15/09/2023
Cacoz Malaysia | CHICKEN ANATOMY
: It all starts here.
(Gullet): Transports food from the mouth to the stomach.
: A pouch in the esophagus used to store food temporarily before moving it on to the stomach.
(Proventriculus/Gizzard): Principally the organ where food is broken into smaller units. It has two parts: the proventriculus for storage and the gizzard. The gizzard is a muscular part of the stomach that uses calcium grit to grind grains and fiber into smaller particles.
Intestine: Aids in digestion and nutrient absorption. Composed of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
: The largest glandular organ in the body. Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
: Bacterial action in the ceca helps break down undigested food passing through the intestine. The ceca turns into the large intestine, which connects with the cloaca.
Intestine: Functions primarily to absorb water, dry out indigestible foods and eliminate waste products.
: Where the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems meet.
System: Consists of two kidneys and two ureters. The kidneys are located in the pelvic bones. They filter waste from the blood and pass it through the ureter to the outside via the cloaca/vent.
: The external opening of the cloaca that passes waste to the outside.
Calcium Grit in Digestive System
When allowed to free-range, chickens typically eat Calcium Grit. The acidic environment in the proventriculus softens the Grit, and then the strong muscles of the gizzard grind them into tiny pieces. The stones remain in the gizzard until they are ground into pieces small enough to pass to the rest of the digestive tract.
Calcium Grit, a commercial product made up of small stones, can be used as a supplement to chicken feed. Chickens fed only commercially prepared feed do not need Calcium Grit. Chickens that eat whole grains or chickens kept on pasture that do not consume enough pebbles with the forage typically require a supplementation of Calcium Grit. Calcium Grit should not be confused with limestone or oystershell, which are given to laying hens as sources of calcium for their eggsโ shells.
When a chicken eats a small, sharp object, such as a tack or staple, the object is likely to get stuck in the gizzard. Because of the strong grinding motion of the gizzardโs muscles, such sharp objects can put holes in the gizzard wall. Chickens with damaged gizzards grow thin and eventually die. Preventing this situation is a good reason to keep a poultry house free of nails, glass shards, bits of wire, and so on.
BRAND: Cacoz Malaysia
PRODUCT: CALCIUM GRIT/POWDER
GRADE: PREMIUM FEED-GRADE