Focus On - Page 15 of 42 - Modern Poultry

Avian flu: How scientists and farmers are working to adapt

The avian flu virus continues to affect poultry producers and dairy farms in 2025. In North Carolina alone, the virus has resulted in the loss of millions of birds on poultry farms. Meanwhile, less than a year after avian flu was first detected in dairy herds, a new strain of the virus has been found in Nevada cows. Matt Koci, PhD, a virus expert and professor with NC State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science, offers insights.

USDA vaccine reduces Salmonella Enteritidis loads in broilers

Enteritidis is one of the most common serotypes of Salmonella globally and is historically associated with poultry. Unfortunately, antibiotic resistance is making it more challenging to treat.

Congressional bill seeks to remedy egg-supply shortage with broiler eggs

In March, a bipartisan coalition of members from the House of Representatives introduced the “Lowering Egg Prices Act” to address current regulations that require farmers to discard hundreds of millions of eggs annually.

Gut microbiome influences poultry welfare

The microbiota found in the guts of chickens is responsible for more than the breakdown of food products. It also impacts immune response, the enteric nervous system and cell function. An imbalance can affect disease resistance, and heighten stress and fear responses.

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.

Colored light differentially impacts broiler activity, tibia morphology

Mobility and leg problems are common in modern-day broilers, which are bred for high breast-muscle yield. Extra activity can help the birds support the extra bodyweight and prevent skeletal disorders. Could colored lighting encourage broilers to be more active and less prone to leg problems?

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.

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

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