Modern Poultry

❓ Have you heard about the novel automated gel-beadlet system for vaccinating chicks against coccidiosis? Research led by Matthew K Jones, DVM, PhD, at Southern Poultry Research Group, tested the new approach in experiments with individual birds and groups in pens. Read the results of this pilot study at https://lnkd.in/edjBhram Research like this is essential for the continued efforts to control this ubiquitous disease. In our upcoming Focus Newsletter, coccidiosis is in the spotlight with several articles aimed towards its successful management. If you're not already subscribed to our newsletters, visit https://lnkd.in/e_kXt3r4 #coccidiosis #poultryhealth #poultryproduction

Coccidiosis ranks in the top 10 poultry health concerns worldwide, and the cost of its control can be significant. In addition, no-antibiotics-ever production and systems that abstain from using antibiotics important to human health face significant challenges to coccidiosis control.   At the 2024 Poultry Science Association meeting, Kayla Price, PhD, outlined points to consider and how to build an arsenal of alternative products to manage coccidiosis in poultry flocks.   Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e-Sa4HJb #poultryhealth #coccidiosiscontrol #coccidiosismanagement

Controlling infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) with vaccination is critical in maintaining healthy and profitable poultry production. However, current vaccine options have advantages and drawbacks.   For example, “Live attenuated vaccines of chicken-embryo origin produce the best protection by diminishing virus shedding but can potentially regain virulence,” said Maricarmen Garcia, PhD, The University of Georgia’s Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center.   Read about her recent study at https://lnkd.in/eX4dFdCD #ILTvaccination #poultryhealth #poultryproduction #infectiouslaryngotracheitis

Proper biosecurity will help to ensure the overall health and welfare of your flock. It's also the cheapest, most effective means of disease prevention and control available, according to Gregory Archer, PhD, associate professor and extension specialist at Texas A&M University. In a Poultry Press article from Poultry Extension Collaborative, Archer explains the ins and outs of biosecurity. Read more at https://lnkd.in/edfJq3Rk #poultryproduction #poultrywelfare

The move to cage-free egg production has spawned a new generation of aviary systems available for hen housing. The question now is how well the new systems perform when balancing egg production and profitability with bird welfare.   To answer that question, Kathyrn Baugh, graduate student, Michigan State University, and her research team compared production data from two styles of cage-free hen housing.   Their findings revealed differences in mortality and floor eggs. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eCr7fmrB #cagefree #poultryproduction #poultryhousing #aviarysystems

More than 6 million birds have been vaccinated against avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) type B since the September rollout of the first experimental autogenous vaccine produced in the US, according to Ivan Alvarado, PhD, Merck Animal Health.   The vaccine protects poultry against aMPV, a deadly virus that causes severe respiratory distress, leading to increased mortality and reduced egg production.   A collaborative effort between Merck and Cambridge Technologies , an independent custom-vaccine company based in Minnesota, has made the vaccine available in the poultry industry. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gNuA5uvZ #avianmetapneumovirus #aMPV #poultryhealth #aMPVvaccine

Litter and feed management topped the list of most popular articles on Modern Poultry this month and will be featured in this Sunday's "Readers' Picks" e-newsletter. To receive our free e-newsletters, subscribe now at https://lnkd.in/e_kXt3r4 Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways to optimize your flocks' environment, check out our selection of articles at https://lnkd.in/eQcu_rRY #poultryhousing #poultrywelfare #poultryproduction

Modern broiler houses effectively provide temperature control plus clean and available feed and water. But over the past decade, the concept of creating enriched environments for broilers has gained traction.   “Environmental enrichment is associated with encouraging normal chicken activity by introducing complexity within the chicken house environment,” writes Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, DACPV, Perdue Farms, in an article for Modern Poultry.   Stewart-Brown describes examples of environmental enrichment for chickens and shares producers’ perspectives for — and against — its use. Read his article at https://lnkd.in/eRBszHz2 #poultryhousing #poultrywelfare #broilerhousing #broilerwelfare #broilerhealth #liveproduction

Lighting has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to manage and optimize layer performance. It profoundly impacts production, health and overall welfare.   “Whether managing a large aviary or floor-based system, the right lighting approach can drastically improve outcomes,” writes Erica Bongers, MSc, Once by Signify - Lighting for Animals.   Bongers discusses several considerations of dynamic lighting in poultry houses, including optimizing lighting for layer production and understanding how red light influences layers’ reproductive cycles. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gP7siATt #poultrylighting #poultryhousing #poultrywelfare

Consumers, retail customers and even legislators in some states are embracing cage-free egg production, necessitating a shift in the laying-hen industry. What does that mean for the various laying-hen strains? And how might selection parameters need to change for animal welfare and productivity? Bhavisha Gulabrai, a graduate research assistant in poultry science at North Carolina State University discussed the various influences -- such as environment and genetics -- on successful cage-free egg production during her presentation at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum. Read the findings from the research at https://lnkd.in/eMPR4hig #poultryproduction #cagefree