Respiratory diseases are one of the most important health challenges faced by poultry producers, especially in the winter months. A number of infectious pathogens—viral, bacterial, mycoplasma, fungi, etc. threaten the poultry industry. Severity of illness and mortality rates vary but most of these diseases adversely affect productivity and performance of broiler, layer, and breeder flocks. Moreover, by weakening birds’ respiratory systems and overall health, these diseases open the door to secondary infections such as E. coli. Cold weather is more conducive to certain infectious diseases, such as Newcastle disease, avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease. When a bird suffers from respiratory challenge, that is usually complicated by a co-infection or secondary bacterial infection, there is an excess production of mucus resulting in ciliostasis and impaired mucociliary clearance. The excess mucus in the tract obstructs the airways by forming plagues and plugs and allow the invasive bacteria to adhere and colonize the respiratory system. It severely reduces oxygen intake, causing dyspnoea, reduced feed intake, and a reduced energy level, adversely impacting weight gain and feed efficiency, egg production and impaired fertility and hatchability. The pre disposing factors such as poor ventilation, ammonia build up, dust, dirt etc play a vital role in resultant respiratory challenges in poultry during winter season. Ammonia is prevalent in most poultry houses and especially during the winter months. It is produced from the breakdown of nitrogenous compounds by bacterial deamination and characterized by a sharp and pungent odour. Ammonia concentrations can be particularly damaging to birds’ health during periods of minimum ventilation. Ammonia is considered an irritant and readily impacts the eyes and respiratory tract. Ammonia can increase the susceptibility of the respiratory system to airborne pathogens. This is due to impaired mucus flow and ciliary action in the upper respiratory tract which is the first-line of disease defense in humans and poultry. Higher concentration of ammonia (> 25 ppm) produces harmful effects ranging from conjunctivitis to immune suppression resulting in poor performance of birds.
The misuse of antibiotics for prevention or treatment of respiratory challenges creates microbial resistance rapidly and affects human health through its residues in poultry meat and eggs.
MANAGING RESPIRATORY HEALTH IN POULTRY THROUGH PHYTOGENIC SOLUTIONS OF INDIAN HERBS:
Animunin:
Animunin is a polyherbal formulation offered by Indian Herbs, is specially designed to protect the poultry respiratory system from infections and maintain its functioning in a natural way. Thymol, Cineole, Eucalyptol and other essential oils present in Animunin exhibit strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiallergic activities. The unique blend of essential oils and other phytobioactives in Animunin have potent nasal decongestant, mucolytic, expectorant, bronchodialator, anticatarrhal and anti-inflammatory action. Animunin strengthens the protective mechanism and functioning of respiratory system by maintaining optimum levels of circulating immunoglobulins, lymphocytes, macrophages, NK cells and their microbicidal activities. Animunin helps maintain tracheal ciliary movement at optimum levels to promote expulsion of dust, dirt and pathogens. facilitates healthy breathing by keeping the lungs clean and also prevents secondary infections. Being herbal, Animunin eliminates possibilities of any antibiotic residues in meat and eggs, and can be used regularly without the danger of drug resistance, cross resistance or stress and is very cost-effective in maintaining poultry health. Animunin is available in powder form for inclusion in feed, as well as in liquid form to be given with drinking water.
AmmoFree:
AmmoFree, a polyherbal formulation by Indian Herbs Specialities, is capable of binding ammonia and increases the utilization of ammonia nitrogen in GI tract of poultry birds. AmmoFree contains herbs rich in steroidal saponins and active glyco-compounds. When added to the diet, the active saponin components of AmmoFree pass through the digestive tract unabsorbed and are excreted in the feces. In the excreta, the saponins bind to ammonia and other odiferous compounds and prevent them from being released into the air. With surfactant properties, the saponins of AmmoFree augment the healthy gut microflora and optimize the process of digestion and absorption for full utilization of nutrients. The saponins present in AmmoFree act as a detergent that cleanses not only the general surfaces of intestine, but also deep around the villi, thus removing the accumulated harmful toxins that contribute to toxaemia leading to many degenerative diseases. AmmoFree is compatible with Antibiotic Growth Promoters and Probiotics and does not interfere with their use. AmmoFree Premix is offered in powder form to be included in feed.
Dr. Prasad Nagpure (Sr. Techno-Commercial Manager)
Dr. Shivi Maini (General Manager- Technical)
Dr. Angan Roy (National Sale Manager)