ARTICLE 82 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2025 Success in poultry farming is not measured solely by how many eggs are laid, but rather by their quality, hatchability and the welfare of the hens that lay them. In breeder operations, this significance is even greater. Every egg counts, because each egg holds the flock’s genetic potential and represents an investment in the next generation. Any loss therefore affects both current results and future performance. Still, on many farms, trouble develops quietly — cracked shells, small eggs, unexpected mortality — and the real cause remains hidden. Often, an underestimated threat is at work, silently eroding performance and profitability: Endotoxins. INSIDE THE GUT: THE DANGER YOU CAN’T SEE Endotoxins are fragments of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli. They are naturally present in the gut, but when animals face stress — from heat, feed changes, infections or antibiotic treatments — their levels can rise sharply. At high concentrations, endotoxins can pass through a weakened intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream. “Once inside, endotoxins trigger inflammation and disrupt vital metabolic functions. In laying hens, this may impair nutrient absorption and calcium utilisation and cause systemic stress. The visible effects include weaker eggshells, smaller eggs and higher mortality. Because endotoxins remain invisible, farmers only see the consequences — poorer chick viability and declining profitability.” Hidden Threats in the Henhouse: HOW CONTROLLING ENDOTOXINS KEEPS BREEDERS PRODUCTIVE Muhammad Umar Technical Sales Manager Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition Dr. Bernhard Eckel Vice President Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition
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