Managing colibacillosis
Colibacillosis, the most common poultry disease, is caused by E. coli. It’s also known as early mortality syndrome, coli granuloma, mushy chick disease, cellulitis, peritonitis or chronic respiratory disease (CRD). Transmitted via feed and water, colibacillosis has a significant impact on poultry performance and use of antimicrobials (and related resistance).
How to recognise
Colibacillosis can result in moderate to high mortality in broilers, and is the main cause of performance loss, signalled by low weight gain and decreased water and feed intake. Depending on the broiler’s age, other symptoms can include diarrhoea (with dehydration), respiratory problems (CRD), lameness or inflammation of skin and muscles (cellulitis). Omphalitis, leading to septicaemia and inflammatory conditions (pericarditis, peritonitis and aersacculitis) can be seen during veterinary post-mortems.
The impact on the farmer
Colibacillosis negatively impacts broiler performance, causes disease requiring the use of antibiotics, and frequently results in early mortality. In addition, cellulitis is a leading reason for carcass condemnation at the slaughterhouse, representing more financial loss for farmers.
Colibacillosis remains a primary bacterial challenge for broiler producers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent colibacillosis infection in broilers?
One important way is by checking the microbial quality of your drinking water. You can take steps to prevent infection by reducing the pH levels in your drinking water. Read more about our offering to support the reduction of pH levels in drinking water: Selko pH
How can I be sure that it is colibacillosis causing symptoms in my broilers?
A good place to start is to determine whether your broilers have other health challenges, such as viral diseases. Evaluate if colibacillosis represents a secondary infection in your flock; and if so, focus first on resolving the primary cause.