Written by Zamira Australia
What is Third Quarter Syndrome and How Does it Affect Poultry?
Third Quarter Syndrome (TQS) refers to the slowdown in chicken production that occurs from July to September due to extreme weather conditions. These changing conditions make chickens more prone to sickness, particularly broilers, during the monsoon season. Environmental changes, including heavy rainfall and high temperatures, negatively impact economic performance. Despite ongoing mitigation efforts, TQS consistently results in significant economic losses during these months.
Mycotoxins: The Hidden Enemy in Third Quarter Syndrome
Mycotoxins play a crucial role in TQS. Moisture-prone storage conditions during monsoon favour mould growth and toxin formation. This period also coincides with the corn harvest in Southeast Asia, leading to corn contamination by moulds. Corn, preferred in poultry feed for its high energy value, often carries mycotoxins that survive feed milling and are ingested by chickens. The most common moulds, Aspergillus spp, produce aflatoxins that negatively impact chicken health and metabolism:
- Nutrient Absorption: Aflatoxins in feed can reduce nutrient absorption, especially B vitamins, lowering growth rates and feed conversion efficiency. Supplementing B vitamins via drinking water for one week may help.
- Immune Suppression: Aflatoxins weaken the immune response to infections like Infectious Bursal Disease and coccidiosis.
- Reproductive Issues: Aflatoxins decrease egg production and hatchability.
Gut Health Under Siege During Third Quarter Syndrome
Heat stress in conventional broiler houses during hot and humid conditions exacerbates TQS. Chickens eat less and drink more, leading to increased moisture in droppings, reduced anticoccidial dosage intake and subsequent coccidiosis. Coccidiosis in turn causes intestinal cell damage, promoting Clostridia growth and resulting in Necrotic Enteritis.
Strategies to Combat Third Quarter Syndrome
Controlling TQS starts with preventing corn contamination at production and storage sites. Implementing toxin binders in feed is highly recommended. On poultry farms, monitor for diseases like Coccidiosis, Necrotic Enteritis, and heat stress. Be prepared to adjust anticoccidial and antibacterial programs to manage the challenges posed by TQS effectively.
Zamira Australia has a range of anticoccidials, probiotics and immune health products to help combat the effects of seasonal weather changes on your flock, including TQS.
TQS is often driven by intestinal health issues, notably coccidiosis, which can cause intestinal damage, reduced feed efficiency, poor growth, and increased mortality. Managing coccidiosis effectively is therefore essential to mitigate TQS and maintain flock performance.
Zamira’s ZamiCocci range offers two powerful anticoccidial combinations designed to provide broad-spectrum, complementary control of coccidiosis, thereby helping poultry producers combat TQS:
- ZAMAX combines nicarbazin (a chemical anticoccidial) and maduramicin (an ionophore). This blend targets coccidia through different mechanisms, helping reduce intestinal damage and the associated risks of secondary infections such as necrotic enteritis.
- ZINCARB-M pairs monensin (a polyether ionophore) with nicarbazin, delivering dual-action control by disrupting parasite ion transport and interfering with parasite development stages.
Both products support gut health during this vulnerable period, leading to improved growth rates, enhanced feed efficiency, and lower mortality in the flock.
Zamira’s ZamiPro range of products contains probiotic strains that improve immunity and gut health, ideal for use during temperature fluctuations.
ZAMIPRO-SL: This high-concentration probiotic uses a powerful blend of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis strains, which are heat stable during pelleting, offer reliable performance and help combat heat stress.
ZAMIPRO-LSL: A highly concentrated water-soluble probiotic containing Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis, it’s packaged in a convenient pouch for water delivery, ideal for chickens when they are eating less and drinking more during the third quarter. Its quick onset of action helps stabilise the gut during stressful situations associated with feed changes, transportation, and temperature fluctuations.
ZAMIPRO IMMUNE+ PROBIOTIC is a targeted, water-soluble probiotic designed to improve intestinal integrity and support immune resilience during periods of environmental and disease stress. It contains Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus coagulans, which have demonstrated benefits in reducing the impact of Clostridium perfringensand other gut challenges associated with TQS. Ideal for use around vaccination, feed changes, and early chick life, Zamipro Immune+ helps maintain performance and reduce early mortality.
ZAMIBOOST IMMUNE DEFENCE LIQUID, part of Zamira’s range of natural optimisers, is a water-soluble immune and gut health enhancer that combines monoglycerides and organic acids for broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. It helps reduce pathogen pressure, supports vaccine response, and strengthens intestinal barrier function—critical during TQS when birds face increased risk of leaky gut and necrotic enteritis. Its pH-independent mechanism ensures continuous protection across the GI tract, promoting performance even under high stress or disease pressure.
Zamira is an Australian animal health company with a mission to improve the health, wellbeing and productivity of animals across the world. Read more about us here.