The objective of this study was to assess beak shape variation in domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and determine the effects of age, sex, and beak size on beak shape variation using geometric morphometrics. Dorsal and right lateral images were taken of 2442 turkeys at 6 and 18.5 weeks of age. Landmarks were digitized in tpsDig in three analyses of the dorsal upper mandible, lateral upper ...

We examined feathers of domestic ducks and geese inoculated with 2 different avian influenza virus (H5N1) genotypes. Together with virus isolation from the skin, the detection of viral antigens and ultrastructural observation of the virions in the feather epidermis raise the possibility of feathers as sources of infection.

Fowl pox is an important viral disease of avian species which have been identified in over 60 wild birds. It caused by a virus belonging to the family Poxviridae and genus Avipoxvirus. Transmission within flock tends be rapid seasons when mosquitoes are abundant. Pox slow-spreading exists two forms; first form also known as cutaneous or dry spread biting insects (especially mosquitoes), cause d...

this paper considers the potential problems that may militate against the adoption of organic poultry production in nigeria. factors identified include: higher risk of diseases like coccidiosis and newcastle disease, disease prevention and control / herd health management, disease containment in times of outbreak, land acquisition (land tenure system), market economies / cost-benefit ratio, pas...

A study was undertaken to identify Marek’s disease virus (MDV) antigen by PCR and AGID and to test the significance of PCR and AGID by McNemar’s test in detection of MDV antigen in outbreak in layer flocks. A total of twelve different MD outbreak flocks with varying flock size were selected in this study. Feather follicles were collected from 10 apparently healthy birds, 10 clinically affected ...

Adult White Leghorn hens (Hy-Line strain W-36) were inoculated with either northern fowl mites or chicken body lice, and the ectoparasite populations were monitored over periods of 9 to 16 wk. Two beak conditions (beak trimmed or beak intact) and 2 housing densities (1 or 2 hens per 25 × 31 cm suspended wire cage) were tested. Populations of both ectoparasites were at least 10 times lower on be...

An experiment was designed to compare BW and mortality of turkeys when three methods of beak trimming were utilized. Turkeys from six genetic lines were assigned to three beak trimming methods: arc beak trimming at hatching, hot-blade block trimming at 13 d, or hot-blade top-beak-only trimming at 13 d. Beak trimming method influenced 8-wk BW of three lines of females, but did not affect female ...

The pathogenicity of Newcastle disease (ND) virus, isolated from ND outbreak in vaccinated chickens, was evaluated through experiments. The pathogenicity indexes (mean death time (MDT); 58 hr, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI); 1.7 and intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI); 2.51) indicated that the ND virus was velogenic. The ND virus caused lymphocytic necrosis in the spleen with fibri...