The Roost: Recent Episodes
Zac
Science based educational content on poultry production from Michigan State University Extension and guests.
Dr. Mohamed El-Gazzar or Mo with Iowa State University, joins the show and we discuss Infectious Coryza, a disease that our laying hen producers know all to well. We cover signs, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and some interesting new findings regarding positive results from qPCR.
I take a break as host this week and Andrea Mendoza steps in to talk with Dr. Brian Fairchild from the University of Georgia about heat stress, and steps we can take to alleviate the effects. The current weather in Michigan is a winter storm complete with ice, freezing rain and snow. So, while heat stress may not be currently on our minds and producers in similar climates across the country spring and summer are right around the corner and it's never too early to prepare for the warmer temperatures.
Dr. Fairchild and the extension team at UGA have put together an excellent online resource for poultry producers regarding poultry house environmental management. Check it out at the link below:
https://www.poultryventilation.com/
Please note: there is a slight delay with the start of this episode so if you don't hear anything immediately once you being playing, give it a few seconds
Greg Fraley Ph.D. endowed chair of poultry science at Purdue University joins me on this episode and discusses the importance of eyes, vision and lighting in commercial poultry production.
FYI yellow light is fine for broilers, I just couldn't think of any other examples of color at the time.
Dr. Craig Coufal is my guest today, and we discuss litter management. A lot of our discussion focuses on moisture, but we cover other topics such as windrowing, bedding material selection, importance of litter management during brooding etc.
EDS ' 76 is an emerging viral threat to egg laying flocks, which can significantly reduce the production of salable eggs. Dr. Eric Gingerich is on the show to discuss the virus, symptoms, treatments, vaccination and prevention.
On this episode we take a shift from commercial poultry farms and focus on small and hobby farms. Dr. Brigid McCrea, small flock specialist, from Auburn University joins the podcast to discuss cold weather preparation for small and hobby flocks. Topics discussed include cutting out drafts, heater selection, feeding changes, breed selection and importance of water during colder weather.
Dr. Shawna Weimer from the University of Arkansas joins the show and we discuss the options for euthanasia in normal production and depopulation in emergency situations.
For more information please refer to the AVMA euthanasia guidelines:
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Guidelines-on-Euthanasia-2020.pdf
or depopulation guidelines:
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/AVMA-Guidelines-for-the-Depopulation-of-Animals.pdf
Also, check out the Poultry Extension Collaborative for more information on euthanasia and other poultry related topics.
https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com
Dr. Alex Strauch joins the show to discuss management strategies for cage free laying hens. Topics covered include: history of cage free, pullet management, controlling floor eggs, prevalent diseases, keel bone damage, benefits of cage free systems, promoting good behaviors, reducing negative behaviors, nutrition changes and challenges.
If you have any further questions or would like to reach Dr. Strauch his email is: Alex.strauch.dvm@gmail.com
or you can reach him through LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-strauch-dvm?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B%2BmrG5FgZRoWA4NFXbdM0IQ%3D%3D
Dr. Ken Macklin from Auburn University joins the podcast to discuss Salmonella in the poultry environment, specifically live production areas, barns, litter, equipment, feed and dust.
References and further reading:
Salmonella and sodium bisulfate in broiler litter
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119396646?via%3Dihub
Salmonella serotype prevalence
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119307825?via%3Dihub
Salmonella in poultry feed
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/fpd.2021.0016
Impacts of litter moisture and dust on Salmonella
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101236
Dr. Chris Holderman from Central Life Sciences joins the podcast to discuss all things litter beetles including; identification, life cycle, problems the cause and controlling them.
Additional Information:
Compost:
In general, compost temperature is needed to be around 160 F for 3-4 days kill insects.
Insecticides to consider for your IPM plan, remember to rotate active ingredients with different modes of action (different IRAC numbers), always read and follow the label instructions, The Label is the Law:
IGRs- insect growth regulators, break the lifecycle but don’t kill adults, the following Active ingredients: Novaluron Group 15, Pyriproxyfen Group 7.
Adulticides - When developing a rotation plan pick products from different classes: pyrethroids Group 3, Neonicotinoids Group 4, Spinosyns Group 5.
Also consider Boric Acid treatments, physical barriers (aluminum tape, etc.) and in all cases ensure an appropriate cleaning and disinfection program is implemented.
References and Further Reading
General beetle info:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/poultry/lesser_mealworm.htm__;!!HXCxUKc!jaNsL_aciajebL47kvNYnbxGpFDAZSm373_341j6sHVBOwwYezOi18wgMWg3tR3IeB0$
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/best-practice-on-the-farm-darkling-beetle-control::text=Insecticide20should20be20applied20both,other20houses20on20the20farm__;I34lJSUlJSUlJQ!!HXCxUKc!jaNsL_aciajebL47kvNYnbxGpFDAZSm373_341j6sHVBOwwYezOi18wgMWg3urxlZcg$ .
Beetle Traps:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/livestock-entomology/the-litter-beetle-project.html__;!!HXCxUKc!jaNsL_aciajebL47kvNYnbxGpFDAZSm373_341j6sHVBOwwYezOi18wgMWg3nT4g6iY$