Bacteriological and pathological study of omphalitis in broiler chicks

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of omphalitis in the productive traits of broiler chicks.

The study was conducted from July 2012 to April 2013 in the hatcheries of Al-Fallujah, Al-Anbar province, Iraq to determine the prevalence of yolk sac infection, and to identify yolk sac infection attributed to various bacterial pathogens threatening the area causing economic losses in poultry industry and to take the precautionary measure to minimize such losses .

A total of (116) moribund newly hatched chicks with an age of (1-5)days were received from different hatcheries or farms.

The selective chicks were necropsied for bacteriological cultures, histopathological study in addition to investigate their sequel on the health state of the birds.

The study showed that the prevalence of bacteria was in the following order; Streptococcus spp 39%, Escherichia coli 20.6%, Proteus spp 14.2%.

Pseudomonas spp.

9.5%, Staphylococcus spp.

6.3%, Pasteurella spp.

4.7% , Klebsiella spp 3.1%, Bacillus (saprophytic) 1.5%.

Our study proved that omphalitis have a vital role in increase mortality during the first week in addition to its direct effect in decrease body weight as well as immunological response to further vaccination because of deprivation of passive maternal immunity that will predispose the bird for the endemic diseases.