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Communiqué |
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April 21, 1999 A Chair for Poultry Research at Université de Montréal |
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The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Université de Montréal and the poultry industry announced the creation of a Chair for Poultry Research today. The purpose of the Chair is to intensify research into health problems affecting poultry which may have an impact on the growing breeding industry as well as the safety of foods. "We will work on the most important problems of condemnation in the slaughterhouse, such as cellulitis, airsacculitis and cyanosis. In addition, our research will focus on causes of food poisoning linked to consumption of poultry and eggs," noted Martine Boulianne, tenured Professor and Holder of the Chair. Cellulitis Poultry also have cellulitis problems. But this is not an aesthetic issue, as in humans. The infection can only be detected in the slaughterhouse, and it is the main cause of losses for poultry producers. Even though only 0.7% of broiler chickens (intended for consumption) are affected, the losses are considerable, as we produce more than 120 million chickens a year in Quebec. Research has shown that twice as many males are affected as females, and the cause may be inadequate feathering. The Chair will conduct research into risk factors in order to provide producers with possible preventive measures. Airsacculitis Another problem for chicken producers is airsacculitis, an infection of air sacs. Air sacs, though not lungs, optimize use of air inhaled by the bird. An infection can cause retarded growth and sometimes death. Research will also be focused on this problem. Cyanosis and transportation A certain number of breeder chickens also suffer from cyanosis, a non-infectious problem that appears as a reddish discolouration of the skin and flesh. The causes of cyanosis are not well understood. "It may occur during raising and transportation to the slaughterhouse due to cardiovascular problems arising from the rapid growth of the chickens," explains Martine Boulianne. Furthermore, there are many more cases of cyanosis in winter than in summer. Once again, conditions during transportation may be the cause. Cyanosis has little effect on the meat quality, apart from faster deterioration, but chickens showing signs of cyanosis are rejected. It is the third most frequent cause of rejection for broiler chickens and the second most frequent cause for turkeys. Eggs Eggs are just as important as poultry in the food chain. Following introduction of a Salmonella enteridis detection program aimed at layer hens for egg producers in Quebec, it will be important to study the risk factors facilitating the transmission of Salmonella, in order to develop better preventing tools. Results of this study will also be of use to poultry breeders. The partners of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the Chair for Poultry Research are the Fédération des producteurs de volailles du Québec, the Fédération des producteurs d'oeufs de consommation du Québec, the Association des couvoiriers du Québec, the Association des abattoirs avicoles du Québec and the Syndicat des producteurs d'oeufs d'incubation du Québec.
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Questions, commentaires, critiques? Écrivez à la Direction des communications Dernière modification : 21 avril 1999 |