Poultry top stories 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… POULTRYRed Tractor accused of 'hypocrisy' in poultry farm bust upBroiler grower Paul Stephens says Red Tractor has turned into a “dictatorial quango” as he continues to resist efforts to divide his business into two separate units for auditing purposes.… 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… POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in EnglandMandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across England, some of which have been in place since December 2024, are set to be lifted from Thursday (15 May) over… 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… POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in Northern IrelandCompulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across Northern Ireland are set to be lifted this coming Saturday (10 May), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera)… POULTRYBird housing order to be lifted in Northern IrelandCompulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds across Northern Ireland are set to be lifted this coming Saturday (10 May), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera)… 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… POULTRYTips on ensuring poultry biosecurity measures are effectiveThe avian influenza virus always makes its way into a poultry house from the outside environment, so preventing that transmission will keep disease at bay. While farms already have good… 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… POULTRYPoultry housing order extended in the north of EnglandA housing order for poultry and kept birds has been extended for the North of England from Monday (7 April) to help prevent further outbreaks of bird flu. The latest… 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… POULTRYLabour peer warns of salmonella risk from US chickenLabour peer Lord Rooker has issued a warning to the UK government about the potential risks to public health if a trade deal with the US allows imports of chicken… Poultry news POULTRYBird flu makes an unwelcome return in backyard flockHighly pathogenic avian influenza has made an unwelcome return, with a backyard flock of 60 chickens, 20 ducks and five geese confirmed with the disease at a small unit near… POULTRYPoultry housing order extended in the north of EnglandA housing order for poultry and kept birds has been extended for the North of England from Monday (7 April) to help prevent further outbreaks of bird flu. The latest… 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… ENVIRONMENTChicken manure waste ruling deals blow to poultry industryIn a major blow to the NFU, the High Court has ruled that chicken manure must be classified as “waste”, a decision that has been hailed as a victory by… BroilersSee all 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.… BROILERSParacetic acid trials show pathogen benefits in broilersEfforts to reduce antibiotics use on poultry units could be bolstered by an in-water paracetic acid product that controls major pathogens, an animal health company claims. Trial data from 250,000… BROILERSHow heat exchangers can benefit both environment and poultryIt makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere… BROILERSAppeals judge throws out case against modern broiler rearingThe Court of Appeal in London has dismissed a case brought by animal activists that, had it been successful, could have forced the poultry sector to cease using “fast-growing” broilers… LayersSee all 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… 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.… 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
