E coli disease in poultry

Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky

Colibacillosis, also called mushy chick disease and cellulitis, is infection by theEscherichia coli (E.

Coli) bacteria.

Can you get e coli from chicken eggs

This disease affects all poultry as well as wild birds. E. coli is the most common bacterial pathogen in poultry. It is spread through fecal contamination of eggs, feed, and water. It is often the cause of secondary infection when the immune systems of birds in a flock are compromised due to another disease, especially mycoplasma.

CLINICAL SIGNS

Clinical signs of colibacillosis include the following:

• Low performance in older birds (due to tumors)
• High mortality in younger birds (due to yolk-sac infections)
• High embryonic mortality in breeder flocks
• Respiratory distress
• Diarrhea

TREATMENT

Antibiotics can be used to treat infection.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

A vaccine is available for breeders and layers.

To prevent infection on your farm or ranch, purchase only mycoplasma-free stock from hatcheries registered with the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) registered hatcheries.

signs of e coli in poultry

e coli birds