Dr. Douglas Rhoads: Bacterial Risks in Fertile Broiler and Broiler Breeder Eggs | Ep. 212

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!

https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+poultry+podcast+show

What you will learn:

(00:00) Highlight

(00:23) Introduction

(03:40) Emerging bacterial infections

(06:58) Egg bacteria research

(06:58) Hatchability and vertical transmission

(10:41) Prevention strategies