The present disclosure provides a promoter having at least the core components of a duck retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) promoter, as well as expression constructs having the duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein), and recombinant host cells containing the duck RIG-I promoter, e.g., in such expression constructs. The present disclosure also provide animals genetically modified to have a gene encoding a duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein, such as a duck RIG-I protein).

A DNA editing agent is disclosed which comprises a first nucleic acid sequence for eliciting in an inducible manner a lethal phenotype of male chick embryos in an egg of a bird and a second nucleic acid sequence for directing said nucleic acid sequence for effecting said lethal phenotype to a Z chromosome of a cell of the bird. Use of the DNA editing agent is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

A transgenic animal is provided. In certain embodiments, the transgenic animal comprises a genome comprising: an immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a transcribed variable region encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of 2 to 5 different amino acids; and ii. a light chain framework; and, operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene: b) a plurality of pseudogene light chain variable regions each encoding: i. light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions that are composed of the same 2 to 5 different amino acids as the CDRs of the functional gene; and ii. a light chain framework that is identical in amino acid sequence to the light chain framework of the transcribed variable region.

A transgenic chicken comprising an inactivated heavy immunoglobulin gene and/or inactivated light chain immunoglobulin gene is provided, as well as cells and targeting vectors for making the same.

A poultry holding system that can be erected tool-free by assembling lengthwise and crosswise members on support posts. Multiple upright support posts are set up in an evenly spaced grid. The crosswise members and lengthwise members are constructed as U-profile rails, with through-holes in the horizontal sections of the U-profiles that allow the members to be assembled and supported on the support posts. The poultry holding system thus constructed can have at least two tiers, one above the other. The assembly components are designed to be particularly economical, which allows greater flexibility in the design and construction of the poultry holding system to accommodate the constraints of the particular facility.

An unloader for a poultry inspection and vaccination transporter. The unloader has a horizontally disposed unloader bar that is operable between a carry position, in which the poultry is carried on a hanger of the transporter, and an unload position, in which vertical displacement of the unloader bar between the poultry and the hanger urges the poultry from its suspended position in the hanger to release the poultry from the hanger. The unloader bar may be operated by cooperative engagement of a vertically disposed shaft to which the unloader bar is connected, with an ramp assembly disposed in a traversal path of the transporter.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, is directed to a method for selecting a gender of an avian fertilized unhatched egg obtained from the crossing of a transgenic male avian subject and a transgenic female avian subject. Further provided is a kit for preparing a transgenic avian subject.

The present invention relates to transgenic avians and the eggs produced therefrom wherein the eggs comprise a genetic modification that facilitates in ovo gender sorting and a genetic modification that increases a production trait in the eggs or the avians produced therefrom. The present invention also relates to methods of identifying the gender of eggs before hatching and methods of sorting the eggs based on gender before hatching.

A container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines to extend at least partially around an interior space. A plurality of end flaps are each foldably connected to a respective one of the panels. The end flaps are overlapped with one another to enclose an end of the interior space. One of the end flaps is a main bird-feeder flap. A side bird-feeder flap foldably connected to the main bird-feeder flap. The main bird-feeder flap and the side bird-feeder flap are configured to deploy from a closed position cooperating with the plurality of end flaps to enclose the end of the interior space, to an open position with the main bird-feeder flap hinged outward from the interior space to form an opening in the end of the interior space, and with the side bird-feeder flap forming a side of the opening.