In a Q&A with WATT Poultry USA, Elanco’s Dr. Scott Gustin discusses strategies to protect poultry intestinal health through seasonal challenges.
As seasonal climate shifts can heavily influence conditions in a poultry house, the risk of coccidiosis and other diseases can fluctuate. Seasonal programs to manage intestinal health according to the environment are critical for several reasons – and can be achieved through proven strategies.
- Why seasonal programs are critical: Heat, humidity and other environmental shifts predictably change enteric challenge pressure over the year. Intestinal health requires a year-round focus, not a short-term, summer only project.
- Focus on overall risk: Teams should shift from reacting to specific pathogens toward managing the overall risk environment for intestinal health.
- Use an aligned, team approach: Veterinarians, nutritionists and live production managers should work from a common seasonal plan rather than operating in silos. Clear communication around expected seasonal challenges helps complexes anticipate issues and adjust programs before performance is lost.
- Start with data: Many improvements come from small, practical changes in management and program timing rather than completely new tools. For a starting point, teams should review historical flock data by season to identify patterns and refine interventions each year.
“The key takeaway is knowing your normal because we make a lot of mistakes simply by overreacting and changing,” says Dr. Scott Gustin. For more insights on managing intestinal health through seasonal challenges, listen to the podcast episode with WATT Poultry.
