A newly completed study, Evaluation of MucuSol® against E. coli Airsacculitis in Broiler Chickens, offers compelling new data for poultry health professionals. Escherichia coli airsacculitis is recognized as a leading cause of broiler chicken mortality (Hofacre, 2012), challenging flock performance in production settings. This research, conducted by the Southern Poultry Research Group, directly investigates the benefits of MucuSol® oral expectorant solution, when administered as a liquid concentrate in the drinking water of broiler chickens under optimal respiratory challenge conditions.

Study Design and Model for Commercial Application

1,250 day-of-hatch male Ross broiler chicks were distributed in floor pens using reused litter to create common conditions for respiratory challenge. All birds received a coccidiosis vaccine and, on day of test (DOT) 25, challenged groups were given a live Newcastle (LaSota) and Mass IBV vaccine, intended to induce a normal respiratory vaccine reaction and viral cycling, which in turn predisposed the birds to a secondary infection. At the peak of viral cycling (DOT 30), all challenge groups were then exposed to Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC X-7122) via coarse spray, establishing the disease challenge relevant to field conditions.