Feed sanitizer can reduce necrotic enteritis in poultry

A feed sanitizer can reduce the impact of necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry and improve livability and performance, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Georgia (UGA).

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Anitox's Improving Performance Through Clean Feed Event (Courtesy of Anitox)
Anitox's Improving Performance Through Clean Feed Event (Courtesy of Anitox)

A feed sanitizer can reduce the impact of necrotic enteritis (NE) in poultry and improve livability and performance, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Georgia (UGA).

The sanitizer used in the study was a formaldehyde, propionic acid and terpene-based sanitizer that works by decreasing the bacterial load entering the gastrointestinal track, which reduces the onset of NE in commercial poultry and allows the birds to perform at a higher level. 

While the sanitizer targets Escherichia coli, Clostridium, molds and Staphylococcus, it is particularly effective in reducing contamination caused by Salmonella. It can be applied as a powder or a liquid.

During the research, adding the sanitizer produced cleaner feed, which resulted in cleaner eggs, better quality chicks, increased bird performance and lower mortality, explained Chris Tecca, CEO of feed pathogen control company Anitox, at the Improving Performance Through Clean Feed Event held in conjunction with the 2023 International Production and Processing Expo.

According to Dr. Dan Moore, Colorado Quality Research President, the treatment groups in the study that were fed the sanitizer had a 12-13% mortality rate, while the control was 40-42%.

Dr. Enrique Montel, Anitox Global Director of Nutrition and Live Production, said: “In both broiler breeders and broilers, using this feed sanitizer to decrease the bacterial load improved breeder performance and chick quality. In the broilers, it helped control NE.”

In another study, conducted at Colorado Quality Research, using the sanitizer, broiler feed conversion ratio and body weight gain significantly improved while NE related mortality and lesions were reduced.

Tecca stated: “Feed sanitation has historically been looked at as an effective option to protect food safety. Over the past year we have worked with experts Dr. Jeanna Wilson from the University of Georgia and Dr. Dan Moore from Colorado Quality Research, to investigate how mitigating feed microbial loads with Termin-8 impacts essential quality and performance metrics within poultry operations. Data demonstrates that feed sanitation is not only critical to food safety but also plays an essential role helping producers optimize performance and productivity.”

“This data helps us understand how implementing effective feed pathogen control gives producers power to make safe food more efficiently. It also indicates important opportunities for significant returns on investment through performance improvement. More is planned to come throughout 2023 as we continue to partner with industry leaders, invest in R&D and ensure that we support producers in their efforts to make more safe food, efficiently and sustainably.”

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