As the winter season continues, it is a good time to reflect on the considerable challenges that this period can bring for free-range egg producers. Wet winter conditions are far from ideal for free-range chickens. The range becomes muddy, litter gets wet, and parasites and diseases can thrive. So, what can producers do to overcome these difficulties? Working very closely with clients on these issues, year after year, we have identified that the key is to optimise intestinal health. This ensures energy and protein can be absorbed and assimilated, thereby maximising production and the bird’s im ..read more

Dispensary Christmas and New Year Deliveries   To guarantee delivery before Christmas and New Year please place vaccine orders by 12pm on Wednesday 13th of December, normal service will resume on Tuesday 2nd January. From Wednesday 13th December, please expect some delays if you want next-day delivery.   These dates are dictated by our manufacturers as they are closed during this period and although we carry medication and have a small amount of vaccine in stock, we strongly advise you order in advance of this date to guarantee delivery before Christmas and New Year. Labo ..read more

At this year’s BFREPA Conference, Commercial Manager Layers Charles Macleod presented on Water: Unavoidable necessity or vital nutrient. In this article, Charles sets out the importance and benefits of good water hygiene. Across the industry, poultry producers continue to focus on improving bird health and welfare. Coupled with the desire to drive efficiencies, productivity and maximise the returns of layer flocks, there is an ever-increasing focus on good water hygiene as a relatively simple and cost-effective way of achieving this.  As Commercial Manager Layers Charles Macleod explains ..read more

It has been a busy week of events for the St David’s Team. Layer Commercial Manager, Charles Macleod, and South West Lead Vet Ben Crisp attended the South West Chicken Association Conference this week, of which St David’s are proudly a key sponsor. Packed programme of speakers and great to see so many people there. Meanwhile, our Clinical Director Richard Jackson, headed over to Co Cavan, Ireland to join our Irish Vet team at a new conference, organised in conjunction with Teagasc and the IFA, for pullet and layer farmers. Speaking ahead of the event, St David’s Ireland Director Liam Walsh sa ..read more

This Salmonella article was first published in Farmers Weekly, December 2022 Salmonella has generally become less prevalent in broilers over the past few years, although there are localised pockets in the South West of England. “We have found exotic types, like Salmonella montevideo, in poultry houses and these are historically associated with high-oil raw feed material,” says poultry vet Ben Crisp of St David’s vet practice. “But reportable salmonella has seen a decline due to the National Control Programme [NCP].” The NCP is an initiative aimed at reducing and controlling the prevalence of s ..read more

Kathryn Stewart BVM BVS (Hons) BVMedSci (Hons) CertAVP MRCVS, St David’s Poultry Team The egg shell is an impressive structure, designed to provide protection to the growing chick: strong enough to be sat on by mother hen, yet pliable enough to provide calcium for bones, exchange gases and break through to hatch. Shell ‘defects’ are mostly thought of as a financial loss, with consumers wanting a uniform, aesthetically pleasing egg; but the shell should more be looked at as a window to the health, management and productivity of your flock. A sudden, or early increase in seconds should always be ..read more

Nathan Hiom BVSc MRCVS Rejects across the broiler industry have been increasing year-on-year and are often down to cellulitis. The reasons for the cellulitis can include disease challenge such as gumboro, water sanitation and high bacterial loading. The benefits of promoting a healthy gut bacterial population is well documented. However, trials into the use of organic acids specifically to reduce cellulitis rejects, as well as to promote growth have been limited. This trial looked specifically at the use of organic acids to reduce the number of rejected birds in the abattoir as well as to pro ..read more

Following the announcement of the introduction of a mandatory housing order for England, due to the increased risk of avian influenza that will be introduced from 00:01 on Monday 7th November, producers are encouraged to prepare, in order to maintain animal health and welfare. There is some guidance below, together with information on how our team has been, and will continue to work, to safeguard your flock and those of others. We will of course continue to update you throughout however if you have any queries, or would like further advice as you prepare, please do not hesitate to contact your ..read more

26th September Unfortunately, we are experiencing some issues with our phone system at the moment. If you have tried to call our main office or dispensary number, you will get a busy dialling tone. We are trying to resolve this as soon as we can, but in the meantime please can you contact your regional vet or office directly.   The regional office numbers are below: Northleach: 01285 720516 Leominster: 01568 615967 Wem: 01939 555025 Newark: 01636 360005 Yorkshire: 01609 749155 Edinburgh: 0131 5107322 Or alternatively please email us on dispensary ..read more

Our offices will be closed on Monday 19th September to allow our colleagues to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.   Our vets, as always, will continue to provide emergency veterinary care over the bank holiday weekend. If you require our veterinary services or advice, please contact the office on 01392 872932 and you will be put through to our out of hours answering service who will redirect your call to your regional vet.   We will also be unable to send any orders on Monday 19th September and any orders sent on Friday 16th will be delivered on Tuesday 20th&nbs ..read more