Effect of a Radiant Energy–Treated Lysozyme Antimicrobial Blend on the Control of Clostridial Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A cage study was conducted to demonstrate the effect of Entegard REV, a lysozyme-based antimicrobial blend, on the performance of broiler chickens and necrotic enteritis (NE) disease reduction of birds that were challenged with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens. In the experiment, challenge by the infectious agents without medication resulted in impaired feed consumption, weight gain, and feed conversions and caused high incidence of gross NE lesions and NE mortality rate. Entegard REV included in feed at 200 g/metric ton (MT) was very effective in reducing negative health effects in the birds after NE challenge, and its ability to control the disease was not statistically different from a commonly used antibiotic growth promotant, bacitracin methylene disalicilate, at 55 g/MT.