Poultry will remain the most popular meat
The recently published Agricultural Projections to 2017 by the USDA Interagency Agricultural
Projections Committee show that poultry will remain the most popular meat. Due to an efficient
feed conversion ratio production costs will, compared to other meats, remain relatively low.
Global economic growth and a continued weak US dollar will stimulate exports from the US
to emerging countries.

Cost Conundrum – poultry nutrition against feed costs
Feed prices increase and supply remains short.
Changes are not expected to come soon, so new strategies
have to be developed on how to deal with the issue.
What can be done to optimise bird performance in a post-effective way?

Rising price of feed forces growers to seek alternatives
The price of poultry feed, particularly concentrates,
continues to rise. Indonesian poultry farmers have asked
the government for help, but are, in the meantime, looking
for cheap alternatives.

WPC2008 - Brisbane is the place to be for poultry specialists
The Australian branch of the World’s Poultry
Science Association invites poultry specialists
from around the world to Brisbane to participate
in the 23rd World’s Poultry Congress from 30
June to 4 July. The congress provides opportunities
to hear about new findings and developments
in poultry production and to meet top business
and research people.

Walking and behaviours of birds kept in captivity
Legs are of utmost importance to birds. Improper functioning
means limited or no movement and thus inadequate access
to feeders and drinkers. Preventing walking and behaviour
problems therefore needs to receive special attention.

Managing laying behaviour of broiler breeders
France and French-speaking North African countries are
by far the biggest markets for smaller lower weight broilers.
Many French breeder operations are responding to that demand,
like broiler chick producer Goasduff, a well-managed
family-owned business with a clear vision on managing
their parent stock, mostly minis. They take specific
measures to achieve proper laying behaviour.

KellyBronze turkeys enjoy niche market position
In sophisticated markets such as in the UK the value of niche
products is increasingly being recognised. So it is traditional,
bronze and black feathered turkeys now enjoying great
popularity with top chefs and discerning consumers alike.

Don’t take water availability and quality for granted
Water is the most important nutrient for any living creature.
Globally it is questioned whether the availability of
this natural resource is big enough. The call for prudent
use of water is food for thought. Poultry producers,
however, constantly face the question of whether there is
enough water available to nourish and cool their birds as
well as to keep them healthy.

Welfare activists pressure California egg industry
Egg producers in California, once the largest egg production
state in the US, are facing a ban on laying cages. The
Humane Society of the United States collected over 750,000
signatures to introduce a ballot proposal. Political
consultants suggest that egg producers need at least
US$10 million to mount an effective “counter campaign”.

Coccidiosis diagnosis, control and prevention (1 of 4)
Coccidiosis and its interaction with overall gut health
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of
the genus Eimeria, developing within the intestine of most
domestic and wild animals and birds. Seven species of Eimeria
(E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix,
E. praecox and E. tenella) are recognised as infecting chickens.
They cause huge damage to the chicken gut system and
consequently to the industry.