The objective of this study was to compare the flock-level prevalence healed keel bone fractures and benchmark other indicators well-being in laying hens housed conventional cages single-tier floor housing systems at several points during production period. Commercial farms Ontario, Canada, that (n=9) or barns (n=8) were included. Flocks beak-trimmed brown various strains. Each flock visited 20, 35, 50, 65 wk age. At each visit, 50 weighed, palpated for fractures, feather scored over 4 areas...

High flock-level prevalence of keel-bone fractures and deviations in laying hens are commonly reported across various housing systems; however, few longitudinal studies exist, especially for furnished conventional cage systems. Load-bearing exercise improves bone strength mineral composition has the potential to reduce damage, if is allowed during critical periods growth throughout pullet rearing phase. The objective this study was determine damage housed cages, assess whether opportunities...

Increased load-bearing exercise improves bone quality characteristics in a variety of species, including laying hens. Providing increased opportunities for during the pullet rearing phase, period substantial musculoskeletal growth, offers proactive approach to reducing osteoporosis by improving composition. The main objective this study was determine whether differing influences characteristics. Two flock replicates 588 Lohmann Selected Leghorn-Lite pullets were reared either standard,...

Osteoporosis in laying hens has been a production and welfare concern for several decades. The objective of this study was to determine whether differing opportunities exercise during pullet rearing influences long-term bone quality characteristics end-of-lay hens. A secondary assess adult housing systems alters Four flock replicates 588 Lohmann Selected Leghorn-Lite pullets were reared either conventional cages (Conv) or an aviary system (Avi) placed into (CC), 30-bird furnished (FC-S),...

Abstract Background Although keeping small poultry flocks is increasingly popular in Ontario, information on the antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric bacteria such lacking. The current study was conducted Ontario between October 2015 and September 2017, samples were submitted a voluntary basis to Ontario’s Animal Health Laboratory. From each submission, pooled cecal sample obtained from all birds same species flock tested for presence two common pathogens, E. coli Salmonella. Three...

Selection for accelerated growth rate and high breast yield in broiler chickens have been associated with an increase myopathies, including wooden (WB) white striping (WS). To investigate effects of on carcass traits incidence 14 strains were evaluated, encompassing 2 conventional (CONV; B C: ADG0-48 > 60 g/d) 12 slower-growing (SL) strains. The latter categorized based rate: FAST (strains F, G, I M; ADG0-62=53–55 g/d), MOD E, H, O S; ADG0-62=50-51 SLOW D, J, K N; ADG0-62<50 g/d). In a...

Samples from 231 randomly selected commercial broiler chicken flocks in Ontario were tested at slaughter for exposure to anemia virus (CAV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV), and infectious bursal disease (IBDV). Fifteen blood samples per flock collected analyzed the presence of antibodies against CAV, FAdV, IBDV by ELISA or agar gel immunodiffusion test. cecal tonsils cloacal swabs PCR. The prevalence avian adeno-associated (AAAV) was estimated a PCR test on subset FAdV–PCR-positive 178 flocks....

Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter, common poultry, is a global public health issue. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter has been linked to the use antimicrobials food animals. Small poultry flocks are becoming increasingly popular not only as source but also pets, yet all small flock owners aware proper practices safe handling protocols. This trend could contribute resistance. In order determine prevalence flocks, we analyzed data from birds that had...

Broiler breeders have impaired reproductive performance when fed to satiety but they can achieve an optimal hatching egg production under feed restriction. Feed restriction is a welfare concern due signs of hunger, lack satiety, and frustrated feeding motivation. The objective this research was examine the effect rationed alternative diet non-daily schedules on broiler breeder pullets reared simulated commercial conditions. At 3 wk age, 1,680 Ross 308 were allocated 24 pens with 1 4...

In this study, the mobility, incidence, and severity of contact dermatitis litter moisture content were assessed in 14 strains broiler chickens differing growth rate. The encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a prevalent pathogen that impacts the health of swine costly to industry. This study utilized PRRSV test results from University Guelph's Animal Health Laboratory database develop interactive, real-time dashboards monitor investigate data. The Ontario herd samples submitted January 2014 July 2023 were processed in R v.4.1.1. final optimized, aggregated, anonymized datasets exported Tableau server used design dynamic...

Following increased rates of human campylobacteriosis in the late 1990's, and their apparent association with consumption fresh chicken meat, a longitudinal study was conducted Iceland to identify means decrease frequency broiler flock colonization Campylobacter. Our objective this risk factors for acting at farm level. Between May 2001 September 2004, pooled caecal samples were obtained from 1,425 flocks slaughter cultured Due strong seasonal variation prevalence, analyses restricted subset...

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was detected in 185 samples originating from chicken flocks of various commodity groups Canada. Flocks with clinical signs such as respiratory challenge, sudden death, egg production problems, or nephropathogenic conditions, and randomly selected sampled at slaughter part an Ontario broiler surveillance project, were included. Most Québec; however, a small number British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland Labrador also analysed. The nucleotide sequence the...

Abstract Contrary to the traditional view that layer flocks housed in conventional cages are unlikely suffer coccidiosis caused byEimeria species, this enteric disease has become an emergent issue. Coccidiosis outbreaks layers frequently associated with failure develop protective immunity at a young age. Layer hens usually sourced from replacement pullets similar rearing barn. Live vaccines administered chicks provide small dose of vaccine oocysts infect and replicate within vaccinated...

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the causative agent of colibacillosis in poultry, an economically important disease worldwide. In Ontario, Canada, early and late systemic bacterial infections due to APEC were most commonly reported diseases broiler chickens. 2016, Ontario poultry veterinarians submitted samples from 331 cases breeder chickens with a high suspicion Animal Health Laboratory (Guelph, Canada) for culture. isolates those tested multiplex PCR detect presence 13...

Coccidiosis, the parasitic disease caused by Eimeria spp., is controlled during broiler chicken production through inclusion of in-feed anticoccidial medications. Live-coccidiosis vaccination has become an increasingly common alternative to these Monitoring infections with spp. in flocks can be accomplished determining concentration oocysts excreted fecal material (i.e., per gram; OPG). The purpose our study was sample commercial Ontario at various times year determine weekly OPG counts for...

This study was conducted to determine the differences in bone traits 14 strains of broiler chickens differing growth rate. The encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG0-48 >60 g/d) and 12 slower-growing (SG) classified as FAST (ADG0-62 = 53-55 g/d), MOD 50-51 SLOW <50 with 4 represented each SG category. A total 7,216 mixed-sex birds were equally allocated into 164 pens (44 birds/pen; 30 kg/m2) a randomized incomplete block design, strain 8 over 2-3 trials. From pen, (2 males females)...

There have been only a few region-level ecological studies conducted in Canada investigating enteric infections humans. Our study objectives were to 1) assess the spatial clustering of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) human Greater Toronto Area, and 2) identify underlying area-level associations between S. infection rates socioeconomic status (SES) indicators that might explain infections.Retrospective data on from 2007 2009 obtained Ontario's reportable disease...

The objective of this study was to assess the interobserver reliability (agreement) and accuracy keel palpation for purpose detecting old fractures in an end-of-lay flock commercial laying hens. low level invasiveness relative speed at which evaluation can be carried out lends itself well use a welfare audit, but only if results are reliable accurate from various assessors. technique first described by Wilkins others (2004) used manually palpate fractures. modified that were considered....

In Canada, surveillance systems have highlighted the increasing trend of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) human infections. Our study objectives were to evaluate epidemiology S. infections in Ontario using data from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.Annual age-and-sex-adjusted incidence rates (IRs), annual and mean age-adjusted sex-specific IRs, IRs by public health unit (PHU), calculated for laboratory-confirmed cases across direct standardization....