There are several opportunities to increase both feed efficiency and weight gain with creep feeds. Just as cattle genetics and management practices have advanced over the last several generations, nutritional knowledge and practices have evolved. This has allowed calves to continually improve, meeting the increasing demands of cattle producers and consumers alike.

Previously, protein and energy were the primary nutrients that nutritionists balanced in nursing calf diets. Now we can add feed additives (specifically yeast and yeast byproducts) and provide bioavailable trace minerals (organically sourced) to further advance the benefits of supplementing young cattle.

Leading the way in yeast technology

Alltech has more than 35 years of experience and is a leader in providing yeast technology based on research from both laboratory and animal production settings. Alltech’s Yea-Sacc® Extra contains a yeast culture specifically selected for their influence on animal performance. Yea-Sacc^® Extra provides the nutritional platform needed to enhance fiber digestion and stabilize ruminal function and pH.

Sel-Plex^® is Alltech’s proprietary form of selenium-enriched yeast and is the first European Union-approved and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-reviewed form of selenium-enriched yeast. Supported by more than 19 years of research, Sel-Plex is also the most proven form of selenium-enriched yeast. Alltech is currently the world's largest producer of natural selenium.

Providing a competitive advantage

Yeast culture and yeast cell wall components are effective products that have been fed to cattle for years and have been shown to exhibit a variety of beneficial properties that positively impact animal performance and health. Production applications of yeast cultures and yeast cell wall components include use in the diets of both low- and high-stress cattle, inclusion in creep feeds and inclusion in feeds for conventional, natural and organic production systems. Their components have proven beneficial in improving rumen health, stimulating the immune system, protecting against harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, and promoting growth without the use of antibiotics.

More specifically, yeast culture stimulates digestive microflora, which in turn positively affects dry matter intake, rumen pH and nutrient digestibility. Yeast culture complements and stimulates the growth of ruminal cellulolytic or fiber-digesting bacteria. This leads to an increase in the rate and efficiency of ruminal fermentation. These microbial populations actively break down feedstuffs and help make more nutrients available to the calf for its growth and immune system. An increase in microbial protein can also be realized due to the stimulation of rumen fermentation and is readily available to calves as an excellent source of dietary protein. Because the animal’s appetite is stimulated, stress is reduced and a more consistent dry matter intake is maintained.

Proven results

Research reveals that daily gain and feed efficiency was improved in 21 out of 23 cattle feeding trials (91 percent response). Approximately 2,500 head of cattle were involved in the trials, and the levels of response were such that the net economic return was approximately 10 cents per head per day on feed.

In pasture situations, by including yeast culture in a free-choice creep feed, it has been shown that increased digestibility results in better forage intake and forage utilization by the animal. A three-year trial at The Ohio State University confirmed that providing yeast culture to grazing beef cattle can produce heavier calves at weaning. Their results indicated that including yeast in cattle diets produced calves that averaged 16.2 pounds heavier weaning weight. Another research facility has reported that there may also be benefits related to feeding yeast culture in rations containing ethanol co-products. The studies indicate yeast culture contains nutritional metabolites that co-products lose during the ethanol process.

Benefits of including yeast in nursing calf diets:

• Promotes digestion and utilization of nutrients
• Reduces fluctuation in pH and keeps rumen microbes steadily active, which speeds feed digestion and rumen turnover, allowing greater intake
• Promotes the growth of fiber-digesting bacteria in the rumen, thereby supporting the rate and extent of forage breakdown
• Stimulates activity of the bacteria that convert lactic acid to propionic acid
• Promotes rumen stability, avoiding the wide variations in rumen pH that interfere with fiber digestion and feed intake
• Provides consistent and highly cost-effective returns through greater performance
• Optimizes animal performance
• Supports mineral retention 

Yeast culture inclusion in creep feeds make them more nutritionally complete. If you would like to learn more about yeast, yeast cultures and Sel-Plex, take a look at these videos on alltech.com.

References

Alsaied Alnaimy Mostafa Habeeb. Importance of Yeast in Ruminants Feeding on Production and Reproduction. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Vol. 2, No. 4, 2017, pp. 49-58. doi: 10.11648/j.eeb.20170204.11.

Alltech. https://www.alltech.com/animal-nutrition/beef-cattle. 2018.

Craig R. Belknap and Grant Crawford. Consider Yeast Culture as a Feed Additive for Growing and Finishing Beef Cattle. Copyright 2008 © Regents of the University of Minnesota.

Paul R. Broadway, Jeffery A. Carroll and Nicole C. Burdick Sanchez. Review Live Yeast and Yeast Cell Wall Supplements Enhance Immune Function and Performance in Food-Producing Microorganisms. ISSN 2076-2607 www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganisms.

D. G. Grieve. Feed intake and growth of cattle fed liquid brewer's yeast. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 59: 89-94.

Kindra Gordon. The Benefits of Yeast Culture and Yeast Cell Wall Components in Beef Cattle. January 25, 2016. Beef Magazine.

Kindra Gordon. Supplemental feed ingredients like flax, seaweed, and yeast culture can help boost cattle health, performance and carcass quality. Sept 17, 2007. Beef Magazine.

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Despite the undoubtedly huge opportunities for growth that currently exist in aquaculture — particularly in Asia — the rising costs associated with farm inputs, raw materials and feed remain a growing concern. Maintaining an optimal feed conversion ratio is now more important than ever, and managing costs is key to operating a successful and profitable fish farm. Reducing costs in an effort to maximize profits must be done cautiously, however, so as not to negatively impact the rate of progress — and some factors that seem relatively minor can actually have a dramatic impact on growth. My top five management tips for reducing costs on your farm are included below.

1. Provide a nutritionally balanced feed.

It should come as no surprise that, generally, the operational element producers spend the most money on is feed. In fact, some farms report that feed constitutes as much as 50–70% of their operational costs. Although important, the cost per pound should not be the primary deciding factor when it comes to selecting feed; performance must also be considered. Using a subpar feed can actually be more costly in the long run, resulting in an unwanted increase to your feed conversion ratio (FCR). Based on the FCR, farms can improve the amount of feed necessary to produce one unit of meat. Lower-cost feed is often seen as the most efficient — but even if the feed cost per pound of fish or shrimp produced is lower, when you take the growth rate and other factors into account, the bottom line will be affected by the time the fish reaches market size.

Evaluating feed performance by considering multiple characteristics is both efficient and practical. Some characteristics to consider include:  

• Feed efficiency
• Growth rate
• Overall quality
• Digestibility
• Health and immune support
• Reduced medication costs
• Water quality maintenance

The quality and integrity of the selected feed will vary for different species and stages of life. Formulating the feed correctly will help ensure the best results for both the animal and the farm. Determining the protein content is a simple and common way to evaluate feed quality — the higher, the better.

2. Support health.

Providing feed that offers a good nutritional balance will directly impact both the FCR and the overall success of your farm. Vitamins and minerals must be added to the feed in order to create a nutritionally balanced and truly complete diet that will meet the basic nutritional requirements of fish and shrimp.

Each species and stage of growth has specific nutritional needs, but a healthy gut is essential to achieving and maintaining optimal health for all fish and shrimp. The intestinal microflora, gut morphology, the immune system and nutrient uptake — as well as how each of these elements interact — all play a role in the health and performance of fish and shrimp. Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) are proven to influence gut health; however, different methods of fermentation, manufacturing and yeast strains can greatly impact functionality.

Animals in farmed environments also require essential nutrients to meet their basic nutritional needs. Organic trace minerals are ideal because they are more bioavailable and better absorbed, stored and utilized by the animal than inorganics. Alltech has proven that organic trace minerals in the form of Bioplex^® and Sel-Plex^® can be included at significantly lower levels while still supporting animal performance, effectively optimizing animal mineral requirements and reducing their negative impact on the environment.

3. Maintain optimal water quality.

Proper water quality maintenance is dependent on an understanding that the correct water quality and culture for fish and shrimp is absolutely essential. The ideal environmental conditions will vary among different species of fish and shrimp. Not maintaining these conditions could negatively affect growth and performance — and the risk for disease on the farm could potentially increase if the immune response declines.

Using a nutritionally balanced, quality selection of raw materials in your aqua feed will result in higher palatability and digestibility and will be directly evident in the waste excreted by the fish and shrimp. Low feed digestibility will lead to increased protein and mineral excretion. This waste can contain potentially harmful amounts of nitrogen and ammonia, which can pollute the water and endanger both fish and shrimp.

When selecting feed, pay closer attention to protein utilization than to protein content, as this can save both time and some of the labor costs associated with treating water and overall management.

4. Develop a best-practices management program.

This is essential for achieving optimal farm performance. A well-implemented management program will support better feeding and biosecurity practices.

• Review feeding tables for accurate information on the frequency of feedings, feeding rates, ration sizes and timing.
• Communicate well with team members doing less technical work; this is crucial for successful implementation. Make them aware that both overfeeding and underfeeding can negatively impact the FCR — and that, alternately, accurate feed management can greatly improve farm results.
• Automated feeding technologies require an initial investment, but they actually help reduce labor costs over time and put an end to feeding practices that can contribute to poor water quality.

The proper management practices mentioned above will also create greater opportunities for scaling.

5. Implement technology.

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are a relatively recent innovation. Designing an RAS facility gives producers more control and allows for the heightened management of aquaculture systems. Having complete control over all of the elements of production helps ensure a stable environment, as well as a reduction in the stressful conditions that can impact and weaken the animal’s immune system. Choosing the correct feed is equally important with these types of systems.

The mechanical filter in an RAS facility will remove large and firm feces. Producers should know, however, that providing a feed that is not suitable for this environment can result in the production of excess waste, reduced nutrient uptake and poor water quality.

Profitability relies on optimized FCR. Fish are sensitive to several external factors, including fluctuating water temperatures, water quality and oxygen levels — all of which can impact growth and performance.

Alltech Coppens is a leading developer and producer of fish feed. The Alltech Coppens team performs trials studying the digestibility of feed formulations to understand how raw materials interact with each other and affect certain characteristics. Once the ideal ingredient combination is determined and paired with Alltech’s nutritional solutions, we formulate and develop a diet specifically tailored to your unique species and farming environment.

To learn more about reducing costs on your farm, contact us at aquasolutions@alltech.com.

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Diarrhea in pigs has always been a challenge for the swine industry. When combined with a move to a new facility, the stress of weaning can often trigger an enteric challenge in the nursery. When considering the causes of diarrhea in piglets and newly weaned pigs, focus on these three areas: sanitation, pathogen control and proper nutrition.

1. Sanitation

Freshly weaned pigs have just experienced an incredibly stressful change, and that stress can be highly detrimental for their already immature immune systems. On top of this, any maternal antibodies that were conveyed to the pig from the sow will be waning within the first two weeks of placement, thereby elevating their risk from any exposure to environmental pathogens. Effective power-washing must be completed between every group entering the facility — especially if previous groups have faced a challenge. De-greasers and/or hot water will be a great help at eliminating any biofilm on floor and feeder surfaces, which cold water alone may not be able to remove. A post-washing inspection is also helpful, as spaces in the floor, under the lip of the feeder or underneath water bowls are commonly missed — and these areas can all harbor enough pathogens to make a weaned pig sick.

Once the pens have been sufficiently cleaned, it is important to also select a disinfectant that will effectively eliminate the pathogens present in the facility. There are several product options on the market, all of which have their pros and cons. Select one based on its coverage, the time needed to take effect and its ease of application. For example, some disinfectants must be fully dry to achieve their maximum effect, while others work directly on or shortly after contact. Some disinfectants even have residual action after they have fully dried. It is important to ensure that you are using the correct dosage for the product to complete proper disinfection. The Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University is a great resource for obtaining a better understanding of disinfectants.

Water lines are often a frequently overlooked area of the barn in need of proper sanitation. It is a good practice to evaluate the water quality in the facility. Oftentimes, water lines are full of biofilm that harbors bacteria that can be carried from group to group, meaning that a newly weaned pig’s first drink could be full of stagnant water potentially laden with bacteria. A good practice is to purge the lines with a chlorination or peroxide product between groups — but keep in mind that this could break sediment free within the lines and potentially cause plugging. There are also safe options that can be completed when an active group is present, allowing for continual flushing of the lines while the pigs are consuming water.

2. Pathogen control

Of course, other equipment in the facility could also be responsible for the presence of pathogens. To avoid tracking in pathogens from the outside world, boots should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before workers enter the rooms of newly weaned pigs. Gruel feeders and bowls should also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between groups. Mats are a great way to start pigs on solid feed, but if the mats are aging and fraying significantly, they can be difficult to disinfect effectively, making them a haven for disease. Feed carts, scoops, coveralls, hoses and even hats are examples of other items that could potentially harbor disease. Wooden surfaces are almost impossible to disinfect sufficiently and should be painted with latex paint to seal off any potential hiding spots for bacteria and coccidia.

Next, make sure you have a full understanding of the pathogens present in the facility that are contributing to the presence of diarrhea. There are three main categories of gut bugs: bacterial, viral and parasitic.

Parasitic organisms can include coccidia, roundworms and whipworms. Coccidia are an uncommon cause of disease in weaned pigs, and sanitation of both the source farm and destination farms should be evaluated if this is a primary challenge. Round- and whipworm infections take some time to develop in a group and are very rare in newly weaned pigs. A proper deworming protocol will need to be put in place if these are identified as the source of the challenge.

Some examples of viral pathogens that can cause diarrhea in weaned pigs include porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), rotavirus types A, B and C, and even porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS). Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, so therapies are commonly aimed at keeping pigs hydrated and encouraging them to eat despite their abdominal discomfort. Prevention techniques include improving immunity in the sow to reduce shedding of the virus during lactation and the use of dry disinfectants over scouring groups to reduce chilling and lower environmental virus exposure.

Antibiotics can be used for infections that are bacterial in nature. Some common bacterial causes of diarrhea in newly weaned pigs are E. coli, Salmonella and, occasionally, Clostridium perfringens or C. difficile. Ileitis and Brachyspira infections in recently weaned pigs are very uncommon but are possible in saturated environments. If a bacterial agent is suspected to be the cause, then a sample should be collected and cultured by a veterinarian, followed by a sensitivity test to understand what antibiotics are effective against the pathogen. It is a good practice to repeat this periodically, especially in unresponsive situations, to make sure no changes have taken place within the barn or herd. Antibiotics should always be used according to the instructions of the prescribing veterinarian in order to ensure that the treatment is effective both currently and in the future. If an infection is not responsive to treatment, then the cause should be re-evaluated to make sure there is not another factor complicating the challenge. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so good sanitation and biosecurity practices are paramount to preventing the exposure of pathogens to young pigs. 

3. Proper nutrition

A young pig has very specific nutritional needs, and if we expect too much of them, they will often fail. A big challenge with starting pigs is making sure that they all have access to the proper diet stage. In large facilities that can take weeks to fill, the amount of starter ration that the first pigs get is often much different than the amount allowed for the last pigs. Of course, bins and feed lines should be emptied between groups, as a pig’s last diet is not fit to be the first feed a recently weaned pig will eat. Finally, animals that are not eating in the pen — either because they are sick or just slow learners — will have looser stools because of their decreased solid feed intake. These animals should be placed in a separate hospital or special-needs pen so they can receive more intensive care to get back to a full feed intake.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating the cause and treatment of diarrhea in a group of recently weaned pigs. Be careful not to fall into the trap of missing all of the influencing factors; otherwise, a small challenge could quickly become a crisis. Ask questions, make sure the environment is correct for the pigs’ group size and weight, get your veterinarian and nutritionist involved, and make sure to record your successes and failures as you go. With patience and understanding, even the biggest challenges can be overcome!

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As a horse owner, there are few things more stressful than dealing with a hay shortage. Hearing the dreaded words, “I’m sorry, but I’m all out for the year,” can leave even the most prepared owner scrambling. Unfortunately, changing weather patterns have caused hay shortages to become increasingly more common throughout the U.S. Some areas have experienced sustained droughts, making it nearly impossible for crops to yield adequate supplies, while other areas have experienced several consecutive years of extremely wet spring and summer seasons, making it difficult for producers to cut hay in a timely manner. This has resulted in decreased supplies, lower-quality forages and record high prices. While some parts of the country are still producing ample supplies of high-quality hay, accessibility for those experiencing shortages can be limited by the challenge and expense of shipping.

Things would be far less challenging if we could just increase concentrates to make up for the decreased amount of hay in our horses’ diets. While it may be tempting to do this when hay supplies are limited, we must keep in mind that horses require forage in their diets; removing it could have major health and behavioral consequences. A constant supply of fiber is required to keep the microbial populations in the horse’s intestinal tract happy, and limiting or removing forage can result in issues such as colic and gastric ulcers. In addition, limiting forage can result in increased occurrences of unwanted vices, such as wood-chewing.

If possible, at least part of the fiber in the diet should come from long-stemmed forages, like hay or pasture grasses. Horses are grazing animals that have evolved to consume small amounts of forage throughout the day — and long-stemmed fiber provides them with much-needed “chew time.” Short-stemmed and processed fiber sources take less time to consume, which can lead to boredom and, in turn, the development of stereotypical vice behaviors. Research has shown, however, that horses can survive on a diet featuring only short-stemmed or processed forages as the source of fiber. As long as care is taken to decrease the horses’ boredom — which can be done by feeding multiple small meals, among other strategies — these alternative forage sources can be used to stretch your limited hay supply.

What steps can you take if you are a horse owner facing a hay shortage?

1. Get the most out of your hay supply. Purchasing higher-quality hay gives you an upper hand because it allows you to meet your animal’s nutritional requirements with less than what would be required if you were feeding a lower-quality hay. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals and using hay nets and feeders can greatly reduce the amount of hay that is wasted.
2. Increase grazing. Depending on the availability and time of year, increase the time spent on pasture to allow for the increased consumption of fresh grass, which can help to reduce your hay burden. A rotational grazing strategy, along with a carefully organized pasture maintenance plan, can help thwart the detrimental effects increased grazing time can have on pasture quality.
3. Consider purchasing bagged pelleted, cubed or chopped hay. These items can be purchased at many local feed supply stores, making them easily accessible alternative forage sources. They can be made from grass or legume hay, but the most common sources are timothy and alfalfa. Although they are more expensive than traditional baled hay, these alternatives are both dust- and mold-free, can be easily stored for long periods of time and often come with a minimum basic nutritional analysis on the bag. Pellets, which are formed from dried, ground hay, provide the nutrition and fiber of standard forage but do not provide the same bulk for gut fill as long-stemmed forages. Cubes are simply pressed chopped hay, but caution should be used when feeding cubes to horses that are prone to choke. For senior horses or those with dental issues, soaking pellets and cubes can make this source of forage somewhat easier to consume. Chopped hay — often called chaff — is simply hay that has been cut into short pieces prior to bagging. At one time, chaff was made primarily from straw that provided little nutritional value, but higher-quality grass and legume chaff is now commercially available.
4. Haylage may help. Although they are not a popular feed choice in the U.S., ensiled forages can also be safely fed to horses, provided that some precautions are taken. Haylage should only be purchased from reputable sources, as incorrect preparation or storage can result in contamination by mold or botulism bacteria. Because of its unique taste and smell, it may take time for horses to get used to eating haylage. It is important to note that haylage can actually provide more nutrients than baled hay, as the ensiling process retains nutrients better than traditional hay curing.
5. Extend your hay supply with a commercially available product. While beet pulp is not appropriate as the sole source of fiber in a horse’s diet, it is a good, palatable source of digestible fiber. It is also relatively inexpensive. Hay stretcher pellets and soy hulls are also good sources of fiber, and they, too, can be used as a partial replacement for hay — but, once again, they should not be used as the only source of fiber in the diet. In addition, many feed producers offer lines of complete feeds, and while these are often marketed for senior horses, they can be found and used for horses at all stages of life. When fed according to manufacturer guidelines, these complete feeds may be fed as the sole ration, requiring no additional forage source. Complete feeds often contain hay meal and are fortified to meet all of the nutritional needs of the horse. They also contain a higher amount of crude fiber than a standard commercial feed.

No horse owner wants to face the headache of a hay shortage. Ensuring that your horses are receiving adequate nutrition during these times can be challenging no matter how well you have planned. Fortunately, several options exist that can help you stretch your hay supply and keep your horses happy and healthy through these stressful times.

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With a mortality rate of up to 30 percent, blackhead disease can be detrimental to the flock and to poultry producers. Dr. Robert Beckstead's team at North Carolina State University is researching on the disease on a molecular level. Are there alternative treatments and preventatives to consider? Dr. Beckstead shares why producers may reconsider their feeding strategy in the future.

The following is an edited transcript of Kara Keeton's interview with Dr. Robert Beckstead. Click below to hear the full audio:

Kara:              I'm here today with Robert Beckstead, associate professor of poultry science at North Carolina State University. Thank you for joining me today.

Robert:           It's a pleasure to be here.

Kara:              Now, I understand that your area of specialty is molecular diagnostics of poultry. Tell me a little bit more about that field.

Robert:           Molecular biology is really just looking at DNA, RNA or protein and, then, it's using those markers or biological molecules to be able to diagnose diseases. For instance, each species has a very specific genetic makeup, and so, we can use that to detect those species.

Kara:              So, you're able to look at major concerns and health issues facing the poultry industry?

Robert:           We use these as part of our toolkit to be able to study parasites, as well as other pathogens — sometimes, just knowing whether the organism is there, then you can correlate that with the diseases that you see.

Kara:              What are some of the biggest diseases facing the poultry industry today?

Robert:           Some of the biggest diseases facing the poultry industry would be viral diseases that cause problems with the health of the bird, but most people are concerned with bacterial diseases that also have a human health implication. My lab studies “the ugly stepsister,” which are the parasites that are associated with diseases in poultry, and although those parasites don’t cause diseases in humans, they can cause a huge financial risk to the poultry industry.

Kara:              And one of these diseases that I have read that's a major concern these days is blackhead disease. What exactly is that disease and how does it impact the bird?

Robert:           Blackhead disease — or histomoniasis — is caused by a single-cell, anaerobic protozoan parasite called Histomonas meleagridis. In chickens, it can cause up to 30% mortality and increased morbidity, especially in layers or breeders, where it can cause reduced egg production, as well as decrease in the first lay. In turkeys, though, it's quite catastrophic; turkey flocks with an outbreak of histomoniasis can lose 100% of the birds.

Kara:              Which is devastating to a farmer, of course.

Robert:           Yes, it is, and part of the problem that goes along with it is that all the treatments and preventatives for this disease have been taken off the market. So, in reality, when a turkey flock breaks out with blackhead disease, all that the grower and company can do is wait to see how many birds are going to die.

Kara:              Your research has been to study this disease and possible alternatives to treating it. Is that correct?

Robert:           That is correct.

Kara:              What have you discovered in your research?

Robert:           Our research focuses on probably four different areas: First is looking at the genetics of the bird. We've started screens to look for subpopulations of turkeys that may be resistant to the disease, and so, the idea is that maybe we can breed a healthier bird, and that bird will then be resistant to the organism.

The second area that we've looked at is looking for alternative treatments. There's a lot of what you would call “complementary” and “alternative” medicine out there — products that companies are producing to increase the health of the bird or that may have antiprotozoal activity. Our lab is set up to screen a number of these products to be able to see whether or not they can improve the outcome for birds that have been infected with this parasite.

Kara:              What is the success rate found with these screenings?

Robert:           The success rate for molecules or complementary medicine is zero in the bird. What we've noticed when we started to screen a lot of these molecules is that actually looking at how molecules affect the disease isn't just a matter of whether or not they get rid of the parasite. The research in my lab has begun to focus on how the organism is transmitted bird-to-bird. What we've identified is that birds that are healthy have a tendency to block the transmission of the disease. So, even though the organism may get into a flock, if birds aren't flushing or birds don’t have other enteric problems or gut health problems, then, actually, the transmission of the disease is slow, and you will have fewer birds that will die from the disease.

                        That's changed, in a way, how we are starting to look at products, whereas before, we looked at products to say, "Is this antiprotozoal?" Now, we look at products and say, "Okay. What is this actually doing to the overall health of the bird, and can we measure that in terms of its ability to block that transmission of the parasite?"

Kara:              This is where feed and nutrition really come in to play a role in this whole research and development of alternative ways to address this disease.

Robert:           That is correct. Really, it's opening up the doors to be able to look at alternative products and ask the question of whether or not they are improving the health of the bird. At the same time, what we've noticed is that other pathogens can also cause the bird to be ill and that, then, sets the bird up for transmission of the disease. So, if we find a product that improves the health of the bird because it reduces some of the bacterial load that's associated with the bacterial pathogens, that actually can have a positive effect on the disease that we're studying — blackhead disease — because a healthier bird isn't going to have less transmission of the disease.

Kara:              Are there any technological advances that you're able to use in your research that have really helped move this forward as you're studying bird health and gut health?

Robert:           The disease that I study begins in the ceca. The ceca is a pouch that's part of the intestinal system, where fermentation occurs in the bird. In most cases, nutritionists or scientists or growers really don’t care about the ceca because it doesn’t play a role in feed conversion as much. It doesn’t play a role much in weight gain and it's at the end of the digestive tract. The problem is that's where Histomonas resides. Salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter — all these organisms are living in the ceca and, in a sense, we're not as worried about it.

                        The new technology that we're pushing — and, also, that my lab is working on — is: How do we encapsulate some of these products, which, as we've shown in an in-vitro system, can have antiprotozoal or antimicrobial activity and get them to the ceca? So, in order for them to not be digested, absorbed, changed in some way through the microbial community, we need to deliver them to the ceca so that they can have that activity in the location where it's needed.

Kara:              Where do you hope to see the research develop in the next few years and developing ways to address these problems and maybe move towards new solutions for these diseases?

Robert:           I'll give you this as a caveat because I'm a parasitologist, but I really think that, as we begin to lose more of the drugs and treatments that we currently have, we're going to have to actually develop new strategies, and those strategies are really going to be a focus on bird health. Currently — and this is a broad stroke — diets are designed based on feed conversion ratio and how much it's going to make the bird gain weight. That's how we make our money and that's how we keep our product cheap or affordable, but, in the future, we may have to start to design diets primarily on health and then, secondarily, look at, “How does this affect feed conversion? How does this affect weight gain in the bird?” That actually opens up a large research area to say, “How is it that we test a product to determine whether or not it actually is improving the health of the bird or is causing problems?”

                        I'll give you an example: We've tested some essential oils and, at lower levels, we see some good effects in terms of the health of the bird — but if we increase those levels, it causes some damage to the gut, and now, the bird begins to flush, and now, we start to see increased transmission rates of blackhead disease. So where, on one condition, that product may actually be useful, but where more product may actually cause a problem for the bird — and so, we need to be able to look at each product as we would if we were trying to get FDA regulation and actually really understand how that product is helping the bird and in what condition.

Kara:              It looks like you still have a long road ahead as you continue to explore other avenues for addressing these issues with the reduction in antibiotics and drugs in the industry, but I think you're making some progress with some of the developments.

Robert:           Yeah. I'm excited for the research moving forward. I think it is going to, in a sense, in the future, revolutionize how we grow chickens and actually make ourselves better — both for the chicken itself but also better for the consumer and better for the environment.

                        I also think some of the research is occurring now because, in the poultry industry — well, in animal agriculture — we're being forced to find alternatives, but these alternatives in the future will actually make it back into human medicine. And so, the stuff that we're learning right now, in terms of understanding how we can treat a bird without using antibiotics, maybe, in the future, will help us understand how we can treat a human without the use of antibiotics and be able to reduce antibiotic use across the board, not just in animal agriculture.

Kara:              That sounds wonderful. Thank you for joining me today, Dr. Beckstead, and I hope you enjoy your day.

Robert:           Thank you.

Kara:              That was Dr. Robert Beckstead, associate professor for poultry science at North Carolina State University.

I would like to learn more about supporting the health and productivity of my flock!

Ulcers — particularly those of the gastric variety — are one of the most hotly discussed and debated subjects among horse owners today. Performance problems? Must be ulcers. Attitude issues? Probably ulcers. Poor appetite? Have you checked for ulcers? You get the idea.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a frustrating and potentially costly issue — gastroscopy (an endoscopic examination of a horse’s stomach) and treatment with omeprazole can cost upwards of $1,500. And the craziest thing of all? Ulcers are an entirely man-made problem; we have interrupted the horse’s natural environment and feeding/grazing regimen out of our own need for routine and convenience. Each of the following causes can lead you straight into Ulcerville, a place we would all much prefer to avoid:

• Stall confinement
• Prescribed meal times
• High-grain diets
• Increased training demands
• Competition
• Environmental changes, including travel, moving to a new barn or a change in herd dynamics

Treating the unknown

Gastric ulcers are extremely common in performance horses — it is estimated that as many as 90 percent of racehorses and 70 percent of show horses have them. This problem, however, is not as black and white as it may seem. While some might think that the solution is as simple as skipping the expensive endoscopy and diving into treatment, just wait until the cost of medicine rears its ugly head; those tubes of omeprazole aren’t cheap, especially when you need 28 days’ worth. As someone who was most certainly not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, I can totally relate. You may have heard that powdered omeprazole is much cheaper, or that OTC rantidine (think Zantac^®) can solve your horse’s problems for less, but the old adage that “you get what you pay for” is particularly fitting in this situation.

Let’s look at this from another angle: would you take medicine — a really expensive type — for something you weren’t even sure you actually had? Sounds insane, right? If you think your horse has gastric ulcers, call your vet to schedule a gastroscopy; it’s the only way to make a definitive diagnosis.

Prevention over cure

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was actually talking about fire safety when he said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Still, his wisdom applies. Making a few relatively simple adjustments to your horse’s lifestyle and feeding schedule can greatly reduce its risk of ulcer development.

1. Feed forage wisely.

Horses are very large animals, but their stomachs only have a 2- to 4-gallon capacity. This may sound surprisingly small in relation to their size, but horses are built to spend two-thirds of their time grazing, as this allows them to digest a small but steady amount of forage throughout the day. Large amounts of saliva are produced during grazing, and when this saliva is combined with roughage, it can buffer the acid levels in the stomach. Even when a horse isn’t eating, its stomach is producing acid, and this is why prescribed meal times (e.g., feeding only twice per day) can be problematic: the longer a horse goes between forage consumption, the more acid accumulates. Feeding free-choice hay or allowing for extended turnout keeps a steady supply of buffering saliva available to neutralize stomach acid. Offering hay in a slow feeder can also help meals last longer. Alternatively, you may mimic grazing by breaking down daily rations into smaller, more frequent meals. Alfalfa often gets a bad rap, but it is actually thought to have a better buffering effect on stomach acids than grass hay. Alfalfa is far more nutrient-dense than grass hay, though, so it will need to be introduced to the diet gradually to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset.

2. Limit grain.

Horses produce less saliva when they consume grain, limiting the buffering effect that otherwise takes place when they consume forages. Grain and other concentrates increase blood glucose, which, in turn, increases insulin levels and volatile fatty acid production and could potentially damage the stomach lining. If your horse needs more calories outside of forage, look for a feed that has a lower starch and sugar content and is higher in fat and fiber. You will often see these diets referred to as low-NSC (non-structural carbohydrate). While non-structural carbohydrates are an important source of energy for performance horses who don’t have metabolic issues, they must be provided in the appropriate balance to avoid negative impacts and support optimal performance.

3. Remember: we are dealing with creatures of habit.

Humans aren’t the only ones who like routines. Anything out of the ordinary that adds stress to your horse’s life can contribute to the development of ulcers. This doesn’t just apply to show horses; even changing up the turnout group at home or feeding an hour later than usual can throw your horse into inner turmoil. Do your best to introduce change gradually and maintain as many familiar habits as possible. If introducing stress is unavoidable, take precautionary measures like feeding a well-researched gastric support product and/or strategically administering omeprazole.

4. Provide more turnout time.

As previously mentioned, horses are designed to be eating — and moving — almost constantly. As also noted, our interruption of this habit has led to the problems addressed in this article. Horses are among the most frustratingly fragile creatures on the planet, but don’t let a fear of pasture injury keep you from letting your horse be a horse. Provide ample turnout time — 24/7 is ideal, but this might not be realistic for many horses, so aim for as many hours per day as is reasonably possible. It’s also important to turn your horse out into a group, if you can. We need to remember that horses are very social creatures, who generally find solace in the company of other equines.

5. Be careful with medication.

When used long-term or in high amounts, some medications — particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Bute (phenylbutazone) or Banamine — can damage the lining of the stomach, thereby increasing ulcer risk. Always check with your vet if you have any questions about the recommended use and dosage rate for these types of medication.

Ulcers may seem mysterious — and, in a lot of ways, they are. If we observe ulcer symptoms, we must ultimately trust our instincts, since there is no way to know exactly how much pain they cause our horses. Fortunately, as with many things, advances in equine medicine and management will only continue to develop our understanding of what we can do to both treat and prevent this common but distressing ailment.

I want to learn more about equine nutrition and management recommendations.

The following is an edited transcript of Tom Martin's interview with Dr. Karl Dawson. Click below to hear the full interview:

Tom:              Have we finally found ways to improve the well-being of our pets by understanding how nutrients interact with their genes? Here to discuss that question is Dr. Karl Dawson, vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. Dr. Dawson directs activities at the company's bioscience centers around the world, including Alltech’s Center for Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition, where he is the co-director. Thank you so much for joining us, Dr. Dawson.

                        The science of nutrigenomics has been your focus for many years, and you've applied that body of knowledge to agriculture. But, here, we're talking about something that's near and dear to everyone who shares living space with an animal of one species or another, whether they live on a farm or in a big city. Let's go to that question. Can nutrigenomics be used to improve the well-being of our pets?

Karl:                Nutrigenomics has been used a lot to understand health, digestion, the way nutrients influence an animal's growth. In the last several years, we've begun to focus a little bit more on not only the animal's genes — the composition and gene expression — but we’ve also started to look at the microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a population that has a whole different set of genes to work with, and we have some new tools today that allow us to look at this. It's very important because, in many respects, we're starting to believe that this microbial population in the gut is almost like a separate organ in the animal. It has its own genetic makeup, and it is contributing a lot to the way those animals develop and respond to nutrients and their resistance to disease.

Tom:              You're thinking of the microbial presence as kind of an organ of its own?

Karl:                In and of itself.

Tom:              Interesting.

Karl:                That’s the concept that's really developing. If you look at human medicine or human physiology, we're starting to learn that, in fact, the microbial population in the gut and the way you influence it by eating is influencing such things as brain development, cardiovascular development and even the way your hormones are distributed throughout the body.

Tom:              Now, if the genetics influence how certain dietary components are associated with disease, is it possible to know how to adjust a pet's food to avoid disease?

Karl:                There's a lot of work that's been going on in this particular area. We’re looking to see what you can do to change the microbiota in particular, or this population of bacteria that live in the intestinal tract. We know quite a few things that are important. For example, we know what the distribution of microorganisms is in an animal that has acute diarrhea. We know that if we feed certain things, such as fiber, we can change the way that microbial population develops.

                        Now, it may not sound very exciting to everyone, but I've been a microbiologist for 35 years now, and this stuff really gets me excited. I could never really describe what microorganisms were there before. We could culture some and see them, but now we have new tools with high throughput sequencing techniques to allow us to separate out those microorganisms and see things we've never seen in the past.

Tom:              What sort of research related to pet nutrition has been happening in your laboratory lately?

Karl:                Well, we've been focusing a lot on what we can do to the microbial population. This is something that comes from the work we've done in livestock. We know that we can influence the way the microbial population develops. We have a line of feed supplements — whether you call them prebiotics or probiotics, both of those will influence the way the population develops. We've been interested to see what happens to the distribution or the profile in this microbial population when we change management as well as nutrition.

Tom:              When we talk about pets, we're talking about a wide variety of creatures — everything from dogs and cats to birds and fish, from snakes to pigs — you name it. How can it be determined among these different species which additives or ingredients best align with each species' diet and health? Can that be done?

Karl:                Well, I don't think we're quite there yet. We cannot tell you what the optimal beneficial microbial population looks like. That's probably a little bit of a disappointment for me because we've been doing all the detailed work on what profile of microorganisms is in the intestinal tract and what it's doing. We know we can change things, and we know that that's reflected in the health of the animal, its immune response and disease resistance. But we don't really know what the optimal way to do that is.

                        There is a new science that's coming up today, which is the idea of metabolomics. This is a little bit of a different area to look at. Not only does it look at the microbial population but, in this situation, we're also looking at metabolites — the compounds that these bacteria are producing. These compounds are very important because they do enter the bloodstream. You can measure them in plasma, for example. We know that these have significant influences on hormonal response — neurotransmitters. So, we're controlling such things as the way the animal eats; we can influence immunity in things like that. This is a different area that we're starting to delve into right now, and it's really bringing together the animal a little bit more with this microbial population that you find in the intestinal tract.

                        Metabolomics is still in its infancy, but that is where the answer is going to come from when it comes to understanding what microbes and nutrients do in the animal, because we’re influencing the way the metabolism of that animal is changing through their genetics — or their gene expressions — so we can understand that today.

Tom:              Metabolomics. Now you've given us yet another reason to be standing outside your door, tapping our toes, waiting for another interview in the future. This is going to be interesting. Are new foods on the horizon that will improve health — new foods that are based on this science?

Karl:                I think so. One of the exciting things that we've had the opportunity to do in the last couple of years is see the effects of such things as a probiotic, a bacterial supplement or a prebiotic. We can see what they're doing today. We know there are considerable differences in the prebiotics. For example, one of our products is a biomass product, a mannan-based product. There is such a thing as inulin. The two things act completely separately, so now that we can see what they're doing to the microbial population, we have the ability to start customizing products with very specific types of prebiotics, and maybe even probiotics, as we move forward. This is something that's revolutionary. We don't think that much about it, but never before have we been able to go in and say that a particular probiotic in the animal's food is changing what goes on in the gut and actually measuring what those changes look like. That's the whole area that's got the excitement in the scientific community: we're now able to see the changes.

Tom:              Tell us about developing a pet food that's intended to support heart health, brain function, joint health and overall well-being. Can those goals be achieved in a single feed, or are there other conflicting characteristics that have to be overcome?

Karl:                I think there's going to be some interaction there between nutrients. We're not going to be able to address everything. I think you can go after some of the ideal situations. We're a couple of years away from actually doing that sort of thing at this point in time, but it's very important to remember that we now have the tool to actually measure some of those issues. We're getting an idea of what we need to measure in the animal — for example, to overcome obesity in dogs. This is an area that plagues nearly everyone who is a dog owner. But we do know that there are certain surprising areas that allow us to change that. For example, some of the prebiotics we're looking at today change the structure of the intestinal tract, change the way nutrients are introduced into that animal, and actually address the hormonal imbalances that are associated with obesity. We're getting to the point where we know what to look for now, so it's going to be a relatively small step to say, “Here is, nutritionally, what we can do to change that.”

Tom:              What are the environmental implications of developing more efficiently- digested pet foods?

Karl:                I carry my little plastic bag around my dog every day, so there's an environmental impact that I think about a lot. There are a lot of things that can be done, but I think the overall approach to shifting the microbial population will change the digestion efficiency without changing the overall health status of the animal. Those two things have to go together. For example, there has been work done with fiber sources like beet pulp. Beet pulp is something that considerably changes the microbial population. It is somewhat indigestible, but it has a tremendous impact on the health of the animal. It actually improves digestion overall. There is a way to decrease fecal excretion — what we think about after we have to clean up after our dogs on our walk every evening.

Tom:              Is beet pulp being used in pet feeds?

Karl:                It is, to some extent, but it is not a standard addition. The other thing about beet pulp is you have to use it at very high concentrations in the diet to bring about these types of changes.

Tom:              As you explore the science of nutrigenomics and its application to pets, do you foresee a day when we will be extending the lifespans of these beloved animals?

Karl:                Oh, absolutely. I'm sure we're going to see that happen. Longevity is an issue for us all. A lot of that comes down to the overall health of the animal. As we look at such things as insulin resistance — which is seen in a lot of aging animals — those are things that can become controlled, and we have a pretty good idea of how to do that by using specific supplements today. Some of those will be mineral supplements as much as anything, but we do see ways of controlling that. They'll never live forever, but we will be able to enhance the health of those animals so that they are living longer. Not only that, we’ll improve the quality of life they have in their older years.

Tom:              Dr. Karl Dawson is vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. Thank you very much for being with us.

Karl:                Thank you.

Over the last decade, the study of how nutrition can impact immune function — known as immuno-nutrition — has been examined as an alternative approach to treating or preventing chronic diseases. Many pet owners consider their pets part of the family. As a result, they are choosing higher quality, more nutritious diets for their pets and asking how the right nutrients can prolong their pet’s well-being.

Oxidation and inflammation are the main culprits that can jeopardize the immune system. Making sure that the nutrients delivered as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are biologically available and absorbable helps ensure that pets are prepared for the excess stress that comes with the aging process.

In our recent webinar, “Immuno-nutrition: Structure function benefits and well-being for pets,” Dr. Rebecca Delles explored how oxidation and inflammation, when left unchecked, can result in damage to important biomolecules in the body.  

1. Older and/or sick pets may have increased needs for certain biomolecules due to lower GI absorption rates.
2. Many of the most common diseases in pets are caused by inflammation and oxidation of the tissues.
3. Better absorbability of bioactive components can help fortify the immune system and prolong pet well-being.

I want to learn more about pet nutrition.

Weaning piglets effectively is critical for farmers to ensure they are healthy and productive. Pigs that do not transition well from milk to a solid diet have their gut health compromised and become susceptible to disease challenges. Ernie Hansen, manager of swine nutrition and technical services at Hubbard Feeds, sits down with Tom Martin to explain the strategies producers can implement to support a successful transition and improve long-term pig production. 

The following is an edited transcript of Tom Martin's interview with Ernie Hansen, manager of swine nutrition and technical services at Hubbard Feeds. Click below to hear the full audio:

Tom:              This is Tom Martin, and I'm here with Ernie Hansen, manager of swine nutrition and technical services at Hubbard Feeds. He joins us to talk about transitioning piglets at weaning from milk to solid food. Thanks for being with us, Ernie.

Ernie:             All right, thank you.

Tom:              What are some of the problems that producers face when they begin weaning piglets from milk and moving them to a solid diet?

Ernie:             Well, helping pigs make a smooth transition at weaning has always been a high priority for pig farmers. Today's high-producing genetics have been selected to wean 30-plus pigs per sow per year and to produce pigs that will reach a market weight at or in excess of 300 pounds, and to do this quickly and efficiently. This performance level and, even more importantly, the way these pigs start on feed is drastically different than pigs from ten years ago.

                        Couple these factors with the known stressors of weaning — weaning age, the physical separation from the mother sow, commingling, transportation, the environment difference, and the traditional milk-to-solid-food transition — and that's a stark reminder that there is no substitute for good animal husbandry for the first week post-weaning. The old adage is certainly as true now as it ever was: "A pig never gets over a good or bad start."

Tom:              What are some of the outcomes seen in a piglet that does not transition well post-wean?

Ernie:             Health is a big factor at this stage of life for the piglet. If pigs aren't eating well, gut health is compromised, and this can affect their overall health and make them susceptible to disease challenges. This requires farm workers to spend more time treating pigs, and depending on how severe the challenge is, there may be an increase in mortality and morbidity as well.

                        We use the term "all-value pigs." This is a reference to the pigs that reached the targeted market weight on time with minimal health challenges. These all-value pigs represent the highest returns for farmers and the greatest opportunity for increased profitability.

Tom:              So, what is the importance of feed intake? What does the producer need to be thinking about as piglets are making this transition?

Ernie:             To make it very simple, intake is everything at this stage of the pig's life. Healthy pigs are very efficient. That means every extra bite of feed is extra weight gain. It's the most efficient and cost-effective growth the pig will experience.

Tom:              Why is gut health critical at this particular phase in a pig's life?

Ernie:             You may not realize it, but the gut is the first line of defense for the young pig and is actually a large part of the immune system. It's a barrier that keeps out bacteria, and if it’s not functioning properly, those bacteria get into the pig's bloodstream and can spread, causing disease challenges for the pig. As more research is done on gut health and gut function, we're discovering that pigs don't always fully recover from the initial attacks on their system. While it may look like they recover and have good performance, research is showing they won't have gains as good as those pigs that didn’t experience the health challenges early in life.

Tom:              So, what steps or management techniques should producers and farmers take to make sure that pigs transition well post-wean?

Ernie:             We work closely with our customers in a couple of different areas to help pigs get started on feed. Frequency of feeding for the first week in the nursery is critical. The more times we can be in the barn feeding the pigs, the better they will start. In some cases, just walking through the barn and getting the pigs up will stimulate them to eat.

                        Secondly, identifying fallback pigs as early as possible — early intervention — helps transition those pigs to get them back on track. Use of a gruel or a highly fortified feed is essential to get the right nutrients into these young pigs.

Tom:              Some pigs are naturally inclined to not eat as well while they're transitioning from a liquid to solid diet, so it's important for producers to do what they can to motivate those pigs to eat more. How does Viligen® play a role in this key part of their transition from milk to solids?

Ernie:             Viligen is an intake stimulant. It's combined with certain nutrients and palatability factors that not only encourage them to eat — to eat more, to take that first bite of feed — but it also has gut health components that help support the gut in overcoming challenges that the environment brings to that pig. So, it causes them to eat more and then supports their health. A healthy pig that eats is going to grow faster and more efficiently throughout its entire life.

Tom:              Tell us about the feeding trials using Viligen that were conducted by Hubbard Feeds.

Ernie:             So, we started Viligen trials about nine months ago (Oct. 2017) after an Innovation Group meeting at Alltech. We did some simple trials and the pigs performed well above expectations. We had improvements in gains that were really quite remarkable. We redid the trial and we duplicated those improvements in gains.

                        In the second trial, we had a significantly higher degree of overall health challenges, and we're able to see that we had not only improvements in intake and gains, but that led to improvements in overall health. We treated fewer pigs for health issues, we pulled fewer pigs out of the pens that weren't starting and we had fewer pigs die in the trial.

Tom:              How big of a role does formulation of feed play at this stage when the piglet is transitioning from milk to solids?

Ernie:             Diet formulation plays a critical role for these young pigs as they transition from the sow’s milk to dry starters. Diets are more complex to supply the nutrients that will promote good gut health, which is important for nutrient absorption and utilization. High-quality ingredients are key to the digestibility of the young pig and also reduce the chance of adverse interactions with other ingredients.

                        Finally, ingredients that promote intake are an important technology to include in the nursery diet. People often think of flavors in milk products to encourage intake, but we're excited about Viligen, which our research has shown to improve intake and health in these young pigs. Viligen — which is a blend of fatty acids, prebiotic components and mineral nutrients — helps condition the gut mucosa, which helps get ready for rapid growth because of the improved feed intake.

Tom:              Ernie Hansen, manager of swine nutrition and technical services at Hubbard Feeds, joining us from Mankato, Minnesota. Thank you for being with us, Ernie.

Ernie:             Thank you much.      

I want to learn more about supporting piglet health and feed intake during weaning. 

Achieving good bird, barn and gut health requires operational excellence and attention to detail. A combination of quality nutrition, veterinary guidance, and increased consideration of barn and bird management will help to ensure birds have the best possible chance to perform at their maximum potential.

The acronym “FLAWS” has commonly served as a reminder to check feed, light, litter, air, water, (bio)security, sanitation, space and staff. FLAWS actually serves as a detailed approach to best management practices, not only during brooding but throughout the life of the flock.

Some critical focus areas are as follows:

1. Biosecurity

Well-defined biosecurity practices throughout broiler production (pre-, during and post-placement) are crucial to successful poultry production.

Effective biosecurity can aid hygiene, vermin and insect control on-farm and help to limit disease transmission within and between barns.  

2. Downtime between flocks

Adequate downtime of at least 14 days with appropriate cleaning and disinfection measures between flock placements helps to reduce transmission of disease between flocks and allows time to prepare for the next flock.

3. Pre-placement preparation

Pre-placement preparation is needed before the new flock arrives to help prevent losses during brooding and the rest of grow out.

Checkpoints to keep in mind: heaters, floor temperature, temperature and relative humidity probes, ventilation, drinkers, feeders, etc.

4. Coccidiosis prevention

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic intestinal parasite. This parasite can have an impact on intestinal integrity and may predispose birds to other intestinal problems. Maintaining intestinal integrity during this time through innovative technologies provided in the Alltech^® Gut Health Management program is critical in allowing birds to perform to their maximum levels despite gut health challenges.

5. Brooding management

With today’s improved genetic capabilities and the fast growth of birds, more time is being spent during the critical brooding phase. As a result, ensuring a good start in poultry production can have a significant impact on the future health and performance of the birds.

The brooding period is an important time for intestinal growth and the development of a balanced microflora.

6. Litter management

The litter in a poultry house acts as bedding for the birds. In addition to standing and resting on the bedding, birds will naturally peck at the litter. Litter condition and quality have an impact on broiler intestinal health and profitability, starting from when the chicks are placed all the way through production.

Wet litter presents a vicious cycle for intestinal health. Without proper management, even in patches, wet litter can serve as a breeding ground for potential pathogens and may be a starting point for intestinal stress that develops and leads to disease. As wet litter problems increase, ammonia levels in the barn rise, which can be potentially detrimental to bird health. It is much easier to prevent and manage litter moisture conditions before they start. 

Some factors to consider which may help prevent the development of wet litter: type of material, quality of litter, litter depth, water quality, drinker line management, lighting management, ventilation and temperature.

Litter that is too dry and dusty can be one of many indications that the birds may not be drinking enough. Too much dusty material may lead to respiratory problems.

7. Water management

Drinking water accounts for 70–80 percent of the bird’s daily drinking needs. Poultry will generally consume more water than feed. As a result, water is the most critical nutrient for poultry. An abundance of clean water will reduce challenges and maximize performance.

Factors to consider when thinking about water management include:

Quality, height, pressure, mineral content and accessibility

Cleanliness of drinker lines/regulators prior to flock placement and during production

Flushing water lines between flocks and during production

Elimination of biofilms and mineral buildup

Drinker equipment maintenance

8. Feed management

Birds must have easy access to feed. Proper feeder line height corresponding to the height of the birds helps to reduce feed wastage and mixing feed with litter, and it ensures that all birds have access to feed. Adequate feed access is also achieved by following the feed line manufacturer’s recommendations for the number of birds per feed pan or line of trough feeder.

Birds will naturally peck at litter but avoiding “out-of-feed” events helps to reduce the potential for birds to peck excessively at the litter. Simple measures like activating trigger feed pans and monitoring feed bin levels during barn checks can help to prevent such events.

Good feed quality that avoids contaminants like mycotoxins is important to ensure performance.

9. Stocking density

A higher stocking density of poultry in addition to crowded housing conditions has been shown to have a negative impact on performance, causing stress to both the birds and intestinal microbiota.

Lowering stocking density throughout the overall production of the birds may help to reduce challenges.

10. Environmental management

General environmental management of the barn includes many components, such as temperature, relative humidity, ventilation and lighting.

Understanding that these components work both separately and together can help to guide your management practices.

11. Monitoring during times of transition

Increasing the frequency at which barns are walked and examining the activity of the flock can help with early disease detection.

Daily monitoring of temperature, humidity and ventilation inside the barn as well as outside temperature is recommended.

Monitoring transition times can help with understanding what is happening in the barn (e.g., from day to night, when birds are placed, during half-house brooding, feed changes, etc.).

Monitoring feed and water consumption helps to monitor the flocks’ progress.

12. Keeping an eye on equipment

Walking the barns routinely will also help to ensure equipment remains in working order.

13. Mortality checks

Cull diseased birds as early as possible.

14. Flock health management

Work with your veterinarian to design a program customized for your flock’s health.

15. Communication and teamwork

Ensuring strong communication and coordination between all those involved in helping your farm run smoothly will ensure a stronger and more successful gut health management program for your birds.

This article originally appeared in Chicken Farmers of Canada's January 2018 issue on antimicrobial use strategy.

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