Search Results (1,139)

The present study provides a socio-economic characterization of an endangered turkey population in Europe for the first time, using the example of a southern Spanish population. To this end, 10 Andalusian turkey breeders were subjected to a 102-item survey, which included the following sections: personal and educational profile, the role of women in breeding, availability and conditions of facilities, welfare conditions, other equipment, maintenance and hygiene, farm access, feeding management, reproductive and replacement management, mortality, market value, and motivations for breeding. The results exhibited a wide variety in the breeder and rearing system attributes. However, the respondents agreed that rearing local breeds was a non-professionalized hobby. Farmers have generally old facilities and makeshift equipment for breeding the animals, which show strong ancestral instincts and a low requirement for breeding. The main purpose of their rearing is for self-consumption; however, there is an established sale demand for meat associated with Christmas. Breeders show a strong emotional motivation for the preservation of this ancestral population, which shares the rearing system with other endangered breeds. Three different profiles of breeders, traditional, neo-rural, and new-peasant, are responsible for maintaining the population selflessly and without administrative support. Full article

The intensive development of livestock and poultry farming has heavily relied on antibiotics, leading to widespread antimicrobial resistance and posing serious threats to food safety and public health. As the industry transitions towards reduced antibiotic use and sustainable animal production, probiotics and their metabolites have garnered attention as functional alternatives. Probiotics are typically administered in the form of microecological preparations by mixing them into feed or water, offering advantages in cost-effectiveness and ease of use, with demonstrated efficacy in promoting animal health. Swine-derived probiotics, in particular, demonstrate host-specific advantages due to their natural adaptation to the porcine gastrointestinal environment, which improves intestinal colonization, pathogen inhibition, and immune modulation. Their metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and exopolysaccharides, further contribute to these benefits through antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-strengthening effects. Recent studies have demonstrated improvements in average daily gain (18–22%) and feed conversion ratio (12–15%), along with a reduction in diarrhea incidence (up to 40–45%) in weaned piglets supplemented with certain probiotic consortia. It should be noted, however, that part of the supporting evidence is derived from in vitro or non-porcine models, and practical outcomes in swine may vary depending on husbandry conditions, probiotic strain, and husbandry conditions. This review systematically summarizes the isolation and identification of swine-derived probiotics, the active components and functions of their metabolites, and the mechanisms of action and application effects of these metabolites as antibiotic-alternative feed additives. It primarily focuses on innovative research advances in probiotic metabolites for enhancing antibacterial activity and improving pig growth performance. Furthermore, the review discusses the prospects for commercial applications and future research directions, aiming to provide theoretical foundations and technical references for green and healthy farming practices. Full article

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes avian colibacillosis, a disease responsible for high morbidity and mortality in commercial poultry flocks, leading to devastating economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. APEC may also act as a source of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes that can be transferred to other Escherichia coli pathotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the serotypes, phylogenetic background, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance profiles of APEC in Algeria. A total of 98 APEC strains were isolated from chicken samples with characteristic colibacillosis signs between 2019 and 2020. O-serotyping identified O157 (20.41%) and O78 (11.22%) as the predominant serotypes. The isolates were classified into groups B1 (43.87%), C (29.59%), A (12.24%), E (7.14%), F (5.10%), and B2 (2.04%). Virulence gene analysis revealed that among the 31 genes investigated, a high occurrence of mat, crlA (100% each), yijP (98.98%), fimC, ibeB, ompA (97.96% each), iucD (89.80%), iroN (81.63%), iss (80.61%), and eae (79.59%) was observed. The highest resistance rates were found for ampicillin (97.96%), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (96.94%), nalidixic acid (94.90%), tetracycline (90.82%), and ciprofloxacin (79.59%). Additionally, 92.86% of APEC isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotics, reflecting extensive antimicrobial use in Algerian poultry farms and highlighting a major challenge for both animal health management and potential zoonotic transmission. Our data provide valuable insights into the characteristics of the APEC populations in broiler chickens in Algeria. This may assist in understanding APEC pathogenesis and in developing effective control strategies. Full article

Amino acids (AA) play a crucial role in poultry production, directly influencing feed efficiency, growth, immune function, and environmental impact. Over the years, advancements in feed formulation, digestibility assessments, and precision nutrition have contributed to improving poultry performance through AA nutrition while reducing nitrogen (N) excretion. Standardized ileal amino acid digestibility (SIAAD) has become a key tool for accurately evaluating AA bioavailability, moving beyond less precise estimate of apparent ileal digestibility (AID), to ensure that dietary formulations precisely meet the specific needs of poultry at different production stages, while correcting for basal ileal endogenous amino acid losses (BIEAAL) and providing more accurate, additive values for feed formulation. Additionally, innovations in synthetic amino acids (SAA), exogenous enzyme supplementation, and alternative protein sources have further enhanced AA utilization, offering sustainable solutions for modern poultry farming. However, challenges remain in optimizing AA metabolism, minimizing N excretion, and refining feeding strategies to optimize efficiency. This review explores the physiological significance of AAs in poultry, discusses factors affecting their digestibility and utilization, and examines emerging technologies for improving AA nutrition. Understanding these aspects is essential in advancing poultry production while ensuring sustainability and economic viability. Full article

The study analyzed energy, environmental impact, and costs in intensive broiler production systems in the southeast of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, comparing scenarios with and without photovoltaic systems. Four configurations were evaluated, considering different ventilation types (positive and negative pressure) and photovoltaic generation. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with a functional unit of 1 kg of live weight of chicken and a cradle-to-gate approach, indicated that photovoltaic systems reduce between 2.58 t and 4.96 t of CO₂-eq annually, in addition to offering better energy efficiency. Economically, sheds with positive pressure ventilation have the lowest cost–benefit ratios, while the feeding subsystem was the one that contributed the most to global warming, among the environmental impact categories evaluated in the LCA. Photovoltaic systems demonstrated the potential to reduce electricity costs between 19.4% and 26.5% per year. However, coffee husks used as chicken litter accounted for 36.5% of production costs, highlighting the need for more economical alternatives. It was concluded that photovoltaic systems are a viable solution to reduce environmental impacts and increase profitability, reinforcing the importance of resource-use optimization strategies in poultry farming. Full article

This study aimed to examine the potential influence of backyard poultry farming, which can be readily established in urban and peri-urban environments, on the production capacity of backyard poultry and its potential contribution to food security among low-income households. Publicly accessible secondary microdata from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey were used. To account for the non-random nature of backyard poultry-keeping decisions, the Heckman selection model was applied to estimate both the probability of engaging in poultry farming and the number of birds raised. The study revealed that over 20% of urban households and more than 30% of the poorest 11% households engaged in poultry farming. Although the number of birds raised is generally lower, the proportion of households raising poultry is higher among poorer households than among wealthier households. Among the poorest 11% households, the estimated per capita production of meat and eggs from backyard poultry farming was expected to be 5.4 g and 6.8 g per day, respectively. Due to data constraints, we compare production estimates with stratum-level consumption averages, providing an indication of potential contribution rather than household-level self-sufficiency. This comparison suggests that backyard poultry could serve as an important supplementary source, potentially contributing to approximately 15% of meat consumption and 47% of egg consumption for participating households from the lowest income strata. Full article

Background/objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern, and misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming contributes to its emergence. In Blantyre, Malawi, small-scale pig and poultry farming is widespread, but the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) driving antimicrobial use (AMU) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding AMU and manure management among pig and poultry farmers in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 118 randomly selected farmers to assess AMU patterns, sources of antibiotics, adherence to withdrawal periods, disposal practices, and awareness of AMR and regulations. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential tests (with statistical significance set at p < 0.05). Results: Antibiotic use was reported by 88% of farmers, primarily for therapy (93.3%) and prophylaxis (85.6%), including for viral diseases such as Newcastle disease in poultry and African swine fever in pigs. Oxytetracycline (91.5%), penicillin (50.8%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (39.8%) were the most used antibiotics, predominantly sourced from agrovet shops (73.7%). While 61% of farmers knew antibiotic misuse could lead to AMR, significant gaps were observed: 68.6% had no formal training, 55.9% were unaware of regulations, and 42% sold/consumed products before the end of the withdrawal period. Most farmers disposed of expired antibiotics (80.5%) and packaging (92.4%) in household waste. Higher education and prior training were significantly associated with good knowledge. Conclusions: This study reveals significant knowledge–practice gaps and high-risk behaviors, such as misuse for viral diseases and unsafe disposal, that exacerbate AMR risks. Interventions must prioritize targeted farmer education, strengthening of veterinary extension services, and stricter regulation of agrovet shops to promote antimicrobial stewardship and support Malawi’s National Action Plan on AMR. Full article

Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild birds, posing a significant threat to poultry farming worldwide. This study aims to analyze the key landscape and population factors associated with H7 avian influenza outbreaks across the Euro-Asian continent and to identify high-risk areas in Russia for the virus’s introduction and subsequent spread. Two models were developed using the Maximum Entropy algorithm (MaxEnt): An introduction model predicting the likelihood of avian influenza presence based on climatic, landscape, wild waterfowl and semiaquatic bird population density data; and a spread model estimating outbreak risk in poultry farms using data on synanthropic birds, poultry flock density, and proximity to wild bird habitats. The first model was trained via maximum likelihood using data from H7 avian influenza outbreaks in Europe (Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands) and Southeast Asia (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam). The second model was trained using output from the first model. Specifically, areas with a predicted probability of H7 outbreak between 0.9 and 1.0 were used as occurrence points for the model in Russia. The results demonstrated that both models achieved high predictive reliability for avian influenza outbreaks in the Russian Federation: the introduction model (AUC = 0.855) and the spread model (AUC = 0.993). Areas with a high probability of disease occurrence were identified in the Central, Southern, North Caucasian, and Volga Federal Districts. These findings underscore the necessity of enhanced disease surveillance in these regions, as well as in the border areas of the Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern Federal Districts. The authors recommend strengthening biosecurity measures, enhancing wild bird monitoring in high-risk areas, and maintaining stocks of relevant vaccines to timely contain the outbreaks. Full article

Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine and animal production, yet their extensive use has accelerated the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Beyond clinical contexts, livestock and aquaculture are now recognized as major contributors to the global resistome. This review synthesizes evidence across cattle, poultry, swine, sheep and goats, and aquaculture, highlighting how antimicrobial usage shapes resistance at the human–animal–environment interface. A substantial proportion of administered drugs is excreted unmetabolized, leading to the accumulation of unmetabolized antimicrobial residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soils, manures, waters, sediments, and air. These reservoirs function as long-term sources and dissemination pathways through runoff, leaching, bioaerosols, effluents, and biological vectors. Despite different production systems, similar ARG families dominate, particularly those conferring resistance to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and β-lactams. Mobile genetic elements and co-selectors such as heavy metals, disinfectants, and microplastics reinforce their persistence. Aquaculture, where water serves both as habitat and vector, emerges as a critical hotspot, while small ruminant systems remain under-researched despite their importance in many low- and middle-income countries. This synthesis highlights convergent patterns across sectors: antimicrobial use drives ARG enrichment; manures, litters, sediments, and effluents act as persistent reservoirs; and dissemination routes connect farms, ecosystems, and human populations. Within a One Health framework, mitigation requires preventive strategies—vaccination, biosecurity, and optimized waste management—supported by harmonized stewardship policies and integrated environmental surveillance. Full article

The accurate monitoring of body temperature is critical to poultry health and welfare. Rectal thermometry, the conventionally employed method, is invasive and stressful. Infrared thermography (IRT) offers a non-invasive alternative, but its accuracy may be influenced by body size and camera-to-object distance. This study evaluated the efficiency of thermal imaging compared with rectal thermometry in measuring chicken body temperature, with a focus on the effects of body size and measurement distance. A cross-sectional, repeated-measures design was applied to ninety clinically healthy Buff Sussex chickens (n = 30 per size group: small, medium, and large). Each bird was imaged from three distances (50, 75, and 100 cm) by using a thermal camera (FLIR C5^®), with rectal temperature (Omron MC-246^®) serving as the reference, so that a total of 270 paired observations were analyzed. Agreement was assessed using Bland–Altman bias and limits of agreement (LOAs), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), Pearson correlation (r), and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). The results showed that rectal temperatures were consistent with the normal physiological range reported for healthy chickens (40.43–41.95 °C) and that thermal imaging showed systematic underestimation, particularly in small birds (bias of up to −2.65 °C and RMSE of 2.72 °C at 100 cm) and medium-sized birds (bias of −0.73 to −1.39 °C), with weak concordance (CCC ≤ 0.16). Measurements in large birds demonstrated the smallest bias (−0.76 to +0.16 °C), lower errors (MAE of 0.73–0.89 °C), and stronger correlations (r = 0.56–0.71), indicating more reliable agreement. Distance influenced accuracy, with underestimation increasing at 75–100 cm, especially in smaller birds. Therefore, thermal imaging cannot fully replace rectal thermometry for individual-level assessment in chickens due to systematic underestimation, especially in small birds and at greater distances. However, it shows promise as a rapid, non-invasive flock-level screening tool in larger chickens when used at optimal distances (50–75 cm). The integration of thermal imaging into precision livestock farming and future farm models may enhance welfare-friendly, automated health monitoring in poultry systems. Full article

Our study reports the first molecular detection of the protozoan pathogen Histomonas meleagridis, the causative agent of histomonosis, in the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae. Mite samples were collected from a commercial poultry farm and a backyard flock in Hungary and analyzed using PCR assays that targeted the COX1 gene in mites and 18S rRNA gene in H. meleagridis. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of D. gallinae and revealed distinct genetic lineages between farm and backyard isolates. H. meleagridis DNA was detected in 10 of 17 mite samples, representing multiple variants within Genotype 1. No histomonosis was detected in the examined poultry, although one hen harbored Simplicimonas sp. The findings suggest that D. gallinae could serve as a carrier for H. meleagridis, potentially facilitating the persistence and transmission of the pathogen. This novel host–pathogen association highlights the need for further research into the epidemiological role of poultry ectoparasites in the spread of histomonosis. Full article

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in livestock pathogens necessitates the development of effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This review aims to assess the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to traditional antibiotics in farm animal production systems, examining their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and applications. A thorough examination of recent literature was conducted to evaluate the properties, classification, and mechanisms of action of AMPs, their natural occurrence, and their applications in poultry, swine, and ruminant production. The review also compared AMPs with conventional antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitic drugs. Specific AMPs have shown effectiveness against livestock pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, along with drug-resistant fungi. One of the primary benefits of AMPs is their strong antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens relevant to farm animal health. Innovative delivery systems, such as self-assembly techniques and nanoparticle encapsulation, can tackle the stability and bioavailability issues associated with AMP administration in farm settings. AMPs represent promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobials in livestock production, offering significant benefits, including a reduced risk of resistance development, immunomodulatory effects, and broad-spectrum activity. However, addressing disadvantages related to production costs, stability, and delivery systems is crucial for their successful commercial application. Integrating AMPs into sustainable farming, after overcoming their shortcomings, could significantly contribute to global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Full article

The cardinal Physiology of Gut Health in monogastric animals such as swine and poultry is vital. It is critical for digestive efficiency, immune status, and production levels. This system is related not only to the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed ingredients contributing to growth and feed utilization efficiency but also to having a strategic microbiota that supports immunity and pathogen resistance, as well as metabolic support. Gut disease, for example, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, diet, or stress, can reduce nutrient digestion and absorption. They can also suppress the immune system and render patients more prone to disease. These are efficiency degradations and increase veterinary and husbandry costs. In addition, nutrient absorption because of deteriorated gut health can affect the environment in different ways: removal of nutrients through leaching and the release of gases (including CH₄ and NH₄). These pressures have led to a focus on the gut in animal research to improve the welfare of animals and ensure sustainable practices in animal production. Recent studies have included the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and other feed additives to enhance the positive effects of the gut microbiota. These are also intervention points to increase nutrient absorption and animal well-being, in turn sustainability. Such approaches are expected to promote a stable microbial community with less dependence on the use of antibiotics, less waste generation, and less environmental impact from animal farming. This review provides a critical evaluation of the current literature on gut health in monogastric livestock, with pigs and poultry as the principal focus. We also considered the impact of gut health on production efficiency and Environmental sustainability. Current progress in nutritional modulation of gut health for increased productivity, enhanced animal welfare, and better profitability are presented. Gut-related biological mechanisms are linked to practical nutritional strategies, and subsequently to animal welfare, production efficiency, and environmental effects, offering a coherent concept for moving from mechanism to system-level sustainability. Full article

The pervasive contamination of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in livestock and poultry production systems represent a critical threat to animal health, productivity, and food safety. This review systematically evaluates the potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol from Curcuma longa, to mitigate MNP-induced toxicity, drawing on evidence from 25 preclinical studies (2014–September 2025). We highlight that curcumin exerts broad-spectrum, dose-dependent protection primarily through a dual mechanism: the preventive activation of the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant pathway and the therapeutic suppression of NF-κB-driven inflammation. These actions collectively ameliorate oxidative stress, restore metabolic homeostasis (e.g., via the gut–liver axis), and reverse histopathological damage across key organs, including the liver, kidneys, and reproductive tissues. A major translational insight is the significant species-specific variation in curcumin bioavailability, which is substantially higher in poultry than in ruminants, necessitating the development of tailored delivery systems such as nanoencapsulation. While the preclinical data are compelling, translating these findings into practice requires robust clinical trials to establish standardized, safe, and effective dosing regimens for food-producing animals. This review concludes that curcumin presents a promising, sustainable phytogenic strategy to enhance the resilience of livestock and poultry systems against MNP pollution, directly contributing to the One Health goals of safeguarding animal welfare, food security, and environmental sustainability. Full article

We analyze how to perform accurate time series forecasting for monitoring poultry health in a complex pen environment. To this end, we make use of a novel dataset consisting of a collection of real-world sensor data in the housing of turkeys. The dataset comprises features such as food intake, water intake, and various environmental values, which come with high variance, sensor defects, and unreliable timestamps. In this paper, we investigate different state-of-the-art forecasting algorithms to predict different features, as well as a variety of deep learning models such as different transformer models and time series foundational models. We evaluate both their forecasting accuracy as well as the efforts required to run the models in the first place. Our findings show that some of these aforementioned algorithms are able to produce satisfactory forecasting results on this highly challenging dataset while still remaining easy to use, which is key in a tech-distant industry such as poultry farming. Full article