Fecal bacteria in chicken coops and their effect on chicken weight and health

Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the environment in chicken coops, but when their levels are too high they distort lung performance and food safety.Fecal bacteria are a natural part of the enviro

The main fecal bacteria in chicken coops

Among the common bacteria:

* Escherichia coli infection (pathogenic E. coli)

* Salmonellosis

* Campylobacter infection

* Various Clostridium bacteria, which can cause intestinal infections.

How do they affect the weight of the chicken?

When the birds are exposed to a high bacterial load:

1. Decreased feed utilization

* The chicken eats as usual but utilizes less energy and feed.

* The feed conversion ratio (FCR) worsens.

2. Damage to the digestive system

* Intestinal infections impair the absorption of protein, fat and minerals.

* Growth rate decreases.

3. Activation of the immune system

* The body invests energy in dealing with the bacteria instead of growing.

* Weight gain becomes slower.

4. Mortality and morbidity

* In severe cases, systemic diseases, lameness, air sac infections and other infections are caused.

Signs in the chicken coop

* Increased substrate moisture.

* Watery diarrhea.

* Increased ammonia levels.

* Decreased weight uniformity.

* Decreased feed or water consumption.

* Increased rejects at the slaughterhouse.

Factors that increase bacterial load

* High density.

* Wet substrate.

* Poor ventilation.

* Leaks in the drinking system.

* Inadequate cleaning and disinfection between cycles.

* Poor water quality.

How to reduce the problem?

* Maintaining dry substrate.

* Effective ventilation and reducing humidity.

* Thorough rinsing and disinfection between breeding cycles.

* Periodic microbial testing of water and substrate.

* Prompt treatment of leaks.

* Use of feed additives such as probiotics and organic acids according to the recommendations of the poultry veterinarian.

Economic Impact

Even without obvious clinical disease, a high bacterial load can cause a decrease of several percent in final weight and a deterioration in the conversion ratio. In a large commercial house, even a decrease of 2%-3% in marketing weight can amount to a significant economic loss

In the case of a broiler or laying house, one of the most important factors is the bacterial load in the drinking water and bedding, as these are the main sources of repeated exposure of the birds to fecal bacteria.

Impact on broilers

When there is a high load of fecal bacteria:

* Decreased daily growth rate.

* Worsened feed conversion ratio (FCR).

* Increased rejection rate at the slaughterhouse.

* More foot problems and foot burns due to wet bedding.

* Increased mortality.

In cases of subclinical enteritis (which the breeder hardly notices), you can see:

* A decrease of 50–150 grams in the weight of the chicken at the market.

* A deterioration of 3–10 points in the conversion ratio.

* A decrease in flock uniformity.

Effect on layers

Laying hens may experience:

* Decreased laying percentage.

* Dirtier eggs.

* Decreased shell quality.

* Increased mortality of adult layers.

Recommended values ​​for drinking water

In general:

* Total count: Preferably less than 10,000 bacteria per ml.

* Coliforms (fecal bacteria): Preferably zero or close to zero.

* E. coli: Zero.

If a water test shows a consistent presence of E. coli or coliforms, it is usually a problem of:

* Contamination entering the water system.

* Poor cleaning of drinking lines.

* Biofilm in the pipes.

Cot bedding

Good bedding should be:

* Dry.

* Crispy.

* No wet lumps.

Substrate moisture:

* Up to 25% – good condition.

* 25–35% – requires monitoring.

* Above 35% – health and performance problems begin.

* Above 40% – high risk of intestinal disease outbreak.

Early signs to check

Before significant morbidity appears:

1. Increased water consumption relative to feed consumption.

2. Softer diarrhea.

3. Strong ammonia smell in the coop.

4. Decreased weight uniformity.

5. More small birds than usual.

What do you actually do?

1. Clean and disinfect water lines between cycles.

2. Water tests at least several times a year.

3. Prompt treatment of leaks.

4. Maintain good ventilation, especially in the Israeli summer.

5. Reduce heat stress, as birds in heat stress drink more and wet the litter.

6. Monitor weight, FCR and mortality weekly to identify problems early.

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.