This study examined the impact of dietary supplementation with the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) on performance, welfare, and fatty acid metabolism in broiler chickens under conventional and organic production systems. Under conventional conditions, two identical trials involving a total of 30,000 fast-growing broilers were conducted at a teaching and research farm. Birds received either a standard diet or the same diet supplemented with 0.5% C. vulgaris. Over the 34-day fattening period, performance parameters, footpad health, litter quality, and environmental indicators were recorded. Algae supplementation did not impair growth; in fact, the second trial showed significantly improved final body weights in the Chlorella group. Footpad health was markedly better in the supplemented group throughout both trials, with consistently higher litter dry matter content (trial 1) suggesting improved housing hygiene. In parallel, two feeding trials were conducted under certified organic conditions using slow-growing Hubbard ColorYield broilers. From weeks 7 to 14 of life, birds were fed diets supplemented with either 0.5% C. vulgaris or A. platensis. In the first trial, both algae improved body weight after day 16, with Chlorella-fed birds showing the highest daily gains and Spirulina-fed birds exhibiting the highest feed intake and feed conversion. Fatty acid analysis revealed species-specific effects: Chlorella significantly reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in serum and liver, while Spirulina increased stearic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations. In the second trial, Spirulina again led to numerically higher body weights without statistical significance. Footpad scores were generally high (necrosis area more than half area of footpad) across all groups, with no significant differences in litter moisture. Overall, the results highlight the functional potential of microalgae in broiler nutrition, particularly for improving performance and modulating lipid metabolism. Further standardized trials are warranted to validate these findings under varying management conditions
White striping (WS), a growth-associated myopathy of the breast muscle according to literature, has become a visible hallmark of modern high-performance broilers. Intramuscular fat (IMF) and the partitioning of body fat across abdominal, subcutaneous, intermuscular and intramuscular depots behave was examined, and to what extent rearing intensity modulates these patterns. Literature reports (1988-2025; focusing on Ross series for carcass weight, abdominal fat and-where available-IMF) were combined with uniformly collected dissection data from heavy Ross 308 broilers in commercial flocks (intensive rearing, 41 d; reduced intensity, 46 d); the extensively reared ISA JA 757 line served as a reference. High breast yields in Ross 308 were achieved only under intensive conditions; this coincided with elevated breast IMF alongside low abdominal fat. A central finding was an inverse relationship between abdominal fat and IMF in Ross 308; at 46 d the direction persisted while absolute levels shifted (more abdominal fat, lower IMF). Severe WS (WS3) was rare (4/125) and occurred exclusively under intensive rearing; no WS3 cases were observed at 46 d, and ISA showed predominantly low grades. In Ross-41d, higher breast mass was associated with higher WS categories, whereas no gradation was evident for Ross-46d or ISA. Across groups, there was no consistent "more IMF-more WS" pattern. These findings suggest relevant relationships and offer initial pointers for discussing breeding and management strategies at the interface of performance improvement, breast yield, fat-depot distribution, and muscle health.
For broiler chicks, the entire hatching process and hatching itself take place in specialized hatcheries. After hatching, the chicks are transported to the broiler farm and raised there. Hatching in the barn is an alternative in which the incubated eggs are transported on the 18th day of incubation and the broiler chicks are hatched in the barn. The aim of the present field study consisted in comparing the behaviour, in particular the drinking and eating behaviour and vocalization of broiled chicks hatched conventionally in a hatchery (HH) with chicks hatched in the barn (OH) within the first days of life. For this, video-based behavioural analyses were conducted and individual calls were recorded based on continuous audio recordings and noise level measurements. The results showed that both hatching forms first consumed food (p < 0.001) and then water intake took place (p = 0.02), whereby the OH-chicks performed all types of behaviour comparatively earlier. The focal animal observation of the OH-chicks showed that they fed for the first time after hatching on average after 9:42:10 h (SD: 10:15:17 h) and drank from the nipple drinkers on average 16:04:40 h (SD: 13:01:19 h) after hatching. The HH-chicks fed for the first time 27:58:20 h (SD: 00:05:06 h) after hatching and drank at the nipple drinkers for an average of 29:37:30 h (SD: 03:53:47 h) after hatching. In addition, the HH-chicks, with a difference of 4.6 dB to the OH-chicks, showed a higher noise level (p < 0.001) and a higher maximum frequency of calls (p = 0.015), which was on average 61.8 Hz higher compared to the OH-chicks. Concerning the duration, the calls of the chicks of both hatching forms did not differ significantly on average. Based on the time until the first feed and water intake and the resulting duration of feed and water deprivation after hatching as well as the vocalization of the included broilers, it can be concluded that hatching in the barn promotes well-being and potentially reduces the stress level in the first phase of life.
Biochar is made from plant material by heating at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment, and has been used in agriculture since ancient times because of its positive effect on soil fertility. In feed for livestock, biochar is also allowed, and there are numerous reports about positive effects on performance, feed efficiency and manure quality. In this study, the inclusion of 5-10 g biochar/kg feed in diets for fast-growing broilers was tested, and data on animal performance, meat quality and both gaseous and olfactory emissions were collected. The inclusion of biochar did not affect broiler performance, except for differences in proportion of breast fillet and meat quality that were most likely related to a slight dilution of the amino acids in the diet because of the biochar. Emissions of NH3, N2O and CH4 were not reduced, but a tendency towards reduced olfactory emissions was found. Based on these results, under Austrian and Central European conditions biochar cannot be recommended as a measure to improve broiler performance and reduce emissions. However, the use of biochar is still relevant due to its proven positive effects on soil fertility, and the application already in the feed is one possible way to introduce it in the agricultural nutrient cycle.
Poultry farming contributes only minimally to both German and global greenhouse gas emissions. However, in order to identify targeted mitigation measures at the farm level, it is necessary to consider the various gases emitted from poultry production that are relevant to climate change, as well as the conditions under which they are formed. A literature review on greenhouse gas emissions from poultry farming has highlighted two key findings. First, there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding the generation and release of direct greenhouse gas emissions from typical poultry housing systems. Second, due to the relatively low overall levels of greenhouse gas emissions, the potential for reductions is also limited. Only in the case of ammonia emissions do many farms have an opportunity to reduce emissions and thereby also decrease indirect nitrous oxide emissions from soils. Since the carbon footprint is also strongly influenced by the energy consumption of the housing system, studies were conducted to quantify the impact of the heating system in broiler production. These studies have shown that energy consumption depends on the type of heating technology used. The models developed to estimate heating demand correspond relatively well with the measured data and survey results. Consequently, these models are suitable for comparing system variants, quantifying physical changes, and optimizing housing systems with respect to their carbon footprint.
The European Commission lays down limit values for stocking density in broiler farms aiming to improve the health status of fattening poultry. Reducing the stocking density is intended to reduce the mortality of the animals while maintaining the same production output (body weight gain and feed consumption). However, fluctuations in feed and meat prices affect the profitability of a reduced stocking density. Based on scientific studies, the current review compares the economic benefits and health consequences of reduced stocking density.
The common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is a protein-rich legume with low site requirements, which makes it interesting for feeding monogastric farm animals. However, antinutritional factors (ANF) in raw vetch limit feed intake and can have a negative effect on animal performance. Germination or ensiling can reduce ANF levels and increase the acceptance of vetches. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding raw, germinated, and ensiled vetch seeds of the "Slovena" variety to laying hens on their performance. In two trials, 152 Lohmann Braun Plus laying hens were fed vetch seeds at a rate of 15% of their total feed intake as raw, germinated, or ensiled seeds separately in combination with an ad libitum supplement feed and their performance parameters were compared to those of a control group fed without vetches. Feeding the different vetch varieties had no effect on the consumption of the supplement feed. Germinated vetch was the most preferred by the animals, accounting for 9% of total consumption, followed by ensiled vetch with 7.9% and raw vetch with 4.6%. No influence of feeding on live weight and laying performance between the 20th and 36th week of life of the hens could be determined. From the 22nd week of life, when all experimental groups had achieved a laying performance of at least 50%, there were no differences between the feeding variants in terms of feed consumption. The absence of differences in feed consumption, laying performance, and animal evaluation results when feeding raw, germinated, or ensiled vetch seeds can be explained by the low ration proportions in voluntary intake. Based on these results, the use of vetch seeds in the feeding of laying hens at moderate ration proportions can be recommended.
The development of white markings begins very early during embryonic development. To investigate the expression, distribution, and development of these markings in the Saxon Thuringian Heavy Warmblood population, all foals born between 2000 and 2022 (N = 9,249) were assigned a white score to quantify the extent of their markings. For this purpose, regis tration data from the Horse Breeding Association of Saxony Thuringia was utilized. This allowed the transformation of verbal descriptions into a quantitative trait, which was subse quently analyzed statistically. No increase in the total white scores was observed within the population over the study period. Examination of individual body regions showed that left legs are significantly more frequently white than right legs and front legs are less frequently white than hind legs. Furthermore, chestnut horses exhibited significantly more pronounced white markings compared to bay, grey, or black horses. These findings are consistent with previous studies on other horse breeds, such as the Arabian and the FranchesMontagnes horse. Additionally, no relationship was found between white scores and inbreeding coeffi cients. This is a positive result for the population, as it is relatively small in size. Finally, we checked whether informal selection for the trait took place in stallions (>= 4 years old) that appeared as sires. This showed that these selected stallions tended to have a low score on the head and a higher score on the legs. This may be attributed to the use of the Heavy Warm blood in driving. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that no trend towards an increase in white markings has developed in the overall population. Such a trend should be avoided, as excessive white markings may potentially be associated with health issues.
The present study aims to transform the previously published MilkScore prediction model for performance assessment of lactating sows into a practical management tool for application on pig farms. Routinely collected reproductive data, litter birth weights and sow parity number provide the basis for the performance assessment, which is used to derive the replacement recommendation for lactating sows. The developed tool, named MS-SowPerf+(MilkScore-SowPerformance+), comprises three main components: data processing, performance calculation and categorization, and replacement recommendation. Primarily basic performance data are required as input parameters. The formula for calculating the reproductive performance is embedded within the MS-SowPerf+, making it straightforward and user-friendly for farmers. The parity-specific assessment considers age-related performance trends, supporting longevity and data-driven replacement decisions. Moreover, the MS-SowPerf+ model is designed to be expandable, with potential integration of additional performance parameters such as health data or sows body weight loss, to further optimize performance assessment and replacement recommendations. Overall, the MS-SowPerf+ provides a practical and data-driven solution for sow management, with strong potential to evolve into a comprehensive decision-support system as developments in precision livestock farming and on-farm data collection continue to advance.
The hypothesis of this study was that, during a 42-day growth period, the inclusion of oregano oil and a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain in drinking water, either singly or alternating, would positively impact on gut health characteristics of growing broiler chickens such as excreta pH and dry matter content, and selected histomorphological parameters, i.e, villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and crypt width. 1.04 g)) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups during the 42-day growth period: control (without supplement), probiotic (continuous supply of an E. faecium commodity [minimum activity per kg: 3.3 x 10(12) colony forming units] with drinking water at 200 mg/L), oregano oil (75,000 mg/kg of product; first three days of each week at 0.2 mL/L drinking water), and oregano oil-probiotic (addition of oregano oil (0.2 mL/L) for three days and E. faecium commodity (200 mg/L) for four days to drinking water), each group with 10 replicates and each replicate with 10 broilers. Excreta pH and dry matter content were unaffected by dietary treatment. Only in the finisher phase of the growth period, the oregano oil group had slightly higher excreta dry matter content. However, the probiotic and oregano oil-probiotic supplements affected histomorphological parameters; the villus height in the ileum was higher compared with the other experimental groups. Moreover, in the ileum of broilers in the oregano oil-probiotic group, the crypt depth was deeper and the villus height to crypt depth ratio was wider than for the other experimental groups. Yet, crypt width in the ileum was not influenced by additives. Overall, the oregano oil-probiotic administration in drinking water positively affected selected histomorphological gut characteristics in growing broiler chickens. Consequently, the administration with drinking water may be a viable way to supply these types of feed additives to diets of growing broiler chickens. Future studies should be conducted applying varying concentrations of the additives supplied with drinking water.
Economic pressure on suckler cow systems and suckler calf production has continued to increase in recent years, necessitating improvements in farm and herd management. This study examines the effects of beef breed, month of birth, pasture type and year, using eight years of data from an organic farm in Austria. Crossbred calves (FleckviehxCharolais) achieved the highest daily weight gains and the greatest profit per animal compared to purebred Fleckvieh and Charolais calves. As expected, male suckler calves had higher weight gains compared to females. Clear differences were observed between summer grazing on the home pasture and one of the alpine pastures studied. On the second alpine pasture, considerably higher performance levels were recorded compared to the first alpine pasture, attrib-uted to better forage growth. Calves born in winter showed significantly lower daily weight gains compared to those born in spring and early summer. High temperatures and low rainfall during the growing season had direct negative effects on animal performance.
In Central Europe, dairy-type breeds (Holstein) are hardly in demand for beef fattening. One strategy is to sire these cows with beef breeds (beef-on-dairy) and to use sexed sperm for breeding. A research project at AREC Raumberg-Gumpenstein examined the grassland fattening of HolsteinxAngus (HFxAA) steers and heifers in comparison to Simmental (FV) steers. In a fattening trial beginning at 130 kg live weight, the animals were fattened with a grass silage/hay ration and 1.5 kg energy concentrate per animal and day, at 280 kg live weight concentrates were reduced to 1 kg. Animals were slaughtered at a target live weight of 400 kg, which is typical for suckler beef production. The average age at slaughter was 14.3 months for the HFxAA animals and 15.2 months for the FV steers (P = 0.34). Regarding daily weight gain no significant differences between HFxAA and FV could be confirmed; numerically, however, the HFxAA steers performed slightly better than the FV steers and HFxAA heifers in terms of daily weight gain (915 vs. 870 g). The HFxAA heifers had a poorer feed conversion rate compared to the FV steers (8.4 vs. 7.3 kg DM intake per kg weight gain, P = 0.03); the difference between FV steers and HFxAA steers was only numerical. The FV steers tended to have a better slaughter performance (conformation class, muscle size, valuable cuts) compared to the HFxAA steers. There were minor differences in slaughter performance between HFxAA steers and heifers too. The greater fat storage of the heifers was clearly visible. The HFxAA animals performed slightly better than the FV steers regarding meat quality of roast beef. This was particularly evident in the shear force (meat tenderness). The meat of the heifers showed the lowest cooking loses and the highest intramuscular fat (IMF) content. The IMF content of the FV steers was lowest at 1.1% in the roast beef (P < 0.01), while the levels of omega-3 fatty acids and PUFA were highest (P values < 0.01). Fattening HFxAA crossbreds in grassland would be a way to reduce the export of dairy breed calves and produce beef with an excellent production and product quality.
In this study, climate data from 23 weather stations of the German Weather Service in Lower Saxony were analysed retrospectively. The data included the daily maximum air temperature, relative humidity and THI (Temperature-Humidity-Index) values, which were categorised into five heat stress classes. The frequency of days in which one of the heat stress classes was reached in the past 50 years was determined for all 23 locations. The visualisation of the trend lines and the calculation of their gradient showed that the periods without heat stress in Lower Saxony decreased from year to year. In contrast, a significant upward trend was identified for the frequency of days with at least mild heat stress. For dairy cows, this implies an increasing risk for impaired welfare, health and productivity. The results of the present study showed that climate change and the associated rise in temperature will also present livestock farming in Northern Germany with major challenges in coping with heat stress.
With the help of morphological skeletal characters of historical and newly macerated speci mens, the changes from wild to domestic pigs are first described. Then, with the help of two maternal breeds (Deutsches Edelschwein und Deutsche Landrasse), it was possible to show how these have adapted through breeding and husbandry over around 100 years, thus how they have been changed by humans. The study demonstrates the speed at which changes can become obvious and attempts to decipher their causes and effects, as farm animals are still subject to evolutionary processes and domestication procedures in addition to artificial selection.
Purebred chickens have been displaced in agricultural poultry farming by hybrid laying lines due to their lower laying performance and consequently, lower economic competitiveness. This led to a drastic reduction in population numbers and the associated endangerment of the breeds. The inferior performance, particularly of dual-purpose purebred chickens is also attributed to a lack of focus on production traits due to the absence of breeding programs. The dual-purpose approach has seen little relevance in recent decades but is being re-evaluated due to the ban on chick culling. In this context, the breeding of endangered breeds is vital for the preservation of genetic diversity. For the implementation of dual-purpose purebred chickens in agriculture, extensive and/ or organic farms with short food supply chains have been identified. A breeding advancement could be realized through a participatory, community-based breeding program with high adaptation to the local environment. Based on a SWOT analysis, measures were developed that demonstrate that higher profitability and thus competitiveness could be achieved through higher product prices, cost savings in production, and government subsidies for breed preservation.
In a feeding trial with 36 lactating Simmental cows, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) plant tips (hot-air dried) (LTH) were offered as a protein source in the concentrate feed mixture (CFM). All cows received the same partial mixed ration (PMR) and two types of CFM through separate feeding stations. The goal of this trial was to determine the feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and rumination activity in comparison to a lucerne-free diet (CON). Using 30% (fresh matter base) of LTH in the CFM, it was possible to reduce other protein components (soybean meal and rape seed meal) by half. There were no significant differences between the two groups, except the calculated ruminal nitrogen balance (-12 g N/day [CON] versus-20 g N/day [LTH]). Nevertheless, the milk urea content was nearly even (rounded 220 mg/L) in both feeding groups. Milk yield and composition did not differ significantly; the same applies to weight changes or rumination activity. As a result, it can be verified that the tested lucerne plant tips are a reasonable protein source for dairy cows in early-and mid-lactation.
The study focuses on analyzing the results of two surveys that examine the consequences of the new Fee Schedule for Veterinarians (GOT) on horse ownership in Germany. Two online surveys were conducted, targeting horse owners and veterinarians. A total of 14,021 horse owners and 250 veterinarians participated in the survey. The results suggest that the adjustment of the GOT contributes to increased financial pressure on horse owners. Notably, 40.3% of horse owners (n = 12,057) reported that they are seeking veterinary services less frequently due to the increased fees. On the other hand, 67.4% of the surveyed veterinarians (n = 224) reported increased revenues since the GOT amendment, which has improved the economic situation of many practices. The adjustment of the fees has helped to make the veterinary profession more attractive, which could counteract the shortage of skilled professionals in the long term. For instance, 37.8% of veterinarians (n = 198) stated that they feel more comfortable in their profession since the GOT amendment. However, concerns also exist among veterinarians regarding the appropriateness of some new fees and the potential negative effects on animal welfare. These include the absence of preventive medical examinations (61.7%, n = 203) and the increase in untreated illnesses (33.7%, n = 202) when horse owners delay or forgo treatments due to financial constraints. It becomes clear that the financial impact of the GOT adjustment on horse ownership is significant and requires ongoing observation. The findings also underline that the adjustment of fees was necessary to enable veterinarians to operate economically. Overall, the study provides insights into the complex relationship between veterinary fees and horse ownership in Germany. It offers a solid foundation for further research and discussions to achieve a sustainable and fair regulation of veterinary fees.
Colic is one of the most prevalent diseases of domestic horses. Its aetiology and pathogenesis are influenced by a multitude of factors. Due to the small stomach volume in comparison to body size, the digestive system of horses is particularly susceptible to disorders. The present study was initiated to determine the relationship between the frequency of colic and the type of husbandry. A quantitative survey was conducted to answer the research question. For this purpose, an online survey was created and published via Google Forms. The questionnaire comprised 35 questions and was distributed over a period of eight weeks via social media and horse magazines. A total of 2039 horse owners and farm managers took part in the survey. The survey inquired about participants' demographic data, horse husbandry, frequency of feeding, quality of feed and bedding, and the incidence of colic in horses. The statistical analysis was conducted using the programs "Numbers," "SPSS, and "R." The study identified a significant correlation between the frequency of colic and the type of housing and feed management in horses. In further studies on colic symptoms, it is recommended that a detailed investigation of the individual types of husbandries be carried out, along with consideration of the type of use and training of the horses.
The most recent revision of the German animal husbandry regulations (TierSchNutztV) in February 2021 particularly affects pig producing farms and presents them with many challenges. This online survey of conventional sow farms in North Germany examined the status of implementation of the new husbandry regulations and the associated challenges. Basically, it was shown that only a few farms had started implementing the new regulations by the end of the survey in March 2023. In particular, the installation of a free farrowing pen with shortterm fixation and the space requirement of 5 m(2) per sow in the mating area were considered to be very challenging. On the other hand, farms that had already implemented parts of the new regulations considered these changes to be less challenging in retrospect. However, in summary, the implementation of the seventh amendment to the TierSchNutztV in piglet production is a complex task and there is a great need for suitable implementation concepts and support for the affected farms.
The hypothesis of this study was that the inclusion of oregano oil and a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain in drinking water, either singly or alternating, would not negatively affect feed and water intake of broiler chickens during a 42-day growth period. Ross 308 chicks (mixed-sex; mean body weight 45.1 g (standard deviation 1.04 g) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups at the start of the experiment: control (without supplement), probiotic (continuous supply of an E. faecium commodity [minimum activity per kg: 3.3 x 10(12) colony forming units] with drinking water at 200 mg/L), oregano oil (75,000 mg/kg of product; first three days of each week at 0.2 mL/L drinking water), and oregano oil-probiotic (addition of oregano oil (0.2 mL/L) for three days and E. faecium commodity (200 mg/L) for four days to drinking water), each group with 10 replicates and each replicate with 10 chicks. Water and feed intakes were determined on a pen basis during the 42-day period. Water intake was not affected by additives supplied in drinking water. Feed intake was also not different between the groups during the trial, only a slightly higher feed intake was determined in the oregano oil-probiotic group in the finisher phase (days 14-42). Congruently, the water to feed intake ratio was not influenced by additives in drinking water. The data showed a strong correlation between water and feed intakes. Only the alternating supply of oregano oil and a probiotic in drinking water had a slight positive effect on water and feed intake but consistent responses compared to the control were not observed in any supplemented group. Consequently, the administration with drinking water may be a viable way to supply these types of feed additives to diets of young chicken without compromising their acceptance to consume water.
