Exchange programme for poultry experts

At the beginning, , Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hess, head of the Poultry Clinic at the Vetmeduni Vienna introduced the history of the university and the clinic. Prof. Hess explained the participants the main fields of activities, the examinations carried out and the related infrastructure of the clinic.

The introduction included a guided tour through the molecular biology-, parasitology-, bacteriology-, histology- and serology laboratories of the clinic. The MALDI-TOF MS equipment presented during the visit enables the clinic to open up novel areas of research and apply innovative diagnostic methods to make the poultry clinic one of the leading institutions of the field in Europe.

The guided tour of the poultry clinic at Vetmeduni Vienna was followed by a site visit to the Pöttelsdorfer Putenspezialitäten GmbH, a turkey slaughterhouse in Burgenland. The slaughterhouse is a part of an integration of several local enterprises. Dr. Bärbel Mägdefrau-Pollan, veterinarian of the company, explained the structure of the integration and pointed to the key issues of poultry health, and other recent challenges of the Austrian turkey sector.

The programme was continued by a site visit of one of the suppliers of the integration, a turkey farm in Kleinfrauenhaid. Franz Haider, owner of the farm, presented the 4-5 week old turkey stocks in the two houses as well as the service facilities. Participants of the programme heard a comprehensive description and several interesting stories about the practical aspects of Austrian turkey breeding.

The exchange programme was closed by a joint meal at the Liszt-Heurigen, a family-run enterprise processing local products in Leithaprodersdorf, Burgenland.