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As the global climate warms, the fate of lacustrine fish is of huge concern, especially given their sensitivity as ectotherms to changes in water temperature. The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) is a salmonid with a Holarctic distribution, with peripheral populations persisting at temperate latitudes, where it is found only in sufficiently cold, deep lakes. Thus, warmer temperatures in these habitats particularly during early life stages could have catastrophic consequences on population dynamics. Here, we combined lake temperature observations, a 1-D hydrodynamic model, and a multi-decadal climate reanalysis to show coherence in warming winter water temperatures in four European charr lakes near the southernmost limit of the species' distribution. Current maximum and mean winter temperatures are on average ~ 1 °C warmer compared to early the 1980s, and temperatures of 8.5 °C, adverse for high charr egg survival, have frequently been exceeded in recent winters. Simulations of winter lake temperatures toward century-end showed that these warming trends will continue, with further increases of 3–4 °C projected. An additional 324 total accumulated degree-days during winter is projected on average across lakes, which could impair egg quality and viability. We suggest that the perpetuating winter warming trends shown here will imperil the future status of these lakes as charr refugia and generally do not augur well for the fate of coldwater-adapted lake fish in a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soymeal is now the main source of protein laying hens. This raw material is mainly produced abroad which makes Europe highly dependent on imports. A better protein autonomy could limit this economic impact and the environmental issue related to the cultivation of soybean. One of the options regularly studied over the past few decades to increase protein production in Europe is the cultivation of protein crops such as peas, faba beans and lupin. However, some inconvenient can limit their use in animal food as an alternative to soymeal, i.e., lower protein levels; presence of anti-nutritional factors; and non ideal amino acid profile. Therefore. te aim of this work was to assess the impact of using peas and faba beans as an alternative to soybean, on hens laying performances as well as on physical and nutritional eggs quality, including fatty acids profile. Two diets were tested, one containing only 22% of soymeal as proteins source (control group); and the second contains 45% of two leguminous plants (30% of peas and 15% faba beans) supplemented to 6% of soy meal. The egg-laying rate was significantly lower for the experimental group (51.79 vs. 60.63%, p <0.05). However, no significant effect (P > 0.05) was found concerning physical (egg weight, weight, shell weight and weight, shell thickness and strength), and nutritional parameters (cholesterol and essential fatty acids). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EC Regulation No. 589/2008 for egg handling contains a number of incongruities and incompleteness, which confuse the EU food chain operators and consumers. The major inconsistencies, challenged in this comment article, result from: (i) overemphasis on the possibility of eggshell condensation and Salmonella -related safety risks, while overlooking other substantial safety and quality hazards, and (ii) obscure or missing temperature and humidity control requirements, which inspires fear from chilled storage but tolerates handling at high temperatures. The regulation's performance is deliberated as regards its geographical coverage and applicability under natural and artificial conditions in various climatic regions across Europe. A brief outline of published scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that a continuous and ubiquitous cold chain, along with a proper humidity control and anti-condensation measures (where necessary), dramatically improve egg safety, quality and shelf-life. Several alternative legislations around the world are also recapped in this context. The applicable EU egg control regulation needs to be carefully reconsidered and updated by introducing temperature and humidity conditions correlated with resulting safety, quality and shelf life. Substantial efforts should also be made to harmonise the huge discrepancies between relevant codes and practices in Europe, USA and the rest of the world. • EC Regulation No. 589/2008 prevents eggs from refrigeration before sale to consumers. • Damp condensation on shells is not the only serious hazard for egg safety and quality. • Precise temperature and humidity control should apply throughout the egg supply chain. • EU regulation should guarantee the consumer's interest for safe and high-quality eggs. • EC Regulation No. 589/2008 needs a careful knowledge-based reconsideration and update. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A systematic review of production systems and egg quality was performed. • 50 research articles about production system were investigated. • Europe was ranked as the first in establishing investigations. • Egg weight was the most studied quality response. • The production system demonstrated to affect some external and internal egg characteristics. Although conventional battery hen cages are still prevalent in the global market, the movement towards greener methods is gaining momentum beyond Europe. However, egg quality and the degree to which it is affected by the different systems of production remains a controversial subject and there is still no consensus among researchers. Using PRISMA guidelines the literature reporting the housing systems effects of egg quality was systematically investigated. The related studies with different eggs production systems by databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus (between 1992 and 2020) were retrieved. Were adopted inclusion criteria, accepting studies that discussed measurable effects related to the topic that was written in English, Portuguese and Spanish. The search results which met the inclusion criteria were evaluated and included in the review In this regard, out of 3380 explored articles in the identification stage, 50 studies were used in the systematic review. Hen housing systems from different countries were recapped in this study. A brief outline of published scientific evidence demonstrates that the production system can change the egg quality. The overall rank order considering the type of system studied was cage (88%) > free-range (32%) > floor (30%) > organic (22%) and aviary (8%). Among the continents researched, Europe proved to have the most developed research relating to the subject. Egg weight was the most studied quality response. This study summarizes the housing system types used in egg production and provides a roadmap for future research regarding egg production. Robust trials evaluating different housing systems in the same conditions, and evaluating the interaction of factors such as genetics and age of animals, evaluating more responses of internal and external quality of eggs are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In nature, hens spend considerable amounts of time eating live insects. This is considered as their natural behavior and may positively contribute to animal welfare. However, laying hens generally have limited access to insects in current intensive farming systems. Hermetia illucens larvae are nutritious and can be industrially produced using the principles of circular agriculture. In Europe, legislation allows the feeding of live insects to poultry, and could possibly be used to replace soy in diets of laying hens as protein source. The majority of soy meal used in Europe originates from North and South American countries. Increasing soy plantations in South American countries is often linked to deforestation and social issues. This research evaluated effects of including live H. illucens larvae, as replacement of soy in the daily ration, on production performance, egg quality, behavior and feather condition of older laying hens. Live H. illucens larvae can be used in combination with local plant proteins to successfully replace soy in diets of older laying hens. Feeding hens live H. illucens larvae also had a positive effect on the feather condition of birds. Feather pecking is a key welfare challenge in laying hen husbandry. Feeding of live Hermetia illucens larvae could provide a possible solution to reduce feather pecking in hens. This research investigates effects of dispensing live H. illucens larvae to non-beak trimmed older laying hens on production performance, behavior and welfare. Control treatment hens were provided a commercial diet, while larvae treatment hens were provided live H. illucens larvae (using special dispenser) on top of a soy-free diet. Feather condition, production performance and egg quality were measured during the initiation (67 weeks age) and termination (78 weeks age) of the trial. Behavior of birds was monitored using video recording. Feed conversion ratio, body weight gain and egg laying parameters were similar for both treatments. At termination of the trial, larvae-fed hens exhibited better feather condition in comparison to control hens (p = 0.004). Behavioral observations indicated that larvae provision influenced the number of birds on floor during morning and afternoon hours. In conclusion, live H. illucens larvae could successfully replace soy in diets of older laying hens (in combination with local plant proteins). Provisioning of these insects also had a positive effect on the feather condition of laying hens with intact beaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]