In cage-free systems, it’s not only the birds that are moving around more freely. Bacterial transmission is also quicker and more efficient when birds roam uninhibited in large groups, underlining the importance of effective disease management.
Novel disinfection strategies — electrostatic disinfection (ED) and cold fog (CF) disinfection — could help improve hatchability, reduce chronic respiratory disease (CRD) incidence and improve overall health outcomes for poultry, according to a recent Poultry Science report.
Ceva Animal Health has started antigen production for an experimental autogenous vaccine to fight the emerging avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) disease.
Dustbathing occurs in all commercial chicken housing housing systems, even in caged systems with no substrate. But why do chickens dustbathe?
When weekly mortality rates in layer flocks older than 50 weeks start creeping up over 0.3%, producers and veterinarians should be suspicious. According to Eric Gingerich, DVM, Cargill’s Diamond V, these numbers could indicate the presence of Escherichia coli.
Change is constant and there’s always a learning curve. Such was the case around 2017, as pressure built toward more cage-free housing systems for egg-laying hens along with the push to reduce antibiotics or antibiotic substances in animal diets.
Laying hens exposed to prolonged heat waves experience adverse health effects that lead to health issues and reduced productivity. Many studies show that probiotics improve intestinal integrity due to lactic acid production and the competitive exclusion of pathogens.
A technology from Cargill may overcome a barrier the layer industry has faced in understanding the nutrition and performance of its flocks, paving the way to reduced feed costs and higher egg production through better nutrition.
Housing systems for laying hens in the United States (and more broadly across the world) are transitioning away from conventional cages to cage-free systems.
The first comprehensive literature review in 40 years presents up-to-date research and best practices to prevent floor egg laying.
Today’s pullets are bred to reach sexual maturity sooner, are more efficient once they reach the egg-laying stage and remain productive longer than layers of past years. Those are all positives for egg producers, but is the industry keeping pace with their protein needs?
Ultrasonic water meters enabled rapid and early identification of potential problems in cage-free layer houses, including feed shortages and water restrictions, according to research presented at the 2024 IPSF by William Strickland, graduate research assistant, University of Georgia.
