CHICKENS CHALLENGED AGAINST Salmonella enterica SOROVAR ENTERITIDIS AND Eimeria tenella AND TREATED WITH ORGANIC ACIDS

Abstract A commercial organic acids compound was assessed, added to feed, to control Salmonella Enteritidis. Broilers were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Enteritidis associated with Eimeria tenella. Five hundred and four day-old Hubbard® females chicks were used in a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial, a total of six treatments with six replications and being 14 birds the experimental unit. Intestinal pH, cecum lesion score, oocyst faecal counts and the presence of Salmonella in the cecal tonsils and spleen of broilers were investigated. Broilers that were challenged only with S. Enteritidis that received the compound in test showed lower frequency of bacteria isolation in lymphoid organs. Besides, decreased number of oocysts of E. tenella was observed and the intestinal lesion scores caused by infection was lower. Organic acids promoted a benefit on broilers intestinal health with positive effects on the control of Salmonella Enteritidis with Eimeria tenella.