Poultry consumption and perceptions in Tehsil Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan: Implications for public health during COVID-19.

This study investigated the habits and attitudes of individuals towards poultry consumption, utilizing primary data collected through a survey of 5 households from 285 localities in Tehsil Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan (n = 1425). Household selection was randomized, and personal visits were conducted for data collection via formal interviews employing a structured questionnaire. Coordinates for each site were obtained using a Garmin eTrex device, in conjunction with meteorological data, to determine global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. A notable portion of respondents (38.8 %) possessed basic knowledge, while the majority (61.2 %) demonstrated intermediate knowledge regarding commercial broilers (chickens raised for meat production). A significant proportion (70.3 %) harbored misconceptions about the inclusion of hormones/antibiotics in poultry feed, with a minority (0.2 %) misinformed about broiler chickens' leg weakness. Some respondents (17.3 %) held both misconceptions, while others (12.2 %) had none. The majority (97.6 %) favored egg consumption, with 51.7 % preferring commercial chicken eggs and 48.3 % opting for domestic chicken eggs. Preference for white-colored eggs (51.5 %) slightly outweighed that for brown-colored eggs (48.5 %). A minority (1.3 %) speculated that poultry consumption could be a potential cause of COVID-19, while the majority (65.7 %) disagreed, and a portion (33.0 %) remained uncertain. Nearly all respondents (99.9 %) believed in the immunity-boosting properties of protein intake, with 65 % associating such benefits with poultry meat and eggs. Similarly, 99.7 % did not encounter difficulties in accessing poultry products during lockdowns. Approximately half (46.3 %) of respondents believed that consuming well-cooked and safely handled poultry meat was safe during outbreaks. Poultry meat and eggs emerged as potentially efficient sources of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for protein-deficient populations like Pakistan. Therefore, initiatives should focus on enhancing commercial poultry production and educating the populace about its advantages.

Impact of different light intensities to Japanese quail eggs on hatching results and post-hatch performance.

The study aims to evaluate dichromatic light with different intensities during incubation on pre- and post-hatch performance of Japanese quail. In completely randomized design, 600 quail hatching eggs were evenly divided into 4 treatments, 3 replicates, and 50 eggs in each. These eggs were provided with lighted incubation [dichromatic light; green-red (GR) with three different intensities 150, 250, and 350 lx] with lighting schedule (12L: 12D), and one treatment was the complete dark period during incubation and considered as control group. After hatch, 300 quail chicks were equally divided into four treatments (3 replicates and 25 chicks in each). Effects of GR light with different intensities during incubation were evaluated on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of Japanese quails. Regarding hatching traits, hatchability was better in all the treated groups (150, 250, and 350 lx of GR light during incubation) compared to complete dark. In terms of embryonic mortality, early embryonic mortality was lower in the 250 lx group, mid embryonic mortality in dark, and late embryonic mortality in the 150 lx group. Furthermore, an ideal chick spread and growth performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and liveability) was reported in 250 lx group compared to other treated groups. Serum chemistry values were higher in dark group compared to 150, 250, and 350 lx groups. Pre-slaughter weight was higher in 250 and 350 lx group than 150 lx and dark group, whereas carcass weight was better in 350 lx group compared to dark. In conclusion, stimulation of dichromatic light (green + red) at 250 lx to Japanese quail eggs positively influenced hatching traits and post-hatch growth performance of Japanese quail.

Effects of prenatal dichromatic light exposure on hatching results and post-hatch performance of Japanese quail.

Present study evaluated the effect of lighted incubation on pre- and post-hatch performance of Japanese quail. In a completely randomized design, 1200 eggs were evenly divided into 4 treatments groups having six replicates (each tray was considered as replicate), 50 eggs each. Different dichromatic lights (Green + Red; GR, Green + Blue; GB, and Blue + Red; BR) of 250 lux were provided during incubation for 12 h daily and effects of these lights very evaluated on hatching results and post-hatch growth. After hatch, 600 quail chicks were divided into 4 treatments, 6 replicates, and 25 birds each. Regarding hatching traits, better hatchability was found in the GR group compared to GB, BR, and dark group; while early embryonic mortality was lower in BR, GB, and dark group than GR; mid embryonic mortality was lower in dark group and late embryonic mortality was noted in the GR group than those of other treatment groups. In addition, moisture loss during incubation was minimum in BR and dark groups; however, chick spread was better in the GR group. In terms of growth performance, weight gain was better in the GR group; feed intake in dark, feed conversion ratio in BR, and livability were better in BR and GR group. In morphometrics, keel and shank length were higher in all the colored groups (GB, BR, and GR) whereas body length, wing spread, shank circumference, drumstick length, and circumference were higher in the GR group. Regarding serum chemistry, glucose, albumin, and globulin levels were higher in the GR group. It was concluded that under the experimental conditions, GR light at the prenatal stage to Japanese quail eggs positively influenced hatching performance and post-hatch growth.

Effects of mirror and coloured balls as environmental enrichment tools on performance, welfare and meat quality traits of commercial broiler.

This study evaluated the effect of environmental enrichment on the performance, behaviour and welfare aspects; blood biochemistry; carcass and meat quality traits of broiler chickens. A total of 450 straight run broiler chicks (Ross-308) were divided into 5 treatment groups having 6 replicates of 15 birds each under a completely randomised design. Treatments were environmental enrichment (EE) tools and consisted of C = control group; R = red ball for EE; G = green ball for EE; B = blue ball for EE and M = mirror for EE. These environmental enrichment tools were provided throughout the experimental period (0 to 35 days). Mean feed intake per bird was higher in all treatment groups except the blue balls group; weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better in the green and blue ball groups. Broiler chickens reared under different environmental enrichment were more active and they exhibited maintenance behaviour (preening, dust bathing and wing stretching, or scratching) more frequently. Regarding welfare traits, lower incidence of toe damage, footpad dermatitis and hock burn was observed in birds having different environmental enrichment tools as compared to the control group. The birds reared with red balls as environmental enrichment showed the lowest values for glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulin amongst all the treatment groups. Birds reared with green balls had the highest body weight at slaughter, dressed weight, carcass yield and liver weight. Breast meat of environmentally enriched treated groups was lighter and had lower ultimate pH. It was concluded that the addition of environmental enrichment tools (visual, structural and plastic) motivates the birds for physical activities and improves the performance of broiler chickens.