This special edition of EGG-NEWS provides commentary on recent publications, reports and events relating to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).  As of mid-April, outbreaks have ceased among large egg production and pullet rearing complexes.  Notwithstanding this hiatus, evident since the beginning of March, incident cases are reported among backyard flocks, turkey growing facilities and at live bird markets suggesting extension from reservoirs of infection.  Cessation of new cases in large egg production complexes is attributed to the end of seasonal migration of waterfowl that have now settled into their annual breeding cycle.  Sporadic cases are probably due to shedding of H5N1 virus by non-migratory domestic birds.  Given experience in recent years we can anticipate a resurgence of infection in the fall as the southward migration commences impacting farms along the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways.  This period of low HPAI activity should be used to strengthen biosecurity and to initiate protective vaccination of rearing pullets in high-risk areas in order to develop an immune population that will be challenged during the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

Noteworthy publications and events over the past two weeks relating to HPAI are reviewed for the benefit of subscribers:-

HPAI Vaccination Work Group Submits Proposal

A working group comprising Drs. John Clifford, Craig Rowles, Travis Schaal and David Swayne distributed a proposed vaccination plan dated April 1, 2025, to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. egg industry.  The Working Group was convened by the United Egg Producers and the American Egg Board representing U.S. egg producers. The document includes factual information on the availability and efficacy of vaccines and incorporates sections on monitoring for effective immunization and surveillance to facilitate certification for export.

Essentially the document confirms what many in the industry have recognized as the futility of the USDA-APHIS response of attempting to ‘stamp out” the endemic infection given the unprecedented depopulation of over 130 million egg laying hens on more than 130 farms since the onset of the current H5N1 epornitic that commenced in 2022.

The summary correctly maintains that “a new approach to reduce layer and pullet flock susceptibility to HPAI virus should be considered to increase resistance to infection, reduce viral shedding and importantly reduce the risk of a potential mutation event that may lead to further HPAI infection in human.”  The document suggests a program under which flocks could be vaccinated with a priority for replacement pullets.  The report correctly stresses the need for high levels of biosecurity, echoing the recommendations of the World Organization of Animal Health. 

Vecor vaccination  in ovo  or S.Cut to chicks with booster

Oil-emulsion vaccine im during rearing

The report failed to stress the impact of flock depletion on egg prices and the cost to consumers that exceeded $15 billion in 2022 and considerably more in 2024 with an additional escalation in prices peaking at $8.50 per dozen at retail in late February 2025, reflecting the loss of approximately 30 million hens over an eight-week period.

The zoonotic potential of H5N1, deserved more than seven lines in a text extending over 13 pages.  Virologists and epidemiologists involved in monitoring aspects of the molecular biology of influenza have constantly stressed the risk of emergence of a zoonotic strain of H5N1 with possible human-to-human transmission.

One of the authors of the report is a distinguished researcher and has extensive experience in international regulation of avian diseases.  A member of the committee authoring the document is a prior Chief Veterinary Officer of the USDA responsible for the response to the 2015 HPAI epornitic.  Following retirement, he has served as an advisor to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council that has a single-purpose commitment to maintaining the export volume of broiler leg quarters.  It does not appear from the document that his affiliation in any way affected his scientific objectivity. It would have been possible to have made a more definitive and stronger case for vaccination with a broader representation from among the industry.

The return of incident cases during the fall migration of waterfowl is inevitable. The current ongoing outbreaks may be attributed to resident avian and mammalian carriers. Recognition that the infection can be transmitted by the aerogenous route invalidates even strict structural and operational biosecurity and places large complexes with power ventilation at risk. The need for vaccination especially in high-risk regions along the Mississippi and Pacific flyways is self-evident.  The proposal to vaccinate pullets is obvious but will delay creation of an immune population due to the biological time restraints associated with rearing. 

The report notes, “Vaccination of caged in-lay hens is challenging and potentially unachievable in cage-free operations.” This appears to be a questionable assertion.  When the industry was confronted with severe coryza in 2023, egg producers effectively administered oil emulsion vaccines by the intramuscular route to hens in both cages and aviaries in the face of infection.

This commentator strongly supports the recommendation contained in the summary, “The industry believes that it time to enhance our overall strategy to control the virus through implementing vaccination in egg laying flocks.”  In contradistinction he final paragraph relating to “acceptability to the federal government, state animal health officials” is the major defect of the report inducing a wishy-washy, non-definitive approach ending with “We look forward to further discussion with USDA about the proposal.” 

Effectively if the broiler segment of the poultry industry is still opposed to vaccination of egg production flocks and possibly growing turkeys in high-risk regions, despite appropriate monitoring and surveillance, all we will have is more discussion and temporizing without action.  The so-called four-pronged program advocated by the newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture is effectively smoke-and-mirror, more of the same widow dressing.  It appears that USDA-APHIS either through disinclination to accept realities or acting under the duress of exporters will continue to discuss, research, evaluate, and consider vaccination while continuing to implement whack-a-mole flock depopulation at the expense of taxpayers, producers and consumers. The essence of the report is reminiscent of the sentiments attributed to St. Jerome who prayed for chastity-- but not right away.

Prominent Health Advocate Comments on the Need for Vaccination Against HPAI

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a physician, investor in medical companies and a director of pharmaceutical enterprises previously served as the 23^rd Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration in the first administration of President Trump.  He recently authored a commentary pointing to the need for vaccination of poultry flocks using currently available commercial off-the-shelf products.  In his commentary he justifiably castigated Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who advanced the inane suggestion that HPAI should be allowed to spread unchecked through flocks in the hope that a few survivors would express genes for resistance to avian influenza.

Dr. Gottlieb correctly maintains that the egg industry must use the current seasonal quiescent stage of the epornitic before resumption of migration in the fall to establish immunity among flocks at risk.  He expresses this sentiment as, “We have vaccines for bird flu made by American companies and used overseas but so far federal officials don’t seem poised to use them here.”  He points to the deployment of vaccines in France, China and Mexico among other nations and cast doubt on the various distortions of science advanced by opponents of vaccination to support ongoing exports of broiler leg quarters.

Applying logic and common sense, Dr. Gottlieb notes that, “The avian influenza strains now in circulation have persisted continuously among birds and mammals for nearly two years and there’s growing evidence that it could become a permanent feature of North America – part of a the new normal to which the poultry industry must inevitably adjust for both the physical and economic health of Americans.”

Influenza H5N1 is clearly endemic in the U.S. and in the poultry industries of many nations. The incidence rate can be suppressed to some extent by strict structural and operational biosecurity involving investment and management.  Notwithstanding the stringency of biosecurity, there is little that can be done to prevent aerogenous transmission especially into power-ventilated houses located on multi-aged egg production complexes.

Avian influenza is effectively The Newcastle Disease of the 2020s. During the 1970s Velogenic viscerotropic  Newcastle disease (VVND=END) in Europe, Asia and Africa was in every way as catastrophic as avian influenza but was effectively controlled principally by vaccination supported by biosecurity.

It is questioned why a clear thinking and well-connected physician should have a greater appreciation of the risks, consequences and potential control measures to reduce the economic and potential zoonotic impact of avian influenza compared to the administrators of USDA-APHIS. Is the firm recommendation for vaccination advanced by Dr. Gottlieb an expression of epidemiologic reality or is it that Dr. Gottlieb is an independent scientific voice unfettered by conflicts of interest? 

Introduction of the SAVE Our Poultry Act

U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride, (D-DE) and Mike Lawler, (R-NY) introduced the Supporting Avian Virus Eradication (SAVE) Our Poultry Act that is intended to elevate the standard of biosecurity and to encourage research into protection including immunization.

In announcing the proposed legislation, Rep. McBride stated, “The SAVE Our Poultry Act is about supporting our farmers and their efforts to protect their animals, their markets and their future.”  According to an April 10^th release by Rep. McBride, the intended legislation would:

• Authorize USDA research grants to study highly pathogenic avian influenza
• Analyze the impact of poultry vaccination on international trade and market access
• Fund enhanced biosecurity practices and disinfection methods for poultry producers

The press release justifiably notes the high prices for eggs as a result of depopulation of flocks and pointed to the support by the National Chicken Council (NCC) representing broiler producers, the United Egg Producers and regional poultry associations with members at risk of or having experienced losses as result of HPAI. Specifics of the Bill that would amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 emphasizes HPAI as a “high priority research and extension area”.

Among other components the bill makes provision for grants to colleges and universities to “research the effectiveness of vaccines across poultry species, improve formulations of vaccines and improve the delivery mechanisms for vaccines.  This is in itself commendable but ignores the reality that both subunit vector vaccines are available off-the-shelf together with inactivated oil emulsion products that could be deployed immediately following approval and authorization for use by USDA-APHIS.  Ongoing research is obviously beneficial, but the infection is expected to return within months and research envisaged in the SAVE Our Poultry Act would do nothing to reduce losses in 2025 through 2026.

A provision of the bill goes to the core of the disinclination by USDA to allow vaccination.  The SAVE Our Poultry Act would involve “assessing the potential implications of vaccination on domestic and international poultry markets including trade and market access considerations.”  It is evident that the broiler segment of the U.S. poultry industry through its lobbying and the influential Broiler Caucus has effectively prevented the application of vaccination to the detriment of the turkey and egg production segments irrespective of sentiments expressed by the NCC. 

Congressional Response to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

The poultry industry and human epidemiologists should be alarmed by the misinformed, and incendiary statements by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as reported in the New York Times on March 18^th, relating to “letting avian flu run through flocks so we can identify the birds and preserve those that are immune to it.”  This appalling approach to end the bird flu epidemic is unworthy of even cursory consideration.

Five members of the House of Representatives addressed a letter to the Secretary on April 1^st condemning his statement and demanding reports and copies of communications among the Department of Health and Human Services, the USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health regarding mitigation of avian influenza.

In the first instance it is noted that avian influenza will ultimately kill in excess of 98 percent of an infected flock.  During the clinical phase, vast quantities of virus are generated resulting in the potential for inter-farm spread especially where complexes are located in close proximity.  Even if a small proportion of a flock were to survive an outbreak of avian influenza their value for breeding would be negligible given that the commercial generation of broiler, turkey and egg-production flocks are hybrids. The program of “stamping-out” has in all probability reduced farm-to-farm spread notwithstanding the depopulation of 170 million commercial poultry since the onset of the 2022 epornitic.

To add insult to injury, the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins apparently embraced the distorted logic expressed by Secretary Kennedy despite confusingly advancing a “four-pronged strategy” incorporating nothing new and funded by  a proposed $1 billion in an attempt to suppress HPAI.

The five members of the House, including Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Healthcare and Financial Services and Rep. Gerald E. Connoly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requested a list of non-governmental experts consulted by HHS relating to any federal response to avian influenza.  The Representatives also requested “a full and complete list of individuals who recommended that the federal government would allow avian flu to run through the flock in an effort to build immunity” together with their credentials and past involvement with the federal government.  The letter to Secretary Kennedy raised the justifiable issue of a potential zoonotic infection and stressed the need to “combat, contain and eliminate avian influenza, requiring a concerted and coordinated effort across all relevant federal agencies.”

Secretary Kennedy is devoid of scientific credentials. He has surrounded himself with sophists and charlatans expressing unconventional policies to prevent human infections. He has embraced conspiracy theories on disease and related topics that have been debunked by both U.S. and international scientist and agencies. As a Secretary of the HHS he is entitled to his personal opinions but not a selective or distorted expression of facts

Zoonotic Implications of HPAI

The zoonotic aspect of HPAI was reviewed in a published interview prepared by Dr. Eric Rubin Editor-in-Chief and Dr. Lindsey Baden, Deputy Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine who discussed infectivity of HPAI with virologist Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka.  Of concern is the circulation of H5N1 genotype D.11 and B3.13 in avian species and dairy herds respectively.  Although the incidence rate of bovine influenza H5N1 is declining more than 1,000 herds have been diagnosed with possibly many more infected. Both structural deficiencies and a lack of effective biosecurity within the U.S. dairy industry have contributed to dissemination of the virus.  It does not help that the Administration has terminated personnel involved in response to COVID and have effectively disbanded the group of scientists including epidemiologists, virologists and logisticians concerned with preparedness for a future pandemic.  Signing a Presidential Executive Order has transitory political effect but does not necessarily prevent the inevitable emergence of an infection with epidemic or pandemic potential at some time in the future.

Rubin, E. et al outbreak update-H5N1 New England Journal of Medicine 2025 doi.org/10.1056/nejme 2502267

Aerogenous Transmission of H5N1 Confirmed

EGG-NEWS has consistently maintained that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can be transmitted by the aerogenous route either as a bioaerosol or entrained on excreta and dust to be moved by wind.  A comprehensive epidemiologic investigation involving field observations, meteorology and molecular studies confirmed the spread of an outbreak of H5N1 from a commercial duck farm to unrelated egg production farms over a distance of five miles.  The case report with appropriate documentation involved an outbreak in the Czech Republic.  The authors note that their findings “underscore the importance of considering windborne spread in future outbreak mitigation strategies.”  Anecdotal and experimental data confirm the possibility of airborne infection extending from waterfowl excreting virus.

The USDA-APHIS has long held that “biosecurity of an acceptable standard will provide protection against HPAI.”  This is a false presumption given the ability of the virus to be transmitted over relatively long distances by the aerogenous route.  As noted by the authors of the Czech paper, power-ventilated egg production housing is extremely vulnerable given the volume of air displaced by fans. Exhaust rates may range from 200,000 to 600,000 cfm per 100,000 hens depending on climatic conditions.  Among the many failures of USDA-APHIS to address appropriate preventive measures has been a neglect of field epidemiology.  The only conclusions that can be drawn from superficial telephone-administered surveys is that proximity to waterfowl preceding an outbreak was a significant risk factor.  This would indirectly correspond with the observations in this significant publication.

Nagy, A. et al bioRxiv doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.12.637829

Editorial Comment

The Economic Impact of HPAI

There is no purpose in tiptoeing around the failure to adopt vaccination against HPAI in high-risk areas.  The broiler industry may or may not lose a part of their market for leg quarters that represent over 97 percent of shipments of USDA-inspected broiler products valued at $4.5 billion in 2024.  Although this restraint is significant in terms of volume and monetary value, the ban on vaccination requires a broader perspective.  The USDA-APHIS has expended over $2 billion in indemnity payments and logistics from the Commodity Credit Corporation.  Individual egg producers have experienced disproportionately higher losses as a result of their inability to supply markets during the period required to repopulate their complexes.  Consumers have been forced to pay high prices for eggs, far exceeding the potential loss that may be experienced through export markets.  In 2022, the average price of eggs was conservatively $2 per dozen higher than it would have been in the absence of HPAI, costing consumers an incremental $15 billion on their grocery expenditures.  In 2024 the cost to consumers as a result of HPAI was infinitely higher given the differential between average shelf price and values that would otherwise have prevailed.  The loss of 30 million hens during the first two months of 2025 was reflected in an escalation in egg prices peaking at $8.58 per dozen at wholesale on February 28^th but declining thereafter to $3.27 per dozen by the end of March. Notwithstanding this decline, the escalation in egg prices attained 60.4 percent in March 2025 compared to twelve months previously.  The disproportionate escalation in the price of eggs should be compared to an increase of 0.5 percent for food-at-home during March.  Within this category, dairy items increased by 2.2 percent, poultry meat by 0.9 percent, cereal and bakery products by 1.1 percent. Fruit and vegetables declined by 0.7 percent. and the fish and seafood category was down by 1.5 percent.

In reviewing the export market for broiler leg quarters, it is noted that volumes are declining but unit prices are moving in the opposite direction although with a net decline in total annual value.  The question arises as to whether importing nations would continue to purchase leg quarters if preventive vaccination were to be permitted for egg-production flocks in high-risk areas. Vaccination would be subject to appropriate monitoring and surveillance in accordance with World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) or negotiated standards. It is envisaged that USDA-APHIS could certify that broiler flocks of origin contributing to exports were free of HPAI at the time of slaughter.  It is also important to note that many of the nations importing U.S. leg quarters do so on the basis of low cost with an average unit price of $1,424 prevailing over the first two months of 2025 covering 479,000 metric tons.  Many importing nations are endemic with respect to HPAI and in some cases deploy vaccines against the infection. This would facilitate exports in accordance with the rules of the WOAH. 

The USDA-APHIS has been stubbornly remiss in their failure to negotiate terms under which U.S. producers could justifiably export broiler leg quarters from non-infected flocks.  For more than three years the Agency has labored under the misplaced presumption that HPAI is exotic in the U.S. and that the disease could be eradicated following an anachronistic “stamping-out” program.  The fallacy in the APHIS playbook is the failure to accept that infection is disseminated by millions of wild bird reservoirs on a seasonal basis together with introduction by migratory marine birds cohabitating with waterfowl in the Canadian Maritime provinces and in Alaska with extension down into British Colombia.

For the edification of APHIS there is adequate anecdotal and scientific evidence of introduction of infection on to farms by the aerogenous route. This reality means that even the strictest biosecurity does not provide absolute protection against H5N1 and other highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses suggesting a phased shift in the approach to vaccination.

Reducing the Capacity of the U.S to Respond to Zoonotic HPAI

The ongoing mass dismissals in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will have an adverse effect on testing consumer dairy products although it is generally accepted that pasteurization inactivates bovine influenza H5N1 strain B3-13 virus.  Similar reductions in staffing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will compromise detection of possible zoonotic infection that appears to be increasing in complexity and significance.  Mass layoffs have affected 40 cooperating laboratories within the FDA Veterinary, Laboratory Investigation and Response Network and also the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network responsible for aspects of routine and diagnostic activities.  Critical reductions have occurred among the personnel of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network that coordinates activities between the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory and the approximately 60 state and university laboratories throughout the U.S. This commentator gives little credence to a USDA spokesperson that averred that job reduction “will not compromise the critical work of the department including its ongoing response to avian influenza.”

Stop Press: 60-Minutes Segment on HPAI

The 60-Minutes airing on April 20^th focused on bovine influenza H5N1 with little coverage of HPAI in poultry other than the obvious impact on egg prices. The greatest deficiency was a lack of ‘assurance’ that avian influenza is not transmissible to consumers through eggs.  APHIS was disinclined either through governmental restraint or lack of photogenic administrators, from participation in the program.

The Bottom Line

It is hoped that well-intended Congressional action, comments by informed commentators and scientific publications will break the de facto veto exercised by the broiler sector over vaccination as a modality to suppress outbreaks of HPAI in turkey and egg-producing flocks. Further temporizing proposed in the form of additional “discussion” and “research” is disingenuous. Delay will be both costly and represent a risk of emergence of a potentially zoonotic strain. The Administration should sincerely work towards reducing the price of eggs over the long term, limit public sector expenditures on control and avoid even the smallest risk of a catastrophic pandemic. Those in authority in the  USDA and DHHS would be well advised to heed the advice of epidemiologists, avian health practitioners, the WOAH and informed observers regarding the efficacy and desirability of vaccination to establish immune populations with appropriate surveillance in high-risk areas.

This special edition of CHICK-NEWS is sponsored by Ziggity Systems, innovators of poultry watering systems for nearly 50 years. In addition to updated USDA statistics on broiler and turkey production and exports information is provided on the new Ziggity Max6™ drinker and the basics of operating watering systems for broilers. 

On May 16^th 2024 the USDA-Economic Research Service released updated production and consumption data with respect to broilers and turkeys, covering 2024, a projection for 2025 and a forecast for 2026.

The 2025 projection for broiler production is for 47,512 million lbs. (21.596 million metric tons) up 1.1 percent from 2024. USDA projected per capita consumption of 101.8 lbs. (46.3 kg.) for 2025, up 0.8 percent from 2024. Exports will attain 6,578 million lbs. (2.940 million metric tons), 2.2 percent below the previous year.

The 2026 USDA forecast for broiler production will be 48,100 million lbs. (21.864 million metric tons) up 1.2 percent from 2025 with per capita consumption up 0.8 lb. to 102.6 lbs. (46.6 kg). Exports will be 1.4 percent higher compared to 2025 at 6,670 million lbs. (3.031 million metric tons), equivalent to 13.9 percent of production.

Production values for the broiler and turkey segments of the U.S. poultry meat industry are tabulated below:-

Source: Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook released May 16^th 2025

The May USDA report updated projection for the turkey industry for 2025 including annual production of 5,121 million lbs. (2.326 million metric tons), down 5.1 percent from 2024. Consumption in 2025 is projected to be 13.1 lbs. (6.0 kg.) per capita, down proportionately by 5.1 percent from the previous year. Export volume will attain 420 million lbs. (190,900 metric tons) in 2025. Values for production and consumption of RTC turkey in 2025 are considered to be realistic, given year to date data, the prevailing economy, variable weekly poult placements, production levels, reduced losses from HPAI and inventories consistent with season.

The 2026 forecast for turkey production is 5,040 million lbs. (2.291 million metric tons) up an optimistic 3.7 percent from 2025 with per capita consumption up 0.8 percent to 13.4 lbs. (6.1 kg). Exports will be 3.6 percent higher than in 2025 to 435 million lbs. (197,728 metric tons) equivalent to 8.6 percent of production.

Export projections do not allow for a breakdown in trade relations with existing major partners including Mexico, Canada and China nor the impact of catastrophic diseases including HPAI and vvND in either the U.S. or importing nations.

Basic principles of physiology and flock management converge to achieve the genetical potential of current broiler strains irrespective of harvest weight. Care in selection, installation, operation and maintenance of watering systems contributes to optimal live bird parameters, quality, yield and returns to both contractor and integrator.  

1. How Broilers Regulate Water Intake

Birds drink when they are thirsty.  The hormonal and neural mechanisms involved in thirst have developed through the evolution of chickens over millennia. More recently intensive index selection for commercial traits favoring rapid growth and breast yield has influenced behavior and water requirement. The stimulus to drink is initiated by baroreceptors sensitive to blood pressure and osmoreceptors that respond to changes in the chemical composition of blood.  Thirst reflects the interpretation of signals received from receptors that are processed by centers in the brain that encourage drinking.

In contrast to mammals, chickens have two added complications in regulation of water intake. Heat is lost by evaporative cooling only from respiratory surfaces as skin is insulated by feathers. Avian kidneys are relatively inefficient, consistent with their reptilian ancestry.  The glomeruli, microscopic structures in the kidney responsible for filtration are less numerous than in mammals and are smaller and relatively inefficient, placing an additional burden on the neural and hormonal factors that regulate thirst.

When birds are subjected to high ambient temperature, respiratory rate increases to enhance evaporation of water from the surfaces of the trachea, pharynx and oral cavity. With the change in state from liquid to vapor, latent heat is lost, effectively cooling the bird. This process requires water drawn from the blood necessitating replacement from extracellular water. The resultant changes in blood composition stimulate thirst. Evaporative cooling results in increased water consumption by the flock that is evident when comparing water meter readings against ambient temperature.

With an understanding of factors that influence thirst, it is self-evident that simple rule-of-thumb formulas relating to flow-rate of nipple type drinkers are simplistic, meaningless and potentially counterproductive. Water intake by any flock is influenced by age, strain, growth rate and environmental conditions in the house. These include ventilation settings in relation to temperature, humidity and ammonia content of air. It is not possible to induce broilers to eat more than their physiological requirements by attempt to increase water intake through raising water pressure in drinker lines.

1. Water Use Compared to Actual Intake

It is important to distinguish between water use as measured by the volume of water passing through a house meter and the intake represented by the actual volume of water swallowed and hence ingested.  The difference between use and intake represents spillage. A drinker with an excessive discharge of water when activated by the bird will indeed satisfy thirst. It is inevitable that water that is not swallowed due to limitations of the capacity of the oral cavity will be spilled on to the litter. The ability of various substrates including wood shavings and rice hulls to absorb spillage is limited especially with the reality of leakage from imperfectly designed or operated nipples.

The rate of removal of water from litter is a function of the temperature and humidity in the house in relation to the operation of the ventilation system.  At humidity levels below 50 percent and with a minimum ventilation rate of 1cfm per pound body weight, excess moisture will be removed from litter and hopefully under the drinker lines where the flock congregates.  In the event of excessive spillage during drinking and any leakage from drinkers saturation of litter will occur. This is especially evident under conditions of high humidity coupled with low temperature or when suboptimal ventilation rates are applied to conserve gas.

1. Management of Watering Systems

Many within the chicken industry emphasize the importance of a high static-flow rate (excessive pressure to release water) from nipples, usually expressed as milliliters per minute. Simple values relating to age of a flock are essentially meaningless in the context of satisfying thirst.  A static flow rate does not correlate to the way in which a bird actually interacts with a nipple drinker. Chickens peck at trigger pins to receive a small release of water, most of which should be swallowed. Ideally the quantity of water ingested should be adequate to satisfy thirst but not so high that any appreciable quantity is spilled. Nipple drinkers should supply an adequate, but not excessive, quantity of water as the bird pecks at the trigger. This satisfies requirements for growth and prevents spillage on to litter.

Managing a watering system to achieve an undesirably high flow rate, causing excess spillage is analogous to working on a hot day in a garden and drinking from a hose. The flow rate from the nozzle will be too high in relation to the volume that can actually be swallowed over a few seconds. Although thirst is satisfied there is considerable spillage. This may be inconsequential standing on a lawn but in the context of broiler growing, spillage saturates litter in a poultry house with adverse effects on health and quality. 

The correct function of drinking systems should not be measured by static water flow rate but by dynamic release that conforms to the pattern of drinking conditioned  by volume of the oral cavity. The return over production costs for a flock is influenced by adequate water and feed intake and freedom from erosive intestinal and respiratory diseases, resulting in optimal growth and product quality.

1. The Consequences of Wet Litter

High moisture levels in litter extending to areas of saturation is problematic for broiler flocks. Wet bedding is invariably associated with respiratory, intestinal and skin conditions that detract from optimal growth and that compromise quality.

• Intestinal conditions that are adversely affected by wet or damp litter include coccidiosis and clostridial enterotoxemia (necrotic enteritis and hepatitis).  Appropriate control of litter moisture is extremely important in drug-free growing systems. Elimination of chemical feed-additives including antibiotics and coccidiostats presumes greater attention to management of ventilation and watering systems to prevent excess litter moisture. Feed additives used in conventional production suppress intestinal proliferation of Clostridium and block stages in the life cycle of coccidiosis parasites.

• Ammonia is liberated from damp and wet litter. This is the result of bacterial degradation of uric acid excreted by the flock. Ammonia irritates the respiratory mucosa exacerbating the effects of respiratory pathogens including infectious bronchitis and laryngotracheitis viruses.  There is ample evidence to show that flocks subjected to levels of atmospheric ammonia exceeding 25 ppm at bird’s head height for prolonged periods have lower growth rates and higher mortality than when reared at lower levels of atmospheric ammonia.

• Skin is adversely affected by wet litter and ammonia.  Proliferation of Clostridium spp. in damp litter contributes to gangrenous dermatitis. Wet litter with liberation of ammonia predisposes to “hock burn” and pododermatitis restricting growth rate and reducing the value of feet for export.

• Wet litter increases proliferation of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. These foodborne pathogens are ingested by the flock, colonizing the intestinal tract and coating feathers. This increases the level of fecal excretion, contaminating transport modules, scald tanks, defeathering and E-line equipment, contributing to potentially high levels of pathogens on products. Wet litter favors persistence and proliferation of bacterial foodborne pathogens reflecting adversely on compliance with USDA-FSIS standards. 

Selection and management of watering systems is integral to achieving optimum return from flocks and should be based on applying appropriate pressure settings and operation of ventilation installations.

Over the past ten years, broiler genetics has continued to evolve in ways that emphasize efficiency, growth rate and feed conversion. Birds achieve their target weight faster than ever, with less feed required per pound or kilo of produced weight. Concurrently, bird behavior has changed as well.  Field observations demonstrate that broilers drink more often compared to broilers from a decade ago.

Because of these behavioral changes, Ziggity developed the Max6™ line of poultry watering drinkers. Max6™ drinkers have newly optimized internal geometry which withstands the more frequent pecking behavior of modern birds in a way that mitigates spillage. This ensures that birds receive the water they need without oversaturating the litter and results in drier, healthier housing conditions and more consistent flock performance.

Additionally, the design of the Max 6™ drinker eliminates the need for catch cups facilitating natural heads-up drinking.  Elimination of catch cups maintains the bacterial integrity of a closed drinking system, preventing ingestion of accumulated and contaminated water that is potentially responsible for enteritis and colonization of the flock with foodborne pathogens.

Recognizing that growers incorporate a range of chemicals to decontaminate water systems and to remove biofilm, Ziggity has incorporated materials with enhanced chemical resistance to extend operational life. This will help maintain the functional integrity of the Max6™ drinker and prevent dripping. Leading to saturation of litter in the vicinity of drinker lines.

In launching the Max 6™ drinker, Rob Steiner, Vice President of Sales at Ziggity Systems stated, “We created a drinker to accommodate the bird’s evolved behavior, so flocks get the water they need without spillage.”  He added, “As the industry benefits from advances in broiler genetics, Ziggity watering technology has evolved to allow maximum growth rate while maintaining the quality of litter that has a direct effect on gut health, ammonia and the quality and market value of paws”.

Field evaluation has demonstrated the enhanced return from improved growth and feed conversion, low cull and mortality rates and enhanced paw revenue.

Ziggity Max 6™ drinkers can be used with all existing Ziggity systems or be retrofitted to competitor watering lines using a special- purpose saddle adapter.  This allows for the upgrade of existing installations at minimal cost.

The U.S. and international markets are served through appointed Ziggity Systems distributors who can provide technical assistance and field support.

For almost 50 years Ziggity Systems has pioneered poultry watering solutions and is the industry innovator developing a range of drinking systems for all types of commercial poultry

For further information contact Ziggity Systems Inc. www.ziggity.com or +1 (574) 825-5849 U.S. central time.

OVERVIEW

Total exports of bone-in broiler parts and feet during January-April 2025 attained 1,021,432 metric tons, 8.1 percent lower than in January-April 2024 (1,111,867 metric tons). Total value of broiler exports increased by 2.2 percent to $1,531 million ($1,498 million).

Total export volume of turkey products during January-April 2025 attained 57,399 metric tons, 16.0 percent less than in January-April 2024 (68,365 metric tons). Total value of turkey exports increased by 11.9 percent to $219.7 million ($196.3 million).

Unit price for the broiler industry is constrained by the fact that leg quarters comprise over 96 percent of broiler meat exports by volume (excluding feet). Leg quarters represent a relatively low-value undifferentiated commodity lacking in pricing power. Exporters of commodities are subjected to competition from domestic production in importing nations. Generic products such as leg quarters are vulnerable to trade disputes and embargos based on real or contrived disease restrictions. To increase sales volume and value the U.S. industry will have to become more customer-centric offering value-added presentations with attributes required by importers. Whether this will increase margins is questionable given the by-product contribution of leg quarters. A more profitable long-term strategy for the U.S. industry would be to develop products using dark meat to compete with and displace pork and beef in the domestic retail and institutional markets.

HPAI is now accepted to be a panornitic affecting the poultry meat industries of six continents with seasonal and sporadic outbreaks. The incidence rate and location of cases in the U.S. limits eligibility for export depending on restrictions imposed by importing nations

Uncertainty surrounding tariff policy is an added complication potentially impacting export volume in 2025. In the event of reduced exports leg quarters would be diverted to the domestic market resulting in a depression in average value derived from a processed bird.

EXPORT VOLUMES AND PRICES FOR BROILER MEAT

During January-April 2025 the National Chicken Council (NCC), citing USDA-FAS data, documented exports of 984,621 metric tons of chicken parts and other forms (whole and prepared), down 9.0 percent from January-April 2024. Exports were valued at $1,024 million with a weighted average unit value of $1,520 per metric ton.

The NCC breakdown of chicken exports for January-April 2025 by proportion and unit price for each category compared with the corresponding months in 2024 (with the unit price in parentheses) comprised:-

• Chicken parts (excluding feet)    95.2%; Unit value  $1,406 per metric ton   ($1,277)
• Prepared chicken                     4.1%; Unit value  $4,155 per metric ton   ($4,124)
• Whole chicken                         0.7%; Unit value  $1,562 per metric ton   ($1,630)
• Composite Total                  100.0%;  Av. value   $1,520 per metric ton  ($1,363)

The following table prepared from USDA data circulated by the USAPEEC, compares values for poultry meat exports during January-April 2025 compared with the corresponding months of 2024:-

                  COMPARISON OF U.S. CHICKEN AND TURKEY EXPORTS

                                    JANUARY-APRIL 2025 COMPARED TO 2024

BROILER EXPORTS

Total broiler parts, predominantly leg quarters but including feet, exported during January-April 2025 compared with the corresponding months in 2024 declined by 8.1 percent in volume but were up 2.4 percent in value. Unit value was 14.3 percent higher to $1,499 per metric ton.

During 2024 exports attained 3,251,000 metric tons valued at $4,689 million, down 10.5 percent in volume and down 1.1 percent in value compared to 2023. Unit value was up 10.7 percent to $1,442 per metric ton

Broiler imports in 2025 are projected to attain an inconsequential 67,000 metric tons (134 million lbs.) compared to 82,000 metric tons (180,000 million lbs.) in 2024

The top five importers of broiler meat represented 49.8 percent of shipments during January-April 2025. The top ten importers comprised 66.1 percent of the total volume reflecting concentration among the significant importing nations but with a decline in the importance of 8^th-ranked China.

Nations gaining in volume compared to the corresponding period in 2024 (with the percentage change indicated) in descending order of volume with ranking indicated by numeral were:-

4. Philippines, (+29%); 5. Canada, (+31%); 10.Ghana, (+50%); 11. Dominican Republic, (+29%) and 14. Haiti, (+5%)

Losses during January-April 2025 offset the gains in exports with declines for:-

1. Mexico, (-3%); 3. Taiwan, (-5%); 6. Guatemala, (-4%); Viet Nam, (-17%);                   8. China, (-53%); 9. Angola, (-19%) and UAE, (-4.3)

TURKEY EXPORTS

The volume of turkey meat exported during January-April 2025 declined by 16.0 percent to 57,399 metric tons from January-April 2024 but value was 12.3 percent higher to $220 million compared to January-April 2024. Average unit value was 33.7 percent lower to $2,833 per metric ton.

Imports of turkey products attained 15,000 metric tons (33 million lbs) in 2024 with a similar projection for 2025.

It is important to recognize that exports of chicken and turkey meat products to our USMCA partners amounted to $1,264 million in 2021, $1,647 million during 2022, $1,696 in 2023 and $653 million over the first four-months of 2025. It will be necessary for all three parties to the USMCA to respect the terms of the Agreement in good faith since punitive action against Mexico or Canada on issues unrelated to poultry products will result in reciprocal action by our trading partners to the possible detriment of U.S. agro-industries. This is especially important as Mexico has elected a new Presidenta and a Prime Minister of Canada.

The emergence of H5N1strain avian influenza virus with a Eurasian genome in migratory waterfowl in all four Flyways of the U.S. during 2022 was responsible for sporadic outbreaks of avian influenza in backyard flocks and serious commercial losses in egg-producing complexes and turkey flocks but to a lesser extent in broilers. The probability of additional outbreaks of HPAI over succeeding weeks appears likely and will intensify with fall migration of waterfowl Additional outbreaks affecting egg-production and turkey flocks will be a function of shedding by migratory and domestic birds and possibly free-living mammals and extension from dairy herds. Protection of commercial flocks at present relies on the intensity and efficiency of biosecurity including wild-bird laser repellant installations, representing investment in structural improvements and operational procedures. These measures are apparently inadequate to provide absolute protection, suggesting the need for preventive vaccination in high-risk areas for egg-producing, breeder and turkey flocks.

The application of restricted county-wide embargos following the limited and regional cases of HPAI in broilers with restoration of eligibility 28 days after decontamination has supported export volume for the U.S. broiler industry. Exports of turkey products were more constrained with plants processing turkeys in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and Iowa impacted.  The challenge will be to gain acceptance for vaccination based on intensive surveillance. It is now accepted that H5N1 HPAI is panornitic in distribution among commercial and migratory birds across six continents. The infection is now seasonally or regionally endemic in many nations with intensive poultry production, suggesting that vaccination will have to be accepted among trading partners as an adjunct to control measures in accordance with WOAH policy.

The live-bird market system supplying metropolitan areas, the presence of numerous backyard flocks, gamefowl and commercial laying hens allowed outside access, potentially in contact with migratory and now some resident bird species, all represent an ongoing danger to the entire U.S. commercial industry. The live-bird segments of U.S. poultry production represent a risk to the export eligibility of the broiler and turkey industries notwithstanding compartmentalization for breeders and regionalization to counties or states for commercial production.

Introduction

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) has extensive potential applications in the broiler industry. Genesis Air, located in Lubbock, TX has wide and unique experience in designing and installing their patented PCO technology in military installations and for commercial applications including airports, casinos, hospitals, auditoriums, greenhouses and restaurants.

Based on the laboratory and field trials, adoption of the technology appears both practical and cost-effective for specific components of the broiler production chain including hatcheries and processing plants. PCO technology is widely used in commercial HVAC installations to reduce airborne pathogens and to degrade volatile organic compounds in air by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Principle of Photocatalytic Oxidation

Exposure of a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide to ultraviolet light at a specific energy intensity and within a defined wavelength results in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, (Foster et al, 2011). These short-lived reactive oxygen species have the potential to destroy pathogens including bacteria, fungi and viruses in an environment even with high humidity, (Ahmadi et al, 2021). In addition, reactive oxygen species interact with volatile organic compounds resulting in their degradation, (Wu et al, 2021).  The decomposition of volatile organic compounds is substrate-specific with proven reduction of atmospheric nitrous oxide, acetaldehyde, ammonia, formaldehyde and other organic compounds, (He et al, 2002).

A UV spectrum lower than 180 nm, as used in non-photocatalytic ‘air-purifiers’, generates ozone that may be potentially harmful to respiratory tissue at high concentration in confined spaces with limited air exchange.  In contrast, most photocatalytic installations are innocuous and are environmentally acceptable.

Genesis Air Inc.-Innovators in PCO Technology

Genesis Air manufactures engineered solutions utilizing their extensive experience in application of photocatalytic oxidation to reduce airborne volatile organic compounds and pathogens.  Equipment is currently installed in 25 airports, 200 healthcare and laboratory facilities, 75 educational institutions and 70 facilities` operated by federal, state and local governments.

The current range of Genesis Air equipment extends from domestic units with an air flow rate of 65 cfm to commercial units handling up to 500,000 cfm.  Genesis Air uses modular designs with increasing numbers of panels in free-standing units or as an array in air ducts and air handling installations.  Hospitals with Genesis Air equipment installed in critical care areas have achieved measurable reductions in average SIR (Standard Infection Rate) with MRSA. This success, as measured by a reduction in infection rates, suggests beneficial application in hatcheries.

Scientific Evaluation of Genesis PCO Technology

Structured scientific studies document evaluation of Genesis Air equipment with respect to inactivation of pathogens that are encountered in poultry production facilities including hatcheries and in areas where personnel congregate including changing and break rooms.

• During 2006, the U.S. Army, Dugway, UT. Proving Ground conducted an evaluation of the Genesis Air 2002 B unit with specific reference to Aspergillus niger.  Using a standard protocol and a test installation the PCO unit significantly reduced the quantum of spores introduced into the inlet air stream by an average of 93.5 percent.

In a separate evaluation, it was determined that the Genesis Air 2002 module was able to remove or neutralize more than 98 percent of airborne spores of Bacillus subtilus var. niger transiting the chamber The filter stage of the system that excluded particles greater than 3 microns in diameter was responsible for removal of 50 percent of airborne bacterial spores.

• Evaluation of a Genesis Air 2002 B Unit by RTI International during 2008 demonstrated high inactivation efficiency against Staphylococcus epidermidis (99.9 percent) and Mycobacterium parafortuitum (88.7 percent)..  The RTI evaluation was conducted at the request of the Government Scientific Source arising from concern over biowarfare agents.  RTI operates a dynamic microbiological test chamber allowing introduction of bioaerosol suspensions of challenge microorganisms with sampling of both upstream and downstream airflow at 1,800 CFM.

• RTI International conducted an evaluation of Genesis Model 2008 B3 unit during 2012.  Applying a standard protocol using the RTI dynamic microbiological test chamber the inactivation efficiency against Staphylococcus epidermidis attained 84.6 percent with a flow rate of 2,000 CFM.  The inactivation efficiency for Bacillus atrophaeus was 65.6 percent reflecting the durability of Bacillus spores.  This RTI evaluation was conducted at the request of Genesis Air, Inc.

•  LMS Technologies, Inc., Bloomington, MN., conducted an evaluation of a Genesis module against MS2 bacteriophage (ATCC 15597-B1).  The test was conducted in a horizontal ASHRAE 52.2 stainless steel test duct.  Three replicate assays were conducted with an efficiency ranging from 99.2 percent to 99.7 percent in reducing challenge virus in the downstream airflow. This evaluation demonstrated more efficient inactivation of the bacteriophage than in the 2008 RTI assay due to improved equipment to aerosolize the test virus.

• LMS Technologies conducted a chamber test against three biological contaminants during 2023.  Inactivation in excess of 99.9 percent was achieved against Staphylococcus epidermis, MS2 bacteriophage and Escherichia coli. The evaluation demonstrated similar levels of inactivation against the three organisms using Genesis Air RGS, RGS- Mini and Kestrel models. The evaluation was conducted on the three PCO units to obtain U.S. FDA certification.

Evaluations conducted by independent and reputable research agencies and institutions confirm the effectiveness of Genesis Air photocatalytic oxidation technology to remove bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens from airstreams under controlled experimental conditions. 

Within the context of egg storage, operation of hatcheries and transport of chicks, Genesis Air, Inc. photocatalytic oxidation technology represents a potential to enhance hatchability, the viability of chicks and their subsequent production.

Potential Applications of PCO Technology in the Poultry Industry

• Egg storage areas in breeder-level and commercial hatcheries to suppress levels of bacteria and fungi to improve hatchability.  Operation of Genesis Air equipment within HVAC installations or as free-standing units may reduce bacterial and fungal contamination in chick service areas based on evaluations conducted by third-party institutions.

• Installation of Genesis Air units in breakrooms and change areas may benefit workers and potentially reduce absenteeism in the event of reemergence of COVID or to suppress seasonal influenza.

• Inactivation of pathogens during breeder and commercial-level chick transport using vehicle-operated Genesis Air units may contribute to improved livability after placement.

• Table-egg packing and breaking plants including grading, processing and storage areas, break rooms and offices

References

Ahmadi, Y. et al. Recent Advances in Photocatalytic Removal of Airborne Pathogens in Air. The Science of the Total Environment 794 (2021) doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148477

Foster, H. et al. Photocatalytic Disinfection Using Titanium Dioxide: Spectrum and Mechanism of Antimicrobial Activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 90,1847-1868 (2011) doi.org/10.1007/s 00253-011-3213-7

He, F. et al. Photocatalytic Air Purification Mimicking the Self-Cleaning Process of the Atmosphere. Nature Communications.12:2528 (2021) doi.org/10.1038/s 41467-021-22839-0

Wu, J. et al. Ultraviolet Photocatalytic Technology for Indoor Volatile Organic     Compound Removal: A Critical Review with Particular Focus on By-product Formation and Modeling. J. Hazardous Materials 421 (2022) doi.org/10.1016/j hazmat.2021.126766

Contact

For additional information and to consider specific applications contact Dan Briggs, CEO at Genesis Air, dbriggs@genesisair.com or (806) 786 9115.