Poultry top stories POULTRYStricter biosecurity for gamebird keepers as flu cases spikeRising cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in gamebirds have resulted in stricter mandatory biosecurity measures for keepers and those involved in running a shoot and game bird rearing.… BROILERSHow litter can be treated on-farm to heat broiler shedsNew technology is offering a novel solution to the environmental and financial challenges associated with manure produced by intensive broiler units. Poultry litter is blamed for polluting rivers and waterways… POULTRYClock is ticking for bird flu insurance, producers warnedPoultry industry representatives are advising egg and meat producers to move quickly if they want to secure bird flu insurance, given the recent escalation in the number of cases. NFU… POULTRYBird flu: Poultry farms offered flexible checksPoultry farmers impacted by avian influenza (HPAI) are being given a helping hand by RSPCA Assured through flexible farm assessments during outbreaks. In certain circumstances – for example, where there’s… POULTRYSurge in bird flu cases raises alarm across poultry sectorFurther outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have raised alarm across the poultry sector. Once seen as a winter-only disease, HPAI has recently… POULTRYBird flu strikes pheasant shoot in SomersetA game shoot site in Somerset has been struck by avian influenza with about 2,500 nine-week-old pheasants affected. The outbreak near Winsford in the Exmoor National Park was confirmed as… POULTRYBird flu vaccination trial recommended by task forceA report from the avian influenza vaccination task force, which looked at how best to manage highly pathogenic avian influenza in the UK, has ruled out vaccination for poultry flocks… POULTRYBird flu vaccination trial recommended by task forceA report from the avian influenza vaccination task force, which looked at how best to manage highly pathogenic avian influenza in the UK, has ruled out vaccination for poultry flocks… BROILERSBenefits of increasing water oxygen content for broilersTechnology to intensify water’s dissolved oxygen content has been shown to reduce mortality and improve performance in broiler systems. A Ross 308 broiler trial, which involved 840 birds, showed 37.3%… POULTRYAnti-broiler chicken group accused of 'intimidating' farmersAnimal welfare group the Humane League has been accused of “intimidating farmers” and “stoking fear and confusion” after it wrote to broiler growers saying they may be breaking the law… POULTRYFW Awards: Meet the 2025 Poultry Farmer of the Year finalistsEgg producers dominate this year’s Poultry Farmer of the Year finalists line-up, with three exceptional operators vying for the top spot. The judges Gary Ford With a long career in the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESPoultry markets perform well in 2025 despite mixed outlookBroiler prices in the EU have surpassed €3/kg (£2.58) to a new record high, having been on an upwards trajectory since the start of the year. The EU broiler price… LAYERSNon-Lion egg producers denied bird flu insuranceFree-range egg producers who are not signed up to a recognised farm quality assurance scheme are being denied access to avian influenza insurance by NFU Mutual. The rural insurer insists… LIVESTOCK DISEASESConcern as two separate bird flu outbreaks reported in WalesWales has confirmed its first cases of avian influenza since April 2023, with two separate outbreaks identified in Pembrokeshire and near Wrexham. The Welsh government reported that a flock of… Poultry news LIVESTOCKBird flu spread strengthens argument for gene editingWith cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza continuing to disrupt the poultry and game bird industries, calls on the UK government to allow gene editing in farmed animals are increasing.… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESPoultry markets perform well in 2025 despite mixed outlookBroiler prices in the EU have surpassed €3/kg (£2.58) to a new record high, having been on an upwards trajectory since the start of the year. The EU broiler price… LAYERSNon-Lion egg producers denied bird flu insuranceFree-range egg producers who are not signed up to a recognised farm quality assurance scheme are being denied access to avian influenza insurance by NFU Mutual. The rural insurer insists… LIVESTOCK DISEASESConcern as two separate bird flu outbreaks reported in WalesWales has confirmed its first cases of avian influenza since April 2023, with two separate outbreaks identified in Pembrokeshire and near Wrexham. The Welsh government reported that a flock of… BroilersSee all BROILERSHow litter can be treated on-farm to heat broiler shedsNew technology is offering a novel solution to the environmental and financial challenges associated with manure produced by intensive broiler units. Poultry litter is blamed for polluting rivers and waterways… BROILERSBenefits of increasing water oxygen content for broilersTechnology to intensify water’s dissolved oxygen content has been shown to reduce mortality and improve performance in broiler systems. A Ross 308 broiler trial, which involved 840 birds, showed 37.3%… POULTRYAnti-broiler chicken group accused of 'intimidating' farmersAnimal welfare group the Humane League has been accused of “intimidating farmers” and “stoking fear and confusion” after it wrote to broiler growers saying they may be breaking the law… POULTRYWhat it takes to join the Ross 450 club for broiler growersAsk broiler grower and consultant Chris Wright, Farmers Weekly‘s Poultry Farmer of the Year, what gives him the most satisfaction working in the poultry sector. He will freely admit it… POULTRYFree-range broilers to retain status during housing ordersFree-range broiler growers and processors will soon no longer need to alter labelling when mandatory housing measures are introduced during bird flu outbreaks. Currently, when housing measures are imposed to… POULTRYAdvice on managing mycotoxin risks for poultryDespite the rollout of new stricter limits on the permitted levels of mycotoxins in cereals for human consumption, no changes have been made to recommendations for parameters in animal feed.… LayersSee all LAYERSNon-Lion egg producers denied bird flu insuranceFree-range egg producers who are not signed up to a recognised farm quality assurance scheme are being denied access to avian influenza insurance by NFU Mutual. The rural insurer insists… LIVESTOCKEgg producer's verdict on best alternative protein for layersFrom manure to processing, emissions from egg production can be tricky to manage. But replacing some, or all, of the soya in a standard flock’s diet with other proteins is… POULTRYDark-brooding, trees and data transform poultry businessA focus on hen welfare and technological innovation helped a 200-hen diversification grow into a business producing and packing eggs from 2 million chickens via a network of suppliers. David… POULTRYHow a free-range egg producer is achieving an 86-week layExtending lay to 90 weeks is remarkable in any system, and all the more so when it is achieved in just the fifth flock cycle. Arable farmer Michael Wilson diversified… LAYERSWhat new RSPCA Assured layer standards mean for farmersProviding a minimum of 3% natural daylight in housing could cost free-range and barn-egg producers at least £1 a bird. Other requirements within the new RSPCA Assured welfare standards require… LAYERSNew welfare standards for laying hens announcedNew welfare standards from RSPCA Assured have finally been announced for laying hens after pauses were made to previous plans. Last year, RSPCA Assured paused the release of new standards… Other poultry POULTRYLabelling rules for free-range poultry to be easedOutdoor-reared poultry that are compulsorily housed during an avian influenza outbreak look set to retain their free-range status, no matter how long they are contained. Currently broilers can only be… LAYERSHigh path avian flu case confirmed in YorkshireA new case of avian influenza has been identified in a commercial poultry unit near Driffield, Yorkshire. Defra said in a statement: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed… POULTRYPoultry producers win case for greater bird flu compensationPoultry farmers who have had their flocks slaughtered following an outbreak of avian influenza have been under-compensated and may have a right to further payments. That is the conclusion of… OTHER POULTRYWhy turkeys need managing differently to broilersFactors affecting choice of breed, age at slaughter, and brooding, rearing and disease management all have unique considerations for turkey production. Regarding turkeys simply as big broilers could put a… POULTRYWhy avian flu vaccine rollout would cost £1.5k/shed a monthVaccinating UK poultry flocks for avian influenza has been described as “cost prohibitive” because an EU surveillance requirement for swabbing and testing would set producers back £1,000-£1,500/month for every shed… POULTRY7 tips for making a profit from farm-scale Christmas turkeysAbout 18% of the Christmas turkeys sold to UK consumers are produced on a small scale by farmers independent of the big players. It can generate a good income, often… Advertisements Poultry hot topics Advice on managing mycotoxin risks for poultry Regen poultry: What scope is there to grow production? 4 tips for effective cleaning between free-range flocks 8 management tips to help prevent severe feather pecking A poultrykeeper's guide to spotting and controlling blackhead Advice on using water vaccination for broilers and layers
