COOPERATIVE EXTENSIONUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIACALIFORNIA POULTRY LETTERFebruary 1999In This Issue:
PePa is "Early" - Do Not Miss ItYou may have heard people comment during some winter-past that "Chanukkah is early/late this year." One of my former students, has correctly pointed out that "Chanukkah is not early or late, Chanukkah is Chanukkah." For me, I always think of the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association (PePa) Convention as coming towards the end of UC Davis' winter quarter in March. Well, this year PePa will be February 22-26. Therefore, to me it seems like it is "early." The Planning Committee has confirmed an array of excellent speakers, including Morten Ernst, Dr. Kent Pinkerton and Mickey McNickle. They will be covering topics including "The third millenium and egg products", "Health effects of particles in the work place", and "Enhancing your business". The convention venue will be the Palm Springs Hilton. No matter if you credit la nina or the Palm Springs Chamber, Palm Springs is experiencing one of the warmest winters in memory. The sun and stars are perfect for the Gary Spina-organized golf tournament, the sure to be spectacular evening at Palapas, and the "Disco" banquet. Having been educated by a former student, I shall just remind you that PePa is PePa and it is always an event not to be missed. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist
The Poultry Health Symposium will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 1999 at the Stanislaus County Ag Center, Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, California. Registration is $20.00 and includes lunch. For more information contact Dr. Joan Jeffrey at (559) 688-1731, Ext. 228. Papers Presented at the Southern Poultry Science Meetings The following are short reviews of some particularly interesting papers presented at the Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting this year. The Society held its 20th annual meeting in Atlanta prior to the International Poultry Trade Show. Although the title of this meeting suggests it is American, and even regional, in orientation, many non-American scientists are submitting papers and attending the Atlanta event. An interesting paper was presented by a researcher from the Scottish Agricultural College in Auchincruive. She and colleagues studied feather eating and its possible connection to feather picking and cannibalistic behavior. Specifically they studied pen-housed juvenile pullets of an egg production strain. They were able to evaluate the incidence of feather eating by counting the loose feathers on the floors of sample pens and by examining fecal droppings for the presence of undigested feathers. They found that 48% of all droppings contained feather material. They acknowledged that it was rare to observe feather eating, but felt that the fecal evidence suggested a common behavior. They observed that once short feathers (which the birds seemed to prefer) became scarce on the pen floors, the birds started pecking the feathers on their pen mates. Their findings confirmed observations that outbreaks of severe feather pecking at the onset of lay occur in the pens that exhibit the highest level of feather eating as juveniles (Dorothy McKeegan and C.J. Savory, 1999. Feather eating: a precursor of feather pecking? Abstracts of the Southern Poultry Science Meeting, S11). Another group of researchers from the United Kingdom reported on a topic that has long invited investigation and certainly giggles. Jones and Rayner conducted a survey of 100 farmers to evaluate the incidence of music-playing in the hen house and any perceived positive effects. They found that 46% of the farmers on a routine basis played music to their layers. Of those music-players, 96% professed to feeling that it calmed the chickens, 52% said they thought it decreased aggression, 20% said their birds were healthier, and 16% maintained that the music increased egg production. As to the type of music, pop favorites and easy listening music were the most popular. The farmers did not give high scores to jazz and heavy metal. The researchers admitted that the music selections were indicative of the farmers' preferences, not those of the chickens. The conclusion drawn by Jones and Rayner was that playing the radio in the hen house was a simple way of enriching the chickens' environment and of making them less frightened of novel sounds. The researchers did propose to investigate the chickens' preferences in music type by allowing them to switch the music "on" and "off" (R.B. Jones and S. Rayner, 1999. Music in the hen house: a survey of its incidence and perceived benefits. Abstracts of the Southern Poultry Science Meeting, S63). One might postulate that there will be individual music preferences in a flock of birds. And that begs the question: which bird or birds will decide what music is played. As a big band, jazz-loving music consumer, I know I would not feel that my environment was enriched if I was forced to listen to non-stop country, heavy metal or rap. One of the most exciting findings presented at the meeting was a report by Murray Bakst of the Germplasm and Gamete Physiology Laboratory at USDA in Beltsville. While we have known since the 1940's that long term storage of spermatozoa takes place in sperm storage tubules in the UV region (between the hen's shell gland and vagina). We also know that short term storage of spermatozoa takes place in sperm storage tubules located in the upper part of the oviduct, specifically in the infundibulum. It is also in the infundibulum that fertilization takes place. What has long puzzled avian reproductive physiologists is the mechanism by which spermatozoa leave the storage sites lower in the oviduct and are transported to the infundibular sites. Bakst and colleagues have utilized fluorescent microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine the UV sperm storage tubules. They found neurons in this region and neuronal processes in the tissue surrounding the sperm storage tubules. They also obtained strong chemical evidence that muscular elements exist in the apical portions of cells in the sperm storage tubules. This is the first report to suggest that neuronal elements exist in close proximity to the sperm storage tubules. More importantly, this may lead to an explanation of the mechanism(s) involved in the release of spermatozoa from the sperm storage tubules in the UV region (S.L. Freedman, V.G. Akuffo, and M.R. Bakst, 1999. Innervation of oviductal sperm storage tubes (SST) on the turkey, Abstracts of the Southern Poultry Science Meeting, S104). -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist Another Accolade for Arnold "Rosy" Rosenwald At their January meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, the American College of Poultry Veterinarians voted to bestow Honorary Membership status to Dr. Arnold "Rosy" Rosenwald. The College, along with its stiff examination process for admission, was established long after Rosy's retirement from his post as Extension Poultry Veterinarian. He becomes only the third person to be recognized with an honorary membership. Congratulations, Rosy. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist Our congratulations go out to Ryan Armstrong of the Escondido-Orange Glen FFA Chapter. Ryan received a Proficiency Award in Poultry and was also named the State Winner in Poultry at the 70th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference. Over the last four years, Ryan has been actively involved with the rearing and movement of pullets on the family ranch. Ryan plans to attend Brigham Young University this fall, majoring in agribusiness and minoring in poultry science. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist The California Integrated Waste Management Board is promoting the increased use of compost and mulch in farming systems. As part of the effort, a video has been produced. Entitled, "Two green thumbs up," the video highlights five demonstrations of agricultural use of compost. All the demonstrations were funded by the Board. For a FREE copy of the video, contact the Board's Organics Material Management Unit at (916) 255-2410. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist The California Integrated Waste Management Board has approved $300,000 for projects that will "demonstrate beneficial end-uses of municipal compost and mulch." If you have been able to use munipal mulch and/or compost and can show benefits in areas such as pest management, erosion control, disease suppression, or other areas, you may be eligible for funding. Partnerships from various groups can work together to submit proposals. Partnerships might include ranchers, extension personnel, County Farm Bureaus, local governments, and landscapers. These partners would not only conduct the demonstration project, but would also share results with other end users in their geographic area. No individual project will receive more than $100,000. You may request an information package via fax (916) 255-1107. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist FFA State Champion Poultry Judging Team The 1998 State FFA Judging Finals were held at California Polytechnic State University. Emerging atop all other competing teams in the Poultry Judging Contest was the team from Righetti FFA. The winning team was composed of Joe Gardner, Hector Guerra, Tom Mathews, Orlando Velazquez, and Jennifer Wever. The team's dedicated coach is Mr. Miguel Guerra. Mr. Guerra has consistently fostered outstanding poultry youth and we have been pleased to have him bring teams to events held at UC Davis. Congratulations to the Rhighetti flock. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY In a recent paper (Avian Diseases 42:600-605, 1998), Aye, Morishita, Grimes, Skowronek, and Mohan reported on a case of Vitamin E deficiency in a commercial emu flock. The Ohio producer reported that 13 out of 64 emus on his operation exhibited backward staggering, generalized weakness, incoordination, a posture of sitting on the hocks with head retracted backward. Eight fatalities resulted in the birds showing the neurologic signs. While no diagnostic lesions were observed when two of the emus were necropsied, histopathological tests revealed major lesions in the cerebellar portion of the brain. The vitamin E level of the birds' livers was also determined. Aye et al. diagnosed the condition as encephalomalacia associated with Vitamin E deficiency. Their diagnosis was based on the birds' neurological problems, the histopathological lesions, and the low Vitamin E levels in the livers - all of these being consistent with a Vitamin E deficient bird. The emu's diet regimen had consisted of a commercial ostrich starter followed by a commercial ostrich maintenance diet. Both diets were formulated with Vitamin E levels that should have met the dietary requirements of the emus. However, the maintenance diet had been stored by the producer for over a two month period. Following the diagnosis of Vitamin E deficiency, the remaining birds were put on a commercial emu grower diet and no further neurological problems were observed. This serves as a reminder on the importance of proper feed storage and the need to use feed quickly after mixing. GASTROINTESTINAL IMPACTION IN OSTRICHES Researchers at Botswana's College of Agriculture, National Veterinary Laboratory, and Animal Health and Production Department have reported their experiences with stomach impaction in ostriches (Mushi, E.Z., J.F.W. Isa, R.G. Chabo, M.G. Binta, L. Modisa, and J.M. Kamau, 1998. Impaction of the stomachs in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Botswana, Avian Dis. 42:597-599). The authors were called to examine birds during the July 1996 - March 1997 breeding season. Most often they were called to examine birds found dead in the morning, birds that had not been identified earlier as being ill. Occasionally, they did treat sick birds. The ill birds were typically found in the position of sternal recumbency (that is, the bird was resting on its breast bone). While they were alert, the birds had their necks outstretched, and were very dehydrated. When the stomachs were palpated, the specialists described the stomachs as feeling "gritty." Most cases of stomach impaction were seen in the birds just over 3 months of age. In addition, the impaction typically coincided with the movement of birds from concrete floor pens to sandy pastures, or "camps." The specialists examined 25 total fatal cases and performed post mortem examinations on those birds. Survey of the proventricular contents revealed the most common causes of impaction to be in descending order: sand, stones, sticks, and soil. In addition, duodenal and cecal contents often contained sand. The authors made five recommendations that they felt would reduce impaction in ostriches: 1) minimize stress by limiting bird movement between groups 2) clearing the pens of all foreign objects likely to cause impaction 3) full feeding, so the birds do not resort to eating foreign objects 4) giving liquid paraffin by mouth to birds suspected of having an impaction 5) placing a "clothed dummy in the chick run to give a feeling of security" United Ratite Cooperative Regearing for 1999 The United Ratite Cooperative (URC) has been conducting its business out of offices in Auburn, California. URC's Executive Director until October, 1998 was Dr. Glen Patterson. As part of a reorganizational effort, Dr. Patterson is no longer serving as the Cooperative's Executive Director, but is still a valued consultant to the URC. URC Director, Shirley White, is currently maintaining the Cooperative's business records at her ranch in Wilton. According to Director, Sharyn Felts, the Board decided that it was in the Cooperative's best interests to scale back and wait for developments in three major areas. The first involves an expected increase in emu promotion on the national level. The URC could benefit from that type of campaign without having to absorb the expenses alone. The second area surrounds some ongoing research dealing with the emu oil. Felts says that yet unpublished results from medical researchers in Texas include very positive data on the benefits of emu oil for patients with burns and other skin problems. An added bonus in this area is that more and more companies are developing the techniques to properly refine emu oil. This will certainly reduce the costs and difficulties producers experienced in the past. The third area that has emu producers understandably excited is a recently awarded Federal Grant. El Dorado County will be matching these Federal funds. Monies will be used for a study looking at the feasibility of an emu processing plant in El Dorado County. Officials are conducting a search for a project coordinator. Other positive news reported by Felts included the URC's identification of a number of out-of-state, but domestic tanneries that are doing quality processing of emu hide for URC members. Prior attempts to have the hides tanned in either California or out of the country have not proven satisfactory. She reports that meat sales remain constant with most purchases being made by health-conscious consumers. -Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist February 5, 1999 - "Risks of infectious diseases among agricultural workers," Noon seminar by Dr. Dean Cliver, School of Vet. Med., Temporary Building (TB) 137, UC Davis. For more information contact UC Ag Health and Safety Center (530) 752-4050. February 9-10, 1999 - Northwest Poultry Workgroup: Nutrient Management and Waste Regulation. Sweetbrier Inn, Tualitin, Oregon. For more information contact Dr. Jim Hermes, Oregon State University, (541) 737-2254. *February 22-26, 1999 - Pacific Egg and Poultry Association's (PePa) 75th Annual Convention, Palm Springs Hilton. For more information contact PePa, (916) 441-0801. March 5, 1999 - "Migrant health: safety net for rural populations," Noon seminar by Arcaio Viveros, Exec. Dir. Salud Para La Gente Inc., Temporary Building (TB) 137, UC Davis. For more information contact UC Ag Health and Safety Center (530) 752-4050. *March 9, 1999 - U.C. Poultry Health Symposium, Stanislaus County Ag Center, Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. For more information contact Joan Jeffrey (559) 688-1731, Ext 228. March 9-10, 1999, International Symposium on Avian Coccidiosis, Iguazu Falls - PR BRAZIL. The FACTA-APINCO Foundation on Poultry Science and Technology will be organizing this technical event. The FACTA is a non profit organization that makes science and technology diffusion on poultry production. See more details in their home page:http://www.dglnet.com.br/facta or email: facta@dglnet.com.br. April 12, 1999 - West Coast United Egg Producers' (WCUEP) Board Meeting, Sacramento. For information contact David Goldenberg (916) 985-2323. April 12, 1999 - Legislative Reception co-sponsored by Pacific Egg and Poultry Association, California Egg Commission, and WCUEP, Capitol Building. For more information contact PePa (916) 441-0801. *April 24-27, 1999, 48th Western Poultry Disease Conference, Landmark Hotel and Conference Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For information contact Lina Layiktez, Conference & Events Services, 530/757-3331. *May 17-19, 1999, National Egg Quality School, Ashville, NC. For more information contact Glen Carpenter (919) 542-8202. August 15-19, 1999, 12th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Organized by the WPSA Working Group No. 2, Secretariat WPSA 12th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, c/o Wageningen Agricultural University, Animal Nutrition Group, Dr. Rene P. Kwakkel, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands. Telephone: +31 317 482468/ 484082; Fax: 31 317 484260. ______________________________________ *Programs approved for California Quality Assurance Program credit. Francine A. Bradley, February Editor Ralph A. Ernst, Technical Editor |