Poultry top stories LIVESTOCKHow to reduce the risk of enterococcus lameness in broilersLameness is one of the most significant economic and welfare challenges facing every UK livestock sector, and commercial broiler production is no exception. As with digital dermatitis in cattle, lameness… LIVESTOCKFW Awards: 2026 Poultry Farmer of the Year finalistsUnlike last year when all three finalists were egg producers, this year sees three poultrymeat producers vying for the coveted title. See also: FW Awards 2026: Meet the finalists The… LIVESTOCK8 tips to optimise brooding of free-range turkey poultsThe arrival of free-range turkey poults and goslings on rearing farms marks a critical stage in the production cycle for the Christmas market. This is when the foundations for the… POULTRYCrack open your farm’s future with free-range eggs!Across UK agriculture, volatility is now the norm. Input costs move fast. Weather disrupts output. Margins remain under pressure. Free-range eggs are one of the few sectors still offering that… HEALTH AND WELFAREDefra-funded poultry biosecurity visits now availablePoultrykeepers in England can now access funded veterinary biosecurity reviews as part of Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, aimed at helping businesses reduce the risk of avian influenza. The… POULTRYBetter planning needed to bolster domestic poultry productionPlanning delays, inconsistent local decisions and systemic barriers are putting a brake on poultry production, increasing the threat that growing consumer demand for chicken will be met by lower-standard imports.… POULTRYWhy more efficient egg production requires vaccination rethinkHitting the current 72-week average laying cycle in free-range egg production was once considered exceptional, but it is not uncommon now to see white bird flocks in-lay for 110 weeks.… LIVESTOCK8 tips to optimise brooding of free-range turkey poultsThe arrival of free-range turkey poults and goslings on rearing farms marks a critical stage in the production cycle for the Christmas market. This is when the foundations for the… LIVESTOCKHow biomarkers can help uncover hidden flock health issuesAs poultry production systems become increasingly data driven, producers are generating more information than ever before – but turning those figures into practical management decisions remains a challenge. While modern… HEALTH AND WELFAREDefra-funded poultry biosecurity visits now availablePoultrykeepers in England can now access funded veterinary biosecurity reviews as part of Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, aimed at helping businesses reduce the risk of avian influenza. The… POULTRYBetter planning needed to bolster domestic poultry productionPlanning delays, inconsistent local decisions and systemic barriers are putting a brake on poultry production, increasing the threat that growing consumer demand for chicken will be met by lower-standard imports.… POULTRYWhy more efficient egg production requires vaccination rethinkHitting the current 72-week average laying cycle in free-range egg production was once considered exceptional, but it is not uncommon now to see white bird flocks in-lay for 110 weeks.… BROILERSPoultry sector growth held back by planning constraintsThe UK poultry sector is likely to be come increasingly reliant on imports if tough UK planning restrictions continue to block grower base expansion, visitors to this week’s British Pig… POULTRYPoultry housing order to be lifted in Northern IrelandFree-range poultry producers in Northern Ireland will be able to let their birds out on the range from next Tuesday (5 May), when the mandatory housing order is officially lifted.… Poultry news BUSINESSApplications open for NFU poultry leadership programmeYoung poultry farmers and industry professionals are being encouraged to apply for an NFU programme aimed at developing the sector’s future leaders. The NFU Poultry Industry Programme (PIP), which has… POULTRYBernard Matthews warns of more closures after factory axeBernard Matthews has warned that more food manufacturing sites and farms could close unless the government acts to strengthen Britain’s food supply chain after announcing the closure of its Derby… MARKETS AND TRENDSFalling prices, higher costs squeeze egg producersEgg prices surged earlier this year as tight supply struggled to keep pace with demand, new figures show. Now, with availability improving and seasonal demand easing, prices are moving in… LIVESTOCKImported eggs under fire after salmonella outbreakUK egg producers are demanding tougher import controls after a major salmonella outbreak left more than 200 people unwell and one dead. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed… BroilersSee all LIVESTOCKHow to reduce the risk of enterococcus lameness in broilersLameness is one of the most significant economic and welfare challenges facing every UK livestock sector, and commercial broiler production is no exception. As with digital dermatitis in cattle, lameness… LIVESTOCKHow biomarkers can help uncover hidden flock health issuesAs poultry production systems become increasingly data driven, producers are generating more information than ever before – but turning those figures into practical management decisions remains a challenge. While modern… POULTRYBetter planning needed to bolster domestic poultry productionPlanning delays, inconsistent local decisions and systemic barriers are putting a brake on poultry production, increasing the threat that growing consumer demand for chicken will be met by lower-standard imports.… BROILERSPoultry sector growth held back by planning constraintsThe UK poultry sector is likely to be come increasingly reliant on imports if tough UK planning restrictions continue to block grower base expansion, visitors to this week’s British Pig… LIVESTOCKStarter crumb v mini pellet: Which is best for chicks?Early feed intake is vital to get birds off to a good start – in those crucial first seven days, good nutrition underpins musculoskeletal development and the growth of internal… POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… LayersSee all POULTRYCrack open your farm’s future with free-range eggs!Across UK agriculture, volatility is now the norm. Input costs move fast. Weather disrupts output. Margins remain under pressure. Free-range eggs are one of the few sectors still offering that… LIVESTOCKImported eggs under fire after salmonella outbreakUK egg producers are demanding tougher import controls after a major salmonella outbreak left more than 200 people unwell and one dead. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed… PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATIONHow mixed farmer feeds 450,000 laying hensFeeding 450,000 laying hens is no easy task, and Farmlay managing director Iain Chapman requires 350t of wheat and barley each week to feed his flock in north-east Aberdeenshire. This is… POULTRYBetter planning needed to bolster domestic poultry productionPlanning delays, inconsistent local decisions and systemic barriers are putting a brake on poultry production, increasing the threat that growing consumer demand for chicken will be met by lower-standard imports.… POULTRYWhy more efficient egg production requires vaccination rethinkHitting the current 72-week average laying cycle in free-range egg production was once considered exceptional, but it is not uncommon now to see white bird flocks in-lay for 110 weeks.… POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… Other poultry POULTRYDefra defends poultry stats amid claims 25m birds 'missing'Defra has played down claims that its records of the UK poultry population are “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting its numbers are fit for purpose. The claims are made in a… LIVESTOCKPoultry housing order to be lifted in England and WalesFree-range poultry producers are being urged to start preparing now for their birds’ impending return to the big outdoors, with Defra signalling an end to the mandatory housing order in… POULTRYBenefits of premium turkey contract for beef and sheep farmGrowing turkeys is allowing a Powys farm to earn an additional income stream from its beef and sheep sheds at a time of the year when they would otherwise have… 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… Advertisements Poultry hot topics The benefits and uses of lucerne in poultry production 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
