Abstract: Salmonella contamination
during the grow-out phase of poultry production is an area that is receiving
increased attention. By assessing the relationship of on-farm Salmonella
populations to environmental parameters and farm management practices,
on-farm pathogen control strategies similar to those developed for processing
HACCP programs may be identified. A small survey was conducted to determine
Salmonella prevalence, populations, serotypes, and antibiotic
resistance in fresh excreta and litter from three North Carolina broiler
farms. Litter pH, temperature, ammonia levels, moisture content, and
water activity were also measured. Composite litter and fecal samples
were aseptically collected from three commercial farms (two houses per
site) as a function of bird age (1-3 wks, 4-6 wks) and season (summer,
winter) and the population of Salmonella species enumerated using
a 3-tube Most Probable Number (MPN) method. Fifty percent of the litter
(n = 24) and fecal (n = 24) samples were Salmonella positive.
Litter and fecal mean and range of Salmonella populations were
1.70 and < 1.0 to 3.6 and 1.57 and < 1.0 to 3.1 log MPN/g,
respectively. A total of four different serotypes were isolated from
the six broiler houses with Salmonella Kentucky and Salmonella
Heidelberg being the two most common isolates. Ninety-six percent of
the isolates were resistant to > 1 antimicrobial agent (s).
The results of this limited survey indicate that while Salmonella
spp. populations were statistically different due to a three-way interaction
of farm, season and flock age, the difference could not be attributed
to the main affects.
J.B. Payne , X. Li , F.B.O. Santos and B.W. Sheldon , 2006. Characterization of Salmonella from Three
Commercial North Carolina Broiler Farms. International Journal of Poultry Science, 5: 1102-1109.
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