COMMON CAUSES OF EMBRYONIC DEATH
- Males sterile or poorly selected (flock may have poor fleshing, shrunken wattles and combs)
- Too many or too few males
- Inadequate feed and water space allowance or water too warm/cold
- Disease
- Wet litter causing foot problems Excessive beak treatment of males Leg or joint infections
- Excessive weight gain or loss Insufficient weight gain
- Seasonal effect (decline in fertility in late summer and fall) Poor sexual synchronization
End of chicken tariffs a major win for South African consumers
Government and regulatory Policy and regulation Markets and economics
End of chicken tariffs a major win for South African consumers
The suspension will last 12 months
3 August 2022
3 minute read
By: Global Ag Media
In a recently published press release, the South African Meat Importers and Exporters Association (AMIE) welcomed the suspension of anti-dumping duties on chicken imported from Brazil, Spain, Poland, Ireland and Denmark for twelve months, saying this decision is a major win for millions of cash-strapped South African consumers.
"In making its decision, the Minister (Ebrahim Patel) considered the current rapid rise in food prices in the SACU market and globally and the significant impact this has, especially on the poor, as well as the impact that the imposition of the anti-dumping duties may have on the price of chicken as one of the more affordable protein sources," said the announcement, published in the Government Gazette. "The Minister, therefore, decided to suspend the imposition of the anti-dumping duties for a period of 12 months.’"
“This is an exceptional outcome for South African consumers, because they are under such significant financial pressure," said Paul Matthew, CEO of AMIE. "Chicken is the most affordable, and therefore vital source of protein for South African consumers, especially those living below the poverty line. This shows that our government, and specifically Minister Patel, are alive to the plight of consumers, and ready to take bold actions to help mitigate the impact of rampant inflation, which is encouraging."
Sustainability panel shares benefits of regenerative ag, egg production
Sustainability Market trends Markets & policy
Sustainability panel shares benefits of regenerative ag, egg production
Egg Innovations CEO said production benefits pasture
1 August 2022
2 minute read
By: Global Ag Media
US leaders in regenerative farming and sustainability came together as an educational panel to discuss one of the fastest growing market segments in food production. Set on the pastures of a regeneratively certified farm in Wisconsin, the special event celebrated how suppliers, retailers and consumers have the power to give back to the planet through the businesses they support, according to a press release from participant Egg Innovations.
"Helpful Hens is the fastest growing egg product in the marketplace now and the thought leader to put regenerative farming in the egg case," said John Brunnquell, president & CEO of Egg Innovations owner of the Helpful Hens premium egg brand. "Our egg producing flocks are benefitting pastures across the Midwest as they restore the soil and help build healthy ecosystems on farm."
Water management for parent stock broiler breeders
Water management for parent stock broiler breeders
Top tips for water systems, suppply and bird training.
2 August 2022
9 minute read
By: Paul Welten
Feed intake in broiler breeders is controlled and therefore overcompensation of water must be prevented because it can have many negative consequences. On the other hand, water must be provided sufficiently and timely for optimal welfare and production. In this article, important aspects regarding water management for parent stock broiler breeders are described.
Water systems for rearing and production
Different system can be used to provide water to broiler breeders. Bell, nipple, and cup drinkers have their own characteristics. Bell and cup drinkers use a natural way of drinking where the bird must lift its neck to let the water flow from the mouth down the esophagus by gravity.
Bell Drinkers
Figure 1: The correct height for bell drinkers. The dotted line indicates that the bottom of the drinker should align with the chicken’s back.
A bell drinker has an open water system giving the birds easy access. It is easily checked visually to determine if water is available in every drinker. The challenge is that water quality management is more complicated and labor intensive (cleaning). It is important to have the correct water level in the drinker for optimal drinker comfort. The bell drinker water level should be 0.5 cm from the lip of the drinker at placement and reduced gradually after seven days to a depth of 1.25 cm (or thumbnail depth). Another important point is the height of the system. The bell drinker should be suspended at a height to ensure that the lip of the drinker is equal to the height of the birds’ back when it is standing normally.
Gh¢20 Million Compensation for Poultry Farmers Affected By Bird Flu Ready
11/05/2022
Gh¢20 Million Compensation for Poultry Farmers Affected By Bird Flu Ready
Over 700,000 birds and quantities of crates of eggs had been culled and destroyed in the country following the outbreak of the bird flu at a poultry farm in Tema on July 18 last year, which had since spread across the country.
Although the spread of bird flu had been brought under control, the poultry farmers who had lost their livelihoods due to the infections, had been crying out to the government for compensation to get back to business.
On why the compensation had taken long, Dr. Akoto stressed the need for a "solid data" on the affected farmers to facilitate the disbursement of the compensation, adding "we are finalising the modalities for the disbursement, we are processing the modalities for payment, the money is with us," he added.
He said the latest strain of the virus in the country and other parts of the sub-region was "very deadly and massive," saying that it had tremendously affected the poultry industry.
Dr. Akoto further disclosed that the government had given financial clearance for the recruitment of 500 veterinary surgeons and technicians to expand services and improve upon animal health in the country.
UK orders avian influenza prevention zone as bird flu detections rise
UK orders avian influenza prevention zone as bird flu detections rise
4 November 2021, at 12:00am
According to the UK government, following a number of detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds across Great Britain, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
According to the UK government, as of November 3, 2021:
· An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across Great Britain effective from 5pm on 3 November 2021 - see the AIPZ section for further information
· Avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in birds at a premises in the Angus constituency in Scotland. Further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain. 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zones have been put in place surrounding the premises
On November 2, 2021:
· The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales confirmed a case of H5N1 Avian Influenza at a premises near Chirk, Wrexham, Wales. Further testing has confirmed this to be a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N1). Following confirmation of the pathogenicity, the Temporary Control Zones have been revoked and replaced by a 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone in the relevant areas of England and Wales
· 3km and 10km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones remain in force surrounding a rescue centre near Droitwich Spa, Wychavon, Worcestershire
· There have been multiple findings of HPAI H5N1 in wild birds from sites across GB. See the UK government Wild birds in England section for further information
Slowing broiler growth under special circumstances using feed/nutritional interventions
Slowing broiler growth under special circumstances using feed/nutritional interventions
According to the National Chicken Council, the United States poultry industry processed over 9.22 billion broilers in 2020. To accomplish this feat, the poultry industry relies on a vertically integrated production system (Figure 1) to secure the seamless flow of poultry products from the breeder farm, through the hatchery, to the broiler farm, and to the processing plant. The logistics for each step are tightly coordinated so that when product is moved from one link in the supply chain, the next link is ready to receive the product. This not only secures the welfare of each bird, but it also improves the efficiency of a system that operates on razor-thin margins. Problems arise when disruptions in the supply chain occur. Quick action and decisive decisions from a competent team will solve supply chain disruptions, but the solution will often require scheduling changes. This article will focus on how to respond to disruptions that delay flocks leaving the farm and entering the processing plant.
Figure 1. A diagram of the supply chain and production continuum for broiler chickens.
Is a brown egg healthier than a white one?
by Wageningen University & Research
2 August 2021, at 12:30am
It is a well-known food myth that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs.
Poultry expert Ingrid de Jong of Wageningen University & Research gets the question regularly, and most often around Easter. De Jong is a senior researcher at Wageningen Livestock Research and knows a lot about chickens and their eggs. She immediately sets us straight: "A white egg is not healthier or unhealthier than a brown egg. They are exactly the same inside."
Food Myth
So where does this myth come from? "Free-range eggs used to be brown, so people associate that with a healthier egg. Nowadays, free-range eggs can also be white, so that association no longer holds true either," says De Jong.
Yet there actually is a difference between the eggs, says the researcher. "Roughly you can say that brown chickens lay brown eggs and white chickens lay white eggs. White chickens are slightly smaller than brown chickens and therefore need less feed to produce an egg. Less feed and therefore less manure means that a white egg is slightly more climate friendly. And with 30,000 hens in one barn, that adds up quickly."
In short, it doesn't make any difference to the taste. Do you want to make a conscious choice? Then choose good animal welfare and the smallest possible climate footprint.
PALSAFRICA VIRTUAL EXPO 2021 UPDATES
Dear Sir/Madam ,
PALSAFRICA, the international exhibition for animal production, will take place on the 28th October, 2021.The show will be held online on a virtual platform. An unmissable event in 2021 for all livestock professionals (cattle, poultry, pigs, sheep, goat, rabbit and aquaculture).
Do you have an investment proposal? Perhaps you want to find out about the latest innovations in the animal production sector? Or maybe you want to find a new product to retail or even look for different suppliers? Sign up to PALSAFRICA 2021 today!
More than 50 international exhibitors from different countries around the world and over 20 exhibitors from Ghana, get together every 2 years at this key gathering of the new season.
Top-level content awaits you there:
- A wide variety of exhibitors: all industries are represented (animal feed and nutrition, livestock equipment, animal health, genetics, buildings, organic farming, energy, aquaculture suppliers, and more).
- A place of learning and discovery: Three seminars as well as one to one interactions with top industry movers on key issues pertaining to the industry.
Women in Poultry: Dr. Kate Barger-Weathers
WOMEN IN POULTRY: DR. KATE BARGER-WEATHERS
8 April 2021, at 11:17am
Dr. Kate Barger-Weathers, veterinarian and director of world animal welfare with Cobb-Vantress, is responsible for providing direction for Cobb’s internal teams with the company’s program for animal welfare. This involves development of training materials, audits, guidelines and research projects to help verify their program and to advance awareness and understanding of poultry welfare and management practices.
Dr. Barger-Weathers is also Cobb’s liaison with external colleagues in animal health, welfare and veterinary sectors. Communication, research and strategic planning are key facets of her role when she’s in the office. And she spends time “in the trenches” visiting farms, hatcheries, and other agriculture facilities to verify what is happening in the industry and how to contribute to improvements.
What’s unique about your role?
As director of world animal welfare, my role is relatively new for Cobb. While Cobb and most animal agriculture companies have demonstrated a commitment to health and welfare for years, having a dedicated person in animal welfare was not a common role eight to 10 years ago in the poultry industry or other sectors of animal agriculture. I was the first person in this new position for Cobb in 2011, so I had no proverbial shoes to fill and no roadmap to follow. As a result, both my role and daily focus were and continue to be unique as I’ve helped develop our strategic plan and expand the company program for animal welfare. My focus on welfare science and our understanding of what is best for poultry continues to evolve. It is this uniqueness and emphasis on continuous improvement that motivate me each day.
Dr. Kate Barger-Weathers, director of world animal welfare with Cobb-Vantress