Poultry Sciences articles

Animal production is facing several challenges, such as constantly increasing demand for animal protein, limited availability of raw materials, raising prices of raw materials and production costs in general, and increasing incidence of diseases in both animals and humans. Animal protein producers have to try to overcome these challenges by implementing optimal production conditions to be successful.

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their collaborators continue garnering success in their tests of a compound that could bolster the potency of beta-lactam antibiotics, potentially reducing the dosages required and helping stave off resistance in the germs they're meant to kill.

In the hatchery itself there is never a direct reason to apply antibiotics, as the chicks do not stay here for any length of time. If antibiotics are applied (in-ovo or by injection after hatch) this is done preventively to avoid disease problems or for potential benefits at the farm where the day-old-chicks will be delivered. Furthermore, on the farm itself antibiotics can be administered by feed or drinking water as a preventive measure or as a growth promotor.

Maintaining egg shell quality is important for maximizing production of broiler chicks from breeders as shell quality and hatchability go hand in hand. Thin shells allow for higher water vapor loss during incubation resulting in dehydrated chicks and higher late embryonic mortality.

Read more: Measuring egg shell quality

The pocket-sized booklets, 'Management Guidelines for Breeding Turkeys' and‘Management Guidelines for Commercial Turkeys’, have been updated to reflect the latest in industry best practices.

The aim of these booklets is to help Aviagen Turkeys’ customers achieve optimum performance from their birds. The manuals include data from research trials, published scientific reports, as well as the expertise and practical skills of the Aviagen Turkeys Customer Support Team. The publications cover general flock husbandry, feeding, lighting and ventilation, as well as biosecurity and other related topics.