Poultry Production Biotechnology

This book on “Poultry Production Biotechnology” encompasses on the integral objective that holds great potential to genetically improve the efficiency of production, the quality of eggs and meat and the health and welfare of poultry. This book represents the complete integration of current knowledge of biotechnology and quantitative and molecular genetics as applied to poultry production. Avian genomics could be considered as valuable tool for expanded research on the structural and functional relationship of genes, development control, differentiation and the genetic approach of disease resistance. With a wide range of genomic tools available now, Marker assisted selection will play a very crucial role in complementing the conventional selection procedures. The poultry nutrition is remodelling itself into a more wholesome and omnipotent science to cater to the interested in achieving feed cost economization without compromising on productivity of product quality. The potential of the commercial layers are increasing day by day, increase in egg numbers and decrease in body weight over a period of time is posing challenges to the nutritionists in arriving at the precise nutrient requirements. On health front, emerging and re-emerging diseases pose serious threat to poultry industry. Outbreaks of transboundary zoonotic disease pose serious threat to human health and economics of poultry industry mostly due to market shocks. These outbreaks demand concerted planning in diseases surveillance and control. Re-emerging diseases viz. Marek’s, IBD and Mycoplasma etc., are controlled with various strategies by screening, efficient bio-security, vaccination and chemotherapy. Entrepreneurship development in poultry production can contribute significantly to economic growth, social stability and equity. Thus this book will enlighten the researchers, academicians and stake holders and policy makers on the role and importance of biotechnology in the improvement of poultry production.