Bird flu is back with a vengeance. Recent and ongoing reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, on poultry farms around the world is forcing quick, drastic action to control its spread, and shows the virus will remain a challenge for producers for some time. What’s next is critically important: producers are and will be left with the task of rebuilding their flocks to maintain pace with contracted production to meet revenue goals and keep up with global poultry demand.
The best first step for producers is to provide what new broilers and layers need to stay healthy. In addition to good building sanitation, high-quality feedstocks, clean water and low-stress environments, probiotics are one of the tools producers have at their disposal that can support optimal growth potential, intestinal function and nutrient absorption. Healthy birds result in overall flock productivity and revenue potential for producers.
Dr. Steve Lerner, Senior Scientific and Business Advisor for North America at Chr. Hansen, Inc., is a longtime expert in poultry probiotics and animal health who can speak to the challenges poultry producers may face moving into 2024 as the bird flu threat lingers, specifically how probiotics can help overcome those challenges. I’d be happy to put you in touch with him as a subject matter expert to supplement any reporting you are doing on this hot topic, including the role of probiotics in rebuilding a broiler/layer flock and potential profiles of resilient producers rebuilding their flocks after a bird flu infection outbreak.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Contact me at the information below and I’m happy to help out with your reporting.
Jeff Caldwell
CLUTCH Performance
(515) 657-1061 (text or call)
jcaldwell@clutchperformance.com
