AgSpeak Blog

Porcine circovirus – what is it? Porcine circovirus disease (PCVD) is a relatively new viral disease among swine. It’s a very small DNA virus with a circular genome that is hardy in the environment. Originally discovered in 1974, porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) was recognized as a non-disease-causing agent that frequently occurred in laboratory tissue…

Radiant brooders have been common-place in poultry houses for many years, and there's a reason for that. They are great in the south, where there are mild winters and abundant chicken farms. Brooders are easy to install and easy to maintain, as well as being affordable. But there are downsides, as with anything. Improperly serviced…

Plumage, or feathering, on chickens serves to provide insulation and protection. When the feathering is compromised, it effects more than just birds' appearance. Hens with poor plumage struggle to be productive. As an insulator, feathers help birds to maintain their warmth. Balding birds have to consume more feed in order to increase their thermal output.…

The transitional seasons for ventilation are typically Spring and Fall. These seasons are normally where you are going to have the most fluctuation in temperature making it difficult for growers to ventilate properly. Whether you are transitioning from minimum to full ventilation, or full to minimum ventilation, it is important to regulate temperature changes gradually.…

The Val Lott Stick is a great tool to help you measure flow rates through your Val Nipple Drinker System. It's always important to know exactly how much water is being delivered to your birds, and having a log of flow rates will help you notice problems early on. Water supply, water pressure, dirty or…

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to you. Cats look down to you. Pigs look you in the eye and see you as equal." Winston Churchill Newborn piglets learn to run to their mother’s voices. Adult pigs can run at speeds up to 11 miles per hour. Not that they would… but they could! The…

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Preventing Barn Fires Barn fires wreak havoc in many ways. In addition to the damage to business and livelihood, barn fires are a great danger to employees, neighbors, and livestock. It is crucial to take steps to prevent, as much as possible, barn fires from occurring. Barn fires can be caused by a variety of…

Escherichia coli, or E. coli is distributed among poultry of all ages. The Escherichia bacteria is a natural inhabitant of the gut in poultry and most other animals. Normally, it is kept in check by other bacterium in the gut, but if large colonies form it can cause severe discomfort, illness, and mortality. E. coli is…

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Water consumption vs water usage Broiler chickens consume roughly two pounds of water for every pound of food consumed, making water the nutritional backbone of broiler performance. Having palatable, plentiful drinking water is always important, but perhaps even more so during periods of heat stress, when consumption increases to help regulate body temperature. Water consumption…

ASPECTS OF LIGHT FOR POULTRY PRODUCTION: Birds sense light via the eyes and via the pineal gland, and through deep encephalic photoreceptors in the hypothalamus. Therefore, their circadian rhythm is controlled by changes in day length and light intensity. Successful farmers use this to manipulate the environment to maximize productivity. Breeders: Light stimulation is critical…