Journal of Poultry Sciences and Avian Diseases

Newcastle disease virus is a globally dispersed virus that infects nearly every bird species, both wild and domestic. It belongs to the genus Orthoavulavirus, subfamily Avulavirinae, family Paramyxoviridae. In chickens, respiratory infection symptoms can range from mild to severe. The disease causes problems with the respiratory system, the digestive tract, and the neurological system, and it is known to cause a high rate of death. Vaccination, along with biosecurity measures and monitoring systems, is recommended as a comprehensive strategy for managing avian diseases. This experiment examined serological, biochemical, and histopathological changes in different commercial Newcastle disease vaccination programs in broiler chickens. The average titers of maternal-derived antibodies targeting Newcastle disease virus were 15315.6 ± 498.64 and showed a consistent reduction across all groups. Post-vaccination ELISA antibody titers differed considerably among groups (P≤ 0.05). Program-1 showed the strongest antibody response (10076 ± 420.36), and Program-3 a close second (9603 ± 489.26); both differed significantly (P≤ 0.0001) from the PBS control group (576.8 ± 142.45). Program-2 caused a slight but substantial antibody rise (1428.6 ± 247.80; P≤ 0.05). Serum biochemical examination showed no significant changes (P ≥ 0.05) in total protein and globulin levels among groups. Albumin levels differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05), with Program-2 showing the highest values (1.24 g/dL) and Program-3 the lowest (1.002 g/dL) compared with the PBS control. At day 35, Program-1 and Program-2 demonstrated normal hepatic portal regions, cords, sinusoids, tracheal mucosa, and cartilage, indicating superior safety. In contrast, Program-3 caused hepatic central vein congestion, sinusoidal congestion, vacuolar abnormalities, mild tracheitis with leukocytic infiltration, and mucosal thickening. Among the tested programs, Program 1 induced the highest ELISA antibody titers and was not associated with evident liver or tracheal lesions in the sections examined. Further challenge and field studies are required to confirm protective efficacy and practical superiority.

Dermanyssus gallinae persists mainly within poultry housing and repeatedly exposes chickens to blood feeding, cutaneous irritation, and behavioral disturbance. This study evaluated neem (Azadirachta indica) and cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) leaf-based housing sprays, applied individually and in combination, for controlling D. gallinae in naturally infested H’Mong chickens. Preliminary contact bioassays selected 7.5% (w/v) neem and 10.0% (w/v) cajuput for field application. A 42-day trial included 192 chickens allocated to 24 pens in a 2 × 2 factorial design with six pens per treatment. We sprayed housing surfaces on Days 0, 14, and 28, and repeatedly assessed mite abundance, skin lesions, feather damage, and daytime and nighttime behaviors. All botanical treatments suppressed mite populations relative to the vehicle control, with the combined formulation producing the greatest overall reduction. Henderson–Tilton efficacy of neem + cajuput reached 92.3% on Day 35 and remained 88.2% on Day 42, compared with 74.1% for neem and 52.3% for cajuput at the final assessment. By Day 42, skin lesion scores were 1.68 ± 0.07 in controls and 0.48 ± 0.07 with the combined treatment, while moderate-to-severe skin lesions occurred in 62.5% and 12.5% of chickens, respectively. Feather damage was also lowest with the combined formulation. Treatment effects on behavior were more evident at night; by Day 42, scratching was lower in all botanical groups, while nighttime activity was 16.0 ± 2.4% of scans in the combined group compared with 51.6 ± 4.0% in controls. Although the combined formulation produced the greatest overall suppression, this numerical advantage should not be interpreted as evidence of synergism. Repeated botanical housing treatments reduced D. gallinae pressure. They were accompanied by improved integumentary condition and fewer nighttime irritation-related responses, supporting their potential role in integrated poultry red mite management.

Escherichia fergusonii is a close relative of Escherichia coli that is increasingly detected in poultry, yet its veterinary and public-health significance remains poorly defined. This scoping review mapped evidence concerning its occurrence, identification, pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, genomic characteristics, ecological functions, and One Health relevance in poultry. PubMed and Scopus were searched from inception to 20 July 2026. Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Of 89 records identified, 31 duplicates were removed, 58 unique records were screened, 40 full texts were assessed, and 34 studies were included. Escherichia. fergusonii was reported in healthy broilers and layers, ducks, diseased ostriches, retail chicken meat, manure, eggshells, and other poultry-associated sources. Species-specific PCR and whole-genome sequencing indicated that conventional biochemical systems may underestimate occurrence. Most isolates were recovered from apparently healthy birds. In contrast, clinical and experimental evidence supported strain-dependent pathogenicity, including fibrino-necrotic typhlitis in ostriches and mortality following experimental challenge with a broiler-derived strain. Antimicrobial resistance was the most consistent concern. Poultry-associated isolates carried mcr-1, blaNDM-5, tet(X4), extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes, plasmid-mediated quinolone-resistance determinants, integrons, insertion sequences, and diverse conjugative plasmids. Viable, resistant, and enterotoxin-positive isolates were also recovered from retail chicken meat. Ecological studies suggested roles in nutrient competition, environmental persistence, and cecal ammonia production. The evidence identifies E. fergusonii as an underrecognized poultry-associated organism with limited but credible pathogenic potential and a documented capacity to harbor and transfer clinically important mobile antimicrobial-resistance elements. Standardized molecular surveillance, plasmid-resolved genomics, representative farm-to-food sampling, and natural-route pathogenicity studies are needed to define its veterinary and One Health importance.

Haemoparasites and ectoparasites are prevalent in raptors and can lead to illness or death. This study assessed the prevalence of blood and external parasites in raptors at a wildlife rehabilitation center in the Mashhad area using microscopic examination. Between 2023 and 2024, 51 blood samples were collected from 11 golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), 3 Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), 28 common buzzards (Buteo buteo), 8 common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), and 1 long-eared owl (Asio otus). Thin blood smears were prepared for analysis, and all birds were examined for ectoparasites. Haemoparasites and ectoparasites were found only in golden eagles and common buzzards. Among common buzzards, 2 of 28 (7.14%) were infected with Leucocytozoon spp., and another 2 of 28 (7.14%) with Haemoproteus spp. In golden eagles, 3 of 11 (27.27%) were infected with Leucocytozoon spp. Laemobothrion maximum (chewing louse) was identified in 8 of 28 (28.57%) common buzzards, and larval Argas specimens morphologically compatible with A. persicus were found in 2 of 11 (18.18%) golden eagles. In summary, Leucocytozoon spp., Haemoproteus spp., L. maximum, and larval Argas specimens compatible with A. persicus were detected in raptors admitted to the Mashhad rehabilitation center.

This study evaluated short periods of incubation during egg storage (SPIDES) in fertile Japanese quail eggs stored for 10 days. A total of 600 hatching eggs were randomly assigned to four treatments (150 eggs/treatment; three replicates of 50 eggs): T1, control; T2, 2-h SPIDES; T3, 3-h SPIDES; and T4, 4-h SPIDES. SPIDES was applied twice, on storage days 4 and 8, at 37.7°C and 55–60% relative humidity. T3 produced the highest hatchability of fertile eggs; hatchability was higher than in T2 and T4 but did not differ significantly from T1. T3 also showed lower total and early embryonic mortality, whereas apparent fertility and mid- and late-embryonic mortality were not significantly affected. T3 produced the shortest incubation duration and hatch window and the greatest chick length, whereas T1 and T2 had higher chick hatch weights than T3 and T4. For post-hatch evaluation, 45 healthy chicks from each treatment were reared to 35 days of age. T3 showed the highest final body weight and total weight gain, the lowest feed intake, and the best feed conversion ratio, while total chick mortality did not differ among treatments. Under the conditions of this study, applying 3-h SPIDES on days 4 and 8 of a 10-day storage period produced the most favorable overall response among the tested durations. These findings suggest that an appropriately timed SPIDES program may help mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged egg storage on hatchability and subsequent productive performance in Japanese quail.

Heat stress is a major challenge to poultry health and productivity in tropical and subtropical regions, necessitating effective nutritional interventions. This study evaluated the effects of dietary menthol supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, physiological responses, and carcass traits of broiler chickens reared under chronic cyclic heat stress. Ninety Ross 308 broiler chicks (7 days old; initial body weight, 143–146 g) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: a basal control diet or the basal diet supplemented with menthol at 50 or 100 mg/kg. Each treatment consisted of five replicates with six birds per replicate, and the trial was conducted from day 7 to day 35 under chronic heat-stress conditions with ad libitum access to feed and water. Compared with the control group, menthol supplementation significantly improved final body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio without affecting feed consumption (p<0.001). Economic efficiency indices, including the European Production Efficiency Index, were markedly enhanced, with the most favorable response observed at 50 mg/kg menthol. Apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, and dry matter was significantly increased (p<0.001), whereas crude fiber and ash retention were unaffected. Menthol favorably modulated physiological stress and health indicators by improving hematological parameters and immune responses, reducing the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lowering circulating corticosterone and heat shock protein concentrations, and improving antioxidant status. Additionally, menthol improved lipid metabolism, dressing percentage, and chemical composition of breast meat. Overall, dietary menthol, particularly at 50 mg/kg, may be a promising nutritional strategy to improve productive and physiological responses in broiler chickens exposed to chronic cyclic heat stress.

The poultry industry is increasingly seeking nutritional strategies that enhance productivity, support intestinal health, and reduce reliance on antibiotic growth promoters. However, many functional feed additives, including vitamins, organic acids, essential oils, probiotics, enzymes, and trace minerals, are susceptible to degradation during feed processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit, which can limit their stability, bioavailability, and biological efficacy. Encapsulation technologies have emerged as effective delivery approaches to address these limitations by protecting bioactive compounds and enabling controlled or site-specific release within the digestive tract. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in encapsulation-based delivery systems for poultry nutrition, with emphasis on microencapsulation, nanoemulsions, spray-dried formulations, and controlled-release platforms. Available evidence suggests that encapsulated feed additives can improve nutrient stability, enhance intestinal availability, support epithelial barrier integrity, modulate gut microbiota, and contribute to improved growth performance and feed efficiency. Encapsulated phytogenics, organic acids, probiotics, enzymes, and nano-formulated minerals also show potential as components of antibiotic-reduction strategies in modern poultry production. Nevertheless, challenges related to manufacturing scalability, cost-effectiveness, regulatory approval, formulation standardization, and long-term safety remain important barriers to wider commercial adoption. Future research should focus on optimizing carrier materials, improving release precision, validating efficacy under commercial production conditions, and integrating encapsulation technologies with precision nutrition strategies. Overall, encapsulation represents a promising approach for improving the efficacy of functional feed additives and supporting sustainable poultry production in the post-antibiotic era

Neuropeptide W (NPW) is an endogenous ligand for GPR7 and GPR8 receptors and has recently been identified as an orexigenic factor in birds. However, the involvement of the central opioidergic system in NPW-induced feeding has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the role of μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptors in hyperphagia elicited by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of NPW23 in neonatal broiler chicks. A total of 176 male chicks (Ross 308 strain), aged 24 hours post‑hatching, were utilized as experimental subjects across four distinct investigations. In Experiment 1, chicks received ICV injections of control solution or NPW23 (0.75, 1.5, and 3 nmol) to establish a dose-response curve. In the second experiment, subjects received injections of either a control vehicle, NPW23 at a dosage of 3 nanomoles, β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA; a selective μ-opioid receptor antagonist), or a combination of NPW23 and β-FNA. The third experimental trial employed naltrindole (NTI; a δ-opioid receptor antagonist), whereas the fourth investigation utilized nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; a κ-opioid receptor antagonist). Following treatment administration, cumulative feed consumption was measured at 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-injection and subsequently normalized to each subject’s body weight. NPW23 at 1.5 and 3 nmol dose-dependently increased food intake at all time points (P < 0.05). Co-administration of β-FNA with NPW23 significantly potentiated NPW23-induced hyperphagia (P < 0.05). In contrast, co-injection of NTI or nor-BNI with NPW23 did not alter the orexigenic response (P ≥ 0.05). These findings indicate that μ-opioid receptor blockade potentiates NPW23-induced feeding, suggesting that central μ-opioid receptor signaling may exert an inhibitory modulatory influence on NPW23-induced hyperphagia in neonatal broiler chicks.