During the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), four researchers presented their findings from recently completed research projects funded by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and its Foundation as part of the TECHTalks sessions offered during the Expo. All the researchers’ presentations have been made available on USPOULTRY’s YouTube channel and can be viewed at youtube.com/USPOULTRY.

Dr. Brian Fairchild, professor and extension poultry scientist in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia, presented research findings on the “Evaluation of Zero, Four-, and Six-Hour Dark Periods During the First Seven Days on Broiler Performance and Welfare.” He mentioned that broiler producers typically provide 23 to 24 hours of light during the first seven days of a flock. The theory is that providing chicks with near continuous light ensures that chicks will consume the maximum amount of feed when their growth rates are at their highest. Dr. Fairchild’s research challenged this theory with the objective of his study being to determine the effect of varying day lengths on broiler performance and physiological responses. Results from the project showed that providing a dark period from the beginning of the flock does not have significant negative impacts on broiler performance, as previously thought by many poultry producers.

As part of his research findings on “Development of a Probiotic-Based Recombinant Oral Vectored-Vaccine Against Clostridial Dermatitis in Turkeys,” Dr. Ravi Kulkarni, assistant professor, Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, explained how he and other researchers identified ‘non-toxic C. septicum domains of ATX’ (ntATX) and developed two probiotic Lactococcus lactis-based vaccines expressing ntATX antigens. The research findings showed that the non-toxic segments of C. septicum ATX possess a protective ability against experimental Clostridial dermatitis infection of turkeys, and hence, can be suitable vaccine candidates. Further, employing both the subcutaneous and oral routes of vaccination can protect turkeys against Clostridial dermatitis.

Dr. Maricarmen Garcia, professor in the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at the University of Georgia, provided information on a research study titled, “Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) Molecular Diagnostics Tools in Need of an Upgrade.” Dr. Garcia hypothesized that administering ILTV recombinant antigens by natural mucosal routes of viral entry may induce effective T-cell responses that can rapidly clear the virus and prevent further virus replication and shedding. Results highlighted the importance of boosting immunization to enhance the effectiveness of DNA immunizations. Neither route (in-ovo or eye drop), age, dose (single or double), or prime/boost strategies of plasmid administration induced a reduction of challenge virus replication.

The findings of the study, “Development of a Web-based Artificial Intelligence System for Analyzing Broiler Activity Index,” were presented by Dr. Guoming Li, assistant professor in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia. Dr Li revealed how broiler activities, such as locomotion and movement, can be quantified as activity index. The activity index has been associated with leg health, productivity and physical conditions of broilers. However, the indicator requires engineering knowledge to adjust image processing parameters, segment individual broilers, select calculation areas and normalize variations to obtain consistent values. Dr. Li discussed how the research team developed a user-friendly platform to calculate the broiler activity index, either individually or in groups, from videos. The open-source user-friendly platform allows researchers to interact with software tools to understand animal behavior patterns and welfare without needing extensive programming knowledge.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services.Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

About USPOULTRY Foundation
The USPOULTRY Foundation's mission is to support the recruitment and training of the brightest students, seek and fund scientific research, foster student scientists and promote careers in the poultry and egg industry.