Infectious Factors that can Affect Egg laying in Poultry
There are factors of infectious and parasitic origin that can affect egg production in hens. Disease processes have multiple effects on the different organ systems of animals. These diseases demand a great amount of energy and generate nutrient deficiencies due to processes such as diarrhea, fever, inflammation, or lesions, among others.
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External parasites
Learn MoreThere are a great number of external parasites that affect poultry by generating anemia, allergies, irritation, and secondary infections. Among these external parasites are lice (Menopon gallinae), fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea), mites (Dermanyssus gallinae), flies, and ticks (Argas spp.). These parasites cause a decrease in the poultry posture and must be prevented and treated.
Helminths (internal parasites)
Helminths comprise internal parasites of three types: cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes. These worms invade different systems and organs and cause a wide range of lesions in laying hens. There is a large group of helminths that are parasites of the digestive system which affect the feeding processes of the poultry. As a result, laying is reduced. Among the most common examples of these parasites are:
Nematodes: Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Capillaria.
Cestodes: Raillietina
laying hens
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is one of the most important diseases in poultry farming, caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria spp. It has a marked effect on the digestive system of hens, preventing the correct absorption of nutrients; posture is affected in coccidiosis.
Bacterial diseases
There are many bacteria that cause infectious diseases in laying hen houses. Like viruses, bacteria also have systemic effects.
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Fowl cholera (Pasteurella multocida)
Infectious coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum)
Colibacillosis ( coli)
Salmonellosis (Salmonella enterica enterica serovar Enteritidis
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Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are not infectious agents, but toxic metabolites produced by fungi that contaminate poultry feed. These mycotoxins seriously affect poultry as they are the animals most susceptible to these molecules. Among the mycotoxins that most affect laying hens are aflatoxin, trichothecene, and ochratoxin.
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