Necrotic Enteritis (NE) in broilers
Necrotic enteritis (NE), also known as creepers, is a severe form of dysbacteriosis/bacterial enteritis (BE). The prevalence of real NE is quite low, especially when compared to other forms of dysbacteriosis. Severe types of dysbacteriosis are frequently mislabelled as “necrotic enteritis,” but NE refers only to the condition caused by the specific Clostridium perfringens found in typical necrotic lesions in the small intestine.
For more information, read about dysbacteriosis/bacterial enteritis here:
How to recognise
The symptoms of necrotic enteritis include bloody diarrhoea and lack of feather movement. A true diagnosis can only be made by the veterinarian, who can identify if the specific Clostridium perfringens are present in the necrotic lesions in the gut.
The impact on the farmer
While rare, necrotic enteritis can cause mortality in broilers, resulting in high financial losses for farmers.
While real necrotic enteritis is rare in broilers, accurately identifying and treating the condition can help prevent significant financial losses for farmers.