Musculoskeletal disorders in broiler chickens

Enterococcus cecorum infections are the primary cause of musculoskeletal disorders in broiler chicken farms, resulting in paralysis and culling. The infection is caused by certain pathogenic strains of Enterococcus cecorum that multiply in the intestinal tract very early on, pass directly into the bloodstream through gaps in the intestinal lining, or lead to massive contamination of bedding, with the recontamination of birds occurring through infected dust entering the respiratory tract. Preventive measures must be implemented starting at the chick phase.