Northern fowl mite (NFM) infestation in laying hens remains an important economic and welfare challenge within North American cage-free egg production systems. Controlled challenge trials provide a framework for generating standardized phenotypes of host response. Therefore, our objectives were to quantify phenotypic variability and estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for indicators of hen welfare, mite burden, and skin response traits following an experimental NFM challenge. A total of 1030 laying hens were infested at 24 weeks of age (WOA) and evaluated at 26, 30, and 40-41 WOA. Mite burden was assessed using an ordinal mite count (MC) score ranging from 0 to 7 (> 10,000 mites). Skin inflammatory response traits included inflammation area (IA; cm²), skin inflammation score (SI), and skin lesion score (SL). Additional welfare traits were recorded using standardized scoring systems. Hens were genotyped with a 54 K SNP panel. Variance components were estimated using animal models fitted with single-trait genomic BLUP (GBLUP), and genetic correlations between traits were obtained using two-trait GBLUP implemented under a Bayesian framework. Heritability estimates for MC, SI, IA, and SL ranged from 0.04 ± 0.03 at 40 WOA to 0.10 ± 0.04 at 26 WOA; 0.04 ± 0.02 at 40 WOA to 0.07 ± 0.04 at 30 WOA; 0.08 ± 0.07 at 40 WOA to 0.11 ± 0.05 at 30 WOA; and 0.04 ± 0.03 at 40 WOA to 0.05 ± 0.03 at 26 WOA, respectively. Genetic correlations among traits varied in both magnitude and direction, indicating complex and age-dependent relationships between mite burden and host response. These results demonstrate that traits associated with the hen response to NFM infestation are measurable, heritable, and can be improved through genomic selection. These approaches have the potential to improve hen welfare and productivity while reducing the reliance on chemical interventions, thereby supporting the long-term sustainability goals of the poultry sector.

Impaired walking ability is a persistent concern in commercial turkeys, affecting both animal welfare and productivity. Although bone geometry, strength, and metabolism contribute to overall walking ability, the genetic background of these traits remains poorly characterized. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to estimate genomic-based variance components and genetic parameters for bone geometry, strength to fracture, and collagen turnover metabolism, and to evaluate their relationship with walking ability in domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Phenotypic data were collected from 722 male turkeys raised under experimental conditions across three repetitions. Birds were sampled at either 8, 12, and 18-19 weeks of age, and traits related to bone geometry and bone strength were measured. Bone geometry traits included weight, length, midpoint, anterior-posterior diameter, and medial-lateral diameter; and bone strength traits included peak force and work to fracture, which were recorded for the femur (n = 339), tibia (n = 177), and humerus (n = 167). Additionally, a collagen turn-over marker, pyridinoline (PYD) and welfare-related traits with repeated records, including gait score (GS; n = 2,215), footpad lesions (n = 2,216), head lesions (n = 2,216), and body weight (BW; n = 704) were also collected. All 722 birds were genotyped using a SNP chip panel containing 13,491 SNPs after quality control. Variance components were estimated using Bayesian animal models via Gibbs sampling in the GIBBSF90+ software. Heritability estimates across bone traits ranged from 0.11 ± 0.08 to 0.48 ± 0.27 for bone geometry traits and from 0.09 ± 0.08 to 0.29 ± 0.25 for bone strength traits. PYD presented a heritability of 0.17 ± 0.10. Our preliminary results suggest that bone geometry is moderately heritable with variable genetic correlations with bone strength, suggesting that geometry-based selection alone could be insufficient for improving skeletal health in turkeys. The preliminary estimates of heritability and phenotypic correlations observed for PYD suggest its potential as a phenotype to enhance selection for skeletal integrity in turkeys. However, future research using larger sample sizes and diverse turkey populations is recommended to validate these findings.

In the United States, nonreplacement calves born on dairies are often sold in the first days of life and experience multiple transport events that increase their risk of disease as they enter the dairy-beef sector. The objectives of this cross-sectional cohort study were to evaluate the condition of dairy-beef calves on arrival at calf-raising farms in the Midwestern United States and to identify factors associated with poor health outcomes. From February 2024 to January 2025, 1,436 calves (∼3-7 d of age) were enrolled 6.4 ± 7.2 h after arrival at 20 dairy-beef calf-raising farms (n = 72 calves/farm) in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Standardized scoring systems were used to perform a clinical health assessment, and a blood sample was collected from each calf to measure serum total protein (STP) as an indicator of failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). On a subset of farms (n = 11) where immediate blood sampling was possible after arrival, blood biochemistry was further analyzed for a target of 30 calves/farm (n = 327). Variables were dichotomized using clinically relevant cut points. Given clustering within farms, 95% CI for prevalence estimates of poor health and blood biochemistry outcomes were calculated, with farm specified as the cluster variable. On arrival, 48.3% (95% CI: 45.7%-51.0%) of calves had diarrhea, 35.8% (33.3%-38.3%) had dehydration, 22.0% (19.9%-24.2%) had navel inflammation, and 18.7% (16.7%-20.8%) had depression. Seventy-seven percent (70.6%-83.4%) of calves had at least one poor health outcome, and 40.0% (33.9%-46.2%) had 2 or more. Blood biochemical analyses indicated 21.6% (19.4%-23.7%; cut-point STP <5.1 g/dL) of calves had FTPI, 48.3% (29.0%-67.6%; glucose <80 mg/dL) were hypoglycemic, and 27.6% (15.3%-39.8%; nonesterified fatty acids [NEFA] >0.72 mmol/L) had elevated serum NEFA. Calves sourced from calf dealers were more likely to have FTPI than those arriving directly from dairy farms. Calves with successful transfer of passive immunity had lower odds of experiencing diarrhea or hypoglycemia on arrival, and calves with a normal fecal score had lower odds of experiencing concurrent dehydration, depression, or hypoglycemia. These results suggest a high percentage of dairy-beef calves in the Midwestern United States arrive at calf-raising farms with FTPI, low energy reserves, and clinical disease that may impact long-term welfare and productivity.

Northern fowl mites are the most economically important and damaging ectoparasite in the U.S. egg industry. The heterogeneous nature of mite infestation poses a unique welfare challenge; some hens become severely infested and others are more resistant to infestation. This study sought to characterize the relationship between mite infestation level and laying hen welfare parameters. Purebred white laying hens (replicate 1: n=393 hens; replicate 2: n=600 hens) were randomly allocated to cage-free floor pens (n=40 hens/pen; 5 pens/room) in a research facility at 17 wk. Each hen was infested with 50 northern fowl mites at 24 wk. At 12, 16, 20, 24, 26, 30, and 40-41 wk, welfare assessments were conducted and each hen was assessed for the following parameters: body weight; condition of the beak, footpads, feathers (neck, back, left wing, right wing, tail, and belly); toe damage; keel bone damage (deviations and tip fractures); and mite-associated measures (mite score, skin inflammation and area of inflammation, and skin lesions). After peak infestation (30 wk), hens were sorted into infestation level groups based on their mite score using PROC HPCLUS (SAS 9.4). Body weight, inflammation area, and feather count were analyzed with PROC GLIMMIX. All other traits were analyzed with PROC LOGISTIC and odds ratios were calculated. Footpad condition, feather condition, and keel bone damage worsened with age. Toe damage improved with age. Hens that would develop high infestation levels had worse wing and tail feather condition but better belly feather condition prior to infestation. Mite population peaked 6 weeks post-infestation and declined over the remainer of the study. Higher infestation levels were associated with worse skin lesion and skin inflammation scores and tended to be influenced by the number of feathers on the vent immediately prior to mite infestation. No differences in body weight were observed despite mite infestation. Northern fowl mite infestation level exhibits differential effects on laying hen welfare, particularly feather condition, and results in reduced welfare due to lesions and inflammation.

Disseminating training nationwide through the Cooperative Extension Service, particularly as global demand for poultry products continues to increase, is critical for sustainable poultry production. Increasing urbanization, globalization of the poultry industry, consumer interest in animal welfare and labor shortages present opportunities for Extension professionals to engage diverse audiences and increase agricultural literacy. As part of the Poultry Science Association's 2024 National Extension Workshop, we presented examples of initiatives aimed at connecting educators, teachers and learners to address some of the pressing issues facing the poultry industry. The Frontline to Farm Program (F2F) is an example of a multi-layered, tailored training and outreach approach that assists military veterans with their farming endeavors. The F2F program has reached 60,000 people to date and continues to assist veterans as they transition to civilian life. In addition to developing targeted Extension programs such as F2F and others, developing training opportunities for future Extension professionals is critical for the sustainability of the U.S. poultry industry. Many undergraduate students and youth are unaware of the career opportunities in Extension. Examples of successful approaches to incorporate younger generations into Extension are the Hatch-Out Program and poultry summer camps at Mississippi State University. Tailored to younger audiences, these programs use “bite-size” learning, technology and social learning techniques. Another approach to increase awareness of Extension opportunities is to connect students with Extension Educators as part of transformative learning opportunities. For example, the study abroad program to Vietnam offered at Purdue University, originally developed at Michigan State University, broadens students’ perspectives of Extension and can lead to the development of intercultural competency, enabling students and Extension professionals to better communicate with diverse audiences. Communication is key to the success of Extension, and communicating with people who make decisions about animal agriculture, whether through their purchases or their votes, can significantly impact poultry production. Informal learning events, such as exhibits at state fairs, provide opportunities to reach broad audiences and increase their knowledge of agriculture. Continued success of Extension efforts at supporting stakeholders relies on multi-dimensional approaches to engage diverse audiences, which are enhanced by close collaboration among teachers, educators and scientists.

Fast growth rate and stocking density are global animal welfare concerns for broiler chickens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genetic strain and stocking density on the behavior of broilers. In a 2×2 randomized complete block design, conventional (CONV) and slow-growing (SG) broilers were stocked at either 29 kg/m2 (LO, n=31 birds/pen) or 37 kg/m2 (HI, n=40 birds/pen) in 16 pens (n=4 pens/treatment). On days 25 and 39 (CONV and SG), and 60 (SG only), behavior was observed from video recorded in the morning and afternoon each day. The percentage (%) of all birds in each pen was categorized as either walking, standing, sitting, lateral sitting, eating, drinking, or preening. Two data sets were generated to compare the effect of age (25, 39d) and market body weight (39d CONV, 60d SG). Linear mixed effects models were fitted in R to analyze data. Sitting behavior differed between broiler strains and ages. At 39d, more CONV sat compared to 25d (58.3% vs 54.5%, p<0.0001) and compared to SG at market weight (58.3% vs 43.9%, p<0.0001). CONV broilers sat in a lateral posture more than SG at both ages (5.4% vs 1.4%, p<0.0001) and at market weight (7.4% vs 0.4%, p<0.0001). Standing and walking behaviors were observed more in SG broilers. SG broilers walked more than CONV at 39d and at market weight (2.4% vs 1.6, p≤0.01). Further, SG broilers stood more than CONV at both ages (11.4% vs. 7.2%, p=0.0004) and market weight (14.9% vs. 7.1%, p<0.0001). While preening behavior did not differ at 25d, more SG broilers preened than CONV at 39d (5.6% vs 3.9%, p<0.0001) and market weight (5.5% vs 3.3%, p<0.0001). LO-stocked broilers preened more at both ages than at HI (5.6% vs 5.1%, p=0.041). These results suggest that conventional broilers exhibit more sitting behaviors, slow-growing broilers exhibit more active behaviors, and chronological and physiological age differences should be considered when making comparisons.

In conventional pig production, lactating sows are typically housed in farrowing crates that restrict movement and environmental engagement, raising welfare concerns. Farrowing pens also lack behavioral stimulation for suckling piglets, hindering species-specific behaviors. Environmental enrichment may improve welfare by redirecting behaviors-such as chewing-away from conspecifics in piglets and pen fixtures in sows. However, few studies have explored its effects in farrowing crates, particularly regarding optimal placement within these spatial constraints. This study evaluated the impacts of enrichment strategies on the welfare and performance of 37 lactating sows and their litters from birth through early post-weaning. Sows and litters were divided into three groups: both had access to enrichments (SPE), only piglets had access (PE), and a control group with no enrichments (CON). Point-source objects (PorkyPlays and wooden blocks on rope) were placed 2 d after sows moved into farrowing crates until 2 wk post-weaning. Sow salivary cortisol was collected at four timepoints, and pressure sores were assessed at 8 timepoints from 24 h after crate entry to weaning. Piglet tear stains and skin lesions were recorded throughout the lactation phase. Suckling piglet average daily gain (ADG) was analyzed at days 1 to 7, 7 to 14, and 14 to weaning. In the nursery, salivary cortisol, tear stains, and skin lesions were measured on days 1, 7, and 14 post-weaning, with an additional cortisol sample at day 0 post-weaning. Nursery piglet ADG was analyzed from weaning to day 14 post-weaning. CON sows were more likely to have a pressure sore compared to SPE sows (P = 0.02); PE sows tended to have a higher likelihood of developing a pressure sore than SPE sows (P = 0.097). No treatment effect was found for salivary cortisol of sows or nursery piglets. However, CON piglets had the largest tear stains during lactation (P < 0.001) and nursery (P = 0.001). Treatment affected piglet skin lesions during lactation, with CON piglets having more ear (P < 0.001) and front (P = 0.002) lesions and a higher overall lesion score (P < 0.0001). No treatment effect was found for ADG, piglet crushing, or nursery skin lesions. In conclusion, enrichment strategies in farrowing crates improved piglet skin health and tear stains without affecting performance. Enrichment access for sows tended to reduce pressure sores, suggesting enrichments can enhance welfare in farrowing crate systems.

Management choices during the pullet phase can affect behavior, welfare, and health later in life, but few studies have evaluated the pullet phase, particularly in extensive housing systems. This study was a 2 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two strains and two stocking densities. The Lohmann LB-Lite and Lohmann LSL-Lite were housed on the floor at high-stocking density (619–670 cm2/bird) and low-stocking density (1249–1352 cm2/bird), which changed with age from 2 to 16 weeks of age (WOA). Bird-based measures of appearance, blood parameters, organ measurements, and production values were evaluated. Stocking density alone affected (p < 0.05) only relative bursal weight (% of body weight)—3.32% in the low-density versus 3.08% in the high-density group. High-stocking density was correlated with decreased uniformity (high—89.33 ± 0.24%; low—90.41 ± 0.24; p < 0.02) and worse feather coverage in the brown strain. High-stocking density was correlated with greater uniformity (High—90.39 ± 0.24%; Low—88.47 ± 0.24%; p < 0.001) and better feather coverage in the white strain. This study’s feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved by 0.07 in the low-stocking density for both strains. The remaining parameters were affected by strain and age only. Thus, while stocking density effects vary slightly depending on the strain used, cage-free pullets had limited negative effects at both the high and low-stocking densities tested in this study; there were few to no changes in the numerous bird-based welfare parameters tested.

Animal welfare is one of the pillars in organic broiler production, evident in practices such as utilizing slower-growing hybrids and maintaining lower stocking densities for the birds. However, despite these efforts, skepticism and uncertainty remain regarding the extent to which animal welfare objectives are achieved in organic farming. The primary aim of this study was to compare animal-based measures assessing positive and negative welfare between organic and conventional broiler chickens in Denmark. The selected positive welfare indicators included Qualitative Behavior Assessment (QBA) and observations of play behavior in an open-space test. An additional aim of this study was to examine the reliability of the method by having all QBA observations done by two observers. Negative welfare indicators included walking ability assessed using the 6-point Bristol gait score method and fearfulness assessed using a novel object test. Welfare assessments were conducted on-farm before slaughter at 31-33 days of age for conventional birds and at 49-55 days of age for organic birds. The results from the QBA indicated differences between organic and conventional production systems (P = 0.001). Specifically, organic broilers exhibited higher levels of active, energetic, positively occupied, happy, and agitated behaviors. Notably, the outcome of the QBA was influenced by the observer (P = 0.001); on average, one observer tended to assign higher scores specifically for depressed and distressed behaviors, while the other observer allocated higher scores to the remaining behavioral terms. Moreover, organic broilers tended to show better walking abilities than conventional broilers (P = 0.064). Fear responses were similar across both production systems. Finally, organic broilers demonstrated a lower frequency of play behavior in open spaces compared to conventional broilers (P = 0.001). Conventional birds may have expressed more play behavior due to the greater contrast between the sudden availability of open space and their typical stocking density, resulting in increased compensatory play. This presents a challenge since a higher frequency of play is often considered an indicator of positive welfare, but we speculate whether in this study, it might suggest a restriction of spontaneous play due to space limitations caused by the high stocking density in the conventional production system. As a result, when additional space becomes available, it could lead to a rebound effect. Future research should explore how stocking density influences play behavior in broiler chickens, including measures of both spontaneous play and stimulated play during controlled test situations.

Many of the fear tests used in the welfare assessments of broiler chickens assume that birds will withdraw from a given stimulus if they are fearful. However, fear test responses may also depend on the amount of space available in the broilers’ environment. As broiler chickens grow, the available space decreases, which, together with a decline in walking ability, may bias the results of fear tests. In the present study, we aimed to examine the relationship between space availability and measures of fear in broiler chickens. We hypothesized that broilers kept in pens with lower space availability would show reduced withdrawal in two movement-dependent fear tests, the stationary person test (SPT) and the novel object test (NOT), as space restrictions would limit the birds’ ability to move away. Fast-growing broilers (Ross 708) were housed at similar target stocking densities (34kg/m2) until 27 days of age, after which an experimental intervention was introduced in which half of the pens were provided with additional space, reducing the target stocking density to 16kg/m2. The fear tests were conducted when the birds were 21, 27 (before the change in space availability), 29, and 37 days old. Statistical analyses were performed in R using Generalized Additive Models. We found no effect of space availability on the measures of the SPT (P = 0.32). Space availability seemingly had a temporary effect on the measures of the NOT, as birds housed in the larger pens (16kg/m2) showed increased withdrawal compared to the birds housed in the smaller pens (34kg/m2) at 29 days of age (P = 0.04). However, no difference was found at 37 days of age (P = 0.63), and, therefore, we speculate whether the temporary effect at 29 days of age was due to the novelty of the environment rather than due to increase in space availability per se. We conclude that space availability had no effect on the outcome of the SPT and that it, overall, had no lasting effect on the outcome of the NOT. We speculate whether our findings might be explained by our chosen levels of stocking density for the smaller pens, as these may not have been sufficiently high to limit the birds’ ability to respond to the fear tests used, i.e. the birds, although space restricted, still had the option of being outside of proximity of the presented stimuli.

Injurious behaviors (i.e., aggressive pecking, feather pecking, and cannibalism) in laying hens are a critical issue facing the egg industry due to increased social stress and related health and welfare issues as well as economic losses. In humans, stress-induced dysbiosis increases gut permeability, releasing various neuroactive factors, causing neuroinflammation and related neuropsychiatric disorders via the microbiota–gut–brain axis, and consequently increasing the frequency and intensity of aggression and violent behaviors. Restoration of the imbalanced gut microbial composition has become a novel treatment strategy for mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, impulsivity, and compulsivity. A similar function of modulating gut microbial composition following stress challenge may be present in egg-laying chickens. The avian cecum, as a multi-purpose organ, has the greatest bacterial biodiversity (bacterial diversity, richness, and species composition) along the gastrointestinal tract, with vitally important functions in maintaining physiological and behavioral homeostasis, especially during the periods of stress. To identify the effects of the gut microbiome on injurious behaviors in egg-laying chickens, we have designed and tested the effects of transferring cecal contents from two divergently selected inbred chicken lines on social stress and stress-related injurious behaviors in recipient chicks of a commercial layer strain. This article reports the outcomes from a multi-year study on the modification of gut microbiota composition to reduce injurious behaviors in egg-laying chickens. An important discovery of this corpus of experiments is that injurious behaviors in chickens can be reduced or inhibited through modifying the gut microbiota composition and brain serotonergic activities via the gut–brain axis, without donor-recipient genetic effects.

The objective of this study was to determine impacts of environmental enrichment (EE) on turkey meat quality. A randomized complete block design was used with commercial turkeys (n = 420) randomly assigned to 6 EE treatments (control [C], pecking block [PB], platform [P], wooden platform þ straw bale [PSB], straw bale [SB], and tunnel [T]) across 24 pens (16 to 18 turkeys/pen). At 19 wk, turkeys were weighed (live weight [LW]), and 6 birds per pen were harvested, a subset (n = 96 carcasses) fabricated into wings, drumsticks, and boneless breasts and thighs. From the breast and thigh, samples were taken for pH and drip loss. From the breast, samples were taken for instrumental color and shear force, with remaining breast portions further processed into boneless turkey breast logs. From each log, slices were taken for packaged purge loss (PPL), expressed moisture loss (EML), instrumental color, and texture. All EE treatments were analyzed using PROC GLM. For LW, SB turkeys were lightest, PB turkeys were heaviest, and T, PSB, C, and P were intermediate (P = 0.01). For fresh turkey, EE treatment did not impact the fabrication values, fresh breast color, breast or thigh drip loss, or breast or thigh pH (P > 0.05) and had minimal impact to thigh color with significant differences only in the b* values (P = 0.04). For processed turkey, EE did not impact processing yield, PPL, a*, b*, or texture (P > 0.05). For L*, SB, T, P, and PSB were lighter, C were darker, and PB had intermediate values (P = 0.02). PB, PSB, C, and T had greater EML loss, P had the least, and SB had intermediate EML (P = 0.04). The results indicate some variations of turkey quality due to EE, but the impacts of specific enrichments were not consistent across quality parameters.

This study aimed to explore the genetic basis of walking ability and potentially related performance traits in turkey purebred populations. Phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic datasets from two turkey lines hatched between 2010 and 2023 were included in the study. Walking ability data, defined based on a scoring system ranging from 1 (worst) to 6 (best), were collected on 192,019 animals of a female line and 235,461 animals of a male line. Genomic information was obtained for 46,427 turkeys (22,302 from a female line and 24,125 from a male line) using a 65K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel. Variance components and heritability for walking ability were estimated. Furthermore, genetic and phenotypic correlations among walking ability, mortality and disorders, and performance traits were calculated. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was also conducted to identify SNPs associated with walking ability. Walking ability is moderately heritable (0.23±0.01) in both turkey lines. The genetic correlations between walking ability and the other evaluated traits ranged from -0.02 to -0.78, with leg defects exhibiting the strongest negative correlation with walking ability. In the female line, 31 SNPs were associated with walking ability and overlapped with 116 genes. These positional genes are linked to six gene ontology (GO) terms. Notably, genes such as CSRP2, DDX1, RHBDL1, SEZ6L, and CTSK are involved in growth, development, locomotion, and bone disorders. GO terms, including fibronectin binding (GO:0001968), peptide cross-linking (GO:0018149), and catabolic process (GO:0009057), are directly linked with mobility. In the male line, 66 markers associated with walking ability were identified and overlapped with 281 genes. These genes are linked to 12 GO terms. Genes such as RB1CC1, TNNI1, MSTN, FN1, SIK3, PADI2, ERBB4, B3GNT2, and BACE1 are associated with cell growth, myostatin development, and disorders. GO terms in the male line are predominantly related to lipid metabolism. In conclusion, walking ability is moderately heritable in both populations. Furthermore, walking ability can be enhanced through targeted genetic selection, emphasizing its relevance to both animal welfare and productivity.

The study objective was to investigate the effect of repeated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation using synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) intramuscular injections on hair cortisol concentration, growth, and behavior in preweaned dairy calves. Twenty-seven Holstein calves were assigned to nine triads (based on sex and birth order) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (CON; 2 mL saline weekly); 2) moderate (MOD; alternating Cosyntropin [2 mcg/kg body weight (BW)] and saline weekly); or 3) frequent (FREQ; Cosyntropin [2 mcg/kg BW] weekly). Calves received their first injection on study day 0 (7 +/- 1 d of age). Hair was collected from the tail switch between days -5 and -3 (baseline), 21, and 49 and analyzed for cortisol concentration. To verify the endogenous cortisol release by Cosyntropin during the treatment period, saliva was collected on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 before injection and every 15 min for 2 h after injection for analysis of salivary cortisol concentration. Calves were fitted with accelerometers to continuously monitor lying time, number of lying bouts, and lying bout duration throughout the study. Growth measures (BW, hip height, hip width) were recorded weekly. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (SAS, Version 9.4), and models included the fixed effects of treatment, time (min or study day), and interaction between treatment and time. Temperature humidity index was included as a continuous covariate in all models. We observed a treatment x min interaction (P < 0.0001), whereby salivary cortisol concentration was lower in CON calves compared to MOD and FREQ calves 15 to 120 min postinjection. While hair cortisol concentration was not influenced by treatment, concentration decreased from day 21 (1.28 +/- 0.03 ng/mL) to 49 (0.93 +/- 0.03 ng/mL). Average BW was similar across treatments (CON [59.4 +/- 1.09 kg], MOD [58.6 +/- 0.98 kg], and FREQ [57.6 +/- 0.96 kg]; P = 0.50). There was no evidence to suggest a difference in average daily lying time (CON [18.5 +/- 0.23 h/d], MOD [18.6 +/- 0.23 h/d], and FREQ [18.5 +/- 0.23 h/d]; P = 0.99). These results suggest that repeated HPA axis stimulation through Cosyntropin administration increased salivary cortisol concentration, but did not influence hair cortisol concentration, growth, or behavior in preweaned dairy calves.

The environmental sampling of layer housing systems is essential to identifying potential pathogens that are of concern to human health. To identify the natural occurrence of pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, and Salmonella) at various locations in a cage-free aviary housing system, swabs were collected when hens were 22 to 39 wks of age. Duplicate environmental swabs were taken and inoculated with a low dose (101 cfu) Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and examined for the recovery of SE from environmental samples. Detection of Listeria (P < 0.0001) and Campylobacter (P < 0.0001) varied between the environmental sample types taken: concrete dust, drag swabs, egg belt dust, manure belt scraper swabs, and wall dust. Detection of Listeria (P < 0.0001) was the highest (70.0%) at the beginning of the study (22 wk) and decreased over time. Detection of Campylobacter (P < 0.001) was also the highest at 22 wk, however the decrease over time was more gradual. Interestingly, detection of Campylobacter (P < 0.0001) was the greatest in concrete dust samples (96.25%), which can be attributed to the presence of rodent excreta in the samples. Drag swabs and manure belt scraper swabs were the best sampling types for high detection of Listeria and Campylobacter. It should be noted that Listeria recovered was not of human health concern. No naturally occurring Salmonella was identified in this study. The recovery of the SE inoculum increased over time, reaching the greatest recovery in drag (81.25%; P < 0.0001), egg belt dust (100.00%; P < 0.0001) and wall dust swabs (100.00%; P < 0.0001) by 39 wk. This high rate of SE recovery occurred just before US mandatory SE environmental monitoring at 40 to 45 wks of age. Based on this study, the use of drag and manure belt scraper swabs are effective in detecting Listeria and Campylobacter in cage-free aviary housing. Along with good pest management, the occurrence of pathogens could be monitored and reduced in laying hen flocks.

Ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM) are three major aerial pollutants that threaten the health of workers and animals in poultry production. An experiment was conducted in four laying hen rooms, with 735 to 740 hens per room, to study a new technology using artificial turf (AstroTurf®) floor for mitigation of the three pollutants. Air was sampled at three locations in each room to measure ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations with an Innova 1412 multi-gas monitor for 83 days. Particulate matter was measured at one location at bird height in each room using a Dylos DC1700 Air Quality Monitor for 35 days. Ventilation rates in all rooms were monitored with RM Young anemometers. Compared with two wood shavings rooms, the two artificial turf rooms significantly (p<0.01) reduced concentrations of ammonia by 51.0%, carbon dioxide by 13.5%, small particles by 77.5%, and large particles by 83.6%. They also significantly (p<0.01) reduced ammonia and carbon dioxide emission rates by 38.4% and 8.3%, respectively. The artificial turf rooms’ lower ammonia concentrations and emissions were a result of lower manure pH. The artificial turf rooms also retained more nitrogen in manure. Lower carbon dioxide concentrations and emissions were partially attributed to less carbon dioxide released from manure. Lower PM concentrations were related to reduced PM sources on floor surfaces. Artificial turf rooms had smaller in-room ammonia and carbon dioxide concentration gradients. Artificial turf is a promising new technology to improve indoor air quality in and reduce pollutant emissions from poultry production.

This study investigated age-related changes in turkey welfare measures (wounds, feather quality (FQ), feather cleanliness, and footpad condition (FCON)) and walking ability (gait) as influenced by different types of environmental enrichment (EE). Tom turkeys (n = 420) were randomly assigned to: straw bale (S), platform (P), platform + straw bale (PS), pecking block (B), tunnel (T) or control (C; no enrichment) group. Welfare measures and gait were assessed at 8, 12, 16 and 19 wk and analyzed using PROC LOGISTIC with Firth bias-correction. Better wing FQ with age was observed in turkeys in S and T groups. Turkeys in the S group had better wing FQ at 16 (P = 0.028) and 19 wk (P = 0.011) vs. 8 wk. Wing FQ (P = 0.008) was better at 19 vs. 8 wk for T turkeys. FCON worsened over time for turkeys in all treatment groups except for the S group. FCON was worse at 19 vs.8 wk for P (P = 0.024), PS (P = 0.039), B (P = 0.011), T (P = 0.004) and C (P = 0.014) turkeys and was worse at 19 vs. 12 wk for B (P = 0.038), T (P = 0.015) and C (P = 0.045) turkeys. FCON was worse at 19 vs. 16 wk for T (P = 0.007) and C (P = 0.048) turkeys. FCON was also worse at 16 vs. 8 wk for B (P = 0.046) turkeys. Gait worsened with increasing age in all treatment groups. Gait was worse at 19 wk for S (P < 0.001), P (P < 0.001), PS (P < 0.001) and B turkeys (P < 0.001) vs. earlier ages, while gait in T (P < 0.001) and C turkeys (P < 0.001) worsened starting at 16 wk.

Providing environmental enrichments that increase environmental complexity can benefit poultry welfare. This Poultry Science Association symposium paper is structured around four themes on 1) poultry preferences and affective states 2) species-specific behavior, including play behavior and the relationship between behavior, activity level and walking ability, 3) environmental enrichment and its relationship with indicators of welfare, and 4) a case study focusing on the application of enrichments in commercial broiler chicken production. For effective enrichment strategies, the birds' perspective matters most, and we need to consider individual variation, social dynamics, and previous experience when assessing these strategies. Play behavior can be a valuable indicator of positive affect, and while we do not yet know how much play would be optimal, absence of play suggests a welfare deficit. Activity levels and behavior can be improved by environmental modifications and prior research has shown that the activity level of broilers can be increased, at least temporarily, by increasing the environmental complexity. However, more research on impacts of enrichments on birds' resilience, on birds in commercial conditions, and on slow(er)-growing strains is needed. Finally, incorporating farmers' expertise can greatly benefit enrichment design and implementation on commercial farms.