Effect of Cool Drinking Water on Production and Shell Quality of Laying Hens in Summer

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.6

Feed intake, egg weight, rate of lay and shell quality characteristics were measured in an Australian tinted egg laying strain from 31-42 weeks of age, housed at $30^{\circ}C$ and provided drinking water at 5, 10, 17 and $30^{\circ}C$. In a second experiment a European brown egg laying strain (59-66 weeks of age) housed at $30^{\circ}C$ were provided drinking water at 5, 10, 15 and $30^{\circ}C$. Brown egg layers given cool drinking water (5, 10 and $15^{\circ}C$) consumed more (p<0.05) feed and produced significantly (p<0.05) thicker and heavier shells than hens given drinking water at ambient temperature ($30^{\circ}C$). However the tinted egg layers given chilled drinking water only consumed more (p<0.05) feed and produced thicker (p<0.05) and heavier (p<0.05) shells when consuming drinking water at $5^{\circ}C$. As the tinted egg layers acclimatised to the environmental temperature there was a decline in the influence of cool drinking water on feed intake and shell quality. For brown egg layers, however, cool drinking water resulted in an improvement (p<0.05) in feed intake and shell quality over the entire period birds were provided cool water. These studies suggest that there is potential for using cool drinking water to improve feed intake and shell quality of hens housed under hot conditions. The combination of high ambient temperature and high drinking water temperature, a common occurrence in Australian layer sheds, should be avoided.

Effect of Poor Feather Cover on Feed Intake and Production of Aged Laying Hens

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.4

The effect of poor feather cover on feed intake and production was examined in two commercial strains of layers (tinted and brown egg) over 91-98 weeks of age. Hens were housed at four per cage ($600cm^2/bird$) in a commercial layer shed which ranged in temperature from 13.2 to $16.8^{\circ}C$. At the start of the experiment 50% of the birds were classified as having poor feather cover. Feather score was highly correlated with feed intake. Poor feather cover on the neck and the back were the best indicators of hens with high feed intake. Feed intake of hens with poor feather cover was 16% higher (p<0.05) than hens with good feather cover. Hens with good feather cover produced more eggs (p<0.05) early in the trial and had a higher (p<0.05) liveweight, but there was no significant differences in egg weight. Feed per dozen eggs was superior (p<0.05) in hens with good feather cover. Feather cover on the back and vent were the best indicators of overall feather score, while the tail, base of tail and vent were the body parts most affected in birds with poor feather cover.

Effect of Claw Abrasives in Cages on Claw Condition, Feather Cover and Mortality of Laying Hens

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.10

A trial was conducted to determine the effect of abrasive strips and abrasive paint in layer cages on claw length and claw sharpness, foot condition, feather cover and mortality of hens. During the preparation of the cages for the experiment it was simpler and took less time to apply the pre-prepared paint with a spatula to the egg guard compared to sticking the abrasive strips onto the egg guard. Fitting the strips took longer because it had to be cut from a 25 mm roll, cut into the appropriate lengths, the tape backing removed and then stuck onto the egg guard section. Abrasive paint was more effective as a claw shortener than abrasive strips. The birds using the abrasive paint had the shortest (p<0.05) claw length and lowest (p<0.05) claw sharpness. One of the original reasons for reducing claw length with claw shorteners was to reduce mortality by minimising skin skin abrasions caused by the claws. Surprisingly hen mortality from prolapse and cannibalism was higher (p<0.05) in cages fitted with abrasives. There are no other reports in the literature showing an increase in prolapse and cannibalism from hens using abrasives.

Effect of Different Lighting Sources on Behavior and Growth of Weanling Pigs

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.2

These studies aimed to determine how lighting might be used to improve feed intake and reduce aggressive behavior in newly weaned pigs. To examine whether this objective could be achieved an experiment was conducted to compare performance, behavior and body condition of weaners over 17-45 days, provided similar lighting quality (i.e. color temperature, color rendering index and lighting distribution) after weaning that piglets experienced prior to weaning. Triphosphor (TP) lighting to simulate daylight was provided during the day while at night, Pascal red (PR) lighting was provided to simulate the night-light piglets previously had received from infrared heating lamps. This treatment was compared to weaners provided conventional cool-white fluorescent light during the day only. Weaners on treatment lighting from 17-45 days of age showed no improvement in body weight or feed conversion at 24, 31, 38 and 45 days compared to the controls. There was, however, a significant improvement (p<0.05) in feed intake in the first week of weaning for weaners provided TP/PR lighting. Over the first 3 days of weaning, pigs on TP/PR lighting showed an increase (p<0.05) in the incidence of ear chewing but reduced (p<0.05) levels of nosing the abdomen of other pigs and reduced (p<0.05) occurrences of being stood on by other pigs. Females exhibited more (p<0.05) mounting and nosing behaviors and rubbing the heads of other pigs than males. On the other hand, males engaged in more (p<0.05) fighting, nipping, ear chewing and standing on other pigs compared to females. Pigs provided PR lighting on the first night of weaning engaged in higher (p<0.05) incidences of nosing and tail sucking behaviors, more (p<0.05) head thrusting, fighting and ear chewing compared to control pigs. The body condition of weaners provided the TP/PR lighting treatment was significantly poorer (p<0.05) compared to weaners on control lighting. In conclusion there was no improvement in production performance of weaners provided new technology lighting apart from the improvement in feed intake in the first week weaners were exposed to the TP/PR lighting.

Beak Trimming Methods - Review -

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.11

A review was undertaken to obtain information on the range of beak-trimming methods available or under development. Beak-trimming of commercial layer replacement pullets is a common yet critical management tool that can affect the performance for the life of the flock. The most obvious advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in cannibalism although the extent of the reduction in cannibalism depends on the strain, season, and type of housing, flock health and other factors. Beak-trimming also improves feed conversion by reducing food wastage. A further advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in the chronic stress associated with dominance interactions in the flock. Beak-trimming of birds at 7-10 days is favoured by Industry but research over last 10 years has shown that beak-trimming at day-old causes the least stress on birds and efforts are needed to encourage Industry to adopt the practice of beak-trimming birds at day-old. Proper beak-trimming can result in greatly improved layer performance but improper beak-trimming can ruin an other wise good flock of hens. Re-trimming is practiced in most flocks, although there are some flocks that only need one trimming. Given the continuing welfare scrutiny of using a hot blade to cut the beak, attempts have been made to develop more welfare friendly methods of beak-trimming. Despite the developments in design of hot blade beak-trimmers the process has remained largely unchanged. That is, a red-hot blade cuts and cauterises the beak. The variables in the process are blade temperature, cauterisation time, operator ability, severity of trimming, age of trimming, strain of bird and beak length. This method of beak-trimming is still overwhelmingly favoured in Industry and there appears to be no other alternative procedures that are more effective. Sharp secateurs have been used trim the upper beak of both layers and turkeys. Bleeding from the upper mandible ceases shortly after the operation, and despite the regrowth of the beak a reduction of cannibalism has been reported. Very few differences have been noted between behaviour and production of the hot blade and cold blade cut chickens. This method has not been used on a large scale in Industry. There are anecdotal reports of cannibalism outbreaks in birds with regrown beaks. A robotic beak-trimming machine was developed in France, which permitted simultaneous, automated beak-trimming and vaccination of day-old chicks of up to 4,500 chickens per hour. Use of the machine was not successful because if the chicks were not loaded correctly they could drop off the line, receive excessive beak-trimming or very light trimming. Robotic beak-trimming was not effective if there was a variation in the weight or size of chickens. Capsaicin can cause degeneration of sensory nerves in mammals and decreases the rate of beak regrowth by its action on the sensory nerves. Capsaicin is a cheap, non-toxic substance that can be readily applied at the time of less severe beak-trimming. It suffers the disadvantage of causing an extreme burning sensation in operators who come in contact with the substance during its application to the bird. Methods of applying the substance to minimise the risk to operators of coming in contact with capsaicin need to be explored. A method was reported which cuts the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. No details were provided on the type of laser used, or the severity of beak-trimming, but by 16 weeks the beaks of laser trimmed birds resembled the untrimmed beaks, but without the bill tip. Feather pecking and cannibalism during the laying period were highest among the laser trimmed hens. Currently laser machines are available that are transportable and research to investigate the effectiveness of beak-trimming using ablasive and coagulative lasers used in human medicine should be explored. Liquid nitrogen was used to declaw emu toes but was not effective. There was regrowth of the claws and the time and cost involv

Effect of Declawing on Behavior of Farmed Emus

Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.2

The behavior of declawed emus in a farm environment has not been described despite its importance in the husbandry and welfare of the emu. This study examined whether declawing of emus causes chronic pain resulting in permanent changes in the locomotor and general behavior of declawed yearling emus compared to emus not declawed. One group of 40 emus were declawed on the day of hatch by removing the distal phalangeal joint using a Lyon beak-trimming machine. Another group of 40 emus not declawed were the controls. Declawed emus one year of age were allocated to a paddock $250m{\times}125m$, while the control group was placed in an adjoining paddock of the same dimensions. One hour video records of individual emus from each treatment were made from 08:00 and 17:00 h over 2 periods; firstly when food and water was available and secondly during a period when food and water was not available after being withdrawn overnight. Inactive, ingestive, posture change, grooming, aggressive and locomotor behaviors were monitored from the videotape. There was no behavioral evidence to indicate loss of locomotor ability of declawed emus or to suggest declawed emus were suffering from severe chronic pain as indicated by declawed emus engaging in significantly more bouts (p<0.05) and time of searching (p<0.05). Declawed emus also engaged in less stereotype pacing (p<0.05) indicating they were under less stress and not as frustrated as control birds which engaged in more step pushing behavior (p<0.05). Modelling analysis showed that pecking behavior in birds was most closely related to foraging behavior. Birds subject to pecking attacks demonstrated higher levels of stereotype behavior presumably as a method to cope with stress. The behavioral evidence in this study would indicate that declawing does not compromise the locomotor ability of emus and has the benefit of improving the social structure in the groups by reducing stereotype behavior and aggression.

CD36 (SR-B2) as a Target to Treat Lipid Overload-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Jan F.C. Glatz,Joost J.F.P. Luiken,Miranda Nabben 한국지질동맥경화학회 2020 지질·동맥경화학회지 Vol.9 No.1

The heart faces the challenge of adjusting the rate of fatty acid uptake to match myocardial demand for energy provision at any given moment, avoiding both too low uptake rates, which could elicit an energy deficit, and too high uptake rates, which pose the risk of excess lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity. The transmembrane glycoprotein cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), a scavenger receptor (B2), serves many functions in lipid metabolism and signaling. In the heart, CD36 is the main sarcolemmal lipid transporter involved in the rate-limiting kinetic step in cardiac lipid utilization. The cellular fatty acid uptake rate is determined by the presence of CD36 at the cell surface, which is regulated by subcellular vesicular recycling from endosomes to the sarcolemma. CD36 has been implicated in dysregulated fatty acid and lipid metabolism in pathophysiological conditions, particularly high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Thus, in conditions of chronic lipid overload, high levels of CD36 are moved to the sarcolemma, setting the heart on a route towards increased lipid uptake, excessive lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and eventually contractile dysfunction. Insight into the subcellular trafficking machinery of CD36 will provide novel targets to treat the lipid-overloaded heart. A screen for CD36-dedicated trafficking proteins found that vacuolar-type H+-ATPase and specific vesicle-associated membrane proteins, among others, were uniquely involved in CD36 recycling. Preliminary data suggest that these proteins may offer clues on how to manipulate myocardial lipid uptake, and thus could be promising targets for metabolic intervention therapy to treat the failing heart.

Self-administration of an Analgesic Does Not Alleviate Pain in Beak Trimmed Chickens

Freire, Rafael,Glatz, Philip C.,Hinch, Geoff Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.3

Beak trimming in laying hens is a routine practice in which about 1/3-1/2 of the upper and lower beak is removed with the aim of reducing cannibalism. This experiment aimed to identify if this procedure causes pain by examining self-administration of an analgesic (carprofen) and pecking behaviour in 80 laying pullets beak-trimmed by two different methods at one day of age using hot-blade cauterisation or infra-red cauterisation. We also tested a control treatment, pullets with intact beaks, and a positive control treatment of pullets beak trimmed at 10 weeks of age which were expected to experience some pain due to recent severing of the underlying nerves in the beak. At 11 weeks of age birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age pecked more (p<0.001) gently ($0.6{\pm}0.06N$) at a disc attached to a force-displacement transducer than birds trimmed at 1 day of age with an infra-red machine ($0.9{\pm}0.1N$) or a hot blade ($1.1{\pm}0.07N$) and intact birds ($1.2{\pm}0.1N$). Maximum force of pecks recorded was also lower (p<0.001) in birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age than birds trimmed at 1 day of age with an infra-red method or a hot blade and intact birds. However, the pecking force in birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age was not increased by providing them with analgesic-treated feed, though birds that ate more carprofen had a higher maximum force of peck (p = 0.03). Pecking force in birds beak-trimmed at 1 day of age was the same as the pecking force of intact birds, and was unaffected by feeding pullets carprofen. A method of self-administration of an analgesic had previously revealed that chickens in neuromuscular pain arising from lameness consumed more of a feed containing carprofen than healthy chickens. However, we found no evidence that beak-trimmed pullets consumed more carprofen-treated feed than pullets with an intact beak. It should be noted that the three beak trimming methods resulted in an average 34% reduction in beak length, considered a light trim, and is perhaps not representative of commercial birds where greater portions of the beak are removed. We conclude that although carprofen has been reported to have an analgesic effect on neuromuscular pain in chickens, it appears to have no analgesic effect on potential neuropathic pain arising from the nerves severed by a light beak trim.

Free Range Hens Use the Range More When the Outdoor Environment Is Enriched

Nagle, T.A.D.,Glatz, P.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.4

To evaluate the role of using forage, shade and shelterbelts in attracting birds into the range, three trials were undertaken with free range layers both on a research facility and on commercial farms. Each of the trials on the free range research facility in South Australia used a total of 120 laying hens (Hyline Brown). Birds were housed in an eco-shelter which had 6 internal pens of equal size with a free range area adjoining the shelter. The on-farm trials were undertaken on commercial free range layer farms in the Darling Downs in Southeast Queensland with bird numbers on farms ranging from 2,000-6,800 hens. The first research trial examined the role of shaded areas in the range; the second trial examined the role of forage and the third trial examined the influence of shelterbelts in the range. These treatments were compared to a free range area with no enrichment. Aggressive feather pecking was only observed on a few occasions in all of the trials due to the low bird numbers housed. Enriching the free range environment attracted more birds into the range. Shaded areas were used by 18% of the hens with a tendency (p = 0.07) for more hens to be in the paddock. When forage was provided in paddocks more control birds (55%) were observed in the range in morning than in the afternoon (30%) while for the forage treatments 45% of the birds were in the range both during the morning and afternoon. When shelterbelts were provided there was a significantly (p<0.05) higher % of birds in the range (43% vs. 24%) and greater numbers of birds were observed in areas further away from the poultry house. The results from the on-farm trials mirrored the research trials. Overall 3 times more hens used the shaded areas than the non shaded areas, with slightly more using the shade in the morning than in the afternoon. As the environmental temperature increased the number of birds using the outdoor shade also increased. Overall 17 times more hens used the shelterbelt areas than the control areas, with slightly more using the shelterbelts in the afternoon than in the morning. Approximately 17 times more birds used the forage areas compared to the control area in the corresponding range. There were 8 times more birds using a hay bale enriched area compared to the area with no hay bales. The use of forage sources (including hay bales) were the most successful method on-farm to attract birds into the range followed by shelterbelts and artificial shade. Free range egg farmers are encouraged to provide pasture, shaded areas and shelterbelts to attract birds into the free range.

Comparison of the Digestibility of Grain and Forage by Sheep, Red and Fallow Deer

Ru, Y.J.,Glatz, P.C.,Miao, Z.H.,Swanson, K.,Falkenberg, S.,Wyatt, S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.6

Two experiments were conducted to compare digestibility of 12 diets in sheep, red and fallow deer. No differences (p>0.05) between sheep, red and fallow deer in digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and digestible energy content for all diets were found except for the sorghum diet and medic hay. Sheep and fallow deer digested the sorghum diet better than red deer. An in vitro study showed that sheep had a lower in vitro dry matter digestibility and digestible energy content than both red and fallow deer, with a significant interaction between animal species and feed ingredient. Deer digested straws and hays better (p<0.05) than sheep. In vitro digestibility was lower (p<0.05) than in vivo digestibility, but significantly correlated with in vivo digestibility for red and fallow deer. The in vitro method for digestibility estimation has potential as a rapid feed evaluation system for deer, but needs further validation.