Have you ever entered a chicken coop and noticed something peculiar? Black feces! Along with indigestion issues and irregularly formed droppings, it can be quite alarming. But fear not, there might be a logical explanation. Let’s explore what could be causing this and how it affects your flock.
A Closer Look
Observing the chickens closely, you might notice a few things:
- Most of the feces are black, indicating some digestive problems. In some cases, the feces may not even be formed due to overfeeding.
- The cockscombs might have hoarfrost, dander, or black crusts.
- Overall, the chickens seem to be in good condition, with normal spirits and no signs of respiratory issues.
- Surprisingly, despite the peculiar feces, the quality of the eggs remains excellent – bright in color, with thick shells and uniform sizes.
- The air quality in the chicken house is good, with proper ventilation and no unpleasant odors.
Unveiling the Mystery
To get to the root of the issue, autopsies were performed on two deceased chickens. Here’s what was discovered:
- The mesentery and intestine were both black, with light red intestinal contents.
- The ovaries appeared normal, with regular follicles. However, one chicken had an undeveloped egg (hard shell) in the fallopian tube.
- Although the glandular stomach seemed fine, ulcers, cracks, and erosions were found in the gizzard’s protective layer. This internal bleeding could explain the blackened mess.
- Apart from these findings, there were no significant lesions. The jujube-like protrusions in the intestines were considered individual occurrences rather than indicators of a larger issue.
The Analysis
Based on the autopsy results, here’s what we can conclude:
- The black stool is a result of chronic bleeding in the gizzard. Since the bleeding is chronic and not excessive, the stool doesn’t appear red. Instead, the blood mixes with the feces, turning it black.
- Muscular gastric ulcers, erosions, and blackening of the intestinal tract are likely caused by mycotoxins. This chronic condition is challenging to detect without dissection.
- The presence of dander, hoarfrost, and black scabs on the cockscomb is a common symptom of fungal infection. While it may not directly impact feeding or egg production, it weakens the flock’s immunity, affecting overall health.
- Based on the feces, cockscomb condition, flock’s status, and anatomy, the diagnosis is adenomagastritis caused by chronic fungal infection and mycotoxins.
Considering this chronic infection, the hidden nature of the condition makes it challenging to identify. The muscular ulcers and erosions lead to indigestion, nutrient loss, and incomplete absorption, ultimately affecting egg production rates, which cannot reach optimal levels.
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