Location: Poultry Research
Project Number: 6064-32000-013-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 29, 2017
End Date: Sep 28, 2022
Objective:
To investigate, conduct research and elucidate mechanisms associated with avian pathogenic E.coli (APEC) control and its effects on animal health, environmental physiology, and production yields of heavy broilers and laying hens.
Approach:
Genomic, proteomic, and metagenomic analyses will be conducted to elucidate molecular determinants of pathogenesis, strain variation, and tissue tropism of E. coli that infect broilers and layers; identify immunological targets that will confer cross-protection in prevalent APEC strains in poultry production. Investigate pre- and pro-biotic interventions, both in ovo and post-hatch, and their effect on APEC colonization in poultry. Environmental factors that are known to impact poultry production (lighting, litter conditions, stocking densities, and nutritional factors such as antibiotic alternatives and pre- and pro-biotics) will be investigated for both broilers and layers, with emphasis on APEC control for both meat and egg-laying birds. Bird health and yields, as the end products of poultry production, will be assessed throughout the project.
Both parties are actively engaged in independent research projects involving poultry production in Mississippi. Research will be conducted to benefit poultry sustainability and health, with an emphasis on nutritional and physiological status of heavy broilers and layers. The Cooperator will provide oversight in the areas of genomic, proteomic, meta-analysis, antibiotic alternatives, processing, and environmental factors related to energetics and sustainability of poultry production.”
