Quantitative assessment and comparison of susceptibility to colibacillosis in pure lines of broiler breeders and their commercial offspring.

Colibacillosis, caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is a disease of major economic importance to the broiler industry. This study aimed to investigate genetic variation in susceptibility to colibacillosis by comparing four pure broiler breeder lines and their commercial four-way cross offspring. Three consecutive experiments were performed assessing mortality, growth retardation and mean lesion scores (MLS) after E.

Severe effects of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis on hatchability and first-week performance following inoculation of 18-day-incubated embryonated broiler eggs.

In ovo vaccinations have been widely used in the poultry industry over the past three decades. During vaccination, various factors, including bacterial contamination of embryonated eggs, can negatively affect hatchability, chick quality and first-week performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of inoculation with different bacteria at incubation day 18 on hatchability, chick quality and first-week mortality.