Ep 52 | Aaron Cowieson: How blood biomarkers could sharpen poultry nutrition

Portable blood testing is giving poultry nutritionists and vets a clearer view of how birds are actually responding to feed—not simply what a ration is expected to deliver.In this episode, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Aaron Cowieson, senior science fellow at DSM-Firmenich, to explore the emerging use of blood biomarkers in commercial poultry production. Aaron explains how rapid, portable analytical devices can now be used on farm, creating a direct feedback loop between the formulated diet, the production environment and the bird.The discussion focuses on calcium and phosphorus: why they matter for skeletal development, appetite, energy metabolism and immune function, and why blood levels may still be wrong even when a ration appears correct on paper.Factors including limestone quality and solubility, hard drinking water, intestinal health, kidney function and vitamin D metabolism can all affect how much of a nutrient is available to the bird.Aaron also outlines the practical signs that may point towards an imbalance, including poorer flock uniformity, wet litter, footpad dermatitis, lameness, higher feed conversion and increased mortality. A wider panel of almost 30 blood biomarkers can then help distinguish between nutritional shortfalls and underlying health problems.The conversation considers how the technology is currently being used by vets, nutritionists and some poultry businesses, as well as its practical limitations. Where a formulation change is required, the benefit may be seen in the next flock rather than the current one, although water-based interventions can sometimes provide a more immediate response.Finally, the panel looks at how large commercial datasets, machine learning and AI could help turn flock-level measurements into better decisions. Although the episode centres on broilers, the same tools could have particular value in longer-lived laying and breeder flocks, where improved nutrient management may deliver benefits over a much longer production cycle.