Feedstuffs Poultry Nation

Current pulse of poultry industry on disease management, strategies

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

A regular check-in is always a good idea and that is exactly what we set out to do in this episode of Feedstuffs Poultry Nation.

Joining us are Dr. Dalton Dennehy, Alltech Poultry Technical Account Manager, and Dr. Dulmelis Sandu, Alltech Poultry Veterinarian, to talk about the current pulse of the poultry industry when it comes to disease management and strategies.

Together we explore the expected future trajectory for adopted strategies and the nutrition perspective of how to support these concerns through feeding methods.

Also explored is how nutritionists and veterinarians can work together to help drive One Health Concepts from the perspectives of the environment, antimicrobial resistance, disease challenge, food safety, sustainability and more.

Tight houses, smart ventilation, dry litter keep flocks healthy in winter

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0600

Cold snaps expose every weak link in a poultry house. To provide a clear plan to protect flock health and margins when temperatures drop, Feedstuffs Poultry Nation co-hosts Sarah Muirhead and Alltech's Curtis Novak sat down with Brian Fairchild to unpack the practical moves that make the biggest difference. From tightening a barn so air enters only through designed inlets to using circulation fans that gently move warm air across the floor, this conversation turns winter prep into a step-by-step system.

We start with the core principle: moisture control beats ammonia chasing. Brian explains why conditioning outside air through inlets lowers relative humidity, even on rainy days, and how a slight increase in minimum ventilation can dry litter faster without wrecking fuel budgets. You’ll hear exactly how to measure leakage with a simple house tightness test and where to find hidden infiltration with thermal cameras, dust trails, and fogging. We also dig into practical fixes like fan bonnets or socks for leaky tunnel shutters, foam for gaps, and door seal checks that pay back quickly.

Then we connect airflow to bird comfort. Larger-volume circulation fans help break stratification and deliver 100 to 150 feet per minute at the floor, improving chick distribution and litter drying. Attic inlets can capture solar-warmed air for extra efficiency, and newer 40-foot radiant tubes spread heat evenly along sidewalls where slick spots start. We talk litter depth as a moisture buffer, acidifier amendments for the first 7 to 14 days to curb early ammonia, and how modern controllers with multiple sensors allow smarter zone heating without fighting the fans. The takeaway is simple and powerful: line up the dominoes—tightness, inlet conditioning, circulation, heat placement, and litter—and winter becomes manageable.

If this helped you think differently about cold weather house management, follow the show, share it with a fellow grower, and leave a quick review so more producers can find it. Got a winter ventilation tip that changed your flock performance? Tell us—we might feature it next time.

Artificial intelligence for the flock: Poultry data decoded

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0500

What role does artificial intelligence play in the poultry industry? What role does AI play in optimizing feed efficiency, water usage or environment conditions in poultry houses to enhance bird health and reduce costs?

In this episode, Dr. Edgar Oviedo, professor of poultry science, and Dr. Ramesh Bist, assistant professor specializing in AI applications for livestock and food systems at North Carolina State University, join Feedstuffs Poultry Nation co-hosts Sarah Muirhead and Curtis Novak, general manager of Alltech's U.S. poultry division.

Navigating poultry food safety

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Feedstuffs Poultry Nation, is where we get to the heart of the issues affecting the poultry industry. Our focus is that of keeping the poultry industry informed and up-to-date on that which is impacting the bottom line and industry overall.

In this episode, Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs with the National Chicken Council, and Roy Brister, Alltech Strategic Poultry Advisor, join hosts Karyl Hedden, Alltech U.S. Poultry Business Manager, and Feedstuffs' Sarah Muirhead to talk poultry food safety.

What changes might be ahead in the new Administration and what might those mean for food safety?

Thoughts on the proposed salmonella framework released by FSIS.

Is it good policy?

What is the greatest challenge currently facing poultry food safety and how can the industry address it?

We tackle these questions and more.

Feedstuffs Poultry Nation is brought to you by Alltech.