Necrotic enteritis is a highly prevalent bacterial disease with a great economic impact on commercial broiler production. It is caused by the excessive proliferation of Clostridium perfringens and its ability to produce toxins. This bacterium is part of the normal intestinal microbiota of birds, the outbreaks are due to different predisposing factors that encourage their multiplication and can cause high mortality.

The control of this problem was based on the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Currently, their use is decreasing due to the bacterial resistance they generate. There are natural solutions such as the cimenol ring with very good efficacy for the management of necrotic enteritis.

The cimenol ring is a plant extract that has selective and broad-spectrum microbicidal activity. It is effective in controlling bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens, E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. It also acts on fungi.

Experience in a commercial farm of the use of cimenol ring to control necrotic enteritis

Farm 1:

A commercial farm with 53,400 broilers, these are raised for 44 days and distributed in two buildings.

On day 16 of rearing, an outbreak of necrotic enteritis (NE) was diagnosed.

A control with liquid cimenol ring was established in the drinking water at 1 ml/l from day 16 to 28.

Results:

Mortality was analyzed and a significant reduction was observed from the 4^th day of administration of the cimenol ring. Mortality was reduced by 77% between the peak of the outbreak and its stabilization.

Farm 2:

In another commercial farm of 106,000 broilers raised for 31 days and distributed in two houses, an outbreak of necrotic enteritis was observed on day 16. A control with cimenol ring was applied in the drinking water at 1 ml/l from day 16 to 22.

Results:

Mortality was analyzing throughout the cycle and especially during the outbreak. A marked reduction was observed after the third day of the application of the cimenol ring: on day 22, mortality was reduced by 74.82%.

Conclusions

The necrotic enteritis outbreak caused an increase in mortality on day 16 of the cycle in both farms.

Control with the cimenol ring decreased mortality from the 4^th and 2^nd day after its administration in farms 1 and 2, respectively.

Mortality was reduced by more than 70% in both farms after control and returned to normal levels.

The cimenol ring can be used in the drinking water to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis and thus to avoid the use of antibiotics.

The cimenol ring is developed and marketed by BIOVET S. A. under the name of Alquermold Natural.