Colibacillosis in chickens is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic E. coli. This bacterium is widespread in nature and is usually one of the normal bacterial populations in the chicken gut. However, under certain conditions, E. coli can become pathogenic and cause disease in chickens. Colibacillosis in chickens can have complex symptoms. Let’s take a closer look.
I. Comprehensive prevention and control
1. Isolation and treatment: Sick chickens should be isolated and treated immediately to prevent the disease from spreading. At the same time, thoroughly disinfect the poultry house where the sick chickens were kept and the associated equipment.
2. Safe disposal: Safely dispose of dead chickens and contaminated materials to prevent the spread of pathogens.
3. Comprehensive medication: Treatment can include sensitive antibiotics such as florfenicol, neomycin, gentamicin, and Jiang’an Jianke + neomycin/enrofloxacin. However, note that some poultry farms regularly use antimicrobial drugs, which can cause E. coli to develop varying degrees of resistance to these drugs. Therefore, the specific choice of medication, administration method, and dosage should follow a veterinarian’s advice and the medicine’s instructions.
II. Symptoms
Chickens of all ages and different breeds can develop colibacillosis.
1. Chicks with an outbreak of E. coli disease often develop omphalitis, an enlarged abdomen, and redness and swelling of the skin around the navel, with a pungent odor; the yolk may remain unabsorbed or be poorly absorbed, and severe diarrhea may occur, with grayish-white feces mixed with blood.
2. Laying hens often develop inflammation of the reproductive system, manifested as loose droppings that soil the vent (yellow-white droppings, or droppings mixed with blood or mucus), a low egg-laying rate, and failure to reach peak production or a short peak-production period.
Sick chickens may also show the following symptoms:
1. Enteritis type: Sick chickens huddle with their heads tucked in and eyes closed, have severe diarrhea, and pass feces mixed with blood. Feathers around the vent become soiled and matted with feces.
2. Encephalitis type: Sick chickens are drowsy, hang their heads with their eyes closed, have diarrhea, and may crouch, tilt their heads, twist their necks, fall over, or convulse.
3. Arthritis type: Sick chickens limp or lie unable to get up, and their joints are swollen. 4. Ophthalmitis type: Sick chickens have swollen eyelids, inflammatory caseous material inside the conjunctiva, fluid accumulation in the anterior chamber, corneal opacity, tearing and light sensitivity. In severe cases, the eyeball may atrophy and become sunken, and blindness may occur; the bird eventually dies of exhaustion.
In summary, chickens infected with E. coli may show various symptoms, including diarrhea, eye swelling, joint swelling, and neck twisting and convulsions. We should understand these symptoms, learn to recognize the disease, and take active measures to prevent and control it, reducing the harm it causes.