On 4–5 March 2025, the 41st Symposium of the South African branch of the WPSA was held in Pretoria, South Africa. The overarching theme of all presentations was “Advances in poultry science: A holistic approach”.
Under the theme “Advances in poultry science: A holistic approach”, the event attracted more than 400 delegates, including prominent local and international experts, to discuss advances in poultry science and practical nutritional strategies for optimal performance. Below are some of the highlights we noted.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Prof. Shabbir Simjee led a session on AMR, emphasising the importance of localised monitoring programmes.
- Localised monitoring: AMR monitoring is most effective when conducted at local government level. This approach helps detect resistance in both animals and humans more efficiently.
- Cross-sector collaboration: Collaboration between the veterinary and human health sectors is crucial for effective AMR management, as resistance can spread between species.
Broiler breeder management
Dr. Rick van Emous presented innovative strategies for the management of modern broiler breeders.
- Male-to-female ratio: Adjusting the male-to-female ratio is critical to prevent aggression, over-mating, plumage problems, injuries and reduced fertility.
- Feeding strategies: Implementing male-specific drinkers, floor or scatter feeding, and twice-daily feeding can improve welfare and performance by aligning with natural behaviours.
- Data-driven management: Collecting data on female behaviour helps tailor management practices to their natural tendencies, improving overall welfare and productivity.
Dietary energy in poultry
Dr. Reza Abdollahi discussed the critical role of dietary energy in poultry nutrition.
- Factors influencing energy utilisation: Variables such as bird age, breed, sex, gut health and dietary factors including calcium levels and feed processing conditions affect energy utilisation.
- Pelleted vs. mash diets: Pelleting reduces feed wastage and improves intake, but requires careful balancing of ingredient form and conditioning temperatures to avoid negative impacts on nutrient digestibility.
Mycotoxin exposure
Prof. Gunther Antonissen explored the effects of mycotoxin exposure on poultry health.
- Chronic exposure risks: Chronic exposure to low levels of mycotoxins can damage the intestinal epithelium, increasing susceptibility to infections such as coccidiosis and bacterial infections.
- Biomarkers for health: The use of biomarkers to assess gut health can help predict the impact of mycotoxins and guide mitigation strategies.
- Impact on intestinal morphology: Mycotoxins can compromise intestinal integrity, leading to reduced villus height and surface area, thereby impairing nutrient absorption.
Infection biology
Dr. Kirsty Gibbs used a football analogy to explain host-pathogen interactions.
- Host-pathogen dynamics: Host defence mechanisms (such as intestinal barrier function) act as defenders, while pathogens (bacteria, parasites) are the attackers.
- Environmental factors: Nutrition, rearing conditions and management practices influence the success of both host defences and pathogen challenges.
- Nutritional strategies: Nutritional elements can influence bacterial behaviour, affecting infection outcomes. Nutritional immunity involves mechanisms to limit nutrient availability to pathogens.
Genetic improvements in gut health
Dr. Richard Bayley discussed genetic advances to improve gut health and microbiome function.
- Microbiome optimisation: Genetic improvements can help optimise the gut microbiome, leading to enhanced nutrient absorption and immune function.
Biosecurity against avian influenza
Dr. Devin Stuart shared insights on biosecurity measures to mitigate avian influenza risks.
- Biosecurity protocols: Implementing strict biosecurity protocols, such as netting over ventilation inlets and the use of lasers to deter wild birds, is crucial.
- Contractor and visitor control: Ensuring that contractors and visitors follow strict hygiene practices can prevent the introduction of the virus.
- Water management: Addressing water leakages is important, as avian influenza can remain virulent in water for extended periods.
Dynamic vs. static nutritional modelling
Dr. Peter Chrystal discussed the EFG model for optimising feeding strategies:
- “What-if” scenarios: Models allow nutritionists to explore different feeding strategies under various conditions to identify economically viable approaches.
- Economic optimisation: These models support decisions that maximise profitability by balancing feed costs against revenues from meat yield or liveweight gain.
- Nutritional strategies: By predicting growth responses under specific conditions, models help minimise nitrogen excretion while optimising protein levels for economic efficiency.
Trace minerals for broilers
Prof. Mike Kidd emphasised the importance of trace minerals in broiler nutrition.
- Role of trace minerals: Trace minerals act as enzyme cofactors involved in various metabolic pathways and enhance intestinal barrier integrity.
- Zinc supplementation: Zinc is critical for metabolic processes, hormonal secretion and immune function. The timing, level and form of zinc supplementation should be customer-specific based on production objectives.
- Statistical vs. numerical significance: Understanding the difference between statistical and numerical significance is important for interpreting the impact of trace minerals on broiler health and performance.