
Fishmeal could be part of solution to hatchability decline in broiler breeders
Adding fishmeal into the diets of broiler breeder roosters could improve egg hatchability, North Carolina State University research suggests.

Adding fishmeal into the diets of broiler breeder roosters could improve egg hatchability, North Carolina State University research suggests.

Merck Animal Health has introduced FLOCKSECURE™ poultry health portal, an innovative web-based platform solution designed to capture, maintain, distribute and analyze data from post-mortem sessions.

Waste byproducts from rearing insects commercially could play a role as a sustainable broiler feed, the results of research presented at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum suggest.

By Daniel Wilson, DVM
Wilson Veterinary Company
Indianapolis, Indiana

Without other stressors to skew results, altering stocking density (SD) within common ranges does not affect the well-being of layer chicks being transported from hatcheries to pullet-rearing operations.

Formaldehyde fumigation is a conventional method used to control total environmental microbial counts in the hatchery. However, according to Christine N. Vuong, PhD, University of Arkansas, this method does not differentiate between beneficial or pathogenic microbes.

Bird welfare is improved in cage-free layer systems compared to cage systems, but indoor air quality suffers in a cage-free environment due to higher bird activity.

Continuous lighting is commonplace in commercial broiler houses, but is that what’s best for the birds?

By Alexander W. Strauch, DVM
Four Star Veterinary Service, LLC
Minton Veterinary Service Office
Chickasaw, Ohio

Histomoniasis is nothing new to turkey producers, yet treatment options remain a major challenge. Bans of therapeutic and prophylactic compounds in several countries in recent years have only added to outbreak risks, emphasizing the need for alternative control strategies.

The ability to process birds on farms and eliminate live transport offers some compelling benefits to the poultry industry whose customers are increasingly disconnected from animal agriculture.

Nutritionists know there is often an “ideal level” when dosing feed enzymes. The challenge is determining this level in the feed matrix for optimal response and measurable economic benefits.