Scott Carter

Understanding the entire poultry gut microbiome

There is more to the poultry gut microbiome than simply bacteria, its lesser-known components could offer new routes to improve poultry welfare and performance

February 6, 2020

Scott Carter

Increasing knowledge of the viral and fungal members of the poultry microbiome not only increases our understanding of their impact on chicken health and nutrition but opens the doors to new product development.

When using probiotics, timing is everything

Deriving the maximum benefit from probiotics is dependent on ensuring that they reach a chicken’s gut at specific periods in its development.

December 3, 2019

Scott Carter

Administering probiotics at key points in chicken's development may help to ensure consistency of results.

Working toward a better understanding of poultry dysbiosis

More precise definitions of dysbiosis would allow more precise poultry gut health management

June 21, 2019

Scott Carter

A better understanding of the causes of dysbiosis would lead to better flock health management, but poultry health is still lagging advances made in the human sector.

Poultry antibiotic alternatives: Expectation vs. reality

Strong interest in antibiotic-alternative feed additives may be causing confusion between expectations and actual advancements.

February 28, 2019

Scott Carter

The drive toward new additives for use in antibiotic-free poultry production may be causing confusion.

Are probiotics in poultry production still effective?

Warnings that probiotics may not offer all this is claimed should be aimed at the strains marketed, not the class of additive.

January 3, 2019

Scott Carter

Recent criticism of probiotics has been aimed at the benefits of certain strains and products marketed, not probiotics per se.

Is inflammation control key to antibiotic-free poultry?

Managing inflammation will be increasingly important for successful antibiotic-free poultry production, but more work is needed to ensure interventions are correctly chosen.

October 26, 2018

Scott Carter

Better and quicker diagnosis of gut inflammation is needed if antibiotic-free poultry production is to gain maximum benefit from its control.

Can big data make sense of the poultry industry?

The expectations for big data in the poultry industry are high, but questions surrounding its use remain unanswered.

August 24, 2018

Scott Carter

Egg producers around the world are playing an important role in achieving the UN Sustainable Developments Goals, from slowing climate change to alleviating poverty.