Focal duodenal necrosis (FDN) is an intestinal disease observed in egg-laying chickens, characterized by multifocal mucosal erosions mainly observed in the duodenal loop. It has a worldwide distribution and it is considered one of the top 5 disease concerns of the table egg layer industry in the USA. Affected flocks exhibit lower egg case weights and sometimes a drop in egg production. Previous studies have associated this condition with different Clostridium species: C. colinum and C. perfringens. In order to determine the role of C. perfringens type A in the pathogenesis of FDN, C. perfringens isolates from affected FDN birds were characterized. The main objective of this study was to better understand FDN by performing field visits, collecting samples and to provide a preliminary field data evaluation based on an electronic survey to gauge knowledge toward the management, diet and disease prevention and control of FDN affected flocks.The second objective in this work, was to try to reproduce FDN by experimentally infecting egg laying chickens with different Clostridium perfringens isolates. The results of this work indicate that C. perfringens is capable of inducing mild lesions in the intestine of egg laying chickens, however, mucosal necrosis as seen in field conditions was not observed. The reproduction of FDN with characteristic lesions as seen in the field may require the presence of other infectious agents or predisposing factors that are still undetermined.