British Poultry Science最新文献

{"title":"Haematological and biochemical evaluation of healthy chickens afflicted by pendulous crop.","authors":"S C M de Oliveira, R S Amorim, S K de Jesus Santana, T M da Silva Melo, A L Machado, A K da Silva Cavalcante, J Á G de Brito, P M O Pedroso, W M S Perinotto","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2516248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2516248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Pendulous crop is a metabolic illness causing irreversible distension of the crop muscles due to weakened supporting ligaments. The present study assessed the physical, haematological and biochemical features of broiler chickens afflicted by pendulous crop (PC).2. Fifty-six broiler chickens, male and female Cobb 500, were used. Forty-two-day old animals were chosen from the batch by verifying the volume of the organ and 28 healthy and 28 animals with PC were selected. The birds were weighed, assessed and 4 ml of blood was collected for cell count and serum biochemistry analysis.3. Birds with PC had lack of co-ordination, difficulty in locomotion and regurgitation of the contents of the crop. Body weight was similar in PC and healthy birds (<i>p</i> > 0.05), however the absolute and relative crop weight in affected birds was higher than in healthy birds (<i>p</i> < 0.05).4. When analysing the blood count, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in afflicted birds was lower than in healthy birds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Serum biochemistry analysis showed that creatine kinase (CK) was higher in afflicted birds, and uric acid (UA) and triglycerides (TC) were lower in birds with PC (<i>p</i> < 0.05).5. This disease compromises the physical state, behaviour and crop weight of birds, but did not cause significant haematological changes. However, it modified creatine kinase, which suggested changes in muscle metabolism and impairment of the digestion and nutrient's absorption process.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144504888","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":"Effect of partial replacement of soybean meal with gamma-irradiated black soldier fly larvae or crushed grasshopper on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and organoleptic characteristics in broiler chickens.","authors":"A Reyan Mohassesi, H Darmani Kuhi, A Mohit, S Ghovvati","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2510362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2510362","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of gamma-irradiated black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and crushed grasshopper (GH) on performance, meat quality and organoleptic characteristics of broiler chickens2. A feeding trial with 546, one d old male broiler chicks was conducted for 42 d. The birds were weighed and randomly divided into seven dietary treatments in a completely randomised design experiment. Each treatment was replicated six times with 13 chicks in each. The experimental diets were isonitrogenic and isocaloric and consisted of: 1) basal diet (maize/soybean-based diet, control group) and diets 2-7 containing either 8%, 16% or 24% of BSFL or GH replacement instead of soybean meal in the basal diet, respectively.3. Results indicated that chicks fed 24% BSFL replacement exhibited a significant increase in average daily gain and a decrease in feed conversion ratio, along with marked improvements in carcass and breast meat yields (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while meat colour remained unaffected. In contrast, the sensory attributes of breast muscle were significantly enhanced in chicks receiving an 8% GH replacement (<i>p</i> < 0.05).4. The data showed that dietary inclusion of 24% BSFL enhanced growth performance, carcass traits and oxidative stability and 8% GH meal optimised meat sensory properties and lipid metabolism. These dietary interventions did not adversely affect meat colour, carcass traits or internal organ weights, which confirmed their safety and nutritional suitability. Gamma irradiation further promoted microbial safety, nutrient bioavailability, thereby demonstrating the advantages of irradiated insect-based feeds in poultry production.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144473968","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":"Dietary supplementation with tryptophan improves the production and growth performance of breeding pigeons under 2 + 4 model.","authors":"S Zheng, K Yan, Y Tang, W Zhang, Y Zhang, W Huang, M Yang, H Lu, Z Li, Y He, Z Gou, Z Wang, J Wang, Z Li, X Xu, H Gao, S Zhou, Y Lv, W Wang, Y Huang, J Peng","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2516859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2516859","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different concentrations of tryptophan in the diet on reproductive performance, body weight loss and plasma biochemical indices of breeding pigeons. It included growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma biochemical indices of squabs.2. In this study, 360 pairs of Mimas breeding pigeons were randomly divided into six experimental groups based on the dietary tryptophan content. The pigeons with four squabs were fed diets containing 0.10%, 0.14%, 0.18%, 0.22%, 0.26% and 0.30% tryptophan (Trp) for 50 d.3. The results showed that dietary Trp supplementation increased egg-laying rate of breeding pigeons curvilinearly, with the highest rate occurring in the 0.18-0.30% group. The FCR of squabs showed a linear and quadratic trend and the 0.26% Trp group was the lowest. The increase in semi-eviscerated and eviscerated weight of squabs showed a curvilinear trend and the best slaughter performance of squabs was observed in the 0.26% Trp group.4. The 0.22-0.30% Trp supplementation resulted in an improvement in meat colour. Plasma biochemical index results showed that Trp supplementation significantly improved metabolic function in squabs and the best indices were observed in the 0.22-0.30% Trp group.5. A regression model was established using reproductive and growth performance indexes. Laying rate of breeding pigeons was highest during incubation and lactation periods at 0.210-0.272% Trp supplementation. At this rate, the level of oxidative stress in squabs was reduced, which improved growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144473967","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":"<i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> supplementation in broiler feed: effect on performance, intestinal health, meat quality and animal welfare under an <i>Eimeria</i> vaccine challenge.","authors":"S Van Nerom, A De Grande, F Van Immerseel, J Robbens, E Delezie","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2515571","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2515571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>1. Chlorella vulgaris</i>, a microalga rich in bioactive compounds, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties. This study investigated the effects of 2% inclusion of autotrophic and heterotrophic <i>C. vulgaris</i>, both with and without pulsed electric field (PEF) processing, on the performance, intestinal health, and meat quality of broilers under a coccidiosis vaccine challenge.2. A total of 1008 Ross 308 male broilers were randomly divided into five treatment groups and fed diets containing either autotrophic or heterotrophic <i>C. vulgaris</i>, with or without PEF-processing, or a control diet without algae. The birds were subjected to a coccidiosis challenge through a high-dose times <i>Eimeria</i> vaccine. Performance variables and meat quality were recorded and intestinal health was assessed through ileal ovotransferrin levels as a marker of gut permeability, histological parameters and antioxidant capacity of blood plasma.3. Inclusion of <i>C. vulgaris</i> did not affect most performance parameters. However, a trend to an increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) was seen. Ovotransferrin concentrations and antioxidant capacity were higher for broilers fed with heterotrophic algae than with autotrophic algae. No significant differences in intestinal morphology were observed.4. Meat quality variables revealed that heterotrophic algae-fed broilers had darker, redder and more yellow breast meat. This was likely due to pigment uptake, but showed abnormalities like wooden breast and white striping.5. Supplementing with <i>C. vulgaris</i> can act as a functional feed additive in broiler production, particularly under conditions that simulate commercial stressors such as coccidiosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144332482","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":"Resveratrol alleviates stress-associated bursal injury in chickens: a transcriptomic analysis.","authors":"F Laghari, H Zhang, C He, H Gong, J Zhang, Q Chang, J Bao, R Zhang","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2512376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2512376","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Resveratrol (RSV) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant polyphenol that is widely used for the prevention of stress-related diseases. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) significantly affects the immune system of layers, leading to substantial losses in growth performance and welfare. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a multi-stress environment under CUMS conditions on the bursa of Fabricius and any therapeutic effects.2. A total of 288 healthy, one-day-old layer chicks were divided into three groups: a healthy control, challenged with CUMS or CUMS+RSV. At 42 d of age, bursa of Fabricius samples were collected and analysed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, RNA-seq technology, qRT-PCR, Western blots, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess tissue damage and mRNA expression and enrichment pathways.3. The tissue damage under CUMS challenge was observed and RSV alleviated the degree of injury from the results of H&E staining and TEM. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 631, 293 and 598 differentially expressed genes (DEG; log2 fold change > 1, <i>p</i> < 0.05) in the control <i>vs</i>. CUMS, CUMS <i>vs</i>. CUMS+RSV and control <i>vs</i>. CUMS+RSV group, respectively.4. Genes related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction were <i>NTSR1</i> and <i>GZMA</i> down-regulated while <i>KNG1</i>, <i>OPRL1</i> and <i>P2RY8</i> were up-regulated and calcium signalling pathway genes <i>CXCR4, PLCG2, PRKCB</i> and <i>CAMK2A</i> were up-regulated in the CUMS group compared to control group. However, <i>CXCR4, PLCG2</i> and <i>CAMK2A</i> were down-regulated, whereas <i>NTSR1</i> and <i>GZMA</i> were up-regulated genes in CUMS+RSV group compared to the CUMS group. Analyses of DEG was conducted based on the KEGG pathway and verified using qRT PCR and Western blots.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144324560","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":"Protective effect of <i>Artemisia capillaris</i> on hepatic lipid accumulation in laying hens with fatty liver and the study of its mechanism.","authors":"L Fang, H Cao, Y Guo, Y Zhang, M Ge, Y Min, W Yu, X Jiang","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2512585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2512585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. <i>Artemisia capillaris</i> Thunb. (ACT) is a semi-scrubby herb from the Artemisia genus of the Asteraceae family that has hepatobiliary effects. This study evaluated the effect of ACT on hepatic lipid buildup in laying hens and, hence, as a feed additive to treat fatty liver in laying hens.2. Hens were randomly allocated into one of five treatment groups: positive control group (to 35 weeks of age; PC), fatty liver control group (to 75 weeks of age; 75W), ACT low-dose intervention (1 g/h/d) group (to 75 weeks of age; 75W+L), ACT medium-dose intervention (2 g/h/d) group (to 75 weeks of age; 75W+M) and ACT high-dose intervention (4 g/h/d) group (to 75 weeks of age; 75W+H).3. Feeding ACT decreased the liver index and tissue sections revealed that it minimised hepatocellular steatosis and vacuolar degeneration, considerably lowered liver indicator enzyme (aspartate transaminase, AST and alanine transaminase, ALT) concentrations and improved liver function. Regarding hepatic fat formation, ACT reduced the amount of lipid droplets in the liver; the ACT group dramatically lowered serum triglycerides (TG), serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In terms of reproductive hormone markers, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) and vitellogenin (VTG) levels were dramatically elevated, while oestradiol (E2) levels were decreased in hens fed the ACT diets.4. Cyberpharmacology and molecular docking revealed that ACT primary target was <i>AKT</i>, which was able to reduce <i>AKT</i> protein phosphorylation as well as the protein expression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes <i>ACC</i>, <i>FAS</i> and <i>SREBP-1c</i> in the liver.5. In conclusion, ACT was able to dramatically reduce the protein expression of fatty acid production genes, enhance hepatic lipid metabolism in laying hens, reverse hepatic and dyslipidemic abnormalities in laying hens and ameliorate fatty liver conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144246576","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":"Effects of cell-free supernatants produced by lactic acid bacteria on the safety and quality of poultry meat.","authors":"B Ozturk, I Y Sengun","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2500344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2500344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This research characterised cell-free supernatants (CFS) obtained from lactic acid bacteria (<i>Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides</i> T139, <i>Pediococcus acidilactici</i> T115 and <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> T127) and examined the effects of CFS (10%) on the safety and quality of poultry meat stored at 4°C for 7 d.2. In the first stage of the study, metabolite production (exopolysaccharide, hydrogen peroxide and diacetyl production) and their bioactive properties (pH values, total acidity, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities) were detected. In the second stage, poultry meat was inoculated with <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7, <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium (≈5 log CFU/g) using the spot inoculation method and the counts of pathogens were examined. In the final stage of the study, the counts of background microbiota (total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, total psychrophilic aerobic bacteria, <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp. Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria) were determined.3. The amounts of exopolysaccharide, hydrogen peroxide and diacetyl were in the range of 156.00-514.30 µg/ml, 0.01-0.07 µg/ml and 19.15-75.54 ng/ml, respectively. The pH values, total acidity, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activities) of the CFS were in the range of 4.08-4.34, 1.78-1.87 g lactic acid/100 ml, 3549-3864 mg GAE/l, 30.42-37.76% and 21.78-31.41%, respectively. In the second stage of the study, the counts of <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7, <i>L. monocytogenes</i> and <i>S</i>. Typhimurium inoculated on poultry meats were reduced by CFS treatment in the range of 0.82-1.41, 0.77-2.11 and 0.71-1.78 log CFU/g, respectively. In the final stage of the study, the counts of background microbiota on CFS-treated poultry meat samples were efficiently decreased during storage period (4°C for 7 d).4. The current study revealed that CFS are highly effective for ensuring meat safety and improving quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144233262","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":"The Gordon Memorial Lecture: Steering the gut microbiome for improved health and welfare in broilers.","authors":"R Ducatelle, E Goossens, V Eeckhaut, F Van Immerseel","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2488014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2488014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. In fast growing broilers, intestinal health is continuously under pressure due to extremely high feed intake and environmental/management conditions that cause (oxidative) stress to the intestinal epithelium.2. The following review focuses on the contributions of the Livestock Gut Health Team at Ghent University into understanding the mechanisms governing the interactions between the intestinal microbiota and the host intestinal mucosa. It covers the development of tools to support intestinal health of broilers through nutritional manipulation of the microbiota.3. In the duodenum and jejunum, microbiota are suppressed by the secretion of enzymes and antibacterial peptides in order to avoid competition for the nutrients. These defence mechanisms can be re-enforced and/or the epithelial cells can be protected from damage by different feed additives.4. Metabolism in the caecal microbial network is fuelled by the fibre fraction in feed. Whenever this network is incomplete or the feed is lacking fibre, this may lead to a distortion of the microbiota, followed by insufficient production of beneficial microbial metabolites, such as butyrate. This can contribute to inflammation and leakage of the gut barrier, with, in severe cases, wet litter, foot pad lesions and poor performance as common consequences. Reenforcing the caecal microbial network can be achieved using prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, which will improve the health and well-being of the birds.5. Steering towards optimal microbial fermentation will help to protect the birds from <i>Clostridium perfringens</i>-associated necrotic enteritis and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. colonisation since both interact with the intestinal microbiota.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144233263","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":"Effects of cottonseed meal bioactive peptides on growth performance, ileal digestibility, serum amino acid and immune responses of broiler chickens.","authors":"M Mohammadrezaei, B Navidshad, A Gheisari","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2506073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2506073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. The influence of different inclusion levels of a bioactive peptide derived from cottonseed meal by enzymatic hydrolysis was examined in broilers. Experimental diets contained six inclusion levels of cottonseed bioactive peptides (CBP) at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg of diet. A total number of 432, one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to one of six treatments, which were replicated six times based on a completely randomised design.2. The results showed that CBP in the diet linearly increased body weight gain feed consumption and so FCR. As a result of the higher feed intake, CBP linearly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increased FCR. However, when corrected for the body weight differences (d 35), there was no significant effect of CBP on FCR.3. The CBP inclusion improved crude protein and Arg, His and Met ileal digestibility in a linear manner (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Serum concentration of Lys, Trp, Ala and Orn decreased linearly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) as the concentration of CBP increased in the diet.4. Antibody titres against Newcastle disease, sheep red blood cell (SRBC) and serum concentration of IgY, IgM, IgA and GSH, red blood cell count and haematocrit increased in line with CBP inclusion.5. There was both a linear (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and quadratic (<i>p</i> = 0.021) response for carcase yield percentage, although the liver's relative weight linearly (<i>p</i> = 0.001) decreased with higher CBP inclusion.6. Overall, the data showed that dietary supplementation of CBP in broiler diets has the potential to improve performance traits, ileal protein and amino acid digestibility and can be used as a novel functional protein in poultry diets.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144214996","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":"MFSnet: a multi-scale feature screening network for chicken counting in dense environments.","authors":"G Ma, Z Xiao, F Yuan, E Sun, S Chen, J Liu, B He","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2500346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2025.2500346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Machine-vision-based chicken counting is a highly efficient approach. Nonetheless, in scenarios with high breeding densities, chickens in the captured images frequently overlap with one another. This research addressed the challenge of accurately counting chickens within a free-range chicken coop in densely environments. It proposes a chicken-counting network specifically designed for dense scenarios, namely MFSnet.2. The study extracted multi-scale feature maps and subjected them to processing during the fusion stage via a Feature Screening Module (FSM). This module generated feature maps that were richly endowed with features from diverse scales to enhance information, thereby augmenting the network's capacity to accurately identify chickens.3. The dataset was collected and labelled and denominated as Chicken2023. It consisted of 550 images, which, in aggregate, encompassed a total of 49 747 chickens. To validate its efficacy, it was compared with extant counting algorithms. The experimental findings derived from the Chicken2023 dataset illustrated that this method attained a better counting performance level. It achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.7 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.6. When juxtaposed with the top-performing network, it showed a notable improvement, with a 6.25% reduction in MAE and a 6.26% reduction in RMSE.4. The network model proposed in this study accurately recognised the number of chickens in dense environments and improved the efficiency of poultry farming.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144198294","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}