TUCKER, GA. — The US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) reported a successful 2024 Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar, held Oct. 3-4 in Nashville, Tenn. The seminar tackled critical challenges posed by ongoing cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and emphasized the importance of sustainable poultry production practices.

With the persistent threat of HPAI, experts urged the need for proactive measures and collaborative efforts to ensure a resilient poultry industry capable of overcoming emerging viral diseases and maintaining animal welfare. Speakers also offered innovative strategies for enhancing overall flock health and biosecurity while addressing the delicate balance between environmental stewardship and production efficiency.

For example, Ken Opengart, owner of 3 Birds Consulting, discussed prioritizing sustainability in poultry production and balancing environmental, economic and ethical considerations. The strategic pillars he focused on were sustaining the planet, contributing to communities and creating shared values. These focuses play an important role in land stewardship, sustainable packaging and animal welfare.

Later, Kalen Cookson, director of clinical research at Zoetis; Sean Chen, assistant professor and extension specialist at the University of Georgia; and Travis Schaal, senior key account manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, provided updates on various diseases that plague the poultry industry.

Cookson provided a status update on infectious laryngotracheitis virus (LT, ILTV or ILT) as well as reovirus. He advised always to look and listen for signs of LT and try to limit foot traffic once the virus has been detected on a farm. 

Chen discussed the clinical signs of blackhead disease in turkeys and broiler breeders and ways to mitigate the spread. Mitigation strategies can include actively culling sick birds, separating the sick from the healthy and replacing litter while ensuring thorough cleanout of housing facilities to minimize disease transmission. For broiler breeders, incorporating dewormers and gut health treatments, along with improved feed management and distribution, can help reduce morbidity and mortality in pullets by minimizing body weight variation.

Schaal discussed bacterial diseases in layers. According to Schaal, there are three elements impacting poultry immune health and performance — the bird, the environment and the pathogens — also known as the disease triad. He noted the necessity of biosecurity and its role as the most important aspect of the disease prevention strategy. 

Adding to the discussion from a veterinarian perspective, Molly Parker, poultry veterinarian at Aviagen, spoke on poultry health. She provided an update on avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Clinical signs include decrease in egg production, conjunctivitis and neurologic birds. Parker stated that by the time the birds begin showing clinical signs, the virus has already done its damage and is gone. The best ways to help prevent and mitigate aMPV are to ensure proper management and biosecurity, provide a warm environment and proper ventilation, help reduce the side effects of secondary stressors like moving the birds and vaccinations, and stay vigilant.