Sensor validation to record rumination and analysis of behavioral parameters of dairy Gyr heifers in feedlot systems.

The use of sensors for livestock monitoring has grown in the last decade, motivated not only by the search for improvements in animal production and health, but also by the better use of physical, financial, and human resources in the management of livestock. Since precision livestock farming depends on technological innovation, including the use of sensors, it is essential to validate their applicability in confined animals. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the functioning of the SCR Heatime® HR System sensor in heifers and analyze the behavioral differences of these animals in two feedlot systems (tie-stall and loose-housing). Eleven Gyr heifers of 10 months of age and an average body weight of 179 ± 26 kg were used. Animals were equipped with the SCR Heatime® HR System 7 days before the evaluations for adaptation, with the behavioral and system studies carried out during two periods each of 5 days, for 8 h a day. Five heifers were housed in tie-stall bedding and six were housed in loose-housing. After the evaluations for a period, animals have been switched systems in the following period. While the animals had the sensors attached to their bodies, behavioral evaluations were also performed visually, every 3 min by two evaluators per system. Behavior activities were characterized as standing, lying, idle standing, idle lying, ruminating standing, ruminating lying, feed, and water intake. The regression for the rumination activity recorded between the sensor and the visual assessment was significant only for loose-housing (P = 0.0002), but the Pearson correlation between both was negative and low (r = - 0.25; P = 0.0002). The sensor overestimated rumination by 27.3% in loose-housing (28 vs. 22 min/2 h) and 38.5% in tie-stall (36 vs. 26 min/2 h). Thus, when considering the different feedlot systems, validation was not possible due to the overestimation of time spent on rumination activity determined by the sensor. In the behavioral comparison between the systems by visual assessment, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) for the behaviors of motor activity, idle lying, total idle time, and feed intake between the animals in the two housing systems. As for idle standing, ruminating standing, total rumination time, and water intake, there was no difference (P > 0.05). However, the time spent ruminating lying was greater from 10:00 to 12:00 h (43 ± 3 min/2 h) in the tie-stall, whereas in the loose-housing the animals distribute more uniformly their rumination from 08:00 to 16:00 h (26 min/2 h on average). Therefore, the use of the SCR Heatime® HR System sensor is not recommended for Gyr heifers housed in tie-stall and loose-housing systems. Regarding the daytime range of rumination and the accuracy improvements of similar sensors, it is recommended to develop them in both feedlot systems using the periods of less rumination in early morning in tie-stall and late afternoon in loose-housing.

Investigation of avian rotavirus infections in broiler chicks from commercial flocks with different performance efficiency indexes.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the frequency of occurrence of avian rotavirus (AvRV) in poultry flocks according to its Performance Efficiency Index (PEI) scores. A total of 256 individual intestinal content samples of small sized-chicks (runts) with clinical signs of Runting Stunting Syndrome (RSS) and 24 clinically healthy chicks (control) were collected from twelve flocks in southern Brazil with different PEI scores: good (n = 4, PEI mean = 365); moderate (n = 4, PEI mean = 342) or poor (n = 4, PEI mean = 319). Silver-stained polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (ss-PAGE) was used to detect and identify the AvRV species followed by RT-PCR and sequencing of the partial VP6 gene for species confirmation. AvRV was detected in 83% (10/12) of the flocks and 23.4% (60/256) of the chicks. The electrophoretic migration patterns of viral dsRNA segments were compatible with AvRV species A (AvRV- A), D (AvRV-D) and F (AvRV-F) in 9 (15%), 18 (30%), and 33 (55%) of the positive chicks fecal samples, respectively. The AvRV species identified by ss-PAGE were confirmed by RT-PCR and partial sequence analysis of the VP6 gene. The AvRV detection rate was statistically higher (p = 0.007) in chicks from flocks with poor PEI when compared to those with good PEI. The occurrence of AvRV-D and AvRV-F was statistically higher in 7 to 9 days old chicks, while AvRV-A was detected only in 13 to 14 days old animals.

Performance, biochemical and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs fed with three levels of metabolizable energy.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and the blood biochemical and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs receiving three levels of metabolizable energy (ME). A completely randomized design with three treatments (ME levels) and eight replicates (lambs) was used. Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs of four months of age and 21.07 ± 3.91 kg body weight (BW) received a diet composed of 40% Tifton 85 hay and 60% concentrate feed, on a dry matter basis. The amount of feed supplied was adjusted to meet 115, 201, and 288 kcal ME per kg of metabolic weight (MW = BW0.75) daily. Average daily gain and the intake of dry matter (g/day and % BW0.75/day), nutrients, and energy increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level. The dry matter intake relative to BW (% BW/day) and feed conversion ratio showed quadratic responses (P < 0.05) to ME level. Serum creatinine decreased linearly (P = 0.038), whereas plasma glucose increased linearly (P = 0.045) with ME level. Serum urea presented a high variation (standard error range = ±1.98-6.07 mg/dL) in response to 288 kcal/kg0.75/day of ME supply, and did not stabilize during the trial. Respiratory rate increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level at each time of day (morning/afternoon), but with higher intensity in the afternoon. Heart rate and rectal temperature increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level. Given that the range of ME level simulated a restricted-to-ad libitum ME intake, the best response in terms of feed efficiency can be obtained with 252 kcal/kg0.75/day of ME supply, which probably reflects the best balance of metabolic and physiological parameters. Thus, in order to achieve high productive performance in tropical environments, feedlot lambs should be fed with high-concentrate diets.

Efficiency of sanitary management of litter in Eimeria spp. control in poultry housing of Western Paraná, Brazil.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the control of coccidiosis in the litter of commercial poultry housing in the Western region of Paraná, Brazil, which adopts sanitary management to control Salmonellosis. Three litter treatments were selected, proposed by an integrating company in the region: fermentation associated with liming (FL); liming (L) and fermentation (F). Stool samples were collected from 18 poultry housing, in a completely randomized experimental design, testing different collection areas in the sheds, from the 5th day of the birds' housing, repeated weekly until the 40th day, during five successive flocks. The incidence of coccidiosis was determined by oocysts count in feces (OoPG), testing the interactions between treatment, age of birds and the number of flocks housed. Samples were selected to identify, through the Multiplex PCR, species of the genus Eimeria. circulating in the shed. The results showed that in litter where fermentation was adopted, the efficiency to control the sporulation of Eimeria spp. was significantly (p <0.05) higher than in the other treatments. The use of the Multiplex PCR technique requires improvements in the preparation of samples for the extraction of genetic material.

Efficiency of sanitary management of litter in Eimeria spp. control in poultry housing of Western Paraná, Brazil / Eficiência dos manejos sanitários de cama no controle de Eimeria spp. em aviários no Oeste do Paraná, Brasil

Abstract The objective of this research was to evaluate the control of coccidiosis in the litter of commercial poultry housing in the Western region of Paraná, Brazil, which adopts sanitary management to control Salmonellosis. Three litter treatments were selected, proposed by an integrating company in the region: fermentation associated with liming (FL); liming (L) and fermentation (F). Stool samples were collected from 18 poultry housing, in a completely randomized experimental design, testing different collection areas in the sheds, from the 5th day of the birds' housing, repeated weekly until the 40th day, during five successive flocks. The incidence of coccidiosis was determined by oocysts count in feces (OoPG), testing the interactions between treatment, age of birds and the number of flocks housed. Samples were selected to identify, through the Multiplex PCR, species of the genus Eimeria. circulating in the shed. The results showed that in litter where fermentation was adopted, the efficiency to control the sporulation of Eimeria spp. was significantly (p <0.05) higher than in the other treatments. The use of the Multiplex PCR technique requires improvements in the preparation of samples for the extraction of genetic material.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência dos manejos sanitários aplicados à cama de aviários comerciais para o controle da salmonelose nas criações de frango de corte, na região Oeste do Paraná, e verificar seu efeito no controle da coccidiose. Foram selecionados três tratamentos de cama: a fermentação associada à calagem (FL); calagem (L) e fermentação (F). As amostras de fezes foram coletadas de 18 aviários, com um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, testando-se diferentes áreas de coleta. As coletas foram realizadas a partir do 5° dia do alojamento e se repetiram semanalmente até o 40° dia, durante cinco lotes sucessivos. A incidência da parasitose foi determinada pela contagem de oocistos por grama de fezes (OoPG), testando as interações entre tratamento, idade das aves e número de lotes alojados. Amostras de fezes foram selecionadas para identificar os oocistos esperulados das espécies do gênero Eimeria circulantes no galpão, por meio do Multiplex PCR. Observou-se que a fermentação foi significativamente (p<0,05) mais eficiente, comparando-se o mesmo lote ao longo de todos os observados. A utilização da técnica de PCR Multiplex, precisa ser padronizada para amostras de campo.