Research on broilers is often applied to commercial turkeys, as is the case with many studies on photoperiod lengths. At the 2025 Poultry Science Association annual meeting, Karen Schwean-Lardner, PhD, University of Saskatchewan, presented results of her study that were specific to turkeys.
The International Poultry Welfare Alliance brings together expertise from across the value chain to develop Key Welfare Indicator Reference Guides for broilers, turkeys and layers, which align measurements and communications of welfare outcomes.
Feed efficiency is one of the most important factors influencing profitability in broiler production. Production managers and nutritionists balance nutrition, genetics and housing conditions to help birds convert feed into growth as efficiently as possible. There’s one other variable often overlooked: the bird’s immune system.
Research has uncovered much about how welfare impacts broilers’ physical and functional traits, but less is known about their mental state. A doctoral student at Virginia Tech studied fear and anxiety in fast- and slow-growing broilers, as well as the impact of environmental complexities.
Turkey producers should not avoid using chemical anticoccidial products for fear of resistance, but they do need to use them strategically. In an appearance on the Iowa Turkey Federation’s Turkey Talkshow podcast, Steven Clark, DVM, Huvepharma’s veterinary technical services manager, said new evidence suggests there is “minimal risk” with common products, providing farmers rotate when necessary.
Temperature and moisture levels influence the survivability of Campylobacter jejuni in used broiler litter, according to a study led by Matthew Bailey, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at Auburn University.
Boredom may be a welfare concern for poultry that are raised in barren conditions. However, researchers have conducted few investigations into this emotional state. Approaches to detect boredom in other species may provide practical methods for quantifying boredom in poultry.
Rodney Johnson, hatchery specialist with Boehringer Ingelheim, says managers who prioritize strong communication, well-defined processes and consistent monitoring of key indicators often see improvements not just in hatchability and early livability, but also in team morale and operational efficiency.
The USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics has granted Huvepharma approval for the manufacturing and sale of a new broiler-breeder coccidiosis vaccine, Advent P, which contains Eimeria necatrix and E. brunetti.
Emily Kimminau, PhD, technical service manager at Merck, says the loss of effective in-feed treatments to control blackhead means the disease — which can reduce performance, increase mortality and drive secondary infections — has seen a resurgence in U.S. flocks.
Breeding for increased appetites and fast growth has resulted in meatier birds. But these heavier birds experience health complications and decreased reproduction. Feed restrictions are used to maintain the lower bodyweight required for broiler breeders. University of Arkansas graduate student Allison Weaver is researching how feed restrictions affect bird welfare.
For turkey producers, blackhead remains a high-impact threat, particularly in young birds, where infection can spread quickly and cause major losses. Unfortunately, there are limited approved treatment options compared with past decades.
