The enzyme phytase plays a crucial role in poultry nutrition, since it breaks down phytic acid – a component of most plant-based feed ingredients – as well as releases phosphorus and other nutrients for the birds. Thus, phytase promotes better growth and development for poultry by...
Teaching can be challenging, especially when it comes to ag-related courses. That is because aside from lecturing, professors must also engage students in hands-on learning experiences, such as laboratory and field work, in order to help them apply their knowledge in the real world. In that...
In this new series of The Poultry Podcast Show, we will transport you right into the action and show you what A DAY IN THE LIFE of the main positions on a poultry farm looks like. Is poultry nutrition something you'd like to pursue? Would you like to learn more about the routine, the...
Poultry diseases can lead to significant economic losses for producers and health risks for both birds and humans. This is why biosecurity is crucial in poultry production: it is what makes maintaining healthy flocks and market access, along with preventing the spread of diseases, possible. In...
The gut microbiome of birds plays a crucial role in maintaining their overall health and performance. Since its development is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, diets, and exposure to pathogens, understanding those factors is essential to promoting gut health. In this...
When it comes to poultry, the physical quality of feed is a critical factor for optimizing broiler performance, because feed particle and nutrient distribution can affect growth and efficiency. Thus, we can enhance the profitability of the flock by improving the physical quality of the feed,...
Mycotoxins are often present in poultry diets and can pose a significant challenge. That is because co-occurrence of mycotoxins reduces the tolerance levels of individual mycotoxins; in other words, multiple mycotoxins in poultry feed, even at subclinical levels, can exacerbate mycotoxin...
The poultry industry is complex and full of challenges – farmers have to constantly go up against new hurdles. So what can we do to make the most of what we have? Guaranteeing that we're doing the basics should be the first and last thing on our minds. For example, a healthy poultry house...
Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) play vital roles in various physiological processes in poultry, including bone and feather growth, muscle contractions, and energy metabolism. Bearing that in mind, it is important to consider that feed type and form, along with the presence of other dietary...
The focus of research on diseases lies primarily on the immune response to infection and pathogenesis. That is because pathogens often affect the metabolism of their hosts by targeting their immune systems, both of which are extensively intertwined. So to better understand disease pathogenesis...
It is common knowledge that the US and European poultry industries are quite different. In the US poultry industry, eggs are often sent to large hatcheries. In Europe, we have seen on-farm hatching emerge. On-farm hatching is a revolutionary Dutch system developed to solve certain problems with...
The overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in poultry production. However, there are some additives, like probiotics and prebiotics, which can be used as alternatives to reduce the need for antibiotics. In that sense, how can we determine if feed...
