Focus On - Modern Poultry

Layer specialist: Hens bred for cage-free housing must be ‘top athletes’

The move to cage-free egg production in the US and Europe created a seismic change in hen breeding programs.

Broiler performance boost from niacin supplementation needs further investigation

Kansas State University research has offered a glimpse into the potential of niacin supplementation in broiler diets — but questions remain about the exact benefits producers might expect from such a move.

USDA announces biosecurity assessments, audits to support HPAI prevention

To help improve biosecurity on individual premises and prevent introduction or spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), USDA recently announced plans to expand assessments and audits available to commercial poultry producers.

Microbial mix could help improve coccidiosis management in broilers

Using a dietary supplement containing a blend of Bacillus bacterial strains appears to positively affect the intestinal health and immunity of broiler chicks after a coccidia challenge, according to a Frontiers in Microbiology report.

Enterococcus survey illustrates pathogen trends on poultry farms

A survey of more than 600 Enterococcus samples from Mississippi poultry farms revealed that E. cecorum primarily affects broilers, while E. faecalis is more problematic in hatcheries and very young chicks.

Synthetic anticoccidials for poultry: Are some more resistance-prone than others?

Synthetic anticoccidials, also referred to as “chemicals,” are often considered the most efficacious tools to mitigate coccidiosis in poultry. Yet, despite their effectiveness, veterinarians and producers sometimes hesitate to incorporate them into control programs due to the concern of chemical-resistant Eimeria strains developing.

Making the case for environmental enrichment for broilers

By Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, DACPV
Chief Science Officer
Perdue Farms

Did you know that all published minimum poultry housing ventilation recommendations could easily be off by 100% or more?

Radiant heating: achieving a more efficient approach

By Michael Czarick
Extension Specialist – Engineering
University of Georgia
Department of Poultry Science

Intestinal health in poultry: Understanding viral, bacterial and coccidiosis challenges

Having been linked to everything from yield gains, feed-conversion ratio and immunity to disease tolerance, mortality and animal welfare, intestinal health is foundational to the success of poultry operations today.

HPAI isn’t going away. Is it time for the US to start vaccinating poultry?

By Marcelo Lang, DVM
Farsight Consulting & Marketing Services, LLC

Tabler: Stop the insanity, use common sense to end HPAI outbreak

By Tom Tabler, PhD
Professor, Extension Poultry Specialist
University of Tennessee Extension Service/Animal Science Department
Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
Spring Hill, Tennessee

User-friendly artificial intelligence serves as tool to analyze broiler activity index

Broiler activities like locomotion and movement can be quantified using the broiler activity index (BAI), which has been associated with broiler leg health, productivity and physical conditions. However, current calculation procedures are not user-friendly, requiring extensive training. A new user-friendly web-based AI system could be the answer.

MENU