The 2022 Avian Influenza pandemic has run rampant for more than a year now. It has killed more than 58 million birds to date. It has affected egg and meat prices dramatically and it is starting to feel like there is no end in sight. The current means of control focus on higher impact biosecurity […]
Read More >
Grower Spotlight: Mark Strouth
From the late 1980s onward, Mark’s father and brothers started a legacy of family farming, and they haven’t given it up yet. Somewhere in the windy plains of Iowa, Mark and his three brothers own and operate a menagerie of swine barns that they have collected over the years. Around ten houses in total are […]
Read More >
Supreme Court Upholds California’s Prop 12
On May 11, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, a landmark animal welfare measure that bans the sale of pork from sows that are confined in small spaces. The 5-4 decision was a victory for animal welfare groups and a setback for the pork industry. In 2018, California voters passed Prop 12 (also […]
Read More >
Water is an important nutrient that directly affects a flock’s health and wellbeing. Birds must have adequate access to clean water for optimal consumption. It’s important to understand the difference between water usage and water consumption. Water usage is what goes through the water meter. It measures the water used for cooling systems, as well […]
Read More >
Clean Drinking Water in Four Simple Steps
Clean drinking water in the poultry house is arguably the most important resource that we should provide. There are tons of tips and tricks out there to ensure that your water is the best water it can be, so we’ve narrowed it down to 4 main points. Check these things regularly and rest assured your […]
Read More >
In case you missed it, the 2023 IPPE took place this week at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. The show halls were brimming with renewed energy and excitement as the industry moves forward from AI, Covid, and economic challenges. This year, VAL-CO showcased some of the newest developments that we have been […]
Read More >
In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 (Prop 12) which is a ballot initiative to provide more space for farmed animals, in particular laying hens, breeding sows and veal calves in California. Prop 12 is also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative and offers protections to egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and calves raised for […]
Read More >2022 brought back what is arguably the most exciting event in the industry, the International Production & Processing Expo. It also brought new COVID strains and the stress of pandemic business, but regardless, spirits remained high as poultry professionals from all walks of life came together. Traffic and attendance were notable reduced as so many […]
Read More >
Why is water so important? Water is an essential nutrient, and it plays an important role in all bodily functions including digesting nutrients, metabolism, and transporting nutrients through the bloodstream. It aids in digesting of feed and flushing fecal and uric acid waste products. Also, water plays a key role in regulating body temperature. […]
Read More >
8 REASONS YOU SHOULD EAT EGGS Eggs are loaded with 13 essential vitamins and minerals and provide a good source of nutrients essential for a healthy diet. They are a valuable source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Basically, they’re a superfood. Eggs are nutrient rich and contain 82% of your daily vitamin D […]
Read More >
Poultry Bedding Bedding acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture from fecal waste, while providing a dry, comfortable medium for birds to scratch and rest upon. It should be quick-drying, soft, compressible, and absorbent as it provides a cushion for the breast muscle and feet. It should be lightweight and have medium particle size. Birds […]
Read More >
AI UPDATE – FALL 2022 The arrival of summer brought hope that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak may phase out like it did in the 2015 outbreak. Fewer cases were popping up and sites that had been affected were already starting to repopulate. However, as we move into fall, we are seeing an […]
Read More >
9 Factors that Influence Egg Size
9 Factors that Influence Egg Size Consumers tend to prefer and are willing to pay more for larger eggs, so knowing what may influence the size of egg produced may be beneficial for maximum return. A large egg is not always a good egg. The larger the egg is, the thinner the eggshell thickness is. […]
Read More >
Prolapse in Laying Hens – Causes, Treatment, Prevention
PREVENTING PROLAPSE Prolapsed vent (also known as prolapsed oviduct, pickout, cloacal prolapse or blowout) is a common condition in laying hens. During the process of laying an egg, the lower part of a hen’s reproductive tract is temporarily turned inside out, allowing the hen to lay a clean egg, but it sometimes it does not […]
Read More >
Agriculture often gets a bad rap when it comes to environmental protection. There are many practices available to farmers that are great for both farmers and the land they cultivate. Sustainable agriculture practices put tremendous focus on preserving and improving soil health. These practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, and no-tillage practices. The use of […]
Read More >
The Most Versatile Organ in a Chicken
Chickens are fascinating. Intellectual, sassy little sprites with tons of personality. And anatomical wonders. A lot of this information probably applies to most birds (except ostriches, apparently) but I don’t care about those birds. We’re talking chickens. We’ve talked about how cool chicken vision is before. Today, we’ll talk about the other end. It’s kinda […]
Read More >
The Impact of High Path Avian Influenza
In January the first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Eurasian H5 strain was detected in an American wigeon in South Carolina. Since then, there have been more confirmations in wild birds in North Carolina. Since February, there have been confirmed cases in other states too, including Virginia, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire and more. […]
Read More >
3 Keys to Cold Weather Comfort
Want to learn more? Read the article. Subscribe to our blog!
Read More >