... Necrotic enteritis control requires multi-pronged approach in RWA systems
Oct 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feeding higher levels of copper and zinc in the diet, managing litter moisture and controlling coccidiosis are keys to stopping necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry raised without antibiotics (RWA),...
... Avian pathogenic E. coli: Difficult to prevent and control
Oct 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The bacterium E. coli has re-emerged in broiler operations, which seems to coincide with poultry companies’ switch to ‘no antibiotics ever’ (NAE) programs.
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... Sentinel broilers, PCR testing help isolate, identify evolving IBV populations in Arkansas
Oct 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
How do you look for new serotypes of a virus that might be circulating in an area? Sentinel birds are a good place to start, according to Abigail Reith, DVM, a technical services veterinarian for...
... Reductions in medically important antimicrobials reflect industry stewardship
Oct 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Reductions in the use of medically important antimicrobials demonstrate the poultry industry’s commitment to stewardship of these valuable medications, Randall Singer, DVM, MPVM, PhD, told Poultry...
... Helping contract growers’ transition to no-antibiotics-ever broiler production
Sep 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Successful transition from conventional to no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) broiler production requires awareness of all the changes needed and lots of advance planning.
... Better air circulation, moderately lower humidity improve paw quality
Sep 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Increasing air circulation coupled with moderate reductions in humidity can dramatically improve paw quality, Michael Czarick and Connie Mou, University of Georgia, told Poultry Health Today.
... US poultry industry shifting focus to Campylobacter, Salmonella Infantis
Sep 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US poultry industry needs to revisit Campylobacter-control strategies in preparation for new performance standards coming from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Ashley Peterson,...
... Sprinkler systems benefit animal welfare, reduce water use
Sep 12, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sprinkler systems used in conjunction with cool cells during hot summer weather can not only benefit animal welfare, they can dramatically reduce water use.
... Wet bulb reservoirs can be source of bacterial contamination for hatching eggs
Sep 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Wet-bulb reservoirs in hatchery incubators should be included in the bacterial-monitoring program to ensure they aren’t the source of egg-shell contamination.
... Vaccinated birds shown to have lower incidence of Salmonella at processing
Sep 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Broilers vaccinated against Salmonella showed reduced levels of the pathogen at processing in a recent study, according to Charles Hofacre, PhD, president, Southern Poultry Research Group. Inc.
... Coccidiosis vaccination impedes nutrient digestibility
Aug 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Poultry veterinarians and production managers are all too familiar with coccidiosis and its impact on gut health, nutrient absorption, feed conversion and growth rate.
... What makes a chick tick: Help non-farm audiences understand poultry’s needs
Aug 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Rather than adopt costly production practices that don’t necessarily benefit the health or welfare of poultry, veterinarians should work to educate non-farm audiences about a bird’s inherent...
... Poultry litter management key to MS control
Aug 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
Litter topped the list of environmental factors most consistently positive for Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), Naola Ferguson, DVM, associate professor at the University of Georgia, told Poultry Health...
... Preventive measures are only option for combatting key parasites in turkeys
Aug 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Turkey producers will need to rely on preventive measures including biosecurity, good gut health and genetic selection to combat three key flagellated protozoan parasites that can affect their...
... Zinc can help combat infectious bronchitis in poultry
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Research on infectious bronchitis virus remains a top priority for the poultry industry. Not only is it widespread, but new serotypes also continue to emerge due to mutations and recombination events...
... Ensuring chick quality in NAE production
Jul 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
The increase in 7-day chick mortality that has come along with the elimination of antibiotics requires a focus on containing bacteria that start in the layer house.
... Studies in chickens could lead to blackhead control in turkeys
Jul 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Broiler breeders are an ideal carrier for Histomonas — the cause of blackhead disease — but unlike turkeys that often die from the infection, broiler breeders survive.
... New AAAP Women’s Network opening doors in poultry industry
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
A new group within the AAAP aims to provide a forum for the growing number of women who are joining the avian veterinary profession.
... Live-production management practices that help contain Salmonella
Jul 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
Avoidance of wet litter and well-timed feed withdrawal are two of several management steps that will help control the load of Salmonella going into the processing plant.
... Focal duodenal necrosis in table-egg layers easily overlooked
Jul 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
Focal duodenal necrosis in table-egg layers can be an easily overlooked cause of drops in egg production and egg-case weight loss.
... When vaccinating broilers against Salmonella may be worthwhile
Jul 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccinating broilers is a big investment and may not be needed on all farms, but it can be a worthwhile move if there are high loads of Salmonella coming into the processing plant.
... Trial shows glutamine aids gut health in broilers raised without antibiotics
Jul 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
With the increase in no-antibiotic-ever production, glutamine may serve as a helpful nutrient asset, particularly when birds are under stress.
... Pilgrim’s veterinarian shares experiences with NAE production
Jun 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Preparation, meticulous attention to sanitation and improved communication with hatchery staff and growers are critical for NAE production.
... Four areas of hatchery management to help achieve better biosecurity
May 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Diligent attention to four areas of hatchery management — egg-pack quality, incubation, sanitation and in ovo vaccination — can go a long way.
... Poultry producers facing higher hurdles with USDA food-safety standards
May 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Poultry producers can expect to jump higher hurdles as USDA continues to raise the bar for food safety.
... Moving up: Vaccinating broilers may help poultry companies improve Salmonella ratings
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccinating broilers against Salmonella could be an effective live-side intervention for obtaining higher ratings in the Salmonella categorizations established by the USDA’s FSIS
Biosecurity, Global TOP NEWS, Infectious Diseases, Interviews, News, PHT GLOBAL, PHT US, Podcast, Respiratory, TOP NEWS, Videos
... Virulent ND in California sending wake-up call to US poultry industry
May 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
Outbreaks of virulent Newcastle disease (vND) that have spread from backyard to commercial flocks in California are providing a wake-up call to the entire US poultry industry.
... Bioshuttle program helps control E. tenella outbreaks in pullets
May 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Administration of an in-feed anticoccidial after coccidiosis vaccination has helped alleviate outbreaks of Eimeria tenella in broiler breeder replacement stock.
... ‘Causal’ pie chart can help manage necrotic enteritis
Apr 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Use of a simple “causal” pie chart is proving to be a helpful tool for controlling necrotic enteritis (NE).
... Hatchery hygiene helps limit broiler E. coli mortality risk
Apr 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Disinfecting eggs and improving overall hygiene in the hatchery could dramatically reduce the risk of mortality linked to E. coli infections, scientists say.
... Aggressive vaccination of broiler breeders needed to keep reovirus in check
Apr 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
Aggressive vaccination of broiler breeders for reovirus using live and inactivated vaccines has been one of the most important steps the US poultry industry has taken to maintain good protection...
... Life without antibiotics: Field lessons learned the hard way
Apr 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
Producers need to think long and hard before jumping into “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) poultry production.
... Dirty chick boxes can be source of Salmonella at hatcheries
Apr 12, 2019Susan Spiegel
Dirty chick boxes at hatcheries can be a source of Salmonella, but the risk was still lower than expected in a study conducted at one US hatchery.
Diagnostics, Flock welfare, Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PHT GLOBAL, PHT US, Podcast, Respiratory, TOPICS, Videos
... Genomic sequencing could aid ILT control efforts in poultry
Apr 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
Molecular virology is already leading to discoveries that will improve management of ILT, according to Stephen Spatz, PhD, molecular virologist with USDA’s Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory,...
... Navigating the maze of alternative products for necrotic enteritis control
Apr 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
The effectiveness of antibiotic alternatives is going to vary among “no antibiotics ever” production systems, and it’s up to the producers to figure out which alternatives will work.
... Urban chicken movement requires legislators to learn chicken basics
Apr 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Legislators need to know some basics about raising chickens in response to an upsurge in the “urban chicken” trend, Nat Tablante, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
... Effective biosecurity requires addressing the culture of a company
Mar 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Effective biosecurity on poultry farms requires developing the kind of culture that motivates everyone in the company to adhere to the procedures that protect flocks from infectious disease.
... Novel technologies needed to combat IB in chickens
Mar 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Despite decades of vaccination, the world poultry industry’s ongoing battle with infectious bronchitis (IB) continues to rage and points to the need for novel technologies to combat the disease.
... Gizzard changes seen in NAE flocks but diagnosis is murky
Mar 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
Raising broilers without antibiotics appears to be affecting the gizzard in ways that aren’t yet fully appreciated, and it’s not clear if the changes observed are true gizzard erosions, Jessica...
... Biosecurity expert sees more room for improvement on poultry farms
Mar 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity on commercial poultry farms has come a long way but still has far to go, Joseph Giambrone, PhD, professor of poultry science, Auburn University, told Poultry Health Today.
... Sanderson vet shares thoughts on managing elusive reovirus, other gut diseases
Mar 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Autogenous vaccines used in a reovirus vaccination program need to be updated relatively often to keep up with changes in the pathogen
... Mycoplasma synoviae demanding more attention as poultry industry grasps its full impact
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Emerging, variant strains of Mycoplasma synoviae are causing eggshell apex abnormalities as well as production drops in both layer and breeding flocks worldwide, Anneke Feberwee, DVM, PhD, from GD...
... Lameness in poultry can start in the hatchery
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Lameness in poultry is often associated with bird weight, bacterial infections or the condition of the litter, but it actually begins much earlier in the bird’s life — often in the hatchery.
... Early exposure to Clostridium protects birds from necrotic enteritis
Feb 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
Early exposure to Clostridium perfringens in used litter may be a way to minimize the impact of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers, Steve Davis, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
... Necrotic enteritis control helps reduce Salmonella colonization
Feb 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Maintaining good intestinal health in broilers is essential for minimizing the presence of Salmonella in birds sent for processing, Manuel Da Costa, DVM, PhD, associate director for Outcomes Research...
... New standards for foodborne pathogens expanding control programs to live production
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
A rise in the prevalence of Salmonella on whole chicken carcasses since USDA changed the testing medium used could indicate the prevalence of the pathogen was previously underestimated.
... Sanitation key to successful NAE production
Feb 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
The key to successful “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) broiler production is cleanliness throughout every step of production, including a pristine hatchery.
... Discrepancies emerge between animal welfare and consumer perceptions
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Poultry “raised without antibiotics” now account for more than 50% of the broilers in US production, but those reductions in antibiotics usage have consequences.
... Vaccination of broilers ‘quick and easy’ way to get Salmonella under control
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccination of broilers against Salmonella may be the best and most expedient option for producers struggling to meet USDA performance standards at the processing plant, said Chuck Hofacre, DVM, PhD,...
... Refined carbs show promise as ‘sentinel’ for Salmonella control
Jan 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Higher government standards for Salmonella control have put more pressure on poultry companies to reduce incidence on broiler farms and lower the pathogen load going into processing.
... E. coli vaccination helps contain losses in broilers with IB infection
Jan 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Field experience with infectious bronchitis in broilers during a harsh winter demonstrated that vaccination for secondary Escherichia coli infection helped stem losses
... Commercial poultry vets can help backyard growers, and themselves, by sharing tips on biosecurity
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Improved communication between poultry company veterinarians and backyard chicken growers could help improve biosecurity and reduce disease spread for all flocks.
... Coccidiosis control, litter management key to NE prevention in broilers raised without antibiotics
Jan 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Good coccidiosis control and litter management are the two most important steps producers can take to prevent necrotic enteritis (NE) in flocks raised without antibiotics.
... Heat-stress study shows need to increase ventilation with stocking density
Jan 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
As bird density increases, broiler producers need to be “more aggressive” with house ventilation to prevent heat stress in flocks, Brian Fairchild, PhD, professor, and Ming Lin Teo, graduate...
... Chicks may hold clues to lameness in older birds
Jan 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Lameness in some poultry flocks has researchers searching for the cause, Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, a consulting poultry veterinarian based in Alabama, told Poultry Health Today.
... It takes two: Coccidiosis vaccines effective against E. tenella after adequate cycling
Dec 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
Coccidiosis vaccination was effective in broilers challenged with Eimeria tenella but only after vaccinal oocysts cycled twice, Laura Tensa, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
... Can water treatments help reduce Salmonella levels before processing?
Dec 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
Feed withdrawal before moving broilers to the processing plant appears to increase their susceptibility to Salmonella, indicates research from the University of Georgia.
... Is genetics the key for lasting IBV immunity?
Dec 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
Manipulating the immune response may be one way infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is controlled in the future, predict researchers studying genetic lines of poultry.
... IBV vaccination protects broilers despite ammonia exposure
Nov 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
A recent study corroborates previous findings that broilers properly vaccinated for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) are protected from IBV challenge despite exposure to moderate levels of ammonia.
... Heat stress may impair immune system in broilers
Nov 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Heat stress in broilers induced lesions of lymphoid tissues, indicating immune system impairment, but it’s not yet known if heat stress affects the vulnerability or severity of coccidiosis.
... Consistency, follow-up key to controlling IBV
Nov 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a “moving target” and trying to keep ahead of it requires consistency and follow-up, explained Sjaak de Wit, DVM, PhD, of GD Animal Health, the Netherlands.
Biosecurity, Global TOP NEWS, Infectious Diseases, Interviews, News, PHT GLOBAL, PHT US, Podcast, Respiratory, TOP NEWS, Videos
... Biosecurity, disinfection, downtime keys to better ILT control
Nov 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Strict biosecurity is the best defense against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in broiler flocks, advises Maricarmen García, PhD, a professor at the University of Georgia.
... Halting in ovo vaccination not a good option for managing hatchery bacteria
Oct 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
Higher 7-day mortality from bacterial infections in the hatchery is no reason to stop in ovo vaccination for Marek’s and other diseases, according to a consulting poultry veterinarian.
... Vaccination protects broilers from IBV despite exposure to moderate ammonia levels
Oct 21, 2018Susan Spiegel
Properly vaccinated commercial broilers are protected from an infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) challenge despite exposure to moderate ammonia levels, according to a study that surprised researchers.
... Uncertain supplies present challenges for rotation-minded producers
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Poultry producers know the importance of developing a long-term strategy for maintaining the efficacy of anticoccidials, but sometimes unexpected backorders of feed medications in high demand force...
... Trace minerals, used litter, coccidiosis control key to managing enteritis in NAE flocks
Sep 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
Starting broiler flocks on used litter, coupled with effective coccidiosis control and the use of trace minerals, can help minimize necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler flocks raised without...
... Marek’s and Salmonella: John Smith, DVM, offers insights on two new broiler-vaccination trends
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
John Smith, DVM, poultry veterinarian for Alectryon in Baldwin, Georgia, shared ideas with Poultry Health Today on two changes in broiler-vaccination strategies in the US poultry industry.
... Coccidiosis control: New strategies for a new era
Aug 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Coccidiosis can be controlled in broilers without antibiotics as long as producers pay closer attention to hatchery coccidiosis vaccination procedures, brooding and stocking rates, Greg Mathis, PhD,...
... Early identification needed to protect broilers from reovirus
Aug 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Reovirus is mutating every 2 to 3 years, which is making it difficult to protect broilers from the effects of the virus, Don Waldrip, DVM, technical service veterinarian for Zoetis, told Poultry...
... Putting paper under chick’s drinkers: Is it really helpful?
Aug 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Placing paper under water lines increases water consumption by baby chicks, but only for the first 3 or 4 hours after house placement, research indicates.
... Research focusing on new controls for coccidiosis, relationship with Salmonella
Aug 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
Alternative products for coccidiosis control remain the focus of research, but so far, the results are inconsistent, Sam Hendrix, DVM, veterinarian and researcher at Colorado Quality Research, told...
... Let there be light: Early exposure to UV aids broiler behavior, performance
Jul 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
Adding windows to poultry houses is an inexpensive way to improve the environment for broilers and possibly improve productivity, according to Rachel Lynn Dennis, PhD, assistant professor at the...
... Footpad dermatitis a greater concern in chickens grown to older ages
Jul 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
Footpad dermatitis is more likely to be a problem among broilers grown to an older age, but it can be remedied if producers intervene in time, Tom Tabler, PhD, professor with Mississippi State...
... Vaccination followed with feed medication gives pullets added protection against coccidiosis
Jul 02, 2018Susan Spiegel
Inadequate coccidiosis protection in pullets can lead to health issues ranging from uneven weight gain to mortality.
... Is MS the next ‘big, bad Mycoplasma’ for US poultry?
Jun 20, 2018Susan Spiegel
The US poultry industry is reporting more problems with virulent Mycoplasma synoviae according to Naola Ferguson, DVM
... Team effort by human, animal sectors needed to ensure responsible antibiotic use worldwide
Jun 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
While the poultry and livestock sectors have drawn the ire of consumer and medical groups for the growth of antimicrobial resistance, it is wrong to “partition blame,” Randy Singer, DVM, PhD,...
... Vaccinating broilers against Salmonella can help reduce pathogen’s prevalence at processing
May 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Vaccination of broilers against Salmonella can help poultry producers reduce the pathogen’s prevalence at processing and may also benefit bird performance, Kalen Cookson, DVM, director of clinical...
... On-farm Salmonella control helps prevent processing plant contamination
May 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Contaminated chicken feathers and feet may be the primary vectors for transmitting Salmonella from poultry houses to processing plants, according to Martha Pulido, DVM, PhD, Mississippi State...
... ‘Turkeys are suffering’ without good control of coccidiosis
May 04, 2018Susan Spiegel
Turkeys are suffering from coccidiosis due to a lack of available medications, according to Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research, Athens, Georgia.
... Industry trendwatcher offers insights on future of antibiotic-free poultry production
May 01, 2018PHT Editor
Industry trendwatcher and analyst Greg Rennier, PhD, recently sat down with Poultry Health Today to share his thoughts on antibiotic-free production and where the poultry industry is heading in 2017...
... Foregoing CAV breeder vaccination based on ELISA results can backfire
Apr 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Not vaccinating broiler breeders for chicken anemia virus (CAV) because ELISA results show detectable antibodies could be asking for trouble, says Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, Avian Health...
... C. perfringens on broiler meat can survive processing, potentially sicken consumers
Apr 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Most broiler producers know the economic impact of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens, particularly in birds raised without antibiotics. Now researchers in Canada are concerned...
... Woody breast continues to baffle researchers
Apr 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Woody breast is a relatively new disease that adversely affects meat quality during processing, but poultry scientists still don’t understand it’s underlying causes, said Luke Borst, DVM, PhD, a...
... Biosecurity: ‘It doesn’t have to be boring’
Apr 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Even though biosecurity is a critically important subject, many poultry producers tune it out — for the simple reason that it bores them, said Nathaniel Tablante, DVM, a professor and poultry...
... Two symposia on poultry enteric disease set stage for 2018 AAAP Conference
Apr 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Two symposia focused on enteric disease in poultry will be held immediately prior to the 2018 American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) annual conference set for this July in Denver.
... Seven misconceptions about IBD in broilers
Mar 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
Kalen Cookson, DVM, is the director of clinical research, poultry, Zoetis. He explained the common misconceptions about infectious bursal disease (IBD) to Poultry Health Today.
... AAAP plans to take more proactive approach in poultry health, welfare conversations
Mar 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
The American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) plans to increase its public presence and become a trusted source of information for consumers about the science behind poultry health.
... How mutations, antigenic drift affect IBD management
Feb 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Farms affected by variant infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses may find that currently available IBD vaccines aren’t always effective, said Daral Jackwood, PhD, professor in food animal research...
... Why infectious bronchitis is so resilient — and what broiler companies can do about it
Feb 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
Control of infectious bronchitis (IB) requires good biosecurity, good management and rigorous administration of a vaccine that matches the circulating virus as closely as possible, John Smith, DVM,...
... Antibiotic-free poultry production: Is it sustainable on a large scale?
Feb 13, 2018PHT Editor
Phil Stayer, DVM, head veterinarian at Sanderson Farms, is worried about what he calls an "anti-technology movement" directed at the US poultry industry, particularly as it relates to veterinary care...
... Clostridial dermatitis: Why is it so prevalent in turkeys?
Feb 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Skin lesions in turkeys open the door to Clostridium infections and clostridial dermatitis, the most important disease in the turkey industry, according to a study by Kakambi Nagaraja, PhD,...
... Get the most from your ELISA tests
Jul 15, 2014PHT Editor
Andrea Zedek, a veterinarian at Zoetis Inc., offers tips for ensuring accuracy when using ELISA tests to diagnose a poultry flock's health status.
