Special Report: Intestinal Health 2007
Combining hard work in the laboratory with hard data from the field, poultry researchers, veterinarians and nutritionists are gaining new insights into gut diseases that affect commercial birds.

Hofacre: 'Necrotic enteritis...a big performance issue':
It's no secret that necrotic enteritis is a big problem in poultry. The ubiquitous disease, caused by the soil-borne organism Clostridium perfringens, costs the world's poultry producers some $2 billion every year or as much as 5 cents per bird, according to published reports.

Schrader: 'Incidence of necrotic enteritis was significantly lower'
In response to increasing consumer and regulatory pressures to get drugs out of the food chain, broiler companies are reducing or even eliminating antibiotics and growth promoters.

Collett: 'Avoid perfect conditions for necrotic enteritis to develop'
Poultry producers who want to improve bird performance through natural means should bone up on the chicken’s anatomy, says Dr. Stephen Collett, a nutritionist and professor at the University of Georgia.

Broussard: 'Progeny from the vaccinated hens had 72% less chance of mortality'
The world's first vaccine for managing necrotic enteritis in broilers is designed to combat a toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens type A - the toxin that is associated with development of the disease.

Alfonso: 'We showed improvements in livability and feed conversion'
Although some broiler producers are backing off ionophore antibiotics for controlling coccidiosis in broilers, a good number still rely heavily on the use of those agents - at least for now.

Is GD skin or gut related? Probably both...
Following the presentations by Collett and Roney, the symposium's moderator, Dr. Rick Phillips of Schering-Plough Animal Health, noted that "two lines of thought have developed" about gangrenous dermatitis.

Roney: 'We've faced challenges with gangrenous dermatitis'
Researchers are making significant strides in understanding the mechanisms behind gangrenous dermatitis in poultry. But while researchers continue experimenting in their labs and making observations at posting sessions, broiler growers are learning about GD, too-practical and sometimes tough lessons from their day-to-day operations.

Collett: 'We've seen GD lesions develop from damage to intestinal mucosa'
In recent years, poultry growers have been seeing an increase in the incidence of gangrenous dermatitis (GD) — a subcutaneous infection in poultry that may be caused by clostridial bacteria of various species.

Energy Conservation
New research-driven insights on how chickens utilize feedstuffs can help broiler producers develop new strategies for getting the biggest bang from nutritional programs while improving flock health.

Adding More Value
Nearly 3 years ago, Dr. Rae Fischer made what some people in the broiler industry might have called a very brave decision. Others might have said it was foolhardy.

Leaving Its Mark
Poultry producers should take a second look at their control strategies for coccidiosis following reports that the parasite Eimeria mivati is indeed a distinct species found in about 35 percent of broiler flocks, says Steve Fitz-Coy, PhD, of Schering-Plough Animal Health technical services.

"New Look, New Comitment"
Dr. Charlie Broussard says the poultry industry is developing an even greater understanding of nutrition’s role in promoting intestinal health.

CocciForum Brazil 2007: Florianopolis
CocciForum Brazil 2007 challenged vets, nutritionists and producers to find new management strategies for enteric disease.

Red poultry mites may hold key to reducing Salmonella in poultry and people
Bacteria that live inside red poultry mites might provide a new and effective way to prevent the spread of salmonella and other pathogens in chickens, says Dr. Olivier Sparagano of Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

New nutritional strategies, vaccines will be 'wave of the future' for broilers
Modernized nutritional strategies designed to suit the changing needs of broilers will be the wave of the future in broiler production, predicts Dr. José Ignacio Barragán Professor, University of Valencia, Spain.

Dietary lactose reduces lesions from necrotic enteritis in broilers
Including lactose in the diet of broilers might help control the clinical signs of necrotic enteritis, which has been on the rise in countries and commercial companies no longer using antibiotic growth promoters, say investigators.

Risk factors for necrotic enteritis identified
Necrotic enteritis, a growing problem in the poultry industry, is not only linked to coccidiosis and wet litter, it is also associated with the use of ammonia and the presence of plasterboard walls, according to researchers from the University of Liverpool.

Impact of new, used litter on Eimeria maxima immunity studied*
Using new or used litter appears to make little difference in the acquisition of immunity to Eimeria maxima among newly hatched chicks, according to a University of Arkansas study.