The most common bacterial disease in poultry—E. coli infection

1.How to Quickly Determine if the Disease is E. coli

Respiratory symptoms: cough, dyspnea (e.g., air sac inflammation).

Fibrinous exudate: pericarditis, perihepatitis, and air sacculitis (typical "three inflammations" lesions).

Yolk peritonitis: There is rotten yolk or cheesy material in the abdominal cavity of laying hens.

2.E. coli prevention program

Feeding management and environmental hygiene

Environmental Control: 

Temperature and Humidity: Maintain a stable house temperature (33-35°C for chicks, 18-22°C for mature chickens) and a humidity level of 60-70% to avoid cold stress and ammonia accumulation.
Ventilation: Enhance ventilation to reduce ammonia concentrations (<15 ppm) and dust, thereby minimizing the risk of respiratory infections.
Bedding Management: Change bedding regularly and keep it dry to prevent fecal accumulation and bacterial growth.
Sanitation and Disinfection: Daily Disinfection: Spray the house 2-3 times weekly with iodine, potassium persulfate, or a quaternary ammonium salt disinfectant.
Empty House Disinfection:

After all chickens are fully in and out, thoroughly clean the house and disinfect with formalin fumigation or flame disinfection.

Biosafety measures
Isolation and Quarantine: 

Newly introduced chickens must be isolated and observed for two weeks, and only re-integrated after being confirmed disease-free.
Entry of outsiders and vehicles should be restricted, and staff should change into disinfected shoes and clothing.
Water and feed hygiene: 

Use clean drinking water and regularly clean water lines (sodium hypochlorite can be added for disinfection).
Prevent mold from forming in feed (add a mold remover such as montmorillonite) to prevent mycotoxins from compromising immunity

Biosafety measures

Vaccination: Inactivated vaccines: Target common serotypes (e.g., O1, O2, and O78). Breeder chickens should be vaccinated twice before laying (3-4 weeks apart).
Homemade vaccines: If a specific serotype is prevalent on the farm, a homegrown inactivated vaccine can be prepared.
Pharmacological prevention: Antibiotics: Enrofloxacin, amoxicillin, or other antibiotics should be added for a short period of time during susceptible stages (e.g., chicks 1 week old, before and after flock transfer). Rotational use is recommended to prevent drug resistance.

Probiotics: Bacillus subtilis and lactic acid bacteria should be added long-term to competitively inhibit Escherichia coli colonization.

Monitoring and early intervention

Regular testing: 

Monthly fecal or diseased material sampling (PCR or bacterial culture) to monitor strain changes.

Monitor antibiotic susceptibility to guide clinical medication use.
Illness treatment: 

Immediately isolate sick chickens and administer sensitive medications to the entire flock (based on susceptibility testing).
Enhance environmental disinfection (daily) and dispose of dead chickens in a safe and secure manner.

E. coli prevention program
Environmental Control: Temperature and Humidity: Maintain a stable house temperature (33-35°C for chicks, 18-22°C for mature chickens) and a humidity level of 60-70% to avoid cold stress and ammonia accumulation.
Ventilation: Enhance ventilation to reduce ammonia concentrations (<15 ppm) and dust, thereby minimizing the risk of respiratory infections.
Bedding Management: Change bedding regularly and keep it dry to prevent fecal accumulation and bacterial growth.
Sanitation and Disinfection: Daily Disinfection: Spray the house 2-3 times weekly with iodine, potassium persulfate, or a quaternary ammonium salt disinfectant
Biosafety measures

Isolation and Quarantine: Newly introduced chickens must be isolated and observed for two weeks, and only re-integrated after being confirmed disease-free.
Entry of outsiders and vehicles should be restricted, and staff should change into disinfected shoes and clothing.
Water and feed hygiene: Use clean drinking water and regularly clean water lines (sodium hypochlorite can be added for disinfection).
Prevent mold from forming in feed (add a mold remover such as montmorillonite) to prevent mycotoxins from compromising immunity
Biosafety measures
Vaccination: Inactivated vaccines: Target common serotypes (e.g., O1, O2, and O78). Breeder chickens should be vaccinated twice before laying (3-4 weeks apart).

Homemade vaccines: If a specific serotype is prevalent on the farm, a homegrown inactivated vaccine can be prepared.
Pharmacological prevention: Antibiotics: Enrofloxacin, amoxicillin, or other antibiotics should be added for a short period of time during susceptible stages (e.g., chicks 1 week old, before and after flock transfer). Rotational use is recommended to prevent drug resistance.
Probiotics: Bacillus subtilis and lactic acid bacteria should be added long-term to competitively inhibit Escherichia coli colonization.