Future Challenges for the Broiler Industry

Progressus
Jul 1
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

By Progressus Agrischool Broiler Management & Farm House Ventilation Poultry

Poultry meat is the cheapest and globally most abundant form of animal protein. It is a healthy meat with a short production cycle. However, poultry production must continue to develop and respond to market and environmental requirements. With increasing Global awareness of animal welfare, sustainability and climate change the future challenge for poultry production is how to become more sustainable, and protect against climate change while maintaining bird welfare, and keeping costs down. Add to that the expanding and ever developing threat of Avian Influenza there are plenty of challenges ahead.

key drivers to sustainable Broiler Farming

Animal Welfare

Consumers and retailers are increasingly aware of animal welfare. From a manager’s point of view this means ensuring birds have the right floor space, feeding space and drinking space to exhibit natural behaviors and that birds are free from stress and injury. Birds must be provided with the right environment (temperature and ventilation) for developmental stage and have their nutritional needs met. To do this, managers must understand what the birds need at each stage of growth and how to provide it, and importantly to recognize behaviors and demeanors that indicate when the birds’ requirements are not being met.

Ventilation

Apart for the requirement of fresh air and the removal of noxious gases, environmental requirements change with bird age. For young birds the primary requirement is provision of temperature for older birds it becomes the removal of heat. Understanding ventilation needs, how they change with age, the physiology behind these changes and how to provide correct ventilation is a necessity. Recognizing changes in bird behaviour in response to inadequate ventilation allows prompt resolution when issues occur. As climate change continues to hit a key understanding of ventilation will be needed to ensure the birds requirements are met and their health and welfare maintained.

Disease

One of the biggest disease risk facing the poultry industry is Avian Influenza (AI). AI is spreading more quickly and extending its Global reach. The key to preventing AI is biosecurity. Biosecurity is not just about cleaning & disinfecting, but also about people, equipment, house design and farm layout. Strong biosecurity measures are crucial to prevent and control disease spread, requiring continuous monitoring and adaptation.

Environmental sustainability

Poultry already has the lowest carbon footprint of the meat proteins, but the drive to continue to reduce the carbon footprint of poultry production will continue. Optimising farm practices such as ventilation and heating, water and feed usage will help to decrease energy consumption and emissions. Optimising water usage is critical for improving sustainability.

This can be as simple as implementing water-saving technologies in broiler houses, such as automated drinking systems and correct drinker maintenance to minimize spillage.

Technology

Broiler farmers already routinely collect data on the environment and flock performance, understanding what to do with these data, how to interpret them and then make appropriate required changes is a key part of broiler farming. The use of technology and its complexity is going to increase. Precision livestock farming involves the application of advanced technologies to optimize agricultural practices using data-driven approaches. It allows the monitoring and controlling of the production environment to maximize efficiency and productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.

Precision livestock farming allows farmers to make data-driven decisions to optimize management conditions such as ventilation and feeding schedules. This optimization leads to better growth rates and improved feed efficiency, ultimately enhancing overall production efficiency. Furthermore, precision livestock farming technologies facilitate bird welfare by aiding the early detection of diseases and other potential issues, enabling prompt intervention. And maintaining stable and comfortable living conditions for broilers. Understanding these new technologies, how to use them and interpret the data, and importantly their limitations will become a key part of broiler management.

To dive deeper into practical strategies for managing broiler performance, enhancing bird welfare, and mastering modern ventilation systems in the face of today’s climate and health challenges — join our upcoming Broiler Management and Poultry House Ventilation Course. Whether you're a farm manager, technician, or integrator, this training is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to future-proof your farm.