Improved gizzard health in turkeys

The GizMo project will investigate a pressing health concern in the poultry industry and contribute to improved animal health and welfare. Specifically, GizMo aims to reduce the prevalence of the gastrointestinal disorder ‘gizzard erosion and ulceration syndrome’ (GEU) in turkeys. GEU is characterized by defects and inflammation in the layers of the muscular stomach, known as the gizzard. GEU affects health, production performance and mortality rates negatively, and the cause is unknown. GizMo aims to increase value creation, profitability, animal health and welfare and sustainability in the turkey meat industry in Norway by reducing the prevalence of GEU. Increased understanding of the development of this disorder, and more knowledge of causative or predisposing factors, will lay the foundation for establishing preventive measures and strategies.

Improving Norwegian turkey meat production

To reduce the occurrence of GEU, an interdisciplinary team of researchers and relevant actors from the turkey industry will work together to generate new knowledge of the disorder. This will be accomplished by systematic sampling of healthy and affected turkeys in commercial flocks. Organs and tissue samples will be selected for thorough pathological investigations. Relevant material will be collected for extensive microbial investigations to identify agents and microbiome shifts associated with GEU. In addition, data on feed composition, management routines, housing, environment, antibiotic treatment and production performance will be collected, as well as feed samples for analysis. Collectively, these investigations are expected to provide new and applicable knowledge needed to tackle a major health and welfare concern with significant economic impact in Norwegian turkey meat production.