Climate change and broiler production.

Climate change has emerged as a significant occurrence that adversely affects broiler production, especially in tropical climates. Broiler chickens, bred for rapid growth and high meat production, rely heavily on optimal environmental conditions to achieve their genetic potential. However, climate change disrupts these conditions and poses numerous challenges for broiler production. One of the primary impacts of climate change on broiler production is the decreased ability of birds to attain their genetic potential for faster growth. Broilers are bred to possess specific genetic traits that enable them to grow rapidly and efficiently convert feed into meat. However, in tropical climates affected by climate change, the consequent rise in daily temperatures, increased humidity and altered precipitation patterns create an unfavourable environment for broilers. These conditions impede their growth and development, preventing them from reaching their maximum genetic influence, which is crucial for achieving desirable production outcomes. Furthermore, climate change exacerbates the existing challenges faced by broiler production systems. Higher feed costs impact the industry's economic viability and limit the availability of quality nutrition for the birds, further hampering their growth potential. In addition to feed scarcity, climate change also predisposes broiler chickens to thermal stress. This review collates existing information on climate change and its impact on broiler production, including nutrition, immune function, health and disease susceptibility. It also summarizes the challenges of broiler production under hot and humid climate conditions with different approaches to ameliorating the effects of harsh climatic conditions in poultry.

Effect of crossbreeding on egg quality, incubation, and hatching activities of the pure and reciprocal cross between the Sasso and Wassache chickens.

Understanding the effect of crossbreeding on egg quality and incubation is essential for the selection of superior genetic combinations in breeding programs. This study evaluated the effect of crossbreeding on egg quality and incubation activities of the Sasso and Wassache chickens in a pure (Sasso X Sasso [SS]; Wassache X Wassache [WW]) and reciprocal cross (Wassache X Sasso [WS]; Sasso X Wassache [SW]) design. A total of 1431 eggs were incubated while 400 eggs were selected for egg quality. Fertility, hatchability, and hatching activities were expressed in percentage, while egg quality traits were determined. The crosses with Sasso hens laid similar (P > 0.05) but heavier (P < 0.05) eggs with higher (P < 0.05) egg components compared to the crosses with Wassache hens. The SS, SW, and WW genotypes recorded similar (P > 0.05) early embryonic mortality (EEM) and were lower (P < 0.05) compared to the WS genotype. Late embryonic mortality (LEM) between the reciprocal crosses and SS was similar (P > 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) compared to the WW. The hatchability and hatchability of fertile eggs between the purebreds and the SW cross were comparable (P > 0.05), while those of the WS genotype was lower compared to the SS cross. Hatch duration in the crossbreds was shorter (P < 0.05) compared to the pure Sasso. Mortality between the SW and WW was similar (P > 0.05) while the WS cross recorded a higher (P < 0.05) mortality compared to the purebreds. Crossbreeding improved egg quality, reduced LEM, and accelerated crossbred hatching events. The SW cross is recommended for better performance.

Prebiotic effects of Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica on slow growing broiler chickens (SASSO).

1: The study aim was to evaluate the prebiotic effects of Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica used on slow growing broiler chickens. 2: Three hundred and sixty (360) slow-growing chicks of four weeks of age and similar weight were selected and divided into four (04) treatments (Positive Control, Negative Control, 2 % T. triangulare and 2 % M. indica) of 6 replicates with, fifteen (15) chicks per replicate, which made ninety (90) chicks per treatment. 3: At 12 week age, blood sample and cecal content were taken from 6 chickens per treatment to determine heamatological profile and fermentation parameters (Short Chain Fatty Acid). The data obtained were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the software R version 3.6.2 (R Core Team, 2019). 4: Results showed that growth performance, haematological parameters, acetic, butyric, valeric and caproic acids were similar between broilers fed with the leave powders and the positive control treatment. However, broilers fed with Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica powders showed a lower mortality rate, compared to the negative and positive control treatments. Moreover, broilers fed with the leave powders showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) formic acid concentration than the other treatments. 5: Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica leaves could have prebiotic properties because they stimulated the production of short-chain fatty acids that keep animals healthy.

Alleviating heat stress effects in poultry: updates on methods and mechanisms of actions.

Heat stress is a threat that can lead to significant financial losses in the production of poultry in the world's tropical and arid regions. The degree of heat stress (mild, moderate, severe) experienced by poultry depends mainly on thermal radiation, humidity, the animal's thermoregulatory ability, metabolic rate, age, intensity, and duration of the heat stress. Contemporary commercial broiler chickens have a rapid metabolism, which makes them produce higher heat and be prone to heat stress. The negative effect of heat stress on poultry birds' physiology, health, production, welfare, and behaviors are reviewed in detail in this work. The appropriate mitigation strategies for heat stress in poultry are equally explored in this review. Interestingly, each of these strategies finds its applicability at different stages of a poultry's lifecycle. For instance, gene mapping prior to breeding and genetic selection during breeding are promising tools for developing heat-resistant breeds. Thermal conditioning during embryonic development or early life enhances the ability of birds to tolerate heat during their adult life. Nutritional management such as dietary manipulations, nighttime feeding, and wet feeding often, applied with timely and effective correction of environmental conditions have been proven to ameliorate the effect of heat stress in chicks and adult birds. As long as the climatic crises persist, heat stress may continue to require considerable attention; thus, it is imperative to explore the current happenings and pay attention to the future trajectory of heat stress effects on poultry production.

Naked neck gene and intermittent thermal manipulations during embryogenesis improve posthatch performance and thermotolerance in slow-growing chickens under tropical climates.

Many studies have shown that thermal manipulations during the incubation (TMI) and naked neck gene (Na) positively affect heat-stressed broilers' thermotolerance, hatching process, and posthatch performance. Their combination could increase the beneficial effect on broilers reared under natural tropical climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Na gene and TMI on hatching and posthatch performance of slow-growing broilers under tropical climates. The study included 1,200 hatching eggs from 2 different crosses: 1) females and males, both with a normal or fully feathered neck (na na group), and 2) females (with a normal neck) and males (bare neck) (Na na group), incubated in similar conditions until d 7. Thereafter, they were assigned to 3 subgroups for each cross: the control group (C) was incubated at standard incubation conditions (37.8°C, 60% RH). The TMI-1 group was subjected to TMI-1 (T = 38.5°C, RH = 65%, E10-18, 6 h/d) and TMI-2 group to TMI-2 (T = 39.5°C, RH = 65%, E7-16, 12 h/d). Between 450 and 504 h of incubation, eggs were checked for hatching events. During the posthatch phase, chicks from each incubation subgroups (Na na-C, Na na-TMI-1, Na na-TMI-2, na na-C, na na-TMI-1, na na-TMI-2) were raised for 12 wk at a tropical natural ambient temperature. Hatchability, hatching time, chick's temperature, final body weight (FBW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. The results revealed that the Na gene reduced (P ˂ 0.05) hatchability. The control group had the highest mortality rate compared to TMI-1 and TMI-2 groups. There was an interaction between genotype and TMI on incubation duration, hatching weight, chick quality, FBW, and FCR (P ˂ 0.05). In conclusion, the Na gene influenced the effects of thermal manipulation. TMI-1 combined with Na gene improved the productive performances of broilers in a tropical climate.

Influence of age at slaughter and sex on carcass characteristics and technological and sensory quality of Goliath chicken meat.

Background and Aim: The Goliath chicken is a slow-growing chicken with a high slaughter weight but whose carcass characteristics and meat quality have not yet been documented. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age at slaughter and sex on the carcass characteristics and technological and sensory meat quality of Goliath chickens raised in southern Benin. Materials and Methods: Data on the carcass characteristics and technological and sensory quality of meat were collected from 80 chickens raised in confinement and divided into two groups. The first group was reared for 12 weeks of age and the second group was for 20 weeks of age. The animals were individually weighed using an electronic balance (Terraillon 5000g) and then slaughtered. The different parts of the chicken carcass was weighed using the same method. Results: The live, hot carcass, cold carcass, wing, thigh, and tail weights of males were significantly greater than those of females (p < 0.01). The wishbone muscle and thigh and tail assembly pH was lower in the 20-week-old chickens than in the 12-week-old chickens. The brightness and red index of the wishbone of the 20-week-old chickens were significantly higher than those of the 12-week-old chickens (p < 0.001). The red index of the wishbone and the yellow index of the thigh and tail assembly of females were lower than those of males. Conclusion: The meat of 20-week-old Goliath chickens was juicier than that of 12-week-old chickens. Thus, the carcass composition of Goliath chickens is better at 20 weeks of age, especially in males.

Assessment of the Teratogenic Effect of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine on the Chicken Embryo.

Background: The sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine combination is a product used in the intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of malaria in pregnant women in our country. To date, there is very little data on the teratogenic effect of this product. This study proposed to evaluate the teratogenic effect of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on chicken embryos. Methods: The teratogenic effect of the product was evaluated on chicken embryos at a dose of 1.3 mg/g sulfadoxine and 0.06 mg/g pyrimethamine. The product was injected before the start of incubation and on days 12, 14, 16, and 18 of incubation. One batch received a double injection of the product on days 16 and 18 of incubation. The quality of the hatched chicks was evaluated by the Tona Score followed by the determination of hematological and biochemical parameters. Results: From the aforementioned, it appears that the eggs treated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine significantly decreased the hatchability rate of the eggs. The chicks obtained were all of very good quality. Apart from a significant decrease in the weight of the chicks of the batch that received the injection twice and a significant increase in the weight of the yolk sac of the chicks of the batch that received the injection on day 16 compared to the control, no variation was obtained. A significant increase in the white blood cell count of the chicks compared to the control was reported in the chicks of the batch injected before incubation and on day 12, as well as a significant increase in the platelet count of the chicks of the batch injected twice. For biochemical parameters, no significant difference was reported in ALT and AST. Conclusion: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine decreased egg hatch and caused an increase in embryo and chick mortality as well as a loss in relative chick weight and an increase in relative yolk sac weight. More in-depth studies would be needed on sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine teratogenicity and the benefit/risk ratio of this drug during pregnancy.

Genetic diversity of indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) using microsatellite markers in northern Togo.

Indigenous guinea fowl is an important animal resource for improving rural household income. In order to provide molecular data for a sustainable management of this poultry resource, an assessment of the genetic diversity and phylogenic relationships was undertaken on seven guinea fowl phenotypes from two agroecological zones (Dry Savannah and Atakora) of Togo. Genotyping was carried out using 18 microsatellite markers on 94 individuals from Dry Savannah (59) and Atakora (35) zones. The results obtained showed a high genetic diversity, with six as an average alleles per locus and an observed heterozygosity of 0.512. However, the FIS values varied from 0.047 (Lavender) to 0.257 (Albino), reflecting a deficit of heterozygotes, which suggests low to moderate inbreeding levels. The genetic distances between phenotypes are low, ranging from 0.0068 (Bonaparte-Pearl grey) to 0.1559 (Lavender-Albino), unlike the strong genetic identities that reflect a strong genetic similarity between the seven phenotypes of indigenous guinea fowl studied. These results indicate the existence of a single indigenous guinea fowl population, derived from three probable parental populations, with a high within population genetic diversity (phenotypic or agroecological zone). These results could be of use to conservation and improvement programs aiming at the maintenance and sustainable exploitation of this important socio-cultural and economic resource in Togo.

Broiler production challenges in the tropics: A review.

Under tropical climate, broiler production is encumbered by several constraints which make it difficult for them to attain their genetic potential. The scarcity and high price of poultry feed and veterinary services and the harsh environmental conditions with respect to thermal stress are some of the challenges that hinder optimal growth of the birds. Limited availability of feedstuffs, including crucial feed ingredients like maize and oil seedcakes, is an important challenge to the sector, since feed still represents a major cost of producing broiler chickens. Additionally, the problem of climate change, which has become a global concern, is the main problem in broiler production under hot and humid climate. Under high ambient temperature, feed intake decreases, carbohydrates metabolism and protein synthesis efficiency are disturbed. Lipid utilization is lower and glucose or insulin homeostasis is altered while fat deposition and oxidative stress increases. Several strategies are used to ameliorate the effect of heat stress in poultry. The objective of this review was to summarize the challenge in broiler production under hot and humid climate and different approaches to fight heat stress in poultry.

Characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) family poultry production in northern Togo.

A survey was conducted in Dry Savannah and Atakora agroecological zones in northern Togo, between March and July 2018, to characterise indigenous guinea fowl management practices. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 82 farmers in 28 villages. The data were analysed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, independent-sample t test and the multiple correspondence analysis with SPSS and XLSTAT. The results showed that guinea fowl production was mainly practised by men (91.5%) who did not have training in guinea fowl production (68.4%). In traditional poultry farming, the most popular management method was the semi-intensive system (86.2%). Guinea fowl, which was raised primarily for sale (100%), was the main bird species with 68.2 ± 92.5 birds per farmer. All respondents provided a dietary supplement to guinea fowl with a feeding management that varied according to the birds' developmental stage. Wing drooping (89.3%), diarrhoea (67.4%) and drowsiness (64.7%) were the main clinical symptoms of diseases observed. The majority of respondents (68.2%) used both conventional veterinary products and ethno-veterinary plant products as drugs in order to control guinea fowl diseases. Guinea fowl started laying at 8.4 ± 1.6 months and had 128.5 ± 51.2 eggs per year. The indigenous hen that hatched eggs naturally had 43.6 ± 17.1 hatching eggs per year with a hatchability of 85.0%. For 85.4% of the respondents, survivability was the main problem in guinea fowl production. Improving the survivability of the birds could improve their productivity, as they play an important socio-economic role for most rural households.

Use of Moringa oleifera leaves in broiler production chain. 1 - Effect on Sasso breeder hens performances, internal quality of hatching eggs and serum lipids.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) on breeder hen performance, hatching egg quality and blood parameters. A total of 180 Sasso broiler breeder hens were used for the study. They were allotted to two groups each containing 3 replicates of 30 hens of 18 weeks of age. Dietary treatments were a control diet (basal diet without moringa leaves) and a diet containing 10g of moringa leaves in 1kg of control diet (1% w/w). The experiment lasted 40 weeks. The following production parameters; feed intake, egg weight, laying rate and feed conversion ratio were measured for the whole experimental period while egg quality and blood parameters were assessed at different ages. Results showed that laying rate and hatching egg weight were improved by moringa meal diet for the whole experimental period. Feed intake and feed conversation ratio were decreased (p < .05) by incorporation of moringa leaves. Differences (p < .01) were observed in albumen and yolk ratio at 55th week of age. Yolk colour was (p < .001) improved by moringa meal at 31st, 43rd and 55th week of age. At the end of the experiment, serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased (p < .05) while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was unaffected (p > .05) by incorporation of moringa in the diet. It was concluded that the use of moringa leaves as feed additive in Sasso breeders diet improved productivity and quality of hatching eggs.

Effect of delayed feed access on production and blood parameters of layer-type chicks.

A total of 684 Hisex Brown day-old chicks were studied. The chicks were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: (1) chicks with immediate feed access; (2) chicks with 48 h delay in feed access, and (3) chicks with 72 h delay in feed access. For each group, chicks were assigned into 4 replications of 57 birds each. Prior to feed access, the chicks were weighed. Samples of chicks were used to weigh yolk sac at 1, 3 and 7 days and to collect blood at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 56 days. Also, reared chicks were weighed weekly. The results indicated that chick weights decreased during the holding period. Yolk sac utilisation was similar between groups, while morbidity and mortality increased linearly with the duration of delay in feed access. At 56 days, chicks having delayed access to feed were lighter than those without delay in feed access. Serum concentration of glucose up to 14 days and of total protein and triglycerides until 56 days decreased with the increasing duration of delay in feed access. It can be concluded that delayed feed access is detrimental to the juvenile performance of layer-type chicks and has a negative age-related effect on the serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides and total protein.