Risks and disease aetiologies of compromised performance in commercial broilers kept at lower stocking density and limited antimicrobial use.

Risks and disease aetiologies of compromised performance in commercial broilers kept at lower stocking density and limited antimicrobial use. Avian Pathol. 2020 Aug 04;:1-35 Authors: Grafl B, Gaußmann B, Sulejmanovic T, Hess C, Hess M Abstract The health status of broilers raised at lower stocking density and limited antimicrobial use but routine anticoccidials was assessed, in order to identify prevalent causes of disease, mortality and reduced performance. 'Dead-on-farm'(DOF) broilers from 145 commercial flocks were investigated at two different time points (TP1:7-14 and TP2:28-35 days of age); per sampling, 6-10 DOF broilers were selected for post-mortem investigation and gross pathomorphological changes were assessed, in total from 2,717 birds. Post-mortem findings were substantiated by bacteriological, virological and parasitological investigations. Furthermore, production data of all flocks were collected and used to perform comprehensive statistical analysis. Overall, colibacillosis was found most important with a significant negative impact on flock health, productivity and profitability through all ages of broiler production. At TP1, primary reasons for mortality comprised yolk sac infections, generally found together with fibrinous polyserositis due to E. coli. Furthermore, femoral lesions, which correlated with increased flock mortality, were associated with detection of E. coli. At TP2, ascites was detected frequently in...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research