Netherlands: Research into intestinal dilation in laying hens

Published 2024년 8월 14일

Tridge summary

An animal health organization, GD, has reported unusual production issues in laying flocks, with hens ceasing to lay and autopsies revealing dilation of the jejunum and ileum, part of the small intestine, signaling intestinal dilation syndrome (IDS). This condition, first observed a decade ago, remains unexplained, and the observed dilations vary microscopically and are not age-related. To further investigate, GD has begun using PathoSense to identify potential pathogens in affected chickens and is collaborating with Utrecht University. Farmers can report flocks with unexplained reduced production and IDS in non-laying animals for further examination.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Animal health organisation GD received signals from the field of laying (breeding) flocks with disappointing production. In the barn, hens are observed that stop producing and during autopsy, a dilation (widening) of a specific part of the middle part of the small intestine (jejunum) is seen, possibly extending to the last part of the small intestine (ileum). The GD investigates these intestinal dilations. This abnormality has been known for ten years and is known as intestinal dilation syndrome (IDS). The cause of this condition is still unknown. Although the intestinal abnormalities looked similar to the naked eye, there appeared to be a considerable difference microscopically. The microscopic findings do not match the classic picture of IDS in all flocks. There does not seem to be a relationship with age. The affected flocks varied from 24 to 91 weeks. In order to see whether a previously missed pathogen is present in the intestines of the affected chickens, GD recently started ...

Source: Pluimveeactueel