length based on an optimal Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno(BFGS) method with global convergence.An analysis of the compressive behavior of the shaft based on the beam model shows a good fit with experimental results.The stiffness distribution of the shaft is finally presented using a 5 th order polynomial.

Screening of Feather Degrading Bacteria and Optimization of Fer-mentation Conditions from Poultry

The purpose of this experiment was to isolate and screen the microorganisms from the soil where chicken feathers were piled for a long time and identify them biologically.Single-factor test and response surface methodology(RSM)analyses were used to explore the optimum conditions for the growth and fermentation of a strain.Screening of bacterial strains from the soil where feathers were piled for a long time was performed,and 12 keratinolytic bacterial strains were isolated.One of these isolates,CH-7,was found to be the most effective feather-degrading strain,which was identified as Lactococcus lactis KU568489.1.The growth situation of feather keratin degrading bacterium analysis results showed that the best degradation effect of CH-7 was found in oxygen,inoculation 5%,initial pH=6.5,fermentation temperature 30℃,speed 220 r·min-1 and fermentation time 36 h,and CH-7 had the highest degradation rate of feather keratin.The optimization analysis of RSM showed that there was more significances of the three factors,32℃,pH 6.3 and amount of inoculum at 5.7%on the degradation of feather keratin.Based on the above results,the feather degrading bacterium,Lactococcus lactis CH-7,was obtained by screening,30℃and pH 5.5-6.5 were the best growth conditions.The oxygen,the amount of inoculum 5.7%,the fermentation temperature,32℃,pH 6.3 and the rotational speed 220 r·min-1 were the best fermentation conditions.Under these conditions,38.48%degradation rate was obtained after 36 h fermentation,which demonstrated the strain CH-7 was potential to the fermented feather meal for feed.

Physiological Study of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia DHHJ in Feather Biodegradation:Structural Remodeling of Cell Surface and Dynamic Change in Kerastinase Activity

Poultry industry produces a vast amount of feather waste annually, which forms a burden for environment protection.However, feathers are valuable bio-resources with high keratinaceous protein content and can be converted into more valuable materials through some approaches such as biodegradation by microorganism-derived keratinases. The characters of keratinases in microorganisms remain largely undetermined. In this study,it is reported that the morphological change of cell surface and the activities of intracellular and extracellular keratinases in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia( S. maltophilia) DHHJ. S. maltophilia DHHJ was cultured on lysogeny broth( LB) and feather broth(FB) through fermenter technology,and ultrastructure of cell and keratinase activity including extracellular and intracellular enzyme were observed respectively. Ultrastructural change on the cell surface was only observed for the bacteria cultured on FB medium,but not on LB,suggesting that the change could be induced by feather keratin. Therefore, the results showed that extracellular keratinase is a kind of induction enzyme while intracellular keratinase is a kind of constitute enzyme in S. maltophilia DHHJ.

Age and Gender Depending Growth of Feathers and Feather-Free Body in Modern Fast Growing Meat-Type Chickens

Two growth experiments with fast growing meat type chickens (Ross 308) were conducted to assess the growth of feathers and feather-free body dependent on age and gender (male:female ratio = 1:1). Birds were reared under uniform management and feeding conditions (floor pens;15 pens per gender;5 birds per pen) during the starter (day 1 to 22) and grower period (day 22 to 36). Diets were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate and balanced with feed amino acids to ensure an equal feed protein quality close to the ideal amino acid ratio by a constant mixture of the feed proteins. At start of the experiment and further on weekly up to the end of the 5th week, 15 birds per gender (each 3 pens of 5 birds) were selected and 24 h fasted before quantitative de-feathering. Both feather and feather free body fractions were significantly increased with increasing age of the birds (p < 0.001). Feather percentage as related to the empty body weight increased non-linearly from approximately 2% at the end of the first week to about 4% at the end of the experiment. Feather percentage and dry matter content of the feather-free body was significantly higher in female birds (p < 0.001) as compared to males. Further investigations will show how this varying proportions impact on nutrient deposition of modern meat-type chickens dependent on age and gender, respectively.

Relationship between White-partridge Feather Trait and SLC45A2 Polymorphism in Wenchang Chicken

[Objective]The paper was to study the inheritance of white-partridge feather trait in Wenchang chicken and identify the related genetic variation,so as to provide references for the utilization of white-partridge population of Wenchang chicken and molecular marker-assisted selection of white-partridge feather trait.[Method]The inheritance of white-partridge feather trait was studied by reciprocal cross test.SLC45A2 was selected as a candidate gene based on the genetic characteristics of white-partridge feather and results of previous researches.The variation in the exon domain of SLC45A2 gene was analyzed by re-sequencing method.The relationship between missense mutation/nonsense mutation in the exon domain and white-partridge feather trait was verified.[Result]Reciprocal cross test showed that white-partridge feather trait was associated recessive inheritance compared with yellow-partridge feather.The amplification results indicated that there were five SNPs in SLC45A2 gene,in which three were located in exon domain,including two missense mutations(c.a74g and c.gll54c)and one synonymous mutation(c.c561t).The missense mutation was verified with Wenchang chicken Bawang chicken,Qingyuan partridge chicken,Xinghua chicken and red jungle fowl as materials.The results demonstrated that c.g1154c locus of SLC45A2 gene was completely linked with white-partridge feather trait.[Conclusion]The trait of white-partridge feathers showed recessive inheritance and c.g1154c locus might be the causation.

Green recycling of chicken feather and sheep wool using the partially purified alkaline protease from <i>Bacillus circulans</i>L.

The previously optimized crude alkaline protease from the haloalkaliphilic Bacillus circulans L. was partially purified using ammonium sulphate fractionation and dialysis. The best specific activity (27.7 U/mg protein) was obtained at 80% saturation. The optimum reaction temperature and reaction pH was 47℃ and 9, respectively. The enzyme activity was enhanced with Ca and K chlorides but suppressed with HgCl2 and EDTA. The partially purified protease showed strong proteolytic activity on sheep wool and chicken feather. Also, the enzyme was compatible with the common detergent Tide and could improve its cleaning power in removing blood stain. These findings support the application of the present alka-line protease in biotechnological industries.

Effects of Small Peptide Chelated Copper,Iron,Manganese and Zinc on Growth Performance,Chicken Quality and Antioxidant Capacity of Yellow Feather Broilers

[Objective]The paper was to study effects of small peptide chelated trace elements(copper,iron,zinc and manganese)on growth performance,chicken quality and antioxidant capacity of rapid yellow feather broilers.[Method]Three hundred one-day-old yellow feather broilers with similar body weight were selected and randomly divided into three treatments:inorganic trace element group(basal diet+inorganic trace elements),organic trace element group(basal diet+small peptide chelated trace elements)and compound group(basal diet+50%inorganic trace elements+50%small peptide chelated trace elements).There were 10 replicates per treatment and 10 chickens per replicate.The trial lasted for 63 d.[Result]①Compared to inorganic trace element group,average daily gain(ADG)of yellow feather broilers in organic trace element group was significantly increased over the whole period(P<0.05).②There was no significant difference in slaughter performance and immune organ indices among the three test groups(P>0.05).③There was no significant difference in breast muscle pH,chicken color,drip loss,and shear force among the three groups(P>0.05),but cooking loss of chicken breast in inorganic trace element group was 27.46%and 22.53%higher than those in organic trace element group and compound group,respectively(P<0.05).④MDA content in serum in organic trace element group was 15.61%lower than that in inorganic trace element group(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Complete substitution of inorganic copper,iron,zinc and manganese by small peptide chelated copper,iron,zinc,and manganese significantly increases ADG of broilers,improves quality of chicken breast,and enhances antioxidant capacity.

Anhui Wanxi Feather & Down Corporation

The Anhui Wanxi Feather & DownCorporation is situated in Luan City, AnhuiProvince, with an area of 66,670 sqm, includingconstruction area of 18,000 sqm. It has fixedassets of RMB50 million, floating capital of 7million. The main production equipment includetwo feather & down production lines importedfrom Germany, with an annual capacity of 2,000-ton standard feather or 500-ton watered down. The Feather & Down Products Factoryunder its administration has 150 electric high-speed sewing machines and some specialequipment, with an annual capacity of 200,000pieces.