The CSIRO animal welfare team has shown that enriching the rearing environment of chicks makes for the improved behaviour, health and welfare of adult free range laying hens. A discrepancy in the rearing environments of young and adult laying hens The environment in which animals develop is critical for optimal lifetime behaviour, health and welfare.…
Many Australians have moved away from purchasing cage-produced eggs. And half the eggs sold in Australian shops are free range, however for economic reasons, commercial operators including restaurants and bakeries tend to purchase cage-produced eggs. Poultry veterinarian Dr Rod Jenner – who has worked with Egg Farmers of Australia – said public perception of the…
AI globally from September to December 2021 Between September 16 and December 8, 2021, the European Centre for Disease Provention and Control reported that 867 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus detections were reported in 27 European Union, European Economic Area countries and the UK, in poultry – 316, in wild – 523, and in captive…
A more diverse poultry industry could help ease supply chain issues and reduce cost pressures on chicken growers, farmers believe. According to growers and industry representatives, a few major processors dominating the chicken processing industry have contributed to the supermarket shortages across Australia. A claim rejected by those processors, who are of the opinion that…
Australia has one of the most efficient chicken-meat producing and processing industries in the world. Chicken meat is a hugely popular food among Australians, with consumers spending around $6.6 billion annually on chicken meat products. Almost all chicken meat sold in Australia has been grown here and more than 1.23 million tonnes of chicken meat…
It’s time to put your farmer hat on and take care of some cheeky chooks! Get to know your hens’ cheeky personalities and make sure they’re always safe and happy. Build coops and perches, keep food and water full and add lots of fun things to your farm – keeping these smart and curious birds…
More than 20 percent of Queenslanders experiencing hunger are children and, in an effort to reduce this alarming statistic, Sunny Queen Australia – the nation’s favourite smiley-faced eggs – joined with Foodbank Queensland to help make a difference to those experiencing food insecurity in regional areas in the state. A special breakfast and morning tea…
Demand for meat, poultry and seafood packaging is forecast to increase 3.1 percent per year according to a food packaging study by the Freedonia Group. Continued expansion of the case-ready meat, poultry and seafood segment will drive demand for traditional packaging items such as film, trays, absorbent pads and bags. The importance of a longer…
A novel nutritional strategy to improve feed efficiency and decrease abdominal fat pad in meat chickens fed low crude protein diets was presented in Ideas Exchange 2021 conference by Dr Nishchal Sharma from the University of New England. The presentation highlighted the role of guanidinoacetic acid and betaine in low crude protein diets fed to…
Food Safety Week was the perfect time to answer the most common question that brings people to the Australian Chicken Meat Federation website – “Is it safe to refreeze chicken?” ACMF executive director Dr Vivien Kite sets the record straight. “Yes, you can refreeze chicken,” Dr Kite said. “Just make sure it was properly defrosted…