1,720,974 research outputs found
Is the FAMACHA (c) chart suitable for every breed? Correlations between FAMACHA (c) scores and different traits of mucosa colour in naturally parasite infected sheep breeds
No full textInfections with gastrointestinal nematodes, in particular Haemonchus contortus, are worldwide one of the most important factors causing high economic losses in sheep production. Different methods for detecting infections with H. contortus have been described, such as, e.g. the FAMACHA(C) system, which categorises the colour of the conjunctivae from red to pale. When H. contortus is not the predominant parasite, the FAMACHA(C) chart might not be suitable to detect nematode infections, because of the lack of a blood feeding parasite. Otherwise breed-specific differences in the colour of the mucosa could be responsible for the limitations of the FAMACHA(C) system. The aim of the study was to compare different methods of measuring mucosa colour in the German sheep breeds Black Head Mutton (BH) and Leine sheep (LE). In a total of 232 6-months-old lambs, the colour of mucosa was measured using the FAMACHA(C) chart (conjunctivae) as well as the colour analyser Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200b (gingivae). Faeces and blood samples were taken at the same time to determine faecal egg counts per gram faeces (FEC) and the packed cell volume (PCV), respectively. Lambs grazed on contaminated pastures and no anthelmintic treatment was used. Lambs were moderately infected with gastrointestinal nematodes with no significant difference between the two breeds (P > 0.05). The prevalence of H. contortus was 23%, based on larvae differentiation of coproculture. There was no significant correlation between FEC and PCV, nor FEC and FAMACHA(C) (P > 0.05). Significant differences (P = 0.27 1/1), as shown by significant correlation coefficients between PCV and Chroma and HA, respectively. It can be concluded, that the measurement of mucosa colour with a colour analyser is more sensitive in detecting anaemic states in sheep, compared to the FAMACHA(C) chart. However, because the colour analyser is not suited for measurements in the field, an adaptation of the FAMACHA(C) colour scales for different sheep breeds might be required. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Influence of fence type on the paddock use of horses
No full textThe aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of paddock fence type (electric fence vs. metal tube) in single stabled horses (box stall with enclosed paddock) on the occurrence and frequency of paddock use as well as behaviour in the paddock. For this purpose horses (5-16 years old) were rotationally observed in both systems. The size of each box was 3.2 m x 3.8 m, whereas the size of each paddock was 3.8 m x 6.0 m. After a period of one week, behaviour of horses was indirectly observed in both systems each for 3 days. The following parameters were measured: duration and frequency of paddock use, closeness to the fence, as well as direct social contacts between horses in adjacent paddocks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the duration of paddock use between the two fence types, electric fence and metal tube. When metal tube fence was used, more than half of all stays in the paddock (52.9%) were observed nearby the fence. In comparison to the electric fence system, where only 11.6% of all paddock stays were close to the electric fence and 57.9% were observed in a distance of 50 cm to the fence. In addition, the rate of social contacts decreased from 19.1% in the metal tube system to 0.6% in the electric fence system. It can be concluded that the fence type metal tube is more suitable for horses in the paddock regarding paddock use and social contacts. These results should be considered when planning and evaluating paddocks for horses
Influence of fence type on the paddock use of horses
No full textThe aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of paddock fence type (electric fence vs. metal tube) in single stabled horses (box stall with enclosed paddock) on the occurrence and frequency of paddock use as well as behaviour in the paddock. For this purpose horses (5-16 years old) were rotationally observed in both systems. The size of each box was 3.2 m x 3.8 m, whereas the size of each paddock was 3.8 m x 6.0 m. After a period of one week, behaviour of horses was indirectly observed in both systems each for 3 days. The following parameters were measured: duration and frequency of paddock use, closeness to the fence, as well as direct social contacts between horses in adjacent paddocks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the duration of paddock use between the two fence types, electric fence and metal tube. When metal tube fence was used, more than half of all stays in the paddock (52.9%) were observed nearby the fence. In comparison to the electric fence system, where only 11.6% of all paddock stays were close to the electric fence and 57.9% were observed in a distance of 50 cm to the fence. In addition, the rate of social contacts decreased from 19.1% in the metal tube system to 0.6% in the electric fence system. It can be concluded that the fence type metal tube is more suitable for horses in the paddock regarding paddock use and social contacts. These results should be considered when planning and evaluating paddocks for horses
Comparative behaviour studies in horses infested with flying insects treated with insecticide or repellent substances
No full textThe aim of this study was to estimate the effects of flying insects (Order Diptera) on the behaviour of grazing horses in relation to the use of insecticide and repellent substances. The investigations were done between June and August in 2008 in 3 periods of 7 days each. As insecticide and repellent two substances were used: "Well-care (R) emulsion" (Co. Essex Tierarznei, Munchen, GER) containing Permethrin and "Bremsen-Frei-Plus" (Co. Dr. Schaette AG, Bad Waldsee, GER) based on etheric oils. Both groups were compared with a non treated control group in a crossover-design. Each group (n = 3-5) was used alternately as control and treatment group. Several climate parameters were taken during the study. Furthermore, the number of insects per animal was estimated at certain times. Once per observation period insects were caught using Malaise traps and differentiated by species. The proportion of horse relevant species of the genera Diptera, especially Culex pipiens and Musca autumnalis, caught was 9% on an average. There was no correlation between the number of Tabanidae caught in the Malaise traps and the number observed near by the horses. Behaviour parameters like tailswishing, headshaking, stamping, skintwitching, snapping at the body, and moving were observed more frequently with increasing insect infestation. When horses were infested with a high number of flying insects, feeding activity was significant lower, whereas locomotion activity was significant higher. Both substances had positive effects for about 50 hours after application with no apparent difference between the substances. However, a lower frequency of headshaking and tailswishing could be observed in the Permethrin treated horses
Establishment of gastro-intestinal helminth infections in free-range chickens: a longitudinal on farm study
No full textThe objective of this study was to monitor establishment and development of gastro-intestinal helminth infections in chickens over two production years (PY) on a free-range farm in Lower Saxony, Germany. The data were collected between July 2010 and June 2011 (PY1) and July 2011 and January 2013 (PY2), respectively. During PY1, Lohmann Brown classic (LB classic, N =450) was tested, while in PY2 two different genotypes (230 LB classic, 230 LB plus) were used. The hens were kept in two mobile stalls that were moved to a new position at regular intervals. In both PY1 and PY2, 20 individual faecal samples per stall were randomly collected at monthly intervals in order to calculate the number of internal parasite eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). At the end of the laying periods, approximately 10% (N = 42) or more than 50% (N = 265) of hens were subjected to post-mortem parasitological examinations in PY1 and PY2, respectively. No parasite eggs were found in the faecal samples during PY1, whereas almost all of the hens (97.6%) were infected with Heterakis gallinarum (36 worms/hen) at the end of the period. In PY2, nematode eggs in faeces were found from the third month onwards at a low level, increasing considerably towards the final three months. There was no significant difference between the two genotypes of brown hens neither for EPG (P = 0.456) or for overall prevalence (P = 0.177). Mortality rate ranged from 18.3 to 27.4% but did not differ significantly between genotypes or production years. Average worm burden was 207 worms/hen in PY2. The most prevalent species were H. gallinarum (98.5%) followed by Ascaridia galli (96.2%) and Capillaria spp. (86.1%). Furthermore, three Capillaria species, C. obsignata, C bursata and C. caudinflata were differentiated. In conclusion chickens kept on free-range farms are exposed to high risks of nematode infections and have high mortality rates with no obvious link to parasite infections. Once the farm environment is contaminated with the nematode eggs, establishment and further spread of nematodes to the hens is a matter of time. This will latest be the case in the second production period, even if the hens are kept in a rotation system and in small herd sizes. This underlines the importance of nematode infections in all free-range systems.Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailan
Comparison of the effects of weaning and castration when conducted separately or in combination on the behaviour of crossbred beef cattle
No full textThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the behavioural effects of Burdizzo castration of crossbred beef calves when weaned and castrated separately (castrated 8 weeks after weaning) or in combination. Over two consecutive years a total of 111 Limousin x Simmental male calves were included in the study. At an age of 7 months calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups and either weaned in week-8 (Bull-8; N = 27); weaned in week-8 and castrated in week 0 (Cas-8; N = 26); weaned in week 0 (Bull-0; N = 29); or weaned and castrated in week 0 (Cas-0; N = 29). The behaviour of the calves including the number of vocalisations and time spent feeding, lying and standing/walking was recorded during the first 3 days of week 0. Bull-8 and Cas-8 did not show any vocalisation activity during the observation period. In contrast, Bull-0 and Cas-0, showed more than 3 calls/10 min period on the first day, which decreased steadily until the third day in both groups. In all groups the time spent feeding increased from day 1 to 3. Bull-8 animals did not vary their standing/walking and lying behaviour, but Cas-8 increased the time spent standing/walking and decreased lying. Bull-0 decreased the proportion of standing/walking from approximately 60 to 40% and increased lying from 23 to more than 30%. A similar rate of change with standing/walking decreasing from 70 to 50% and lying increasing from 12 to 20% was noted in Cas-0. Compared to bulls, castrates spent more time standing/walking and less lying. From week-8 to 0, Bull-8 and Cas-8 gained about 700 g/d, whereas the 2 other groups gained more than 1.000 g/d. Average daily gains from week 0-3 of Cas-8 were lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Burdizzo castration did not cause considerable effects on the behaviour, whereas weaning had a pronounced impact. The combination of both management procedures did not intensify the behavioural responses. Therefore, it can be recommended for economical reasons (i.e. labour costs) to conduct castration and weaning in steer production systems at the same time. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Influence of weaning age and an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection on behaviour and growth rates of lambs
No full textFour groups of 20 lambs each, differing in weaning age (6 or 13 weeks) and infection with Haemonchus contortus (infection after weaning or simultaneous to weaning), were observed and compared regarding the behaviour before, during and after these procedures. Furthermore the influence on performance, health and welfare was estimated by examining daily weight gains (ADW), haematocrit (HCT), and faecal egg count (FFC). The analysis demonstrates that the exposure through weaning is highest for the youngest lambs. Agitation was higher in lambs that were weaned at the age of 6 weeks, when compared with animals weaned at 13 and 21 weeks of age. ADW at 17 weeks of age were significantly (p < 0.05) highest in the uninfected control group and in animals which were weaned and infected at the same time (326 +/- 10.0 g/day and 305 +/- 10.0 g/day). Therefore, infection did not influence ADW significantly. No significant differences between the groups in log FEC could be found. Four weeks after the infection, highest HCT values were measured in the uninfected control animals, whereas lowest HCT values were found in animals which were weaned at the age of 6 weeks. The results show that weaning age had an effect on behaviour alterations after the weaning procedure, as well as on growth rates of lambs. However, grade of parasite infection was not influenced by weaning, but blood loss in lambs clue to infection was highest when lambs were weaned at 6 weeks of age. These aspects are important for the experimental design of infection studies in lambs and the assurance of productivity in sheep breeding systems, when lambs weaned and brought on pasture at the same time and therefore exposed simultaneously to two stressors. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Gastrointestinal nematode infections in German sheep
Full text linkThe objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and variation of natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in lambs according to birth type, gender and breed based on individual faecal egg counts (FEC) from various regions in Germany. A total of 3,924 lambs (3 to 15 months old) with different genetic backgrounds (Merinoland, German Blackhead Mutton, Rhoen, Texel and Merino long-wool) were individually sampled during the grazing period between 2006 and 2008. Furthermore, pooled faecal samples from each of the farms were cultured in order to differentiate the third-stage larvae of the nematode spp. Sixty-three percent of the lambs were infected with GIN. The infections were mostly low to moderate and involved several nematode species. The Trichostrongylus spp. was the predominant species based on the percentage of larvae in faecal cultures. Only 11.4% of the lambs were free of Eimeria oocysts. Tapeworm eggs were encountered in 13.2% of all samples. The prevalence of GIN infections varied significantly (P0.05) were observed between breeds regarding FEC. Inter-individual variations were higher than inter-breed differences, which may indicate the possibility of selection within these breeds for parasites resistance as described in earlier studies
Does feeding frequency during lactation affect sows' body condition, reproduction and production performance?
No full textFrequency of Salmonella detection in a broiler flock depending on different litter materials - a field study
No full textDuring the fattening period of a broiler flock four different litter materials (peat, chopped straw, shavings, silage) were tested simultaneously. The separated sections were tested for the presence of Salmonella bacteria using the sock-sampling method as described in the regulation EC No. 646/2007 with slight modifications in the sampling technique and the laboratory protocol. In addition, some chemical and physical parameters regarding litter quality and house climate were analysed. Samples were taken at day 0 (housing of animals), day 14, and day 30. At the end of the fattening period Salmonella Paratyphi B (d-tartrate +), representing a common strain in German broiler flocks, were isolated from culture. According to the various types of bedding materials some differences in the frequency of Salmonella detection were found. With three samples out of six samples being positive, wood shavings showed the highest Salmonella prevalence, followed by peat with two positive results. Corn silage was found to be a suitable alternative for common litter materials and revealed only one positive sample. Chopped straw was found to be free of Salmonella in our study. However, the latter had a higher risk for negative side effects concerning animal health and house climate. The study showed that the choice of an appropriate litter material might be of considerable importance in order to decrease the Salmonella burden within poultry flocks
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