The use of copper sulphate in poultry is very widespread. it is the first thing that is used in case of toxicity. Many times instead of correcting the toxicity it may cause toxicity due to high doses. Its chemical use is therefore required proper investigation. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is required by the poultry in very less amounts. According to NRC 8ppm copper is recommended while venkys manual written 15ppm copper in poultry diets. Copper is not a very costly element therefore in feeds its deficiency is not seen, so whatever copper sulphate we use in feed or water has therapeutic/toxic implications depending upon dose.
Therefore Copper Sulphate has 2 uses, one is its Nutritional use and the other is therapeutic use.
Therapeutic use means it is used to kill bacteria, fungus, algae and other pests. So, our main aim is to use copper sulphate against fungal infections or toxicity in the case of poultry.
How does copper sulphate work?
The copper ion is the component of copper sulfate with toxicological implications. Copper ions appear to bind to functional groups of protein molecules in fungi and algae and cause protein denaturation, producing cell damage and leakage. Point to take – COPPER SULPHATE WORKS AGAINST LIVING THINGS. COPPER SULPHATE WORKS AGAINST TOXICITY IS A MYTH, IN FACT COPPER SULPHATE ITSELF BECOME TOXIC DURING TOXICITY. Most of the toxicities in poultry is due to poor maize quality in which preformed toxins like aflatoxins. DON or fumonisins are present. Toxins are highly resistant for heat or other things, even toxin binders can bind them in limited concentration. Copper sulphate has no effect on preformed toxins.
Why copper sulphate should be used with caution during toxicity?
Toxicities are mainly due to mycotoxins which are produced by fungus, correlating with that farmers use copper sulphate. But copper creates a highly oxidative environment in the body & toxins also produces free radicals. Together they reduce immunity and increase mortality.
use copper sulphate safely
- Copper sulphate do not have much usage in poultry except in cases of visible fungal infections
- Aspergillus fumigatus is main etiological agent
- Aspergillosis usually occurs in the form of outbreak
- Age – 10d to 10w (<3d chicks are highly susceptible)
- High antibiotics, high moisture in litter & warmness, poor ventilation, poor immunity, dirty hatchery
- Similarly other fungus like Candida, Mucor, Trichophyton, Torulopsis also infect poultry birds
- For use in water 1g per 3 to 5 liter of water is recommended for 7 to 10 days.
- Do not add any other medicine in feed
- Stop all antibiotic treatments
- Use immune boosters in different water esp. vitamin E, C and Se.
- Sometimes acidified copper sulphate also has good effects
- For this, 1g copper sulphate and 3ml vinegar should be added in 3 to 5 liter of water.
- In feed, copper sulphate can be used if non veg things like MBM or fish meal have been included
- In case of usage of high end antibiotics in high doses, use of copper sulphate is warranted in feed
- Before using toxin binder, see its label because most of the toxin binders contains copper usually in sulphate or oxine form
- Use of copper sulphate is also frequent in soyDOC and maize or other ingredients for long storage.
- A good type fungistat can be made through calcium propionate and copper sulphate for fungal flushing afte antibiotic treatment.
