Modern Poultry

The message is clear and one that Daral Jackwood, PhD, The Ohio State University, has delivered for years: Young chickens need maternal immunity to protect them from immunosuppression and secondary diseases caused by infectious bursal disease (IBD).   “Proper breeder vaccination is really the heart and soul of protecting against this disease,” said Jackwood.   Jackwood recently discussed IBD and vaccines for protecting poultry operations against IBD’s immune suppression and secondary diseases in a Modern Poultry Q&A at https://lnkd.in/e4jjDfUP #poultryproduction #poultryhealth #broilerhealth #infectiousbursaldisease

Modern Poultry's "Viewpoints" features articles written by renown poultry authorities. Visit our Viewpoints page at https://lnkd.in/ec6i9rRM and read what the experts have to say about live production. Who will write our next Viewpoints article? Be the first to know by subscribing to our newsletters at https://lnkd.in/e_kXt3r4 #poultryhealth #poultryproduction #poultrynutrition

Euthanizing animals, particularly mass depopulation events, can be a psychologically traumatic experience for veterinarians. In response, professional associations are looking to take a more active supportive role. “End-of-life circumstances can be complex and are often emotionally laborious and distressing. Sometimes, they occur for reasons that go against the grain of providing care and stewardship for an animal,” Michelle Kromm, DVM, MPH, MAM, Diplomate ACPV, Food Forward, LLC told professionals at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Association of Avian Pathologists. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) is working to provide up-to-date resources to help veterinarians cope with the psychological stress of euthanasia. Learn more about Kromm's insights and access a link to the AVMA's "Guidelines for Human Slaughter" at https://lnkd.in/eP5c6qcW #poultryhealth #animalhealth #mentalhealth

A sharper focus on minor coccidiosis species may be the key to improving management of this persistent parasitic disease and improving gut health, feed conversion and flock performance.   “Our research and testing show we have done a good job of addressing the primary threats, Eimeria maxima and E. tenella,” says Steve Fitz-Coy, PhD, Merck Animal Health. “However, we have learned that E. mivati and other minor species also deserve our attention to more fully reduce performance losses.”   Fitz-Coy shares his insights on the importance of focusing on minor Eimeria strains, giving veterinarians, producers and other decision-makers across the industry a clearer picture of what they’re up against. Read about it at https://lnkd.in/dzqtwfbc #poultryhealth #coccidiosis

Did you catch Modern Poultry's informative two-part series on #coccidiosis in layers by Dan Wilson, DVM? In part one, Wilson address some basics about coccidiosis that, if overlooked, can prevent effective control of the disease. In part two, he explores the trickle-dose approach to vaccination. Start here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ey5w-Dgk #poultryproduction #poultryhealth

Change is constant and there’s always a learning curve. Such was the case around 2017, as pressure built toward more cage-free housing systems for egg-laying hens.   “As we move forward, we have to think about what the next trends will be,” Dawn Koltes, PhD, Iowa State University, told attendees of the 2024 PEAK conference. Among those trends is the push to reduce antibiotics or antibiotic substances in animal diets.    Antibiotic alternatives driving the conversation include prebiotics, probiotics and direct-fed microbials, as well as phytobiotics and phytogenics.   Because baseline information on the hen’s microbiota makeup is limited, Koltes and her research team set out to fill in some of the blanks. See what they found at https://lnkd.in/eVJ64-fT #poultryguthealth #poultrymicrobiome #poultryhousing #poultryproduction #eggproduction #poultrymicrobiota

Broilers fed a microbial supplement of four probiotic strains had a lower incidence of Salmonella and higher expression of proteins associated with immunity, according to research presented at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum by Kevin Bolek, Ph.D., Phibro Animal Health.    “Salmonella is a significant food-safety concern, and direct-fed microbials are increasingly used to help defend against challenges from the pathogen, as well as other pathogens that threaten production,” Bolek explained. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e3PRfCfy #poultryproduction #poultryhealth #foodsafety

Litter and its management are an essential part of bird management and ensuring bird welfare. This goes for broilers, turkeys or laying hens kept on litter floors. In an article from the Poultry Extension Collaborative, Bethany Baker-Cook, PhD, Auburn University, discusses the importance of managing litter properly throughout the production cycle. Get your tips on keeping litter dry at https://lnkd.in/efyY_XT5 #poultryproduction #poultrylitter

With less than 2% of the US population involved in agriculture of any kind, the gap in knowledge and understanding of animal agriculture has widened dramatically, creating an opportunity for myths and misinformation to flourish.   Activists of all stripes have taken advantage of that gap, painting animal agriculture in a negative light.   “For them, it’s about ending the consumption of animal protein,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and chief executive officer Animal Agriculture Alliance, in her keynote address at the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum.   Thompson outlined activists’ tactics and goals, along with steps to protect the poultry sector and share balanced information about modern production practices that focus on health and welfare, at https://lnkd.in/eQ59Cd_c #poultrywelfare #poultrylegislation

Biosecurity is a continuous work in progress, with protocols evolving over the years based on new research and experiences.   Scott Dee, DVM, PhD, has been tracking and managing highly infectious diseases in the pig industry for nearly 40 years. He shared his insights about the role that mechanical vectors — people and vehicles — play in transmitting viruses from farm to farm and building to building at an educational forum for poultry veterinarians hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim.   “I’ve learned over the years that biosecurity needs to be simple, user-friendly and have the science behind it to sell how and why it’s important,” Dee said.  Read Dee's biosecurity insights at https://lnkd.in/gsKch46W #poultryhealth #poultryproduction #HPAI #poultrybiosecurity