Poultry top stories

POULTRY

UK native poultry breeds under threat as avian flu takes grip

All of the UK’s rare breeds of chicken, duck, geese and turkey are under threat due to avian influenza, a new report from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has…

POULTRY

US reports human case of bird flu caught from cattle

Authorities in Texas have reported the first case of avian influenza in a human, following close contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected with the H5N1 strain of the…

POULTRY

New rules mean all poultrykeepers must register their birds

All poultrykeepers will be required to log their flocks on the national register this autumn – even if they own just a few birds in a backyard flock. Currently, only…

POULTRY

7 brooding management tips for healthy broiler chicks

Brooding is all about building the foundation for a broiler’s life, according to Brendan Graaf, broiler specialist for Cobb-Vantress. “Chicks go through a lot of stress during the hatching process,…

POULTRY

Advice on developing a well-trained poultry team

A team can make or break any business, and a poor poultry team can affect production as well as efficiency. NFU Poultry Board member Will Lea helps deliver staff training…

POULTRY

British egg and poultry producers under 'extreme pressure'

Almost one-quarter of British egg producers are not sure they will still be in business in two years’ time, according to an NFU survey. The survey of 253 poultry farmers…

Poultry news

POULTRY

Scotland gears up to ban all cages in egg production

A possible ban on colony cage egg production in Scotland will put extra pressure on free-range supplies and result in imports from countries with lower welfare standards, the egg industry…

LAYERS

Extra vigilance needed as egg farms targeted by activists

Free-range egg producers are being warned to step up their vigilance following a spate of targeted incursions by animal rights activists who allege widespread mistreatment of laying hens. Undercover footage…

LAYERS

High path avian flu case confirmed in Yorkshire

A 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…

LAYERS

RSPCA Assured gives more time for hen welfare improvements

Egg producers are being given more time to introduce verandas outside their hen houses, and to provide more natural daylight, following a rethink by RSPCA Assured. Last November, the welfare…

Broilers

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BROILERS

Daily misting of broiler sheds lifts bird performance

Misting systems are becoming increasingly common in broiler houses as the industry gears up for hotter summers and greater welfare scrutiny. For many growers, they provide a useful backup for…

POULTRY

7 brooding management tips for healthy broiler chicks

Brooding is all about building the foundation for a broiler’s life, according to Brendan Graaf, broiler specialist for Cobb-Vantress. “Chicks go through a lot of stress during the hatching process,…

LAYERS

High path avian flu case confirmed in Yorkshire

A 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…

POULTRY

Poultry producers win case for greater bird flu compensation

Poultry 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…

BROILERS

Salmonella warning linked to Polish poultry imports

Local authorities and consumers have been advised to step up their checks and tighten their hygiene practices in response to a rising threat of salmonella food poisoning linked to imports…

POULTRY

Why avian flu vaccine rollout would cost £1.5k/shed a month

Vaccinating 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…

Layers

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POULTRY

4 tips for effective cleaning between free-range flocks

A subdued supply of free-range eggs on the market is putting poultry producers under pressure to manage tighter turnarounds between flocks. At the same time, they are having to contend…

POULTRY

Scotland gears up to ban all cages in egg production

A possible ban on colony cage egg production in Scotland will put extra pressure on free-range supplies and result in imports from countries with lower welfare standards, the egg industry…

LAYERS

Extra vigilance needed as egg farms targeted by activists

Free-range egg producers are being warned to step up their vigilance following a spate of targeted incursions by animal rights activists who allege widespread mistreatment of laying hens. Undercover footage…

POULTRY

Advice on developing a well-trained poultry team

A team can make or break any business, and a poor poultry team can affect production as well as efficiency. NFU Poultry Board member Will Lea helps deliver staff training…

LAYERS

High path avian flu case confirmed in Yorkshire

A 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…

LAYERS

RSPCA Assured gives more time for hen welfare improvements

Egg producers are being given more time to introduce verandas outside their hen houses, and to provide more natural daylight, following a rethink by RSPCA Assured. Last November, the welfare…

Other poultry

LAYERS

High path avian flu case confirmed in Yorkshire

A 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…

POULTRY

Poultry producers win case for greater bird flu compensation

Poultry 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 POULTRY

Why turkeys need managing differently to broilers

Factors 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…

POULTRY

Why avian flu vaccine rollout would cost £1.5k/shed a month

Vaccinating 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…

POULTRY

7 tips for making a profit from farm-scale Christmas turkeys

About 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…

OTHER POULTRY

Avian influenza: First case of the season in Lincs turkeys

An outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed in a flock of indoor turkeys in south Lincolnshire, marking the first case in a commercial unit since the start of the…