Sterilox Solution Highly Effective Against Pandemic H5N1 Avian

PuriCore, the life sciences company focused on the control of infectious pathogens with its novel, safe antimicrobial technology, announces that its Sterilox Solution has been proven highly effective against pandemic H5N1 avian influenza, a highly contagious and lethal outbreak pathogen. The research showed that Sterilox Solution completely inactivated the H5N1 test strain and passed the US Environmental Protection Agencyʼs recommended hard-surface disinfection test, which requires two-minutes contact time.

The study conducted by ATS Labs, an independent certified laboratory, tested the virucidal activity of the
Sterilox Solution in decontaminating H5N1 avian influenza on hard surfaces. Previous PuriCore studies
proved the effectiveness of Sterilox Solution against a common surrogate for the pandemic H5N1 avian
influenza strain, the human influenza virus, A/Hong Kong 68 Strain. This new H5N1 research builds upon
PuriCore´s earlier microbiological research, including published studies last year showing the effectiveness
of the Sterilox Solution against major outbreak pathogens such as norovirus, MRSA, and acinetobacter.

Excess Fat in Chickens Studied by Scientists

Obesity is a problem for many American consumers—and now even chickens are getting fat. As a result, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have been looking for ways to help growers efficiently produce chickens of optimal weight while minimizing excess fat.

At the ARS Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., animal scientists Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz and Mark Richards, along with research leader John McMurtry and Penn State University collaborator Ramesh Ramachandran, recently identified and sequenced genes responsible for regulating both energy use by individual cells and the food intake of birds. They also showed that the genes function in different tissues throughout the body of the broiler chicken.

This important biochemical pathway, previously discovered in other animals, maintains energy balance in the bird´s body. A key component of the pathway is an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK.

In all animals, obesity results from an imbalance that occurs when more food energy (calories) is consumed than the body actually needs. The excess energy is stored mostly as fat. Over the years, in response to a growing worldwide consumer demand, poultry breeders have bred chickens that grow faster and produce more meat. But modern broiler/breeder chickens don’t adequately balance their feed consumption to match their energy requirements. When these birds are given unrestricted access to feed, they will overeat and become obese.

AMPK plays a central role in sensing cellular energy levels. It begins a series of events that affect food intake and metabolism of fat, carbohydrate and protein. According to Proszkowiec-Weglarz, AMPK is really a “molecular fuel gauge” and a master metabolic regulator in cells. It responds to fluctuations in the levels of cellular energy and of specific nutrients and hormones outside the cells.

“Our goal is to learn how the AMPK pathway functions in birds to achieve energy balance, so growers can efficiently produce chickens of optimal weight while minimizing excess fat”, says Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz.

Published 01/28/2008

Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service

Effective use of full fat soya in poultry diets: A global perspective

Soybeans and its by-products, Soybean Oil and Soybean meal continue to maintain a pace of increased production due to worldwide demand. The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand report for September 2006 states that…”for 2005/2006 strong demand for soybeans and soybean meal raises exports and crush and lowers ending stocks”.

Expectations for this year’s soybean crop are in the order of 83 million metric tons in the USA, 53 million in Brazil and 43 million in Argentina, the European Union and China being the primary importers with 41 and 31 million metric tons, respectively.

In the poultry industry, soybean meal is the main source of protein and amino acids in diets. Full-fat soybeans, due to its nutritional characteristics, high level and quality of protein (36 – 42%) and its high level of fat (18 – 22%), are an important source of protein and energy. Both products must be treated with heat in order to inactivate anti-nutritional factors, such as protease inhibitors (trypsin and chemotrypsin), hemagglutinins/ lectins and others. The inactivation of anti-nutritional factors by heating enhances nutrient digestibility.

Poultry Incubation: Hatching Egg Sanitation

Author: Henry R. Wilson – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida

A common management tool in the handling of hatching eggs is treatment of the eggs with a fumigant or other type of disinfectant to reduce the number of microorganisms on the shell surface. In addition, sanitation of the hatchery building, hatchery equipment, egg transportation equipment, etc., is critical to good hatchability and high quality hatchlings.

Penetration of the hatching egg shell by microorganisms results in embryonic mortality, weak chicks, high chick mortality, and poor chick growth. The most effective sanitation system involves treating the eggs as soon as they are collected from the nest and before microorganisms penetrate the shell. Several recent research studies have examined the effectiveness, safety and ease of use of common disinfectants currently available for use in hatcheries and on eggs.

Small Poultry Flock Nutrition

Author: B.L. Damron and D.R. Sloan – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida

WATER

Water is probably the most important nutrient for poultry because a lack of adequate supply will adversely affect the bird’s performance more quickly than a shortage of any other nutrient. This is why it is so important to keep an adequate supply of clean, fresh, cool water before the birds at all times. An automatic waterer, placed in the coolest area of the house or pen is probably best for most small-flock operations. If manually filled waterers are used, consideration should be given to the number and filling frequency required to ensure an adequate supply.

Water plays a very important role in digestion and metabolism of poultry. It comprises from 55 to 75% of the bird’s body and about 65% of the egg. There is a strong correlation between feed and water intake. Research has shown that water intake is approximately two times the intake of feed on a weight basis. Water softens feed in the crop to prepare it for grinding in the gizzard. Many chemical reactions necessary in the processes of digestion and nutrient absorption are aided by or require water. As a major component in blood (90%) it serves as a carrier, moving digested material from the digestive tract to all parts of the body, and taking waste products to the points of elimination. As with humans and other animals, water cools the bird’s body through evaporation. Since birds do not have sweat glands, a major portion of their evaporative heat loss occurs in the air sacs and lungs due to rapid respiration.

If medications or other additives are given through the water, care should be taken to accurately measure both compound and water quantities and mix them well before administering. Also, carefully follow label directions as to the length of time the medication should be given. At the end of that period, waterers should be emptied and rinsed.

Fishmeal in Poultry Diets: Understanding the production of this valuable feed ingredient

Author: Richard D. Miles and Jacqueline P. Jacob – University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

High quality fishmeal is recognized by animal nutritionists as an excellent source of protein, energy, minerals and vitamins. Worldwide, millions of tons of fishmeal are produced annually. The majority of the fishmeal produced is included in commercial diets for poultry, swine, dairy cattle, mink and fish.

Good quality fishmeal demands a higher price than other high protein feedstuffs. Its proper use, however, requires a knowledge of not only its nutrient profile but of how it was produced. An understanding of fishmeal production will give users a better understanding of how the various factors interact to influence the quality of fishmeal.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) – Respiratory Herpes Virus of Poultry

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) is usually considered to be a backyard flock problem. However, this disease continues to plague the poultry industry with sporadic episodes across the province of Ontario. Due to the persistent, latent, infectious nature of the virus, it can perpetuate itself, even after vaccination. Rolling reaction from chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccines and transmission from backyard flocks keeps the industry at high alert for this disease. ILT is on the list of four notifiable diseases at the request of the importing nations, China and Russia. This reminds our industry to control it now.

ILT is an acute herpes viral respiratory tract infection of chickens and pheasants that may result in severe production losses. Losses occur due to excessive mortality, decreased growth rates and decreased egg production. Disease may affect 5 to 80% of an exposed flock, taking 2 to 4 weeks to go through an entire flock. Infected birds usually die but can recover within 7 to 10 days. Mortality can climb as high as 20% in an infected flock.

Signs of infection appear 6 to 12 days after infection and are characterised by mild to severe clinical reactions. Signs include:

* conjunctivitis, watery eyes and swollen orbital sinuses.
* coughing, sneezing, extended neck, laboured, breathing, wheezing and head shaking.
* bloody exudate on the walls of cages or pens from severe cases.

Infection is usually spread by aerosol. The route of infection is through the upper respiratory tract, where the virus replicates in the trachea and the larynx. Other portals of entry include contact of the virus with the eyes and ingestion of the virus. Mechanical transmission can occur via contaminated equipment, clothing, boots, dead stock and litter.

Control focuses on management practices, emphasising strict biosecurity. Due to vaccination potential to cause disease, veterinary supervision is strongly recommended when the decision is made to go this route. Since both natural infection and vaccination have been shown to produce "carrier" birds, it is extremely important that susceptible chicken flocks are not exposed to vaccinated or previously infected chickens. Mixing of birds should only be done when a complete history of the birds is available, and it is absolutely certain that a potential ILT "carrier" is not present. Sanitation procedures, which include disinfection of equipment, boots and clothing and proper disposal of litter and carcasses, are essential components of ILT control.

It should be emphasised that it is always recommended that producers work with their poultry veterinarian for diagnosis and to develop treatment and prevention/vaccination strategies.

Submission of samples to the Animal Health Laboratory should be representative of the problem on the farm or backyard flock. Your history sheet, submitted with the birds, should include: the type of operation, the number of birds at risk, the number of birds affected and the vaccination history. Submit tissues from separate birds in tightly sealed and labelled Whirl-Pak bags for rapid distribution to the designated laboratory sections. For histology, use formalin fixed sections of trachea, larynx and bronchioles. For isolation of ILT virus, trachea and lung are required.

By Scott Gillingham – Veterinary Scientist/OMAFRA
Ministry of Agiculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Published 01/22/2008

Source: OMAFRA Livestock Release

[e-book] Rencana Strategis Nasional Terhadap AI

Ini merupakan e-book yang membahas tentang Rencana Strategis yang dilakukan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia dalam upaya mengatasi kasus flu burung. File dalam bentuk PDF dengan kapasitas 370 KB, bahasa yang digunakan adalah Bahasa Indonesia, dengan judul lengkap :

RENCANA STRATEGIS NASIONAL

PENGENDALIAN FLU BURUNG (AVIAN INFLUENZA) DAN KESIAPSIAGAAN MENGHADAPI

PANDEMI INFLUENZA

2006-2008

File dapat didownload dengan meng-klik disini

Traditional Cage Eggs: Lower Environmental Impact?

While some animal rights organizations have been campaigning to ban traditional cage eggs in the U.S., it turns
out that these eggs may be best for the environment.

A study conducted by Adrian Williams, PhD., senior research fellow at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, found that the traditional cage egg production currently used by most U.S. egg farmers decreases the industry’s effects on global warming by 10 percent, while converting to all free-range egg production would increase the effects on global warming by 10 percent and converting to all organic egg production would increase the effects on global warming by 40 percent.

Free-range and organic egg farms are more environmentally intense because their need for more green space, food and energy.

The research examined the energy and food levels for farm production on 10 different agricultural and horticultural commodities such as potatoes, tomatoes, beef, milk, poultry, and eggs. In addition to the varying
production findings, the study found that egg production as a whole is less harmful on the environment than other livestock. Egg production takes less global energy thus producing less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The study was funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs in the U.K.

Grocery shoppers can find UEP Certified eggs by looking for the UEP Certified logo on cartons of most brands of eggs, since 95 percent of the eggs produced in the U.S. come from farmers who participate in the program.
UEP developed the United Egg Producers Certified animal welfare program to assure consumers, retailers and foodservice professionals that egg cartons carrying the UEP Certified logo are from farmers who adhere to the highest scientific standards for egg production and undergo independent audits from the USDA and Validus to ensure 100 percent compliance.

UEP developed the UEP Certified program for modern egg production out of scientific guidelines established by an independent advisory committee of the top animal welfare scientific experts in the U.S. The USDA, the Food
and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have approved the UEP Certified logo. The International Egg Commission has recognized the program as a model from which to create animal welfare programs in other member countries throughout the world. In addition, the Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants also endorse these guidelines. To view a complete copy of the UEP Certified Guidelines and to learn more about the program visit UEP Certified website.

Published 01/03/2008

Source: PRNewswire

Shocking results on chicken: effective combination to kill pathogens on carcasses

Water is one of the world´s most precious resources. But if you combine it with salt and an electrical charge, it becomes one of the strongest disinfectants, too.

Scientists at the University of Georgia are studying ways to use electrolyzed oxidized water, or EO water, to sanitize fresh chicken in processing plants along with other things. It can be up to 10 times more effective at killing harmful bacteria than traditional methods.

"We wanted to use the water on chicken carcasses to see if it cuts down on the levels of salmonella and campylobacter," said Yen-Con Hung, a food scientist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Two steams of water

EO water is created when a saltwater solution goes through an electrolysis process, said Hung. It separates the water´s positive and negative ions. This makes two forms of water, one very acidic and one very alkaline.

Working with CAES poultry scientist Scott Russell, Hung tested both forms of EO water on fresh chicken carcasses. They found the acidic EO water killed foodborne pathogens on the chicken. The alkaline EO water cleaned the chicken.

“The alkaline stream of EO water mixes with the fat on the chicken and cleanses the surface and protects the carcass in the future,” Russell said. “It´s just like when your grandmother mixed fat and lye to make soap.”

Technology licensed and used in U.S.

Pennsylvania-based Murray´s Chickens is the first poultry processor in the United States to use the UGA EO process to kill pathogens, Hung said. EAU Technology holds the license on the UGA technology.

"In mass production, this technology would be very cost effective," Hung said. "When you want to use it, you push a button. You don’t have to worry with mixing up concentrated liquids, and it’s more effective than chlorine rinses."

In his laboratory on the UGA Griffin, Ga., Campus, Hung has found the acidic water effectively kills harmful bacteria on eggs, apples, lettuce and cutting boards. The alkaline water is a useful general cleanser.

Widely used in Japan and Korea

The technology is widely used in Japan to sanitize dental and medical equipment. Many Japanese homes have EO washing machines that need no detergent. Koreans use it in dishwashers.

In the U.S., the wholesale and retail cut flower industry uses the water to prevent the spread of diseases and extend shelf life. “And the water doesn´t have to be changed every day,” Hung said.

Hung hopes to see the technology used in U.S. fast food restaurants.

“We´ve had several outbreaks of foodborne illness related to fast food. This could help prevent future cases,” Hung said.

Published 01/18/2008

Source: University of Georgia press release

Poultry Management: No pathogen risk in litter reuse

Preliminary results from a Poultry CRC project being undertaken by DPI&F Queensland examining the reuse of chicken litter across broiler cycles have indicated that levels of food-borne pathogens are not any higher in re-used litter than those found in single-batch rearing.

The Project Leader, QDPI&F’s Nalini Chinivasagam, commenced litter trials on two farms in June last year with the aim of understanding the relationship between current practices and pathogen levels in litter, as well as other physical parameters.

In her progress report to the CRC, Nalini made the following significant observation concerning one of the trials.

While complete data analysis has yet to be performed, the initial review of the trial indicates that there is no markedly higher level of food-borne pathogens in the re-used litter samples collected over the full broiler cycle compared with single-batch rearing controls.

According to Poultry CRC CEO, Professor Mingan Choct, litter itself is becoming a burden to producers for two reasons.

"Firstly, some producers are running out of disposal options, and secondly, in some areas, producers are running out of suitable materials to use as litter," said Mingan.

"The practices of single-batch rearing and multiple use of the same litter are both widespread, so there is a concern that repeated use of litter may lead to an accumulation of pathogens that are of interest to the industry."

"Therefore, the CRC commissioned this research to look at whether food-borne pathogens increase with repeated use of litter," explained Mingan.

"The results so far are significant, confirming what has been known around the world for some time – that multiple use of litter is safe."

Published 01/15/2008

Source: Poultry Cooperative Research Center News

Avian Influenza

Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and
even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are
the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses
that have killed millions of birds and have infected humans
in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S.,
take appropriate precautions if you are involved in poultry
destruction.

Signs of Avian Flu Illness in Birds
Sudden death, lack of energy, appetite, and coordination,
purple discoloration and/or swelling of various body parts,
diarrhea, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and reduced
egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs.

Avian Flu Symptoms in Humans
Range from fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches;
to diarrhea, eye infections, pneumonia and severe respiratory
diseases. The symptoms may depend on which virus
caused the infection but are often similar to those of human
seasonal influenza.

When Engaged in Eradication Activities
• Clean your hands often and thoroughly, preferably using
soap and water for 15-20 seconds (or a waterless, alcoholbased
hand rub when soap is not available), especially if
you are handling poultry or poultry products.
• Wear lightweight, disposable gloves or heavy-duty rubber
work gloves that can be disinfected. Avoid touching your
face with gloved hands.
• Wear disposable outer garments, coveralls or surgical
gowns with long, cuffed sleeves and with a sealed apron.
• Wear disposable shoe covers or boots that can be cleaned
and disinfected.
• Wear safety goggles and disposable head or hair cover.
• Wear at least the minimum level of respiratory protection,
N95 or higher respirator.
• Avoid eating, drinking, smoking and bathroom use while
wearing personal protective equipment.

Additional Guidance
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine.
• Have your health care provider prescribe an adequate
supply of antivirals during poultry destruction activities
and for 5 days after it ends.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay at home except to
get medical attention

[e-book] Avian Influenza

Bingung dengan kondisi isu kasus flu burung / Avian Influenza (AI) di Indonesia? Pengen tahu fakta sesungguhnya mengenai flu burung ini ditinjau dari kesehatan manusia dan hewan? Jika iya, maka Anda dapat membaca e-book dari WHO dan FAO dengan cara mengklik disini untuk WHO, dengan file berbentuk pdf (202 KB), tebal halaman 5 saja, tetapi cukup lengkap, dan judulnya adalah :

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and in humans: Food safety implications

Sedangkan buku dari FAO dapat Anda download dengan mengklik disini , file berbentuk pdf (71 KB) dengan tebal 11 halaman, dan berjudul :

PROTECT POULTRY – PROTECT PEOPLE

Basic advice for

stopping the spread of avian flu

[e-book] Poultry Business

Anda ingin segera menjalankan bisnis peternakan ayam? Jika iya tidak ada salahnya Anda membaca buku ini yang berjudul :

Growing Your Range Poultry Business:

An Entrepreneur’s Toolbox

Buku ini dapat Anda download gratis dengan mengklik disini

Besar file 473 kb, format file pdf, dengan jumlah halaman : 63 halaman

Untuk membaca sedikit keterangan tentang buku ini, dapat Anda klik dibawah ini

[e-book] Success Story

Ini adalah buku yang menceritakan tentang keberhasilan pertanian di Amerika Latin dan di Karibia, dengan judul :

Success Story, in the use of ICTs for agricultural research and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean. 2007

Untuk mendapatkan e-book ini dengan gratis dapat Anda klik disini

Besar file pdf (1,7 MB), dengan tebal halaman 58 halaman, bahasa yang digunakan adalah Bahasa Inggris.

Semoga apa yang kita berikan sampai detik ini dapat berguna bagi pengunjung website https://chickaholic.wordpress.com.

Salam, adioranye