In late February, Dr. David DĂ­ez, representing Biovet S.A. laboratories, visited Peru to take part in a conference on egg production and main challenges affecting laying hens. Biovet focused his intervention on explaining the causes and consequences of most common pathologies in the sector, and presented natural alternatives for its prevention and treatment. The symposium took place in the coastal city of Chincha Alta, 200km south of Lima, brought together some members of the Association of Egg Producers of the South among its assistants.

To offer their maximum potential, laying hens require the intake of feed with a specific nutritional value. A correct formulation adapted to its genetics helps maintaining optimal production parameters in egg production. The degree of nutrient absorption is related, to a large extent, on the intestinal health of the birds. For this reason, prevention and treatment of pathologies during all their productive stages is of vital importance.

Among the main affecting pathologies, Dr. DĂ­ez detailed those related to feed and raw materials mycotoxin contamination, bacterial and fungal challenges originated either in the feed or in the animal itself causing imbalances in the intestinal flora, as well as hepatic and immunological alterations.

Feed quality and intestinal health: key factors for productivity

The main threats to proper intestinal functioning can be closely linked to cases of feed contamination by mycotoxins, reducing birds’ ability to absorb nutrients, negatively affecting the immune system cells. The use of mycotoxin-binders, such as Alquerfeed Antitox with Silicoglycidol, is recommended in order to prevent toxin absorption in animals.

Intestinal health is also conditioned to possible challenges produced in the animal itself, whether fungal – mycosis –, or bacterial, such as Clostridium or other bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella or Proteus, which can damage the intestinal mucosa. The proliferation of fungi and microorganisms may be caused by the use of antibiotics, stress or enzymatic deficiencies, and may trigger off different cases of avian enteritis.

In order to counteract fungal and bacterial infections in feed or in the digestive system, Dr. DĂ­ez recommended the use of natural microbicides, such as Alquermold Natural with cimenol ring.

Solutions for nutrient deficiencies and immunodeficiency

Other affections identified in laying hens are infections by protozoa or coccidiosis. These unicellular parasites, such as Eimeria and all its variants – tenella, necatrix, acervulina, among others – can affect the same animal all combined, causing damage to the digestive tract of its host and, consequently, causing nutrient malabsorption, dehydration, blood loss and an increased susceptibility to contract other secondary infections, such as necrotic enteritis.

To improve intestinal absorption and digestion, Dr. DĂ­ez recommended the use of intestinal conditioners, such as Alquernat Nebsui. This product, tested in different in vitro experiments, has been proved to have positive effects on the regeneration of enterocytes, whilst controlling the growth of pathogens in the intestine.

Parallel to the intestinal conditioning pronutrients, Dr. Díez also proposed the use of intestinal optimizers, such as Alquernat Zycox, as they help preventing the entry of coccidia into the intestinal epithelium. With these additives rich in pronutrients is intended, on the one hand, to improve the absorption of nutrients and, on the other hand, boosting the activity of the intestine’s local immune system to eliminate the appearance of parasites.

Stimulation of liver physiology for optimal egg formation

The correct functioning of the liver is of vital importance to achieve animal growth and optimal egg production. This organ is key for the elimination of toxins and other residues caused by pharmacological treatments or mycotoxins. In addition, liver also plays an important role in the synthesis of proteins and essential amino acids for a correct egg formation and growth.

 For better liver health, Dr. Díez recommended the use of Alquernat Livol from Biovet, for its beneficial effects on liver physiology. The administration of hepatic-conditioning pronutrients and vitamin E in laying hens, boosts hepatocytes production and acts as an antioxidant.

Natural additives to counteract immunosuppression

Pronutrients with immunostimulant activity are designed to complement antibiotic therapy, as well as to work as a substitute during its withdrawal period. According to Dr. DĂ­ez, Alquernat Immuplus, increases the effectiveness of vaccines thanks to its boosting effect on animal immune system. What is more, it also prevents the appearance other recurrent secondary diseases, thanks to the increase in the production of antibodies that neutralize pathogens.

Enhancing calcium and mineral absorption to optimize egg production

To prevent deficiencies in calcium and mineral absorption in laying hens, Biovet laboratories have designed an additive rich in pronutrients that regulate mineral metabolism. Marketed as Alquernat Magacal, this product acts directly on the enterocytes stimulating the absorption of calcium and minerals. Greater calcium deposition in young laying hens – prior to the start of their laying period – improves bone formation and allows calcium replacement during the production stage.

Besides the conference about the prevention and treatment of challenges in laying hens, the engineer Hugo Patiño, on behalf of Adivet, Biovet’s distributor in Peru, started the conference with a session on hygiene and biosafety.