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By Dr. Ibne Ali, IMN PyrophosUpdated October 20264 min read
Specific Impacts and Losses due to Mycotoxins in Poultry in India

Specific Impacts and Losses in India

India’s poultry sector, a critical component of its agricultural economy, faces significant challenges from mycotoxicosis due to the country’s warm, humid climate and suboptimal feed storage practices. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, fumonisins, T-2 toxins, and zearalenone contaminate feed, leading to reduced productivity, increased mortality, and substantial economic losses. Below are the specific impacts and losses, with references for each point.

Specific Impacts and Losses due to Mycotoxins in Poultry in India

1. Reduced Productivity and Growth

– Impact: Mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins and trichothecenes (e.g., T-2 toxin), reduce feed intake and impair nutrient absorption, leading to stunted growth in broilers and decreased egg production in layers. A study highlighted that chronic mycotoxin exposure results in a 5–10% reduction in body weight gain in broilers and a 3–7% drop in egg production in layers.

– Reference: Sarathchandra, G. (2019). *Mycotoxins in Poultry Feed: A Silent Threat*. Poultry TRENDS, India. This source notes the impact of mycotoxins on growth and egg production, citing field observations in commercial farms.

– Impact: In broiler flocks, aflatoxins and T-2 toxins are associated with a 10–15% decrease in average daily weight gain, delaying market readiness and reducing profitability.

– Reference: Kumar, R., & Balachandran, C. (2020). *Impact of Mycotoxins on Poultry Performance in Tropical Climates*. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(2), 123–130. This study quantifies the effect of aflatoxins and T-2 toxins on broiler growth rates in India.

2. Increased Mortality and Morbidity

– Impact: Mycotoxicosis elevates mortality rates, particularly in acute cases. Aflatoxicosis can cause mortality rates of 5–20% in affected flocks, with ducks being more susceptible than chickens.

– Reference: Merck Veterinary Manual (2023). *Mycotoxicoses in Poultry*. Available at: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycotoxicoses/mycotoxicoses-in-poultry.

– Impact: Chronic mycotoxin exposure leads to immunosuppression, increasing susceptibility to secondary infections like Newcastle disease (ND) and Escherichia coli. A study in Chakwal noted a high correlation (r² = 0.9) between mycotoxicosis and ND outbreaks, indicating vaccine failure due to weakened immunity.

– Reference: Arshad, M., et al. (2022). *Synergistic Effects of Mycotoxins and Newcastle Disease in Poultry*. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 42(3), 345–351. Although conducted in Pakistan, this study’s findings are relevant to India due to similar agro-climatic conditions and is cited in Indian poultry literature for its insights on immunosuppression.

3. Economic Losses

– Impact: While comprehensive India-specific data on mycotoxin-related economic losses is limited, a 2003–04 study on coccidiosis provides a benchmark, estimating annual losses of ₹1.14 billion, with broilers accounting for 95.6% due to reduced weight gain and poor feed conversion ratio (FCR). Mycotoxicosis likely causes comparable or greater losses given its broader impact on health and productivity.

– Reference: Bera, A. K., et al. (2005). *Economic Losses Due to Coccidiosis in Poultry in India*. Indian Veterinary Journal, 82(6), 645–648. This study is used as a proxy due to the lack of recent mycotoxin-specific loss estimates, as mycotoxicosis and coccidiosis share similar productivity impacts.

– Impact: Feed costs, constituting 65–80% of poultry production expenses, rise due to mycotoxin contamination, as farmers discard spoiled feed or invest in binders and detoxifiers. A report noted that maize and soybean price surges in 2019 doubled feed costs, partly due to mycotoxin-related crop losses.

– Reference: Poultry TRENDS (2019). *Rising Feed Costs and Mycotoxin Challenges in Indian Poultry*. This industry magazine article discusses the impact of mycotoxin-contaminated grains on feed costs.

– Impact: Additional costs arise from veterinary treatments, reduced carcass quality, and lower export potential due to mycotoxin residues. India’s poultry exports, valued at USD 134 million in 2022–23, face risks from trade restrictions due to contamination concerns.

– Reference: APEDA (2023). *Export Statistics for Poultry Products 2022–23*. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, India. This report provides export figures, while the risk of trade restrictions is inferred from global food safety standards (e.g., Codex Alimentarius guidelines).

4. Regional and State-Specific Challenges

– Impact: States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka, major poultry hubs, face heightened mycotoxin risks due to their warm, humid climates, which favor fungal growth. Zearalenone, aflatoxins, fumonisins, and T-2 toxins are prevalent in these regions’ feed supplies.

– Reference: Poultry TRENDS (2024). *Mycotoxin Contamination in Indian Poultry Feed: Regional Insights*. This article identifies prevalent mycotoxins and high-risk states based on feed sampling data.

– Impact: Poor storage infrastructure in rural areas exacerbates contamination. A report highlighted that inadequate cold storage and transportation networks contribute to feed spoilage, amplifying mycotoxin issues.

– Reference: FICCI (2024). *Challenges in Agricultural Storage and Supply Chain in India. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry. This report discusses storage issues impacting feed quality, indirectly supporting mycotoxin prevalence.

– Impact: Smallholder farmers, who dominate India’s poultry sector, often lack access to mycotoxin testing or mitigation technologies, leading to higher losses compared to vertically integrated operations.

– Reference: Sarathchandra, G. (2021). *Smallholder Poultry Farming in India: Constraints and Opportunities*. Poultry TRENDS, India.

### Role of Carnitek F

Carnitek F, containing ingredients like Choline Citrate, Glutathione Peroxidase, Betaine, Folic Acid, and Protease, mitigates these losses by supporting liver detoxification, improving nutrient absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing oxidative stress. While no India-specific studies on Carnitek F exist, its formulation aligns with recommended strategies for mycotoxin management (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023).

Problem in your flock? Send photos of the birds and droppings on WhatsApp for a first opinion from Dr. Ibne Ali.

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