
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.
The move to cage-free egg production in the US and Europe created a seismic change in hen breeding programs.
By Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, DACPV
Chief Science Officer
Perdue Farms
By Michael Czarick
Extension Specialist – Engineering
University of Georgia
Department of Poultry Science
Proper litter management is a key factor in controlling Salmonella on the farm. Zac Williams, PhD, assistant professor of poultry management at the University of Arkansas, addressed this topic at the Delmarva Chicken Association’s 59th National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production.
Increased attention on animal welfare is driving the US poultry industry to innovate and work collaboratively to meet rising expectations of caring for laying hens.
By Michael Czarick
Extension Engineer – Poultry
University of Georgia
Department of Poultry Science
The move to cage-free egg production has spawned a new generation of aviary systems available for hen housing. The question now is how well the new systems perform when balancing egg production and profitability with bird welfare.
Lighting has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to manage and optimize layer performance. It profoundly impacts production, health and overall welfare.
Litter and its management are an essential part of bird management and ensuring bird welfare. Dr. Bethany Baker-Cook discusses the importance of managing litter properly throughout the production cycle.
A study evaluated whether Eimeria oocysts are present in the fecal material in feed lids and if the oocysts serve as an infection source to chicks.
The recent shift to cage-free production has led to more problems with internal parasites and coccidiosis, explains Kenneth Anderson, MS, PhD, North Carolina State University, in a Q&A sponsored by Cargill Animal Health.
Blue light reduces fear and stress in birds while also improving their vision yet it does not appear to significantly affect production parameters, according to researchers. But will farmers be interested in using blue light?
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