Preventing clostridiosis in layers Preventing clostridiosis in layers

Preventing clostridiosis in layers

Clostridium perfringens, a cause of microbial imbalance, flourishes in the presence of conditions including stress, coccidiosis and low digestion. A specific strain causes necrotic enteritis (NE), most often at the beginning of laying. Clostridium perfringens is also linked to focal duodenal necrosis (FDN), appearing as necrotic lesions in the duodenum (small intestine).

How to recognise

The presence of necrotic enteritis in layers is recognised by bloody diarrhea, ruffled feathers and depression, especially at the beginning of the laying period and again at the production peak. Focal duodenal necrosis appears from 15 weeks of age, signified by pale combs, but normal droppings. Both diseases are easily diagnosed by the veterinarian during post-mortems.

Note: The prevalence of real NE is quite low, especially compared to the other forms of dysbacteriosis. Severe types of dysbacteriosis are frequently mislabeled as ‘necrotic enteritis,’ but NE refers only to the condition caused by the specific Clostridium perfringens. For more information, read about dysbacteriosis/bacterial enteritis here

The impact on the farmer

Necrotic enteritis can result in serious financial losses due to an increase in poultry mortality and a drop in egg production. Focal duodenal necrosis primarily impacts the layer’s body weight and egg production.

Keeping the risk of clostridiosis well controlled in layers is essential to maintaining optimal egg production.