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Necrotic enteritis is one of the most serious digestive diseases in laying hens
Necrotic enteritis, caused by Clostridium perfringens, has been reported worldwide. Main clinical signs are a sudden increase in mortality, depression and diarrhea.
The disease can break out in hens of all ages, but it is most commonly found in pullets of 40-90 days of age and near the period of the beginning of egg laying or during the laying peak.
The presence of coccidia in intestine, feed changes and dysbacteriosis induce the outbreak of necrotic enteritis The disease can occur all the year round, but it is much more frequently found in periods of high temperatures and moisture.
The sick birds show depression, ruffled feathers, closed eyes, lameness or paralysis and dark colored diarrhea. There are also problems of eggshell quality and a drop in laying rate.
Affected flocks show higher mortality, eggshell quality problems and a drop in laying rate. Dead animals are found every day in the farm, with signs of lameness, paralysis, dehydration, and watery, dark, feces.
Brownish watery diarrhea
Left, appearance of the small intestine, with bleeding, inflammation and mucosa showing a linear pattern, like the bark of a tree. Right, severe case with dark intestines, swelling and ballooning.
A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on flock history and gross lesions. Confirmation is on the observation of abundant rods in smears from affected tissues and a good response to specific medication, usually in less than 48 hours.
Penicillins (e.g.phenoxymethyl penicillin, amoxycillin), in drinking water, or bacitracin in feed (e.g. 100 ppm) can be used to treat the disease.
It is often impossible to effectively use antibiotics since the disease progresses very fast and the toxins involved produce irreversible intestinal damage. It is most often easier to prevent necrotic enteritis rather than treat it.
There is another concern that is many of the effective antibiotics leave residues in eggs so there is a withdrawal period and eggs can not be sold during this interval.
Products based on plant extracts with microbiocide and prebiotic properties help to restore or maintain gut heath and the balance of intestinal flora, avoiding the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens. Administration should begin before the pullets are transferred to the laying farm and given during the production peak.
Charles Qiang YU, veterinarian, Technical Manager for Poultry
Pictures: Pathology pictures, by Charles Qiang Yu. Hen, found here. Clostridium, found here.
GrowthPlus© is added to feed to maintain and improve digestive health. It is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
It is especially useful in cases of gizzard diseases, necrotic enteritis, feed passage and other enteritis. It is also used as a natural growth promoter and to replace antibiotic growth promoters.
PlusProtect Digestive© is intended for digestive health in birds and rabbits of all ages. It is formulated with synergistic ingredients:
PlusProtect Digestive© is useful to improve gut health in the following cases:
Certain health statements may not be applicable in your region.