Browse Poultry Stories - Page 4

105 results found for Poultry
Todd Callaway CAES News
Microbiome Detective
The digestive tract of a cow is home to a diverse population of bacteria and microbes representing about 2,000 different species. There are good guys. There are bad guys. And there are the guys who can cause trouble if the situation is right.
Brian Jordan (right), an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health and the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia, is working to improve the vaccines available for poultry in hopes that they’ll improve the well-being of chickens and protect the health of chicken consumers. CAES News
Poultry Health
Like human infants, baby chicks are born without immunity to many common diseases. Immunizations are the answer, but it can be hard to immunize entire flocks of chickens in an efficient manner. That’s where poultry health specialists like Brian Jordan come in.
Poultry farmers need their chickens to be efficient at turning feed into muscle. UGA researchers are studying the genetics of why some chickens make muscle while others make fat. Their findings could have implications for human health as well. CAES News
Metabolism Genetics
As far as poultry farmers are concerned, feed equals money. The more efficient chickens are at turning feed into thighs, breast and drumsticks, the healthier their bottom line. It turns out that the same science that can help poultry farmers raise more feed-efficient chickens could help people become healthier, too.
Kristen Navara, associate professor of poultry science, studies the link between stress hormones and biological sex. CAES News
Sex Ratios
It may seem like everyone on Earth has an equal chance of being born male or female. It’s about a 50-50 split, after all.
The H5N2 strain of avian influenza doesn't hurt people, but it can hurt chickens. Backyard chicken owners can bring the disease home to their flock if they are not aware of the potential threats or signs of sick birds. CAES News
Backyard Flock Safety
At the end of December 2017, a strain of the H7 avian influenza was found in a green-winged teal, a widespread North American duck, collected in McIntosh County on the Georgia coast. 
Despite the fact that he dislocated his shoulder the first day of the event, 15-year-old Tyler Griffeth continued to participate in the 2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This was a sign of his perseverance and tenacity to see his projects through to the end. Each year, some 1,600 4-H and FFA students in Georgia participate in livestock shows that involve goats, lambs, steers, heifers and swine. Youth who participate in livestock programs have to feed their animals every day, work with them, get them trained to show and, finally, groom them and get them ready to be put in the ring. They quickly learn that taking care of an animal requires a lot of responsibility. CAES News
Learning Responsibility
I am passionate about youth livestock projects. I think youth livestock projects, like showing hogs, cattle, goats, lambs or even horses, are one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences out there for youth today. How many other activities teach the level of responsibility that’s required of someone showing an animal at a livestock show?
Small flocks of chicken can provide families with eggs, meat and hours of entertainment. CAES News
Safe Birds
Avian influenza has not been found in Georgia yet, but officials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture urge chicken producers, especially backyard flock owners, to remain vigilant and follow established safeguards to protect birds and their owners.
The 2017 Georgia Ag Forecast event in Macon was held at the Georgia Farm Bureau Building. CAES ag economist Don Shurley is shown (r) with Hunter Loggins of the Georgia Agribusiness Council and Tas Smith of the Georgia Farm Bureau. CAES News
2017 Ag Forecast
In 2017, Georgia row crop farmers will likely devote more acreage to the state’s tried-and-true commodities: cotton and peanuts. This and other agricultural projections for the year were the focus of the 10th annual Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series, held across the state Jan. 18-27.
Mike Lacy is a professor emeritus and retired department head of the University of Georgia Department of Poultry Science. CAES News
Poultry Outreach
Mike Lacy, professor emeritus and former head of the University of Georgia Department of Poultry Science, has been tapped by the U.S. Department of State to help train agricultural extension agents in South Africa and to provide support to poultry farmers there.
Roasted turkey prepared for a holiday meal. CAES News
Safe Holiday Bird
A perfectly cooked turkey on the table is the crowning jewel of a holiday feast. Some favorite tools for cooking turkeys include electric roaster ovens, grills, smokers and even deep fat fryers.