Nutritionist > Poultry
Poultry
Economic losses associated with mycotoxicosis include:
- Poor growth
- Reduced egg production
- Reduced feed conversion
- Increased mortality
- Poor egg shell quality
- Reduced fertility
- Leg problems
- Carcass condemnation
- Increased susceptibility to disease
In poultry production, feed is the key vector bringing mycotoxins into the production system and control strategies should mainly focus on optimising feed quality. However, cases have been reported where significant concentrations of mycotoxins have been introduced into the production systems through litter. Straw may already be contaminated with significant concentrations of mycotoxins at the time of harvest, although any type of litter can be contaminated during unfavourable storage conditions.
In order for you to effectively recognise mycotoxicosis, flocks have to be carefully inspected for symptoms. Symptoms are often very general and can greatly vary between mycotoxins, making proper diagnoses a difficult undertaking. Careful recognition of symptoms and post-mortem analyses combined with adequate feed analyses, provide the most accurate mean of a mycotoxicosis diagnosis.
