Feed passage in broilers - a complex problem

摘要

"Feed passage" or more accurately, the passage of undigested feed in the feces of broilers continues to be reported by broiler integrators on a sporadic basis. The incidence and severity are much lower at present than during 1996 when global reportsof feed passage occurred following consecutive years of poor grain harvests. At that time, broilers were passing undigested feed in the feces and this was evidenced by the presence of large corn particles, excess moisture, a characteristic green coloration with orange mucus, and poor formation to the feces. Affected broilers had poor pigmentation, poor feed conversion, and lower body weights, and flock uniformity was variable. On necropsy, lesions were commonly found in the proventriculus and gizzard ofaffected broilers. Lesions were also found in the small intestines. It was interesting to note that in countries such as Guyana where alternative grains such as rice were fed, this syndrome did not occur.