DAVIS, Calif. — Researchers are launching a new project that could help poultry producers better protect their flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza by identifying chickens with natural resistance to the virus.
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the University of California, Davis have awarded nearly $300,000 through the Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research program to study whether certain breeds of chickens are naturally better equipped to withstand avian influenza infections.
The research team will focus on the Fayoumi chicken, a heritage breed recognized for its hardiness and strong disease resistance. Scientists will compare the breed’s response to avian influenza with that of commercial broiler and layer chickens in an effort to identify genetic traits and immune system responses linked to greater resistance.
Researchers will examine how each breed responds to exposure, measuring survival rates, virus levels, and immune activity. The goal is to identify genes and biological pathways that could eventually be incorporated into future breeding programs.
If successful, the research could provide poultry producers with another long-term tool to reduce losses from avian influenza. More disease-resistant flocks could lessen the impact of outbreaks, reduce dependence on emergency disease control measures, and improve the overall stability of U.S. poultry production.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has resulted in the loss of millions of birds in recent years, disrupting egg and poultry supplies while creating ongoing concerns for both commercial producers and wildlife.
The Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research program was created to quickly fund research addressing emerging threats to American agriculture and the nation’s food supply. Researchers say developing birds with stronger natural resistance could become an important part of future avian influenza management alongside biosecurity and vaccination efforts.
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