An overview of health challenges in alternative poultry production systems

Abstract

Due to consumer demand and changing welfare standards on health, ecology, equity, and safety concepts, poultry production has changed markedly over the past 20 y. One of the greatest changes to poultry production standards is now offering poultry limited access to the outdoors in alternative and organic poultry production operations. Although operations allowing access to the outdoors are still only a small portion of commercial poultry production, it may impact the gastrointestinal ( GIT ) health of the bird in different ways than birds raised under conventional management systems. The present review describes current research results in alternative systems by identifying how different poultry production operations (diet, environmental disruptive factors, diseases) impact the ecology and health of the GIT. Various research efforts will be discussed that illustrate the nutritional value of free-range forages and how forages could be beneficial to animal health and production of both meat and eggs. The review also highlights the need for potential interventions to limit diseases without using antibiotics. These alternatives could enhance both economics and sustainability in organic and free-range poultry production.

Communicating the utility of the microbiome and bioinformatics to small flock poultry producers

“…In pasture flock broiler operations, there are number of potentially influential factors that must be considered when assessing the impact on the GIT microbiota. Certainly, environmental stressors such as heat exposure and contact with parasites can contribute to GIT health ( Jeni et al 2021b ). The opportunity to consume different dietary constituents beyond the conventional corn-soy based diets typically fed conventionally raised birds also likely modulates the GIT microbiota.…”

“…As several surveys of pasture flock growers have indicated, management practices are quite variable among individual producers ( Elkhoraibi et al, 2014 ; 2017 ; Ricke and Rothrock, Jr. 2020 ). There are likely several contributing factors to this variability in management including seasonal and geographical differences as well as a wide range of poultry breed, nutritional, and health practices ( Jeni et al, 2021a , b ). Although not well-documented, turnover of producers entering and leaving pasture flock production may also contribute to the observed variation in management practices because some of the incoming producers are novices at poultry husbandry practices.…”

“…There is a clear need to optimize the health and performance of birds raised under pasture conditions ( Jeni et al, 2021b ). Consequently, numerous feed additives have been suggested and to some extent implemented for pasture flock poultry production.…”

Microbiome applications for laying hen performance and egg production

“…These initiatives ultimately led to the cage-free egg layer management operations becoming a part of commercial egg production ( Anderson, 2009 ; Holt et al, 2011 ; Mench et al, 2011 ). In turn, this shift in housing management has led to unique challenges in laying hen welfare, health, and performance, such as increased exposure to certain diseases and parasites ( Lay et al, 2011 ; Jeni et al, 2021 ). While bird physiology is critical to responses to these challenges, the gastrointestinal tract ( GIT ) and its concomitant microbial ecology are also important ( Jeni et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In turn, this shift in housing management has led to unique challenges in laying hen welfare, health, and performance, such as increased exposure to certain diseases and parasites ( Lay et al, 2011 ; Jeni et al, 2021 ). While bird physiology is critical to responses to these challenges, the gastrointestinal tract ( GIT ) and its concomitant microbial ecology are also important ( Jeni et al, 2021 ). This importance is not surprising as the laying hen GIT microbial population has been identified as critical for nutritional responses and interaction with the immune system.…”