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The epidemic of avian influenza outbreaks, especially high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which causes respiratory disease and death, is a disaster in poultry. The outbreak of HPAI in 2014–2015 caused the loss of 60 million chickens and turkeys. The most recent HPAI outbreak, ongoing since 2021, has led to the loss of over 50 million chickens so far in the US and Canada. Farm biosecurity management practices have been used to prevent the spread of the virus. However, existing practices related to controlling the transmission of the virus through wild birds, especially waterfowl, are limited. For instance, ducks were considered hosts of avian influenza viruses in many past outbreaks. The objectives of this study were to develop a machine vision framework for tracking wild birds and test the performance of deep learning models in the detection of wild birds on poultry farms. A deep learning framework based on computer vision was designed and applied to the monitoring of wild birds. A night vision camera was used to collect data on wild bird near poultry farms. In the data, there were two main wild birds: the gadwall and brown thrasher. More than 6000 pictures were extracted through random video selection and applied in the training and testing processes. An overall precision of 0.95 (mAP@0.5) was reached by the model. The model is capable of automatic and real-time detection of wild birds. Missed detection mainly came from occlusion because the wild birds tended to hide in grass. Future research could be focused on applying the model to alert to the risk of wild birds and combining it with unmanned aerial vehicles to drive out detected wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High particulate matter levels in cage-free (CF) houses have led to concerns from producers, as that can pose significant risks to the health and well-being of hens and their caretakers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an electrostatic particle ionization (EPI) + bedding management (BM) treatment in reducing particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Four identical CF rooms each housed 175 hens for six weeks, with two rooms assigned to the EPI + BM treatment (EPI + 20% wood chip topping over 81-week-old litter) and the other two as controls. Measurements of PM were conducted twice a week for 10 min using TSI DustTrak. Additionally, small and large particle concentrations were monitored continuously using a Dylos monitor, with a sampling period of one minute. Footpad scoring was recorded for logistic analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with the Tukey HSD method (p < 0.05). Results demonstrated that the EPI + BM treatment significantly reduced particle counts (37.83% decrease in small particles, 55.90% decrease in large particles) compared to the control group (p < 0.01). PM concentrations were also substantially lowered across different size fractions, ranging from 58.41% to 64.17%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the EPI + BM treatment in reducing PM in CF houses. The integration of EPI and bedding management innovated in this study holds promise for improving air quality and contributing to the well-being of hens and caretakers in CF housing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poultry industry is shifting towards more sustainable and ethical practices, including adopting cage-free (CF) housing to enhance hen behavior and welfare. However, ensuring optimal indoor air quality, particularly concerning particulate matter (PM), remains challenging in CF environments. This study explores the effectiveness of electrostatic particle ionization (EPI) technology in mitigating PM in CF hen houses while considering the height at which the technology is placed and the duration of the electric supply. The primary objectives are to analyze the impact of EPI in reducing PM and investigate its power consumption correlation with electric supply duration. The study was conducted in a laying hen facility with four identical rooms housing 720 laying hens. The study utilized a Latin Square Design method in two experiments to assess the impact of EPI height and electric supply durations on PM levels and electricity consumption. Experiment 1 tested four EPI heights: H1 (1.5 m or 5 ft), H2 (1.8 m or 6 ft), H3 (2.1 m or 7 ft), and H4 (2.4 m or 8 ft). Experiment 2 examined four electric supply durations: D1 (control), D2 (8 h), D3 (16 h), and D4 (24 h), through 32 feet corona pipes. Particulate matter levels were measured at three different locations within the rooms for a month, and statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with a significance level of ≤0.05. The study found no significant differences in PM concentrations among different EPI heights (p > 0.05). However, the duration of EPI system operation had significant effects on PM1, PM2.5, and PM4 concentrations (p < 0.05). Longer EPI durations resulted in more substantial reductions: D2—17.8% for PM1, 11.0% for PM2.5, 23.1% for PM4, 23.7% for PM10, and 22.7% for TSP; D3—37.6% for PM1, 30.4% for PM2.5, 39.7% for PM4, 40.2% for PM10, and 41.1% for TSP; D4—36.6% for PM1, 24.9% for PM2.5, 38.6% for PM4, 36.3% for PM10, and 37.9% for TSP compared to the D1. These findings highlight the importance of prolonged EPI system operation for enhancing PM reduction in CF hen houses. However, utilizing 16 h EPI systems during daylight may offer a more energy-efficient approach while maintaining effective PM reduction. Further research is needed to optimize PM reduction strategies, considering factors like animal activities, to improve air quality and environmental protection in CF hen houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small ruminants in the Southeast are predominantly raised outdoors, regardless of seasons and associated weather conditions. Severe weather in winter can decline the performance of pregnant animals and compromise their performance and im-munological states. Indoor raising of pregnant animals during winter may minimize the adverse effect of cold stress; however, such potential has not been evaluated. This study hypothesized that performance, GI-parasite burden, and immune response would differ between pregnant does raised outdoor and indoor during winter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, GI-parasite burden, and hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters of pregnant does raised outdoor and indoor in winter. The study was conducted from late January to early April 2023. Sixteen pregnant Kiko does were divided into outdoor and indoor groups. Outdoor group was kept in one grazing plot consisting of mobile shelters, mineral feeders, hay feeders, and watering troughs. Indoor group was kept in individual pens consisting of containers for water, minerals, hay, and grain. Both groups were given corn and soybean mixed in 3:2 ratio (0.8% of animal body weight), ad libitum hay, minerals, and water. Daily ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) data were collected for both sites, and temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. Animal performance data [body weight, body condition score (BCS), and FAMACHA score] and fecal samples were collected on d 1, weekly during the study, and at the end of the study. Fecal samples were analyzed for the type and quantity of GI parasites using the McMaster technique, and parasite eggs per gram of animal feces (EPG) was calculated. Blood samples were collected on d 1, 34, and 69 and analyzed for hemato-logical, biochemical, and immunological parameters. Data on weather, animal performance, and hemato-logical, biochemical, and immunological parameters were analyzed using the GLM procedure and EPG data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test in SAS 9.4. Indoor temperature was higher (7%, P < 0.01), RH was lower (8%, P < 0.05), and THI was higher (5%, P < 0.01) vs. outdoor. Overall, indoor does had better FAMACHA by 9% (P < 0.05) and greater EPG by 35% (P < 0.05). Eosinophils were reduced by 73% (P < 0.05), calcium was increased by 11% (P < 0.01), and total bilirubin was greater by 86% (P < 0.05) in indoor does at the end of the study (P < 0.05) vs. outdoor does. Results showed that performance, GI-parasite burden, and biochemical and immuno-logical parameters of pregnant does were influenced by the rearing system during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]