Those who work in poultry welfare should focus on “progress, not perfection” when designing and implementing ways to improve birds’ quality of life, according to industry expert, Kate Barger Weathers, DVM, KB Welfare Consulting, South Carolina.
The composition and functionality of the gut microbiota are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of poultry performance. The Galleon™ microbiome intelligence platform was developed to help identify the most important gut biomarkers linked to performance and health.
New research suggests that probiotics can help protect broilers against gut diseases, such as necrotic enteritis. Increasingly, probiotics serve as a substitute for antibiotic growth promotants, which are no longer used.
A “Viewpoints” article by Michael Czarick. Extension Engineer – Poultry, University of Georgia, and Connie Mou, PhD, Technical Services Manager, Poultry Guard
The latest technology providing access to feed and water in hatcheries could change how vaccinations and other general practices are conducted. Katherine Schaefbauer, Jennie-O Turkey Store, led a research trial with a coccidiosis vaccine administered to fed and non-fed turkey poults in the hatchery, and presented the results at the 2025 AAAP Meeting.
Lameness in poultry, characterized by impaired mobility or abnormal gait, is a major concern in fast-growing birds such as broilers and turkeys. Intensive genetic selection for rapid body weight gain and increased breast muscle mass can result in disproportionate growth between the muscular and skeletal systems, predisposing birds to locomotor problems. Stephanie Kulbacki, University of Georgia, provides an overview of lameness and ways to assess gait.
A new rapid testing method is helping poultry producers detect Salmonella faster and more efficiently than ever before. The method, developed by Ceva Animal Health, dramatically shortens turnaround time while reducing testing costs by nearly two-thirds, according to James Mills, scientist at Ceva Animal Health.
Commercial trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Avert® NE from Huvepharma against necrotic enteritis in commercial broiler facilities. David Smith, DVM, MS, director of poultry technical services at Huvepharma discussed these trials, which evaluated livability and zootechnical performance of birds given the vaccine, pointing to improvements in vaccinated flocks compared to unvaccinated birds.
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.
A “Viewpoints” article
by Allison Pullin, PhD
Prestage Department of Poultry Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
The gut microbiome is the new frontier in poultry research, and few people know more about it than Lisa Bielke, PhD, distinguished scholar of turkey health at North Carolina State University.
A “Viewpoints” article
by Michelle Kromm, DVM, MPH, MAM, DACPV
Food Forward, LLC
Minneapolis, Minnesota
