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.
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.
Field data from a large commercial layer enterprise confirm that Cargill’s Biostrong™ C-Protect — a postbiotic/phytogenic blend — supports improved livability in layers in the face of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC).
Heat stress affects poultry farms everywhere — even in Canada, where poultry producers battle hot, humid conditions in the summer. Deborah Adewole, PhD, associate professor, University of Saskatchewan, has focused her recent work on nutritional strategies to reduce heat stress and discussed her research in a webinar hosted by Canadian Poultry.
In a Poultry Science Association webinar, Todd Applegate, PhD, assistant dean for international programs and department head of poultry science at the University of Georgia, shared his findings of a literature review on mycotoxins and discussed future research needs.
Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters can maintain broiler performance. But replacing antibiotics is not a simple matter of like-for-like replacements, according to Doug Korver, PhD, professor of poultry nutrition at the University of Alberta.
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.
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.
A “Rising Stars” article
by Emmanuel Alagbe, MS
PhD Candidate
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
By W.A. Dozier, III, PhD
Department of Poultry Science
Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension System
A “Rising Stars” article
by Allison Kawaoku, MS student
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
