Footpad dermatitis causes significant foot problems for broilers, which adversely affects bird welfare and the market for broiler paws, according to research from the...
The frequency of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks is on the increase in the US with 6 of the past 8 years experiencing some form of HPAI.
Consistent surveillance and analysis of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) at poultry production facilities can guard against “overvaccination” — where too much...
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...
Vegetative buffers offer aesthetic, poultry-management and disease-control benefits to producers, in addition to showing the farm’s commitment to environmental...
The US has a long history of effective disease control and has eradicated or remained free of many pests and agents even as they remain endemic in other parts of the...
Poultry veterinarians should not get hung up on the level of plaque-forming units (PFUs) to determine the strength of recombinant Marek’s vaccines, according to...
The University of Minnesota’s Secure Food Systems team develops and publishes science-based risk assessments for the movement of poultry products from monitored...
The US broiler industry is seeing a re-emergence of inclusion body hepatitis, a deadly disease that can strike with little warning. Take a look at our special report.
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...
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...
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) infections may not offer clear-cut clinical symptoms, but there are on-farm diagnostic measures that can yield early warnings.
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...
In a special video from Poultry Health Today, experts from across the industry discuss the challenges facing producers who make the change from conventional systems to...
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...
Proper vaccine handling, dosage and administration are key to ensuring thorough and effective coverage. That statement is particularly true when talking about...
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...
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.
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...
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...
New challenge studies have highlighted the best vaccine serotype combinations to tackle the DMV/1639 strain of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), which has spread from...
Emerging and re-emerging diseases can cause sudden, potentially catastrophic illness and death in commercial poultry flocks, said R.M. “Mick” Fulton, DVM, PhD,...
For years, broiler companies have leaned heavily on recombinant vaccines for managing Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease and some viral respiratory diseases....
The use of recombinant vaccines can prove a valuable strategy against coccidiosis in poultry, but better understanding of host-parasite interactions and gut...
Improper heat treatment of soybean meal affects the intestinal integrity of broiler chickens and flock performance, according to a study by researchers at the...
While many vaccines and vaccination programs effectively protect against the highly contagious infectious bronchitis virus in poultry, outbreaks of the disease still...
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...
DISCOVERIES, Issue 15: Rigorous research and the application of cutting-edge technology by Zoetis scientists were behind the development of the newest recombinant...
Poultry veterinarians throughout the US broiler industry are reporting a re-emergence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH). The disease, caused by fowl adenovirus (FAdV),...
TOOLBOX, Issue 32: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis about the new recombinant vector vaccine, Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD-ND.
A well-designed program using recombinant vaccines can help protect flocks against infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease.
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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,”...
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...
TOOLBOX, Issue 31: An interview with John Brown, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis, on the advantages of using Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD to protect...
A whole-complex study of broiler breeders in Georgia found underwhelming infectious bronchitis vaccine performance – but with better surveillance and protocols,...
TOOLBOX, Issue 29: An interview with John Brown, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis, on controlling mortality and improving livability in layers with a...
TOOLBOX, Issue 30: An interview with Alberto Giner, DVM, poultry technical manager, Zoetis on in ovo administration of recombinant HVT vector vaccines.
TOOLBOX, Issue 33: An interview with Douglas Fulnechek, DVM, senior public health veterinarian, Zoetis, on Poulvac ST, a modified-live vaccine that is designed for...
Recombinant vector vaccines have been rapidly adopted by the poultry industry, and their use will continue to escalate. However, they are not all the same.
TOOLBOX, Issue 27: An interview with Daniel Bautista, DVM, senior technical services, Zoetis on managing the recent resurgence of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers.
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...
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.
TOOLBOX, Issue 34: An interview with Eduardo Muniz, DVM, Zoetis on research comparing conventional vaccine programs versus new protocols with vectored vaccines.
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...
Vaccinating turkeys against colibacillosis with the modified-live E. coli vaccine has economic and animal welfare benefits, according to a retrospective, 4-year study...
Successful contract poultry farmers are hard workers, detail oriented and must literally serve as the gatekeepers of biosecurity, several experts and industry insiders...
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...
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...
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...
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.
Broiler chickens exposed to infectious bursal disease virus are likely to develop more severe cases of the bacterial disease, necrotic enteritis, researchers in Canada...
Preventing birds from getting sick is perhaps the biggest challenge encountered when transitioning from conventional to “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) production.
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.
By Guillermo Zavala, DVM, MAM, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ACPV
Adjunct Professor, University of Georgia
President, Avian Health International, LLC
Flowery Branch, Georgia (USA)
TOOLBOX, Issue 23: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis about Poulvac Maternavac 4 and Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD.
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...
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.
Poulvac®️ Procerta™️ HVT-ND provides producers with all the advantages of a recombinant vectored vaccine while protecting chickens against Newcastle and...
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...
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.
Excellent systems of communication between farm staff and veterinarians are critical when it comes to managing disease outbreaks and reducing their potential spread.
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.
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...
Successful transition from conventional to no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) broiler production requires awareness of all the changes needed and lots of advance planning.
Increasing air circulation coupled with moderate reductions in humidity can dramatically improve paw quality, Michael Czarick and Connie Mou, University of Georgia,...
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...
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...
Molecular virology is already leading to discoveries that will improve management of ILT, according to Stephen Spatz, PhD, molecular virologist with USDA’s Southeast...