Mycotoxins, unavoidable contaminants in poultry feed, can negatively affect hatchery outcomes. Their hidden effects are often overlooked in parent stock farms but become evident in hatcheries. Mycotoxins impact fertility, eggshell quality, vaccine response, and progeny quality. Awareness and protective measures are crucial for maximizing hatchery success and bird health.
Are there mycotoxins in your poultry feed?
The DSM World Mycotoxin Survey found that 95% of poultry feed samples are contaminated by mycotoxins. 82% of these samples contain multiple mycotoxins, which can potentiate their toxic effects within birds.
Regions have varying mycotoxin contamination profiles, with different mycotoxins present in different combinations and quantities. The most harmful mycotoxins for birds include DON and FUM, which are globally prevalent and linked to gut health issues and immunosuppression. ZEN is also common and affects fertility and egg production. Afla impacts liver function and immunity, while T2 and OTA, though less prevalent, can have acute toxic effects even at low doses.
How do mycotoxins impact chicks’ incubation and hatching?
Impaired performance of breeders and roosters
ZEN and OTA harm reproduction and embryo development. ZEN affects fertility and egg quality, while OTA reduces chick survival and immunity.
Reduced egg quality
Mycotoxins (T2, OTA, ZEN) impair egg quality and hatchability. They reduce calcium absorption, alter protein synthesis, and affect reproductive physiology. This leads to lower-quality eggs with reduced hatchability and production output.
Impaired yolk formation and reduced chick livability
Impaired liver function in poultry due to mycotoxicosis affects yolk formation, leading to higher chick mortality. The liver is crucial for lipid metabolism and the production of liposoluble vitamins, directly influencing yolk quality and chick health.
Predisposition to ‘leaky gut’ and contamination through the hatchery
DON and FUM disrupt gut integrity, causing ‘leaky gut’ syndrome, increased pathogen growth, and dirty eggs in hatcheries.
Impaired immunity and vaccine failure
Mycotoxins suppress the immune system, hindering antibody production. AFLA, trichothecenes, FUM, and OTA are implicated. Their presence can undermine vaccine efficacy. Studies demonstrate that DON, a Fusarium mycotoxin, reduces antibody levels against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis virus in breeders.
How to avoid this risk in the hatchery?
Step 1: Identify the mycotoxins present in your poultry feed using mycotoxin detection services.
Step 2: Tailor counteraction measures based on mycotoxin type. Binders work for adsorbable mycotoxins (e.g., AFLA), while biotransformation is needed for non-adsorbable ones (e.g., FUM, DON, ZEN, OTA, T2) using specific enzymes for safe and non-toxic metabolites.
Step 3: Utilize bioprotection. Bioprotection utilizes selected plant extract to support the functionality of target mycotoxins organs such as the liver and gut.
Source: DSM
