THE UK’s Animal Welfare Committee has published a new report examining the practice of male chick culling. In particular, the research looks at new technologies that can determine the sex of fertilised eggs before hatch. See also: Broiler placings show modest growth...
Free-range egg producer relieved to re-stock after bird flu
The following story is an edited case study supplied by Noble Foods. A free-range egg farmer has told of his relief at returning to production a year after avian influenza hit his farm. William Waind, a 25-year-old farmer keeps hens for Noble Foods Happy Egg brand at...
Avian flu: Cases lower but warning over complacency
AVIAN influenza cases are far lower this autumn than last, but the virus remains a focus for both the poultry sector and government departments tasked with monitoring and its control. The UK’s chief vet, Christine Middlemiss, said that vigilance and high biosecurity...
Griffiths Family Farms to rear roosters with new Lidl egg concept
SHROPSHIRE-based Griffiths Family Farms intends to build a novel Kipster barn egg system to supply carbon-neutral eggs to Lidl stores in the UK. Subject to planning approval, the Dutch concept farm that utilises renewable energy, feeds birds by-products of food waste...
New report highlights challenges of β-mannans in UK poultry rations
The challenge posed by β-mannans in UK poultry rations has been laid bare in a new report authored by a leading monogastric scientist Professor Jos Houdijk. UK poultry producers could improve the efficiency of their flocks, while reducing their environmental...
3 top tips for improving broiler performance
LOOKING after your male birds is paramount to successful broiler production,...
How one young farmer built a six million birds-a-year business
TEN years ago, 25-year-old Harry Shepherd was told he was too young, didn’t have enough experience, and wouldn’t have a hope in hell of starting a poultry business from scratch. He did it anyway, and now runs a substantial broiler enterprise. Aaron Finucane reports. ...
Poultry projects win share of £9m pot to fight endemic disease
A SECOND phase of a multi-million pound project to tackle endemic livestock disease is underway. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have announced the £9 million funding...
£1m collaboration set to develop modular insect farm
A PROJECT is underway to develop a fully modular insect farm to create a sustainable protein source on a commercial scale. Harper Adams University, agri-tech firm Flybox and a Buckinghamshire egg farm will collaborate to develop the project. See also: Poultry.Network...
Tips for minimising fire risk on poultry farms
A FIRE on a poultry farm can have a devastating impact, threatening both birds and staff as well as having a potentially huge impact on a farming business. In 2019 the cost of all farm fires reported to NFU Mutual reached a five-year high of £49million. See also:...
Three ways slower-grown poultry might reduce its CO2 emissions
Feed ingredients will be the main focus area for mitigating CO² emissions with slower-growing chicken. According to Hubbard technical director James Bentley, 77% of chicken's base CO² contributions/KG comes from the feed. See also: ABN joins £5.9m project hoping to...
British Lion code version 8 launched
THE British Lion Code of Practice has been updated to coincide with 25 the scheme's 25th anniversary. It covers more than 700 auditable points across topics such as Salmonella vaccination, welfare and the traceability of hens, eggs and feed. See also: Gary Ford named...