The present disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions for use as vaccines against Clostridium perfringens in poultry which causes necrotic enteritis in poultry. Such compositions include one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins entrapped in a polyanhydride or chitosan nanoparticle. The one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins may include one or more Clostridium perfringens toxins, such as, for example, alpha toxin (CPA), beta toxin (CPB), epsilon toxin (ETX), iota toxin (ITX), perfringolysin O (PFO), enterotoxin (CPE), beta2 toxin (CPB2), or NetB toxin. In some aspects, the composition further includes a Salmonella enteritidis flagellar protein. The present invention also includes methods for the oral delivery of one or more Clostridium perfringens extracellular proteins to the mucosal membrane of the intestinal tract of a bird of the order Galliformes.