Breeding and the US hatchability crisis in Poultry World 3
The latest edition of Poultry World is available online. In this edition we visit a layer farm in Finland, explore the dynamics of the meat industry in the ASEAN zone, and consider animal welfare indicators at a broiler slaughterhouse. This and more in the latest online edition.
Alarming drop in US hatchability of broiler breeder eggs
As of 2025, broiler hatchability in the US is 6 percentage points lower than it was at its 2012 peak. This hatchability crisis represents a profound cost to the industry as well as a challenge in churning out enough broiler chicks to meet demand. Poultry World dives into research done by Innovate Animal Ag and discusses possible causes and ways to mitigate this alarming trend with multiple stakeholders.
Overcoming the hatchability crisis
At the end of January 2025, columnist Rick van Emous, researcher at Wageningen UR livestock research, visited Atlanta for the IPSF and IPPE. During several meetings with individuals from the US breeder industry, he says that the ‘hatchability crisis’ was frequently mentioned.
Raising male and female broilers separately is gaining traction fast
A key takeaway from the recent Eurotier livestock exhibition in Hannover it that broiler farming is on the eve of a major change. Fattening mixed flocks – males and females in one house – is finite…
Interview: “This acquisition strengthens our market position”
Danish company Novonesis recently announced that it has acquired DSM-Firmenich’s share of the Feed Enzyme Alliance. Novonesis will take over DSM-Firmenich sales and distribution activities. Tina Sejersgård Fanø, executive VP, planetary health biosolutions, Novonesis, discusses the impact of the acquisition.
The bigger picture: Protecting our flock
The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, bringing losses of hundreds of millions of poultry worldwide with increased spillover into mammals, highlights the urgent need for action.
Farm visit: Growing production together
Ida Toivonen is the manager of Säkylän Munakori, a farm in Finland with 140,000 DeKalb White laying hens in 4 identical houses. The farm, which was built in 2021/2022 on a new site, is owned by a cooperative of 20 poultry farmers who together have around 1.5 million layers.
Animal welfare indicators at the broiler slaughterhouse
In order to sell animal products at the best possible price, it is important to take into consideration what the consumer wants. Obviously, consumers want a tasty, safe and healthy product for the lowest possible price. However, they also increasingly look for products reflecting higher animal welfare standards, standards which are being monitored and improved.
The dynamics of the meat industry in the ASEAN zone
There are not many scientific studies on meat production and meat trade for the ASEAN economic area. With an estimated population of 636 million (2022), the area only contributed 5.3% to the world’s meat production that year. The 10 member states differ considerably regarding the volume and importance of various meat types. This article zooms in on the decade from 2012 to 2022 – years when ASF, avian influenza and Covid-19 influenced production.
Added benefit of water acidification
In today’s era of antibiotic-free poultry production, feed and water additives provide producers with an alternative method to improve poultry health and performance.
