Journal of World's Poultry Research

1-11

Authors: Hair-Bejo M

The infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is severe and highly contagious, causing high mortality and immunosuppression in chickens worldwide. A new novel variant, IBDV (nVarIBDV), has recently emerged in Asian countries, including Malaysia, highlighting the need to develop a new vaccine against this strain due to the inadequacy of existing commercial vaccines in protecting chickens from nVarIBDV infection. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inactivated nVarIBDV as a potential vaccine candidate in broiler chickens. A total of 65 one-day-old Arbo Acres broiler chickens were randomly divided into three groups (five animals in each group with four replications) before the challenge, namely A, B, and C. Groups A and B were immunized subcutaneously at day old with inactivated nVarIBDV (107 EID50/0.2 ml), and Group B was boosted at day 14. Group C was an unimmunized control. The experimental animals were divided into three subgroups and were challenged with pathogenic nVarIBDV (105 EID50/1.0ml) on day 28 post-inoculation through ocular and oral routes. The challenge sub-groups were named ACH, BCH, and CCH, respectively. The live body weight, bursa weight, and blood samples of the chickens were recorded. Gross lesions were examined, and samples of the bursa of Fabricius were collected from all the groups for histological evaluation. All the chickens appeared healthy and normal throughout the trial. Body weight increased in all groups without significant differences. The bursa weight and the bursa-to-body weight ratio of the booster group (Group B) were significantly higher than the non-booster and control groups. Gross lesions were not observed in the investigated groups. The challenged control group had higher bursa lesion scoring than the vaccinated groups. The IBDV antibody titer of challenged chickens in ACH, BCH, and CCH groups was higher than those of unchallenged groups A, B, and C at 35 days post-inoculation. The IBDV antibody titer of challenged chickens in group B was higher than challenged chickens in groups A and C (ACH and CCH). In conclusion, the inactivated nVarIBDV demonstrated safety and efficacy, with the booster Group (B) showing elevated humoral immune responses compared to the non-booster group.

23-29

Authors: Prayogi HS

The individual egg production capacity of laying hens plays an outstanding role in achieving total production within a flock, which is affected by several internal and external factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of body condition, anatomical measurement, and age at the first laying (AFL) on the cumulative number of individual egg production (CNIEP) and laying pattern. Therefore, 172 Isa Brown laying chickens were investigated. Data on body condition and anatomical measurement were collected at the age of 16 weeks, while data on production was collected during 21 weeks of production (18-39 weeks). The obtained data were analyzed by Partial Least Square- Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using smartPLS. The findings revealed that CNIEP could be predicted by body condition, anatomical measurement, and AFL. Compared to body condition and anatomical measurements, AFL was the most prominent factor in CNIEP. Body condition, anatomical measurement, AFL, and CNIEP had weak effects on the Isa Brown laying chickens’ patterns.

41-54

Authors: Tsegaye D

Poultry farming and the demand for chicken meat and eggs are growing due to their quality protein, essential nutrients, affordable price, and low investment cost. The current study was designed to investigate the productivity and profitability of small-scale commercial poultry enterprises. Data were collected from 221 poultry farms using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results were presented using descriptive statistics. Farm performances were measured by total-factor-productivity (TFP), benefit-cost-ratio (BCR), and net-profit-margin (NPM). The majority of the poultry farm owners were male (69.68%) and married (77.4%). Around 55.2% of poultry farmers aged 31-45 years. Group-owned farms had 4.59 ± 1.77 individual members. On average, a batch of layer chickens was kept for 17.0 ± 3.87 and 18.12 ± 4.25 months on individual and group-owned farms, respectively. Moreover, the mean selling ages of pullet and broiler chickens were 2.55 ± 0.71 and 2.18 ± 0.51 months, respectively. The flock size of layer chickens in sole-proprietor farms (562 ± 724) was significantly lower than in partnership farms (1165 ± 877). The average numbers of produced pullets by sole-proprietorship and partnership farms were 3177 ± 2360 and 3137 ± 1826, while the mean numbers of broilers produced were 2257 ± 1875 and 3269 ± 1669, respectively. The average egg and broiler weights in sole-proprietorship farms were significantly higher compared to group-owned farms. Annual egg production rates in individual and group-owned farms were 76.5% and 70.4%, respectively. The cost of feed, chicken, housing, labor, and medication were the top five production expenditures, while feed cost shares 60.4%. Egg producers had NPM, BCR, and TFP indices of 38.99%, 1.03, and 2.03, respectively, with notable differences by ownership types. The NPM, BCR, and TFP indices for broiler and pullet farms, respectively, were 42.78%, 0.93, and 1.93 for broilers and 35.21%, 0.92, and 1.67 for pullets. The results indicated that poultry firms performed optimally, regardless of ownership type. To further improve the efficiency and profitability of poultry enterprises, farmers need technical, finance, and management skills and input supply chains.

62-74

Authors: Faisal A

Fowlpox is an infectious viral disease affecting domestic and wild birds. The current study was conducted using PCR-based molecular detection to determine the avian pox virus (APV) and its genetic sequence. A total of 40 pigeons and 40 chickens suspected of APV were obtained from different bird markets. Following euthanasia, tissue samples were taken from the vents, eyes, wings, and beaks for molecular analysis. DNA extraction was focused on the core protein gene region (pb4). PCR results confirmed the presence of APV in all samples, generating specific cDNA bands of 329 bp. Four GenBank accession codes (OR670580, OR670581, OR670582, and OR670583) represented pigeon pox samples, whereas two GenBank accession numbers (OR619724 and OR619725) represented samples of fowlpox. A significant similarity of 99% was found by genetic analysis between the reference target sequences and the sequenced samples. In viral samples of fowlpox and avipoxvirus, nucleic acid variants (205 C > G and 204 T > C) were found with missense and silent effects on particular proteins (p.101Leu>Val and p.108Pro). Phylogenetic analysis organized the samples into clades representing fowlpox and pigeon pox viruses, showing close relationships with strains from different geographical regions. This study unequivocally demonstrates the susceptibility of both domestic and wild birds to avian pox, highlighting the pivotal role of phylogenetic analysis and molecular detection in elucidating novel perspectives on the genetic landscape of these viruses.

88-97

Authors: Nuningtyas YF

Protein is a source of nutrients that plays a significant role in biological processes. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of feed with different protein levels on the pH and viscosity of the small intestine, ileum characteristics, and carcass traits of cross-breed chickens. A total of 160 cross-breed unsexed chicks aged 2 days were divided into three treatments (T1-T3), each consisting of 6 replications with 9 chicks per replication, consisting of a diet with protein level (T1; starter 18% and finisher 16%;), a diet with protein level (T2; starter 20% and finisher 18%), and a diet with protein level (T3; starter 22% and finisher 20%). Cross-breed chickens were crossed between Bangkok males and Lohmann laying hens. The variables were analyzed, including pH and viscosity of digesta, ileum characteristics consisting of total villous, height of villous, and depth of crypt. The carcass percentages consisting of the carcass, breast, thicks, wings, and back were measured. The research was analyzed using a completely randomized design. The results indicated that different protein levels in treatments were significantly different in total villous, height of villous, and depth of crypt but did not indicate a significant difference in pH and viscosity. Furthermore, the treatments have a significant difference in the carcass percentage and thick percentage but did not significantly affect the breast, wings, and back. It can be concluded that 22% crude protein in the starter and 20% crude protein in the finisher produced the greatest results in the intestinal characteristics and also in the carcass percentage of cross-breed chickens.

113-123

Authors: Merdana IM

Natural guard liquid (NGL) is an immunomodulator consisting of an essential oil blend (lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and pine oil) that can improve the immunity (IgG) of animals. The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of a mixture of NGL comprising of essential oil (eucalyptus, lavender, and pine oil) on growth performance, hematological profile, and antibody titer response to the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in Lohman strain broiler chickens. A total of 400-day-old unsexed broiler chickens with an average weight of 42.48 ± 2.08 g were randomly distributed into four groups, each comprising two replications with 50 chicks. The control group, T0, received no essential oil, while other treatment groups, T1, T2, and T3, were administered NGL at 80, 100, and 200 ppm, respectively. The mixture was administered in drinking water for 30 days. The animals had received vaccinations at the Hatchery, including active NDV, inactive NDV, and Gumboro. Regular recordings were made for feed consumption, water intake, mortality, and body weight. Blood samples for routine hematological examination (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, packed cell volume, erythrocyte index, leucocytes, and differential leucocytes) and immune parameter (NDV antibody titer) assessment were collected at the onset as well as after 15 and 30 days of treatment. The hemoglobin levels, erythrocytes, total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and Heterophil-lymphocyte index showed significant differences in groups T1 and T2 compared to T0. While the NDV antibody titer showed a significant difference at T2 compared to T0, it was not significantly different at T1 and T3. The best results and performance was indicated in T2 (100 ppm), characterized by body weight (1,839 g), and feed conversion ratio (1.573). The hematological profile in the T2 group included hemoglobin (11.78 g/dL), total erythrocytes (2.82 ×106 u/L), total leukocytes (52.67 ×103 u/L]), and the NDV antibody titer (48 ± 10.20) in the fifth week. In conclusion, the optimum dose of NGL is 100 ppm, which significantly influences growth performance, hematological profile, and antibody titer against NDV.