The Poultry Podcast Show

In this episode of The Poultry Podcast Show, Dr. Valentina Bongiorno, Research Associate at Michigan State University and incoming Assistant Professor of Poultry Behavior and Welfare at Auburn University, discusses how poultry behavior connects welfare, production, and barn management. She explains how video recordings, daily observations, movement patterns, resource use, and housing design can reveal practical insights in commercial laying hen systems. Dr. Bongiorno also shares how small facility adjustments, such as changes in nest curtains, can support both welfare and production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We need to work with the chicken, not against the chicken."

Meet the guest: Dr. Valentina Bongiorno is a Research Associate in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University, where her research focuses on poultry behavior and welfare, especially in commercial laying hen systems. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Turin in Italy, studying poultry behavior, welfare, and production with a focus on local chicken breeds and environmental enrichment. Her work spans cage-free housing, space use, movement, behavioral expression, and interactions among birds, their environment, and management practices. In September 2026, Dr. Bongiorno will join Auburn University as an Assistant Professor of Poultry Behavior and Welfare. Listen to The Poultry Podcast Show with Dr. Valentino Bongiorno to learn more about poultry behavior and welfare research on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:56) Introduction
(03:05) Behavior and welfare
(09:46) Camera research and monitoring
(13:41) AI and precision livestock farming
(17:56) Barn observations
(21:31) Housing design
(31:10) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* dsm-firmenich
* Adisseo
* Evonik

- Zoetis
- PSA
- J&D + AAF
- Barnwell Bio
- Signify
- Big Dutchman
- Cobb-Vantress
- KT Pacer
- Natural Biologics
- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Poultry Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Poultry Podcast Show, Dr. Dan Wilson, founder and president of Wilson Veterinary Co., explains what autogenous vaccines mean in US poultry production and why their use is expanding in layer systems. He discusses isolate selection, manufacturing timelines, preventive program design, regulatory requirements, emerging bacterial and viral challenges, and applications in layer production. Practical examples show how tailored formulations can strengthen protection while fitting complex health programs. Listen now on all major platforms!

“The really wonderful thing, when it comes down to protection, of course, is using your own isolates.” 

Meet the guest: Dr. Dan Wilson is the founder, president, and managing veterinarian of Wilson Veterinary Co., a commercial poultry practice serving more than 108 million birds across 30 states. A Purdue DVM and PAACO Poultry Welfare Auditor, he has 15 years of experience in poultry medicine, including diagnostics, immunization programs, welfare, data analysis, and production support. Learn more from Dr. Dan Wilson on The Poultry Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:54) Introduction
(03:14) Defining autogenous vaccines
(06:07) Protection benefits
(09:40) Technology advances
(15:29) Spotty liver disease
(20:32) Evaluating protection
(27:12) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Evonik
* dsm-firmenich
* Adisseo

- Natural Biologics
- DietForge
- Zoetis
- PSA
- J&D + AAF
- Barnwell Bio
- Signify
- Big Dutchman
- Cobb-Vantress
- KT Pacer

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Poultry Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Poultry Podcast Show
Instagram: The Poultry Podcast Show 
Facebook: The Poultry Podcast Show

In this episode of The Poultry Podcast Show, Dr. Eric Shepherd, Associate Director of Poultry Technical Services at Zoetis, explains rotational vaccination strategies for infectious bursal disease. He discusses IBDV field adaptation, changing infection pressure, surveillance, diagnostics, and indicators for adjusting protection programs. Dr. Shepherd also explains how disciplined implementation supports effective IBDV control across production cycles. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Infectious bursal disease can silently damage immune function in poultry flocks, creating conditions that increase susceptibility to secondary health challenges across production systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Eric Shepherd is the Associate Director of Technical Services for U.S. Poultry at Zoetis. A poultry veterinarian and Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, Dr. Shepherd previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and as a Production Veterinarian at Mountaire Farms. Dr. Shepherd earned a B.S. and M.S. in Poultry Science, a DVM, and a Master of Avian Medicine from the University of Georgia. Listen to Dr. Eric Shepherd on The Poultry Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!
Dr. Alberto Giner: Building a Strong Immune Foundation in the Hatchery | Ep. 191
Stoney Dorning & Kevin Dudley: Risk-Based Approach to Identifying Hatchery Opportunities | Ep. 208

What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:43) Introduction
(04:23) IBDV challenges
(05:53) Vaccination options
(09:56) Variant surveillance
(15:38) Rotational programs
(17:53) Monitoring and building a baseline
(29:27) Final questions

The Poultry Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Zoetis

* dsm-firmenich
* Adisseo
* Evonik
- Barnwell Bio
- Cobb-Vantress
- DietForge
- Natural Biologics
- Signify
- PSA
- J&D + AAF

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Poultry Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Poultry Podcast Show
Instagram: The Poultry Podcast Show 
Facebook: The Poultry Podcast Show

In this episode of The Poultry Podcast Show, Dr. Douglas Rhoads, University Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas, discusses bacterial infections found in fertile broiler and broiler breeder eggs. He explains why the yolk was the most frequent site of bacterial recovery, how infected embryos can still reach hatch, and why vertical transmission may help explain hatchability losses and early flock health challenges. He also explores probiotics, vaccination, and genomic tools that help researchers understand emerging poultry pathogens. Listen now on all major platforms!

"That 2 to 3% loss of hatchability, when you're talking billions of fertile eggs, is 20 million lost birds."

Meet the guest: Dr. Douglas Rhoads is a University Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas, where he directs the interdisciplinary graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology and is affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science. His research work has produced more than 79 journal articles, 12 industry technical reports, and 207 presentations, with funding from USDA, NIH, NSF, and industry sources. Dr. Rhoads earned a B.A. and M.S. in Biology from Wichita State University and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Kansas State University. Listen to Dr. Douglas Rhoads on The Poultry Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:10) Introduction
(01:43) Emerging bacterial infections
(04:27) Egg bacteria research
(07:45) Hatchability and vertical transmission
(11:28) Prevention strategies
(16:28) Research priorities
(24:59) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* dsm-firmenich
* Adisseo
* Evonik

- PSA
- J&D + AAF
- Zoetis
- Barnwell Bio
- Cobb-Vantress
- DietForge
- Natural Biologics
- Signify

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Poultry Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Poultry Podcast Show
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Facebook: The Poultry Podcast Show

In this episode of The Poultry Podcast Show, Dr. Elizabeth Bobeck, Associate Professor of Poultry Nutrition and Immunology at Iowa State University and Associate Editor for the poultry section of the Journal of Animal Science, explains how to prepare stronger research manuscripts. She discusses reproducible methods, focused abstracts and introductions, responsible conclusions, journal selection, predatory publishing, ethical use of AI, and the value of peer review. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Reproducible poultry research requires complete methods, appropriate replication, and sufficient experimental detail so other scientists can understand, verify, and repeat the study accurately."

Meet the guest: Dr. Elizabeth Bobeck is an Associate Professor of Poultry Nutrition and Immunology at Iowa State University. Her research spans nutritional immunology, gut health, microbiome interactions, immune function, poultry welfare, meat quality, and sustainable broiler performance. She earned a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences, Nutrition, and Immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as an Associate Editor for the poultry section of the Journal of Animal Science. Learn more from Dr. Elizabeth Bobeck on The Poultry Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:46) Introduction
(04:31) Reproducible research
(07:46) Manuscript structure
(15:20) Journal selection
(21:36) Ethical AI use
(26:35) Rejection and review
(33:16) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* dsm-firmenich
* Adisseo
* Evonik

- Signify
- Zoetis
- J&D + AAF
- PSA
- Barnwell Bio
- Cobb-Vantress
- DietForge
- Natural Biologics

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Poultry Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Poultry Podcast Show
Instagram: The Poultry Podcast Show 
Facebook: The Poultry Podcast Show