In recent years, interest in the use of probiotics in the poultry industry has grown, driven largely by the global trend toward reducing the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. Probiotics are a group of beneficial bacteria that help maintain a balanced gut microflora, improve intestinal health, and naturally enhance broiler performance. Numerous studies demonstrate that the proper incorporation of probiotics into feeding programs can improve growth rates, feed utilization

The poultry sector generates large quantities of organic waste annually, including manure, spent bedding, feathers, and feed residues. While this waste was once viewed as an environmental nuisance, it is now considered a highly valuable agricultural resource. Proper management of poultry waste can reduce costs, improve soil quality, and even generate additional income for farmers. What does poultry house waste consist of? Poultry house waste is primarily composed of: * Poul

Gut health is one of the most critical factors influencing growth rates, feed utilization, immune function, and profitability in broiler and layer flocks. While antibiotics were once widely used to prevent disease and enhance performance, there is now growing awareness regarding the risks of bacterial resistance and the need to reduce the use of these medications. Research and field experience demonstrate that maintaining gut health and high productivity is achievable through

Calf growth rate is one of the most important metrics in the cattle industry. A calf that grows optimally reaches its target weight sooner, suffers less from disease, and better realizes its genetic potential. However, increasing the growth rate should not come at the expense of the calf's health. The goal is to achieve rapid, uniform, and healthy growth that results in a strong, productive animal. A Good Start with High-Quality Colostrum The foundation of any successful rear

Colostrum, or "first milk," is the initial secretion produced by the cow after calving. Although it is produced only during the first few days after birth, its importance to the calf is immense. In fact, the quality and quantity of colostrum the calf receives during the first hours of life can influence its health, growth rate, and even its future performance as an adult. What makes colostrum unique? Unlike regular milk, colostrum is exceptionally rich in: * Antibodies (imm

Lameness in calves is one of the most common health issues in the cattle industry. It leads to reduced feed intake, slower growth rates, compromised animal welfare, and increased treatment costs. Main causes of lameness in calves 1. Injuries and trauma * Blows, falls, or being stepped on by other animals. * Fractures or sprains. * Injuries caused by slippery or defective flooring. 2. Hoof conditions * Foot rot. * Inflammation in the hoof area. * Hoof cracks or abnormal wear.

Organic cow farming has both economic, environmental and health benefits. Benefits Better animal welfare * Cows generally have more living space. * Access to open pasture for part of the year. * Less crowding and less stress on the animals. Less use of chemicals * The food the cows eat is raised without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. * Limiting the use of drugs and antibiotics. High market demand * Organic dairy and meat products are often sold at a higher price. * Man

Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the environment in chicken coops, but when their levels are too high they distort lung performance and food safety.Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the enviro The main fecal bacteria in chicken coops Among the common bacteria: * Escherichia coli infection (pathogenic E. coli) * Salmonellosis * Campylobacter infection * Various Clostridium bacteria, which can cause intestinal infections. How do they affect the weight of the chicken? Whe

The cattle industry in Israel is exposed to a number of significant climate risks, some of which are already being felt today and are expected to worsen in the coming years: 1. Extreme heat loads The greatest risk to cattle in Israel. * Cows eat less. * The growth rate of calves decreases. * Milk production decreases. * Fertility is impaired. * The risk of disease and even death increases in extreme cases. In Israel, there are sometimes dozens of days a year when the heat loa

During the hot summer months, the goal is to maintain egg quality from the moment it is laid until it reaches the consumer. High heat damages the internal quality of the egg, increases moisture loss and increases the risk of bacterial growth. 1. Egg collection * Collect more frequently than in winter (at least 4–6 times a day in manual coops). * Take special care to collect in the early morning. * Do not leave eggs on collection conveyors or in trays exposed to heat. * Remove

Cows and calves have several main types of parasites, and they are divided into internal parasites (in the intestines, lungs, liver) and external parasites (on the skin). 1. Internal parasites (worms and protozoa) Intestinal worms (nematodes) Very common in young calves, causing: * Diarrhea * Weight loss * Loss of appetite * Rough coat/hair * Anemia and weakness Examples: Haemonchus contortus Ostertagia ostertagi Cooperia Treatment: * Deworming with medications such as iverme

Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) is a group of viruses that mainly affect broiler, breeding and turkey poultry. The virus is present almost worldwide, and in recent years has caused significant outbreaks even in modern poultry houses due to high density, stress and weakened immune systems. What diseases does it cause? The virus can cause several main syndromes: 1. Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) The most common disease in young broiler poultry. Signs: * Sudden death * Apathetic birds *

There are several key and proven ways to effectively increase the weight of chickens in broiler houses — but it is important to do so in a balanced way so as not to harm the health of the chicken, mortality rates, flock uniformity and feed conversion ratio (FCR). 1. Genetics and the chicken line The foundation begins with choosing a quality breed of broiler: * Cobb-Vantress – Cobb lines * Aviagen – Ross lines Genetic differences can significantly affect: * Growth rate * Feed

In recent years, and especially following outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza worldwide and in Israel, the poultry sector has undergone a technological revolution aimed at early detection, rapid isolation, and reduction of economic and health damage. In Israel, where the poultry industry is one of the largest and most densely populated in the world relative to land area, there is enormous interest in prevention and control technologies. The new technologies are divided into sev

Eye diseases in cows and calves are relatively common, especially in conditions of crowding, dust, flies or mechanical damage. Here is a clear overview of the main ones, how to recognize and what to do: The most common eye disease – Pink Eye Professional name: Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis Cause: A bacterium called Moraxella bovis Signs: * Excessive tearing * Blinking / closing the eye * Sensitivity to light * Cloudiness or white spot on the cornea * In severe cases

Muscular dystrophy in calves is often called White Muscle Disease (in Hebrew: “White Muscle Disease”). It is a nutritional disease that is common, especially in young calves. What causes the disease? The main cause is a lack of: * Vitamin E * Selenium These two components are essential for protecting muscle cells from oxidative damage. When they are lacking, the muscles begin to break down and atrophy. Clinical signs in calves The disease can appear in different forms: Mild f

The disease that causes the most losses in fattening farms in the world If you had to choose one disease that really “sucks money” out of feedlots around the world, the finger would most likely point to Coccidiosis Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the digestive system that is considered the largest cause of economic losses in the global poultry industry. Although it is a well-known and “old” disease, it continues to cause enormous damage – mainly because of the difficult

Mastitis in dairy cows is one of the most common and significant diseases in the dairy industry, affecting both the health of the cow and the quality and quantity of milk. What is mastitis It is a bacterial infection of the udder, most often caused by: • Streptococcus • Staphylococcus • E. coli Symptoms can include: • Swelling, warmth, and pain in the udder • Change in the appearance of the milk (lumps, blood, watery) • Decrease in milk yield Cephapir

Toxin problems in dairy farms are a major issue in cattle herd health, primarily because of their direct impact on fertility, milk production, immunity, and mortality. The most common toxins are mycotoxins – toxins produced by fungi that grow in feed. Main types of toxins in dairy farms The mos t common toxins that are important to know: • Aflatoxins Are mainly formed in corn and high humidity. Very dangerous – also pass into milk (Aflatoxin M1). • Zearalenone Harms

Foot-and-Mouth Disease is one of the most contagious and devastating diseases in the cattle, sheep and pig industries. A single outbreak can cause severe economic losses, farm closures and even export restrictions. Therefore, biosecurity is the first and most critical line of defense. What is the disease and why is it so dangerous? FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals: • Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs • Transmitted extremely quickly