With consumers demanding all-organic food, many companies in the poultry industry are struggling as they try to come up with the right balance that will appease the public while keeping the birds healthy. The Poultry Site recently shared a video of Guillermo Zavala, DVM, Ph.D. with Avian Health International, LLC. In the video, Zavala addresses the importance of vaccinating broilers for CAV.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is a poultry pathogen that has been found in breeders, broilers, and also SPF flocks. It causes lymphoid depletion, anemia, and also hemorrhaging, according to The Immunoassay Handbook (Fourth Edition). Fenner’s Veterinary Virology (Fifth Edition) states that it causes acute immunosuppressive disease in young chickens.

Zavala stated that not vaccinating broilers because the ELISA results detect antibodies could be asking for trouble. Granted that CAV vaccines may be expensive, he told Poultry Health Today that it is still not a good strategy. Breeders may not have enough antibodies to protect their offspring and the first two weeks of life is a critical stage, as chicks are quite susceptible to infection.

Good immunity is especially important these days because at least 40% of the poultry industry is presently raising flocks without the use of antibiotics, while the rest are working to reduce antibiotic use. Zavala also shared that CAV is difficult to eradicate or reduce through disinfection and cleaning. You can find the full article and see the video here.

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Trish Valenzuela, CPC/ PRC • Poultry Industry Recruiter

Trish Valenzuela specializes in recruiting for poultry feed additive companies. She has filled positions in technical support, sales, and sales management across the USA.

Trish joined Continental Search in July 2015, and through hard study, she passed two certification programs. She is now a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) and a Professional Recruiting Consultant (PRC).

Visit her LinkedIn profile to connect with her and stay updated with current poultry trends. You can reach her at (302) 248-8242, through LinkedIn, or at trish@consearch.com.