Reports of avian influenza (or bird flu) are currently resurfacing around the world. Cases of H5N1 HPAI have been confirmed in many countries and various regions of Asia, Europe and North America, affecting both the commercial and wild bird populations. Thus far, more than 31 million birds have been culled this year in an effort to try to prevent the further spread of the current avian influenza (AI) virus outbreak.
Antibiotic-free poultry production has been a hot topic in recent years. Many countries have banned the use of antibiotics in animal feed as growth promoters due to concerns about antimicrobial resistance. In other countries, antibiotics that are medically important for humans have been voluntarily or regulated to be removed or significantly reduced in poultry production. There are also places where veterinarians prescribe antibiotics, and sick poultry can still be treated if a veterinarian deems it necessary.
Identifying the truth about antibiotic use in farm animals can be difficult, with myriad points of view, opinions and even misinformation available online at the click of a button. We spoke with various poultry specialists about antibiotic-free production in poultry, feed additives in poultry nutrition and flock health to help us clarify the facts. Here is what they think about a few of the most frequently asked questions.
Mycotoxins are often a hidden threat in feed, which can impact the performance and health of poultry. Mycotoxins are chemical secondary metabolites produced by molds as a reaction mechanism in response to an environmental stimulus.