Poultry Health Today: Recent Episodes
Poultry Health Today
More than 20 billion eggs are injected each year using Embrex® in ovo vaccine technology, a tool that has enabled producers to streamline operations, save costs and provide protection against viruses like Marek’s disease from hatch.
As the technology reaches its 30th anniversary, Zoetis experts explain how in ovo technology has changed the face of intensive poultry production by helping producers reduce losses, drive efficiencies and produce healthier birds:
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Listen to or download the podcast 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 North America cage-free specialist. This is a change from flocks kept in cages that may face less disease and fewer parasites.
“The one big thing I deal with is talking to people [to help them] understand this is what we used to deal with and it’s coming back now because birds are accessing the floor,” he told Poultry Health Today.
Handling parasitic diseaseEckard sees more coccidiosis, roundworms, tapeworms and cecal worms in cage-free systems.
“People forget about the worm issue because we haven’t really dealt with it in big numbers,” he explained. “Now in cage-free systems, it’s really starting to pop up.”
To handle frequent coccidiosis challenges, Eckard recommends a vaccine program that starts in the hatchery and continues at 7, 14, and 21 days to build strong immunity. Correct building temperature and humidity also are key to reducing coccidiosis incidence.
Other parasites can either be routinely treated during the lifetime of the birds, or carefully watched for symptoms and then treatment administered, he added.
Infectious diseases increase“We are definitely seeing an increase in infectious diseases,” Eckard said. “We’re seeing more E. coli pop up when people are not paying attention to earlier feed nutrition in the pullets…The body can’t sustain itself to the last 70-, 80-, 90-, 100-week time frame and the birds run out of energy.”
Other diseases like mycoplasma and egg-drop syndrome also show up in weakened birds.
“Vaccine protocols really need to be adjusted to understand that in cage-free environments, birds are experiencing more load because they’re on the floors and around other birds,” he added. “Definitely get with a vaccine company and your veterinarian to get a good, structured program and understand the challenges in each building. One building will have a load that’s different than another building.”
Diets for cage-free birds also must be reformulated because they burn more energy moving around than caged birds, Eckard said. Producers should work with their nutritionist to make sure birds have enough calories to handle the extra activity and egg production.
“Birds nowadays lay so hard and their production is so good that once you fall behind on the nutrition part, you can’t catch up,” he said. “You need to stay ahead of them to really make them perform where you need it.”
FLAW final pieceGood management of cage-free pullets requires attention to environmental basics, Eckard said. He uses the acronym “FLAW” for feed, light, air and water to drive home his point.
“Aviary and cage systems are very similar until you let the birds out [of cages],” he said. “Then feed, light, air, and water really become important for how you get the birds to move around. [It’s important to] understand how the air and different temperatures spread in the building and where the birds start moving to try to stay warm. Keeping on top of that is very important.”
An understanding of FLAW also helps producers address problem-bird behaviors like piling and pecking. Changing the lights, temperature, and even feed times will help address some behaviors.
“The piling seems to be more related to a too-bright house,” Eckard said. “Birds will gather in different places and start pecking each other.
“Everything in the house needs to be set up almost in a perfect situation for the birds to [exhibit] normal behaviors and not become aggressive,” he added.
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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.
Unfortunately, increased frequency paired with an unusually wide range of hosts creates a difficult combination for the US poultry industry, reported Erica Spackman, DVM, US National Poultry Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research Service.
“Avian influenza is a virus that keeps changing, and variants emerge with different genetic and biological properties that cross to different animals,” Spackman said.
“If influenza has a mission statement, it’s here to reproduce,” she added. “It wants to propagate its genetic material. Survival of the fittest fits it well. Influenzas have been around forever, and it’s one of the first viruses described in the 1930s.”
How variants developOne of the most important mechanisms used by a virus to generate genetic diversity is reassortment, which requires two different viruses to infect a cell at the same time. As a result, the progeny virus can have genetic characteristics of either parent, Spackman explained.
“In the current H5 outbreak internationally, the virus is reassorting and just trading out different N genes,” she said.
“There will be some that are not viable and will die out. Then there are the super flus, which are better adapting to the host.”
Another method that creates variants is the mutation process.
“What happens is the de novo generation of mutants where they pop into existence just out of errors in virus replicating,” Spackman said.
“If you pair that with selection for a new host or immunity, you almost get a filter effect where you have a narrowing of the genes, but they work better in the new system. That’s how selection occurs in tandem with the de novo.”
A third method that creates variants occurs when two genes splice together. “H7 has the most recombination and becomes highly pathogenic,” she added.
What’s happening in natural host species?“The selection pressures are really quite limited, but they have vast genetic diversity and have occurred over time by the virus replicating for years and years in ducks,” Spackman explained.
“The virus has become adapted to the host and environment. Genetic changes do occur, but it is relatively slow and mostly random.
“All our genetic variation comes from wild waterfowl,” she added. “Those are birds carrying all the genetic diversity for flu. That even includes poultry and chickens not being natural hosts.”
There’s not a lot of data about host adaptation to influenza, but one adaption was noted from data in 2014 to 2015. The infectious dose for chickens, turkeys and ducks was lower for the high-pathogenic strain than for the low-pathogenic strain.
“The other selection pressure, natural immunity, will not be a concern for chickens and turkeys with HPAI because it will kill them,” Spackman said.
Environmental pressures on HPAIThe Achilles heel for the virus, however, is it is easily killed by environmental pressures like temperature, different substrates where it’s found and disinfectants.
“Viruses have a limited repertoire to avoid being inactivated,” Spackman said.
“Viruses don’t have the same ability to avoid things that are a problem like bacteria does. We will probably never see it evolve to get around our treatments.”
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The US egg industry is in the process of transitioning to cage-free egg production, but many questions remain about the best practices and facilities for these types of production systems. Researchers like Janice Swanson, PhD, Michigan State University, are working with the egg industry to find the answers.
“Scientists often walk this tightrope,” Swanson said. “New technologies develop at faster rates than we can do the science. Therefore, it is very important to have connections with industry and the producers…so we can work at a faster pace and get information that’s coming in from the ground level.”
Based on questions received from the egg producers, Swanson and her colleagues compiled a list of research needs to find the answers. While it is not a complete list, it provides a snapshot of what producers are currently concerned about.
Nesting spaces“Nesting space comes up all the time,” Swanson explained. “We hear there’s quite a bit of work looking at nest design and curtains.
“We know hens desire a darker place to lay. If curtains don’t extend down far enough to block the hen’s view, the hens won’t settle into laying as well.”
Nest substrate is another unanswered question. Some guidelines discourage straight wire and plastic-coated wire, Swanson said. Astro turf used to be recommended but is quickly soiled. Another option is expanded plastic flooring that allows manure to pass through.
Then there’s the question of floor space versus nest space and why it isn’t all considered living space, she said. Also, strains of hens will use space differently.
“When we ask producers about what kind of systems they are using, we see a lot of different [ones],” Swanson said. “I’m beginning to think one size does not fit all.
“Identifying and validating outcomes-based measures to assess whether a nest design and the provision of floor space is working well together could be helpful to egg producers and auditors of hen welfare.”
Lighting optionsNew technologies like pulse-alternating lighting are reported to have a calming effect on laying hens, but research to verify it is still underway, Swanson said. These lights also are easily increased or decreased for crews to work.
“The other part is placement of lights so hens can navigate the system,” she said. “It is important to place lights in certain places like feeders, waterers and so on. But there is a learning component to it.”
Lights should gradually be brought up in the morning and gradually dimmed at night, but some research indicates there’s a higher rate of injury during those times, she added. Some people speculate the lights are too low when hens are searching for a place to roost.
Litter area requirements“We get asked if litter area is 15% or 30%,” Swanson said. “We don’t know. Broilers have great literature on litter use, but here we have different questions because it’s a different configuration.”
In addition, there are hen differences. White hens get in the litter, synchronize and do dusting together, and tolerate large numbers of hens around them. But brown hens don’t tolerate having many other hens near them when dusting, Swanson said — a difference that has implications for litter requirements.
“There is still much to learn about strains of hens and their adaptability to different cage-free system designs,” she said. In addition, producers may find the best hen strains for cage-free production do not have the egg-quality attributes their customer requires. More research is needed in this area.
For more information, read, “What we do and don’t know related to cage free egg production research,” by Janice C. Swanson, PhD.
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An interview with Manuel Da Costa, DVM, PhD, Associate Director, Outcomes Research, Zoetis
Q: Why is testing for infectious bronchitis (IB) vaccine take important?
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MD: Testing for vaccine take can lead to identification of problems that can interfere with disease protection and, ultimately, flock performance. It can help ensure you’re getting the most from your vaccines.
Q: How do you test for IB vaccine take?
MD: We collect either tracheal swabs or tracheal tissue samples and test them for IB vaccine presence using real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Q-PCR is a molecular technique that amplifies the genetic material present in the sample in cycles (cycle threshold value = Ct), and the results are measured by fluorescence detection. Fewer cycles needed will yield a lower Ct value, which indicates a higher presence of vaccine or virus.
Q: What kind of problems are revealed by testing for vaccine take?
MD: In short, it shows if the vaccine(s) is being administered and replicating in the bird properly. A lack of vaccine detection can be related to improper handling during preparation or suboptimal application. Nowadays, we can measure each individual serotype (if birds are receiving more than one IB virus serotype), which generally helps understanding if it is an application or vaccine-preparation problem.
Q: Can you give a specific example of how testing for vaccine take revealed problems with IB vaccination?
MD: Certainly. One case involved a broiler integrator in the Southeast using a Massachusetts (Mass) and Georgia 08 (GA/08) IB spray vaccination program. We saw decent Mass takes, but relatively low GA/08 takes were found during routine surveillance using tracheal swabs from birds. Only 40% of samples had a good GA/08 vaccine take.
This finding was not surprising because the first time we sampled for testing, we observed vaccine-handling protocols outside the typical recommendations.
Q: What vaccine-handling problems did you observe?
MD: GA/08 is a frozen, live vaccine. On-site, baths for vaccine thawing and diluent temperatures were set at 80° F and 70° F, respectively, which is more appropriate for Marek’s disease or vector vaccines to be administered in ovo. Additionally, not enough emphasis was placed on removing vaccine vials from the bath before they had completely thawed. If the vaccine is thawed for too long (left in the thaw bath), titers for the IB vaccines can drop significantly and in short time.
Generally, the preparation of vaccines to be administered in ovo is done separately from IB virus vaccines that are given at day of age, and the handling and administration protocols may differ; misunderstandings of the processes can occur.
Q: How were these problems remedied?
MD: For the next round of IB vaccination, the temperatures were amended to 70° F for the bath and 45° F to 50° F for the diluent. For retesting, we also obtained whole tracheas instead of swabs.
Q: Did the results improve?
MD: We saw significant improvements in vaccine take. All the birds sampled were positive for GA/08, with about a 4-log (10,000-fold) increase estimated by the Ct values. There was a modest improvement in take for the Mass serotype too — a 1-log increase in vaccine-virus take.
Q: Were there any other significant findings or conclusions from this case?
MD: This particular case raised questions about appropriate sampling techniques. For the first round of testing, tracheal swabs were frozen and defrosted for analysis. That may have had a diluting effect. Sampling tracheal tissue may provide greater accuracy and also gives the lab more flexibility for retesting the samples in case something out of the ordinary occurs.
Q: Based on this experience, what’s your key message for producers?
MD: It’s quite simple: Routinely check IB vaccine takes. Consider it a standard procedure. Test especially before and after any changes are made in vaccine preparation and administration to identify problems. It’s a relatively easy way to help ensure you are making the most of your vaccination strategy and should contribute to better flock performance and profits.
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TOOLBOX, Issue 36
Toolbox is a series of interviews with veterinarians and other technical specialists about their experiences managing antimicrobials, vaccines and other tools for poultry health. It is produced by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of the US Poultry Business of Zoetis.
BIO-00363
Dec 2022
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Listen to or download the podcast 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.
“The farm sent in whole birds to the lab, and they came back with the lab saying ‘these birds are just too decomposed to even look at; please send in fresh birds.’ So they sent in more birds, and it just kept repeating itself,” Olsen said.
“Finally, there was a diagnostician at the lab that said, ‘hey, wait a minute, this kind of looks like what we see in broilers and turkeys — gangrenous dermatitis. So let’s look into this further.’ And so he did, and took some samples. Sure enough, it came back as Clostridium septicum.”
A caged-system issue only?To date, disease has only arisen in caged systems, with Olsen speculating that the bacteria may be entering birds via skin damaged on their housing or a condition such as coccidiosis causing dysbacteriosis of the gut.
“Clostridium is a ubiquitous bacterium on the skin of chickens and in poultry houses, and it’s usually not harmful. But if something like cocci is causing that dysbacteriosis, then that can take over and become a ‘bad bacteria,’” she continued.
The outbreak in question was brought under control by reintroducing probiotics into birds’ diets, which had previously been removed for cost reasons. The farms are using a probiotic mix which worked well against C. septicum isolates recovered from sites, while water sanitation and acidification have also been introduced across all farms.
Looking beyond E. coli for bacterial issuesLayer producers and their veterinarians should be mindful of the possibility of the disease when seeing mortality increase, particularly when coupled with a “decomposed look” when birds are opened up. While bacterial conditions in layers are often “shrugged off” as Escherichia coli, she noted, digging a little deeper can bring rewards.
“If you think [the birds] have that decomposed look to them, it might not just be E. coli…it’s worth taking a look at,” she added.
“It’s not something that’s going to cost a lot of money, so if it happens to not be [C. septicum dermatitis], then so what? You’ve checked it off your list and done your due diligence.”
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Listen to or download the podcast 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.
“This is a first break for me in this company, but from what other vets have told me, it kind of comes in waves,” he said. “The last break was 3 years ago and then…maybe 3 years before.
“It’s commonly in the summer. I don’t know if maybe the weather plays a role — with the humidity in North Carolina, especially with increasing populations of flies — and also the condition of the litter.”
A tricky disease to controlAny age of birds can be susceptible to TCE, he said, although younger birds tend to suffer the most. Clinical signs include flushing, poor weight gain and low feed conversion. However, in the most recent case, there was also high mortality with severe dehydration and birds that were not eating.
The disease can “jump” between houses and even to farms a number of miles away, Orozco continued. This led to his belief that flies are the most important vector of the coronavirus, which causes the condition — although darkling beetles are another potential insect source of the spread.
Minimizing risksWith no treatment for TCE, the only recourse for producers is to treat the main symptoms of diarrhea and dehydration, while doubling-down on biosecurity.
At Butterball, every flock got new litter, and equipment was sanitized. The human side of biosecurity was also prioritized in response to the outbreak, with staff assigned to either breeders or finishers and with designated routes to keep them apart.
“As long as we can keep the breeder house clean or negative of TCE, then the number of positive farms will start to decrease,” he said.
In advice to producers, Orozco returned to the issue of probable vectors. Fly control is “maybe the most important” factor to consider, he said, alongside management of the beetles and controlling movements between farms. Increased downtime for the growers is also something to consider, he added.
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Listen to or download the podcast 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.
Gallardo told Poultry Health Today he recommends surveillance of birds throughout the year for both broilers and layers in order to catch different age groups, with 30 samples the “magic number” in terms of being able to make accurate conclusions about the epidemiology of IBV on sites.
Dealing with excess circulating virusWhile surveillance using analysis methods such as quantitative and qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequencing technologies can help in understanding how the virus is changing, it can also show when vaccination has been applied beyond its usefulness, Gallardo said.
If producers find that birds have not developed an immune response to clear out the virus, it may be the result of a rolling reaction due to an excess of virus in the environment, he explained.
When virus serotypes are similar to the vaccine applied, it is particularly likely that overvaccination is the issue, and at this point adding more vaccines may not be the best approach.
“Whenever you do surveillance and you start getting results that are similar to the vaccine that you applied…that might be telling you that you’re overvaccinating,” he said.
“And according to that, you need to start pulling vaccines one by one, and then try to check what happens clinically.
“Unfortunately, there’s no way of pulling out the vaccine and knowing that it won’t cause a clinical problem, so you need to be really careful and make decisions that are informed by your surveillance in order to address vaccination problems.”
Increasing tools’ effectivenessOn the US West Coast, different vaccine programs are used in summer and winter, Gallardo said, which allows producers to keep IBV in check, with low variation and low amounts of virus in the environment.
“Vaccines are tools. So you use them whenever you need them, and it’s very common to see in producers all over the world that they have an IBV problem, and they add a vaccine to their vaccination program, usually a different genotype…to generate cross-protection,” he continued.
“They elevate clinical signs, but then they never do surveillance in order to pull that vaccine out.
“That’s something that we need to emphasize. If we want to keep the tools that we have right now available and useful for the future, we probably need to use that
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Listen to or download the podcast 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 service. “We know a lot more than we did 5 or 10 years ago,” Tom Tabler, poultry specialist, University of Tennessee Extension, told Poultry Health Today. “Not every LED bulb and dimmer work well together; we didn’t realize that in the beginning.”
Tabler has studied the ins and outs of poultry-house lighting and noted that most producers are unaware of the challenges created when the LED lamp and dimmer are not the right match. “Even the folks that sell the bulbs are not always aware of this problem. So, it will be an educational process to bring everyone up to speed,” he added.
First, consider the bulbWhile it’s tempting to stock up on inexpensive bulbs at a big-box store, not all LED lamps can meet the demands of the poultry-house environment, Tabler explained. Inexpensive LEDs that typically go in a residence or office are not set up for the dust, ammonia, humidity and moisture that exist in a chicken house.
So, start by selecting agriculturally graded LED bulbs from a reputable supplier.
Select the right dimmerSelecting the right dimmer is key to functionality, Tabler said. There are leading-edge dimmers, trailing-edge dimmers and some that have combinations of both.
“LED lamps are designed for trailing-edge dimmers,” he emphasized.
The basic job of a dimmer is to cut out part of the alternating current flowing in a sine wave (moving up and down). When dimming, “we’re not letting that light have the whole current,” Tabler said. “A leading-edge dimmer cuts the front part of the wave; a trailing-edge dimmer cuts the back part. LEDs don’t like to lose the front part of the sine wave; it causes voltage spikes.”
Over time, that causes flickering and lumen depreciation, which occurs gradually and will significantly reduce the life of the bulb. Consequently, how the LED lamp and dimmer sync together is critical in preventing lamp and lighting issues.
“In most cases, LED-lamp technology is ahead of dimmer technology,” Tabler noted. “To get around that, some companies have started making dimmers to match their lamps.”
Confirm with a light meterWhile incandescent bulbs dim linearly and smoothly, LED lamps do not.
“With an LED, if you take it down from 100% to 90% to 80%, it may not look like it’s changed at all,” Tabler said. “Then you go to 70% and all of a sudden it gets a whole lot darker.”
A light meter is the best option to confirm dimmer settings as well as measure lumen depreciation, which can go unnoticed and lead to insufficient lighting levels for long periods. At a cost of $100 to $150, every grower needs to have a good-quality light meter, according to Tabler, and know how to use it.
“A light meter will tell you exactly the light level in terms of foot-candle levels,” he added. “You cannot judge that with your eyes. Without a light meter you’re just guessing at what’s going on inside that house.”
The bottom-line impactBottom line, the ability to meet light levels and light quality within a poultry house will impact whether the grower can meet production expectations. Companies often set foot-candle standards for various production stages, and if the dimmers can’t meet the criteria, then growth suffers.
For example, Tabler pointed to companies that grow large birds (8.5 to 9.5 pounds): “They want very low light levels ⸺ say, 0.02-, 0.03-, 0.04-foot candles. When you get down that low, depending on your dimmer and lamp combination, that may not be possible to achieve because your dimmer doesn’t have the technology to handle what you’re asking it to do,” he noted.
If, through the course of lumen depreciation and over time, the birds don’t get what they need, “you’re not going to lose a house of chickens. They’re not going to quit eating and drinking because the light level’s not right,” he said. “But they’re not going to perform to their potential.”
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Listen to or download the podcast 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.
“Historically, we haven’t really shared a lot of information as an industry with our customers about what we’re working on relative to animal welfare and the types of metrics we’re using to measure improvement,” he told Poultry Health Today.
“That gap has facilitated an opportunity for us that we should take advantage of, and that is to use key welfare indicators or measures of outcomes.”
Specific KWIs vary according to what part of the production process is being looked at and include aspects such as injury rates and stunning efficacy.
Data over emotion in welfare debateThe main advantage of KWIs is that they are objective and measurable, allowing the industry to move away from “emotive arguments” about welfare, he suggested, with poultry veterinarians having a key role in sharing progress with those outside the industry.
“Without telling the story, it’s left to the imagination. They don’t know what we’re doing; they don’t know if we’re doing anything,” he continued.
“To be able to communicate with facts and figures…and focus on continuous improvement, the customers that we speak with walk away just feeling reassured that the industry has their back and that we’re working on the right things.”
Welfare is crucial for poultry businesses, with welfare outcomes closely linked to overall performance.
“We as the industry look at this really holistically: Welfare, economics and food availability all intertwine very closely together,” he noted.
Technology will increase indicator impactTyson Foods is part of the International Poultry Welfare Alliance, a multi-stakeholder organization which has been working to agree on shared KWIs for the industry. The guidelines should be available later this year.
A focus on continuous improvement, rooted in such agreed upon guidelines, is a better approach than fixed performance standards, Opengart suggested.
“The difficulty with performance standards is that everybody typically tends to be in a different place. What we worry about is setting a standard that may be too low for some and too high for others, and in that way may stifle any activity,” he said.
“We’re more interested in letting the individual companies set their own standards. And that way, when they achieve a goal, they can move the goal…we’re not going to be happy until animal welfare’s no longer an issue…there’s a long journey there.”
Technology will aid the drive toward improvements, he noted, with artificial intelligence and machine learning involved in monitoring KWIs.
“We’ll move from sampling flocks, birds within flocks…to being able to capture all the birds in a house or all the birds at the processing plant from a farm, which will really improve the quality of the information that we’re able to use,” he added.
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Inexpensive game cameras installed on turkey farms can reveal important biosecurity information, but it comes with some caveats, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.
In a study initially designed to investigate Salmonella outbreaks, the results gave scientists interesting insights about movement on and off the farm.
After reviewing hours of round-the-clock images, they discovered wild animals and birds regularly visited the farm, while visitor logs rarely matched the number of people coming to the farm — issues that could potentially lead to biosecurity breaks if appropriate measures weren’t in place.
Capturing movementThe project involved six Minnesota turkey farms, including three breeder and three grow-finish sites. One camera was used on each farm to capture bird movements during migration in fall 2018, spring 2019 and fall 2019.
The motion-sensing cameras were on 24 hours a day, and researchers moved cameras around to capture birds from different angles.
During the review and documentation of some 9,000 images collected throughout the study, the project revealed helpful information about the use of the cameras, said biosystems engineer Erin Cortus, PhD, who was involved in the study.
The researchers saw 73 images of mammals across the farms, with 80% occurring outside the farms’ work hours. Deer were most common, but they also saw house cats, racoons and coyotes.
“[But] those mammals were nothing compared to the birds captured in pictures,” Cortus said. “There were 1,200 images with [wild] birds in them. And there could be more than one bird in an image.”
In addition to animals, the scientists also logged human activity around the site, noting maintenance workers as well as visitors.
Human-activity issuesWhat the researchers did see was a disconnect between visitor logs and what actually occurred. “When we had visitor-log activities, it rarely coincided with when we saw images of humans,” Cortus said. This happened on all the farms but was also related to the camera angle at the time.
“We do feel cameras are a tool for biosecurity and are complementary to practices like visitor logs,” she added.
How to use camerasIf growers want to use cameras, Cortus suggested first deciding what they want to capture. For wild-bird activity, cameras pointed at the roof ridge where they roost will suffice. But if the farm wants to capture other animal and human activity, cameras should be focused on the areas around buildings and roads.
While the research cameras ran 24 hours a day during the monitoring periods, growers may not need that much coverage, according to Cortus. Half of the images were trashed because cameras were triggered by moving branches, snow and blowing grass.
If growers want to check on bird traffic, Cortus suggested using a set frequency, such as every 10 to 15 minutes and taking images only during the daytime. But motion triggering may still be best for monitoring human behavior.
“Even putting out cameras for a short period of time can provide a lot of valuable information,” Cortus added. “Cameras are one way to maintain biosecurity of the farm. But there’s also privacy and making sure people know the cameras are in use.”
Her last suggestion is to review the images quickly to get the most value out of them.
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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 world, said Carol Cardona, DVM, with the Secure Food System team at the University of Minnesota.
This record of success can easily lull an industry into a false sense of security, however. Once an exotic pest or pathogen is introduced in the US, it can rapidly devastate agricultural populations that lack resistance, Cardona said. It can also negatively impact business models based on effective disease prevention and control.
“With highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the industry learned that practices and strategies that work during normal times can be dangerous during an outbreak because they can contribute to disease spread,” she said.
Challenging control measuresAccording to Cardona, the impact of disease control can be just as costly as the disease itself.
For example, movement restrictions during the Newcastle disease outbreak in the early 1970s resulted in the end of the turkey industry in California because producers were not allowed to move chicks and hatching eggs, she reported during a presentation at the North Central Avian Disease Conference earlier this year.
During the 1983-84 HPAI outbreak in Pennsylvania, holding and movement limits for breeder and hatchery operations resulted in no way to move product nor restock farms. “These farms suffered huge losses, with some going completely out of business,” Cardona said.
“In 2004, the outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in Southeast Asia resulted in more than $10 million in losses for companies that were uninfected in the outbreak,” she added. “Movement restrictions on commodities can even present risk to industries quite distant from the outbreak if agricultural- and food-supply chains are linked nationally.”
Communication practicesIn normal times, poultry companies don’t share sensitive company information with each other or with regulatory agencies. But during an outbreak, transparency is absolutely necessary, Cardona said.
As an example, she explained that by the first week of April 2015, there was a perpetuated outbreak of HPAI in Minnesota — “the details of which were not known by the people who needed to know. State-to-state communications took place about the outbreak, but states were not always talking to their industries. In addition, industry-to-industry communication was not happening, and that prevented detailed knowledge from being shared.”
This lack of transparency can lead to misinformation that prevents people from taking the right steps to protect their farms. In addition, barriers between states and industries prevented real-time communication in the 2015 outbreak, Cardona said. And because poultry operations are very large, biosecurity can be difficult.
“Increasing size has created systems that are vulnerable to HPAI,” Cardona said.
Stop movement“After detection of HPAI in the US, one of the first outbreak-control steps was to stop the movements of all susceptible species, and this usually means trade restrictions as well,” Cardona said. Blanket state-to-state movement restrictions were enforced.
According to Cardona, detection of a low-pathogenic H5/H7 virus resulted in immediate trade restrictions that far exceeded the transmission potential of the virus. In her opinion, low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses should not be reportable to the world community.
“The inclusion of H5/H7 detections in the undeclared war of trade has not helped us,” she said.
SFS programThe Secure Food Supply (SFS) plans were first and most extensively used in the 2015 H5N2 HPAI outbreak primarily in Minnesota and Iowa, Cardona noted.
“The 2015 HPAI outbreak was the largest in US history, and it demonstrated the need to make the SFS operational. SFS approaches are again being used to mitigate the risks of [getting] products and animals to market in 2022 H5N1 HPAI outbreaks.”
The post UMN expert: Transparency, communication keys to mitigating the risks of HPAI appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Listen to or download the podcast 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.
Issues on the site began to arise when birds were around 3 and a half weeks of age when birds exhibited flushing responses, alongside a mortality spike, he said. Both mycotoxins and sodium toxicity are known to cause such signs.
Necropsy showed kidney lesions, swelling under the skin, fluid both in birds’ abdomens and around their hearts — observations consistent with salt toxicosis, he explained. Feed was tested, showing no abnormalities, so a decision was made to test the water supply. Analysis came back revealing that both the wells on the farm had very high levels of sodium and chloride.
Making sure all is wellProducers tend to use well water for birds, although some use a rural water supply. Awareness around the importance of testing well water varies, Dobson said, stressing the need to prioritize checks.
“The biggest thing is for people to realize that if they’re on a well, they should be testing their water when they first make those wells,” he said.
“There are some companies that will have a water-quality person, and they’ll spend time checking the water quality across the complex. But not very many complexes have that, so it’s up to the grower.”
There are a number of labs available to carry out testing of water samples, he continued, and this should happen before the supply is used by the birds and annually after that.
For producers facing problems with water mineral content, carbon filters can deal with certain minerals. In the case of sodium, the only solution is a reverse osmosis system, he added, although this is a technology that can require significant investment.
The post Farm mortality issues highlight importance of checking water supply appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The University of Minnesota offers a training program to help poultry companies understand and prepare for avian influenza outbreaks.
The post UMN training program focuses on poultry company decision-making, during AI outbreaks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The University of Minnesota’s Secure Food Systems team develops and publishes science-based risk assessments for the movement of poultry products from monitored (uninfected) premises in control areas during HPAI.
The post SFS program helping to identify best practices for HPAI risk assessments appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Integrated broiler producers in Europe pose a risk of transmitting and maintaining clones of Salmonella throughout the production chain, according to researchers in Spain.
The post Study exposes Salmonella-contamination risks of integrated broiler production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Producers must voluntarily adopt pre-harvest interventions to help reduce the prevalence of Salmonella in US poultry products, according to experts. Read about the USDA proposed regulations.
The post Pre-harvest controls vital to tackling Salmonella prevalence appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 Isabel M. Gimeno, DVM, PhD, professor, North Carolina State University.
The post Vaccinating for Marek’s? Don’t be thrown off by PFU levels appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Daniel Wilson, DVM, Founder and Lead veterinarian, Wilson Veterinary Company, Indianapolis, IN
The post Vaccine strategy in cage-free layers requires new mindset appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The widespread outbreak of Highly Avian Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across the US is expected to push up the cost of turkeys to record highs this holiday season. What does CoBank say about the worst HPAI outbreak in US history?
The post HPAI pushes holiday turkey prices to record highs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Inclusion body hepatitis re-emergence prompts fresh look at control strategies appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Douglas L. Fulnechek, DVM, Senior Public Health Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Too few aware of FSIS guidelines about live Salmonella vaccines appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Study: Day length during brooding did not impact broiler performance appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Reusing poultry litter can help boost bird health and may help prevent the transfer of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, scientists have discovered.
The post Reusing poultry litter may reduce antibiotic-resistant Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Scientists’ ability to respond to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and other emerging poultry diseases have been given a boost with the opening of an innovative research unit.
The post Research facility opened to help track and diagnose avian influenza outbreaks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 cage-free.
The post Managing layer health challenges as cage-free demand increases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Management techniques adopted to cope with COVID-19 production challenges led to improvements in bird health and welfare for many poultry producers.
The post COVID pandemic had some positive effects on poultry health and welfare appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Vaccines are powerful, widely used tools for managing poultry diseases. How can the industry keep pace with variant viruses and other challenges?
The post Tooling up for better disease protection through applied research appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Recombinant vaccines for poultry: How to maximize results appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By John Brown, DVM, Senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Management, vaccination keys to Salmonella prevention in cage-free egg layers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
With many poultry operations switching to no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) production, management and disease control have become even more critical components.
The post Best-management practices key to successful NAE broiler production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Avian flu likely to re-emerge and threaten US poultry flocks this fall appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Labor shortages in hatcheries mean that to ensure appropriate levels of sanitation in “no antibiotics ever” production, wholesale automation is likely to be required.
The post Automation key to ensuring sanitation in ‘no antibiotics ever’ systems appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Almost 25% of US foodborne illnesses continue to be linked to poultry products. To get an accurate measure of product contamination, USDA is evaluating the poultry supply chain.
The post USDA evaluating Salmonella-reduction steps along the poultry supply chain appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Monitoring hen movement in cage-free aviaries provides valuable feedback appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post IBH gaining more attention in broiler flocks as incidence, mortalities rise appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry Health Today has introduced a new editorial feature called PHT Perspectives, which provides quick-read highlights of recent webinars and roundtables organized by the editors.
The post PHT Perspectives captures highlights of timely poultry health discussions appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) remains a nagging issue for broiler flocks, and it isn’t going away anytime soon.
The post Long-term control for IBH includes vaccines, management protocols appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
With the ever-increasing shift to “no-antibiotics-ever” (NAE) production, probiotics have become more common in poultry diets, said Elizabeth Bobeck, PhD, a nutritional immunology expert and associate professor at Iowa State University.
The post Nutritionist: Understanding probiotics is key to managing them effectively in poultry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 35: An interview with Dale Gambrill, Senior account manager, Zoetis
The post Focus on the details to ensure ILT vaccination success appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Live-vaccine program a ‘must have’ to deal with cage-free E. coli challenge appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Vegetative buffers offer aesthetic, poultry-management and disease-control benefits to producers, in addition to showing the farm’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The post Vegetative buffers yield many benefits for poultry farms appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Vaccines, biosecurity, management keys to keeping IBH in check appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) infections may not offer clear-cut clinical symptoms, but there are on-farm diagnostic measures that can yield early warnings.
The post Diagnostics for IBH start with subtle indicators appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Despite industry advances, coccidiosis remains the leading intestinal health challenge in broilers. Poultry Health Today asked experts to share their latest insights and recommendations for managing this costly parasitic disease.
The post New insights for managing coccidiosis in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 Intro
0:11 Scott Martin, poultry consultant
0:21 “No antibiotics ever” impacts the hatchery
2:06 More hatchery automation and sanitation needed
3:20 Hatchery: Establish and monitor strict standards
5:50 Hatchery: Affordability is key
7:21 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 Intro
0:11 Zoie McMillian, University of Maryland
0:26 Footpad dermatitis in broilers
1:06 Benefits of circulation fans
NOTE: 1:35 Super: last line says: foot pad. Should be: footpad
2:30 Evaluating broiler footpad health
4:07 Footpad dermatitis: Severity vs. prevalence
5:51 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 Intro
0:11 Darrin Eckard, Hy-Line
0:30 FLAW: Feed, light, air, and water
1:23 Coccidiosis control in cage-free layers
2:55 Worm infections in cage-free layers
4:37 E. coli issues
5:49 Vaccine protocols for cage-free layers
6:34 Controlling aggressive bird behavior
8:29 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 Intro
0:11 Heidi Rinehart, University of Maryland
0:23 Broiler welfare: Environmental enrichments
1:42 Enrichments: Hay bales, ramps, boxes, spotlights
3:10 Broiler natural behaviors
4:40 Enrichments encourage natural behaviors
6:12 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 Intro
0:11 Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, Poultry Consultant
0:30 Recombinant vector vaccination mistakes
2:07 Dosing recombinant vector vaccines
3:33 Recombinant vector vaccine administration
4:27 In ovo vaccination
5:43 Ensuring better bird health
6:51 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic had far-reaching effects on poultry companies, said Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, senior vice president of technical services and innovation at Perdue Farms. “It affected nearly every part of the company,” he told Poultry Health Today, from the supply chain through production. While it was a difficult situation, companies learned a lot about crisis management and how to improve bird health and welfare.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Bruce Stewart-Brown, Perdue Farms
0:24 Pandemic quickly disrupted the food supply chain
2:13 Management practices changed on broiler farms
4:07 Labor shortages in processing plants
4:44 Lower densities improve broiler welfare
8:06 Salmonella control improved during pandemic
________________________________________________
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.
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 and found no detrimental impact of dark periods applied during that early production phase.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Brian Fairchild, PhD, University of Georgia
0:23 Does adding a dark period help baby chicks?
2:47 4-hour dark period evaluated
4:14 No disadvantage in providing chicks a dark period
________________________________________________
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.
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 service. Tom Tabler, PhD, poultry specialist, University of Tennessee Extension, offered points to consider.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:11 Tom Tabler, PhD, University of Tennessee
0:22 Issues with LED lighting for broilers
2:18 Trailing edge dimmers for LED lamps
4:20 LED lamps: Ghosting and dead travel
5:40 Proper light levels for broilers
7:22 Measuring LED light levels
________________________________________________
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.
A higher risk of bacterial challenges in cage-free egg production means a live-vaccination program against E. coli is a “must-have minimum” for flocks reared in alternative systems, said Dan Wilson, DVM, PhD, of Wilson Veterinary Company, Indiana.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:11 Dan Wilson, DVM, Wilson Vet Co.
0:20 E. coli bacteria in egg layers
2:45 Properly diagnosing E. coli
4:24 E. coli vaccination protocols
6:40 Alternative layer production challenges
________________________________________________
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.
Coccidiosis in broiler houses remains a nagging challenge. “It’s the same old problem and it’s a moving target at the same time,” said Phil Stayer, DVM at Sanderson Farms. What’s important is to have a strategy, be flexible and willing to test treatments to find what works best and what may need to change.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:11 Phil Stayer, DVM, Sanderson Farms
0:27 Subclinical coccidiosis affects feed efficiency
2:03 Coccidiosis vaccination management
3:44 Good animal husbandry is key
4:41 Ionophore use for coccidiosis control
8:21 Vaccination technology needs improvement
________________________________________________
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.
Next year marks a big change for the AAAP. It will hold its first independent meeting, according to current president Louise Dufour-Zavala, DVM, executive director of the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network.
The post Changes ahead for 2023 AAAP annual meeting appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
After years of being an afterthought in many broiler-production schemes, coccidiosis vaccines have become the cornerstone for many control programs.
The post Survey shows US poultry industry’s evolving yet flexible approach to coccidiosis management appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry health professionals from throughout the world will gather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 29 to Aug. 2, to discuss the latest research, innovations and insights on poultry health.
The post Poultry health experts will gather in person for 2022 AAAP meeting appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 variation to see if it could help move hens onto the floor area.
The post Light impacts behavior in cage-free aviaries appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Research at the University of Arkansas suggests broiler breed could affect birds’ immune response to Salmonella exposure, according to Shawna Weimer, PhD, director of the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing.
The post Breed may impact broiler response to Salmonella infection appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Anticoccidial sensitivity tests: Useful or not? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Despite industry advances, coccidiosis remains the leading intestinal health disease of broilers. Poultry Health Today asked experts to share latest insights and recommendations for managing this costly parasitic disease.
The post Special Report: New insights for managing coccidiosis in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Poor IBV vaccine performance in broiler study underlines need for surveillance appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The Southern Poultry Research Group created a challenge model to show how S. Enteritidis, can spread among birds when feed is contaminated and to help evaluate products that can eliminate or reduce the risk.
The post Salmonella Enteritidis in feed can be a source for broiler flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 29: An interview with John Brown, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis, on controlling mortality and improving livability in layers with a modified-live E. coli vaccine
The post Modified-live E. coli vaccine helps control mortality, improves livability in layer production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A steady shift to in ovo vaccination in the Asia-Pacific region is encouraging many hatcheries there to improve practices and management in preparation for the switch.
The post Five key points to consider when preparing to switch to in ovo vaccination appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A technology called CRISPR-SeroSeq, which amplifies a section of the Salmonella genome, is helping paint a clearer picture of the serotypes circulating in breeder flocks.
The post Genomic technology sheds light on Salmonella serotypes in breeder flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 of avian medicine at the University of Georgia.
The post Poultry industry can learn from COVID-19 appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Immune responses to Salmonella infection are complex, but vaccination has become a key component of multi-step control programs. A new review of evidence to date suggests that live vaccines have several advantages over killed vaccines.
The post Live vaccines are key to Salmonella-control programs — here’s why appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Feed conversion takes a bigger hit in birds with higher Salmonella exposure, while Salmonella Reading outlasts other serotypes through the grow-out period, suggests new work from the University of Georgia.
The post Study highlights risk of high Salmonella exposure, more persistent serotypes appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Feed conversion takes a bigger hit in birds with higher Salmonella exposure, while Salmonella Reading outlasts other serotypes through the grow-out period, suggests new work from the University of Georgia.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro - The University of Georgia conducted a study on the effect of Salmonella on broiler performance
0:40 Davis Fenster, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia
0:45 Study description
1:11 Numerous Salmonella serotypes tend to circulate concurrently
1:24 Study design and population
2:08 Study looked at both bird performance and the actual colonization of Salmonella serotypes
2:20 Study results - no differences in body weight gain, but feed intake was affected, as was feed conversion
3:15 Higher inoculation doses of Salmonella resulted in birds not being able to convert feed to body weight gain
3:30 Understanding the feed conversion ratio
4:30 Differences in levels of Salmonella persistence were seen between serotypes and doses
5:44 Implications for future research
________________________________________________
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.
By Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD, senior director, Technical Services, US Poultry, Zoetis
The post Getting the best out of bioshuttle programs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Genotypes of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) found in California between 2012 and 2020 have seen a “major shift,” according to a study investigating patterns of IBV in the state.
The post California surveillance reveals genetic and seasonal changes in infectious bronchitis virus appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 Georgia.
The post Salmonella serotypes are changing — monitor which ones are in your flock appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Part 2
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 Georgia.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro - The prevalent serotypes of Salmonella that cause illness in humans are changing
0:40 Chuck Hofacre, President, Southern Poultry Research Group
1:08 Monitoring programs for Salmonella
2:28 Boot socks use in testing the environment for Salmonella shedding
3:35 Testing at the hatchery
4:42 Consistency of tests between farm and processing plant
5:36 Prevalence of Salmonella Infantis and other serotypes
6:33 Controlling Salmonella Infantis
8:04 Virulence of Salmonella Kentucky
9:09 Current FSIS regulations for Salmonella testing
_________________________
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.
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 of the Southern Poultry Research Group.
The post ‘Competitive exclusion’ is potential benefit of live Salmonella vaccines in young birds appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Part 1
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 of the Southern Poultry Research Group.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro - a recent paper looked at a modified-live Salmonella vaccine
0:40 Chuck Hofacre, President, Southern Poultry Research Group
0:50 Competitive exclusion
1:15 Efficacy of modified-live vaccines against Salmonella groups
1:55 Increased use of modified-live vaccines in broilers
2:32 Advantages of second doses
4:17 Vaccinating layers and breeders against Salmonella
5:27 Future of Salmonella vaccine 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.
Researchers at The Pirbright Institute in the UK report that a recent study provides evidence that mutations in the genetic code for non-structural proteins “offer a promising way” to make vaccines against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) safer.
The post ‘Reverse genetics’ may offer new IBV vaccine targets appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 30: An interview with Alberto Giner, DVM, poultry technical manager, Zoetis on in ovo administration of recombinant HVT vector vaccines.
The post In ovo administration of recombinant HVT vector vaccines ‘perfect combination’ of microbiology and engineering appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Making use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on chicken farms can help tackle the problem of antibiotic overuse against mycoplasmosis in countries where this treatment approach is prevalent.
The post On-site PCR testing could aid smart antibiotic use in mycoplasmosis treatment appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Limiting E. coli transmission from hen to offspring appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Overheating soybean meal hurts gut integrity, broiler growth appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 there to be a 0% chance of isolation at the processing plant.
The post Chance of Salmonella vaccine positives at processing ‘zero’ with Poulvac® ST appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Research studying Salmonella across one turkey producer’s farms found Salmonella Infantis to be by far the dominant serotype.
The post Turkey-farm study finds Salmonella Infantis prevalent appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
According to research led by The Pirbright Institute, UK, infection with two strains of avian flu virus could lead to the emergence of a new strain with the potential to jump from birds to humans.
The post UK researchers: Watch for emerging, more infectious strains of avian flu virus appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A whole-complex study of broiler breeders in Georgia found underwhelming infectious bronchitis vaccine performance – but with better surveillance, protocols, and outcomes, could be improved.
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 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The post Use ‘tools of discovery’ and all your senses to identify emerging poultry diseases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
E.coli may be largely responsible for focal duodenel necrosis (FDN) in layer chickens, according to research presented at the 2022 International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF).
The post E. coli implicated in layer gut disease appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES: Marek’s disease (MD) vaccination programs for breeders and layers can vary significantly in the replication and coverage they provide, a finding that should be considered when planning an MD-control strategy for long-lived birds
The post Replication, coverage vary among MD vaccination programs for long-lived birds appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Recombinant vector vaccines boon for industry but not all are the same appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The US egg supply is under pressure, first from the impact of Covid-19 and now due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The post With avian flu outbreaks, even the Easter bunny is hunting for eggs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Adding a modified-live vaccine (MLV) to recombinant vaccine programs against three important viral pathogens in poultry production can have a positive impact on outcomes, according to field work by Sanderson Farms veterinarians.
The post Interaction of modified-live and recombinant vaccines shows potential against viral diseases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The number of birds in the US broiler industry raised without antibiotics slipped six points to 52% in 2020, according to the latest industry figures, exclusive to Poultry Health Today.
The post US poultry producers commit to limiting antibiotics despite production slip appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Reused litter from a previous NE challenge led to more severe subclinical performance impacts but fewer clinical signs of disease than in birds raised on fresh litter.
The post Comparing necrotic enteritis litter models highlights performance impacts appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New research shows that using a modified-live Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) vaccine helps protect broilers against Salmonella Infantis, the most commonly-isolated serotype in chicken parts and comminuted chicken over the last few years.
The post Study shows modified-live vaccine can aid fight against Salmonella Infantis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 27: An interview with Daniel Bautista, DVM, senior technical services, Zoetis on managing the recent resurgence of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers.
The post Tips for managing inclusion body hepatitis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Biosecurity in feed mills and on-farm feed storage should not be overlooked when it comes to managing the risk of Salmonella in poultry flocks, according to a turkey-health expert.
The post Don’t overlook feed biosecurity in efforts to manage Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The only option for poultry farms to prevent an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is 100% adherence to biosecurity rules.
The post HPAI prevention requires ‘buckle-up’ mentality to biosecurity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Bioshuttle programs are a valuable tool for managing coccidiosis, according to Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research.
The post Bioshuttle programs valuable tool for managing coccidiosis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.”
The post First seven days are crucial in ensuring layer chick quality appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Paul McMullin, MVB, MSc, DPMP, DiplECPVS, FRCVS, Consultant Veterinarian, Poultry Health International
The post Colibacillosis control in egg-laying chickens: A new tool in our toolbox appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Lockdown mode urged with avian flu outbreaks in Mississippi and Central Flyways appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Marek’s study could lead to new management strategies in poultry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 chicks throughout their lives.
The post Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD offers early immunity, greater pullet uniformity in layers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Daral J. Jackwood, PhD, Professor, The Ohio State University
The post Monitoring field strains key to successful vaccination against IBDV appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post ILT vaccine choices: A closer look appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 34: An interview with Eduardo Muniz, DVM, Zoetis on research comparing conventional vaccine programs versus new protocols with vectored vaccines.
The post Conventional, recombinant MD vaccination protocols compared in long-lived birds appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Avian flu strain behind recent outbreaks related but not identical to 2014-15 strain appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A modified-live E. coli vaccine helps reduce E. coli counts in broiler chickens and turkeys and can significantly increase susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics, according to new field research.
The post E. coli vaccination reduces bacteria populations, increases antibiotic susceptibility appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 28: An interview with Andy McRee, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis on correcting problems in layer vaccination.
The post Catching problems in layer vaccination — and making them right appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Why ‘vaccinated’ chickens still get infected with IBV — and what to do about it appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Elle Chadwick, PhD, Consultant, Ag Health Consulting, LLC, LaGrange, Georgia
The post Limiting transmission of parasite currently best option for controlling histomoniasis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 and communication are essential.
The post What lessons can poultry producers learn from extreme weather events? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 the Delmarva area to become the predominant strain across the broiler belt and beyond.
The post Vaccine tweaks can make a big difference against key infectious bronchitis virus strain appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 farms.
The post Four-year study highlights value of vaccinating turkeys against E.coli appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Planning to devour a few chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday? Remember to raise a glass to the poultry producers and veterinarians who raised those healthy birds.
The post ‘Winging it’ on Super Bowl Sunday? Remember who made it possible appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
USDA's APHIS has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, IN, the first confirmed case in commercial poultry in the US since 2020.
The post Highly pathogenic avian influenza found in Indiana commercial turkey flock appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Douglas L. Fulnechek, DVM, Senior Public Health Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Effective Salmonella control requires involvement of entire production chain appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
SOUND SCIENCE: Removal or reduction of ionophores for the control of coccidiosis in poultry could lead to increased antibiotic use, higher production costs and negative impacts on climate-change mitigation efforts.
The post Cutting ionophore use could do more harm than good, veterinarians warn appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Successful contract poultry farmers are hard workers, detail oriented and must literally serve as the gatekeepers of biosecurity, several experts and industry insiders say.
The post What does it take to be a successful poultry grower? Experts share their views appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Vaccinating birds against Escherichia coli can have production benefits, as well as protecting birds from the disease, researchers have found.
The post E. coli vaccination can lead to higher egg numbers, study suggests appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Acidified drinking water did not impair the efficacy of a live Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) vaccine in broilers challenged with Salmonella Heidelberg.
The post Impact of acidified water on live Salmonella vaccine evaluated in broilers challenged with S. Heidelberg appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 26: An interview with Chris Williams, PhD, Director, Technical Services Devices, Zoetis on the impact of hatchery ventilation on chick quality.
The post As seasons change, hatchery ventilation is key chick-quality concern appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Sharing and analyzing data at farm level and beyond can offer new insights that improve bird health and profitability on layer farms.
The post Sharing data can help manage layer-farm disease and increase production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 10: AL2 variants now account for more than half of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) field isolates in broilers, according to the results of a 5-year survey.
The post AL2 variants now account for more than half of IBDV field isolates in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Exposure to IBV has been linked with cases of false-layer syndrome, where large cysts in the oviduct prevent birds from laying eggs.
The post Early infectious bronchitis virus infection causes more severe false layer syndrome appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Keeping up with coccidiosis remains challenging appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Exposure to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) has been linked with cases of the poultry reproductive disease false-layer syndrome, where large cysts in the oviduct prevent birds from laying eggs. New research suggests that the earlier birds are challenged with the virus, the more severe the symptoms can be.
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 for Simmons Foods, recently faced in Arkansas.
The post Tackling a botulism outbreak in a breeder flock appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
In ovo vaccination is on the rise across the Asia-Pacific as producers recognize its benefits, but proper training and support are essential.
The post How to ensure successful installation of in ovo technology appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Lowering the load of Salmonella going into the processing plant requires a company-wide effort initiated from the top, panelists advised at a roundtable on food safety.
The post Lowering Salmonella load at processing requires company-wide effort initiated from the top appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A few essential adjustments in the way infectious bronchitis vaccines are handled and administered at the hatchery can improve vaccine efficacy.
The post Essential adjustments that improve IB vaccine efficacy in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
There is no need to recategorize ionophores, used as feed additives against coccidiosis, as veterinary medicines, says UK poultry veterinarian Daniel Parker — and doing so could have severe knock-on effects.
The post Ionophore status change would threaten bird health, sustainability, veterinarian warns appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 poultry health expert, Brian Jordan, University of Georgia.
The post Going with the flow: How to maximize the effectiveness of spray vaccination appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Measuring temperature of birds’ faces could help identify heat stress in flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Vaccination might be effective in controlling ILT in broilers, but recombinant vaccines might not always provide an adequate immune response, according to scientists at North Caroline State University.
The post Targeted adjuvants may improve recombinant ILT vaccination immune response appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Selecting pure avian reovirus (ARV) cultures is extremely important in pathogenicity and antigenicity studies, as well as in the creation of autogenous vaccines. But in reality, many samples don’t stand up to close scrutiny, according to researchers.
The post Study questioning purity of avian reovirus samples has lab and field implications appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Supporting the mental health and well-being of people working in poultry science and research has become a focus of the AAAP, according to one of the organization’s newly elected leaders.
The post AAAP networks offer mental health support to members appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Shift to cage-free egg production prompts need to revise health and management plans appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
High-profile Salmonella outbreaks in turkeys in recent years have shown the need for improved surveillance in the turkey industry.
The post Improving Salmonella surveillance in turkeys appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Toxicity is a relatively rare affliction for hens, and tracking down the source can prove challenging, as one case study outlined by a poultry diagnostics expert revealed.
The post Tips for uncovering toxicity in poultry flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post IBDV linked to severe necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Salmonella vaccination is a vital part of an integrated approach to reducing the Salmonella load during the broiler life cycle.
The post Poulvac® ST cross-protects against different Salmonella serotypes appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Attention to detail is key to successfully vaccinating broiler flocks against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), according to a poultry health expert.
The post Details matter when it comes to ILT vaccination success appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The timing of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) challenge in layers can impact the development of cysts associated with false layer syndrome, scientists at the University of Georgia have discovered.
The post Early IBV infections in layers can increase cysts associated with false layer syndrome appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Some direct-fed microbial additives with live cultures have been found to impact the efficacy of modified-live vaccines.
The post Direct-fed microbials can impact Salmonella vaccine efficacy appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 17: An interview with Tim Cummings, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Pullet vaccination: There’s always room for improvement appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Daral J. Jackwood, PhD, Professor, The Ohio State University
The post IBD control in egg layers has unique challenges appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The feed additive sodium bisulfate administered to broilers during a coccidial challenge appeared to benefit gut integrity.
The post Feed additive appears to benefit gut integrity in broilers with coccidiosis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Preventing birds from getting sick is perhaps the biggest challenge encountered when transitioning from conventional to “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) production.
The post Hatchery tips for successful transition to NAE production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Complexes should regularly evaluate the infectious bronchitis viruses (IBV) prevalent on their farms to help determine which vaccines can provide the best protection possible.
The post Periodic IBV PCR testing is key to ensuring vaccination efficacy appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Reducing the prevalence of foodborne Salmonella is essential if poultry companies are to improve food safety and pass muster with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service performance standards.
The post Free food safety booklet showcases poultry industry ideas for tackling Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
In ovo vaccination has proven popular in commercial hatcheries as it can offer early immunity against prevalent pathogens, consistent vaccine delivery and a less labor-intensive process involving reduced handling of chicks.
The post Five critical factors for in ovo vaccination success appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A genetic technique which could help improve predictions about the virulence of infectious bursal disease (IBDV) has identified pathogenicity in seven new strains of the virus which causes an immunosuppressive condition.
The post Molecular test helps identify pathogenicity in new strains of infectious bursal disease virus appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Publication of USDA performance standards prompted some poultry company customers to refuse product from processing plants in Category 3, according to participants at a food safety roundtable.
The post Reaction of poultry company customers to FSIS performance standards varied appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Opinions about the poultry industry’s future success in controlling Salmonella differ widely, judging by comments from panelists at a food-safety roundtable.
The post No consensus on future success of Salmonella control for poultry industry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
False layer syndrome due to the Delmarva 1639 (DMV/1639) variant of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is leading to huge economic losses in the Canadian egg industry.
The post False layer syndrome in Canada due to DMV/1639 appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Interventions for Salmonella control throughout the production process are essential, but special attention at the hatchery and during second processing at the plant are critical to success, panelists advised at a food safety roundtable.
The post Salmonella control in hatchery, second processing require special attention appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Highly contagious and constantly evolving, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is notoriously difficult to control.
The post Three keys to successful IBV control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Novel, science-based technologies will allow the poultry industry to get ahead of issues coming towards it.
The post 5 ways research aims to tackle poultry-sector challenges appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Hatcheries providing chicks for no antibiotics ever (NAE) production need to be meticulous with cleanliness and good husbandry practices in order for the program to succeed.
The post Hatcheries in NAE production systems can’t cut corners on cleaning, husbandry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Large-scale collection of samples from producers across the southern US is helping shed new light on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in chicken flocks — including uncovering a new serotype of the pathogen.
The post Two years of IBV sampling underlines importance of surveillance work appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Douglas L. Fulnechek, DVM
Senior Public Health Veterinarian
Zoetis
The post Making sense of broiler-feed withdrawal — with the help of a few aphorisms appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 13: A recent study found that administering a live Escherichia coli vaccine by spray produced marked, consistent changes in the intestinal microbiota of broilers.
The post Gut microbiota changes linked to E. coli vaccination may support gut health, broiler immune response appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Starter feed of larger particles consumed by young chicks is associated with better performance during the lifetime of broiler birds, according to a study conducted at Mississippi State University.
The post Study: Larger particles in starter feed lead to better performance appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Optimizing hatchery conditions throughout the year is crucial to limiting chick mortality and maintaining long-term bird viability, according to a poultry health expert.
The post Seasonal management in hatchery critical to improving chick viability appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
In a new Special Report, Poultry Health Today taps the industry pulse on the latest efforts to minimize risks in live production and processing, with expert insight on the present and future of Salmonella management.
The post Special Report: Reducing Salmonella, ensuring food safety in poultry production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New research has suggested that Salmonella levels in no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) poultry systems could be lower than those on conventional broiler farms.
The post Better management, biosecurity could mean lower Salmonella levels in NAE farms appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, MS
The post Litter problems persist appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Ongoing studies to find ways of managing Salmonella Heidelberg loads in poultry litter have suggested that downtime is key to reducing the pathogen’s rates.
The post Litter management can help control Salmonella Heidelberg appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2015 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Minnesota was the worst the US has ever seen. What has the poultry industry learned from this and other outbreaks?
The post Lessons from the Midwest’s 2015 avian flu outbreak appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Producers making the switch to cage-free egg production need to ensure they are properly prepared for managing potential increases in Salmonella and other health challenges.
The post Right skills critical to managing increases in Salmonella, coccidiosis associated with cage-free egg production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Avian mycoplasmosis is a problem for poultry producers worldwide, but according to an expert, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to managing it.
The post Diagnostics key to effective mycoplasma control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV,
Corporate Veterinarian,
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Population diagnostics challenging for poultry veterinarians appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By John Brown, DVM,
Senior Technical Services Veterinarian
Zoetis
The post 5 steps to preventing heat stress in layers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry companies are using a variety of interventions to curb Salmonella and improve food safety, even though it’s not always easy to justify the cost of each, panelists said at a food-safety roundtable.
The post Poultry companies using variety of interventions to improve food safety appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Michael Czarick, Engineering Specialist, University of Georgia Department of Poultry Science
The post Temperature and air flow critical to broiler performance year-round appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Control key to protecting flocks from more virulent, resistant E. coli appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Pressure to reduce poultry production’s carbon footprint presents multiple hurdles, but the industry is up to the challenge, said Joseph Giambrone, PhD, professor, Auburn University.
The post Management of birds and environment reduce industry’s carbon footprint appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Limiting stress in broiler flocks is key to preventing birds from succumbing to an infectious respiratory disease which is showing a resurgence in some areas of the US, according to a poultry expert.
The post Tackling stress key to protecting birds from coryza resurgence, says expert appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Getting back to basics with bird and house management is key to overcoming coccidiosis and other health issues affecting producers using NAE systems.
The post Good management and biosecurity vital to overcoming disease challenges in NAE systems appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Infectious bronchitis DMV 1639: More questions than answers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Guillermo Zavala, DVM, MAM, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ACPV
Adjunct Professor, University of Georgia
President, Avian Health International, LLC
Flowery Branch, Georgia (USA)
The post Marek’s disease vaccination needed now more than ever appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Using a range of testing methods for Salmonella Infantis can help broiler companies build a better picture of how effective interventions against the pathogen are performing.
The post Utilizing on-farm testing key to helping processors understand S. Infantis loads appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
According to recent studies, E. coli vaccination may actually help broiler producers boost their bottom lines.
The post E. coli vaccination in broilers: Is it worth the cost? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Calcium toxicity cases underscore value of networking for knowledge appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Research is increasingly linking false layer syndrome to early exposure to infectious bronchitis virus. The condition prevents laying hens from producing eggs, but birds display few outward signs of ill health and develop ordinary combs.
The post False layer syndrome linked to early infectious bronchitis exposure appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The AAAP has announced that its 2021 conference — originally scheduled for July 30-August 1 in Minneapolis — will be a virtual event to ensure the safety of its members and other attendees.
The post AAAP shifts 2021 conference to a virtual event, expects record attendance from more countries appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The scorching days of summer are almost here. In this special report, Poultry Health Today looks at the impact of heat stress and ways to prevent it.In this special report, Poultry Health Today looks at the impact of heat stress and ways to prevent it.
The post Special report: Helping broiler chickens keep their cool appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Combining serotype vaccines might be a popular approach to protecting flocks against evolving strains of infectious bronchitis virus, such as DMV/1639, but not all combinations work equally well.
The post Cross-protection vaccine protocols key to limiting DMV/1639 spread in US flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Commercial broiler farms often employ a multi-faceted approach in tackling Salmonella, but testing different combinations of control options together on a small scale before they are rolled out across entire production facilities is a valuable method of ensuring successful disease control.
The post Testing mixed control approaches important in controlling Salmonella in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broiler operations want to provide the best disease protection for the least cost, but deciding which vaccines to use and when can be a daunting task.
The post Pathways to protection: How one vaccine decision can affect options for managing other diseases in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A back-to-basics approach toward managing, handling and storing eggs can help maximize the quality and hatchability of chicks being produced for broiler flocks, according to an industry expert.
The post Hatchery details key to maximizing chick performance, expert says appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Managing heat and humidity in hatcheries is key to reducing costly leg problems in turkey poults.
The post Incubation key to preventing leg problems in turkey poults appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 25: An interview with John Brown, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian and layer specialist, Zoetis on early pullet protection from IBDV.
The post New vaccine simplifies IBDV vaccination; provides effective early pullet protection appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
To establish good gut health, measures to promote a healthy microbiome can’t begin soon enough, an expert reports.
The post Good gut health starts before hatch, expert says appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Veterinarians specializing in diagnosing disease in animal tissue are spending more time in processing plants helping minimize costly carcass condemnations while maintaining high food quality standards.
The post Histopathology helping poultry plants use science to defend carcasses, minimize condemnations appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Marek’s disease control takes careful attention to detail appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 23: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis about Poulvac Maternavac 4 and Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD.
The post Latest breeder, broiler vaccines provide consistent IBDV immunity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Immunosuppressive diseases such as IBDV, Marek's and reovirus can compromise a bird's ability to fight off secondary infections. Keeping them in check becomes even more critical as poultry companies reduce or eliminate antibiotics. Poultry Health Today talked with disease experts about the importance of managing immunosuppression in broiler flocks.
The post SPECIAL REPORT: Don’t let immunosuppressive diseases compromise broiler performance appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2021 virtual International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF) meeting is underway. Our editors are covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2020 coverage.
The post SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: News reports and interviews from IPSF appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2021 virtual International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF) meeting is underway. Our editors are covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2020 coverage.
The post SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: News reports and interviews from IPSF appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Zoetis has expanded its line of recombinant vector vaccines with the launch of Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-IBD, which provides early protection against the contemporary infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses confronting U.S. broilers.
The post Zoetis expands vector vaccine portfolio with introduction of Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-IBD appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 12: A new recombinant vector vaccine provides early protection against variant, classic and very virulent infectious bursal disease viruses, robust challenge studies demonstrate.
The post Robust challenge studies demonstrate efficacy of new recombinant vector vaccine for IBDVs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 11: Two recent studies assessed the prevalence of various IBV strains in Europe in recent years, with QX and 793b proving the most common causes of virulent disease in chickens.
The post QX, 793b found to be most prevalent IBV field strains in Europe appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
More than one serotype has been the cause of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in broilers, which has presented differently in large- and small-bird complexes.
The post Serotype, presentation of IBH differ in large and small birds appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 14: An interview with Manuel Da Costa, DVM, PhD, Associate Director, Outcomes Research, Zoetis
The post Good gut health can help minimize Salmonella in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A shift in microbiology could be responsible for a surge in coccidiosis problems being seen in conventional US broiler and pullets flocks, according to Pilgrim's DVM Suzanne Dougherty.
The post Coccidiosis in conventional flocks presenting a significant challenge appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 6: An interview with Marc Howerton, Customer Analytical Services Supervisor, Zoetis
The post Z-CAS helping feed mills, producers get the most from medicated feed additives appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The American Association of Avian Pathologists is urging members and other poultry health professionals to access a new scientific report, “Antimicrobial Use Data Collection and Reporting,” published by Zoonoses and Public Health.
The post AAAP urges members to review new report on antimicrobial use data collection and reporting appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Referred to as “the bible of poultry disease,” the 14th edition of Diseases of Poultry has been updated to reflect evolving health and management challenges facing producers today.
The post Emerging disease trends come under focus in latest version of industry ‘bible’ appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 22: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis
The post Now more than ever, vaccination is critical for managing Salmonella in layer flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post S. Heidelberg load reduced in chicks treated with acidified water the first 2 weeks of life appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that when a particular strain of Enterococcus is found alongside E. coli in cases of avian colibacillosis, there is a higher rate of fatality than when the infection is caused by E. coli alone.
The post NCSU: Enterococcus co-infection makes colibacillosis deadlier in poultry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Consider predominance of AL-2 variants when planning IBDV vaccination program appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 of age.
The post Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND provides advantages of a recombinant plus 19-day onset of immunity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Supplementing poultry diets with glutamine could help reduce the severity of necrotic enteritis (NE), according to researchers.
The post Glutamine supplement shows promise in reducing necrotic enteritis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 8: In studies conducted in more than 32 million broiler chickens in Italy and the US, vaccination with Poulvac® E. coli yielded a positive return on investment.
The post Studies in 32 million birds show returns on vaccinating broilers for E. coli appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New research from Austria provides key regional insights into Salmonella Infantis, a foodborne pathogen that is closely linked with broiler farms and often resistant to antibiotics.
The post Researchers decode clues to Salmonella Infantis control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 20: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis
The post New four-way broiler breeder vaccine builds on success of Maternavac name appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Sleuthing to pinpoint source of commercial flock pathogens appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A colorful 28-page booklet recapping highlights of a roundtable discussion on infectious bronchitis virus is now available. The event featured experts and practitioners who shared their practical experiences managing the costly coronavirus in poultry.
The post Free booklet recaps highlights of infectious bronchitis roundtable appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Blending two commonly used antibacterial treatments could help processing facilities take better control of Campylobacter and reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses, according to scientists.
The post Treatment blend offers ‘exciting potential’ for Campylobacter control at processing appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 1 of the interview on Campylobacter control at processing.
The post Campylobacter control – Part 1: Still much to learn about Campylobacter appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 2 of the interview on Campylobacter control at processing.
The post Campylobacter control – Part 2: Research on controlling Campylobacter appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 3 of the interview on Campylobacter control at processing.
The post Campylobacter control – Part 3: Practical considerations for controlling Campylobacter appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The poultry industry’s gradual switch to cage-free egg production has underscored the need to rethink disease-control programs.
The post Veterinarian: Rethink layer health programs with move to cage-free appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Managing the health challenges of moving to free-range egg production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Training chicks and pullets so they are prepared for life in cage-free egg systems is critical to ensuring they meet their full productive potential.
The post Training and management critical for cage-free egg production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 19: An interview with Abigail Reith, DVM, MAM, DACPV, Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post State-of-the-art recombinant Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND protects against Newcastle and Marek’s diseases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Focusing on chick quality from the moment eggs enter the incubator is critical to ensuring birds have the best chance of being healthy and productive in no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) systems.
The post Chick quality vital to no-antibiotics-ever success, consultant says appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Acceptance of a petition designating avian leukosis lesions on poultry carcasses as a trimmable condition is expected to reduce waste and improve efficiency at processing plants while allowing meat inspectors to focus more on food safety.
The post New avian leukosis rule expected to reduce waste, improve efficiency for processing plants and FSIS appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post NAE production uncovers water quality challenges appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post Intestinal health in the era of NAE appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Jess Campbell, Jeremiah Davis and Kelly Griggs, National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University
The post Check equipment now to help birds withstand summer heat appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Nearly 6 in 10 broiler chickens in the US are now raised without antibiotics. Is this all-or-nothing strategy necessarily a good trend? And what precautions need to be taken?
The post Antibiotics and the Poultry Industry: What’s Next? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Producers need to take more care in matching Salmonella vaccines for broiler breeders to the strain of the pathogen challenging their flocks.
The post Tailoring control measures key to managing Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Day 3 of the 2020 American Association of Avian Pathologists' virtual conference is under way. Our editors are capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from AAAP appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Day 2 of the 2020 American Association of Avian Pathologists' virtual conference is under way. Our editors are capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: News reports and interviews from AAAP appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Day 1 of the 2020 American Association of Avian Pathologists' virtual conference is under way. Our editors are capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: News reports and interviews from AAAP appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 6: The rapid growth in reduced and “no antibiotics ever” production was the driving force behind development of a new vaccine to protect chickens against four costly diseases.
The post New Poulvac Maternavac® 4 vaccine formulated to address contemporary field challenge appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Live Salmonella vaccines, some DFMs may not mix appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post ND is stable in US but poultry industry should be on lookout for evolving strains appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 7: Vaccinating broilers against Escherichia coli yielded a favorable return on investment in a recent trial
The post Vaccination with Poulvac® E. coli yields economic benefits in broilers appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Surveillance aimed at pinpointing the type of infectious bronchitis virus that’s circulating in poultry flocks is essential to control of the disease.
The post Surveillance of circulating IBV types essential for disease control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Greater flexibility is needed in official Salmonella and Campylobacter testing regimes in order to support poultry producers and processors who are trialing new interventions to tackle both pathogens.
The post USDA urged to give producers time to trial Campylobacter and Salmonella interventions appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD
Extension Professor
Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department
Mississippi State, MS
The post Stress is nothing to mess with, folks: 5 steps for connecting with each other in troubled times appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
DISCOVERIES, Issue 5: Rigorous research and the application of cutting-edge technology by Zoetis scientists were behind the development of the newest recombinant vaccine to protect broilers from Newcastle and Marek’s disease viruses.
The post Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND fully protects against Newcastle disease by 19 days of age appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department
Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post NAE production: Helping contract growers navigate maze of new challenges appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Investing in vaccination programs to develop cross-protection against some of the most common strains of Salmonella could help limit the number of foodborne outbreaks of the pathogen.
The post Study: Live S. Typhimurium vaccine reduces S. Infantis colonization appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Mountaire Farms is the first animal protein company to carry the One Health Certified label, demonstrating its commitment to animal production standards established by the program.
The post Mountaire Farms is first company to carry the One Health Certified label appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post Poultry biosecurity has lessons for coping with COVID-19 appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A few essential adjustments in the way infectious bronchitis vaccines are handled and administered at the hatchery can improve vaccine efficacy.
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Vet Services, Greensburg, Indiana
The post Moving animal health to the back burner — if only for a moment appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The CDC has urged more vaccination to control Salmonella in poultry flocks after latest figures revealed illnesses linked to certain strains of the pathogen were stalling or in decline.
The post CDC report urges more vaccination against Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post Prepare now for summer heat, humidity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Nearly six in 10 US broilers were raised without antibiotics of any type in 2019 — but that number may have peaked.
The post Nearly 60% of US broilers now raised without antibiotics, but that number may have peaked appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New, variant strains of infectious bronchitis virus in poultry will continue to emerge, but their control may depend primarily on strategic vaccination protocols that provide cross-protection from available IBV vaccines.
The post Poultry experts cite frustration with infectious bronchitis variants appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Common pitfalls that can occur while vaccinating broilers against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) could derail vaccine effectiveness, panelists cautioned during an industry roundtable.
The post Caution: Simple errors can derail IBV vaccine effectiveness appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Scientists in Germany have confirmed that pigs and chickens are not susceptible to COVID-19.
The post German researchers: Poultry, pigs not susceptible to COVID-19 appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 21: An interview with David Rives, DVM, Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Return of RofenAid® 40 gives turkey industry dependable tool for managing coccidiosis, fowl cholera appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Variants of infectious bronchitis virus affecting broiler flocks differ regionally, but the strain causing the most concern lately appears to be Delmarva/1639.
The post DMV/1639 now the focus of many IBV control programs in US flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A commercial turkey flock in South Carolina has tested positive for highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI).
The post Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza confirmed in US commercial turkey flock appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Tackling endemic poultry diseases as a community rather than as individual producers can play an important role in controlling and limiting their spread.
The post Foster Farms: Community approach key to managing coryza spread in poultry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Protocols vary widely, but vaccinating broiler breeders against infectious bronchitis virus remains an important strategy for protecting broiler progeny against the virus.
The post Controlling infectious bronchitis in broilers starts with breeder vaccination appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broiler producers need to take a fresh look at housing conditions and bird management to help counter the resurgence of Mycoplasma synoviae linked to an increase in raised without antibiotics (RWA) production.
The post Good flock management key to managing Mycoplasma synoviae resurgence appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Understanding the impact specific on-farm interventions can have on Salmonella is critical to helping the US poultry industry meet government standards around the disease, according to a leading veterinarian.
The post Measuring effectiveness of on-farm interventions key to Salmonella control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Coronavirus infections are nothing new to the poultry industry, but the common IB viruses in poultry flocks are not associated with the COVID-19 virus at the root of the global pandemic
The post Coronavirus causing global pandemic not related to those commonly seen in poultry, other food animals appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Developing good relationships across the processing chain can be critical in helping to identify and overcome issues on farm and in the processing plant.
The post Prestage Farms veterinarian: Processing chain communication critical to identify health issues early, reduce turkey condemnations appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poor uniformity, lameness and reduced water consumption are tip-offs that broilers may be infected with variant reovirus.
The post Sanderson vet: Keeping up with variant reovirus strains remains challenging appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Excellent systems of communication between farm staff and veterinarians are critical when it comes to managing disease outbreaks and reducing their potential spread.
The post Swift communication key to limiting the risk of poultry disease outbreaks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
As the poultry industry moves to limit antibiotic use, alternative measures to support gut health are now common practice, but more guidance is needed with respect to which strategies to use under which circumstances.
The post Decisions, decisions: Which gut health strategies should be used when? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New studies in broiler chicks show that maternal antibodies to Escherichia coli do not prevent infection.
The post Failure of maternal antibodies to protect against E. coli infection highlights need for early protection appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Virulent Newcastle disease resurged in Southern California as people broke quarantines by moving birds and farming equipment, according to a report by JAVMA.
The post JAVMA report: Newcastle reemerges, spreads in California appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2020 International Production & Processing Expo is under way in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post Day 4 SPECIAL REPORT: News reports and interviews from IPPE appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2020 International Production & Processing Expo is under way in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post Day 3 SPECIAL REPORT: News reports and interviews from IPPE appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2020 International Production & Processing Expo is under way in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post Day 2 SPECIAL REPORT: News reports and interviews from IPPE appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
More than 35 poultry-health experts and trend watchers will be interviewed on camera over 3 days as part of Poultry Health Today’s news coverage of the 2020 IPPE and IPSF.
The post More than 35 poultry-health experts at IPPE to be interviewed on camera by Poultry Health Today appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2020 International Production & Processing Expo is under way in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2019 coverage.
The post Day 1 SPECIAL REPORT: News reports and interviews from IPPE appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Zoetis has further expanded its poultry vaccine portfolio with the introduction of Poulvac® Procerta™ HVT-ND, a vectored recombinant vaccine that protects broiler chickens against Newcastle and Marek’s disease viruses.
The post Zoetis further expands poultry portfolio with vectored vaccine for Newcastle and Marek’s diseases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A new USDA process-verified program and meat label is expected help US poultry and livestock producers demonstrate their commitment to responsible antibiotic management.
The post New USDA process-verified program, meat label to focus on responsible poultry, livestock care appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Researchers in Canada are looking to human hospitals as inspiration for developing next-generation techniques to improve biosecurity on poultry farms.
The post Hospitals offer inspiration for next-generation poultry biosecurity tools appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 1 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
The post Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 1: Two principles of biosecurity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 2 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
The post Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 2: Communication is key appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 3 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
The post Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 3: Transportation biosecurity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Watch Part 4 of the interview on poultry industry biosecurity.
The post Hospitals offer inspiration for poultry biosecurity – Part 4: Hospital technology to the rescue appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Use of a simple “causal” pie chart is proving to be a helpful tool for controlling necrotic enteritis (NE).
The post ‘Causal’ pie chart can help manage necrotic enteritis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 13: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis
The post Tuning up live-vaccine priming for infectious bursal disease and reovirus appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Successful Salmonella control throughout live poultry production requires an integrated effort, attention to detail and careful follow-through to help processing plants meet more stringent USDA standards.
The post What more can live production do to reduce Salmonella in poultry? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broiler producers need answers in the battle against wooden or woody breast syndrome — and they need them quickly. While safe for human consumption, the hard, chewy breast meat from affected birds is not marketable and results in significant economic losses for poultry companies.
The post Biomarkers helping to identify broilers susceptible to wooden breast syndrome appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Coccidiosis takes a toll of around $3 billion on global poultry production each year, making it one of the industry’s most economically significant diseases worldwide.
The post Managing anticoccidials: ‘It’s how you use them that’s important’ appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A new label under development for meat and poultry products will represent production that seeks a balanced approach to poultry production and marketing.
The post One Health Certified label seeks balanced approach to poultry production, marketing appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry Health Today has introduced the Zoetis News Center — a special section of the popular news website that features insights from Zoetis’ poultry health experts, plus updates on company-sponsored research and new tools for managing flock health.
The post Poultry Health Today launches Zoetis News Center appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
New research from South Africa shows that vaccinating broilers against Escherichia coli is good not just for birds, but also for bottom lines.
The post E. coli vaccination yields bottom-line benefits on South African broiler farms appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Industry needs more poultry scientists to tackle disease challenges appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Food safety challenges linked to Salmonella could be tackled more effectively by better understanding the sex life of bacteria, according to a leading US government veterinarian.
The post Salmonella’s sex life key to mitigating food safety risks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The AAAP has released the eighth edition of its venerable Avian Diseases Manual, widely regarded in the poultry industry as the essential guide for diagnosing and managing diseases.
The post AAAP publishes eighth edition of Avian Disease Manual appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Surveys carried out by the AAAP found veterinarians working across the broiler, egg and turkey sectors believe food safety should be a high-priority area for future research, alongside vaccine and pharmaceutical development.
The post US poultry vets: Disease control and food safety identified as future research priorities appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Producers raising broilers with no or fewer antibiotics need to pay more attention to diseases that can compromise flock immunity and make birds more susceptible to primary and secondary infections.
The post Ensuring strong immunity key to successful ‘no antibiotics ever’ broiler production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV,
Corporate Veterinarian,
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Virulent ND outbreaks underscore need to rethink vaccination program appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
An unusual presentation of bacterial septicemia in broilers underscores the importance of obtaining a good history and input from bird caretakers, according to David French, DVM, a staff veterinarian with Sanderson Farms.
The post Unusual presentation of bacterial septicemia in broilers tied to breeders appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poulvac Maternavac® 4, an inactivated vaccine from Zoetis that helps protect chickens against four important diseases, has been licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will begin shipping this fall, the company announced today.
The post New Poultry Vaccine from Zoetis Helps Build Strong Immune Foundation in Breeder Hens and Their Progeny appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Taking a closer look at why incidence of Salmonella and Campylobacter varied widely on farms in the same production system helped to demonstrate the importance of management and communication with growers.
The post Perdue veterinarian seeks answers to inconsistent foodborne pathogen load appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry shed humidity should be monitored as regularly as shed temperature and ventilation to ensure bird health and productivity is as high as it can be.
The post Moisture monitoring critical to improving bird health and welfare appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Resistance is unlikely to be a problem in coccidiosis bioshuttle programs, Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Coccidiosis control: Keys to success with a bioshuttle program appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Feeding higher levels of copper and zinc in the diet, managing litter moisture and controlling coccidiosis are keys to stopping necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry raised without antibiotics (RWA), Dan Moore, PhD, president, Colorado Quality Research, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Necrotic enteritis control requires multi-pronged approach in RWA systems appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The bacterium E. coli has re-emerged in broiler operations, which seems to coincide with poultry companies’ switch to ‘no antibiotics ever’ (NAE) programs.
The post Avian pathogenic E. coli: Difficult to prevent and control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 Zoetis.
The post Sentinel broilers, PCR testing help isolate, identify evolving IBV populations in Arkansas appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Reductions in the use of medically important antimicrobials demonstrate the poultry industry’s commitment to stewardship of these valuable medications, Randall Singer, DVM, MPVM, PhD, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Reductions in medically important antimicrobials reflect industry stewardship appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Successful transition from conventional to no-antibiotics-ever (NAE) broiler production requires awareness of all the changes needed and lots of advance planning.
The post Helping contract growers’ transition to no-antibiotics-ever broiler production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 15: An interview with Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD, Senior Director, Technical Services, US Poultry, Zoetis
The post ‘Let’s keep it up’: Maintaining the efficacy of Zoamix® appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post Better air circulation, moderately lower humidity improve paw quality appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The US poultry industry needs to revisit Campylobacter-control strategies in preparation for new performance standards coming from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Ashley Peterson, PhD, National Chicken Council, told Poultry Health Today.
The post US poultry industry shifting focus to Campylobacter, Salmonella Infantis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 12: An interview with Lloyd Keck, DVM, ACPV, Senior Technical Service Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post Tips for ensuring best field vaccination results with Poulvac® ST or Poulvac® E. coli appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Sprinkler systems used in conjunction with cool cells during hot summer weather can not only benefit animal welfare, they can dramatically reduce water use.
The post Sprinkler systems benefit animal welfare, reduce water use appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Wet-bulb reservoirs in hatchery incubators should be included in the bacterial-monitoring program to ensure they aren’t the source of egg-shell contamination.
The post Wet bulb reservoirs can be source of bacterial contamination for hatching eggs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Don Waldrip, DVM, Senior Technical Service Veterinarian, Zoetis
The post NAE producers need to focus on Eimeria oocysts for more effective control of coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broilers vaccinated against Salmonella showed reduced levels of the pathogen at processing in a recent study, according to Charles Hofacre, PhD, president, Southern Poultry Research Group. Inc.
The post Vaccinated birds shown to have lower incidence of Salmonella at processing appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry veterinarians and production managers are all too familiar with coccidiosis and its impact on gut health, nutrient absorption, feed conversion and growth rate.
The post Coccidiosis vaccination impedes nutrient digestibility appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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 needs and preferences.
The post What makes a chick tick: Help non-farm audiences understand poultry’s needs appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Litter topped the list of environmental factors most consistently positive for Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), Naola Ferguson, DVM, associate professor at the University of Georgia, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Poultry litter management key to MS control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Abhinav Upadhyay, DVM, PhD, postdoctoral associate and Dan J. Donoghue, PhD, professor, University of Arkansas
The post Preharvest reduction of Salmonella, Campylobacter key to better control efforts appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Turkey producers will need to rely on preventive measures including biosecurity, good gut health and genetic selection to combat three key flagellated protozoan parasites that can affect their flocks.
The post Preventive measures are only option for combatting key parasites in turkeys appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Research on infectious bronchitis virus remains a top priority for the poultry industry. Not only is it widespread, but new serotypes also continue to emerge due to mutations and recombination events in the viral genome.
The post Zinc can help combat infectious bronchitis in poultry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post Water quality: No room for error in NAE flocks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Robert O’Connor, DVM, MAM,
Senior vice president,
Foster Farms
The post Reducing salmonellosis: Let’s try teaching ‘aseptic technique’ in the home kitchen appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
US poultry producers dramatically decreased their use of medically important antimicrobials over a 5-year period ending in 2017, according to a new report released by Randall Singer, DVM, PhD, Mindwalk Consulting Group, LLC.
The post Report: US poultry producers slash use of medically important antimicrobials while shifting focus to disease prevention appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The increase in 7-day chick mortality that has come along with the elimination of antibiotics requires a focus on containing bacteria that start in the layer house.
The post Ensuring chick quality in NAE production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broiler breeders are an ideal carrier for Histomonas — the cause of blackhead disease — but unlike turkeys that often die from the infection, broiler breeders survive.
The post Studies in chickens could lead to blackhead control in turkeys appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Faultless management in the first few days of a chick’s life is critical to ensuring birds remain healthy and productive for the rest of the crop.
The post Focus on these 4 areas to ensure broiler chick success appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
A new group within the AAAP aims to provide a forum for the growing number of women who are joining the avian veterinary profession.
The post New AAAP Women’s Network opening doors in poultry industry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Avoidance of wet litter and well-timed feed withdrawal are two of several management steps that will help control the load of Salmonella going into the processing plant.
The post Live-production management practices that help contain Salmonella appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Focal duodenal necrosis in table-egg layers can be an easily overlooked cause of drops in egg production and egg-case weight loss.
The post Focal duodenal necrosis in table-egg layers easily overlooked appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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.
The post When vaccinating broilers against Salmonella may be worthwhile appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
With the increase in no-antibiotic-ever production, glutamine may serve as a helpful nutrient asset, particularly when birds are under stress.
The post Trial shows glutamine aids gut health in broilers raised without antibiotics appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
NE remains a formidable challenge in broilers raised without antibiotics, and preventing the disease means steering clear of predisposing factors and implementing a rigid coccidiosis-control plan.
The post World poultry industry still struggling with necrotic enteritis appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Zoetis has reintroduced the vaccine Poulvac® Coryza ABC IC3 to help U.S. poultry producers combat outbreaks of avian coryza, an acute respiratory infection.
The post Zoetis Fast Tracking Relaunch of Avian Coryza Vaccine to Aid U.S. Disease Outbreaks appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV, Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post Maslow’s Pyramid: Self-actualization for chickens? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Most of Poultry Health Today’s video interviews with leading health experts and other opinion leaders can be downloaded as podcasts and listened to on mobile devices or through audio systems of most vehicles.
The post On the road again? Don’t forget Poultry Health Today podcasts appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry companies struggling to meet higher USDA standards for Salmonella need to increase control efforts in live production to help avoid the dreaded Category 3.
The post Integrated plan with live production needed to meet new Salmonella standards appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Preparation, meticulous attention to sanitation and improved communication with hatchery staff and growers are critical for NAE production.
The post Pilgrim’s veterinarian shares experiences with NAE production appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Tom Tabler, PhD, Extension Professor, Mississippi State University, Extension Service, Poultry Science Department, Mississippi State, Mississippi
The post Cooling chickens with sprinklers has multiple benefits appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Diligent attention to four areas of hatchery management — egg-pack quality, incubation, sanitation and in ovo vaccination — can go a long way.
The post Four areas of hatchery management to help achieve better biosecurity appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
By Reg Smith, Vice President, Operations, Atlantic Poultry, Nova Scotia, Canada, Formerly Chair, British Poultry Council’s Antibiotic Stewardship strategy
The post A few tools to improve brooding, not antibiotic alternatives, are key to NE prevention appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Poultry producers can expect to jump higher hurdles as USDA continues to raise the bar for food safety.
The post Poultry producers facing higher hurdles with USDA food-safety standards appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Vaccinating broilers against Salmonella could be an effective live-side intervention for obtaining higher ratings in the Salmonella categorizations established by the USDA’s FSIS
The post Moving up: Vaccinating broilers may help poultry companies improve Salmonella ratings appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Outbreaks of virulent Newcastle disease (vND) that have spread from backyard to commercial flocks in California are providing a wake-up call to the entire US poultry industry.
The post Virulent ND in California sending wake-up call to US poultry industry appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Broilers raised without antibiotics accounted for 51% of total US production in 2018 — an 11-point jump from the previous year and, more significantly, up from 3% in 2014.
The post More than half of US broilers raised without antibiotics in 2018 appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Administration of an in-feed anticoccidial after coccidiosis vaccination has helped alleviate outbreaks of Eimeria tenella in broiler breeder replacement stock.
The post Bioshuttle program helps control E. tenella outbreaks in pullets appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
TOOLBOX, Issue 1: An interview with Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD, Director of Poultry Veterinary Services, Zoetis
The post Avatec®: What’s driving demand in broilers? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Disinfecting eggs and improving overall hygiene in the hatchery could dramatically reduce the risk of mortality linked to E. coli infections, scientists say.
The post Hatchery hygiene helps limit broiler E. coli mortality risk appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Aggressive vaccination of broiler breeders for reovirus using live and inactivated vaccines has been one of the most important steps the US poultry industry has taken to maintain good protection against the disease.
The post Aggressive vaccination of broiler breeders needed to keep reovirus in check appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Producers need to think long and hard before jumping into “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) poultry production.
The post Life without antibiotics: Field lessons learned the hard way appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Dirty chick boxes at hatcheries can be a source of Salmonella, but the risk was still lower than expected in a study conducted at one US hatchery.
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The AVMA has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made.
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The QX strain of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) remains the most common variant of IBV in Europe, but the prevalence of the variant 02 strain appears to be on the increase
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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, Athens, Georgia.
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The effectiveness of antibiotic alternatives is going to vary among “no antibiotics ever” production systems, and it’s up to the producers to figure out which alternatives will work.
The post Navigating the maze of alternative products for necrotic enteritis control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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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Effective biosecurity on poultry farms requires developing the kind of culture that motivates everyone in the company to adhere to the procedures that protect flocks from infectious disease.
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Despite decades of vaccination, the world poultry industry’s ongoing battle with infectious bronchitis (IB) continues to rage and points to the need for novel technologies to combat the disease.
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TOOLBOX, Issue 11: An interview with Jon Schaeffer, DVM, Director of Poultry Veterinary Services, Zoetis
The post How to avoid performance drops when initiating coccidiosis vaccination appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Raising broilers without antibiotics appears to be affecting the gizzard in ways that aren’t yet fully appreciated, and it’s not clear if the changes observed are true gizzard erosions, Jessica Hockaday, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Gizzard changes seen in NAE flocks but diagnosis is murky appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Biosecurity on commercial poultry farms has come a long way but still has far to go, Joseph Giambrone, PhD, professor of poultry science, Auburn University, told Poultry Health Today.
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By Philip A. Stayer, DVM, MS, ACPV
Corporate Veterinarian
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
The post USDA poultry inspections can help improve live production, processing appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Autogenous vaccines used in a reovirus vaccination program need to be updated relatively often to keep up with changes in the pathogen
The post Sanderson vet shares thoughts on managing elusive reovirus, other gut diseases appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Improved Salmonella control requires fixing weak links in live production that allow the pathogen to get into a flock, poultry experts advised during an industry roundtable.
The post Poultry experts identify weak links in live production that can compromise Salmonella control appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Emerging, variant strains of Mycoplasma synoviae are causing eggshell apex abnormalities as well as production drops in both layer and breeding flocks worldwide, Anneke Feberwee, DVM, PhD, from GD Animal Health, the Netherlands, told Poultry Health Today.
The post Mycoplasma synoviae demanding more attention as poultry industry grasps its full impact appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
Lameness in poultry is often associated with bird weight, bacterial infections or the condition of the litter, but it actually begins much earlier in the bird’s life — often in the hatchery.
The main failure in the bone is not only related to mineralization or even damage of the bone structure. It can happen on the collagen, from embryo development through the first days of life, Edgar Oviedo, DVM, a poultry specialist focusing on broiler management at North Carolina State University Extension, told Poultry Health Today.
Oviedo, who has researched poultry lameness for more than 20 years, says reducing the temperature during the last phase of incubation and in the hatchery can make a big difference.
“If you reduce the overheating that these birds normally have, they will have better development — not only on the bones but in all the tissues,” Oviedo said. He added that reducing heat will lead to birds with better immunity, which also contributes to a lower incidence of leg problems.
Weight is less a factor One might think weight would impact lameness, but Oviedo noted lowering incubation temperature could help reduce incidence of lameness, regardless of a bird’s final weight. While other factors can come into play, Oviedo said, “the beneficial effects of good incubation remain for the rest of the [bird’s] life. Even when we were raising smaller birds…they used to have [lameness] problems.”
There will likely always be challenges because of how fast the birds grow, along with complications associated with managing large flocks. From the egg to the processing plant, the birds go through different conditions, but Oviedo feels lowering the temperature during the last phase of incubation and in the hatchery is a good place to start.
It’s thought that nutritional imbalances can lead to lameness problems, but Oviedo doesn’t think nutrition is a primary cause.
“When the number of birds affected is less than 1% or 0.5%, it’s very hard to believe [nutrition is a factor],” he said. “And when 100% of the flock is receiving the same diet, it’s very difficult to prove that you can cause this small incidence of lameness with nutrition.”
Disease management is important too More than 50% of broiler chickens raised in the US are now raised without antibiotics. This trend could create additional lameness challenges for growers, Oviedo said. Lameness is not related to one specific bone, he explained; it’s actually the skeletal structure of the animal that can become imbalanced when exposed to bacteria.
“The animal has to create balance through modifications of the gait,” he said. “Those modifications create friction…which can open the door to any bacteria that could be circulating.”
In a healthy flock, Oviedo said bacteria can translocate to the bloodstream or tissues, where they would normally be eliminated by an immunological response. However, bacteria can create their own areas of growth in neurological tissue, he explained.
“Bacteria can infiltrate the femoral area or the acetabulum, or it can go to a vertebra. And then we have all these other diseases that can become infectious,” Oviedo said.
Litter can also impact the birds’ ability to walk. If it is too hard, or too wet, it will affect how they balance their weight, which affects their gait, he explained. If antibiotics aren’t used, “the whole environment will be more contaminated, and the amount of bacteria that they have to deal with in the immunological system is higher,” Oviedo said.
It’s a complex issue Lameness is a problem that has existed for a long time, and it likely won’t go away soon. Furthermore, it’s a complex issue — one that involves disease management, animal welfare and dealing with challenges associated with raising birds without antibiotics.
“Many times, the art of the poultry grower is watching the details,” Oviedo said. It takes close observation, along with common sense, to identify problems and their solutions. And sometimes that means going back to the beginning of a bird’s life.
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Early exposure to Clostridium perfringens (CP) in used litter may be a way to minimize the impact of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers, Steve Davis, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
NE, caused by the CP pathogen, remains a problem in “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) production systems. However, in studies he’s conducted in birds raised without antibiotics, it’s difficult to initiate NE in birds exposed to CP very early in life, said Davis, chief executive officer of Colorado Quality Research.
For instance, broilers raised on litter obtained from a previous CP-challenge study had substantially less severe NE compared to broilers raised on new, clean pine shavings despite a challenge with CP at 16 days of age. In addition, day-old chicks placed on clean litter, fed CP and then challenged at 16 days of age had lower NE lesion scores, lower mortality and better performance compared to unchallenged broilers raised on clean litter.
Davis pointed out that besides early exposure to CP, control of NE requires good coccidiosis control. Coccidiosis, especially due to Eimeria maxima, damages the gut, which allows CP to flourish. The clostridial challenge will always be there, but without the intestinal damage done by E. maxima, it’s difficult to create NE.
Questions remain The veterinarian said several unanswered questions remain: If early exposure to CP reduces NE, why do some of the worst outbreaks occur on NAE farms that have NE problems flock after flock? Is that repeat effect due to coccidiosis problems — most likely E. maxima — or does the strain of CP change from flock to flock?
The research results led him to conclude there’s potential for creating products or vaccines that enhance immunity against CP and NE. A live CP vaccination administered at the hatchery, for instance, might help protect against CP field challenges that generally occur at 16 or 17 days of age and minimize damage from NE.
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By Tom Tabler, Ph.D.Extension ProfessorMississippi State University Extension Service, Poultry Science DepartmentMississippi State, Mississippi
Poultry production in the US is at record levels and expected to continue rising thanks to consumer demand,1 especially for white meat. The trend has led to a steady increase in the market weight of broilers — but this sometimes comes with unwanted consequences, such as deep pectoral myopathy, commonly called green muscle disease (GMD).
This condition isn’t new and it can occur at any age or weight. GMD is not to be confused with woody breast, which has been featured in a number of articles in recent years and is distinctly different.
GMD is closely associated with heavier weight birds grown for the debone market. As the percentage of birds grown to heavier weights for deboning has increased, so has the incidence of GMD showing up at processing plants.
This degenerative muscle disease affects the minor pectoral muscles — the tenders — of poultry. Unfortunately, it’s not detected until birds are deboned at processing and it results in condemnations.
If a bird with GMD isn’t deboned and is sold instead as a whole carcass or as parts, the problem doesn’t show up until the chicken is on someone’s dinner table. There’s no infectious agent involved and no public health concern, but who wants to eat green chicken?
It’s costly GMD is costly. Several years ago, it was projected that for a plant processing 1 million head of 7- to 8-pound broilers per week, losses from GMD would be about a ton of condemned tenders per week and a similar weight of fillet trimmings each week, resulting in an economic loss of $7,000 per week.2
Actual numbers are likely higher today because many birds may be processed at 9 or more pounds live weight, and many plants are now processing at least 1.25 million head per week.
Wing flapping = GMD It’s believed GMD results from contraction of the breast fillet and tender that control up-and-down wing movement. Expansion of the tender is difficult because of its location. The tender is located between the breast bone and the large breast fillet, and it’s encased in a fibrous sheath that allows little room for increased muscle volume.
As the bird flaps its wings, the tender’s muscle volume tries to increase but can’t. Blood supply is cut off, and the result is oxygen deficiency that causes localized death of cells and tissues.
GMD can occur after one serious episode of wing flapping, or it can occur cumulatively due to multiple episodes. It’s probably more common in heavier weight birds because heavy fillets press on the tender, making it more difficult for the tender to increase muscle volume.
An important cause of GMD, therefore, is anything that causes increased bird activity that leads to wing flapping. Growers disturbing birds by moving too fast through the house, bright or intense lighting, excessive noise or rough handling of birds during catching as well as running loud equipment in or near the poultry house are all factors that can lead to increased bird activity and, ultimately, GMD.
Colorful stages Tenders in chickens with GMD don’t turn green immediately. I’ve seen every stage of the condition, from the early beginnings when the predominant color is red, to the final stages when one or both tenders may be all or partially green.
For the first 48 hours or so immediately after the initial event, the tender appears red, which is due to ruptured blood vessels. After 48 hours and for the next few days, the affected tender takes on a light pink color that progresses gradually to dark purple or plum.
As more time passes, maybe a week or longer, the tender finally turns to green, the color for which it is named. The green color is the result of the gradual breakdown of hemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue. I consider it similar to walking into the drop-down bumper hitch on the back of my pickup. The soon-to-be bruise is red for the first day or so, then eventually blue, purple, yellow and finally green a few days later. While the causes may be different, the results are pretty similar — ruptured blood vessels and damaged tissue.
Adjust management While a host of genetic, physiological and farm-management factors likely play a role in the occurrence of GMD, the key to controlling the problem appears to be management that limits wing flapping.
Birds should be disturbed as little as possible. Note that I did not say to neglect your flock! You still must regularly check birds and monitor air quality, ventilation, temperature, ammonia levels and litter conditions, and mortalities need to be removed. However, when working in or around the houses, move slowly and use extra care, especially near migration fences. Birds tend to pile up at migration fences, more so if they are pushed too fast, and piling results in increased wing flapping.
Noise levels inside and outside of poultry houses need to be kept to a minimum since loud noise frightens birds and increases wing flapping. This may mean putting off mowing around houses a few extra days, but that’s better than panicking birds.
Other ways to minimize bird activity is by maintaining low light levels and making sure you don’t run out of feed, since hungry birds become very active when they have access to feed again.
Be extra careful preparing the house for catching. Feeder and drinker lines must be winched into the ceiling for catching, which means increased noise levels from the drill and winches. Proceed slowly and as quietly as realistically possible since extra activity and movement of lines above the chickens’ heads will make them nervous and flighty and more prone to wing flapping. They are afraid of movement above their heads because it’s similar to being attacked by aerial predators.
In short, GMD appears to be closely tied to farm management, unlike diseases that result from some type of infectious agent. Management that lessens or minimizes wing flapping throughout the flock appears to be the best defense we currently have against GMD.
‘Heads up’ to processing Anytime those of us on the live-production side of the poultry business know birds to be marketed may have a problem, it’s a good idea to give the processing plant a “heads up” instead of assuming it’s the plant’s problem.
This would include GMD, which can be suspected if live production knows something happened before processing to cause an undue amount of wing flapping. The processing plant may want to adjust the speed of the cone line for deboning or add an extra worker or two.
Conversely, it should be the same on the processing side. If the plant sees a high incidence of GMD, the live-side folks need to know about it so they can initiate a search to find the cause and prevent it in the future. Maybe a grower was bush-hogging next to the poultry house a few days before processing or maybe the lighting program was changed, leading to increased bird activity and wing flapping.
Communication on both sides, and a better understanding and appreciation of what the other side is dealing with, will make things run smoother for everyone and help the industry manage problems like GMD at processing.
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US poultry production set to rise 3%. Poultry World. February 9, 2018. http://www.poultryworld.net/Meat/Articles/2018/2/US-poultry-production-set-to-rise-3-246723E/. Accessed March 14, 2018.
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Finding answers to ‘green muscle disease.” WATTAGNet.com. April 20, 2011. https://www.wattagnet.com/articles/8761-finding-answers-to-green-muscle-disease. Accessed March 18, 2018.
Editor’s note: The opinions and advice presented in this article belong to the author and, as such, are presented here as points of view, not specific recommendations by Poultry Health Today.
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While statistics show the US poultry industry has made great strides reducing foodborne pathogens, USDA’s new standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken parts have made poultry companies up their game.
Processing can’t do it all, however. According to panelists at an industry roundtable, there needs to be greater teamwork between live production and processing to meet these new standards.
“Sometimes you have flocks that come in with a very high pathogen load, one that’s higher than what the plant’s set to reduce,” said John Smith, DVM, formerly with Fieldale Farms and now a poultry consultant with Alectryon LLC.
“There probably are things we can do in the plant to make further improvements, but I don’t know that we can ratchet up our in-plant control procedures enough to meet a more stringent standard. Live production may need to play a bigger role.”
In addition to Smith, the roundtable featured Marty Ewing, DVM, Sanderson Farms, Robert O’Connor, DVM, Foster Farms; Charles Hofacre, DVM, University of Georgia and Southern Poultry Research Group; Randall Singer, DVM, University of Minnesota; Eric Willinghan, DVM, Winfield Veterinary Consulting; and Douglas Fulnechek, DVM, and Shane Calhoun, both with Zoetis.
Click here to download a free copy of the 32-page proceedings booklet.
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ATLANTA, Feb. 12, 2019 — Poultry Health Today, the world’s only news website focused on poultry health, is marking its 5th anniversary by covering technical sessions and conducting more than two dozen interviews with poultry-health experts and trend watchers at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo.
Sponsored exclusively by Zoetis, Poultry Health Today will tackle a wide range of topics with top opinion leaders, including independent poultry scientists Greg Mathis, PhD; Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD; and Charles Hofacre, DVM, PhD.
Other specialists visiting with Poultry Health Today include Ashley Peterson, PhD, National Chicken Council; Greg Rennier, Rennier Associates Inc.; Robert Beckstead, North Carolina State University; Sam Hendrix, DVM, Colorado Quality Research; Phil Stayer, DVM, Sanderson Farms, and many more.
The informative conversations will be posted to Poultry Health Today’s colorful website and its mobile app, available through the App Store and Google Play, over the new few days and weeks.
The Poultry Health Today news desk is located at the Zoetis exhibit (C11525). For a free subscription, click here.
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An interview with Andy McRee, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
Q: There have been reports, either in the literature or anecdotal, about hemorrhagic hepatopathy associated with inactivated vaccines. What are the signs of this condition?
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TL: There are several possible causes of hemorrhagic hepatopathy, but when it occurs after vaccination, it’s a random and unpredictable syndrome that shows up after use of an inactivated bacterin, such as a Salmonella vaccine. Birds may or may not have extensive reactions at the site of a vaccine injection. However, internal organs may hemorrhage, particularly the liver, which presents as enlarged and friable. Blood may be observed in the lumen of the intestinal tract. Bird mortality is often the only first sign. It spikes starting about 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination and can reach about 1% or more. Unfortunately, there’s no treatment.
Q: Does the type of inactivated vaccine — specifically, commercial or autogenous — have any impact on the incidence of hemorrhagic hepatopathy?
TL: Commercial Salmonella bacterins have been implicated in commercial egg layers. I am familiar with cases of hepatopathy occurring in broiler breeders after receiving the second dose of an autogenous Salmonella bacterin at 18 to 20 weeks of age.
Q: What then do you think causes the problem?
TL: There may be a hypersensitivity or allergic mechanism at work leading to the described reaction. Based on discussions I’ve had with scientists, it might have something to do with the amount of lipopolysaccharide left in the vaccine after centrifugation and “cleaning” of the vaccine. If a product is less “clean,” there could be more severe reactions.
Q: Could mishandling of inactivated vaccines, particularly overheating, contribute to the problem?
TL: This is uncertain. During several recent pullet vaccination evaluations, we did in fact find that overheating of inactivated vaccines — upwards of 110° F to 114° F (43° C to 45.5° C) — is an occurring problem in the field, but in these instances, hemorrhagic hepatopathy hadn’t occurred.
Q: Why are vaccines being overheated?
TL: Vaccination crews are typically using water baths to warm the vaccines. Many of these baths have no thermostat — or thermostats that don’t work — which prevents proper monitoring of the water temperature. If you use water baths, the water temperature should be maintained to minimize fluctuations and generally not exceed 95° F (35° C).
Q: Why do inactivated vaccines used in broiler breeders need to be warmed at all?
TL: Some manufacturers don’t recommend warming their inactivated vaccines, but most do. Many of the inactivated vaccines we use in long-lived birds are in an oil emulsion. Injecting them at low temperatures — 72° F (22° C) — has been associated with a strong tissue reaction.1
Warming — which is different from overheating — results in less reaction and minimizes injection-site reactions that can lead to condemnation of breast meat due to granulomatous lesions. It also reduces the emulsion’s viscosity, which makes it easier for the vaccine to flow through the syringe and needle and for the vaccine to disperse into the bird.
Q: Are there any consequences if inactivated vaccines are overheated?
TL: Inactivated vaccines are sensitive to temperature extremes. Overheating as well as letting them freeze can break the emulsion and negatively affect their efficacy. Overheating as well as injection of a vaccine that’s too cool can cause injections to be very uncomfortable for the bird, but overheated vaccines in particular may exacerbate or increase the severity of vaccine reactions.
Q: What are the proper temperatures for storing and injecting inactivated vaccines?
TL: Most inactivated vaccines should be stored under refrigeration at 35° F to 45° F (1.6° C to 7.2° C).
Always check the label, but the injection temperature generally should be from 85° F to 90° F (29.4° C to 32.2° C). The temperature of the vaccine should be checked with an instant-read cooking thermometer or an infrared temperature gun
Q: How can broiler breeder producers ensure they are properly managing temperatures for inactivated vaccines?
TL: Monitor temperatures. Remember that proper temperature management is crucial to get the best results with inactivated vaccines. Start with the right equipment. The refrigerator used for storage should be routinely checked to make sure it’s in good working order. If you use baths to warm these vaccines, monitor the water temperature. When it’s time to vaccinate, check the vaccine temperature before injection.
1 Burns E, et al. Evaluation of the effect of heating an oil-emulsion Pasteurella multocida bacterin on tissue reaction and immunity. Avian Dis. 2003 Jan-Mar;47(1):54-8.
TOOLBOX, Issue 9
Toolbox is a series of interviews with veterinarians and other technical specialists about their experiences managing antimicrobials, vaccines and other tools for poultry health. It is produced by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of the US Poultry Business of Zoetis.
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Jun 2018
The post Exploring the connection between hemorrhagic hepatopathy and inactivated vaccines used in broiler breeders appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
The 2019 International Poultry Scientific Forum is under way in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here’s a look back at our 2018 coverage. (Part 1 of 4)
View the report here.
The post SPECIAL REPORT: News reports and interviews from IPSF appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
An interview with John Brown, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian Zoetis
Q: Hemorrhagic hepatopathy has been associated with the use of inactivated vaccines. Is it a common problem?
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JB: No, it’s not common. Hemorrhagic hepatopathy isn’t seen only after vaccination. There are other possible causes, but when it’s associated with vaccination, it’s an occasional, random and unpredictable syndrome. It tends to occur 2 to 3 weeks after administration of an inactivated bacterin, such as a Salmonella vaccine. Oftentimes producers who have had the problem see it reoccur, then mysteriously disappear.
Q: What are the signs of the syndrome and can it be treated?
JB: There are deep reactions at the site of a vaccine injection. Organs hemorrhage, particularly the liver. Unfortunately, mortality is often the first sign and can reach 1% or more and persist for several weeks. Unfortunately, there is no treatment.
Q: Does the type of inactivated vaccine — specifically, commercial or autogenous — have any impact on the incidence of hemorrhagic hepatopathy?
JB: The jury is out on that. In broiler breeders, I’m aware of problems with hemorrhagic hepatopathy at two complexes after birds received the second dose of an autogenous Salmonella vaccine. I haven’t seen hepatopathy after use of autogenous bacterins in layers, but then, these vaccines aren’t used much in layers compared to broiler breeders.
Q: Then what’s your take on the cause?
JB: Liver lesions seen in affected birds look to be the result of an excessive reaction to the vaccine. It could be the vaccines associated with hepatopathy have more antigen and are therefore more reactive, but we don’t know for sure. The lesions could be due to other causes. It also appears that certain breeds of layers are more predisposed to developing these reactions, a possibility that needs to be investigated.
Q: What about overheating of inactivated vaccines? Could this contribute to hemorrhagic hepatopathy?
JB: That’s highly unlikely. Millions of doses of inactivated vaccines are administered — sometimes at temperatures that are warmer than advised — and there’s no ill effect, and I’ve seen hemorrhagic hepatopathy after injection of vaccines that were only slightly warmed.
Q: Why are most inactivated vaccines heated before injection?
JB: Many of the inactivated vaccines we use in long-lived birds are in an oil emulsion. Injecting them at low temperatures — say, 72° F (22° C) — has been associated with a strong tissue reaction. Warming results in less reaction1 and makes the vaccination process more comfortable and less stressful for the bird. Heating also reduces the emulsion’s viscosity, so the vaccine flows easily through the syringe and injection is easier. That’s why we warm them using either a vaccine warmer, usually supplied by the vaccine manufacturer, or with a warm-water bath.
Q: Do you see any errors in general with temperature management of inactivated vaccines?
JB: Most layer and layer breeder producers have done a great job training their vaccination crews, but I do occasionally see problems.
Q: Such as?
JB: You can’t expect a vaccine warmer or warm-water bath to readily warm vaccines just taken out of the fridge. Vaccines need to be brought to room temperature, then warmed. If you rush the process, you run the risk of the vaccine being too cold when injected.
The other problem I see is a failure to check the vaccine’s temperature before injection. This can be done with an instant-read cooking thermometer or an infrared temperature gun. Always check the label, but the injection temperature generally should be from 85° F to 90° F (29.4° C to 32.2° C).
Q: Overall, how important is temperature management of inactivated vaccines?
JB: It’s very important. These vaccines are valuable tools but need to be handled and administered correctly to get their maximum effectiveness. If they get too hot or cold, their efficacy could be impaired. If they are accidentally frozen, they need to be discarded. Another potential problem is bodyweight depression if inactivated vaccines are injected when they’re too warm or too cold, and of course, a vaccine that’s too warm or cold when injected can be uncomfortable for the bird.
Q: What can be done to ensure proper temperature management of inactivated vaccines?
JB: Start with the right equipment and make sure it’s working properly. That includes the refrigerator where the vaccines are stored, the vaccine warmers provided by vaccine manufacturers and whatever devices are used to check water-bath and vaccine injection temperatures.
Most inactivated vaccines should be refrigerated at 35° F to 45° F (1.6° C to 7.2° C). They should always be transported in coolers and never left exposed to sunlight. When it’s time to vaccinate, let them come to room temperature before warming. And by all means, don’t guess at that last, important step — check the vaccine’s temperature before injection.
- Burns E, et al. Evaluation of the effect of heating an oil-emulsion Pasteurella multocida bacterin on tissue reaction and immunity. Avian Dis. 2003 Jan-Mar;47(1):54-8.
TOOLBOX, Issue 8
Toolbox is a series of interviews with veterinarians and other technical specialists about their experiences managing antimicrobials, vaccines and other tools for poultry health. It is produced by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of the US Poultry Business of Zoetis.
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Jun 2018
The post Is there a connection between hemorrhagic hepatopathy and inactivated vaccines used in layers and layer breeders? appeared first on Poultry Health Today.
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Maintaining good intestinal health in broilers is essential for minimizing the presence of Salmonella in birds sent for processing, Manuel Da Costa, DVM, PhD, associate director for Outcomes Research at Zoetis told Poultry Health Today.
On farms where Salmonella is already an issue, vaccinating broilers against the pathogen also should be considered, he advised, pointing to research demonstrating the value of both approaches.
He explained that coccidiosis, a parasitic disease, predisposes birds to necrotic enteritis (NE), which is caused by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. If left uncontrolled, NE can be a major problem in broilers, especially those raised without antibiotics (RWA).
His research showed that once birds start having issues with NE, the prevalence of Salmonella can increase substantially. On the other hand, if coccidiosis and NE are prevented, Salmonella colonization can decline.
Coccidiosis-control strategies in broilers that are RWA include vaccination, non-ionophore anticoccidials or a combination of both, known as a bioshuttle program. Alternative products such as nutraceuticals, prebiotics and probiotics also have been used with some success. “You…need to have a multifactorial approach to the gut health problem.” Da Costa said.
Field trials He ran trials with Colorado Quality Research that included the use of bacitracin, the antibiotic most commonly used to prevent and control NE.
In the first trial, birds were fed controlled diets with no feed additives. A second group was fed bacitracin. Both groups were then challenged with Clostridium at 18 days of age. Birds in both groups were exposed to Salmonella at different times: 4, 18 and 21 days of age. Those birds challenged with both Clostridium and Salmonella on day 18 of age had a higher recovery of Salmonella compared to those groups exposed to Salmonella on day 4 or day 21 of age.
Bacitracin targets Gram-positive bacteria, Da Costa explained, while Salmonella is Gram-negative and not affected by the antibiotic. However, the trial results demonstrated that in birds where Clostridium is adequately controlled, Salmonella doesn’t proliferate and colonization is reduced. Salmonella control is, therefore, an indirect effect of keeping gut health in good condition, he commented.
Because the trial showed a clear correlation between NE and Salmonella, Da Costa decided to run two other trials, with the goal of mitigating Salmonella in the absence of bacitracin.
Interventions Diets with bacitracin, a leading probiotic and a non-ionophore anticoccidial (zoalene) were tested in the two trials. In addition, a test group of birds vaccinated with a live Salmonella Typhimurium vaccine with no feed-additive intervention was also included in both trials. The flocks were challenged with Salmonella and Clostridium at 18 days of age. Birds that received bacitracin and the non-ionophore anticoccidial to help prevent coccidiosis had a decreased recovery level of Salmonella compared to probiotic and no-intervention birds, he said.
The live-S. Typhimurium vaccinated birds were shown to have reduced Salmonella numbers even when the severe enteric challenge was present, Da Costa said.
“If you’re looking to control Salmonella, biosecurity is No. 1, [along] with gut-health management,” Da Costa explained. “If you start to have gut health-management issues, you’re probably going to increase your likelihood of detecting Salmonella at the [processing] plant and live-S. Typhimurium vaccine intervention can likely help you [in] facing this challenge.”
Editor’s note: This video interview, podcast and news article were developed independently by the editors of Poultry Health Today. They are presented here solely for their news value. The opinions and recommendations presented are not necessarily shared by the editors of Poultry Health Today or the interviewee’s employer.
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A rise in the prevalence of Salmonella on whole chicken carcasses since USDA changed the testing medium used could indicate the prevalence of the pathogen was previously underestimated, Dianna Bourassa, PhD, poultry specialist at Auburn University Extension, told Poultry Health Today.
In July 2016, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) switched the testing medium it used from regular buffered peptone water to neutralizing buffered peptone water (nBPW). The new medium neutralizes any antimicrobials that entered the rinse sample from processing-plant interventions. When the regular buffered peptone water was used, those antimicrobials may have masked Salmonella, she explained.
Live-production control Some processing plants have adjusted to nBPW by switching to different antimicrobials or by using mechanical interventions such as brushes to remove fecal matter before the carcasses reach the scalder. However, Bourassa believes the prevalence of Salmonella needs to be reduced during live production so there’s less coming into the processing plant.
Salmonella can be minimized at every step of production ranging from breeding to growout, she said, with measures such as breeder vaccination, broiler vaccination, biosecurity and gut-health interventions.
Bourassa noted that the new USDA standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter were developed before the switch to nBPW, which caused some confusion in the industry. FSIS studied the issue and concluded the standards don’t need to be revamped.
However, since the prevalence of Salmonella has risen since implementation of nBPW, she believes the standards should be redone by FSIS using nBPW.
Using chicken samples taken directly from a commercial processing plant, Bourassa compared findings for Salmonella and Campylobacter when nBPW or buffered peptone water were used before, during and after chilling. There were definite differences in results depending on which testing medium was used, she said.
For instance, there were lower levels of Campylobacter when nBPW instead of regular buffered peptone water was used for testing, a finding that concerns Bourassa. Is there something in the nBPW that affects the detected prevalence of Campylobacter? She thinks it’s worth investigating in more detail.
Bourassa plans to develop a simple, inexpensive test using nBPW for in-house testing by processing plants. Currently, many plants are still using regular buffered peptone water for their in-house testing due to the cost of nBPW, she said. A simplified test with nBPW would be more likely to reflect FSIS testing results than regular buffered peptone water.
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By Mark W. Jackwood, PhDDepartment HeadJR Glisson Professor of Avian MedicineUniversity of Georgia
Although infectious bronchitis is traditionally thought of as an upper-respiratory disease, some strains of the virus can cause inflammation of the kidneys or decreased egg production and quality if they infect the oviducts of hens.
This isn’t the only way infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes losses, however. The virus also predisposes broilers to secondary bacterial infections such as Escherichia coli, resulting in poor performance, condemnations at processing and mortality.
Controlling IBV, therefore, not only prevents the disease but it decreases secondary bacterial infections, which significantly reduces performance problems as well as the use of antibiotics in poultry.
The best strategy for IBV control is the use of live, attenuated vaccines in broilers coupled with a combination of live followed by killed vaccines in breeders and layers. However — as many producers also know — complete protection is difficult to establish because different IBV types don’t cross protect.
If there were a finite number of IBV types, we could simply make vaccines against each one. But new types of IBV continue to emerge without warning, making it difficult to stay ahead of the disease. The emergence of new IBV types boils down to the ability of the virus to rapidly change when it replicates. Those new IBV types can avoid the immune response and infect and replicate, even in previously immunized birds.
How replication leads to IBV changes IBV has a single-stranded RNA genome (set of genes). By nature, RNA viruses change much more rapidly than DNA viruses. In fact, RNA viruses change so fast we can actually measure their molecular evolution after only a few passages in chickens.
Changes in the viral RNA occur because the virus-encoded protein (RNA polymerase) responsible for copying the virus RNA has a very poor proofreading mechanism. Consequently, when the RNA polymerase makes a mistake, it has trouble going back and fixing it.
In addition, the viral RNA polymerase is prone to making mistakes. Those mistakes are called mutations, and when they occur in key places in the genome of the virus, they can result in the emergence of a new virus type. As long as the virus is free to replicate and transmit to naïve or partially protected birds, mutations will accumulate. The mutations that provide a fitness advantage will persist and eventually result in the emergence of a new IBV type that’s capable of infecting and causing disease.
Genetic drift versus recombination There’s an important structural protein found in all coronaviruses, including IBV. It’s called the spike or S glycoprotein. The S glycoprotein forms club-shaped projections on the surface of virus particles (Figure 1). The S glycoprotein is used to identify the IBV type. It’s responsible for attachment to host cells and for inducing the development of a protective immune response in the chicken. By and large, new IBV types emerge through mutations in the S glycoprotein that accumulate over time, which is referred to as genetic drift.
Figure 1. This visual shows infectious bronchitis virus particles infecting ciliated epithelial cells in the trachea. Those club-shaped projections on the surface of the particles are the S glycoproteins. The cross-section of the virus — the largest particle — also shows the membrane proteins embedded in the viral envelope as well as the viral RNA inside the particle.
Coronaviruses can also undergo recombination. That’s where two parent viruses contribute parts of their genome to create a new chimeric virus. In simplest terms, a chimeric IBV is a new virus that has a mixture of genes from two or more different IBV types. The genetic shift that occurs from recombination can happen rapidly, but it rarely results in a new IBV type capable of causing disease because of the mechanisms involved.
IB- control options It’s well established that IBVs with completely different spike proteins do not cross protect and that homologous (similar) attenuated, live vaccines provide the best protection. As noted before, it’s impossible to develop homologous attenuated, live vaccines for all the different IBV types found in chickens.
Cross protection is sometimes possible, but it generally decreases with declining similarity between S glycoproteins. In other words, the less similarity there is between a vaccine and the IBV type circulating in the field, the less likely there is to be protection.
Conversely, there are several factors that likely contribute to cross protection. One is the similarity of conserved regions in the spike proteins between different IBV types and the ability of antibodies binding to those conserved regions to neutralize the virus. Another likely factor is the strength of the immune response; some vaccines elicit a stronger immune response than others, but that usually accompanies a strong vaccine reaction. Other factors are the number of vaccinations given, which strengthens the immune response, and the combination of different IBV vaccine types, which contributes to a broader antibody response.
Cross protection cannot be predicted with confidence and must be tested in chickens. Once the type of IBV circulating in the field is identified, we can draw from past experience to design an appropriate vaccination strategy. If the field virus is new and, consequently, there is no past experience to draw upon, then the field virus S glycoprotein sequence can be used to identify vaccines with a similar spike sequence for testing in chickens. The “new” vaccine strategy must then be tested in the laboratory using specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, or it can be “field” tested by adopting the new vaccine strategy for the next flock of birds.
Laboratory testing is the best alternative since variables that can confuse the outcome of the test are kept to a minimum. Although not difficult, it does require the appropriate facilities, time, money and expertise. Basically, SPF chicks are vaccinated according to the new strategy to be adopted, held for a period of time (usually 4 or 5 weeks) in isolation units then challenged with the field virus. The birds are evaluated for protection 5 days after challenge by examining them for clinical signs and lesions typical of IBV and by attempting to reisolate the challenge virus. It’s important to include control groups to verify the validity of the experiment. Ideally, this testing would be conducted each time a new variant virus is identified or when the current vaccination strategy is not working.
Developing a vaccination strategy with either homologous vaccine types or with a combination of heterologous vaccine types given multiple times is important for IBV control because it can reduce field-virus replication to below transmission levels, which prevents or at least slows the emergence of new IBV types that may be capable of causing disease.
Summary
Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious upper-respiratory disease in chickens caused by the avian coronavirus IBV. The disease is difficult to control with vaccination because different types of the virus, which do not cross protect, continue to emerge in commercial poultry.
Because IBV is an RNA virus, it can change very rapidly when it replicates. Mutations that occur in the S glycoprotein gene can alter the makeup of that protein on the surface of the virus resulting in the emergence of new IBV types.
Using a vaccine that has an S glycoprotein identical to the pathogenic virus causing disease in the field is the best approach for controlling IBV. But since we don’t have vaccines against all of the circulating IBV types, a combination of different IBV types in the same vaccination multiple times can sometimes provide enough cross protection to prevent transmission and replication, thus diminishing the chances of new IBV types emerging.
Editor’s note: The opinions and advice presented in this article belong to the author and, as such, are presented here as points of view, not specific recommendations by Poultry Health Today.
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The key to successful “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) broiler production is cleanliness throughout every step of production, including a pristine hatchery, Armando Mirande, DVM, a veterinarian with Miller Poultry, told Poultry Health Today.
Miller Poultry, headquartered in northern Indiana, has been raising broilers with no antibiotics for nearly 2 decades, said Mirande, who has been with the company for 5 years.
A common NAE production problem is coccidiosis, which affects 10% to 12% of flocks and leads to an average mortality of two to five birds per thousand. Miller usually sees lower mortality, but noted that on rare occasions, mortality from coccidiosis may be as high as eight to 10 birds per thousand.
Miller Poultry recently decided to use coccidiosis vaccines year-round instead of relying on in-feed non-ionophore anticoccidials. There’s some apprehension about exclusively using the vaccine in cooler weather, when there’s less ventilation and moisture builds up in barns.
The main issue with coccidiosis vaccines, Mirande continued, is whether vaccinal oocysts used to stimulate natural immunity will cause enough intestinal damage for clostridial bacteria to proliferate, leading to necrotic enteritis.
He emphasized there is no particular formula that works for everyone in NAE production. Each operation has its own individual challenges, and each veterinarian should decide what’s best for that company.
The decision to use antibiotics in either NAE or conventional production is dictated by the amount of mortality, and every company has a different threshold, Mirande continued. The veterinarian said he has worked for three large companies and each one has a different standard.
Some companies don’t start antibiotic treatment until there are at least 100 dead birds daily in a house, but if antibiotic use is intended to prevent animal suffering, Mirande believes treatment should start sooner.
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An interview with Marco Quiroz, DVM, Zoetis
Q: An FDA report shows the Salmonella prevalence in retail poultry dropped from 15% in 2008 to 9% in 2014.1 That’s impressive, but USDA’s new standards for chicken parts and ground poultry have increased pressure to do more.
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MQ: Yes, they have. And despite these numbers, we still have room for improvement. One incident of Salmonella in humans is one too many.
Q: Statistics show that as of 2015, 74% of commercial poultry producers vaccinated broiler-breeders for Salmonella at least twice — up from only 20% in 2010.2 Many vaccinate three or four times, using a combination of live and inactivated vaccines. Is vaccination key to managing the pathogen load in live production?
MQ: Vaccination is and will continue to be an important tool for helping to reduce the foodborne Salmonella risk, but it can’t do the job alone. We need to look at Salmonella control with a holistic viewpoint and establish different pre- and post-harvest interventions for each segment of the industry including the feed mill, the breeder operation, the hatchery, growout and processing.
Q: Where is environmental Salmonella found?
MQ: Lots of places. It could be in the hatchery, in fomites or in litter. It can be found on rodents, flies, darkling beetles, wildlife, farm equipment and people, but it varies among farms. Salmonella can be found in poultry feed.3 I still see farm pets running around poultry farms, which shouldn’t be permitted because pets can carry Salmonella.
Q: Are there special biosecurity measures that can help prevent Salmonella?
MQ: A plan to minimize the Salmonella risk isn’t going to be any different from a plan targeting other infectious diseases. In fact, because of recent avian flu outbreaks, most farms have initiated strict biosecurity measures. This includes restricting traffic, mandating that anyone entering poultry houses use protective clothing and being more aggressive with wild-bird and rodent control.
Q: So what more can be done?
MQ: Good biosecurity includes cleaning and disinfecting equipment and poultry houses. Remember, all organic material — including feed, feces and feathers — must be removed and surfaces cleaned before disinfecting; otherwise disinfectants won’t work. Make sure your disinfectant is effective against active Salmonella spp.
Equally important is an intensive Salmonella-surveillance program and maintaining good general bird health. For instance, a healthy gut and management of immunosuppressive diseases are critical to help reduce Salmonella.
Q: Once environmental sources of Salmonella are under control, how should producers go about selecting Salmonella vaccines?
MQ: You’ll get better results with vaccines that are as close as possible to the serotypes of Salmonella affecting a farm. Salmonella-vaccination programs can consist of either inactivated or modified-live vaccines or both, depending on a farm’s needs. Generally speaking though, using both vaccine types helps provide the best results.
Q: How do inactivated and modified-live Salmonella vaccines compare?
MQ: Live Salmonella vaccines prime the immune system by stimulating gut-associated lymphoid tissue and cellular immunity. They’re thought to be fast-acting, help provide early protection and may provide cross-protection between serogroups. The inactivated vaccines help provide long-lasting serotype-specific immunity to hens and their progeny and may help reduce Salmonella transmission.4
Q: What else can producers do to get the best results with Salmonella vaccination?
MQ: They should rely on their veterinarians to determine the best vaccination program. Make sure vaccines are stored, handled and administered properly. Stick to the recommended protocol for dose rate and the number and timing of the doses.
Vaccine performance can be compromised if birds are stressed, so pay attention to good husbandry and provide the basics — a good diet, good hydration and adequate ventilation.
Q: With so many potential Salmonella sources on a poultry farm, is it really possible for the industry to make further significant reductions in its prevalence?
MQ: Yes — and there’s demonstrable evidence. In the US, breeder vaccination has been shown to result in a lower prevalence in the ceca and reproductive tracts of hens, in environmental samples on broiler farms and in broilers entering processing plants.5,6 In the United Kingdom, a dramatic reduction in human Salmonella cases has been attributed in large part to vaccination of poultry against Salmonella.7
So you see, it really is possible to make significant reductions in the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry products using a holistic approach that incorporates vaccines with biosecurity, good husbandry and environmental Salmonella control.
1 Good and Bad News about Salmonella in Retail Meat, Poultry. Food Safety News. May 2, 2016.
2 Source: Rennier Associates, Inc.
3 Jones FT. A review of practical Salmonella control measures in animal feed. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 2011;20:102-113.
4 Paiva JB, et al. Efficacy Of Several Salmonella Vaccination Programs Against Experimental Challenge With Salmonella Gallinarum In Commercial Brown Layer and Broiler Breeder Hens. Brazilian J Poul Sci. 2009;11(1):65-72.
5 Berghaus R, et al. Effect of Vaccinating Breeder Chickens with a Killed Salmonella Vaccine on Salmonella Prevalences and Loads in Breeder and Broiler Chicken Flocks. J Food Prod. 2011;74(5):727-734.
6 Inoue AY, et al. Passive Immunity of Progeny from Broiler Breeders Vaccinated with Oil-Emulsion Bacterin Against Salmonella Enteritidis. Avian Dis. 2008;52:567-571.
7 Poultry Vaccinations Credited for UK’s Big Drop in Salmonella. Food Safety News. January 23, 2013.
TOOLBOX, Issue 4
Toolbox is a series of interviews with veterinarians and other technical specialists about their experiences managing antimicrobials, vaccines and other tools for poultry health. It is produced by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of the US Poultry Business of Zoetis.
POU-00025
Jan 2017
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Washington, D.C. – The National Chicken Council (NCC) projects that football-crazed (and undoubtedly thirsty) Americans will scarf down 1.38 billion wings on Super Bowl Sunday as the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots battle for the Lombardi Trophy.
That’s a 2% or 27-million wing jump from 2018.
How do 1.38 billion chicken wings measure up?
- If 1.38 billion wings were laid end to end, they would stretch 28 times from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- 1.38 billion wings weigh 6,600 times more than the combined weight of both the Patriots’ and Rams’ entire rosters.
- Enough to put 640 wings on every seat in all 31 NFL stadiums
- Enough to circle the Earth 3 times.
- If each wing were 1 second, 1.38 billion wings would be 44 years.
- That’s four wings for every man, woman and child in the US.
As the saying goes, “I’ll just eat one. Said no one ever.”
As Americans unite around their shared love of the chicken wing during Super Bowl LIII, NCC is petitioning President Trump and Congress to declare the Monday after the Super Bowl a federal holiday: “National Chicken Wing Appreciation Day.” Declare your support for the federal holiday – and love of the wing – by signing the petition here.
“Whether you’re a fan of the left wing or the right wing, there’s no debate – or controversial missed calls – about America’s favorite Super Bowl food,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super.
Wing-Onomics infographic
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Poultry “raised without antibiotics” (RWA) or “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) now account for more than 50% of the broilers in US production, but “those reductions [in antibiotics usage] have consequences,” Randall Singer, DVM, PhD, told Poultry Health Today.
“Are we continuing to ensure animal health and welfare as we reduce our usage, and more importantly, are we using antibiotics more responsibly?” asked the veterinarian and professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota.
To answer that question, Singer and his associates did a research study, “Potential Impacts of No Antibiotics Ever/Raised Without Antibiotics Production on Animal Health and Welfare,” to investigate producers’ and veterinarians’ views on the impact of removing antibiotics from the food-animal supply chain. The researchers asked questions related to key parameters such as animal health and welfare, food safety, consumer demand and cost of food production.
A majority of survey respondents believe there are times when the RWA label takes priority over animal health and welfare. “Less than half in the broiler industry said there were effective interventions against their most important diseases, which means that now you’re going to need an antibiotic to treat the ill animals,” Singer said.
Respondents in all commodities indicated that RWA production would have negative impacts on animals, including increased morbidity, mortality and culling rates.
Perception and reality Retail demand has created a market for NAE poultry because consumers perceive these labels mean higher welfare standards, but that may not be the case.
“Simply going to ‘no antibiotics ever’ doesn’t necessarily put animal health at the forefront,” Singer said. “We really should be thinking about how to keep these animals healthy [in terms of] major disease challenges and the tools we have.”
Across all surveyed commodities (565 producers and veterinarians involved with broiler, turkey, pig, beef and dairy production), preliminary results show the main reasons for raising animals without antibiotics were market driven. The survey included both conventional and RWA producers; just over half of all respondents reported having past or current experiences working with animals in an RWA program.
The paradox Most veterinarians and producers indicated, however, that they think retail, restaurant and foodservice company leadership believe that animal health and welfare are significantly improved with RWA programs. These discrepancies indicate that veterinarians and producers feel that retailers do not understand the potential negative impacts of RWA programs on animal health and welfare, Singer reported.
The study overview said respondents indicated RWA programs would slightly to significantly increase the cost of production. However, they felt that demand for their RWA products would only slightly increase or not change at all.
“In general, across all surveyed commodities, respondents generally felt that there was a need for increased auditing/assessment of animal health and welfare in RWA systems,” the study report said.
Not a black-or-white, all-or-none issue Discussions in the US about responsible antibiotic use seem to have evolved into not using antibiotics at all, but Singer doesn’t believe that’s the case on a global scale.
“If we look at Europe, for example, producers can use an antibiotic to treat sick animals in organic production,” he said. “For some reason here in the US if you raise animals organically, you can’t use an antibiotic. And I don’t really understand…why we would want to put these animals at risk and sacrifice animal health and welfare.”
Singer told Poultry Health Today that the US needs to “find that balance, where the entire system of animal production, from hatch or birth to slaughter, is raising animals responsibly and using antibiotics responsibly, incorporating disease prevention techniques other than antibiotics whenever possible, and using antibiotics where appropriate and as approved by the FDA.”
Singer is the lead researcher on a 5-year study of antibiotic usage in the poultry industry, the first phase of which will be completed in Spring 2019. The objective of this project is to estimate the quantities of different antimicrobials used in poultry production (broiler, turkey and layer) for specific indications and applications.
A survey of production companies using a top-down approach to determine the range of antimicrobial-usage practices across the industry was also conducted. An update of this effort, covering the years 2013 through 2017, is likewise expected to be completed in Spring 2019.
The ‘One Health’ conflict Antibiotic resistance is a public health issue, which makes finding workable solutions for both people and animals more difficult, Singer explained. It’s a balance between lowering overall antibiotic use, while still making sure animals are treated properly when they’re sick.
“If reducing that risk to human health is through reducing the need for antibiotics in animals, then the veterinarian would say, ‘I need to do that.’ But at the same time, if I’m sacrificing animal health by eliminating the antibiotics, there’s a conflict.”
He feels the industry needs a full-systems, responsible approach to antibiotic use. Watch this video interview to learn more.
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An interview with Don Waldrip, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian, Zoetis
Q: BMD® has been used continuously in the US poultry market for more than 40 years. Looking forward, do you have any concerns about its age?
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DW: Not at all. In fact, BMD is still younger than a lot of other feed medications used in poultry. What’s unique about BMD is that, despite extensive use, it has not been linked to cross-resistance with other antimicrobials or to an increase in transferable resistance. If usage and customer feedback are any indication, BMD seems to be as dependable today as it was in the mid- to late ‘70s when it was introduced.
Q: What keeps BMD going?
DW: I think it’s the product’s molecular structure and mode of action. The active ingredient, bacitracin methylene disalicylate, isn’t absorbed by the intestinal tract1 of poultry or other food animals. It works strictly in the gut and there’s no withdrawal period before processing.
Q: BMD is often described as a “growth-promoting antibiotic.” Isn’t the poultry industry moving away from those types of medications?
DW: “Growth promotion “is a common expression, but there’s nothing in the scientific literature indicating that BMD actually “promotes growth,” nor are those words found on the product’s label. What we do know is that using BMD modifies intestinal microflora and promotes a healthy gut, which in turn enhances nutrient absorption from the feed.2,3 It stands to reason that the more efficiently birds can absorb nutrients, the faster they’ll grow. Years ago, FDA approved using BMD at low levels — 4 to 50 mg/ton of feed for broiler chickens — for “increased rate of weight gain” and “improved feed conversion.”
Q: But isn’t FDA doing away with performance claims for all poultry antibiotics?
DW: That’s a misconception. Under the new FDA rules that take effect January 2017, any poultry or livestock antibiotic considered “medically important” to humans — tetracyclines, penicillins and macrolides, for example — will drop their performance claims. On the other hand, BMD and one other feed medication for poultry — bambermycins — will still keep their performance claims under the new rules.
Q: Even so, some poultry companies have already told consumers they will stop using antibiotics that improve feed efficiency or flock performance. Where does that leave BMD?
DW: I think it still leaves BMD with a bright future. While BMD is one of the few poultry antibiotics remaining with FDA-approved performance claims, today’s broiler producers primarily use it for preventing, controlling or treating necrotic enteritis caused or complicated by Clostridium perfringens — one of the most common and costly intestinal diseases of broilers. Any performance boost from BMD is therefore considered a secondary benefit. So, between BMD’s proven track record against enteritis and the fact that it’s not on FDA’s list of “medically important” antibiotics, I think BMD will continue to be the foundation of many broiler companies’ gut-health programs.
Q: Does this same argument apply to turkeys?
DW: You bet. In growing turkeys, BMD can be used to aid control of transmissible enteritis. It’s also approved for “increased rate of weight gain” and “improved feed conversion”— claims the product will retain under the new rules.
Q: By itself, BMD doesn’t require a veterinary feed directive (VFD), but what if you use it in combination with other poultry medications? Can you still use it without a VFD?
DW: That depends. If BMD is combined with a medication that’s not on FDA’s list of “medically important” antimicrobials — ionophores and synthetic anticoccidials, for example — you still don’t need a VFD as long as it’s an approved combination. However, if you’re combining BMD with another drug that requires a VFD, you’ll need a VFD from your veterinarian. It also needs to be an approved combination, of course.
Q: So, in summary, between its claims for enteritis in chickens and turkeys and not requiring a VFD, BMD probably will be used in poultry feeds for many years to come.
DW: That’s a reasonable assumption. As long as the poultry industry is focused on gut health and flock welfare, I think BMD will continue to be a valuable tool for poultry companies.
1 Original New Animal Drug Application (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate – BMD®). NADA 046-592.
2 LaVorgna M, et al. Performance of broilers fed abroader spectrum antibiotic (virginiamycin) or a narrower spectrum antibiotic (bacitracin methylene disalicylate) over 3 consecutive grow-out cycles. J Appl Poult Res (2013) 22(3):574-582.
3 Miles RD, et al. Effect of Antibiotic Growth Promoters on Broiler Performance, Intestinal Growth Parameters, and Quantitative Morphology. Poultry Science (2006) 85:476-485
TOOLBOX, Issue 2
Toolbox is a series of interviews with veterinarians and other technical specialists about their experiences managing antimicrobials, vaccines and other tools for poultry health. It is produced by the editors of Poultry Health Today on behalf of the US Poultry Business of Zoetis.
PHA-00053
Oct 2016
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Vaccination of broilers against Salmonella may be the best and most expedient option for producers struggling to meet USDA performance standards at the processing plant, said Chuck Hofacre, DVM, PhD, president of the Southern Poultry Research Group Inc., Athens, Georgia.
Hofacre also recommended vaccinating broilers against Salmonella if producers have breeders shedding the types of Salmonella that pose a risk to human health, which could lead to salmonellosis in people and a recall — at least until Salmonella in breeders is under control.
“Salmonella Enteritidis, Heidelberg and Typhimurium are the ‘big three’ that can cause human foodborne illness. If you have one of those three…one of the quicker ways we can intervene to reduce that is to use a live Salmonella vaccine [in broilers],” he told Poultry Health Today.
The level of Salmonella coming into the processing plant is what dictates the plant’s success meeting USDA performance standards. If a particular complex or group of breeders is shedding Salmonella, their broilers will potentially have a higher level of the pathogen, posing a risk to human health, Hofacre continued.
‘Good protection’ The live vaccines are all Typhimurium based and give good immunity protection to broilers, especially against the big three types of foodborne Salmonella, continued Hofacre, a professor emeritus, University of Georgia. The vaccines are generally administered at day-of-age followed by a booster dose again at 10 or 14 days of age, he said.
The risk for Salmonella tends to be greater on large farms with all breeders in the same place compared to farms with only one or two breeder houses. The vectors of Salmonella, which include beetles, mice and people, tend to drag the pathogen around more into breeder houses, which means there’s a larger amount of Salmonella that makes its way to the broiler operation, Hofacre noted.
Need live-side help Since USDA tightened the performance standards for Salmonella as well as Campylobacter, processing plants aren’t able to control these foodborne pathogens as they did in the past. They need live production to lower the amount coming into the plant, he said.
Vaccination is “quicker and easier” than other Salmonella-control options, but producers may also want to consider using probiotics, organic acids and some of the plant-based essential oils that have an anti-Salmonella effect. These types of products are used in antibiotic-free production to control Salmonella but may benefit conventional flocks too, Hofacre indicated.
Feed isn’t a big source of Salmonella, in his experience. At companies he’s worked with that had a Salmonella problem, feed may have been what initially introduced the pathogen to breeders, but generally it’s not feed that maintains Salmonella or is responsible for it reaching broilers.
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Higher government standards for Salmonella control have put more pressure on poultry companies to reduce incidence on broiler farms and lower the pathogen load going into processing.
Vaccination of broilers for the bacterium has skyrocketed over the past 2 years, but other tools and management practices — good sanitation, rodent control, litter management, stepped-up biosecurity and feed additives — are also critical.
Grayson Walker, a DVM candidate at North Carolina State University, spoke with Poultry Health Today about the research he’s done on a feed additive that he said can serve as a “sentinel” for Salmonella control.
He explained that appropriate enzymatic hydrolysis of yeasts — a process where enzymes facilitate the cleavage of bonds in molecules with the addition of water — has been used to produce refined functional carbohydrates (RFC) that have activities against Gram-negative bacteria.
Specifically, these products possess sugars that interfere with Salmonella attachment to the intestinal lumen.
“Yeast-cell walls have been used as a feed additive for quite some time now,” Walker said. “They have nutritional and immunological effects that have been demonstrated, mainly due to the complex of sugars in the yeast-cell wall. If you subject this complex to…an enzymatic hydrolysis process, you can selectively expose the sugars that Salmonella actually used to colonize animal and human intestines.
“These sugars out-compete the intestinal carbohydrate receptors and intestines for Salmonella to bind to. It’s a way to inhibit intestinal colonization of Salmonella,” Walker continued.
Testing the theory Walker’s master’s project at North Carolina State evaluated the feed additive at different stages of poultry production in three trials. He feels it’s important with a pathogen such as Salmonella to have an integrated, multifactorial control approach. The first trial was with broiler breeders through an entire rearing period; the second experiment investigated chick-progeny intestines; and the third experiment further investigated RFC effects on Salmonella proliferation when fed to broilers.
In all three trials, when diets were supplemented with the RFC additive (Celmanax) throughout the growing process, Salmonella were reduced, he reported at the 2018 America Association of Avian Pathologists conference.
Salmonella were not detected in hens fed a RFC diet, while control-fed hens were confirmed 71.4% and 40% positive for cecal Salmonella at 23 weeks and 64 weeks, respectively.
“We were unable to find Salmonella in the GI tracts of breeders that were fed this additive, and we found it had the same effect in the broilers,” Walker said.
In Trial 2, Salmonella were not detected in progeny-chick intestines upon hatching; and in Trial 3, Salmonella Senftenberg was isolated in 14.6% of the litter of control-fed broiler pens and not isolated in the litter of RFC-fed pens using novel litter-sampling methods.
Management still key “Salmonella is one of those issues that we can significantly impact on a human-health level by also managing our animals appropriately,” Walker said.
For veterinarians and producers, Walker said it reinforces the idea of using best management practices and proper sanitation to reduce pathogens that can affect humans.
“While this product does indeed reduce Salmonella colonization in live animals, you have to have good control on your Salmonella problem before you go into it. This additive is more like a sentinel system: It should be used as a precaution, not so much as a treatment,” Walker said.
He added that it’s still important to use good management to keep Salmonella levels as low as possible.
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Conventional wisdom dictates that infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) field strains should determine the vaccine strategy.
However, a recent study from Brazil indicates the reverse is also true: The vaccine strategy can influence which IBDV field strains appear — and understanding and monitoring these dynamics are critical to the long-term control of the disease.1
The 4-year study, published in The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, looked at bursal tissue samples from IBDV-positive commercial broiler flocks in Brazil that had been immunized using one of three different IBDV vaccine strategies: a turkey-herpesvirus vectored IBD vaccine, an antigen-antibody complex vaccine or a conventional live vaccine. While half the IBDV-positive samples were compatible with vaccine genotypes (classic IBDV), as expected, the other half were classified as variant or very virulent field strains.
According to Eduardo Muniz, DVM, a poultry veterinarian at Zoetis and one of the study’s authors, the high detection rate of variant and very virulent field strains in vaccinated flocks illustrates the virus’ well-documented tendency to evolve to overcome the immune barrier.
No IBDV vaccination strategy is perfect in all situations, he explains, and the similar IBDV detection rates found throughout the country indicates IBDV field challenge is uniformly present in Brazil.
However, Muniz adds, the frequency and genetic profile of the field viruses recovered — in other words, the incidence of vaccine, variant and very virulent samples from a particular flock — appeared to be highly dependent on the vaccination strategy that was used (Table 1).
Table 1. Results of IBDV analysis according to vaccination program
| Total samples | Positive samples | | Vaccination strategy | Total samples | Negative | Positive(vaccine or field virus) | Vaccine virus | Field strain (variant or vvIBDV) | | Vectored | 77 | 50 (65%) | 27 (35%) | 5 (19%) | v=10 (37%), vv=12 (44%) | | Immuno-complex | 105 | 78 (74%) | 27 (26%) | 22 (81%) | v=5 (19%), vv=0 (0%) | | Conventional | 64 | 43 (67%) | 21 (33%) | 9 (43%) | v=5 (24%), vv=7 (33%) | | Total | 246 | 171 (70%) | 75 (30%) | 36 (48%) | v=20 (27%), vv=19 (25%) |
“This was especially clear with the group of birds that had received the vectored vaccine over a long period of time, in which we found a much higher frequency of variant or very virulent field strains,” Muniz says. In this group, 22 of 77 (29%) total samples tested positive for the field strain, compared to 5 of 105 (5%) for the immune-complex vaccine group and 12 of 64 (19%) for the conventional vaccine.
This does not mean that the vectored vaccines are inadequate or less effective than the other vaccines, he stresses. In fact, they confer a number of important advantages, including excellent safety and broad cross-protection.2,3 They can also be used in the presence of maternal antibodies and confer a long duration of immunity.
The difference is that, unlike conventional and antigen-antibody complex vaccines, vectored vaccines don’t contain IBDV. As a result, they don’t shed through the feces and colonize the environment. (In the study’s vectored-vaccine group, the small number of vaccine-virus isolates detected were remnants of live vaccines given in previous flocks or had come from neighboring farms, Muniz explains.)
“This basically means that when vectored vaccines are used, field strains continue evolving independently, without competition from vaccine strains. Over a prolonged period, this could result in increased field challenge,” he says.
“Regular monitoring is therefore critical. As soon as an increased challenge is observed, it’s probably time to rotate the vaccine program.”
Ensuring efficacy According to Muniz, the findings from this study provide additional scientific data to support the selection of the most effective vaccination strategies, products and practices to prevent IBDV, which remains a costly and highly contagious disease worldwide.
When selecting an IBDV vaccine, it’s critical to match the vaccine antigen to the field strain, he says. Once a vaccine strategy is implemented, the best way to assess its efficacy is by monitoring zootechnical parameters, such as mortality, secondary infections and immunosuppression. Sanitary monitoring can be done through necropsies and by observing the size of the bursa of Fabricius (bursometry), the avian lymphatic organ that is the primary target of IBDV.
Laboratory tests, such as serology and polymerase chain reaction with sequencing, are important, ancillary tools to assess whether field challenge is increasing and if there is a need to rotate the vaccine program, he adds.
“There are several IBDV vaccination strategies to suit different situations. Under the right conditions, vectored vaccines are highly efficacious and offer several important benefits,” he says.
“But after an extended time using a vectored vaccine and the same litter, a rotation may be necessary with an antigen-antibody complex or conventional live vaccine to replace field strains with vaccine strains — something that’s known as the ‘cooling effect’ of the broiler house.
“Once again, though, there is no perfect vaccine category for all situations, so the best way to ensure the long-term efficacy of IBDV vaccination programs is to monitor them continually,” he concludes. “The birds will tell us what to do.”
To view the full study, click here.
1 https://academic.oup.com/japr/article/27/2/253/4587964
2 Bublot M, et al. Use of a Vectored Vaccine against Infectious Bursal Disease of Chickens in the Face of High-Titered Maternally Derived Antibody. J Comp Pathol. 2007;137:S81-S84.
3 Le-Gros FX, et al. Field efficacy trial of a novel HVT-IBD vector vaccine for 1-day-old broilers. Vaccine. 2009;27:592-596.
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Field experience with infectious bronchitis (IB) in broilers during a harsh winter demonstrated that vaccination for secondary Escherichia coli infection helped stem losses, according to Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM.
Broiler flocks in the poultry-dense Delmarva region of the US had been affected by the DMV-1639 IB strain.
At the time, no vaccines were available to protect against the emerging pathogen, which gained momentum throughout the winter, Cookson, director of clinical research, Zoetis, told Poultry Health Today at the 2018 International Avian Respiratory Disease Conference.
The producer opted to implement a controlled field trial and vaccinated against E. coli to minimize losses from this secondary infection, common in broilers with IB.
“If you look real closely, you can see that at first you have head snicking, conjunctivitis [in the flock]. You can have shaking heads and coughing — all the classic symptoms of a bronchitis outbreak…But that’s not usually what the birds succumb to. It’s usually the E. coli infection that comes in behind all of that damage…,” Cookson said.
Classic E. coli signs The first sign of a secondary E. coli infection is usually increased mortality. In post-mortem examinations, Cookson said, there’s often “cheesy” material in the air sacs, as well as other findings such as pericarditis and perihepatitis — classic signs of E. coli infection, he said.
In his presentation at the conference, Cookson reported that livability for the Delmarva producer increased in birds of all sizes vaccinated for E. coli. For comparison, some in each weight group received one and some two doses of the vaccine. Overall, they were four times less likely to have excessive grower mortality compared to controls.
In most situations, one-time administration of the E. coli vaccine for broilers is probably sufficient, but in flocks with significant mortality — which occurred among large birds in the Delmarva flocks — day-of-age vaccination followed by a booster at 16 days of age “really cut down on…what some people might call ‘train-wreck flocks,’” he said.
Pen studies in broilers have also been conducted to compare E. colic vaccination protocols. Administration only at day-of-age, only at 18 days of age or when the vaccine is administered at both ages will all reduce E. coli lesions, but the two-dose protocol provided almost entire protection, Cookson said.
Asked about the impact of the trend toward elimination of antibiotics from the hatchery, he said it has “absolutely” opened the door for more problems with bacteria.
“When we don’t have those tools to diminish the loads of bacteria starting from the hatchery all the way through production, then naturally the level of exposure is going to be higher in our systems and on our birds. If there’s any level of immune suppression, that’s going to compound things and create more opportunities for E. coli…and other bacterial infections.”
Editor’s note: This video interview, podcast and news article were developed independently by the editors of Poultry Health Today. They are presented here solely for their news value. The opinions and recommendations presented are not necessarily shared by the editors of Poultry Health Today or the interviewee’s employer.
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Improved communication between poultry company veterinarians and backyard chicken growers could help improve biosecurity and reduce disease spread for all flocks, Tom Tabler, PhD, an extension professor with Mississippi State University, told Poultry Health Today.
Tabler acknowledged that commercial poultry veterinarians already have a full plate, but he would like to see a way for them to help educate backyard growers who often know little about biosecurity, its importance or how biosecurity procedures can be implemented.
“The two worlds are pretty far apart,” he said. At meetings or conferences for backyard chickens, there are rarely veterinarians from commercial growers present, nor are any backyard growers ever present at gatherings frequented by commercial poultry veterinarians.
In his experience, backyard growers are inquisitive and would welcome information that poultry company veterinarians could provide about biosecurity. Backyard growers may not realize they can pick up disease and track it to their flocks if they fail to change boots and clothes after a visit to the feed store or coffee shop where other chicken growers are present. They may not understand that delivery trucks can bring disease to their farm or why it’s important to restrict who comes near their chickens, Tabler said.
“Now, you can’t control what your neighbors do, or what the person down the road does…but you can control your own, and you can at least eliminate your operation as a threat to everyone else close to you and in the commercial world as well,” he said.
Tabler added, “If you’ve never known any better, and no one’s ever told you any different, you may be doing the wrong the thing and not know you’re doing the wrong thing…if you’ve never been taught, it’s hard to understand what’s right and what’s wrong.”
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Good coccidiosis control and litter management are the two most important steps producers can take to prevent necrotic enteritis (NE) in flocks raised without antibiotics, Charles Hofacre, DVM, PhD, told Poultry Health Today.
One of the triggering factors that allows the growth of Clostridium perfringens (CP) — the toxin-producing organism that causes NE — is coccidial damage to the chicken’s intestinal epithelium.
The intestine’s response to damage is to produce mucous for self-protection, which CP utilizes as a food source. The more mucous, the faster CP will grow, explained Hofacre, president of Southern Poultry Research Group Inc., Athens, Georgia.
CP lives in the bird’s ceca, but it creates NE in the small intestine’s duodenum and jejunum. Two organisms that cause coccidiosis, Eimeria maxima and E. acervuline, live in the jejunum and duodenum, respectively — areas where CP colonizes and produces the toxin that leads to NE, he said.
Hofacre conducts research to better understand the CP and NE cycle and how it can be broken. In a recent study, he found that interventions need to be aimed at reducing CP colonization. If there’s less CP colonization, there’s less toxin produced, which correlates with lower levels of NE.
Because coccidia and CP both thrive on moisture, good litter management is imperative for keeping these organisms in check.
Hofacre also advised increasing downtime between flocks. Anything less than 14 days allows too much buildup of bacteria in the litter, he cautioned.
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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 research assistant, University of Georgia, told Poultry Health Today.
To give producers a better grasp on the effects of bird density on broiler body temperature, Fairchild and Teo measured deep-body temperature by surgically implanting small data loggers in the abdominal cavity of broilers.
After establishing a baseline, the researchers evaluated the impact of stocking densities from 1 to 6.5 square feet per bird, Teo said.
The results of the study demonstrated that as stocking density increases, deep-body temperature increases as well, she added.
What the birds feel Ventilation helps control effective temperature — what the birds feel — which is a combination of air temperature, relative humidity, air speed and bird density, Fairchild explained.
Average broiler weights in the US today are 6 to 6.5 pounds per bird. “As we put more birds in the house, more pounds in the house, we’ve got to be a little bit more aggressive with our ventilation rates, especially in hot weather,” Fairchild said.
This research will help producers improve their ventilation protocols. By providing optimum environments and minimizing heat stress, the energy from the feed can go toward growth and development, he said.
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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.
Dougherty is working with a nutrition company on what’s called “The Bone Project,” which is aimed at determining what’s normal and what’s abnormal in the young chick’s life. The goal is to help customers reduce or eliminate lameness later in their birds’ life cycle.
In affected flocks, chicks less than 1 week old show tiny microfractures and inflammation in the leg bones, which can lead to lameness in older broilers, she said.
In other cases, Dougherty said young chicks may appear clinically normal with a gait score of zero but in 15 to 30 days develop lameness issues.
Producers have found rickets in 2- and 3-day-old chicks. Research shows it’s not due to broiler feed, she said, which raises the question of whether the problem originates with breeders.
One other possibility: Lameness could stem from a bacterial insult during the embryonic stage or the first week of life, which may result from eliminating or reducing the use of antibiotics.
These are avenues that need exploring, she said, but noted that so far, leg-bone issues have not been associated with different types of production systems.
A good environment for the bird is always ideal. Anything producers can do to reduce stress on that bird will help. While nutrition is a component of the solution to these problems, it won’t be the sole solution, Dougherty said.
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Coccidiosis vaccination was effective in broilers challenged with Eimeria tenella but only after vaccinal oocysts cycled twice, Laura Tensa, DVM, told Poultry Health Today.
Tensa and colleagues at the University of Georgia conducted a study after a poultry integrator reported problems with coccidiosis due to Eimeria tenella despite the use of multiple coccidiosis vaccines and in-feed anticoccidial treatments.
The study was conducted at the University’s Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center so it could be well controlled.
The investigators tested two vaccines given at day 1 of age, each used alone or followed by an ionophore beginning at day 14 of age. The combination of vaccination with an in-feed anticoccidial — a so-called bioshuttle program — is intended to mitigate the weight loss and decreased feed conversion that may occur after coccidiosis vaccination.
To evaluate the impact of vaccine cycling, the investigators evaluated the effect of treatments when broilers were challenged early at either 11 days of age — before the ionophore treatment began on day 14 — or at 21 days of age. They used a pathogenic field isolate of E. tenella for the challenge because it causes bloody droppings, which make it easy to identify. Results in treated birds were compared to those for unvaccinated, challenged birds.
Impact of cycling After the early challenge at 11 days, vaccination alone did not protect birds against E. tenella because the vaccinal oocysts hadn’t cycled enough to enable the development of immunity. After the 21-day challenge, however, vaccination with or without an ionophore at day 14 did protect against the pathogen, as evidenced by reduced gross lesion scores, Tensa explained.
Live coccidiosis vaccines simulate natural immunity against coccidia by providing a controlled dose of Eimeria oocysts. When chicks in the study were vaccinated for coccidiosis on day 1, vaccinal oocysts cycled on days 7 and 14.
“That’s a good two cycles” and by then, some protective immunity has developed, she said. Tensa added that the ionophore allowed them to “decrease the hit” flocks experience from the vaccine while birds continue to develop immunity.
She concluded that when used properly, either vaccination alone or when followed with an in-feed anticoccidial is effective against E. tenella. When using a bioshuttle program, it’s important not to begin feeding the anticoccidial before vaccinal oocysts have completed cycling. Tensa also recommended using anticoccidial sensitivity testing to make sure the Eimeria affecting flocks is sensitive to the feed medication used.
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Feed withdrawal before moving broilers to the processing plant appears to increase their susceptibility to Salmonella, indicates research from the University of Georgia.
Manipulating the immune response may be one way infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is controlled in the future, predict researchers studying genetic lines of poultry.
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.
Heat stress in broilers induced lesions of lymphoid tissues, indicating immune system impairment, but it’s not yet known if heat stress affects the vulnerability or severity of coccidiosis.
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a “moving target” and trying to keep ahead of it requires consistency and follow-up, explained Sjaak de Wit, DVM, PhD, of GD Animal Health, the Netherlands.
Strict biosecurity is the best defense against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in broiler flocks, advises Maricarmen García, PhD, a professor at the University of Georgia.
Higher 7-day mortality from bacterial infections in the hatchery is no reason to stop in ovo vaccination for Marek’s and other diseases, according to a consulting poultry veterinarian.
Properly vaccinated commercial broilers are protected from an infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) challenge despite exposure to moderate ammonia levels, according to a study that surprised researchers.
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 poultry companies to resort to plan B or C.
Starting broiler flocks on used litter, coupled with effective coccidiosis control and the use of trace minerals, can help minimize necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler flocks raised without antibiotics.
With the removal of antibiotics in the hatchery in “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) programs, the bacterium Escherichia coli is becoming more of a problem at many broiler complexes.
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.
Coccidiosis can be controlled in broilers without antibiotics as long as producers pay closer attention to hatchery coccidiosis vaccination procedures, brooding and stocking rates, Greg Mathis, PhD, president of Southern Poultry Research, told Poultry Health Today.
Reovirus is mutating every 2 to 3 years, which is making it difficult to protect broilers from the effects of the virus, Don Waldrip, DVM, technical service veterinarian for Zoetis, told Poultry Health Today.
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.
Alternative products for coccidiosis control remain the focus of research, but so far, the results are inconsistent, Sam Hendrix, DVM, veterinarian and researcher at Colorado Quality Research, told Poultry Health Today.
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 University of Maryland.
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 University Extension, told Poultry Health Today.
Inadequate coccidiosis protection in pullets can lead to health issues ranging from uneven weight gain to mortality.
The US poultry industry is reporting more problems with virulent Mycoplasma synoviae according to Naola Ferguson, DVM
While the poultry and livestock sectors have drawn the ire of consumer and medical groups for the growth of antimicrobial resistance, it is wrong to “partition blame,” Randy Singer, DVM, PhD, University of Minnesota, told Poultry Health Today.
Vaccination of broilers against Salmonella can help poultry producers reduce the pathogen’s prevalence at processing and may also benefit bird performance, Kalen Cookson, DVM, director of clinical research, Zoetis, told Poultry Health Today.
Contaminated chicken feathers and feet may be the primary vectors for transmitting Salmonella from poultry houses to processing plants, according to Martha Pulido, DVM, PhD, Mississippi State University.
Turkeys are suffering from coccidiosis due to a lack of available medications, according to Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research, Athens, Georgia.
Industry trendwatcher and analyst Greg Rennier, PhD, recently sat down with Poultry Health Today to share his thoughts on antibiotic-free production and where the poultry industry is heading in 2017 and beyond.
Not vaccinating broiler breeders for chicken anemia virus (CAV) because ELISA results show detectable antibodies could be asking for trouble, says Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, Avian Health International, LLC.
Most broiler producers know the economic impact of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens, particularly in birds raised without antibiotics. Now researchers in Canada are concerned that if left unchecked, the bacterium in broilers could become a more prevalent cause of food-borne illness in people, Marie-Lou Gaucher, DVM, MSc, PhD, University of Montreal, told Poultry Health Today. “We tend to forget that Clostridium perfringens is a significant foodborne pathogen,” she said. Over the past few years, and especially in Canada, there appear to be more reports of human illness attributed to C. perfringens, she explained. While C. perfringens tends to be more prevalent in birds raised without antibiotics, Gaucher said foodborne illnesses in humans attributed to the bacterium could come from many sources and were not necessarily related to this production trend. Future research will explore whether there is a correlation between the increase in these outbreaks and birds raised without antibiotics. Few studies have investigated poultry’s role or the level of contamination with C. perfringens in retail poultry meat, Gaucher continued, so she and colleagues initiated a study to fill that void. At two poultry processing plants in Quebec, they searched for the presence of the enterotoxin gene, cpe, which is the gene in strains of C. perfringens that can cause illness in people. Of 379 carcasses from 79 flocks sampled, 25% of flocks, 10% of carcasses and 5% of environmental samples were positive for cpe, Gaucher reported in a presentation about the study presented at the at the 2018 International Poultry Scientific Forum. Surprise finding The investigators obtained samples for the CPE gene during five critical steps of processing. Up to 58% of the 38 cpe-positive carcasses and 64% of the 11 cpe-positive positive environmental samples were identified after chilling — a finding Gaucher said was surprising because it’s one of the last processing steps. It also indicates the pathogen could reach consumers. She noted that one of the processing plants had far more positive samples compared to the other. The research group’s next goal will be to try and figure out how contamination occurs and the corrective measures that might be taken to manage and minimize broiler meat contamination with toxigenic C. perfringens. In people, toxigenic C. perfringens infection can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps that usually lasts less than 24 hours. The very young and elderly may have more severe symptoms that last longer. The pathogen can survive high temperatures. It can grow when food is from 54° F to 140° F (12° C–60° C) and grow very rapidly at temperatures from 109° F to 117° F (43° C–47° C), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Woody breast is a relatively new disease that adversely affects meat quality during processing, but poultry scientists still don’t understand it’s underlying causes, said Luke Borst, DVM, PhD, a veterinary anatomic pathologist at North Carolina State University.
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 veterinarian at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Extension.
Two symposia focused on enteric disease in poultry will be held immediately prior to the 2018 American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) annual conference set for this July in Denver.
Kalen Cookson, DVM, is the director of clinical research, poultry, Zoetis. He explained the common misconceptions about infectious bursal disease (IBD) to Poultry Health Today.
The American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) plans to increase its public presence and become a trusted source of information for consumers about the science behind poultry health.
Farms affected by variant infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses may find that currently available IBD vaccines aren’t always effective, said Daral Jackwood, PhD, professor in food animal research at Ohio State University.
Control of infectious bronchitis (IB) requires good biosecurity, good management and rigorous administration of a vaccine that matches the circulating virus as closely as possible, John Smith, DVM, MAM, Alectryon LLC, formerly with Fieldale Farms, told Poultry Health Today.
Skin lesions in turkeys open the door to Clostridium infections and clostridial dermatitis, the most important disease in the turkey industry, according to a study by Kakambi Nagaraja, PhD, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at the University of Minnesota.
H9N2, a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus common in parts of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, would be difficult to control if introduced to the US, said David Suarez, a research leader with the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Layer feed does not appear to be a likely vector for transmitting the avian influenza (AI) virus, based on research conducted by Yuko Sato, DVM, of Iowa State University.
Identifying coccidial species by metagenomics can help producers fine-tune their coccidiosis-control programs, said Ryan Snyder, a graduate student in the pathobiology department at the University of Guelph.
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 a good thing, said Jenny Fricke, DVM.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 a good thing, said Jenny Fricke, DVM.
Broilers raised on used litter develop better immunity to necrotic enteritis (NE) than birds raised on new litter when challenged early with Clostridium perfringens, Steve Davis, DVM, president of Colorado Quality Research, told Poultry Health Today.
Flocks raised without antibiotics (RWA) that received a non-ionophore anticoccidial after coccidiosis vaccination had fewer necrotic enteritis (NE) lesions, less mortality and better feed conversion when exposed to a Clostridium perfringens challenge in a recent controlled study.
A methodical approach to managing respiratory disease in poultry can help veterinarians avoid misinterpreting data and making mistakes, according to David French, DVM, Sanderson Farms.
Sometimes the best way to identify disease problems is to use sentinel birds along with other diagnostic tools, but the specific-pathogen-free (SPF) birds used for this purpose aren’t always readily available.
New research by Callie McQuain, DVM, veterinarian and grad student at the University of Georgia, substantiates anecdotal field experience indicating that Eimeria maxima is the type of coccidia that most interacts with Clostridium perfringens and leads to necrotic enteritis (NE).
Research into the immune response of chickens could help lead to strategies that enable chickens to resist infectious bronchitis (IB), Rodrigo Gallardo, DVM, PhD, professor, University of California – Davis, told Poultry Health Today.
Daral Jackwood, PhD, a professor at Ohio State University, is best known in the US poultry industry as the go-to expert on infectious bursal disease (IBD). In an interview with Poultry Health Today, he explained the complexity of managing this difficult and costly disease.
Identification of variant infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs) has improved with the development of a real-time PCR (qPCR) test that can distinguish the type of virus and determine if it’s vaccine- or field-related.
The NAE production movement has helped reduce antibiotic use in poultry for good reason, but veterinarians need to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing so far they have no antibiotics left to manage disease in flocks.
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.
The poultry industry is rife with job openings for veterinarians that can’t be filled, according to Mark Jackwood, PhD, University of Georgia.
Producers raising flocks without antibiotics are finding new ways to manage gut health and coccidiosis with vaccination and anticoccidials, said Greg Mathis, PhD, coccidiosis specialist.
Part 2: Last year, the US poultry industry switched from buffered peptone water to “neutralized” buffered peptone to reduce the risk of false negatives when sampling whole chickens and parts for Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Part 1: The US broiler industry is successfully and steadily reducing the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter on chicken parts since the USDA’s new performance standards took effect.
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.
Ask any poultry producer about the most economically important disease in broilers, breeders or layers. Infectious bronchitis (IB) almost always tops the list and could best be described as the “eye of the storm.”
The trend toward “no antibiotics ever” (NAE) poultry production has no doubt spawned problems with necrotic enteritis (NE), but the industry is making progress in its search for alternative methods of managing the disease, according to Charles Hofacre, DVM, PhD, MAM.
The incidence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum is currently low in broiler and broiler breeder flocks thanks to decades of effort by the US poultry industry, but producers should maintain their guard to prevent a resurgence of the disease, cautions Naola Ferguson-Noel, DVM, MAM, PhD, University of Georgia.
Sanitation is the key to success when a hatchery completely removes antibiotics from its process, Josh Mulkey told Poultry Health Today.
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.
The US broiler industry has long relied on coccidial leakage to create immunity against coccidiosis in chickens. In antibiotic-free production systems, leakage occurs but can be more challenging to manage, Don Waldrip, DVM.
While the all-or-nothing debate about the use of antibiotics in commercial poultry continues, Mountaire Farms is standing on solid middle ground, said Don Ritter, DVM.
Improving air quality in broiler houses may be an important way to reduce colonization of S. Heidelberg, according to the results of a study presented at the 2017 International Poultry Scientific Forum.
The role of today’s technical services veterinarian needs to go beyond posting sessions, field trials, product support and customized disease-management programs.
Both conventional and organic processing methods reduced Campylobacter on broiler carcasses in a recent study by Purdue University. Matthew Bailey, a grad student at the university, discussed the findings at the 2017 International Poultry Scientific Forum.
With more US poultry companies reducing or eliminating antibiotic use in the hatchery, poultry companies need to make an even greater effort to guard against costly bacterial infections.
Necrotic enteritis (NE) is not only a big problem in flocks raised without antibiotics, there’s a wide variation in how it presents itself, Steve Davis, DVM, president of Colorado Quality Research, told Poultry Health Today.