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By Dr Stefaan de Smet and Dr Tom Verleyen, Kemin Agrifoods Europa, Herentals, BelgiumGrowth retardation associated with impaired intestinal health around the third week of age is a major problem in broiler production, fully recognised by farmers, 
veterinarians and nutritionists. This problem occurs so frequently that it is no longer considered as a disease by some veterinarians. Nevertheless, it has been proven that the pathogen Clostridium perfringens is involved. It causes Clostridial enteritis and is prevalent in the broiler industry in all regions throughout the world. C. perfringens associated Necrotic Enteritis (NE) may appear with varying degrees of severity. An overview of the impact of Clostridium on broiler performance is summarised in Table 1. Birds acutely infected with C. perfringens will show high mortality rates of up to 30% of the flock. The clinical form of C. perfringens is easily seen and can be treated quickly through medication. Clinical signs include depression, ruffled feathers, diarrhoea and evident macroscopically lesions in the small intestines. A typical example of necropsies in the gastrointestinal tract due a Clostridium infection is shown in Photo 1. The clinical form of NE is easily detected, seldomly occurs, and can be treated.
veterinarians and nutritionists. This problem occurs so frequently that it is no longer considered as a disease by some veterinarians. Nevertheless, it has been proven that the pathogen Clostridium perfringens is involved. It causes Clostridial enteritis and is prevalent in the broiler industry in all regions throughout the world. C. perfringens associated Necrotic Enteritis (NE) may appear with varying degrees of severity. An overview of the impact of Clostridium on broiler performance is summarised in Table 1. Birds acutely infected with C. perfringens will show high mortality rates of up to 30% of the flock. The clinical form of C. perfringens is easily seen and can be treated quickly through medication. Clinical signs include depression, ruffled feathers, diarrhoea and evident macroscopically lesions in the small intestines. A typical example of necropsies in the gastrointestinal tract due a Clostridium infection is shown in Photo 1. The clinical form of NE is easily detected, seldomly occurs, and can be treated.A serious profit killer
In the subclinical form of the disease, damage to the intestinal mucosa caused by C. perfringens leads to decreased digestion and absorption of nutrients, reduced weight gain, and higher feed conversion. As subclinical NE is not always detected in the broiler flock there is a serious risk that it can pass unnoticed and affect production costs. The disease is known to be a serious profit killer, leading the FCR to increase 6–9 points and final body weight to reduce between 3-5%. Annual losses to producers in the US and Canada due to subclinical NE are estimated to be $5 cent per bird, according to a study reported in World Poultry (2000).The same study showed that the subclinical form of NE is a worldwide problem with an average of 80% of the flocks having had Clostridium diagnosed (Figure 1). A follow-up study in 2005 indicated an increased incidence of Clostridial enteritis in all regions of the world, while recent European surveys confirmed the severity as well as the scale of the problem.
Typical signs of subclinical NE seen by poultry producers are specific growth retardation around 23 days of age (Figure 2). Litter quality diminishes as it becomes wet, leading to moisture levels above 40%. Undigested feed particles are often found in the litter (Photo 2). Consequences of poor litter quality are obvious, as it leads to increased issues of foot pad lesions, hock lesions, and breast blisters resulting in higher levels of rejections at the processing plant. Page 1 of 2 | Next Page »
