The mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds, which were introduced across the United Kingdom to help stop the spread of bird flu, have been lifted. Poultry and other captive birds no longer need to be housed, unless they are in a Protection Zone, and can be kept outside. While the risk of bird flu has been reduced to ‘medium’ for premises with poor biosecurity, the enhanced biosecurity requirements that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will remain in force as infection may still be circulating in the environment for several more weeks. All ..read more

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss is urging all poultry keepers not to be complacent and to continue following the urgent biosecurity measures needed to keep their birds safe and help stop the spread of bird flu. The UK is tackling its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with nearly 100 cases confirmed across the country since the start of November 2021. To help mitigate the spread of disease, the Government introduced new housing measures on November 29, 2021 which means that keepers of chickens, ducks, geese or any other birds are now legally required to keep them indoors ..read more

The Animal Health and Plant Agency (AHPA) has launched a new online Avian Influenza Licensing Service for poultry businesses in a disease control zone in England, Scotland or Wales. This new service allows businesses to apply online for an AI licence during the current AI outbreak. In Avian Influenza (AI) disease control zones, movements of poultry, other captive birds, eggs, and poultry products need a licence. You can check if you are in a disease control zone on Defra’s interactive map. To apply online you will need to register and create sign in details. There will be two steps for verific ..read more

To help tackle the issue of Post Weaning Diarrhoea (PWD) caused by E. coli in piglets, Elanco is offering farmers free diagnostic testing to identify the bacterial strain and allow for appropriate vaccination. Professor Frédéric Vangroenweghe, Elanco’s principal technical advisor, said that farmers should access the testing service through their vet practice, who can then prescribe and advise on the appropriate vaccination if necessary. Professor Vangroenweghe said: “With the European zinc oxide ban approaching, the most viable option for PWD control is vaccination. But, for this to be effecti ..read more

With sow productivity increasing by 0.3 piglets reared per sow, per year as seen over the last 10 years, a new range of pig breeder feeds has been developed to meet the heightened nutrient demands of the hyperprolific sow. Delta Nutrio from ABN claims to be a game changer for the pig breeding industry, responding to increased sow prolificacy and the resulting demand placed on the animal, particularly in terms of vitality and well-being. Due to the increased nutrient requirements during the reproductive cycle, hyperprolific sows can suffer from loss of body condition leading to a dela ..read more

Free range egg producers are being reminded to stick to their usual worming routines during the poultry housing order. Rosie Booth, poultry technical consultant at Elanco, said that there is some confusion among the industry as to whether or not birds need to be wormed while they continue to stay indoors. Ms Booth said: “Although birds aren’t currently in contact with the outdoor environment, it’s more important than ever to maintain your usual worming routine. “This is because birds are in closer confinement and will come into more contact with faeces in the sheds, therefore picking up and sp ..read more

New research, commissioned by ABN, raises the potential to offer improved piglet welfare and significantly increased productivity from dietary changes for hyper-prolific sows. Pig breeding companies have been successfully selecting for increased sow prolificacy for many years, with litter size increasing by approximately 0.3 piglets per sow, per year over the last 10 years alone. While this remarkable improvement contributes significantly to the profitability of the pig industry, an increase in litter size has inevitably brought with it an increase in vulnerable piglets, with a subsequent redu ..read more

Lallemand Animal Nutrition is next week hosting a CPD-accredited webinar around assessing external signs and internal implications of farrowing difficulties, including an emphasis on the specific role of the sow microbiota. The CPD webinar, The farrowing process in sows: developments and consequences, will take place online from 3-4pm on Thursday, February 11. It will feature presentations from well-known pig specialist and senior researcher at Scotland’s Rural College, Dr Emma Baxter, and Lallemand’s global swine product manager, David Saornil DVM. Mr Saornil said: “As many vets are aware, it ..read more

The National Farmers Union is urging all poultry keepers to put in place appropriate measures to house their birds, as Defra announces new housing rules will be in place in Great Britain from next Monday (December 14). NFU chief poultry adviser Aimee Mahony said: “Due to a number of confirmed Avian Influenza cases, the introduction of these new housing measures is a logical next step to best protect poultry. “Giving poultry keepers notice of these new measures will allow them to prepare and implement them to the best of their ability.” Ms Mahoney added: “These new measures mean that every poul ..read more

Commercial poultry should be protected from the risk of contracting harmful bird flu from migrating flocks, new research has suggested. New insights from a study of the 2016/17 bird flu outbreak have shown how highly pathogenic bird flu viruses – which are likely to cause deadly disease in chickens – can be transmitted from wild migrating bird populations to domestic flocks and back again. These viruses can readily exchange genetic material with other low pathogenic viruses – which are less harmful – during migration, raising the likelihood of serious outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild bir ..read more