Although the role of macroparasites in regulating wildlife populations is generally accepted (Tom... more Although the role of macroparasites in regulating wildlife populations is generally accepted (Tompkins DM et al, 2002. In: The ecology of wildlife diseases. Oxford University Press: 45-62), their sanitary impact is difficult to detect, due to numerous factors that can influence and/or mask host-parasite interactions. This is particularly evident in the case of the helminths, which are consistently present in wild ruminant populations worldwide and have in general a subclinical impact. Notwithstanding, sanitary evidences observed in the past and recent years suggest an importance of macroparasites even from a sanitary perspective. In our opinion, monitoring macroparasites in wild animal populations might have two basic aims: i) to enlighten the role and/or possible impact of such agents on their host populations and ii) to detect if selected parasitological indices can be useful as indicators of the population health status. The former scope involves both ecological and sanitary impl...
Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainabl... more Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainable and low input farming systems. The EU and member states promote protection of livestock biodiversity and the development of alternative farming through funding projects such as “Local Chicken Breeds in Alternative Production Chain: Welfare, Quality and Sustainability” (funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and University). The aim of the present research was to identify among five different poultry genotypes Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), RM x Sasso (RMxS), BP x Sasso (BPxS) and a commercial hybrid (Ross 308) the best suitable breed in terms of productivity and welfare for alternative housing system. A total of 300 (60 x genotype), 21 days old male birds were randomly allotted in two housing systems: 1) standard intensive farming (controlled environment, 33 kg/m2 and standard diet) and 2) free-range (“natural” environmental conditions, 21 kg/m2, access to outdoor a...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing poultry b... more The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing poultry breeds (namely, Bionda Piemontese, BP, and Bianca di Saluzzo, BS) to cope with a stressful event, such as collective grouping, using a multifactorial approach. A total of 120 hens of BP and BS breeds were homogenously distributed, according to breed, in 12 pens (10 hens/pen; 6 pens/breed), from 18 to 49 weeks of age. At 50 weeks of age, hens were regrouped (Stressful Farm Practice, SFP), by removing separators, both in indoor and outdoor areas. At 49 weeks of age, 24 hens/breed were randomly selected for the evaluation of welfare (ethological and physiological) parameters, at different time points: T0: 1-week pre-SPF; T1: 1-week post-SFP; T2: 3-week post-SFP; T3: 5-week post-SFP. Egg production was recorded from 38 to 56 weeks of age. Grouping produced a social stress in both BS and BP-laying hens, which was expressed in terms of productive traits (reduction of oviposition), behavioral mo...
Veal calves breeding holds an important of bovine meat production part over all our country, as f... more Veal calves breeding holds an important of bovine meat production part over all our country, as for the appreciation by the consumers for its pale coloured flesh, believed to be more digestible, than for favourable use of Frisian males that are slaughtered because they exceed the restocking of beef (Balasini, 2000)...
Although the role of macroparasites in regulating wildlife populations is generally accepted (Tom... more Although the role of macroparasites in regulating wildlife populations is generally accepted (Tompkins DM et al, 2002. In: The ecology of wildlife diseases. Oxford University Press: 45-62), their sanitary impact is difficult to detect, due to numerous factors that can influence and/or mask host-parasite interactions. This is particularly evident in the case of the helminths, which are consistently present in wild ruminant populations worldwide and have in general a subclinical impact. Notwithstanding, sanitary evidences observed in the past and recent years suggest an importance of macroparasites even from a sanitary perspective. In our opinion, monitoring macroparasites in wild animal populations might have two basic aims: i) to enlighten the role and/or possible impact of such agents on their host populations and ii) to detect if selected parasitological indices can be useful as indicators of the population health status. The former scope involves both ecological and sanitary impl...
Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainabl... more Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainable and low input farming systems. The EU and member states promote protection of livestock biodiversity and the development of alternative farming through funding projects such as “Local Chicken Breeds in Alternative Production Chain: Welfare, Quality and Sustainability” (funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and University). The aim of the present research was to identify among five different poultry genotypes Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), RM x Sasso (RMxS), BP x Sasso (BPxS) and a commercial hybrid (Ross 308) the best suitable breed in terms of productivity and welfare for alternative housing system. A total of 300 (60 x genotype), 21 days old male birds were randomly allotted in two housing systems: 1) standard intensive farming (controlled environment, 33 kg/m2 and standard diet) and 2) free-range (“natural” environmental conditions, 21 kg/m2, access to outdoor a...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing poultry b... more The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of two Italian slow-growing poultry breeds (namely, Bionda Piemontese, BP, and Bianca di Saluzzo, BS) to cope with a stressful event, such as collective grouping, using a multifactorial approach. A total of 120 hens of BP and BS breeds were homogenously distributed, according to breed, in 12 pens (10 hens/pen; 6 pens/breed), from 18 to 49 weeks of age. At 50 weeks of age, hens were regrouped (Stressful Farm Practice, SFP), by removing separators, both in indoor and outdoor areas. At 49 weeks of age, 24 hens/breed were randomly selected for the evaluation of welfare (ethological and physiological) parameters, at different time points: T0: 1-week pre-SPF; T1: 1-week post-SFP; T2: 3-week post-SFP; T3: 5-week post-SFP. Egg production was recorded from 38 to 56 weeks of age. Grouping produced a social stress in both BS and BP-laying hens, which was expressed in terms of productive traits (reduction of oviposition), behavioral mo...
Veal calves breeding holds an important of bovine meat production part over all our country, as f... more Veal calves breeding holds an important of bovine meat production part over all our country, as for the appreciation by the consumers for its pale coloured flesh, believed to be more digestible, than for favourable use of Frisian males that are slaughtered because they exceed the restocking of beef (Balasini, 2000)...
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