Author: bodvfeed

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of low molecular weight produced by different varieties of fungi, principally moulds. Mycotoxin contamination usually occurs in the field as well as during the processing and storage of feed products. The presence of mycotoxins in chicken feed results in significant financial losses for the poultry farmer.
Mycotoxins are omnipresent in high moisture feed ingredients and no poultry feed is free of any mycotoxin, under practical conditions. These moulds commonly grow on crops such as cereals, and grains, particularly under conditions of high humidity, temperature, and poor storage conditions. Feed contaminated with mycotoxin harms the production and health of animals. Mycotoxins show additive, synergistic, as well as antagonistic effects with other toxins, infectious agents, and nutritional requirements. They may interact with drugs used as therapeutic agents and also diminish the effects of vaccines administered to poultry.

Major Mycotoxins:

Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Fumonisins, Zearalenone, Trichothecene(T-2), Deoxynivalenol(DON)

Major Impacts of Mycotoxins

Aflatoxins:

• high morbidity and mortality rates are possible
• lesions in the liver along with reddening due to necrosis and congestion or yellowing due to lipid accumulation
• haemorrhages in liver and other tissues

Ochratoxins:

• decreased weight gain as well as poor feed conversion
• decreased spontaneous activity
• diarrhea, rapid weight loss, and death
• decrease in overall carcass yield, egg production, egg quality, fertility, and hatchability

Fumonisins:

Fumonisins block the synthesis of complex sphingolipids that play an important role in protecting nerves, muscles, and membranes. Due to this, the free sphingoid bases sphinganine (Sa) and sphingosine (So), both highly toxic to most cells, accumulate in tissues leading to severe cell damage and cell death.

Zearalenone:

It is produced by Fusarium graminearum. ZEN and its metabolites have a biological structure similar to 17-b estradiol (E2). Hence, they can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere with estrogen function which affects animals’ reproductive ability and cause reproductive disorders.

T-2 (Type A Tricothecene):

• inhibition of protein, DNA, as well as RNA synthesis
• cytotoxicity and immunosuppression
• cell lesions in the digestive tract, organs, as well as skin
• neural disturbances and low overall performance in poultry production

DON:

• reduction in weight and immune response to infection, particularly bacterial infection.
• injury to the gastrointestinal tract
• decrease in the absorption of nutrients (glucose and amino acid) through the intestine

Prevention against mycotoxins is necessary and the use of detoxifying or adsorbing agent (mycotoxin binder) in poultry rations is essential.

What are Mycotoxin binders? And their effects…

Mycotoxin binders or adsorbents are substances that bind to mycotoxins and prevent absorption through the gut of an animal.

The aluminosilicate binders are natural, inorganic mycotoxin binders containing a porous structure made of silica that can adsorb and trap mycotoxins (Jouany, 2007; Di Gregorio et al., 2014).

Widely used Mycotoxin binders- aluminosilicates like clay, bentonite, zeolite, aqueous sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), and activated charcoal.

• They degrade mycotoxins into non-toxic metabolites. In-vitro studies on the binding capacity of many adsorbents, HSCAS, and MOS have shown that these are the most effective choices.
• Added to animal diets, mycotoxin binders, adsorbents, and mould inhibitors can mitigate the negative effects of mycotoxin

Mechanism Of Action:

Here’s the Solution…

Our product is a unique combination of high-grade mycotoxin adsorbents, mould inhibitors, as well as anti-fungal elements along with lipotropic agents which makes VINSORB-BIO a very effective mycotoxin binder for high levels of toxins, where the nature of toxin is unknown or its presence uncertain.

Composition

• Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate (HSCAS), Phyllosilicates
• MOS
• Activated Charcoal
• Organic Acids
• Elemental Copper
• Lipotropic Agents

Why VinSorb Bio?

Coccidiosis is one of the major concerns for poultry worldwide due to its effects on enteric health and overall flock performance. It is mainly caused by a protozoan parasite Eimeria. Major species of Eimeria that are found to be infectious in poultry are E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox, and E. tenella. It causes an increased rate of morbidity and mortality in poultry, which results in major economic losses.

Common signs and symptoms of infection include:

Modes of Transmission of Eimeria 

Eimeria is a host-specific infection, where different species of Eimeria infect different portions of the intestine in poultry.

1. Infected birds shed the infective oocysts (small egg-like bodies) in their feces.

2. These oocysts quickly multiply and flourish in favorable conditions.

3. Birds ingest these oocysts from contaminated food, water, litter, and become infected.

4. After being swallowed, the parasites establish themselves on the mucosa, developing and reproducing in large numbers, causing severe damage. Coccidia can complete their life cycle in approximately 4–7 days and multiply rapidly.

5. It damages the intestinal epithelial lining and reduces its ability to absorb nutrients essential for the growth of poultry.

Programs to Control Coccidiosis in Poultry 

Key challenges of using anti-coccidial drugs in poultry

• Using drugs from the same class and the same mode of action one after another for a long period increases the risk of resistance being developed toward the class.
• It leads to the accumulation of chemical residues in poultry.
• It not only reduces the rate of poultry production but also causes major economic losses in poultry farming.

Therefore, anticoccidials are banned as feed additives due to consumers’ concerns about residues in poultry products. The natural plant-based solution is an effective alternative to mitigate the side effects of chemical-based products.

How can the natural solution be an effective alternative for coccidiosis control in poultry?

• Phytochemicals present in plants reduce mucosal inflammation and lesions and effectively reduce the spread of disease by decreasing oocyst excretion.
• Naturally improves the beneficial microbial population.
• It can be used in combination with vaccines, ionophores, and chemicals as part of the shuttle or rotation program.
• Fulfils public demand for residue-free poultry but also provides sustainable and effective poultry production.

Biococcin: Natural Alternative to Coccidiosis in Poultry

BIOCOCCIN is a phytochemical mixture derived from various ethnoveterinary herbs, which has diverse mechanisms of action against multiple species of Eimeria. It provides a long-term benefit. The active constituents in BIOCOCCIN suppress the developmental stages in the lifecycle of Eimeria and help control coccidiosis. It is a sustainable solution, providing poultry farmers with a safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious alternative.

 Benefits of Biococcin 

*References on request

In commercial cage layers, the quality of eggs is crucial for farmers. Egg quality can be inferred greatly from the eggshell. Different factors like genetics, age, nutrition, viral diseases, environmental conditions, and egg handling affect the eggshell quality. The incidence of thin and broken-shelled eggs increases as the laying cycle progresses. The weak-shelled eggs are liable to break before collection at the farm and break during transportation and handling. Poor eggshell quality is a huge hidden cost to the egg producer.

Approximately 3 % of eggs in the hen house are uncollectible or break before use, resulting in significant losses. The 1-2 % are lost due to deformities, and about 2–3% during collection, processing, and transportation.

Eggshell breaking is common in older birds due to impaired kidney functions. Large eggs will usually break more easily than small ones. The main reason for this is that the hen is genetically capable of placing only a finite amount of calcium in the shell. As the hen ages and the eggs get bigger, a similar amount of calcium must be spread over a large surface; this can influence eggshell quality.

Sometimes a thinner eggshell is stronger than a thicker eggshell due to the shape and organization of the organic and inorganic components in the shell.

TO UNDERSTAND EGG SHELL CRACKING BETTER, LET’S FIRST UNDERSTAND HOW EGG SHELLS ARE FORMED…

COMPOSITION OF EGG SHELL:

TO ADDRESS THESE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, WE REPRESENT ‘SHELLVIN- BECAUSE STRONGER SHELL MATTERS!’

‘SHELLVIN’ is a unique blend that comprises organic calcium, shell enzyme co-factors, a vitamin D3 absorption enhancer, and a precursor of the organic matrix of shell. Apart from overcoming deficiencies affecting egg shell quality, SHELLVIN positively influences formation of shell ultrastructure.

CRACK THE CODE TO STRONGER SHELLS WITH SHELLVIN!

*References on request

• Restores growth retardation and improves FCR
• Manages clinical signs like Slipped tendon and Perosis 
• Improves liver metabolism and prevents fatty liver syndrome
• Essential metabolite for building and maintaining cell structure regulates integrity and porosity of cartilage matrix and also helps faster recovery from diseases
• Necessary for formation of acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)
• Source of labile methyl groups for the formation of methionine from homocysteine and creatine from guanidoacetic acid Higher choline bioavailability growth retardation Improved FCR Prevent FLS & Perosis.
• In field conditions, herbal choline demonstrated better performance than choline chloride in utilising the energy value of the feed, preventing fatty liver, and consequently improving feed efficiency and production performance.

KIFAY, an Alternative and Economic Approach Towards Feed Formulation

To meet the increasing demand and keep the livestock and poultry product prices reasonable, KIFAY supported feed millers and poultry integrators in enduring times by increasing their profit margins.

KIFAY, is a blend of synergistic herb extract. The feed additive is used for improving FCR and weight gain. KIFAY plays a unique role in amino acid absorption, protein biosynthesis in liver and improving protein retention in the birds. It upregulates hepatic IGF 1 levels and activates muscle protein synthesis. The other combination of polyphenols and flavonoids increase digestive secretions which helps in nutrient metabolism and absorption.

KIFAY plays a pivotal role in sustaining the ever escalating feed commodity prices, saving human grade food and growing profitable animal produce in the blue times.

There is also a higher interest from the consumer in organic poultry production and a great demand for natural and healthier products. In this context, the use of natural supplements has become a promising alternative to synthetic additives.

*References on request

In addition, herbal preparations help in the digestion process and being a component of nature, these preparations are considered safe, cost effective and environment friendly with no side effect. Hence, their inclusion in the diet is encouraged to enhance the bird’s performance, improve feed utilization, maintain health and alleviate adverse effect of environmental stress.

Feed additives help improving the efficiency of feed utilization and thus reducing the high cost of feed. Now days, use of herbal feed additives are gaining importance in poultry production due to ban on use of certain antibiotics because of their harmful residual effects.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and historic inflation rise has impacted worldwide economies is well-known with energy and protein prices soaring every day. Not many are aware how the war has disrupted the availability of raw material for animal nutrition. Therefore, ever than before there is need of sustainable additives to utilize most from the feed and increase the profit margins.

Vincholine, Polyherbal Formulation of Enriched Natural Choline for Poultry

Vincholine is a natural choline supplement produced from Tinospora cordifolia, Andrographis paniculata, and Terminalia chebula, which is recognized in Ayurvedic Medicine. It has high content of choline in its esterified phosphatidylcholine form, free choline and sphingomyelin with high bioavailability. It can be an important alternative to the use of synthetic choline chloride. The results have shown that Vincholine can replace choline chloride in the poultry diets.

Biological significance

• Restores growth retardation and improves FCR
• Manages clinical signs like Slipped tendon and Perosis 
• Improves liver metabolism and prevents fatty liver syndrome
• Essential metabolite for building and maintaining cell structure regulates integrity and porosity of cartilage matrix and also helps faster recovery from diseases
• Necessary for formation of acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)
• Source of labile methyl groups for the formation of methionine from homocysteine and creatine from guanidoacetic acid Higher choline bioavailability growth retardation Improved FCR Prevent FLS & Perosis.
• In field conditions, herbal choline demonstrated better performance than choline chloride in utilising the energy value of the feed, preventing fatty liver, and consequently improving feed efficiency and production performance.

KIFAY, an Alternative and Economic Approach Towards Feed Formulation

To meet the increasing demand and keep the livestock and poultry product prices reasonable, KIFAY supported feed millers and poultry integrators in enduring times by increasing their profit margins.

KIFAY, is a blend of synergistic herb extract. The feed additive is used for improving FCR and weight gain. KIFAY plays a unique role in amino acid absorption, protein biosynthesis in liver and improving protein retention in the birds. It upregulates hepatic IGF 1 levels and activates muscle protein synthesis. The other combination of polyphenols and flavonoids increase digestive secretions which helps in nutrient metabolism and absorption.

KIFAY plays a pivotal role in sustaining the ever escalating feed commodity prices, saving human grade food and growing profitable animal produce in the blue times.

There is also a higher interest from the consumer in organic poultry production and a great demand for natural and healthier products. In this context, the use of natural supplements has become a promising alternative to synthetic additives.

*References on request

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and historic inflation rise has impacted worldwide economies is well-known with energy and protein prices soaring every day. Not many are aware how the war has disrupted the availability of raw material for animal nutrition. Therefore, ever than before there is need of sustainable additives to utilize most from the feed and increase the profit margins.

Feed additives help improving the efficiency of feed utilization and thus reducing the high cost of feed. Now days, use of herbal feed additives are gaining importance in poultry production due to ban on use of certain antibiotics because of their harmful residual effects.

In addition, herbal preparations help in the digestion process and being a component of nature, these preparations are considered safe, cost effective and environment friendly with no side effect. Hence, their inclusion in the diet is encouraged to enhance the bird’s performance, improve feed utilization, maintain health and alleviate adverse effect of environmental stress.

A unique micro-emulsified formulation of phytoactive ingredients such as Thymus vulgaris, Eucalyptus, Syzygium, and Citronella. Herbofloxin improves gut immune barrier to resist colonization by pathological microflora.

Thymol, eugenol, and essential oils inhibit enteropathogen like Salmonella and E. coli in the digestive tract. The improved gastrointestinal microclimate favors digestibility and uptake of feed nutrients. Phytomolecules with immunomodulatory effects stimulate growth of immune organs such as spleen, thymus and bursa, upregulating the function of lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells.

The addition of Herbofloxin to drinking water supports digestion and metabolism in the body, stimulates the growth and development of a useful microbiome, limits the multiplication and adhesion of pathogens, and improves the morphology and functioning of enterocytes. Secondly, Herbofloxin reduces harmful intestinal load and ultimately prevents the meat contamination.

Biococcin is a holistic combination of phytochemicals with diverse mechanism of action on multiple species of Eimeria. This active constituent suppresses the developmental stages in the lifecycle of Eimeria by several mechanisms, restricting the damage to intestinal cells and spread of the infection by several mechanisms mentioned below:

• Prevention of oocyst development
• Inhibition of sporulation
• Inhibition of oocyst wall
• Destruction of sporozoites in caeca
• Stabilizing intestinal structure and decreasing inflammation
• Stimulation of immune response and modulation.

Furthermore, herbal extracts could improve recovery after coccidiosis. Flavonoids and other polyphenols have been reported to be responsible for most of the biological properties of the herbs, including the anticoccidial potential.

Poultry industry is heavily influenced by feed commodity prices, trade negotiations, currency fluctuations and economic growth of the importing markets. Firstly, it was Covid then poultry product prices dropped on fears of linking chicken consumption to the virus transmission. Further Avian influenza outbreak of Jan-Feb 2021 hit it when the sales were just recovering.

After that, the second wave struck, and now when the industry was getting back on its feet the feed prices have spiked up due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

High feed prices have already resulted in an increase in the prices of animal protein such as chicken, milk and milk products, and seafood. Prices of soybean and maize are rising sharply, the two key inputs that are used in feed in the poultry industry as a source of protein and energy.

The main driver of increasing feed costs has been soybean and maize. Feed accounts for 70% of variable costs, wherein maize forms 55-60% of the feed while soyemeal forms 30-35% approximately. In the last six-month maize prices have gone up by more than 50% while soybean prices rose by 60-70% in the past 1 year.

Due to the conflict with Russia, the imports of de-oiled cakes have stopped which is largely used as a protein source in chicken feed. The industry is sensitive to fluctuations in the ingredient prices, mainly feed which accounts for 70% of the variable costs. The industry margins are taking the toll led by spike in soyabean and maize costs in FY2022.

Chicken prices have also gone up by 25-30% since January, the experts expect a further increase of 20-50% in different parts of the world in March due to acute shortage of feed and fresh supply chain issues.tappan et al., 2016)

High prices of SBM, Maize, de-oiled cakes and essential amino acids drive the feed prices and so the cost of animal protein. According to the FAO data, global meat production is predicted to be 16% higher by 2025 and global feed processing market growing at a CAGR of 3.92% from 2020 to 2027. The surge in consumption and demand of livestock products such as eggs, meat, dairy & dairy-based products are expected to upswing the demand for feed among the farm animals. With the ever increasing demand of animal protein and consumption of competitive feed ingredients like soya, maize and other cereals; we are challenged to search unconventional alternatives or adopt sustainable strategies.

 

ant textural changes like woody breast, white striping and spaghetti meat.

KIFAY, an alternative and economic approach towards feed formulation

Herbal medicine has been revolutionizing in the animal industry for its safe, efficient, and long term benefits. Scientists are scouting for phytoactive compounds which have anabolic and antiseptic properties to improve growth performance and nutrient efficiency. Phytochemicals, also referred as phytobiotics or phytogenics, are natural bioactive compounds that are extracted from plants and incorporated into animal feed to enhance productivity and improve feed efficiency.

To meet the increasing demand and keep the livestock and poultry product prices reasonable, KIFAY supported feed millers and poultry integrators in enduring times by increasing their profit margins

KIFAY, is a blend of synergistic herb extract. The feed additive is used for improving FCR and weight gain. KIFAY plays a unique role in amino acid absorption, protein biosynthesis in liver and improving protein retention in the birds. It upregulates hepatic IGF 1 levels and activates muscle protein synthesis. The other combination of polyphenols and flavonoids increase digestive secretions which helps in nutrient metabolism and absorption.

In feed formulations, to minimize the feed cost KIFAY functions as a protein optimizer. Nutritionists can reduce the total crude protein percent by 0.5 % and save the pricey feed ingredients such as SMB or de-oiled cakes. For instance, by minimizing 0.5 % CP it can save up to 11 kg of SBM and reward additional saving without affecting performance of the birds. For poultry integrators, KIFAY supplementation improves FCR and weight gain which yields handsome value to the investment.

KIFAY plays a pivotal role in sustaining the ever-escalating feed commodity prices, saving human-grade food and growing profitable animal produce in the blue times.

 

Woody breast (WB), or “Spaghetti meat” affects modern, rapidly growing, high breast yield broilers. Decreased meat quality due to undesirable change in muscle texture and condemnation of affected breast meat cause huge economic losses. WB incidence has increased steeply from 5% in 2012 to 29% in 2015 and has been reported to affect up to 50% of the flocks (Abasht et al., 2016). The majority of cases have been reported in the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Brazil.

Woody breast myopathy is significantly impacting modern poultry lines of broilers imposing an economic burden on the poultry industry worldwide due to on-farm culling and mortality, down-grading and condemnation at processing (Chatterjee et al., 2016). People at the processing plants are getting better at identifying the condition and reporting it before it gets to restaurants who would complain about having been disappointed with the quality of their purchase. The affected meat tastes woody and stringy, some experts describe the texture as being “gummy”.

The heavier the bird, and the larger the quantity of meat on it, the more likely it is to develop woody breasts. While the condition can be found in leg meat, it typically affects breast meat, with enough impact to disrupt the supply chain. The occurrence of these unwanted myopathies has been associated with an increased growth rate in modern birds. In the laboratory, the condition can be detected in chicks as young as a week old.

Etiology and microscopic changes in the meat

It was noted that only ten percent of breast meat has woody breast, but it can be detected by looking for pale meat with bulging areas. White stripes on the meat are also indicative of texture and taste defects in the meat. Also, chickens weighing more than nine pounds seem to be more likely to have woody breast syndrome.

Intensive breeding in broilers to strengthen the genetic markers for large breast meat, and this is thought to be a factor in the development of woody breast in recent years. The reported changes are: oxidation of proteins in muscles, muscle-fibre degeneration (Myopathy) and an increased deposition of connective tissue and fat microscopically. In addition, it has been noted that birds with woody breast have a decreased water-holding capacity, and are slightly larger on the growth curve than other birds.

Moreover, feeding birds with high energy and protein diets, age, gender, genetics, and stress had been associated with the woody breast myopathy (Kuttappan et al., 2016)

Various identifying methods to detect woody meat

US has brought Certified Quality Reader (CQR), which is a first-ever, non-invasive, handheld device that instantaneously detects and measures woody breast in broiler fillets based on electrical impedance analysis (BIA) to detect woody breast a muscle myopathy. Also at large processing plants, it might be possible to X-ray the meat or use electrical impedance measurement and different applications of imaging technology.

There have been several approaches to minimize muscle myopathies in chicken to improve meat quality like supplementing amino acids, phytase, vitamins, minerals and other feed additives or changes in the farm management regime, however, we could not find a promising solution to this condition yet.

Our research team have developed a photogenic combination that works on preventing muscle myopathies, improving the nutritive value and carcass quality of chicken.

TENDERO, an amino acid optimizer keeps the muscles tender and free from unpleasant textural changes like woody breast, white striping and spaghetti meat.

The metabolomics and proteomic studies show that hypoxia and activation of its upstream mediators play a key role in muscle myopathies. Piperines, Flavonoids and Polyphenols derived from Allum sp. and Piper nigrum, are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components. They prevent fibrosis, immune cell infiltration and muscle fibre degeneration and assist in its repair which regulates the bio-physiology of the muscles.

Tendero modulates muscle oxygenation and nucleotide pathways, and molecular signalling which alters affected bio-functions in the muscles and prevents myopathies in the modern lines’ fast-growing broilers.

The actives of Tendero prevent oxidative stress within the breast muscles through free radical scavenging, cell signalling and maintaining lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid and nucleic acid metabolism.

Meat quality is an important measure of meat palatability and acceptability to consumers. The in-vivo experiments in broiler chicken improved the chicken quality factors like water holding capacity, juiciness, tenderness, meat texture and margination uptake.

TENDERO is a research-proven herbal supplement for the immerging issue of muscle myopathy and to improve organoleptic characteristics. It is leading in the broiler industry for its benefits like improved carcass traits, higher nutritive value, and improved textural and meat processing features.

 

It is recommended to use in broiler finisher feeds @ 2 kg per MT of feed to achieve tender and soft chicken, minimize cooking losses, and have higher margination uptake with no withdrawal period.

Vitamin D3, Alpha Vitamin for Poultry in its Most Active Formd antibiotics

Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is the inactive form of vitamin D that can be ingested through diet or be generated endogenously in the skin when exposed to UV light. Vitamin D is converted into its active form 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2 D3), following a two-step hydroxylation process mediated by two key enzymes, 25-hydroxylase and 1α-hydroxylase. The first hydroxylation occurs in the liver, which converts cholecalciferol at the 25-C position to form 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D). The subsequent hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol occurs at the 1-C position and is mediated by 1α-hydroxylase in the kidneys to produce 1,25-(OH)2 D3, the active form of vitamin D (Alexandra and Barbara, 2013).

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the proper metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), and the maintenance of normal skeletal integrity (Bikle, 1994). Vitamin D also plays a role in Ca and P absorption, regulation of parathyroid hormone, bone mineralization and mobilization, and it controls the incidence of bone disorders (Garcia et al., 2013). In fowls, vitamin D is responsible for normal growth, egg production, shell quality, and reproduction.

Layers are usually maintained indoors and do not receive enough sunlight to convert 7-dihydrocholesterol to sufficient levels to supply their vitamin D requirements. This is why vitamin D is routinely added to layer feeds, which is essential for the maintenance of egg production, hatchability, eggshell formation, and calcium homeostasis.

Which are the deficiency diseases of vitamin D in birds?

The two most prominent forms of vitamin D are ergocalciferol (D₂) and cholecalciferol (D₃). Vitamin D is an important nutrient for chickens, especially for growing chicks and laying hens.

The inadequacy of vitamin D in birds results in rickets, retarded growth, soft and rubbery beak, hypocalcemia, parathyroid hyperplasia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, a marked expansion of epiphyseal growth plates including cartilage hypertrophy, failure of calcification of cartilage and osteoid, and fibrous osteodystrophy.

In hens, a vitamin D deficiency adversely affects egg production and causes calcium deficiency. The need for vitamin D depends to a large extent on the ratio of calcium to phosphorus. The vitamin D needs of poultry are increased several folds by inadequate levels of calcium and (or) phosphorus or by improper ratios of these minerals in the diet.

How does vitamin D metabolize in the body?

Cholecalciferol is the most common form of vitamin D added to feeds. After absorption by the intestinal mucosa, it is transported to the liver, where it is hydroxylated in position 25, resulting in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH) cholecalciferol). This metabolite is directed to the kidneys and hydroxylated at carbon 1, originating the active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2 cholecalciferol). Vitamin D has been shown to stimulate the synthesis of a calcium-binding protein in the intestine.

Dynamic Alpha, a bio-enhanced natural D₃ booster

It is a blend of Phytoconstituents (Natural absorbance enhancers), contains hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D₃ (Calcitriol) and some amount of free and conjugated forms as glycosides from plant origin.

Why is it better than a regular vitamin D?

During the metabolic transformation of the vitamin D from calcitriol in the liver and kidneys, the effectiveness and level of vitamin reduces in the bloodstream. The active form 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (calcitriol) of Dynamic alpha allows these two stages to be bypassed. It improves the vitamin D3 uptake and is delivered faster in the blood serum.

Additionally, Dynamic alpha components improve micelles formation which results in more absorption of liposoluble vitamins. It maintains homeostasis of Ca : P in body, improves bone density, increases egg shell thickness and vitamin D levels of eggs.

Experimental results confirmed that supplementation of poultry diets with Dynamic alpha, natural and safe active form of vitamin D yields healthy, more productive birds, and enriched eggs, supporting higher profit margins to the farmers.

Benefits and features

• Improves growth and laying performance
• Maintains homeostasis of Ca:P in the body
• Increases hatchability and day-old chick weight
• Increases bone density and maintains its strength
• Helps in the development and maintenance of body, beak and feathers
• Helps in preventing egg damage by increasing the shell strength of the eggs
• Improves vitamin D₃ content of the eggs

Feeding recommendation

• Layers – 250 – 500 g / MT of feed
• Broiler – 250 – 500 g / MT of feed
• Breeder – 500 g / MT of feed OR as directed by a Veterinarian / Nutritionist.

Antimicrobial additives are commonly included in animal diets for growth promotion and control of diseases. The European Union and the US regulators banned feed antibiotic growth promoters due to not only drug resistance, but also to the risk of possible cross resistance with human pathogenic bacteria.

Decreasing trend of feed antibiotics

Poultry feed devoid of synthetic chemicals or antibiotics is increasingly being popular in the developed nations. Consequently, the feed manufacturers are under regulatory pressure to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters as feed additive and find alternatives.

Thymol, eugenol, and essential oils inhibit enteropathogen like Salmonella and E. coli in the digestive tract. The improved gastrointestinal microclimate favors digestibility and uptake of feed nutrients. Phytomolecules with immunomodulatory effects stimulate growth of immune organs such as spleen, thymus and bursa, upregulating the function of lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells.

The addition of Herbofloxin to drinking water supports digestion and metabolism in the body, stimulates the growth and development of a useful microbiome, limits the multiplication and adhesion of pathogens, and improves the morphology and functioning of enterocytes. Secondly, Herbofloxin reduces harmful intestinal load and ultimately prevents the meat contamination.

Worldwide use of antibiotics

It has been proposed that feed antibiotic usage was an integral part of this revolution in animal industry. It is estimated that 40 % of the antibiotics produced are used for livestock feed additives.

Why are antibiotics given to animals? 

Animals in industrial-scale facilities are routinely fed antibiotics to:

– make animals grow faster and bigger

– control the spread of diseases in animals

– prevent contamination of animal products with zoonotic pathogens

– increase survival of animals, however when antibiotics are overused, it can be hazardous to the human health

The threat of antibiotic resistance

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 2 million human illnesses and an estimated 23,000 deaths each year are the result of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, antibiotic growth promoters are discredited by consumer associations as well as by scientists.

Risks associated with drug resistance and superbugs

Antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring phenomenon that can be slowed, but not prevented. Over the decades, germs such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi adopt to the medicines that are made to kill them. This makes previously standard drug range for some infections less effective, and sometimes ineffective.

Number of incidences suggests that giving healthy animals regular antibiotics can contribute to the worsening health crisis of the resistance and creation of the deadly superbugs. Superbugs are strains of pathogens that are resistant to common antibiotics and other treatments used to treat the infections they cause.

Post-outbreak medication has had variable effectiveness, but would certainly be less effective due to use of subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics

Phytoactives, sustainable alternatives as non-antibiotic growth promoters for poultry

The feed manufacturers are adopting new forms of natural feed additives that are the products of modern science. This new generation of growth enhancers include botanical additives like appropriate blends of plant extracts. The extracts used as feed additives include many different bio-active ingredients such as alkaloids, bitters, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins.

The extracts act on the appetite and intestinal microflora, stimulate the pancreatic secretions to increase endogenous enzyme activity and immune system. Many plant products and their constituents have a broad antimicrobial activity, antioxidant and sedative properties.

Besides this, scientists recently discovered that the appetizing and stimulating activity of plant extracts on animal digestive and immune system could benefit performance and health of farm animals. They postulated that these effects could be due to the increased production of digestive enzymes and the improved utilization of nutrients.

The wise use of antibiotics is not a substitute for, but a complement to good sanitation and husbandry practices. Extensive use of low-level antibiotics in feeds has brought about concern for potential harmful effects due to the development of resistant strains of organisms in host animals that might compromise animal as well as human health.

Herbofloxin, a natural growth promoter

A unique micro-emulsified formulation of phytoactive ingredients such as Thymus vulgaris, Eucalyptus, Syzygium, and Citronella. Herbofloxin improves the gut immune barrier to resist colonization by pathological microflora.

Thymol, eugenol, and essential oils inhibit enteropathogen like Salmonella and E. coli in the digestive tract. Phytoconstituents of antibacterial nature target gut pathogens including important zoonotic bacteria. The improved gastrointestinal microclimate favours digestibility and uptake of nutrients. Phytomolecules with immunomodulatory effects stimulates the growth of immune organs such as the spleen, thymus and bursa, improving the number and function of lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells. Positive effect on hemopoietic system improves efficient muscle oxygenation and feed conversion by promoting the activity of digestive enzymes.

It is important to note that poultry bacteria include a wide variety of human pathogens, such as Escherichia, Salmonella, and many other notable pathogenic genera. This zoonotic organism can be a public health hazard if consumed through contaminated meat. Herbofloxin reduces harmful intestinal load and ultimately prevents meat contamination.

Benefits

• Antimicrobial activity
• Stimulation of the immune system
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity
• Stimulation of feed intake and digestive secretions
• Improves blood and serum parameters such as hepatic and digestive enzymes
• A tool for antibiotic-free chicken program

Economic features

• Higher weight gain
• Improves nutrient utilization
• Improves carcass traits

Usage recommendation is 250 – 500 ml per 1000 liter of drinking water in the growing and finishing phase of broilers. Herbofloxin is a natural non-antibiotic growth promoter for environmental friendly and lead to sustainable poultry farming.

Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite, chicken mite or roost mite, is a major pest of fowl, pigeons, and other caged birds worldwide. The parasite especially common to poultry breeding and egg production operations, it is directly responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in egg industry losses every year. The surveys have confirmed the extremely high and increasing prevalence, 60 to 85 percent of flocks are known to have suffered or be suffering from infestations in different regions of the world and this is starting to trickle into backyard flocks.

Economic Impact

According to studies by the layer industry experts the productivity losses are seen up to €0.57 per hen per year and can climb up to €2.50 in high infestations. In Europe alone, the red mite infestation costs approximately €360 million annually.

Transmission of the poultry red mite, as well as the northern fowl mite and the tropical fowl mite, is by mite dispersion or by contact with infested birds, animals, or inanimate objects. In the integrated poultry industry, mites are dispersed most frequently on inanimate objects such as egg flats, crates, or coops or by personnel going from house to house or farm to farm.

 

 

What are Red Mites? How to Identify Them.

Red mites are small, up to 1mm long and 0.7mm wide, slow-moving mites. They range in colour from a very light grey, almost translucent to a light brown, black and blood-red colour after a feed. Their eggs are harder to spot with the naked eye at around 0.4mm and translucent, white in colour. After the eggs are laid, it typically takes up to five days before they take their first feed as protonymphs. When they reach the adult stage, at about 10 days old, this is when they will start to feed most frequently.

They are typically nocturnal feeders and remain hidden during the day in cracks and crevices, nests, cribs and roosts, egg conveyor belts, cardboard boxes and transportation cages. They can occasionally be found in clusters.

Re-infestations

Poultry mite is a very resilient ectoparasite. It can even survive for several months without feeding and can continue to exist even though there is no feeding source. Multi-age mite sites are often tricky to manage, but the mite can crawl from shed to shed and carry disease with them. Reinfection is highly likely either by missing a small colony of red mite or on the body of the pullets that make up the next flock. They can even migrate wild birds into poultry sheds. The reason why many producers are failing to control red mite is because of a lack of understanding of the products they are using.

Dermanyssus gallinae Causes Both Direct and Indirect Damage in Poultry Houses:

The loss of vitality due to parasitism reduces hen production; and the mite can transmit several viral diseases (Newcastle disease paramyxovirus; avian influenza a virus; fowlpox virus) as well as bacterial infections (Escherichia coli, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella gallinarum and S. enteritidis).

Flocks with mite infestations can suffer from: visible skin irritation and lesions on the breast and legs; increased stress; altered sleep patterns; feather plucking; anaemia, which presents as comb and pallor wattle; and death, in extreme cases. Stress is induced by pain and skin irritation associated with repeated mite bites favoured by the very high parasite load typical of red mite infestations, with mite densities ranging from 25,000 to 500,000 mites per hen. In the worst cases, poultry red mite can consume up to 5% of a hen’s blood in one night.

Limiter, A Novel Efficient Herbal Solution for Poultry Red Mite,

Despite chemical control of poultry red mites remaining the dominant method at the commercial farms, the acaricidal treatments can only give limited or short-period relief to the birds. Mainly due to difficulties associated with the effective application and emergence of resistance in mites.

Limiter is a stable combination of plant-derived oils designed on a pragmatic approach of reducing mites through a multipronged strategy. No resistance due to effective triple way mode of action i.e. gustatory avoidance, olfactory repellency, and contact toxicity. The key elements of the natural remedy for mite management are derived from Eucalyptus oil, Camphor, and Basil. It makes Limiter easy to register, use,  and one of the safest products in the market.

Limiter is a concentrated extract of active phytomolecules and therefore it needs to be diluted at the dose of 150 ml per 1000 litre of drinking water.

Limiter is recommended to use for 1 week – 1st application then 2nd application for 1 week after an interval of 7 days. It can be re-used in case of re-infestation as per the recommended protocol.

Salient Features

• Protects birds from blood-feeding stages of the red mites i.e. Protonymphs, Deutonymphs, and some adult stages.
• No prescription required for use at the farms
• Readily soluble in water
• Birds do not need to be removed.
• No harmful effects and can be used recurrently for a long duration without developing resistance.
• No residues in the eggs and meat.
• No withdrawal period

Advantages

• Reduces stress, irritation, mortality, and body lesions.
• Reduces spread of poultry pathogens
• Improves egg production and FCR
• Controls mite population and saves economic losses
• Improves bird health and welfare