Article published the July 17, 2025
I. INTRODUCTIONProduction improvements in commercial meat chickens via genetic selection and improved husbandry have resulted in rapid growing birds. These birds have endemically reduced locomotor ability; a conservative estimate is that 30% of birds in a flock are likely to have poor mobility (Knowles et al, 2008). Leg weakness has a direct impact on production due to lower bird quality, which ma ...
This member gave a presentation on February 12, 2025
At the following event:
36th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium
Article published the December 4, 2024
I. INTRODUCTIONSevere feather pecking (SFP) is an abnormal behaviour which reduces both hen welfare and the efficiency of egg production. While the specific causes are unknown, it is acknowledged to be multifactorial, complex and unpredictable (Rodenburg et al., 2013; Hartcher et al., 2016). The problem is compounded because the behaviour seems to spread rapidly via social learning (Zeltner et al. ...
Article published the June 19, 2024
I. INTRODUCTIONTo successfully develop a challenge model to simulate actual infection as seen in production practices, a seeder challenge model was proposed and previously shown to be an effective method to infect poultry (Cox et al., 1996, 2020). However, applying it in this way to young layers is novel. This pilot study was developed with the objective of determining the success of this challeng ...
Article published the March 13, 2024
I. INTRODUCTIONA hen’s physiological patterns including FI and BW trajectory are established by early lay (Muir et al. 2022). Therefore, management tools such as lighting and feeding programs during rearing may offer opportunities to regulate bird size and establish feeding habits by the end of rearing. This may also influence persistency of lay, egg quality and hen health during an extended ...
This member gave a presentation on February 20, 2024
At the following event:
35th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium
Article published the August 8, 2023
I. IntroductionPullet body weight (BW) has significant impact on hen sexual maturity, egg productivity and flock uniformity (Lacin et al. 2009). Australian layer flocks are frequently 100-300 grams heavier than breed standard weight (BSW) (Parkinson et al. 2015). These birds typically lay larger eggs than LW hens and higher BW is symptomatic of bird obesity which can result in the production of ex ...
Article published the August 4, 2023
Salmonella serotypes vary throughout the livestock industry. Historically Salmonella Enteritidis is not considered to be prevalent in Australian poultry flocks. As recently as 2018 a novel S. Enteritidis emerged in the industry (FSANZ, 2019). Although, there are no specific vaccines available in Australia against this serotype in poultry, the use of live attenuated Salmonella vaccines that have th ...
This member gave a presentation on February 6, 2023
At the following event:
34th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium
Article published the January 6, 2023
1. IntroductionThe occurrence of ‘wet litter’ in meat chicken sheds is associated with concerns regarding animal welfare, flock health, food safety, environmental impacts and reductions in production efficiency. Mitigating wet litter will only be achieved when there is thorough understanding of the multidimensional causal factors. This will require a multidisciplinary approach to under ...