8 minute read
ANIMAL HEALTH
Producing high quality meat is a primary goal of the poultry industry. In the recent years, as chicken breeds are genetically selected for faster growth and larger breast meat, there has been an increase of myopathies (diseases of the muscle in which the muscle fibers do not function properly) mainly affecting the breast. The most frequent myopathies are white striping (white lines of fat tissue running through the breast meat) and woody breast.
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Woody breast is a myopathy that is characterized by the breast meat being hard to the touch. This hardness can be present already in the live bird, as early as few weeks old, and can be detected by palpation. In the slaughterhouse, breast meat is scored using a rating system based on severity from 0 (no indication of woody breast) to 3 (severe).
Woody breast does not harm the animals and their meat is healthy to eat, but it affects their marketability. Compared to normal breasts, woody breasts: • Have unpleasant texture and mouth feel
• The muscles are rigid and show a viscous exudate on the surface • Lose more water before and during cooking • Have a higher pH after slaughter • Are less tender (higher shear force) before and after cooking
For all the above, woody breasts are unappealing, cannot be marketed to consume directly and are usually destined to produce ground meat.
It is estimated that 5-10% of the breast fillets produced worldwide show mild or severe woody breast conditions. Such a high incidence also increases the costs at the slaughterhouse that needs to check the hardness of the breasts of each carcass after defeathering.
Metabolic consequences of woody breast Broilers with high growth rate, feed efficiency and breast muscle yield are more prone to woody breast, because the muscle tissues grow disproportionally big and their normal metabolism cannot be properly supported by the connective tissue and the circulatory system.
During the woody breast syndrome, the metabolism and the structure of the muscle changes: • The muscular fibers lose their normal structure and become larger • The deposition of collagen and fats increases • There is an infiltration of immune cells involved in muscle repair • The blood flow in the breast muscle is reduced, making it difficult to supply oxygen and nutrients.
Metabolic waste accumulates in the tissue
As a result of the above, there is an increase of the concentration of free radicals, mainly reactive oxygen species (ROS), that produces oxidative stress in the muscular tissue. ROS start inflammation and induce changes in the muscle cells that ultimately lead to woody breast.
Use of natural antioxidants to prevent woody breast Animals have developed their own antioxidant defense system to fight with free radicals. This system includes the presence in the body of fat-soluble
antioxidants (vitamins A, E, carotenoids, etc), water soluble antioxidants (ascorbic acid, uric acid, taurine, etc.), antioxidant enzymes and redox systems.
The antioxidant defense system prevents the damages caused by free radicals. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants is a way to improve its efficiency.
Synthetic antioxidants such as BHA and BHA have been long used in feeds and foods to prevent oxidation, but their potential toxicity and increasing customer awareness has started a research for natural alternatives.
Natural antioxidants extracted from plants, including essential oils, contain powerful antioxidant molecules, mainly phenylpropanoids, phenols, polyphenols and carotenoids. Compared to synthetic antioxidants, some natural antioxidants show a greater antioxidant capacity. Besides, usually natural antioxidants exhibit a wide range of biological effects, such
Antioxidant capacity of natural antioxidants
DPPH tests assesses the capacity of antioxidants to neutralize and clear free radicals. Our product based on antioxidant essential oils, PhytoShield©, shows higher capacity than vitamin E, vitamin C and BHT.
Antioxidant capacity of natural antioxidants
The total antioxidant capacity is a measure of both water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidant molecules contained in the essential oils or plant extracts. This assay is based on the reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V) and the formation of the green phosphate/Mo(V) complex. Our product based on antioxidant essential oils, PhytoShield©, shows higher capacity than vitamin C and vitamin E. as microbiocide, anti inflamatory or immune boosting actions, positively affecting animal health and productivity.
In the case of woody breast, administering high doses of antioxidants, especially during the grower and finisher stage of chickens, has been proven to reduce the onset of myopathies and the incidence of woody breast by 50%. Antioxidants work by: • Eliminating oxygen-derived free radicals (ROS) • Improving the resistance to metabolic stress and metabolic wastes • Decreasing the synthesis of collagen • Increasing vasodilation and blood flow
On the other hand, in a previous research we proved that the administration of the natural antioxidants contained in Phyto Shield © improves certain meat characteristics also linked to woody breast, such as: • Percentage of fat • Water loss before and after cooking • Tenderness • Sensory qualities of the meat
Other tips to reduce the incidence of woody breast • Reduce the amino acids in the diet to slow down growth • Keep the birds within the standard growth curve and the recommended weight ranges • Avoid environmental stressors and optimize ventilation
Product of choice PhytoShield © is a supplement of antioxidant essential oils, electrolytes and vitamins intended to promote growth, improve general health and keep the animals hydrated, especially in stressful moments.
For more information, contact info@plusvet.eu
Hidden Profits in the Immune System of Poultry
While dwelling through the last couple of decades, poultry industry is been thriving incredibly. Beside assimilating profitable traits during selections, immune system is been underestimated; arising to increased susceptibility for pathogens, environmental and managemental factors. The time from hatching to the onset of feeding is a critical period in the development of hatchling chicks. Around 2-5% of hatchlings do not survive this critical post-hatch period because of limited body reserves, and many survivors exhibit stunted growth, inefficient feed utilisation, reduced disease resistance or poor meat yield.
The gut represents an evolving ecosystem crosstalk between the immunity and microbiota. Knowledge on poultry immunity facilitates the development of antibiotic alternative strategies to improve growth potential of poultry. Optimal combinations of various alternatives, coupled with good management and husbandry practices, is the key to maximize performance.
Compromised immunity leading to an increase in the incidence of metabolic disorders, reduced resistance to infectious disease like Marek’s diseases, Egg drop syndrome, Necrotic enteritis, Coccidiosis, Infectious bursal diseases, etc; and higher mortality. In routine practice, some chicks of a hatch may often spend up to 36-48 hours without any access to feed or water. This causes poor viability and retarded growth. Thus, the time from hatching to the onset of receiving nutrition is a critical period in the development of hatchling poultry.
Appropriate nutrition and access to feed immediately after hatch can accelerate yolk utilisation and stimulate the growth and development of immune systems. So, why delay? Providing nutrients immediately post-hatch contributes to poultry enterprise profitability.
NUCLEOVIN, an Immune Optimizer
Our innovative research team has brought a state-of-the-art recipe which fulfils the deficits and modulates immunity directly. NUCLEOVIN is a potential immunomodulator, contains nucleotides, probiotics and vitamin C in its active forms. Numerous experiments on the product have shown highly significant outcomes. It can either be fed for prophylactic purpose
as a non-antibiotic growth promoter or along with antidotes during outbreaks and also as a stress reliever.
Action zones of NUCLEOVIN – Immunosuppression: In environmental temperature, diseases, toxicity, vaccination, forced moulting and imbalanced nutrition; Reproductive performance: Fertility, hatchability and egg production.
Benefits
Improved FCR, enhanced vaccine action, optimum hatchability, fertility, embryo survival and development, improved egg characteristics, reduced toxin stress, improved feed intake and FCR in heat stress, diseases resistance and reduced mortality.
For more information, visit www.vinayakcorporation.com
PICA IN DAIRY COWS – WHAT IS IT AND HOW BEST TO TREAT IT
Over the last number of weeks, one of the most common signs of mineral deficiencies in dairy cows has been Pica: a desire to eat things that do not have any nutritional value. A record number of dairy farmers are reporting that their cows are unsettled and licking and chewing foreign objects such as stones, plastic and clay.
While there is little research on Pica, it is generally thought there are three main causes: a lack of phosphorus, sodium, or the incidence of rumen acidosis. A sodium deficiency tends to occur in grazed grass due to an oversupply of potash, while a phosphorus deficiency is usually caused by a low index of phosphorus in the soil or rapid grass growth rates. Rumen acidosis is far more prominent in grass-based systems than we think; due to the emphasis on the production of high D-value grass with low fibre levels. Current research into the inclusion of multi-species such as plantain and chicory indicates that they help to counter this.
Addressing phosphorus and sodium deficiencies
To address the phosphorus and sodium deficiencies, we recommend supplying salt licks to your cows that contain a high level of phosphorus. Here at Agritech, we supply a Mineral Salt Lick containing 10% Phosphorus, which is ideal for this purpose. This will address all three causes of Pica, allowing the cow to produce extra saliva, and in turn, counteract rumen acidosis at some level. The availability of top-quality hay can also prove useful, as will the inclusion of our Rumicare Rumen Buffer in the diet where possible.
Supplementing spring born calves
Another key area to keep an eye on at this time of the year is spring born dairy bred calves, particularly those who have been raised on whole milk. While milk replacer contains added levels of trace elements in vitamins, whole milk contains very low levels of these key elements. With this in mind, it is important that calves are supplemented with minerals as it is highly likely that they will begin to become depleted.
Free choice mineral buckets are a convenient way of administering minerals and vitamins to young stock, or alternatively, some minerals can be added to calf rations. Our Super Thrive Mineral buckets and our Multiboost Powder Minerals are both very high spec supplements, essential for achieving optimum vigour and health in young stock.
For more information, visit www.agritech.ie
