Gizzard in Chickens

The gizzard, also known as the ventriculus, is an integral part of a chicken's digestive system, functioning as a mechanical stomach. This muscular organ uses ingested grit and small stones to grind down food, compensating for the absence of teeth in birds. The gizzard's robust muscles and thick lining allow for the effective breakdown of hard materials like seeds, playing a crucial role in the bird's ability to digest and utilize nutrients from its diet.

Gizzard impaction, a condition where indigestible material obstructs the gizzard, poses a significant health risk, particularly in free-ranging chickens that may ingest long grass or foreign objects. Symptoms include reduced feed intake and potential for starvation due to obstruction of food passage into the duodenum. Management strategies to prevent impaction include providing grit supplementation and ensuring birds are kept on short, fresh grass to minimize ingestion of fibrous materials.

In cases of hardware disease, metal objects ingested by chickens can penetrate the gizzard wall, leading to severe conditions such as peritonitis secondary to ventricular perforation. Veterinary intervention may include treatments to facilitate the passage of ingested material or, in severe cases, surgical removal of the objects.

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REFERENCES:

• Extension. Small and Backyard Poultry. Avian Digestive System.

• University of Kentucky. Animal and Food Services.

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Hardware Disease in Backyard Chickens.