BONUS SPRING SUMMER 2025

Navigating necrotic enteritis: challenges in ostrich chick rearing Annalise Kotzé – Technical Advisor: Monogastric & Ostriches Enteritis is not a novel or uncommon term in the poultry industry. Enteritis refers to inflammation of the intestines which can often be followed by necrotic enteritis – an acute infection of the intestines. Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a common bacterial disease affecting poultry, including chickens, turkeys, and ostriches. Ostrich chicks are especially susceptible to gut dysbiosis, often leading to NE. Bacterial pathogens such as E. coli , Clostridiumperfringens and Salmonella spp. are the key contributors to enteritis in ostrich chicks, with C. perfringens commonly being themain culprit. What is Clostridiumperfringens? Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium that is widely distributed in the environment and the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. It is a common soil inhabitant and can also be found in water and decaying vegetation. Known for producing potent toxins, it is a major cause of enteritis in animals. The spores allow it to survive in harsh conditions, including extreme heat, drought, and chemical exposure. Gut dysbiosis and gastrointestinal diseases are the most frequent and economically important diseases in the ostrich farming industry. The majority of mortalities in ostriches occur in the first three months of age. Mortalities of 20% in ostrich chick rearing systems are considered “acceptable” and even normal. Mortality rates in practice can be well above 20%. Necrotic enteritis (NE) in ostrich chicks Ostriches younger than three months of age are more sensitive to diseases of the gut, like NE, to the extent that sudden death can occur Spring/Summer 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 22