Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing.

This study compares the effects of modern colony cage systems and traditional floor systems on the production and welfare of broiler chickens. Through two trials spanning 35 days each, we evaluated various physiological parameters, including growth performance, bone health, stress responses, and meat quality. Colony cages demonstrated superior thermal regulation and growth performance compared to traditional floor systems, but also exhibited higher frequencies of leg deformity and reduced standing ability. Conversely, the broilers in traditional floor systems experienced heat stress-related challenges, impacting the meat quality. Our findings underscore the need to balance productivity with animal welfare in broiler farming practices. By understanding the distinct impacts of different housing systems, we can work towards improving broiler rearing methods to ensure optimal welfare and production outcomes.

Isolation and identification of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 from emus from the Ein Gedi oasis by the Dead Sea.

An avian influenza virus (AIV), A/Emu/Israel/552/2010/(H5N1), was isolated from a dead emu that was found in the Ein Gedi oasis near the Dead Sea. The virus molecular characterization was performed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR using AIV subtype-specific primers. The virus was of high pathogenicity, according to its intravenous pathogenicity index of 2.85 and the nucleotide sequencing at the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin gene, GERRRKKR, which is typical for highly pathogenic chicken influenza A viruses.

Detection of wild- and vaccine-type avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus in clinical samples and feather shafts of commercial chickens.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a respiratory disease of poultry caused by an alphaherpesvirus (ILTV). To evaluate differential detection of ILTVs belonging to the two types, wild-type or vaccine-type, both causing clinical signs, five PCRs were evaluated to detect wild-type and vaccine-type ILTV in clinical samples. By directly sampling the organs, we aimed to avoid changes in the virus genome and to facilitate a fast diagnosis. The samples were tracheal and spleen homogenates and feather shafts. The latter are easy to collect, nonlethal for the bird, and advantageous for monitoring purposes. We investigated the time interval for vaccine virus detection following commercial vaccination by the vent application, which is successfully practiced in Israel. The study indicated that ILTV amplification from feather shafts was possible in clinical cases for about a one-month period after vaccination. Vaccine strains were identified by nested PCR for the ILTV-gE gene and differed from wild-type ILTV strains by two criteria: (1) While avirulent vaccines could be detected for about a month after the vent application, wild-type virus could be detected, in conjunction with clinical signs, for an unlimited time period; and (2) The ILTV vaccine was present in the bird in minute quantities compared to the wild-type virus. We assessed the virus type that appeared in conjunction with the clinical signs and determined that the clinical signs appeared in conjunction with both molecular forms of ILTV. The vaccine virus-type and the wild-type ILTV differed by their distinct restriction pattern when using the HaeIII restriction enzyme digestion of the nested amplification product.

Genetic characterization of avian influenza viruses isolated in Israel during 2000-2006.

Our aim was to establish the phylogenetic and genetic relationships among avian influenza viruses (AIV) recently isolated from poultry in Israel. During this study we analyzed complete nucleotide sequences of two envelope (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) and six internal genes (polymerase B1, polymerase B2, polymerase A, nucleoprotein, nonstructural, and matrix) of 29 selected H9N2 and six internal genes of five H5N1 viruses isolated in Israel during 2000-2006. Comparative genetic and phylogenetic analyses of these sequences revealed that the local H5N1 viruses are closely related to H5N1 viruses isolated in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries in 2005-2006. The H9N2 Israeli isolates, together with viruses isolated in Jordan and Saudi Arabia formed a single group. Our data support the claim that during recent years a new endemic focus of H9N2 has been formed in the Middle East. The introduction of H5N1 and co-circulation of these two subtypes of AIV in this region may augment the risk of potentially pandemic strains emergence.

Molecular characterization of the glycoprotein genes of H5N1 influenza A viruses isolated in Israel and the Gaza Strip during 2006 outbreaks.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A viruses (AIV) have caused outbreaks among domestic poultry and wild aquatic birds in many Asian, European, and African countries since 1997. In March 2006 an avian H5N1 influenza A virus was isolated from poultry in Israel. In the present study we molecularly characterized the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of eleven H5N1 viruses isolated from domestic poultry in Israel and Gaza in March-April 2006. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA and NA genes showed that the Israeli and Gazian viruses were closely related to viruses isolated in Egypt in 2006.