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.
The move to cage-free egg production in the US and Europe created a seismic change in hen breeding programs.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
By Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, DACPV
Chief Science Officer
Perdue Farms
By Michael Czarick
Extension Specialist – Engineering
University of Georgia
Department of Poultry Science
Having been linked to everything from yield gains, feed-conversion ratio and immunity to disease tolerance, mortality and animal welfare, intestinal health is foundational to the success of poultry operations today. Three poultry-health experts took part in an intestinal health webinar in which they discussed viral, bacterial and coccidial challenges in poultry, their impact on gut health and potential management strategies.
By Marcelo Lang, DVM
Farsight Consulting & Marketing Services, LLC
