General question about intestinal shedding

[Sutremaine]

Why is this normal in chickens? I've never heard of it in any other animal, and when I google 'intestinal shedding in [non-chicken animal]' I get non-specific health info. It's only 'intestinal shedding in chickens' that brings up repeated assurances that sloughing intestinal lining is normal.

 

[dawg53]

Why is this normal in chickens? I've never heard of it in any other animal, and when I google 'intestinal shedding in [non-chicken animal]' I get non-specific health info. It's only 'intestinal shedding in chickens' that brings up repeated assurances that sloughing intestinal lining is normal.

Yes it's normal for chickens to shed intestinal lining, on occasion. Too much shedding of intestinal lining could indicate a possible cocci infection or capillary worms. Chickens kept on the same soil eventually build immunity to the cocci present in the soil if there immune system hasnt been compromised, particularly by any kind of stress. If chickens arnt stressed and there's too much sloughing, and/or lethargic, ratty looking feathers and not eating or drinking; it would be safe to say that capillary worms are present and need to be treated with a wormer. Capillary worms are killers.

 

[casportpony]

Why is this normal in chickens? I've never heard of it in any other animal, and when I google 'intestinal shedding in [non-chicken animal]' I get non-specific health info. It's only 'intestinal shedding in chickens' that brings up repeated assurances that sloughing intestinal lining is normal.

An occasional one wouldn't worry me too much, but several in a day and I would treat for worms and coccidia.

-Kathy

 

[Sutremaine]

Why chickens specifically though? Is this 'intestinal moult' something that poultry just do from time to time?

 

[casportpony]

Why chickens specifically though? Is this 'intestinal moult' something that poultry just do from time to time?

I'm not convinced that it's normal. In my flock it's always been a sign of something else like coccidiosis, worms or bacterial infection.

-Kathy