By Anthony Lane
Each summer, Colorado State University Extension oversees dozens of internships, providing students the opportunity to connect with researchers and address real-world problems in statewide communities.
This year, interns are providing support and solutions as the state faces prolonged drought, a busy wildfire season and other challenges.
Several CSU Extension interns recently described their experiences. Here are a few highlights.
Say Ahh!
Avian flu has largely slipped from headlines, and eggs are again well stocked at most Colorado markets and farmstands.
Daniela Montalvan Villatoro and Gracie Hufford want to keep it that way. They are interns with the Colorado Avian Health Program at CSU and are promoting healthy, biosecure flocks and helping detect the spread of potentially devastating diseases. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which can be introduced to flocks through contact with wild migratory birds, has killed millions of commercial chickens in Colorado since 2022.
Commercial egg producers are responsible for testing and protecting their own flocks, yet the Colorado Avian Health Program serves other poultry breeders seeking certification under the National Poultry Improvement Plan, often because they participate in exhibition events or want to sell birds or hatch eggs.
The internship has provided valuable experience interacting with bird owners and discussing strategies for keeping flocks safe, said Villatoro, a CSU senior majoring in animal science who wants to become a veterinarian. The work has introduced her to handling birds. Certifying a flock involves testing a sample of birds for disease, including swabbing beaks to check for avian flu and drawing blood to test for Salmonella.
Swabbing and drawing blood from chickens and smaller birds is no big deal, Villatoro said. They are generally manageable, even cooperative.
Source : colostate.edu