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A study was designed to determine the effects of enzyme supplementation on poults fed commercially based diets which included; corn, soybean meal (SBM), ground wheat with meat and bone meal (0-21 days) or propak (22-56 days). Day old turkey poults (n=3850) were randomly divided into 35 pens and fed one of five dietary treatments for 56 days. Performance parameters, feed intake (FI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio(FCR) and mortality, were evaluated for the following periods: 0-4 (1A), 4-8 (2A), 8-12 (3A), 12-16 (4A), 16-21 (5A), 0-21 (A), 21-42 (B) and 42-56 (C). In addition, ileal contents along with duodenal, jejunal and ileal (n=7/trt) sampling occurred during the afore mentioned periods. Significance was determined at P < 0.05. Treatments included: a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) (corn matrix adjustment of 140 kcals), and NC diets supplemented with Avizyme^&#174;1502 (AZ) at; 250, 500 or 750g/MT. Avizyme treatments significantly improved ADG over the PC during periods 2A, 3A, A and B. However, period 1A had significant decreases in ADG with enzyme inclusion. Period B experienced FCR improvement with AZ. Both energy and protein ileal digestibility were decreased with enzyme inclusion during periods 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, A and B. Villus height and crypt depth did not respond to dietary treatment, though a significant interaction of age and villus height occurred. Villus heights were similar during periods A and B; however, from period B to C, villus height dramatically increased in the PC diet over other treatments. / Master of Science

Dietary supplements were provided during 24 hour transport from hatchery and growth of turkeys in two trials. Female poults (768 and 825 respectively) were used in two 3 x 4 factorial analyses (transportation supplement x post placement supplement) with treatment provided during transport (no supplement, Oasis® and Oasis® + lysozyme (0.01%)) and as dietary supplements post-placement (no supplement, Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD)(ANTI), lysozyme (LYS), BMD + lysozyme (AL)) as the main effects. Growth, incidence of mortality, gastrointestinal size, strength and histology and behavioural data was collected. Transport supplementation of poults did not improve growth or reduce mortality, but influenced early feeding and drinking behaviour at placement. Body weight and feed consumption increased and percent mortality decreased for birds fed AL. Gizzard and proventriculus weight increased when birds consumed ANTI and jejunal breaking strength was highest for birds consuming LYS. Villi morphology and bird behaviour were not affected by dietary supplementation.

Although prescribed burning has been used frequently for manipulating habitat, it has been rarely used in grassland areas with the intent to improve habitat quality for wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo). I studied breeding season and nest location habitat use of wild turkey hens in response to grassland fire management, and quantified its impact on foraging habitat and insect prey for turkey poults, in a diverse agricultural landscape in southern Illinois. Fire management was conducted on 28 ha of grassland in March and April 2012. Radiolocations from 64 radiomarked hens from 2008-2010 and 44 radiomarked hens from 2012-2013 were used to create turkey habitat and nest location models for both pre-fire and post-fire time periods. Areas used by turkeys throughout all models and time periods were characterized by high proportions of forested habitat. Nest locations during both time periods also included areas with higher percentages of shrubland and edge habitat. Turkey use areas during the post-fire time period were found to be further from burned areas, suggesting that fires on short rotations (1-2 years) were slightly detrimental to habitat needed during the breeding season and for nest locations. Field trials using human-imprinted wild (n=54) and commercial (n=64) strain turkey poults were conducted to assess the foraging efficiency and mobility of poult type within burned and unburned grassland sections. Foraging efficiency of turkey poults did not differ between burned or unburned fields, or between wild and commercial strain poults. All poults showed selection of invertebrate categories Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Isopoda throughout all grassland field trials, whereas avoidance of Araneae, Diptera, Entognatha, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera was exhibited by all poults in all trials. There was evidence to believe that burned grasslands increased the travel efficiency of poults compared to unburned grasslands. Wild poults were able to travel further distances and along less sinuous paths than commercial poults.

Einleitung: Ausgangspunkt für die Untersuchungen sind Projektergebnisse aus der Mastphase, nach denen Fußballen von 45 % der in Deutschland gehaltenen Mastputen in der 6. Lebenswoche Epithelnekrosen aufweisen. Die vorliegende Arbeit ist Teil eines Folgeprojekts für die Aufzuchtphase und leitet aus den gewonnenen Ergebnissen Tierschutzindikatoren für die ersten Wochen ab. Ziele der Untersuchungen: Ziel der Arbeit war die Erhebung der Prävalenz von Fußballenentzündungen in der Aufzuchtphase von in Deutschland gehaltenen Mastputen des Hybrids B.U.T. 6 und die Messung der Einstreufeuchtigkeit in diesem Zeitraum. Tiere, Material und Methoden: Am Folgeprojekt nahmen bundesweit 46 Herden von 24 Betrieben teil. Aus jeder Herde wurden jeweils 60 Einzeltiere in der 1. Woche, dem ersten Untersuchungszeitpunkt (U1), und innerhalb der 4. und 5. Woche, dem zweiten Untersuchungszeitpunkt (U2), klinisch untersucht. Insgesamt wurden 5.531 Mastputen erfasst, davon 3.131 Hähne und 2.400 Hennen. Die Fußballen wurden mit Hilfe eines 5-stufigen Bewertungssystems beurteilt. Parallel zur klinischen Untersuchung wurden Einstreuproben aus dem Tränke-, Futter- und Ruhebereich sowie Vergleichsproben vor der Einstallung gezogen, insgesamt 625 Proben, und die Feuchtigkeit mit einem thermogravimetrischen Verfahren bestimmt. Die Tierhalter/-innen wurden zu den Haltungsbedingungen, zum Stallmanagement und zur Herkunft der Herde mit Hilfe von standardisierten Bögen befragt. Die biometrische Auswertung erfolgte mit Methoden der explorativen Datenanalyse, Hypothesentests und logistischen Regressionsmodellen. Die Betriebe wurden anschließend miteinander verglichen anhand der Parameter Fußballenscore, Einstreufeuchtigkeit, Mortalität sowie Gewichtsdifferenz zwischen Ist- und Sollwert. Ergebnisse: Die Aufzuchtställe waren am häufigsten mit Holzspänen eingestreut, aber auch Stroh, Strohpellets, Lignocellulose, Dinkelspelzen und Maisspindelgranulat wurden verwendet. Die Einstreufeuchtigkeit betrug im Stall 11 % vor Einstallung, 29 % zum U1 und 40 % zum U2. Unterschiede in der Einstreufeuchtigkeit zeigten sich in Abhängigkeit von der Lokalisation (am höchsten im Tränkebereich), dem Aufzuchtsystem, der Art der Einstreu und dem Tränkesystem (am höchsten um Rundtränken). Zum U1 hatten nach dem Bewertungssystem 27,3 % der Küken Veränderungen am rechten Fußballen. Die Veränderungen bestanden vor allem aus Hyperkeratosen, lediglich 0,1 % der Tiere hatte Epithelnekrosen. An den Fußballen wurden zusätzlich Rötungen und oberflächliche Hautrisse festgestellt, die nicht Teil des Bewertungssystems waren. Mehr Tiere waren von Veränderungen betroffen, wenn, statt des rechten, der stärker geschädigte Fußballen in die Beurteilung einbezogen wurde. Die Zahl betroffener Tiere stieg unter Berücksichtigung von allen Veränderungen an beiden Fußballen auf 48,9 %. Zum U2 hatten gemäß Bewertungsschema 63,3 % der Jungputen Veränderungen am rechten Fußballen. Hyperkeratosen unterschiedlichen Schweregrads zum Teil mit nicht ohne Substanzverlust lösbaren Schmutzanhaftungen prägten das Bild hauptsächlich, aber 12,1 % der Tiere hatten Epithelnekrosen und 0,2 % der Tiere wiesen eine Ballenläsion auf. Unter Berücksichtigung aller Schäden und beider Fußballen stieg die Zahl betroffener Tiere auf 77,0 %. Die Mortalität betrug 0,5 % zum U1 und 2,1 % zum U2. Die Körpergewichte blieben 6 % zum U1 und 9 % zum U2 unterhalb der vom Zuchtunternehmen empfohlenen Werte für das jeweilige Alter. Zum U1 wurden die Küken in klassischen Kükenringen, in „Großringen“ sowie in ringfreier Aufzucht gehalten mit durchschnittlichen Besatzdichten von 27, 16 und 10 Küken/m². Nach Auflösung der Ringe lag zum U2 die Besatzdichte durchschnittlich bei 9 Jungputen/m². Die statistische Analyse ergab, dass eine feuchtere Einstreu sich negativ auf die Fußballengesundheit auswirkt. Der Zustand der Fußballen zum U2 war auf Strohpellets besser als auf Holzspänen und Stroh. Ein Anstieg des Alters der Tiere, des Körpergewichts und der Verweildauer auf der Einstreu wirkte sich ebenfalls negativ auf die Fußballengesundheit aus. Diese drei Parameter ließen sich statistisch nicht voneinander trennen. Zum U1 führte eine höhere Besatzdichte auf Holzspänen signifikant zu einer feuchteren Einstreu, für die anderen Einstreuarten war die Stichprobe zu klein. Schlussfolgerungen: „Großringe“ erwiesen sich in Kombination mit weiteren Haltungsbedingungen als vorteilhaft für die Tiergesundheit. In Bezug auf die Flächenbelegung können zu Beginn und am Ende der Aufzuchtphase Besatzdichten wie in der Endmast erreicht werden. Das in der Praxis angewendete Einstreumanagement verhindert weder das Ansteigen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit noch eine Zunahme an Fußballenentzündungen während der Aufzuchtphase. Die Betriebe unterscheiden sich in der Fußballengesundheit während der Aufzuchtphase. Eine von 46 Herden ist kurz vor Umstallung frei von Fußballenveränderungen. Aus den vorliegenden Ergebnissen lassen sich drei Tierschutzindikatoren mit Grenzwerten für ein 3-stufiges Ampelsystem ableiten. Für die Mortalität werden Grenzwerte für Stufe 1 von 1,5 und für Stufe 2 von 2,5 % empfohlen. Der Fußballenscore wird auf 0,5 und 1,0 bei maximaler Kategorie von I des Bewertungssystems begrenzt. Die Einstreuqualität ist in Stufe 1 trocken und locker oder in Stufe 2 trocken und locker mit feuchtem nicht mit Kot verklebtem Tränkebereich, wobei trocken mit einer Einstreufeuchtigkeit von unter 30 % definiert wird. Weiterer Forschungsbedarf besteht für Tierschutzindikatoren, die Wohlbefinden und Angst charakterisieren; und im Einfluss der Besatzdichte auf die Tiergesundheit und das Verhalten.:1. Einleitung 2. Literaturübersicht 2.1 Aufzucht 2.2 Tränke 2.3 Einstreu 2.3.1 Einstreumaterial 2.3.2 Feuchtigkeitsursachen 2.3.3 Einstreumanagement 2.3.4 Krankheitsursache Einstreu 2.4 Fußballenentzündung 2.4.1 Klinik und Pathologie 2.4.2 Epidemiologie 2.4.3 Beurteilung der Fußballen 2.5 Tierschutzindikatoren 3. Tiere, Material und Methoden 3.1 Bestände und Untersuchungszeitraum 3.2 Datenerhebung 3.3 Besatzdichte 3.4 Untersuchung der Einstreu 3.4.1 Probennahme und -vorbereitung 3.4.2 Bestimmen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit 3.5 Beurteilung der Fußballen 3.6 Statistik 3.6.1 Fallzahlplanung 3.6.2 Deskriptive Statistik und Hypothesentests 3.6.3 Modelle 3.6.4 Vergleiche 4. Ergebnisse 4.1 Erhebung konstanter Daten 4.1.1 Betriebsdaten 4.1.2 Personal 4.1.3 Stallart und -einrichtung 4.1.4 Fütterungstechnik 4.1.5 Tränketechnik 4.2 Erhebung variabler Daten 4.2.1 Ablauf der Aufzuchtphase 4.2.2 Mortalität 4.2.3 Besatzdichte 4.2.4 Einstreubeschaffenheit 4.3 Einstreu 4.3.1 Feuchtigkeit 4.3.2 Management 4.4 Klinische Untersuchung 4.4.1 Ernährungs- und Entwicklungszustand 4.4.2 Kot 4.4.3 Fußballen 4.5 Weiterführende Statistik 4.5.1 Beginn von Fußballenveränderungen 4.5.2 Modelle 4.5.3 Betriebsvergleiche 4.5.3.1 Mortalität 4.5.3.2 Körpermassedifferenz 4.5.3.3 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 4.5.3.4 Fußballengesundheit 5. Diskussion 5.1 Methodenkritik 5.2 Einzelne Aspekte zu den Haltungsbedingungen 5.3 Mortalität 5.4 Besatzdichte 5.5 Einstreu 5.6 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7 Fußballenveränderungen 5.7.1 Beurteilung der Fußballen 5.7.2 Fußballenergebnisse 5.7.3 Ursachen 5.7.3.1 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.3.2 Körpermasse 5.7.3.3 Geschlecht 5.7.3.4 Alter 5.7.3.5 Verweildauer 5.7.3.6 Art der Einstreu 5.7.3.7 Einstreumanagement 5.7.4 Grenzwert für die Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.5 Vergleich von Aufzuchtphase und Beginn der Mastphase 5.8 Vergleichsparameter 5.9 Beurteilung von Betrieben 5.10 Indikatoren für die Aufzuchtphase 5.11 Schlussfolgerungen 5.12 Empfehlungen und Forschungsbedarf 6. Zusammenfassung 7. Summary 8. Literaturverzeichnis 9. Anhang 9.1 Rohdaten und ergänzende Übersichten 9.2 Fragebögen 9.3 Fotos 10. Danksagung / Introduction: The starting point for the examinations are project results from the fattening phase, according to which at the age of 6 weeks footpads with epithelial necrosis are common in 45% of fattening turkeys kept in Germany. The present study is part of a follow-up project for the rearing period and deduces animal welfare indicators for the first weeks from the results obtained. Aim of this study: The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of footpad dermatitis in the rearing period of B.U.T. 6 fattening turkeys and the measurement of litter moisture in this period. Animals, material and methods: At total number of 46 flocks from 24 farms nationwide were part of the follow-up project. From each flock, 60 individual animals were examined clinically at examination time point 1 (U1) during the first week, and at examination time point 2 (U2) during week 4 and 5. A total of 5,531 fattening turkeys were recorded, including 3,131 gobblers and 2,400 turkey hens. The footpads were assessed with the aid of a 5-stage evaluation scheme. Parallel to the clinical examination, litter samples were taken from the drinking, feeding, and resting areas as well as comparison samples before birds entered the barn, a total of 625 litter samples. The moisture was determined by a thermogravimetric method. The livestock owners were surveyed on the husbandry conditions, the barn management, and the origin of the flock, using standardized questionnaires. The biometric evaluation was carried out using exploratory data analysis, hypothesis tests and logistic regression models. The farms were then compared with each other by means of the parameter of scoring of footpads, litter moisture, as well as mortality and weight difference between actual value and setpoint. Results: The most commonly used litter found in the rearing barns were wood shavings, but also straw, straw pellets, lignocelluloses, spelt husks, and corncob granules utilized. The litter moisture was 11% before birds entered the barn, 29% at U1, and 40% at U2. Differences in the litter moisture were found depending on the location (highest in the drinking area), the rearing system, the type of litter, as well as the watering system (highest near round drinkers). Using the evaluation scheme, at U1 27.3% of the poults had changes to the right footpad. The changes consisted mainly of hyperkeratosis, only 0.1% of the animals had epithelial necrosis. Outside of the scheme, redness and superficial skin cracks were found on the footpads. In addition, more animals were affected by changes when, instead of the right one, the more severely damaged footpad was included in the assessment. Taking into account all changes in both footpads, the number of affected animals increased to 48.9%. According to the evaluation scheme, 63.3% of the young turkeys had changes on the right footpad at U2. Hyperkeratosis of different severity degrees partially with dirt adhesions not removable without loss of substance, mainly characterized the picture, but 12.1% of the animals had epithelial necrosis and 0.2% of the animals had deep lesions. Taking into account all the damages and both footpads, the number of affected animals increased to 77.0%. The mortality was 0.5% at U1 and 2.1% at U2. The body weights remained at 6% (U1) and 9% (U2) below the recommended values for the respective age. At U1 the poults were kept in classical poult rings, “large poult rings”, and ringless rearing with average stocking densities of 27, 16 and 10 poults/m². After dismantling at U2 the stocking density averaged 9 young turkeys/m². The statistical analysis showed that a moister litter has a negative impact on the footpad health. In addition, the condition of the footpads during U2 on straw pellets was better than on wood shavings and straw. An increase in the age of the animals, the body weight and the length of stay on the litter also had a negative effect on the footpads. These three parameters cannot be separated statistically. During U1 a higher stocking density on wood shavings resulted in a moister litter significantly. For the other litter types the sample was too small to draw a comparison. Conclusions: “Large poult rings” proved to be beneficial for animal health in combination with other housing conditions. At the beginning and end of the rearing period, finishing period resembling stocking densities can be achieved in relation to the area occupation. stocking densities can be achieved in the same way as in the finishing period in relation to the area occupation. The litter management used in practice prevents neither the increase in litter moisture nor an increase in footpad dermatitis during the rearing period. Farms differ in footpad health during the rearing period. One out of 46 flocks is free of footpad changes at the end of the rearing period. From the present results three animal welfare indicators with limits for a 3-level traffic light system can be derived. For mortality, limits for stage 1 of 1.5% and stage 2 of 2.5% are recommended. The footpad score is limited respectively 0.5 and 1.0 at the maximum category of I of the evaluation scheme. The litter is dry and loose (stage 1) or dry and loose with a moist, non faeces clotted drinking area (stage 2), whereby dry is defined as a litter moisture of less than 30%. Further research is needed for animal welfare indicators that characterize well-being and fear, and in the influence of stocking density on animal health and behavior.:1. Einleitung 2. Literaturübersicht 2.1 Aufzucht 2.2 Tränke 2.3 Einstreu 2.3.1 Einstreumaterial 2.3.2 Feuchtigkeitsursachen 2.3.3 Einstreumanagement 2.3.4 Krankheitsursache Einstreu 2.4 Fußballenentzündung 2.4.1 Klinik und Pathologie 2.4.2 Epidemiologie 2.4.3 Beurteilung der Fußballen 2.5 Tierschutzindikatoren 3. Tiere, Material und Methoden 3.1 Bestände und Untersuchungszeitraum 3.2 Datenerhebung 3.3 Besatzdichte 3.4 Untersuchung der Einstreu 3.4.1 Probennahme und -vorbereitung 3.4.2 Bestimmen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit 3.5 Beurteilung der Fußballen 3.6 Statistik 3.6.1 Fallzahlplanung 3.6.2 Deskriptive Statistik und Hypothesentests 3.6.3 Modelle 3.6.4 Vergleiche 4. Ergebnisse 4.1 Erhebung konstanter Daten 4.1.1 Betriebsdaten 4.1.2 Personal 4.1.3 Stallart und -einrichtung 4.1.4 Fütterungstechnik 4.1.5 Tränketechnik 4.2 Erhebung variabler Daten 4.2.1 Ablauf der Aufzuchtphase 4.2.2 Mortalität 4.2.3 Besatzdichte 4.2.4 Einstreubeschaffenheit 4.3 Einstreu 4.3.1 Feuchtigkeit 4.3.2 Management 4.4 Klinische Untersuchung 4.4.1 Ernährungs- und Entwicklungszustand 4.4.2 Kot 4.4.3 Fußballen 4.5 Weiterführende Statistik 4.5.1 Beginn von Fußballenveränderungen 4.5.2 Modelle 4.5.3 Betriebsvergleiche 4.5.3.1 Mortalität 4.5.3.2 Körpermassedifferenz 4.5.3.3 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 4.5.3.4 Fußballengesundheit 5. Diskussion 5.1 Methodenkritik 5.2 Einzelne Aspekte zu den Haltungsbedingungen 5.3 Mortalität 5.4 Besatzdichte 5.5 Einstreu 5.6 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7 Fußballenveränderungen 5.7.1 Beurteilung der Fußballen 5.7.2 Fußballenergebnisse 5.7.3 Ursachen 5.7.3.1 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.3.2 Körpermasse 5.7.3.3 Geschlecht 5.7.3.4 Alter 5.7.3.5 Verweildauer 5.7.3.6 Art der Einstreu 5.7.3.7 Einstreumanagement 5.7.4 Grenzwert für die Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.5 Vergleich von Aufzuchtphase und Beginn der Mastphase 5.8 Vergleichsparameter 5.9 Beurteilung von Betrieben 5.10 Indikatoren für die Aufzuchtphase 5.11 Schlussfolgerungen 5.12 Empfehlungen und Forschungsbedarf 6. Zusammenfassung 7. Summary 8. Literaturverzeichnis 9. Anhang 9.1 Rohdaten und ergänzende Übersichten 9.2 Fragebögen 9.3 Fotos 10. Danksagung

Orientador: Tereza Cristina Cardoso da Silva / Banca: José Antônio Jerez / Banca: Iveraldo dos Santos Dutra / Resumo: O Complexo de Enterite de Perus (PEC) tem sido incriminado como uma das maiores causas de perdas econômicas em outros países. Neste estudo, foi demonstrado causando diarréia, perda de peso e na maioria das vezes alta mortalidade em perus acometidos de enterite com 30-120 dias de idade de uma determinada região produtora no Brasil. A RT-PCR foi aplicada em suspensões de intestinos (SI) (n=2), respectivos conteúdos intestinais (CI) (n=2), bursa de Fabrícius (BF), fezes (F) (n=5) e swabs cloacais (SC) (n=44), para amplificar a região conservada 3'UTR e gene do nucleocapsídeo de TCoV. Os exames de histopatologia e imunohistoquímica direta foram realizados para detectar o antígeno TCoV a partir de lâminas de intestinos e bursas infectados. Todos os resultados obtidos nos tecidos marcados, revelaram lesões sugestivas de terem sido causadas pela infecção por TCoV. A marcação positiva da imunohistoquímica direta estava presente em todas as lâminas de intestinos, entretanto, todas as BF analisadas foram negativas. Os achados de RT-PCR foram positivos para TCoV em todas as amostras de fezes e 27,27% das amostras de SC foram positivas para a região 3'UTR e região TCoV nucleocapsídeo. As amostras de soro (n=200), foram positivas para TCoV, com títulos variando de 2.0Log a 8.0Log usando o ELISA comercial IDEEX para IBV. Finalmente, o melhor material de campo para o diagnóstico de TCoV foram as fezes (F) e/ou suspensão de intestinos (SI), resultando na primeira descrição de perus com quadro agudo de enterite acometidos por coronavirus Grupo 3 no Brasil. / Abstract: The Poult Enteritis Complex (PEC) has been incriminated as the major cause of losses in other countries, and especially, in this study, was described causing diarrhea, weight gain and most of the time, high mortality. In this study, it was performed the turkey coronavirus (TCoV) detection from 30-120 day old affected poults from a particular producer region in Brazil. The RT-PCR was applied in intestines suspensions (IS) (n=2), respective intestines contents (IC) (n=2), bursa of Fabrícius (BF), faecal droppings (FD) (n=5) and cloacal swabs (CS) (n=44) to amplify the 3þUTR conserved region and TCoV nucleocapsid gene. The histopathological and direct immunohistochemical examinations were performed to detect the TCoV antigen from infected intestine and bursa slides. All results obtained from stained tissues, revealed lesions described to be caused by TCoV infection. The direct immunohistochemical positive signal was present in all intestine slides, however all BF analysed were negative. RT-PCRs findings were positive for TCoV in all FD samples, and 27,27% of CS analysed were positive for 3þUTR and TCoV nucleocapsid region. The sera samples (n=200) were positive for TCoV, with titers range from d 2.0Log to 8.0Log using the IDEEX commercial ELISA for IBV. Finally, the best field material for TCoV diagnosis was FD and/or intestine suspensions (IS), resulting in a first describe of TCoV affecting poults in Brazil. / Mestre

The abundance of Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in the southeastern Edwards Plateau of Texas has declined since the late 1970s. Because knowledge of reproductive rates is important to understanding the dynamics of a population, radio-tagged hens were monitored during the 2005–2007 reproductive seasons to evaluate and compare reproductive parameters from areas with both declining and stable population trends. During January–March of 2005–2007, turkey hens were captured and radiotagged on 4 study areas; 2 within a region of stable turkey populations, and 2 within a region of declining populations. Monitoring occurred from January–July each season to determine nest- site locations. Nesting attempts, nest fate, clutch size, initiation date, and nest age were recorded. Nests were monitored ≥3 times weekly in order to estimate production parameters and daily nest survival. Poults were captured by hand and fitted with a 1.2 glue-on transmitter and monitored daily to estimate daily survival. Estimates show production was greater in stable regions than declining regions of the Edwards Plateau. Eighty-four percent of hens attempted to nest in the stable region and 67% attempted in the declining region. Eighteen of 102 nests were successful (≥1 egg hatched), in the stable region and 7 of 60 nests were successful in the declining region. Nest-survival analysis showed an influence of temporal variation within years, yet no differences in nest survival were detected between stable and declining regions. Poult survival also showed no difference between regions. The 2 overall objectives of this study were to determine if nesting parameters and nest survival were limiting factors in Rio Grande wild turkey abundance in the Edwards Plateau. Regional differences in production suggest the cause of the decline in the southeastern portion of the Edwards Plateau could be associated with lower reproductive output and consequently, success. Regional differences in nest survival were not detected, thus not likely to cause differences in turkey abundance between regions.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-10-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:16:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 teixeira_mcb_me_araca.pdf: 1608069 bytes, checksum: 5e594d70a730c7e0223fb2453f313c44 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O Complexo de Enterite de Perus (PEC) tem sido incriminado como uma das maiores causas de perdas econômicas em outros países. Neste estudo, foi demonstrado causando diarréia, perda de peso e na maioria das vezes alta mortalidade em perus acometidos de enterite com 30-120 dias de idade de uma determinada região produtora no Brasil. A RT-PCR foi aplicada em suspensões de intestinos (SI) (n=2), respectivos conteúdos intestinais (CI) (n=2), bursa de Fabrícius (BF), fezes (F) (n=5) e swabs cloacais (SC) (n=44), para amplificar a região conservada 3`UTR e gene do nucleocapsídeo de TCoV. Os exames de histopatologia e imunohistoquímica direta foram realizados para detectar o antígeno TCoV a partir de lâminas de intestinos e bursas infectados. Todos os resultados obtidos nos tecidos marcados, revelaram lesões sugestivas de terem sido causadas pela infecção por TCoV. A marcação positiva da imunohistoquímica direta estava presente em todas as lâminas de intestinos, entretanto, todas as BF analisadas foram negativas. Os achados de RT-PCR foram positivos para TCoV em todas as amostras de fezes e 27,27% das amostras de SC foram positivas para a região 3`UTR e região TCoV nucleocapsídeo. As amostras de soro (n=200), foram positivas para TCoV, com títulos variando de 2.0Log a 8.0Log usando o ELISA comercial IDEEX para IBV. Finalmente, o melhor material de campo para o diagnóstico de TCoV foram as fezes (F) e/ou suspensão de intestinos (SI), resultando na primeira descrição de perus com quadro agudo de enterite acometidos por coronavirus Grupo 3 no Brasil. / The Poult Enteritis Complex (PEC) has been incriminated as the major cause of losses in other countries, and especially, in this study, was described causing diarrhea, weight gain and most of the time, high mortality. In this study, it was performed the turkey coronavirus (TCoV) detection from 30-120 day old affected poults from a particular producer region in Brazil. The RT-PCR was applied in intestines suspensions (IS) (n=2), respective intestines contents (IC) (n=2), bursa of Fabrícius (BF), faecal droppings (FD) (n=5) and cloacal swabs (CS) (n=44) to amplify the 3þUTR conserved region and TCoV nucleocapsid gene. The histopathological and direct immunohistochemical examinations were performed to detect the TCoV antigen from infected intestine and bursa slides. All results obtained from stained tissues, revealed lesions described to be caused by TCoV infection. The direct immunohistochemical positive signal was present in all intestine slides, however all BF analysed were negative. RT-PCRs findings were positive for TCoV in all FD samples, and 27,27% of CS analysed were positive for 3þUTR and TCoV nucleocapsid region. The sera samples (n=200) were positive for TCoV, with titers range from d 2.0Log to 8.0Log using the IDEEX commercial ELISA for IBV. Finally, the best field material for TCoV diagnosis was FD and/or intestine suspensions (IS), resulting in a first describe of TCoV affecting poults in Brazil.