259 – Modeling heat and Carbon Dioxide production of a broiler house at hourly time step (Research paper – Wejden – 2019)

/in , , , , , /by

 

 

259 Research paper – Wejden – 2019 – Modeling heat and Carbon Dioxide production of a broiler house at hourly time step

In Significant Impact Groups: Housing and welfare \ Climate
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Models of heat production of broilers are used to design the thermal equipment to optimize climate control. The reference models are now around fifteen years old. Daily values of heat productions are deduced from the live weight of broilers and do not integrate the diversity of livestock systems and the genetic progress’s evolution. Animal welfare and environmental issues now require simulations at an hourly time step or even shorter. Our objective is to propose an hourly model of heat, carbon dioxide and water vapor productions incorporating the zoo technical parameters specific of a commercial batch of broilers. To update the reference equations, experiments were performed so that models replicated conditions similar to commercial farming. We propose a new model design for heat production. The perspectives are to apply this modeling to climate control and thermal design of broiler houses.

Where to find the original material: https://www.itavi.asso.fr/content/modelisation-horaire-des-productions-de-chaleur-et-de-dioxyde-de-carbone-en-elevage-de;
Country: FR

257 Richtlijn Veterinair handelen bij vleeskuikens rondom de opzet en in de eerste levensweek op het vleeskuikenbedrijf by Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij voor Diergen (Tools & Checklists)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

257 ToolsChecklists – Richtlijn Veterinair handelen bij vleeskuikens rondom de opzet en in de eerste levensweek op het vleeskuikenbedrijf by Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij voor Diergen

In Significant Impact Groups: Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Broilers; Poultry;
Age:
Summary:
This directive was produced for Dutch poultry veterinarians to provide guidance in veterinary practice concerning the start-up of and management in the first week of live of broiler chicks. Apart from the procedures to follow in prescribing antibiotic treatments the directive provides a vast amount of practical tips and norms for managing and monitoring the optimal start-up of broiler chicks. For example, regarding optimal climate, lighting scheme, water management, feed and supportive measures such as advice on pre- and probiotics, vitamins and minerals, organic acids and fytobiotics. So while this guide is directed to veterinarians and offers a lot of veterinary medicinal information regarding the risk for illness and pathogens and its treatment in the early life of broilers, it can also be an interesting information source for broilers farmers keen on finding insights to improve their start-up management.

Where to find the original material: http://www.journees3r.fr/IMG/pdf/texte_7_reduction_intrants_b-mounaix-2.pdf;
Country: Netherlands

253 in case of heat feed more often and clean boxes by Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren (GD) (Industry Innovation)

/in , , , , , , /by

 

 

253 Industry Innovation – in case of heat feed more often and clean boxes by Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren (GD)

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feeding management; Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
A cow can suffer from heat stress from 21 degrees. To prevent this, dairy farmers should not feed at the hottest time of the day, according to the Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren (NL). To keep the feed tasty and fresh, it is advisable to provide fresh feed several times a day (at least twice) and to (mechanically) ventilate the barn well over the feed alley. In order to prevent rumen acidification, which occurs more often in heat, a buffer can be added in consultation with the feed supplier in order to maintain the acidity level in the rumen. Bring the cows inside at the hottest time of the day and make sure there is unlimited water available. Clean cubicles are also necessary in case of heat. Bacteria in cubicles thrive in the heat and grow exponentially. There is then an increased risk of Kiebsiella mastitis. Therefore clean the cubicles extra often.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2020/05/19/bij-hitte-vaker-voeren-en-boxen-schoonmaken;
Country: NL

250 Welzijnscheck by POV (Tools & Checklists)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

250 ToolsChecklists – Welzijnscheck by POV

In Significant Impact Groups: Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Pigs;
Summary:
Since mid-June 2020, welfare checks for sucking piglets, weaned piglets, fattening pigs and rearing sows have been available on www.welzijnscheckvarkens.nl. They show the risks of welfare problems on the farm per animal category.
This concerns in particular the risk assessment of the biting behaviour of pigs. The indicators (animal-bound and non-animal-bound) that influence the bite behaviour are assessed. The aim of the risk assessment is to improve animal welfare, animal health and overall operating results.
Purchasers in the Netherlands and abroad place high demands on the animal welfare of pigs. The welfare check for pigs has been developed to demonstrate good animal welfare. It also enables pig farmers to properly identify the risk of biting their pigs’ flanks, ears or tails.

Where to find the original material: inlog via vitale varkenshouderij portal: https://www.vitalevarkenshouderij.nl/portal;
Country: Netherlands;

249 Heating drinking water of broilers by Roan Boon (Farm Innovation)

/in , , , , , /by

 

 

249 Farm Innovation – Heating drinking water of broilers by Roan Boon

In Significant Impact Groups: Water \ Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Since April 2016 broiler farmer Boon has been heating the drinking water for his broilers. Because there is no more condensation from the water and drinking nipple lines in the litter, his animals suffer much less from foot sole lesions. In veal farming it is already very common to heat drinking water. The greatest health gains are achieved by reducing foot sole lesions. But intestinal health and technical results have also improved: growth has increased and there is better meat quality. The system cost Boon 3500 euros, which he had earned back after 2 rounds. Per round he has lost 250 euros more on gas. According to Boon, the payback time differs per farm, but it could at least be recouped within 1 year. It’s not only good for animal welfare, it’s also much more pleasant to work in a dry barn.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2020/06/26/vrijwel-geen-voetzoollaesies-door-warm-water;
Country: NL

247 Pain relief during castration of piglets by Lintjeshof (Industry Innovation)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

247 Industry Innovation – Pain relief during castration of piglets by Lintjeshof

In Significant Impact Groups: Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Pain relief during castration is not compulsory in all countries, including the Netherlands. Pig breeders who are perfect in pain management should administer the anaesthetic half an hour before castrating the piglet. There are also pig farmers who administer pain relief at the same time as other piglet treatments. With complete pain management, the piglet recovers faster. A point of attention is to give the piglets the correct anaesthetic with the concentration suitable for piglets. The injection is rewarding, but the operation requires some adaptability on the part of the pig farmer. Pain management costs roughly 2 cents per piglet.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2020/06/24/dierenarts-lintjeshof-pijnstilling-is-de-moeite-waard;
Country: NL

225 Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk (Industry Innovation)

/in , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

225 Industry Innovation – Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness \ Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Sheep;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
LowInputBreeds integrated breeding and management to improve animal health, product quality and performance in organic and low input milk, meat and eggs. Four technical sub-projects (SP) were evaluated for ethical, economic and environmental impact in a 5th SP, which also covered training and dissemination, including our website which lists contacts and bi-annual newsletters. By developing and integrating (a) genotypes selected for performance, robustness and product quality traits, and (b) management innovations to improve ‘low input’ systems the project made a significant contribution towards regionally-adapted breeding strategies, compatible with sustainable production, high product quality and organic principles.

Where to find the original material: https://cordis.europa.eu/docs/results/222/222623/final1-lib-publishable-summary-pdf.pdf;
Country: UK

158 Dairy heifers – Lifetime value of respiratory health by Zoetis (Tools & Checklists)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

158 ToolsChecklists – DAIRY HEIFERS – LIFETIME VALUE OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH by Zoetis

SIG: Housing and Welfare \ Weaning age
Species targeted: Dairy; Beef;
Summary:
A UK study showed that on average, 14.5% of live born dairy heifers fail to reach their first lactation, with pneumonia the biggest known cause of mortality in calves aged 1 to 6 months. Another UK study examining calf lungs at slaughter showed that beef calves with healthy lungs gained 72g/day more than those with moderate lung damage, and 202g/day more than those with severe damage. The foundation of every calf’s lifetime performance begins at birth. The first two months are of particular importance – a direct link has been made between heifer growth rates during the first few months of life and age at first calving, first and second, lactation milk yield and longevity in the dairy herd. If a young reared calf does not grow effectively in the first months, it can be too late to simply ‘catch up later’. Therefore, careful, proactive management of the reared calf is critical to maximise future productivity.

Where to find the original material:

https://www.zoetis.co.uk/_locale-assets/pdf/rispoval-dairy-calves-leaflet-clean.pdf;
Country: United Kingdom;

127 Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries (Research paper; Chantziaras, 2018)

/in , , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

127 Research paper – Chantziaras – 2018 – Factors associated with specific health welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Housing and welfare \ Weaning age and management; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Production diseases are often the result of interactions between many factors. The focus of this study was to identify specific environment-related factors and to discuss their associations with health, welfare and reproductive performance in sows and piglets, in diverse systems using data from 130 farms from five EU countries. Eight parameters were selected from this data, four related to sow reproductive performance (litter index, replacement rate, repeat breeding (i.e. failure to breed after one mating), weaning to first mating interval) and the remaining four to litter / piglet health performance (piglets born alive per litter, piglets born dead per litter, preweaning mortality rate and weaned piglets per litter). Data analysis showed that factors related to applying good farm and health management, and optimal housing conditions were found to have a positive effect on various sow and piglet performance parameters.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587718303908; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.09.006
Country: BE; DE, DK; FI; UK

Keeping dairy cows and calf together – how to manage biosecurity and health

/in , , /by

Separation of cow and calf at birth has been common practice for decades. The interest in keeping cow and calf together for a longer time is increasing among both farmers and consumers. Before you start practicing this you must consider a few things first. Biosecurity is vital if you want to succeed.  

 

Uncover the risks 

Take a critical look at your farm – consult your veterinarian. Uncover the risks for introduction of new infectious diseases, but also the risk of spreading diseases already present at the farm. When you know the risk factors on your farm, you can take care of them. 

 

Small groups 

It is important to keep the cows and calves in smaller groups. Larger groups mean more options for contact between animals and a higher risk for spreading of diseases.  

 

Monitor colostrum quality and uptake 

Colostrum is critical for the newborn calf. You can not be sure that a calf that is only nursed by the cow gets enough colostrum. Up to 60 % of the calves will suffer to failure of passive transfer of antibodies. It is necessary to monitor both quality and amount of colostrum the calves ingest. Feeding the calf colostrum is a safe way to secure sufficient immunization. Always keep good quality colostrum in a colostrum bank, so you have colostrum to supply calves born from cows with little or to poor colostrum.  

 

Monitoring the calves  

Monitoring calf health is vital. Do not expect that the cow can do this job or that health monitoring is less time consuming when calves and cows are kept together. When calves are bucket fed twice daily, it is quite easy to monitor wellbeing of the calf, appetite and drinking speed. You do not get the same information if the cow is the caretaker. Therefore, the person responsible for monitoring the calves must look for the small signs of illness, so proper intervention can be carried out before it is too late.