O bem-estar animal pode influenciar o sistema produtivo na avicultura de postura. Sendo assim, o sistema free-range ou \"ao ar livre\" sem o uso de antibióticos surge como uma alternativa aos sistemas confinados. Espera-se que esse sistema torne-se cada vez mais difundido em atenção à demanda do mercado consumidor e bem-estar animal. Neste estudo, são abordados à influência da ambiência nas características qualitativas da cama aviária e ninhos, qualidade do ar, padrões fisiológicos e comportamentais, e avaliação da microbiota intestinal de galinhas poedeiras criadas no sistema free-range sem o uso de antibióticos. O estudo foi conduzido em um galpão comercial de galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Lohmann Brown. O período experimental correspondeu da 18ª a 24ª semanas de idade, para as avaliações relacionadas à ambiência, parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamentais. Para a estimativa da densidade bacteriana intestinal, as aves foram avaliadas durante o período de produção dos ovos, correspondendo à idade de pré-pico de postura (13ª semana), pico de postura (24ª semana) e pós-pico de postura (63ª semana). Água e ração foram fornecidas ad libitum. Constatou-se que as condições climáticas foram favoráveis, ou seja, as aves permanceram dentro da zona de termoneutralidade e na faixa de conforto térmico ideal. Resultados referentes à amônia volatilizada foram satisfatórios, assim como a umidade da cama e ninhos. Não houve incidência de pododermatite e as condições de empenamento das aves permaneceram íntegras nas regiões avaliadas. As avaliações comportamentais das aves demonstrou que as mesmas estavam em totais condições de bem-estar animal, ademais os níveis de corticosterona foram significativamente inferiores. Em relação ao estudo da microbiota intestinal das aves, as análises revelaram diferentes padrões de densidade dos simbiontes em relação às regiões estudas. A população das bactérias benéficas foi significativamente maior em comparação as bactérias patogênicas. Os simbiontes intestinais estudados demonstraram crescimento diferencial ao longo do período estudo. Diante do exposto, podemos reportar que o sistema free-range sem o uso de antibióticos apresentou qualidade de vida às aves poedeiras no que tange o bem-estar animal. / Animal welfare quality may affect egg laying livestock. Thus, the antibiotics-free free-range rearing system (AFFRS) came to light as an alternative to conventional production systems. Furthermore, it is expected AFFRS become more and more widespread as a response to consumer demand and animal welfare rules. In here, we aimed to evaluate the influence of the ambiance on the avian litter and nests, air quality, bird physiology and behavioral patterns, and their intestinal microbiota as well. The study was carried out using Lohmann Brown laying hens breed of the 18th to the 24th weeks-old kept in a commercial shed, and the environmental, physiological and behavioral parameters were evaluated. Additionally, gut microbiota was estimated by using hens of three different egg production cycles. The first cycle was represented by grower hens with 13th weeks of age as their reproductive organs were developing (i.e. early cycle), followed by 24th weeks-old grower hens (high egg production cycle), and 63th weeks-old grower cycle hens (late egg-laying cycle). Water and feed were supplied ad libitum. Data demonstrated birds were in optimal thermal comfort and the volatilized ammonia concentration remained at very low rates, as well as the bed and nest moisture levels. There was no incidence of pododermatitis and the conditions of feathering of the birds remained intact. Animal welfare conditions were optimal as demonstrated through behavioral data and corticosterone levels. Furthermore, gut microbiota densities were different between target symbiont-groups of the same gut region and among different gut segments investigated. Beneficial bacteria densities were significantly higher than pathogenic bacteria and gut symbionts showed differential growth curve throughout the studied period. Thus, our results demonstrated that the AFFRS met the laying hen\'s welfare quality rules and can be considered a good alternative rearing system to the egg production industry.

Eksperimentas buvo atliktas su 90 mišrūnių kiaulių, suskirstytų į bandomąsias grupes, atsižvelgiant į jų kilmę, lytį ir pradinį kūno svorį. Kiaulės buvo suskirstytos į šešias bandomąsias grupes (15 gyvūnų kiekvienoje grupėje): 1 grupė - gyvūnai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir laikomi ganykloje, 2 grupės - gyvūnai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir laikomi tvarte, garduose su kraiko pakratais, 3 grupė - gyvūnai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir laikomi tvarte, garduose be kraiko pakratų, 4 grupė - gyvuliai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir liucernos pašarais, laikomi lauke, grupė 5 - gyvuliai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir liucernos pašarais, laikomi tvarte, garduose su kraiko pakratais, 6 grupė - gyvuliai šeriami visaverčiais pašarais ir liucernos pašarais, laikomi tvarte, garduose be kraiko. Tyrimo objektas: penimų kiaulių elgsena atsižvelgiant į šėrimą ir laikymo būdus (tvarte ar vasaros stovyklose) Trimo tikslas: nustatyti laikymo sistemų (tvarte ar vasaros stovyklose) ir šėrimo (pilnavertis pašaras ir/arba papildytas liucernos pašaru) poveikį skirtingais amžiaus laikotarpiais penimų kiaulių elgsenai. Išvados. Analizuojant skirtingus penėjimo laikotarpius, nustatyti kiaulių elgsenos ypatumai ir ryšys su produktyvumu. Pirmoje ir antroje penėjimo fazėje (apie 50 kg ir 100 kg) nustatyti įtakojantys veiksniai produktyvumą susiję su poilsio periodų, judėjimo aktyvumų. Kiaulės augintos be kraiko, daugiau laiko skirdavo poilsiui, buvo mažiau aktyvios, ir agresyvesnės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The experiment was performed on a total of 90 hybrid pigs divided into experimental groups based on their origin (litter), sex and initial body weight. The pigs were assigned to six experimental groups (15 animals per group): group 1 – animals fed a complete diet and kept freerange, group 2 – animals fed a complete diet and kept indoors in pens with litter bedding, group 3 - animals fed a complete diet and kept indoors in pens without litter bedding, group 4 – animals fed a complete diet and alfalfa forage, kept free-range, group 5 - animals fed a complete diet and alfalfa forage, kept indoors in pens with litter bedding, group 6 - animals fed a complete diet and alfalfa forage, kept indoors in pens without litter bedding. All management systems were animal welfare-friendly. Both at the first and second stage of fattening (approx. 50 kg and 100 kg BW, respectively), the experimental factors had a significant effect on the majority of behavior patterns in pigs. An increase in rest periods and a reduction in locomotor activity and other types of behavior were observed in older animals.

O bem-estar animal pode influenciar o sistema produtivo na avicultura de postura. Sendo assim, o sistema free-range ou \"ao ar livre\" sem o uso de antibióticos surge como uma alternativa aos sistemas confinados. Espera-se que esse sistema torne-se cada vez mais difundido em atenção à demanda do mercado consumidor e bem-estar animal. Neste estudo, são abordados à influência da ambiência nas características qualitativas da cama aviária e ninhos, qualidade do ar, padrões fisiológicos e comportamentais, e avaliação da microbiota intestinal de galinhas poedeiras criadas no sistema free-range sem o uso de antibióticos. O estudo foi conduzido em um galpão comercial de galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Lohmann Brown. O período experimental correspondeu da 18ª a 24ª semanas de idade, para as avaliações relacionadas à ambiência, parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamentais. Para a estimativa da densidade bacteriana intestinal, as aves foram avaliadas durante o período de produção dos ovos, correspondendo à idade de pré-pico de postura (13ª semana), pico de postura (24ª semana) e pós-pico de postura (63ª semana). Água e ração foram fornecidas ad libitum. Constatou-se que as condições climáticas foram favoráveis, ou seja, as aves permanceram dentro da zona de termoneutralidade e na faixa de conforto térmico ideal. Resultados referentes à amônia volatilizada foram satisfatórios, assim como a umidade da cama e ninhos. Não houve incidência de pododermatite e as condições de empenamento das aves permaneceram íntegras nas regiões avaliadas. As avaliações comportamentais das aves demonstrou que as mesmas estavam em totais condições de bem-estar animal, ademais os níveis de corticosterona foram significativamente inferiores. Em relação ao estudo da microbiota intestinal das aves, as análises revelaram diferentes padrões de densidade dos simbiontes em relação às regiões estudas. A população das bactérias benéficas foi significativamente maior em comparação as bactérias patogênicas. Os simbiontes intestinais estudados demonstraram crescimento diferencial ao longo do período estudo. Diante do exposto, podemos reportar que o sistema free-range sem o uso de antibióticos apresentou qualidade de vida às aves poedeiras no que tange o bem-estar animal. / Animal welfare quality may affect egg laying livestock. Thus, the antibiotics-free free-range rearing system (AFFRS) came to light as an alternative to conventional production systems. Furthermore, it is expected AFFRS become more and more widespread as a response to consumer demand and animal welfare rules. In here, we aimed to evaluate the influence of the ambiance on the avian litter and nests, air quality, bird physiology and behavioral patterns, and their intestinal microbiota as well. The study was carried out using Lohmann Brown laying hens breed of the 18th to the 24th weeks-old kept in a commercial shed, and the environmental, physiological and behavioral parameters were evaluated. Additionally, gut microbiota was estimated by using hens of three different egg production cycles. The first cycle was represented by grower hens with 13th weeks of age as their reproductive organs were developing (i.e. early cycle), followed by 24th weeks-old grower hens (high egg production cycle), and 63th weeks-old grower cycle hens (late egg-laying cycle). Water and feed were supplied ad libitum. Data demonstrated birds were in optimal thermal comfort and the volatilized ammonia concentration remained at very low rates, as well as the bed and nest moisture levels. There was no incidence of pododermatitis and the conditions of feathering of the birds remained intact. Animal welfare conditions were optimal as demonstrated through behavioral data and corticosterone levels. Furthermore, gut microbiota densities were different between target symbiont-groups of the same gut region and among different gut segments investigated. Beneficial bacteria densities were significantly higher than pathogenic bacteria and gut symbionts showed differential growth curve throughout the studied period. Thus, our results demonstrated that the AFFRS met the laying hen\'s welfare quality rules and can be considered a good alternative rearing system to the egg production industry.

Submitted by Celso Magalhaes (celsomagalhaes@ufrrj.br) on 2017-06-05T12:33:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2008 - Eduardo Souza do Nascimento.pdf: 908640 bytes, checksum: 9ef6676bfe61693ebdd09c1f2b50590f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-05T12:33:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008 - Eduardo Souza do Nascimento.pdf: 908640 bytes, checksum: 9ef6676bfe61693ebdd09c1f2b50590f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-09-19 / The experiment aimed to analyse the effects of the level of lysine in the ration on performance, carcass characteristics and economic indicators of broilers raised in a free-range system in the periods ranging 35 to 70 and from 35 to 84 days age. The experimental design was the completely randomised with five tretments and four repetitions of 15 broilers each. The treatments were constituted of the values of 0.680; 0.840; 1.000; 1.160 and 1.320% of total of lysine in the ration (0.586; 0.746; 0.906; 1.066 and 1.226% of digestible lysine). In the period form 35 to 70 days age the levels of lysine influenced the final live weight of the broilers and it was estimated the level in 1.130% which would afford the best final live weight (2630g). The level of 1.135% of lysine in the ration would result in a bigger gain of weight (1641g). The broilers presented a linear growth in the ration consumption and linear reduction in the efficiency of of lysine utilization with the increase of the lysine levels in the ration. It was estimated a value of 1.046% of total lysine (0,952% of diestible lysine) which would result in a best feed: gain ratio (2.98). In the period from 35 to 84 days age the following values were estimated: 1.189% of total lysine (1.095% of diestible lysine) to bigger live weight (3211g), 1.196% of total lysine (1.102% of diestible lysine) to bigger gain of weight (2220g) and 1.078% of total lysine (0.984% of diestible lysine) to best feed: gain ratio (3,28).The increasing levels of lysine in the ration resulted in a linear increase in the ingestion of lysine and linear reduction in the efficiency lysine utilization. In relation to the carcass characteristics of broilers slaughtered at 70 days age, quadractic effects on the live weight after fasting and on the absolute weight of the hot carcass, abdominal fat, breast, thigh+drumstick and wing were observed. The studied levels of lysine influenced quadracticly the yield of breast and back and the relative weight of abdominal fat and gizzard. The levels of lysine influenced quadracticly the breast and back yield and the relative weight of the abdominal fat and gizzard. Linear increases in the absolute weight of the back, heart, liver, cecos and feet and linear reduction in the absolute weight of the proventricle and in the relative weight of the small intestine were observed. In the period from 35 to 84 days age quadractic effects on the absolute weight of the hot carcass, carcass yield, breast thigh+drumstick and back, in the heart and in the small intestine were observed. Linear increases in the live weight after fasting, in the absolute weight of the wing and liver, in the breast and thigh+drumstick and a linear reduction in the relative weight of the proventricle were observed. The levels of lysine did not influenced the other studied parameters. It was estimated that the ration with the level of 1.160% of total lysine (1.066% of digestible lysine) determined the biggest rate of the gross margin average by liver weight and of the gross margin average by weight gain in both studied periods. After 35 days age it is recomended to the male broilers of slow growing raised in a free-range system ration with 1.135% of total lysine (1.041% of digestible lysine) and with 1.196% of total lysine (1.102% of digestible lysine) respectively, to the slaughter at 70 and at 84 days age. / O experimento teve como objetivos avaliar os efeitos do n?vel de lisina na ra??o sobre o desempenho, caracter?stica de carca?a e indicadores econ?micos de frangos de corte machos de crescimento lento, criados em semiconfinamento, nos per?odos de 35 a 70 e 35 a 84 dias de idade. Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repeti??es de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos foram constitu?dos pelos valores de 0,680; 0,840; 1,000; 1,160 e 1,320% de lisina total na ra??o (0,586; 0,746; 0,906; 1,066 e 1,226% de lisina digest?vel). No per?odo de 35 a 70 dias de idade, os n?veis de lisina influenciaram no peso vivo final dos frangos sendo estimado o n?vel de 1,130% de lisina total que proporcionaria o melhor peso vivo (2630g). Para o ganho de peso o n?vel de 1,135% de lisina total na ra??o resultaria no maior ganho de peso (1641g). Os frangos apresentaram aumento linear no consumo de ra??o e redu??o linear na efici?ncia de utiliza??o de lisina com o aumento dos n?veis de lisina na ra??o. Para convers?o alimentar foi estimado em 1,046% lisina total (0,952% de lisina digest?vel) o valor que proporcionaria a melhor convers?o alimentar (2,98). No per?odo de 35 a 84 dias de idade foram estimados os seguintes valores de: 1,189% de lisina total (1,095 de lisina digest?vel) para maior peso vivo (3211g), 1,196% de lisina total (1,102% de lisina digest?vel) para maior ganho de peso (2220g) e 1,078% de lisina total (0,984 de lisina digest?vel) para melhor convers?o alimentar (3,28). Os n?veis crescentes de lisina nas ra??es resultaram em aumento linear na ingest?o de lisina e em redu??o linear na efici?ncia de utiliza??o de lisina. Quanto ?s caracter?sticas de carca?a de frangos abatidos aos 70 dias de idade, foram observados efeitos quadr?ticos sobre o peso vivo p?s o jejum e nos pesos absolutos da carca?a quente, da gordura abdominal, do peito, coxa+sobrecoxa e asa. Os n?veis de lisina pesquisados influenciaram de forma quadr?tica no rendimento do peito e dorso e nos pesos relativos da gordura abdominal e da moela. Foram observados aumentos lineares nos pesos absolutos do dorso, cora??o, f?gado, cecos e p?s e redu??es lineares nos pesos absolutos do proventr?culo e nos pesos relativos do proventr?culo e intestino delgado. No per?odo de 35 a 84 dias de idade, foram observados efeitos quadr?ticos sobre o peso absoluto da carca?a quente, rendimento de carca?a, no peito, coxa+sobrecoxa e dorso, no cora??o e no intestino delgado. Foram observados aumentos lineares no peso vivo p?s-jejum, nos pesos absolutos da asa e f?gado, nos rendimentos de peito e coxa+sobrecoxa e uma redu??o linear no peso relativo do proventr?culo. Os n?veis de lisina n?o influenciaram os demais par?metros estudados. Foi estimado que a ra??o com o n?vel de 1,160% de lisina total (1,066% de lisina digest?vel) determinou os maiores ?ndices de margem bruta m?dia por vivo e de margem bruta m?dia por ganho de peso, nos dois per?odos estudados. Para frangos de corte machos de crescimento lento e criados em semiconfinamento, recomenda-se ? partir dos 35 dias de idade, ra??o com 1,135% de lisina total (1,041% de lisina digest?vel) e com 1,196% de lisina total (1,102% de lisina digest?vel), respectivamente, para o abate aos 70 e aos 84 dias de idade.

Text in English / The study was conducted in two different types of natural ventilated housing systems; one featured with conventional laying cages while other had free-range system features. The aim was to analyse productivity and economic benefit or loss of the Lohmann Brown Lite on different housing (Free-range system and Conventional cage system) with an evaluation of production cost. The total of 49 700 point of lay Lohmann Brown Lite layers pullets were placed in four natural ventilation free-range houses each consist of three rows of two tier conventional laying cages. The other 40 000 point of lay Lohmann Brown Lite layers pullets were place in four free-range houses each with placement of 10 000 chickens. The Cobb Douglas production model was used to determine the productivity of two different housing system by factoring the fixed cost and variable cost of the entire production process. The breakeven point tool was used to analyse the point where the total revenue equals the total variable and fixed expenses and the cost volume profit by measuring the profitability of each housing system (Nabil et al. 2014). The results of the study revealed different productivity between conventional cage system (82.94%) and the free-range system (77.46%). These results led to the acceptance of hypothesis 1 that “the production of Lohmann Brown Lite is the same when they are kept on the free-range system or conventional cage system. The capital investment and operation on conventional cage system showed breakeven at 43 months while free-range system showed breakeven at 60 months. The economic benefit analysis shows that the free-range system has cost benefit of R0.29 and conventional cage system has a cost benefit of R0.26. It means for every rand spent, farmer may get R0.29 Rand as profit for free-range system and every rand spent for conventional cage system can get R0.26 Rand. The economic benefit to farmer is greater on free-range system that lead to acceptance of hypothesis 2 that the economic benefit of egg production is greater on the free-range system compared to conventional cage system. Free-range housing system remain the best alternative to replace the conventional cage housing system. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M.Sc. (Agriculture)