Staphylococci can be divided into three types according to the hosts they infect: human, mammalian, and avian. Avian staphylococci mainly infect various types of poultry, with chicks aged 4~6 weeks being particularly susceptible. Staphylococcus aureus is widely distributed in soil, air, water, feed, and on surfaces in the natural environment, as well as on the feathers, skin, mucous membranes, and in the intestines and feces of chickens. The disease occurs in both floor-reared and caged flocks, but is more common in caged flocks.
A preliminary diagnosis of chicken staphylococcosis can be made based on the disease’s characteristics in chickens, clinical symptoms, and pathological changes. However, for a definitive diagnosis, samples from dead chickens—including blood; subcutaneous exudate; exudate from joints, tendon sheaths, and synovial bursae; liver and spleen; and the yolk sacs of chicks and dead embryos—must be subjected to bacteriological examination and analysis.
Once chicken staphylococcosis occurs, it should be diagnosed immediately, followed by prevention and treatment using sulfonamides or antibiotics. Because drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus are becoming increasingly common, samples should be collected promptly before medication is administered, and the pathogen isolated. After antimicrobial susceptibility testing, select the most sensitive drug and mix it into the feed or drinking water to treat the entire flock. This is the primary control measure after an outbreak in large-scale poultry farming. If the flock is small, sick chickens may also be treated individually. To prevent chicken staphylococcosis, poultry farms should routinely adopt comprehensive prevention and control measures:
First, during flock management, poultry farmers should strengthen their awareness of disease prevention, improve relevant epidemic-prevention facilities, and strictly disinfect anyone entering or leaving the chicken house. They should also keep the inside and outside of the chicken house clean and sanitary, and disinfect it regularly to reduce opportunities for Staphylococcus to enter and infect the flock.
Second, injuries to the flock should be avoided as much as possible, eliminating opportunities for Staphylococcus to enter and infect the birds. The mesh-frame structure installed in the chicken house should be safe and appropriate. The floor mesh should be installed neatly and securely, without excessively large gaps; the mesh openings should be suitable. If they are too large, cover them with plastic netting during the early brooding or growing period. The cut ends of the wires used to secure the floor mesh or plastic netting should have no burrs, and any floor mesh with broken welds should be repaired promptly. There should be no sharp objects on the chicken-house floor, such as tiles, glass, or machine parts, to prevent injuries to the flock. Be careful when debeaking the birds, applying wing bands, trimming their toes, and administering immunizations by puncture, and disinfect as thoroughly as possible. If immunization by spraying can be used, it is best to avoid puncture and injection to reduce unnecessary injuries to the flock.
Third, hatcheries should follow strict disinfection procedures, collect hatching eggs promptly, and disinfect them by fumigation with formaldehyde; incubators should be fumigated and disinfected regularly. Tools used during incubation should be kept clean and sanitary to prevent contamination by pathogens, thereby reducing embryo infection and disease in chicks.
Fourth, strengthen flock feeding and management, provide a reasonable and comprehensive diet, and supply feed with balanced nutritional content. Particular attention should be paid to supplementing vitamins. Ventilate at appropriate times and keep the poultry house dry. Beak trimming should be performed at the appropriate time, and the stocking density should not be too high to prevent overcrowding. Keep lighting at a moderate intensity to prevent feather pecking.
Fifth, ensure proper disinfection. Keep the poultry house, equipment, and surrounding environment clean and sanitary, and disinfect them regularly. Peracetic acid at 0.3% can be used to spray-disinfect the poultry house while the chickens are inside, reducing the bacterial load in the environment and the risk of infection, and preventing chicken staphylococcosis.