Avain encephalomyelitis is one of the most important avian diseaes, sometimes causes heavy damage in poultry in dusty of Iran. In one of two flocks of leghorns chickens, In a farm in Fars province, the same one day old relatively hight mortality accompanied and the various nervous signs were seen. Clinical signs mainly included: sickness, tremor of head and neck, ataxia and neck deviation. Nearly 50% of the first flock was affected and because they could not use water and feed, mortality rate was increased. But in the second flock, being relatively connected to the first flock, there were not any clinical signs. Inspite of similarity in diets and addition of supplementary vitamins and minerals recovery was not seen. Blood sampling from both healthy and sick chickens and subsequently HI test was done. Mean antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus in both flocks were equel to 4.5. Therefore, sick and dead chickens were necropsied. But there were not macroscopic pathognomonic lesions except, some mild petechiation in the digestive system. In histologic sections, increased lymphatic follicles in pancreas, proventriculus and heart were seen. In addition, infiltration of lymphoid cells in muscular layers of cerebellum and central chromatolysis in neurons of cerebrum were observed. As a result, on the basis of special histopathologic lesions avian Encephalomyelitis was diagnosed. Apparently, two flocks did not belong to an identical breeder layer. Besides, vertical transmission in this disease has explained the soundness of the second flock.

The residue of antibiotics and other chemical compounds in chicken meat is one of main concerns in consumers of this protein source. In this research, for study of correlation between antibiotic consumption and chicken meat contamination, in summer of 2014, 10 chicken farms in Isfahan province that reared under conventional condition and 5 chicken farms that reared broilers under without antibiotic consumption were monitored from start of growing period. At end of growing period, in slaughter stage, one piece of breast muscle and cecum content were sampled. The percentage of carcass contamination and number of Escherichia coli (E.coli) in cecal content were determined in chickens reared under conventional and without antibiotic condition. Also, the shigatoxogenic E.coli was examined by PCR. Furthermore, the carcass contamination and E.coli colony count in cecal content in chickens with or without colibacillosis background were determined. The results showed that the chicken meat contamination to E.coli and the E.coli population in cecal content in chickens reared under conventional condition were not significant different from chickens reared without antibiotic, while these indices in chickens with colibacillosis history were significant higher than chickens without colibacillosis history. In this study the shigatoxogenic E.coli was not detected. In overall, this study revealed microbial infection in chicken farms that lead to antibiotic consumption could decrease hygienic quality of chicken meat. Therefore, in addition to controlling of withdrawal time for antibiotic consumption, the withdrawal time for infections incidence must be observed for decrease the risk of transmission of pathogens along the food chain of human.

Excessive phosphorus excretion by intensive livestock operations is a growing concern worldwide. Identification of non-lethal, low phytic acid mutations in corn, and more recently barley, result in a substantial reduction in phytic acid, with a corresponding increase in inorganic phosphorus. In the present study, four varieties of the low phytic acid (LP) barley including LP 422, LP 635, LP 955 and LP 1070 and a conventional barley (CDC DOLLY) were examined with broiler chickens from 2 to 17 days of age. LP barley lines exhibiting a range of various phytic acid reduction indicated increasing phosphorus retention (P<0.01), which was reflected by increasing tibia ash in phosphorus deficient diets. Phosphorus excretion was reduced accordingly (P<0.01). Body weight gain (P<0.05) and feed conversion (P<0.01) also improved with phytic acid reduction; feed conversion in particular was significantly better for chicks given the lowest phytic acid barley line (LP 955) than a commercial variety. Retention of major nutrient fractions (phosphorus excepted; dry matter, fat, protein, amino acids) indicated no significant effect with phytic acid reduction.

Nanoparticle of Silver, with creating free radicals, can destroy many bacteria, viruses and fungi; therefore they have been recommended as a disinfectant in livestock’s production system. In this study 240 Ross 308 strain chicks in a completely randomized design (CRD) in four treatments at 0(control), 4, 8 and 12 ppm levels of silver nanoparticles in drinking water with four replicates within 16 separate floor pens and 15 birds in each pen were reared. At the end of growing period from each pen two broilers with the average weight were selected and after taking blood sample, sacrificed and their kidney were examined with light microscope by H&E staining. Histopathology showed dose depended changes such as congestion, presence of inflammatory cells including heterophile and lymphocytes, necrosis in tubular cells, proliferative glomerulonephritis and fibrosis. Lesions in the treatments 3 (8ppm) and 4 (12ppm) were more sever than the group 2 (4ppm). Also, increased serum uricacid in treatment 4 (12ppm) compared to control group was significant (p<0.05). It can be concluded that using of nanosilver higher than 8ppm in drinking water can induce sever lesions in kidney of chickens.

Studying broiler preference to feed color is important for improving comfort and welfare of broilers and it may be beneficial for improving performance. The aim of the first experiment was to examine day-old chick's preference in different light colors to different feed colors. One hundred and sixty Ross 308 newly hatched broilers, never exposed to feed, were allocated into pens illuminated with different light colors: white, yellow, green and red. Under each color of light four colored feed choices (red, green, yellow and control) were offered. Choice was recorded the moment the bird attempted to obtain feed. In the second experiment, 80 chicks were chosen and separated equally in four pens illuminated with white color. Light intensities were the same in all pens at both experiment. The pens were separated using black plastic to keep stray light from interfering with neighboring pens. In each pens there were 4 dishes containing different feed color and chicks were allowed to choose the preferred color of feed for consumption. All chicks were fed a standard NRC ration and all pens were given ad libitum access to feed and water. The amount of feed intake from each colored feed in each pen was determined as a proportion of total pen feed intake until 21th days of rearing period. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between preferences of chicks to different feed colors. However, it was observed that under white light chicks tend to prefer green feed compared to control (P=0. 08). The results in the second part of experiment showed that the feed intake from green feed were significantly higher compared to other colored feeds. Also, birds had the lowest proportion of feed intake from the red-colored ration under white lighting.

Background & Objective: Administration of anesthetic substances to chickens requires careful consideration for the safe delivery of the agent to the bird. The research objective was to evaluate several drug combinations for intramuscular anesthesia in chickens for physiologic, nutritional, pharmacological and other investigations.Material & Methods: Sixty healthy chickens were randomly assigned in six treatment groups and received Ketamine in combination with Xylazine, Midazolam or Acepromazine. Heart and respiratory rate, induction time, duration of surgical anesthesia and light anesthesia were measured.Results: Induction of anesthesia was significantly longer following Acepromazine- Ketamine and Midazolam- Ketamine compared to other groups (P<0.05). Duration of surgical anesthesia was longest with Xylazine- Midazolam- Ketamine and shortest with Midazolam-Ketamine and Acepromazine-Ketamine (P<0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, the most effective drug combinations resulting in longer duration of surgical anesthesia, were Xylazine- Acepromazine- Ketamine and Xylazine- Midazolam- Ketamine. Other combinations did not produce appropriate surgical anesthesia, but they make slight changes in physiological data.