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High Fiber Low Energy Diet for Molt Induction in Laying

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High Fiber Low Energy Diet for Molt Induction in Laying HIGH FIBER LOW ENERGY DIET FOR MOLT INDUCTION IN LAYING HENS: THE IMPACT OF ALFALFA ON PHYSIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR A Dissertation by CLAUDIA SHARENE DUNKLEY Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2006 Major Subject: Poultry Science HIGH FIBER LOW ENERGY DIET FOR MOLT INDUCTION IN LAYING HENS: THE IMPACT OF ALFALFA ON PHYSIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR A Dissertation by CLAUDIA SHARENE DUNKLEY Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Co-Chairs of Committee, Steve C. Ricke Luc R. Berghman Committee Members, Ted Friend Leon F. Kubena Jackson L. McReynolds Head of Department, Alan Sams December 2006 Major Subject: Poultry Science iii ABSTRACT High Fiber Low Energy Diet for Molt Induction in Laying Hens: The Impact of Alfalfa on Physiology, Immunology and Behavior. (December 2006) Claudia Sharene Dunkley, B.S. Prairie View A&M University; M.S., Prairie View A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Steven C. Ricke Dr. Luc R. Berghman Feed withdrawal is commonly used by commercial egg producers to induce molt and stimulate multiple egg-laying cycles in their flocks. However, the practice can compromise the welfare of the birds by elevating stress, suppressing the immune response and causing abnormal behavior. An alternate molt diet was examined using alfalfa diets, and a series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the physiological, immunological and behavioral responses of laying hens fed these diets. We assessed the changes in the levels of blood plasma metabolites after hens were challenged with 106 colony forming units of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). Hens fed alfalfa diets displayed similar (P ≥ 0.05) levels of cholesterol, glucose, and total protein when compared to full- fed hens. Reduced levels (P ≤ 0.05) of triglycerides were observed in the alfalfa fed and feed withdrawal hens when compared to the full-fed hens. The immune responses of SE challenged laying hens fed alfalfa diets showed similar (P ≥ 0.05) heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H: L) to full-fed hens whereas the feed withdrawal hens displayed iv elevated (P ≤ 0.05) H: L ratios. The feed withdrawal hens displayed reduced (P ≤ 0.05) levels of serum IgY early in the trial when compared to the alfalfa and full-fed hens. The alfalfa fed hens displayed lower levels of acid α glycol protein than the feed withdrawal hens and higher levels than the full-fed early during the trial but returned to levels that were similar (P ≥ 0.05) to the full-fed hens. The hens fed alfalfa diets displayed elevated non-nutritive pecking behavior early in the trial however, this behavior declined to levels similar (P ≥ 0.05) to the full-fed hens by the end of the trial. No differences in aggressive behavior were observed between the alfalfa fed hens and the full-fed hens. Hafnium chloride did not effectively mark the alfalfa diet; however, it can be used to track the passage of corn-soy layer ration. This research suggests that the application of alfalfa as an alternative molt diet can be effective in reducing potentially harmful effects which are usually associated with feed withdrawal. v DEDICATION I thank God almighty for carrying me through. I dedicate this dissertation to my sons, Kingsley Jr., Nicholas, Khori and Ricardo. You have all been there with me through the highs and the lows and have endured a lot in order for me to complete this journey. Kingsley Sr., my husband, we embarked on this journey together, for all the times I felt like giving up you were always there to encourage me, you are my partner in every way. I also dedicate this dissertation to my numerous family members especially my parents, Clarence and Sylvia Powell, my Aunt Lucille, my brothers Duane and Douglas and sister in law, Karen, my Uncle Mushae and Aunt Carron; your constant encouragement, prayers and monetary support were invaluable. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Steven Ricke who took the challenge to guide me through this program. I thank Dr. Ricke for extending to me his wisdom and expertise in research, for exposing me to many areas of research and giving me experience that I would not have received elsewhere. I was fortunate to have had the group of talented scientists who served on my committee, and I would like to thank each member. My co-chair Dr. Luc Berghman constantly encouraged me and was always ready to point me in the right direction. Dr. Ted Friend was always ready to help and offer whatever resources he had that I needed. Dr. Leon Kubena constantly encouraged me when I thought there was no hope and allowed me to conduct my research in his labs. Last but by no means least, Dr. Jackson McReynolds guided me and has taught me lessons I will not soon forget. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Victor Stanley who encouraged me to start a PhD and never left my side throughout the program. Thanks to Dr. Allen Byrd, Mrs. Cassie Woodward, Mrs. Denise Caldwell, Mr. Albert Blanks and Mr. Earl Munson who assisted me with experiments. Thanks to Dr. William James and Mr. Michael Raulerson who help me with the characterization of the rare earth metals. Special thanks to Lynda Njongmeta. She was always ready to help and encourage me; you are an inspiration! vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 II LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................... 4 Molting in the Avian Species .......................................................... 4 Control of Reproduction in Chickens .............................................. 5 Molting in the Commercial Egg Industry ........................................ 10 Animal Welfare and Molting ........................................................... 15 Immune Response during Molting................................................... 19 The Effects of Molting on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis Infection in Laying Hens ................................................................. 25 Alternative Methods of Inducing a Molt ......................................... 29 High Fiber Low Energy Diets.......................................................... 30 Potential of Alfalfa as a Molting Diet ............................................. 34 III BLOOD PLASMA METABOLITE RESPONSE IN MOLTING LAYING HENS CHALLENGED WITH SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS AND FED ALFALFA CRUMBLE DIETS.................. 40 Introduction...................................................................................... 40 Materials and Methods..................................................................... 43 Results and Discussion .................................................................... 46 viii CHAPTER Page IV IMMUNE AND STRESS PROTEIN RESPONSE IN MOLTING LAYING HENS CHALLENGED WITH SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS AND FED ALFALFA CRUMBLE DIETS................................................................................ 71 Introduction...................................................................................... 71 Materials and Methods..................................................................... 74 Results and Discussion..................................................................... 79 V BEHAVIOR OF LAYING HENS ON ALFALFA CRUMBLE MOLT DIETS ................................................................... 95 Introduction..................................................................................... 95 Materials and Methods.................................................................... 97 Results and Discussion.................................................................... 100 VI LAYING HENS BEHAVIOR TO DIFFERENT ALFALFA-LAYER RATION COMBINATIONS FED DURING MOLTING.................... 117 Introduction................................................................................... 117 Materials and Methods.................................................................. 119 Results and Discussions ................................................................ 121 VII APPLICATION OF HAFNIUM CHLORIDE AS A MARKER TO ASSESS THE PASSAGE RATE OF LAYER RATION AND ALFALFA DIETS ................................................................................ 140 Introduction................................................................................... 140 Materials and Methods.................................................................. 143 Results and Discussions ................................................................ 145 VIII SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ....................................................
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