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Simple Summary: In poultry production, biosecurity is essential for preventing the entry and spread of pathogens in/within farms, with positive impacts on animal health and welfare. This becomes crucial in countries in which the production reaches high productive standards, such as Italy. Although the importance of implementing biosecurity measures (BMs) in poultry farms is well recognized, compliance may not be always optimal. According to the perceptions of interviewed Italian poultry farmers and advisors, biosecurity is implemented well, with different opinions between them. Compared to farmers, advisors claim a lower level of biosecurity implementation, probably because the former have limited outlooks focused on their own farms or consider some BMs not useful and/or effective, while advisors possess a more comprehensive picture of the implementation of biosecurity due to their involvement in multiple farms and productive categories. Stakeholders, mainly advisors, provided useful suggestions for encouraging farmers and workers at poultry farms to adopt BMs they remain reluctant to implement. The level of implementation of biosecurity measures (BMs), the reasons for not implementing BMs and the effectiveness of BMs were assessed according to the perceptions of stakeholders (i.e., farmers and advisors) in Italian poultry farms. For this purpose, data were collected using a questionnaire administered to advisors (n = 37) and farmers (n = 30) of conventional broiler (n = 13) and layer (n = 13), free-range broiler (n = 8) and layer (n = 10), turkey (n = 13), duck (n = 3) and breeder (n = 7) farms between April and September 2021. The frequency of the implementation of BMs was 66.97% and 81.14% according to the answers provided by the advisors and farmers, respectively, with the breeder sector showing the highest level of implementation (85.71%). "Not knowing advantages" (21.49% for advisors) and "other/specific reasons" (21.49% for advisors and 38.32% for farmers) were the most common answers regarding the lack of implementation of BMs for all poultry sectors. Only 31.09% of farmers acknowledged the effectiveness of not-implemented BMs in contrast to 61.02% of advisors, with the layers' stakeholders being the most aware. The findings of this study may be useful for identifying failures in biosecurity and failures to develop intervention strategies to fulfil the biosecurity gaps still present in Italian poultry farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays most of the Italian chickens' breeds are replaced with commercial hybrids characterised by higher productive performance. However, the safeguard of biodiversity and consequently the genetic variability are a very important issue, and for this reason, it is fundamental to include local strains in preservation programs. In Italy, the poultry Genealogic Book has been recently constituted, and includes 22 chicken breeds. The diffusion of these strains is strictly linked to the territory of origin, in particular in the Central Italy, the Ancona and Livorno chicken breeds are the mainly widespread ones. The aim of this study was to determine the consistency and the characteristics of the farms involved in the farming of Ancona and Livorno chicken breeds in Central Italy. A survey to analyse the facilities, the human resources and the chicken population consistencies was conducted in the farms of Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria regions. All the investigated farms can be identified as 'hobby-farms' being small scale ones and leading the breeding of Ancona and Livorno chickens as a secondary business. The survey also confirmed that the presence of the strains depends on the region: 100% of Marche farms bred Ancona whereas, in Tuscany the Livorno breed is the most common. A survey in centre Italy was carried out to determine the consistency of Ancona and Livorno chicken breeds; The Ancona and Livorno chickens breed were reared in small scale farms; The widespread of the breeds depend on the region: Ancona breed is most present in the Marche region while the Livorno is mainly bred in Tuscany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventeen predation attempts on four Hoopoe Upupa epops nests in an heterogenous agricultural Mediterranean area of central Italy were recorded during breeding seasons 2020-21. Camera traps identified 7 different predators' species, mainly Western whip snake Hierophis viridiflavus and Black rat Rattus rattus. Uropygial secretions and hissing calls from chicks and incubating female inside the breeding cavity always saved the clutches, while no active defense was performed by parents if outside the nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study characterised and compared proximate composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of breast and leg meat of chickens belonging to Padovana and Polverara Italian local breeds. Birds were slaughtered at 183 days of age and four experimental groups were formed: Padovana males (PAD M), Padovana females (PAD F), Polverara males (POL M) and Polverara females (POL F). Proximate composition was assessed on 10 breasts and 10 legs per group, whereas FA profile and cholesterol content were assessed on six samples per cut per group. Breast meat proximate composition resulted in similarity between the two genotypes and sexes. Genotype did not affect breast FA profile except for C18:1 n-11, whereas females breast meat was richer in DHA (p <.05) and thus in n-3 (p <.05). Leg meat exhibited greater variability due to genotype and sex. Indeed, PAD chicken legs were richer in dry matter (p <.01), lipids (p <.01) and cholesterol (p <.01) than POL. It emerged that leg meat from PAD breed was characterised by a more desirable FA profile due to its higher UFA:SFA (p <.05) and lower n–6/n–3 (p <.05) ratios. Despite exhibiting a lower PUFA:SFA ratio than males (p <.05), females exhibited a better n–6/n–3 ratio (p <.01). The two genotypes and the two sexes possess peculiar nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to create economic interest around these local productions to assure their survival. Padovana and Polverara are two rustic slow-growing chicken breeds which are farmed in the Veneto region of Italy. The goal of the present study is contributing to the creation of economic interest around local productions from Padovana and Polverara chickens. Creating an economic interest around Padovana and Polverara breeds would contribute to the preservation of local tradition and rural culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bionda Piemontese and Bianca di Saluzzo are two slow growing breeds from northwest Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region. Their low input requirements make them suitable in organic and free-range rearing contexts for both meat and egg production. This research, part of a conservation program for these two breeds, aims to define the meat properties and qualitative attributes of these two breeds, comparing them at different slaughter ages in order to identify the most profitable slaughter period. The results show significant benefits associated with slaughtering at 7 months of age, which outperformed the shorter rearing periods in terms of both better slaughter performances and meat properties. The slaughter performance and meat quality of two native Italian chicken breeds, Bionda Piemontese (BP, n = 64) and Bianca di Saluzzo (BS, n = 64), were investigated. Two-way ANOVA, considering breed, sex, and their interaction, was used to compare the properties of birds slaughtered at 5, 6, 7, and 8 months of age. Subsequently, data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Duncan test to evaluate the differences between slaughter ages. The BP breed produced a better carcass yield than BS at 5, 7, and 8 months of age (p < 0.05). Breast moisture and crude protein contents were influenced by gender, and were higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). By contrast, the crude fat content was higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The saturated fatty acid content of breast meat increased as the birds aged in both breeds (p < 0.05). The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of both breast and thigh meat was higher in males than in females (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). In general, slaughtering at 7 months was associated with the best slaughter and meat quality characteristics in both breeds. Moreover, from a nutritional point of view, the characteristics of the meat from male birds were preferable to those of meat from females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictions of growth are important fac-tors that contribute to the profitability of an opera-tion in poultry production. Modern commercial hybrids have a higher body growth in comparison with the lo-cal purebreds. However a niche market for meat and egg poultry production needs to be established using local purebreds to promote biodiversity. The aim of this study was to model the growth response of male and female chickens belonging to 5 local Italian popu-lations: a commercial slow-growing hybrid (Berlanda, B), the Padovana pure breed [2 plumage varieties: sil-ver, argentata (PA) and chamois, camosciata (PC)], and their crosses PCxB and PCxPA. A total of 398 one-day-old birds were reared until 180 d of age under indoor conditions. The linear and 3 nonlinear models (logistic, Gompertz, and Richards) were compared to study the growth patterns of these chicken populations. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for several curve parameters. In males, PCxB showed the lowest age at inflection point, B showed the highest age and BW, whereas PA showed the highest age and the lowest weight. In females, the age at the inflection point did not differ among the groups; B showed the highest weight. All the nonlinear models gave a good fit of male and female data with R2 ranging from 0.992 and 0.999, but the logistic equation had higher value of root mean square error than the Gompertz and the Richards values. Based on residual sum of squares for both sexes, the Richards model was better (P < 0.05) than the logistic but not superior to the Gompertz. The logistic equation showed an overes-timation of initial BW for all the groups and sex. For Italian local chicken populations, the Richards model requires a measure of BW recorded at 90 d or after to obtain a good fit of the asymptotic weight. However, the Gompertz model has the advantage that it requires one less parameter than the Richards model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extensive investigation of PFASs in Italian eggs from backyard chickens (EBC). • More contamination in EBC than in eggs from commercial laying hens. • EBC contribute to PFAS intake of up to 29% of tolerable weekly intake in children. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent and bioaccumulative compounds with adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Diet is one of the main sources of exposure to PFASs. Recently, the EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) limit (4.4 ng/kg b.w.) for a mixture of the four major PFASs. Eggs and egg products can contribute to this intake, with their contamination possibly dependent on the husbandry system. Monitoring Italian eggs from backyard chickens revealed a relatively uniform PFAS contamination, with perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate being the most abundant. Contamination was detected to be significantly higher in eggs from backyard chickens than in eggs from commercial laying hens, consistent with a previous Italian study. According to the recently set TWI value, the consumption of eggs from backyard chickens could contribute significantly to dietary intake of PFASs (up to 29% of the TWI in children, considering the lower bound approach). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In Italy, chickens are used for egg production and as courtyard/domestic animals and consequently veterinarians need to know their general and specialist characteristics. One key area is normal ocular measurements in order to understand any pathological changes affecting the eyes. For an accurate diagnosis and better management of ophthalmic diseases in chickens, this paper describes the normal values for the evaluation of ocular tear production, intraocular pressure, and biometric measurements of the eyes and on the microbial and cultural flora normally present in the conjunctival sac in two Italian chicken breeds. Given the abundance of chickens in Italy, it is important for veterinarians to know the normal state of chickens' eyes in order to identify any ophthalmic pathological changes. The aim of this study was to determine the normal values of select ocular parameters and to evaluate conjunctival microflora in two Italian chicken breeds. Sixty-six healthy chickens underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, which included a phenol red thread test (PRTT) for the evaluation of tear production and the assessment of intraocular pressure by rebound tonometry. B-mode ultrasound biometric measurements and conjunctival microflora identification were also performed in twenty-seven chickens. Mean PRTT was 23.77 ± 2.99 mm/15 s in the Livorno breed and 19.95 ± 2.81 mm/15 s in the Siciliana breed. Mean intraocular pressure was 14.3 ± 1.17 mmHg in the Livorno breed and 14.06 ± 1.15 mmHg in the Siciliana breed. Reference ranges for morphometric parameters were reported in the two breeds. Twenty-three chickens (85.18%) were bacteriologically positive. Chlamydia spp. antigen was detected in 14.81% of chickens. No positive cultures were obtained for fungi. Normal reference range values for selected ophthalmic parameters were obtained in clinically healthy chickens, which could facilitate accurate diagnosis and better management of ophthalmic diseases in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The loss of biodiversity is a matter of great concern worldwide. In the agricultural sector, the industrialization of livestock farming and the wide-spread use of highly selected hybrids, especially in developed countries, has led to the progressive extinction of many native breeds in these contexts. Nowadays, safeguarding poultry biodiversity is a key objective in all developed countries, Italy included. As a part of a large cross-sectional national project called 'Conservation of biodiversity in Italian poultry breeds', a questionnaire was designed to evaluate the diffusion of native chicken breeds and their relative product markets. The data reveal the poor diffusion of native breeds despite the existence of a niche market for their products. Indeed, increasing consumer concern about conventional production practices and the growing demand for alternative poultry products, which can fetch high retail prices, should be leveraged to encourage the diffusion of native chicken breeds in alternative poultry farming. An important knock-on effect would be the preservation of biodiversity. The intensive use of high-performing strains in poultry production has led to the extinction of several autochthonous chicken breeds and, consequently, loss of genetic variability. Interest in saving biodiversity is growing rapidly and has become a major objective worldwide. The aim of this study was to shed light on the production trends of native Italian poultry breeds and the related market. A questionnaire, which asked about the production cycles, the number of animals and table eggs produced per year and their retail prices was completed by 121 breeders across Italy. The surveyed breeders were divided into two categories: breeders conducting an agrozootechnical farm, referred to as 'farmers' (F); and breeders keeping chickens as backyard poultry, referred to as 'fancy breeders' (FB). Analysis of the data acquired indicated that animals were mainly slaughtered between 6 and 12 months of age, with F processing more animals per year. The same production trend was observed for table eggs. The recorded retail prices of native chicken products were higher than those for conventional products, but similar to those reported for valuable niche poultry products, such as the Poulet de Bresse in France and organic eggs. Knowledge about these highly valuable markets should be used to encourage the use of local breeds in alternative poultry farming and help protect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The ongoing loss of domestic animal breeds around the world is occurring at an alarming rate. Thus, the registration and preservation of native breeds is of great importance. The aim of this study, which forms part of a conservation program, was to provide an overview of the conservation statuses of native Italian poultry breeds being reared by local breeders in Italy. The data collected by means of a census questionnaire demonstrate the low population sizes of these breeds in Italy and highlight the need for campaigns aimed at publicizing and promoting the benefits of native breeds with the goal of increasing population sizes. Identifying strategies to facilitate breeders' access to pure breed birds is also essential, and would require collaborative efforts of university research centers, public entities, and breeders. The most reared species of farm animal around the world is the chicken. However, the intensification of livestock systems has led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a limited number of breeds, resulting in substantial erosion to the genetic pool. The initial step of an 'animal conservation program' entails establishing the actual conservation statuses of the breeds concerned in a defined area; in this case, in Italy. To this end, a survey of breeds was performed by means of a census questionnaire divided into two parts. The first part collected information on breeds, breeders, housing facilities, and management aspects, the results of which are presented here. The second part of the questionnaire regarded chicken products and their markets, and these data will be reported in a second paper. The breed status of six chicken breeds was shown to be exceptionally worrying, with total numbers ranging from just 18 to 186 birds. Population sizes exceeding 1000 birds was identified for just four breeds, the maximum being 3400. Some improvements in status were noted in relation to breeds which had been the subject of conservation efforts in the past. The two most common breeds reported are the Bionda Piemontese, a double-purpose breed, and the Livorno egg-laying hen. Collo Nudo Italiano, Millefiori Piemontese, Pollo Trentino, and Tirolese chicken breeds and the Castano Precoce turkey breed were not listed by breeders at all. The most reported turkey breeds are the Bronzato Comune and the Ermellinato di Rovigo. The population sizes of native Italian poultry breeds were shown to be generally poor. Italian poultry farmers and the population at large are largely ignorant about indigenous poultry breeds. Thus, promoting the virtues of Italian breeds would help their conservation by encouraging breeders to rear these birds and consumers to buy their products. The identification of strategies to facilitate access to pure breed birds is essential, and will require the collaboration of university research centers, public entities, and breeders. The results presented in this paper constitute the initial part of a more complex conservation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]