What are mycotoxicoses in poultry?
Mycotoxicoses in poultry are diseases caused when birds eat feed contaminated with mycotoxins — poisons made by moulds such as Aspergillus and Fusarium. They damage the liver, kidneys, gut and immune system. The result is slow growth, poor feed conversion, fewer eggs, weak vaccine response and higher mortality. Cattle face the same feed risk, and aflatoxin can pass into their milk.
The problem is rarely one dramatic outbreak. More often, a farm sees birds that “just don’t perform” on a new feed batch.
In South Asia, the risk is high. In the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey (January–September 2025), aflatoxins were found in 85% of South Asian feed samples, and 82% of samples worldwide carried more than one mycotoxin (The Poultry Site, Oct 2025).
This guide explains:
- the main types of mycotoxins in poultry and cattle feed
- the symptoms of each, so you can spot them early
- treatment of mycotoxins in poultry, and what toxin binders can and cannot do
- a practical prevention checklist for Indian farms and feed mills
Types of mycotoxins in poultry and cattle feed
Five mycotoxin groups cause most feed problems: aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone and trichothecenes (such as DON and T-2 toxin). This is the same list used by the MSD Veterinary Manual.
One mould species can make several toxins, so a single feed sample often holds more than one.
| Mycotoxin | Main mould | Common feed sources in India | Main organ hit | Most affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin B1 | Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus | Maize, groundnut cake, cottonseed cake, rice bran | Liver, immune system | Ducks, broilers, turkeys; dairy cattle (milk residue) |
| Ochratoxin A | Aspergillus, Penicillium | Stored wheat, maize, damp feed | Kidneys | Layers, broilers |
| Fumonisins (B1, B2) | Fusarium verticillioides | Maize, maize by-products | Liver, gut | Poultry, young calves |
| Zearalenone | Fusarium graminearum | Maize, wheat, sorghum | Reproductive system (acts like oestrogen) | Dairy cattle, heifers; poultry are fairly tolerant |
| Trichothecenes (DON, T-2, HT-2) | Fusarium species | Wheat, maize, barley | Mouth, gut lining, immune cells | Poultry (T-2), cattle (feed refusal) |
Mycotoxins vs aflatoxins: “mycotoxin” is the whole family of mould poisons. Aflatoxins are one group inside that family — and the most dangerous for Indian farms because our hot, humid climate suits Aspergillus.
Mycotoxicosis in poultry symptoms
The first sign is often simple: birds refuse or pick at a new feed batch, and weight gain or egg output drops within days. Specific toxins then leave their own marks.
Signs by toxin
| Toxin | What you see on the farm | What the vet finds at post-mortem |
|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin | Slow growth, poor FCR, fewer and smaller eggs, pale combs, bruising, vaccine failures | Pale, enlarged or fatty liver; small bursa |
| Ochratoxin A | Wet droppings, thirst, poor shell quality | Swollen, pale kidneys; white urate deposits |
| T-2 / DON | Feed refusal, beak and mouth crusts, poor feathering | Mouth ulcers, gizzard erosion, inflamed gut |
| Fumonisins | Diarrhoea, lower weight gain | Liver damage, gut lesions |
| Zearalenone | Rarely clinical in chickens; may lower egg output at high levels | Reproductive organ changes |
Two patterns point strongly to mycotoxins rather than infection:
- problems start soon after a new feed batch or ingredient
- antibiotics give little or no improvement
The MSD Veterinary Manual also notes urate pasting around the vent with kidney toxins and oral lesions with aflatoxin and Fusarium toxins (MSD Vet Manual).
Because mycotoxins weaken immunity, they often hide behind other diseases. A flock with repeated Ranikhet or Gumboro breaks despite a correct poultry vaccination schedule should have its feed tested.
Mycotoxins in cattle
Cattle have a rumen that breaks down some toxins, but not all. Aflatoxin, zearalenone and DON still cause losses, especially in high-yielding cows and calves.
| Toxin | Effect in cattle |
|---|---|
| Aflatoxin B1 | Lower milk yield, liver damage, weak immunity; passes into milk as aflatoxin M1 |
| Zearalenone | Repeat breeding, abortion, swollen vulva, poor conception |
| DON | Feed refusal, lower intake and milk output |
| Fumonisins | Mainly a risk for calves under 4 months |
Milk residue is the biggest public-health issue. FSSAI’s national milk survey found 368 samples (5.7%) above the aflatoxin M1 limit of 0.5 µg/kg, and FSSAI linked this to unregulated cattle feed and fodder (FSSAI, via The Hindu).
If your herd shows unexplained repeat breeding, also read our guide on repeat breeding in cows and buffaloes.
How common are mycotoxins in poultry feed?
Very common — most feed samples contain at least one mycotoxin. The real question is whether the level is high enough to hurt your birds.
| Finding | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global crops with detectable mycotoxins | 60–80% | Eskola et al., Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr., 2019 (~500,000 analyses) |
| Global crops above EU/Codex legal limits | ~25% | Same study |
| South Asian feed samples with aflatoxins (Jan–Sep 2025) | 85% | dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey |
| Global samples with 2+ mycotoxins (19,051 samples, 85+ countries) | 82% | Same survey |
| Indian milk samples above aflatoxin M1 limit | 5.7% (368 samples) | FSSAI milk survey |
The 82% figure matters most for treatment. Toxins in mixtures often harm birds at lower doses than each one alone, so a binder that handles only aflatoxin may not be enough.
Reference limits for feed
India’s FSSAI regulates aflatoxin M1 in milk, but feed limits are not well enforced. Many Indian feed mills therefore use EU values as a working benchmark.
| Mycotoxin | Poultry feed | Cattle feed | Legal status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin B1 | 0.02 mg/kg (adult birds); 0.005 mg/kg (young chicks) | 0.02 mg/kg (beef cattle); 0.005 mg/kg (dairy cattle, calves) | EU legal maximum (Directive 2002/32/EC) |
| Deoxynivalenol (DON) | 5 mg/kg | 2 mg/kg (calves <4 months); 5 mg/kg (other cattle) | EU guidance (Rec. 2006/576/EC) |
| Zearalenone | — | 0.5 mg/kg (calves, dairy cattle) | EU guidance |
| Ochratoxin A | 0.1 mg/kg | — | EU guidance |
| Fumonisins B1+B2 | 20 mg/kg | 20 mg/kg (calves <4 months); 50 mg/kg (adult ruminants) | EU guidance |
All values are for feed at 12% moisture. 1 mg/kg = 1 ppm = 1,000 ppb.
Our analysis: the dairy limit for aflatoxin B1 is four times stricter than the poultry limit. That is because aflatoxin carries over into milk as M1. A ration that is “safe” for broilers can still push a dairy farmer’s milk above the FSSAI limit.
Treatment of mycotoxins in poultry
There is no antidote for most mycotoxins. Treatment means removing the source, protecting the liver and kidneys, and blocking further absorption with a toxin binder.
Follow these steps as soon as you suspect a feed problem:
- Stop the suspect feed. Switch to a fresh, tested batch. Also check litter or bedding for mould.
- Keep a sample. Collect about 500 g of the feed the birds were eating, in a clean, labelled paper bag, for lab testing.
- Call your veterinarian. Send 3–5 sick or freshly dead birds for post-mortem. Other infections often run alongside.
- Add a broad-spectrum toxin binder to the new feed, as the label and your nutritionist advise.
- Give supportive care. Liver tonics, vitamins (A, D3, E), electrolytes and trace minerals — especially selenium and zinc — help recovery.
- Raise protein slightly if your nutritionist agrees, since aflatoxin increases protein needs.
- Treat secondary infections only with vet-prescribed medicines, and follow withdrawal periods.
Steps 2, 3 and 5 follow the MSD Veterinary Manual’s guidance on diagnosis and nutritional support (MSD Vet Manual). Avoid using antibiotics “just in case” — it adds cost and drives antimicrobial resistance without fixing the cause.
How toxin binders work
A toxin binder (also called a mycotoxin adsorbent) is a feed additive that grabs toxin molecules in the gut and carries them out in the droppings before they reach the blood. Some newer products instead break toxins down with enzymes or microbes.
No single binder works on every toxin. Choose based on what your feed test shows.
| Binder type | Works best against | Weak against | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clays: HSCAS, bentonite | Aflatoxin (strong binding) | DON, zearalenone, fumonisins | Low cost; buy from a trusted maker, as clay quality varies |
| Yeast cell wall (esterified glucomannan) | Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin; partly fumonisins, zearalenone, T-2 | Very high aflatoxin loads alone | Wider spectrum; often blended with clay |
| Activated charcoal | Many toxins | Not selective; can bind nutrients | Useful in emergencies; not practical for large farms |
| Enzymes / biotransforming agents | Specific toxins, e.g. fumonisins, zearalenone | Toxins outside their target | Limited availability; higher cost |
| Mould inhibitors (propionic acid) | Stops new mould growth in stored feed | Toxins already formed | Typical use 0.5–1.5 g/kg feed |
Binding notes for HSCAS, glucomannan, charcoal, enzymes and propionic acid are from the MSD Veterinary Manual.
Key point: a binder lowers the damage, but it does not make badly contaminated feed safe. If a test shows very high levels, replace the feed.
Supportive products from VetSet Lifecare
VetSet Lifecare does not sell a stand-alone toxin binder. During recovery, vets commonly use our:
- WISELIV – liver tonic syrup, to support a liver stressed by aflatoxin
- WISEMIN FORTE – chelated vitamin and mineral premix, to restore trace minerals
- MULTITUF – tonic for livestock and poultry
See the full product list. Brands that want their own toxin binder or liver tonic can use our third-party veterinary manufacturing service.
How to prevent mycotoxins in poultry feed
Prevention is cheaper than treatment, because damage starts before symptoms show. Moulds grow fastest when grain moisture is above about 14% and the weather is warm and humid — common in India during the monsoon and post-harvest months.
Farm and feed-mill checklist
- Buy maize and oilseed cakes only from suppliers who share a mycotoxin test report
- Reject grain that is broken, discoloured, musty or warm to the touch
- Dry grain to safe moisture before storage and check with a moisture meter
- Store feed on pallets, off the floor and away from walls; keep sheds dry
- Use stock on a first-in, first-out basis; avoid holding mixed feed beyond 2–3 weeks in humid weather
- Clean feeders, silos and bins regularly; remove caked or wet feed
- Add a mould inhibitor to stored feed and a broad-spectrum toxin binder to the ration during high-risk months
- Test feed with a rapid strip kit at intake, and send samples to a lab each season
- Record batch numbers, so you can link a drop in performance to a feed batch
Worked example: a broiler farm in Haryana
Illustrative scenario, based on a common field pattern; not a client case study.
A 10,000-bird broiler farm switches to a cheaper maize lot in August. By day 21, birds weigh less than target, droppings turn wet and a few birds show beak crusts. Antibiotics do not help.
The farmer follows the treatment steps above:
- Feed is stopped and a 500 g sample goes to a lab.
- The report shows aflatoxin B1 and T-2 toxin together.
- The vet advises fresh feed, a clay + yeast-cell-wall binder (to cover both toxins), a liver tonic and vitamin support.
- The farmer adds intake testing and a moisture meter to the buying routine.
The lesson: a binder chosen for aflatoxin alone would have missed T-2. Test first, then choose the binder.
For dairy farms
The same rules apply to cattle feed, with extra care for groundnut and cottonseed cake — both high-risk for aflatoxin. Keep total ration aflatoxin B1 under 0.005 mg/kg for milking cows, and pair good feed with the steps in our guide to increasing milk yield in dairy cattle.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five mycotoxins?
The five main mycotoxins in animal feed are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, zearalenone and trichothecenes such as DON and T-2 toxin. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium moulds produce them. In India, aflatoxin is the biggest concern, because hot, humid storage suits Aspergillus and groundnut cake and maize are common feed ingredients.
What medicine is used to treat toxicity in poultry?
No single medicine cures mycotoxin toxicity. Vets use a broad-spectrum toxin binder in fresh feed, plus a liver tonic, vitamins A, D3 and E, selenium, zinc and electrolytes for recovery. Antibiotics only help if a secondary infection is confirmed. Always confirm the cause with a feed test and post-mortem before treating.
What is the treatment for mycotoxin poisoning?
First, remove the contaminated feed. Then add a toxin binder suited to the toxins found, and give supportive care for the liver, kidneys and immunity. Treat any secondary disease your vet confirms. Most birds and cattle recover once exposure stops, but severe liver or kidney damage may be permanent.
What is the difference between mycotoxins and aflatoxins?
“Mycotoxin” is the name for all toxic chemicals produced by moulds. Aflatoxins are one group of mycotoxins, made mainly by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. So every aflatoxin is a mycotoxin, but not every mycotoxin is an aflatoxin. Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent and can pass into milk as aflatoxin M1.
What are the common mycotoxicosis in poultry symptoms?
Common signs are feed refusal, slow growth, poor FCR, fewer or weaker eggs, wet droppings, beak or mouth crusts and poor vaccine response. At post-mortem, vets often see a pale or fatty liver, swollen kidneys, a small bursa or gizzard erosion. Symptoms usually appear soon after a new feed batch.
Do toxin binders work against all mycotoxins in poultry feed?
No. Clay binders such as HSCAS work well on aflatoxin but poorly on DON, zearalenone and fumonisins. Yeast cell wall products cover a wider range. Enzyme-based products break down specific toxins. Because 82% of feed samples carry several toxins, many farms use a blended, broad-spectrum product chosen from a feed test.
Is milk safe if cattle ate feed with mycotoxins?
Not always. Aflatoxin B1 in cattle feed turns into aflatoxin M1, which appears in milk. FSSAI’s limit is 0.5 µg/kg, and its national survey found 5.7% of samples above it. Keeping dairy feed below 0.005 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 is the best way to protect milk quality.
How can I test feed for mycotoxins?
Use rapid strip or ELISA kits at the farm or mill for quick screening. For accurate results, send about 500 g of feed, collected from several points in the bin or silo, to an NABL-accredited lab using HPLC or LC-MS testing. Test every new ingredient lot during the monsoon and post-harvest months.
Protect your flock and herd with VetSet Lifecare
VetSet Lifecare is a WHO-GMP certified veterinary medicine manufacturer in Ambala, Haryana. We make injections, boluses and feed supplements for poultry, cattle and pets, and supply them across India through our veterinary PCD franchise network.
For liver support, mineral premixes or private-label feed supplements, see our feed supplement manufacturing page or contact our team at +91 7015507806.
Related reading
- Poultry vaccination schedule in India
- Milk fever in cows
- Diarrhoea (scours) in calves
- Antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine
- Why WHO-GMP matters in veterinary manufacturing
References
- Sandu, D. (reviewed by Swayne, D.E.). Mycotoxicoses in Poultry. MSD Veterinary Manual, updated September 2024.
- World Mycotoxin Survey reveals escalating global risk. The Poultry Site, October 2025 (dsm-firmenich data, Jan–Sep 2025).
- Eskola, M. et al. Worldwide contamination of food-crops with mycotoxins: validity of the widely cited “FAO estimate” of 25%. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2019.
- FSSAI. National Milk Safety and Quality Survey coverage. The Hindu, 22 October 2019.
- European Commission. Recommendation 2006/576/EC on DON, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2/HT-2 and fumonisins in feed.
- European Parliament and Council. Directive 2002/32/EC on undesirable substances in animal feed.