Poultry Production Systems Research Articles (Page 1)

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) continues to be a major threat to poultry production in Bangladesh, where poultry is a primary source of affordable protein and outbreaks also pose zoonotic risks to humans. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 331 commercial broiler, layer, and Sonali poultry farms to evaluate biosecurity and farm management practices across different poultry production systems in relation to government-recommended biosecurity guidelines, and to identify risk factors associated with avian influenza (AI) outbreaks, as well as to assist in mitigating AI outbreak risks and improving disease prevention in poultry farms. We found that 93.4% of farms were in residential areas and 68.8% of the farms were near waterbodies. A significant number of farms had access to domestic and wild animals, with limited implementation of disinfection and hygiene practices. Overall, most farms did not fully comply with government suggested standard biosecurity and good farm management guidelines. In total, 51 (15.4%) farms reported AI outbreaks with the highest proportion in layer farms (29.1%), followed by broiler (10.6%) and Sonali (7.8%). AI outbreaks were significantly associated with outbreak history on nearby farms, farmers or workers visiting other farms, and farm management by workers or multiple individuals rather than owners. Veterinarian visits were also found to be associated with outbreaks on farms, which may reflect reporting bias rather than causality. Our findings underscore that substantial gaps in biosecurity compliance remain widespread across all farm types. We recommend strengthening biosecurity protocols, addressing environmental risks, and providing comprehensive training programs for farmers to control AI spread, prevent future outbreaks, and ultimately safeguard both poultry and public health.

Molecular characterization, antimicrobial resistance profiling, and biofilm analysis of Salmonella isolates from dead-in-shell embryonated eggs.

Research note: Emergence of blaNDM-13 producing Escherichia coli from a broiler chicken and farm environment in Jiangsu Province, China.

Comparative effects of probiotic and postbiotic in ovo administration on broiler intestinal development and health.

The pervasive contamination of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in livestock and poultry production systems represent a critical threat to animal health, productivity, and food safety. This review systematically evaluates the potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol from Curcuma longa, to mitigate MNP-induced toxicity, drawing on evidence from 25 preclinical studies (2014–September 2025). We highlight that curcumin exerts broad-spectrum, dose-dependent protection primarily through a dual mechanism: the preventive activation of the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant pathway and the therapeutic suppression of NF-κB-driven inflammation. These actions collectively ameliorate oxidative stress, restore metabolic homeostasis (e.g., via the gut–liver axis), and reverse histopathological damage across key organs, including the liver, kidneys, and reproductive tissues. A major translational insight is the significant species-specific variation in curcumin bioavailability, which is substantially higher in poultry than in ruminants, necessitating the development of tailored delivery systems such as nanoencapsulation. While the preclinical data are compelling, translating these findings into practice requires robust clinical trials to establish standardized, safe, and effective dosing regimens for food-producing animals. This review concludes that curcumin presents a promising, sustainable phytogenic strategy to enhance the resilience of livestock and poultry systems against MNP pollution, directly contributing to the One Health goals of safeguarding animal welfare, food security, and environmental sustainability.

The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic factorial model for predicting amino acid requirements in Hy-Line Gray laying hens during critical early growth stages (0–84 days), addressing the need for precision feeding in modern poultry production systems. Methods: Four sequential trials were conducted. In Trial 1, growth curves and protein deposition equations were developed based on fortnightly body composition analyses, with parameters evaluated using the Akaike and Bayesian information criteria (AIC and BIC). In Trial 2, the carcass and feather amino acid profiles were characterized via HPLC. And established the amino acid composition patterns of chicken feather protein and carcass protein (AAF and AAC). In Trial 3, maintenance requirements were quantified through nitrogen balance studies, and in Trial 4, amino acid patterns of feather protein (APD) and apparent protein digestibility (ADD) were established using an endogenous indicator method. These datasets were integrated through factorial modeling to predict age-specific nutrient demands. Results: The developed model revealed the following quantitative requirements (g/day) for 18 amino acids across developmental stages: aspartic acid (0.1–0.863), glutamic acid (0.170–1.503), serine (0.143–0.806), arginine (0.165–0.891), glycine (0.258–1.279), threonine (0.095–0.507), proline (0.253–1.207), alanine (0.131–0.718), valine (0.144–0.737), methionine (0.023–0.124), cysteine (0.102–0.682), isoleucine (0.086–0.458), leucine (0.209–1.067), phenylalanine (0.086–0.464), histidine (0.024–0.133), lysine (0.080–0.462), tyrosine (0.050–0.283), and tryptophan (0.011–0.060). The model demonstrated strong predictive validity throughout the 12-week growth period. Conclusion: This integrative approach yielded the first dynamic requirement model for Hy-Line Gray layers during early development. The factorial framework enables precise adjustment of amino acid provisions to match changing physiological needs and has high potential value in optimizing feed efficiency and supporting sustainable layer production practices.

Background: The increasing attention on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry flocks stems from concerns about their virulence potential and zoonotic risk. Of particular significance is the identification of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) pathotypes in poultry, as these strains pose not only animal health concerns but also serious threats to food safety and public health. Mapping the genetic background of pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance is essential for risk assessment and the development of effective control strategies. Methods: A total of 87 E. coli isolates were isolated from tracheal and cloacal swab samples collected from healthy chickens between 2022 and 2023. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using Illumina and MGI next-generation sequencing platforms. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to identify virulence-associated genes and pathotype markers using multiple reference databases, including VirulenceFinder. The frequency of virulence genes was summarized both in tabular form and visualized through graphical representations. Results: A substantial proportion of the isolates harbored virulence genes linked to various ExPEC pathotypes, particularly uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), and neonatal meningitis-causing E. coli (NMEC). The most frequently detected colonization factors included members of the fim, pap, ecp, and fae gene families. Among fitness-related genes, iron acquisition systems—ent, chu, iro, iuc, fep, and ybt—were especially prevalent. Classic UPEC-associated genes such as pap and fimH, along with the APEC-related iutA and vat, were found at high frequencies. Four isolates exhibited a virulence gene profile characteristic of the NMEC pathotype (ibeA, kpsD/M/T, fimH). In contrast, hallmark genes of enteric pathotypes were absent from all isolates. Conclusions: The predominance of extraintestinal virulence factors in the examined poultry-derived E. coli strains underscores their zoonotic potential. The complete absence of enteric pathotype markers indicates that the studied poultry populations primarily harbor ExPEC-like strains. These findings highlight the critical need for ongoing genomic surveillance and targeted preventive strategies within poultry production systems.

Alphitobius diaperinus is regarded as a highly resilient pest in poultry production systems that use litter-based rearing . It is also known as a potential reservoir of several avian pathogens. The present study aimed to determine darkling beetle carriage of bacterial pathogens in Tunisian poultry houses. A total of 25 industrial broiler flocks naturally infested by darkling beetles and located in the North-East of Tunisia were sampled. A pooled sample of adult beetles (5 g) was collected from five distinct locations within each broiler house. Insects were placed in sterile containers and transported to the laboratory under cooled conditions. All samples were examined for entomological identification. Bacteriological analysis was performed to detect external and internal bacterial carriage, according to the standard protocols. Antimicrobial susceptibility for all Escherichia coli isolates was tested by the disk diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar using commercial disks. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was not performed for the remaining bacterial isolates. Entomological identification showed that all sampled beetles belong to Alphitobius diaperinus species. A total of 108 isolates were detected from the surface (57 isolates) and the interior (51 isolates) of adult insects. Gram-negative (63.89%) (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgarus, Citrobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (36.11%) (Gram-positive) bacteria were isolated, with the global predominance of coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by E. coli (23.15%), Pseudomonas spp. (13.89%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.19%). No Salmonella spp. was detected. Antibiotic resistance profile showed that all Escherichia coli isolates were multi-resistant. High resistance was observed to doxycycline (25/25; 100%), amoxicillin (24/25; 96%), cephalothin (23/25; 92%), streptomycin (22/25; 88%), tetracycline (22/25; 88%), enrofloxacin (22/25; 88%). A high level of resistance was observed to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (13 out of 25 isolates; 52%) and gentamicin (9/25; 36%). However, a low level of resistance was observed to florfenicol (7/25; 28%) and colistin (3/25; 12%). Our results confirm the potential vector role of beetles in the spread of bacteria pathogens and antibiotic resistance.

Valorization of fermented orange pulp as a sustainable feed ingredient: Impacts on broiler growth, immune system, meat quality and lipid oxidation

Non-typhoidal Salmonella are important foodborne zoonotic pathogens closely linked to poultry and poultry products. Despite their public health importance, limited data are available on the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of nontyphoidal Salmonella in poultry production systems in Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence, identify risk factors, and assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella enterica from poultry farms in Bahir Dar city, northwestern Ethiopia. Standard bacteriological methods, PCR-based detection, and serotyping were used to investigate the presence of Salmonella in chicken (n = 126), environmental (n = 198), and human (n = 45) samples collected from 22 poultry farms. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data from questionnaires and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of Salmonella. Nontyphoidal Salmonella species were detected on 18.1% (4/22) of the farms. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 3.1% (6/198) of environmental boot samples, 3.2% (4/126) of cloacal swabs, and 4.4% (2/45) of human stool samples. Two Salmonella serotypes were identified from among 12 Salmonella isolates: S. Enteritidis (41.6%, 5/12) and S. Typhimurium (16.6%, 2/12). All Salmonella isolates demonstrated complete resistance to ampicillin (100%) and tetracycline (100%) and exhibited multiple drug resistance patterns, with a high multiple antibiotic resistance index ranging from 0.45 to 0.55. The prevalence of Salmonella was significantly associated with the absence of foot baths (p = 0.0096) and the presence of other animal species on the farm (p = 0.026). The demonstrable emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium serotypes, alongside key factors driving the prevalence of nontyphoidal salmonellosis on poultry farms in northwestern Ethiopia, underscores the need for improved intervention strategies and ongoing large-scale One Health genomic surveillance to accurately monitor temporal dynamics of Salmonella infections and mitigate the rise of multidrug resistance.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella are important foodborne zoonotic pathogens closely linked to poultry and poultry products. Despite their public health importance, limited data are available on the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of nontyphoidal Salmonella in poultry production systems in Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence, identify risk factors, and assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella enterica from poultry farms in Bahir Dar city, northwestern Ethiopia. Standard bacteriological methods, PCR-based detection, and serotyping were used to investigate the presence of Salmonella in chicken (n = 126), environmental (n = 198), and human (n = 45) samples collected from 22 poultry farms. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Data from questionnaires and Fisher’s exact tests were used to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of Salmonella. Nontyphoidal Salmonella species were detected on 18.1% (4/22) of the farms. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 3.1% (6/198) of environmental boot samples, 3.2% (4/126) of cloacal swabs, and 4.4% (2/45) of human stool samples. Two Salmonella serotypes were identified from among 12 Salmonella isolates: S. Enteritidis (41.6%, 5/12) and S. Typhimurium (16.6%, 2/12). All Salmonella isolates demonstrated complete resistance to ampicillin (100%) and tetracycline (100%) and exhibited multiple drug resistance patterns, with a high multiple antibiotic resistance index ranging from 0.45 to 0.55. The prevalence of Salmonella was significantly associated with the absence of foot baths (p = 0.0096) and the presence of other animal species on the farm (p = 0.026). The demonstrable emergence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium serotypes, alongside key factors driving the prevalence of nontyphoidal salmonellosis on poultry farms in northwestern Ethiopia, underscores the need for improved intervention strategies and ongoing large-scale One Health genomic surveillance to accurately monitor temporal dynamics of Salmonella infections and mitigate the rise of multidrug resistance.

Improving animal welfare and reducing losses in poultry breeding and production systems hinge on the early detection and warning of contagious diseases among chickens. Traditional methods for controlling and diagnosing poultry diseases often fall short, leading to significant mortality and decreased output. This study presents an automated poultry health management algorithm based on Convolution Neural Networks (CNNs) to identify healthy and unhealthy chickens using acoustic analysis of their vocalizations. The proposed approach leverages Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) for feature extraction from audio signals of chickens that exhibit respiratory diseases. The CNN model, which comprises convolution layers, dropout layers, and batch normalization, was trained and evaluated on a dataset of 346 audio signals collected from poultry farms. The results demonstrate high accuracy (94.59%), precision (96%), recall (96%), and F1-score (96%) in classifying healthy and unhealthy chicken sounds, outperforming previous methods. This study underscores the potential of voice-based diagnostic tools in poultry health management, offering prospects for early intervention and enhanced health outcomes.

Abstract Genetic advances in poultry production have required constant improvements in broiler nutrition. Evaluation of the progress of 40 years of nutritional development in broiler diets demonstrated that different advances in nutrition, such as the use of a metabolizable energy system, ileal digestible amino acids, ideal protein profile, and actualization in requirements, resulted in improvements of 0.55 points in feed conversion, 10% in daily weight gain, and 12.6% in protein deposition, while fat deposition was reduced by 13.3%. However, in environmental conditions with high temperatures, heat stress is responsible for physiological adaptations and changes in energy metabolism, increasing the dependence on lipids as an energy source for birds and reducing protein synthesis, which can modify muscle growth and lead to increased fat deposition. In this context, it is necessary to understand and update the impact of environmental conditions and heat stress on fast-growing genetic lines selected for high muscle performance. The intense genetic selection of modern broilers further exacerbates their susceptibility to thermal stress, requiring updates on the effects of thermal stress on protein and fat metabolism and the assessment of adjustments in nutrient levels and energy-protein ratios in the diet to define the actual nutritional needs of broilers under adverse conditions. This study investigates the interaction between ambient temperature and dietary requirements, with a focus on the roles of energy and protein, particularly amino acids, in optimizing the performance of broilers under varying thermal stress conditions. Using the recommendations from the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine (Rostagno et al., 2024) adapted to the metabolic demands of broilers in tropical and subtropical climates, such as those found in Brazil, we evaluate the mitigation of the effects of high temperatures on performance and muscle and adipose tissue development. The results showed that adjustments in dietary formulations for broiler chickens under thermal stress conditions significantly affected animal performance responses and metabolism, allowing the animals to achieve adequate muscle growth and regular fat deposition, thus ensuring productive efficiency and mitigating the effects of high temperatures. By integrating thermal physiology with nutritional science, this research offers practical insights to optimize broiler diets in regions with high ambient temperatures, contributing to sustainable poultry production systems.

Projecting the impacts of climate and land-use change on avian influenza suitability in Bangladesh☆

This study analyzed the productive performance, egg quality and physiological and behavioral parameters of laying hens at different housing densities in a cage-free system, following animal welfare guidelines and improvements in animal housing in intensive systems. 252 Novogen Brown laying hens, 52 weeks old and with an average weight of 1,740 ± 0.11 kg, were used over 63 days, divided into three periods of 21 days. The study adopted a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments and seven replications. The housing densities tested were: 6 birds box-1 (0.406 m2 bird-1), 8 birds box-1 (0.305 m2 bird-1), 10 birds box-1 (0.244 m2 bird-1) and 12 birds box-1 (0.203 m2 bird-1 bird). The data were analyzed for normality of residuals, homogeneity of variance and independence of errors, using linear and quadratic regression models for each variable. In cage-free poultry production systems, housing densities of 6 to 8 birds per box can be used without affecting performance, egg quality, physiological or behavioral parameters of the hens.

Green banana resistant starch as a candidate prebiotic in poultry diets: Mechanisms, limitations, and prospects.

Due to the large and growing quantity of microplastics being generated, their ubiquity in agricultural landscapes, their likelihood of being ingested by livestock and poultry, and their potential impacts on performance and meat products, microplastics are a potential risk to livestock and poultry production. Here, we reviewed the literature for microplastic effects on ruminant, pig and poultry health, productivity, and meat products. It was observed that controlled experimental studies show that microplastics have localised effects on livestock and poultry health, as indicated by oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, following short-term exposure to concentrations higher than is environmentally typical. However, it is unclear if microplastics have gross effects on disease, productivity and welfare at natural exposure levels. Microplastics are present in livestock and poultry tissues at levels that make it a potential consumer safety issue (0–7700 mg per kg or 100–180,000 particles per kg). However, the detection methods used are prone to contamination, meaning that true concentrations remain unknown, as does the source of microplastics in terms of whether they originate from production or meat processing and packaging. Microplastics have been detected in the livestock and poultry environment, with 36–300 particles detected per kg livestock feed and 0.34–7900 particles detected per kg soil. Livestock ingest microplastics from their environments, as evidenced by microplastics being detected in chicken excreta at 667–129,800 particles per kg, in ruminant faeces at 74–50,583 particles per kg, and in pig faeces at 0–112,000 particles per kg. However, preliminary data have neither examined correlations to animal productivity, nor have they estimated the total amount and type of microplastics to which livestock and poultry are exposed. This information is needed to inform the doses used in controlled experiments aiming to understand the effect of natural exposure levels on health, productivity and meat quality. To accurately estimate microplastics in livestock supply chains, there is a need to optimise and standardise microplastic detection methods by including procedural blanks, and calculating limits of detection, recovery rate of sample digestion, sample size calculations, and reports of microplastic size, density, weight and number of particles detected. No study has investigated the sources of microplastics and effective mitigation measures in livestock supply chains. Preliminary data also show that microplastics are vectors for heavy metals, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and microbes. Further research is strongly warranted to quantify the effects of microplastics as vectors. In conclusion, microplastics are present in livestock and poultry production systems, and this poses a threat to animal welfare, productivity and consumer perceptions of meat. This review has highlighted paucities in current knowledge that must be addressed to understand the scope of microplastic effects on the livestock and poultry industries, as well as the opportunities for risk mitigation.

In intensively managed poultry production systems the term 'smothering' refers to deaths from suffocation that occur as a consequence of piling behaviour where birds crowd together into densely packed groups. Smothering is a non-negligible source of loss in free-range layer hens, having both negative welfare and economic effects. Smothering events are rarely observed and are usually detected by the discovery of groups of dead hens. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for smothering deaths in three commercial free-range layer poultry farms in Australia. This was a prospective cohort study of poultry flocks managed by three commercial free-range layer farms in eastern Australia. Flocks were enrolled into the study from 1 January 2019-29 March 2021 and were followed until the end of lay or until the end of the study on 31 March 2022, whichever occurred first. Throughout the follow-up period of the study, daily production and weather data, details of flock management and details of the place and time of smothering events were recorded. Time to event (survival) analyses were used to quantify the association between hypothesised risk factors and the number of days in lay at the time of smothering. Shed and bird level characteristics associated with time to event were quantified using a stratified Cox proportional hazards model which included a frailty term to account for birds clustered within sheds within farm. Across the three farms, for every 100 birds placed into a shed, there were 12 deaths over the duration of the production period. Of the 12 deaths per 100 birds, 2 were due to smothering. Our Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that the daily hazard of smothering was increased for birds housed in aviary sheds compared with flat-deck sheds (HR 4.0, 95 % CI 1.7-9.7). The daily hazard of smothering mortality was increased on warm, humid and rainy days, and in birds with low fear of humans and high fear of novel objects. Rainy days on which outdoor daily average humidity was greater than or equal to 70 % were associated with a 3.7 (95 % CI 3.5-3.9) fold increase in the daily hazard of indoor smothering deaths, compared with days when outdoor daily average humidity was less than 70 % and no rain. This study provides useful insight into the determinants of smothering in Australian free-range layer hens, in particular risk factors that do not change over time (e.g., shed type) and those that change daily (e.g., weather conditions). This information allows flock management strategies to be adapted accordingly.

In recent years, scientific interest in functional ingredients capable of replacing the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed has intensified, fostering the exploration of novel additives such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae hydrolysate (SCH). This study investigated the effect of dietary SCH supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, local immune response, and cecal microbiota composition in Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to two experimental groups, receiving either a standard diet or a diet supplemented with SCH (500 mg/kg during the starter and grower phases; 250 mg/kg during the finisher phase). SCH supplementation significantly improved growth performance during the finisher phase, with increases in final body weight (p = 0.025), average daily gain (p = 0.049), and average daily feed intake (p = 0.027), without significant changes in feed conversion ratio (p > 0.05). Favourable intestinal morphological modifications were observed, with a significant increase in villus height to crypt depth ratio in both the jejunum and ileum at days 28 (p = 0.035 and 0.002, respectively) and 42 (p < 0.001). The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes was significantly reduced, with lower levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, while tight junction protein genes ZO-1 and Occludin were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05). Microbiota profiling revealed higher alpha diversity and greater abundance of Prevotella. These findings highlight SCH as a promising dietary strategy to improve broiler performance, intestinal function, and sustainability in poultry production systems.

Purpose This study conducted an economic evaluation of a hybrid poultry production system implemented in Rwanda through a public-private partnership from 2017 to 2020. The program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development and other agencies, subsidized farmers with a zero-interest loan to acquire and equip a coop to grow 100 chickens per flock. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the financial performance of 489 farmers who participated in the program. A secondary objective was to determine whether small-scale farmers in this program could be competitive relative to Rwanda’s commercial broiler production standards or those in other developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The study estimated and analyzed deterministic and stochastic financial statements and metrics. Relevant financial statement items were simulated stochastically according to observed variability within the data by selecting the best-fitted distributions according to the Akaike Information Criterion. The database contained over 2,200 farmer/flock observations from 489 farmers participating in the Rwanda hybrid broiler program from 2017 to 2020. Analyzed outputs per flock or production cycle included net income, cash flow before labor, the return on sales, the return on assets and selected production parameters. Findings The evaluated hybrid system had production standards comparable to commercial production. However, identified opportunities for improvement included increasing the number of flocks harvested per year and reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR). The financial analysis revealed a 70.5% probability (64.3% probability without a subsidy) that farmers would break even or generate a positive net income. Regarding cash flow before labor, farmers were 78.3% likely (72.8% without a subsidy) to take cash home. The analysis also found that farmers’ profitability and the FCR improved over time as they gained experience producing chickens. Originality/value This analysis showed that a hybrid broiler production system has the potential to succeed in Rwanda and help the most economically vulnerable farmers in this country. Such a model would contribute to Rwanda’s 2017 long-term national livestock master plan, which aims to reduce poverty and increase national security.