The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) has published an updated report highlighting progress in antibiotic stewardship within the U.S. poultry industry. Conducted by Dr. Randall Singer, DVM, Ph.D., of Mindwalk Consulting Group, and the University of Minnesota, this research spans over a decade and emphasizes the industry's dedication to responsible antibiotic use and disease prevention while ensuring transparency and sustainability.
Highlights of the Report
Broiler Chickens (2013–2023):
- Antibiotic use in hatcheries decreased from 90% to less than 1%
Medically important in-feed antibiotic use dropped significantly:
No in-feed tetracycline use since 2019
Virginiamycin use declined by 99% over the 11-year period
Water-soluble antibiotic use showed an initial decline but increased slightly post-2017 due to higher disease incidence:
Penicillin use fell by 42%, with increases from 2019–2023 linked to gangrenous dermatitis outbreaks
Lincomycin use decreased by 62%, with a slight uptick since 2020 due to disease trends
Tetracycline and sulfonamide use decreased by 70% and 82%, respectively
Turkeys (2013–2023):
Antibiotic use in hatcheries declined from 97% to approximately 40%
Gentamicin use in hatcheries dropped by 48%
Medically important in-feed antibiotic use decreased significantly, with tetracycline use declining by 58%
Water-soluble antibiotic use initially decreased but stabilized or increased slightly after 2019 due to disease challenges:
Penicillin use reduced by almost 53% overall
Lincomycin and neomycin use decreased by 58% and 53%, respectively
Tetracycline use declined by 19% overall but rose during 2019–2023 due to increased colibacillosis and secondary infections
Layer Chickens (2016–2023):
Antibiotic use in table egg production remains minimal due to withdrawal period requirements affecting egg supply
All chicks in the dataset received gentamicin at hatcheries
Chlortetracycline (CTC) was the primary medically important antibiotic used, with a zero-day withdrawal period, minimizing production losses:
CTC exposure affected less than 0.1% of total hen-days
No pullets received CTC in the feed during 2022 or 2023
Industry Commitment to Transparency and Stewardship
“USPOULTRY’s board of directors has supported this research for many years, which emphasizes the continued focus on the judicious use of antibiotics in the poultry industry. We are thankful for the long-term involvement of so many of our members and other poultry organizations in this study,” said Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY.
Given differences in weight, lifespan, susceptibility to illness and treatment options, the report advises against combining or directly comparing data among broilers, turkeys, and layers.
Sustained Research and Collaboration
Supported by annual grants from USPOULTRY and a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this research reflects a decade-long commitment to understanding and improving antibiotic stewardship. A new FDA-CVM agreement initiated in September 2024 ensures the continuation of this effort, further strengthening public-private partnerships.
Details and an updated infographic can be found at Mindwalk Consulting Group.
