BVSc MRCVS
Tel: + 44 (0)1392 872932
Ludwig is part of our East of England regional team. Ludwig says:
“I’ve always been interested in poultry having grown up with silkie chickens as a child and was always fascinated to see the chicks grow from little things into big birds with weird feathers on their heads.
I gravitated towards veterinary science to study at university and while I was studying, discovered I was drawn to intensive animal production systems which lead me to my career in poultry medicine, after graduating. Poultry provide one of the cheapest forms of protein and ensures food security for billions of people around the world, so joining the industry really was a way to help, whilst being a vet.
My special area of interest is working with broiler breeders as it’s not usually just simply diagnosing disease when it comes to the bird’s health and welfare – it really is about looking at everything that contributes to that – and solving a puzzle. A lot of the time this involves discussing the workings of a farm with the managers and investigating a few options in order to get to the root of a problem.
Looking ahead, a priority for the industry should be sustainability and how we better build that into poultry working practices, particularly when it comes to curbing our carbon footprint and preserve antibiotics as much as we possibly can. Over recent years there’s been a clear move towards using more plant-based and natural products. As these become more affordable, we’ll see a shift to be as green as possible.
I’m also excited to contribute to the continuous improvement in animal welfare standards and legislation – as making these birds’ lives as comfortable as possible should be front and centre for everyone involved in the industry.”