By Zac Williams, PhD
Extension specialist – Poultry Husbandry and Management
University of Arkansas
By Zac Williams, PhD
Extension specialist – Poultry Husbandry and Management
University of Arkansas
Broiler breeder fertility has been declining over the past decade, raising concerns about both productivity and the long-term sustainability of the industry. Marcela Quino, a graduate student at Auburn University, examined how time of day, rooster competition and behavior influence mating success and fertility during the early production period.
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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.
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.
When faced with these emerging IBDV variant strains, it’s important to provide every chick the strongest possible immune start while keeping pace with a changing virus. Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, DAPVC, director of clinical research, Zoetis, provides vaccination strategies for poultry vets to consider.
Raised to maximize meat production, commercial turkey toms are bred to grow quickly and gain weight in a short time. This begs the question whether the bird’s skeletal system meets that developmental challenge.
By researching the impact of ectoparasite infestations in laying hens through a behavioral lens, Purdue University doctoral student Haley Sutherland aims to identify characteristics or heritable traits that help hens resist mite infestations.
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.
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.
A multi-species microbial feed product outperformed single-species products during a disease challenge, according to research presented at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum by Kevin Bolek, PhD, microbials innovation director for Phibro Animal Health.
