The Five Domains: Using key welfare indicators to drive continuous improvement in animal welfare outcomes
A “Viewpoints” article
By Ken Opengart, DVM, PhD, DACPV
3 Birds Consulting
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
A “Viewpoints” article
By Ken Opengart, DVM, PhD, DACPV
3 Birds Consulting
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
In the poultry sector, avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) infections can lead to severe economic repercussions, manifesting as drops in egg production and increased mortality, which lead to costly veterinary interventions and biosecurity measures. Researchers described the development of an assay, which was found to be capable of concurrently detecting and distinguishing among aMPV-A, aMPV-B and aMPV-C.
Bone and leg health issues are among the top five common concerns for broilers, noted Gigi Lin, DVM, DACPV, adding that “Lameness can indicate not only a potential disease issue but is a welfare and economic concern.” Lin, a veterinary consultant with Canadian Poultry Consultants, Ltd, was featured in the 2025 Canadian Poultry’s Broiler School Series webinar presentation, “Understanding and Managing Lameness in Broilers.”
Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters can maintain broiler performance. But replacing antibiotics is not a simple matter of like-for-like replacements, according to Doug Korver, PhD, professor of poultry nutrition at the University of Alberta.
Japanese quail (Corturnix corturnix japonica) are the smallest farmed birds and contribute to approximately 10% and 0.2% of the global table egg and meat markets. Rosie Whittle, PhD, discusses housing, management and key welfare issues associated with farming these birds.
A multi-species microbial feed product outperformed single-species products during a disease challenge, according to research presented at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum by Kevin Bolek, PhD, microbials innovation director for Phibro Animal Health.
A “Viewpoints” article by
Sara Throne, DVM, MAM, Dipl. ACPV
Simmons Foods, Inc.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas, USA
US poultry producers have a new, FDA-approved weapon in the fight against Northern fowl mite (NFM) with Exzolt™ (fluralaner oral solution), a pioneering treatment from Merck Animal Health.
Using a dietary supplement containing a blend of Bacillus bacterial strains appears to positively affect the intestinal health and immunity of broiler chicks after a coccidia challenge, according to a Frontiers in Microbiology report.
Good composting procedures eliminate odors and reduce the number of flies, rodents, predators and scavengers attracted to the bins. Additionally, when done properly, composting is a cost-effective method of biosecurity.
A “Viewpoints” article
by Autumn Gregg, DVM
Poultry resident
Mississippi State University
Post-mortem exams help determine mortality causes and which health challenges birds are encountering. But conducting necropsies on healthy birds can also provide the perspective needed to distinguish between what’s normal and abnormal for a particular flock.
