Upgrading Hen Housing: Latest Developments in Europe
At the recent International Egg Commission (IEC) meeting in Vancouver, a panel of experts discussed the future of enriched colony systems and other alternatives to conventional cages for laying hens in the EU.

Aspects of Management Discussed at Turkey Science Meeting
Three presentations at the 3rd Turkey Science and Production Conference held at Macclesfield, UK, in April 2009 covered the general topic of management. The papers - on foot pad dermatitis, brooding and water quality - are summarised by Jackie Linden...

Synbiotic Product Helps Combat Transport Stress
Feeding of Biomin Imbo modulates the stress indicator of transported birds and enhances tolerance to stress after pre-slaughter handling and transportation, according to research recently published by Ghareeb and Böhm of the University of Vienna.

Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing
The second report by the UK's Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) on Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing deals specifically with animals for white meat, namely meat chickens (broilers), laying hens, turkeys, ducks, geese, gamebirds...

Slaughter, Processing and Sales Guidelines for Small Scale Producers
The inspection status of a poultry slaughter establishment determines where the poultry products can be distributed and sold - this is one of the main focuses of a new report from Iowa State University on poultry slaughter, processing and sales guidelines...

Genetic Selection May Help Improve Walking Ability of Turkeys
Dr Edgar Oviedo-Rondón of North Carolina State University reviewed his work into the relationship between gait parameters and bone strength in turkeys at the 3rd Turkey Science and Production Conference earlier this year. Jackie Linden summarises his...

Immunology and Disease Discussed at WPSA UK Meeting
Three papers on very different topics were included in an interesting session on Immunology and Disease at the annual meeting of the UK Branch of the World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA) earlier this year, writes ThePoultrySite editor, Jackie Linden....

Better Gut Health Enhances Animal Performance
The health of the gastrointestinal tract is especially important for the young animal, writes Nataliya Roth, Technical Manager with Biomin Holding GmbH.

Implications of the Cage Ban in California
At the IEC London Conference held in March, Gene Gregory, President of United Egg Producers (UEP) in the USA, spoke passionately about the consequences of banning cages in California. He discussed with delegates how this decision has affected the local...

Showers, Troughs as Good as Ponds for Duck Welfare
Duck welfare is related to the nature and extent of their access to water, according to a paper published by University of Oxford researchers, Tracey Jones, Corri Waitt and Professor Marian Dawkins. Growth was not affected by treatment but the eyes, nostrils...

Implications of Changing Conditions on Welfare Explored
Developments in the industry sometimes move ahead before the implications on bird welfare have been fully explored. Editor of ThePoultrySite, Jackie Linden, summarises two papers presented at this year's annual meeting of the UK Branch of the World's...

Finding Ways to Fight Campylobacter
Good farming and hygienic practices, testing and removing positive birds in production as well as vaccination have all succeeded in helping to reduce the incidence of Salmonella in chickens, writes ThePoultrySite senior editor, Chris Harris.

Turkey Welfare - Satisfying Wants and Needs
There is a need to balance the wants of the consumer with those of the producer, not forgetting those of the turkey, said poultry veterinarian, Stephen Lister of Crowshall Veterinary Services. He was speaking at the 3rd Turkey Science and Production Conference...

Comparative Assessment of Layer Hen Welfare in New Zealand
The highlights of a recent report into hen welfare in New Zealand are summarised by Jackie Linden, editor of ThePoultrySite. The science-based study was conducted by Hugh Black and Neil Christensen, and it has been welcomed by the Egg Producers Federation...

Seeking the Best Method for Mass Depopulation of Broilers
With the continual threat of avian flu worldwide, there is a clear need to identify the most practical method for the depopulation of poultry houses that results in the minimum suffering of the birds. ThePoultrySite editor, Jackie Linden, reports how...