Poultry Health Today

A disease commonly seen in turkey and broiler flocks can also affect layers, meaning that producers should look out for its distinctive signs. Clostridium septicum dermatitis was recently found across multiple sites of a single company, Michaela Olson, DVM, of Wilson Veterinary Care, told Poultry Health Today. The diagnosis began with a mortality spike and unusual feedback when dead birds were sent for further analysis. 

Producers should play close attention to insect control in their poultry houses to avoid cases of turkey coronavirus enteritis (TCE).That’s the view of Eric Orozco, DVM, a veterinarian at Butterball in North Carolina, based on his recent experiences with the disease. The most recent outbreak he dealt with began in June 2021, with previous breaks in 2018-19, he told Poultry Health Today. The disease was detected in 8-week-old finishers on two farms through routine polymerase chain reaction testing. 

 Consistent surveillance and analysis of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) at poultry production facilities can guard against “overvaccination” — where too much vaccine virus in the environment causes a rolling reaction in flocks. That’s the view of Rodrigo Gallardo, DVM, PhD, professor of poultry medicine at the University of California–Davis. 

Using key welfare indicators (KWIs) can help fill a communication gap around welfare progress in the US poultry industry.That’s the view of Ken Opengart, DVM, PhD, vice president, animal welfare and international sustainability for Tyson Foods. 

Producers need to be alert to the dangers of drinking-water toxicity issues, according to a senior industry veterinarian. Speaking to Poultry Health Today, Kurt Dobson, DVM, director of veterinary services for George’s, Inc. in Arkansas, said that a recent case of salt toxicity at an eight-house broiler farm underlined the need to not dismiss water on the list of vital components affecting bird health. 

Labor shortages in hatcheries mean that to ensure appropriate levels of sanitation in “no-antibiotics-ever” (NAE) production, wholesale automation is likely to be required, according to an industry expert. Automation began in hatcheries around 30 years ago, when labor started to become an issue, said Scott Martin, an independent poultry consultant. The labor shortfall is even more acute today, especially when considering newer methods of production such as NAE.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:11 Scott Martin, poultry consultant0:21 “No antibiotics ever” impacts the hatchery2:06 More hatchery automation and sanitation needed3:20 Hatchery: Establish and monitor strict standards5:50 Hatchery: Affordability is key7:21 Hatchery equipment must be easy to clean________________________________________________Poultry Health Today is a news publication sponsored by Zoetis designed to bring broiler, layer and turkey producers the latest news and insights on poultry health, welfare, performance and sustainability. Visit us at PoultryHealthToday.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more on our sponsor, visit Zoetis.com.

Footpad dermatitis causes significant foot problems for broilers, which adversely affects bird welfare and the market for broiler paws, according to Zoie McMillian, graduate research assistant, University of Maryland. Chapters:0:00 Intro0:11 Zoie McMillian, University of Maryland0:26 Footpad dermatitis in broilers1:06 Benefits of circulation fansNOTE: 1:35 Super: last line says: foot pad. Should be: footpad2:30 Evaluating broiler footpad health4:07 Footpad dermatitis: Severity vs. prevalence5:51 Circulation fan management and broiler welfare________________________________________________Poultry Health Today is a news publication sponsored by Zoetis designed to bring broiler, layer and turkey producers the latest news and insights on poultry health, welfare, performance and sustainability. Visit us at PoultryHealthToday.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more on our sponsor, visit Zoetis.com.

Poultry producers with cage-free pullet systems should go back to the basics of bird management to keep their flocks healthy and productive, reported Darrin Eckard, Hy-Line cage-free specialist. This is a change from flocks kept in cages that may face less disease and fewer parasites.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:11 Darrin Eckard, Hy-Line0:30 FLAW: Feed, light, air, and water1:23 Coccidiosis control in cage-free layers2:55 Worm infections in cage-free layers4:37 E. coli issues5:49 Vaccine protocols for cage-free layers6:34 Controlling aggressive bird behavior8:29 Cage-free nutrition programs________________________________________________Poultry Health Today is a news publication sponsored by Zoetis designed to bring broiler, layer and turkey producers the latest news and insights on poultry health, welfare, performance and sustainability. Visit us at PoultryHealthToday.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more on our sponsor, visit Zoetis.com.

Environmental enrichments in broiler houses may improve bird welfare by increasing natural behaviors, according to Heidi Rinehart, a student at the University of Maryland. Rinehart has studied broiler behavior and welfare for several years at the university.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:11 Heidi Rinehart, University of Maryland0:23 Broiler welfare: Environmental enrichments1:42 Enrichments: Hay bales, ramps, boxes, spotlights3:10 Broiler natural behaviors4:40 Enrichments encourage natural behaviors6:12 Most enrichments are not expensive________________________________________________Poultry Health Today is a news publication sponsored by Zoetis designed to bring broiler, layer and turkey producers the latest news and insights on poultry health, welfare, performance and sustainability. Visit us at PoultryHealthToday.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more on our sponsor, visit Zoetis.com.

Recombinant vaccines are not a silver bullet, but they are “very helpful for our goals in the poultry industry, whether you produce meat-type chickens or commercial table eggs,” said Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, with Avian Health International. To maximize their effectiveness, Zavala said producers need to follow a number of protocols when using recombinant vaccines.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:11 Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, Poultry Consultant   0:30 Recombinant vector vaccination mistakes2:07 Dosing recombinant vector vaccines3:33 Recombinant vector vaccine administration4:27 In ovo vaccination5:43 Ensuring better bird health6:51 Recombinant vector vaccine advantages________________________________________________Poultry Health Today is a news publication sponsored by Zoetis designed to bring broiler, layer and turkey producers the latest news and insights on poultry health, welfare, performance and sustainability. Visit us at PoultryHealthToday.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more on our sponsor, visit Zoetis.com.