You’ve checked the feed. The mycotoxin report shows levels are technically “below the threat threshold.” Yet, your flock tells a different story: uneven growth, wet litter, poor feed conversion, and a constant, low-grade health struggle that defies explanation. You’re left wondering what you’re missing.
The answer often lies not in a single toxin, but in a dangerous partnership. The latest research in poultry science reveals that the real threat is a synergistic chain reaction between dietary mycotoxins and a hidden, internally-produced enemy: endotoxins. This partnership can cripple bird performance, even when your mycotoxin tests suggest everything is fine.
The Two Enemies Threatening Your Flock
To protect your birds, you need to know the two key players in this damaging duet.
- The External Invader: Mycotoxins
These are toxic mould byproducts in your feed. For poultry, the usual suspects are Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisins (FB1), Aflatoxins (AFB1), and T-2 Toxin. They don’t just target one organ; they specifically attack the poultry gut—the very engine of feed efficiency and immunity. - The Internal Saboteur: Endotoxins
Endotoxins aren’t from mould. They are fragments (called lipopolysaccharides or LPS) from the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. These bacteria are always present in the gut. The critical point for poultry producers is this: endotoxins are released in large quantities as gut bacteria die, multiply, or are disrupted by feed changes or stressors.
The Vicious Cycle in a Chicken’s Gut
Individually, these toxins are bad news. But together, they create a vicious cycle that devastates gut health and performance. Here’s how it plays out in your birds:
Step 1: The Mycotoxin Breach
Mycotoxins like DON and Fumonisins are notorious for compromising intestinal integrity in poultry. They damage the villi—the tiny, finger-like projections in the gut that absorb nutrients. They also erode the tight junctions, which are the seals that hold gut cells together. In short, mycotoxins punch holes in the gut wall.
Step 2: The Endotoxin Invasion
With the gut barrier now “leaky,” the endotoxins that are always present in the lumen have a direct pathway into the bloodstream. This is a disaster for the bird. The immune system recognizes these endotoxins as a severe threat.
Step 3: The Inflammatory Firestorm
The bird’s body launches a massive inflammatory counter-attack, flooding the system with pro-inflammatory cytokines. This inflammation causes a high metabolic cost.
Step 4: The Performance Collapse
This cycle has direct, costly consequences for your bottom line:
- Energy Diversion: Precious energy that should be going toward muscle growth and feathering is diverted to fuel the immune response.
- Poor Feed Conversion (FCR): A damaged gut absorbs nutrients poorly, and an inflamed body burns through them inefficiently.
- Wet Litter: Gut inflammation disrupts water and electrolyte balance, leading to wet droppings that degrade litter quality and fuel ammonia and footpad dermatitis issues.
- Immunosuppression: The constant immune activation exhausts the system, leaving birds vulnerable to secondary infections like E. coli and Clostridia.
The result? Even “low-risk” mycotoxin levels can unlock a devastating, endotoxin-driven crisis that explains those mysterious drops in performance and persistent health challenges.
Why a Standard Binder Isn’t Enough for Modern Poultry
A basic clay binder has its place, primarily for Aflatoxin. However, it’s like having a security system that only stops one type of thief. Most high-quality clays are notoriously ineffective against the primary gut-damaging mycotoxins like DON and Fumonisins. Furthermore, they do nothing to neutralize endotoxins or repair the gut damage that starts the entire cycle.
A Strategic, Three-Pronged Defense for Poultry
To break this cycle, you need a targeted strategy that addresses every stage of the problem. Our Clentox portfolio is designed to do just that.
- Reduce Bioavailability: Lock Toxins in the GIT
This is the first line of defense. Clentox™Bind and Clentox®Pro work in the feed and the upper digestive tract. Their advanced adsorption chemistry, including purified HSCAS and specialized yeast cell walls, traps a broad spectrum of mycotoxins before they can be absorbed and damage the intestinal lining. - Strengthen the Gut Barrier: Fortify the First Line of Defense
We must protect the gut wall itself. The yeast cell walls (MOS and β-Glucans) in our binders do more than just adsorb; they also support a healthy gut microbiome and crowd out pathogenic bacteria. Clentox®Pro provides enhanced gut integrity support, helping to maintain those critical tight junctions. - Remediate the Damage: Douse the Flames with Clentox®Fix
This is the game-changer for in-flock challenges. When birds are under stress or showing signs of toxin impact, Clentox®Fix in the drinking water delivers a powerful, direct response:
- Mycotoxin Degrading Enzymes: These specifically break down the toxic structures of DON, Fumonisins, and others right in the gut, disarming them.
- Potent Antioxidants: These combat the oxidative stress and cellular damage caused by the inflammatory storm, protecting the liver—the nutrient processing center.
- Gut Health Support: It helps calm inflammation and support the healing of the damaged intestinal lining, closing the door on endotoxin invasion.
Don’t Let a “Clean” Feed Test Deceive You
In modern poultry production, the true cost of toxins is the silent, synergistic drag on FCR, weight gain, and overall flock resilience. By understanding the dangerous partnership between mycotoxins and endotoxins, you can move beyond simply hoping your feed is clean to actively managing the gut health of your flock.
Stop the silent storm in your poultry house. Contact our poultry experts today to build a custom toxin defense program that protects your performance and your profitability.
