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COVID pandemic had some positive effects on poultry health and welfare
Management techniques adopted to cope with COVID-19 production challenges led to improvements in bird health and welfare for many poultry producers.
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Salmonella serotypes are changing — monitor which ones are in your flock
It’s imperative for poultry producers and companies to know what strains of Salmonella may be circulating in their flocks, said Chuck Hofacre, president of the Southern Poultry Research Group in...
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Recombinant vaccines for poultry: How to maximize results
Proper vaccine handling, dosage and administration are key to ensuring thorough and effective coverage. That statement is particularly true when talking about recombinant-vector vaccines.
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ILT vaccine choices: A closer look
With continued wild-type ILT challenges in the field, we are faced with a choice of two vaccine options with proven results — with different priorities affecting the final decision.
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Avian flu likely to re-emerge and threaten US poultry flocks this fall
US egg and turkey supplies took a hit from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this spring as the wild-bird migration exposed domestic flocks to the virus.
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Monitoring hen movement in cage-free aviaries provides valuable feedback
Nearly 35% of laying hens in the US are now raised in cage-free environments, but while these environments offer more space and bigger colonies, the systems are more complex.
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IBH gaining more attention in broiler flocks as incidence, mortalities rise
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is not a new disease of poultry, but it’s quietly spreading to broiler flocks — initially with few clinical signs, followed by death in some flocks.
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Long-term control for IBH includes vaccines, management protocols
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) remains a nagging issue for broiler flocks, and it isn’t going away anytime soon.
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Use ‘tools of discovery’ and all your senses to identify emerging poultry diseases
Emerging and re-emerging diseases can cause sudden, potentially catastrophic illness and death in commercial poultry flocks, said R.M. “Mick” Fulton, DVM, PhD, Michigan State University...
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Live-vaccine program a ‘must have’ to deal with cage-free E. coli challenge
A higher risk of bacterial challenges in cage-free egg production means a live-vaccination program against Escherichia coli is a “must-have minimum” for flocks reared in alternative systems.
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Vegetative buffers yield many benefits for poultry farms
Vegetative buffers offer aesthetic, poultry-management and disease-control benefits to producers, in addition to showing the farm’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
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Vaccines, biosecurity, management keys to keeping IBH in check
Inclusion body hepatitis can be a challenging disease, as the clinical signs are non-specific and there is no direct treatment. Consequently, producers rely on interventions such vaccinations.
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Diagnostics for IBH start with subtle indicators
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) infections may not offer clear-cut clinical symptoms, but there are on-farm diagnostic measures that can yield early warnings.
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Greater understanding needed before new coccidiosis vaccines come to fore
The use of recombinant vaccines can prove a valuable strategy against coccidiosis in poultry, but better understanding of host-parasite interactions and gut microbiology is needed.
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Overheating soybean meal hurts gut integrity, broiler growth
Improper heat treatment of soybean meal affects the intestinal integrity of broiler chickens and flock performance, according to a study by researchers at the University of Georgia.
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Why ‘vaccinated’ chickens still get infected with IBV — and what to do about it
While many vaccines and vaccination programs effectively protect against the highly contagious infectious bronchitis virus in poultry, outbreaks of the disease still occur in vaccinated flocks.
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Circulation fans reduce severity of footpad dermatitis
Footpad dermatitis causes significant foot problems for broilers, which adversely affects bird welfare and the market for broiler paws, according to research from the University of Maryland.
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Back-to-basics for managing health of cage-free pullets
Poultry producers with cage-free pullet systems should go back to the basics of bird management to keep their flocks healthy and productive.
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Environmental enrichments increased broiler activity in study
Environmental enrichments in broiler houses may improve bird welfare by increasing natural behaviors, according to a University of Maryland study.
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Light impacts behavior in cage-free aviaries
Birds can move out of the reach of the workers’ hands in a multi-tier aviary system, so employees have to climb into the system to get to them. Researchers from Michigan State studied light...
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Free booklet offers insights for addressing IBH in broilers
Poultry veterinarians throughout the US broiler industry are reporting a re-emergence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH). The disease, caused by fowl adenovirus (FAdV), often strikes with little...
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Study: Day length during brooding did not impact broiler performance
Extended day length during the brooding period is thought to benefit broilers’ long-term performance and well-being. However, a University of Georgia study has re-evaluated that idea.
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Shedding light on LED lamps and dimmers: They’re not all a match
Getting the correct lighting is important in poultry houses to help maximize the birds’ genetic potential; however, too often there’s a disconnect between the LED lamps and the dimmers in...
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Marek’s study could lead to new management strategies in poultry
New research has given scientists a greater understanding of the Marek’s disease virus (MDV) that could lead to new strategies for managing the widespread, immunosuppressive disease in poultry.
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Anticoccidial sensitivity tests: Useful or not?
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
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Poultry industry can learn from COVID-19
Biosecurity is not sufficient to control avian coronaviruses like infectious bronchitis in commercial poultry, no matter how good it is, said Mark Jackwood, PhD, a molecular virologist and professor...
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Marek’s disease control takes careful attention to detail
The evolution of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) has increased the pathogen’s virulence. Besides the tumors MDV is known for producing, the virus can lead to a multitude of other problems.
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Limiting E. coli transmission from hen to offspring
TOOLBOX: An interview with Henrik Christensen, PhD, DVSc, University of Copenhagen, on the effect of Poulvac E. coli on bird health, laying performance and hatching results.
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‘Competitive exclusion’ is potential benefit of live Salmonella vaccines in young birds
Live vaccines for Salmonella have been found to start offering protection within a few days of administration, acting “almost as a [form of] competitive exclusion,” said Chuck Hofacre, president...
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Avian flu strain behind recent outbreaks related but not identical to 2014-15 strain
The US poultry industry is on high alert following reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in both wild birds and commercial flocks in poultry-dense regions of the US market.
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HPAI prevention requires ‘buckle-up’ mentality to biosecurity
The only option for poultry farms to prevent an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is 100% adherence to biosecurity rules.
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Poor IBV vaccine performance in broiler study underlines need for surveillance
A whole-complex study of broiler breeders in Georgia found underwhelming infectious bronchitis vaccine performance – but with better surveillance and protocols, outcomes could be improved.
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In ovo administration of recombinant HVT vector vaccines ‘perfect combination’ of microbiology and engineering
TOOLBOX, Issue 30: An interview with Alberto Giner, DVM, poultry technical manager, Zoetis on in ovo administration of recombinant HVT vector vaccines.
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Tips for managing inclusion body hepatitis
TOOLBOX, Issue 27: An interview with Daniel Bautista, DVM, senior technical services, Zoetis on managing the recent resurgence of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers.
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Bioshuttle programs valuable tool for managing coccidiosis
Bioshuttle programs are a valuable tool for managing coccidiosis, according to Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research.
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First seven days are crucial in ensuring layer chick quality
Chick quality is crucial in the laying-hen business, and for Ian Rubinoff, DVM, director of global technical services for Hy-Line International, the first 7 days “have an outsized importance.”
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Lockdown mode urged with avian flu outbreaks in Mississippi and Central Flyways
A warning to tighten up biosecurity and reduce movement in and out of poultry houses was issued by Terry Conger, DVM, poultry health epidemiologist with USDA’s APHIS.
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Conventional, recombinant MD vaccination protocols compared in long-lived birds
TOOLBOX, Issue 34: An interview with Eduardo Muniz, DVM, Zoetis on research comparing conventional vaccine programs versus new protocols with vectored vaccines.
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Limiting transmission of parasite currently best option for controlling histomoniasis
By Elle Chadwick, PhD, Consultant, Ag Health Consulting, LLC, LaGrange, Georgia
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What lessons can poultry producers learn from extreme weather events?
Extreme weather can pose a serious challenge for poultry producers — and with weather conditions proving ever-more volatile in some of the US’s key poultry production regions, improved planning...
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Four-year study highlights value of vaccinating turkeys against E.coli
Vaccinating turkeys against colibacillosis with the modified-live E. coli vaccine has economic and animal welfare benefits, according to a retrospective, 4-year study conducted on 37 French turkey...
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What does it take to be a successful poultry grower? Experts share their views
Successful contract poultry farmers are hard workers, detail oriented and must literally serve as the gatekeepers of biosecurity, several experts and industry insiders say.
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Sharing data can help manage layer-farm disease and increase production
Sharing and analyzing data at farm level and beyond can offer new insights that improve bird health and profitability on layer farms.
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Tackling a botulism outbreak in a breeder flock
Botulism might not be a common occurrence in poultry production, but when it infects a flock, mortalities can be high. That was the situation Sara Throne, DVM, senior director of veterinary services...
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Going with the flow: How to maximize the effectiveness of spray vaccination
Attention to detail is vital when it comes to ensuring that spray vaccinations against respiratory diseases such as infectious bronchitis are as effective as they can possibly be, according to...
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Measuring temperature of birds’ faces could help identify heat stress in flocks
Use of thermal imaging cameras to measure facial temperatures may offer a non-invasive option for assessing heat stress in commercial broilers, according to research from the University of Arkansas.
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Shift to cage-free egg production prompts need to revise health and management plans
Vaccinations and other preventative health measures are more critical than ever as the US egg industry shifts toward cage-free and no-antibiotics-ever production.
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IBDV linked to severe necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens
Broiler chickens exposed to infectious bursal disease virus are likely to develop more severe cases of the bacterial disease, necrotic enteritis, researchers in Canada have found.
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Pullet vaccination: There’s always room for improvement
TOOLBOX, Issue 17: An interview with Tim Cummings, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
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Hatchery tips for successful transition to NAE production
Preventing birds from getting sick is perhaps the biggest challenge encountered when transitioning from conventional to “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) production.
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5 steps to preventing heat stress in layers
By John Brown, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian Zoetis
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Control key to protecting flocks from more virulent, resistant E. coli
Research shows many strains of E. coli are capable of causing disease directly. And with antibiotic resistance on the rise, control and prevention are essential.
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Marek’s disease vaccination needed now more than ever
By Guillermo Zavala, DVM, MAM, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ACPV Adjunct Professor, University of Georgia President, Avian Health International, LLC Flowery Branch, Georgia (USA)
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Latest breeder, broiler vaccines provide consistent IBDV immunity
TOOLBOX, Issue 23: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis about Poulvac Maternavac 4 and Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD.
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S. Heidelberg load reduced in chicks treated with acidified water the first 2 weeks of life
DISCOVERIES, Issue 9: Chicks that received acidified water for the first 2 weeks of life had a significantly reduced load of Salmonella Heidelberg, a challenge study demonstrates.
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Consider predominance of AL-2 variants when planning IBDV vaccination program
The AL-2 family of variants is the predominant strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) circulating among US broiler flocks, according to a recent survey.
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Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND provides advantages of a recombinant plus 19-day onset of immunity
Poulvac®️ Procerta™️ HVT-ND provides producers with all the advantages of a recombinant vectored vaccine while protecting chickens against Newcastle and Marek’s diseases as early as 19 days...
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Managing the health challenges of moving to free-range egg production
Free-range egg production will bring major challenges to the way birds are produced, but it will also mean big shifts in the ways bird health and welfare need to be managed.
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Check equipment now to help birds withstand summer heat
By Jess Campbell, Jeremiah Davis and Kelly Griggs, National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University
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ND is stable in US but poultry industry should be on lookout for evolving strains
Newcastle disease throughout most of the US remains stable, but the industry needs to be on guard for changes in the virus that may require adaption of ND vaccines.
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Surveillance of circulating IBV types essential for disease control
Surveillance aimed at pinpointing the type of infectious bronchitis virus that’s circulating in poultry flocks is essential to control of the disease.
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Nearly 60% of US broilers now raised without antibiotics, but that number may have peaked
Nearly six in 10 US broilers were raised without antibiotics of any type in 2019 — but that number may have peaked.
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Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza confirmed in US commercial turkey flock
A commercial turkey flock in South Carolina has tested positive for highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI).
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Swift communication key to limiting the risk of poultry disease outbreaks
Excellent systems of communication between farm staff and veterinarians are critical when it comes to managing disease outbreaks and reducing their potential spread.
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Industry needs more poultry scientists to tackle disease challenges
More young people need to be encouraged to take up careers in poultry science if the sector is to properly tackle disease challenges which have plagued it for decades.
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Coccidiosis control: Keys to success with a bioshuttle program
Resistance is unlikely to be a problem in coccidiosis bioshuttle programs, Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research, told Poultry Health Today.
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Sentinel broilers, PCR testing help isolate, identify evolving IBV populations in Arkansas
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...
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Helping contract growers’ transition to no-antibiotics-ever broiler production
Successful transition from conventional to no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) broiler production requires awareness of all the changes needed and lots of advance planning.
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Better air circulation, moderately lower humidity improve paw quality
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.
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What makes a chick tick: Help non-farm audiences understand poultry’s needs
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...
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Water quality: No room for error in NAE flocks
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
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When vaccinating broilers against Salmonella may be worthwhile
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.
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Maslow’s Pyramid: Self-actualization for chickens?
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
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A few tools to improve brooding, not antibiotic alternatives, are key to NE prevention
By Reg Smith, Vice President, Operations, Atlantic Poultry, Nova Scotia, Canada, Formerly Chair, British Poultry Council’s Antibiotic Stewardship strategy
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Genomic sequencing could aid ILT control efforts in poultry
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,...
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Urban chicken movement requires legislators to learn chicken basics
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.
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Heat-stress study shows need to increase ventilation with stocking density
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...
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Chicks may hold clues to lameness in older birds
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.
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Lack of approved medications continues to stymie welfare-minded turkey producers
Another year, another survey and more long faces on US turkey producers frustrated by the lack of approved, efficacious medications — a problem they rated as the top health issue threatening...
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IBV vaccination protects broilers despite ammonia exposure
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.
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Salmonella Infantis can complicate respiratory problems in broilers
Salmonella Infantis can become a persistent problem in broilers and exacerbate mortality when combined with infectious bronchitis, experience indicates at an integrated South American poultry
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Uncertain supplies present challenges for rotation-minded producers
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...
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Marek’s and Salmonella: John Smith, DVM, offers insights on two new broiler-vaccination trends
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.
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Putting paper under chick’s drinkers: Is it really helpful?
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.
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Blackhead disease causes reduced egg production in layer hens
Blackhead disease can cause an important drop in egg production among commercial layer hens, Christina Sigmon of North Carolina State University, said during the 2018 International Poultry Scientific...
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Let there be light: Early exposure to UV aids broiler behavior, performance
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...
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Footpad dermatitis a greater concern in chickens grown to older ages
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...
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Vaccination followed with feed medication gives pullets added protection against coccidiosis
Inadequate coccidiosis protection in pullets can lead to health issues ranging from uneven weight gain to mortality.
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Tyson vet: Act quickly on unexplained poultry mortality
Quick action by breeder managers and veterinarians is credited with the rapid resolution of an avian influenza (AI) outbreak in Tennessee in March of 2017.
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Biosecurity: ‘It doesn’t have to be boring’
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...
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Layer-hen stocking density affects Salmonella shedding
Lower stocking density for laying hens was associated with less fecal shedding of Salmonella Heidelberg in a USDA study.
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When lysine is too much of a good thing
Lysine hydrochloride is an essential amino acid used in poultry diets to help ensure balanced nutrition and flock performance. But as with anything else, it’s possible for birds to get too much of...
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Alternative therapies called best long-term hope for blackhead disease in turkeys
Alternative treatments may be the only long-term hope for managing blackhead in turkeys, said Robert Beckstead, PhD, turkey health specialist, North Carolina State University.
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Finding the right balance with antibiotics and flock welfare
Part 3: The issue of antibiotics in poultry continues to divide the poultry industry, with one side supporting routine preventive use and the other committed to raising birds without antibiotics.
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Poultry veterinarians need to be the ‘voice of the birds’
Veterinarians need to be more proactive and be the “voice of the birds” on issues related to health and well-being, according to Nancy Reimers, DVM, chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, AAAP.
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Should we tap the brakes on slow-growth chicken?
Consumers advocating the use of slow-growth chickens mistakenly assume these birds have better welfare conditions, said Terrence O’Keefe, editor and content director, Watt AgNet.
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Lapses in biosecurity: Veterinarian urges poultry companies to avoid these mistakes
Biosecurity needs to be approached as a comprehensive process, not as a series of segregated actions, according to Jean Sander, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian for Zoetis.
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Shortage of medications remains top issue for US turkey industry
A shortage of effective, FDA-approved medications is still the top health issue for the US turkey industry, according to a survey conducted by a turkey veterinarian.
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More collaboration needed to drive housing welfare standards
Greater collaboration between producers, veterinarians, engineers and scientists is needed to design housing systems that offer the highest levels of hen welfare, according to a leading geneticist.
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Poultry companies need to balance consumer preferences with flock health, welfare and food safety
Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, a consulting poultry veterinarian based in Alabama, talks with Poultry Health Today about the challenges of reducing or even eliminating antibiotics in broiler production...
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The Poultry Smith
In this exclusive interview with Poultry Health Today, Fieldale Farms veterinarian John Smith reflects on his career, the state of the US poultry industry and, most importantly, what it needs to do...
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Water pressure: How does it affect broilers’ consumption, performance?
Low-pressure water systems designed to reduce water usage have some poultry growers turning up the pressure to hydrate flocks and improve bird performance, but is this a sound practice economically?
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Cage-free layers: Are ‘happier’ birds also healthier?
Leading egg producers in the US are pledging to go cage-free, but are happier layers necessarily healthier? John Brown, DVM, a veterinarian who specializes in layer health, shares his thoughts on the...
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Specialists explore new options for managing flock health while defending judicious antibiotic use
Growing demand for poultry raised without food-animal antibiotics has put more pressure on veterinarians to find alternative yet dependable disease-control options, according to a panel of nine...
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Balancing consumers’ preferences with flock health, welfare and food safety
Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, a consulting poultry veterinarian based in Alabama, talks with Poultry Health Today about the challenges of reducing or even eliminating antibiotics in broiler production...
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Sanderson Farms’ Phil Stayer: ‘Mortality is the first measure of wellbeing’
Phil Stayer, DVM, of Sanderson Farms says poultry health, welfare and sustainability should not be compromised for marketing purposes.
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A look at animal wellbeing in the poultry industry
Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton talks about animal wellbeing–the entire system of the animal including general health, behavior, nutrition, disease prevention–and how it contributes to...
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Should antibiotics be used to prevent disease in poultry?
Three veterinarians explain why they think it's a sensible and ethical thing to do with certain diseases.
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