The ionophores: anticoccidials that are the backbone of the poultry industry
By Greg F. Mathis, PhD
and Brett Lumpkins, PhD
Southern Poultry Feed & Research, Inc,
Athens, Georgia
By Greg F. Mathis, PhD
and Brett Lumpkins, PhD
Southern Poultry Feed & Research, Inc,
Athens, Georgia
In the United States, the majority of laying hens are housed in conventional cages. However, there has been a shift towards cage-free systems. Cage-free systems can benefit laying hen welfare. Birds have opportunities to perform a full range of species-specific behaviors, including foraging, dustbathing, perching, and walking, which are restricted in conventional cages.
Nearly 800 poultry health professionals from more than 25 countries will gather in Orlando, Florida, from July 28 to 30 for the 2026 conference of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP).
According to Steven Clark, DVM, Huvepharma’s veterinary technical services manager, paying attention to changes in turkey barns is key to successfully using ionophores, which remain the industry’s most common option for controlling coccidiosis.
Brazilian researchers conducted a two-part epidemiological study to determine the serological, molecular and pathological status of ILT in two regions. The team described their findings and what they mean for poultry producers.
The International Poultry Welfare Alliance brings together expertise from across the value chain to develop Key Welfare Indicator Reference Guides for broilers, turkeys and layers, which align measurements and communications of welfare outcomes.
Turkey producers should not avoid using chemical anticoccidial products for fear of resistance, but they do need to use them strategically. In an appearance on the Iowa Turkey Federation’s Turkey Talkshow podcast, Steven Clark, DVM, Huvepharma’s veterinary technical services manager, said new evidence suggests there is “minimal risk” with common products, providing farmers rotate when necessary.
Boredom may be a welfare concern for poultry that are raised in barren conditions. However, researchers have conducted few investigations into this emotional state. Approaches to detect boredom in other species may provide practical methods for quantifying boredom in poultry.
Rodney Johnson, hatchery specialist with Boehringer Ingelheim, says managers who prioritize strong communication, well-defined processes and consistent monitoring of key indicators often see improvements not just in hatchability and early livability, but also in team morale and operational efficiency.
The USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics has granted Huvepharma approval for the manufacturing and sale of a new broiler-breeder coccidiosis vaccine, Advent P, which contains Eimeria necatrix and E. brunetti.
Watch this space for educational content from Zoetis.
Emily Kimminau, PhD, technical service manager at Merck, says the loss of effective in-feed treatments to control blackhead means the disease — which can reduce performance, increase mortality and drive secondary infections — has seen a resurgence in U.S. flocks.
[random-sponsor]