Deependra Paneru, Fatemeh Sadat Mahdavi, Venkata Prathap Reddy Keshavareddy, Sai Kumar Reddy Ragyari, Woo Kyun Kim
{"title":"Comparative analysis of body composition and bone microarchitecture in wild-type and restricted ovulator hens","authors":"Deependra Paneru, Fatemeh Sadat Mahdavi, Venkata Prathap Reddy Keshavareddy, Sai Kumar Reddy Ragyari, Woo Kyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The laying hen biology for egg production reshapes how hens allocate nutrients, often at the expense of their bone integrity. To form an eggshell each day, hens mobilize large amounts of calcium from their bones as well as a portion form the feed, using medullary bones as a temporary reservoir. Although this system sustains continuous egg production, the repeated cycles of resorption and incomplete replenishment of medullary bone progressively weakens structural bones, leaving them thinner, more porous, and prone to fracture. In the current study, restricted ovulator (<strong>RO</strong>) hens, a non-laying genetic variant of White Leghorns, were used. By comparing non-laying RO hens with their egg-laying wild-type (<strong>WT</strong>) siblings across major laying phases, we quantified the direct effects of egg production on bone integrity and whole-body composition. Non-laying hens maintained denser cortices, thicker trabeculae, and greater whole-body mineral reserves, while also storing more body fat. However, laying hens diverted resources to egg formation, resulting in limited cortical bone development, loss of trabecular connectivity, and continuous turnover of medullary bone without net gain. Structural bones were affected to varying degrees due to egg production, with the femur being the most vulnerable and keel the least. The effects of egg production extended beyond bone, reshaping whole-body composition toward leaner tissue profiles. In summary, our results emphasize that egg production is the primary driver of structural bone loss and altered body composition in laying hens. Future research should focus on developing better nutritional, genetic, and management strategies to prevent bone fragility and welfare issues in commercial layer production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thiago Gonsalo Silva , Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli , Leonardo de Oliveira Seno , Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara , Claudia Marie Komiyama , Sarah Sgavioli , Caio César dos Ouros , Jean Kaique Valentim , Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia
{"title":"Qualitative field factors and their relationships with carcass condemnations in broilers: A mixed data approach","authors":"Thiago Gonsalo Silva , Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli , Leonardo de Oliveira Seno , Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara , Claudia Marie Komiyama , Sarah Sgavioli , Caio César dos Ouros , Jean Kaique Valentim , Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The application of new technologies in poultry farming has led to increased domestic production, positioning Brazil prominently in the global market. However, the adaptation of these technologies during the incorporation process may present challenges in the field due to structural and climatic conditions, consequently resulting in higher rates of carcass condemnation. Therefore, understanding the profile of carcass condemnations is crucial for informed decision-making in the field and slaughterhouse operations. This study aims to establish the relationships between qualitative field factors, such as sex, hatchery of origin, type of poultry house acclimatization, and genetic line, and the causes of condemnation in broiler carcasses via a factorial analysis of mixed data. This study analyzed 445 complexes of the early slaughtered broiler ±28 days of age and 1.8–2.2 kg, between January 2021 and August 2022 in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The technological level of the evaluated poultry houses emerged as the primary factor explaining the diversity in condemnations, with negative pressure poultry houses demonstrating higher rates of carcass condemnation. Complexes of male broilers and birds housed from a single hatchery presented the lowest rates of condemnation during the slaughter process. The Ross 95 strain had the least impact on carcass condemnation. Therefore, in the context of this study, housing complexes of Ross 95 males with a single origin from a hatchery under positive pressure represents the most favorable scenario for reducing carcass condemnation. Housing system type and the uniformity of broiler origin, significantly influence condemnation rates and performance, highlighting the importance of controlled environments and maintaining homogeneous complexes to optimize performance and reduce condemnation rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100660"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Jamili Ghorab , H. Aghdam Shahryar , Y. Ebrahimnezhad , T. Farahvash , T. Vahdatpour , A. Ghorbani
{"title":"Evaluation of the required level of L-threonine amino acid in the diet of Gilan native ducks up to the age of 7 weeks","authors":"M. Jamili Ghorab , H. Aghdam Shahryar , Y. Ebrahimnezhad , T. Farahvash , T. Vahdatpour , A. Ghorbani","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the optimal level of threonine in the dietary of Gilan native ducks (mallard) from hatching up to seven weeks of age. Three hundred male Gilan native ducklings, with an average initial weight of 40 g, were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and ten ducks per replicate in a completely randomized design. The experimental period lasted seven weeks. Ducks were fed with diets containing 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.80, and 0.85 percent of the threonine from 1 to 14 days of age and 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.80, and 0.85 percent of threonine from 15 to 49 days of age. The results indicated that body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio initially improved and subsequently declined with increasing dietary threonine levels. The 0.85 % threonine resulted in the lowest feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and body weight gain (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Thigh and wing weights were highest at the 0.85 % dietary threonine level (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Nevertheless, increasing dietary threonine significantly elevated monocyte counts, red blood cell volume (MCV), and superoxide dismutase activity (<em>p</em> < 0.05). In conclusion, NRC-recommended threonine levels are appropriate for optimal growth performance in Gilan native ducks (mallard), and a 0.85 % dietary threonine level exerts positive effects on functional, biochemical, antioxidant, digestive, carcass traits, blood parameters, and intestinal morphology in these ducks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100621"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Justin H Lowery , Chongxiao Chen , Catherine G Fudge , Christina Sigmon , Robert B Beckstead , Lin L Walker
{"title":"Infection with Cochlosoma anatis in early brooding leads to poor health outcomes in turkey poults","authors":"Justin H Lowery , Chongxiao Chen , Catherine G Fudge , Christina Sigmon , Robert B Beckstead , Lin L Walker","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infection with <em>Cochlosoma anatis</em>, a flagellated protozoan parasite, significantly impacts U.S. commercial turkey production by causing poult enteritis (poor weight gain, flock non-uniformity, and diarrhea) and is associated with co-infections. Though unconfirmed, prior research suggests impaired nutrient acquisition or utilization. This study investigated how infection timing affects disease severity in turkey poults, hypothesizing that inoculation at early brooding (placement or 8 days of age) would lead to more severe outcomes relative to inoculation at 15 days of age or non-infected controls (NC). Poults were orally inoculated with a <em>C. anatis</em> field strain and performance recorded for 28 days. Ileal <em>C. anatis</em> concentrations and cecal tonsil concentrations of <em>Escherichia coli</em>, total coliforms, <em>Clostridium perfringens</em>, and <em>Salmonella</em> were measured at 28 days of age. Mortality was normalized with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, and all parameters were assessed using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer mean separation in JMP Pro 16. Mortality was significantly higher (<em>p</em> = 0.0007) with inoculation at placement and 8 days of age (up to 70 %) compared to those inoculated at 15 days of age (16 %) and the NC group (8 %). Initial weights were similar; however, poults inoculated at placement had significantly lower (<em>p</em> < 0.0001) final body weights (408.42 g/poult) compared to inoculation at 8 and 15 days of age (∼587 g/poult) and the NC group (797.51 g/poult). <em>C. anatis</em> and bacterial concentrations did not significantly differ. This study showed that <em>C. anatis</em> infection in early brooding leads to severe disease, highlighting the fragility of young poults susceptible to <em>C. anatis</em> infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100637"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of safety of decoquinate in chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar)","authors":"Rahmi CANBAR , Gökhan AKCAKAVAK , Muhittin USLU , Beyza SUVARIKLI ALAN","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decoquinate (DQ) is an antiprotozoal quinolone derivative developed as an anticoccidial for poultry and other animals. The aim of the study was to determine the safety of DQ as an extra-label anticoccidial in chukar partridges, which are generally raised as game birds. In the study, a total of 40 animals were divided into four equal groups, ten animals from each group. Nothing was applied to the control group and they were fed with standard feed. The treatment groups were fed with feed containing DQ at a dose of 30, 60 or 120 ppm at the end of the study. At the end of 100 days of study period, blood serum for biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, BUN, and creatinine) and tissue samples (kidney, brain and liver) for pathological evaluations were taken from the chukar partridges. In addition, biochemical parameters were measured from the blood serum. No difference was found between the groups in histopathological and serum biochemical parameters. It was concluded that DQ is safe in chukar partridges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100638"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Waleed Alhujaili , Halah A. Hafiz , Garsa Alshehry , Ahmed K. Aldhalmi , Mohammad M.H. Khan , Mahmoud Kamal , Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy
{"title":"Modulating cecal microbiota and systemic physiology in broilers through non-antibiotic dietary approaches","authors":"Waleed Alhujaili , Halah A. Hafiz , Garsa Alshehry , Ahmed K. Aldhalmi , Mohammad M.H. Khan , Mahmoud Kamal , Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of lactic acid (LAC) and spirulina (SPR) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, antioxidant status, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens as natural antioxidant and growth-promoting agents. A total of 360 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to six groups in a completely randomized design. Each group consisted of six replicates with ten unsexed chicks per replicate. The dietary treatments were as follows: NC (control, basal diet), PC (0.5 g polymyxin E antibiotic/kg diet), LAC 2 (2 g LAC/kg diet), LAC 4 (4 g LAC/kg diet), SPR 1 (1 g SPR/kg diet), and SPR 2 (2 g SPR/kg diet). No significant differences (<em>P</em> > 0.05) were observed among treatments for live body weight (LBW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), or performance index (PI), except for FI during days 1–21, where the SPR 1 group showed improved FCR. Carcass characteristics did not differ significantly among treatments. LAC and SPR supplementation (<em>P</em> < 0.001) reduced total protein and albumin levels compared with NC and PC groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, as well as urea and creatinine levels, were lower in the LAC 4 and SPR 2 groups. Spirulina supplementation at different levels increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, along with glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, compared with NC, PC, and LAC treatments. Significant (<em>P</em> < 0.05) differences in total bacterial count (TBC) were recorded, with the NC group showing the highest values. Lactobacilli and <em>E. coli</em> counts were highest in the LAC 2 and LAC 4 groups, whereas SPR 1 had the greatest <em>Salmonella</em> counts. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 2 g LAC/kg improved gut health by promoting microbial balance, while 1 g SPR/kg enhanced antioxidant status and organ function, thereby improving overall physiological resilience in broilers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100635"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scrubbing and hydrogen peroxide spray improve eggshell microbial hygiene and hatchability in goose eggs","authors":"Sheng-Der Wang , Chao-Hung Chiang , Shang-Chieh Hsieh , Chih-Chang Hsiao , Ching-Yi Lien","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100640","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100640","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of eggshell scrubbing and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) spray sanitization on the microbial load on eggshells, egg moisture loss, embryonic mortality, hatchability of fertilized eggs, and gosling weight in White Roman goose hatching eggs. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used, involving two levels of scrubbing (non-scrubbed or scrubbed) and three levels of spraying (no spray, 3 % H₂O₂, or 6 % H₂O₂). Each group consisted of six trays containing 30 eggs per tray, totaling 1,080 hatching eggs. Half of the eggs were manually scrubbed using a scouring pad under running tap water, followed by spraying with either 3 % or 6 % H₂O₂ solution or left untreated. The remaining 540 eggs were not scrubbed and were subjected to the same spraying treatments. Compared to untreated eggs, scrubbing reduced the total bacterial count, coliforms, and <em>Escherichia coli</em> on the eggshell surface by 4.31 log₁₀ cfu/mL, 3.42 log₁₀ cfu/100 mL, and 2.21 log₁₀ cfu/100 mL, respectively (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Scrubbing also decreased embryonic mortality during days 7 to 30 of incubation and increased cumulative moisture loss during days 1 to 28 of incubation (<em>P</em> < 0.05), while other hatchability traits were not affected. Additionally, spraying with 3 % H₂O₂ improved the hatchability of fertilized eggs and reduced the proportion of unmarketable goslings compared to the 6 % H₂O₂ group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). These findings suggest that scrubbing with a scouring pad under running tap water is an effective method for improving eggshell hygiene without compromising hatchability of goose hatching eggs. When H₂O₂ spray sanitization is applied, a 3 % concentration is preferable for maintaining hatchability outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100640"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Hisasaga , S.K. Orlowski-Workman , K.J. Tarrant
{"title":"Applied research note: Reliability in using live palpation scores to evaluate woody breast severity in commercial broilers","authors":"C. Hisasaga , S.K. Orlowski-Workman , K.J. Tarrant","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The broiler industry has observed an increase in the incidence and severity of myopathies in recent years, which has negatively affected meat quality and compromised consumer acceptance of fresh and processed products. Among these, a myopathy known as woody breast (WB) has become of concern to both the scientific community and the poultry industry, prompting numerous studies on the etiology of the myopathy. WB has been described as a disorder that causes hardening and discoloration of the chicken pectoralis major muscle, subsequently decreasing the meat quality. Palpation of the breast muscle of live birds has been used to estimate the presence and severity of woody breast in broiler populations. To assess its accuracy, this experiment aimed to evaluate how effectively the method can estimate the incidence and severity of WB pre-mortem. Furthermore, this study supports previous statements that demonstrate birds with WB are heavier in weight than those without WB. Our study provides insight into the reliability of using external palpations for scoring woody breast in live broilers. While the palpation method on live birds can be used to gain general information about breast scores, internal evaluation of WB scoring is needed to fully understand the incidence and severity of myopathy, as live scoring can be variable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100633"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of the safety and immunogenicity of commercial lentogenic Newcastle disease vaccine strains in layer chicks in Nepal","authors":"Prakash Rawal , Akash Adhikari , Sujan Adhikari , Shiva Prasad Kandel , Narendra Prasad Bhatta , Swagat Khanal , Abhishek Adhikari , Modnath Gautam","doi":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.japr.2025.100657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Newcastle disease (ND) continues to affect poultry flocks in Nepal despite routine vaccination, with outbreaks suggesting vaccine failure and interference from maternally derived antibodies (MDA). This study compared the safety and antibody response of three commercial lentogenic ND vaccine strains (HB1, F1, F) in layer chicks carrying MDA. Chicks were divided into vaccine, control, and baseline groups, with vaccines administered via the oculo-nasal-oral route at day 3. Vaccine safety was observed for 21 days, while vaccine efficacy and MDA levels were assessed by measuring antibody titers on days 1, 14, 21, and 28 using ELISA. Baseline MDA titers were high on day 1 but declined to negligible levels by day 28, with an estimated half-life of 6–7 days. All vaccines were safe, with no adverse effects even at tenfold dose. Significant differences in antibody response were observed among vaccine strains (<em>P</em> < 0.001). HB1 induced a stronger response by day 14, while F1 and F produced weaker responses. By day 21, HB1 achieved protective titers in 90 % of birds, compared with 60 % for F1 and 30 % for F. These findings confirm that all tested vaccines are safe but differ in immunogenicity, with HB1 showing superior performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15240,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Poultry Research","volume":"35 1","pages":"Article 100657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}