In many flocks of laying hens the bacteria Clostridium perfringens causes a large amount of damage to the intestines. Other problems, like coccidiosis or worm infestations, facilitate the problems caused by clostridium.
“In one out of every four post mortems performed on chickens intestinal problems were the underlying reason for referral to the GD”, knows Noami de Bruijn, poultry vet and pathologist at the GD Animal Health Service. “And in one out of every three post mortems done, we actually did find enteritis”, she explained at the Poultry Relation Days held in Barneveld.
Acute intestinal problems are often caused by Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium is a natural inhabitant of the intestines and is always present. It is not exactly known yet why the bacterium sometimes suddenly turns pathogenic. “In practice, preventing stress is one of the most important preventative management measures that can be taken to minimize intestinal damage”, says poultry vet Pim Eshuis. “And that already starts in the rearing period”.
Go and visit the rearer to discuss deworming and minimising the transition to the laying farm, advised Eshuis. “Give the hens a lot of attention, especially at the start of each new round”.
Research done at the GD Animal Health Services shows that in chickens with intestinal problems caused by Clostridium perfringens, coccidiosis often plays a part as well.`
Source: De Nieuwe Oogst.