Author:
de Verdal Hugues,Narcy Agnès,Bastianelli Denis,Chapuis Hervé,Même Nathalie,Urvoix Séverine,Le Bihan-Duval Elisabeth,Mignon-Grasteau Sandrine
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Poultry production has been widely criticized for its negative environmental impact related to the quantity of manure produced and to its nitrogen and phosphorus content. In this study, we investigated which traits related to excretion could be used to select chickens for lower environmental pollution.
The genetic parameters of several excretion traits were estimated on 630 chickens originating from 2 chicken lines divergently selected on apparent metabolisable energy corrected for zero nitrogen (AMEn) at constant body weight. The quantity of excreta relative to feed consumption (CDUDM), the nitrogen and phosphorus excreted, the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio and the water content of excreta were measured, and the consequences of such selection on performance and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) characteristics estimated. The genetic correlations between excretion, GIT and performance traits were established.
Results
Heritability estimates were high for CDUDM and the nitrogen excretion rate (0.30 and 0.29, respectively). The other excretion measurements showed low to moderate heritability estimates, ranging from 0.10 for excreta water content to 0.22 for the phosphorus excretion rate. Except for the excreta water content, the CDUDM was highly correlated with the excretion traits, ranging from -0.64 to -1.00. The genetic correlations between AMEn or CDUDM and the GIT characteristics were very similar and showed that a decrease in chicken excretion involves an increase in weight of the upper part of the GIT, and a decrease in the weight of the small intestine.
Conclusion
In order to limit the environmental impact of chicken production, AMEn and CDUDM seem to be more suitable criteria to include in selection schemes than feed efficiency traits.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Genetics(clinical),Genetics
Reference40 articles.
1. McLeod A, Thieme O, Mack SD: Structural changes in the poultry sector: will there be smallholder poultry development in 2030?. Proceedings of the XXIII World's Poultry Congress: Brisbane, Australia. 2008
2. CORPEN: Estimation des rejets d'azote, de phosphore, de potassium, de calcuim, de cuivre et de zinc par les élevages avicoles. Influence de la conduite alimentaire et du mode de logement des animaux sur la nature et la gestion des déjections. Rapport. 2006, French Agricultural Minister, 55-
3. Dilger RN, Adeola O: Estimation of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss in growing chickens fed conventional and low-phytate soybean meals. Poult Sci. 2006, 85: 661-668.
4. Nahm KH: Feed formulations to reduce N excretion and ammonia emission from poultry manure. Bioresour Technol. 2007, 98 (12): 2282-2300. 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.07.039.
5. Jondreville C, Dourmad JY: Le phosphore dans la nutrition des porcs. INRA Prod Anim. 2005, 18 (3): 183-192.