Poultry Gut Health: Managing Mycotoxins, Heat Stress & Shell Quality

Mycotoxins: the invisible cost

Aflatoxin, ochratoxin, T-2 and fumonisin contaminate maize and groundnut cake at levels far below anything visible. The result is quiet damage: reduced feed intake, pale liver, poor pigmentation, weak immune response to vaccination and a drop in egg production.

• Store raw material dry and off the floor; test suspect consignments before use.
• Use a broad-spectrum toxin binder as routine insurance during monsoon months.
• Support the liver alongside binding — damage already done needs recovery time.
• Do not increase antibiotic use to cover what is actually a feed-quality problem.

Heat stress and water discipline

Birds cannot sweat. Above roughly 30°C, intake falls, panting causes respiratory alkalosis and shell quality suffers first. Cool clean water, adequate drinker space, correct ventilation and electrolyte plus Vitamin C support in water are the practical response.

Shell quality in layers

• Provide a portion of calcium as coarse particles so it is available during night-time shell formation.
• Keep Vitamin D3 adequate — calcium without D3 is poorly absorbed.
• Watch phosphorus levels; excess phosphorus weakens shells rather than strengthening them.
• Manganese and zinc contribute to shell membrane structure.

Litter is a health input

Wet litter drives ammonia, footpad lesions and coccidiosis. Keeping litter dry and friable is one of the highest-return, lowest-cost interventions in any poultry house.