
Flocks vaccinated in ovo with HVT and CVI-LTR Marek’s vaccine show more immunity at hatch
Abstract: Effect of MDV-1 vaccines administered alone or with HVT on the development of the chicken embryo immune system

Abstract: Effect of MDV-1 vaccines administered alone or with HVT on the development of the chicken embryo immune system

Abstract: A field study of Clostridium perfringens enumeration methods in the broiler house environment

Faced with the emerging disease threat posed by avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), the USDA is allowing the importation of three vaccines from Boehringer Ingelheim: the live virus products NEMOVAC™ for use in chickens and AVIFFA RTI for use in turkeys and chickens, as well as the TUR-3 inactivated vaccine for primary vaccination of both turkey and chicken flocks against aMPV subtype B.

Low crude-protein diets are a well-proven practice to reduce diet cost and minimize excess nitrogen and excreta, thereby benefiting profitability, health and welfare in broilers and swine. However, the laying-hen industry is far behind in understanding the interaction and requirement of lower amino acids.

Regular monitoring of broiler drinking-water consumption helps track flock health and performance. A sudden dip or downward trend can alert the producer to potentially serious health or production problems.

As animal welfare science has evolved, the importance of using animal-based measures to study welfare has become apparent. Birds may have needs and feelings that aren’t immediately obvious to humans, and their priorities are influenced by an evolutionary history that is vastly different than our own.

The poultry gut is more than just a digestive organ — it’s a dynamic ecosystem that plays a critical role in bird health, disease resistance and overall performance. As the industry continues moving beyond blanket antibiotic use, producers and researchers alike are zooming in on the gut microbiome and how to manage it more effectively.

For every laying hen that is hatched, approximately one male counterpart also hatches. However, as roosters do not produce eggs, they are typically culled, or euthanized, at hatch. However, the culling of these day-old male chicks raises ethical concerns.

Controlling IBV through vaccination requires knowledge of the circulating field strains. For this reason, surveillance is critical. Mark W. Jackwood, PhD, and Jose Linares, DVM, describe Ceva’s Scientific Support and Investigation Unit that uses real-time quantitative RT-PCR panels to rapidly detect multiple IBV types.

The emergence of aMPV subtypes A and B has left US poultry producers seeking new tools to reduce the economic impact of this disease. In an interview, Silke Rautenschlein, PhD, professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany, covers the past, present and future of the virus and its control.

Feed is a vital part of the poultry industry, representing around 60-70% of the total costs. However, even the best feed formulation cannot deliver results if the birds cannot access it readily. Anusha Gautam and Bethany Baker-Cook, PhD, Auburn University, discuss the right type of feeders to select for each of the production phases, appropriate feeder spacing, proper feeder height, and the overall feeder arrangement.

Emily Kimminau, PhD, has firmly become one of the industry’s go-to specialists in coccidiosis — a disease that remains one of the most prevalent and costly challenges in global poultry production. In this Q&A, she talks about disease trends, gut health strategies and what the future holds for data-driven poultry production.
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