As the poultry industry moves toward antibiotic-free production, managing common diseases such as Necrotic Enteritis (NE) without antibiotics has become a priority. NE, caused by Clostridium perfringens, is an intestinal disease that primarily affects young broilers and has a major economic impact on broiler production. With outbreaks of NE leading to reduced feed efficiency, slower growth, and increased mortality, farms are focusing on preventive strategies that support gut health and resilience. Clean feed has emerged as a crucial tool in these efforts, offering benefits that extend from improved gut health to enhanced animal performance and economic stability.
NE represents a significant challenge, costing the poultry industry millions of dollars annually. The disease not only affects the health of broilers but also impacts the efficiency of the entire production system. NE disrupts the gut lining, leading to poor nutrient absorption, higher feed conversion ratios (FCR), and ultimately slower growth rates. When broilers require more feed to achieve target weight due to impaired nutrient absorption causing production costs to increase, negatively impacting profitabililty.
The economic impact of NE is further magnified by the mortality it can cause in severe cases. Young birds, whose immune systems are still developing, are particularly vulnerable. As antibiotic use in production declines, the need for preventive approaches to manage NE and maintain productivity is more important than ever.
The gut microbiome—comprised of a diverse community of bacteria and other microorganisms—plays a vital role in broiler health. A balanced and resilient gut microbiome supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity, all of which are crucial for optimal growth and performance. However, when feed is contaminated with harmful pathogens like Clostridium perfringens, it can disrupt this balance, increasing the risk of NE outbreaks.
Ensuring feed quality through microbial control measures is essential in an antibiotic-free system. Clean feed helps reduce the load of harmful bacteria introduced to the gut. By lowering the pathogen exposure in feed, clean feed supports a healthier gut environment, helping broilers build resilience against NE and other gut-related diseases.
Research conducted under NE challenge conditions has shown that broilers fed sanitized, clean feed experience lower mortality and demonstrate improved performance, including better body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency (FCR). Clean feed helps create a more stable gut environment, reducing the conditions that allow pathogens like Clostridium perfringens to thrive.
Supporting gut health through clean feed can also reduce other stressors on the gut. For instance, young birds often face coccidiosis challenges as their immunity develops. Clean feed minimizes additional microbial burdens, allowing the immune system to focus on building protection against diseases such as coccidiosis and NE.
By promoting a balanced gut microbiome and reducing the risk of disease, clean feed contributes to better overall animal performance. When broilers have a healthier gut, they convert feed more efficiently, gain weight more consistently, and exhibit stronger overall resilience. Ultimately leading to higher-quality birds and improved farm economics by reducing the costs associated with disease and poor feed conversion.
Clean feed stands out as a critical component for managing gut health and reducing the risk of diseases such as Necrotic Enteritis. By reducing harmful bacteria in feed, broiler farms can promote a healthier gut environment that supports better nutrient absorption, weight gain and resilience. Clean feed not only aids in disease prevention but also contributes to a more sustainable and profitable production model, helping farmers meet the challenges of modern poultry production with a focus on animal health and performance.
Producers ready to learn more about how feed sanitation supports broiler production should contact a clean feed expert today.