63 - December 2012

Welcome to another edition of eChook! In this edition, we are highlighting some of our research projects related to environmental management. The first project is led by Dr Angus Crossan from AECL, who is developing a best practice manual for on-farm euthanasia of spent hens. The treatment of hens at the end of their laying

For egg producers, nothing is more important than the welfare of their birds; it is their livelihood. This extends to their treatment at the conclusion of their productive life. With some depopulating methods becoming economically unviable, farmers are looking for alternatives. As there are a number of methodologies that can be utilised to euthanise layer

Poultry farmers are consistently looking at ways to reduce costs, increase farm efficiencies and maximise their return on investment. For many, the management of poultry litter is one aspect of their operations that presents its own challenges. For fertiliser use, spent litter is commonly perceived as bulky, having an inconsistent nutrient content, and there are

Traditionally, our interaction with bacteria has been viewed in terms of disease, although most bacteria are however either benign or beneficial. Evidence has been gathering about the fundamental role bacteria play in the development of the immune system, and the general health of animals. Indeed, humans are estimated to carry 10 times as many bacterial