Good intestinal flora keeps everyone healthy.
By Dr. Stephanie Slahor. Gut health in poultry keeps birds safer from infection and bacteria.
Watch TV any night and you’ve likely seen an advertisement for medications and nutritional supplements for the amazing vital area of the body we call our digestive system.
As food moves from the stomach into the small and large intestines, it enters a world filled with millions of bacteria, most of them good and some of them bad. The process of passing through the intestines is the extraction of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and even waste from the food we eat. These ads tout prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber to help
Keeping our intestines functioning properly, with a good ‘flora’.
Causes and symptoms of enteritis
Lots of conditions can wreak havoc on digestion, and one of them is enteritis — a type of infection that can cause inflammation of the small intestine, stomach, and/or large intestine. It could be a harmful outcome
Viruses or bacteria, inflammatory conditions, improper handling/cooking of food, certain medications and illegal drugs, and even bad blood
flow. It manifests itself in a variety of odd, but certainly unpleasant ways, including fever; vomiting. nausea; Diarrhea; cramps; constant or creeping pain in the intestines, lower body, and/or stomach; a loud “rumbling” in the stomach or intestines; Loss of appetite, general weakness, lethargy. thirst. Dark/smelly urine and even dizziness!
Now, with that background, start thinking about your flock’s digestive system. Yes, quail, turkeys, ducks, pheasants, grouse, pigeons, geese, and
All chickens are susceptible to potential enteritis. Now that you know
Symptoms that occur in humans, that knowledge extends to your flock. Are they inactive? Do they not eat? Do they have movement problems such as lack of coordination or grogginess, or standing in place too much? Do they look sleepy? Do their heads dangle? Do they have loose stools or lumpy stools around their openings? Are they losing weight? Calling your vet may be in order but know that you can help prevent some problems by keeping spaces clean, mosquito control, space for movement and exercise, sanitation for hatchlings, clean drinking water/feeders/equipment, and isolation of infected birds.
individual details
ducksIntestinal inflammation may cause weakness, but it may cause sudden death or death of egg embryos.
Quail: Vulnerable to viral enteritis, which leads to a higher mortality rate than other bird species. Those who survive may become carriers of the virus. The cleanliness of any bird’s living quarters is important, but quails especially need clean floor or flooring of wire or boards. Keep your young, new stock isolated from retrieved quail. Let infected land remain unused for up to two years.
TürkiyeEnteritis can appear in just two or three days, and the herd will be lethargic. Diarrhea will occur, followed by dehydration and weight loss.
It may be necessary to add the medicine to the water instead of the feed
Infected turkeys may not want to eat. Good and even complementary shelter
Heat may be necessary, and of course keep the new stock isolated from the recovered turkeys.
chicken: Enteritis can result from too much protein in the diet (especially by-product animal protein), too much fat, and body damage
intestinal mucosa. Some causes can be traced back to mosquitoes that carry encephalitis. A few birds become infected, but if they peck at other birds, they may pass the disease on to them.
Good breeding of animals is the key to good herd health. Be alert to changes in behavior, stool health, and any need to improve sanitation. Your vet can prescribe appropriate water or feed medications to help keep the flock free of harmful bacterial or viral infections.
Glossary of terms
animal products Animal parts not used in human food, such as skin, blood, horns, hooves, bones, guts, shells, or manure.
Purpurigi The “rumbling” body noise caused by the movement of water, food, or gas through the intestines. Although it is normal and normal, it can indicate infection, inflammation, illness, stress, food sensitivity, or eating too quickly or too much.
Brain inflammation Bacterial or viral infection of brain tissue.
Inflammatory bowel Inflammation of the small intestine that is usually caused by microbes that contaminate food or liquids. Related conditions are: gastritis (affecting the stomach), gastroenteritis (stomach and small intestine), colitis (large intestine), and enteritis (small and large intestine).
enzymes – A catalyst for bodily protein to convert biochemical products needed by the body.
The fiber – A vegetable substance that resists digestion and digestive enzymes.
viscera day Organisms of the digestive system that metabolize food, strengthen immunity, and fight infection. (Also known as gut flora or gut microbiota.)
ignition – A normally helpful bodily response to
An injury or infection, however, can become too chronic for good health.
Anti-inflammatory foods include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Nuts, fish, poultry and olive oil.
Large intestine The widest and shortest part of the intestine that controls the absorption of water and the formation of stool.
mucous Produced mostly in the digestive system, this secretion protects the lining of body membranes.
Prebiotics Powerful, non-digestible food compounds that benefit the good bacteria in the digestive tract, like “fertilizer” for those bacteria.
probiotics Live microorganisms that benefit the gut microbiome.
Small intestine – The part of the intestinal tract between the stomach and colon/large intestine, and the main area for digesting food into particles that can be absorbed into the body.
vent The external opening of the rectum or cloaca.
Stephanie SlahorPhD, JD, writer and lecturer.
Coming from a farm and ranch, I enjoyed the company of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, chickens, geese, and turkeys,
Ducks, turtles, rabbits and dogs – although not necessarily all at the same time! Her hobbies include traveling, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Hiking, Horse/Mulemanship, Rockhounding, and Natural Sciences. And she’s a member of the Lions Club – though she hasn’t kept lions (yet)!
Originally published in the June/July 2023 issue of Backyard poultry Journal and is regularly checked for accuracy.