What you might not know about your poultry house floors

When it comes to bird performance and food safety, the brooding period is arguably the most critical in a chicken’s life. The moment a chick arrives on the farm, the environmental conditions present set the pattern for the remaining grow-out period.

NTF Part 3: Immigration

Generally speaking, workers in the turkey industry earn salaries higher than the minimum wage and are able to acquire health insurance through these jobs; however, as turkey plants are frequently located in rural areas, workers have to be recruited from sources other than the local community. Reliance on immigrants to fill these positions means that common sense immigration reform is a necessity to the poultry industry. 

NTF Part 2: Renewable Fuels Policy

The turkey industry and other livestock and poultry producers have been negatively impacted by current U.S. biofuels policy. There is an urgent need for reform. While making progress regarding alternative sources of energy is important, it should also be recognized that the poultry industry suffers from giving the mature corn-based ethanol industry a higher priority than other corn dependent industries.

NTF: Standing Up for the Poultry Industry

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is a national advocate for the turkey farmer and processors who works to represent their point of view to Congress and federal agencies. In recent months, the NTF has issued several issue papers on current and proposed legislation.

Spring Sweepstakes Winners Announced!

We are happy to announce the winners of the Jones-Hamilton Spring Sweepstakes. The following winners will receive an ExTech Humidity/Temperature Pen. 

Summer Poultry House Preparation for Maximum Ammonia Control

Hot, humid summer days means house pre-heating isn’t necessary, right? Wrong! One of the biggest myths regarding house preparation during summer months is that proper pre-heating is not required since it only takes an hour or two to heat the litter.

Factors in the Development of Poultry Paw Lesions

Much attention has been paid to the condition of the litter in the last week or so of a bird’s life in regards to poor quality paws. However, by then it’s too late. Poultry paw lesions, or footpad dermatitis, begin to form in the first week of the bird’s life when the foot is still tender and easily damaged.

Partial Clean Out for Poultry Manure Management

If your goal is to remove the ammonia challenge and high nutrient load caused by excessive litter depth, it may be beneficial to reduce the volume of litter in the house through a partial clean out. V

Poultry House Management: When to clean out?

Poultry litter is really alive and has a complete, complex microbial ecology contained in the bedding material. The ecology of poultry litter can be one favorable for bird growth and performance or it can be a source of challenges.