Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal improves quail growth performance.

The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritional value of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal for quail (experiment I) and the dose-response effects of BSF levels on growth performance, relative organ weight, and body composition of growing quails (experiment II). In experiment I, 100 35-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (reference and test diet) and 10 replicates. The experimental period consisted of 5 days of adaptation, followed by 5 days of total excreta collection. The experimental feed consisted of a reference diet and a test diet formulated with 850 g/kg reference diet and 150 g/kg BSF. In experiment II, 1000 1-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five dietary levels of BSF (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g/kg). At 42 days of age, birds were slaughtered, and the relative organ weight and body composition were determined. Apparent metabolizable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of BSF meal were 13.8 MJ/kg. Across the starter (1-14 days) and overall period (1-42 days), increasing BSF levels had a quadratic effect on body weight and body weight gain. Feed conversion ratio was quadratically affected during the starter phase and linearly reduced over the overall period. Additionally, the BSF levels linearly decreased the small intestine's relative weight at 42 days and had a quadratic effect on the rate of protein deposition. We concluded that the inclusion of 100 g/kg BSF meal improves feed conversion ratio for growing quail.

Biosecurity, environmental sustainability, and typological characteristics of broiler farms in Paraná State, Brazil.

Brazil's relevant participation in the global broiler market implies the need to face a set of challenges related to biosecurity and environmental sustainability. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of biosecurity of broiler farms in Paraná State, Brazil, and investigate associations of biosecurity performance with sustainability practices and farm and farmer characteristics. Data from 70 broiler farms were collected through on-site interviews. The questionnaires included questions about production variables, biosecurity, sustainability practices, and sociodemographic characteristics of the farm operator. Biosecurity data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis, revealing two groups, one comprising low biosecurity farms and the other comprising high biosecurity farms. Production and sustainability data were subjected to factor analysis. Three factors were identified: Farmer knowledge and training, Mandatory environmental sustainability practices, and Non-mandatory environmental sustainability practices. Although the analyzed farms were similar in terms of production variables and operated under the same laws and contractual terms, they differed significantly in biosecurity level. These findings suggest that other factors besides production characteristics and the institutional environment may influence biosecurity, such as the importance attributed by farmers to biosecurity measures. Typological analysis revealed that high biosecurity farms had greater compliance with both mandatory and non-mandatory environmental sustainability requirements. It was also found that operators of high biosecurity farms had a higher education level than those who operated low biosecurity farms.

Calcium and available phosphorus requirements of Japanese quails in early egg-laying stage.

An experiment was conducted to estimate the nutritional requirements of calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (aP) for Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the egg-laying stage (64-168 D). The experiment was an entirely randomized design, in a factorial scheme (Ca = 1.70, 2.40, 3.10, and 3.80% and aP = 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60%), with 3 replicates and 10 quails per experimental unit. No interactions were found for quail body weight and daily feed intake (DFI) (P > 0.05). However, body weight decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as the levels of Ca increased, whereas DFI exhibited a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for both Ca and aP. The lowest values of DFI were estimated in 2.79 and 0.36% for Ca and aP, respectively. Egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio per egg dozen presented significant interaction in which all of them had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05), with estimations for maximum yield in feed containing 2.74, 2.71, 2.75, and 2.74% Ca and 0.40, 0.39, 0.39, and 0.40% aP. The concentration of Ca in the eggshell increased linearly as per the levels of Ca studied, having a quadratic effect for aP levels, with a maximum point of 0.44%. In relation to the bone parameters, there was a linear interaction for Ca and aP in bone density and bone resistance (BR) of the femur, with a quadratic effect in BD estimating 2.84 and 0.50% for Ca and aP, respectively. In BR, the estimation was 3.27% Ca, with linear increase for aP. The BR of the tibiotarso increased linearly as per the Ca levels, obtaining the same Ca concentration response in this bone. As conclusion, when considering the estimations obtained through overlapped contour plots, the best responses to the effects of Ca and aP on productive characteristics were estimated at 2.68% Ca and 0.38% aP to produce feed for egg-laying Japanese quails.

Main agents and contamination prevention in animal feed industry: review / Principais agentes envolvidos e formas de prevenção da contaminação na indústria de alimentação animal: revisão / Principales agentes involucrados y formas de prevención de la contaminación en la industria de alimentos para animales: revisión

The main physical, biological and chemical agents involved in cross-contamination are of known origin, generally harmful and toxic, which ends up making the individual have direct or indirect contact with the nutrients used in the manufacturing of animal feed. The knowledge of the causes, as well as their different forms of prevention and corrective actions, allow us to minimize losses in animal yield and possible extra costs in production due to the need to prevent the spread of pests and diseases to human health. Failure in monitoring the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems due to lack of trained personnel or bad structural conditions of the industry are the main causes of cross-contamination. In this sense, diagnosing risks and controlling critical points in the production process are essential tools. Thus, this review aims at emphasizing the main forms of cross-contamination in the animal feed industry and the care that must be taken at the factory to minimize cross-contamination.(AU)

Os principais agentes físicos, biológicos e químicos envolvidos na contaminação cruzada são de origem conhecida, geralmente nociva e tóxica, que acabam fazendo com o diretor contato indireto com os nutrientes utilizados na fabricação de alimentos para animais. O conhecimento das causas, formas diferenciadas de prevenção e ações corretivas, permite minimizar as perdas no desempenho animal e, possíveis custos extras de produção, pela necessidade de evitar a propagação de pragas e danos à saúde humana. Falhas no monitoramento das Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF), Procedimentos Operacionais Padrão (POPs) e do sistema de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (HACCP) por falta de pessoal treinado ou más condições estruturais na indústria do contexto físico são as principais causas da ocorrência de contaminação cruzada. Nesse sentido, diagnosticar riscos e controlar pontos críticos no processo de produção são ferramentas indispensáveis. Dessa forma, o presente artigo de revisão visa destacar as principais formas de contaminação cruzada na indústria de ração animal e os cuidados que devem ser tomados na fábrica para minimizar a contaminação cruzada.(AU)

Los principales agentes físicos, biológicos y químicos involucrados en la contaminación cruzada son de origen conocida, generalmente nociva y tóxica, que terminan haciendo contacto directo o indirecto con los nutrientes utilizados en la fabricación de alimentos para animales. El conocimiento de las causas, las formas diferenciadas de prevención y las acciones correctivas, permiten minimizar las pérdidas en el rendimiento de los animales y, posibles costos extras de producción, por la necesidad de prevenir la propagación de plagas y daños a la salud humana. Fallas en el monitoreo de las Buenas Prácticas de Fabricación (BPF), Procedimientos de Operación Estándar (POE) y del sistema de Análisis de Peligros y Puntos de Control Críticos (HACCP) por falta de personal capacitado, o malas condiciones estructurales en la industria del contexto físico, son las principales causas de la ocurrencia de contaminación cruzada. En ese aspecto, diagnosticar los riesgos y controlar los puntos críticos en el proceso de producción son herramientas indispensables. Así, el presente artículo de revisión pretende evidenciar las principales formas de contaminación cruzada en la industria de alimentación animal y los cuidados que deben ser tomados en la fábrica para minimizar la contaminación cruzada.(AU)

Thermal stress induces changes in gene expression and blood parameters in high and low feed efficiency meat quail.

In this study, we analysed markers of stress, plasma creatinine and T3 content, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone receptor (GHR), uncoupling protein (UCP), adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COX III) mRNA expression in the liver and muscle of high (0.22 g/g) and low (0.14 g/g) feed efficiency (FE) meat quail at three different air temperatures, comfortable, heat and cold stress, for 24 h. High FE quail presented higher plasma T3 and lower creatinine levels. IGF-I mRNA expression was higher in the livers of high FE quail than in the livers of low FE quail under both comfortable and cold stress conditions. In the muscle, regardless of the environment, high FE birds showed higher IGF-I mRNA expression. High FE birds also showed higher GHR mRNA expression under comfortable conditions. Regarding the environment, higher expression was observed in birds at comfortable conditions, and lower expression in birds under heat stress. UCP mRNA expression in the liver was lower in high FE birds and higher under heat stress compared with the other conditions. Low and high FE birds showed greater ANT mRNA expression in the muscle under cold stress. Greater mRNA COX III expressions were observed in the liver and muscle of quails under comfortable conditions. Our results suggest that temperature affects the expression of genes related to growth and mitochondrial energy production, and quail with different FEs respond differently to environmental stimuli. In comfortable conditions, high FE animals show higher IGF-I mRNA expression and plasma T3 and lower creatinine content.

Crescimento e deposição de nutrientes nas penas, músculo, ossos e pele de frangos de corte de duas linhagens comerciais / Growth and nutrient deposition on feathers, muscles, bones, and skin of two broiler chicken strains

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de avaliar o perfil de crescimento e de deposição de nutrientes nas penas, nos músculos, nos ossos e na pele de machos e fêmeas de frangos de corte das linhagens Ross e Cobb, no período de 1 a 56 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 1920 pintos, alojados em boxes de um galpão experimental, em piso. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, fatorial (2 x 2), sendo 2 linhagens e 2 sexos, 4 repetições de 120 aves cada. As aves foram alimentadas com ração, formuladas para atender às exigências nutricionais das aves nas diferentes fases de criação. As aves foram abatidas semanalmente, após um jejum de 24 horas e, em seguida, foram depenadas, evisceradas e realizadas a separação dos ossos, da pele e dos músculos, estes foram pesados e armazenados em câmara fria. Após, foram moídos e liofilizados para realizar as análises laboratoriais. Os parâmetros de peso e de deposição de nutrientes obtidos semanalmente foram estimados em função da equação de Gompertz, e as taxas de crescimento por meio das derivadas das equações. Houve interação (P<0,05) entre linhagens e sexo para peso à maturidade (Pm) e idade de máximo crescimento (t*) do peso e proteínas das penas e Pm, b (taxa de maturidade) e t* de peso do músculo. O crescimento das penas foi mais tardio para as aves Cobb, contudo, a ave Ross foi mais tardia na taxa de crescimento de proteína no músculo. Os parâmetros para peso dos ossos e pele, foram semelhantes entre as linhagens estudadas.

The objective of this work was to study the profile of growth and nutrient deposition on muscles, bones and skin of Ross and Cobb male and female broiler chicken from the age of one day to 56 days. We used 1920 chicks raised in experimental boxes. The experimental design was randomized in a factorial model (2 x 2), with 4 replications of 120 birds each. The birds were fed with diets formulated to supply the nutrient requirements according to each breeding phase. The birds were slaughtered weekly, after 24 hours of fasting, then they were completely plucked and feather samples were collected. The birds were eviscerated and after separating the skin and muscles from the bones, they were weighed, identified and stored in a cold chamber. Thereafter, the samples were ground and freeze-dried to be analyzed in laboratory. There was an interaction (P<0.05) between strains and gender for the parameters Pm and t* of the weight of plucked and fasting birds, water and body ashes, weight and feather proteins and Pm and t* for the muscle weight. Cobb strain was more precocious regarding growth and deposition of protein. The Pm of the muscle did not differ between the studied strains, however, Ross strain presented late growth rate of protein in the muscle and was precocious in the fat deposition rate. The parameters of the Gompertz equation were similar between strains for protein and skin weight.

Crescimento e desempenho de linhagens de aves pescoço pelado criadas em sistema semi-confinado / Growth and performance of naked neck broiler reared in free-range system

Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar o crescimento e desempenho de duas linhagens de aves pescoço pelado. Foram utilizadas 400 aves, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, os tratamentos consistiram de um esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (linhagens x sexo), com cinco repetições de 20 aves cada. Foram utilizadas aves Pescoço Pelado das linhagens Sasso e ISA Label. As aves receberam rações formuladas à base de milho e de farelo de soja para atender às exigências nutricionais. Foi determinado o ganho de peso (GP), o consumo de ração (CR) e a conversão alimentar (CA) aos 28, 56 e 84 dias de idade e o rendimento de carcaça e de partes aos 84 dias de idade. Não foi observada interação entre sexo e linhagem (P>0,05) para nenhuma das variáveis de desempenho analisadas. Para CR e GP houve diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre as linhagens e entre os sexos nos três períodos. As aves da linhagem Sasso apresentaram desempenho superior à ISA Label. Em relação aos parâmetros descritos da equação de Gompertz, as aves da linhagem Sasso apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e tempo em que a taxa de crescimento é máxima (t*) e menor taxa de maturidade (b), indicando que as aves da linhagem ISA Label foram mais precoces para atingir a idade de máximo crescimento. As fêmeas demonstraram melhor aptidão para rendimento de peito e os machos para o rendimento de coxa e de sobra-coxa.

A trial was carried out to evaluate the growth and performance of naked neck birds. Four hundred birds were distributed into four treatments in factorial arrangement (2 strains x 2 genders), with five replicates of 20 birds each. The naked neck strains evaluated were Sasso and ISA Label. The birds were fed a diet formulated with corn and soybean meal according to the nutritional requirements. Food intake, body weight gain and food conversion were determined at 28, 56, and 84 days as well as the yield of carcass and cuts at 84 days. No interaction was observed between gender and strain (P>0.05). Food intake and body weight gain were different (P <0.05) between the strains and between the genders. Sasso strain presented higher performance than ISA Label. The parameters estimated for Gompertz equation, the weigh at maturity (Wm) and time that the growth rate is maximum (t*) were higher and maturity rate (b) was lower for Sasso strain than those of Isa Label strain. These results indicated that the Isa Label was more precocious than Sasso strain. The females showed better breast yield while the males showed better thigh and drumstick yield.