THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA POULTRY & EGG ...

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 VOL. 1 NO. 7 

ALABAMA Poultry 

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA POULTRY & EGG ASSOCIATION 

AP&EA 

P.O. Box 240 

Montgomery, AL 36101 

Address Service Requested 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Montgomery, AL 

Permit No. 796

BOARDOFDIRECTORS 

Officers 

Ricky Walker, President, Snead* 

Jack Sherwood, Vice President, Enterprise* 

Ken Taylor, Treasurer, Anniston* 

Fred Cespedes, Secretary, Hanceville* 

Roger Chappell, Immediate Past President, 

Cullman* 

Directors 

Johnny Adcock, Woodland 

Ronnie Adrian, Collinsville 

George Attwood, Anniston 

Dale Carroll, Boaz 

Melissa Durbin, Birmingham 

Randall Ennis, Huntsville 

Tim Esslinger, Decatur 

Dale Gambrill, Snead 

Matthew Herman, Albertville 

Spence Jarnagin, Huntsville 

Ted Lankford, Athens 

Richard Lusk, Gadsden 

Dennis Maze, Horton 

Todd McMahen, Dothan 

Mitchell Pate, Auburn 

John Pittard, Guntersville* 

John Roberts, Cullman 

Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge 

Roddy Sanders, Gordo 

Wendell Shelton, Boaz* 

Trey Sylvest, Montgomery 

Phyllis Thomas, Russellville 

Mike Tamimi, Enterprise 

Stanley Usery, Athens 

Mack Watson, Pineapple 

Advisors 

Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University 

James Donald, Auburn University 

Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University 

Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery 

Troy Newton, Montgomery 

Perry Oakes, Auburn 

*Executive Committee Members 

AP&EA STAFF 

Executive Director 

Johnny Adams 

Administrative Director 

Wanda H. Linker 

Membership Director 

Wes Cumbie 

Communications Director 

Anna P. Wright 

Alabama Poultry is published by the 

Alabama Poultry & Egg Association 

465 South Bainbridge Street 


Phone: 334-265-2732 

Fax: 334-265-0008 

Address editorial and advertising 

correspondence to: 

Alabama Poultry 

Editor 

P.O. Box 240 


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dates available upon request. 

Editorial matter from sources outside AP&EA is 

sometimes presented for the information and interest 

of our members. Such material may or may not coincide 

with official AP&EA policy. Publication does not 

necessarily imply endorsement by AP&EA. 

www.alabamapoultry.org 

President’s MESSAGE 

Over the last several years, the Alabama Legislature has 

passed several tax reductions and exemptions for on-farm poultry 

products and farming and processing equipment. These tax 

breaks include bedding shavings, LP gas, and most farming 

equipment. These laws have been essential to the profitability of 

our farms as the average savings for a farm totals more than 

$2,000 each year. Recently we have had several instances where 

some farming equipment has been challenged in audits by the 

Alabama Department of Revenue. The loss of these exemptions 

could cost poultry farmers thousands of dollars. With help from 

our Association attorney, Roy Crawford, we have been successful 

in defending these challenges and have been successful in preserving 

these exemptions. 

Earlier this year, AP&EA past President Roger Chappell 

appointed a task force to research the current exemptions and work with the revenue department 

to clarify and identify what constitutes an exemption. As chairman of the task force, I 

hope to complete the research early in the coming year and begin discussions with department 

in early spring. If you have had questions or disputes on farming equipment tax issues, please 

contact AP&EA Membership Director Wes Cumbie. Wes can be reached at 1-800-254 2732. 

I will keep you apprised of our efforts concerning this issue. 

I want take this opportunity to wish your family a safe and joyful Christmas and holiday 

season, and I hope that that the coming year brings success and good fortune to everyone in 

our poultry industry. I look forward to serving you in the New Year. 

FEATURING 

THIS MONTH 

ASSOCIATIONNEWS page 4 

GOVERNMENTALAFFAIRS page 11 

CAFOCORNER page 12 

INDUSTRYPROMOTION page 14 

MEMBERSHIPNEWS page 15 

EDUCATIONALDEVELOPMENT page 16 

HOLIDAYENTERTAINING page 19 

PRACTICALAPPLICATIONS page 20 

ADVERTISINGINDEX 

American Proteins ...........................................................................................................pg 2 

Craftmaster Printers .........................................................................................................pg 6 

First South Farm Credit ....................................................................................................pg 8 

Foam One ........................................................................................................................pg 11 

Ag Radiant.... ....................................................................................................................pg 12 

Merial Select ....................................................................................................................pg 13 

J.R. Extermination ...........................................................................................................pg 17 

Aviagen .............................................................................................................................pg 22 

Dandy................................................................................................................................pg 23 

Federal Land Bank............................................................................................................pg 24 

Cover: The annual Christmas tree in front of the Alabama State Capitol

ASSOCIATION NEWS 

Alabama turkey producer presents 

Governor with holiday turkey 

Clyde No. 7 and Henrietta — the 

governor's Thanksgiving turkeys — 

are grateful to be spending yet 

another Thanksgiving Day on Bill 

Bates' turkey farm in Greenville, 

Ala., instead of on a platter at the 

Rileys' home in Ashland, Ala. 

Still, it was another close call for 

Clyde and Henrietta as severe 

weather threatened to postpone their 

pardoning date, which was scheduled 

for Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10 

a.m., at the Governor's Mansion in 

Montgomery. 

This tradition has been a part of 

the governor's office for 58 years. 

Big Jim Folsom was the first 

Alabama governor to receive a holiday 

turkey from Bates in 1948. 

Keeping the theme of being 

thankful and helping others, 

Alabama's First Lady Patsy Riley 

promoted her Blankets with a 

Blessing campaign. Mrs. Riley is 

urging Alabamians to donate new 

blankets that she will attach with a 

blessing, and give to area shelters 

around Alabama. 

About 25 children from the 

Riverchase Methodist Day School 

brought blankets and songs to share 

with the Rileys. Alabama‘s 

Commissioner of Agriculture and 

Industries Ron Sparks talked with 

the children about the importance of 

celebrating Thanksgiving and then 

Mrs. Riley read two books to them. 

Between his turkey farm and his 

restaurant, Bates House of Turkey, 

Bates grows, processes, further 

processes, smokes, cooks, and 

serves his product to thousands of 

Alabamians and visitors from other 

states each year. 

4 Alabama Poultry November/December 2006 

Clyde and Henrietta wait patiently in anticipation of the decision from Gov. Bob Riley about their fate. 

Also waiting while the governor deliberates on whether or not to pardon the turkeys are members of the 

Bates family and other guests. (Left to right) Jessica Dent, granddaughter; Bill Bates; Becky Sloan, 

daughter; Gov. Bob Riley; Mrs. Patsy Riley; Com. Ron Sparks; AP&EA Executive Director Johnny 

Adams; and Thomas Bates, son. 

A Special Invitation for Growers 

January 24-26, 2007 

Georgia World Congress Center 

Atlanta, Georgia 

ATTEND ANY DAYS YOU WISH! 

Experience the world’s largest trade shows for the poultry and 

feed sectors of the industry. More than 900 exhibitors will display 

thousands of specialized and innovative products and services at 

the International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo. You 

can network with others who share similar interests and concerns. 

And you’ll learn more about the processing side of the industry. 

Registration opens each morning at 7:30 a.m. You must bring 

this coupon along with a completed registration form to a cashier 

in either Building B or C of the Georgia World Congress Center 

to take advantage of the reduced admission fee. 

For more information, visit us at www.ipe07.org or phone 

770.493.9401. *Get a free Biosecurity CD too! 

GROWER DAYS 

Admission Only $5* (A Savings of $45) 

Compliments of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association


Annual allied golf tournament withstands 

weather threat 

AP&EA’s 15th Annual Allied Industry Fund-raising 

Golf Tournament was held, Thursday, Oct. 26, at Lake 

Guntersville State Park. 

This annual event raises funds for poultry science 

scholarships at Auburn University and other educational 

projects. The tournament was a handicap scramble with a 

shotgun start at 12 p.m. Teams of four were chosen based 

on their handicaps, and each golfer had a chance to purchase 

a power package of two mulligans and a power 

drive. 

The putting contest, a new event this year, was won by 

Cypress Hathorn, who received a Nikon range finder. 

Prizes were awarded to the top four teams and winners 

of the longest drive, and the closest to the hole contests. 

Like every AP&EA event, they would not come to 

fruition without the help of event sponsors. 

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS 

Advanced Poultry Equipment 

& Supply, Inc 

AlaTrade Foods 

American Dehydrated Foods 

American Proteins, Inc. 

Americold Logistics 

Best Vet Solutions 

Bunge 

Centurion Poultry, Inc. 

Cobb-Vantress Inc. 

D & F Equipment Sales, Inc. 

Equity Group Eufaula Div. 

Fabco Equipment Co. 

Federal Land Bank Assn, NA 

First South Farm Credit, NA 

First South Farm Credit, SA 

Fitco 

Fort Dodge Animal Health 

General Chemical 

Gold Kist Inc./Boaz 


Bunge 

Centurion Poultry, Inc. 

D & F Equipment Sales, Inc. 

Federal Land Bank Assn, NA 

First South Farm Credit, NA 

General Chemical 

HOLE SPONSORS 

Guntersville Sheet Metal, Inc. 

Hired-Hand Inc 

International Paper 

Intervet Inc. 

Jones Hamilton Co. 

L. B. White 

Linco Food Systems 

Liphatech, Inc 

Lohmann Animal Health 

M and M Poultry Equipment 

Marel USA, Inc. 

Merial Select 

Meyn America 

Polytech 

Stork Food Systems 

Tyson Foods, Inc./Albertville 

Tyson Foods, Inc./Oxford 

Tyson Foods, Inc./Snead 

Walco International 

Water Tech Inc. 

Gold Kist Inc./Boaz 

Hired-Hand 

Intervet Inc. 

L. B. White 

Linco Food Systems 

Meyn America 

Stork Food Systems 

PRIZE SPONSORS 

Second Place Prize Money – Keystone Foods 

Fourth Place Prize Money – Zee Company 

Longest Drive – American Proteins 

Closest to the Pin – Stork Food Systems 

Putting Contest – Nikon 

SPECIALTY SPONSORS 

Tent Sponsor – American Proteins 

Drink Sponsor – Aviagen, Inc. 

Box Lunch – First South Farm Credit 

Dinner – Ivesco, LLC 

Fourth Place Team (left to right) – Jeff Sims, David Hansford, Mike Besh and Brien 

Phillips. 

Second Place Team (left to right) – Billy Yarbrough, Steve Smith and David Pruett. 

Not pictured is Jason McCamy. 

Third Place Team (left to right) – David Riggs, Danny Inman, John Hasenbein and 

Harry Kirkland. 

Nikon donated a range 

finder for the prize for 

the tournament’s firstever 

putting contest 

which was won by 

Cypress Hathorn. 

First Place Team (left to right) – David Coburn and Jason 

Smith. Not pictured are Gerald Pate and Rusty Daniel. 

Alabama Poultry November/December 2006 

5


Fall workshops inform members on 

Processors workshop 

The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association's Alabama Processors 

Workshop was held Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Sheraton Hotel in 

downtown Birmingham. 

The processors workshop is an opportunity for individuals to network 

and learn about current issues facing the industry. 

Participants at the workshop included representatives from processing 

plant equipment companies, Auburn University poultry science 

department and integrated poultry companies. 

After a continental breakfast sponsored by Fitco, the presiding 

chairman Philip Drake, of Fitco, welcomed participants, and 

AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams gave an update on the 

Association. 

William P. Roenigk, senior vice president of the National 

Chicken Council, was the keynote speaker for the meeting. 

Following Roenigk, the morning session of speakers began with 

Dr. Paul Reswebber, District Manager in Jackson, Miss., with the 

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service who gave an update on 

USDA inspections and regulations. Next, Virginia Ames, compliance 

assistance specialist with OSHA in Birmingham, talked about 

Worker Safety. 

After a short break, participants heard from Ben Johnson, staff 

veterinarian with Gold Kist, on Animal Welfare: Processing Plant 

Perspective; Scott French, area quality assurance manager with 

Wayne Farms, on Salmonella Control in Processing; Abhay Shah, 

division HACCP coordinator with the Northeast Alabama Division, 

on Process Control; and Danielle Price, assistant QA manager with 

Fitco, on Food Safety Assessment. 

After lunch, which was sponsored by D&F Equipment Sales, 

Jason Spann, with Gold Kist Boaz and an AP&EA Processors 

Committee member, presided over the afternoon sessions. 

Cathy Johnson, vice president employment compliance with 

Tyson Foods, gave a stimulating and interactive presentation on 

“Without a trace … of defensibility” -- how to train managers and 

supervisors to make good employment decisions. 

An informational presentation on Yield was given by Dr. Sarge 

Bilgili, with Auburn University poultry science department. Dr. Ken 

Macklin with AU poultry science and Extension researcher 

addressed processors concerns about avian influenza. Another AU 

poultry science faculty member, Pat Curtis, informed participants on 

web resources on laws and regulations, sanitation, HACCP, microbiology 

and water conservation. 

Door prizes, sponsored by American Proteins, Guntersville Sheet 

Metal, Ken Godfrey Plumbing, Shell Concrete and TransSouth 

Electrical, concluded another successful workshop thanks to the 

efforts of the AP&EA Processors Committee. 

Special thanks to our sponsor: 


AP&EA VIP SPONSORS 

Alabama Power Company 

Alpharma 


Aviagen, N.A. 

Biomune Company 

Cobb-Vantress 

D&F Equipment Sales, Inc. 

Elanco Animal Health 

Embrex, Inc. 

Federal Land Bank Association of N.A. 

Federal Land Bank Association of S.A. 

First South Farm Credit, N.A. 

Franklin Industries, Inc. 

Hill Parts 

International Paper Company 

Intervet Inc. 

Ivesco, LLC 

Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative 

Schering Plough Animal Health 

Walco International Inc. 

Zee Company

issues facing poultry industry 

Broiler workshop 

The Alabama Broiler Workshop was held on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 

and Wednesday, Oct 11, at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon 

Conference Center. This annual event provides broiler industry representatives 

with up-to-date information on diseases, governmental 

regulations, environmental issues, housing and other topics facing 

the industry. 

Ken Edwards, Equity Group Eufaula Div. and chairman of the 

broiler workshop planning committee, presided over the morning 

session. Dana Brindley-Bennett, poultry unit manager with the 

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, discussed LT 

testing preventative steps taking place for avian influenza. 

Dr. Fred Hoerr, director of the Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State 

Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, gave a disease update and Dr. Joel 

Cline, director of the J.B. Taylor State Diagnostic Laboratory in 

Elba, talked about the importance of farm biosecurity. 

One of the top issues for poultry housing is the alternatives to 

shavings and litter amendments, which was addressed by Auburn 

Extension scientist Dr. John Blake. Robert Rowland, with Ivesco, 

discussed insecticide rotation for darkling beetles, and Dr. Ken 

Opengart, Keystone Foods, addressed avian influenza and its global 

affect on the United States. 

Rick Tullos, Pilgrim's Pride, presided over the afternoon sessions. 

Mike Czarick, senior public service associate with the 

University of Georgia, gave a presentation on poultry house heating 

systems. Dr. Gene Simpson, an Extension economist, talked about 

the cash flow of wide houses versus conventional houses. John 

Tierce, director of technical services with Avian Performance 

Standards, finished the workshop with a session on the impact of 

seven-day broiler mortality on various components of income. 

Golf and sporting clay tournament were held on Tuesday afternoon 

and sponsored by Cumberland/GSI, Hired Hand, L.B. 

White/Casey Jones, Chore-Time Equipment, Diversified 

Imports/Rotem and Ziggity Systems. Hospitality sponsors were 

Cobb-Vantress, Hired Hand and Ziggity Systems. Continental 

breakfast and breaks during the workshop were provided by Cobb- 

Vantress, Hired Hand, Walco International and Ziggity Systems. 

Lunch was sponsored by Merial Select. 

Several sponsoring companies setup their company displays and 

products at the meeting: Chore-Time Equipment, Cumberland/GSI, 

Hired Hand, Diversified Imports/Rotem, L.B. White/Casey Jones, 

and Ziggity Systems. AP&EA appreciates the help of our sponsors 

for the success of this workshop. The entire workshop was also 

sponsored by AP&EA's VIP Sponsors. 

Broiler workshop participants listen to one of the sessions. 


Participants of the Breeder/Hatchery workshop follow along with the 

speaker’s handout during one of the many sessions. 

Breeder/Hatchery 

Individuals of Alabama's breeder and hatchery industry gathered 

in Auburn, Tuesday, Nov. 7, and Wednesday, Nov. 8, for the 

Alabama Breeder/Hatchery Workshop, at the Hotel at Auburn 

University and Dixon Conference Center. Hatchery employees 

and managers, breeder service techs, and representatives from 

allied, pharmaceutical and grandparent companies, attended. 

Program planning committee member Huey Hilburn was the 

presiding chairman for the morning session. Jim Arthur, 

Aviagen Inc., discussed Operating and Maintaining Smithways 

and Dr. Maxcy P. Nolan Jr., a consultant with the NIPCAM 

Group, reviewed Controlling Ectoparasites and Rodents in 

Breeder Houses. Dr. Keith A. Honegger, Intervet Inc., talked on 

Breeder Vaccine Application Techniques; Dr. Bill Dozier, 

USDA Agriculture Research Service at Mississippi State, contemplated 

on Air Velocity Considerations for Broiler Breeders. 

Linet B. Price, Jamesway Incubator Company Inc., and Jim 

Jordan, Chick Master Incubator Company, shared New 

Technology in Incubators that is available from their companies; 

while Dr. Andrea Sinclair, with Embrex's veterinary services, 

presented New Products in Ovo, which included current products 

and future possibilities. 

After lunch, Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University poultry science 

department, presided over the afternoon session. Topics discussed 

included Breeder Biosecurity as It Relates to AI and LT 

by Dr. Sam Christenberry, director, Hinton Mitchem State 

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Hanceville; Motivating and 

Retaining Hatchery Employees, Corey Watson, breeder/hatchery 

manager, Gold Kist Inc., Talking Rock, Ga.; Breeder 

Feeding Program Comparison: US vs Brazil, Dr. Benton 

Hudson, breeder nutritionist, Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, 

Ark.; and Hatchery Affects on Chick Quality, Dr. Wally Berry, 

Auburn poultry science department. 

Ssponsors helped to make the seminar not only possible, but 

successful as well. Cobb-Vantress, Inc. sponsored the prizes and 

lunch for the golf tournament. Aviagen, Biomune Company, 

Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hubbard LLC, and Merial Select 

sponsored the prizes, lunch and fees for the sporting clay contestants 

at White Oak plantation. AP&EA's 21 VIP Sponsorship 

Program participants also contributed to the seminar. 


7

ASSOCIATIONNEWS 

10th annual AP&EA regional grower 

educational seminars held in October 

Alabama Poultry & Egg Association's 

10th annual Grower Educational Seminars 

were held in north and south Alabama in 

October. 

"Engineering, management, economics 

and maintenance: Issues of poultry houses in 

winter" was the subject for the seminars. 

Speakers were Jim Donald, Extension engineer; 

Gene Simpson, Extension economist; 

and Jess Campbell. poultry housing technician, 

all from Auburn University. 

Lunch or dinner was served at all meetings 

to growers and their families. After the meal 

the speakers began informing growers about 

wintertime ventilation of poultry houses. 

Donald spoke to growers about what wintertime 

ventilation will accomplish on a poultry 

farm and the importance of taking the 

effort to make sure poultry houses are ready 

for the cold-weather season to protect the 

birds. Simpson explained and clarified the 

economics of energy and management associated 

with preparing houses for winter. Lastly, 

Campbell went through a checklist that will 

help growers keep equipment in their houses 

maintained through the winter months. 

James McAfee, Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management, reviewed the 

proposed changes in the national CAFO regulation 

by EPA and discussed the possible 

effects on Alabama's CAFO rule. 

Before introducing the speakers, AP&EA 

Executive Director Johnny Adams welcomed 

everyone to each meeting and gave updates on 

the Association and its membership. AP&EA 

staff Wanda Linker and Wes Cumbie helped 

pass out door prizes between speakers. 

These seminars are provided to growers to 

help improve their bottom line and to promote 

environmental stewardship through good 

management practices. AP&EA brings poultry 

professionals and researchers to grower 

communities for face-to-face communication 

of timely information relating to the industry. 

Two seminars were held in north Alabama 

on Monday, Oct. 16, in Cullman and Boaz, 

and two more in south Alabama on Tuesday, 

Oct. 17, in Troy and New Brockton. 

The meal that was served at each meeting 

was made possible by the generosity of the 

seminar sponsors: First South Farm Credit, 

Cumberland/GSI and L. B. White Co. First 

South has sponsored the event since its inception 

in 1996. 

Above, seminar speaker, Jim Donald talks to 

a grower after the meeting in Boaz. 

Right, AP&EA Grower Committee Chairman 

Johnny Adcock talks to speaker Gene 

Simpson after the seminar in Cullman. 

Growers in south Alabama listen to the 

educational seminars at the Pike County 

Cattlemen’s Park in Troy. 

South Alabama growers listen 

to the presentations at the 

New Brockton Farm Center. 

Grower Seminar Sponsors: 

First South Farm Credit, NA Cumberland/GSI L. B. White Co. 


9

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS � 

Boaz to get state veterinary laboratory 

The Sand Mountain Reporter 

By Jan McDaniel 

Published November 2, 2006 

A new state livestock and poultry diagnostic 

laboratory could make Alabama the 

No. 1 state in the poultry industry. 

That's according to Ron Sparks, the state's 

agriculture and industries commissioner. 

Sparks joined other dignitaries at 1833 

Industrial Blvd., where the state's fourth such 

lab will be built. Auburn, Elba and 

Hanceville already have laboratories. 

Guy Hall, director of the poultry division, 

Alabama Farmers Federation, said more than 

a billion chickens are raised each year in 

Alabama, which is third in the nation in the 

poultry industry. 

"We are here in the heart of the poultry 

region," he said, "and that's why it is so 

important to have a lab located near that. 

With over $2.4 billion, it is critical to our 

state's economic growth that we safeguard the 

future of the poultry industry. That's why 

Alabama Farmers Federation and other agriculture 

groups have supported Commissioner 

Sparks in his efforts to establish this new 

diagnostic lab here in Boaz. 

"This new state-of-the art facility will not 

only provide great convenience for Alabama 

farmers and poultry companies but will provide 

rapid response in the event of a poultry 

disease outbreak. Thanks to this facility, 

problems can be diagnosed here in the field, 

rapidly, and then they will begin treatment or 

containment of the problem." 

Dr. Fred Hoerr, director of the Alabama 

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories whose 

expertise is sought worldwide, said the new 

Boaz facility would be full-service, with a 

necropsy room with large animal capabilities 

and the latest in carcass management technology. 

With 1.5 million head of cattle, Alabama 

is 14th in the nation in cattle numbers, he 

said. 

USDA's Agricultural Research Service 

(ARS) reports that an on-going long term 

study supports the use of alum (aluminum 

sulfate) to reduce phosphorus runoff and to 

reduce ammonia emissions in poultry houses. 

The 20-year study, which started in the 

mid-1990s, is being conducted by ARS scien- 


Dr. Tami Kelly, head of the local lab currently 

in operation on the Snead State 

Community College campus, said her facility 

performed 209,000 diagnostic tests and 7,000 

necropsy lab tests during 2006. 

She said while poultry, other avian 

species and cattle make up the bulk of the 

work at the lab, other animals must be tested 

and work done for local veterinarians, 

wildlife and law enforcement agencies. 

"We all know there are emerging, lifechanging 

diseases coming down the pike 

everyday," Sparks said. "We can't just figure 

it out once it happens; we've got to figure it 

out before it happens. We've got to have a 

plan in place because that's what the people 

expect of us. We can't work on 99 percent 

accuracy; we have to work on 100 percent 

accuracy." 

tist Philip Moore and University of 

Kentucky-Lexington agricultural engineer 

Dwayne Edwards and was initiated to evaluate 

the effects of alum. 

Results from the first 10 years of the study 

are better than anticipated, according to ARS. 

Applying alum treated litter reduced phos- 

He credited the teamwork of his staff and 

the support of city, county and state officials 

with the department's success. 

State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier said 

the animal health infrastructure was experiencing 

unprecedented expansion. 

"The key issue for us is to detect these 

diseases rapidly in real time," he said. "The 

market demands it. Exporting products to a 

global market and reassuring consumers can't 

be done without partnerships." 

Avian influenza (bird flu) and bovine 

spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), 

rabies, and West Nile virus are a few of 

the serious problems that keep the diagnostic 

labs on alert. 

Bids for construction of the new facility 

will go out this month. 

Reviewing the plans for the new state diagnostic lab in Boaz are (left to right) Wendell Shelton, 

Gold Kist, Boaz; Rep. Frank McDaniel; Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks; AP&EA 

President Ricky Walker, Tyson Foods, Snead; and Sen. Hinton Mitchem. 

Long term study confirms benefits of alum 

phorus runoff by 75 percent at the watershed 

scale and as much as 87 percent from the 

small plots. In addition, alum reduced the 

ammonia levels in poultry houses by about 70 

percent in field trials.

Anger builds 

in litter suit 

By Rod Smith 

Feedstuffs 

Nov. 6, 2006 

The antagonism generated by Oklahoma 

Attorney General Drew Edmondson's lawsuit 

charging 13 Arkansas poultry companies 

with polluting the watershed in eastern 

Oklahoma became even more antagonistic 

two weeks ago, when Edmondson burst in on 

a news conference being conducted by the 

poultry companies and seized the podium. 

The news conference had been called for 

the poultry companies to counter an 

Edmondson radio and television campaign 

advertisement comparing the Illinois 

Watershed to "raw sewage" because "millions 

of pounds of waste" contract growers 

produce each year for the companies in 

Oklahoma are being "dumped" into the 

Oklahoma rivers. 

Edmondson, who is seeking his fourth 

term as attorney general, acknowledged that 

the manure is not being directly dumped into 

the rivers but is being spread at rates far over 

plant phosphorus requirements and running 

off into the rivers that empty into the watershed. 

The companies have said the allegations 

are "beyond reason" and defy logic and truth. 

They had been running their own ad disputing 

the charges but withdrew if as a courtesy 

during Edmondson's re-election campaign. 

Edmondson then launched his "raw sewage" 

ad. 

Edmondson filed his lawsuit two years 

ago, charging that the companies are in violation 

of the Comprehensive Environmental 

Response, Compensation & Liability Act, 

better known as the "superfund" law, on the 

grounds that poultry manure should be considered 

a hazardous substance under the law, 

which currently exempts agricultural waste. 

The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. court in 

Tulsa, Okla., but is not likely to go to trial 

until 2008. 

Calendar of 

Events 

Allied Bass Tournament 

May 11, 2007 

Lake Guntersville 

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 

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AP&EA "Evening of Fun" 

June 9, 2007 

BJCC, Birmingham 

AP&EA Annual Meeting 

July 23-24, 2007 

Destin, Fla. 


11

CAFO CORNER 

ADEM CAFO rule update considering federal 

court rulings and EPA proposed rulemaking 

It is expected that the federal CAFO regulatory landscape will not 

be settled for a number of years. As a result, Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management has determined that no action regarding 

the ADEM CAFO rules for the State of Alabama is needed nor would 

be prudent at this time. ADEM will continue to work with 

Environmental Protection Agency and other involved stakeholders to 

monitor future developments regarding the federal CAFO regulations, 

will continue to be receptive to public input of technical substance, 

regulatory merit, or sound management principles that could result in 

a better program consistent with applicable state and federal laws, and 

will propose changes to the Alabama CAFO rules in the future as 

needed. 

The ADEM CAFO rules have remained stable for the last six years 

throughout the ever-changing EPA and federal court rulings landscape 

providing CAFO operators with a known-quantity level playing field. 

Compliance with the ADEM CAFO rules can be a powerful tool when 

defending against nuisance suits and federal Clean Water Act citizen 

suits. The ADEM rules provide reassurance to Alabama lawmakers 

and citizens that CAFO operators are doing what is needed to protect 

water and air quality to the benefit of all Alabama citizens. 

In February 2006, after a review of the existing Alabama concentrated 

animal feeding operation (CAFO) rules conducted by ADEM at 

least every five years, including a statewide public notice and comments, 

ADEM determined that the current ADEM CAFO National 

Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) rules provide for a 

comprehensive regulatory program based on sound science with 

effective technical standards which provide for the protection of 

Alabama's water and air quality. The ADEM rules fully comply with 

applicable federal and state law and demonstrably meet and/or exceed 

the requirements of the 2003 EPA CAFO regulations (40 CFR Parts 

122.23 & 412), even more so in light of the February, 2005, 

Waterkeeper ruling in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd 

Circuit upheld, vacated, and remanded parts of the 2003 updates to 

EPA for further action. 

EPA published a proposed rulemaking in July 2006 to modify the 

national CAFO NPDES rules in response to the 2nd Circuit Court's 

ruling, and is considering additional rulemakings. As part of this 

process, EPA is currently evaluating the applicability of the EPA 

stormwater rules (40 CFR Part 122.26) and stormwater permitting 

12 


requirements relative to CAFO production areas. EPA is also evaluating 

the need for written guidelines relative to what CAFOs must do 

and be able to document to qualify for the "Agricultural Stormwater 

Exemption" for land application of animal wastes. 

Alabama is an EPA authorized state which means that ADEM 

administers the federal NPDES program requirements via ADEM regulations 

which must meet or exceed federal requirements. In a proactive 

approach, ADEM along with representatives from the animal 

agriculture industry started in 1996 to discuss the development of the 

current ADEM regulations. After numerous meetings with stakeholders 

in the animal agriculture industry and others to try and build a regulatory 

program that was based on science, common sense and consensus, 

ADEM approved the CAFO NPDES regulation and implemented 

a permit by rule on March 31, 1999. The permit by rule 

streamlines the administrative process while not lessening the protection 

of the environment. ADEM amended the CAFO rule in Dec.1, 

2000. Five years after being amended, the rule was brought to 

statewide public notice for comments in December 2005. 

National Poultry 

Technology Center update 

Auburn University has initiated plans for creation of the 

National Poultry Technology Center. The poultry industry, which 

in 2005 represented a 2.7 billion dollar industry in Alabama and a 

28.2 billion dollar industry in the United States, is facing significant 

pressure in the global marketplace. The rising cost of energy, 

housing, and other production inputs are increasing the need for 

efficiencies in diverse areas that involve multiple scientific disciplines 

and specialized areas of expertise. 

Many solutions to existing and future problems affecting the 

poultry industry are more likely to be found through technological 

advances. Auburn University's Poultry Science, Economics, and 

Engineering programs are well suited to addressing the specialized 

issues that will affect the poultry industry in the twenty first 

century. A multidisciplinary national center for poultry technology 

will allow Auburn to focus on a broad range of problems that are 

currently facing growers and integrators. 

Production economics, structural engineering and energy related 

issues, are just a few of the target areas that will be addressed 

when the National Poultry Technology Center at Auburn is functional. 

Keeping the poultry industry competitive and productive in 

the new global economy will help sustain and improve economic 

well being of poultry producing states. The National Poultry 

Technology Center is being created in the Auburn University 

College of Agriculture and should be functional in early 2007. 

Contact Steve Taylor or Jim Donald at 334-844-4180 for more 

information and further details.

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INDUSTRY PROMOTION 

AU professor develops first egg-injected 

poultry vaccination against avian influenza 

An Auburn University veterinary professor 

in collaboration with researchers at Vaxin 

Inc. of Birmingham has developed the first 

"in ovo," or egg-injected, vaccine to protect 

chickens against avian influenza, a virus 

threatening human health and global poultry 

populations. 

Dr. Haroldo Toro, whose research is in 

press in the scientific journal, Vaccine, says it 

would provide 100 percent protection once an 

outbreak's strain is determined. 

"We have proven the principle, which is 

the major step in leading to commercially 

produced vaccine that could be vital to the 

poultry industry," Dr. Toro said. "When an 

outbreak occurs, we would determine the 

strain and quickly create a vaccine within 

three months specifically for it." 

The researchers inserted a gene from a 

low pathogenic avian flu virus strain (H5N9) 

into a non-replicating human virus, a Vaxin 

proprietary technology, which was then 

injected into developing chicken embryos 

still in the egg. When protection induced by 

the vaccine was tested against two highly 

pathogenic avian flu viruses, a Vietnam 

H5N1 strain and a Mexican H5N2 strain, the 

results showed 68 percent and 100 percent 

protection, respectively. 

"These strains have slightly different 

genetic makeups which account for the different 

percentages in protection," said Dr. 

Toro, who is also collaborating on this project 

with the Southeast Poultry Research 

Laboratory in Athens, Ga. "Our results indicate 

that we can provide effective protection 

Free shuttle bus service to growers going to 

Interntational Poultry Expo 

AP&EA, the Alabama Cooperative 

Extension Service and U.S. Poultry & Egg 

Association are pleased to announce free bus 

service to the International Poultry Expo at 

the Georgia World Congress Center from the 

Sand Mountain area on Thursday, Jan. 25, 

2007. 

The bus, a modern, comfortable 50-passenger 

motor coach, will depart at 7 a.m. CST 

(promptly) from the Guntersville Recreation 

Center Ball Field Complex parking lot at the 

corner of Sunset Drive and US Hwy. 69, for 

the hassle-free transport to the front doors of 

the Georgia World Congress Center. Growers 

can register on-site for a reduced fee of $5. 


against any strain after incorporating the gene 

of the field strain into our vaccine construct." 

The disease has decimated poultry populations 

in Asia in recent years. Dr. Toro says 

United States health officials are continuously 

monitoring both chicken flocks and migratory 

birds that might bring new, highly pathogenic 

strains of the disease and infect poultry 

flocks, possibly killing between 90 percent to 

100 percent in affected areas. 

The current policy of health officials during 

an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian 

flu is mass euthanasia and disposal of infected 

birds, and strict biosecurity measures. 

Mass vaccination programs around the 

perimeter region would help to reduce the 

risk of further dissemination of the field virus 

to neighboring areas. Because this new vaccine 

also allows easy differentiation between 

naturally infected birds and vaccinated birds, 

it could also be used to prevent outbreaks of 

disease in case of immediate risk from a 

known strain affecting, for example, neighboring 

countries. 

"We can vaccinate lots of birds in a quick, 

cost- and labor-saving manner which otherwise 

would not be possible," Dr. Toro said. 

"Most poultry operations already have automated 

injection machines to vaccinate against 

Marek's disease, injecting up to 40,000 eggs 

per minute. Our vaccine is produced through 

cell cultures, so we can easily make enough 

vaccine for thousands of birds." 

He says this procedure is much easier than 

producing inactivated, or killed, vaccines, 

which require replicating the live avian 

The show features 16 acres of the latest 

equipment for the poultry industry, with the 

GWCC B Hall for live production systems 

and related equipment and services, and the C 

Hall dedicated to poultry processing. This 

year, the International Feed Expo joins the 

IPE, so growers will also be able to see the 

very latest in technology of feed equipment 

for poultry, pork, cattle and dairy operations. 

Growers will have the entire day Thursday to 

peruse either or both halls, attend educational 

seminars, and watch product demonstrations. 

At 5 p.m. (EST), the bus will reload and 

return to the ball field parking lot in 

Guntersville before 7 p.m. (CST) 

influenza virus in egg embryos and individual 

delivery by injection. In addition, naturally 

infected chickens cannot be differentiated 

from those vaccinated if the strain used for 

vaccination is the same as the one acting in 

the field. Currently available recombinant 

vaccines, using fowlpox vectors, are injected 

into the chicken and have been shown to be 

less effective in birds pre-exposed to the 

fowlpox vector. Pre-exposure to the vector 

used in this novel vaccine is extremely 

unlikely in chicken populations. 

"Both of the current methods are difficult 

and labor intensive, and are too time consuming, 

when time is critical," he said. "The inegg 

vaccine is easy to produce, easy to 

administer and very effective." 

He adds, "The vaccine would, in turn, 

reduce the risk for human exposure to avian 

influenza." Even though the risk to people is 

low, there have been confirmed cases among 

humans reported since 1997, primarily in 

Asia as a result of contact with infected 

chicken, ducks and turkeys. 

Dr. Toro's research is funded through a 

USDA program set up in 2004 for universities 

to study avian influenza. The next step is 

gaining federal approval to commercially 

produce the vaccine. 

"We are looking at two or three years for 

federal approval, but it might be much sooner 

if an outbreak occurs," he said. "We have a 

very good tool against avian flu. No one has 

done this before." 

Area poultry company employees may 

also use this bus service. Poultry company 

employees should pre-register at 

www.ipe07.com for $30, or register upon 

arrival for $50, as the reduced $5 IPE registration 

fee is exclusively for growers. 

While the bus is completely free of 

charge, growers and company employees 

alike must reserve a seat. You can do so by 

calling the Marshall County Extension office 

at 256-582-2000. Deadline for making reservations 

is Jan. 16. Seats are available on a 

first-come first-served basis, so call today! If 

there is enough demand additional buses, following 

the same schedule, will be added.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS 

Poultry giants share chamber award 

By Tim Greathouse 

Enterprise Ledger 

September 26, 2006 

The Enterprise Chamber of Commerce 

selected poultry giants Wayne Farms and 

Pilgrim Pride as joint recipients of its 

Industry of the Year Award during the 

Chamber's awards week. In a twin presentation 

to the industries, both of whom are 

among the largest employers locally and the 

largest agriculture business in the area, were 

presented the Daniel Pratt Award recognizing 

their accomplishments, economic contributions, 

and community participation. The 

award is named after Daniel Pratt, regarded 

as Alabama's first industrialist. 

The poultry company thanked the 

Chamber for its selection, and cited several 

contributing factors toward being recognized. 

The company provides more than $90 million 

in local economic impact, is actively involved 

in the American Cancer Society Relay for 

Life and the Enterprise Jaycees, and sponsors 

local school athletic programs. 

"This achievement is a tribute to our 

workforce, from the management to the line, 

taking time to make a difference in their community," 

said Jack Sherwood, operations 

manager. 

Wayne Farms LLC is the fifth-largest vertically 

integrated poultry producer in the 

United States with annual sales exceeding $1 

billion. Wayne Farms LLC owns and operates 

13 fresh- and further-processed facilities 

throughout the Southeast and produces more 

than 1 billion pounds of poultry products 

annually. 

The Wayne Farms LLC Enterprise facility 

was constructed in 1979 and operated as 

Southland Poultry before being purchased by 

Wayne Farms in 1994. The facility produces 

a variety of chicken products and underwent 

a $20 million expansion in 2005, boosting its 

processing capability from 850,000 to nearly 

1.2 million birds per week. Modernization of 

freezer equipment and addition of a highcapacity 

blast freezer also enabled the facility 

to store more than 10 million pounds of fresh 

processed poultry products. The 96,000square-foot 

plant operates as a vertically-integrated 

facility, including a feed mill and 

hatchery that allows quality control and maximum 

efficiency from "farm to fork." 

Wayne Farms' Enterprise facility employs 

approximately 750 people from Coffee and 

Pike counties, and has added more than 120 

jobs in the last year. 

Wayne Farms is sharing the award with 

Pilgrim's Pride, another local poultry processor. 

The Pilgrim's Pride complex originated in 

1971 when local resident Tony Harrell built 

and operated the business as El-Jac Poultry. 

At that time, the business employed approximately 

200 people. That same year, ConAgra 

Poultry purchased the facility and operated it 

until Pilgrim's Pride assumed ownership in 

November of 2003. Pilgrim's Pride is the second-largest 

poultry company in the United 

States. 

More than 275 million pounds of chicken 

is produced annually at the Enterprise plant 

for distribution to retail and food service customers. 

The company also has a distribution 

center in Jackson, Miss., and prepared foods 

plants in West Virginia and Georgia. 

The Pilgrim's Pride hatchery sets and supplies 

approximately 1.4 million eggs per 

week and the feed mill produces upwards of 

5,000 tons of feed weekly for birds on 126 

broiler farms, nine pullet farms and 23 hatching-egg-producing 

farms in the area. 

Pilgrim's Pride management and employees 

are active in the community and in meeting 

its needs. The company participates in the 

United Way, supports the American Cancer 

Society Relay For Life, and company officials 

have served on the Chamber's board of 

directors. The company also sponsors an 

annual Health Fair at their complex for 

employees and their families. 

Other Chamber of Commerce presentations 

included Laura Talarczyk as 

Ambassador of the Year, Mary Carnley for 

the Behind the Scenes Award, Doug Allgood 

for the Leading the Charge Award, Stephen 

McCollough for the Star Award, and Sawyer 

Surgery Clinic as Business of the Year. 

Bea Fuentes earned the Volunteer of the 

Year Award while Lee O'Berry picked up the 

Retiree of the Year Award. The Enterprise 

Parks and Recreation Department was cited 

for this year's Tourism of the Year Award, the 

Workforce Initiative Award went to Fort 

Rucker's Army Fleet Support and the Yancey 

Parker Community Spirit Award was presented 

to the Westside Neighborhood program. 

The Howard Quattlebaum Media Award was 

presented to Kay Kirkland, the Wings of 

Freedom Award was presented to Sgt. Maj. 

Shirley Link and the Award of Excellence 

went to Navigator Development Group. 

Gold Kist recognizes top poultry producers 

Gold Kist recently honored some of 

Alabama’s poultry producers in Boaz on 

Sept. 12 and in Russellville on Sept. 26. 

Gold Kist President and CEO John 

Bekkers, who served as the keynote speaker 

at each location, praised local producers. 

"Our producers are the foundation on which 

we are building our reputation as the Go-To 

Chicken Company. Their careful raising of 

top quality chicken is the first step in the 

process. We appreciate their expertise, dedication 

and support." 

Commenting on poultry industry conditions 

Bekkers noted, "I am very pleased to see 

the recent upturn in the poultry markets, and 

we are well positioned to capitalize on this 

turnaround in the upcoming year." 

Receiving the Broiler Producer of the 

Year Awards for Gold Kist’s Northeast 

Alabama Division were: Nancy Garrison of 

Vinemont, Ala., for small birds, Betty Smith 

of Joppa, Ala., for tray pack and David Bailey 

of Ft. Payne, Ala., for big birds. 

Other broiler producers recognized were: 

Second Place Small Bird producer – 

Jeanett Grund of Hanceville 

Third Place Small Bird Producer – James 

Pike of Cullman 

Second Place Tray Pack Producer – David 

King of Rainsville 

Third Place Tray Pack Producer – Dennis 

Gerald Green of Baileyton. 

Second Place Big Bird Producer – Dennis 

Bowen of Horton, Ala. 

Third Place Big Bird Producer – Joey 

Tipton of Dutton, Ala. 

Mike and Regina Carnes of Boaz were 

named Pullet Producer of the Year, and 

Morris and Becky Dyer of Altoona and Larry 

and Carolyn McGee of Section were recognized 

as the Hatching Egg Producers of the 

Year. 

For Gold Kist’s Northwest Alabama 

Division receiving the Broiler Producer of the 

Year Award was Ronald Mayes of Moulton, 

second place producer is Keith and Donna 

Letson also of Moulton and the third place 

producer was Donald McKinney of 

Hackleburg. 

Lois Dutton of Cullman was named Pullet 

Producer of Year and Wayne Ergle of Dodge 

City was recognized as the Hatching Egg 

Producer of the Year. 


15

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Auburn University poultry science department 

research highlights: 

Projects to meet poultry industry needs 

By Dr. Joe Hess and Dr. Don Conner 

AU Poultry Science Department 

Our Mission 

Those of us who work at the poultry science 

department at Auburn University are 

constantly trying to provide employees, service 

and answers to poultry industries statewide, 

regionally and nationally. Many in the 

industry are aware that we try to supply as 

many trained poultry science students as we 

can to fill job in the poultry sector, however, 

fewer of our clientele are aware of all of the 

programs and research that we are involved 

in. This short summary is an attempt to 

update you on our various research and 

extension programs that are focused on meeting 

critical industry needs. 

Practical and applied 

As one of only six remaining poultry science 

departments in the United States, we 

aim our programs at the commercial poultry 

industry, poultry growers, backyard/specialty 

flock owners and the (poultry) consuming 

public. The majority of these efforts are 

aimed at commercial poultry in one form or 

another. We continually strive to endure that 

a significant portion of our efforts, while 

based on solid science, have a practical outcome 

that the industry can utilize in the short 

term. 

Live production 

Live production continues to be the cornerstone 

for all of our program emphasis. 

Drs. Moran and Roland have continued 

research into nutritional programs for broilers 

and commercial egg layers, respectively with 

the objective of determining optimal programs 

relevant to the industry's desired outcome 

(e.g. yield, performance, cost, etc.) and 

production and processing conditions. 

Several groups within the department have 

investigated the effects of broiler lighting 

programs on growth, yield and mortality. Dr. 

Lien is looking at the effects of mandated 

European and common United States lighting 

programs and intensity on broiler performance. 

Drs. Bilgili and Hess have determined 

the effect of a range of lighting programs on 

performance and yield of various broiler 

strain crosses under a wide range of environmental 

conditions. 

Other nutritional trials have examined the 

influence of non-antibiotic growth promoters 

on live performance and processing yield (Dr. 

Blake). Complexed organic trace minerals 


have also been studied to improve health, 

yield and paw quality (Drs. Hess and Bilgili). 

The trace mineral work is part of a larger 

project to identify factors influencing paw 

quality in the field (Dr. Bilgili). Nutrition, litter 

types and litter amendments are being 

looked at in this regard. 

Dr. Berry is initiating further studies on 

the feasibility of accelerated broiler breeder 

male rearing. Other recent practical trails 

completed within the poultry science department 

have compared insecticides for field 

control of litter beetles and have examined 

the toxicity of a cultivar of crotalaria (weed 

seeds) for broilers. 

Waste management 

Waste management and environmental 

stewardship remain an important area of 

emphasis for poultry growers and integrated 

companies, and efforts in the poultry science 

department reflect the importance of this 

topic. In recent years, research by Dr. 

Macklin and others had led to effective inhouse 

windrow composting techniques that 

also have been successfully transferred into 

industry practice. Building on this work, 

additional, trials examining the ability to kill 

LT virus with windrow composting have been 

carried our (Drs. Macklin and Giambrone). 

To minimize the risk of disease transmission 

during litter transport, related trials on control 

of microbes in poultry house air and during 

litter transport have been completed (Dr. 

Norton). 

Research by Dr. Blake has examined the 

use of litter treatments to control ammonia 

and bacteria. Related on-going research is 

generating solid data to help insure that any 

air quality regulations for poultry are based 

on sound science. In addition, Drs. Bilgili, 

Blake and Hess have been involved in examining 

new litter sources as supplies of both 

pine shavings and peanut hulls become tight. 

Dr. Blake has also looked at the nutritional 

usage of byproducts from ethanol production 

that uses broiler litter as a heat source. 

Poultry health 

Effective poultry health programs are 

essential to profitable poultry production and 

processing. Drs. Macklin and Eckman 

(retired) continue developing practical programs 

to control coccidiosis. These efforts 

have included working directly with broiler 

companies on cocci programs and testing the 

efficiency of cocci programs in the lab. 

Portions of the windrow composting and 

microbial control work must be mentioned in 

this section as they relate directly to bird 

health as well as being important from the 

waste management perspective. Additional 

health research has led to a better understanding 

and control of gangrenous dermatitis, 

necrotic enteritis and IP (Drs. Norton and 

Macklin) 

Dr. Ewald is utilizing commercial broiler 

strains to identify genetic resistance to avian 

influenza. Her work could lead to an effective 

alternative, genetic resistance, for control of 

AI in commercial poultry. Dr. Giambrone's 

recent research has aided in identifying the 

causes of infections proventriculitus. He is 

also involved in a regional AI surveillance 

program for wild fowl. 

Food safety and quality 

Given that poultry processors must meet 

USDA-mandated food safety and quality performance 

standards, extensive departmental 

efforts are directed to this area. Recent efforts 

have centered on control of Salmonella and 

Campylobacter – both in the field and in the 

processing plant Water treatments to control 

Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler 

houses have been investigated by Drs. Bilgili 

and Oyarzabal. Dr. Oyarzabal's research is 

also directed at developing better methods for 

detection and identification of foodborne 

pathogens. 

Dr. Curtis' research is helping processors 

identify Salmonella control points and meet 

their Salmonella performance standards. Her 

work is also helping processors successfully 

respond to USDA compliance actions. Drs. 

Conner, McKee and Oyarzaval are also 

researching measures to better control 

Listeria in RTE poultry products. 

In terms of quality issues, Drs. Bilgili and 

Moran are investigating field and plant causes 

of carcass and meat defects such as bloodsplash 

and green muscle disease. Impacts of 

catching, livehaul are among the causes that 

have been investigated. 

For more information 

Auburn University supports many more 

projects and programs aimed at supplying 

information to poultry growers and the poultry 

industry. Those discussed in this article 

are only selected topics from the poultry science 

department. For further information or 

contacts regarding this information, contact 

Don Conner, poultry science department head 

at 334-844-2639 or by e-mail at 

connede@auburn.edu.

AP&EA: Where did you grow up? 

Dr. Berry: Bessemer City, North Carolina. It's a little mill town near 

Charlotte. Bessemer City was once an iron mining center 

and it got its name from iron smelting, just like Bessemer, 

Ala. 

AP&EA: Where did you go to school? 

Dr. Berry: I earned a B.S. degree in Poultry Science from North 

Carolina State University, then went on to get my M.S. 

and Ph.D. in Poultry Physiology from there. 

AP&EA: What is your current scientific discipline? 

Dr. Berry: Avian Reproductive Physiology 

AP&EA: How did you get interested in poultry? 

Dr. Berry: I was interested in animals, especially birds, as a kid. My 

grandparents had a small farm with yard chickens and 

several of my friends lived on farms, so I hung out with 

my friends in the country and on farms a lot. However, it 

was an introductory poultry course at North Carolina State 

that really developed my interest in poultry specifically. 

AP&EA: When did you join the faculty in the department of 

poultry science? 

Dr. Berry: 1998 

AP&EA: What courses do you teach? 

Dr. Berry: At the undergraduate level, I teach Poultry Science 3060, 

Poultry Breeding, Fertility and Hatchability and I also 

teach Poultry Science 8150 Avian Physiology, which is a 

graduate level course. 

AP&EA: What is the focus of your research? 

Dr. Berry: Improving the reproductive efficiency of broiler breeders 

is the main focus. That's a pretty broad area. Developing 

improved techniques for rearing broiler breeder males is 

an area of special interest right now. One of my students 

is studying how naturally occurring compounds in soy 

affect the reproductive development of both female and 

male poultry. I am also working on studies of the basic 

biology of avian oocytes (egg cells). We want to know 

how they develop and how to control their development. 

That has a lot of possibilities, from improving fertility to 

controlling the sex of chicks. I also collaborate with other 

scientists in our department, at the Veterinary School, and 

at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on other 

projects that include technology development, microbiology, 

chick quality, reducing environmental impacts of poultry 

operations, and even some biomedical projects. 

AP&EA: How is your work at Auburn benefiting the Alabama poultry 

industry? 

Dr. Berry: Work that I did with Gayner McDaniel has promoted the 

adoption of phytase use in broiler breeders to improve the 


AU poultry science faculty profile: 

Dr. Wallace Berry, Associate Professor 

Introduction of Auburn University poultry science department faculty will further the 

partnerships between the University and members of Alabama’s poultry industry 

bird's ability to use 

dietary phosphorus and 

to reduce environmental 

impacts. Breeder male 

management is a focus of 

my work, and a consistent 

theme is to try to 

reduce the complexity of 

managing males. 

Again, building on 

Dr. McDaniel's work, my 

lab has shown that breeder 

males can be reared on 

a more fault tolerant 

growth profile that will 

give good male performance. 

One project that I 

am working on, the 

"accelerated" maturation 

of breeder males challenges 

a lot of the conventional 

wisdom. So far 

this project has gone well 

and the results should make it significantly easier and cheaper to rear 

breeder males and to maintain the male's fitness longer. 

I've recently filed invention disclosures on a couple of projects and 

I am preparing a patent 

application for one of 

them. My lab is developing 

a means of meas- 

uring yolk contamination 

of eggwhite in egg 

breaking plants. Egg 

processors are very 

interested in this technology 

that will be far 

easier, more sensitive 

and accurate, and much 

safer than current techniques. 

The payoffs from 

the more basic work 

are further away, but I 

believe that our studies 

into reproductively 

active compounds in 

soy and our studies of 

the avian oocyte will 

allow us to develop 

some new technologies 

such as egg size control 

and selection of the sex 

of chicks. 

Dr. Wallace Berry 

256-734-6455 

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More than 2 years e perience 

We specialize in: 

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treatments 

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1-877-734-6455 


17


Gold Kist awards college scholarships 

The Gold Kist Foundation awarded 

$1,000 college scholarships to 15 sons and 

daughters of Gold Kist chicken producers and 

employees. 

"We established this scholarship program 

to encourage the children of Gold Kist chicken 

producers and employees to pursue their 

dreams of advanced education," said John 

Bekkers, Gold Kist president and chief executive 

officer. "Since our founding more than 

70 years ago, funding educational pursuits 

has been a top priority. In addition to this 

scholarship program, the Gold Kist 

Foundation contributes more than $50,000 

annually to colleges and universities in the 

states where we have operations. 

This year approximately 50 applications 

were submitted for the scholarships, which 

are open only to dependents of Gold Kist 

chicken producers and employees. 

Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and plan 

to attend an accredited college, university or 

U.S. Poultry & Egg 

contributes to AU 

poultry science 

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Harold E. Ford Foundation, Inc. is 

contributing approximately $10,000 to the Auburn University poultry 

science department for research and recruitment. Mark Waller, 

Golden Rod Broilers and a U.S. Poultry & Egg board member, presents 

the check to Dr. Don Conner, poultry science department head, 

and AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams. 


technical school. An independent committee 

selected the recipients by scoring each applicant 

on scholastic ability, leadership and 

community service. Preference was given to 

individuals enrolled in an agricultural or agriculture-related 

program. 

The Gold Kist Foundation's 2006 scholarship 

award winners are: 

• Jennifer Lynn Andrews, daughter of Gary 

and Kim Andrews of Rainsville, Ala., 

attending Auburn University 

• Phillip Adam Harbison, son of Phillip and 

Vickie Harbison, Crane Hill, Ala., attending 

the University of Alabama 

• Olivia Brooke Jones, daughter of Jerome 

and Jana Jones, Fyffe, Ala., attending 

Snead State Community College, Boaz, 

• Anna Lane Kennedy, daughter of Ricky 

and Janet Kennedy, Tuscumbia, Ala., 

attending the University of North 

Alabama, 

• Huston Joel Kennedy, son of Ricky and 

Janet Kennedy, Tuscumbia, Ala., attending 

the University of North Alabama, 

• Kayla Elise Musick, daughter of Charles 

and Karon Musick, Boaz, Ala., attending 

Snead State Community College, Boaz, 

Ala. 

• Joanna Marie Stewart, daughter of Joe 

and Gilda Stewart, Woodland, Ala., 

attending Southern Union State Community 

College, Wadley, Ala. 

• Whitney Caress Stidham, daughter of 

Daryl and Debbie Stidham, Hodges, Ala., 

attending Northwest Shoals Community 

College, Muscle Shoals, Ala. 

• Melody Hope Whaley, daughter of 

Robbie and Melissa Whaley, Heflin, Ala., 

attending the Southern Union State Community 

College, Wadley, Ala., 

• Ashley Christine Wilkins, daughter of 

Randy and Pam Wilkins, Cullman, Ala, 

attending the Wallace State Community 

College, Hanceville, Ala. 

Ag Roundup 

The Auburn University College of Agriculture held its 

annual Ag Roundup the weekend of Auburn’s homecoming, 

Saturday, Oct. 21 at Ag Heritage Park on campus. 

AU poultry science department’s chicken shared the spotlight 

with Aubie, the University’s official mascot, during the 

event.

We celebrate the holidays with great anticipation, 

excitement, and happiness. We want to do and experience 

it all. Every year we seem to add more plans to 

our already full calendars. But one thing remains a constant 

and that is the tradition of gathering friends and 

family to celebrate the season together. Some choose to 

entertain with a dinner, others have an open house, 

cookie swap, caroling party or a leisurely brunch. 

Regardless of the type of get together, warm hospitality 

is always enjoyed along with a lavish array of favorite 

foods. Decorations and aromas of baking goodies set 

the mood and play an important role in creating a festive 

atmosphere. 

Entertaining is a delight, but can also present a challenge 

to many people. Be sure to plan as much in 

advance as possible so that you can actually enjoy your 

own party and spend some time with your guests. 

Every day schedules are hectic today, and the holidays 

add even more to our ever present state of multitasking. 

Recipes for entertaining must be delicious, appealing in 

presentation, nutritious, and varied while being relatively 

easy to prepare. So pick the type of gathering that 

works best for you and your life style and do as much 

preparation as possible days ahead. 

PAVLOVA 

(Meringue Shell) 

4 egg whites 

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 

1 cup sugar 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, raspberries, kiwi, 

mangos, etc.) 

Whipped cream 

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large mixing bowl at 

high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar, one 

tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar 

dissolves. (Rub meringue between thumb and forefinger to feel if sugar is dissolved.) Beat in 

vanilla. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, waxed paper or aluminum foil. Draw a 10- 

12-inch circle on the paper. Spread meringue evenly inside the circle, building the edge slightly 

to form a rim. Bake at 250 F for 1 1/2 hours. Turn the oven off, open the door and let cool 

completely. Remove from oven and remove from the paper. Add fresh fruit to the center and 

top with whipped cream. **May also add favorite lemon or chocolate filling and top with 

whipped cream or scoops of a favorite ice cream drizzled with a sauce or liqueur. Cut into 

wedges and serve. May bake in smaller size circles for individual servings. Yield: 7 servings. 

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING 

Holiday Entertaining with Ease 

ZABAGLIONE 

(Italian Custard) 

4 large egg yolks 

2 tablespoons honey or 1/4 cup 

fine sugar 

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 

Pinch of salt 

1/2 cup heavy cream 

Beat egg yolks, honey, lemon 

juice and salt in a heat proof 

bowl or in the top of a double 

MERINGUE KISSES 

or SWEET NOTHINGS 

2 egg whites 

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 

2/3 cup sugar 

1/4 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 cup dark chocolate pieces, semisweet chocolate 

pieces, raspberry chocolate pieces, etc. 

1/4 cup toasted pecans, almonds or walnuts 

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric 

mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Add 

sugar gradually, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating 

until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Fold in chocolate pieces and nuts. Drop 

meringue batter by rounded teaspoons on a parchment covered cookie sheet. 

Bake at 300 F for about 20 minutes or until firm. Remove from pan to wire 

rack and let cool completely. Yield: about 3 dozen cookies. 

**May also use 3/4 cup toasted coconut, 3/4 cup candied green or red cherries, 

1/4 teaspoon mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring or 1/4 

teaspoon strawberry flavoring and a few drops of red food coloring. Yield: 36 

Servings (1 cookie per serving) 

boiler. Using a wire whisk or 

electric mixer continue beating 

over simmering water until mixture 

becomes thick and doubles 

in volume (it should easily coat 

the back of a spoon). If using 

sugar, gradually add about a 

tablespoon at a time, beating 

well after each addition. 

Remove yolk mixture from heat; 

cool slightly. Beat whipping 

cream in a bowl until stiff peaks 

form. With a spatula gently fold 

Tips for party 

planning: 

• Plan the details – what is the theme, 

who will be attending, where will 

the location be, what day and time 

have you selected, and how will the 

party be executed (buffet, sit-down 

meal, appetizers and mingling, etc.). 

• Plan the menu, grocery list, and the 

foods that can be prepared in 

advance and a timetable for all that 

needs to be done. 

• Set a budget. 

• Consider the basics when planning 

your menu – colors, textures, 

shapes, sizes, and temperatures. 

• Always serve both hot and cold 

items. 

in whipping cream. Pour into 4 

wine glasses or dessert bowls 

and serve or refrigerate and 

serve chilled. Serve over fresh 

fruit such as orange segments, 

sliced berries; or serve with lady 

fingers, pound cake or angel 

food cake and if desired top with 

toasted nuts and fruit. Yield: 4 

servings. **If less lemon flavor 

is desired, use 1 teaspoon lemon 

juice and 2 teaspoon Marsala 

wine or other liquid.

PRACTICALAPPLICATIONS 

By Jess Campbell, Poultry Housing 

Technician; Jim Donald, Extension Engineer; 

and Gene Simpson, Extension Economist, 

Auburn University 

Winter is here and now is the time to 

make sure that our Alabama poultry houses 

and equipment are ready for cold weather 

operation. Fuel prices are continuing to rise 

and every effort must be taken to optimize 

every gallon of fuel burned. 

Priority #1: House Tightness 

The number one priority for winter maintenance 

is house tightness. This cannot be 

stressed enough. It is impossible to have an 

efficiently running house during the winter 

months if we cannot control the environment. 

Most houses today are fully equipped and are 

capable of controlling the environment inside 

the house. But the house itself in many cases 

does not complement the equipment. In order 

for the equipment to maintain and control the 

in-house environment properly, the house 

Common vent system problems are loose aircraft 

cables, rusted vent hinges, worn cable pulleys, 

rusted chain and sprockets, poorly maintained 

vent machines and restricted vent inlets. A can of 

oil and a grease gun go a long way toward 

extending the life of a vent system. Thumb latches 

should be installed on every vent door to 

enable the grower to shut off unused vents when 

they are not in use. 


SETTING WINTER MAIN - 

Smoke testing during a pressure test is a good way to find unsuspected air leaks. Even new houses 

benefit from smoke tests; we frequently find leaks in newly built houses as well. Cold air entering 

through cracks or doors, vents or shutters that don't shut properly hurts static pressure and spoils 

the airflow pattern needed for cold-weather ventilation. 

must be tight! This means that all curtains 

must be cinched up tight with curtain flaps 

over the tops and lumber strips at the bottom. 

All holes in the curtains must be patched. All 

leaks in the side walls and end walls must be 

sealed with caulk or spray foam insulation. 

Seals around doors and vents must be maintained. 

Holes in the ceilings have to be 

repaired. Essentially every possible place 

where cold air can enter the house must be 

repaired. 

Pressure checks should be done on a regular 

basis to ensure that you have a tight 

house. Conduct the test by closing all doors, 

vents, fan shutters, etc, and turning on one 

48-inch fan, then checking the static pressure. 

If a house can not pull a 0.12 static pressure 

during the house tightness test then it cannot 

do a good job of minimum ventilation. 

Smoke testing houses will help find air leaks 

in houses in places where air leaks were never 

thought possible. 

Priority #2: Fan Maintenance 

It is really tough in the winter time to 

maintain a good in-house environment efficiently 

without properly maintained fans. 

Fans should be checked regularly between 

flocks and throughout each growout to ensure 

that belts are tight and shutters are clean and 

operating properly. Fan blades must be kept 

clean and bearings may need to be greased. 

Minimum ventilation fans are your workhorses 

for the winter time. They are what create 

the negative pressure in the houses and must 

be kept working in top condition. 

Priority #3: Vent Maintenance and 

Management 

It is hard to have a good winter time minimum 

ventilation program without properly 

operating vents and vent machines. The number 

of vents used needs to be coordinated 

with the fans to be used so that static pressure 

will be what is needed to pull air in high up in 

the house through the vents and along the 

ceiling to get good air mixing. 

Maintaining inlet vents, vent machines, 

and cables can be a never ending job. Cables 

continuously stretch or break and require 

constant adjustment and repair. This equipment 

cycles on and off thousands of times 

during the winter months and must be kept 

up. Vent system cables can be replaced with a 

continuous steel rod system to cut down on 

the frequency of adjustments throughout the 

year. 

Common causes of poor brooder operation 

are kinked gas hoses, faulty regulators, undersized 

plumbing, clogged burner orifices, and 

leaks in the plumbing system. The propane 

burning brooder at the top is operating at the 

correct pressure (11 inches water column). 

The one on the bottom is running on low pressure 

(5 inches water column). Brooder maintenance 

can not be stressed enough!

TENANCE PRIORITIES 

Rusted pulleys often wear into cables and can 

be replaced with chains and sprockets for 

more durable and reliable operation at 90° 

turns. The insulation on the back of vent 

doors must be maintained to keep condensation 

from forming on them and promoting 

heat loss. Vent door hinges get corroded and 

bind, causing damage to the doors and malfunctioning. 

Hinges should be oiled to prevent 

this problem. The gears and fittings in 

vent machines need to be greased and cable 

connections need to be maintained to cut 

down on wear and tear on vent machines. 

Priority #4: Heater Maintenance 

Heater maintenance should also be very 

high on every grower's list for wintertime 

maintenance. A heater that is not operating 

properly is wasting expensive fuel. We often 

go on field visits and find poorly operating 

heaters and brooders as a result of poor or no 

maintenance. We see stopped up burner and 

pilot orifices; direct spark igniters that will 

not fire; heaters operating at low pressure due 

to malfunctioning regulators or undersized 

plumbing or fittings that are leaking gas. 

Pressure checks can be done on a plumbing 

system by checking the pressure at the last 

heater at the end of the plumbing line. 

Consult the manufacturers' requirements for 

operating pressures. Many low pressure 

heaters that use propane should operate 

between 10-12 inches of water column. 

Heaters that are using natural gas should be 

operating between 6-8 inches. If the system is 

operating at too low pressure, check all 

plumbing fittings for leaks with soapy water 

and a paint brush or spray bottle. No open 

flames! Low pressure means poor heater efficiency. 

Kinked, dry rotted, and burned brooder 

gas supply hoses can fail and cause house 

fires. 

Priority #5: Upgrade Insulation if Needed 

A house with very little or no insulation in 

the side walls or ceilings wastes a great deal 

of fuel during the wintertime. Even with new 

solid sidewall houses there are two places in 


every house that 

are nearly always 

subject to heat loss. 

These are the tunnel 

inlet and the 

tunnel fan ends of 

the house. It is difficult 

to add insulation 

to the tunnel 

inlets because they 

have to be left so 

that they can be 

operable during 

emergency situations. 

Tunnel doors 

that seal properly 

are a great remedy 

to the problem. 

Other less permanent 

methods of 

tightening and 

insulating the tunnel 

inlets offer 

lower cost solutions. Some growers have had 

success with adding an additional interior 

curtain to the tunnel inlet. This creates an air 

cavity between the two curtains and can be a 

very effective when installed properly. Others 

have used 4 x 8 sheets of 1-inch rigid board 

insulation placed between the posts and the 

bird wire to add some R-value to the inlet 

area. Whatever method is used, remember 

that it must be removable during emergency 

situations. As for the tunnel fan end of the 

house, many have had success with simply 

placing an oversized piece of curtain material 

or plastic sheeting between the shutter and 

the frame to cut down on air entering through 

the shutters. This can only be done on fans 

that are locked in the off position and are not 

designated as emergency backup fans. Some 

growers have made or purchased fitted covers 

that fit over the cones of the fans to help prevent 

air infiltration through unused fans. The 

good thing about some of these cone covers is 

that they are made so that they blow off of the 

fan and do not cause damage if the fan happens 

to come on. 

Stir fans reduce temperature stratification by thoroughly mixing in-house air during and between minimum ventilation 

run times. Almost any house will benefit from the addition and proper use of stir fans during wintertime. 

Almost any house can benefit from stir fans, but the benefits are more pronounced in older houses that are loose, 

have curtains and have high ceilings. 

The picture on the top left shows one 

way of sealing off an unused fan for 

the winter to cut down on heat loss 

and unwanted air entering. A second 

curtain can be installed on the interior 

side of the tunnel inlet for added 

protection from air leaks. Board 

insulation can also be added to most 

any tunnel inlet to help add some 

R-value to that area of the house. 

Priority #6: Consider Stirring Fans 

Stir fans cut down on temperature stratification 

throughout the house by continuously 

mixing the air. They also promote moisture 

removal from the house during minimum 

ventilation because the well mixed warmer 

air pulls more moisture from the litter and 

house than non-mixed air. 

Stir fans can be installed in almost any 

house with the confidence of getting some 

cost savings in fuel and benefit from an 

improved in-house environment. Older curtain-sided, 

non-insulated, loose houses benefit 

more from the addition of stir fans than 

any of the others because the environment is 

not as controlled as it is on newer, tighter, 

more modern insulated houses. Newer houses 

can also reap the benefits from using stir 

fans, but the room for improvement is at a 

smaller margin. 

The Bottom Line 

Proper maintenance saves a grower 

money in three ways: First, regardless of 

whether houses are new or old, thorough 

maintenance must be done on all 

equipment and even the house 

itself to ensure a long service 

life and a good return on your 

investment. Second, properly 

servicing equipment and the 

house itself is the first step 

toward energy savings. And 

third, thorough and regular 

maintenance of the house and its 

equipment ensures that the ventilation 

system can provide the 

right in-house environment for 

top flock performance. 


21

Bred for performance 

When it comes to performance, every Ross bird is a star. 

www.aviagen.com 

an Aviagen brand


Rodent control takes a plan 

By Joe Hess and Ken Macklin 

Auburn University Poultry Science 

Department 

Although rodent control has always been 

considered an important topic for broiler 

growers and integrators, programs of this 

type have taken on new focus as companies 

put forth broad efforts to reduce human food 

borne pathogens in the food chain. In general, 

food safety efforts involve systematic programs 

with good recordkeeping to be considered 

comprehensive. This approach has often 

been lacking in rodent control programs in 

the past. Recently, rodent control has been 

included as factor to be monitored in animal 

welfare programs since rodent control helps 

to reduce the spread of bird disease problems. 

Growers have known for decades that 

mice and rats can eat a considerable quantity 

of feed in an operation, affecting feed conversion 

adversely. More recently, it has been 

shown that rodent feces may contain large 

numbers of Salmonella organisms. We have 

referred to these rat and mouse pellets as 

"Salmonella bombs," available to spread 

these human pathogens to birds throughout 

the house and from flock to flock across time. 

This is why rodent control is mentioned in 

discussions of how to reduce the number of 

human pathogen (particularly Salmonella) 

positives coming into the plant. 

When a rodent enters a chicken house, it 

finds a climatically-controlled environment 

with an unlimited supply of scientifically-balanced 

food and water. Those same conditions 

that we strive so hard to produce for our 

chickens provide a wonderful home for these 

nocturnal freeloaders. For this reason, 

excluding rodents from houses needs to be a 

constant effort. In taking a page from the 

notes of those trying to reduce pathogens, we 

need a year-round plan with recordkeeping. 

This is particularly true when showing compliance 

with an animal welfare plan during an 

audit. 

The first cornerstone to reducing rodent 

pests is structural. Keeping grass short and 

weeds removed around the house is an important 

step. Likewise, keeping trash and unused 

equipment away from poultry houses will 

reduce areas that harbor rodents. If possible, 

having a two-foot gravel buffer around the 

base of each house will help keep mice and 

rats out. Keeping feed bin pads clean will 

avoid attracting rodents and wild birds as 

well. 

Once houses are made less attractive to 

rodents, a rodenticide program can reduce 

numbers and keep numbers low throughout 

the farm. A two-phase program should be 

followed yearly, involving rotation of rodenticides 

every six months. Special efforts 

should be made to reduce rodents between 

flocks. In the first phase of a long-term program, 

bait stations that are tamper proof (do 

not allow access to pets or other animals) 

should be placed every 15 feet around the 

outside perimeter of the building. Long term 

bait stations should be checked regularly 

(with recordkeeping) to assure rodent population 

control and provide verification for food 

safety and/or animal welfare audits. 

In the second phase of a rodent control 

program, similar bait station placement 

should be used inside the house between 

flocks when the rodents are hungry and looking 

for food (control can be difficult when 

chickens are present because so much chicken 

feed is available). All traces of the baiting 

must be removed from the inside of the house 

before chicks are placed. 

Baits come in a number of forms depending 

on needs. Tamper-proof bait stations can 

utilize chunk baits that may be suspended 

from metal pins to keep bait fresh and reduce 

the chance that rodents will drag baits to 

where chickens or pets might contact them. 

Chunks can also be secured to rafters and 

other places that rodents visit. Place pacs 

may be used in underground burrows or in 

bait stations as well. Three species of rodents 

$4.70 per set 

predominate in chicken houses; the house 

mouse, norway rat and roof rat. Norway rats 

burrow underground, requiring waterproof 

baits to place in burrows (out of the reach of 

pets, kids and others). Roof rats and mice can 

be effectively targeted through ground-level 

bait stations or baits securely nailed to rafters. 

Bait or bait station placement is crucial, particularly 

for mice, since they will not travel 

far to find a bait. 

Bait rotation is also an important concept 

to keep in mind. Bait rotation programs need 

to be implemented for a number of reasons. 

Rats and mice are discriminating eaters and 

may back off consumption of a product if a 

quick kill is not accomplished. Rats are particularly 

adept at avoiding baits if they are not 

killed with the first feeding. For this reason, 

switching bait formulas (chemical composition) 

every six months will help avoid resistance 

in rodent populations and help keep 

rodents in check. 

In summary, each farm should develop a 

written rodent control plan and keep records. 

Control involves preparing the houses and 

surrounding areas, placing bait stations or 

other baits, monitoring baits and switching 

chemicals regularly to avoid resistance. 

These efforts will reduce rodent-associated 

losses due to feed loss and equipment damage, 

enhance company efforts to control 

human and bird pathogens and provide positive 

proof the growers are implementing animal 

welfare programs. 

MADE IN THE USA 

IN STOCK - ready to ship 


23

Federal Land Bank Association 

of North Alabama, FLCA 

1-888-305-0074 

www.AlabamaLandBank.com 

Brooding 

Over Your Business? 

The Alabama Federal Land Bank Associations can finance improvements to your 

poultry operation, from building or updating chicken houses to buying property. 

We offer long-term loans to help you start or expand your business. 

We’ve been helping farmers like you for more than 85 years. 

Let us help you rule the roost. 

Federal Land Bank Association 

of South Alabama, FLCA 

1-800-579-5471 

www.AlabamaLandLoan.com

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA POULTRY & EGG ...

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