HEALTH

Why new IBV variants keep emerging — and what producers can do about it

The poultry industry has spent decades chasing infectious bronchitis virus, adjusting vaccination programs and developing new vaccines as new variants emerge. Yet despite those efforts, the cycle continues. However, Mark Jackwood, PhD, one of the world’s leading IBV researchers, says that’s not a sign that vaccination has failed. It’s simply the nature of the virus.

HOUSING

Chronic stress decreases neurogenesis in poultry

Poultry researchers use ‘affective valence’ — a positive or negative emotional response — as a measure of animal welfare. Tom Smulders, PhD, an evolutionary neurobiology researcher from Newcastle University, has studied whether hippocampal neurogenesis can be a marker of affective valence in poultry.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

WELFARE

LAYERS

BROILERS

Kogut: What ‘gut health’ really means for broiler performance

Gut health is often discussed in poultry production. But according to immunologist Michael Kogut, PhD, lead research microbiologist at the USDA-ARS, College Station, Texas, the term is really about gut homeostasis, which enables birds to maximize performance and reach their full potential.

TURKEYS

aMPV, HPAI and lack of drug options top turkey industry concerns

The Turkey Industry Annual Report, which gathers perspectives from producers and veterinarians working in the US industry, ranked aMPV, lack of efficacious drugs and HPAI as the top three management concerns among 39 reported issues. Report author Steven Clark, DVM, said he was not surprised by the trends.

FEED

Whole plant part phytogenics for inflammation balance

Gut inflammation is common throughout poultry production, but its effects are not always visible. Birds deal with stress every day through changes in environment, feed adjustments, handling and exposure to coccidiosis and other intestinal diseases. All of these changes trigger the immune system to send a response to manage the inflammation.