Reduction of antimicrobial use on layer site

In this case example, Alex Royden demonstrates the value of the ‘Plan, Prevent, Protect’ model when used to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use in hen flocks. Alex was called out to a client’s 36-week-old 16,000 hen laying flock which was experiencing a high mortality rate and drop in egg production. She identified the presence of E. coli in the carcasses and treated the flock with oxytetracycline.

A few months later the client reported that the same issue had reoccurred; the flock was again experiencing a high mortality rate and a drop in egg production. Alex applied the ‘Plan, Prevent, Protect’ model to the situation to get to the bottom of the issue.