Layer hens in cage-free housing systems have freedom of movement, but they also encounter high levels of dust and airborne bacteria. Feed, litter, manure and bodily shedding all contribute to dust within the rooms, which challenges the hens’ health and well-being. Could spraying acidic electrolyte water on the litter floor be a solution?
By Kay Russo, DVM, MAHM, DACPV
RSM Consulting
Bird health and production are significantly impacted by air quality, humidity and temperature. Mechanical ventilation systems play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and disease control, but the current systems have limitations, particularly in caged-layer facilities. Researchers from The Ohio State University have designed an innovative ventilation system that addresses health and heat concerns.
By Tanner Thornton, MS
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
In the highly automated world of poultry production, precision livestock farming (PLF) technology to monitor birds in real time can be used to improve their health, welfare and efficiency. But there are limitations to this technology.
Maintaining indoor air quality is a constant concern for poultry producers. In particular, ammonia levels within houses are a health concern for poultry and workers. But what about the ammonia in exhausted air? Researchers from the University of Georgia are using a novel approach to remove and recover ammonia from large layer-poultry facilities.
Dust particles in poultry houses can exacerbate the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with the virus on dust particles remaining infectious for up to 17 hours. By the birds’ activity, it can easily be aerosolized into the environment and, by the ventilation system’s airflow, can be transmitted within the barn and from barn to barn.
By Alexander W. Strauch, DVM
Poultry Veterinarian
Four Star Veterinary Service, LLC
Minton Veterinary Service Office
Chickasaw, Ohio, USA
Producing the best feed for turkey production takes more than choosing a mash or pelleted version. It also includes maintaining quality from processing to the feeder.
Studying genetic material from the air in layer poultry-production facilities has shed new light on potential opportunistic pathogens with antibiotic-resistance genes.
A precision poultry-feeding system developed by University of Alberta scientists has the potential to bring improved fertility, better flock uniformity and significant savings for broiler breeder producers.
A Purdue University research team led by Ji-Qin Ni, PhD, assistant professor in the agricultural and biological engineering department, sought to investigate artificial turf as a flooring option to address such pollutants.
