Perstorp launches Gastrivix™ Avi – a unique gut health solution combining the benefits of valeric and butyric acid
Perstorpis expanding on its innovative range of broiler feed solutions after the launch of Gastrivix™ Avi in late March 2022.
The company is the first to pioneer the commercial use of valeric acid in animal nutrition, following successful trials of Gastrivix™ Avi. Like butyric acid, valeric acid is naturally created by the gut microbiota of broilers, although in too small quantities for optimal gut health during production cycles. Perstorp has used complex organic chemistry to create esters of valeric acid, which were tested over many years in a multitude of combinations with butyric acid esters to develop the right synergy, and the best match with nature.
Gastrivix™ Avi has been created to meet the bird’s biological needs, support gut integrity and promote reliable growth and performance. Perstorp believes that the solution will solve multiple challenges for the industry, by reducing feed volumes for the broiler’s lifecycle, providing consistent growth results, and boosting ROI.
Dr. Antonia Tacconi, Global Product Manager of Gut Health at Perstorp commented: “We can now prove that the synergy of these two esterified acids works better than one. After multiple trials, we have seen a reliable and consistent improvement on FCR for broilers thanks to the effects of butyric and valeric acid. With valeric acid, we have essentially found the missing ingredient.”
Gastrivix™ Avi is a dry product that is easy to handle, palatable, has no dangerous goods restrictions and has no odor issues . Perstorp believes Gastrivix™ Avi represents an new important step in supporting and improving animal performance.
The product will be the first new product to be produced on the brand new state of the art production line for powder products at Perstorp’s Waspik plant in the Netherlands.
Overview: Looking back at the history of chickens, we realize that they have traversed a long way. Over the years, the chicken diligently retained its popularity. In the 1900s, what was considered a delicacy has today become a worldwide necessity. With over 118 Million Tons of universal meat production, it remains as the most consumed animal meat by humans. Ceaseless advancements in the poultry industry facilitated the shift to intensive commercial farming from what used to be just a backyard activity.
Mrs Meghana Mukherjee Salvi Director – Glamac International Pvt. LtdDr Gopal Potdar Product Manager
While the dynamic shift lays many sweet offerings, it also ushers in a reasonable amount of difficulties. Coccidiosis in poultry can be one such difficulty. Moreover, consumption of egg and chicken meat is slated to witness a multifold increase in the coming years. To meet the robust demand and maintain profitability, understanding the disease and the cost it bears would help mitigate the losses attached with it.
The objective to write this article is to review basic concepts of coccidiosis, including the different Eimerian species that infect chickens, their life cycle pattern and the most sustainable and holistic methods to control the disease.
What is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is ubiquitous in any long-standing intensive poultry facility, especially in birds raised in deep litter housing systems. If not nipped in the bud, Coccidiosis can pose a substantial economic threat to the industry. In poultry, Coccidiosis spawns due to protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Eimeria. It is an enteric disease involving critical invasion and decimation of the intestinal mucosa. The following taxonomy chart will further shed light on the origins of this parasitic species.
Eimeria has multiple species with varying levels of pathogenicity that can infect poultry birds. Nine contrasting species of Eimeria can infect different sections of the chicken gut. Only five to seven species can cause severe to more severe disease in commercial flocks out of these nine.
How Coccidia Affects Performance of Flock?
Robust growth rate, superior FCR, stable egg production levels and reduced average days to market are key indicators of a healthy functioning poultry farm. When there is a noticeable dip in the growth rate, and most of the flock comprises visibly sick birds suffering from dreadful diarrhea, Coccidiosis might be the one causing all the agony. Chicken infected with Coccidiosis may showcase multiple symptoms, obtrusive to chicken welfare and overall business profitability. Once infected, the fowl loses affinity towards consuming feed and water. The egg production reduces along with high mortality and an increase in FCR. During subclinical Coccidiosis or mild infection, depigmentation in the flock is also possible. If the disease is left unchecked at the subclinical level, it can potentially pave the road for the onset of secondary infections like necrotic enteritis. While birds carrying mild conditions can be timely recuperated, survivors of severe infections may never quite recover the lost performance.
How it spreads?
What makes managing Coccidiosis costly and demanding is the mode of its spread. Coccidia is prolific and can rapidly infect an entire poultry housing system. Though Coccidia is omnipresent in any well-established poultry facility, clinical disease crops up upon the ingestion of a colossal amount of sporulated oocysts by receptive birds. Both recovered and infected birds discharge oocysts in their faeces, contaminating the feed, water, litter and surfaces.
Typical lesions of coccidiosis [(Courtesy: Ahmed J.S NVRI Vom / Davou et al. 2015, DRJAFS; Vol.3 (5)]
For a relatively short life cycle span of 6-8 days, Coccidiosis can cause much havoc. Eimeria consists of a complex life cycle mechanism, including both asexual multiplication and sexual reproduction. Asexual multiplication is responsible for developing a myriad of infective sporozoites from a single oocyst. The sporulated oocyst, upon ingestion, releases four sporocysts containing two sporozoites each. The sporozoites occupy and invade intestinal epithelia in several parts of the gut developing into schizonts. Each schizont progresses to become an infective merozoite which enters new intestinal epithelial cells. And then the process repeats itself.
Post completion of the iterations of the asexual stage, the merozoite develops into macrogametocytes (females) or microgametocytes (males) to produce a single macrogamete or multiple microgametes in the host cell to undergo sexual reproduction. An unsporulated oocyst develops and is discharged in the bird droppings upon fertilization. Unsporulated oocysts are not infective. Under optimal environmental conditions, oocysts sporulate within 1 – 2 days. Temperature falling between 21-32°C, along with sufficient oxygen and humidity, is ideal for supporting sporulation.
All the nine species of Eimeria are unique. It can mechanically spread by workers, equipment, pets, rodents, wild birds, etc. Most commercial chickens are likely to get exposed to one or more Eimeria species during their lives conjointly due to high stocking density, poor litter management. Protection from one type does not ensure safekeeping from others. Since every species comes with its own set of challenges, identifying the disease is arduous and perplexing for any poultry farmer. Also, with age, birds develop resistance to Coccidiosis. Older birds boast of a better immunity than younger birds. Controlling Coccidiosis in a mixed age flock is tricky as older chickens can always infect the younger ones.
Moreover, farm practices differ in every poultry housing facility. Even in well-maintained farms, Coccidiosis can persist. Sometimes, oocysts remain viable in litter for several months. It can sustain in the farm for more than a year. It might not be feasible to keep a tab on multiple aspects simultaneously, leading to moderate Coccidiosis resulting in grave severity resulting in mass mortality.
Coccidiosis occurrence & its consequences
The coccidiosis phenomenon depends on the infective dose (amount of sporulated oocysts ingested) and environmental and host factors. Ecological factors include stocking density, farm size, litter quality, ventilation, etc. Some of the host factors are host genetics and nutritional factors. Since the development of Coccidiosis depends on multiple parameters, managing Coccidiosis can get costly unless prevented when there is still time.
Coccidian parasite affects the gut epithelia / absorptive area, resulting in considerable feed wastage and poor FCR, thus a dip in profitability. If the problem persists, leading to frequent culls or sick birds, it becomes expensive to treat the flock and make up for the loss in business. The subclinical disease generates even more huge economic losses than clinical ones. The subclinical disease may remain undetectable or get confused with other conditions due to the similarity in symptoms resulting in inaccurate or wrong medication or treatment. Hence, identification is key for treatment and control.
Prevention Is Always Better!!
Disease prevention can be a game changer when dealing with Coccidiosis. Owing to a few prophylactic measures, poultry farmers can get Coccidiosis under control.
It is crucial to limit the intake of sporulated oocysts. The regulated intake would induce immunity. Nevertheless, every Eimeria species is unique, and exposure to one species does not protect others. Regulated intake of sporulated oocysts may become uncontrollable, unfolding into clinical Coccidiosis. Additionally, Eimeria is a self-limiting host-specific disease, and prevention would be a better alternative to costly treatments.
The broad spectrum anticoccidial drugs were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s. In the past couple of decades, coccidiostats have reigned in controlling Coccidiosis. Coccidiostats are antiprotozoal. They inhibit the reproduction and development of the parasite in the host cell. They are clubbed into two classes, the polyether ionophores and the nonpolyether ionophores (chemicals). These compounds target both the asexual and sexual stages of the Eimeria life cycle. The majority of the coccidiostats attack the first stage schizonts and are apt for control than treatment. It reduces the probability of reinfection, shrinks the length of illness, and lowers the discharge of oocysts limiting the likelihood of secondary diseases.
How is it Economically Significant?
The following table provides real-time cost analysis for two scenarios: the flock is already infected with cocci, and the flock is given treatments before the onset of cocci.
Advertisement
The table doles out how prevention is better than treatment when dealing with Coccidiosis. In the past decades, anticoccidial drugs helped in managing Coccidiosis. While some drugs kill the parasite (coccidiocidal), others only arrest the development (coccidiostatic). Generally, ionophores cause death (coccidiocidal) to the parasite by interfering with the passage of ions across the cell membrane. In contrast, synthetic drugs/ chemicals prevent replication and growth (coccidiostatic) by inhibiting different biochemical pathways of the parasite. But, using a single drug for an extended period causes the flock to develop drug resistance. Shuttle programs and Rotation of Drugs are popular methods to overcome drug resistance. Generally, combination drugs are used in Pre-starter / Starter feeds, and ionophores in Finisher feeds.
Additionally, Chemicals are used at least once a year for Clean-up Programme. The most widely used anticoccidials are now combination drugs and ionophores. Since they are prophylactic, they are more cost-effective than cure. Owing to the mechanics of poultry production and the traits of Coccidiosis, preventing the proliferation of Eimeria is crucial. With a reasonable cost not exceeding more than 0.27 rupees per bird, it is apt for tackling the challenge of Coccidia.
Conclusion:
Coccidia is considered to be a frequent and expensive problem e.g. Colombia reports a frequency of 92.8%; 90% in Argentina; 92% in Romania, 79.4% in North India, 65.8% in East China, and 78.7% in South Korea.
As coccidian parasite cannot been totally eradicated from commercial facilities where chickens are reared and is still capable of causing performance and health issues due to the generation of resistance to certain anticoccidials because of improper dosing or nonscientific practices. However coccidiosis can be successfully handled by a combination of better management practices, the proper selection and prophylactic use of effective drugs maintaining the healthy economics. Glamac International Pvt. Ltd. Caters with effective anticoccidial range for effective coccidiosis management.
Authors: Mrs Meghana Mukherjee Salvi, Director & Dr Gopal Potdar, Product Manager
Glamac International Pvt. Ltd
Title Image Credit: David Tadevosian Shutterstock.com
In a recently concluded event, Hartmann India Ltd launched New Egg trays “HIL-Medium” & “HIL-Large”. Hartmann’s Indian team co-developed a new egg-trays for 30 eggs (Medium & Large size). Using an existing new product as a base for development, it is better suited for the specific needs in India.
Poultry TRENDS Magazine & News Portal interacted with Dr Mahendra Deshpande, General Manager, Hartmann India Ltd. Excerpts of the interaction is as under:
Q 1. What is “HARTMANN’ and where is it based at?
Dr Mahendra Deshpande – General Manager, Hartmann India Ltd
Hartmann is the world’s leading manufacturer of moulded-fibre egg packaging, a market-leading manufacturer of fruit packaging in South America and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of technology for the production of moulded-fibre packaging. Founded in 1917, Hartmann is headquartered in Gentofte, Denmark. Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen & since 2012 part of TORNICO with experience from the egg industry.
Our strong market position is founded on our long-term partnerships with customers and unique technological know-how and expertise gained from experience in moulded fibre production since 1936. We closely collaborate with SANOVO TECHNOLOGY GROUP, which is also a part of the THORNICO conglomerate, as we have vastly overlapping markets and customers.
Q2. Why Hartmann entered in Indian Market & How it benefits the customers
In 2020, Mohan Fibre Pvt Ltd, Chandigarh a 43 year old company with biggest production facility in India was acquired by Brodrene Hartmann A/S, a leading specialist in moulded fibre packaging with more than a century of experience and knowledge.
This acquisition established a solid platform for Hartmann in the attractive Indian market, which is characterized by a favorable demographic development and increasing egg and fruit production. The combination of population growth and rising urbanization in the coming years forms a solid foundation for continued development of the retail industry and increasing demand for quality egg packaging in India. In addition, the penetration of moulded-fibre packaging for protection of fruit is expected to increase as supply chains are professionalized.
Our unique market position and capabilities render Hartmann relatively resilient to economic fluctuations, allowing us to leverage a number of attractive market drivers, including increasing global demand for eggs and fruit, rising environmental awareness and a growing focus on health and nutrition.
Q3. How Entry of Hartmann will benefit to Indian Egg Producers
India is the #3 market in egg production, and growing YOY with CAGR 7%. on. According to Animal Husbandry Dept of Govt of India, in 2020 the per capita egg consumption in India was 79 units & which is growing by 10% every year. Despite of the strong growth, Indian consumption is still relatively low compared to other countries. According to National Institute of Nutrition recommendation In India per capita egg consumption need to reach 180 unit asap.
Packaging is an important component in delivering quality eggs to buyers. Hartmann’s environment friendly packaging solutions embraces both the art and science of preparing products for storage, transport and eventually sale. Packaging protects the eggs from:
Micro-organisms, such as bacteria & Viruses
Natural predators
Loss of moisture
Tainting
Temperatures that cause deterioration
Possible crushing/damage while being handled, stored or transported.
Q4. Hartman’s Focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer service
At Hartmann, we are committed to making sustainable egg packaging exclusively based on bio-degradable moulded fibre that can be recycled or disposed of with a minimal impact on our surroundings. Our definition of sustainability also reaches out to other areas including forest stewardship, the climate, our employees and supplies, and our investors.
Our mission is to find solutions to complex problems of our customers in most sustainable way thereby helping environment as well in doing our bit- Customer Focused, Helping community in area we are operating in. Our aim is to Safe, Secure Eggs in Sustainable packaging. Protection of environment is integral part of Hartmann business model. Hartmann is working closely with our customers to accommodate demand for sustainable products in the retail industry, Hartmann was the first manufacturer to offer both FSC®-certified and CO2-neutral retail packaging.
Q5 . What is importance of Packaging in Egg Industry
Packaging is important to the egg industry as corn as they facilitate mass marketing of a fragile food product. Understandably, eye appeal which projects the image of a product relates directly to costs for material and artwork. Ironically, many consumers purchasing the most expensive organic eggs favor molded fiber cartons based on their perceptions of sustainability and biodegradability.
Future advances will include higher levels of sustainability, design changes which can improve on-shelf quality and eye appeal. Both the industry and carton manufacturers must become more aggressive in their informational programs regarding sustainability. The egg industry will have to respond to the demands of the major chains, retail stores and consumers for environmentally friendly packaging.
Q6. What is USP of Hartmann Egg Trays?
HIL trays are made by HC Pulper, on Fully automatic machine, Dried at 200-220 ° C.
HIL trays come in polywrapped packing to avoid bacterial/viral contamination, to avoid physical damage of trays.
HIL Trays Pocket Sizes of International standards – Suitable for all Egg Sizes
HIL Trays with high Strength, Flexibility & Consistent quality.
HIL trays are Water repellant & best suitable for Cold Storage of Eggs
HIL provided Immediate supply & 24*7 services
Minimal Egg Breakage, HIL Trays give cushion to Egg, protect & absorbs shock during transport through its ability of compress tray that absorb condensation when it forms due to rapid changes of temperature during storage
Q7. What raw material used in your Egg Trays
Hartmann’s FSC®-certified moulded fibre packaging is made from recycled paper/waste papers. The packaging itself can be recycled and reused and is also bio-degradable in industrial composting plants for easy disposal after use.
Recycled newspaper, magazine and cardboard are the key components in our fiber recipe. For us digitalization creates a new challenge: in the future there will not be as much recycled paper available as our production requires. We thought that this was a good opportunity to test other alternatives. The new material was to be stronger, humidity resisting and available in the future.
The new future-looking raw material recipe has now been developed and implemented.
Q8. Please elaborate on your new products “ HIL Medium” & HIL Large”
Since acquisition in last one year Hartmann India team was working with their global technical team to establish new 30 egg trays as per Indian Layer farmers & Egg traders need, suitable for long distance egg transportation, High strength & flexibility for rough handling @ various points, High water repellency or moisture resistant & best suitable pockets for all sizes of Eggs.
Hartmann’s Indian team co-developed a new egg-trays for 30 eggs (Medium & Large size). Using an existing new product as a base for development, they made it better suited for the specific needs in India. Within the project, our team also came up with a new raw material recipe. All this was created in close co-operation with a key customer in India and within the Hartmann global team.
Both trays are very suitable of Medium & Large sizes Eggs. As their pocket size is unique , it will properly accommodate the respective egg & avoid egg breakages during stacking, storage & transportation.
Indian Poultry Leader Suguna Foods Announces Management Rejig; Elevates Vignesh Soundararajan as its new Managing Director
Suguna Foods, India’s largest poultry conglomerate, announced the appointment of Mr. Vignesh Soundararajan as its new Managing Director effective April 1st, 2022. In his new role, Vignesh will lead the Farm, Feed & Process Food Division of Suguna Foods operations in India. In addition to this, Vignesh will also power the company’s expansion within the poultry segment and focus on strengthening the footprints of the brand across the nation. The current Managing Director and co-founder Mr.G.B Sundararajan will continue to be associated with Suguna Foods as part of the Board.
Commenting on this Mr. Soundararajan, Chairman, Suguna Group said, “Sundararajan and I are truly satisfied with the transformation we have brought to the poultry industry through Suguna and how we have empowered farmers across the nation. From backyard farming to integrated growers’ poultry industry has come long way in being a significant contributor to the Agro-Food industry. The industry has also played a significant role in building a healthy and strong population. The foundation on which Suguna’s legacy has been built and we are confident that Vignesh as the new Managing Director will continue this momentum which, will benefit the farmers, industry, customers, partners and people.”
Adding to this, Mr. Vignesh Soundararajan, Managing Director, Suguna Foods said, “The last seven years had been very eventful, from facing the global pandemic to rebranding Suguna Foods, we have faced the highs and lows of the industry. As a market leader and name which resonates across all geographic locations, Suguna Chicken has always been the favorite among consumers. We have also launched “Delfrez” the new age brand in meat retail, which has further strengthened our product portfolio adding to diverse purchase options to consumers. While we are devoted to continuing Suguna Foods’ legacy and strengthening its overall commitment to the people and nation, I am personally looking forward to bringing additional innovations and retail expansion across all operations in my new role. As we move towards a brighter tomorrow, I look forward to creating a mutually beneficial future for each of our betterment. With this in mind, we have placed a high value on our farmers and Business Associates, and we will continue to work hard to provide best – quality products for our consumers”.
Mr. Vignesh Soundararajan holds MBA degree from IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL , Barcelona, Spain, B.Com from Christ University and an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) – London, UK. In 2013, he joined Suguna Foods as a Management Trainee and now has risen to the level of the Managing Director of Suguna Foods. With a Close to a decade of experience, he has trained extensively in many domains and has gained a solid understanding of all the business functionalities. As part of his current role – Executive Director, Mr. Vignesh launched Delfrez, Suguna Foods’ retail divison, which catapulted the retail segment in South India. Mr. Vignesh contributed to the company’s transformation by fostering innovation, bridging technology and positioning the brand to have a stronger consumer impact.
About Suguna Foods: Suguna is one of the top ten poultry companies in the world, operating in 18 states in India and offering wide range of poultry products and services. Our service ranges from broiler farming, hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, animal healthcare products are all part of the fully integrated operations. Suguna product portfolio includes animal & poultry feeds broiler chicken, processed chicken, and value-added eggs. Suguna under its retail segment has launched “Delfrez” – The modern meat retail outlets which provide customers with fresh, safe, and hygienic chicken. As hygiene plays a important in the retail segment, utmost care as been taken safety and hygiene of the store. The store caters freshest chicken processed from our plant in all categories.
The Alltech ONE Conference (ONE), scheduled for May 22–24, both in person and virtual, will feature tracks that will uncover the challenges and opportunities in agriculture, business, health and wellness, and professional development. Now in its 38th year, Alltech’s global agri-food conference continues to be an invaluable resource, uniting thought leaders and changemakers in an exploration of the power of science, sustainability and storytelling. This annual flagship event will be held May 22–24, both in person in Lexington, Kentucky, and virtually on a first-class platform, with live-streaming keynote and select on-demand track presentations available to ensure accessibility to everyone, everywhere.
Many topics* are slated for discussion at ONE, including:
From the Great Resignation to the Great Re-Engagement
From Soil to Slainté: Making Irish Whiskey
Echoes of War: The Global Impact of Conflict
Making Moves: Turning a Vision Into Reality
Partnering for Success: Why Business is Better Together
The Agenda on Aqua, Beef, Crop Science, Dairy, Equine, Pet, Pig, Health and Wellness, Neurogastronomy, Stay Curious, is available at https://one.alltech.com/agenda
*Topics are subject to change. Some track topics are virtual or in-person only. Check the agenda for details.
In addition to the many track topics, ONE attendees will be inspired by keynote speakers who have unleashed the power of innovation and courageous leadership to make a positive impact, including:
Mick Ebeling, founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs and author of “Not Impossible: The Art and Joy of Doing What Couldn’t Be Done,” will take the ONE mainstage in person, and his presentation will also be live-streamed for those joining virtually.
Paul Polman, presenting virtually at ONE, has been described by the Financial Times as “a standout CEO of the past decade”. While serving as the CEO of Unilever, he stopped reporting quarterly earnings to focus on a long-term strategy that would successfully double revenues while reducing the company’s environmental impact by half.
Heather White, author, founder and CEO of “OneGreenThing,” will present on the mainstage at ONE, and her presentation will also be live-streamed for those joining virtually. She brings two decades of environmental advocacy work and national nonprofit leadership to life with her joyful and practical book, “One Green Thing: Discover Your Hidden Power to Help Save the Planet”.
Dr. Mark Lyons, President and CEO of Alltech, will welcome all ONE attendees, both in-person and virtually. Based on Alltech’s belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to shape our world’s future, he launched the company’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ in 2019. He has called for collaboration to improve nutrition, human and animal well-being, and the replenishment of natural resources.
Nikki Putnam Badding, will present in-person and virtually during ONE about the crucial importance of making nutrition accessible to all. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, she brings human health expertise to her role as managing director and chief dietitian of Acutia, Inc., an Alltech company.
Dr. Karl Dawson, scientific advisor with Alltech, will join the keynote lineup in person and virtually to discuss how animal agriculture can be part of the solution to improving sustainability.
As the Alltech ONE Conference returns live to Lexington, Kentucky, after being a virtual-only event for the past two years, it will also feature a weekend of fun-filled activities for all. For more details about the ONE Weekend activities and tours, visit one.alltech.com/one-weekend.
Registration for the Alltech ONE Conference is open at one.alltech.com. Join the conversation across social media with #AlltechONE.
2022 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook revealed global feed production survey data and trends. Data collected from 11th annual survey estimates world feed production increased by 2.3% to 1.235 billion metric tons. Top 10 countries produce 65% of the world’s feed.
The 11th edition of Alltech’s annual feed production survey includes data from more than 140 countries and more than 28,000 feed mills, and based on this data, it is estimated that international feed tonnage has increased by 2.3%, to 1.235 billion metric tons of feed produced in 2021. The top ten feed-producing countries over the past year were China (261.424 mmt), the U.S. (231.538 mmt), Brazil (80.094 mmt), India (44.059 mmt), Mexico (38.857 mmt), Spain (35.580 mmt), Russia (33.000 mmt), Turkey (25.300 mmt), Japan (24.797 mmt) and Germany (24.506 mmt). Altogether, these countries produced 65% of the world’s feed production, and they can be viewed as indicators of the trends in agriculture. Additionally, when combined, the feed production of these countries increased by 4.4%, compared to the overall global growth of 2.3%.
Report excerpts:
Despite a year of challenges, feed production grew 2.3% globally over the past year, with an estimated 1,235.5 million metric tons produced in 2021, versus 1,207.9 million metric tons in 2020.
The pig sector rebounded from African swine fever (ASF) with a feed tonnage increase of more than 6%.Aquaculture continues to grow steadily around the world, with a global increase of 3.7%. The pet sector experienced the largest growth, however, with an impressive 8.2% increase in feed production.
China remains the largest feed-producing country and also reported the biggest growth since 2020. Production exceeded expectations in many countries, mainly due to recovery from COVID-19 lockdowns.
Many sectors continue to focus on innovation and partnerships, which proved essential to sustaining business over the last year. As we look ahead to the future of agriculture, there are many reasons to be optimistic. The resilience of the agri-food sector against the challenges of COVID-19, as well as disease and supply chain disruptions, along with its continued growth, modernization and increased sustainability in the midst of those challenges are proof positive of an industry on the right track.
Top Ten Countries
The top ten feed-producing countries around the world produced 799.1 MMT of feed, representing 65% of the total global feed production. Combined, feed production in these countries increased by 4.4%, compared to 2.3% global growth.
Synopsis: The article discusses about the importance of liver health and how phytochemicals can effectively prevent liver dysfunctions and help in optimum egg production.
Because the liver produces the egg yolk precursors, liver health is critical for optimum egg production. A strong egg production capacity is linked to a healthy liver. The liver is involved in the activation of vitamin D3, which has a direct impact on calcium metabolism and eggshell quality.
Liver: Central Organ of the body
The liver is a large and vital organ that plays a key role in nutrition. It is one of the busiest organs in body primarily involved in lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism & detoxification. It can also store a variety of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), as well as water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, and B12) and minerals (Fe and Cu). In addition, the liver is engaged in the activation of vitamin D3 in order to increase calcium absorption for the development of eggshells. Furthermore, the liver is necessary for the conversion of poisons into water-soluble waste products that can be eliminated through the kidneys.
Agents causing Liver Damage
Toxic metabolic byproducts of fungus infestation on grains are known as mycotoxins. Fungal growth and toxin synthesis can occur when grains have a high moisture content. Toxins can be produced by fungi either before or after grain harvest. Moderate to severe liver damage is caused by eating grains that contain fungus generating toxins. Aflatoxin-related liver lesions include enlarged fatty livers with bleeding and anaemia. An inflamed, bright red to yellow hemorrhagic liver is one of the symptoms linked with trichothecenes from Fusarium fungi. Aspergillus and Penicillum create ochratoxin, which is the second most common toxin. Fatty liver with bleeding and urate deposits on the liver are among the Ochratoxin-related symptoms.
A range of liver disorders are caused by nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. Anti nutritional factors (ANF) may be present in the diet, preventing feed absorption, use, or metabolism. These ANF produce varied degrees of liver damage due to excessive lipid peroxidation. Fatty liver can be detected in birds given a high-energy, low-protein diet, and liver parenchyma haematomas are common in cage layer exhaustion.
Higher ambient temperatures lower energy demands, resulting in a more favourable energy balance. Birds regulate their body temperature by using evaporative cooling during breathing. Excess belly fat can obstruct regular breathing and cooling, making these birds more susceptible to both heat stroke and liver rupture.
Many bacterial infections affect the liver. Fowl typhoid, which causes significant mortality in poultry, is characterised by an enlarged bronze colour mottled and fragile liver. Tuberculosis in poultry causes caseous necrosis, which is characterised by white, hard lumps of varying sizes in liver. Mycoplasma causes fibrnous perihepatitis, which is the leading cause of economic losses in poultry.
Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), Marek’s disease, and Avian Leucosis are the most common viral disorders that affect the liver.
Other disorders that affect the liver include visceral gout, which is characterised by the presence of chalky white masses surrounding the liver and other organs. In the event of coccidiosis in chicken, multifocal greyish white coalescing lesions can be seen on the liver.
Liver Metabolic diseases
In birds, dietary fatty acids are secreted as portomicrons into the portal blood stream. Portomicrons pass through the liver before reaching the rest of the circulation due to their direct entry into the portal blood stream. This trait causes fat buildup in the liver in birds and exposes the liver to a variety of pathogenic agents and poisons. Liver diseases have far-reaching effects on the performance and health of birds. Hepatosis, necrosis, fatty liver, hepatitis, and cholangitis are the pathological abnormalities that ensue.
Reason behind Fatty liver in poultry
During high blood glucose levels, the liver can convert glucose into glycogen and triglycerides, which are stored as energy. It can break down glycogen to be used as glucose when blood glucose levels are low, which is controversial. Fats and amino acids can also be converted to glucose by the liver. When compared to the usage of fat or carbohydrates for energy, catabolizing protein needs a lot of energy and hence results in a larger heat increment. Fat is broken down into fatty acids and absorbed in the intestines; the majority of these fatty acids enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the liver. In the liver, fat production for yolk lipoproteins is an important step. The buildup of lipids in the liver begins when fat synthesis outpaces fat mobilisation. When it occurs over a prolonged period of time is results into fatty liver syndrome.
Oestrogen is linked to sexual maturity that causes the liver to store more fat for egg yolk production. In reaction to oestrogen levels, the liver size of the bird increases considerably as it enters egg production. The laying bird is predisposed to develop Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) due to a combination of positive energy balance and oestrogen impact.
Prevention strategies for optimum liver health
Avoid overfeeding of energy rich diet. Maximizing calorie intake during the early stages of lay is critical for productivity; however, when production declines, energy requirements will decrease. To keep birds from accumulating too much weight, feed density may need to be reduced. Reduce energy consumption by switching to a lower-energy diet and/or modifying feed management.
When compared to mash feed, crumbled or pelleted feed resulted in higher feed and calorie consumption. Crumb and pellets should be avoided in flocks that are vulnerable to FLHS.
To guarantee enough quantities of antioxidants to avoid tissue rancidity, layer diets should contain adequate levels of Vitamin E (50-100kg) and selenium (0.3ppm). Lipotropic agents, such as Choline (500 mg/kg), Methionine (0.1%), and Vitamin B12, aid in the metabolization of fat from the liver and aid in the recovery of damaged hens.
FLHS has been linked to calcium insufficiency. This can be addressed by supplementing the diet with large-particle calcium and Vitamin D. This permits the bird to consume more calcium without consuming too much of the feed’s energy component.
Using herbal supplements derived from plants plays a very pivotal role in protecting liver from hazards like excessive antibiotic use, mycotoxins and feed imbalance.
Can herbs protect liver damage in poultry?
With the growing demand for organically raised chicken, using naturally occurring nutrients could be a cost-effective way to increase farm production and health. Many herbs have been studied to have favourable effects on the liver, which can help boost farm productivity.
Some significant herbs with major activity on the liver for its protection and enhancement of functions are discussed in the table:
The nutritionists have been using the phytogenics in recent times to ameliorate the liver dysfunctions and to promote better liver health. Many products like Mintoliv with about 13 phytoactive rich herbs helps in providing liver proper care. These active ingredients act as hepatoprotective, hepatostimulative and hepatoregenerative in action, thus takes care of overall health of liver. Various researchers have found that these herbs act as hepatoprotective in aflatoxicosis, drug toxicity & other toxins and rejuvenates damaged liver tissues. They strengthen sluggish liver during debility, convalescence & anorexia. However, the research is still in infancy and more trials need to be carried to ascertain the mechanism of action of these actives.
Conclusion
Profitability requires maximising animal output according to genetic potential. The liver serves a number of important functions in the preservation of health and the efficient use of feed materials. Combinations of the herbs (as mentioned above) are available for use in poultry as feed additives to avoid liver problems and as a tool to promote feed utilisation, resulting in increased farm output. As a result, nature’s gift, herbal liver tonics, can help chicken farmers achieve optimum productivity based on genetic potential.
Dr. Koushik De, Technical Services Director- SCA Novus International
One of the most significant ways of enhancing nutrient digestibility is the use of enzymes. In most practical diets for poultry, the three most expensive nutrients are: energy, protein, and phosphorus. Although we have managed to procure successful commercial enzymes that enhance the efficiency with which birds derive energy and phosphorus from their feed, the animal nutrition industry has not been so successful in the case of protein. In truth, early attempts have been more than disappointing for many enzyme producers.
There are several reasons for this, including inadequate research and development, difficulties in producing a commercially viable enzyme, and of course, the uphill battle against the naturally high digestibility of most conventional feed ingredients. Birds are already digesting their feed quite well! However, the largest failure must have been the lack of resources and perseverance.
Why a protease?
The most obvious question that we must first answer is why poultry diets require such an enzyme. The answer is quite clear when profitability comes into the picture particularly in today’s scenario where the raw material prices are sky rocketing. Today, the technology of producing an enzyme has advanced to such a high degree that it makes it economical to use enzymes even under the most unfavorable conditions in terms of feed ingredient prices. For example, the addition of protease enzyme has been shown to reduce feed cost on average by 5%, even after considering the actual cost for the enzyme. In today’s tight financial times, a 5% reduction in feed cost alone can be the key to survival for many operations worldwide.
This reduction in feed cost is achieved by means of lowering protein (amino acids) specifications to consider the improved digestibility of protein in natural ingredients. Thus, the inclusion level of soybean meal, one of the main protein-rich ingredients is reduced, and of course, the need to add synthetic amino acids is also reduced significantly. Of course, the exact savings depend on the actual ingredients used and their prices.
Research has also shown that the use of protease enzyme also improves overall animal performance. This is the result of the beneficial effects of a low-protein diet, which minimizes the metabolic strain of excreting surplus nitrogen, with the added benefit of leaving more dietary energy available for growth. This effect is not a new discovery, unique to proteases, but something well known to scientists for many years and applicable to all monogastric species. Another indirect benefit from the use of a protease that improves protein digestion is that nitrogen excretion in the environment is markedly reduced which is a great advantage for the producers during the winter months. Thus, protease enzyme not only enhances the digestibility of protein, leaving less natural protein undigested, but the low-protein diets used in conjunction with the enzyme are better balanced in terms of amino acids, leaving less surplus to be disposed of through metabolism.
On average, protease enzyme enhances protein & amino acid digestibility by 3-7% and as such it should be expected to reduce nitrogen excretion significantly. Again, these are averages obtained through numerous research trials and field observations in the past ten years of development and use in the field. Actual numbers will differ according to ingredient selection and current dietary protein specifications.
The main reason broiler producers as well as feed producers require a protease enzyme is profitability. Protein raw material prices have shown a sustained upward trend over the last few years. Despite abating a little in the last few months, the general consensus of independent observers is that prices will continue to increase in the future. This is the consequence of consumption exceeding supply on account of demand from emerging economies, and the impact of bio-fuel production on the composition of harvested areas across the world. A protease which can consistently improve the digestibility of amino acids in such materials, thus reducing their inclusion level in feed while maintaining current levels of animal performance, is therefore economically very attractive.
Direct cost savings at the feed mill, however, are by no means the only reason for considering a protease (Figure 1). When a suitably efficacious protease is used, it can be an important contributor to the continued economic viability, sustainability and consumer perception of the broiler industry.
Not all proteases are the same:
For a protease to be successful in feed it should, like any other enzyme, be selected and developed with that specific use in mind. Unfortunately, many of the first proteases entering and, in many cases, still available for use in the feed industry were developed for other purposes. non-specific alkaline proteases initially derived from Bacillus subtillis and developed for the detergent industry, with characteristics which render them less effective in feed.
The recent development of unique feed protease specifically selected for application as a feed enzyme, has overcome many of these issues. Unlike most other commercially available proteases, it is produced from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus licheniformis. In the selection process, factors such as the ability to degrade many different feed proteins; the need to complement the endogenous protease enzymes; activity after exposure to the low pH conditions of the gizzard and proventriculus; and stability during feed processing were all considered.
pH stability:
Probably one of the most important criteria for success of a protease in broilers is good stability under low pH conditions found in the bird’s stomach. The level of viable enzyme reaching the ileum is thus also limited. In contrast, with Bacillus licheniformis derived protease, stability at low pH is greatly improved, ensuring sufficient enzyme activity in the small intestine to give the desired hydrolytic effect.
For a protease to work successfully, it is essential that it should complement the endogenous enzymes. The bird’s stomach and small intestine already produce pepsin and pancreatic proteases, respectively. The exogenous protease must work in synergy with these enzymes to obtain the optimum benefit in all but the very young bird, where endogenous levels may be limiting.
Flexibility of use:
For a protease to be commercially useful it must be possible to use it flexibly in a diverse range of diet types. The ability to improve the digestibility of protein from as wide a range of feed ingredients as possible is therefore important. Protease should have the potential to improve digestibility of protein in a wide range of ingredient sources in vitro. Such improvements should however not just be obtainable in vitro but also in vivo. In vivo, both ileal and faecal amino acid digestibility studies have confirmed the significant improvements in digestibility for a wide range of different raw materials when Protease enzyme is added.
Processing stability
As the conditioning time and temperature during the production of pelleted broiler feeds becomes ever higher and longer to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent food and feed safety requirements, stability of feed enzymes under more extreme conditions is increasingly essential. To this end, for a protease to be successful, thermostability is a must. Protease enzyme is consistently more stable at each of the conditioning times and temperatures tested, demonstrating its superior stability even under more demanding conditions.
Reducing Anti nutritional Factor:
Soybean meal (SBM) is the most important source of dietary protein for poultry it itself contains some antinutritional factors like Trypsin Inhibitor (TI). Although TI is reduced by heat treatment, overheating has a negative impact on protein quality and amino acid digestibility. Exogenous Protease enzymes can improve digestibility of feedstuffs, lower feed costs and improve animal performance. Proteases improve animal performance and nutrient digestibility by decreasing digesta viscosity, improving endogenous enzyme activity and decreasing pancreas weight (Bedford and Classen, 1993;Bedford and Schulze, 1998;Erdaw et al., 2017a,b;Yan et al., 2017).
The determination in the laboratory of the TI content of SBM and its relationship with AA availability is tedious and time-consuming and provides inconsistent results. Also, the traditional processes of treating SBM can’t remove the anti-nutritional factors to a safe level. Therefore, use of exogenous protease is very effective in reducing the deleterious effect of TI in SBM. Liu et al., in 2013 conducted a study wherein they used a protease enzyme (CIBENZA EP150) with different levels of TI and found that protease enzyme was able to destroy almost all trypsin inhibitors (both Bowman-Birk & Kunitz TI) present in soyabean meal (at 1:1 ratio) and destroy substancially even in higher concentración (2:1) of TI as well.
Conclusions:
The benefits of including a protease enzyme in broiler diets are confirmed in numerous published reports. Such research shows that this protease can improve the protein digestibility of a wide range of natural ingredients by 3-7%. Such improvements translate into significant cost savings per ton of feed and are achieved without any compromise on animal performance.
Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of USD 48.3 billion Aditya Birla Group, started as a textiles manufacturer in India and today is a leading global player in VSF and the largest chemicals (Chlor-Alkali-s) player in India. Grasim Industries is also the manufacturer of ProsodiumTM – a superior source of sodium for poultry diets.
On 23rd Feb 2022, a Consultant Interaction cum Technical Meet was organised at Vivaan Hotel & Resorts, Karnal (Haryana).
Addressing the participants. Mr. Chirag Cheema, GM (Chemical VAP Sales Head) welcomed all and gave a brief introduction about the company and the product. Mr. Cheema highlighted that till now Poultry farmers/ feed manufacturers were primarily dependent only on Salt or Sodium Bicarbonate to meet the sodium requirement of birds.
ProsodiumTM is a new chlorine free and cost effective alternative in this direction.
Emphasising on the safety credentials of ProsodiumTM , Mr Cheema informed that this product is free from presence of heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic, Chromium etc. that makes it absolutely safe for Poultry birds.
Thereafter, Dr Rakesh Sikri, (Consultant) delivered the technical presentation on ProsodiumTM and shared live field trial data on product performance at various dosages of ProsodiumTM .
Dr. Sikri stated that ProsodiumTM is a cost effective alternative to Sodium Bicarbonate. Enriched with 32% Sodium, it helps in
Maintaining Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB)
Decreased acid binding effect, leading to increased protein digestion
Reduced litter pH and ammonia emissions
Optimal bird growth & performance leading to improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) & European Efficiency Factor (EEF)
Attendees at the Meet
The event was well attended by prominent consultants from Haryana and Punjab.
The evening concluded with a Q & A session where the invited consultants clarified their doubts.
Prestigious clients of ProsodiumTM include Sneha Poulty Feed, Premium Chick Feeds, SKM Feeds and Sampoorna Feeds.
Manufactured in 4 locations across India, ProsodiumTM is available with dealers at all the prominent poultry hubs of India.
Lameness is a problem in commercial chicken, both broiler & layer and poultry producers & farmers are clueless about its reason and control. Today’s chicken has huge genetic potential and are meant for fast growth in broiler and almost one egg every day.
Dr B C Dutta (Author), Poultry Consultant
The major constraints of poultry production today is Awareness about the Need of today’s Chicken to reach Genetic Potential Targeted Production, Feed Raw material Cost & Biosecurity. I strongly feel the reason of Lameness lies within these constraints only and I tried to discuss about them point wise in this article.
Factors Contributing Lameness
A. NON-INFECTIOUS:
Nutritional Imbalance
Calcium Phosphorus Imbalance
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin B1 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Biotin Deficiency
Manganese Deficiency
Toxicity: Coccidiostat Ionophore Toxicity
Mycotoxin: Deoxynivalenol (DON) toxicity
Poor Management: Poor Bedding (Litter condition) material
B. INFECTIOUS:
Bacterial
Bacterial Chondronecrosis by Enterococcus cecorum, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp & E coli
Vertebral Osteomyelitis/ Spondylitis /Kinkyback due to – Enterococcus cecorum, Staphylococcus spp & E Coli
Bumble Foot Disease or Pododermatitis or Foot Pad Dermatitis by Staphylococcus spp
Fowl Cholera
Infectious Synovitis
Viral
Tenosynovitis/ Viral Arthritis
Marek’s Disease (MD)
Avian Encephalomyelitis (AE)
Ranikhet Disease (ND or RD)
A. NON-INFECTIOUS ->
1. Nutritional Imbalance ->
1. CALCIUM PHOSPHORUS IMBALANCE
Contributing Factors:
Available Calcium & Available Phosphorus Ratio in Feed
Excess or shortage of anyone can affect utilization of other
Symptoms:
Rickets in young chicken; both Broiler & Layer
Osteomalacia (Fragile soft bone) & Osteoporosis (Porous or spongy bone) in Laying Hens
Treatment & Control:
Management of Age-wise Available Phosphorus & calcium Ratio in Feed
Quality assessment of RM like DCP, MCP & MBM before use
2. VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Contributing Factors:
Zero access to Sunlight for commercial birds in captivity
Poor Gut Health heavily affects absorption of Fat Soluble Vit D
Damage Kidney & Liver can’t convert Vit D to metabolizable form to be used in the body
Symptoms:
Muscle Weakness leading to lameness
Pain & Fatigue
Depression
Treatment & Control:
Gut Health Maintenance is the basic principle to prevent lameness due to Vit D deficiency because poor gut health affects vitamin D utilization heavily.
Vit D3 level in first (PBS or BS) shall be 4000 – 5000 IU
3. VITAMIN B1 DEFICIENCY
Contributing Factors:
Feeding medicated starter feed containing Amprolium to chicks.
Breeding parents deficient in Thiamine
Poor feed intake
Reduced absorption due to poor Gut Health
Consumption of Fusarium mycotoxins in feed
Symptoms:
Leg Weakness
Ataxia
Tremor
Unsteady Gait
Paralysis of legs, wings & neck
Walking on Hocks
Star Gazing attitude
Treatment & Control:
Gut Health Maintenance to improve Vitamin absorption
Control of Mycotoxin in Feed
Avoid Amprolium in first feed
Water Vitamin supplementation for 5 – 7 days help minimizing losses
4. VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
Contributing Factors:
Intestinal Malabsorption: Includes gastrointestinal conditions affecting the chicken’s small intestine.
Decreased stomach acid production: Provides an ideal environment for the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the bird’s stomach, which further interferes with vitamin B12 absorption
Vitamin B12 deficient feed formulation
Symptoms:
Nervous system Impairment with Leg Weakness & Perosis
Stunted Growth
Loss of Appetite
Poor Feather
Treatment & Control:
Gut Health Maintenance
Supplement through Feed
Emergency water supplementation for few days
5. BIOTIN DEFICIENCY
Contributing Factors:
Corn, Soya or Wheat are very poor source of Biotin and hence every care to be taken to maintain its requirement through synthetic source
Use of sulpha drugs, such as Sulphathalidine
Feeding birds with Mold contaminated feed
Symptoms:
Poor Growth
Leg Weakness
Thickened foot pad
Chondrodystrophy
Fatty Liver Kidney syndrome
Treatment & Control:
Avoid feed with Mold contamination
Avoid unnecessary use of Sulpha drugs
Compulsory Supplement through Feed
Emergency water supplementation for few days
6. MANGANESE DEFICIENCY
Contributing Factors:
Unbalanced Diet
Seed based Diet
Poor Gut Health leading to poor absorption
Symptoms:
In young chicks slipped tendon or perosis, characterized by swelling and flattening of the hock joint, along with subsequent slipping of the Achilles tendon from the condyles.
One or both of the chick’s legs may be affected.
The tibia and tarsometatarsus may be bending closer to the hock joint, and may demonstrate lateral rotation.
The long bones of the chick’s legs and wings may also be shorter and thicker
Treatment & Control:
Provide additional supplements of manganese (Mn) in order to ensure total intake of 60 mg/kg Feed in a balanced diet
Don’t provide chicks additional calcium until they start laying eggs in layer
Emergency use of Water medication will help reduce the loss
2. TOXICITY-> IONOPHORE TOXICITY
Contributing Factors:
Monensin @ 120ppm or above is toxic to Broiler and careless use of excess dose results toxicity
Symptoms:
Reduce Feed Intake
Characteristic paralysis in which the legs are extended backward
Treatment & Control:
Control on Dose in Premix
Do not use Monensin over 3 months continuously
3. DON (Deoxynivalenol) TOXICITY
Contributing Factors:
Tight Junction Integrity Disruption
Translocation of bacteria from the intestine through disrupted tight junctions to the femoral head
Symptoms:
Ongoing pressure of growth results in micro fractures and eventually degeneration of the joint.
Lameness
Treatment & Control:
Avoid Mycotoxin contaminated Raw Materials
Avoid Mycotoxin build up in finished Feed
B. INFECTIOUS ->
1. Bacterial
1. BACTERIAL CHONDRONECROSIS
Contributing Factors:
Responsible Bacteria are Enterococcus cecorum, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, & E coli
Rapid growth Rate during 1st 4 weeks combined with inappropriate Nutrition support
Poor Gut Health
Poultry House Environment Hygiene under question
Symptoms:
Chondronecrosis is caused by bacterial infections in sites prone to microfractures such as Proximal femoral, Tibial growth plates, Articular Cartilage and flexible thoracic vertebrae. The infection reaches the growth plate via the blood stream after getting entry through GI or respiratory route.
Restriction of Movements
Poor Feed Intake & Poor Growth
Significant Mortality due to starvation in 3 – 4 days
Post Mortem examinations reveals large abscesses on the femoral head, tibial head & on vertebrae
Treatment & Control:
Proper Nutritional Balanced diet
Gut Health Maintenance
Good house hygiene
Antibiotic Treatment considering the bacterial spp
Good Litter condition throughout the flock
Proper Ventilation to control Humidity in closed EC shed.
2. VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS or SPONDILITIS or KINKYBACK
Contributing Factors:
Kinky-back is defined as the ventral dislocation of the anterior end of the articulating 4th thoracic vertebrate.
The 4th thoracic vertebrate rotates the posterior end, causing it to pinch the spinal cord. The damage to the spinal cord causes paralysis in the bird.
Chickens with kinky back syndrome are often seen sitting on their tail, extending their feet outward or letting them fall over to one side of their body.
Once the condition stops birds from being able to walk, they are unable to reach food or water on their own, and are at risk of dying from starvation.
Heavy, meat-type broilers are more prone to developing this condition, as a result of rapid growth.
Females are more at risk than males.
Symptoms:
Typically starts from day 22, bird will be sitting on its breast/keel, with the legs directed forward, posterior paralysis due to spinal cord compression.
Arched Back
Extending Neck outward
Using Wings to assist walking
Hock sitting posture
Lameness
Sitting on tail with feet extended
Falling over sideways
Abscess and/or necrosis in T4-T7 vertebrae, dorsal buckling of spinal cord (kyphosis), interstitial oedema, atrophy & degeneration of muscle fibres.
Treatment & Control:
Gut Health Maintenance
Good poultry house hygiene
Antibiotic Treatment considering the bacterial spp
Good Litter condition throughout the flock
Proper Ventilation
3. PODODERMATITIS or FOOT PAD DERMATITIS or BUMBLE FOOT DISEASE
Contributing Factors:
Causative bacteria are Staphylococcus spp
Hard, muddy, flooded, uneven or rough floor surfaces
Damp or unsanitary bedding (Litter)
Vitamin A deficiency
Overweight, Lack of activity
Excessive activity due to fighting among flock members
Excessive accumulation of faeces on Litter
Symptoms:
Bumblefoot is a common inflammatory condition affecting the bottom of the chicken’s foot; footpad & toes
The most frequent presentation is a hard, puss-filled abscess of the underlying tissue and structures covered by a brown to black coloured scab
The ulcers can cause swelling, redness, and heat under the skin and cause the surface area to thicken.
Often, a scab or crust will cover the lesion.
As the severity of the infection increases, so does the pain, and chickens are often reluctant to walk and/or appear lame.
The situation helps entry of secondary bacterial infections
Treatment & Control:
Concrete or hard muddy floor with even surface
Clean, light & soft litter material
Litter Thickness as per season & Body Weight Target
Proper Ventilation
Humidity control
Gut Health Maintenance
Emergency Removal of Litter material and New Bedding material placement
Antibiotic Treatment considering the morbidity & degree of infection
4. FOWL CHOLERA
Contributing Factors:
Fowl cholera (FC) is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by Pasteurella multocida
Symptoms:
Chronic Form of FC presents as a localized infection; swelling, inflammation, and abscess on foot pad & joints causing Lameness.
Treatment & Control:
Tetracycline Inj 5mg/Kg BW, may be repeated after 48 hours
Multi strain probiotic to support the already disturbed Gut Health
Immediate Isolation of all infected Birds from the flock
5. INFECTIOUS SYNOVITIS or MS INFECTION
Contributing Factors::
An Acute to Chronic disease caused by Mycoplasma synoviae, a world-wide problem now
Symptoms:
Chickens with infectious synovitis develop swollen, red & warm hock joints and Footpad
They are in so much pain it is difficult for them to walk resulting Lameness
Unable to reach the feed leading to poor growth, unevenness in flock and slow mortality.
The synovial membranes of tendon sheaths are thickened, oedematous, with fibrinous exudates accumulating within and around the tendon sheaths.
Treatment & Control:
Prevention is through Vaccination of Breeder
Culling of affected Breeder flock as the disease mainly transmit vertically
Antibiotic Inj like Tylosin @ 20 -30 mg/Kg BW helps reducing loss
Drinking Water treatment with Tylosin, Tylmicosin or Tylvalosin @ 25 – 30mg/Kg BW is effective
Chlortetracycline may be given through water for effective results to control complicating E coli
B. INFECTIOUS -> 2. Viral
1. TENOSYNOVITIS or VIRAL ARTHRITIS or REO DISEASE
Contributing Factors:
Diff Serotypes of Avian Reovirus
It occurs predominately in commercial “meat-type” chickens
Broiler Chicks from Non-Vaccinated Parents are more susceptible
Symptoms:
Marked swelling of the digital flexor and metatarsal extensor tendons, which are located just above the hock joint.
The swelling area usually feels warm to touch.
The foot pad and hock joint also swollen.
Once the disease is advanced, the articular cartilage of the joint can completely erode, resulting in chronic tendinitis and rupture of the gastrocnemius tendon.
At this stage, there is green discoloration of skin & subcutaneous tissues at the site of rupture due internal bleeding; the bird is unable to extend affected foot or put weight on the leg resulting lameness
Treatment & Control:
Vaccination of Broiler Breeder with all available serotype is the best way of protection
Biosecurity in both Broiler & Breeder farm
Anti-Viral drug & Immuno-stimulant help reducing losses
2. MAREK’S DISEASE or MD
Contributing Factors:
Highly contagious disease developing tumours in the nerve sheath resulting Lameness
Symptoms:
Enlarged nerves are the most consistent gross lesions in affected birds; Various peripheral nerves, particularly the vagus, brachial & sciatic become enlarged and lose their striations
Transient paralysis (TD): Vasogenic brain oedema; causes temporary incoordination (ataxia), partial to complete paralysis of the neck or legs, lasting only 1 to 2 days
One legs straight forward and other back
Paralysis of legs, wings & neck
Torticollis, Incoordination
Reddened Leg
Treatment & Control:
Vaccination of Breeder is the best way of protection
Vaccination of Broiler Chicks at Hatchery gives protection after 7 – 14 days
Biosecurity in both Broiler & Breeder farm
3. AVIAN ENCEPHALOMYELITIS or AE
Contributing Factors:
AE, also referred to as epidemic tremor, is an infectious neurological disease caused by a picornavirus.
It occurs in young chicken between 1-3 weeks age.
Chicks from Non-Vaccinated parents are at high risk of developing the disease
Symptoms:
Seizure like activity
Spinning
Ataxia (Incoordination & Stumbling)
Rapid Trembling of Head & Neck
Paralysis
Treatment & Control:
Vaccination of Breeder is the best way of protection
Biosecurity in both Broiler & Breeder farm
4. RANIKHET DISEASE (RD) or NEWCASTLE DISEASE (ND)
Contributing Factors:
ND or RD is a highly contagious Viral disease, causing heavy mortality with symptoms resulting disabilities
Symptoms:
Uncoordinated (ataxia) walk and movements, where affected birds may be seen stumbling frequently, and appear to lack proper balance.
Unilateral or bilateral partial or complete paralysis of their legs and wings.
Head Tremor
Twisted Neck (Torticollis)
Convulsion, Circling
Muscle Spasms
Lethargy
Treatment & Control:
Vaccination of Breeder is the best way of protection
Vaccination of Broiler considering the field challenge control ND effectively
Gastrivix™ Avi has been created to meet the bird’s biological needs, support gut integrity and promote reliable growth and performance. Perstorp believes that the solution will solve multiple challenges for the industry, by reducing feed volumes for the broiler’s lifecycle, providing consistent growth results, and boosting ROI.
India is the #3 market in egg production, and growing YOY with CAGR 7%. on. According to Animal Husbandry Dept of Govt of India, in 2020 the per capita egg consumption in India was 79 units & which is growing by 10% every year. Despite of the strong growth, Indian consumption is still relatively low compared to other countries. According to National Institute of Nutrition recommendation In India per capita egg consumption need to reach 180 unit asap.
Suguna Foods, India’s largest poultry conglomerate, announced the appointment of Mr. Vignesh Soundararajan as its new Managing Director effective April 1st, 2022. In his new role, Vignesh will lead the Farm, Feed & Process Food Division of Suguna Foods operations in India. In addition to this, Vignesh will also power the company’s expansion within the poultry segment and focus on strengthening the footprints of the brand across the nation. The current Managing Director and co-founder Mr.G.B Sundararajan will continue to be associated with Suguna Foods as part of the Board.
Adding to this, Mr. Vignesh Soundararajan, Managing Director, Suguna Foods said, “The last seven years had been very eventful, from facing the global pandemic to rebranding Suguna Foods, we have faced the highs and lows of the industry. As a market leader and name which resonates across all geographic locations, Suguna Chicken has always been the favorite among consumers. We have also launched “Delfrez” the new age brand in meat retail, which has further strengthened our product portfolio adding to diverse purchase options to consumers. While we are devoted to continuing Suguna Foods’ legacy and strengthening its overall commitment to the people and nation, I am personally looking forward to bringing additional innovations and retail expansion across all operations in my new role. As we move towards a brighter tomorrow, I look forward to creating a mutually beneficial future for each of our betterment. With this in mind, we have placed a high value on our farmers and Business Associates, and we will continue to work hard to provide best – quality products for our consumers”.
Because the liver produces the egg yolk precursors, liver health is critical for optimum egg production. A strong egg production capacity is linked to a healthy liver. The liver is involved in the activation of vitamin D3, which has a direct impact on calcium metabolism and eggshell quality.
Symptoms: 
