Technology that measures body fat in live hens could help producers extend persistency of lay and meet growing demand for eggs without increasing flock numbers, according to Jarred Oxford, poultry nutritionist with Cargill Animal Nutrition.
The first week after hatch is a critical stage for broiler chicks. A team of Auburn University researchers observed 75 Ross 308 broiler chicks from day 1 to day 7 after hatch and recorded their behavior continuously for 24 hours each day to understand how chick behavior changes with age and time of day.
To address the challenges of live-haul turkey handling, Allison Pullin, PhD, and her team at Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University developed a training tool to standardize procedures and best practices.
Deependra Paneru, PhD, University of Georgia, takes a close look at mycotoxins: what they are, how they affect poultry, reducing the risk and more. Paneru also provides a quick field guide to help producers prepare for a mycotoxin challenge.
In a Q&A, Charlie Broussard, DVM, a poultry veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, explains how industry thinking has shifted regarding coccidiosis programs and why more producers are maintaining coccidiosis vaccination year-round.
Could a dietary supplement mitigate the negative impact of common mycotoxins in broilers? Matthew Jones, DVM, PhD, director of nutrition and veterinarian at the Southern Poultry Research Group, decided to find out.
Ammonia and odor emissions from poultry production facilities continue to pose operational, environmental and regulatory challenges. Mohammadamin Ezazi, PhD, Georgia Southern University, and colleagues developed a visible-light-responsive photocatalytic reactor to mitigate ammonia production and odor in broiler housing.
By Michelle Kromm, DVM, MPH, MAM, DACPV,
Food Forward, LLC,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Broiler flocks are facing more variable respiratory disease challenges that coincide with increasingly variable weather patterns. This new reality is leading poultry veterinarians and production managers to rethink their vaccination strategies. Brian Jordan, PhD, Zoetis, discusses options.
The microbiota community in the ceca changes rapidly as broiler chickens grow. Additionally, these microbes play a major role in digestion, nutrient use and bird health. A longitudinal study conducted by an Auburn University research team examined the role that age plays in cecal microbiome development in broilers.
Most poultry companies invest significant resources in infectious bronchitis vaccination programs. But according to one of the poultry industry’s leading infectious bronchitis virus researchers, Mark Jackwood, PhD, Ceva Animal Health, one critical question often receives less attention than it should: How do you know the program worked?
Poultry welfare has become an increasingly important priority within the industry over recent years, but meaningful progress requires clear and measurable goals. Manoella Alves, Zinpro, discusses what the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance are doing to drive this effort.
