Poultry World edition 2 of 2021 is now online

International poultry business – Quo vadis?

Poultry remains the world’s most popular meat and most appear to remain hopeful for the poultry sector this year. “If you are an investor in this industry, the future will be good, but you will have to withstand this tough stage first,” said Rabobank agricultural economist, Nan-Dirk Mulder. What did others at EuroTier have to say?

Russian poultry industry feels the sting of the pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic delivered a massive blow to the Russian poultry industry with soaring grain prices and a weakening Russian Rouble adding further pressure to the sector. The industry, however, continues to attract large investors with new farms being built. Could this lead to an oversupply crisis?

US farm pushing forward free-range egg sales

American shoppers are becoming increasingly concerned about the welfare of the animals that produce their food. Caged eggs are losing market share to barn, free-range and organic alternatives. One company is at the forefront of this movement – how do they do business?

“We practice regenerative farming…Our fundamental thesis and research has been focused on the 5 chicken behaviours…and what chickens are hardwired to do,” says John Brunnquell, CE of Blue Sky Family Farms. Photo: Egg Innovations

Importance of broiler flock uniformity

Poor uniformity affects flock performance and welfare in both breeder and layer operations. This article focuses on commercial broilers, where uniformity issues are more common. How is uniformity measured, and what are the sources of variation?

Poor uniformity will, inevitably, be widespread, and so tools to address unexpected issues are valuable. Photo: Mark Pasveer

Optimising phytase investment

The world’s population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050. With such a demand on animal protein, how can we use feed raw materials more effectively, and could feed enzymes, specifically phytases, present a solution?

DSM has developed a dynamic analytical tool which, combined with an accurate prediction model, may be the ideal solution for optimum phytase dosing. Photo: FOSS

Gumboro disease control improves processing results

Gumboro disease, or infectious bursal disease, can negatively impact production performance and the processing of carcasses. Furthermore, the most common form of Gumboro disease is sub-clinical, so clinical signs are not perceptible. Controlling Gumboro disease through vaccination will improve results.

Vaccination against Gumboro disease can be done in live birds or through in ovo vaccination. Photo: Ceva

Top tips for effective vermin control

In poultry production, rodents and insects, including rats, mice and beetles, are generally classified as vermin. These pests not only damage the environment, feed, food, equipment or infrastructure, but can also carry diseases. An effective pest management programme is essential.

The lifespan of the most common mouse is 9-12 months. It becomes sexually mature in 6 weeks, and each mouse has about 3-6 offspring per cycle with a maximum of 10 cycles per year. Photo: ANP

Balanced microbiota essential in NAE production systems

Reduced antibiotic use (NAE) in poultry production increases the need to maintain a healthy and properly functioning gut, but this is a constant balancing act between cleanliness and supporting a natural microbiota.

It can be beneficial to incorporate commercial products in feed to supplement the microbiome, such as probiotics, prebiotics, or a yeast fermentation product. Photo: G Point Studio

Improving gut health in the antibiotic-free era

A disruption to the integrity of a bird’s gut is a disruption to feed conversion, productivity and bird health, and so a healthy chicken gut is essential to optimise performance.

Antibiotic-free poultry production is a common trend worldwide and has led to the search for alternative strategies to modulate gut development and health in poultry. Photo: Herbert Wiggerman

Gene editing makes birds resistant to avian flu

Using gene editing, Israeli company EggXYt is developing a tool that can give chickens genetic immunity against a host of diseases, including avian influenza.

“By using gene editing, our team can give chickens genetic immunity against a host of diseases,” says CEO Yehuda Elram. Photo: Omri Adar

Incubation system hardly affects broiler performance

Egg incubation is the first step in the broiler production chain, but during growout, the incubation system hardly influences performance.

5 trials were performed to compare the use of single-stage and multi-stage incubators. Photo: Koos Groenewold

Column: Ducks flourish with the right flora

Columnist Antoine le Calvé discusses the purpose of probiotics, which his to “make the microbiota healthy”, adding that a better microbiota means better health.

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