Emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8)clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in grebes in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia,China,in 2021

Highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI)subtype H5Nx viruses have spread globally and are a major concern for poultry,wild birds,mammals,and even humans(de Vries et al.2015;Zeng et al.2022).The hemagglutinin(HA)genes of H5 subtype viruses have evolved into multiple clades and some of these clades have been further divided into subclades(Cui et al.2022).Clade 2.3.4.4H5N8 HPAI viruses(HPAIVs)have caused several waves of disease outbreaks in wild birds and domestic poultry(Wang et al.2022).

Comparative analysis of the microbiome of sympatric wintering Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil at Shengjin Lake of China reveals potential public risk to human health

The gut microbiota of migratory waterbirds is affected by various complex factors,including cross-species transmission,which increases the risk of pathogen spreading among sympatric animals and poses a potential public health risk to humans.In this study,we investigated the microbial communities of wintering Bean Geese(Anser fabalis),Domestic Ducks(A.platyrhynchos domesticus),humans,and soil using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene region in Shengjin Lake,China.In total,6,046,677 clean reads were obtained,representing 41,119 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)across the four groups.The dominant microbial phyla were the Proteobacteria,Firmicutes,Bacteroidota,and Actinobacteriota.The Sorensen similarity index and alpha and beta diversity results showed that the gut microbial communities of Bean Geese and Domestic Ducks were more similar to those of the other pairs.Network analysis revealed that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,Pseudomonas fragi,and Bradyrhizobium elkanii were hubs of the three major modules.Fourteen common microbiomes were iden-tified in Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil in Shengjin Lake.A total of 96 potential pathogens were identified among the four groups,with 20 specific potentially pathogenic microbiomes found in the gut of Bean Geese.Some of these pathogens are responsible for significant financial losses in the poultry industry and pose risks to human health.Klebsiella pneumoniae,Morganella morganii,Escherichia coli,and Ralstonia insidiosa are potential core pathogens found in the four groups at Shengjin Lake that can cause diseases in humans and an-imals and facilitate cross-species transmission through various media.Therefore,humans are at risk of con-tracting these pathogens from migratory birds because of their frequent contact with domestic poultry.However,further studies are required to explore the potential pathogenic species and transmission pathways among sympatric wintering Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil.

Recent advances in essential oils and their nanoformulations for poultry feed

Antibiotics in poultry feed to boost growth performance are becoming increasingly contentious due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance development.Essential oils(EOs),as natural,plant-derived compounds,have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.EOs may potentially improve poultry health and growth performance when included in poultry feed.Nevertheless,the incorporation of EOs as nutritional additives is hindered by their high volatility,low water solubility,poor intestinal absorption,and sensitivity to environmental conditions.Recently,nanoencapsulation strategies using nanoformulations have emerged as a potential solution to these challenges,improving the stability and bioavailability of EOs,and enabling targeted delivery in poultry feed.This review provides an overview of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of EOs,the current limitations of their applications in poultry feed,and the recent advancements in nano-engineering to overcome these limitations.Furthermore,we outline the potential future research direction on EO nanoformulations,emphasizing their promising role in advancing sustainable poultry nutrition.

Does the provision of live black soldier fly and yellow mealworm larvae improve Muscovy duck welfare?

Background The provision of environmental enrichments to Muscovy ducks could reduce the expression of the aggressive behaviors.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly(BSF)and yellow mealworm(YM)live larva provision on Muscovy duck performance,excreta corticosterone metabolites(ECM),behavior,and blood parameters.Methods A total of 1263-day-old female Muscovy ducklings were allotted to 18 pens(6 replicates/treatment,7 birds/pen)and assigned to 3 experimental treatments:a control group fed commercial feed,and two experimental treatments fed commercial feed plus the 5%(based on the expected daily feed intake,as fed basis)of BSF and YM live larvae(BSF and YM groups,respectively).A two-phase feeding program was applied:starter(from 3 to 31 days of age)and grower-finisher(from 32 to 55 days of age).The live weight,average daily gain,average daily feed intake,and feed conversion ratio were calculated.Larva consumption times were collected,and video recordings were performed during 3 periods(P)each day:the hour before(P1),during(P2),and after(P3)the larva administration.ECM were evaluated at 3,31,and 55-day-old.Finally,the total red and white blood cell counts,serum proteins,lipids,and liver and renal function serum enzymes were evaluated on 12 birds/treatment.Results The experimental treatment did not affect the growth performance of the birds(P>0.05).Larva consumption times were always similar between the two insect species,except at 14–18 days of age,were BSF larvae were consumed faster than YM larvae(P<0.001).The birds showed less walking activity during P2,and preening behavior increased in YM birds during P3.The C birds increased the attack behavior over the weeks(P<0.05).During weeks 1–3 the YM group reduced the attack frequency(P1>P3;P<0.05).Finally,the provision of live BSF and YM larvae significantly reduced the ECM at 55 days of age and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio(P<0.05).Conclusions Live BSF and YM larva supplementation in Muscovy duck improves duck welfare,without impairing birds'growth performance.

DNA methylation in poultry:a review

As an important epigenetic modification,DNA methylation is involved in many biological processes such as animal cell differentiation,embryonic development,genomic imprinting and sex chromosome inactivation.As DNA methylation sequencing becomes more sophisticated,it becomes possible to use it to solve more zoological problems.This paper reviews the characteristics of DNA methylation,with emphasis on the research and application of DNA methylation in poultry.

Inactivated H9N2 vaccines developed with early strains do not protect against recent H9N2 viruses:Call for a change in H9N2 control policy

H9N2 virus has been widely distributed in wild birds and poultry around the world since its first emergence in the United States of America in 1966(Gu et al.2017;Carnaccini and Perez 2020).The virus appeared in chickens in China in the early 1990s,and over the last two decades has gradually become the dominant epidemic subtype(Sun and Liu 2015;Bi et al.2020).Although H9N2 virus infection alone cannot cause severe disease or death in poultry,H9N2 virus-infected birds experience a degree of egg production drop and can be easily infected by other pathogens,thus causing economic losses for poultry industry.

Exploration on the Integration of Curriculum Ideological and Political Concept into the Teaching Design of"Culinary Raw Materials":A Case Study of Livestock and Poultry Raw Materials

Comprehensively promoting curriculum ideological and political education is a strategic measure to implement the fundamental task of establishing moral integrity and educating people.Culinary raw materials is the core curriculum of culinary majors,which is rich in ideological and political elements.In this study,taking livestock and poultry raw materials as an example,the teaching design of integrating curriculum ideological and political education into culinary raw materials were investigated by sorting out its teaching contents and excavating its ideological and political elements.Taking livestock and poultry raw materials in Teochew Cuisine Raw Materials as an example,the teaching design of curriculum ideological and political education was conducted,aiming to provide some reference and guidance for curriculum ideological and political education of the curriculum.

Effect of Biochar Type and Bradyrhizobium japonicum Seed Inoculation on Soybean Growth, Nodulation and Yield in a Tropical Ferric Acrisol

In tropical environments, most soybean growth studies have utilized rice husk biochar (RHB) in soil, even though it is low in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. This may not give short-term agronomic performance relative to enriched biochar. Moreover, the impact of inoculating soybean seeds with atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum on nodulation and grain yield has produced inconclusive findings in the literature. This research therefore aims to assess the effect of poultry manure (PM), poultry manure biochar (PMB) and RHB alone and in combinations on grain yield, dry shoot and root biomass of soybeans in the semi-deciduous agro-ecological zone. In addition, the effect of B. japonicum inoculated and non-inoculated soybean seeds on nodulation and grain yield was also investigated. The treatments followed a split plot design studying inoculation and non-inoculation, soil amendments (eight), and control subplot factors, respectively. The results show that the amendment of a ferric acrisol with 4 Mg∙ha−1 PM, 10 Mg∙ha−1 RHB + 2 Mg∙ha−1 PM, and 5 Mg∙ha−1 RHB + 4 Mg∙ha−1 PMB with B. japonicum inoculated seed produced significantly greater grain yield (p = 0.05). PM treatment had a significant (p B. japonicum-inoculated soybean seeds significantly (p = 0.014) increased soybean nodulation. This study suggests that RHB combined with PM or PMB provides a beneficial source of N, P, and K, resulting in improved soybean yield and nodulation in a tropical ferric acrisol.

The Transport and Persistence of Escherichia coli in Leachate from Poultry Litter Amended Soils

Fecal coliform bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) are one of the main sources of groundwater pollution. An assessment of the transport and Persistence of E. coli in poultry litter amended Decatur silty Clay soil and Hartsells Sandy soil was conducted using soil columns and simulated groundwater leaching. Enumeration of initial E. coli was determined to range from 2.851 × 103 to 3.044 × 103 CFU per gram of soil. These results have been used in a batch study to determine the persistence rate of E. coli in Decatur silty Clay soil and Hartsells Sandy soil. Results prove that E. coli survival growth rate increases for clay soil later than and at a higher rate than sandy soil. The column study has determined that E. coli was transported at a rate of 3.7 × 106 CFU for Decatur silty loam and 6.3 × 106 CFU for Hartsells sandy per gram of soil. Further, linear regression analysis predictions show higher porosity and soil moisture content affect transport, and Hartsells sandy soil has higher transport of E. coli due to its higher porosity and lower volumetric water content.

Identification of Microorganisms in Poultry Farms in N’djamena and the Border Areas of Hadjer-Lamis and Chari-Baguirmi Chad

Introduction: On the outskirts of Ndjamena, semi-industrial poultry farming and traditional poultry farming are practised informally on almost all poultry farms in Chad. This type of poultry farming is faced with real health problems attributable to a lack of monitoring of the vaccination schedule, inadequate compliance with biosecurity measures and poor application of the Ichikawa rule based on the 5 M’s. Objective: The aim of this article is to identify the microorganisms responsible for contamination of poultry farms in the study area. Method: The study was carried out from 28/04/2022 to 31/01/2023 on the basis of 300 samples taken from feed, drinking water, droppings and scrapings from poultry housing surfaces in the 30 farms that served as a framework for our research. Sampling was of the simple random type, and farms were selected on the basis of the farmers’ consent. The data were recorded on pre-established survey forms. Our study was cross-sectional, descriptive and prospective. Bacteria were isolated using the reference method NF EN ISO 6579 for Salmonella spp. and cultured on the specific medium eosin methylene blue (EMB) for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Citrobacter freundii. Results: The following results emerged from this study: Escherichia coli (5.33%), Pseudomonas (1.33%), Citrobacter freundii (12%) and Salmonella paratyphi (21.68%). Conclusion: Of the 300 samples analysed, 121 (40.33%) were contaminated with pathogens. This high level of contamination is a health problem. The study shows that biosecurity is less satisfactory on the farms visited. Nevertheless, farms with a very satisfactory level of biosafety ensure food safety and variety for the population.

Experimental Study of a Solar Thermal Incubator Using a Phase-Change Material for Off-Grid Use

The aim of this study was to provide a simple, easy-to-use incubation system for small-scale rural poultry farmers far from the electricity grid. To this end, a naturally ventilated solar thermal incubator was built and experimentally tested. A U-shaped evacuated tube collector and a wooden crate holding 50 eggs were used to build the solar thermal incubator. Water was used as the heat transfer fluid, and an EPCM was integrated into the incubation chamber for operation at night or when the sun was hidden. The heat generated by the solar collector and stored in the heat transfer fluid is transported to the incubation chamber by thermosiphon to heat the chamber. Temperature and humidity probes powered by a solar panel were placed at various locations to monitor the thermo-hygrometric efficiency of the incubation system. The incubator, heated by natural convection, proved to function normally, and the incubation chamber was maintained throughout the incubation period within a temperature range of 35.53˚C to 39.53˚C and relative humidity averaging 49.4% to 68.5%. The experiment was carried out by introducing 30 eggs and the results of the experimental study showed that the incubator’s efficiency was 87%. The performance tests gave a fertility rate of 93% and a hatching rate of 93%, i.e. 28 fertile eggs and 26 hatched eggs, respectively.

Biological function of resveratrol and its application in animal production:a review

With the prohibition of antibiotics in feed,plant functional substances have been widely studied as feed additives.Resveratrol,a natural stilbene,and a non-flavonoid polyphenol found in plants,possesses antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and metabolic regulatory features.Resveratrol generated intense scientific and public interest,primarily due to its widely reported ability to prevent cancer,delay aging and alleviate related metabolic diseases.Recently,resveratrol has been studied and applied as a feed additive in animal production.This review focuses on the outline of the absorption and metabolism and biological functions of resveratrol and summarizes the application of dietary resveratrol in animal production up to the present,including pigs,poultry,and ruminants.In pigs,dietary resveratrol improved intestinal health,mitochondrial function,meat quality,and more.In poultry,studies have shown that dietary resveratrol improves growth performance and meat and egg quality and alleviates heat stress induced adverse effects.There are few studies on dietary resveratrol in ruminants;however previous studies have indicated that dietary resveratrol increases nutrient digestibility and reduces methane emissions in sheep.It is hoped that this review could provide a specific theoretical basis and research ideas for the research and application of resveratrol.

The dual antimicrobial and immunomodulatory roles of host defense peptides and their applications in animal production

Host defense peptides(HDPs)are small molecules with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against infectious bacteria,viruses,and fungi.Increasing evidence suggests that HDPs can also indirectly protect hosts by modulating their immune responses.Due to these dual roles,HDPs have been considered one of the most promising antibiotic substitutes to improve growth performance,intestinal health,and immunity in farm animals.This review describes the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory roles of host defense peptides and their recent applications in animal production.

Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Pollution Reshaped the Relationship Between Water Supply and Demand in the Huaihe River Watershed, China

As total nitrogen(TN)and total phosphorus(TP)pollution is the main source of water pollution in the Huaihe River watershed in China,it is important to understand how TN and TP pollution affect the relationship between water supply and demand.Quantifying their impacts and describing the spatiotemporal distribution of these relationships are necessary for furtherly deepening the theory of TN and TP pollution on water bodies,and this information is also particularly essential for managing water resources regionally.In this study,based on the potential water supply,the water demand and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST)water purification models,we estimated the TN and TP pollution from agricultural fertilizer,livestock and poultry breeding,and rural residents in the Huaihe River watershed and simulated TN and TP impacts on the relationship between water supply and demand.We found that if the impact of TN and TP pollution on water supply was not taken into account,on average,there was excess water supply in 79.20%of the watershed and excess demand in 20.80%of the rest during 1980–2018.Under the TN concentration limit,Grade-Ⅱ(The water quality meets the secondary level of water body qualified in GB3838–2002,classified as Grade-II)water was the main watersupply type in 1980–2018,followed by Grade-Ⅰ and Grade-Ⅲ water.The total water shortage showed an inverted V-shaped trend:first increasing and then decreasing at the same period.The proportion of the water shortage of Grade-I water in the total water shortage was the largest,followed by Grade-Ⅱ and Grade-III water.Areas with excess demand were located on the north bank of Wang-Beng,Yishuhe,and Huxi regions,although the water in these sub-watersheds met the water quality standards of Grade-Ⅰ water.Under the TP concentration limit,Grade-Ⅱ and Grade-Ⅰ water were the main water-supply types.The overall water shortage trend first increased and then decreased,exhibiting an inverted V-shape from 1980 to 2018.The water shortages of Grade-Ⅰ and Grade-Ⅱ water showed similar inverted V-shape trend over time.Areas that met the water quality standard of Grade-Ⅰ included the north banks of Wang-Beng and Huxi regions,where there was a surplus of demand.This paper suggests a way to analyze the interaction between water pollutants and the water supply-demand ratio as the example of TN and TP pollution at a watershed scale,which can broaden water pollution theory for relative water resources departments when water supply and demand will be evaluated.

Poultry genetic heritage cryopreservation and reconstruction:advancement and future challenges

Poultry genetics resources,including commercial selected lines,indigenous breeds,and experimental lines,are now being irreversibly lost at an alarming rate due to multiple reasons,which further threats the future livelihood and academic purpose.Collections of germplasm may reduce the risk of catastrophic loss of genetic diversity by guaranteeing that a pool of genetic variability is available to ensure the reintroduction and replenishment of the genetic stocks.The setting up of biobanks for poultry is challenging because the high sensitiveness of spermatozoa to freezing–thawing process,inability to cryopreserve the egg or embryo,coupled with the females being heterogametic sex.The progress in cryobiology and biotechnologies have made possible the extension of the range of germplasm for poultry species available in cryobanks,including semen,primordial germ cells,somatic cells and gonads.In this review,we introduce the state-of-the-art technologies for avian genetic resource conservation and breed reconstruction,and discuss the potential challenges for future study and further extending of these technologies to ongoing and future conservation efforts.

Production systems and important antimicrobial resistant-pathogenic bacteria in poultry:a review

Economic losses and market constraints caused by bacterial diseases such as colibacillosis due to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens remain major problems for poultry producers,despite substantial efforts in prevention and control.Antibiotics have been used not only for the treatment and prevention of such diseases,but also for growth promotion.Consequently,these practices have been linked to the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria which constitute a significant global threat to humans,ani-mals,and the environment.To break down the antimicrobial resistance(AMR),poultry producers are restricting the antimicrobial use(AMU)while adopting the antibiotic-free(ABF)and organic production practices to satisfy consum-ers’demands.However,it is not well understood how ABF and organic poultry production practices influence AMR profiles in the poultry gut microbiome.Various Gram-negative(Salmonella enterica serovars,Campylobacter jejuni/coli,E.coli)and Gram-positive(Enterococcus spp.,Staphylococcus spp.and C.perfringens)bacteria harboring multiple AMR determinants have been reported in poultry including organically-and ABF-raised chickens.In this review,we discussed major poultry production systems(conventional,ABF and organic)and their impacts on AMR in some potential pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria which could allow identifying issues and opportuni-ties to develop efficient and safe production practices in controlling pathogens.

Black soldier fly: A new vista for livestock and poultry manure management

The corresponding author and editor express their thanks to Dr.Dave Mangindaan(Bina Nusantara University,Indonesia)forpointingoutthemisuse.

Characteristics of cross transmission of gut fungal pathogens between wintering Hooded Cranes and sympatric Domestic Geese

Migratory birds travel long distance and link various pathogens.Due to habitat degradation,wintering waterfowls forage together with poultry,increasing the risk of pathogen transmission between hosts.We investigated the fungal communities between wintering Hooded Cranes and Domestic Geese by high-throughput sequencing,and inferred the potential gut pathogens for both hosts at different wintering stages.The fungal community compositions were significantly different between seasons and between the hosts.The negative correlation was found between fungal diversity and pathogenic diversity,with higher fungal diversity and less pathogenic diversity in early stage and less fungal diversity and higher pathogenic diversity in late stage for both hosts.The dissimilarity of pathogenic community compositions decreased from early to late stage,with the quantity of overlapping potential pathogenic OTUs increasing along wintering periods between the two hosts,demonstrating the existence of pathogen cross transmission between the two hosts.Furthermore,the transmission pathway of avian pathogens was mainly from Hooded Cranes to Domestic Geese while the transmission direction of human pathogens was primarily from Domestic Geese to wild cranes.Based on above results,we argued that pathogen cross transmission and underlying outbreak risk of disease should be closely monitored in migratory birds and domestic poultry.

Role and Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Leaves in the Growth Process of Livestock and Poultry

Substitutes of feed antibiotics have been a key research topic in the new stage of animal husbandry.Chinese veterinary medicine refers to decoction pieces and their preparations processed from natural plants,animals,and minerals and used for animal disease prevention and improvement of animal production performance under the guidance of Chinese veterinary pharmacy theory.Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract has many active functional components such as chlorogenic acid,E.ulmoides polysaccharides and flavonoids,which have many biological properties such as antibacterial,antioxidant,immune-regulation,sugar ester-and bone metabolism-regulation effects.This paper explored active ingredients and biological properties of E.ulmoides leaf extract,as well as its role and effects in livestock and poultry breeding,providing a scientific basis for the use of E.ulmoides leaves in livestock and poultry breeding.

Effect of Incorporating Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Meal into Broiler Diets on Environmental Pollution by Nitrogen from Poultry Excreta: A Review

Poultry feeds are formulated using soybean meal and animal by-products as sources of protein. Animal proteins like fish meal, blood meal, meat and bone meal are being shunned in formulating poultry feeds nowadays because they are associated with zoonotic diseases like salmonellosis and this has left soybean meal as the only source of dietary protein in broiler feeds. Soybean meal is in short supply in Zimbabwe and this country is relying on some soybean meal imports from South Africa and Zambia resulting in prices of poultry feed and broiler meat going upwards. Cheap and locally available alternative sources of protein to soybean meal must be found in order to reduce the cost of making poultry feed. The selected alternative source of protein must have protein which is highly digestible such that the bulk of this protein can be metabolized and utilized by broilers to synthesize meat leaving a little of it to be excreted through faeces and urine. Highly digestible protein is very important in broiler feed making because this reduces the amount of nitrogen lost through poultry excreta into the environment. Cowpea has been chosen to entirely or partially replace soybean meal in this review paper because it is locally grown, drought tolerant, cheap and its true protein digestibility (TPD) of 71% to 76% is generally comparable to 81% to 83% of soybean meal. Nowadays, people are concerned about protecting the environment from being polluted by wastes from industrial and agricultural activities. Poultry farming pollutes the environment with ammonia emitted from poultry excreta. The grain legumes used in formulating broiler feed such as soybean meal contain anti-nutritional factors which reduce protein digestibility and increase nitrogen excretion through poultry faeces. The nitrogen in faeces is volatilized into ammonia, emitted into the atmosphere and cause eutrophication of surface waters. Therefore, the effect of incorporating cowpea meal in broiler diets on environmental pollution by nitrogen excretion from broiler faeces needs to be explored.