Some causes of wet litter in broilers and hens

Manuel Contreras, DVM, MS, ACPV Agrifirm/Special Nutrients in Miami, was in charge of the presentation on “Some causes of wet litter in broilers and hens” during the LPN 2021.

There are a large number of conditions that can cause wet litter in broilers and hens with very diverse etiologies.

Among the factors we will review, we will include the components of the feed, antimicrobial, bacterial, or viral pathogens, parasites such as coccidia, toxins such as mycotoxins, and environmental factors.

Wet litter represents a complex and relatively common problem that affects production efficiency, either due to the presence of burns on the skin of the chickens (high levels of ammonia that accumulate in the litter) or a higher incidence of dirty eggs in the case of hens that produce table eggs or heavy and light breeders. Here are some of these agents:

FEED INGREDIENTS

• Elevated sodium/Na (Salt) concentrations in the feed.

Traditionally normal levels of Na added to commercial diets are approximately 0.16 to 0.20%. If higher levels are included, more water will be eliminated in the feces.

• Use of calcium carbonate with high levels of magnesium (Mg).

When limestone (calcium carbonate) containing high levels of Mg, known as dolomite, a mineral composed of Ca carbonate and MG, is added, watery stools may occur.

• Use of Ca carbonate in particulate form.

This nutritional management practice is most critical in older commercial hens. Wet litter can be reduced by adding the Ca carbonate as 3 to 5 mm particles instead of using the product in powder form.

• Incorrect inactivation of natural inhibitors present in soybean, barley, and flaxseed meals.

• Excess protein in the diet, especially soybean meal.

Commercial chickens that consume more than 17% protein in the diet produce excess uric acid that is eliminated through the kidneys (feces).

• High consumption of Na and K in feed or drinking water.

• Excess animal fat or poor quality fats such as “yellow grease” in the feed or rancid fatty acids.

• Inclusion of high levels of wheat, barley, and rye without adding enzymes to improve digestibility.

These grains can stimulate mucus production and increase the ingestion viscosity, favorable conditions for the growth of Clostridium perfringens (C.P.).

ANTIMICROBIALS

A coccidiostat, such as Lasalocida, which is characterized by increasing the elimination of water through the feces in broilers. When the product is used, the ideal concentration of Na in the chicken diet should be 0.15%.

Excessive use of antibiotics. They can kill beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and facilitate the growth of Salmonella, E. coli, and C.P.

BACTERIAL AND VIRAL PATHOGENS

Viral enteritis of unclear etiology and apparently caused by astroviruses, enteroviruses, parvoviruses, reoviruses, and rotaviruses can cause wet litter in chickens as young as 11 days of age. These cases are known as malabsorption syndrome or runting stunting syndrome. In addition, there are reovirus strains associated with similar conditions that can already be used in commercial vaccines.

TOXIC/MYCOTOXINS

There are several mycotoxins that affect epithelial tissue and, therefore, can hurt intestinal integrity. The best known are T2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and monoacetoxyscirpenol (MAS). These three mycotoxins can predispose birds to infections with E.N. Fumonisins and Vomitoxin (DON), damage the epithelial barrier of the intestines, inhibit protein synthesis, and predispose birds to develop Necrotic Enteritis.

Commercially, the mycotoxin that can most frequently cause wet litter is Ochratoxin due to the effect it has on the kidneys. This type of lesion eliminates a greater amount of water in the feces.

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Heat stress leads to excessive water consumption because the bird needs to compensate for high environmental temperatures through hydration. The result is that the litter will have a higher level of humidity.

• Well water with high levels of Na, K, and Mg will cause more excellent elimination of water in the feces.

In conclusion, maintaining a healthy digestive system results from controlling many factors simultaneously, as we have reviewed in this article. A simple approach will not solve all problems and will not allow us to maintain the proper gastrointestinal balance. As almost always happens in poultry farming, it is necessary to work on improving several factors simultaneously to solve the problems that arise daily.