Necrotic enteritis is an infectious disease in chickens. It’s caused by a bacterial infection in the intestines. The bacteria that cause it is called C perfringens. It’s a common bacteria that lives in chickens’ intestines. This disease is also known as enterotoxemia because it damages the intestinal mucosa. Chickens are predisposed to develop the disease if they consume high levels of grains and animal byproducts. This condition also can be triggered by anything that promotes excessive bacterial growth in the intestines.